Many of the cleaning products we use, like soaps, facial cleansers and body washes might actually be doing us more harm than good.

One of the main ways your body accumulates toxins is transdermally, through your skin. Your skin is your largest organ (22 square feet on average) and 60 percent of the substances you put on it are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Twenty four hours per day you are wearing clothes and sleeping between sheets that were washed using health-destroying chemicals and they are being absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin.

Chemicals in common soaps are no joke. They disrupt hormones, promote allergies, lead to reproductive issues and risk of cancer. With serious side effects like these, you need to be particular about what you put on your skin.

Virtually all soaps, shampoos, detergents and degreasers are sweet-smelling poisons. Not only are they dangerous, but toxic chemicals like formaldehyde used in making soaps have a horrible smell and that is why soaps are heavily scented to disguise the smell.

Your skin is like a huge sponge that is absorbing chemicals and carrying them into your bloodstream twenty four hours per day. Virtually all of these chemicals are killing you slowly. Not only do they wreak havoc upon human health, but they are also destructive of the environment in which we live.

Billions of pounds of these toxic chemicals are produced annually in the US. They are found in virtually all of our waterways and in aquatic organisms, from algae to fish to dolphins, as well as in human blood, urine and breast milk.

Triclosan

Triclosan has been around for the past 40 years. It is an antibacterial widely used in shampoos, soaps, deodorants, toothpastes and other body-care products, and recent studies shows that it reduces muscular strength.

This anti-microbial agent is also finding its way inside of human noses, where it promotes the colonization of staphylococcus aureus bacteria, predisposing people to infections. Forty one percent (41%) of the people tested had triclosan in their nasal passages reported Blaise Boles, an assistant professor at University of Michigan.

A higher proportion of subjects with triclosan also had S. aureus colonization, which poses an infectious problem in some populations, especially anyone undergoing surgery.

Other studies have found traces of triclosan in human fluids including blood serum, urine and breast milk.

Researchers found that triclosan can disrupt the endocrine system and decrease heart and skeletal muscle function. It is really common in hand soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes and deodorants but there is no evidence it does a better job than regular soap.

While there is virtually no scientific evidence proving the benefit of triclosan in soaps, there are several numerous side effects. Among other things, this chemical is known to cause irritation to the skin and interfere with the normal functioning of reproductive and thyroid hormones.

Investigators performed several experiments to evaluate the effects of triclosan on muscle activity, using doses similar to those that people and animals may be exposed to during everyday life. In test tube experiments, triclosan impaired the ability of muscle movements including ability of the heart to contract. Researchers reported that triclosan acts like a potent cardiac depressant similar to a drug named Chiamvimonvat. The effects of triclosan on cardiac function were really dramatic. Other symptoms include:

• Abnormalities with the endocrine system, particularly with thyroid hormone signaling
• Weakening of the immune system
• Birth defects
• Uncontrolled cell growth
• Unhealthy weight loss

Mice that were tested had an 18 percent reduction in grip strength for up to 60 minutes after being given a single dose of triclosan. Grip strength is a test that is widely used to measure limb strength.

And since there are so many companies that are proud of the triclosan in their products, we thought we should give them some free advertising. Here are a few that we found poste on the internet by Dr. Ben Kim on Nov 29, 2006:

Soaps:

• Dial® Liquid Soap
• Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
• Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap
• Provon® Soap
• Clearasil® Daily Face Wash
• Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes
• Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
• DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap
• Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap
• CVS Antibacterial Soap
• pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser

Cosmetics:

• Supre® Café Bronzer™
• TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit
• Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation
• Mavala Lip Base
• Jason Natural Cosmetics
• Blemish Cover Stick
• Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ
• Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb
• Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss
• Dazzle

Dental Care:

• Dial® Liquid Soap
• Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Triclosan Mouthwash
• Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush
• Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste

Deodorant:

• Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant
• Right Guard Sport Deodorant
• Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant
• Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodorant
• DeCleor Deodorant Stick
• Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes
• X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant

Other Personal Care Products:

• Gillette® Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel
• Murad Acne Complex® Kit®
• Diabet-x™ Cream
• T.Taio™ sponges and wipes
• Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel

Kitchenware:

• Farberware® Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards
• Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban
• Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer
• Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban
• Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads

First Aid Products:

• SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic
• Solarcaine®
• First Aid Medicated Spray;
• Nexcare™ First Aid
• Skin Crack Care
• First Aid/Burn Cream
• HealWell® Night Splint
• 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban

Clothing:

• Merrell Shoes
• Sabatier Chef’s Apron
• Dickies Socks
• Fruit of the Loom Socks
• Biofresh® Socks

Children’s Toys:

• Playskool®
• Stack ‘n Scoop Whale
• Rockin’ Radio
• Hourglass
• Sounds Around Driver
• Roll ‘n’ Rattle Ball
• Animal Sounds Phone
• Busy Beads Pal
• Pop ‘n’ Spin Top
• Lights ‘n’ Surprise Laptop

Computer Equipment:

• Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad

Other:

• Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier
• Microban® All Weather Reinforced Hose
• Thomasville® Furniture
• Deciguard AB Ear Plugs
• Bauer® 5000 Helmet
• Aquatic Whirlpools
• Miller Paint Interior Paint
• QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler
• Holmes Foot Buddy™ Foot Warmer
• Blue Mountain Wall Coverings
• California Paints®
• EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails
• Dupont™ Air Filters
• Durelle™ Carpet Cushions
• Advanta One Laminate Floors
• San Luis Blankets
• J Cloth® towels
• JERMEX mops

Note: This list is eleven years old and there are probably hundreds more by now!

Formaldehyde

This chemical is commonly found in body washes, cleansers, shampoos and conditioners among other things. Used to embalm human corpses, it is added to household products to supposedly prevent bacterial growth.

According to the International Agency for Research on Carcinogens, it has been associated with occupational cancers such as nasopharyngeal and nasal cancers. It has also been termed as a human carcinogen. It is a major cause of skin allergies and it can even affect the immune system.

Parabens

This chemical is widespread throughout the cosmetic and beauty industry as a preservative to prevent mold, bacteria and yeast from growing in products. Parabens are commonly found in many body washes, shampoos and cleansers among others. The use of this chemical has been linked with breast tumors found in women.

Benzoyl Peroxide

This chemical is usually used in many products used for acne treatment. Even though most products that contain this chemical have a minute quantity such as 2.5% or 5%, it can still cause dryness of the skin leading to irritation. The effects can include burning, peeling, itching and even swelling. It has also been classified as a potentially carcinogenic (cancer causing) chemical.

D&C Yellow 11

The colors used in the skin care and other beauty products are characterized by the prefix D&C which stands for Drugs and Cosmetics, followed by the color and its code. This chemical is found in soaps and can be extremely harmful if used in the area surrounding the eyes.

What you use to wash your face with is important if you want to maintain soft, pliable and youthful skin. Using harsh soaps is not recommended by skin specialists. This is because of the harsh chemicals which can strip your skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry and itchy. Regular use will only worsen the condition.

The skin on your face is extremely thin and requires constant and gentle care. Try using FreeMart NVIRO 360 Shave and Shower Gel, which will help cleanse out the dirt without harming your skin.

Lye

Lye is one of the main ingredients found in many soaps and is classified as a caustic chemical which can cause a lot of damage to your skin. If lye is present, it can dry out the skin and even cause burning.

Fragrance

Soap companies have the liberty to pass on their chemical cocktails under what is called the “fragrance label” which means they don’t have to disclose all the ingredients. Many companies use this loophole to sneak in dangerous chemicals such as phthalates into their products. There have been cases reported where constant exposure has resulted in asthma and migraines among others.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

This chemical is a foaming agent found in almost all personal care and cleaning products. It has nothing to do with cleaning, but it does make a lot of beautiful suds. While it is known to be an irritant to eye, skin and lungs, studies show that it has the potential to combine with other chemicals to form carcinogenic compounds. These compounds of nitrosamines can also be the cause of several respiratory and kidney related diseases.

PEG-6

This ingredient is also commonly found in most soaps and is also carcinogenic. Regular exposure has shown a link between usage and chances of breast cancer.

Symptoms of soap induced chemical poisoning include

• Eye, skin and mouth irritations
• Membrane alterations
• Damage to the brain, heart, spleen and liver
• Chronic irritant and cause of dermatitis
• Compromised skin barrier, rendering it open to entry of bacteria
• Compromised cell function
• Corroding of the hair follicle and cause of hair loss

Free-Mart NVIRO 360 Shave and Shower Gel is an all organic, earth-friendly, health-friendly body wash, shampoo and shaving gel. It can also be used as a non-fluoride toothpaste for cleaning teeth and dentures. One bottle serves and replaces all of your bathroom needs and it is even gentle enough to wash your baby’s bottom.

Help us clean up the earth while taking care of all your personal hygiene needs with NVIRO 360 Shave and Shower Gel.