What about cosmetics?: Dr. Mercola points out... - Thyroid UK

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What about cosmetics?

Heloise profile image
11 Replies

Dr. Mercola points out these particular bad substances so you may want to check your ingredient lists.

Parabens Heavily used preservatives in the cosmetic industry; used in an estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products. Have hormone-disrupting qualities that mimic estrogen and could disrupt your body's endocrine system.

Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum These petroleum products coat the skin like plastic – clogging pores and creating a build-up of toxins. They can disrupt hormonal activity. When you think about black oil pumped from deep underground, ask yourself why you'd want to put that kind of stuff on your skin…

Sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) Found in over 90% of personal care products! They break down your skin's moisture barrier, potentially leading to dry skin. And because they easily penetrate your skin, they can allow other chemicals easy access. SLS combined with other chemicals may become a "nitrosamine" – a potent carcinogen.

Acrylamide Found in many facial creams. A potential carcinogen.

Propylene glycol Common cosmetic moisturizer and carrier for fragrance oils. May cause dermatitis and skin irritation.

Dioxane Hidden in ingredients such as PEG, polysorbates, laureth, and ethoxylated alcohols. Very common in personal care products. These chemicals are often contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane that's easily absorbed through the skin. Its carcinogenicity was first reported in 1965, and later confirmed in other studies in 1978. Nasal passages are considered extremely vulnerable, making it, in my opinion, a really bad idea to use these things on your face.

You see, your skin is not only your largest organ – it's also the thinnest. Only 1/10th of an inch separates you from all sorts of toxins. Your skin is highly permeable, allowing what you apply to your skin access to your bloodstream (and thereby to the rest of your body)…

Which is why I remind you not to put anything on your skin that you wouldn't be willing to eat.

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Heloise
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nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56

I wholeheartedly agree with you Heloise. Since my skin problems with Mercury Pharma and Wockhardt Levo, I have just realised that they have done something to my skin that means I cannot use any chemicals. Yesterday I realised that even using toothpaste from health stores is causing problems. I am at present trying to change over to NDT in the hope that this will at least enable me to wash my hair with shampoo again. Just water does not make it feel clean, although it doesn't look too bad. Thanks for posting.

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply to nightingale-56

J_bee, I followed a doctor's BB for ten years. He calls what happened to you as going over the cliff. In other words, your body got to the breaking point with toxins and could not resist the chemicals but .......you can back away from the edge of the cliff. As a matter of fact, a lot of people now have "multiple chemical sensitivity" and it is becoming more common. If you can reduce toxins possibly doing a detox and help your body recover, no reason why you can't improve your immune system.

On another note, I've used baking soda to clean my hair occasionally. It's really your scalp that needs cleaning.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply to Heloise

Years ago I did a mineral water fast for 3 days and this proved I did have a wheat problem when I resumed eating. This was before I was treated at all after my sub-total thyroidectomy. Soda water takes away the awful 'sharp' feeling in my stomach (not indigestion) and makes me feel calmer. I do not have a problem with my usual diet, which is mostly wholefood and fresh. Do you have a good detox diet please? PM me if this would be better.

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply to nightingale-56

There are many kinds, j. There are liver and gall bladder flushes. There are castor oil packs. Far infrared Saunas are excellent if you have access to one. A juice fast can be utilized although for some reason it is considered rather harsh. A one-day fast each week can help. And then there are colon cleanses. A serious health person kept recommending Dr. Schulze I think, but there are many products out there.

I do think we become overwhelmed with toxins and free radicals which our bodies are capable of neutralizing but our foods are becoming less and less real food and non organic food contain pesticides that are estrogen based. I've been posting Dr. John Bergman's videos on YouTube. You should look him up, very revealing and not afraid to say things about the industries that are destructive.

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply to nightingale-56

Hi again, I ran across an article about cleansing the hair and they recommended this ingredient. Maybe you can look at some of the options, even baby shampoo. Have you considered that?

google.com/search?q=Decly+g...

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply to nightingale-56

healthy.net/scr/column.aspx...

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply to Heloise

Thank you for these two links Heloise. At the moment I am trying to changeover to NDT and will wait before I put any other chemical on my hair until I am sure that all the Levothyroxine is out of my system, as I feel that it is this that is drawing chemicals into my body. I have tried baby shampoo, but to no avail,the same thing happens. Actually my hairdresser said that baby shampoos strip the hair of oil because of what is in it to stop eye irritation. You can't win!

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply to nightingale-56

You are right about that. Well, one thing about the article is the ph of the scalp is very important. Why don't you give the baking soda a try and a mild vinegar rinse at the end...test it first on a small area. Restoring ph might aid the scalp in resisting the chemicals.

I just wet my hair in the shower and rub baking soda on the scalp. Leave it while you wash and then rinse your hair.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply to Heloise

This information sounds really good, thank you Heloise. I think Baking Soda is good for quite a few things and I know mild vinegar gives quite a shine to hair. So good of you to think of me. Thankyou. xx

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply to nightingale-56

I think it feels amazing so I hope you do, too.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56

Heloise, thanks for reminding me of a lot of things that I had forgotten. I am feeling so weak and wobbly at the moment that I don't think a fast is a good idea and last time I did a fast I was not on any medication. This time I am on Levothyroxine/NDT, so wonder if it would be wise. I have seen Dr John Bergman on YouTube and think he is very good and honest. Will look up Dr Schulze, but staying as I am is not an option. Thank you for your ideas and information.

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