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The Health (and Beauty) Dangers of Common Soap & A Top-Recommended Alternative
by www.SixWise.com


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.

These 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
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • 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.

Try the Top-Recommended 100% Truly Natural Handcrafted Soap

Learn More About
Vermont Soaps Now!

Triclosan

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 "antibacterial" list.

Today, 75% of liquid soaps and over 30% of bar soaps in the US are antibacterial, all containing the synthetic chemical triclosan.

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 illnesses.

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 and asthma.

Numerous studies have also found that the ongoing use of triclosan:

  • 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 contaminant.

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).

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

  • Membrane alterations

  • 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

Fragrance

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 more.

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.

Click Here to Learn More & Order Vermont Organic Soaps Now!

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 typical soaps.

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.

See Vermont Organics' Line of Home Products Now

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.
  • Repeat
  • 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
  • Non-toxic
  • 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 fragrances

Meanwhile, Most Commercially Made Soaps:

  • Dry the Skin: Due to Alkali Salts and Lower or No Glycerin Content
  • Contain: Animal By-Products and/or High Percentages of Coconut Oil
  • Contain: Artificial Fragrances, Preservatives, & Alcohols
  • "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 detergents
  • The itchiness from these soaps is also due to the excess alkali left in the soap

Learn More About Vermont Organic Soaps & Order Today!


Sources

Handmade Natural Soap is Cleaning Up

Can We Get Too Clean?

Is Anti-Bacterial Soap Any Better Than Regular Soap?

Coming Clean: The Truth About Soap

(SLS) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

A Brief History of Soap and it's Impact on the Environment

Is Antibacterial Soap Harmful?

Health Hazards at Home

Antibacterial Ingredient Shown to Cause Health Environment Effects

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