Are you ready to do some spring cleaning? I’m referring to external cleaning as well as internal.
In the world of Ayurveda, we place a great deal of emphasis on internal cleansing in the spring – removing excess weight and clearing lingering toxicity from our digestive tracts. I give you the 10-Day Community Cleanse as an example. In this seasonal program, we use the simple food of kitchari and the golden elixir of bitter ghee to address our internal landscape. Thus, we become good stewards of our internal landscape.
As the External, So the Internal
What’s happening on the surface has ramifications underneath. Your skin is a living, breathing organ with an entire microbial universe living on it. What goes on your skin can not only disrupt the microbiome but can subsequently seep into your body disrupting a host of systems. Do you know what’s lurking in your bathroom cabinets? In your cosmetic bag? In your lipstick case?
Does Your Bathroom Need a Makeover?
There are toxic chemicals in our cosmetics, sunscreens and skin care products that have gone unregulated as far back as the Great Depression. Turns out, the FDA doesn’t require basic safety testing of ingredients in personal care products before they’re used. Undoubtedly what we are putting on our body matters. For example, one study found that women who use make up absorb almost 5 pounds of chemicals into their bods each year. Five pounds!! It’s time for a Bathroom Makeover!
Big Offenders
It is truly surprising the number of harmful substances lurking in our bathroom cabinets, drawers, and cosmetic case. Just one look at my travel kit and I’m immediately falling down the rabbit hole of overwhelm. Let’s KISS: keep it simple sister. A Bathroom Makeover doesn’t need to be a crisis intervention (although in some cases this might work). So let’s start small. To begin with, I’ll list the three biggest offenders.
Parabens – a group of chemicals used as artificial preservatives since the 1920’s. Think: shelf life. Many of our cosmetics contain ingredients that can biodegrade, so these chemicals are added to prevent and reduce the growth of bacteria and mold. The concern with parabens is that they disrupt hormones, affect fertility and birth outcomes, cause skin irritation and can increase the risk of cancer.
Phthalates – this is a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are widely used and have been linked dto low sperm counts/mobility, hormonal changes (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone … I’m looking at you “low T”), obesity, Type II Diabetes, insulin resistance, and thyroid irregularities. Phthalates are used to maintain the scent of fragrances in colognes, perfumes, hair products, deodorants, lotions, and body washes.
Fragrance – there are over 3,000 chemical ingredients that hide behind the word ‘fragrance’ in perfumes, colognes, body sprays and more. You’ll see signature aromas with terms like ‘floral’, exotic’, or ‘musky’, but few will actually disclose that these formulas are actually a complex cocktail of natural essences and synthetic chemicals (like phthalates!) which disrupt our hormones and have been linked to reproductive challenges.
Now What?
I’ve got three terrific tools for you.
- For starters, head over to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. Type in the brand of your fave cosmetic, lotion, or styling product for the score. Once you know what you’re dealing with, make the changes necessary.
- Ditch your face cleanser and opt instead for the natural and effective ‘oil cleansing method’. It may seem counterintuitive to wash your face with oil, but this is a MUST TRY. Jojoba oil is super terrific, however you can get started with coconut oil, avocado oil, even olive oil. Give it a try; you will never go back to the harsh, stripping, chemical-heavy soaps!
- Another excellent resource is the Yuka app. Since you practically need a PhD in biochemistry to read labels and decipher ingredients these days, this app is a lifesaver. With a quick scan, you will discover the health impact of all your personal care products and additionally get recommendations for healthier, cleaner alternatives. Download it for free, then simply scan the barcode on the product label. This app is so much fun and educational, my 82 year old mother is even using it!
Check out their latest article on endocrine disruptors, then get to scanning!
Happy, healthy skin = happy healthy body.
You are what you wear….
