Personal Product Swaps
When it comes to thinking about health, I think the first thing that comes to mind for many of us is either food or exercise, closely followed by the other, either food or exercise, and then, well that's probably it. At least that's how it was for me for a long time. Eventually I started to realize that there are so many more components to health. A big place I started when I was pregnant with our first baby was reading about the ingredients in so many of the products in our home. I learned enough that I had to make some changes. I knew too much not to. I'll touch on all the swaps we've made in later posts, but for today I wanted to focus on skincare and hair care, since that's where I drug my feet the longest.
Did you know that the EU has banned over 1300 ingredients from personal care products while the FDA here in the US has only banned 11? (Here's a blog post outlining some of the most toxic ones still found in many US products, but not allowed in their European equivalents including petroleum, formaldehyde and 'fragrance.') Many of these have no business being in any product in our home, much less in something that is being absorbed by our skin. The problem with certain ingredients like parabens is that they are endocrine disruptors - in other words, compounds that disrupt the function of our endocrine sytem. In case it's been a few years since you were in a biology class, here's a little summary of what your endocrine system does for your body: the short version is that your endocrine system creates and moderates hormones in the body. Your endocrine system and these hormones regulate metabolism, sexual function, mood, reproduction, and sleep along with other crucial functions such as respiration and temperature regulation. I had no idea that ingredients in my sunscreen or deodorant could affect the way this system regulates my normal bodily functions.
Luckily now as opposed to a few years ago when I was just beginning research on brands and ingredients that are on my 'avoid' and 'never' lists, there are so many companies who are committed to clean ingredients and to making their products sustainably, many of them here in the good 'ol US of A. I'll be the first to admit there are many switches I haven't made yet, but as I do them one by one and have success, it's encouraging for me to take the next step and switch out just one more product.
Swaps I've made:
DEODORANT: This was my first switch, since I knew from a young age that there is a link between aluminum-based anti-perspirants and breast cancer. The tissue near your armpit and connecting to your breast is thin, and I knew that I wanted to reduce my hereditary risk of breast cancer as much as possible by using a more natural deodorant. I had to try several brands before I found one that a) worked and b) didn't make me break out. I have sensitive skin and the baking soda in many natural deodorants works really well to stop the stink, but over a few days or weeks causes some pretty angry rashes which aren't fun to deal with. I use Primally Pure now and they have a fun little quiz to see which deodorant is best for you!
BODY BUTTER/LOTION: Have you ever noticed that sometimes you put lotion on and you feel greasy? Or when you wash your hands, they're right back to being as dry as ever? Many lotions are just faking it, appearing to be buttery and smooth, but in reality are made up of some pretty toxic ingredients that not only aren't doing your skin any favors (hey, petroleum, 'fragrance' - usually a chemical cocktail, and BHA - banned in the EU) , but if and when they're penetrating your skin they're getting into your bloodstream and can cause some issues with, you guessed it, your endocrine system! The two brands I use the most are Primally Pure and Cocokind. I like the almond+vanilla in the PP and the Cocokind is lavender which is just really calming before bedtime. Here's some more reading on WHY prioritizing the health of your skin by using products with real ingredients promotes healthier looking skin and health overall.
FACIAL MOISTURIZER/CLEANSER: I've been a Neutrogena kind of girl since I started washing my face and dealing with acne around age 12! When I started reading last year on using oils on your skin, my old acne prone self was like, 'oil on your skin?! No WAY! That will just make things worse!' I have never been so happy to be so wrong. I've been using the Cocokind chia moisturizer and it just feels so nourishing. It felt like my old moisturizer would just sit on my skin, and this seems like it's truly absorbed and keeping my skin nice and hydrated all day. I also switched to their oil cleanser which at first seemed super backwards to me. Now when I wash my face it doesn't feel like I've stripped off the outer layer of skin. My face feels smooth and clean, but also moisturized at the same time. I'll never go back to a traditional cleanser.
BABY: This has been such a game-changer. Primally Pure has released baby products just in time for my second baby. I wish I would have had every single one of these products for my first since she had such sensitive skin! I love these so much that I've been buying for other moms too! If you were only going to purchase one product and not their baby kit, the baby balm has been the best baby product I've ever had. I've put it on any skin irritation either kid has had, and it's also so moisturizing, you can use it for yourself. For one whole weekend I forgot my lip balm and used the baby balm instead! I love that these products are truly baby safe. I don't worry about either kiddo playing with them without my knowledge because even if that happens the worst case is a mess, not a poison control call.
SOAP: I've lately been buying soap from local soap makers! It's been fun to try new scents and support local businesses. As an added bonus, most soaps that you can find at your local farmer's markets or shops are either bare or packaged in cardboard or paper instead of plastic. Environmental win!
I've been slow on the makeup/hair care switches, so if you have recommendations on those, please let me know! I'd love to try a shampoo bar, but I haven't found any locally, so let me know if you use a bar and which brand!
There are so many reasons to switch out most of your traditional products in your home from cleaners to shampoo, and toothpaste to laundry detergent. I haven't personally gotten to all of them yet, although across the board, "fragrance" is something that doesn't come in our house anymore. I encourage you to look at the ingredients banned in the EU and really read up on them. Choose one or two to start eliminating from your own household. I'm going to bet that your skin will thank you.
Links to Primally Pure products in this post are affiliate links. I do receive a small kickback when you purchase through them. Currently Fresh Texan readers can use the code FRESHTEXAN to receive 10% off their entire order at www.primallypure.com.
Have you made any natural swaps in your own home or beauty routine? Which common ingredients are on your 'never' list?