Total Health is Being Aware
As a health coach and an advocate for total health of the mind, body and spirit, I have realized the importance of what we put in our bodies. This doesn't only apply to food, however.
The truth is that many large personal care companies and brands still use harmful toxins in their products, and many people continue to use them without even knowing it. This is why I would like to help you make conscious and informed decisions about everything that we put in our bodies.
Let's face it, navigating the beauty market's endless labels of scientific jargon can be daunting. That's why I put together this list of toxic beauty ingredients to avoid. I hope it will make your journey to swapping to safer products and being informed about what you are putting in your body a little bit easier!
The truth is that many large personal care companies and brands still use harmful toxins in their products, and many people continue to use them without even knowing it. This is why I would like to help you make conscious and informed decisions about everything that we put in our bodies.
Let's face it, navigating the beauty market's endless labels of scientific jargon can be daunting. That's why I put together this list of toxic beauty ingredients to avoid. I hope it will make your journey to swapping to safer products and being informed about what you are putting in your body a little bit easier!
#1: Fragrance
Bad news: sometimes what smells good isn’t good for you. Companies use the term “fragrance” on ingredient labels to cover up a mix of secret ingredients, some of which can be toxic and lead to issues with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.
Worry not! There are plenty of great smelling all natural products and brands out there, like this one from Beautycounter. Fragrance may appear on the labels of every type of beauty product, but you should especially look out for it in perfume, cologne, conditioner, shampoo, body wash and moisturizer.
Worry not! There are plenty of great smelling all natural products and brands out there, like this one from Beautycounter. Fragrance may appear on the labels of every type of beauty product, but you should especially look out for it in perfume, cologne, conditioner, shampoo, body wash and moisturizer.
#2: Parabens
Luckily, the concern with parabens has caught on and now we often see the label, “paraben free,” while scanning the drug store. Like many other toxic beauty ingredients, parabens are used to help preserve makeup and prevent mold. But for us ladies, what is particularly alarming about parabens is their link to breast cancer.
Parabens are an estrogen mimicker, which means they increase estrogen when the chemical is absorbed through the skin via makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos and facial cleansers. They have been linked to all kinds of hormonal imbalances for both men and women and are linked to early puberty, infertility and parabens found in breast cancer tumors.
Parabens are an estrogen mimicker, which means they increase estrogen when the chemical is absorbed through the skin via makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos and facial cleansers. They have been linked to all kinds of hormonal imbalances for both men and women and are linked to early puberty, infertility and parabens found in breast cancer tumors.
#3: Sodium Laureate Sulfate (SLS)
Foaming cleansers feel great on the skin, but that sensation can be a result of Sodium Laureate Sulfate, a surfactant that is found in approximately 90% of personal care products such as shampoos, body washes, mascaras and acne treatments.
SLS has a degenerative effect on cell membranes, and higher concentrations have been shown to potentially cause depression, laboured breathing, skin irritation and corneal damage. Trade off the foaming sensation for the something like the Nourishing Cream Cleanser from Beautycounter. It's free of surfactants and sulfates, and leaves the skin feeling calm, nourished, and fabulous.
SLS has a degenerative effect on cell membranes, and higher concentrations have been shown to potentially cause depression, laboured breathing, skin irritation and corneal damage. Trade off the foaming sensation for the something like the Nourishing Cream Cleanser from Beautycounter. It's free of surfactants and sulfates, and leaves the skin feeling calm, nourished, and fabulous.
#4: Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone has a variety of purposes, but most of them are related to achieving either a lighter or more even skin tone or getting rid of spots, freckles, or sun damage spots. However, the melanin inhibiting property of this chemical is harmful to our health and can cause severe sunburns, rashes and irritations.
Some effects can be more dramatic, as the British Journal of Cancer has found links between hydroquinone, the creation of cancer cells and the mutation of genes resulting from interactions with the chemical.
Some effects can be more dramatic, as the British Journal of Cancer has found links between hydroquinone, the creation of cancer cells and the mutation of genes resulting from interactions with the chemical.
#5: Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde might sound a little bit alarming, but what it really does is preserve products and prevent bacteria from growing. This preservative, however, is not an innocent one and is considered to be a carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (IARC).
Formaldehyde is most often found in nail polish, body washes, conditioners, shampoos, cleansers, eye shadows, and nail polish treatments, and is also linked to nasal and sinus cancer, as well as myeloid leukemia. Luckily, these days there are all kinds of natural nail polishes to give you that pop of color without the dangerous potential side effects.
Formaldehyde is most often found in nail polish, body washes, conditioners, shampoos, cleansers, eye shadows, and nail polish treatments, and is also linked to nasal and sinus cancer, as well as myeloid leukemia. Luckily, these days there are all kinds of natural nail polishes to give you that pop of color without the dangerous potential side effects.
Stay Educated & Informed
A few more toxic ingredients to avoid as well include: Retinol Palmitate, Oxybenzone, PEGs, Phthalates, and Toluene.
This long list of toxic ingredients might feel overwhelming, but it’s important to educate yourself on what you put in AND on your body. We are lucky that we now have access to so much more information that will help keep us vibrantly healthy!
It's a great idea to keep a note on your phone or on paper with you when you go shopping, that way you can check it before buying any harmful products. After all, knowledge is power! Let's feel strong and healthy, and glow from the inside out. That's what total health is about!
This long list of toxic ingredients might feel overwhelming, but it’s important to educate yourself on what you put in AND on your body. We are lucky that we now have access to so much more information that will help keep us vibrantly healthy!
It's a great idea to keep a note on your phone or on paper with you when you go shopping, that way you can check it before buying any harmful products. After all, knowledge is power! Let's feel strong and healthy, and glow from the inside out. That's what total health is about!
Book Your Free Clean Beauty Call
| Are you interested in swapping to safer beauty products? Lately, I've been working with Beautycounter, who is a huge advocate for safer beauty practices. In fact, they've already banned over 1700 toxic ingredients! If you're interested in learning more, please book a FREE clean beauty call with me. We can go through some of your products to determine if they are safe, and I can help give you ideas to swap to safer options. |  |
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