Choosing Better Personal Care Products
As a dietitian I put a LOT of thought into the things I ingest. But what about the things I touch and the things I inhale? Chemical compounds can enter our body through ingestion, through our skin and through our lungs, for better or for worse. And while our body is designed to detoxify itself constantly, the modern toxin load is higher than ever before. Making a conscious effort to reduce this toxic load is absolutely worth it when it comes to long term health. Check out the video above for a tour of my bathroom, and read on for more details and product links!
Overarching Principles
I have a fairly encyclopedic knowledge of food additives and ingredients, but when it comes to personal care products I start to feel very lost. Reading a shampoo bottle can feel more confusing than college-level organic chemistry! So I rely heavily on the Environmental Working Group to decide whether a product is suitable for my home. They have a massive database of products which they judge based on a number of criteria include reproductive safety, carcinogens, asthma and allergies and more.
One thing I do know to look for is fragrance. The term “fragrance” on an ingredient label bears very little meaning. Companies are not required to state how the fragrance was derived, despite the fact that some have been linked to cancer, reproductive disfunction, asthma and allergies. These chemicals can accumulate in the body and have been found in breast milk. Bottom line - I don’t buy anything scented with “fragrance.” It’s easy these days to find great products scented with essential oils.
DIY Options
Speaking of essential oils, did you know you can make many personal care products at home? Compared to store-bought options of similar quality, homemade products can add up to big savings. It’s not for everyone, since it’s definitely a smidge more work, but if you’re up for it you have to check out The Beginner’s Guide to Essential Oils. The author has compiled 100 recipes for everything from face serum and deodorant to dish soap and carpet refresher. I’ve loved everything I’ve made so far!
Supporting Small Business
If you just can’t with another DIY, a lot of small business have popped up lately to fill this space in the market. Some of my favorites are:
There’s Always Amazon
If you prefer to buy stuff on Amazon (hey, I get it), there’s also plenty of bigger brands that are stepping up and creating better products. Big brands are almost always listed in the Environmental Working Group database, so that’s a good way to figure out if their health claims are the real deal. Some of the products in my bathroom that I’m hooked on include:
Dr. Bronners Liquid Castile Soap (John uses it as body wash)
Dr. Bronners Bar Soap (I use it as body wash)
One other fun product I want to point out is a natural loofa sponge. I’m a stickler for avoiding plastic in my kitchen, particularly if it’s going to be heated. But for a long time I didn’t think twice about taking a steaming hot shower and rubbing a plastic loofa all over my body. Little did I know, the word loofa comes from an actual plant that produces natural sponges. These sponges make awesome exfoliators and can replace that tattered plastic loofa once and for all!
Hopefully this helps you move forward in your health journey. As always, this info is never meant to overwhelm, but rather to inspire you to take one more baby step towards a healthier life.