Pure-n-Simple Soap

Formaldehyde is a strong smelling chemical compound that is colorless, flammable and classified by the EPA as a carcinogen which is a (cancer causing chemical).  This popular ingredient is commonly used in manufacturing building supplies such as insulation, plywood, particle board, glues and adhesives.  Formaldehyde is often used as a preservative and has found home to many products that we use to clean our homes and wash our bodies with such as shampoos, hair gel and kids bubble baths.  As more and more people are becoming aware of what is in the products they use to bathe their children wash there cloths and clean their homes with, have desperately been turning to natural products, making laundry soap of their own, and learning how to make their own household cleaners using natural ingredients like vinegar.

Formaldehyde has many names and there are many formaldehyde releasing preservatives such as quaternium-15 that are found on the labeling of most cosmetic and personal care products.  It is important to research these ingredients and the different names associated with them, because the companies selling you these products and our government aren’t.  I just recently read that the FDA is not required to regulate personal care products until after they are released to the market place, and the ingredients cannot be reviewed or approved before sold to the public?  When I hear news such as this it compels me to research and inform myself of the ingredients that are in the products I am buying, and making those decisions for myself and family if I think it is safe enough to use, and not relying on govt. agencies and the companies selling the product to do this for me.

I do understand that the amount of harmful chemicals such as Formaldehyde, are used in small percentages, which can easily be found on the Internet, but why is it that in other countries such as Japan and Sweden they have banned the use of this ingredient in all cosmetics and toiletries.  I cannot help, but to be suspicious when cancer rates and asthma, breast cancer, autism and many other sickness and disease are at all time highs.  It seems like we live in a day where health and nutrition is very popular. There are many trying to change their diets and join memberships to gyms, and quite smoking.  Health is highly valued today, and I am becoming more aware of the so many subtle health dangers we are exposed to today that were non-existent just a few generations ago.

I believe that not only diet and exercise are major keys to overall health but also information as well.  Inform yourself!  Learn how to read labels and what the ingredients are that you are ingesting or rubbing all over your body.  Remember also that your skin is permeable and what goes on it will get into your body as well.