Many people know about the importance of eating healthy in order to stay well. But, did you know it’s just as important to look at the products you’re putting ON your body as the ones you put IN your body.
There are lots of nasty chemicals in your home that could be making you & your family sick. That is why one of the best ways to make small changes in your home is to be aware of what ingredients to avoid. So, let’s talk about the other Dirty Dozen.
This Dirty Dozen lists twelve ingredients that I suggest avoiding when choosing products for your home.
Now this is quite a lot of information coming your way so grab a coffee, take a seat, & settle in!
Dirty Dozen List
1. BHA & BHT are Endocrine disruptors (see below for what this means) & carcinogens (cancer-causing) & are used mainly in cosmetics as preservatives.
2. Coal tar dyes are carcinogens & have a heavy metal toxicity. Nevertheless, you can find them in many processed foods, lipstick, hair dyes.
3. DEA-related ingredients – also carcinogens. Look for them in creamy or foaming products, such as moisturizers & shampoos.
4. Dibutyl phthalates are Endocrine disruptors, as well as reproductive toxicants. You’ll find them most commonly in nail care products. Air fresheners contain phthalates & are quite harmful. As women we definitely don’t want to be breathing these in & neither do our children or the men in our lives.
5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are carcinogens too. Cosmetic companies use them as preservatives. They’re highly toxic systemic poisons that are absorbed well by inhalation. The vapor is a severe respiratory tract & skin irritant & may cause dizziness or suffocation. You can also find them in air fresheners. Why would they put this stuff in something that is designed to be inhaled????
6. Parabens are Endocrine disruptors & they may interfere with male reproduction. You’ll find them in lots of personal care products & also as preservatives in cosmetics.
Phew! Take a deep breath… there are still 6 more!
7. Parfum/Fragrance are carcinogens & can cause neurotoxicity, allergies & skin sensitivities. Cosmetic companies use them to add ‘aroma’. Unfortunately they add a LOT more nasty side effects as well. Ironically, companies don’t have to disclose the ingredients due to “trade secret”.
8. PEG compounds: can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane which may be a carcinogen. This ingredient is commonly used as the base for cosmetic creams.
9. Petrolatum – another carcinogen. You’ll find it used in hair products to give ‘shine’ & as the moisture barrier in lip balms/sticks.
10. Siloxanes are also Endocrine disruptors, as well as a reproductive toxicant. You’ll find them added to your cosmetics to ‘soften, smooth & moisten’.
11. Sodium laureth sulfates are carcinogens. Companies use these in foaming cosmetics, shampoos, cleansers, & bubble bath.
12. Triclosans are also Endocrine disruptors & can cause antibiotic resistance. You’re probably absorbing these through your toothpastes, cleansers, & antiperspirants.
What is an Endocrine Disruptor?
We mentioned endocrine disruptors above ( a lot!), but what exactly are they & what do they do?
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system & produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, & immune effects in both humans & wildlife. According to the Environmental Working Group, “There is no end to the tricks that endocrine disruptors can play on our bodies: increasing production of certain hormones; decreasing production of others; imitating hormones; turning one hormone into another; interfering with hormone signalling; telling cells to die prematurely; competing with essential nutrients; binding to essential hormones; accumulating in organs that produce hormones.”
If you want to know more about hormones & if yours are out of balance then check out our blog "Would you know if your hormones are out of balance?”
Ditch the Dirty Dozen & Switch to Healthy
It’s is easy to make the switch to natural, safer products that don’t mess with your hormones; just buy from a trusted company like Young Living. You can’t always trust the advertising at the supermarket, as many companies do what is called ‘greenwashing’. This is where they stick a picture of the world on their packaging or use the term ‘earth friendly’ so we’ll believe that their products are safe.
Always check the ingredients because Believe me – they aren’t!
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