Here's a fact that many people aren't aware of: Up to 60% of what you put on your skin (and on your children's skin) is absorbed into the body.

Now go read the label on your kid's shampoo or liquid soap bottle. Dyes. Preservatives. Synthetic foaming agents. Parabens and petrochemicals. Is that the kind of stuff you want coursing through their veins?

Remember, the skin is a porous membrane that lets impurities in and out of our bodies. So some of the ingredients in our shampoos, cremes, cleansers, cosmetics and other products are bound to permeate that membrane, allowing toxins to enter the blood stream and organs.

That's why more and more parents are switching to organic shampoo for kids and pure natural soaps and body washes.

The Problem With Big Brands

Most traditional drug store brands – the ones you see advertised in those slick TV commercials – are loaded with synthetic ingredients and chemicals that can put your health at risk with long term use. And there's no law against it. FDA guidelines, which are so rigorous when it comes to controlling food and drugs, allow just about any ingredient to be used in skin care products.

That means you, the consumer, are on your own when it comes to reading labels, understanding the contents, and making wise buying decisions that affect your family's health.

What are Harmful Ingredients Found in Most Hair Care Products

Sodium lauryl sulfate - Used in some shampoos and body washes, laundry detergent and can cause skin, hair & scalp allergies, partial hair loss, eczema and skin irritation.

Sodium laureth sulfate - Also used in most shampoos and body washes and can also cause dry skin and irritation.

Sodium oleth OR Sodium coceth sulfate - Used in some shampoos and can cause rashes and allergies.

Ethylparaben - Also known as Paraben and mostly used as preservative in most cosmetics in general. Can cause hair & scalp allergies and irritation. Scientists still try to find out the side-effect of this product and suspect even cause for cancer. Best to be avoided.

Sodium hydroxide - Used in chemical hair treatments like straighteners and relaxers. Not suitable for kids.

There are also many Ingredients that are potential carcinogens or contain carcinogenic contaminants. Some approved by FDA and some not. The best choice is to avoid them if possible. Examples are: Any Petroleum derivitative ingredients like Petrolatum, Mineral oil OR Ingredients like Cocamide dea and Hydantoin DMDM.

The New Alternatives

The average American uses between ten and 45 pounds of soaps, toiletries and cosmetics per year. That adds up to a lot of exposure to chemical additives. As more consumers begin to question the wisdom of coating our bodies in that stuff, manufacturers are responding with alternatives.

For example, the entire product line by NOe Cosmetics is made of 100% natural, organic, and edible ingredients. They use coconut oil in their cleansers and shampoos. And instead of adding synthetic stabilizers, they use the natural preservative properties of fennel and aniseed. Recently, they extended their product line to include natural baby shampoo (an organic shampoo for kids) and baby wash containing such edibles as soy protein, enzymes from sugar beets, and green tea.

The message behind this trend is clear... if it's good enough to eat, it's safe enough to use on your skin and your kids' skin. For more organic natural products check our shampoo shopping guide for kids