I was over a decade into my health journey before I had any clue that all the personal care products I was slathering from head to toe were filled with all kinds of toxic chemicals. If we want to live a healthier lifestyle, we can’t stop at what goes IN our bodies. What goes ON is equally important because these products actually ARE going IN! This should have been obvious, because as a nurse I was familiar with medications being applied transdermally (on the skin). The products we apply to our largest organ immediately enter our bloodstream. Consider the fact that the average woman uses around twelve personal care items each day, causing approximately 515 chemicals to be applied! There are tens of thousands of chemicals involved in U.S. commerce that have never even been tested, not to mention how they could possibly interact with one another. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports: 595 cosmetic manufacturers have reported using 88 chemicals, in more than 73,000 products, that have been linked to cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. Important things to avoid are parabens, synthetic fragrance (listed as parfum on labels), sulfates, mineral oil, triclosan, phthalates, and polyethylene glycol (called PEGS). Some of these ingredients are not even listed as such on the ingredient list, so you’re better off either making your own skin care or buying from a trusted brand.
