Today we will be taking a closer look at something we've all been using a lot of recently, hand soap!

Have you ever washed your hands as much as you have during the past six months? Killing bacteria is the goal, but let's not forget that caring for our skin is important too. With three or more sinks per household, and multiple washes per day, that's a lot of hand soap. Most name brand hand soap ingredients are not easy to read, the print is small and hard to decipher on the back of the plastic dispenser. Here's a closer look at a few common, well-known brands and two great Canadian-made alternatives. 

Dial Gold Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap -  (Henkel North American Consumer Goods, Stamford, Ct. USA)

Ingredients: Active Ingredient: Benzalkonium Chloride 0.13% Inactive Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau) · Lauramidopropylamine Oxide · Glycerin · Lauramine Oxide · Cetrimonium Chloride · Sodium Chloride · *PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate · Citric Acid · Sodium Benzoate ·* Zinc Sulfate · Myristamidopropylamine Oxide · *Parfum (Fragrance) · Dimethyl Lauramine · *Tetrasodium EDTA · Alcohol · Dimethyl Myristamine · *CI 19140 (Yellow 5) · CI 14700 (Red 4) · *Butylphenyl Methylpropianol · Coumarin · Linalool

Let's break this down...

*PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate: These synthetic polymers are a very popular skin care ingredient and are used to dissolve oil and grease.  But did you know they’re also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners?  These petroleum-derived compounds can alter and reduce your skin’s natural moisture factor.  This could increase the appearance of aging and leave your skin more vulnerable to harmful bacteria.  

*Zinc Sulfate: "Zinc sulfate is a combination of sulfur and zinc. It is an herbicide typically used for moss control. The toxicity of zinc sulfate depends on the amount of zinc in the product" http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/znso4gen.html

*Parfum (Fragrance): The majority of fragrances are synthetic and known to cause skin irritation for many users. "Fragrance" is a loophole ingredient that can contain up to 1000 chemicals and toxins. 

*Tetrasodium EDTA: Made from ethylenediamine, formaldehyde—a known carcinogen according to the National Cancer Institute—and sodium cyanide (which is made from the toxic gas hydrogen cyanide). In addition to the formaldehyde thing, however—which makes me uncomfortable—this ingredient may also contain dangerous levels of dioxane, a by-product of manufacturing that is also carcinogenic. EDTA, and it’s known to be a potent eye irritant. It can also be slow to degrade, making it a poor choice for environmental health.  https://www.annmariegianni.com/ingredient-watch-list-tetrasodium-edta-the-preservative-made-from-formaldehyde/

*Yellow 5 (Ci 19140): Whether synthetic colors are completely safe or mildly damaging in the long run is unknown.  Since they serve no useful purpose, they are best avoided.

*Butylphenyl Methylpropional: Butylphenyl methylpropional is commonly referred to by its main trade name: Lilial. And the toxicological profile of this fragrant substance, present in many cosmetic products, also seems to be prohibitive, since the European Scientific Expert Committee for Consumer Safety, after having judged it “not safe” for human health, now seems to accept it only with great caution.   https://cosmeticobs.com/en/articles/ingredient-of-the-month-10/butylphenyl-methylpropional-a-name-to-keep-in-mind-and-ban-3149 

Next, let's look at a popular "natural" option.

Live Clean Fresh Water Hydrating Liquid Hand Soap - (Hain Celestial Group, Lake Success, NY USA)

Aqua (Water/Eau), Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Chloride, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Rosmarinus O cinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract*, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract*, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, *Phenoxyethanol, *Ethylhexylglycerin, *Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, *Butylphenyl Methylpropional, *Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, *Parfum (Fragrance), Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.

*Phenoxyethanol: is a well-known and widely used preservative in conventional cosmetics. It is potentially toxic. European regulation requires that its concentration within cosmetics remains limited to 1% of the formula. In North America, concentration greater than 2.2% is considered harmful, less than 1% is considered ineffective.  https://www.officinea.fr/le-blog/en/phenoxyethanol-7-reasons-to-banish-it/

*Ethylhexylglycerin: Two studies have found ethylhexylglycerin to be a skin irritant, even at low concentrations: A Belgian research by the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital and a study in the journal Contact Dermatitis. Thus, those with sensitive skin may want to avoid ethylhexylglycerin due to the potential of contact dermatitis." https://thedermreview.com/ethylhexylglycerin/

*Potassium Sorbate: "Research has shown that potassium sorbate is safe for most people to eat, though it may cause some skin allergies when used in personal care products."  https://www.healthline.com/health/potassium-sorbate#making-a-choice 

Hexyl Cinnamal: Fragrance ingredient used in many perfumes and often seen in fragranced skincare products. Hexyl cinnamal imparts a jasmine-like scent. It’s considered a skin sensitizer, which is why it must be called out on an ingredient statement, whereas in the past a cosmetics company could lump ingredients like hexyl cinnamal into the catchall term “fragrance.”  https://www.paulaschoice.com/ingredient-dictionary/fragrance-synthetic-and-fragrant-plant-extracts/hexyl-cinnamal.html

*Parfum (Fragrance): The majority of fragrances are synthetic and known to cause skin irritation for many users. "Fragrance" is a loophole ingredient that can contain up to 1000 chemicals and toxins.

Now let's take a closer look at 2 Canadian-made safe options:

Lavender Liquid Hand Soap - Carina Organics North Vancouver, B.C.

Ingredients: Filtered Aqua, Potassium Cocoate (saponified Cocos nucifera / Coconut oil), Glycerin (vegetable), Pinus banksiana (pine) extract, Magnesium Chloride (Magnesium Oil), Olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, Lavendula officinalis (lavender) oil, Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) flower extract, Urtica dioca (nettle) leaf extract, Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) leaf extract, Trifolium pratense (clover) flower extract, Acetic Acid (Apple Cider Vinegar), Linum Usitatissimum (linseed) seed oil, Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed oil, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil.

An entirely natural hand wash formulated with certified organic plant, vegetable, flower and tree extracts.  Gently cleanses washes away dirt and replenishes essential nutrients to your skin without the use of any harmful synthetics.   

Thieves & Thyme Herbal Hand Soap - Elva's All Naturals, Milton, Ontario

Ingredients:  Aqua (Water), Decyl Glucoside (from Potato/Coconut), Helianthus Annuus (Organic Sunflower) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Organic Sweet Almond) Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Organic Chamomile) Extract, Rosa Rubiginosa (Organic Rosehip) Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Organic Horsetail Herb) Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Organic Lavender) Extract, Tagetes Erecta (Organic Marigold) Extract, Arctium Lappa (Organic Burdock Root) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Organic Rosemary) Extract, Persea Gratissima (Certified Biodynamic Avocado) Oil, Ceratonia Siliqua Leguminosae (Locust) Bean Gum, Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Coca) Seed Butter, Organic Glycerin (Vegetable), Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Cyamopsis Tetragonolobus (Organic Guar Gum), Avena Sativa (Oatmeal), Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil,  Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Organic Grapeskin) Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Red Clover) Flower Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract.

Vegan & Cruelty-free. Contains NO SLS/SLES, sulfates nor parabens.

Although the list is long, Elva's Blend Thieves & Thyme Hand Soap is packed with effective + safe germ-busting essential oils like Clove, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Cinnamon, Rosemary and Thyme. "Thieves Oil" dates back to 1413 and is known for its anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-viral properties. Elva's Blend takes it a step further with the addition of Thyme, also known to have strong anti-viral properties.

Carina Organics Lavender Hand Soap is available for in-store refill, Elva's All Naturals Thieves & Thyme Herbal Hand Soap is available in 250ml aluminum pump and 500ml glass pump bottles online and in-store (and will soon be available in refill).

Keeping our hands clean shouldn't be at the expense of our skin's health, or the planet's! 

🌲Pine Boutique