Nature can’t provide for all of our needs in a modern world, so it makes sense to create products that make life (and hygiene) easier. Products like face wash, shampoo, tampons, medicated foot powder, and deodorant are just several examples of necessary hygiene products. Millions of people use these products, yet they don’t all contain safe ingredients.
Research studies have linked these and other personal hygiene products to cancer among other health problems. It’s time to rethink using these products.
Medicated foot powder contains talc – a dangerous mineral
Talcum powder is crushed talc. When crushed into a fine powder, talc works as an anti-caking agent and absorbs moisture extremely well. That’s why it’s used in medicated foot powders, baby powder, deodorants, makeup, and even skin creams.
Talc is naturally occurring soft mineral, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. In the past, talc was mined in areas where asbestos was also present, resulting in contaminated talc. However, pure talc can have the same long-term impact on the human body as asbestos. As far back as 1982, Talc has been linked to lung and ovarian cancer. The Harvard doctor who performed the 1982 study advised Johnson & Johnson to remove talc-based products, but the company ignored the doctor’s findings.
Johnson & Johnson continues to sell talc-based products, even after being forced to pay millions of dollars in cancer-related lawsuits. On February 26, 2016, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $72 million in damages to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer. The woman had used the Shower to Shower product daily for 35 years for feminine hygiene.
Women who use talc-based products on their genitals have a 1 in 50 chance of developing ovarian cancer. During the trial mentioned above, an expert testified that 45,000 women have died from ovarian cancer caused by applying talcum powder to the genitals.
When company claims don’t match the science, believe the science. For a safe alternative to talcum powder, try corn starch.
Chemical foot peels that don’t disclose ingredient concentrations
A little exfoliation can go a long way. Apparently, the makers of a chemical foot peel called Baby Foot disagree and think extreme exfoliation is necessary.
Although plenty of people rave about the product’s results, other users report bleeding, cellulitis, and having to go to the emergency room. A dermatologist suspects the problems might arise from an unsafe concentration of AHA, or glycolic acid.
Instead of risking complications from chemical-based foot peels, try something more natural. You can’t get a more natural foot peel than sticking your feet in a bath full of tiny Garra Rufa fish and letting them eat away the dead skin. People in Turkey have been using this method for 400 years.
Anti-perspirant contain aluminum
In the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum was a suspect in the development of Alzheimer’s, which led to concern over aluminum exposure from cooking equipment, soda cans, antacids, and anti-perspirants. Another study in 1985 found the same link between high levels of aluminum and Alzheimer’s.
Some studies claim using anti-perspirants containing aluminum leads to breast cancer, since it’s applied under the arms. Of all the ingredients in anti-perspirant, it’s the aluminum that clogs the sweat ducts to prevent you from sweating. However, toxins exit the body through sweat, and the body is forced to hold onto the aluminum.
The studies linking aluminum to cancer have yet to be accepted in the scientific and medical communities, but to be on the safe side, it doesn’t hurt to find an aluminum-free anti-perspirant. Your body gets exposed to enough harmful chemicals from other sources. Try deodorant crystals or browse your local health food store for some natural alternatives.
Tampons and sanitary pads contain toxic chemicals
Anything in constant contact with your skin will be absorbed into your blood stream, even though you won’t necessarily feel it happening. Using toxic tampons and pads is especially bad because the skin around the vaginal area is more permeable than other areas of the body.
Unfortunately, manufacturers aren’t required to disclose ingredients used to make tampons and sanitary pads because they’re considered medical devices. That’s bad news. While it’s impossible to know exactly what’s in these products, one woman set two types of pads on fire to see how they burned: one commercial and one natural brand. The natural, cotton pad burned clean while the other left behind a thick, black residue suggesting it might contain dioxins, synthetic fibers, and petrochemical additives.
A simple alternative to using sanitary products manufactured by major brands is to use natural, organic cotton products. Or try switching to period underwear.
Natural hygiene products are best
While you can’t eliminate every source of toxin from your life, you can make choices to replace products known to cause harm. Switch to a natural personal hygiene routine and replace one toxic product at a time.
