After the glow
I can thank my journey through infertility for my skin. This is me, 41, no filter, no make-up. I attribute the fact that things are holding up pretty well to the things I eliminated and the goodness I replaced them with. There are thousands of known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors (think fertility and hormones), and allergens that are in almost every product you come across. When I started checking my labels, I was furious. EVERY. PRODUCT. in my bathroom contained more than one of these toxic ingredients.
Statistics that should cause you to want to check every label in your home:
1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will have CANCER by age 60!!!
90-95% of Cancers are caused by environmental factors (aka things we breathe in and the things we put in and on our bodies) - meaning only 5-10% are genetic
the European Union has banned 1,328 harmful ingredients, most of which are still allowed here in our country!
Check your Shampoos, body wash, face wash, mouth wash, toothpaste, toners, make-up, soaps and deodorant for these ingredients that you will want to DITCH:
SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: known to cause or contribute to skin irritation, acne, cystic acne (especially around the mouth and chin), disruption of skin’s natural oil balance, canker sores, and eye damage.
Parabens - the FDA acknowledges (via several studies) that parabens mimic estrogen and are linked to breast cancer, skin cancer, and decreased sperm count! Parabens are endocrine disruptors that may cause reproductive & developmental disorders. (Remind me again why it is legal to include these in any product?)
BHA - butylated hydroxyanisole is often in exfoliants and perfumes - The National Toxicology program classifies this as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” and has been linked to skin depigmentation, liver damage, stomach cancers and interferes with normal reproductive system development and thyroid hormone levels
Triclosan & Triclocarban - linked to hormone disruption, bacterial resistance, impaired muscle and immune function, and increased allergies.
Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, & Phenylenediamine (Coal Tar) - a byproduct of coal processing and a known human carcinogen! watch out for these most often found in hair dye, as well as dandruff and psoriasis shampoos
Polyethylene/ PEGs - frequently contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which is rated as a probable human carcinogen that readily penetrates the skin (think of those tiny beads in face and lip scrubs). They aren’t filtered by our sewage systems, either, which means they can collect pollutants and travel into waterways consumed by fish and marine animals.
Retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, “Retinol” - often in anti-aging products, they are rated “unsafe” while pregnant or nursing (which if something isn’t safe during these times… why is it safe any other?) this product strips skin layers and actually makes your skin layers thinner over time, which will ultimately have the opposite effect of what you want to achieve by using them. They become ineffective in sunlight and can increase your likelihood of burning. They are also skin irritants that can cause redness and itching.
Petroleum distillates - found in mascara - may cause contact dermatitis and are often contaminated with cancer-causing impurities. they are produced in oil refineries next to automobile fuel, heating oil, and chemical feedstocks (Ewwwww!)
“Fragrance”/ Parfum - this is basically a code word for ANYTHING DISGUSTING, CANCER CAUSING, ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING, CAUSING RESPIRATORY DISTRESS AND ALLERGIES, etc. that a company wants to put in their product, because Federal law doesn’t require companies to list the chemicals in a fragrance mixture. The EWG and Campaign for safe cosmetics found an average of 14 harmful chemicals in 17 name-brand fragrance products, none of them listed on the label!
Oxybenzone - alters sperm production and is linked to endometriosis in women!!! (found in sunscreen)
Dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde - the “toxic trio” found in nail polishes that is linked to birth defects, endocrine disruption, headaches and respiratory problems. These are concerning for nail salon workers and those who frequently get manis or pedis. Look for nail polish brands that have pledged to remove these chemicals like Essie, OPI, and Zoya!
Any other Pthalate- known to damage the Liver, Kidney, lungs, and reproductive system.
Hydroquinone - skin lightening product that can cause an irreversible skin disease called ochronosis and can contain mercury!
So, what can you use instead!?!? Where do you go when you’ve decided you are ready to ditch all the junk? I jumped on Young Living’s Essential rewards program right from the start and worked through replacing everything on a budget. Month by month I tackled something new, earning points along the way that I used to pick up free products that allowed me to eventually ditch and switch every toxic product. Here is my SUPER CLEAN skin routine:
ART Skin care face wash & toner - I love this 100% pure plant based system, enhanced with some of the BEST Essential oils for skin support like Frankincense, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Lavender, and Melissa. I wash my face with the cleanser with warm water to release dirt and impurities and then follow with the toner to balance the pH of my skin and help tighten the pores again.
I make my own DIY skin serum that is so simple, but has made such a difference. Young Living Essential oils have the most amazing standards for purity, beyond Organic, and my sensitive skin LOVES them. Its especially good for dark circles under the eye, too!
10 drops Frankincense
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Copaiba
5 drops Geranium
5 drops Blue Tansy
add to a 2oz dropper bottle and top off with Organic Jojoba or Rosehip oil
Once my serum has set, I seal in the goodness with either the ART Light Moisturizer or the ART Intensive Moisturizer (which is my all time favorite)
Young Living’s Lavender lip balm treats my lips and is literally the BEST chapstick EVER. I also use it as a moisturizer for dry cuticles or a primer for eye make-up. It heals and soothes my lips like no other.
The European Union has banned thousands of chemicals that the U.S. still permits in our products, so when looking at makeup, be sure to research your products carefully and avoid these harmful toxins.
These products are 100% plant based, fragranced with pure therapeutic essential oils, and they WORK! Obviously my health has made a huge turn around and I know that making these swaps has been a HUGE reason why. From infertile to mama of FIVE… from fatigued to completely healing my Autoimmune Thyroid disease, etc. it was worth making this changes consistently over time. I’m here to help you do the same! Are you ready?
