Harmful Ingredients in Products Women Should be Aware Of

America is a society of consumers. Perhaps one of the largest groups of consumers that advertisers market to is women. Women buy products that they believe will aid them as they go about their daily lives. From beauty products, to food, to cleaning products, American women find a brand that they trust and generally stick with that brand. What many women don’t know is the products they have grown to trust often have harmful ingredients, or ingredients that directly contradict the effects of the products they are using.


Many women have chosen to forgo conventional products in place of all natural or organic products in efforts to avoid harmful chemicals and additives that are found in everything from cosmetics to foods. In most cases, all natural and organic products are safer and don’t contain the harmful cancer-causing agents that their mainstream, commercial counterparts contain. Tampons, lip balm, bottled water, and perfume, are products that many women use daily. However, these products often contain ingredients that are counterproductive.

Harmful Ingredients in Tampons


Tampons contain ingredients that cause vaginal dryness, as well as other toxins that build up over time increasing the risk of cancer. In her article “Why Buy Organic Tampons,” Lindsay Evans of Bright Hub notes that “synthetic ingredients, pesticide residue, and traces of dioxin in conventional tampons can lead to health issues in women.” Most conventional tampons use non-organic cotton, which is sprayed with many pesticides and insecticides while it’s growing. Conventional tampons also contain dioxins from the bleaching process which can cause health problems as they build up in the body over time. Many conventional tampons also contain rayon to increase absorbency. This synthetic fiber has been linked to toxic shock syndrome.

As an alternative, women can look to all natural and organic tampons which are much safer and healthier and do not contain harmful ingredients. Many women have also switched over to “The Keeper” or the “Diva Cup,” the tampon and pad alternative. These alternatives are clean, safe, and without a doubt, money savers. They are also a greener alternative to using tampons. For more information on these alternatives visit Divacup online or The Keeper Inc.

Bottled Water Containing Sodium


Healthy women drink water, and plenty of it. With all the warnings and health concerns around the safety of tap water, many women opt for bottled water. What many women may not know is the brand of bottled water they are choosing may contain sodium.

According to the Coca Cola Company’s website, Dasani bottled water contains sodium. Sodium, or salt, increases thirst. The Dasani Nutritional Information page indicates that Dasani bottled water contains .50mg of sodium per eight fluid ounces. Other brands of bottled water containing sodium include Nestle Pure Life Natural Spring Water and Perrier bottled water.

Lip Balm Contains Ingredients Causing Dry Lips


Dry lips are never fun. That’s why many women have lip balm and other lip moisturizers readily on hand. However, there are some lip balms that contain ingredients that actually cause dry lips. The more you need to use, the more you need to buy. According to Bella Sugar’s article on BellaSugar.com, “4 Lip Balm Ingredients to Avoid,” include, menthol, silicone oil, certain fragrances, and salicylic acid, which all provide temporary relief and moisture, but soon fade and cause dryness of the lips. Other lips balm ingredients that dry out the lips include camphor and phenol.

These drying ingredients have been contributed to “lip balm addiction.” While an addiction to lip balm cannot be proven, using lip balm that dries out the lips mean having to use more. As an alternative, try an all natural or organic lip balm that does not include these drying ingredients.

Perfume: The Least Regulated Cosmetic Industry


Many products marketed to women contain perfume or fragrance. However, the perfume industry has been called one of the least regulated cosmetic industries. In her article “Chemical Sensitivities and Perfume,” June Russell of June Russell’s Health Facts notes that before the 20th century perfumes were made of all natural ingredients derived from plants and animals. Today however, “95% of the chemicals used in fragrances today are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum including known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and allergic reactions.”

With little regulation on the fragrance industry, it is hard to know what is in the perfumes and fragrance filled products on the market. However, all natural and organic products are always a safer alternative for perfumes and fragrance. Essential oils are a safer and aromatic alternative.

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