what are parabens and SLS?

[the_bird_lady]

hello, I'm new to natural living and alot of the terms are foreign to me.  i was reading a post about the LUSH cosmetic line and there was alot of talk about parabens and SLS.  i was going to ask what they are on that post, but i figured it would probably be best to start a new one so as not to take that post off topic

Comments

[atalanta0jess]

Honestly, a quick google or wiki search will give you the basics. (Not trying to be a jerk at all, and not irritated that you asked...it's just true in this case that you'll get good basic info that way.) If you have further questions, those might be good to ask here.

[the_bird_lady]

thanks :)

[caliginous]

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ is probably the most commonly referenced source for information on this stuff.

Short version, SLS is sodium lauryl sulfate (related ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), and soduim laureth sulfate (SLES), which is a detergent that many people find irritating. There is conflicting information about toxicity during manufacture, some sources claim toxins are not properly removed prior to consumption. The source of SLS is irrelevant to its final chemical composition.

Parabens are preservatives. There may be a link between parabens and cancer, but nothing is definitive yet. There are indications that parabens may act as estrogens in the body, which puts certain populations at greater risk for cancer-related issues than others.

[the_bird_lady]

thanks, i'll be sure to check out the site :)

[goldoyster]

Petroleum by-products are also rampant in cosmetics and personal care products. The EWG site has tonnes of info. My knowledge has been accumulated over years so it's impossible to distill into a comment.

[magola]

^ agree! EWG.com is an excellent site. You can check on your fave things and find out just how terrible they are. I made the switch to all natural things after I found out just how detrimental these chemicals are. I mean, these chemicals bioaccumulate in our bodies and manifest as problems, ie: cancer, rashes, allergies, etc. Apparently babies are born with over 200 toxic things including lead. I'm sls free! Dr. Bonner's for me! Good luck on your all- natural quest!

[kioskgirl]

Babies are born with traces of all sorts of "toxic" things in their bodies because there are all sorts of "toxic" things that are naturally occurring in the environment, including lead.

[gemfyre]

Is there an Australian version of that EWG site? I'm looking up stuff I use and it isn't finding any! I imagine because it's either an Australian brand or a product not marketed in the U.S.