Today we will talk about shampoo ingredients to avoid. But our conversation is not going to be about parabens, sulfates, or phthalates, and not even about petrochemicals. In fact, you are going to learn something that can help you become a savvier consumer and become immune to greenwashing. So, sit back and relax. …
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is one of many newly emerging surfactants. A surfactant (aka cleansing agent) is an ingredient that creates lather and makes your shampoo or body wash foam. It is now commonly used in shampoos, bath washes, and detergents. Today you will learn about the latest research into its safety so you can make …
There is a lot of negative information about dimethicone on the Internet. In fact, this is one of the most controversial ingredients I have seen in my career as a consumer products researcher and educator. I have been researching dimethicone on and off for years now because I want to make sure that I use …
There is a secret I learned while reading numerous shampoo/conditioner labels. I’d like to share it with you today because it will help you choose the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type without even trying them. Hint: We will demystify the world of chemicals called quaternary ammonium compounds or quats for short. There …
Cyclopentasiloxane (its full chemical name is decamethylcyclopentasiloxane), commonly known as D5, is a chemical that belong to the group of cyclomethicones aka methyl siloxanes. Siloxanes are found in lots of hair care and skin care products as conditioners that leaves hair and skin with a soft, silky, and moist feeling. You can identify …
The FDA has been talking about regulating triclosan since 1974, but to date, has not acted to protect consumers. Tired of waiting? You don’t have to wait anymore! Since the FDA is not going to be acting any time soon, join me on a five-day challenge to ban triclosan from your home. It will be …
In this post, I intend to persuade you to avoid using chlorine bleach in your homes. Most likely, you have heard that chlorine bleach is not the most eco-friendly product, but you might not know what to use instead. So after I highlight the harms of chlorine bleach, I will detail bleach alternatives that are …
Toxic flame retardants in upholstered furniture have been a hot topic lately because they cause an array of health problems, from decreased memory and thyroid problems to birth defects and cancer. A lot of people have heard about the problems associated with flame retardants but there are many unanswered questions, such as where and why they are …
Easy Steps to Take to Avoid Carcinogenic Flame Retardants in Upholstered Furniture Read More »
Last Tuesday I attended a free webinar hosted by the Green Science Policy Institute, a non-profit organization that provides scientific data to government, industry, and non-governmental organizations. The Green Science Policy Institute has played a great role in testing chemicals used in consumer products without prior proper safety tests (for more information on the Green …
Fluorochemicals Explained by The Green Science Policy Institute Read More »
After reading a lot of confusing product descriptions on the Internet and on product labels, I thought that it would be a good idea to create a list of available regulations governing toxic chemicals in consumer products. One of the reasons my blog became very popular so quickly is that the US has lenient toxic …
