Always Read Soap Ingredient Labels

I have a pet peeve.  I’m always disappointed to see soap makers claim they make “all-natural” soap, only to use soap ingredients that do not even have a natural origin.  They count on consumers to pay attention to marketing and not to what is specified in the ingredient list.  We still have many consumers who do not read labels or question what they are putting on their bodies.  I recently did an in-depth review of soap industry ingredients with a consultant and it was an eye-opening exercise when I looked at competitors, some of whom are very well known in the goat milk soap world and frankly, should know better.

Our philosophy of no performance additives is core to who we are.  The performance of our products needs to come from the soap ingredients we choose and their inter-relationship with each other.  We choose to stay as CLOSE to nature as possible, but with an abundance of caution to prevent mold, mildew, or bacteria in any and all products.  We advise a 6 – 12 month shelf-life on all nature-based products.  Even with “green” preservation, the useful life of a truly nature-based product will only go so far.

On a daily basis, we are exposed to a plethora of chemical ingredients from all areas of life.  Hand detergent, toothpaste, deodorant, perfume, hair conditioners, shampoos, body washes, creams, lotions, sprays, detergents, and lubricants.  in what we eat, what we drink, and what we breathe.

Chemicals accumulate in living organisms. Many people still have detectable levels of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl) in their blood, despite the fact this was phased out in the 1970s. This is because they were bioaccumulative.

There are so many chemicals in our environment that we often cannot know which ones we are exposed to or how the combination may affect us.  But each of us has a “bio-load that has accumulated during our life.

Soap Ingredients to Avoid

Limiting exposure in skincare products can go a very long way to protecting your health. We are providing a list of soap ingredients that you should avoid if at all possible.  This list is for soap and lotion specifically, two of the most commonly used cosmetics in the world.

• DMDM Hydantoin – a preservative commonly used in lotions and moisturizers that slowly releases formaldehyde (cancer-causing) as it decomposes. Causes skin irritation.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – synthetic foaming additive
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate – synthetic detergent that creates a rich lather
• Sodium Dodcyl Sulfate,
• Tetrasodium EDTA – helps soap work better in hard water, made from sodium cyanide and formaldehyde.
• Cocamidopropyl betaine – a chemical surfactant that makes soap slick & slippery
• Germaben II – a preservative which contains methylparaben and propylparaben

There is a school of thought among scientists that the enhancements to a product are worth the risk, especially when only when they are added at only one-half to one percent of the entire formulation.  We don’t agree, especially when nature-based alternatives are available.  Nature-based are more expensive, but they will not add to your bio-load.  What is safety worth?

This is not an all-inclusive list, but these are some of the most common ones you will see on commercial soap bars and in lotion.  If you have questions on any ingredient, contact us and we will be happy to help.