In a world filled with synthetic beauty solutions, the allure of all-natural personal care products entices us to embrace the gifts of nature for our skincare routines. Discover the transformative journey of adopting these products and unravel the numerous benefits that lie within.

breaking free from harmful chemicals

Before I get to the harmful chemicals found in conventional personal care products, I wanted to share a little bit about how and why I began this journey to incorporate natural products into my life and the lives of my family and animals. I discovered early on that a lot of the products that we use today, especially on our skin, can cause more harm than good. One of our sons was born with eczema and from birth until about 10 years ago, every serious outbreak came with a visit to a dermatologist and a few prescriptions for creams and pills that were supposed to clear the eczema. Most of these creams contained steroids and the pills were usually prednisone. Now, I do believe that these medicines have their place and can be helpful, but they can also cause side effects that are, at the very least, uncomfortable. The side effects of the creams that were prescribed, actually thinned out the skin, which in turn leaves it vulnerable to further damage. The side effects of prednisone are fairly well known. For our son, it caused mood changes, and weight gain. This led me to research natural ways to heal the skin and after going down several “rabbit holes”, I learned a lot about what is in the products that we use for self- care, our homes, and our animals. For the sake of transparency, when it comes to us and our animals, many health concerns can be resolved with proper nutrition. In my experience, eczema is one of those issues. The use of all natural products is known to promote overall health.

Now, onto the chemicals in personal care products. Chemicals used in personal care products can pose potential health risks. Many conventional products contain synthetic ingredients. Listed below are some of the most common ones and the potential health risks:

• Formaldehyde – is known to be a human carcinogen. It is used in salon hair straighteners and nail hardeners.
• 1,4-Dioxane – is created as a byproduct during the manufacturing process of foaming products, (shampoo, body wash) and lotions. It has been identified by the EPA as a “probable human carcinogen.”
• Parabens – possible endocrine disruptors with potential immune and allergenic effects. Parabens have been shown to increase migratory and invasive activity of human breast cancer cells. High levels of urinary parabens have been linked with sperm DNA damage and lower levels of reproductive hormone in men. Parabens can be found in make-up, moisturizers, hair care products, and shaving products.
• Phthalates – High urinary concentrations in pregnant women have been linked to problems with reproductive development in male fetuses and increased prevalence of ADHD in children. Some exposure has also been linked to sperm DNA damage in adult men. Phthalates can be found in perfumes, hair sprays, soap, shampoo, nail polish, and skin moisturizers.
• Toluene – exposure to high levels can show central nervous system depression, neurobehavioral impairment, and upper respiratory tract irritation. Toluene can be found in nail polish, and salon hair treatments.
• Triclosan – high levels of urinary triclosan linked to higher prevalence of hay fever and allergies in children, which suggests a negative effect on the immune system. It has also been shown to suppress thyroid hormones in lab rats. Triclosan is found in toothpaste.
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) – Exposure can lengthen and increase pain with certain kinds of ulcers. It is considered eye, skin, and lung irritant. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is found in toothpaste, soap, shampoos, bath products, and moisturizers. (nyhealthfoundation.org, 2018)

a symphony of natural ingredients

After I educated myself on the fact that we are exposed to over 80,000 chemicals daily, I decided it was time to study herbalism. Becoming an herbalist afforded me the opportunity to create my own all natural products for myself, my family, my animals, and my home. I entered a world where personal care products transformed into a celebration of the abundance found in nature and I am passionate about sharing this with you. So, here are just a few of the ingredients that can be used in the making of all natural products and their benefits:

• Botanical extracts – these can include calendula, rose, green tea, and so many others. They contribute to hydration of the skin, some are natural antioxidants, some have soothing properties that offer a revitalized complexion.
• Essential oils – the ones used most often in skin care are lavender, melaleuca, frankincense, and helichrysum. Not only do essential oils offer aromatic enjoyment, but some of them possess antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, contributing to a holistic approach to well-being.
• Shea Butter – offers excellent moisturizing properties. It helps to nourish and hydrate the skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and also contains anti-inflammatory compounds.
• Coconut Oil – the presence of lauric acid gives coconut oil antimicrobial properties. It is a great hydrator, softener, and is beneficial for soothing dry, irritated skin.
• Vitamin E Oil – is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals. It promotes hydration, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is often used as a natural preservative in all natural personal care products.

I invite you to witness the metamorphosis of your skin as it absorbs the goodness that using all natural personal care products provides.

I hope this post provided you with the information that you were looking for. Please feel free to leave a comment about your experiences with all natural personal care products.

Here’s to a choice for better living.

Maureen

References:

https://nyhealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/potentially-toxic-chemicals-personal-care-products.pdf