If you think what you put on your skin isn’t important, consider that your skin absorbs what you put on it.
Your skin is actually your body’s largest organ. Oftentimes, it is viewed only as a separation or protection from the outside world. However, it also absorbs from the outside world, which is why pain patches, birth control patches, and nicotine patches work. Don’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t want to be inside of your body.
Studies show that different substances absorb at different rates, with certain places on the body being more absorbable. You can estimate about a 60 percent absorption rate overall with increased absorbability on the face, underarms, abdomen, behind the ears, and 100 percent absorbability on the genitals. Be careful! The ingredients in the products you put on your body will likely end up inside of your body.
Parabens, phthalates, and petrolateum are all common ingredients in body care, soaps, lotions, and cosmetics. Parabens and petrolateum have been linked to breast cancer, and phthalates have been linked to disrupting the endocrine system, yet they are still allowed in personal care products. These are just a few of the many chemicals in your personal care products.
Reducing the toxic load in the products you use on your hair and skin is a choice that you can make. You cannot always control the environmental toxins around you, but what you put on your skin is something that you can control.
I got rid of half my [beauty products]. When you look at the ingredients and you can’t pronounce them? That’s a really strong indication that you don’t want to put it on your lips.
– Julia Roberts on Oprah
Fresh Ideas to Extend Your Expiration Date
Whatever you put on your skin is being absorbed into your body. It is your decision which products you use. It is your toxic load. Some chemicals found in our environment are there because of the choices of others. You can choose the chemicals that go in your skin care products.
Get rid of and don’t buy synthetic fragrances or chemicals that you can’t pronounce. A good rule is to not put on your skin what you would not put in your mouth. Or if you can’t pronounce it, then it may not be good for you. There may be some exceptions, but as a general rule, it is good advice. Say no to most popular brands of makeup, shampoo, soap, deodorant, and lotion. They often have ingredients you wouldn’t want to end up in your body.
Help yourself reduce your toxic load:
- Go outside the mainstream grocery store for your body care. Choose organic but really read the labels because they can be very tricky. Things that look healthy upon closer label inspection are oftentimes not very healthy. For example, body products that are labeled “Natural” often contain toxic chemicals but are marketed to look healthy.
- Make your own stuff using a good base and quality essential oils.
- Use simple things, such as coconut oil, for a body moisturizer. Do some research. It is really amazing how easy it is to use natural, everyday products for body care.
Learn More
What’s in This Stuff? The Hidden Toxins in Everyday Products and What You Can Do about Them, by Patricia Thomas, is a comprehensive resource for what’s in common products from toiletries and cosmetics to household products and pet supplies. It includes alternatives to common products, plus an A–Z glossary of common chemicals.
Do-it-yourself books, such as Natural Beauty at Home: More Than 250 Easy-touse Recipes for Body, Bath, and Hair, by Janice Cox, have recipes for making your own, organic, good-for-you products. An easy Internet search of do-ityourself information on whatever product you are looking for (such as natural shampoo) will lead you to a plethora of recipes with reviews.
