Parabens et al.,: What's the point in eco toiletries?

I've always tried to err towards eco products if I can - the more natural, less synthetic the better (on offer is good too). This is especially so for what I'm putting on Abigail's skin, in her bath and so on. But I'm afraid I went with instinct rather than actually finding the time to investigate the reasons why avoiding ingredients such as parabens was a good idea. A recent article in the Daily Mail provides a quick and useful summary though, so take a look. It is describing chemicals found in women's beauty products but can be applied to other toiletries as well:

Revealed: 515 chemicals women use everyday

The Cosmetics Database (USA) provides lists of all cosmetics for children and adults:

 "In July and August of 2007, EWG surveyed more than 3,300 parents to find out what shampoos, lotions, bath soaps and other personal care products their children use. Based on the specific products named by these parents, we found that children are exposed to an average of 61 different chemical ingredients every day, many of which have not been found safe for children by the government or the cosmetic industry’s expert safety panel.
Due to gaping loopholes in federal law, cosmetics companies can put almost any ingredient they choose into their products, with no requirement to safety test. Companies can also claim that their products are gentle and natural even when they contain artificial chemical ingredients or harsh skin irritants. (Read more)

Exposures to harmful chemicals during childhood pose concern because children are more vulnerable to chemicals than are adults. In many ways, children are like sponges for chemicals. Children’s skin is 30 percent thinner than an adults’, on average, and can absorb greater amounts of chemicals from the skin surface. They breathe in more air (and air contaminants) relative to their weight than adults, and the blood-brain barrier that helps block chemicals from penetrating brain tissue is not fully formed until a baby reaches six months of age. Parents must be particularly careful to choose safe products for their children."

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a UK equivalent to the review, although products including Johnson & Johnson, Burt's Bees and Neal's Yard are included. Here's a link to the children's section of the database: Skin Deep.

More information about other ingredients used in children's toiletries is provided in the Ingredients information on the Halos N Horns website (UK company), which describes each chemical excluded and reasons why, one by one. So, being aware of the names of these ingredients and checking bottles as you buy is probably the best policy. As the EWG group suggests, not all products labelled as 'natural' live up to that description.

Ingredients to be aware of:

Uh-Oh?

• Sodium Laureth / Lauryl Sulphate (SLS / SLES): Can sometimes cause skin irritation or aggravate serious conditions like dermatitis or eczema
• Parabens: Are becoming increasingly controversial, as they have been found in extremely low concentrations in breast cancer tumors
• Phthalates: Some studies have shown that early exposure to Phthalates could disrupt reproductive systems, especially in boys
• Methylisothiazoline (MIT): It can cause allergic reactions and irritate the eyes and skin
• Tricolsan: It is possibly thought to have an impact on the immune system
• Propylene Glycol: It can irritate eyes and skin, and also found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze

To answer my question...Ecologically friendly washing products and toiletries: 

1. Limit the level of potentially harmful chemicals that get absorbed by your body, compared to standard products
2.  Cut down on the amount of harmful waste products that you pump into the water systems

Perspective

I wouldn't want to take things too far though: speaking to a friend much more qualified than me when it comes to chemicals (1st class degree in Biomedical sciences and PhD research in breast cancer proteins), if these chemicals were proven to be harmful, they would be banned. This doesn't mean that the chemicals wouldn't pose a problem, particularly for more vulnerable individuals, e.g., those with eczema, poorer immune systems etc. Also, we may manage to avoid potential toxins with controlling what toiletries we use, food we eat, but then may not manage to get away from others, e.g., exhaust fumes and other unknown/invisible pollutants. Finding the balance that you're comfortable with and able to achieve is most likely the best you can do anyway. For me, that's trying to keep the majority of the toiletries and cleaning products on the eco-friendly end of the spectrum, and keep the eating on the fresh, healthy side too.