CAUTION: Bath and Body Works Products Could Be Hazardous to Your Health!

Is Bath and Body Works Safe For Your Skin? 

I grew up on Bath and Body Works skincare and I wish I could be taking that statement back! I remember as a little girl my mom would buy me the roll on glitter, in fact I still have a small bottle that was given to me as my grandfather for Christmas one year before he passed away. Guess I hung onto it just as a keepsake of his memory, but has come in handy for this! I have been bath and body works lotion and spray free for about a year now. I still currently use their hand soaps in my bathroom because my boyfriend enjoys the scent of them, but after doing some more digging on BBW lotions I will be putting two bottles at the both sinks from now on!

 Did you know that there are over 100,000 skin care chemicals in the industry and the FDA tests less than 10% of these for safety? In 2009, the number of chemicals banned in cosmetics in the European Union (E.U.) was over 1,100, while here in the United States only 9 were banned at that time. So what’s the big deal? Well the big deal is that your skin is your second largest organ, and absorbs up to 80% of what you put on it! So if you wouldn’t put the ingredient in your mouth, why would you put it on your skin?! What’s even worse is that children will absorb up to 40-50% more than an adult would because their bodies are still growing and wiring its body systems. These toxic exposures will put a child more at risk for diseases later in life.

Here is a list of the BBW ingredients that are toxic for you:

1. Methylparaben & Proplparaben: It has been directly linked to breast cancer and has been found within the breast cancer tumors. In mice it had weak estrogenic effects which caused damage to the sperm formation in the testes. It may contribute to sterility in males, hormone imbalances in females, and cause early puberty. This can also be found in deodorants, hair care, and many other skincare products. A relative of methylparaben, sodium methylparaben has been banned in the E.U. Some other common names for paraben’s are ethyl-, butyl-, and  isobutyl- all ending with paraben. These do not have to be labeled, so sometimes companies will not list it in the ingredients panel.
2. Butylene Glycol: Is found in anti-freeze and break and hydraulic fluid! It can cause an increased skin reaction in people with sensitive skin. The Material Safety Data Sheet has linked it to kidney problems, headaches, cell death, and swelling. The EPA considers it so toxic that they are required to wear proper gloves, clothing, and goggles when handling and must be buried when disposing. It can also be called Propylene Glycol. It can be found in other products such as baby lotions, toothpaste, makeup, aftershave, and hair care products.
3. Isopropyl Alchohol: May cause premature aging of your skin! This too is also found in anti-freeze and as a solvent in shellac. It strips the skin of its natural acid mantle, promoting the growth of bacteria. It can cause headaches, flushed skin, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and mental depression according to A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients.
4. Butylphenyl Methylpropanal: This fragrance ingredient is a known endocrine disruptor and can cause organ system toxicity. It has been banned  in the E.U.
5. Tetrasodium EDTA: Contains formaldehyde and is a known skin and lung irritant.
6. Disodium EDTA: Is a neurotoxin linked to brain damage and liver changes in animals.
7. Benzyl Salicylate: Is an endocrine disruptor, causes skin reactions, and is toxic to our environment.
8.  BHT: This fragrance has been linked to organ system toxicity and is a known skin, eye, and lung irritant.
9.  Diazolidinyl Urea: This chemical releases formaldehyde  into your body! There is strong evidence that it is a skin toxicant and allergen. The Mayo Clinic, says formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions, trigger heart palpations, immune system toxicity, and cancer in humans. Exposure may cause joint pain, depression, headaches, dizziness, loss of sleep, chronic fatigue, ear infections, allergies, and chest pains. It can also trigger asthma and aggravate colds! Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that is found in Johnson and Johnson baby care products, skincare, antiperspirants, and hair dyes.
10. Ceterareth-20: This ENHANCES the absorption of all of those above chemicals! Yuck!

                If you are already buying organic foods to avoid the pesticide, herbicide, and other toxic exposures why aren’t you doing the same for your second largest organ?! This is why I started using Pangea Organics Skincare because I know I don’t have to worry about being exposed to toxic chemicals! Visit my website for more information about the organic purity behind these products. http://www.pangeaorganics.com/Food4URSkin. 

Thank you for reading my first blog post! This will be among the many that I do along my journey to empower those around me to take back control of their own health! 

Healthy Holistic Healings,

❤ Kelsey 

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