What is a bad chemical? Are the ingredients in your soap and skincare products dangerous?

In the world of skincare, bad chemicals are those toxic synthetics that masquerade as natural ingredients. Bad chemicals also include any dangerous toxins used in the distillation or production of healthy ingredients. In other words, if it's toxic to human health, consumers shouldn't be buying and using it. sammysoap believes that skincare products should be safe. We are not alone. Medical schools everywhere teach various routes of drug administration − oral, nasal, etc., and one such route is topical. Skin is a human being's largest largest organ, and skin is permeable. It absorbs much that is environmental and everything that is applied directly to it. When you rub something on your skin, you are feeding your body.

100% All Natural

Look for the words together: 100% All Natural. There's lot of confusing language allowed in consumer product packaging and advertising. If you want to be certain that your products are healthy, look for the words "100%" and buy from trusted sources. You can FEEL the difference. sammysoap products are VEGAN and 100% ALL NATURAL. One hundred percenters never go back.

Chemicals of Concern

sammysoap products do not include the synthetic additives and compounds found on any Chemicals of Concern watch lists. These are lists of known human toxins outlawed from use in skincare products in other countries. sammysoap is committed to human health and clean ecosystems. However, the use of synthetics contraindicated for consumer product use are commonly used by our competitors. Even though these dangerous ingredients are banned from use in soaps, cosmetics, and related products in Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, China, and elsewhere, known toxins are common in soaps and skincare products sold throughout the United States. Regrettably, much of the American public is unaware of the risks, but we are committed to this chemical conversation.

Why would you put anything on your skin that you wouldn't put in your mouth?

sammysoap believes in healthy products, eco-friendly sourcing chains, and healthy production processes and transparencies. We believe in consumer education and marketplace choice. We think that once people know better, they'll do better. Skin is easily transformed. What we put on our skin impacts how we feel and how we look. We are what we eat! Tonight's red wine becomes tomorrow's rosacea. This week's spa vacation becomes next week's restorative glow. Today and cumulatively, skin reveals how we live.

Buyer Beware

And don't we all want to look our best? To that end, products are consumed that support a desire to look and feel best. Unfortunately, we can let sloth, indifference, or vanity get the better of us, contributing to a perfect beauty-market storm of consumer desire v. supply side exploitation. Consumer's forget, or never understood in the first place, about the permeable nature of their skin. 

We're Talking About A Revolution!

Historically, skincare ingredients were all natural so this sort of explanation wasn't required. But these days? No way! There's been a chemical revolution, and it may not be working in your favor. Today's mass market products are manufactured in laboratories where the explosive number and combination of synthetics has eclipsed plant-based remedies. In the absence of chemical regulation, you might say that just about anything goes. As formulators, we know that the risks imposed by unhealthy ingredients are substantial and unnecessary.

Get Desired Results Using Safe Products

Consumers can thrive using products that do not contain toxic chemicals. All natural soaps and oils for face and body are good for you, readily available, and affordable. The sammysoap team delights in the sensory experiences and benefits of healthy aromatherapeutic products. Our skincare products are divine! We all want gorgeous skin. We all enjoy luxurious products. And now, we can all have gorgeous skin using safe and affordable products. When it comes to proper skincare, we can have it all.

Know The Facts

• The USA has not passed a comprehensive law regulating personal care product ingredients since 1938
• Only 10% of the 10,000 chemicals commonly found in personal care products have safety data
• The European Union has banned or restricted more than 1,300 ingredients for use in consumer products, compared to 11 ingredients banned in the USA
• Chemicals linked to learning disabilities, infertility, and breast cancer are still allowed in products that we use every day
• Known cancer-causing, endocrine disrupting, and otherwise toxic ingredients are routinely used in soaps, shower gels, body washes, shaving creams, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, hair colorings, cosmetics, toothpastes, deodorants, baby products, pet grooming products, and more
• Fragrance, for instance, has been linked to all sorts of major and minor health conditions, including asthma, migraines, skin discolorations, dizziness, diarrhea, eye damage, hair loss, coughing, vomiting, eczema, psoriasis, depression, hyperactivity, irritability and other health conditions. But you may never know if the chemicals in your products are unhealthy because manufacturers are not required to disclose. "Fragrance" is proprietary. Manufacturers are not required to list the chemical components that  comprise fragrance because "fragrance" is a "trade secret." That one word fragrance may include thousands of separate ingredients. "Fragrance," even "natural fragrance," is a great place to hide the ingredients that manufacturers don't want consumers to see. 
• Senator's Feinstein's 2015 Personal Care Products Safety Act only covers five groups of chemicals
• Dangerous ingredients are used instead of their time tested, natural counterparts because synthetics are less expensive, more stable, and more reliably sourced. Sometimes, synthetic additives offer attractive competitive advantages like particular natural scents that are difficult to capture or control. Other common competitive advantages include extended shelf life, desirable product viscosity, or easy clean-up. But ask yourself if these benefits are worth the risk? Is offsetting the so-called drudgery of washing your bathtub once every couple of months more important than supplying your family with soap products that are healthy? Read ingredient lists before purchasing products to protect yourself and your loved ones. Trust sammysoap products to be made of 100% natural, plant-based ingredients. Each application of anything on your skin is an opportunity to nourish your skin and whole body. We exclude chemical additives and known toxins from all products, including but not limited to:

• Animals fats, oils and musks commonly found in soaps, salves, shaving products, lubricants, paints and all types of cosmetics
• Benzalkonium chloride, a preservative and surfactant disinfectant found in sunscreens and moisturizers, which has been linked to severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies
• Benzophenone (also BP2, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, sulisobenzone sodium), a fragrance and UV filter found in nail polishes, foundations, baby sunscreens, fragrances, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, lip balms, and hair sprays, which has been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and organ toxicity
• Bismuth oxychloride, a byproduct of lead and copper mining that gives a sheen and softness of touch to cosmetics
• BHA and BHT, synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life, and found in lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper rash creams and other cosmetics, and are likely carcinogens, hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage
• Bisphernol A (BPA), a plastics and resins additive, which is sometimes found in eyeshadows and styling gels, and is a hormone disruptor that may alter DNA
• Butuxyethanol, a fragrance and solvent used to control viscosity, commonly used in fragrance, especially hair color, and may cause cancer and reproductive toxicity
• 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol), found in baby shampoos, baby soaps, body washes because it prevents bacteria from growing in water-based products
• Butylated hydroxytoluene BHT
• Butyl Parabens, found in many products to inhibit microbial growth and extend product life
• Carbon black, used as soap dye and for eye makeup
• Ceteareth-20 (1,4-dioxane contamination)
• Coal tar, a petroleum and cheap alternative to natural oils, used extensively in hair color and shampoos as a colorant, and as an anti-dandruff additive, also found in cosmetics, soaps, lotions, baby products, and is a known carcinogen
• Diazolidinyl urea is found in shampoos, liquid soaps and shampoos, baby products where it keeps bacteria from growing in water-based products
• 1,4-Dioxane (Sodium laureate sulfate, PEG compounds  chemicals that include the clauses xynol, oxynol, ceteareth and other "eth", oleth, myreth, laureate, PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, and polyoxyethylene), generated through a process of ethoxylation, in which ethylene oxide (a known breast carcinogen) is added to make other chemicals less harsh. It will not be listed on an ingredient list because it is a by-product of other chemicals reacting to each other, likely to be found where ethoxylated ingredients like sodium laureate sulfate, PEGs, and ceteareth are listed on ingredient lists, creates suds so found in shampoos, liquid soaps, body washes, and bubble baths, and is a known animal carcinogen
• Dimethyl-dimethyl DMDM hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser), keeps bacteria from growing in water-based products
• Doixin, generated during the productions of Triclosan, used in antibacterial cleansers
• Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA, cocamide DEA and others) are pH adjustors and surfactants found in fragrances, hair dyes, foundations, and sunscreens, and that have been linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development
• Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a binding agent added to cosmetics to improve stability, also in moisturizers and hair color, but may be toxic to organs
• Ethyl Parabens are found in many products because they prohibit microbial growth and extends product's life, even though they are endocrine (hormone) disruptors that alter important mechanisms in the bodies. Specially, parabens mimic estrogen receptors that confuse important bodily signals, triggering breast cancer and possible birth defects
• Formaldehyde realeasing preservatives (also called or present with diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, sodium hydroymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol [Bronopol]) are found in liquid body soaps and washes, baby soaps and shampoos, adult shampoos, bubble bath, and are known carcinogens, also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity
• Fragrance is an engineered scent or flavoring agent that is found in every category of cosmetic, body and skin care products, and may contain any combination of 3000+ stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens, but is protected under federal law as a "trade secret" and therefore not required to disclose
• Homosalate
• Hydrogenated cottonseed oil, which can be contaminated with arsenic
• Hydroquinone is a skin lightening chemical found in skin lightening creams that has been linked to cancer, organ toxicity and skin irritation
• Imidazolidinyl urea, shampoos, shower gels, baby soaps and shampoos, keeps bacteria from growing in water-based products
• Lead, may be in nearly 3% of all personal care products, proven neurotoxin, linked to learning, language,  behavioral problems, miscarriage, reduced fertility in men and women, hormonal changes, menstrual irregularities, and delays in puberty onset in girls
• Lead acetate
• Methyl cellosolve is a fragrance ingredient and solvent found in anti-aging products, and that is an irritant and possible neurotoxin, developmental toxin, and causes DNA  mutations that could lead to cancer
• Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone are preservatives found in body washes, shampoos, and conditioners, and that are common irritants, sensitizers, and the cause of skin allergies
• Mercury (and Mercury compounds, also listed as Thimerosal) are elements used as preservatives and antiseptics in ear and eye drops, and sometimes in mascara, though they are known to damage brain function
• Methyl Paraben, in tons of stuff to inhibit microbial growth and extend life of product
• Mineral Oil (also listed as liquid paraffin, liquid petrolatum or paraffin oil) is liquid petroleum that is a cheap alternatives to natural oils, used extensively in baby products, lotions, soaps and cosmetics even though it is a common skin irritant
• Nitrosamines, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate combines with other chemicals to make these powerful carcinogens, that are known skin irritants, easily absorbed into liver, brain, heart, and eyes, causing longterm effects, potential impurity in 53 ingredients and more than 10,000 personal care products, may not be listed because nitrosamines form when other proteins combine, like when diethanolamine (DEA) or trithanolamine (TEA) are used in the same products as preservatives that break down into nitrates 
• Nonoxynols, which can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide
• Octinoxate
• Oxybenzone, UV filter used in soaps, cosmetics, sun and baby products
• Padimate O (nitrosamine contamination)
• Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
• Parabens (e.g. butylparaben, DBP, DEHP, DEP, methyl-, isobutyl-, proply-, and others) are a class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in fragrance, nail polish and hair spray, even though they are endocrine (hormone) disruptors that alter important mechanisms in the bodies. Specially, parabens mimic estrogen receptors that confuse important bodily signals, triggering breast cancer and possible birth defects
• Paraffin, a cheap petroleum alternative to natural oils, used extensively in baby products, lotions, soaps, and cosmetics
• Petrolatum, PAH contamination, an extensively used, cheaper alternative to natural oils, used extensively in baby products, lotions, cosmetics, and soaps 
• Placental extracts (can contain progesterone or estrogen)
• Polycrylamide, acrylamide contamination
• Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds) are widely used in skincare products are thickeners, solvents, softeners, and carriers in lotions, creams, sunscreens, and shampoos, even though they may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are both carcinogens
• P-phenlyenediamine
• PTFE, PFOA contamination
• Pthalates, used as carriers for fragrance and as soften agents in nail polish, deodorants, lotions, shampoos, and more
• Propylene glycol, in many products, lotions, soaps, cosmetics, a petroleum product that is cheap alternative to natural oils
• Quaternium-15, baby soaps, shampoos, shower gels, keeps bacteria from growing in water-based products
• Resorcinol is a colorant and fragrance in hair dye and other products that is a known skin irritant, and is toxic to the immune system and organs, and is suspected to cause hormone disruption
• Retinyl palmitate and Retinol (Vitamin A) is used in anti-aging skincare products though it may speed the growth of skin tumors when used topically
• Silica
• SLS or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and other -eth compounds, which can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, a foaming agent, frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics by saying, "comes from coconut," found in body washes, shower gels, liquid soaps, shampoos, bubble baths, and other foaming products
• Synthetic Colors, either D&C (Drugs & Cosmetics, for external use only) or FD&C (Food, Drugs, & Cosmetics), used in all manner of pet, baby, and personal care products and cosmetics
• Synthetic Flavor or Fragrance is an engineered scent or flavoring agent that is found in all categories of cosmetics, body and skin care products, and may contain any combination of 3000+ stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens, but is protected under federal law as a "trade secret" and therefore not required to disclose on packaging labels
• Talc, chemically similar to asbestos, found in baby powders, feminine powders, condom lubricants, blushes, powders, eye shadow, liquid foundation and skin refresheners
• Titanium dioxide
• Toluene is a petrochemical solvent found in nail polish that is toxic to the immune system and can cause birth defects
• Triclosan and Triclocarban are antimicrobial pesticides and antibacterial agents in soap bars, liquid soaps, skincare products and deodorants although they are toxic to aquatic environments and may also impact human reproductive systems

The Human Experiment

sammysoap supports the scientists, medical professionals, disability advocates, watchdog groups, concerns citizens, and consumer advocates interested in safe skincare products. We recommend Sean Penn's documentary about chemicals in everyday life called The Human Experiment (2013). sammysoap products are organic or wildcrafted whenever possible, always vegan, cruelty free, and made by hand without synthetic ingredients in St. Louis, Missouri. We are committed to human health, a clean planet, and disability wage equality. 

#bthechange