Last week we discussed how an imbalance of electrolytes affects us and why you may need more sodium than you believe. Proper electrolyte balance is critical for health. Small adjustments can make a significant difference in how you feel.
Have you ever checked the ingredients in your personal care products? What if I told you that one of them is also found in antifreeze?
This week we explore a popular synthetic ingredient found in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and yes, you guessed it, your car.
Not sure about you, but I definitely don’t want to consume something also used in my vehicle! Let’s take a closer look at what this substance is and explore its widespread use in everyday products.
What is Propylene Glycol and its Potential Effects?
The rising incidence of diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease highlights a global health challenge. Can a common household ingredient be a contributor to these rising concerns?
Propylene glycol was first introduced in the 1930s as a less toxic alternative to ethylene glycol. Both substances are common in antifreeze.
The FDA approved it for use in pharmaceuticals and food additives in the 1940s and 1950s. After that, it gained widespread adoption in cosmetics, personal care products, processed foods, medications, IV formulas and vape juice.
Propylene glycol has been facing increasing scrutiny for its potential health effects. The back label of a common antifreeze product states, caution, harmful if swallowed. Contains propylene glycol.
Have you ever wondered why some personal care products leave your skin irritated? You might be allergic to an ingredient inside it.
After learning about the potential risks of this ingredient, I decided to do some investigating. What I found shocked me. The first three products I checked in my bathroom all contained propylene glycol. This included my body wash, mouthwash and aluminum and paraben free deodorant.
Whenever I applied my aluminum and paraben free deodorant my skin would itch. I developed a rash that took several weeks to go away after I stopped using it. I felt distraught because the ingredients listed were supposed to be safe but my experience has been otherwise.
I thought, this product surely cannot be the source of the rash developing in my armpit. But what else could cause this?
Then what about my hair? For the past year I used a new body wash that doubled as shampoo. Since then I began to feel pain in my hair follicles. It made me wonder, I never felt pain in my hair follicles before, is this what they call old age?
Every day, we trust the products we use—our deodorant, mouthwash, and even body wash. But what if they contained a chemical that could be harming your health?
These days commercials are filled with skin rash and eczema medications. Could there be a connection between skin rashes and this chemical?
If you’ve been struggling with unexplained skin irritation or hair thinning, you might be surprised to learn this common ingredient could be the culprit.
Health Issues on the Rise
Propylene glycol can lead to metabolic acidosis which can increase the risk of diabetes or worsen its progression. Other symptoms can include but are not limited to:
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Arrhythmias (Irregular heart beat)
- Central nervous system depression
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Decreased urine output
- Kidney stress
Given the rise of dialysis cases it may be worth considering its application for human consumption.
There are concerns of its existence in vape products. The chemical breaks down into harmful compounds when heated at high temperatures.
Skin has the ability to absorb chemicals. Hair is more than just dead cuticle. Hair and nails continue to grow for two weeks after a person passes away. If hair was already dead why would it continue to grow?
Prolonged exposure to propylene glycol can lead to kidney impairment. This may result in a future spent in the dialysis clinic several times a week.
Now that we know what propylene glycol is and where it’s found, the next step is learning how to avoid it.
Read Ingredient Labels
You may be wondering how to find this product in items you already own. Most products used for the body will have an ingredients list. Many of the ingredient names can seem intimidating because they are often written in Latin.
I know how overwhelming it can feel to start checking labels, but awareness is the first step toward making healthier choices. If switching one product could improve your skin and health, wouldn’t it be worth trying?
In the mouthwash, body wash and deodorant that I own, propylene glycol was listed in the ingredient list. Take a minute right now—grab your mouthwash, deodorant, or body wash and check the ingredient list. Do you see ‘propylene glycol’?
Your body deserves better! The good news is that you don’t have to settle for products filled with unnecessary chemicals. You don’t have to drop everything at once. Start small, replace one product and see how your body responds.
Thankfully, you don’t have to settle for products loaded with synthetic chemicals.
If you find that this ingredient is in the products you own, don’t worry. There are many alternatives available that do not carry propylene glycol.
Let’s explore some healthier alternatives.
Alternative Sources for Safe Healthcare Products
I replaced my deodorant with one that is still aluminum free and does not contain propylene glycol. If saving money is more important than personal health then you may not find it important to replace your products.
But, like me, if you are over skin rashes, unexplained hair thinning and other nonspecific health conditions, eliminating this product may benefit you.
There is a website called Skin Safe Products. It contains a list of propylene glycol free products. Look for body wash, mouthwash and deodorants here.
If you prefer an app to help you research safe products, try The Yuka app. It is a mobile application designed to analyze food and cosmetic product ingredients. It includes a health and safety score. The app helps you make informed choices by evaluating products. It rates nutritional quality, additives, and potential health risks.
Key Features of Yuka:
Barcode Scanner – Scan food and cosmetic product barcodes to receive a detailed analysis.
Health Ratings – Products receive a score (out of 100) based on nutritional quality, presence of additives, and organic nature.
Alternative Recommendations – If a product has a low rating, Yuka suggests healthier or safer alternatives.
Independent and Unbiased – Yuka claims to be ad-free and independent, basing its evaluations on scientific data.
How It Works:
For Food Products: Scores are based on nutrient composition (60%), presence of additives (30%), and whether the product is organic (10%).
For Cosmetics: The app assesses ingredients for potential health risks, such as allergens, endocrine disruptors, and irritants.
Availability:
Works on iOS and Android.
Covers a large database of food and cosmetic products, mainly in Europe and North America.
Clay-based deodorants
There are clay-based deodorants available. They are aluminum free, this is another ingredient you want to avoid consuming and applying to your skin. The skin is able to absorb material. Think of the skin as eating so to speak whatever you apply to it because in a way that is what it is doing when it absorbs the ingredients.
Clay deodorants can help to absorb moisture and neutralize odor. They are suitable for sensitive skin.
There are also herbal mouth rinses available. The Dental Herb company and Carifree Naturals create mouth rinses that support a healthy oral environment.
Mouthwash Recipe
Mountain Rose Herb has a simple mouthwash recipe and a simple toothpaste recipe as well. They offer several different recipes. The easiest recipe contains only three ingredients and you probably already have it in your home.
- Take 1 cup of purified warm water
- Add 1/4 tsp each of baking soda and fine sea salt
Mix the ingredients and store in a glass bottle or jar. Create a new mixture each day. It is not meant to sit for several days at a time.
After brushing your teeth, swish a mouthful for at least 30 seconds and then spit it out. Rinse with plain water for a clean mouthfeel.
DIY Toothpaste Recipe
For a do it yourself toothpaste combine:
- 2/3 c baking soda
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- Filtered water
- 1-2 tsp of organic arrowroot powder to thicken if desired
The arrowroot powder is optional.
Add enough water to create a paste of your desired consistency. Store in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks. A glass container with a lid can be appropriate here for storage.
There are several other recipes available for self care on the Mountain Rose Herbs website.
Try going propylene glycol-free for a week. See how your skin and body respond—you may be surprised by the results. Your body deserves better. Start small—replace one product and see how you feel.
This week we covered a popular ingredient propylene glycol. We discussed how to reduce our exposure to this substance. Talk to your doctor about medications that may contain propylene glycol. There may be alternatives that are better suited for your health.
Next week we will dive into an often overlooked electrolyte, potassium. Potassium plays an important role in cell growth. It also helps to maintain the acid-base balance in the body.
Your health is in your hands. You have the power to choose what you put on and in your body. Every small change adds up. Removing harmful chemicals is a step toward a healthier future. You deserve to use products that nourish, your body.
This is Barbara, I am yours in health. Remember, everyday can be a healthy day!
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