Natural Body Care
As summertime approaches so does the need for measures of protection from the sun including sunscreen products. Sadly, many of these contain ingredients harmful to the world’s coral reefs and aquatic life. In fact the entire state of Hawaii and some global marine preserves have banned two sunscreen ingredients: oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Sunscreen ingredients can also be toxic to human health and there are numerous ones to be avoided. In addition, sunscreen powders or sprays can be problematic because a good portion of them can be inhaled or land in the sand affecting forage fish and birds including our local Killdeers that nest in the sand.
Thankfully there are healthier choices available such as sunscreens in a lotion form that are mineral based (containing zinc oxide) rather than chemical based. A good rule of thumb is to choose one (or any other body care product) with fewer and pure recognizable ingredients rather than a long list of complex chemical ones.
Some reliably safe and made in Canada sunscreen brands include:
· Healing Bliss (available at Edible Island)
· Sea Wench Naturals (at Baird & Co on Hornby Island)
· Badger (at the Co-op)
· Foster Protecting Cream (at Local Refillery)
· Justsun (at Edible Island)
· Raw Elements (at Edible Island)
· Birch Babe (at Local Refillery)
· Attitude (at Edible Island)
Shopping for safe body care and cosmetic products that contact our skin, hair, teeth, eyes etc. can be very challenging nowadays. It is critical to understand that any substance applied to your body will also enter your bloodstream via the pores in your skin as well as entering the earth and marine environments.
The David Suzuki Foundation has created a ‘Sustainable Shopper’s Guide’ to “The Dirty Dozen” cosmetic chemicals to avoid. The list is as follows:
1) Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): in soap, shampoo, bubble bath, toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving cream etc. SLES can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane which may cause cancer. SLS may damage the liver.
2) DEA (Diathanolamine), MEA and TEA: in moisturizer and shampoo. Can react to form cancer-causing nitrosamines.
3) Parabens: in make-up, moisturizers etc. May interfere with hormone function, associated with breast cancer.
4) Cyclomethicone and siloxanes: in moisturizer, make-up, hair products. May interfere with hormone function and damage the liver.
5) Parfum or Fragrance: in many products, even “unscented” ones. Combined with other chemicals can trigger allergies and asthma, linked to cancer and neurotoxicity.
6) Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives such as DMDM HYDANTOIN, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, METHENAMINE, or QUARTERNIUM-15: in hair products, moisturizers etc. Formaldehyde causes cancer.
7) Triclosan: in “antibacterial” toothpaste, soaps, hand sanitizers. May interfere with hormone function and contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria.
8) PEG compounds (polyethylene glycols): in conditioners, moisturizers, deodorants etc. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane which may cause cancer.
9) Petrolatum: in hair products, lip balm/lipstick, skincare products. Petroleum products can be contaminated with cancer-causing impurities.
10) BHA and BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene): in moisturizer and make-up etc. May cause cancer and interfere with hormone function.
11) Dibutyl Phthalate: in nail products. Toxic to reproduction, may interfere with hormone function.
12) Coal tar dyes or P-Phenyl-Enediamine: in hair dye and colors in other products identified as C.I. followed by five digits. Potential to cause cancer and contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain.
Tragically, all of these chemicals are toxic to aquatic life and wildlife including other human beings when they enter waterways and municipal water supplies.
Trustworthy ingredients can be found in the following Canadian brands, which offer a whole range of lovely body care & healing products: Healing Bliss, Sea Wench Botanicals and Routine (the latter two lines available at Baird & Co). Curelle brand makes pure unscented hypoallergenic shampoo, conditioner, hand and body lotion (available at the Co-op).
For the most economical pure shampoo and conditioner you can mix up your own recipes:
1) Shampoo: Gently mix I/2 cup Island Essentials liquid castile soap, ½ cup water and 1 tsp. of jojoba, grapeseed, coconut or olive oil (omit latter if oily hair) and a few drops of essential oil (optional).
2) Conditioner: 1 egg yolk beaten till frothy, ½ tsp. olive oil beaten in, ¾ cup warm water added slowly while beating. Pour mixture through wet hair working it in with fingers. Allow to set for a few minutes, rinse and shampoo.
It is tricky to find a 100% pure toothpaste except for Auromere Ayurvedic herbal toothpaste and Lilith Fare’s remineralizing or whitening toothpastes (the latter in canning jars, zero plastic waste).
There is a heartening new solution to the distressing amount of plastic dental floss polluting and causing wildlife entanglement. KMH Touches makes a refillable “Flosspot” with flosses made out of silk or non-gmo corn husk and dipped in candililla wax. These flosses are compostable for home gardens (available at Local Refillery and Edible Island).
Here on Hornby Island we are blessed with several talented aromatherapy crafters whose products are completely natural, safe and “heaven-scent”-ed. The aforementioned Lilith Fare line by Jane Talbot features: essential oils, teas, shea butter, lip balm, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, insect repellant, argan oil, kukui nut oil, furniture polish, moth spray and thieves oil spray. (available at the Co-op).
The Feeln’ Goods line by Michelle Simon features whipped and solid body butter bars, solid facial serums, multi-use cheek and lip color bars, bath salts, cbd and regular bath bombs, gemstone crystal embedded soap and gemstone crystal embedded solid bath salt. (available at the Hornby Island Farmer’s Market and expanding to off-island and online in the fall).
The Stardust Oils line by Sylverane Lehouck features: essential oils, natural perfumes, body butter, skin cream, lip balm, skin salve, massage oils. (available at Celestial Sphere shop).
The Hyssope Grove Botanicals line by Alex Lauzon features: oils, salves, creams, lip balm, teas, tinctures, powders, lotions and potions. (available at the Farmer’s Market).
Oftentimes in order to care for our Earthly beings and support the Tree of Life we need only look to the divine essences of plants and flowers in Earth’s garden...Enjoy!
Kristin Sonstebo
*Information from the David Suzuki Foundation website.