The public's health would greatly benefit simply from being educated on the importance of natural herbal skin care products that are safe and effective. When it comes to the sale of personal care products, it is not illegal for companies to include ingredients that are known or suspected to be carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins in their products. These toxins are absorbed into our bloodstream through our skin.

• Fragrances and preservatives are the main ingredients in synthetic skin care.
• Fragrances are the most common cause of skin problems.
• More than 5,000 different kinds are used in products.
• Preservatives are the second most common cause of skin problems.
• They prevent bacteria from growing in the product and protect products from damage caused by air or light.
• But preservatives can also cause the skin to become irritated and infected.
• Some examples of preservatives are: parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl), imidazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde.
• These are used in a very high percentage of the skin and hair care products made today.
• The journal Pediatrics reports that infants are exposed to reproductive toxins in commonly used products such as shampoo, lotions and baby powder.
• These toxins are called phthalates and they have been known to cause reproductive deformities.
• These toxins are so common that every baby tested was positive for phthalates in their urine, and 80% had seven or more different kinds of this chemical.
• This new research provides strong evidence that phthalates in baby products end up inside babies’ bodies, where they pose risks for reproductive system damage.
• Many of these same chemicals are banned from baby products in other countries. 
• Unfortunately, we have all purchased these products without questioning their safety.
• Learn about ingredients, read ingredients lists. 
• Three Little Birds Natural Herbal Skin Care is biodegradable, contains no chemicals, dyes, perfumes or artificial fragrances.
• This not only benefits our skin and overall health but the environment as well.
• There is no need to cast unfavourable judgment or disapproval toward industrial made products but instead to bring attention to certain toxic ingredients that are capable of causing harm.
• The ultimate decision is up to the consumer but it is only fair to have all the facts.
• With all of the information we have available to us, we still trust that others (manufacturers) are doing the right thing, this is not always the case.
• Having the knowledge to make a healthy choice is priceless, unfortunately the knowledge is not out there. 

Carcinogens: A substance or agent that can cause cells to become cancerous by altering their genetic structure so that they multiply continuously and become malignant. Asbestos, DDT, and tobacco smoke are examples of carcinogens.

Found in -

Shampoos: Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Benzyl/Benzene

Bubble Bath: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Benzoic/Benzyl, Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA)

Shaving Gels/Creams: Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Shower Bars/Gels: Bentoic/Benzyl, Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

DEA (Diethanolamine), DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine):Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. Dr. Samuel Epstein (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois) says that repeated skin applications . . . of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer. According to Dr. Epstein, "In studies by the National Toxicology Program, to induce cancer of the liver and kidney when applied to the skin of mice, it was shown to be readily absorbed through the skin and to accumulate in organs. After this clear-cut study which was released by the National Toxicology Program, you would expect that the mainstream industry to have acted on this and to replace DEA. Unfortunately that has not happened yet. There’s been a denial and an attempt to trivialize the risk. Found in bubble bath, shampoo, liquid soap, body lotions, and many other products.

FD&C Colour Pigments: Synthetic colours derived from coal tar. They contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins on the skin. Studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.

Imidazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin: These formaldehyde-forming preservatives can cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and asthma.  can also weaken the immune system and even cause cancer.  Found in skin body and hair products, antiperspirants and nail polish.

Petrolatum: also known as mineral oil jelly, liquid vaseline, paraffinum, liquidum and baby oil.  Can cause photosensitivity and strips the natural oils from the skin causing chapping and dryness, also premature ageing. Prevents elimination of toxins, can cause acne and other disorders.

Propylene Glycol: is a petroleum derivative. It penetrates the skin quickly and can weaken protein and cellular structure. It is a strong skin irritant. A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid, and industrial antifreeze. Strong enough to remove barnacles from boats. In skin and hair care products, propylene glycol works as a humectant, which is a substance that retains the moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) warn users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. Found in body lotions, deodorant, hair conditioner, hair gel, creams, and many more products. Molecular weight is 60. (Ingredients with molecular weight of 75 or lower enters our blood stream)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) : A skin irritants. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers - and in 90% of products that foam. It is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart, and liver, which may result in harmful long-term effects. SLS could retard healing, cause cataracts in adults, and keep children’s eyes from developing properly because proteins are dissolved. In fact, studies have shown that washing your hair one time with a shampoo containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate could put as many nitrates into your bloodstream as eating a whole pound of bacon. Animals exposed to SLS and ALS experience eye damage, central nervous system depression, laboured breathing, diarrhoea, severe skin irritation, and even death. SLS and ALS may also damage the skin's immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame. Molecular weight of SLS is 40 (Ingredients with a molecular weight of 75 or lower enters our blood stream)

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): This synthetic substance is found in most shampoos, manufacturers use it for it’s detergent and foam producing properties also because it is cheap. Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium acetyl sulfate are synthetics used in shampoos for their detergent and foam-building properties. "Contaminated with a very potent carcinogen, dioxane and very easily absorbed through the skin," states Dr. Epstein. SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing.

Informed people make informed choices. Being aware that there are toxins in skin care, is a great reason to use natural herbal skin care products.