In the United States, there are over 2,000 UNREGULATED ingredients put in cosmetics, lotions, supplements etc. One product that has been on the rise is muscle creams that guarantee less muscle pain, spasms, tightness and so forth. Many of these companies do a fantastic job on different social media outlets stating that their product is “natural” and is free of various additives or toxins. But what does that really mean?
When I went to a conference years ago, there was a stand advertising rose oil that helps with minimizing scars and was “all natural.” It was a very popular area and many were in line to get a 6 oz sample. When I got mine, I scanned the ingredient list and to my surprise, rose oil was the seventh ingredient. The ingredient list included “fragrance,” “parabens” and “propylene glycol.” These are all incredibly toxic! One question that ran through my head was how can this be ethical?
In the United States, there are over 2,000 UNREGULATED ingredients put in cosmetics, lotions and supplements.
Beauty products including lotions and oils aren’t regulated by the U.S Food and Drug Administration, so this gives companies free rein to advertise as they see fit. Second, there is no universal or legal definition to what is “natural.” This creates a gray area and often provides misleading information to the consumer.
When muscles are in pain, there is an underlying inflammatory process that involves reduction of blood flow, changes in muscle composition (less flexibility) and molecular changes that can become permanent depending on the condition and activity levels. The last thing you want to do for your muscles is to add on toxins that can further exacerbate the problem.
These toxins have been shown to interfere with hormonal and neurological functioning, create developmental issues during pregnancy and have been linked to various cancers.
The good news is that there are several resources out there to help educate consumers on what truly helps muscle and minimizes toxicity. Make sure to do your research and look up ingredients you are unfamiliar with when purchasing your products. I’m unable to provide ALL the toxic ingredients, so do your homework! I put together a list of common ingredients to avoid and ones beneficial for alleviating muscle pain.
The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) is a great resource to start with.
Be aware of organic ingredients such as herbs that may interact with your medications, supplements, diet etc.. or have an allergic reaction to. Reach out to your physician prior to trying a new product.
Here is a list of common toxins to avoid:
Propylene Glycol
Methylisothiazolinone
Fragrance/Parfum
Methyl Salicylate
Sodium laureth sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine (DEA and TEA)
Disodium EDTA
Dimethicone
Parabens
Phthalates (DEP, DMP, DBP)
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Petroleum
Colorants (FD&C)
Polysorbate-80
Denatured alcohol
Phenethyl Alcohol
Diazolidinyl and Imidazolidinyl Urea
Mineral oils
Anything you have difficulty pronouncing or looks unfamiliar, chances are, it’s not good for you.
Here are ingredients to look for:
Arnica
Chamomile
Valerian
Sweet Birch
Camphor
Magnesium
Tumeric
Cinnamon
Cayanne
Calendula
Mint
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