What are the dangers of common cosmetic products such as non-organic shampoo?

One common product that is used millions of times a day around the world yet has real risks associated with it is hair dye. In 2002 the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products published a study that found that the regular use of hair dye over many years could increase the risk of contracting bladder cancer. The chemicals commonly used in hair dye can also cause allergies and skin disease. Your skin health can be drastically affected by these chemicals. Yet these are products that are sold over the counter with few warnings. In some parts of the world these products are being phased out and the more harmful chemicals in them are being reduced. But that is not fast enough nor is it good enough. Would you be happy knowing that a product you regularly use is considered dangerous but the best that the safety authorities can do is insist that it is diluted a little before it is sold.

To reduce my risk of exposure to these sorts of dangerous chemicals and to keep them out of my house so that they can’t harm my family (especially my children) I have made an effort to switch to natural or organic cosmetic products wherever possible. These may cost a bit more, but in most cases are much more pleasant to use. They smell great, leave my hair feeling really clean and fresh and allow me to feel good that I’m doing my bit to protect the environment. Most important of all, I am keeping my family safe from dangerous chemicals because it seems that the government is acting too slowly to do it for me.