twant chuck away all my bath and shampoo products that contain SLS in them?

[juicychops]

anyone else use only organic shampoos/ body stuff?

sasamaxx -try waitrose baby bottom butter

I don't think you need to throw your nice bath stuff away - it can't actually get in through your skin and you are not drinking the stuff. If you don't like the effect on your hair, then just don't wash your hair in the bath.

solo
aqueous cream is almost pure paraffin (ie petroleum derivative) so probably not suitable for the organic devotees on this thread!

just to add the most toxic and dangerous substances in the world are all 'natural' - eg some types of venom, poisonous plants, seeds etc - all can cause allergic reactions. Sometimes manmade products are better!

I also avoid lots of stuff.

My pett hate is

Dimethicone
also known as Cyclomethicone

It is pure silicone, and makes your skin feel really amazingly smooth. Only that really, it doesn´t.It just puts a layer of silicone on your hair or skin, so it SEEMS smooth, but it´s just the silicone that is smooth iyswim. Next time you wash, the silicone will come off.

It´s a con, and can´t be good for your skin.

Almost ALL creams, especially serums, anything that promises to "lock in moisture" (it does, the same way coating your face in plastic would!)and conditioner.

I use pure almond oil, from health shops, and also REN products now.

SODIUM BENZOATE
I think you might find that this is the culprit.
Check the labels - it can be in most brands but not in every shampoo they sell - e.g may be in the strawberry one but not the pear one iyswim.
It's not uncommon to have reactions to this chemical. Interestingly, sodium benzoate is used to treat sweet-itch in horses (an allergic reaction to midge bites - results in dry, itchy thickened skin which makes horses run away their manes and tails).
My dd1 has to avoid it in all bath products (gives her eczema)and it makes my head itch badly.
Ever tried having a hair sample analysis for allergies? This is how I found dd1 was allergic to sodium benzoate & cutting it out made a big difference.
Can give you tel of a lady who will do it by post (computerised analysis)

typo - rub away not run away!

Aha! that concludes that then MrsB

sorry - was I dictating? Sigh, have a habit of that. Please forgive

MrsBadger - you are right that some particles are not readily uptaken transdermally. That is why they are often combined with penetration enhancers in skincare products. Individually, the ingredients are more or less harmless, but when combined will have a significantly greater uptake rate. You should always have a look at not only every individual ingredient in cosmetics and body care products, but how they are known to react together. Someone mentioned the cosmetics database earlier - this is a great place to have a look at the combined weight of human and animal studies on different component combinations.

In answer to the poster asking me what ranges I use:
Haircare - John Masters Organics
Make-up - Inika
Skincare - Dr Alkaitis or Stem
Bodycare - Whish! or Intelligent Nutrients
Children's - Barefoot Botanicals

I got nervous about SLS when pregnant and have stuck with it,
I currently use
Faith In Nature range for hair,
Naked or Perfectly Obvious for bath.
Yaoh for face cream (it's lovely cocoa butter & hemp)

Just have to stop DH adding his horrible cheap bubble bath in DD bath water.

"I also find it upsetting that people assume 'oh that stuff couldn't possibly be harmful, otherwise they wouldn't be allowed to sell it'. Um hello cigarettes anyone?" Fantastic - I love it!

I recommend this and using the code "mumsnet" gives you a 10% discount on everything you buy.

cheerfulyank will check that out - thanks!
mrsbadger I have some of that in the changing bag - never thought to use it on my face - will give it a try ta

DH and I use Aubrey Organics products - they're a bit more expensive but they do last much longer. For DSs we use Pur babies range - they're based in the UK too which is nice

Hate all the chemical nasties in toiletries - esp for children. YADNBU

Whoops - just realised I addressed my post last night to the wrong person! Sorry MrsBadger - I should have directed that to HippyGalore. That will teach me to attempt to make dinner, clear the table, entertain the in-laws and post on Mumsnet all at the same time...

Another comment on the subject of transdermal uptake: many of the dangerous compounds in beauty care products are worrisome for their actions as endocrine disruptors. This means that they are very similar in chemical structure to our endogenous hormones and thus can disrupt homoeostasis of our endocrine system, most notably concerning our reproductive hormones. The reason they can do this is because they are structurally almost identical to our own hormones. This is precisely why we should be concerned about them easily being uptaken through the skin - it is the same mechanism by which HRT and contraceptive patches work.

My personal philosophy is to never put anything on my body which I would not put in my mouth.

I use organic sls free shampoos and conditions.
I have an online eco friendly business that I see them through.
SLS and related chemicals are supposed to aggravate excema, which is why I don't use them as I do suffer.
Have definitely noticed my skin is better now that I use SLS free handwash/soap/showel gel and shampoos.

sell not see! Doh!

Hi thanks for everyone's responses

been shopping today (not to buy, just to look and compare prices)

all quite expensive compared to what im used to paying so will have to use whatever i buy sparingly.

im going to look into making my own cleanser/toner as im assuming it cant be that difficult to throw some bits together??

i checked out the Burts Bees products which smelt quite nice.

does anyone know what the Dr Organics stuf is like in Holland and Barretts? as thats all buy one get one half price at the moment. i didn't know if i liked the look of it though

BouncingTurtle, how about a link to your eco friendly site?

Method do a range for babies/children as do Halo's and Horns (I get it in Asda)

MOP for hair products,quite expensive but good.