Chemical Safe Skincare Campaign

According to the news today, we should all be calculating our toxicsplash. That is, the number of synthetic chemicals we flush down our plughole every day, contained in household products ranging from shampoos to washing up liquid. These chemicals run into our water system and can have a detrimental effect on our health and environment. See http://www.toxicsplash.co.uk for more information.

Environmentalists are urging people to calculate their individual ‘toxic splash’ as they might their carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it by ecologically safe cleaning products and chemical safe toiletries. The research was commissioned by chemical safe skincare brand Elave http://www.elave.co.uk and involved 2,000 adults. It revealed that the average British household uses 18 toiletries and cleaning products every week.

Each of these products contains on average 10 synthetic chemicals, the net effect being that each household in Britain flushes 180 chemical compounds into the water system and environment every week.

A spokeswoman said, “Coupled with concerns about the effect of some of these chemicals on our skin and the fact that they are known triggers for many sensitive skin conditions, we recommend that consumers seek out chemical safe alternatives to their toiletries and cleaning products.”

Dr Paula Baillie-Hamilton, a visiting fellow in occupational and environmental health at Stirling University and author of Stop The 21st Century Killing You, said “Synthetic chemicals are incorporated into countless consumer products, many of which are released into our water system every time we shower, bath or clean our homes.

“Many do not break down easily, and can form dangerous compounds when they degrade. Reports suggest that there are a number of chemicals in our water, which are a threat to nature and the environment. Most worryingly, there is ample evidence which suggests that these chemicals are already disrupting hormones in wildlife at current levels of pollution.”

According to www.toxicsplash.co.uk, the chemicals in question are contained in countless items, ranging from shampoos and bubble baths to hand washes and cleaning products.

The website cites the most worrying chemicals as Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Formaldehyde, Chlorine and Phosphates.

This June sees the return of the very successful Allergy Show which hits London’s Olympia Exhibition Centre on the 15th, 16th & 17th of June. The event will host 45 free seminars, demonstrations, allergy testing and sampling of new products. The show is ideal for anyone who suffers from allergies, hayfever, eczema, dermatitis, asthma or food intolerance and the health professionals who treat them.

Exhibitors range from allergy safe skincare to food intolerance products. Browse through the show which provides advice, samples, tastings, information and free consultations with dieticians, allergy experts, skincare specialists and pharmacists.

To learn more about the show or to book tickets visits The Allergy Show website.

Most of us suffer from dry skin from time to time. Some dryness can be as a result of a reaction to a skincare or cleaning product, change in the weather or even central heating.

For those with sensitive skin and eczema, skincare products must be chosen carefully. Regular cosmetic and skincare products can leave skin even drier and itchy and even result in skin flare-ups.

The key is to avoid common skin irritants which gently cleanse and moisturise the skin without irritating or causing skin flare-ups. Most people with sensitive skin are aware that soap, perfumes and colourings can leave their skin irritated and so choose ’sensitive’ skincare products. Unfortunately, not all sensitive skincare products are free from these irritants and contain even more potential skin irritants like Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS), parabens, lanolin and even alcohol. These can irritate sensitive skin leaving it itchy, dry and red.

Skincare products that are free from common skin irritants are difficult to find but they are out there so become label savvy and avoid common skin irritants to reduce skin flare-ups.

Shampoos and conditioners can make your hair fresh, glossy and shiny…but could it also be leaving you with an itch??

Many shampoos and conditioners contain cheap foaming agents called Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which foam quickly to cleanse the hair. But SLS can also overdry the scalp and the rest of the body as the suds rinse off in the bath and shower leaving skin dry, tight and itchy.
Harsh preservatives, colourings and perfumes which make you feel as if you are showering in a tropical rainforest can irritate the skin leaving both your scalp and skin itchy and dry. Many people wrongly identify their dry scalp as dandruff but in many cases shampoos and conditioners can be to blame as they leave the scalp so irritated that the scalp becomes itchy and flaky.

For those with sensitive skin or eczema, these type of shampoos and conditioners can leave the scalp and body red, itchy and irritated.

If you suffer from sensitive skin, it may be worth avoiding harsh ingredients in your shampoos, shower gels, bubble baths and skincare products.