What is SLS, What Chemicals are in cosmetic and skin care products

Want to know more about the 'chemicals' used in cosmetics and skin care products? What is really in your shampoo? Have you seen products described as 'SLS' free, not sure what it is about?

SLS is Sodium Lauryl Sulphate... This is a harsh chemical degreaser and a known irritant and is found in the majority of commercially produced cosmetic products.

It is used in many cosmetic and skin care products that require a 'foaming' effect, it is used because it is a cheap way of producing lather for these products.

Such products include: Soaps, Shampoo's, Shower Gels, Bubble Bath, Foaming Bath Bombs, and many more !

The major skin care producers use this, just read the label on the back of your boots shampoo, Body Shop Shower Gels, and you will even find it in some of Johnson's Baby products, look at their No More Tears Products!

SLS was originally designed to clean factory floors and degrease car engines! This can clean Lorries, is your skin in need of such harsh cleaning?

There are many reports that SLS can cause the dysfunction of the biological system of the skin, as well as irritating sensitve skin sufferes, such as eczema and psoriasis.

There are endless negative reports, why not put in a google search for SLS or Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and see for yourself!

There is also SLES which is Sodium Laureth Sulphate and again is included in any prodcut which requires a 'Lather Effect' and when this is combined with other chemcials it is considered to create nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens. It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut".

You may like to read this article: How toxic is your bathroom.

Wibbly Wobbly Jelly Soap - Kids love this !

Who can resist wibbly wobbly jelly, and made as a Soap is just brilliant for kids bath time! I believe was first introduced by Lush, but I may not be 100% correct! I have come across a few recipes for this, but this is one that I like the most and is by far the easiest to create, and kids loving getting involved too!

Why not make a batch of this with some of the children's bath time milk shake, really get them clean!

Ingredients:

1 packet of gelatine use 15g (check the quantities of each sachet in a box)

125ml of your child's favourite bubble bath or shower gel, (brighter the colour the better)

190ml Water (boiling) Place the gelatin into a bowl and pour on boiling water, stir gently until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add the bubble bath and stir thoroughly, but stir gently, as you are trying to prevent any bubbles forming whilst stirring.

Once it is all dissolved, pour slowly and gently into a container, it can be a bowl, or perhaps a empty plastic tub (lunch box) then place in your fridge to set. You may like to place a small toy inside as well, to add a little more interest!

Once set your have your own jelly soap and to use, simply take a scoopful and add to your bath tub!

This will not last and is best used on the day of making, or perhaps 1 more day, but after that it will need to be thrown away, I would be surprised though if it survived that long!

Tip I like to add this as a layer on top of some of my bath bomb muffins, see the photo, I think it looks really effective.