We are thrilled to announce that Rosemary Mint Vanilla hand wash is now available! And what perfect timing! We all know how important it is to wash our hands regularly, but especially now during a worldwide outbreak of a deadly strain of the new coronavirus, Covid-19. Not to mention a scary flu season. (And to be clear, the risk is much higher for flu for people in the U.S. than the new coronavirus.)
But are we washing our hands properly to prevent the spread of germs and viruses?
The simplest way to slow the spread of most viruses is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Washing your hands with soap and water will eliminate any viruses on your hands. Hand-washing can help prevent many colds, flu viruses, and gastrointestinal diseases.
How should I wash my hands?
Here’s what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water. Turn off the tap to save water and apply soap.
- Scrub your hands, for at least 20 seconds. This is key. Most of us don’t scrub our hands for nearly long enough. 20 seconds is about the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. Be sure to wash the fronts and backs of your hands and under your fingernails where microbes are lingering.
- Rinse your hands well in clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. Air drying = less waste!
One of the easiest preventive measures for avoiding the flu, and other illnesses, is hand washing.
Why choose Plaine Products’ hand wash?
Not all hand washes are created equal. Plaine Products offers an aloe-based hand wash that’s safe for you and your skin! It gently washes away germs and bacteria without the use of harsh chemical detergents to dry your skin.
– Our Natural Hand Wash isn’t antibacterial, and that’s a good thing
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there isn’t enough science to show that antibacterial soaps are any better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water. Many liquid soaps labeled antibacterial, antimicrobial or antiseptic may contain triclosan. Triclosan was designed to kill germs and is a registered pesticide. It is similar to the pesticide Agent Orange and can cause decreased fertility, birth defects, and damage to major body organs. Something you don’t want in your hand wash, and you won’t find in ours.
– Our aloe-based hand wash will help keep your skin from drying out
Unlike most mainstream hand washes our first (and main) ingredient is aloe. This means our hand wash has antioxidants like beta carotene, Vitamin C and E. All of these aid in reducing the appearance of damaged skin. Aloe also contains more than 75 nutrients, including minerals and essential amino acids. They provide hydration to the skin to promote a healthy and refreshed complexion. This means that even if you are washing your hands multiple times a day our soap won’t dry your skin as other hand soaps do.
Part of that is also because of what’s NOT in our products.
– Our hand wash does NOT contain any of these other ingredients – trust us, you don’t want them in your hand wash
None of these chemicals, common in other hand washes, are in Plaine Products. Check your labels to make sure none are in any other hand wash you may use:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS), a common ingredient in shampoos, liquid soaps, and toothpaste. It is linked to skin and eye irritation, organ toxicity, developmental/reproductive toxicity, and much more.
Parabens a preservative that can extend a product’s shelf life. But they have hormone-disrupting effects and can cause diminished muscle mass and extra fat storing.
Synthetic Colors, made from coal tar. They cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number.
Synthetic Fragrance, which often contains phthalates. These are endocrine disrupters that mimic hormones and may alter genital development. Avoid products that list ‘fragrance‘ as an ingredient, or look for a phthalate-free label on the packaging. All of the scents in Plaine Products are from essential oils.
Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol), a common ingredient in hand sanitizer linked to cancer, birth defects, developmental/reproductive toxicity, and organ system toxicity. While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are useful in hospital settings or a pinch, it’s recommended only if soap and water are not available.
Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC), used in hand sanitizers and belonging to a group of germicides knows as “quats“. It is linked to cancer, allergies/immunotoxicity, and organ system toxicity.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), preservatives used to inhibit bacteria in hand soaps. Sometimes used in “natural” products as a substitute for parabens. The health risks associated with MIT and CMIT include skin irritation, lung and respiratory issues and neurotoxicity.
Formaldehyde, used in some beauty products to help kill bacteria. It’s a flammable gas and is a known human carcinogen. It goes under a lot of different names and guises like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quaternium-15, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.
Whether you choose our new Rosemary Mint Vanilla hand wash or our Citrus Lavender scent, rest assured that you are making a good choice for you and the planet.
