Which paraben free products do you use?

Unfortunately, you won't have soapberries for 9 years...so unless you are very patient, you may want to get some to use before then! I am so glad to hear you found them from a health food store - I am trying to spread the word so more people start to use them. Good luck!

BPA Free - is challenged

Note:  A BPA-free label doesn't mean a product is free from other harmful chemical compounds that are slightly different but have a different name.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/why-%e2%80%98bpa-free%e2%80%99-may-be-meaningless/ar-AA9PmCY?ocid=mailsignout

After years of campaigning, health advocates finally convinced many household product manufacturers to remove the chemical Bisphenol A, known as BPA, from items like receipts, plastic bottles and the lining of tin cans. And as a result, it's not hard to find products labeled "BPA Free." But it turns out the chemicals used to replace BPA may have nearly the exact impact on the human body—hormone disruption—as BPA, according to a new study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

"According to pretty much all the literature there is on these two substitutes, they are hormonally active in ways similar to BPA–similar mechanisms, similar potencies," said study author Johanna Rochester, a researcher at the Endocrine Disruption Exchange.

The study evaluated existing research on two BPA replacement chemicals: Bisphenol S and F, known as BPS and BPF. The similarity between the compounds may extend beyond the name, the study suggests. For one, the compounds' structures are remarkably similar. The compounds also behave like BPA, part of the reason why they make a good replacement for manufacturers—if not for consumers looking to oust hormone-disrupting chemicals from their products.

Research on the health effects of BPF and BPS is still in its early stages—just because a chemical has the ability to behave a certain way in the body doesn't necessarily mean it's dangerous. Still, the researchers say based on what we do know, the average consumer has reason to be a little concerned. BPA has been shown to cause problems with human reproduction, metabolism, neurological function and a whole host of other problems.

"We've got to do something about putting brand new compounds in products without having consulted with biologists about what they do," said Cheryl S. Watson, a professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, who was not involved in this research.

But beyond researchers sounding the alarm, what should you do as a consumer if you're concerned about BPS and BPF?

Here's a good place to start:

Know that BPA-free products can still have unhealthy chemicals.

This is the most important thing to know and it's pretty straightforward: a BPA-free label doesn't mean a product is free from other harmful chemical compounds that are slightly different but have a different name. Indeed, the BPA-Free Package program, a third party group that verifies that products don't have BPA, is halting operations because the certification creates a "false halo of health" given growing evidence of the dangers of BPS and BPF. Still, because products with BPS and BPF behave similarly to products with BPA, you can follow the same rules to avoid the associated hazards that you would use for BPA.

Avoid handling receipts.

Receipts at many grocery stores and retailers are printed on a product known as "thermal" paper. These receipts, once heavy in BPA, are often made with BPS or BPF these days. In some ways, exposure to these compounds in receipts may be riskier than exposure to containers made with the compound. In receipts, BPS and BPF are "free" and can easily migrate from the product to your skin and other surfaces. "If it’s a receipt that I do need, I’ll hold out my bag and ask the person to drop into the bag so I don’t have to touch it," Watson says.

Drink from steel or glass containers, not plastic ones.

Steel and glass drinking containers are widely available. It makes sense to purchase a few for the house and a few for the office.

Don't microwave your food in plastic containers.

The heat from the microwave can separate BPA-like compounds from plastic containers, making them easier for the consumer to ingest. If you must use plastic tupperware, you should avoid the microwave. Ideally, you just store food in ceramic or glass containers in the first place.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/why-%e2%80%98bpa-free%e2%80%99-may-be-meaningless/ar-AA9PmCY?ocid=mailsignout

I just use Walmart's brand (Great Value) of natural dishwasher gel. Nothing bad in it, works pretty good, inexpensive and easy to find.

Not for my face, for the dishwasher, LOL

Labelle, I've been using that dishwasher detergent since you told me about it and I'm quite happy with it. Thanks for turning me on to it You gotta love "cheap and "clean".

Also wanted to mention, if anyone is interested, I just came across a cheaper, clean, skin care line. It's called LIVE CLEAN FRESH FACE. My haggard old face needs some extra help beyond the natural things I use or make myself so I've been using this for a few weeks. It's not bad! Nothing questionable in it, except for one of the items (the exfoiliating scrub, I believe) has phenoxyethanol in it. I did a bit of reading and it seems it's used for healthier products (best they can come up with) instead of the preservative properties that parabens provided. It's only in one of the products so I'm still mulling that one over. Also, if anyone knows about dangers associated with said chemical that I may not be aware of, I'd appreciate any info. Oh, btw, it's a Canadian product so I fear it may not be long for this world  The only other truly clean facial line I've found is some company in Australia (can't remember the name at the moment), not available in stores. Seriously expensive. That sucks.

Here is what I found about phenotype thanks: https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/phenoxyethanol

At least it is only in the exfoliatorwhich you don't use every day.

Jen

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/this-earth-day-pl...

Someone mentioned aloe vera above. This is the purest one I've ever found... truly a gel, not a liquid... http://www.healingfinds.com/collections/special-sa...

For anyone out there like me who never grew body hair back after chemo, just thought I'd do a quick post about eyebrows. I have wasted literally hundreds of dollars trying to "fake" some eyebrows. Pencils, waxes, stick-ons, powders, you name it. It all made me look like a clown and I disliked the work involved in all of them. A friend suggested the E.L.F. eyebrow kit, which I've seen a hundred times and always ignored because it cost 3 bucks. How good could it be? Picked some up today and wow!!! No more clown face. 30 second application time. I've had it on all day, nothing smeared, nothing bled, even sweaty and wiping my brow and shmooshing my face in a pillow. It's truly amazing and NO PARABENS. I feel like I won a lottery. Now I can just sit back with natural looking eyebrows and wait for it to be discontinued

Got it at the local drug store. No stencils in this one.

You're very welcome. Hope it works as good for you as it does for me. At least for 3 or 4 bucks you have nothing to lose. I had a good laugh today when stencils were mentioned. Me + stencils = drag queen.

Forgot to mention, if you have NO eyebrows, you're definitely going to need a spoolie with this stuff.

Please consider going over to this thread, and click on the link. You can send an email to your local people about stopping the use of these types of cosmetics with carcinogenic ingredients. Jackbirdie did excellent research.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/110/topic/835444?page=1#top

I need a few heads together on this. I use pump hand lotion at least 6 times a day or more so it's the most used personal care product I use. I've been avoiding the parabens, but when it comes to hand lotions, it seems that when the parabens and pthalates have been removed in so-called "organic, clean" products, they've been replaced with phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate for, I assume, preservative and emulsifying purposes but I really don't know. Both have a fairly high hazard rating. I finally decided, screw it, I'm going to make my own. Here's where I've run in to trouble. The preserving I'm not worried about, but the emulsifying has been a pickle. I thought vegetable glycerin would work....that made bubbles Xanthan gum made it sticky. I know this can't be that hard, at least not any harder than making mayonnaise. Does anyone make their own? What non-toxic ingredient do you use to make it emulsify and pump-able. Any ideas welcome. I'm open to any and all science experiments. Most of the recipes on the web are for butters and jarred creams. I want a lotion, non-greasy. Any ideas? So far, these are the ingredients going in....beeswax, shea butter, aloe water, almond oil, tangerine oil. Emulsufier??? Staying viscous at room temperature??? I'm stuck.

Labelle, thank you! I never even thought of asking a soap maker. They probably know the chemistry involved in creams and lotions.

Leggo, I've noticed when I go to craft fairs/farmers' market kind of things that many people who used to just make homemade soaps seem to have expanded their product lines to include body and hand lotions. Hope you can find some you like but you still have to read the labels, even homemade doesn't always means safe.

Mrs. M, check the ingredient list on that Almay product. Even though the front of the bottle says fragrance free, "fragrance" is in the list of ingredients. "Fragrance" typically contains phthalates which are endocrine disruptors. It also contains aluminum, a known carcinogen that is biocumulative.

I'd suggest using a deodorant and skipping antiperspirant. Our body needs to sweat, that's how it gets rid of toxins. Antiperspirants block our pores and trap toxins and bacteria.

Jen

I am very happy with my home made version which is coconut oil, baking soda and arrowroot. It really works. You can add essential oils for fragrance.