Ways and Benefits of Avoiding Harsh Chemicals At Home

• Why Should I Be Concerned?
• Are There Potentially Harmful Chemicals In My Personal Care Products?
• What Are Some Safe Alternatives To Common Chemicals?
  • Skincare
  • Hair Care
• Could My Home's Water Supply Be Exposing Me To Unwanted Chemicals?
  • Drinking Water
  • Shower Water
• This Month's Product Specials

Katie Weaver & The National Allergy Newsletter Team
http://www.nationalallergy.com/

P.S. If you're new to the newsletter or you'd like to reread any of our newsletters, you can find all of our past issues on our website. In the coming months we'll have more educational articles about the aggravating factors behind allergy, asthma, and sinus problems as well as helpful tips and valuable subscriber-only coupons. To top it off, we're giving away an Austin Air HM-400 Air Purifier, valued at $449.99, to one lucky subscriber every month!

Why Should I Be Concerned?

Last month I gave you many commonly-found household chemicals to look out for, and some alternative product ideas. This month I will take a closer look at the ways we keep our skin and body looking and feeling healthy.

Are There Potentially Harmful Chemicals In My Personal Care Products?

Here are some substances commonly found in personal care items that could be harmful. This list is not intended to scare you, but to educate you on a few ingredients to look out for. In fact, according to the CDC, "a measurable amount of a compound in a person's body does not mean it causes disease or other damage." I have not listed every chemical that I read about in my research, but mainly those that negatively affect our general health, our skin or have irritating effects for asthmatics.

• SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is found in toothpaste, shampoo, dish soap, liquid hand soap, bubble bath, and some nutritional supplements. It dries out the lining of mouth (making it susceptible to canker sores), dries skin and causes it to flake and become rough.
• Propylene Glycol is a humectant (which prevents drying out) used in deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and shaving gels. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, this irritant causes a significant number of reactions, including skin dehydration and thickening of the skin, even at low concentrations (below 2%).
• Aluminum Chlorohydrate is found in many anti-perspirants and prevents pores from perspiring. It is easily absorbed through the skin, particularly when the underarms have been recently shaved. In a 2004 clinical trial aluminum chlorohydrate was linked with higher risks of Alzheimer's.
• Phthalates (plastic softener, solvent) have been making news recently. A recent study by Swedish researchers published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that higher concentrations of phthalates were associated with symptoms of asthma, hay fever, and eczema. Phthalates are found in hair spray, deodorant, nail polish, hair gel, mousse, hand lotion, body lotion, and perfume, as well as children's toys and PVC plastic. Unfortunately, they're rarely listed on ingredient lists. In addition to asthma and eczema, phthalates have also been shown to damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system.
• Mineral Oil makes skin feel soft and smooth and is found in liquid foundations, blush, skin creams and baby oil. Ironically, mineral oil, a derivative of petroleum, can also dehydrate skin by inhibiting oils you produce naturally.
• Fragrances (synthetic) are used in most personal care products unless labeled as truly fragrance free, or only using natural essential oils for fragrance. Synthetic fragrances are made up of hundreds of chemicals.
• Formaldehyde (preservative, fixative, disinfectant) is found in shampoo, nail care, cosmetics. Formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and weaken the immune system.
• Coal tar dye is most commonly used in D&C Blue #1, Green #3, Yellow#5, Yellow #6, Red #33, and phenylenediamine. It is found in shampoos, especially dandruff shampoos, bubble bath, toothpaste and hair dyes. Coal tar dye can cause severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, headaches, nausea, fatigue, nervousness, and lack of concentration.
• Alcohol acts as a solvent and is found in mouthwash, astringents and facial cleansers, as well as some toothpaste. The National Cancer Institute (4/22/91) cites alcohols in this context as implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancers (women have 90% higher risk; men have 60% higher risk than non-mouthwash users). Used on skin, alcohol strips away natural protecting oils, and when ingested, may cause body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Damaged skin generally takes 24 hours to repair itself.

• A mix of milk and oatmeal may sound like a hearty breakfast, but it's also a natural face cleanser for dry skin types. The milk moisturizes and nourishes the skin, and oatmeal acts as an exfoliating agent.
• Vanicream Skin Care products are free of dyes, perfumes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde. They offer complete chemical-free care for dry, cracking or tired skin. Products available through National Allergy Supply include light lotion, sunscreen, and the popular bar soap.
• Robathol is a safe bath oil from the makers of Vanicream. It contains NO perfume, lanolin, dyes, or mineral oil and naturally moisturizes skin.
• AqtivPURE Non-alcohol Hand Sanitizer is a wonderful alternative to common hand sanitizers. AqtivPURE won't dry out hands, and has healing properties to promote healthier skin.

• MoistStik All-Natural Lip Balm is soothing for dry cracked lips, and offers SPF 15 protection. MoistStik is not advised for lanolin-sensitive individuals.
• Green Mountain's Naturally Pure Soap is made the way nature intended soap to be. It is moisturizing, highly effective and contains no color or fragrance additives. It is available in bar or liquid form.

• Combine A1 Cup lemon juice with Aý cup water and rinse your hair for a natural alternative to chemically-laden hair dyes and highlights. A little time in the sun will activate the lemon juice's bleaching properties.
• Free & Clear Hair Care products, from the makers of Vanicream are also free from potentially harmful chemicals. The line includes Shampoo and Conditioner, Hairspray, and a gentle Liquid Cleanser.
• Naturally Fresh Deodorant uses only pure mineral salts. It contains no perfumes, alcohols or aluminum, and it won't block your pores. It comes in stick, roll-on and spray forms.
• A few drops of hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda makes a super cleansing toothpaste. Use this formula about once every 2 weeks as a natural tooth cleaner and whitener.
• For daily use, Biotene Toothpaste is doctor-recommended for dry mouth relief. It contains no sodium lauryl sulfate so it is gentle on mouth tissues, as are the rest of Biotene's dental products.

Could My Home's Water Supply Be Exposing Me To Unwanted Chemicals?

If you have additional questions about the content in this newsletter, email us at info@nationalallergy.com or call one of our phone experts at 1-800-522-1448.

The National Allergy E-Mail Newsletter is © 2005 National Allergy Supply, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this Newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission.

All trademarks not owned by National Allergy Supply, Inc. or its subsidiaries that appear in this newsletter are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with, connected to, or sponsored by National Allergy Supply, Inc. or its subsidiaries.

If you're receiving this but you are not subscribed, sign up on our website to receive your very own copy of our newsletter.