One Step Closer to Banning Triclosan

The federal government will be announcing that it will start an assessment on the antibacterial chemical, Triclosan.  Reported last week, Postmedia says that this is an important step in improving environmental and human health conditions.

Why is Triclosan a concern?

Triclosan is one of those chemicals that many advocate to remove from skin care products.  It’s been shown to be toxic to both fish and wildlife and to humans.  This chemical is known as an endocrine disruptor, possibly being linked to thyroid problems and cancer.  Further, it is thought that Triclosan contributes to antibiotic resistant bacteria, contributing to formation of “superbugs”.

Where do you find Triclosan?

Triclosan is in a multitude of everyday products.  You’ll find it lurking in hand sanitizers, in all kinds of makeup in even in plastic goods, like smartphone cases.

Environmental Defence has been a leader in the campaign to ban Triclosan from every day products.  Read all about this latest development here.

The Culture of Beauty

Last week, I wrote a blog post about Environmental Defence’s video, Try to Look Pretty Without Poisoning Yourself.   It focuses on the harmful ingredients that are used in everyday cosmetic products.  Since its release on January 9^th, it has received a lot of attention and was featured in the Financial Post on January 13^th.  I stumbled upon another video that I liked last week by Jesse Rosten called Fotoshop by Adobe.  It highlighted the fact that all of the photos we see in magazines and on billboards have been edited through Photoshop or a program like it.  In other words, what you see is NOT what you get.  I like both videos and they got me thinking. Why do we have to do anything to ourselves in order to look or feel pretty?

The Culture of Beauty

In North America (and many other places), it is simply the norm to beauty products.  From moisturizer to lipstick, it’s readily available in any form you want.  Not only are there beauty products available for purchase, there are a multitude of surgeries and injections that you can have done to alter your appearance. Why?  After being bombarded with images of what an ideal body image is, in general, we seem to have bought into it.  Most models meet the BMI for anorexia.  Read this article to see how skewed the modelling industry has become.

But everyone is different

The facts are, each person has different proportions, grows to a different height and will age differently.  The choices we make early in life will influence how our bodies change.  We get wrinkles and age spots and or bodies change over time.  Is it really necessary to aggressively try and avoid all of that, just for the sake of it? Should we really use expensive wrinkle creams to ensure that our skin stays perfectly smooth into our 60s?

Take it as a badge of honour

How about we take those wrinkles and age spots as a badge of honour rather than things to be covered up or removed?  Sure, we can still have a healthy lifestyle, maintain a good diet, and get regular exercise.  But, if at the end of all of that, we still get a wrinkle of two, be proud of it!  After all, it’s bound to be the product of all the amazing things you have accomplished in your life.

Of course, this is just my opinion.  What do you think?

Try to Look Pretty Without Poisoning Yourself

Cosmetic companies do not have to disclose all of the ingredients that they use in their products.  No matter how much you read a label, you will never know what is included in that all-inclusive term parfum.  Not only do they not have to disclose each ingredient, but many cosmetic products contain harmful ingredients.

Environmental Defence Canada

Environmental Defence Canada is one of Canada’s most effective environmental action organizations. It challenges and inspires change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.  A quick look at their website reveals that Environmental Defence raises awareness on a number of different issues.  Their work is aimed at positively influencing people on environmental issues.

Try to Look Pretty Without Poisoning Yourself

On January 9, 2012, Environmental Defence launched a 60 second video to highlight the dangers of the cosmetic products that many women use today.  It’s an entertaining 60 seconds that sends a strong message to the viewer.  Many of the cosmetics that we use today, like lipstick and mascara, include ingredients that are harmful to you.  Check it out!