I am looking for a shampoo and conditioner that will not harm me from absorbtion, as I wash my hair every day.

Permanent seperation of health and commerce.

The British have found a way to seperate the pharmaceutical industry and their Health Department and made it law. The commen sense of it is so obvious that it seems absurd that we aren't following suit with all state departments that are associated with public health issues.

The current administration has set our environmental and health advances back 20 or more years. We have to find a constitutional/legislative way to make permanent the policies of all departments that affect public health regardless of the party in power.

Please consider invistigating the following British ideas and look for someone in congress willing to introduce similar legislation. Send out a petition or pre-created letters that we can sign and forward to everyone we know.

"In recent years the F.D.A. has demonstrated a too-cozy relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and an attitude of shielding rather than disclosing information," said Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmhealth/42/42.pdf

"The Department of Health has not only to promote the inerests of the pharmaceutical industry but also the health of the public and the effectiveness of the National Health Service.. There is a dilemma here which cannot be readily glossed over. The Secretary of State for Health cannot serve two masters. The Department seems unable to prioritise the interests of patients and public health over the interests of the pharmaceutical industry. We therefore recommend that sponsorship of the industry pass from the Department of Health to the Department of Trade and Industry.

The UK pharmaceutical industry is in many ways outstanding. We trust that our recommendations will not only protect health but also help the industry. It is not in the long term interests of the industry for prescribers and the public to lose faith in it. We need an industry which is led by the values of its scientists not those of its marketing force. In making our recommendations we were very impressed by the comments of Sir Richard Sykes:

"Today the industry has got a very bad name. This is very unfortunate for an indusry that we should look up to and believe in, and that we should be supporting. I think there have to be some big changes."

According to a new study, outside advisory panels to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration typically serve as “rubber stamps” for companies seeking approval of drugs and medical devices. “The report follows criticism by members of Congress including Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) that the FDA fails to sufficiently scrutinize drug safety.”

Sincerely,
Sandra Holt
slholt@cfl.rr.com

These are brands of shampoo/cond. that my family likes: Mastey, Giovanni, Burts bees. And Avalon Organics makes a nice lemon clarifying shampoo & conditioner. (but can be drying for everyday)good luck!

Aubrey Organics has a wonderful line of shampoos and conditioners that are completely safe. The price is very reasonable.

thanks for running this....

In response to Diana Spires' question about a safe shampoo, I am an Independent Consultant with Arbonne International and we market pure, safe and beneficial products (including shampoo and conditioner.) Please contact me for a free sample @ bnnleclair@aol.com

Diana,

Arbonne International has some great botanical products that are safe and effective. Feel free to go on to Arbonne.com with ID#16535723 to check out the product line.
Send another message if you would like to contact me.

I am wondering about the benefit of using whey protein as a supplement for low protein intake and/or extra nourishement for hair and nails.

I use Intelligence Daily Self-Adjusting Shampoo manufactured by Arbonne International. See attached web site. The shampoo adjusts to your hair's needs and contains nanospheres, nettle, hops, sage and thyme extracts, vitamins A, C & E. It is gentle enough to use every day. There is also a conditioner, and a special shampoo for dry, flaky scalps. Arbonne's philosophy is only to provide products that are pure safe and are actually beneficial for you. I hope you find this information helpful.

There are three very good shampoos and conditioners out there that are perfectly safe: Aubrey Organics, Gary Null and Burt's Bees. These products contain no chemicals, preservatives, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol or any of the other toxic chemicals in the drug store brands. Burt's Bees brand is now sold in Target Stores and Whole Foods and on-line in various places. Aubrey and Gary Null are at Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, and at various (cheaper) places on-line.

What information do you have about Mary Kay, Aloette or Arbonne skin care or cosmetics? I use Mary Kay, while my co-worker uses the other two lines of products, but we have been unable to locate any information on this site regarding these companies. Thank you.

When looking into any product whether skin or hair care, I recommend looking up all the ingredients and what they can do to your body. A good book is "A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients" by Ruth Winter, M.S. I have found that a lot of the products independent consultants recommend are not really pure. My analogy is this....Brownies with just a little bit of poop in it is still bad even though you can't taste, smell, or see it. Be aware of play on words like botanical, natural, organic. Don't just take people's word; research it. It has taken me 2 years of research to come up with that which is least toxic in all products. It's all about educating ourselves continually! I won't name names of companies, but do your research! You can go to www.practiceorganics.com to further educate yourself. I am a state licensed cosmetologist who has started a salon in her home to reach those that have chemical sensitivities, auto-immune diseases, or are just concerned about their health and their environment. www.purehueshairsalon.com Hopes this helps someone.

Are there any hard chemical in Avon product.? Like, is there lead in any of their lipsticks? Or hair products, are they safe to use? OR any of their products. Are they all safe products?

since you're looking for a natural shampoo, you'd better check all the suggestions above at the link below to see whether these companies have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, and whether they really are interested in protecting your health:
http://safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm

Doesn't Arbonne use Quaternium-15 in their products? This is a formaldehyde.

In my opinion the safest brand is miessence, the world's first extensive certified organic range of personal care.
Not only do they contain no synthetic nasties AT ALL, they are environmentally responsible and CARBON NEUTRAL!!! So save the planet the same time you shampoo.
You can view their full product line with all ingredients listed at www.chooseorganics.mionegroup.com
I have a friend who is a distributor, so e-mail me if you want samples and I will pass your details on.

If you get all the ingredients for the arbonne products you will find they contain parabens and a few other chemicals that I would not use. They are not all natural. They also do use Quaternium-15.

Hi Diana,

I have been purchasing not only my cosmetics, but also safer personal care products and household cleaning products from a company called Melaleuca for 2 years now. They don't use preservativesor caustic chemicals. They only manufacture products that contain the safest ingredients. If you haven't found anything yet and you'd like to know more, feel free to email me at saferalternatives@sbcglobal.net. No sales, just info.

About the shampoo.
There is one which is not on the EWG products list because there are no Synthetic Chemicals to test for.
Our shampoo is 71% Certified Organic with the remain ingredients totally natural.
Read our label at
www.mylifeinbalance.mionegroup.com

Shaklee has made safe products for 50 yrs. Go to shaklee.com

Having a third party certify the safety of the ingredients in your personal care products is very helpful. I will only let my family use Neways products because Samuel Epstein has found them to be the safest on the market. Samuel Epstein is the founder of the Cancer Prevention Coalition and has no financial ties to Neways.

I read that "butylene glycol" is very toxic. It is in about everything from lipsticks to hair conditioners. It is most caustic in lipsticks when one considers how often women apply it and injest it.
My family and I use Giovanni hair products. I feel they are closest to professional hair care products in feel and performance w/o the toxic ingredients.

365 daily shampoo from Whole foods states that there are no parabens, methylparabens or other chemicals; there is also a body lotion that has no chemicals in the product. Afterglow cosmetics has no chemicals either, lipstick is organic.

Diana, I am currently using Miessence Lemon Myrtle Shampoo and the conditioner. It has no synthetic chemicals, works great! No parabens! Email me if you have questions!

You can check out www.realpurity.com, www.allnaturalcosmetics.com www.holisticbeauty.net, and www.aubreyorganics.com for hair products made w/out chemicals, SLS, parabens, etc. Aubrey organics is sold at discount prices at www.vitaminlife.com. Real Purity, All Natural Cosmetics and Holistic Beauty sell samples sizes so you can try before buying full size. Hope this helps you. I've been using Aubrey organics for months now and love it. The shampoo, conditioner, hair gel and hairspray.

Try the shampoo and hair conditioners from Mionegroup
this is the Worlds First Certified ORGANIC range of Skin, Hair, Body, Cosmetics and Nutritional Products!
Please check them out at my web site!
God Bless,
Lora

L’Bri hair care products were developed as an alternative to hair care that use potentially harmful chemicals in their formulations. Aloe Vera leaf extract provides the base for our shampoo and conditioner. No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate or other questionable chemicals including propylene glycol, and FD&C color pigments which are made from coal tar and contain heavy metal salts. L’Bri formulations use cleaning agents that are non-toxic and are naturally derived from coconut oil and other plant sources. See http://www.lbri4u.lbri.com for more information.

It has been a blessing to find a company whose priority is providing pure and safe products for the skin and body. That company is Arbonne and I would be happy to tell you more. They post all the ingredients so you can check it out prior to purchase. I not only use the shampoo, but most of their products. I am glad I don't have to spend hours researching different product lines and their ingredients anymore! Just e-mail me and I'll share more.

Diana,

You probably find that you need to wash your hair everyday because of the shampoo you are using. You need to rebalance the natural esential oils.

There are so many products in our homes that are harmfull to our bodies and the environment. I would love to give you a free consultation about products that nourish your skin rather then harm you. We also have non-toxic cleaners, detergents and make up etc....
Our prices are very reasonable.
please send me am e-mail or visit my website www.GoGreen.healthyhometour.com.

Try Aubrey for shampoo and conditioner; they are the BEST!!! There are absolutely no parabens, petrochemicals, or other chemical preservatives in their hair care products, and you can choose from shampoos that have a host of different herbal infusions and extracts. I just started using their henna shampoo and clean rinse, and the red-gold highlights in my hair are finally beginning to peek out! Aubrey is the best!

I use only Kirks castile soap for my hair and body. I am over fifty and still blessed with full and colorful hair.

Hello,

I recently purchased beauticontrol wet/dry foundation. The salesperson sold it to me without the ingredients listing. Are there any harmful chemicals in it?

Also, what is the best bath and shower gel with "matching scents" moiturizers? I gave up on victoria's secret and bath and body works- Thanks!!

Stay away from products that contain formaldehyde-producing chemicals, such as Quarternium 15; 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol; Diazolidinyl urea; DMDM Hydantoin; or Sodium Hydroxyglycinate. These chemicals are effective in killing anything that comes in to contact with them, so imagine what they could be doing to your skin.

Also, stay away from other Paraben preservatives (BENZOIC ACID, ISOBUTYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN). Usana Health Sciences has developed a patened pending formula of skin and hair care products that have eliminated the need for these dangerous chemicals. Go to http://products.usana.com/en/products/us/sense/index.shtml to read about it. Email me for more information.

I am trying to find a men's DEODERANT (not Antiperspirant) that is FREE of all harmful components, INCLUDING aluminum, since it is often linked to various degenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s.

The EWG skin-deep database lists “Crystal Body Deodorant Stick” which contains AMMONIUM ALUM = (NH4Al(SO4)2.12H20) (per Wikipedia) with a safety score of 0.2!

It also lists ammonium alum with a safety score of 0.0!
http://ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/report.php?type=PRODUCT&id=8803343

Knowing ammonium alum contains aluminum, even if it is “too large to be absorbed by the skin” (per Wikipedia again: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_alum)
doesn’t ring true!

Does anyone have some factual info on this?

Dennis Page

I wrote to the President of his own Prime Colostrum company & also is a speaker at our nutriceutical meetings. Our new skin care line has butylene glycol so I wrote and asked him why? He gave me this below:

Some Consumer Advocates call butylene glycol an anti-freeze, and imply it
is toxic because of its characterization as a glycol. Just about anything
added to water can be an anti-freeze. It is ludicrous then to label all
anti-freeze formulations as toxic. Glycol's can prevent water from
freezing at 0 degrees Celsius. This fact does not make all glycol's toxic,
especially in the same manner and at the same levels of toxicity. Butylene
glycol is present inseveral Neways products.

Safety concerns Butylene glycol is rapidly absorbed through any tissue,
including the skin. It is rapidly metabolized to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
in animals and humans. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is a naturally occurring
chemical found in the brain and peripheral tissues of humans.
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is also rapidly metabolized into succinate
through the tricarboxylic acid cycle within the body. Given in high doses,
a neuromodulator effect can be seen.4 However, in the small doses used as
a solvent in pharmaceuticals and nutritionals, there are no known side
effects. In water-based products, a concentration of 0.5% butylene glycol,
as a solvent, would be safe for topical use.

Safety profile Butylene glycol in concentrations of 0.5% or less in a
topically applied product scores at least 9 out of 10, with a score of 10
being perfectly safe.

Funk JO, et al. Contact Dermatitis 199431236-41. Propylene glycol
dermatitis re-evaluation of an old problem.

Irwin RD. National Toxicology Program, Toxicity Report Series no.54, NIH,
US Dept of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication #96-3932, 41 pages,
80 references.

I *completely* trust the company I'm with for the simple reason they do extensive research & the doctors/scientists have been invited to be part of the Royal Society of Medicine; to present their technology to MIT twice; invited to international science conferences who only look for health & have no financial ties; and has spoken to Congress twice on how our nutrients may break down biological war chemicals;. Also 10 k's have had their health returned including myown. I couldn't even dress myself before & now can run &I play. I'm 54 & have lost >85 lbs.
So... I trust the answer Joe gave to me. Sorry for the long explanation.
I also trust Miessence, Shaklee, Wysong.

The most ethical personal care products you can get on the planet are "Miessence" as they are certified organic to the highest international FOOD standards. To get that high level of certification every ingredient must be beneficial to you; no GMOs; no animal testing EVER; absolutely no synthetic chemicals used at any point in the growing or processing. The company has also achieved a carbon neutral status - it is ethical to the core. If you dig deep enough into any other company who claims to be "organic" or "natural" you will find a "nasty" somewhere and it is usually the perserving system - you will find no such thing in the "Miessence" products. Beware of Against Animal Testing claims as well as they are not worth the plastic they are printed on -companies can use ingredients that have been tested on animals, but if they didn't commission the testing they can claim whatever the hell they like. Also beware of products where the "finished product was not tested on animals", this is true HOWEVER most of the individual ingredients will have been. Don't take things at face value, research, research and research some more, that is what I did. It is a "green" minefield out there, but if you go for CERTIFIED ORGANIC (with the LOGO to prove it) you are on the right track. Want to educate yourself some more? Go to www.ethicalorganics.mionegroup.com Thanks for your time and together we can all make a difference.

Hi Diana
I also use Neways and they have a commitment to have toxic free products. I have a friend who has very sensitive skin and she has used Neways for 14 years as she says it's the only product that agrees with her body. Neways has a huge range of products from household, bathroom, cosmetic and excellent nutritian to keep your body healthy inside and out. The company started in 1987 when an industrial chemist's wife became ill and he discovered that opur personal care products contained the chemicals he was working with. They then decided to make safe products for the public to use. Contact me on gill.graham@bigpond.com.au if you would like to know more.

I am severely chemically sensitive, and I use shampoo and conditioner from a company called Organic Excellence,

www.organicexcellence.com

My testimonial on behalf of this shampoo is most valid, because I have terrible reactions to all kinds of synthetic chemicals, yet I can tolerate these products with ease.

someone mentioned Arbonne. Arbonne heavily utilizes nano technology and should be viewed as questionable at the least.

While they don't appear on EWG's list of compact signers,
I highly recommend Beauty Without Cruelty (Oshadhi) aromatherapy shampoo. I have very sensitive skin and allergies to petrochemicals, and I find the shampoo to be gentle and more subtly scented than other "natural" shampoos (even though it is aromatherapeutic). BWC has a strong reputation for not testing its products on animals and not using animal ingredients.

Hi to all the ones that wrote
about the chemicals in cosmetics and deodorants. I being a Certified Registered
Holistic Nutritionist/Certified Chinese
Herbologist in the field 25 yrs-I've seen it all. Evan wrote about those toxins on my
web site. The purest I know
that has cosmetics and deodorants among others is
HealthyHabitsWeb.com
My ID 461414-Tons of my clients are on them. or go to me http://members.cox.net/agingless4u

This is about a different company that is called USANA. It is an international health and Wellness company that has the ONLY skin and haircare line that is self preserving and has NO parabins or harmful chemicals. They have been rated the number one supplement in North America (check out "The Comparitve Guide To Nutritional Supplements" By Lyle MacWilliam. For more info Email me at Kelkama@shaw.ca.
Their Skincare system has been recognized by the "Skin Cancer Foundation" They have a full line of skin, hair and body products, all are parabin free, and naturally preserved.

After I read this report by Dr Epstein I stopped using main stream shampoos. You need to protect your Family NOW!

Nitrosamine: According to Dr. Epstein, "We've known since 1976 that DEA will react with nitrites which are present,as preservatives or contaminants, in personal care products, to produce a carcinogen known as nitrosodiethanolamine. This is found in virtually any cosmetic that contains DEA. Consumers have been exposed without any information and without any guidance whatsoever!

In 1979 the FDA warned the cosmetic industry that DEA was dangerous because of this. The cosmetic industry ignored the warning! While over in Europe, strong action was taken to phase out the use of DEA." Padimate-O (also known as octyl dimethyl PABA): Act by releasing nitrites which combine with DEA to form *nitrosamines. Found in cosmetics, especially sunscreens.

You can go here and read about a natural shampoo.
http://tinyurl.com/2tb9uj

To your health
Robert
www.PowerfulOrganicVitamin.com

Regarding shampoo and other skin care products that are safe for everyday use:

Try Young Living Essential Oils hair and skin products! They have the only toothpaste I have found that doesn't have a "keep out of the reach of children" warning on it.

;o) Check it out!

Miessence Organics is the one to look for. www.tgorganics.mionegroup.com
I can send you samples of hair care products, makeup, and skin care. Please visit my site to learn more, or email me at trudygentile@sympatico.ca
Kind regards,
Trudy

To Diane and others looking for non-toxic body care/beauty products, I've found in my research (which is by no means comprehensive but still significant) that no brand is completely trustwothy, unfortunately. Two Arbonne products appeared in my household recently and I found quite a few alarming ingredients on the label.

Your first line of defense is to limit your use/need of these products in the first place. I've eliminated my shampoo & conditioner use (replaced by baking soda & cider vinegar), use deoderant every other day, coconut oil or Burt's Bees hand salve instead of lotion, and very little makeup.

The second line of defense is to make products yourself so that you know exactly what went into it. You can find books with recipes

For those products which you choose to continue to use, do not shop by "safe" and unsafe brands, but look at each product individually. Use EWG's safety ratings, and/or keep a list of "top offenders" - those ingredients that are most harmful - and make sure they're not in products you purchase, especially not anywhere near the top of the ingredient list.

Be very, very wary of products that claim to be organic or all natural (and the financial motivations of those who make these claims) - these statements are not regulated, and I'm often shocked at what I find in products sold in natural food stores and the like.

Well, reading these blogs has been very interesting to say the least. MANY NATURAL companies out there and every body thinks they have the best. It all comes down to research because nobody is doing the monitoring for us, least of all the FDA. It would be nice if our government could be non-political enough to be our friend and help with this, but not so. Beware of ALL companies that market natural....check it out first. Look at longevity in the marketplace and their backup research and if it is available to your eyes. Then you be the judge.

Kristin says, "someone mentioned Arbonne. Arbonne heavily utilizes nano technology and should be viewed as questionable at the least."

The nano technology in Arbonne's products are empty plant cells that have been infused with free radical fighting anti-oxidants and nutrients. No synthetic material is used; just botanicals.

What I find so reprehensible and frustrating is that it is impossible to find a selection of hair dyes that don't contain the carcinogens and other toxins that are so detrimental to health. Even while perusing the contents of many of the local "health food" stores here in Quebec, I still see products on the shelves containing the damning toxins, despite the fact that the health store owners are oblivious to the dangers of these ingredients. (I would love to say that I could go natural, but picturing a head of hair much like a string mop, against the paleness of my skin is just not a site I could stand...Can someone still maintain some dignity without worrying about lymphomas and other such cancers with EVERY thing we do and ingest and breathe and...?????)

Do you know if Lancome, Arbonne, or Aloette use parabens in their products? Thanks!

Is there a site to check both ingredient safety and product safety outside of EWG? Some European products have VERY small print, and with the scanner tickets on some items, it is hard to decipher the ingredients for use on EWG. I am very sensitive and have found Aubrey makeup, Dr. Woods Castile soap, organic oils, plain old witch hazel, mineral stick deodorant, and most Burt's Bees products to be my "safest" bets. However, I read the labels every time I buy, as ingredients change from time to time. Sometimes, however, I long to try a new product, especially a product promoted in Europe...