There are more cleaning and other household products available today which are safer for people as well as the environment, such as Neways household products range. If, for some reason, you do not have these safer cleaning products at hand, here are some home made cleaning products you can rustle up yourself.

Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Mix 1 cup of white vinegar and I cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray on surfaces like sinks and kitchen countertops and wipe clean.

Tile Cleaner
Use a damp sponge to rub in bicarbonate of soda, then rinse. For tougher stains, wipe surfaces with vinegar first, then follow up with bicarbonate of soda.

Furniture Polish
Mix two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice. Put a small amount on a clean cloth or paper towel and apply evenly over furniture surface. Polish with a dry cloth.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda into the toilet bowl then add a small amount of vinegar. Leave for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing. To clean the rim, spray undiluted vinegar directly on it.

Window, Glass and Mirror Cleaner
If the glass is not too dirty, rubbing it with a crumpled up ball of newspaper may be sufficient. Otherwise, mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter of warm water. Dip crumpled newspaper into the solution and wipe the glass. Use another sheet of newspaper to wipe dry.

Chopping Board Cleaner & Disinfectant
Pour boiling water over the board to kill the germs. You can also rub a slice of lemon or pour some vinegar over the chopping board. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot, let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe. Alternatively, soak the board in vinegar for 5-10 minutes.

Odor Remover
A classic trick is to put a small bowl of bicarbonate of soda in the refrigerator or cupboard. To remove stale smells from food containers, soak the container overnight in a mixture of baking soda and water.

Carpet & Rug Deodoriser
Mix together 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 cup flour and 3/4 cup bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle the mixture on the carpet, rub in lightly, and let it stand for 15 minutes before vacuuming.

I thought it should have been relatively safe, as it was distributed through that particular workshop. Will I never learn? The cream was thick, white and pasty. It left me looking like a ghost and suffocated my skin. It was difficult to clean off thoroughly too. Uggh! What did they put in that stuff? My poor skin!

My True Touch Protect AM (or PM) SPF15 moisturiser is velvety and absorbs super-fast, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. It has no questionable ingredients and is safety-tested and dermatologist-approved. The fragrance is fresh, natural and EU allergen-friendly. Zinc oxide acts as a sunscreen while liposomes assist with photo protection. Vitamins and antioxidants nourish and protect the skin. Key ingredients include:

Zinc Oxide, a natural mineral which provides SPF15 with complete UVA and UVB protection. This is an ideal sunscreen for sensitive skin.

Photosomes, light-activated enzymes from plankton which support sun-damaged skin’s natural repair and renewal processes.

Jojoba Oil, a natural, non-irritating oil which moisturises and conditions.

Meadoowfoam Seed Oil, an oil from a grassland wildflower which also helps to hydrate and nurture the skin.

Vitamins C & E, powerful antioxidants which defend and protect the skin against the harsh effects of the environment. Vitamin E also helps moisturise the skin.

Pea Extract, a skin conditioner with antioxidant properties that also supports the skin’s firmness and elasticity.

Walnut Seed Extract, an ingredient with antioxidant properties which helps support the skin against environmental stress.

“True Touch” by Neways International is a range of skin care products which avoids using at least 3,000 questionable ingredients, including known carcinogens. What was I thinking of using some other inferior and potentially harmful brand of skin care?

My family was well-to-do, so we indulged in anything we liked. The dining table groaned with meat dishes, the larder was well-stocked with snacks, chocolates and other confectionery – you get the picture. As for personal care and household care products, we had all the well-known brands. Nothing but the “best” for us. What ingredients went into those products? Who knew and who cared? We were washed and powdered, and we smelled nice. That’s all that mattered.

From my teens, I bought lots of beauty products. They were a mix of unknown brands as well as famous brands. Skin care, hair products, cosmetics, I had the works. All I cared about was whether they made me look and smell good. In those days, what did anybody know about harmful and even carcinogenic ingredients in personal care products? We believed that well-known brands would only be made of the best ingredients, certainly nothing questionable or damaging to health. We never realised that the personal care and beauty products which we used daily could potentially harm us and make us sick.

We’ve come a long way, baby. Consumers today are better-informed about the dangers of common beauty and personal care ingredients such as:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Propylene Glycol
Ethanol / alcohol
Fluoride
Mineral Oil
Petrolatum
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)
Retinoic Acid
Avobenzone
Homosalate
Benzophenone
Formaldehyde
PEGs
Parabens
Ceteareth-20
Diethanolamine (DEA)

There are many more toxic chemicals and harmful ingredients we are exposed to at home which can cause illnesses like cancer, respiratory problems, eye problems like cataracts, liver and kidney ailments, Alzheimer’s Disease, and allergic reactions. Many of these harmful ingredients are in products we love to slather on our skin, apply on our eyes, put in our hair and clean our mouths with.

Had I known years ago what I know today, I probably would have avoided using most kinds of commercial skin care, hair and other beauty products, and gone natural as far as possible (safe personal care products were virtually unheard of until recent years). Had my parents known what many people know today, I’m sure they would have made better dietary choices.

Today, half my siblings – including myself – have been afflicted with cancer. One lost the battle. My other siblings grapple with a variety of health problems. My father spent the last 30 years of his life fighting a host of medical conditions. My mother has been in poor health for many years and her memory comes and goes. Sheer coincidence?

Prevention is obviously better than cure. We cannot undo the damage that has already been done, but we can do our best from now on to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This is particularly essential for those who are already dealing with health conditions like cancer. Boycott personal care and household products which use inferior and potentially harmful ingredients. Choose brands which avoid using questionable ingredients. Safety-conscious Neways International avoids using more than 3,000 questionable ingredients, and counting. What about the brands you use? What poison are you putting on your skin today?

Propylene glycol, parabens, PEGs, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulphate, alcohol, petrolatum and talc are some widely-used ingredients which are potentially harmful and even carcinogenic. These are just a few of thousands of questionable ingredients which are used in bath products, skincare, make-up and other personal care products. You may not know it, but what you apply daily on your face and body may be making you sick and aging you prematurely.

Before I buy any personal care or beauty products, I read the ingredients on the label thoroughly. Nine out of 10 times, I end up putting the item back on the shelf. Even so-called “natural” or “organic” personal care products often contain questionable ingredients. When your family has a history of cancer as bad as mine does, you learn to get picky about what you expose yourself to, whether in food, the environment or personal care and household products. Any guest who stays in my home for a while will probably leave in better health than if they had stayed at a six-star hotel, because my family is so fussy about the safety and quality of the products we use.

This weekend brought happy news to me and many other safety-conscious consumers. My favorite safety-conscious health and wellness company, Neways International, launched a new skincare and beauty line which is comprehensive and effective while avoiding the use of at least 3,000 questionable ingredients, like toxins, dioxins, irritants, carcinogens, and contaminants. Can you think of any brand which has achieved this? Three cheers for Neways!

Ingredients and technologies used by Neways are typically safer and superior in quality than those typically used by many commercial brands. What’s got me even more excited is that Neways’ new True Touch skincare and cosmetics range uses a dizzying array of newly-discovered or little-known botanical ingredients. I pride myself in being well-informed, but Neways is now using healthy ingredients and technologies which are totally new even to me. Neways is also using more environmentally-friendly ingredients, such as bamboo, an environmentally-sustainable agricultural product (it’s the world’s fastest-growing plant) in the True Touch skin exfoliator called Clarifier.

After one beauty workshop yesterday, where I got to try many of the skincare products from Neways’ new True Touch line, my body was left tingling. Not just because the products had refreshed and invigorated my skin, but because I was excited to get the whole range home for my family to use. The products are so good they’re like vitamins and antioxidants for the skin, almost good enough to eat. No wonder they leave the skin looking and feeling great.

If you know of any other beauty brand which avoids using at least 3,000 questionable ingredients, while providing a range of skincare and make-up products as wide, comprehensive, effective and luxurious as Neways’ True Touch line, please write about it here. The more beauty options we have which are safe and healthy– and, preferably, even nourishing and healing – the better. Why put up with inferior and harmful personal care products anymore? Hallelujah!

So we’ll be using our own fluoride-free, sodium laurel sulphate-free and alcohol-free toothpaste when we brush our dog’s teeth. Remember how it used to be so difficult to find a toothpaste which was free from harmful ingredients? Most toothpaste brands contained fluoride, a by-product of copper, iron and aluminum manufacturing. Did you know that before fluoride was deemed a “cavity fighter,” it was used as an insecticide and rat poison? Yikes! Did you also know that fluoride increases the risk of bone cancer in adolescent males? It can also cause osteoporosis and has led to hip fractures.

If this isn’t horrifying enough, this big, bad “F” word has been found to interfere with the pineal gland and its release of melatonin, an antioxidant produced naturally in our bodies. Early puberty has also been shown to occur in areas where there is fluoride in the water.

Thankfully, it’s possible nowadays to find safe toothpaste which is free from harmful ingredients like fluoride and sodium laurel sulphate. Don’t even get me started on sodium laurel sulphate, which is actually an engine degreaser. That stuff isn’t coming anywhere near me or my family, not if I can help it!

Since we discovered Neways UltraShine Radiance toothpaste years ago, we haven’t used anything else. Instead of using cheap and harmful ingredients like fluoride and sodium laurel sulphate, it uses superior safe ingredients like:

Casein, a natural protein found in milk that has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing tooth decay. Casein remains the only natural food constituent known to improve the ratio of good bacteria-to-bad bacteria in the mouth. Casein has also been shown to prevent decay causing bacteria from attaching to teeth. Rich in bio-available phosphates and calcium, it also supports the re-mineralizing of tooth surfaces. Studies have shown that 1 percent of casein solution is as effective as 500 ppm fluoride in aiding the prevention of cavities.

Calcium Glycerophosphate, a natural constituent found in the human body. It helps prevent cavities through enzymatic cleansing. Calcium glycerophosphate complements casein in promoting the re-mineralizing of tooth enamel.

Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide, the same effective ingredient found in Neways Eliminator® mouthwash and which has been clinically proven to strengthen gums. Stabilized chlorine dioxide was originally developed to treat canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers. It is very gentle on the delicate tissues of the mouth, yet very aggressive toward bacteria and plaque. Like in Eliminator, it neutralizes volatile sulfur compounds, which have been shown to be a major source of bad breath. Similarly, its odour- preventative effects last up to four hours.

Natural Mint Extract, which containis 25 percent peppermint oil, the only essential oil licensed as a medicine. Peppermint oil inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi. Mint extract contains menthol, which will leave your mouth feeling tingly-fresh.

Xylitol, which has been shown to decrease oral levels of cavity causing bacteria. It complements the effects of casein, stabilized chlorine dioxide, and mint extract to prevent cavity formation.

Neways UltraShine Radiance Toothpaste is most effective as part of a regular program of brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. Dogs, of course, may be excused for not flossing :)

Believe it or not, all it takes is a pea-sized amount of UltraShine Radiance toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush all tooth surfaces thoroughly. Talk about mileage! For best results, rinse with Eliminator Mouthwash. Then wait for 10 minutes before eating or drinking (or kissing) to allow the casein, calcium glycerophosphate, and stabilised chlorine dioxide to complete their activity.

Dental hygiene is now safer, and more effective, then it’s ever been. Now that’s something to smile about!

Amongst safety-conscious consumers, Eliminator is popularly known as an alcohol-free mouthwash which is gentle on sensitive tissue yet tough on bacteria, plague, food film and offensive odors, it really has a host of other uses. I keep discovering new ones all the time. My father-in-law, for instance, is an avid golfer and he keeps Eliminator in a small spray bottle to cool and refresh himself on a hot day, soothe a parched throat, banish offensive body odor as well as treat smelly feet and shoes. My mother-in-law likes to gargle with Eliminator at the first sign of a sore throat. I always use it to treat cuts, bites, stings, sores, wounds and acne. Great stuff!

Here are a few reasons why you should always have Eliminator handy:

1. Dental Health
Ever had bad breath? What about gum problems, plaque, cold sores or ulcers? Eliminator’s minty anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial formula will leave you with a clean, healthy mouth and fresh breath. Gargle with Eliminator after every toothbrushing session. Keep some in a small spray bottle so that you can freshen up wherever you are.

2. Mouth Sores
Mouth sores are caused by many things, including chemotherapy for cancer. Cancer patients undergoing certain types of chemotherapy are advised to use special safe, non-toxic, alcohol-free mouthwashes to prevent mouth sores. Gargling with Eliminator twice a day after brushing with Ultrashine Radiance Toothpaste – another safe and gentle oral hygiene product from Neways – does a great job of keeping mouth sores at bay. Existing mouth sores can also be treated with Eliminator. Stabilized chlorine dioxide, the key ingredient in Eliminator, was actually developed to treat canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers).

3. Sore Throat
Gargle with Eliminator at the first sign of a sore throat. Keep some handy in a small spray bottle so that you can lubricate and treat your sore throat wherever you are.

4. Cuts, Bites, Scratches, Sores, Stings, Burns, Wounds, Exposed Tumors
When treating injuries like these, DON’T use anything harsh, toxic or alcohol-based. Just dab on some gentle, safe, non-toxic and alcohol-free Eliminator. It’s really soothing, and particularly good for treating foul-smelling wounds and even cancerous tumors. Great for debridement (removing dead tissue and other debris) too.

5. Eczema and Rash
Whether it’s for children’s or adult eczema or rash, Eliminator will improve the skin problem. First of all, shower or bathe only with a gentle and safe bath product which is free from any known harmful chemicals and carcinogens, like Neways Refresh bath and shower gel. Towel dry, then spray on or dab Eliminator on the affected areas. Leave it to air-dry for a few minutes. Finish off with Neways Tender Care Lotion. For added healing power, put a few drops of Neways Lavender Essential Oil into the lotion before applying on the skin.

6. Sunburn, Burns and Radiation Burns
Get relief by spraying or dabbing on some soothing and cooling Eliminator on the burnt area. Let it dry for a few minutes. If the skin is not broken, nourish and repair the affected skin with Neways Wrinkle Garde, an Andean rosehip healing oil enriched with Vitamins A, C and E and special essential fatty acids. You’ll be amazed at how well it heals burns and repairs the skin.

7. Acne
Never use anything corrosive or toxic on your skin. Wash your face with a gentle and safe skin cleanser like Neways Extra Gentle cleanser. This effectively removes residue and excess facial oil without harming or irritating your skin. Rinse off and towel dry. Next, dab Eliminator on the acne-prone area. Let it dry naturally for a few minutes. Finally, dab Neways invisible Imperfection Lotion on the acne.

8. Shaving Nicks
Just dab on some cool, soothing, sanitizing Eliminator.

9. After-Shave Lotion
My husband loves to use Eliminator for this purpose, as it’s soothing and feels and smells so fresh.

10. Body Odor
After showering or bathing, spray Eliminator on the armpits and any other areas which you deem necessary. Sportsmen and other people involved in very physical activity should carry Eliminator in a small spray bottle to “touch-up” and refresh themselves when the perspiration gets too offensive.

11. Foot Odor
After washing the feet, towel dry and spray on Eliminator. Let your feet air-dry for a few minutes. Spray Eliminator in your footwear as well, to sanitize them and minimize odors.

12. Head Odor
Some people suffer from smelly scalp, often due to over-perspiration. Children tend to perspire a lot through their heads. Wash the hair with a safe, gentle and non-toxic shampoo like Neways Ultimate or Silken. Towel dry. While hair is still damp, apply Neways Exuberance hair conditioner and massage well through the hair. You can either rinse off Exuberance or leave it on, depending on how dry or frizzy the hair tends to be. Finally, spray Eliminator all over the head, making sure it gets down to the scalp. Comb through the hair.

13. Skin Refresher / Toner
After cleansing your face, wipe with Eliminator for a fresh feeling. Keep a small spray bottle of Eliminator handy when you go out, especially on hot days. A quick mist of Eliminator on the face, neck and arms will cool you down and refresh you.

14. Parched Throats
Besides cooling yourself down with Eliminator on hot days by spraying some on your skin, a couple of squirts of Eliminator into your throat will also help to soothe and relieve parched throats.

15. Sick Bay or Sick Room
Spray or wipe Eliminator on areas like bedding, countertops and other surfaces, or where there have been vomiting or soiling accidents.

16. Refrigerator Odors
After cleaning out the fridge, sanitize and deodorize it by wiping it down inside or spraying with Eliminator.

17. Toys
Keep toys sanitized and smelling clean by spraying Eliminator on them in-between washes.

18. Baby Bottles
Remove sour milk odor and taste by spraying Eliminator inside the bottles after washing. Leave for 10 minutes then rinse out. This is particularly useful when you’re in a strange place and can’t boil the baby bottles to disinfect them, or don’t know for sure how safe the water is.

19. Food and Beverage Containers / Pots
Remove stale odors and tastes by spraying Eliminator inside the containers / jars / bottles / pots after washing. Let dry before storing.

20. Upholstery, Cushions and Bedding
Get rid of odors without using harsh chemicals by spraying with Eliminator. Really handy when travelling or vacationing and staying in strange-smelling places.

21. Outdoor Furniture Cushions
Spraying Eliminator liberally on the cushions helps to prevent mildew and smells.

22. Curtains and Drapes
Remove stale odors by spraying Eliminator liberally.

23. Car Sickness
Eliminator is good for deodorizing areas which have been soiled with vomit, food spills and so on. Clean the area thoroughly first then spray liberally with Eliminator. Gargling with Eliminator will help to freshen the breath of the person who has thrown up and make him / her feel better. Spraying Eliminator on the face and throat will help to make him / her feel fresher and less yuccky. Spraying Eliminator on soiled clothes will also help to remove lingering odors.

24. Air Conditioner Filters
After cleaning the filters, spray liberally with Eliminator to sanitize. Leave to dry before reinstalling.

25. Vaporizers and Mist Units
Add 2-4 tablespoons of Eliminator to the water. Before storing, spray with Eliminator and leave to dry.

26. Cupboards, Luggage and Bags
Get rid of old, stale smells by spraying with Eliminator.

27. Pet Bedding, Cages and Litter Boxes
After cleaning, spray or wipe with Eliminator to sanitize and remove any lingering odors. Eliminator will also help to prevent mildew.

28. Vegetables and Fruits
Stabilized chlorine dioxide, the key ingredient in Eliminator, is used in the food-processing industry for controlling bacteria and mold and sanitizing, so Eliminator is great for keeping your fruits and vegetables fresher for longer. Wash them first, shake or pat dry, then spray with Eliminator. Leave to dry for a few minutes. Wrap with paper towels and store in resealable plastic bags or paper bags before refrigerating.

29. Cutting Boards
Sanitize and remove odors on cutting boards by spraying with Eliminator after washing.

30. Odors on Hands
Eliminate odors on hands, even stinky fish and onion odors, by spraying on Neways Eliminator after washing hands. Leave to dry naturally. No more having to put up with smelly hands after handling seafood and other pungent foods in the kitchen and even the market.

31. Air Freshener
Spray Eliminator liberally into the air to banish smelly odors. Really useful when you’re staying in a strange place.

32. Breath Freshener
Neways Eliminator has so many uses that sometimes people forget that it’s a mouthwash. Keep a small spray bottle of Eliminator handy to keep your breath fresh. Recommended for interviews, important meetings, dates and smoker’s breath.

Buy Neways Eliminator and other safe products at wholesale price here

It’s all our fault that Billy’s ill. Cats are fussy about cleanliness, and can make themselves ill simply by refusing to use the litter box when it’s not clean enough for them. The cat litter should have been changed on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but we were so busy with the festivities that we waited longer than we should have to put in fresh litter. We were so caught up that we didn’t even notice that Billy had been having trouble relieving himself.

It breaks our hearts to see Billy so weak, and in pain, now. He’s so weak that he’s been soiling himself, so he’s often wet with urine. Cats hate to be dirty, so this must be so revolting for Billy. Of course, we wipe him clean several times a day. Poor baby.

Every time something like this happens, I am reminded that it could have been prevented. Had I taken more care, had I not been lazy, or procrastinated, had I been more observant, had I not been complacent …. You know how it goes.

Let’s try our best to make 2010 a safe and healthy year for our loved ones and ourselves. Don’t let a slip-up cause you grief. Be blessed!

This year we expected more of the same except, of course, some heads would be a little grayer and the children would be a little taller. We will gather together again, indeed, this week, but not to celebrate Christmas. We’ll be gathering for the funeral of the family’s only child, a 10-year old boy. Tragically, he died of a heart attack during the weekend, while on a family holiday. He had been an active, boisterous child, with no apparent health problems. Everyone’s still in shock. How could a seemingly healthy child die of cardiac arrest?

A couple of years ago, some relatives also lost their only son. He was 20 years old, physically fit and a competitive sportsman. In fact, he had been competing with his team in a rowing competition overseas when their boat capsized when they had completed the race and were making their way to shore. Four other young men drowned together with him. Had they followed the safety rules which included waiting to be towed back to the banks of the river, rather than attempting to navigate the unfamiliar, raging river themselves, they might still be alive today.

We still don’t know what caused our friends’ 10-year old boy to have a heart attack. Perhaps the strain of mountain-climbing was just too much for his little body to bear. There must have been some warning signs that he was unwell. Perhaps he was pushed to take on more than he could handle. Of course, we’ll never ask our friends’ these questions. They loved their son dearly and they’re already drowning in guilt.

We can do our best to eat healthily and exercise regularly, but all our efforts will come to naught if we’re complacent. Let’s always take precautions wherever we are, especially when engaging in potentially dangerous activity in unfamiliar territory. Let’s not ignore that strange growth on the body. Let’s always heed warning signs, including the still, small voice within us which sometimes causes us to feel uneasy about something we’re about to do. Let’s never fail to ask God for protection for ourselves as well as our loved ones. I bless my husband in the name of Jesus every time he leaves our home, and pray for his wellbeing. Whenever any of my family members travel, I always pray for their protection.

Let’s never make the mistake of taking what we have for granted. Complacency can kill.

If you were offered two glasses of sparkling mineral water, one comprising pure mineral water and the other comprising mineral water with just one drop of drainwater added, which one would you choose to drink? Isn’t it obvious which glass most people would go for? When you think about it, really, one drop of drainwater probably wouldn’t kill you but, given a choice, you wouldn’t touch that glass with a ten-foot pole when you know it’s contaminated.

So why do consumers keep buying food contaminated with toxins like pesticides, hormones and fungicides? Why do they use personal care and household products which are contaminated with carcinogens and other harmful chemicals? We’re exposing ourselves to the equivalent, or worse, of drainwater everytime we put these poisons in or on our bodies.

People are getting sicker and dying longer, rather than LIVING longer. Is it any surprise? Wouldn’t you rather spend a little more to protect your health now, rather than spend a lot later on expensive medical treatment?

No toxins or carcinogens for me, thanks. Care for some in your beverage or food, or perhaps in your shampoo, toothpaste, moisturiser or dishwashing detergent?

Here are some toxic chemicals and harmful ingredients to watch out for:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
This is a sneaky one as it has 144 known alternative names.

• This is an industrial degreaser and garage floor cleaner.
• Used in personal care and household products because it is cheap.
• SLS has a low molecular weight, so it is easily absorbed into the body where it builds up in the eyes, brain, heart and liver.
• Caustic cleanser. Harms hair and skin follicles.
• Routinely used in clinical studies to irritate the skin, so that the effects of other substances can be tested (Source : Wall Street Journal, Nov.1, 1988).
• Can keep children’s eyes from developing properly.
• Can cause cataracts in adults.
• Can retard healing.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. Both SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other product ingredients.

1,4-Dioxane (or Dioxin)
• One of the principal components of Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War. Implicated in the host of cancers that surfaced after the war.
• 1,4-dioxane may be created during ethoxylation i.e. the process that makes degreasing agents like SLS less abrasive and more foamy.
• 1,4-dioxane is an estrogen mimic (estrogen can trigger cancer).

Ingredients most likely contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane :
PEG, Polyethylene, Polyethylene Glycol, eth (as in sodium laureth sulfate), Polyoxyethylene, or oxynol. Also Polysorbate 60 and Polysorbate 80.

Propylene Glycol
Another sneaky one as it has 41 alternative names. Propylene glycol is a cosmetic form of mineral oil found in brake and hydraulic fluids, paint, varnishes, and anti-freeze. In skin and hair care products, propylene glycol works as a humectant, which is a substance that retains the moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. Drums of Propylene Glycol are accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which reads “If on skin, thoroughly wash with soap and water”. Can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Diethanolamine (DEA), Cocamide DEA, Lauramide DEA, Triethanolamine (TEA), Monethanolamine (MEA)
A colourless liquid or crystalline alcohol that is used as a solvent, emulsifier, and wetting agent. DEA works as an emollient in skin softening lotions or as a humectant on other personal care products. When found in products containing nitrates, it reacts chemically with the nitrates to from potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines. Although earlier studies seemed to indicate that DEA itself was not a carcinogen, more recent studies show its carcinogenic potential, even in formulations that exclude nitrates.

Fluorides (Sodium Fluoride & Hexaflurosillicic Acid)
• Fluoride is a toxic waste product of many industries eg.glass production, phosphate fertliser production, aluminium smelting etc.
• Sodium Fluoride is used in rat poison
• Fluorine : used as a battlefield gas in both world wars.
• Fluoride accumulates in the body like lead.
• It is more toxic than lead and just slightly less toxic than arsenic (Source : Clinical Toxicology 1984)
• Hip fractures are 20%-40% higher on fluoridated communities (reported in a news release titled “Study Links Fluoride to Rare Bone Cancer” issued on December 8, 1993, by the American Medical Association)

Alcohol
• Used as a solvent and found in medicines and beverages.
• Mouthwash with an alcohol content of 25% or more has been implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancers (1991 study by the National Cancer Institute),
• Can also lead to accidental poisoning.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
An organic acid produced by anaerobic respiration. Skin care products containing AHA exfoliate not only dead skin cells, but the skin’s protective barrier as well. Long-term skin damage may result.

Aluminium
Used in aircraft components, antiperspirants, antacids and antiseptics. Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Bentonite
A porous clay that expands to many times its dry volume as it absorbs water. Used by fire fighters to suffocate forest fires by eliminating available oxygen. Found in cosmetic foundations. Healthy cells need oxygen and this blocks it out.

Collagen and Elastin
Derived from animal carcasses and ground-up chicken feet. Found in most skincare products. Forms a layer of film that may suffocate the skin.

Kaolin
A fine white clay used in making porcelain. Like bentonite, kaolin smothers and weakens the skin.

Fluorocarbons
A colourless, nonflammable gas or liquid that can produce mild upper respiratory tract irritation. Commonly used as a propellant in hairsprays.

Formaldehyde
When combined with water, it is used as a disinfectant, fixative or preservative. Irritant and a carcinogen. Found in many cosmetic products and conventional nail care systems.

Lanolin
A fatty substance extracted from wool. Used in lotions and cosmetics. Can cause allergic reactions due to toxic pesticides in the wool. Some 16 pesticides were identified in lanolin sampled in 1988.

Mineral Oil
Used in baby oils. And you thought baby products should be the safest ever! Derived from crude oil (petroleum). Mineral oil forms an oily film over skin to lock in moisture, toxins and wastes. Hinders normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out.

Petrolatum
Petroleum-based grease similar to mineral oil, with the same potentially harmful properties.

Salt
Drying, corrosive, irritating. Used to thicken personal care product preparations because it is cheap.

Talc
One of the leading causes of ovarian cancer.

Protect your family. Clean out your toxic home now!