When people think about improving their health, they usually focus on eating better, exercising more, drinking more water or taking supplements.
These are all important, but there's one area that often gets overlooked...Your personal care products!
Everything from your makeup & skincare to your shampoo, lotion, perfume, deodorant & nail products can influence your exposure to chemicals.
Today, I want to focus on makeup because it's something many women use every single day.
Clean makeup isn't just about beauty. It's about protecting your health!
As a Functional Medicine Coach, Nutritionist and Traditional Naturopath, one of my foundational pillars of health is Low-Tox Living because what you put ON your body matters too!
Some conventional makeup & personal care products contain ingredients that have raised concerns about endocrine disruption.
Endocrine disruptors are substances that can interfere with normal hormone signaling. Depending on the chemical, level of exposure & other factors, they may affect reproductive health, thyroid function or other hormone-related processes.
Our skin is our largest organ, and while it provides an important protective barrier, certain ingredients can be absorbed through it. What we apply to our skin doesn't necessarily stay on the surface!
Our bodies have sophisticated systems for processing & eliminating substances, including the liver & kidneys. Reducing unnecessary exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is one practical way to support long-term health.
This doesn't mean every conventional makeup product is dangerous or that every product labeled "clean" is automatically safer. The ingredients, their concentrations & how frequently we're exposed to them are what matter.
When you're applying products to your skin every single day, it's worth considering those repeated exposures.
It may seem like a small amount, but think about using those products every day, every week, every month for YEARS! Repeated exposure matters!
Researchers sometimes use the term body burden to describe the amount of certain chemicals present in the body. Some chemicals accumulate over time, while others are processed & eliminated relatively quickly.
That's why I encourage being intentional about the products we bring into our homes & use on our bodies.
My own health journey taught me the importance of this firsthand.
I experienced significant improvements in many of my health struggles through changes to nutrition, targeted supplementation, exercise & stress management.
But despite doing so many of the right things, my Hashimoto's hadn't gone into remission.
The missing piece in my own health journey? Reducing my chemical exposure!
Once I began making intentional swaps in the products I used every day, including my makeup, my Hashimoto's finally went into remission! It's been in remission for 13 years!
I can't say that changing my personal care products was the sole reason, but it was an important turning point in my health journey & one of the reasons I'm so passionate about Low-Tox Living.
Please don't underestimate the importance of the products you use every day!
The good news is that making changes doesn't have to be overwhelming or expensive.
Start with the products you use most frequently. As something runs out, look for an alternative with ingredients you're comfortable using. Pay particular attention to fragrance, ingredient transparency & products that come into contact with your skin regularly.
You don't need to replace everything overnight. Progress, not perfection! Over time, these intentional choices can help reduce unnecessary exposures & create a healthier home environment.
If you're ready to start making some swaps, here are the makeup brands I personally use & recommend:
Thrive Causemetics
Get $15 off your first order of $50 or more.
Get $15 off your first order of $50 or more.
These are some of my personal favorites, although I still encourage checking individual product ingredients since formulations can vary.
If you'd like to learn more about reducing chemical exposures as part of a comprehensive approach to wellness, The Weight Loss & Wellness Club includes Low-Tox Living as one of my foundational pillars of health.
And if you have questions about the products I've recommended or need help deciding where to start, please reach out!
Your health is influenced by more than what you eat & how you exercise. What you use on your body & bring into your home deserves attention too!
Some product links above are referral or affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission or other benefit if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.
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