Why Work Stinks

Recently I received an e-mail from a customer who had a great question. So great, in fact, that I decided to expand upon the subject here in my blog. The gist of her question was this:

Ive noticed that its harder to keep body odor under control in my
air-conditioned office than when working in the heat in my yard on the
weekend. How can this be?

I had noticed the same thing a couple summers ago when I was working at a TV station. The air conditioning was always super cold but I always had a harder time deodorizing myself there than when hiking in 90 degree weather. That led me on my quest to find the answer to the mystery. While there may be other reasons that work may figuratively "stink," today Ill give you the reasons why it really can!

The first reason is caffeine. The body gets rid of caffeine by sweating it out. One study found that caffeine is present in sweat for up to four hours after drinking it. [source] You know when they say the body sweats out "toxins?" Caffeine is one of them! In addition, caffeine inhibits the creation and function of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is responsible for regulating the amount of water in your bodys tissues. So when caffeine inhibits ADH, you excrete water. Thats why caffeine is known as a diuretic. To get rid of water, your body does a number of things. First, it flushes water through the kidneys and bladder (as youve probably noticed in more frequent trips to the bathroom). Second, it stimulates the bowel system and can increase the water content in your stool. Third, it increases sweating to rid itself of water. After all is said and done, that cup of tea or coffee may have made you more alert, but now youre dehydrated and sweaty!
In an office setting youre more likely to need a boost of mental focus and alertness, so you revert to a cup o joe. Or a cup of organic green tea in my case. ;) Over the weekend just working around the house you usually get to sleep in and dont have the pressures to perform so you dont partake of that extra boost as readily. Thus caffeine is reason number one it "stinks at work."

Every Saturday in the summer we have a booth at the Salt Lake Farmers Market. And, while its hot, I usually can keep the sweat and the odor under control with the Pit Putty, no problem. One week last summer I noticed I was sweating a lot. I mean, I was afraid to put my arms up! It wasnt any hotter than previous weeks. I was wearing the same clothes and not doing any activities out of the ordinary. Then I realized it--instead of my usual Strawberry Limeade, I had drank some strong black tea. There was the first hand proof that convinced me to keep the caffeine to a minimum--just for my market neighbors sake!

The second reason you could be more odiferous at work is stress. When our body comes under stress the sympathetic nervous system is triggered. This causes our heart rate and breathing to speed up, our blood pressure to escalate, and sweat production to increase. [source] In fact, the average person sweats more when stressed out—700 milligrams per hour—than when in a 100-degree room—600 milligrams per hour. [source] In addition to the increased sweat, when youre stressed your body undergoes many physiological changes, like increases in hormones and a shift in pH. Under constant duress, the skin is consistently starved of both blood and oxygen, making it weaker and more prone to the bacterial growth that can cause odor. [source]


Third, our clothing is different. On the weekend you may wear a cotton t-shirt or tank, while in the office you may wear "stuffier" clothing made from rayons and poly blends. These clothes (especially if youre wearing layers) arent as breatheable as your weekend attire and can trap in sweat, making a moist environment for those odor-causing bacteria to grow.


Now, while you probably cant eliminate stress from your workplace, or start wearing t-shirts, and you may not want to give up that mid-day cup of green tea, there are ways you can improve your odds for staying fresh. First, when choosing business attire, look for 100% natural, lightweight fibers like cotton, hemp, and bamboo. As for the stress, there are plenty of breathing exercises you can do to calm your nervous system and decrease your heart rate. Or just getting up and taking a 5 minute walk around the building. And dont forget all the health benefits of green tea and coffee can be found in decaf. Getting plenty of sleep will help you curb the caffeine cravings. Plus cutting caffiene will help you get to sleep better at night anyways...its a win-win situation.

So thats it. Mystery solved. Caffeine, stress, and clothing all affect the way we smell at work. Now when someone says work stinks--youll know exactly why!

Hair Care Ideas For Every Hair Type

Do you have a desire to have beautiful hair like magazine models have? You can with a little effort! The piece below is full of tricks used by many to get their lush, flowing locks. Continue on if you want to know their methods.

For a quick and easy on the go hair tamer, try a dab of your favorite hand lotion. Simply rub a small amount into the palm of your hand and stroke your hair in a downward direction. This will tame frizz instantly and even offer the benefit of conditioning your hair, as well.

Pay attention to dry skin, especially on or near the scalp. If you have very dry skin, you may also have very dry hair. In order to combat this problem, try washing your hair only a few times a week, or using a moisturizing hair product. Avoid using heat or harsh chemicals on dry hair.

Maintain a constant trimming schedule for your hair. When you have your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks, you will prevent unhealthy looking hair when the ends begin to split. Even should you desire to have a longer hairstyle, you should continue this trimming cycle. You will appreciate the healthy look, as well as make caring for it easier.

Choose shampoo, conditioner and other products, based on your hair type and needs. Colored hair benefits from UV protection and extra moisturizers, for instance. Oily hair requires a lightweight, no-buildup conditioner. If you are unsure of your hair type, ask a cosmetologist for advice on choosing the best products for caring for your locks.

When washing your hair, you should start by rinsing it with water to get most of the impurities out. Then, gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and in the hair. Take your time and make sure all your hair is covered with shampoo. Rinse until all the shampoo is gone.

Dont believe everything you hear. While it may be a popular belief that cutting hair will make it grow faster, that is false. However, keeping ends trimmed and free of split ends can make your hair appear longer and fuller. Split ends appear thin and are often difficult to see while healthy ends are thicker, and that volume helps to create the illusion of more length.

Chlorinated water can be extremely damaging to your hair, but everyone still needs to have fun and go swimming right? Here is what you do. Wet your hair thoroughly before you get in the pool, so your hair soaks up that water, instead of the chlorinated water. This is much better for the health of your hair.

During the summer months, its crucial that you put extra effort into caring for your hair. Always take the time to wash your hair after swimming or spending time in the sun. Its also a good idea to keep your hair covered with a bandanna or a loose cap, if you plan on being out all day.

Getting hair like a celebrity doesnt cost so much, but it does require some work. After reading this article you should know how to take care of hair. Put in some time experimenting with these hair care tips and you will discover what works best for you. In short order, you will be the envy of everyone you meet.

Hair Care Tips for Dandruff

Dandruff is the most common Problem for Men and the Women. Persons who have oily and dry hair face such a problem. Dandruff is nothing, but the dead skin coming out of the scalp. Dandruff can causes a problem such as, Itching, irritation and it makes the scalp dry and completely damaged. Some cool tips and products will make your hair dandruff free.

Tip 1

Hygiene is very important in hair care, so first change your brush or comb. It causes major hair related problem. Rough brushing can also gives an infection to the scalp. Soak your brush in hot water and apply some antiseptic liquid. This helps to kill all the chances of infection. Never share your hair tools with others.

Tip 2

Tension the important factor of producing dandruff. So avoid taking tension as possible.

Tip 3

Maximum avoid using hair products such as, hair spray and gel which contains chemical items, it may causes dandruff. Instead of this apply herbal oil or any herbal gel twice in a week. Anti-dandruff shampoos also give a good result.

Tip 3

Olive oil is best natural oil for hair care, which contains Vitamin A and Vitamin E. It helps to cure split in end of the hair and also cure dandruff.

Tip 4

Take fresh lime juice and mix 10 grams of black pepper powder and then add 1/4^th cup of milk in it. Massage your scalp with this mixture and leave it for one hour. Then Wash off. This the simple method for removing dandruff.

Tip 5

Egg is a good conditioner for hair, which make our hair smooth and silky and it also help us to remove dandruff. Beat 2 eggs and add 2 spoon of water in it. Apply this mixture over the hair and massage your scalp and leave it for 15 minutes. Then wash your hair with warm water.

Spotlight On Treatments – Hair Vitalics

Good nutrition is a vital part of any healthy metabolism and the skin, like every other organ, is dependent upon a wide and balanced range of vitamins and minerals in order to be at its best. As hair follicles are specially adapted skin cells, the hair that grows from them can be significantly affected by a poor diet. As such, even a mild case of malnutrition can make conditions that involve the thinning or complete loss of one’s hair worse.

Key Nutrients For A Healthy Head Of Hair
Although a fully balanced diet is necessary for preserving general health, there are specific nutrients whose absence from the diet can have a damaging impact on one’s hair. Protein is vital, as it is used by hair follicles to produce the material that composes the hair shaft itself – keratin – in addition to being the fundamental building block of all cells. Vitamins E, B6, B12, Biotin and folic acid all boost the general growth of all cells in the body. A deficiency in Vitamin A may lead to a dry scalp, while a lack of Vitamin C in the diet can cause hair loss, breakage, and split ends. Minerals such as zinc, iron, and silica are all important for maintaining a healthy scalp, and methylsulfonylmethane – a naturally occurring source of sulphur – can increase the length to which hair grows before it is shed by increasing the growth phase.

Hair Vitalics – A Nutritious Blend
A balanced, healthy diet should provide you with these basic nutrients, but your individual metabolism and circumstances may make it difficult for you to get all of the nutrients your hair needs – which can curb the effectiveness of anti-hair loss medications like Propecia and Minoxidil. That’s why The Belgravia Centre offers Hair Vitalics; a broad spectrum daily supplement that combines plant extracts such as Saw Palmetto, along with vitamins and minerals that can boost the health of your scalp, and thus the thickness and coverage of your hair (when used in conjunction with scientifically-proven medical treatments).

Part Of A Combined Approach
Supplements are not – in and of themselves – able to treat most conditions that lead to hair loss. However, the substances they contain are vital for the body’s continued well-being  and as such when they are used as part of a broader treatment programme, they can lead to quite staggering results – boosting the effectiveness of scientifically proven drugs by increasing the ability of hair follicles to produce new, strong and healthy hair.

Our experts have a wealth of knowledge about hair loss treatments and the supplements that can be used in conjunction with them. If you are experiencing hair loss, they can put together a bespoke treatment plan, tailored to your specific needs. If youre curious about the results you can expect, check out our extensive collection of hair loss treatment success stories like the one below.

If you’d like to find out more about Hair Vitalics and the many other treatment options available at The Belgravia Centre, then please head over to our main website. Furthermore, if you want to begin your journey to a healthy head of hair today, then please contact us online or call 0800 077 6666 to book your free, no-obligation appointment with one of our experts. If you can’t make it in to our clinic, you can still fill in our online diagnostic form, and we can send you a home use treatment no matter where you are in the world.

Clinical Treatment Therapy Relax And Treat Hair Loss

Hair loss can be a stressful thing to cope with, and at The Belgravia Centre we really enjoy seeing our clients become more confident and happy in themselves as their hair loss treatments become effective. And, of course, stress itself can cause hair loss in the form of telogen effluvium, so trying to eliminate sources of stress is a good way to complement your hair loss treatment.

That said, we know that stress is a normal part of everyday life for many people, so weve developed a treatment that both helps you relax and stimulates hair growth when combined with your prescribed hair loss medication. When you visit us to check up on your progress, why not make time for a clinical treatment therapy session?

Available on a fortnightly, monthly, or quarterly basis, a session lasts between 45 minutes to an hour and takes place at our clinic. It involves a treatment being applied to the scalp (which will often contain menthol, though it can be adapted if you have a sore scalp, or suffer from certain scalp conditions) which is left on for a short time whilst low power infra red light therapy is used to complement the stimulation of the scalp. Clients can then enjoy a scalp massage, leaving them feeling relaxed and their hair follicles in great condition. All this gives them the best chance possible of growing strong and healthy hair as part of their tailored treatment programme.

Of course, clinical treatment therapy is just one of a variety of methods we have for complementing the MHRA licensed medication which we prescribe to patients in various strengths depending on the extent of their hair loss. To find out the best means to halting hair loss and regrowing your hair through a combined approach of treatments, you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss specialist to diagnose the cause of your hair loss.

Just simply give us a call on 0800 077 6666 to make an appointment in either our Victoria or Liverpool St clinics (our brand new Liverpool St location will be open from January 14 and we are now taking bookings) or you can message us online. If youre unable to make it to London, you can fill in an online diagnostic form and well get back to you with your diagnosis and a proposed treatment plan. Due to the fact that our entire treatment course (excluding only the clinical treatment therapy) is administered by the patient in the comfort of their own home, those who live abroad are at no disadvantage in treating their hair loss effectively.

DID YOU KNOW – HEAD LICE IS CAUSE HAIR LOSS

Lice are tiny insects that live on humans and feed on blood.  The lice is commonly found in small children as opposed to adults.  When a large number of lice live and multiply on a person, it is called an infestation. However you still ought to be wary because they can crawl and / or jump on top of your head, particularly when you are close contact with someone highly infected. Lice spread easily from one person to another through close contact or through shared clothing or personal item (such as hats or hairbrushes).  A louse cannot jump or fly.

The common symptom of lice is itching.  There are different symptoms depending on which type of lice you have. Lice are spread primarily by direct, head to head contact with an infested individual.  Indirect spread through share of personal items such combs, brushes, barrettes, hats, scarves, jackets, blankets, sheets and pillows is less likely but possible.

Using magnifying glass and natural light, carefully examine hair scalp sideburns eyebrows, beards and mustaches of all household members for lice and their eggs, called  nits.  Nits which are yellowish which in color and oval shaped, can be easier to locate than lice.  Nits are glued to the side of the hair shaft and can be found throughout the hair, especially at the back of the neck, behind the ears, and at the top of the head.  Don not confuse nits with dandruff or hair casts (material from the hair follicles).  Unilike a nit, dandruff can be flicked or blown out of the hair and hair casts can slide easily along the hair shaft. 

Tip:

Parents will be informed if there has been reported incidents of head lice in your child’s class.

In an effort to stop them from spreading, we would be grateful if you would carefully check

Your chilc’s hair.  If any lice or eggs are found, please follow these 3 steps at least every 3 days for 2 weeks.

Washthe hair – any shampoo will do

Condition the hair – any conditioner will do

This makes the hair slippery and tangle free

Use a head lice comb – start each stroke as close to the scalp as possible.

Ensure you remove any lice/eggs caught in the comb after each stroke and once the whole head of hair has been thoroughly combed, rinse the hair.

Please note, you will have to treat the whole family.

Our school nurse would be happy to check your child/s hair on your requests.

When that super expensive neem shampoo and conditioner is gone. 

We will continue with the high heat blow-drying after every shower.

Causes Of Hair Loss To Nutritional Deficiency

Women can ensure their iron intake is adequate by eating iron rich foods such as red meat, seafood, pulses, and dried fruit fortified breakfast cereals and green vegetables.  Vegetarians and endurance athletes are at greater risk of shortfall.  Vitamin C helps with absorption and many multivitamin and multi-mineral supplements will contain both at the recommended daily amount or you can drink a glass of orange juice when you eat foods that contain iron.

Although it can be comforting to know that human beings are not by yourself in struggling hair reduction – understanding the brings about of hair loss indicates we can consider proactive action.  Even however genetics does play a part, new homework has uncovered a nutritional deficiency link in the two guys and adult females.  And other factors, such as stress and poor hair care, are effectively inside of our capability of transform.

As a continuously growing and metabolically active tissue, hair requires high levels of available nutrients for hair cell DNA synthesis and development.  In terms of nutrient supply however, hair is a non essential tissue – receiving its full nutrient supply only after vital tissues have been accommodated.   In women of menstruating age when iron levels are frequently less than optimal, this essential minerals  a often a common cause for hair loss.

Significantly more noticeable indications of iron deficiency anemia it teens are a lost of quicker pulse induced by the heart beating harder to pump much more oxygen to into the blood, shortness of breath when jogging or climbing stars and frequent extreme head aches. The most disturbing indications can be sudden extreme nosebleeds that may perhaps or may perhaps not accompany he head aches.  Sadly, many of these indicators can also be explained by other causes. Infects, especially those who were low birth weight or born prematurely, who don’t get enough iron from breast milk or formula may be at risk of iron deficiency.  Children need extra iron during growth spurts.  If your child is not eating a healthy, varied diet, he/she may be at risk of iron deficiency is something usually associated with women, however it is the world’s number one nutritional disorder according to the World Health Organization.  A lack of iron can also to condition anaemia  the symptoms of which include tiredness, looking pale, headaches and hair loss in both men and women anaemia.

In those with iron deficiency induced hair loss usually recount a history of slow, declining scalp hair density, typically affecting the entire scalp.  In some women a dual picture of female pattern thinning with an underlying diffuse hair loss will be evident.

Most treatments that deal with hair loss, especially hormone therapies, tend to work very slowly.  Although you may feel other beneficial effects from the treatment relatively soon, new hair growth may take months while you are undergoing treatment, doctors recommends against the temptation to wear a wig because it “slows down the blood flow to the scalp, preventing full effectiveness of the helpful hormones”.

Most of the hair loss can be corrected if the cause can be identified, but proper testing is essential.  Guessing based on symptoms can lead to a misdiagnosis because an excess of a nutrient or hormone can sometimes generate the same symptoms as a deficiency.  Work with your healthcare practitioner to determine the cause and you are more likely to find an effective treatment.

Why Is The Belgravia Centre Best For Hair Loss

At The Belgravia Centre we take pride in standing out from other hair loss treatment providers. We work hard to provide you with the best possible chance of stabilising hair loss and stimulating regrowth in thinning areas. Our combined treatment packages are tailored to your specific needs, and we do whatever we can to provide support for our clients, whether thats a chat over the phone or a visit to the clinic in person. Here, we highlight exactly what makes us the UKs busiest hair loss clinic:

• Ours is the only hair loss clinic with an in-house pharmacy. This allows us to post discreet treatment packages directly to a clients preferred delivery address, or alternatively the client can collect in person from the centre.
• Because we make much of our medication in-house, we are able to create higher strength formulations than those available on the high street, meaning that we can treat more stubborn hair loss at a faster rate than clients could achieve with off-the-shelf hair loss treatment. The medications which we dispense are licensed by the UK and US regulatory bodies as proven hair loss treatments.
• Our treatment plans also contain a variety of hair loss boosters which complement the medication and which we have found to be extremely effective in helping to maximise regrowth and keep hair healthy.
• Our clinic is open seven days a week and four late nights, ensuring that you can visit us entirely at your convenience. Our clinic is located next to the Victoria underground and train stations in Central London.We can also answer your queries over the internet or via phone during opening hours.
• We dont demand large payments at the start of your treatment, instead the cost can be spread out into installments at no extra cost, with no obligation to continue if you are unhappy with your results. We find that the vast majority of our patients are happy with the results and stay with us.
• If you cant make it to the clinic, our full variety of home use treatments are still available to you, just fill in our online diagnostic form and we can diagnose you remotely and post your treatments out to wherever in the world you might be. Although we do prefer clients to visit us so that we can track progress in person and also offer them a clinical treatment.
• Our website contains the worlds largest collection of  hair loss success stories with pictorial evidence from our clients, along with extensive information on the treatments that we offer for men and women. We also have a regularly updated blog with all the latest hair loss news, from the medical developments to which celebrity has just had treatment for hair loss. 

The first consultation to determine the cause of your hair loss is free and takes between 30 and 40 minutes. There is no obligation to begin a treatment plan following the consultation  To inquire further or to book an appointment, call us on 0800 077 6666 or send us a message online.

Toothpaste Update Part 2

You wouldnt believe the amount of e-mails weve been getting....."WHEN IS YOUR TOOTHPASTE GOING TO BE READY?!!!!" So, I thought Id post an update.

1. Formula--done.
2. Type of packaging--done.
3. Order ingredients--hit a brick wall.

So, the last time I posted, I was all excited because I had finally figured out the packaging. Well, now weve run in to another snag: the supply of one of our major ingredients, organic erythritol.

We wanted to be the first certified organic toothpaste on the market. Well, now its looking like its just not going to happen in the near future. Theres only one manufacturer of the main ingredient in our toothpaste, organic erythritol, and theyve discontinued it. The price of the remaining supply of organic erythritol on the market is hiked up so high, wed have to charge at least $20 for a tube of toothpaste. And then, when we run out of organic erythritol, we run out and cant make it any more.

Ive found a supplier of certified GMO-free erythritol, which is great, but it doesnt allow us to put the USDA symbol on the product. Which makes me want to cry because Ive been so excited to have this product out as USDA certified organic. What do you guys think? Will you still be excited about it if its certified GMO-free instead of organic?

So, now the next step is to make a decision---either we charge $20 a tube for the organic variety and hope that someone starts making organic erythritol soon, or go with what we know we can get (GMO-free), have a lower-priced toothpaste and a reliable supply. What do you think?

Whatever we decide, were shooting to have something ready by the end of April.

Tips for Healthy Black Hair

Almost every woman wants to have a black and healthy hair. Black hair requires an extra care as they are thick and dark in color. There are also more chances to lose the hair by sun so caring the black hair is necessary. Whether you genetically have thin hair or it has thinned from years of abuse, age, chemical or heat treatments, or illness there are few solutions that can help you get the look of thick hair.

Tips to maintain Black Hair:

• Oil massages your black hair with lukewarm oil at least twice a week. You can choose coconut oil, any herbal oil, aroma oil or olive oil to nourish your hair.
• Keep your hair ends trimmed and moisturized. Hair with spilt ends will break and can’t grow strong. Get hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks until ends are healthy.
• Eat healthy food which is rich in calcium, minerals, vitamins and iron for your hair.
• Use wide tooth comb for your hair and brush them with a soft handled hairbrush. Don’t brush them often, brushing breaks hair.
• Avoid gels and other products that are heavy on alcohol and other drying chemicals.
• Always use shampoo, which is specifically made for black hair.
• Apply medicated shampoo if you are getting dandruff in your hair.
• You may not always have time to let your hair air dry, but do it whenever you can. The less heat you place on your hair in the form of blow drying, the more moisture your hair retains.
• Never tie your hair when they are wet.
• Try to reduce heat styling. The more heat you expose your hair to, the more damage you will cause. 

Chemicals to Avoid

Our skin is our bodys largest organ and is highly absorbent. What we put ON our bodies ends up IN our bodies. Chemicals in personal care products can and do affect our health, from skin issues, allergies, asthma, headaches, hormonal imbalances, and even increased cancer risk. The big companies like to tell us that "its just a small amount" so the chemicals pose no risk, but think about everything you use every day--shampoo, body wash, face wash, moisturizier, body lotion, makeup, hair products--this is multiple daily exposure, and the toxic load can build up. Over the years Ive made "top five" or "top ten" lists about which chemicals to avoid, but there are just so many! Today, Ive narrowed it down to five major risk categories.

ETHOXYLATED COMPOUNDS

Ethoxylated compounds are synthetic chemicals created using the known carcinogen ethylene oxide. Chemical manufacturers are able to create synthetic chemicals that have skin-conditioning or cleansing products similar to oils, soaps, and natural butters but at a much cheaper price. Many times these chemicals are made out of cheap petroleum or animal by-products. These are the parts of the animals from the bottom of the barrel, literally, that no one wants. First, they take out the meat that they sell to people, then they take the lesser cuts and use them for hot dogs and other low-grade meats. Then, the pet-food companies have their pick. The leftover sludge of fats and cartilage is then processed and sold to cosmetic companies to make ingredients like stearic acid and cetearyl alcohol.

So, where does ethylene oxide come in to play? Well, companies can turn a fatty acid like stearic acid in to an emulsifier, steareth-20, which is able to combine water and oil. Using the ethoxylation process, chemists can design chemicals that are able to do things that they otherwise would be unable to do.

The problem with the ethoxylation process is that trace amounts of ethylene oxide can remain in the product. Ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen, and can be absorbed by the body through the skin. Other compounds like sodium lauryl sulfate and propylene glycol are penetration enhancers, and break down the protective barrier of skin, delivering these carcinogenic chemicals further in to the skin and bloodstream.

Additionally, the ethoxylation process can create 1,4-dioxane, also a known carcinogen.

Recently a study done by the State of California and the Organic Consumers Association found that a number of personal care products that were supposedly "natural" contained higher than acceptable levels of 1,4-dioxane from ethoxylated compounds. In fact, once the state of California found out about the contamination, it sued the companies that it had tested. Every product sold in California that contains a carcinogen must have a warning label. The brands were forced to reformulate and most of them fixed the contamination problem. But this was only a handful of “natural” companies—the big brands have gone untested and unregulated for 1,4-dioxane contamination.

How to spot an ethoxylated compound

There are three easy ways to spot an ethoxylated compound. First is looking out for "PEG." PEG stands for polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene Glycol is used in cosmetics as a skin conditioner and emulsifier. It usually is followed by a number, reading PEG-200. The number following the PEG is the number of moles (a unit of measure in chemistry) that the glycol has been treated with. So PEG-40 is polyethylene glycol treated with ethylene oxide 40 times. The higher the number, the more ethylene oxide

Second, look for the suffix "eth." Sodium laureth sulfate or ceteareth-20 are two examples. The "eth" indicates it has been treated with ethylene oxide.

Third, look for dashes followed by a number, as in steareth-20.

One last ingredient to avoid: "vegetable emulsifying wax." This is a blend of fatty acids and polysorbate 60 and steareth-20, which are ethoxylated compounds.

NEXT UP: XENOESTROGENS