When I first started learning about nutrition, I thought it was the only key to being healthy. But over time, I realized that health is a complex picture that includes mindfulness, exercise, and reducing exposure to harmful environmental toxins, including the beauty products we use.

After traveling the country for years, I finally found a functional medicine doctor who could help me find the cause of my debilitating pain. I was diagnosed with Systemic Mastocytosis, an incurable disease that can lead to organ failure, cancer, and anaphylactic shock. I also had high levels of heavy metals, activated Epstein-Barr virus, Lyme disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

This was a lot to take in, but it also motivated me to reduce my toxic overload, including what came from my beauty products. I did a complete overhaul, but you don’t need to throw all your makeup and skincare out at once. Simply swapping out one or two items can make a world of difference.

Why are beauty products important for overall health?

Beauty products are often absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, where they can travel to various organs and tissues. Some of the chemicals found in beauty products have been linked to health problems such as cancer, skin irritation, and hormonal disruption.

Here is a list of the top eight offenders you can eliminate from your skincare regimen:

  1. FRAGRANCE: This is by far one of the most toxic ingredients on any label—and it’s the sneakiest. These engineered scents contain any combination of 3,000+ chemicals and are linked to SO many health conditions, including hormone disruption, kidney damage and skin sensitivities. Try to find products with only essential oils.
  2. MEA (Monoethanolamine), DEA (Diethanolamine), or TEA (Triethanolamine): Found in shampoo, conditioner and body wash, these are chemical preservatives and they literally irritate your skin and body. Look for them under their aliases: Cocamide DEA, Cocamide MEA, DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate, Lauramide DEA, Linoleamide MEA, Myristamide DEA, Oleamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate, Triethanolamine
  3. BENZYL SALICYLATE: Lurking in most makeups and perfumes, this chemical acts as an endocrine disruptor, immune system toxicant and allergen.
  4. PEG COMPOUNDS: Widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners and moisture-carriers, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, both carcinogens. Why risk it?
  5. PROPYLENE GLYCOL: This chemical is really good at binding water—so it’s in fragrance, moisturizers and hair products to help retain moisture. But it’s really bad for your health (did I mention it’s in antifreeze?). It’s also everywhere—LUSH cosmetics alone uses it in over 65 of its products. 
  6. PHTHALATES: These plasticizing chemicals are used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. As a side effect, they disrupt the endocrine system and may even cause birth defects.
  7. WATER: Wait…what? Okay, water itself is not a contaminate but when it’s used as an ingredient it comes with a load of preservatives, added to prevent bacterial growth but also adding health risks like hormone disruption and cancer.
  8. TALC: Often contaminated with asbestos (a highly toxic mineral), talc’s many health concerns include skin irritations, organ system toxicity, respiratory distress and serious cancer risks.

Enjoy 10% off with code nourishinglab10

My Daily Skincare Routine

primally pure

akskajsa

Oil cleansing absolutely changed my skin. It sounds counterproductive cleaning with oil but watch this.

Oil Cleansing Tutorial

Hello, Facial Serums!primally pure soothing serum

I have been using the soothing facial serum (just 4-6 drops a day) for a while now. I am loving how my skin has less breakouts and the tone is more even. Those blotches are diminishing. That is a win, win for me and for you too!

The soothing serum contains powerful anti-inflammatory and restorative ingredients (including Pumpkin Seed Oil, Ashwagandha and Pau D’Arco) that reduce redness and inflammation, repair and strengthen damaged skin, and deeply soothes to support a calm, balanced complexion.

Check out My Favorites

Rich Foliage Banner (1)
Rich Foliage Banner (2)
Rich Foliage Banner (3)
Rich Foliage Banner
previous arrow
next arrow

Natural deodorant is all the buzz, but does it really work? I’ve tried many different brands since learning that my old deodorant was full of aluminum, and I’m convinced that putting aluminum on your lymph nodes to stop your glands from sweating is a bad idea. Sweating is a natural way for your body to detox, and over time, your sweating will subside.

Switching to natural deodorant is definitely worth it, and there’s a cumulative effect: the longer you use it, the better it works. I personally love Primally Pure, but there are many other great brands out there.

Keep in mind that your skin may need different products at different times, depending on stress, physical activity, diet, and other factors. For example, your skin may be more oily in the summer and drier in the winter. This is normal and shows that your body is adapting and healing.

melissa