Did you know that an average woman uses around 12 beauty products with about 168 chemicals every single day?
We all approach self-care differently, prioritising some things based on our knowledge or marketing. Like in nutrition, some self-care practices and products either energise or drain us.
According to Ayurveda, you shouldn’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat. This makes sense, as the skin is the largest organ of our body, and everything it absorbs goes to our bloodstream. Have you ever thought about it? The more you understand about what’s in the products you use and how they were made, the more empowered you’ll be to make choices that support health.
The best products you can use are 100% natural, organic, green-beauty and sustainable. Sometimes we find “vegan”, “cruelty-free”, and “parabens-free” labels, but that doesn’t mean they are toxic-free. I’ve made a list of the ingredients you should avoid. Remember the first five ingredients on the label are the most important.
Fragrances: which contain between ten and hundreds of ingredients to create a smell
Colors and dyes: those which contain heavy metals and petroleum
Aluminium: it has been linked to Alzheimer’s and autism
Hydroquinone: an ingredient prevalent in hair conditioners and nail polishes
Parabens: a family of related chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic products. They can increase the amount of oestrogen, which is believed to cause breast cancer
Petroleum derivatives: if refined correctly, petrolatum ingredients are safe. With an incomplete refining history, however, they could potentially be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists 14 PAHs as probable or possible carcinogens and one PAH as a known carcinogen.
Phthalate:found in lotions, they can cause male infertility
Retino: damages free radicals and skin tissues
Triclosan: affects the gut microbiome
Silicones: impairs the skin
PEGs/PGs: worsen eczema, kidney and liver damage
Phenoxyethanol: found in shampoos and creams and used as a preservative. They have been linked to kidney damage.
This information will hopefully guide you to adopting a clean beauty practice that nourishes your skin and brings more light and joy into your life.
Paula Rey is a Holistic Health Coach, Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator, and Cacao and Embodiment Facilitator.
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