Three ways to better control what you put on your skin.
A few years back I decided to look on the back of my lotion. I had a trusted brand -designed for extra dry skin. If I stopped using it - even for a few days- my skin would pay dearly.
I used a couple of tools to interpret the nonsense on the back of the container. My discoveries made me swear off store-bought body care products for good!
It turns out my lotion, which had no apparent scent, was made up of several fragrances designed to cover the smell of the product. Companies do not have to disclose the chemicals used to make fragrances. These secret ingredients often include known hormone disruptors. Hormone disruptors are linked to birth defects, fertility problems, obesity, diabetes, and thyroid irregularities. My product also contained Retinyl Palmitate which is a hormone disruptor and linked to cancer.
It even contained a chemical that could “cause extreme eczema” and another chemical designed to draw the lotion’s chemicals deeper into my skin.
It is no wonder I couldn’t stop using it! The lotion was potentially causing the cracking painful dryness I was trying to solve.
Until laws demand truth in labeling (and yes, it is worth advocating for this change), there are some simple ways to take control of what we use on our own bodies.
Avoid the Worst
It’s hard to navigate the thousands of chemicals in body care products. One strategy is to target your search on labels for known hazards.
According to the Environmental Working Group, if you see these ingredients in these products, it is best to look for a different product:
Soap: triclosan and triclocarban, fragrance
Skin and lip moisturizer: retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinoic acid, retinol, Vitamin A, fragrance
Sunscreen: SPF above 50, oxybenzone, spray sunscreens, retinyl palmitate, added insect repellent, fragrance
Hair Care: Dark permanent hair dyes, chemical hair straighteners, fragrance
Toothpaste: Triclosan
Nail polish and mascara: formaldehyde
Get to Know Your Products
Explore the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website to get information, find out how to advocate for better laws, and use their searchable database of products.
Download one or both of these APPs to scan and choose healthier products.
Simplify ingredients
Today I know exactly what is in my body care products because I make them myself with a few ingredients. (I’m saving money too!)
Baking soda
Arrowroot
Coconut oil
Lavender essential oil (or whatever scent you like)
Here is the recipe I use for foot cream
Shea butter
Coconut oil
Almond oil
Peppermint essential oil
Coffee Scrub (no recipe, just mix the ingredients until you get the consistency you like)
Dried coffee grounds
Sugar
Coconut oil