Why Not Lime?

What About Green Health?

Living green isn’t just about living for others. It’s about living for ourselves, too.

So yes we should be recycling, and yes we should be conserving energy, and yes we should be carrying cute little recycled plastic/canvas totes to look trendy, socially conscious, and highly intelligent. (Grin.)

BUT. We also should remember to be aware of the products that we are using on our bodies.

Many of us have fallen into our comfortable routines. For example, you probably have a favorite lotion because it works well and smells delicious. You probably have a favorite shampoo because it’s just right for your hair. Some of your favorite foods come pre-packaged, ready to simply heat and enjoy. And with our fast-paced lifestyles, these are the types of things that we do - find something that works, and stick with it.

So that’s why I’m proposing something to you. I’m proposing that you change your favorites, and if you have to, just one at a time. Reevaluate. Reconsider why they’re your favorites, because our most favorite products - from Bath and Body Works to Clairol to Chanel - have ingredients that we would never dream of ingesting. But we put them on our skin. Daily.

Have you ever looked at an ingredients list and wondered, “What IS that? Why am I eating this again?” You have a reason to wonder.

I want to take this opportunity to point out a popular ingredient to be cautious of: parabens.

Parabens are preservatives that are widely used in the cosmetics industry and sometimes in food, as well. Examples: methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and benzylparaben.

Parabens have been indicated to elevate the number of instances of cancer, particularly breast cancer.

If you Google (that’s a verb now, you know) “parabens“, you get a LOT of information.

Also, you should know: I’m not a “conspiracy theorist”. I don’t appreciate extremist claims, and my level of toleration for drama is very, very low. With that said:

I like this page from the FDA, which basically says, ‘Parabens could give you cancer, but we’re not conclusive, so we can’t deny their use.’ It also sites that the FDA doesn’t moderate what the cosmetics industry uses. To quote: “The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) does not authorize FDA to approve cosmetic ingredients, with the exception of color additives that are not coal-tar hair dyes. In general, cosmetic manufacturers may use any ingredient they choose, except for a few ingredients that are prohibited by regulation.” Of course, this page also claims that minute levels of parabens aren’t proven to be harmful. But what if you’re using five or six products per day that contain parabens, and what if the studies are wrong?

Hmm. All the pretty packaging may be just that.

I’m not here to tell you that parabens are evil, blood-sucking chemicals that will sneak up on you when you least expect them. I’m here to help you be aware that you could probably be making smarter consumer choices.

New challenge: Fewer parabens.

Comments? Concerns? Please make yourself heard.

Posted under: Green Health