The Health (and Beauty) Dangers of Common Soap & A Top-Recommended Alternative
If you are like most people, you believe that bar soap --
the oldest cleanser around - is harmless. So you may be quite
surprised to learn that today's popular commercial soaps contain
synthetic compounds that are loaded with health risks.
are some of the most common health symptoms that studies
have linked to ingredients found in common commercial
soaps and commercial personal care products:
- Sinus Problems
- Exacerbated Asthma Conditions
- Migraine Headaches
- "Unexplained" Sore Throats & Cough
- Rashes, Hives, Dermatitis, Eczema
- irritations to mouth, eyes, skin, lungs
- Chest Tightness
- Shortness of Breath
You should know right away that the government does not regulate
what "natural" means in soaps labeled natural, so
commercial soaps can freely claim to be natural while still
using the synthetic compounds discussed below - and they do.
If you are already using a "natural" soap, or if
you intend to seek a safe alternative, please keep this in
mind. Below you will see our strong recommendation for a truly
all-natural brand of soap we encourage you to try.
Three Potentially Risky Synthetic Compounds
While there are a number of chemical concerns, there are
three synthetic components in commercial soaps you need to
be most concerned with: 1) Triclosan; 2) Sodium Lauryl
Sulfate (SLS); and 3) Fragrance.
Most of the commercial bar soaps (and liquid and other forms)
on the market today are composed of these and other chemicals.
The first antibacterial liquid hand soap exploded onto the
market in 1995, claiming to be ten times more effective at
eliminating disease carrying germs than regular liquid soap.
In the eleven years since, antibacterial soaps have become
a 16 billion dollar a year industry, adding shampoo, dishwashing
detergent, toothpaste and various household cleaners to the
Today, 75% of liquid soaps and over 30% of bar soaps in the
US are antibacterial, all containing the synthetic chemical
Triclosan is the main ingredient in antibacterial products.
The intention of triclosan is to prevent bacteria from reproducing,
limiting the amount of bacteria on your skin, thereby decreasing
Yet a study published in March 2004 found that people who
used antibacterial soaps and cleaners developed cold and allergy
symptoms as often as those who used regular soaps and cleaners,
offering little more protection than ordinary soap against
the most common germs.
Current research is showing us that if the widespread use
of anti-bacterial soap continues in such an overused frenzy,
we could be faced with super germs we can't get rid of.
What the Antibacterial Soap Makers Don't Tell Us
The triclosan in antibacterial soaps does NOT discriminate
between good and bad bacteria. But we need good bacteria to
survive, to help defend us against bad, harmful bacteria.
Our immune systems are being left increasingly
vulnerable with the use of antibacterial soaps.
Children especially should be exposed to some bacteria in
early childhood in order to strengthen their immune systems,
but the primary marketing target of the commercial antibacterial
soaps is parents with young children. Children who are not
exposed to these common bacteria -- because they are being
wiped out by antibacterial soap -- may be more prone to allergies
Numerous studies have also found that the ongoing use of
Has been shown to kill your skin cells
Dries your skin
Can aggravate skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis
Does nothing to prevent most illnesses, since colds,
flues and more are typically viral (and antibacterial
only kills bacteria, not viruses)
Dioxin, a highly carcinogenic may be formed during
the manufacturing process of triclosan, making it a likely
Finally, triclosan has now been found
in 3 out of 5 women's breast milk. It is also one of
the most detected compounds in rivers, streams and other bodies
of water, often in high concentrations, and is highly toxic
to a number of different types of algae. This could have very
destructive effects on aquatic ecosystems.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
One of the most dangerous chemicals being added to virtually
every personal care product you can imagine, including soap,
shampoo, conditioner, and cosmetics, is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
SLS is an anionic surfactant and the most commonly used chemical
in car soaps, garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and
personal care products.
SLS has been found to have many side effects:
Eye, skin and mouth irritations
May be harmful for the brain, heart, spleen and liver
Chronic irritant contact dermatitis
Compromising the overall integrity of your skin barrier,
rendering it open to exposure to bacteria
May actually harm cell function
Can corrode the hair follicle and cause hair loss
95% of the chemicals used in fragrances
are petroleum-based synthetic compounds. Most of these
chemicals are not tested for safety. Manufacturers are only
required to print "fragrance" on the label, nothing
Additionally, a product labeled "unscented" may
contain a masking fragrance. A product must be marked "without
perfume" to indicate no fragrance has been added.
For more insight on the potential dangers of petroleum-based
compounds, be sure to read Petroleum
Distillate in Your Lip Gloss and Furniture Polish Shown to
Cause Tissue Disease.
Vermont Organics: Truly Handmade Soap: Start to Finish
Due to the expanding awareness of the dangers of common commercial
soaps, here has been an explosion of consumer interest in
handmade, natural soap.
Vermont Soap utilizes all natural ingredients in their
soapmaking, including glycerin, which is a natural humectant,
adding more moisture to your skin. Most commercial soaps
remove their glycerin, selling it as a by-product in
their other higher-end lotions and creams.
Here to Learn More & Order Vermont Organic Soaps
As the term "natural' is completely unregulated when
it comes to soap (and cosmetics in general), you are urged
to be very cautious when choosing a healthy alternative to
Sixwise.com highly recommends you consider Vermont Soap organics.
Vermont Soap Organics started in 1992 as a kitchen-size operation
completely devoted to organic all-natural products, and is
today the largest manufacturer of truly natural handmade soap
in North America. They are also one
of the first soap companies to ever receive organic certification.
Vermont Soap uses a modern version of an over-two-hundred-year-old
method utilizing oils of palm, coconut, and olive, blended
with an alkali solution. The batch is mixed for hours, thickening
slowly. Botanical concentrates and organic herbs are added,
then is poured into wooden molds and kept warm for 3 days.
As the Vermont's soap solidifies, the alkali salts rise to
the top. The soap is skimmed of excess alkali salts (a major
irritant to sensitive skin often found in conventional bar
soaps) cut into bars and cured for 3 weeks.
Often lasting about twice as long as
conventional bars, Vermont Soap Organics soap is extremely
moisturizing and soothing. Your skin will drink in the conditioning,
moisturizing goodness of this handcrafted soap.
Anyone with sensitive or hypoallergenic needs can really
benefit and find immediate relief using Vermont Organic's
soap. It's also a healthy, simple indulgence to help slow,
relax and pamper yourself and your family.
Vermont Organics for You and Your Home
Psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis sufferers often react harshly
to laundry, dish and other common cleaning products. Most
conventional cleaners (including laundry detergent) are made
from petrochemicals that are hard on us and the environment.
So, Vermont Soap Organics has gone beyond soap, developing
Liquid Sunshine, an all purpose natural cleaner, as well as
their groundbreaking vegetable wash and pet shampoo.
Vermont Organics Aloe Castile Liquid Soap is a natural detergent
substitute, and the base from which all Vermont Soap castile
liquid soaps, bath & shower gels and nontoxic cleaners
are made. It's the mildest castile soap formula available,
safe for chemically sensitive and immune system impaired individuals.
|Ever Wondered What Your
Skin Type Is?
Here's A Simple Test to Determine Your Skin Type
- Take a cotton ball and moisten it with Witch Hazel
or rubbing alcohol.
- Rub the moist cotton along the side of your nose.
- Wait ten minutes.
- Examine the second cotton ball. If the cotton is
dirty, you tend to have oily skin.
- If the cotton is clean, you tend to have dry skin.
Hypoallergenic Vermont Organic Handmade Soaps:
- Naturally Moisturizes and Conditions Skin
- High Glycerin Content and No Free Alkali
- Plant-based Oils (Palm, Coconut, and Olive)
- Certified Organic Natural Herbs, Spices, Botanical
Concentrates, and Grains
- No animal testing ever
- No animal by-products except for the honey in the
Honey & Cornmeal Soap
- Won't dry out your skin
- No Preservatives
- No Artificial Colors.
- Denser Bar Means Slow "Melting"- Can Last
Twice as Long
- 100% Naturally Hypoallergenic
- No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- No detergents, alcohols, d-limonene, artificial
Meanwhile, Most Commercially Made Soaps:
- Dry the Skin: Due to Alkali Salts and Lower or No
- Contain: Animal By-Products and/or High Percentages
of Coconut Oil
- Contain: Artificial Fragrances, Preservatives, &
- "Melt" Faster: Due to Lower Density &
High Animal Fat Content
- Have Possible Allergenic Concerns
- Can Be Unkind to Environment
- Can be Toxic
- Are made with sodium tallowate (hydrogenated tallow
using sodium hydroxide, water, and animal tallow)
- it's cheap, processes quickly and produces a hard
bar of soap.
- Strip away your skin's natural moisturizers.
- Use over 5,000 chemicals in personal care products.
- Are usually made in huge batches (250,000 pounds
or more at a time)
- Remove their glycerin adding fillers including synthetic
- The itchiness from these soaps is also due to the
excess alkali left in the soap
More About Vermont Organic Soaps & Order Today!
Natural Soap is Cleaning Up
We Get Too Clean?
Anti-Bacterial Soap Any Better Than Regular Soap?
Clean: The Truth About Soap
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Brief History of Soap and it's Impact on the Environment
Antibacterial Soap Harmful?
Hazards at Home
Ingredient Shown to Cause Health Environment Effects