Toxins to Toss: What’s that on your face?

Toxins, toxins! Read all about it! So, the term ‘natural beauty’ is a hot topic in recent years and this may leave you with questions. 

What is natural beauty? Or, are toxins even a real thing? Yes! 

Toxins, in a simple definition, are any poisonous substances produced by bacteria, plants, or animals.

Toxins are very real and they surround us on a daily basis. They are in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the things we put on our skin, to name just a few sources.  

Our bodies are smart and equipped with a natural detox system. But toxins accumulate and are stored in our bodies. There can easily  be too many for the body to keep up with and detox efficiently.

This is when unpleasant symptoms and illnesses arise. Your body is telling you its toxic load has been reached. It’s crying for help!

Some of these toxins are easier to avoid than others. So why not take steps to do so when you can? 

A natural beauty routine does just that. We are trying to create a beauty routine that is more natural and less harmful to our bodies.

The Quest for a Natural Beauty Routine

Back in 2012 I started wondering what exactly was in my beauty products. Things I used each and every day.

Can I tell you the exact moment I started to think more about toxins and their dangers? Nope, lol. But it’s kind of just like a lightbulb went off.

And so it began…label reading. Or rather trying to read them. I could not actually pronounce so many items listed.

Reading labels is a bit like being Alice falling down the rabbit hole.

You begin obsessively reading everything. Then you start to really think about it. How on earth can these substances be allowed in our products? You have no idea what they are and you can’t even pronounce them.

Oh that’s right, corporate greed. Let’s make things last as long as possible, for as cheap as possible, and sell it at a ridiculous mark-up.

Anywho, knowledge leads to action. Before you know it you are abandoning all of your tried and true beauty favourites. 

Getting rid of some of your most coveted items may be hard in the beginning. But you will find natural brands that you love just as much, or even more! I speak from experience here. I have found many natural brands that I could not live without now.

You will end up being so grateful you started this journey and only left wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.

DIY is Always a Stellar Way to Natural Beauty!

I took this moment of enlightenment to begin doing something I had wanted to do for years. Really, years, about 15 of them lol.

This finally lit a fire under me to begin making my own beauty products. And you can do this too!

Flashback to 14 year old me watching Practical Magic and seeing Sandra Bullock’s delightful little shop filled with her magickal creations. I so wanted to have that!

Alas, life happens. Fast forward to 15 years later, I finally started created stuff. Better late than never is an incredibly true statement.

And there are so many DIY recipes out there for all of your beauty needs. And they mostly don’t require any crazy ingredients. Better still, you will know every single thing that goes into them. And toxins won’t be on the list.

You could start by trying out my LAVENDER CITRUS TONER RECIPE I have put up here on the blog. It is super simple and effective! 

Toxins to Toss: Let’s Go!

Needless to say, I became shocked and appalled with the beauty industry in general.

Some of the ingredients I was researching were linked to cancer, reproductive issues, allergies, skin conditions and environmental issues to name just a few.

So here I have compiled a list of 7 of the top toxins to avoid whenever you can.

I have to say this post took me a bit longer to write than most. I wanted to get the info out there so you knew what you were buying. But also not have it read like something out of a scientific journal, because boring. Lol. 

Hopefully I got the job done! Let’s begin!

1. Parabens

Found in – lotions, creams, make-up, hair care products, deodorants 

Concerns – Linked to breast cancer, premature aging and male reproductive functions.

Parabens are very commonly used in cosmetic products as a preservative (preventing bacteria growth and allowing them to last way longer than they should).

Since they have developed quite a bad rap in recent years it is getting much easier to find products without them.

However, unless it is labelled Paraben Free on the packaging there is a good chance the product contains them.

Names to watch out for include: methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben.

2. Phthalates

Found in – nail polish, liquid body wash, hair care products, fragranced moisturizers 

Concerns – Linked to birth defects, hormone disruption, breast cancer, reproductive issues.

Phthalates are generally used in products to make them softer and are in almost all synthetic fragrances to make the scents more potent.

Due to the fact that they are used in so many products from our cosmetics, to many types of plastics, to our food, we should avoid them wherever and whenever possible.

It is hard to know they are in products sometimes because they are often not listed on the ingredient list. Such as when a product lists ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient, it likely contains phthalates. But they are not obligated to actually say it. Nice, huh?

Best to be safe and choose products that clearly state Phthalate Free on the packaging.

3. Fragrance/Parfum

Found in – almost all beauty and body products including lotions, creams, hair products, body washes, deodorants, perfumes and the list goes on

Concerns – Linked to reproductive issues, cancers, allergies, migraines and skin sensitivities.

So fragrance is rather annoying because of what I mentioned above. They are not obligated to tell you exactly what is in it *cough harmful chemicals*.

In my opinion, fragrance in products is incredibly unnecessary anyways. And often synthetic fragrances smell like just that, synthetic (I am now scrunching my nose up because I can’t help it.)

Ahhh, the fresh smell of fake fragrance in the morning!

Umm no, nobody says that. But that is what you are smelling when you douse yourself in your favourite, and likely over-priced perfume, every morning. A lovely concoction of harmful chemicals.

Buy products that are scented with essential oils instead. They smell so much nicer anyways!

4. Coal Tar Dyes & Synthetic Colouring

Found in – hair dyes, lipsticks, eyshadows 

Concerns – Linked to cancers, birth defects, organ damage, nerve cell damage, skin irritation.

These dyes are labeled FD&C, D&C, (followed by a colour and a number), or CI’s followed by a number.

Coal Tar is a mixing pot of chemicals that originate from petroleum. Very prevalent in hair dyes with the darker shades having a more concentrated amount than the lighter ones.

If you love dying your hair (trust me I feel you!) you can always try using henna or one of the more natural brands on the market today.

Google is your friend here! Do some research and see what methods might suit your needs best.

Also best to go for more natural mineral make-up blends as opposed to the run of the mill drug store brands. They are full of synthetic colourings.

5. Sulfates (SLS & SLES)

Found in – shampoos, body washes & cleansers

Concerns – Often contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Both have been linked to cancer as well as skin and respiratory issues. 

SLS & SLES are often used in soaps and shampoos to create that soapy lather that occurs. Basically it makes things nice and foamy.

While this is a nice effect, it’s not a good enough reason to add chemicals to products if you ask me. We do not need our soap to lather up in a luxurious way to make us clean.

I actually once read, when I was a teenager, that the more a soap lathers the less effective it is. Lol. I have no idea if that is true! But the tidbit stuck with me 😛 

Unfortunately, there are, I believe, over 150 different ways that Sulfates can be listed on your product. This makes it super hard to avoid.

Like some of the other ingredients on here you can find more products now a days that are labelled SLS Free. Choose those ones!

Of course if you begin to buy natural brands, you should feel confident that sulfates, or any of the other no-no ingredients, will not be in there. 

6. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Found in – lotions, creams, lipstick, make-up, deodorant, hair products

Concerns – Linked to reproductive issues, hormone interference, organ toxicity and cancer.

BHA & BHT are also widely used as a cosmetic preservative. Do yourself a favour and skip it.

Side note, these little gems are also used as preservatives in our food (mmmm, yummy!).  

Sidebar: You can SUBSCRIBE and receive my complete Wholesome Kitchen Clean-up Guide. I talk a lot more about preservatives in food there.  

7. Triclosan and Triclocarban

Found in –  products labeled anti-bacterial or antimicrobial

Concerns – Linked to hormone imbalance and contributing to anti-biotic resistance in bacteria (a major health concern).

These are used as antibacterial agents. Our bodies protect us from germs. Exposure to germs is what builds our immune systems.

There is no reason to use any anti-bacterial products (die bacteria die!). Especially when they most definitely do more harm than good. The reason being, anti-bacterial products kill both the good and the bad bacteria.

And, some bad bacteria will endure the affects of these chemicals, in turn, coming back stronger creating super bacteria. Super Bacteria? Super no thank you.

Steps to Take

Not very nice right?

Are you feeling ready to get that natural beauty routine underway?

It gets easier all the time to go a more natural route. There are some stellar brands that have ingredients you can actually pronounce, humane practices, as well as vegan and organic options.

Or, of course, you can always start making your own! I will be doing more posts on that topic in the coming months. 

Shop Local & Start Small

Whatever neck of the woods you may live in I am sure there are also some local handmade brands that would love your support.

Shop the craft and farmer’s markets around your area. You are sure to find some magnificent toxin-free gems just waiting to be discovered.

Now, know that you can start small, change things out as you finish them (beauty products are expensive!). You don’t need to just toss everything out in one fell swoop. 

Shop around, find brands you would like to try out and go from there. And we all have that most favourite product that we do not want to get rid of. Work yourself up to that one and get rid of it last. You can do it!

Buyer Beware

Just a quick side note, as this could have a whole post all on it’s own (putting it on the list! Lol). 

Just because a product touts being ‘natural’, ‘clean’, or ‘green’ on the label does not necessarily make it safer for you.

Companies have gotten very creative with their labelling and using buzzwords to have consumers think the product is not filled with harmful ingredients.

Unfortunately, these ‘natural’ terms are not well regulated and easily manipulated. 

Example: The product says ‘made with all natural shea butter’. While that may be true , what else is in there with that all natural shea butter? 

So I digress, even if the product says ‘natural’, read the label, and do your research if necessary.

Environmental Working Group – Your New BFF

The Environmental Working Group website is amazeballs. Familiarize yourself with it!

EWG’s Skin-deep Database is a gold mine of information regarding all things toxic.

You can put any ingredient as well as specific products into the search and it will give you a toxin reading of 1-10 (try and stick to ingredients with the lowest ratings obvs).

I love this site! So useful! And an invaluable resource throughout your quest for a  natural beauty routine.

Talk to me!

Do you have any favourite natural beauty brands? Are you just beginning your journey? I want to hear from you! You can find me here, or on my socials; Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook 🙂 

And remember, you can also SUBSCRIBE to receive updates, special info and copies of my Wholesome Kitchen Clean-up Guide and fabulous Face Serum Mixology Chart as my thank you to you <3

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo