Sanex Shower Gel Australia

I was disappointed – especially in some of my favourite brands: Origins and Aveeno, I’m looking at you. I trusted you and what I suppose is just another branding angle: ‘naturally safe’. Shame on me for not having done my homework. Shame on you for knowingly plugging your products with chemicals that cause outrageous health concequences. Here’s some of what was lurking in my bathroom:

1. Stuhr Conditioner Reconstructive Cream : contains Parfum, Petrolatum, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 15985 (“Parfum” does not by industry standard need to be further defined, but can in fact be composed of 1 or more of about 5000 chemicals – none of which are regulated, some of which are linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Petrolatum can be contaminated with cancer causing impurities. Sodium Hydroxide is used to regulate pH and has been linked to cancer and organ system toxicity. CI followed by a 5 digit number – otherwise known as Coal Tar Dyes – may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain)

4. Johnson & Johnson’s Natusan naturally soft holiday skin: contains Petrolatum, Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol

14-22 not shown – similar toxic ingredients

Mortification turned to anger. Where is the regulation? And why is the only true regulating body the cosmetic industry itself? That’s right – the cosmentic industry regulates itself – with little interference from government. If ingestion via the skin is still ingestion, then surely the cosmetics industry needs to be held up against the same level of control as the food industry (which while not precautionary in nature, is still better than nothing). But until we see more policy/action from government – all we can do to protect ourselves is do our homework, wade throught the labels and try to make some informed decisions.