Total Health is Being Aware
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
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
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)
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
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 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
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. |