I’ve been looking up the ingredients in our household products one by one in really useful toxicology database. Guess what I found in the Ajax liquid dish soap (Ruby Red Grapefruit scent) which I have been using for years?!
- A known reproductive organ toxin
- A known human immune system toxin
- A known neurotoxin, which at low doses causes brain, nervous system and behavioral effects
Uh, yikes. And that’s only from looking at the few ingredients the Colgate-Palmolive company would publicly list on their website! We put this soap on our dishes, cutlery and cookware, not to mention our skin!
I’ve just asked Clinton if we can switch to Dr. Bronner’s Magic Castile Soap for washing dishes. Dr. Bronner’s is rated a 1 (lowest hazard) on the toxicology scale in this database. All of its ingredients (see list here) are vegetable based, chemical free and biodegradable.
I’ve also been using Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser on my face for years, which contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (a known carcinogen) and Methylparaben, Propylparaben and Butylparaben, which are known endocrine system disruptors, neurotoxins, reproductive organ toxins, and also interfere with genetics. The problem with skin cleansers is that our pores enjoy water (especially warm water) and thus they generally open up further to receive whatever chemicals touch our skin. I’m now switching to Avalon Organics products for my face which contain no harmful chemicals.
I also just wrote to the American Association of Dermatologists (AAD) about this:
Dear AAD,
I’ve been using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser on my skin for years. Today I learned that this cleanser contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (a known carcinogen) and Methylparaben, Propylparaben and Butylparaben, which are known endocrine system disruptors, neurotoxins, reproductive organ toxins, and also interfere with genetics.
Can you please explain why the Galderma company advertises Cetaphil as the “#1 dermatologist recommended skin cleanser”? Do you agree with this recommendation? There are many other gentle facial cleansers on the market which do not contain harmful chemicals, so I’m confused.
Thanks for your thoughts on this.
Best regards, Crystal Dreisbach
