Paraben free products for African American kids

Finding products that are all natural for African American children is very challenging. There are hundreds of products that are marketed to us that do not do a consistent job of giving us healthy hair and skin. If that wasn’t bad enough, there is nothing really out there for our children. Just as we think our hair and skin should be in the best of health, we also as parents want the same for our children. It is evident that not enough hair care companies are paying attention to the needs of our children by providing products that are not chemically based. We birth children that have some of the most beautiful hair, but if not moisturized correctly can become damaged, will break and possibly fall out. With this frustration of not being able to maintain our children’s hair, we resort to chemical processing to make it more manageable. This procedure can have its advantages and disadvantages.
For those parents that have children that suffer from a skin condition called eczema, it is upsetting to watch you child itching and cannot find anything to stop the itching and also heal the skin. When you go to the doctor he prescribes what some parents say helps with the condition, but it is priced $16-$20. A price that many parents cannot afford.
So, we are basically looking at few natural products for our children’s hair and skin. What do we do? First this is a list of what is not beneficial to African American hair/skin:
Urea (Imidazolidinyl) & DMDM Hydantoin
These are preservatives that release formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations.

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben
Researchers from the Department of Biology and Biochemistry of Brunel University in the United Kingdom have conducted a study and found that the parabens – alkyl hydroxy parabens — alpha hydroxy benzoate (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-paraben) are weakly estrogenic. In other words, these preservatives have a similar effect in the body of estrogen.

Petrolatum and Mineral Oil
Present in many most lip products which is ironic because the balms they are in are supposed to protect from the sun and prevent chapping. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil can cause problems when used on the skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate
These are used in shampoos for their detergent and foam building abilities. They can cause causes eye irritations and allergic reactions. An American College of Toxicology study also reports: “Both Sodium and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate appear to be safe in formulations designed for discontinuous, brief use followed by thorough rinsing from the surface of the skin.

DEA, MEA, TEA (diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, and triethanolmine)
These are hormone-disrupting chemicals known to form nitrates and nitrosamines, often in conjunction with other chemicals present in a product, e.g., Cocamide DEA, or Lauramide DEA.

Isopropyl Alcohol
As a solvent and denaturant (a poisonous substance that changes another substance’s natural qualities), alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances, and many other cosmetics and personal care products.

Now that you have an idea what is not beneficial to African American hair or skin, take a look at what is. I have come across a product called Jelly Beary. Formulated for children, ingredients are children safe, paraben-free, fragrance free and color free.
Ingredients included that are great for the hair:

Marshmallow root
Helps with detangling and nourishing the hair. Contains vitamin A and C plus natural plant proteins. For hair it is a medicated, anti-inflammatory, conditioning mucilaginous herb that provides an advance of slip which helps to nourish and detangle naturally curly hair.

Apricot kernel oil
Light weight oil that is high in Vitamin A Rich, Oleic Acid and Linoleic Acid. Excellent texture that is great for all skin types. Exhibits skin softening, moisturizing properties and is therefore recommended for skin that is dry, irritated or has prematurely aged.

Chamomile powder
Chamomile is relaxing, cleansing, moisturizing, soothing, calming, cooling, anti-inflammatory, and adds sheen to hair.
Ingredients that are great for skin:

Calendula oil
Calendula had long been noted for its anti-inflammatory properties. Calendula is also suggested to combat rough, scaly and dry skin

Evening primrose oil
Contains substantial amounts of polysaturated omega-6 fatty acids, essential fatty acids. Offers an unusually concentrated source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA. When applied to the skin has moisturizing and softening effects. Highly recommended for dry skin.

Hemp seed oil
Excellent moisturizing properties. Excellent glide without being greasy. Penetrates quickly – one of the “driest“ natural oils available. High in Essential Fatty Acids. Excellent choice for dry or damaged skin (i.e. eczema, psoriasis and mastaligia.

These products are trying to give our children the benefits of having healthy skin and hair at an affordable price. If you want to learn more about these products visit www.etsy.com/shop/carmelsprinkles.