4 Chemicals to Watch for In Your Soap

With so many soaps on the market today, how do you know what is safe to use and what isn't? You may be thinking, they wouldn't sell something that could be harmful to the public, right? Wrong. New chemicals are developed in labs every day and what little regulation there is for soaps and household cleaners simply doesn't move as fast. This leaves gaps of time (often years!) where you and your family can possibly be exposed to such chemicals.

So how do you know what is a safe soap? Research! We've outline the big 4 chemical that you absolutely need to look out for the next time you're shopping for any kind of soap including hand soap and dish soap.

4 Chemicals You Need to Watch For In Your Soap

Stay Away From Synthetic Fragrances

Everyone loves a great smelling soap. But, did you know that most synthetic fragrances contain harmful chemicals called phthalates? Phthalates are sneaky chemicals that cause damage to your endocrine system and are linked to cancer. A safe alternative is to look for soaps that are only scented with essential oils.

Parabens

The idea of parabens sounds good on paper because they are supposed to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. However, the side effects of parabens are less than ideal. Parabens have been shown to alter your hormones which are an integral part of keeping your body functioning properly.

How to spot parabens? Look for chemicals that start with methyl-, isobutyl-, and propyl-. Avoid parabens by choosing a natural, organic, or handmade soap as these manufacturers are typically small-batch and only use premium ingredients.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureate Sulfate (SLS and SLES)

These are bad news. Not only can SLS and SLES trigger allergies, but these chemicals are known carcinogens. If you see these on a soap bottle, run!

Triclosan

Triclosan is not only harmful to our bodies by causing hormonal issues, but it is very toxic to our environment. After you wash your hands, the soap and water goes down the drain and you never think about it again. However, triclosan is not biodegradable. Once it is deposited into locals streams, lakes, and oceans, it causes further damage to the environment around it.

How to Avoid Phthalates, Parabens, SLS, SLES, and Triclosan?

You can avoid these harmful chemicals by choosing natural or organic hand and dish soap instead of the large mass-produced brands. We hand-pour our own organic hand soap and dish soap and offer it in a recyclable pouch. Our organic soap refills are made from a mixture of coconut and sunflower oil so you can rest assured that these 4 harmful chemicals are nowhere to be found in our products.