1. Bubble Bath
Many young people prefer soaking in a bubble bath over using soap for a shower. Most substances in soap come from natural sources, but the foam agents used in bubble baths are different. They may smell good, but these fragrance agents can cause skin inflammation and dizziness. Prolonged exposure to these foam agents while lying in the bathtub allows harmful chemicals like "foam stabilizers" to penetrate the skin and be inhaled into the lungs.
Tip: Try to minimize bubble baths and the use of shower gel; plant oil-based soaps are a good alternative.
2. Toothpaste
Gum disease can trigger heart disease, posing a greater risk to heart health than smoking or high cholesterol. Additionally, gum disease increases the risk of stroke, osteoporosis, respiratory diseases, and diabetes. There are several active ingredients in toothpaste that raise concerns.
Tip: When brushing your teeth, don't assume more toothpaste is better; don’t squeeze out too much and avoid frequent brushing. Stick to three times a day.
3. Shampoo
Whether inexpensive or expensive, all shampoos are mixtures of cleaning agents and other components. Similar to the foam agents used in bubble baths, when shampoo is stored for a long time after being opened, formaldehyde reacts with the emulsifying components in the shampoo, forming a carcinogenic substance called "N-nitrosodiethanolamine."
Tip: When purchasing shampoo, carefully check the label for the content of cleaning agents and choose the one with the least amount. Avoid frequent washing to prevent exposing your scalp to cleaning agents. Use half the amount of shampoo you normally would, and take care not to let it get into your eyes.
4. Hair Gel
Hair gel is a product made by dissolving plasticizing substances in a solution and then placing them in pressurized bottles. Hair gel contains a chemical substance called phthalate that can disrupt normal human hormone secretion. According to scientists, hairdressers who frequently come into contact with hair gel are prone to respiratory diseases.
Tip: Try not to use hair gel for styling during haircuts. If you must use it, choose solid blocks instead of spray types.
5. Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants contain carcinogens such as preservatives and artificial fragrances that can damage the liver. Scientists have found that women who apply antiperspirant twice a week are likely to develop cancer 15 years earlier than those who do not use it.
Tip: Avoid aerosol antiperspirants and opt for liquid-applied ones.
6. Shaving Cream
Shaving cream used by men might seem harmless, but it's not. During storage, "triethanolamine" and "emulsifier and foam thickener" in shaving cream react with other chemical components to form harmful substances, causing headaches, difficulty breathing, and vomiting.
Tip: Be cautious with the use of shaving cream to avoid adverse reactions.
Related articles: How to safely use cleaning agents, Rational use of household cleaning agents, New perspectives on home decoration (Part 1).