Many people don’t realize that anything you put on your skin is absorbed and can enter your bloodstream moving toxins throughout your body.
It is good to be very aware that what you are putting on your skin is natural and pure so you are not overtaxing your body with additional toxins. The top eight toxins found in skincare ingredients you should try to avoid are:
- Parabens – This is a whole family of chemicals (methylparabens, propylparabens, butyl parabens, and ethyl parabens) that help preserve the shelf life of products. Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body disrupting your hormone balance. Parabens are a carcinogen that has been linked to breast cancer and since it has been linked to hormone disruption it can also lead to reproductive and fertility issues. These are most commonly found in face cleaner, body wash, body lotion, foundation and shampoo.
- Phthalates – this group of chemicals is used to soften and increase flexibility of plastic in cosmetics. These nasty chemicals help products stick to your skin. Phthalates present extreme risk to children and should be avoided by the whole family as they can be serious endocrine disruptors and even cause birth defects. The government has already banned several types of phthalates from being used in children’s products. These are most commonly found in deodorant, lotion, fragrance, and hair spray.
- Fragrance – I know this doesn’t sound scary however this industry is considered a trade secret so the companies do not have to disclose any of their ingredients. Often the ingredients include tons of chemicals that can cause allergies, hormone disruption, and lead to bigger problems down the road such as reproductive problems and infertility. Fragrance is most commonly found in moisturizers, hand creams, hair products and essential oils.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – SLS and SLES are known to cause skin irritation and trigger different allergies. These are mostly found in shampoo, bodywash, and bubble bath.
- BHT – These are synthetic antioxidants that are used to extend shelf life and are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors that may cause liver damage. Our liver is our body’s main elimination organ and if it stops working everything else in the body comes to a screeching halt. All of your blood supply circulates through your liver every three minutes. These are commonly found in lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams and other cosmetics.
- Retinyl palmitate and Retinol (aka Vitamin A) – This one is a surprising one for sure. Retinyl may damage DNA and speed the growth of skin tumors when used on the skin. This is commonly found in moisturizers and anti-aging skincare.
- Lead – This is a heavy metal and a neurotoxin. It can cause serious behavioural issues and learning disabilities as well as lower the IQ. Amazingly it has already been removed from paint and gasoline but not from skincare products. If you wear lipstick or lip gloss, think about how many times you reapply and how those products get on your food and in your beverages and into your system. Speaking of lipstick, I also avoid products containing petroleum. Lead is commonly found in lipstick and lipgloss.
- Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is commonly known as the chemical that is used to embalm and preserve our dead, which is why it is so surprising that it is used in cosmetics!!! It is a known carcinogen that is also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity. Commonly found in shampoo, body wash and bubble bath.
Now that you are educated in the toxins that surround you in your home and that are found in many commercial products sold in regular box stores like Target, Walmart and other grocery stores you may be feeling rather defeated asking yourself what you can do to avoid these chemicals?
The answer is easy–purchase natural, organic products to replace your products with! Below are some recommended products that I have personally used to replace toxic products with natural products in my home.
- doTERRA Spa Refreshing Body Wash which is made with coconut instead of toxic chemicals. It is also packed full of essential oils which help to pull toxins from the skin, unclog pores and revive damaged cells.
- doTERRA Salon Essentials Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner. Again these two amazing products swap out toxic chemicals with plant based options that are sulfate free. They also are infused with essential oils which stimulate hair growth as well as thinking of the hair. The natural products inside the shampoo and conditioner also protect the scalp from damage and leave your hair silky smooth.
- Verage Skin Care Collection is an amazing all natural skincare line that again uses plant based products instead of toxins to reduce the appearance of aging. Through the use of essential oils, emollients and plant extracts you can be confident you will have flawless skin.
- doTERRA Spa Hand and Body Lotion will replace your toxic lotions with fragrance free, light, non-greasy plant-based lotion. Through the use of jojoba, macadamia seed oils, murumuru and theobroma seed butter your skin will feel smooth and refreshed. Add an essential oil of your choice for a little extra fragrance.
- HD Clear Skin Kit. Having issues with acne? Rather than grabbing a toxin to treat the toxins already in your skin creating the blemishes, grab a plant-based acne treatment system, HD Clear Skin Kit. This advanced line of natural facial products will have you blemish-free in no time!
- doTERRA Salon Essential Healthy Hold Glaze will replace toxic hair mousse, sprays and gels. This amazing product protects, nourishes, and fortifies hair while improving moisture and softness while styling.
- doTERRA Spa Lip Balm is a natural formula with CPTG essential oils to hydrate and soothe lips.
- doTERRA Detoxifying Mask uses natural clay infused with CPTG essential oils of myrrh, juniper berry and grapefruit to promote purifying benefits while reducing appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
If you are interested in learning more about Essential Oils and how they can benefit a more healthy lifestyle, i would like to personally invite you to my Essential Oils Mastery Course.
