Naughty Ingredients : Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate

I'm doing the Spent Program. In week 6, the final week of the program, Dr. Lipman addresses something that is very close to my heart: the naughty ingredients that are put in many products, especially the most popular ones, which can wreak total havoc on your body. The FDA doesn't regulate them, and does not require companies to test their products for safety. I'm going to make one post each day with a passage directly from the book regarding one group of the ingredient bad guys until we complete the list.

Todays Naughty Ingredients : Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate
"Although advertised as natural and safe, I recommend you try to avoid sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, especially when used in combination with other chemicals (which they usually are). For example, when used in combination with DEA and TEA, they can form nitrosamines, which, as I said above, are deadly carcinogens. SLS and SLES are some of the most popular ingredients in makeup, shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste. And because they readily dissolve grease, they are also used to clean engines and garage floors and at car washes. SLS and SLES have been found to contain 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen. Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages manufacturers not to use this contaminant, it is not banned by federal law."

Ick, right? So, todays assignment is to go through your all products - hair, skin and body care... even check your toothpaste! - and note which ones contain the above ingredient. Remove them from the shelf, maybe put them in the corner or something. We're going to do this every day until we run out of naughty ingredients. By the time we're done, it'll really help you see how common these ingredients are, and how you can avoid dangerous chemicals in your personal care products in the future.