I know I bang on about this a fair bit, but toxic beauty products 👏NEED👏 TO 👏 GO!
Ditching and switching to low tox alternatives is not only super easy but it can make a huge difference to your health.
A 2013 study conducted in California showed that the level of endocrine disrupting chemicals present in the urine of teenage girls was reduced by 27-45% after just THREE DAYS of switching to low tox personal care products.
The study looked at common ingredients such as:
👉 Pthlalates (found in synthetic fragrances, deodorants, soaps, shampoos, nail polish & cosmetics) have estrogenic and anti-androgenic properties (meaning they f*ck with everyone’s hormones) which have been linked to behaviour and allergy response in children.
👉 Parabens (commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics) which are again endocrine disrupting, and have been linked to breast cancer, reproductive issues and allergic reactions.
👉 Triclosan (found in liquid soaps, acne products, deodorants and toothpaste) which has been shown to create antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans and is linked to hormone issues, weakened immune system, and when used on children can increase chances of allergies, asthma and ezcema.
Women use an average of 12 personal care products every single day (the average is 17 for teenage girls). That’s 12+ times per day we are putting chemicals on our skin that are doing damage to our health and fertility (and we’re not even considering our laundry detergent, cleaning products etc). Yikes.
And here’s the thing, EVEN if each product only had a teeny, tiny amount, and might not be deemed harmful applied once, when we use multiple products every single day, those ingredients build up in our body and over time can cause huge issues 👉#toxicload.
Let's take a look at 5 areas you can reduce your toxic load
(and some of my favourite brands!)
Skincare
Skincare products are something almost every teen and woman uses... multiple products, multiple times per day. And unfortauntely so many brands are laden with ingredients that are harmful. Parabens, commonly used as preservatives, are known endocrine disruptors linked to breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), used for their foaming properties, can cause skin irritation and strip the skin of its natural oils. Phthalates, found in many fragranced products, are associated with hormonal imbalances and reproductive issues. Formaldehyde-releasing agents, such as DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15, are potential carcinogens that can cause allergic reactions. Additionally, synthetic fragrances and dyes can trigger allergies and sensitivities.
My favourite products & brands:
DIY Skincare, you will find lots of recipes here on my website as well as over on my Instagram
Verage Skin care collection - THIS is hands downmy favourite (and the most affordable) low tox skin collection available. Made with stunning natural ingredients and coming in a simple 4 step collection, it will leave your skin looking absolutely radiant, without any of the nasties.
For teens: doTERRA's HD Clear (think of it like Nature's ProActiv) - check it out in my Natural Teen pack here
Cosmetics
Another big offender, cosmetics. With so much greenwashing in the market, it can. bereally difficult to navigate which products are actually clean. These are just soe of the ingredients we should aim to avoid:
Parabens (e.g., methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben)
Phthalates (e.g., dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate)
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-releasing agents (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Triclosan
Toluene
Lead and Heavy Metals
Chemical based UV filters such as Octinoxate and Oxybenzone
Synthetic Fragrances and Dyes
Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) and related compounds
Brands I love:
Perfume
Anything labelled fragrance or parfum can be a cocktail of thousands of chemicals - many of which have never been tested for human safety, and many which have been proven harmful - which do not have to be labelled as it comes under the banner of "trade secret". Unless a brand is completely transparent about what comes under the banner of fragrance or parfum, I steer clear. Here are some options I love for perfumes:
Perfumes I am a big fan of DIY perfumes. I've been making my own blends with pure essential oils for years now (in fact, inside our private customer community we have a whole perfume blending masterclass and eBook!). Check out this post on DIY perfume blending
doTERA also has a range of beautiful essential oil rollers that can be used as perfumes, either on their own or layered.
Haircare
Many of the ingredients mentioned above (SLS, parabens, sulfates, phthalates) are commonly found in hair care products. The skin on our scalp is up to 4x more absorbent than anywhere else on our body, and studies have shown when we are applying toxins to our scalp they are being absorbed into our bloodstream.
Products I love:
doTERRA hair care range includes a shampoo & conditioner, dry shampoo and of course I love my DIY hair recipes (you will find plenty on the blog and over on my Instagram) - shop via my link for 25% off
Ethique - for shampoo. and conditioner bars (eco friendly girlies, I'm looking at you)
EverEscents - another haircare range I've used and loved
Nails
Nail polish often contains several harmful ingredients that can pose risks to health and the environment. One of the most notorious is formaldehyde, a known carcinogen used to harden polish. Toluene, another common component, can cause dizziness, headaches, and long-term neurological damage. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), used to prevent chipping, is a reproductive toxin linked to developmental issues. Additionally, camphor and ethyl tosylamide can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. These chemicals not only affect users but also contribute to environmental pollution when disposed of improperly. Opting for "5-free" or "10-free" or "12-free" nail polishes, which exclude these harmful ingredients, can significantly reduce these risks.
Brands I love:
I hope this list helps you make some simple swaps in your home. Remember, when transitioning to a lower tox home, it doesn't have to happen overnight, and it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Take it one step at a time.
Courtney xx
Need essential oils? I'm your girl.
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