It all started in 2006 when I decided to study detoxification. It had always been a subject that fascinated me and I wanted to start living a much healthier lifestyle. During the course I was amazed by some startling statistics:
Your body can absorb up to 2 kilos of chemicals, (that’s the same weight as two bags of sugar), just through the cosmetics and toiletries that you put on your skin., and that’s before you include the chemicals that you are exposed to from living in an industrial nation.
In the last 50 years over 80,000 new chemicals have been created. These chemicals are used in everything found in our daily life- from our cosmetics to food packaging, from toys to sofas- and our society now depends upon them.
We dump nearly 6,000,000,000 pounds of these chemicals into our environment every year.
Many of today's beauty and cosmetic products contain a cocktail of synthetically produced chemicals. For example the term ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on a beauty label can mean that the ingredient contains up to 100 different substances!
I decided that an easy way to avoid some of these additional toxins would be to change all of my personal care products to ones that were free from chemicals and toxins, but this was not as easy as it appeared. Labels that suggested they were natural or organic were still laden with a whole range of chemicals.
There are a wide range of 'natural' and 'green' toiletries and cosmetics now available but check what you are buying. In the UK the word 'natural' can be applied to any product as long as at least 1% of the ingredients are obtained from nature.
I thought that if I was spending a large amount of time deciphering labels then other people must also want to avoid these chemicals and toxins but could be at a loss of where to turn.
So I decided to set up Kaniker Natural Health Centre.
Our aim is first, to educate more people about the health and environmental benefits of using organic and natural, toxin and chemical free products and how it affects our everyday lives.
Secondly, to provide pure, natural and organic personal care products at a reasonable price. I believe many people would be willing to switch to organic and chemical free products, but just don’t know where to shop to guarentee this. I want to provide that choice.
Our Promise
Here at Kaniker Natural Health it is important to us to ensure that we only source the products available on our website from companies that have your best interests at heart. From people that are passionate about improving the quality of your health and well being, who have integrity in what they do and who create products that only use finest natural ingredients and that are free from artificial and synthetic ingredients, toxins and chemicals.
So we would like to introduce the company’s that we are very happy to have on our site, so you can see for yourself that you are buying excellent products from ethical company’s, so that although the products may appear to cost that little bit extra, it is worth every penny.
You will not find one product on here that I would not happily use on myself or allow my family to use.
We do not allow following ingredients in these products:
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) SLS is a harsh detergent found in almost all shampoos and many types of toothpaste. SLS is an industrial degreaser and garage floor cleaner. When applied to human skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer and then irritating and eroding the skin, leaving it rough and pitted. Shampoos with SLS retard healing and can stop children's eyes from developing properly and can cause cataracts in adults. SLS has a low molecular weight and is easily absorbed by the body. It builds up in the heart, live, lungs and the brain and causes problems with these organs. It causes eczema in susceptible people and is a contributing factor in the onset of psoriasis. It corrodes hair follicles and impairs the ability of the follicle to grow hair.
Sodium Hydroxide Also known as caustic soda. A powerful alkali used in industry for cleaning drains and pipelines, it is also used in oven cleaners. Workers exposed to steam containing sodium hydroxide have suffered lung damage and an increased risk of throat cancer. It is used in toothpastes and as a pH adjuster in skin creams. It can causes contact dermatitis and sensitises individuals to other chemicals.
Sodium Fluoride An excess accumulation of fluoride in the body can lead to demineralization of bone and tooth enamel, a toxic condition called fluorosis. These changes occur due to the fact that fluoride is not biodegradable and it accumulates in the body and bones resulting in a toxic or poisoning effect.
Ammonium Laureth Sulphate (ALES) When combined with other chemicals, SLES and ALES can create nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens. It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut".
Polyethelene Glycol This is a potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin's natural moisture factor. This could increase the appearance of aging and leave you more vulnerable to bacteria. Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. It adjusts the melting point and thickens products. It is also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) SLS is a harsh detergent found in almost all shampoos and many types of toothpaste. SLS is an industrial degreaser and garage floor cleaner. When applied to human skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer and then irritating and eroding the skin, leaving it rough and pitted. Shampoos with SLS retard healing and can stop children's eyes from developing properly and can cause cataracts in adults. SLS has a low molecular weight and is easily absorbed by the body. It builds up in the heart, liver, lungs and the brain and causes problems with these organs. It causes eczema in susceptible people and is a contributing factor in the onset of psoriasis. It corrodes hair follicles and impairs the ability of the follicle to grow hair.
Sodium Lauryth Sulphate (SLES) Ethoxylation is the process that makes degreasing agents such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) less harsh and gives them enhanced foaming properties. When SLS is ethoxylated it forms Sodium Lauryth Sulphate (SLES) a compound used in many shampoos, toothpastes, bath gels, bubble baths and industrial cleaners and degreasants. The problem is the extremely harmful compound 1,4-dioxane which may be created during the ethoxylation process, contaminating the product. 1,4-dioxane is one of the related dioxins used in the "Agent Orange" debacle in the Vietnam war where thousands of unborn foetuses suffered deformities and millions suffered severe ongoing health problems for years later. Dioxin is a hormonal disrupter and is believed to be the principle cause of a host of cancers suffered by Vietnam military personnel after the war. It is also an oestrogen mimicking chemical and is implicated in increased risk of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, lower sperm counts and chronic fatigue illness.
Propylene Glycol (PG) Propylene Glycol is a petroleum derivative and a common ingredient that is used extensively in industry as a component of brake fluids, paint, varnishes and anti-freeze compounds. It also appears in many beauty creams, body lotions, cleansers, make up, toothpaste, baby wipes and other children's personal care products. Warning labels on drums of PG used in industry clearly state that the chemical is poisonous and to wear protective clothing when handling the concentrate. If spilt on the skin, to wash off immediately with soap and water and to seek medical advice. Propylene glycol routinely appears in the top three ingredients in many personal care items, indicating that it is present in high concentration. It has been shown to cause adverse health effects and has been found to cause kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It damages cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin, contact dermatitis and surface damage to the skin.
Polyethelene Glycol This is a potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin's natural moisture factor. This could increase the appearance of aging and leave you more vulnerable to bacteria. Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. It adjusts the melting point and thickens products. It is also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners.
DEA and TEA 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. From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Health Hazard Acute And Chronic: Product is severely irritating to body tissues and possibly corrosive to the eyes.
DEA and TEA 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. From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Health Hazard Acute And Chronic: Product is severely irritating to body tissues and possibly corrosive to the eyes.
Aluminium Many of the symptoms of aluminium toxicity mimic those of Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Colic, rickets, gastrointestinal problems, interference with the metabolism of calcium, extreme nervousness, anaemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, memory loss, speech problems, softening of the bones, and aching muscles can all be caused by aluminium toxicity.
Imidazolidinyl Urea There is concern that this chemical can cause nitrosamine contamination, which have been determined to form cancer in laboratory animals. There are wide and repeated concerns in the USA and Europe about the contamination of cosmetics products with nitrosamines.
DMDM Hydantion Contains formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. It can causes allergic, irritant and contact dermatitis, headaches and chronic fatigue. The vapour is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat (mucous membranes).
Propylene Glycol (PG) Propylene Glycol is a petroleum derivative and a common ingredient that is used extensively in industry as a component of brake fluids, paint, varnishes and anti-freeze compounds. It also appears in many beauty creams, body lotions, cleansers, make up, toothpaste, baby wipes and other children's personal care products. Warning labels on drums of PG used in industry clearly state that the chemical is poisonous and to wear protective clothing when handling the concentrate. If spilt on the skin, to wash off immediately with soap and water and to seek medical advice. Propylene glycol routinely appears in the top three ingredients in many personal care items, indicating that it is present in high concentration. It has been shown to cause adverse health effects and has been found to cause kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It damages cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin, contact dermatitis and surface damage to the skin.
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, it can also cause premature ageing. Prevents elimination of toxins, can cause acne and other disorders.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid Used as a skin smoothers and can be labelled as triple fruit acids, lactic acid, sugar cane extract or glycolic acid. The acids act as a mini-chemical peel, and the peel strips away some of the outer layers of the skin that help the body to protect itself against the sun. Just a few applications can decrease protection by 30% and increase the risk of damage by ultraviolet radiation and increase absorption of chemical ingredients never meant to penetrate the skin.
Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. It can causes allergic, irritant and contact dermatitis, headaches and chronic fatigue. The vapour is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat (mucous membranes).
Propylene Glycol (PG) Propylene Glycol is a petroleum derivative and a common ingredient that is used extensively in industry as a component of brake fluids, paint, varnishes and anti-freeze compounds. It also appears in many beauty creams, body lotions, cleansers, make up, toothpaste, baby wipes and other children's personal care products. Warning labels on drums of PG used in industry clearly state that the chemical is poisonous and to wear protective clothing when handling the concentrate. If spilt on the skin, to wash off immediately with soap and water and to seek medical advice. Propylene glycol routinely appears in the top three ingredients in many personal care items, indicating that it is present in high concentration. It has been shown to cause adverse health effects and has been found to cause kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It damages cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin, contact dermatitis and surface damage to the skin.
Propyl Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben, used to extend a products shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Highly toxic. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions. Parabens Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes.
Methyl Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben, used to extend a products shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Highly toxic. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.
Propyl Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben, used to extend a products shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Highly toxic. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.
Butyl Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben, used to extend a products shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Highly toxic. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.
Propyl Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben, used to extend a products shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Highly toxic. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions. Parabens Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes.
Alcohol Alcohol is a very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin of its natural acid mantle, making us more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin.
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