Spring Detox: Your Toxin Free Glow-up Guide
Crazy fact….Did you know that there are no legal requirements for the any cosmetic manufacturer within the United States to test their products for safety?
I know, I didn’t believe it either, but it is 100% true. Other than color additives, the FDA does not have the authority to approve cosmetic products. There are only 11 cosmetic ingredients banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, while there are more than 1,300 restricted ingredients in Europe. They have also classified over 200 ingredients to be used in restrictive quantities based on safety.
In addition to those 11 ingredients banned by the FDA, the EPA (as of 2021), has placed restrictions or bans on a whopping 9 chemical ingredients including, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), fully halogenated Chlorofluoroalkanes, dioxin, asbestos, hexavalent chromium (remember Erin Brocovich?!), and four classes of nitrites used for metal working.
In 2016, Business Insider reported that there are over 80,000 chemicals on the market in the United States. That’s right, 80,000! And the FDA and EPA, have banned only 19. There is also The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) who has banned 174 substances. But, only members of the IFRA need abide to those restrictions. And there is no requirement for companies to become a part of the IFRA.
Our skin is our largest organ. Anything we put on it, gets absorbed and left to be processed by our various systems and liver. The CDC reports that occupational skin diseases are one of the most common types of workplace diseases, causing things like contact dermatitis from substances like pesticides, fertilizers, and acrylic resins.
If these chemicals are causing these type of reactions on the outside of our body, just imagine what they do on the inside. (More on food toxins coming next week.)
Some will argue that the amount of of these harmful substances is negligible and un-harmful. And that maybe true for a single use of that product which is what the majority of regulatory agencies use as their measure. A single use. But, when was the last time you moisturized just once? Or washed your clothes once? Or used your concealer just once? Deodorant? It’s the compound effect of these chemicals and dyes that begins to disrupt our hormones and health.
So how do we become ingredient ninja’s?
If you are like me, the onslaught of this kind of information can be overwhelming and confusing. It is nearly impossible to be toxin free. And there is no perfect way to go about ridding you and your family from toxins. That is going to look different for everyone. My suggestion? One category, one product, at a time.
Personally, I have started with my face and body moisturizers recently finding a wonderful brand, Pretty Little Farm Girl started by Jen, who lives in Florida. She started making her own skincare when she couldn’t find brands that could help with her eczema and psoriasis. Her tallow based face cream is fantastic and made with 100% natural ingredients. PS - beef tallow is one of the most nutrient rich ingredients. It’s rich in Vitamin A, B12, D, E, and K2 which are all high in antioxidants which fight free radical damage (AKA, the bad stuff). 100% grass fed tallow is also high in conjugated Linoleic acid, an anti-inflammatory.
Our endocrine system, which is the central hub of hormonal health takes the biggest hit, particularly our thyroid, when it comes to harmful ingredients and chemicals by mimicking hormones like estrogen, which break important functional loops and in turn, turn off your own hormones.
Environmental Toxins that Impair Hormonal and HPA axis function (essential for nervous system regulation) include,
PCB’s or Polychlorinated Biphenyls were banned in 1979, but are still found in our environment, including our water.
Perchlorate is a chemical found in rocket fuel, bleach, explosives, batteries, fireworks, airbags, and fertilizer. It is also a ground pollutant found in tap water
Furans & Dioxins Dioxins were banned by the EPA, however dioxins are naturally produced as a result of certain processes such as bleaching and burning waste.
Items like tampons, toilet paper, paper towels, and dyed paper contain dioxins and furans. Cigarettes can also contain dioxins and our drinking water from air emissions and discharges from chemical factories.
Triclosan is a common antibacterial ingredient found in soap, lotion and hand creams and has been shown to disrupt endocrine function, contribute to irregular embryonic development, and immune suppression.
Flame Retardants found in upholstered furniture & electronics impair thyroid function.
BPA & Phthalates mimic estrogen, leading to things such as estrogen dominance and common disorders such as PCOS. Phthalates are commonly found in skincare, perfumes, nail polish, and hairsprays and are known hormone disruptors, and in some cases carcinogenic.
Radiation is commonly associated with hypothyroidism.
Parabens found in lotions, make-up, shampoos and conditioners have been linked to poor reproductive health in women.
PEG-10 Laurate found in creamy makeup products and moisturizers is a hormone disruptor.
Ethanolamines: Monoethanolamine (MEA), Diethanolamine (DEA), and Triethanolamine (TEA)
DEA can react with other ingredients to form a carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA).
Both DEA and TEA have been shown to promote cancer in the liver of female mice.
Animal studies with DEA and MEA found that they can promote tumors and cause developmental abnormalities to an unborn fetus. The European Commission has banned the use of DEA in cosmetics.
Butyl, propyl, and ethyl parabens have also been associated with increased risk of cancer can be found in many personal care products as a preservative. All of these are hormone disruptors
Petroleum is a known carcinogen used to preserve moisture. Basically any products that include parabens, PEG’s, MEA, DEA, propyl-containing words or any other toxic ingredient is likely petroleum-based. Other words to look for are paraffin wax, mineral oil, toluene, benzene, methanol, butanol and words with “butyl”.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a known carcinogen and hormone disruptor is used as a preservative and fragrance.
Formaldehyde used in hair straightening treatments, nail polish and eyelash glue is a known carcinogen and has been known to cause breathing issues.
Hydroquinone found in products designed to brighten or lighten the skin has been banned in Europe and Japan due to its cytotoxic nature. High doses of hydroquinone are banned in the US, but prescription level amounts of 4% are readily available.
P-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is derived from coal tar and is found in a larger number of convectional hair dyes. It can lead to (very severe) allergic reactions. The EU has banned it altogether.
Quaternium-15 helps makeup last as long as possible. But, it can release formaldehyde in that process. This is commonly found in facial cosmetics, especially powders.
Fragrance is a broad non-specific term and loophole in US labeling regulations which allows manufacturers to include just about any ingredient they want in a product under the umbrella term of “fragrance." It keeps you from knowing what exactly is in their product.
Titanium is found in sunscreen and is banned in the EU. There is growing concern that these particles can have a toxic effect on your brain and lead to cancer.
So what an you do to help reduce the amount of toxins in your products and home,
Filter your Water - There are many types and kinds of filters out there. Brands like Brita and Pur use carbon filters to remove pesticides and chlorine. They also help to remove any bad odors or taste, and can remove some other bacteria, cysts and heavy metals, but not all. Reverse Osmosis filtration systems removes all pesticides, chlorine, bacteria, viruses, cysts, arsenic, heavy metals, dissolved solids like sodium and calcium and fluoride. Investing in a filter for your shower is also a good idea. The same toxins we filter from our drinking water can enter our systems through our skin when we shower.
Switch out plastic food storage containers for glass as much as possible. If this isn’t possible, go for 100% BPA free containers or stainless steel.
Read labels. Print the above guide out, take a picture of it, and carry it with you for reminders. The Beautycounter website also has a helpful list for reference.
Find trusted brands that are choosing not to use and/or drastically reduce their usage of endocrine-disrupting ingredients like the ones below.
Haircare: Kit-sch (get $10 off your first order here), Acure, LolaVie, Prose (customized for you), Innersense, Beautycounter.
Aluminum Free Deodorant: Schmidt, Tom's of Maine, Salt & Stone, Native
Non-toxic Nail Care: Dazzle Dry
Cosmetics & Skincare: Beautycounter, TOK Beauty, Tower28, Crunchi, Kosas, Well People, Pretty Farm Girl.
Non-toxic Household Cleaners: Branch Basics, Seventh Generation, Puracy
Toothpaste: Revitin, Tom’s of Maine
5. You could even get adventurous and try making some of your own products, like body butter or lotion. There are a ton of easy to follow recipes like this one that are super simple to make.
Happy de-toxing!