Every day you are using personal care products may expose you to more than 168 synthetic chemicals. "Many have known or suspected links to serious health problems like cancer, infertility, birth defects, and hormone disruption." (Click here for full story)
After I educated myself on all these awful products I went on a personal-care product purging spree. Below is what I replaced in my daily routine along with a list of some ingredients to avoid.
What's in my medicine cabinet?
Deodorant: Aluminum-Free such as Tom's of Maine
Lotion: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (once absorbed you won't smell like a Italian restaurant:)
Shampoo/Conditioner: Aveda Products (Trader Joe's Tea Tree Shampoo is a cheaper option)
Moisturizers/Eye Cream: Burts Bees
Hand Soap: Trader Joes "Next to Godliness" Lavender & Chamomile
Bar Soap: Trader Joes "Tea Tree Oil Natural Vegetable Soap" (this stuff is great and CHEAP!!)
What I look for in a label:
NOTHING with the word paraben, no synthetic dyes, sulfite's, phthalates, triclosan (and that's only some)
Click Here to find out what's in your personal products
In general if you can't pronounce the ingredient it's most likely not safe for your skin. Also, the shorter the ingredient list the better! And remember, it's about reducing your exposure.
More Information:
Below article provides a great breakdown of the dangers of each ingredient:
http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/life/article/640314--what-s-in-a-shampoo
sadly many of the products above, burt's bees, tea tree and some aveda products insist on putting menthol in the ingredient list which give me a migraine. I would love to go more natural but many of the smells, lavender, etc give me migraines so i am left with the unscented not so good for me stuff.
ReplyDeleteWow. That's terrible. Tea Tree actually has helped my migraines if I feel one coming on and it's not bad yet..
ReplyDeleteJen - this is inspiring! I need to purge, although the one thing I cannot get rid of is regular deodorant - I tried the Tom's (best toothpaste ever by the way) and was smelly within a few hours. Even with the extra strength stuff!
ReplyDeleteTom's doesn't work for me either but I guess it's about your body chemestry. The deoderant crystal works wonders for me yet it doesn't work for Jenny so these must be trial and error. I too have a problem with allergies and need to stay away from lavander I found out when I bought a satchel for my migrains and it made my eyes all puffy. I am however truly inspired to spend an hour at Trader Joe's when I go shopping next so I can look for some differant products to try... thanx sis!
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