Even if you want to make healthy choices when buying personal care and cosmetics, you may not know how. It can be difficult to know what’s really in your toothpaste, soap, or lipstick. I hope my article will help you.
Items that can be stored in the bathroom cabinet
We use personal care and cosmetic products every day. What might be in your bathroom cabinet?
– Shampoo and conditioner
– Soap, shower gel
– Bath salts and oils
– Perfumes, deodorants and antiperspirants
– Lipsticks and lip balms
– Hair styling products; hair dyes
– Make-up/cosmetics (foundation, eye shadow, mascara etc.)
– Baby powder
– Hand cleaning wipes and hand sanitizers
– Sunscreen and tanners
– Shaving creams, hair removal products
– Facial cleansers, creams and tonics; acne treatment products
– Toothpaste, mouthwash, floss
– Nail polish, polish removers and other nail products
– Contact lens / glasses cleaner and solutions
– Feminine hygiene products
– Humidifiers
Dangerous chemicals that threaten our health
Then, of course, there are a number of household cleaners and other chemicals that we often breathe in, swallow or touch.
Here are the most important of the potentially harmful chemicals found in your personal care products:
Triclosan: Triclosan is an antibacterial agent found in some toothpastes and some soaps. It has long-term toxic effects. Among other endocrine problems, triclosan may decrease thyroid function. Canada and Japan restrict the use of triclosan as a cosmetic ingredient. The most disturbing part is that Triclosan can form resistant bacteria. In other words, it can increase the problem it is trying to solve.
Fragrance: Perfume is found in deodorants, face washes, shampoos, shower gels and sunscreens. The term “perfume” can include any of over 3,000 different chemicals. Studies show that some hidden ingredients also make perfumes. Fragrance blends have potential effects on the reproductive system such as allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and low sperm count.
Toluene: Toluene is a common solvent used in paint thinners and can also be found in moisturizing creams and nail polishes. A potent neurotoxin that inhibits breathing and causes nausea. Exposure may cause developmental damage to a developing fetus in the womb. Toluene can also
Parabens: Parabens are a compound used to increase the shelf life of many products.Parabens are endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen
Formaldehyde Openers: Formaldehyde openers, personal care products It is a class of antimicrobial preservatives (such as DMDM hydantoin and Quaternium-15) used in about 20% of the population. They are toxic to the immune system and skin and are highly allergenic. (Japan restricts their use.)
Oxybenzone: Oxybenzone is used as a UV light absorber in more than half of sunscreens. It can actually cause photoallergic reactions. It is also an endocrine disruptor.
How these chemicals enter the body
We are exposed to chemicals from personal care products in many ways. For example, we can breathe them in through sprays and powders. We can swallow it in lip cosmetics. We can absorb it through the skin and mucous membranes. Many products contain compounds that pull ingredients deep into the skin, increasing absorption.
We generally do not think that ingredients in personal care products can be harmful. For example, we assume that if they are allowed to be sold in pharmacies, they must be safe. Unfortunately, this is not always true.
In fact, with the exception of color additives and a few prohibited substances, cosmetic companies can use any ingredient or raw material they want in their products without supervision or approval. Terms like “hypoallergenic” or “gentle” do not mean that a product is safer, or even gentle and non-allergenic. In fact, less than 20% of cosmetic ingredients have been evaluated worldwide, and only 11 ingredients or chemical groups have been reported as unsafe. “There are too many chemicals and not enough data. There are thousands and thousands of chemicals used that we don’t really know much about,” EPA research toxicologist Kevin Crofton said in an interview.
More than 500 products in the United States contain ingredients banned in cosmetics in Japan, Canada, or the European Union. Exposure to many chemicals, including those from personal care products, is likely to occur during the development of the unborn baby and It should not be forgotten that it can disrupt the brain and nervous system that develops in early childhood, paving the way for problems in childhood and adulthood. Of course, this does not mean that chemicals are safe for adults. It is necessary to choose products carefully for yourself and especially for your children.
What to do for alternatives Start by reading product labels Know brands you can trust You can also create various alternatives to many personal care products
For example:
– Olive, almond, avocado or use another light oil
(980070) 1) – Use sea salt or coffee grounds for exfoliation.
– Use extra virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil as a moisturizer and lip balm.
– You can use organic rose water or mineral water as a tonic.
– You can use plain yogurt mixed with lemon juice as a cleanser. The fruit and lactic acids work the same way, and the Lactobacillus bacteria in yogurt helps with skin problems.
– You can try pineapple as a scrub or a moisturizing avocado pulp.
– Treat acne with egg yolk (vitamin A, which makes egg yolk yellow, is also the active ingredient). Let it sit for a few minutes, rinse, and then take advantage of the antiseptic action of a dash of tea tree or lavender oil.
– Rinse hair with apple cider vinegar instead of conditioner – apple cider vinegar makes your hair easy to comb and shine.
– For oral health and to remove toxins, swirl the coconut oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes in the morning and rinse it with water. Then dip your wet toothbrush into baking soda. Baking soda paste not only rubs your teeth, it also leaves your breath fresh after rinsing! If you wish, you can take advantage of the antibacterial properties of peppermint oil by adding one or two drops of peppermint oil to the paste.
You don’t need to trash everything you currently use and empty your entire bathroom overnight. It is enough just to be aware, to educate yourself, to make conscious decisions to protect yourself and your loved ones.
For this;
– Make changes gradually, one product at a time.
– When it’s time to throw away an old product, make sure your new one is safer.
– You can act by considering the cumulative load of everything you use. You don’t have to throw away every product you own or give up your favorite perfume. Start with small changes and don’t stress yourself out.
You don’t have to be a fanatic to eliminate all of the chemicals I’ve mentioned here. You are not trying to be perfect or to purify your body completely.
Instead;
– Use less product. For example, body lotion, hand lotion, face cream, under eye moisturizer etc. Try just one type of moisturizer instead.
– If you are spraying, do not breathe directly.
– Opt for essential oils instead of perfumed air fresheners.
– When choosing your products, choose odorless ones. If you absolutely need fragrance, you can choose essential oils.
– Do not try to destroy bacteria with products in house cleaning. Plain soap and water, apple cider vinegar will be enough to remove bacteria in daily life.
In order to protect yourself and your loved ones and to raise awareness about safer products and materials, you can create your own alternatives in this regard by participating in our individual counseling and group workshops where I offer natural methods, products, care and anti-aging alternatives suitable for your skin.
Stay with love.
Lect. See. Berrin Çetiner
Beauty and Aesthetics Consultant/Trainer/Esthetician
