You’ve probably heard me ranting against antibacterial triclosan on radio, in my books, in my column (as early as 2006!) and well, everywhere really. The government now says it’s toxic and the Canadian Medication Association says it should be banned thanks to its link to super bugs and yet there it still sits on shelves! Take a second out of your busy schedule to sign Environmental Defence’s online petition to oust triclosan, like, today.
Here’s a list of some of the heaviest triclosan/triclocarban users on shelves so you can start your own personal bathroom ban ASAP (excerpted from Ecoholic Body):
- Dial antibacterial liquid soap, bar soap and body wash
- Balea antibacterial hand soap
- Bath & Body Works antibacterial hand soap
- Tersaseptic
- Cetaphil Antibacterial Gentle Cleansing Bar
- Clean & Clear Oil-Free Foaming Facial Cleanser
- Colgate Total toothpaste
- Right Guard Total Defense Power Deodorant
- Adidas 0% Aluminum
- Soft & Dry Deodorant
- Clearasil and Clearasil Stayclear Daily Face Wash (discontinued in 2011 but still on some shelves)
- Neutrogena Deep Clean Body Scrub Bar (discontinued but still on some shelves)
- Softsoap antibacterial liquid hand soap (discontinued in 2011 but still on some shelves)
Categories: Big Issues, Bodycare
Leave a comment (6)
Hi Ana,
I have a big section on acne in Ecoholic Body that you should find really useful. I’ve had acne since I was a tween, doc put me on tertracycline at 13! I still break out, at 36, if I’m not careful. I’ve given up on foaming cleansers since holistic dermatologists say they strip your skin and send your oil glands into overdrive. They recommend creamy cleansers and I’ve had great success keeping my skin break out free on them so that’s what I recommend too. I’ve been using a probiotic creamy cleanser by Andalou (under $10), also Earth Sciences creamy cleanser works well too, it’s also good at removing heavy duty makeup, if you wear any. I have 2 sections on acne in the book, under bodycare and under Health – where I talk about internal solutions to acne, including getting off dairy, which a large study of 47,000 people found made a difference.
Hi Adria,
I noticed a facial cleansing product on your list… the Clean & Clear wash. I don’t use that particular one, but I do use one of their other foaming washes – which natural alternative would you recommend for oily/acne prone skin?
thanks!
yunno triclosan is the main component of most antibacterial handwashes in hospitals all over the world.
Hi Adria, thrilled I found your site. Heaps of great info. It’s sweet to have a reliable source ya know. I tuned in to CBC radio from St. John’s today. Great show. I know there were many listeners who found the info very helpful. Cheers for all you do to educate sister!
Hope you are hav’in a grateful day.
Niki
Well I’m happy to say I don’t have any of these products in my home, but I know some people who have a love-affair with Bath and Body Works (their scents have always triggered my allergies, and whenever I see their products in people’s bathrooms I stay far far away).
I have to wait for my friends in the hall while they shop in that store. Instant headache and itchy eyes. Not good!