If you read my last two blog posts, you know some clean alternatives for skincare and cosmetics. I am going to share more clean swaps for other personal care products you may be using every day. Think about all the products you have in your bathroom right now. Women use an average of 12 products containing 168 ingredients daily, and men use about 6 personal care products containing 85 ingredients daily.
Conditions such as infertility, endometriosis, and thyroid disorders are all on the rise, and are affected by exposures to chemicals and toxins in our environment.
Toothpaste
Conventional toothpastes contain serious toxins and major detergents. It is also a common irritant/allergen.
Many conventional toothpastes have fluoride in them. Fluoride is a byproduct of aluminum, which is a severe neurotoxin. I always decline fluoride treatments at the dentist for myself and my kids. Take a look at your toothpaste. Does it have a warning on the back that says “keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately”. This warning is there because children who swallow too much fluoride can suffer acute poisoning, and even death.
I use Dr. Bronner’s all in one toothpaste. It is made of 70% organic ingredients. It is fluoride and SLS- free (so you will not find that warning on this toothpaste). It uses organic menthol crystals to freshen your breath naturally. Organic coconut flour and fair trade organic coconut oil helps gently remove plaque and whited teeth, and organic aloe helps sooth gums. It is vegan and cruelty free, with no artificial colors or flavors, carrageenan, preservatives, synthetic detergent foaming agents or sweeteners.
For the kids, we use Norwex’s kids toothpaste- this is another company I absolutely love and will have an entire post on later.
Deodorant
Conventional deodorants contain ingredients like aluminum (which is a toxic heavy metal), propylene glycol, parabens, triclosan, silica, and more. I use Schmidt’s natural deoderant. They have a variet of scents to choose from. It is made with plant-based powder instead of aluminum, coconut oil, candellia wax, vitamin E, and shea butter. Essential oils stop odors from forming. The following ingredients can be found in conventional deoderants.
Aluminum– A toxic heavy metal. Some evidence links aluminum to cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease
Phthalates– Endocrine disruptors often also found in plastic that can cause hormone imbalance and even infertility (especially in men)
Propylene glycol– Common name: antifreeze. It is a hotly debated additive in personal care products but the Environmental Working Group reports that it carries a moderate risk of immunotoxicity and allergies
Formaldehyde- A known carcinogen.
Parabens- Another hormone disruptor, and parabens have been found in biopsied tissue with breast cancer
Antibacterial Substances- endocrine disruptors and can negatively affect the immune system
If you are afraid a natural deodorant just won’t cut it, try using Beautycounter's Counter+ charcoal facial mask or the Counter+ Charcoal Cleansing Bar on your arm pits. This mask will draw out toxins built up from years of using conventional deodorants and antiperspirants.
You can also try this mask below.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
- 1.5 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons water
Directions
- Mix the clay and vinegar with a spoon or two of water to achieve a paste-like consistency.
2. Spread a thin layer on each armpit, leaving on for ~15 minutes.
3. Rinse off in the shower using a soft washcloth then dry the armpits thoroughly. Then apply natural deodorant.
4. Repeat every few days at first until your body odor has settled down if it’s strong.
5. Drink a LOT of water and be sure to move your body each day!
Shave Cream/After Shave
Beautycounter's Counterman Smoothing Shave Cream Featuring shea butter, aloe, and our Sequoia Stem Cell Complex, it works to soothe, hydrate, and protect skin from everyday environmental stress. Fragrance free.
Beautycounter's Counterman Cooling Aftershave Tonic helps to calm post-shave irritation, boost the skin’s resiliency, and protect skin from environmental stressors.
Floss
Floss is often made of plastic; plastic can contain harmful chemicals. Two of the primary concerns are phthalates and bisphenols (BPA).
This coco floss is made of 500 plus fiber polyester filaments and coated in coconut oil, so it is easy to slide between teeth.
Nail polish-
I love the non-toxic nail polish and nail polish remover from a company called Cote. I used to bring my own nail polish and nail polish remover with me to the nail salon, until recently when i found a non-toxic nail salon near my house.
I still use my Cote polish and remover when I give myself a manicure or pedicure at home. The polish is cruelty free, vegan, and free of the major toxins found in other nail polishes (formaldehyde resin, and triphenyl phosphate). The polish remover is made of rosemary leaf extract, aloe vera juice, glycerin, and alcohol.
Lip Conditioner
Beautycounter’s lip conditioner- made with soothing and softening avocado oil, shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil, and jojoba oil.
Hand wash and hand cream
Beautycounter’s hand wash and hand cream – made with nourishing ingredients, organic aloe and calming chamomile.
Kids shampoo, body wash, and conditioner
For the kids, use Beautycounter’s kids shampoo, body wash, and conditioner.
Shampoo and conditioner
Conventional shampoos are made with silicone, microplastics, sulfates, and other detergents.
Honest Company’s shampoo are made without harmful chemicals that can irritate your skin. It is made mostly of natural ingredients like sweet almond, jojoba, aloe vera, and coconut oil.
Beautycounter’s shampoo is sulfate-free and made with antioxidants. Beautycounter's lightweight conditioner uses a nourishing mix of vitamins and fatty acids.
Hairspray/Pomade
John Masters Organics Hairspray- This lightweight organic hair spray leaves hair perfectly in place and touchably soft without the synthetic polymers or plasticizing agents found in conventional hair sprays. John Masters also makes a non toxic hair pomade.
Tampons/Pads
Because the vaginal walls are incredibly permeable, any chemicals in a tampon can make it to the bloodstream, where it can present a toxic burden to the body.
Cotton tampons may contain glyphpsate (the main ingredient in round up). It is suspected to be a cancer causing agent. The World Health Organization recently ruled it as “probably carcinogenic”. Chronic exposure increases our risk of cancer, causes oxidative stress and metabolic changes, and disrupts our endocrine system. This can contribute to adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immunological effects.
the FDA say that tampons are safe, and that the level of dioxins—a very dangerouss chemical, and a by-product of bleaching—are so low that they pose no health risk
The clean swap- Honest Company’s tampons are made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and offers a plant-derived plastic compact applicator.
Made without rayon, polyester, fragrances and deodorants, glues and adhesives, polypropylene and phthalates, chlorine/chlorine dioxide processing, antibacterial agents, synthetic zeolites.
Honest Company Pads are also made of 100% organic cotton.
Condoms/lubricants
Many commonly sold lubricants have parabens and other toxic ingredients in them. Exposure to parabens has been associated with cancer and reproductive health issues and hormone imbalances like fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, and PMS.
Many standard lubricants also contain other potentially toxic ingredients like glycerin which can contribute to yeast infections; propylene glycol, which can be irritating to the skin; chlorhexidine gluconate, and antibacterial that can kill healthy vaginal bacteria.
Parabens have also been associated with the rise in prostate cancer. Testosterone levels can also be reduced with exposure, which contributes to reduced libido, erectile disfunction, and loss of muscle mass.
Ideally, you want to find a vegan, paraben-free, glycerin-free, Nonoxynal-9-free, and benzocaine- and lidocaine-free condom.
Many companies use chemicals in the processing of the latex. Nitrosamine, for example, is a by-product of latex production. Nitrosamine is a known carcinogen, and while the amount in condoms is very small, we still need to be mindful of our total daily exposure to chemicals and toxins.
Sustain Natural Condoms are free of harmful chemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrances and animal by-products. Bonus: They donate 1% of our profits to support women's health organizations in the United States. Their condoms are FDA cleared, Vegan, Fair Trade, and sustainably produced.
Province Apothecary Sex Oil is a great non toxic lubricant. This oil is made with coconut and sunflower seed oil, it's infused with vitamin E, evening primrose oil, and rosemary leaf extract. Word to the wise: Oils compromise the efficacy and integrity of latex condoms. If you need a lubricant that plays well with latex condoms, see The Sex Gel by Nécessaire.
Organic Cotton Towels and Bath Mats
Conventional cotton is the most heavily sprayed crop. Most people think of cotton as "natural", but the reality is that conventional cotton is grown with genetically modified seeds and sprayed heavily with round up (the primary ingredient is glyphosate, which is linked to cancer) and other toxic pesticides. These chemicals persist in the fabric even after manufacturing.
Organic cotton towels like these from Coyuchi are GOTS certified, which is the top certification for ecologically and socially responsible practices throughout every step in the supply chain. This means that it's at least 95% organic fiber, but it's also free of a long list of chemicals that may be harmful to you, the planet, or the person producing it.
Organic Shower Curtain
Vinyl and plastic #3 shower curtains off-gas Volatile Organic Compouds (VOCs), that can cause developmental and reproductive system damage, irritate skin and eyes, and harm the liver and respiratory tract, some linked to cancer.
Shower curtains also contain phthalates, lead, and other problematic chemicals that can enter our air, or breakdown into house dust.
Fabric shower curtains are your safest option. Check out these organic options from Coyuchi.
Shower Filter
Did you know that people absorb 100 times more chlorine in a 10-minute unfiltered shower than they do from drinking a gallon of water?
I do not have this shower filter, we have a whole house water filter (more on this coming in a full post about water very soon).
The Berkey Shower Filter works on a similar principle to a catalytic converter in an automobile. Inside the shower filter, free chlorine is converted into a harmless chloride. The scientific name for this chemical reaction taking place inside the Berkey shower filter is known as "Reduction-Oxidation," commonly referred to as Redox. Redox reactions can be chemically complex. Simply stated, during a Redox reaction electrons are transferred between molecules, creating new elements. For instance, when free chlorine comes in contact with the Berkey filtration media, it is changed into a benign, water-soluble chloride. This reaction changes free-chlorine to a larger chloride element, too large to evaporate or be absorbed by the skin.
Toilet Paper
We use this Caboo Tree Free Bamboo Toilet Paper with Septic Safe Biodegradable Bath Tissue for both health and environmental purposes. It is Hypoallergenic, lint free, BPA free, fragrance free, free of elemental chlorine, and non-GMO project verified. Sugarcane and Bamboo are among the fastest growing grasses on Earth and require only soil, sun, and natural rainwater to grow. After harvest they grow back from their roots, in as little as 3-4 months, which is 120 times faster than traditional hardwoods. Here are some more benefits.
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