The skin is the largest organ of the body.  It is a semi-permeable barrier that releases perspiration, oils and toxins from the body but also absorbs much of what we put on it.  Water and water soluble substances are excluded, as well as most pathogens (bacteria, molds and fungi).  Cell membranes are made mainly of phospholipids (oils), so oil based chemicals readily pass through unless the molecular weight is too large.  It is the liver's task to break down these foreign substances for transport out of the body via the kidneys.  Some molecules cannot be broken down or can only be partially broken down into a form that can be eliminated.  If the body cannot eliminate them, these substances are stored away in the fat cells and accumulate over time.  Some of these chemicals are toxic, some mimic and act as hormones or hormone blockers (endocrine disruptors), and some can damage DNA and cause cancer.

Do you know what hazardous chemicals are in your personal care products?  Read the label of your shampoo/cream rinse, skin/body creams, cosmetics, deodorant, toothpaste, shaving cream, etc.  You will find a cornucopia of harmful, and sometimes toxic, chemical-sensitizing, and cancer causing ingredients.  Think you are safe by using 'natural' or 'organic' products?  Natural can mean almost anything.  Even petrochemicals (derived from oil), were once plants and trees millions of years ago.  Petrochemicals are among the most allergic, reactive, cancer-causing substances in our environment.  In the strictest sense of the word, 'organic' simply means that the matter contains carbon, one of the most ubiquitous chemicals on the earth.  Don't be lulled into complacency by these common advertising misnomers.   Read the label and be informed.

I have found the following list of hazardous ingredients in products advertised as 'all natural', 'botanical', or 'organic', and even 'safe for baby".  Keep in mind that this list doesn't even attempt to expose the'worst' chemicals, that would be completely beyond our scope at this time.  The most frequently used chemicals are listed first.  Many of these ingredients are on the FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list.  I have borrowed heavily from the work of Samuel Epstein, MD, professor emeritis of Environmental Medicine at the University of IL (Chicago) School of Public Health, author of books on cancer prevention and internationally recognized authority in the field of environmental toxicology, and Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, www.preventcancer.com and also Ruth Winter, MS, author of A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients . 

You will not find any of these ingredients in Botanical Alternatives' products.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate or Laureth Sulfate--a detergent, or wetting agent, and emulsifier.  FDA lists it as safe for cosmetic formulations designed for brief use followed by thorough rinsing off from skin.  Dr. Epstein notes that the ethoxylated alcohols, polysorbates and laureths are all commonly contaminated with 1,4 dioxane (agent orange), a potent carcinogen.

PEG-8 stearate (PolyEthylene Glycol), PEG-100, (there are numerous PEGs)--ethoxylated wetting agents and nonionic surfactants.  See Dr. Epstein's note above on ethoxylated alcohols.

Propylene Glycol-see Dr. Epstein's note above concerning PEG contamination with dioxane-causes contact dermatitis

the Paraben family; methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and benzylparaben are derivatives of p-hydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)--the most widely used preservatives in the cosmetic, body care, and pharmaceutical industries; even used in food--mayonaise, salad dressings, processed vegetables, frozen dairy products, baked goods!  Dr. Epstein lists all parabens as toxic petrochemical preservatives and dangerously carcinogenic, belonging to a class of endocrine hormone disruptors. Though known to be absorbed into the body via the skin and suspected carcinogens for years, a newly released breast cancer study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology showed that all twenty of the breast cancer tumors examined had high levels of parabens. 

Sorbic acid (sorbate)--was once isolated from Mountain Ash tree, is now chemically synthesized and is a toxic preservative.  Polysorbate 60-80, is usually contaminated with dioxane, see Dr. Epstein note above.

Cetareth, Ceteryl Alcohol--synthetic emulsifiers, can contain ethylene dioxide and dioxane, both are carcinogens.

TEA (TriEthanolAmine )-an emulsifier (keeps oils and water from separating out).  Commonly used as a coating on fresh fruits and vegetables.  A CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) expert panel recommends that they should only be used in rinse-off products and that they should not be used with nitrosating agents, the combination makes nitrosamines-potent cancer causing agents.  Ms. Winter lists TEA as "the most frequent sensitizer among the common emulsifiers used in cosmetics".  A cancer causing toxin.

DEA and Cocamide DEA (DiEthanolAmine)-a foaming agent used in shampoos, etc. (see TEA above).  Derived from coconut oil, but a synthetic chemical  and carcinogen nonetheless, a nitrosamine precursor and allergen.

Diazolydinyl urea (Germall II) pesticide and antiseptic, causes contact dermatitis and is a sensitizer- may release formaldehyde (embalming fluid), which is a potent neurotoxin and carcinogen.

Here's the nitrate that TEA was looking for.

Isoparaffin, mineral oil, petrolatum--all petrochemicals.  Allergic for hypersensitive skin, comedogenic (clogs pores) and interferes with natural hormone activity.

Phenoxyethanol--bactericide, insect repellent and topical antiseptic. A derivative of phenol which affects the nerves and blood vessels, causing spasms

Lanolin--just sheep grease, right?  sensitizer and allergen, can be contaminated with pesticides like DDT.

BHA (ButylHydroxyAnisole ) and BHT (Butyl HydroxyToluene)-- preservatives used in cosmetics and foods.  Both can cause allergic contact dermatitis and both are proven carcinogens.

This is just a short list

Did you think that the role of the FDA was to protect consumers?    When FDA regulators leave their posts they are nearly assured positions on the pharmaceutical and chemical companies' board of directors or high level administraton, or lucrative governmental lobbying positions for the same industries that they were previously regulating (known as the revolving door).  These lobbists work tirelessly to get legislative bills passed (and in some cases, even write the bills) that will further consolidate the pharmaceutical and chemical companies' control of the market, increase their profits, insulate them from environmental and consumer liability laws, and consequently drive small independent companies that care about people's health and the environment out of business.   Sound like conflict of interest?   Not really.  One stated aim of the FDA is to "protect from interference and assist the passage" of the products of their constituencies, namely, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.