Hidden toxins are lurking in almost everything! We must be diligent in what we use in our home and on our bodies in order to avoid exposure to some potentially harmful ingredients.
Just because you can buy it, does not mean that it is safe!
Women use an average of 12-15 personal care products a day (I’m closer to 23), and men use about 6. Teenage girls average 17 products a day. This can mean exposure to hundreds of chemicals just in the course of a morning beauty routine.
Did you know: There are more than 85,000 chemicals registered for use, with thousands more hitting the market every year. Currently, there are approximately 2,800 high-production-volume chemicals produced in the United States in quantities equal to or exceeding 1 million pounds. They are used extensively in our homes, schools, and communities, but less than one-third of these chemicals have publicly available safety data, and less than two percent have been assessed for their effects on children’s health and development. (what the what!)
Did you know:The United States has banned or partially restricted approximately 30 ingredients from personal care products. Health Canada has banned or restricted nearly 600 ingredients from personal care products. The European Union has banned or restricted over 1,400 ingredients.
SHOCKING: More than 3,000 materials have been reported as used in fragrance compounds found in cosmetics and other consumer products. But since “fragrance” is considered a trade secret, companies do not have to disclose the ingredients used to create their fragrances, and the consumer is often left in the dark about the true harm these ingredients can cause.
To take back your health requires you to retrace your steps through your ailments, symptoms and sickness so that you can understand the toxins you may have been exposed to. BUT if you don't have the first clue where to look or what to look for, then you cannot advocate for your own health. Any company can call a product "natural" or "clean" but they are defining that term on their own conditions. This is because there is no industry standard or regulations....so you have to educate your self and take your health into your own hands.
Top 11 Products you should swap for safer!
baby soap & shampoo
body lotions
air freshener & scented candles
dish soap
toilet paper & paper towels
deodorant
toothpaste & mouthwash
pesticides
kitchen cleaners
laundry soap and dryer sheets
beauty products
Toxic Ingredients to AVOID & Why
Phthalates- Found in hair care products, detergents, body washes, air fresheners, scented lotions, perfumes, cleaning products {also look for DEP, DBP, PVC, fragrance}
WHY you need to swap: linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, early puberty, asthma, cancer, and endocrine disruption, especially in pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Sodium Hydroxide- AKA lye is found in oven cleaning solutions and drain opening liquids.
WHY you need to swap: can cause burns to skin and eyes.
Fluoride- Found in our drinking water and toothpaste.
WHY you need to swap: linked to neurological problems, cancer, and thyroid issues.
Bisphenol A (BPA)- Found in reusable water bottles and plastic storage containers made from polycarbonate plastics and recycled toilet paper and paper towel products.
WHY you need to swap: known endocrine disruptor, linked to reproductive problems, physical and behavior problems in children, and can disrupt endocrinal development in utero.
Triclosan- Found in toothpaste (and AKA Microban, UltraFresh, Amicor and BioFresh), dishwashing soaps and antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizers, plus some cosmetics and toys.
WHY you need to swap: it has been shown to promote the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, affect sexual function and fertility, disrupt hormones and thyroid function, and can cause birth defects, heart problems, immune suppression, allergies, brain hemorrhages and even paralysis.
Parabens- AKA Ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, and other ingredients ending in —paraben, found in facial and body cleansers and scrubs, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and children’s products.
WHY you need to swap: known hormone and endocrine disruptor, linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity, and also linked to allergies and immunotoxicity, and skin irritation.
Lead- Found in candle wicks to make them stronger and when burned, emit 5 times the “safe” amount of lead, lipstick and eyeliner and even some toys.
WHY you need to swap: can hinder brain and nervous system development in children and exposure can increase the risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage in adults.
Formaldehyde- Found in cosmetics, toilet paper and paper towels, hair gel and smoothing products, baby shampoo and washes, body soap and wash.
WHY you need to swap: known cancer causer also known to cause skin and allergic reactions, exposure at low levels can cause a sensitivity over time, and infants are especially vulnerable.
Fragrance- Literally found in EVERYTHING!
WHY you need to swap: That one ingredient alone can contain over 100 hidden toxins!! By law, companies do not need to disclose what is in their “fragrances”.
You can download a printable version of this list here!
Safer Alternatives are out there!
Switch to products that DO NOT have phthalates, DEP, DBP, PVC.
Opt for fragrance-free products.
Look for school supplies labeled PVC-free.
Avoid antibacterial products that include Triclosan.
Use 100% beeswax or soy candles with cotton wicks or essential oils to make your home smell nice.
Switch to a fluoride-free toothpaste or even one with charcoal.
Make your own bug spray with vinegar, essential oils, cinnamon or use diatomaceous earth.
Switch to BPA free cans, glass food storage containers and water bottles (or BPA free labeled items).
Don't by hair products from salons, as salons are exempt from labeling laws.
Try seedling bamboo toilet paper and paper towel products.
Look for lotions and soaps that contain coconut oil to naturally moisturize, and natural plant-based ingredients, such as aloe and chamomile, to help soothe sensitive skin.
My favorite products that we swapped for safer!
Beautycounter, YLO & Alaffia kids soap & shampoo
Beautycounter body lotions
Young Living essential oils for fragrance
Mrs. Meyers & Grove Collaborative dish soap
Seedling and Bamboo toilet paper & paper towels
Schmidt's and Beautycounter deodorant
Hello toothpaste & mouthwash
we use a local Horticulturist to help with our lawn
I made my own kitchen cleaners with vodka, vinegar and essential oils
Seventh Generation laundry soap and dryer sheets
Beautycounter beauty products
My TOP Tips
Use the Environmental Working Group website and Healthy Living App as a Guide
READ labels...ALL labels (food and products)
Opt for organic and non-GMO food as much as possible
Download the Think Dirty App to help you decipher and understand other ingredients
Look for certifications such as the “Safer Choice Label”, “bio-based” or “plant based"
Be on the look out for green washing (greenwashing is just fancy marketing lingo that makes you feel that you are purchasing a product that is safe and maybe even good for you (when that may not be true!)
We can sit back, do nothing and let our bodies be destroyed. Or we can take action, become advocates and start making lifestyle choices which are kinder to our bodies.
Just buy better, choose well, and make a commitment to change. Remember, we have two homes, our bodies and the earth. We have to be committed to taking care of both.
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