Lathering Bodies with Chemical Slurries

We Need to Wake Up.

The European Union has either restricted or completely banned more than 1,300 chemicals used in personal care products. In the US? Only eleven. The Guardian reports “The pendulum has swung in an extreme way and it’s really going to take a general awakening by the public.”

Poisoning Our Young Girls.

In March of 2019, the FDA advised consumers to stop using several cosmetic products from the popular Tween-aged shop, Claire’s. Three products tested contained tremolite asbestos. Apparently, approval of personal care products is not required by the FDA before being sold yet the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act has not been updated since its enactment in 1938!

Hormones in Adolescence and Pregnancy.

Phthalate chemicals help lotion penetrate the skin. They also bring durability and flexibility to things made from plastic, like shower curtains. They keep fragrances from fading. And they can also disrupt our delicate hormonal balance. Messing with an adolescent’s hormonal balance is certainly not advisable, nor is it safe during pregnancy or nursing!

Make the Switch.

What’s encouraging is switching to low-chemical personal care products has been shown to cut blood levels of certain substances in just three days, and there are several resources to help you check the safety of ingredients and choose safer personal care products:

• Skin Deep database by the Environmental Working Group
• Made Safe’s Hazard List of Chemicals, Materials & Ingredients
• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

And while you’re at it, check out Hugh & Grace. They have developed the first of its kind, hormone-safe self-care products.

Scanning Barcodes While Shopping.

Download these apps to scan as you shop!
• Think Dirty, Shop Clean (Campaign for Safe Cosmetics)
• Healthy Living (Environmental Working Group)