Carcinogens Found in "Organic" Personal Care Products

[Richard]

Mercola.com 

A new study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) found that many leading "natural" and "organic" brand shampoos, body washes, and lotions contain the carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane.

1,4-Dioxane is considered a chemical "known to the State of California to cause cancer.” It is a byproduct of the cancer-causing petrochemical Ethylene Oxide, which is used as part of a short-cut process called Ethoxylation, which makes harsh ingredients milder.

1,4-Dioxane is also suspected of being a kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant, among others, according to the California EPA. It is also a leading groundwater contaminant.

Some of the leading organic and natural brands found to contain 1,4-Dioxane include:

• JASON Pure Natural & Organics
  
• Giovanni Organic Cosmetics
  
• Kiss My Face
  
• Nature’s Gate Organics

To avoid 1,4-dioxane, OCA recommends reading ingredient labels and avoiding products with indications of ethoxylation, which include: "myreth," "oleth," "laureth," "ceteareth," any other "eth," "PEG," "polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol," "polyoxyethylene," or "oxynol," in ingredient names.

Sources:

• Organic Consumers Association March 14, 2008

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl...ducts.aspx

[Polly]

I never could use Jason products because the ones I tried years ago caused me to break out in a rash so I avoided them after that.  I don't think I ever used Giovanni products.  I have used lots of Kiss My Face and Nature's Gate products over the years and still have some of their items around.

I don't think I have ever heard of 1,4-Dioxane before and Dr. Mercola's website and the Organic Consumers Association is new to me, too.

[spiritvoyager]

I buy and use such items minimally, but I like Earth Science (toner) and Burt's Bees (liquid soap and body butter). 

I have mostly avoided the items listed in the article because their lists of ingredients raised red flags, or they flunked my sniff test.

[Richard]

I’ve used Jason and Kiss My Face products and thought they were ok. I won’t be buying them anymore after reading this article. DT bought Nature’s Gate conditioner and I thought it had a strange unpleasant smell to it. We won’t be buying those products anymore either.

[Polly]

I have no idea, but it makes me wonder if the ingredients in Nature's Gate and Kiss My Face products have changed since I first purchased them in the 80's or if they have stayed the same.

I have a few of Burt's Bees products.  I find them interesting.  And I know it is vibration which attracts me to a product and to consider it while in a store.

[Richard]

I’ve used Bert’s Bees products too and they seem good. Right now I’m using Mill Creek and they seem like good products.

[Mercy Now]

Richard,

I think Mill Creek shampoos have SLS in them. You might want to check it out.

[Richard]

I did check and they don’t. I don’t buy products with SLS.

[Mercy Now]

Perhaps they have a new line?  The bottle I  have has SLS in it. The doc's are thinking I may have a severe reaction to household chemicals and I've been reading and re-reading every label. Sodium Myreth Sulfate isn't acceptable in my case either. 

[Richard]

Mill Creek does have Sodium Myreth Sulfate but no SLS. I bought Mill Creek because they were the only organic jojoba shampoo and conditioner I could find at the local Vitamin Shoppe. Here’s a link to the ingredients.

http://www.vitacost.com/MillCreekJojobaS...dientFacts