Mommy Goes Green

One of the best things I’ve found about blogging is the amazing community of women you meet (okay, I’ve mostly met women but there are lots of men out there, too).   You find immeasurable support, commitment and friendship. 

Today, at The Creative Mama, a blog I’m so fortunate to contribute to, they are asking for support for Chele.  She is a mother of 4 who recently found out she has cancer, amongst other health issues.  Her husband is currently unemployed and their are uninsured -  you can imagine the financial pressures coming their way with cancer treatment.

For more details on her story and to contribute, please visit The Creative Mama.  I’ve seen these types of requests on other blogs, for other heartbreaking stories, and the community that comes together to support someone they will likely never meet is amazing.

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Some days, I feel like a “laundry folding, kitchen cleaning, diaper changing, bottle making” machine. 

What does your Mommy Machine look like today?

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I’ve seen the preservative, phenoxyethanol, on many cosmetic bottles so I finally took the time to find out what it is.  According to Wikipedia, it is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in cosmetics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals. 

Chemical of the Day says that phenoxyethanol is commonly used as a fragrance ingredient so if you don’t see ‘phenoxyethanol’ in the ingredient list but you do see ‘fragrance’, it could be in there anyway.  The Green Beauty Guide says these are ‘nicknames’ for phenoxyethanol:

IS IT SAFE?

Skin Deep considers phenoxyethanol a ’4′ or ‘moderate risk’. 

Numerous studies have shown it to be a skin irritant and the FDA warned consumers not use a nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers because the phenoxyethanol in it “can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.” 

The Environmental Medical Division at Oregon Health Sciences University reported 3 cases of phenoxyethanol neurotoxicity:

2-Phenoxyethanol, used as an anesthetic for handling small fish at a salmon hatchery, caused three women to experience headache and symptoms of intoxication during use, followed by diminished sensation and strength of hands and fingers, worse in the preferred hand. Persistent neuropathy did not develop in any of them. After 1 to 2 years of exposure, the women manifested gradual onset of symptoms of cognitive impairment with an inability to work. Neuropsychologic testing verified that all three had focal cognitive impairments that persisted. One also had documented labyrinthine hypofunction, which originated during this exposure.

Phenoxyethanol is considered a “safer preservative” so I bet if you look at many of the skin care products labeled ‘natural’, you’ll find phenoxyethanol as an ingredient. I’m constantly looking at the ingredients on products at the store so I see it all the time.   Up until this point, I haven’t specifically avoided it but I probably will going forward, as much as I can. 

Do you read ingredient lists on cosmetics?  What chemicals do you specifically look for to avoid?

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Head on over to The Creative Mama today for my monthly post, today it’s all about ‘Confessions from a Green Mom’.  Have a great weekend, talk to you Monday!

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Hey mamas, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be contributing to another fabulous blog, The Creative Mama.  If you haven’t stumbled upon it, head on over there to find “everyday living with a touch of creativity”.  With 13 other contributors, you’ll find a wealth of knowledge about home, kids, photography and DIY and of course, green living.

This post may contain affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy.