New warning about prescription drugs, shampoos and skin products polluting water supplies

See Telegraph report.

A reminder that cosmetics and skincare products sometimes contain potentially harmful chemicals

A timely reminder in this Telegraph report that cosmetics and skincare products used by women contain many ingredients and additives (a figure of 515 chemicals is suggested), some of which have been linked to cancer, hormone problems, skin conditions and allergies.

I know I sometimes look at the list of ingredients on these products and feel uneasy about some of them. - At least I now can buy body lotion and shampoo without SLS and parabens in the ingredients list.

Holland and Barrett are banning beauty products that contain the chemicals Parabens or SLS

Holland and Barrett have announced that their "aim is to provide a toiletries range that is FREE from Parabens and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)."

"Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives and can be found in toiletries products such as shampoos, moisturisers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal lubricants and toothpaste, to which they are added to kill bacteria, prevent the growth of mould and prolong the shelf-life of products. There is concern regarding the potential toxic effects of the absorption of Parabens via the skin." And "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) is commonly used in soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothpastes and other products as a foaming agent." Sodium Lauryl Sulphate dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause skin irritation and drying, and there are concerns it may potentially cause more serious health risks. I know it caused serious scalp problems for a friend of mine who used to use shampoo that contained it.

I don't think I 've known about Parabens ever so long, but I've certainly known for several years that SLS is a baddie for the skin, and I'm glad to hear that Holland and Barrett have made this decisive move against having these potentially harmful ingredients in the products they sell. Maybe now that they have led the way, and publicised it, other retailers/manufacturers will follow and these undesirable ingredients will cease to be used in shampoos, soaps, toothpastes, etc.

Pregnant mothers may need to avoid certain products to protect their unborn babies from health problems

The Telegraph reports that pregnant mothers' exposure to certain chemicals in shampoos, hairspray, cosmetics, perfumes and other products is linked to low birth weight and other health problems in their babies.

The chemicals are called Phthalates. "In Europe, certain phthalates have been banned from hairsprays and other products since early 2005.

But they are still found in many cosmetics, including deodorants, perfumes, and nail varnish, as well as hairspray."

It appears that pregnant mothers should avoid using such products as far as possible during their pregnancy.

Toxic make-up? Toxic shampoo? toothpaste? window sprays? etc. - Channel 4 programme.

http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/T/toxic/ - I watched this Channel 4 programme - presented by Sarah Beeny - on Thurs Oct 11th evening and found it interesting. - A lot of iffy chemicals are being absorbed into the bodies of users of make-up and of commonly-used household products. And when pregnant women use these products the babies growing inside them can be harmed by the chemicals. Also breast-feeding mothers can transfer the chemicals to their babies in their breast milk.