4 Harmful Chemicals to Avoid in Personal Care Products
Is beauty really only skin deep?
When it comes to the products we use to enhance our health and beauty, I’d argue it’s effects run much deeper than just the skin. The skin is extremely absorbent so it matters what we put on it. Toxic personal care products can throw our whole bodies’ hormonal balance out of whack.
Many personal care products contain harmful chemicals known as endocrine disruptors.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences defines endocrine disruptors as chemicals both natural and manmade that may mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones. They can affect the thyroid, male sex hormones and female sex hormones. They are found in many commonly used products such as building supplies, food, insecticides, medications, plastics, preservatives, and personal care products. Endocrine disruptors cause trouble by blocking natural hormones, mimicking naturally occurring hormones and interfering with the way natural hormones are made and utilized in the body. The Harmful effects of endocrine disruptors can be seen throughout the body and mind. These conditions include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, autoimmune disease, metabolic disorders such as weight gain and insulin resistance, early puberty in girls, reproductive issues including irregular periods, infertility, birth defects, mood swings, hormonal breakouts, and cancer. These chemicals have also been shown to activate the stress response and increase cortisol.
There is no denying that these chemicals are unavoidable but we can take steps to minimize exposure and help our bodies detox from any exposures. I don’t expect you to do a complete overhaul of all things toxic but let’s start small and take it one category at a time. For women, I suggest starting with personal care and beauty products. Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs everything we put on it. On average adult women use 12 products a day and teens use an average of 17. Females have more fatty tissue than men allowing toxins to bind and store in our fat cells.
The four most harmful endocrine disruptors to avoid in personal care products are parabens, phthalates, bisphenols and pesticides.
Parabens are commonly used as preservatives and their antimicrobial properties are effective against molds and bacteria. They are found in shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, face and skin cleaners, sunscreens, deodorants, shaving gels, toothpastes, makeup and feminine products. Parabens mimic estrogen in the body affecting both male and female reproductive functions, fertility and birth outcomes. Exposure to parabens has been linked to breast cancer. The most commonly used parabens are methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, and benzylparaben.
Phthalates are used as a plasticizer and synthetic fragrances. Companies are not required to disclose these ingredients as it is considered “proprietary” so you may see it disguised as “fragrance” or “parfum”. Phthalates have been associated with decreased testosterone production in males, fertility problems in men and women, PCOS, endometriosis, weight gain, insulin resistance, and diabetes. You will find it in shampoos, nail polish, hairspray, perfume and deodorant.
Bisphenols (BPA, BPS) are found in plastic packaging and leach into the product that it contains. It mimics estrogen and affects hormone levels, it interferes with immunity, fertility, and weight gain. Bisphenols not only wreak havoc on our bodies but are proving to be detrimental on our oceans and wildlife.
Pesticides are used for weed and pest killing. They are found in oils, fruits and vegetables that are used in our “natural” products or in the cotton used for pads and tampons. Pesticides interfere with fertility, thyroid function, and reproduction function. The most widely used pesticides to look for are glyphosate and atrazine.
What are some practical, simple and purposeful action steps can we do on a day to day basis to help us overcome the onslaught of these chemicals in our environment?
Firstly, Take a deep breath, give yourself some grace and do your best.
Here are my 4 R’s for decreasing your body’s toxic load.
Research
Familiarize yourself with toxic ingredients. Read the labels on your personal care products. You read labels of your food so why wouldn't you read the label of your skin food? Environmental Working Group ewg.org is an awesome database to look up the scores of your favorite products. I’ve been both pleasantly surprised and extremely disappointed in the scores of some of my go to beauty products. You can also find specific studies and get all of the latest information on harmful ingredients.
Replace
Are you ready for a complete overhaul of the products you use? Great! If not, that's ok. Start with one area (oral, skincare, feminine products, hair, makeup, etc.) or replace as you run out of a particular product. I have seen major improvements in menstrual issues when women switch period products. Try using a menstrual cup like the one I use from Saalt | Period Care Simplified You might also consider using period underwear. Look for organic companies for pads and tampons. Cora: Period Care | Bladder Care | Body Care is a subscription service with all of the above options. The Earth and your body will thank you by using these options. You will be decreasing waste and toxins. Beautycounter: Clean Beauty | Safer Skin Care Products sets the bar high for safety and has the Never List (1800 questionable ingredients they would never use). They have a full skincare and makeup line and they are my go to for clean beauty. Look for products in glass or cardboard packaging.
Release/Restore
You can support your body from toxic burden overload through diet, exercise and lifestyle. Consume foods that will help cleanse excess estrogens, chemicals and other toxins. Think apples, avocados, beets, carrots, cooked cruciferous vegetables, bitter greens, green tea, and proteins from a sustainable source such as eggs, organ meats and bone broth. Try using cleansing herbs in your cooking, teas and tinctures. Super cleansing herbs include dandelion root, burdock root, artichoke, chlorophyll, cilantro and turmeric.
Get your sweat on! Sweating is the best way to encourage detoxification through the skin. Exercise and sauna can help you break a sweat and release harmful toxins. Try doing a cleanse once or twice a year. This gives your body a chance to reset and rid itself of nasty pollutants.
Eat organic fruit and vegetables, grass fed meats and sustainably caught fish whenever possible. Support and balance your hormones with quality sleep and supplement with Omega-3, vitamin D3, B vitamins, magnesium and probiotics.
