We live in a world where we are surrounded by toxins. Some we can’t avoid, but some we certainly can. And understanding the difference is what will change your life for the better!
Personal Care Products Are Some of the Dirtiest (or Most Toxic) Products
One of the most common misconceptions is that our personal care products are all safe and regulated by the FDA. This is not TRUE!
In the United States, there is little to no regulation when it comes to the safety of the products we use on our skin every day.
We wake up, we work out, we eat healthy foods, and then we unknowingly slather our bodies in harmful or questionable ingredients. Our skin is our largest organ and what we put on it matters.
It matters a lot!
U.S. Regulations on Personal Care Products are Weak
The U.S. is dangerously far behind in regulating these harmful and toxic ingredients from our products. In the European Union, they have banned 1,400 ingredients from use in their products. In contrast, the U.S. has only banned 30!
Additionally, there is only about 1.5 pages of legislation addressing the personal care industry, and there hasn’t been a law passed to regulate the industry since 1938!
So, what does that mean?
It is Up To the Consumer to Understand What They are Putting on their Body
It means we, the consumers, have to take matters into our own hands and be our best advocate. We cannot assume that when we walk in a store, that the products sold on the shelves are safe. Because many of them are not!
We need to make informed decisions when buying.
But where do you start?
What do you look to avoid?
And what do you look for?
The good news – there are safe options out there, and thankfully, the “clean” personal care market is growing every day!
Steps to Choosing Toxin Free Personal Care Products
Step 1: Check your current Personal Care Items
The first step you can take is to visit the Environmental Working Group’s, Skin Deep Database, and look up products by name and check their safety rating. The second step is to buy from brands you know and trust - the companies that are looking out for your safety when it comes to formulating their products.
Step 2: Learn What Ingredients to Avoid
Top 12 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid
One of the first things that I ditched were products that listed the word “Fragrance” in their list of ingredients because this is a major loophole in the industry. The word Fragrance can contain hundreds of chemicals that do not need to be listed individually because it can be considered a “trade secret” by the company selling it.
It is for this reason that I choose to avoid all fragrance in my home, from laundry detergent and dish soap to shampoo and body lotion, even lipstick. Everything you can think of has to be fragrance free in our home and that is a great place to start!
Step 3: Start with 1 Small Change, then build from there
If this is the first time you are hearing any of this information, I always say, “you do better, when you know better.”
So, my advice to you is:
Start today.
Start small.
Just start somewhere!
It’s about progress not perfection!
Learn more about holistic living by reading our other blogs: Holistic Health: How To Eat Clean & Healthy
About the Author:
Jillian Donatelli – mom of 2, wife, and Director at Beautycounter
Email: jilliandonatelli@gmail.com
http://Beautycounter.com/jilliandonatelli
Instagram @jilliandonatelli
Facebook Group: Clean Beauty
I’m also an advocate and consultant for a company called Beautycounter. We provide safe high performing personal care products and I’ve been enjoying our wide range of wonderful, safer products for about 3 years now. We also advocate for change in legislation both in the U.S. and in Canada. If you have any interest in joining me in the business of clean or even making a switch to safer products in your home, I’d be happy to help you! Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime!