s a mother of three, I am always concerned about what they are putting in their bodies but over the years I have not given much thought to what they put on their bodies! I was horrified to hear that most of the bath products that we use for the whole family are filled with horrible toxins that cannot only harm their skin but their internal organs as well!

  ApparentlyI am not the only parent who is concerned about the products my family is using to clean our bodies. In March of this year approximately 80 families in Beijing filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson with claims that their bath and body products have hurt their children. While, on March 26, 2009, 26 of Johnson & Johnson’s bath products were approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to have  met the country's regulations on cosmetic formaldehyde, one batch number (B081210A/20111209) was found to contain a small amount of 1,4-dioxane, an as yet unregulated substance used in cosmetics both in China and the United States, according to AQSIQ.

This law suit and numerous concerned parents like me have been developing a growing concern about the possibility that the bath products that we have trusted our whole life could have cancer-causing chemicals! Many advocates have been pleading with Johnson and Johnson to remove the formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane and other hazardous chemicals from personal care products by the end of 2009.

Instead of going after the big corporations, I decided to go another route, I decided to do some research of my own, and a little product testing and found a wonderful new line of bath products that are vegan, toxic-free and miracle of miracles even leave my children's corkscrew curls tangle-free, an accomplishment that NO product has ever been able to do! There is nothing wrong with fighting the big corporations like Johnson & Johnson and trying to instill some integrity in them but if it wasn’t there in the first place why force it out of them? Why not find a company with true integrity, all natural, healthy ingredients with healing properties rather than cancer-causing ones? I found a wonderful line of products called Juni by XanGo. All Juni products are safe and gentle. They do not use any harmful chemicals, synthetic dyes, sulfates or unwanted substances and I can tell you from first hand experience, the more you use it the healthier your skin and hair is! The best thing is my children stopped hiding the brushes and combs and no longer dread bath time!

Most of the world may have accepted the fact that all bath products use sulfates, silicones and other “safe”  poisons that make the products smell nice and look pretty. But you have not. Why do you think Pantene and Fruitresse makes your hair so shiny? It is all the chemicals that give it that “healthy” glow.  I don’t know about you but I don’t want the illusion of healthy hair and skin. I want real healthy hair and skin!  The best thing about Juni, it is made from a blend of the most powerful phytonutrients of the mangosteen fruit with other family-friendly botanicals for a pure and simple revitalization that doesn't go against nature. It’s a natural clean.

Another great company I found was Save Your World. Save Your World has a whole line of body care and hair care that are all made from pure essential oils, 100% vegan soap, and lip balm. In 2008 they signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and Save Your World practice free trade with every purchase of the Yeba Mate’ they use in their products. The best thing about Save Your World’s products is the amazing fragrances that are all made with pure essential oils! I was very surprised at the amount of rich lather all the products created and the fact that they have color-safe shampoo and conditioner!

If you are not yet convinced that your bath products may be harming you here are some facts:
Did you know that:

• A recent National Cancer Institute study confirmed exposure to formaldehyde as a cause of cancer.
• Formaldehyde causes rashes in sensitized people.
• Many toxic chemicals are not listed on product labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws.
• Phthalates which have been linked to developmental and reproductive health risks are said to be safe, but some companies have dropped them in response to public concern.
• Phthalates can be found in many other personal-care products, including body lotions, hair sprays, perfumes, and deodorants. The chemicals are used to help fragrances linger and take the stiffness out of hair spray, among other reasons. They're also in detergents, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and plastic toys causing them to show up in our bodies.
• Axe body wash has been found by the Natural Skin Care Product Review to be a highly toxic skin care product due to its TETRASODIUM EDTA and COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, chemicals that have been linked to cancer in animal tests and ETIDRONIC ACID which is linked to reduced fertility and a reduced chance for a full term healthy pregnancy.