Washing your hands with soap and warm water still remains one of your best defenses against the unnecessary spreading of germs, but can soaps be bad for the immune system?
Is the continual desire to sanitize a reasonable ritual or have we become a nation of germaphobes? What if our overuse of chemical disinfectants was actually contributing to the spread of dangerous bacteria? It may seem counter-intuitive, but science is showing that as we develop new weapons against bacteria, fungi, and viruses, our microscopic nemeses are evolving rapidly to evade even our most aggressive tactics.
Harmful Ingredients In Soaps
Conventional personal care products are known for using the cheapest ingredients they can get their hands on. We all know it's all about the money, right? But nowadays you can easily and affordably shop for organic and natural products using only pure, simple, sustainable ingredients. Avoid the list below of common soap ingredients, many of which are carcinogens:- Artificial Colors
- Parabens (methylparaben, polyparaben, ethylparaben)
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (or anything containing “lauryl” or “laureth”)
- BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
- Cocamidopropyl
- DEA/TEA
- Dimethecone
- PEG (followed by a number)
- Petrolatum and mineral oil
- Talc
Triclosan
Triclosan is processed as an ingredient in everything ranging from toothpaste to toys, but most notably in antibacterial hand soaps. Initially used only in hospitals after its 1972 introduction to the market, triclosan's popularity grew as the false notion spread that antibacterials are the best way to thwart off potentially harmful bacteria. In the past few years it has been repeatedly found that antibacterial soaps show no benefit over regular soap. This dangerous antifungal/antibacterial has been shown to:- Alter hormone regulation in animal testing
- Is an excitotoxin – causing brain cells to overexcite and die
- May have negative effects on the thyroid
- Cause Skin irritation
- Disruption of the endocrine system
- Contribute to antibiotic resistant germs (a major growing problem)
- May be harmful to the immune system overall