HealthNutty Pick of the Week: Tea Tree Hand Soap

I wash my hands like crazy. Mostly because I'm a bit of a germaphobe. But also as a new mama, I'm constantly changing diapers, making food in the kitchen, and hey, I like to smell nice. Anyone with me?

There is a certain brand that is my all-time fave, and  the company just recently came to Canada. Nearly everyone has a bottle of soap from this place sitting on their counter. But, I am saddened to say that their products are full of parabens and other chemicals. Yes, sometimes I might still use them because they have wonderful seasonal products, and they smell insanely good...but it was time I found something better for me, and my family to be using on a regular basis. Plus, I needed to find something more cost-effective.

Did you know that many people mistake antibacterial products as being necessary to fight off germs? The Food and Water Watch released a statement saying, "Health experts have challenged the idea that these products are necessary for everyday household use. In fact, soaps that contain triclosan have not been proven to be more effective in preventing normal household illnesses than ordinary soap and water. In 2005, an FDA advisory panel of experts voted 11 to one that antibacterial soaps were no more effective than regular soap and water in fighting infections (foodandwaterwatch.com).

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in soaps, toothpastes, socks, children's toys, and even bedding (cbc.ca, fda.gov). Certain studies on animals exposed to it have seen an alter in hormone regulation, and may cause problems in the resistance of antibiotics (www.fda.gov). Although there are still studies being done on humans, there are ongoing studies on the safety of its use. The other downside is that Triclosan has been said to kill good bacteria along with the bad. 

So why not use a natural God-given antibacterial agent like tea tree oil?

I found this Nature's Gate Tea Tree Soap in the health food section at Zehrs. It's great because it's paraben, phalate, and sulfate free. You get 300+ pumps per bottle, smells grande, and it even has a lovely tingly feeling after use from the wonderful spearmint ingredient they added in there. Not to mention, tea tree oil is antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal (webmd.com).

Check out the hand soap by Nature's Gate at Well.ca, HERE.

To learn more about tea tree oil, check out a previous blog written by The Health Nutty Professor HERE.



References

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/07/bath-and-body-works-summertime-scent-pesticides-triclosan-lotion-soap-toxic-chemical-cosmetics.html

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/blogs/is-bath-and-body-works-selling-toxic-soap/

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm205999.htm

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/webextras/triclosan/what_is_triclosan.html

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-tea-tree-oil