Did you know the cosmetic industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and yet it is not regulated by the FDA? Companies do not have to disclose the ingredients they use, but they can claim to be “green”, “clean” or “all-natural” (even though they are anything but!). It’s known as Green-Washing, and it’s pretty sad that so many companies participate in it.
Statistics show that the average woman uses 12 different beauty products every single day. Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs everything we put on it into our body. So imagine the cumulative effect of 12 different products that contain toxic chemicals and questionable ingredients over years of use.
Here are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to toxic chemicals in skincare:
- Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl)
- Phthalates
- BHA & BHT
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate(SLES)
- Aluminum
- Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA)
- Triclosan
- Propylene Glycol
- DMDM Hydantoin & Urea
- Formaldehyde
- Fragrance
- Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate)
These chemicals have been linked to skin reactions, organ toxicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory problems, and cancer! If you want to take a deeper dive into this subject and learn more about these and other chemicals many companies are putting into their products, check out this helpful article!
Not sure where your favorite beauty products stand when it comes to ingredients? Check out the Environmental Working Group’s super helpful website Skin Deep. You can search for your favorite brands and products and view the safety rating of each. From sunscreens to deodorants, it’s important to see the safety rating of products you are using every day and the possible health problems they could be causing.
You might feel overwhelmed at the thought of switching to non-toxic products, or you may think it’s just not in your budget to do so. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can start upgrading to clean, nontoxic products that are safe and effective, one product at a time.
Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll share my top tips and recommendations for cleaning up your beauty products! I can’t wait to share with you my favorites!
