Your Natural/Organic Personal Care Products May Contain Toxins

If you buy personal care products touted as natural or organic from the better-known brands found at health food stores, you'll be disappointed to learn that many of them contain residues of the chemical 1,4-dioxane, according to recent testing commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association.

The petroleum-derived contaminant is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is a known animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. Because 1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of the manufacturing process and not an ingredient, it does not have to be listed on labels.

The study found that shampoos and lotions from Jason Pure Natural & Organic, Giovanni Organic Cosmetics, Kiss My Face and Nature's Gate Organics were among those found to contain this contaminant.

The only way to ensure that a product does not contain 1,4-dioxane or any other possible toxin is to look for products that have the USDA organic seal on them. Brands that tested free of 1,4- dioxane included Dr. Bronner's, Terressentials, Aubrey Organics and Dr. Hauschka.

For a complete listing of the test results, visit OrganicConsumers.org.

Related Articles:
Beauty Products Going Paraben-Free
Body Absorbs 5 lbs of Cosmetic Chemicals a Year