Personal Care
Jump ahead to the topics I cover below:
Your Largest Organ: Your Skin!
Most of us probably don’t consider our skin to be an organ, but it is actually the body’s largest and is known as our first line of defense for our immune system. It does a great job as a physical barrier to keep things out of our skin, but unfortunately many things can pass through our skin and enter the bloodstream.
Especially when it comes to makeup and personal care, our skin is usually what we put these items on, through serums and lotions and foundations and lipstick and body wash and deodorant, etc.
Several things impact a chemicals ability to pass through the skin- namely the molecule’s size and the way that the body has to break it down or metabolize it. When we eat/drink toxins, those first have to pass through the liver for an initial “break down” before being released into the bloodstream.
When it comes to chemicals coming through the skin, they go directly INTO the bloodstream and don’t have that first chance to be broken down, thus they can be more toxic to our bodies than if we had eaten them.
The Financial Cost of Cosmetics
Let’s face it- how many of us don’t want to look better, younger, fresher, etc.? Especially in a world of Instagram, TikTok and Facebook where image is front and center, it is hard not to be tempted by products that promise better-looking skin and bodies?
We aren’t the only ones- in 2018, the cosmetic industry made over $507 BILLION dollars and by 2025 it is projected to reach over $758 billion. What does this look like on a personal level? It’s been said that women spend on average $3,756 per year on just cosmetics/appearance alone!
This is also an honest ask of yourself for how much you pay to look good on the outside compared to what you pay for INTERNAL health? So many seek out acne treatments, botox, and facials to try and fix something on the outside that is actually happening due to internal imbalances.
Yes, creams, fillers and serums may make it artificially look better on the outside but I’d personally recommend spending more money on the inside which ends up showing on the outside once balance is restored.
The Toxic Cost of Cosmetics
Over 10,500 ingredients are used in the creation of personal care products and 89% of those have not been evaluated for safety or toxicity by any major institution or organization.
What’s worse? The FDA allows cosmetic manufacturers to use ANY raw material as an ingredient without their approval. This means any marketing you read about a product being “natural” isn’t being held to any standard. This is sort of like a dating profile claim “loves long walks in the park” but no one can certify that this is true about that person.
Any testing that is done is usually overseen by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel which is funded BY the Cosmetic Industry (not a conflict of interest, right?) and never looks at what long-term, low-dose or combined exposure with other chemicals can do to a human body.
On average women use up to 12 personal care products per day, which is exposure to over 168 chemicals each DAY. We are essentially exposing ourselves to a toxic soup of ingredients that we have no idea in conjunction what they are doing to our bodies.
Top Toxic Ingredients to Avoid
Despite there being over 10,500 ingredients, there are a few to watch out for that are the heavy hitters. Plus, it would be utterly impossible to know all of those ingredients by name on a label.
Instead, to make it simple for you I have listed out below the top items to avoid when shopping for personal care that easily pass through the skin and cause health issues:
Phthalates
Make fragrances last longer, often in scented products.
Avoid ingredients like:
Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
Dimethyl phthalate (DMP)
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
Phthalates
What companies are now using as a swap for parabens
Sulfates
Used to make things foam in items like shampoos and facial cleansers
Avoid ingredients like:
- Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Coal Tar Dyes
Petroleum-based chemical in dandruff shampoos and hair dyes
Avoid ingredients like:
- FD&C colors (like FD&C Blue 1)
Oxybenzone / Octinoxate / Octisalate
Common in SPF-based moisturizers
Parabans
A class of chemicals used as preservatives. These can easily pass through the skin.
Avoid words like:
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
Ethanolamines
Used to make things foam like shampoo, body wash, bubble bath, and in many makeup products
Avoid words like:
- DEA (Diethanolamine)
- MEA (Monoethanolamine)
- TEA (Triethanolamine)
- Cocamide DEA
Retinyl Palmitate
Mostly used in anti-aging products, sunscreens with SPF
Retinyl Palmitate
Mostly used in anti-aging products, sunscreens with SPF
Health Impacts of These Chemicals
Here are some of the known health effects associated with use of products with the above chemicals in them:
- Breast Cancer
- Reproductive Issues
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Birth Defects
- Puberty Issues
-
Thyroid issues
-
Allergies
-
Behavioral Disorders (ADD/ADHD)
-
Toxicity within our cells and our genes (DNA)
-
Rashes + Dermatitis of the skin
Body Wash
Coming soon!
Deodorant
Coming soon!
MWHH for 10% off
Hands down the BEST non-toxic deodorant.
Feminine Care
Coming soon!
Hair Care
MWHH for 10% off
My favorite non-toxic shampoo + conditioner. Yes, they are bars but trust me they have been so much better than other low-toxin options I’ve tried. Fragrance from essential oils.
Insect Repellent
Coming soon!
Lotion
HELLONATURAL for 10% off new customers
HELLOAGAIN for returning customers
I love their magnesium lotion (Good Nite), Lymphatic Cream + Vitamin D cream.
Makeup
Coming soon!
Nail Polish
Coming soon!
Oral Health
MWFITWELL10 for 10% off
Best fluoride-free toothpaste, floss + mouthwash. Contains hydroxyapetite which helps remineralize teeth after brushing.
Another option for fluoride-free toothpaste, floss + mouthwash. Contains hydroxyapetite which helps remineralize teeth after brushing.
Takes a different approach and incorporates prebiotics with hydroxyapetite to feed the good guys in the oral microbiome.
My go-to instead of mouthwash. Helps with the oral environment without harsh alcohol or added colors like traditional mouthwash.
Most traditional flosses use PFAS or “forever chemicals” that are known hormone and thyroid disruptors. This brand was found to not have those things.
Cleaner alternative to teeth whitening strips.
Alternative to floss that helps you avoid PFAS or other chemicals.
Essential oil combination that comes up on testing for many of my clients who need oral support. Helps with any imbalances in the oral cavity.
Perfume + Cologne
Coming soon!
Skincare
MWHH for 15% off
I’m pretty low maintenance with my skin care but after finding Clearstem I was sold- such a great skincare line!
MWHH for 10% off
Have a great skincare line, gua sha/facial tools and bodywash.
Safer Sunscreens
Personally we don’t use much sunscreen but here are some options for days with longer exposure.
use MWHH for 15% off
Disclaimer
The information presented on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation.
Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and other affiliate sites on which the owner of this website may make a referral commission.
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