"It's not what you eat that kills you, it's what you don't eat. If you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, educate yourself and start with the Healthy Start Pack. The key to health is giving your body all 90 essential nutrients it needs."

Dr Joel Wallach, DVM ND

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

FDA Doesn’t Regulate Shampoos & Conditioners – Propylene Glycol

Part 6 of the Series: FDA Doesn’t Regulate Shampoos & Conditioners – Propylene Glycol

It’s surprising, isn’t it? Most people assume the FDA keeps a close eye on the safety of cosmetics and personal‑care products. But as I’ve learned through my research into how nutrition affects overall health, that simply isn’t the case.

One of the biggest eye‑openers for me was discovering that, for the most part, the FDA doesn’t regulate cosmetics or personal‑care items at all. The responsibility has largely fallen to a self‑policing industry group—originally the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, now known as the Personal Care Products Council. This organization represents more than 600 manufacturers and distributors. It’s essentially the fox guarding the henhouse, relying on “voluntary regulation” to keep consumers safe.

What’s even more shocking is that other regions—like the EU, Canada, Japan, and other health‑conscious markets—have far stricter safety standards and ban many more chemicals than the United States. It can make you feel as though American consumers are being used as test subjects.

So what should you be watching for in your own shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and other daily products? There are several ingredients that can make you ill with repeated exposure. Here’s one of them:

Propylene Glycol: A Common Ingredient With Serious Concerns

Propylene Glycol is used as a solvent or surfactant in a wide range of industrial products, including engine coolants, antifreeze, airplane deicers, tire sealants, rubber cleaners, polyurethane cushions, paints, and enamels. Despite its industrial uses, it’s also found in many shampoos.

Propylene Glycol is a known skin irritant and has been associated with liver abnormalities and kidney damage. And yes—there’s a good chance it’s in your shampoo.

A Final Reminder

Your skin cannot protect you from these toxins. It is not a barrier to entry—medical patches have proven for years that substances applied to the skin can enter the bloodstream. The chemicals in your shampoo and conditioner may even be more harmful than those in your food because they bypass the digestive system entirely.


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