Detoxify Your Personal Care

Did you know that the average woman puts on an average of 12 products every day?

It’s easy to see how it all adds up: shampoo, body wash, conditioner, lotion, facial moisturizers and treatments, sunscreen, foundation, mascara, hairspray, perfume, nail polish…

An important truth to acknowledge is that our skin will absorb the chemicals – good and bad – to which we expose it. In fact, our skin is made up of the same tissue type as the cells that line our intestine, and the function of this tissue is to pull nutrients and information into the body. Our skin becomes especially sensitive and vulnerable when we are constantly using harsh detergents found in most soaps.

Unfortunately, little care is given to what we scrub, slather, and spray ourselves with each day. For many people, chemicals found in personal care products can be a trigger for inflammatory conditions, immune dysregulation, and hormone imbalances.

Xenoestrogens are a major concern because they can cause estrogen dominance in both women and men! This common hormone imbalance can cause weight gain, menstruation issues, rashes and acne, PCOS, fertility issues, and also increases your risk for cancer. These are found in phlatates which are often listed and FRAGRANCE on ingredients. Parabens are another common culprit and include anything ending in the suffix -paraben. Triclosan (aka triclocarban) is another common compound used for its antimicrobial activity and is often found in antibacterial products or those that fight odor.

There are many more ingredients than we can remember and care to discuss, which is why we put our faith in the Environmental Working Group. They are an incredible foundation that evaluates ingredients found in the personal care industry products and presents evidence based information on their safety! Checkout their database to find the best nontoxic products for your body and our planet!

Try Making Your Own

Another fun option is to get creative with whole food based products and start to make some of your own DIY products. We recently held a personal care demonstration class and the favorite recipe of the day as far as ease and enjoyment was the exfoliating and moisturizing lemon body scrub! Its great to rub all over your limbs and body for an exfoliating oil massage just before a shower or bath. Note – this is messy if you do it outside the shower/tub.

Exfoliating and Moisturizing Lemon Scrub

• 1 cup finely ground sugar – for a finer texture, you can also pulse this in your blender 🙂

• 1 cup Grapeseed oil

• 2 tsp fresh lemon zest

• 20 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops rosemary essential oil

• Mason Jar

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Transfer into a jar with a secure lid. Apply to skin and gently massage for 15-20 seconds before rinsing off.

We hope you love this scrub as much as we do! For more information on health personal care products, follow us on Facebook for our next personal care demonstration!