These days, many of us don't use soap in the shower or bath anymore. Instead, we lather up with bath foams, shower gels, facial washes and scrubs  --all of which rely on complex detergents (often the same ones used in heavy industry) to wash away simple dirt.

    I recently came across this interesting analogy, which emphasizes an important point that bears repeating: The difference between soap and detergent is like the difference between cotton and nylon.

    Soap and cotton are produced from natural products with (in most cases) little modification. Detergents and nylon are produced entirely in a chemical factory. If you use mainstream commercial brands (even so-called "Premium" brands), what you basically get is the same detergents and surfactants (foaming agents) that are found in your household cleaning products, only in a much lower concentration. Many of these harsh surfactants deplete natural fats and phospholipids from the epidermis that weakens the skin allowing toxins and bacteria to invade.

    If you have sensitive or perpetually dry skin, discontinue using liquid soaps or body washes that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) or sulfates in general. These surfactants (foaming agents) are among the most commonly used foaming agents in shampoos, cleansers, body washes and even toothpastes and mouthwashes, because they are extremely cheap. They work by lowering the surface tension of water, which unfortunately, also dissolves your skin's natural oil and strips it of its protective mantle.

    Sulfates, particularly in shampoos, penetrate very easily through the hair follicles on the head, and assist other chemicals to more readily penetrate as well. This can also cause skin damage, flaking, drying, cracking, roughness, in addition to the aforementioned breakdown of your skin's protective barrier.

    While there is no concrete evidence of a link between SLS and cancer, studies have revealed some cause for concern. There is evidence that these chemicals do permeate the skin and enter the bloodstream, leaving residuals in the eye, brain, liver, lung and heart tissues.

    Other ingredients to be concerned about in your liquid soap, body wash products, and shampoos: Cocamide EDTA (or similar compounds ending with DEA, TEA or MEA) along with formaldehyde-forming substances such as Bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, Diazo-lidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and Quaternium-15. These are ingredients that have been known to react with other nitrogen-based ingredients to form cancer-causing nitrosamines after absorption.

    Another big no-no to avoid is anti-bacterial soaps (or any personal care or cleaning products) that contain Triclosan. This ingredient is so toxic, it is regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and yet, over 95% of Triclosan uses today are in consumer products that are eventually disposed of down sink drains. Wastewater treatment plants cannot remove Triclosan from water, so large quantities of it are continuously discharged into local waterways. Triclosan is highly toxic to algae, which has led researchers to believe that if high levels of it continue to be discharged into the environment, it may destroy the balance of aquatic ecosystems. Scientists also worry that because it kills bacteria in a similar way as antibiotics, bacteria that become resistant to Triclosan will also be resistant to antibiotics --a phenomenon referred to as "Super Bugs." If this ingredient is as harmful to the environment as many believe, imagine how potentially harmful it is to your skin and your overall health!

    If you're concerned about the environment then try a pure liquid castile soap made from gentle cleansing aloe, coconut, jojoba, olive oil, and/or hemp oils. These soaps use gentle, natural cleansing agents that effectively dissolve grime and pollutants without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or other added foaming agents that can strip or dry the skin, and are typically high in glycerin content which is an excellent humectant –pulling moisture from the air to hydrate your skin.

    Keep in mind that liquid soaps and body washes made with all-natural, vegetable ingredients are completely bio-degradable, whereas many of the chemical ingredients mentioned above are derived from petroleum and can take as long as 200 years to degrade after they wash down the drain! Because the ingredients are plant-based, they are actually more effective at cleansing so you don't need to use as much, and your products typically last longer.

    Here's another tip for making your natural liquid soap or body wash last longer: invest in a foaming dispenser (either a wall-mounted one or just a bottle with a pump). It converts the liquid into foam by pumping air into it. You still get the lather and cleansing properties of the soap base but you use less of it and can avoid messy accidental spills!

Copyright 2010 Dropwise Essentials

     Donya Fahmy, is a green business owner and the creator of Dropwise Essentials' spa-quality aromatherapy body products that help you safely relieve stress, increase vitality, improve confidence, or simply manage your emotional state any time or place without popping a pill. For more free tips and valuable information visit www.dropwise.com and subscribe to the Dropwise Health & Beauty News Ezine or blog feed.