Hi Frennnsss! I’m kicking this blog thing off with 3 EASY non-toxic product swaps you can make today to start living a healthier life!
I’ve been transitioning to a clean life for a few years and would love for you to join me! So many of the products we love and use every day contain really nasty stuff. So here you’ll find the 3 non-toxic product swaps I found to be the easiest to get started with living a healthier life!
Why Does It Matter?
Listen, after my breakdown in 2019, I seize any opportunity to live a healthier life. I had a general working knowledge of what it meant to live a healthy lifestyle: eat well, move your body, stay hydrated, eliminate stress. Cool. These things were fully in my control. When I made bad decisions, at least I was aware. Experiencing Postpartum Depression + Anxiety in 2019, set me on a search for answers about what was happening to me. That’s when I discovered there are sneaky little toxins commonly found in products I use regularly. These substances were potentially making a bad and hormonal situation, worse!
Depending on whom you ask and where your research leads you, it is believed that a vast number of substances commonly used in toiletries can cause cancer, disrupt hormones, or damage mucous membranes, crazy right?!
Now, the cosmetics industry claims there are only “trace amounts” in our products. I’m not sure about you, but I’m not ok with these cocktails of synthetic chemicals we are exposed to every day, knowing they may cause cumulative damage. I check products and ingredients on the EWG site and a lot of the ingredients commonly used are still being researched. We don’t know enough about the long-term effects of repeated daily exposure to say these chemicals are safe.
With this newfound knowledge, I decided to do something to protect myself and my family and now I’m sharing it with you! Here are 4 easy swaps you can make today to jumpstart your journey to a healthier lifestyle!
First Non-Toxic Product Swap: Deodorant
This was the very first item I swapped out to pursue a healthier life. Our skin is our biggest organ. Any topical product we use has the potential to enter our bloodstream and not metabolize (break down into something our bodies can use and eliminate the toxic waste) – which can be dangerous. Toxins in deodorants have been associated with breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, and kidney disease.
Rubbing something on your skin doesn’t mean all—or even any—of it will make its way into your bloodstream; it depends on the chemical. But blood tests show that many of the substances commonly included in deodorant products can, in fact, worm their way past the epidermis and into the body.
If you’re like me, you use copious amounts a day and so it was a no-brainer for me to make this the first item I switched out. If you are a sweat-er, as in a person who sweats a lot – one thing you’ll have to get used to is sweating. Many of the deodorants we use have antiperspirants in them (aluminum) so making the switch will mean losing this aspect as well as traditional fragrances (often toxic synthetic blends) that you’re used to. Thankfully, I’ve one that keeps me dry and smelling pleasant. Here’s a link to one I really like:
Next on the List: Body Soap/Wash
Similar to deodorant, body soap is an important one to switch out because its topical and we use it every day. Common toxins found in body soap include contaminants that cause cancer. Things like parabens, sulfates, surfactants, undisclosed fragrances, and toxic preservatives. These irregularities include changes in menstrual cycles, asthma, allergies, and even cancer. Artificial products with toxic chemicals may also cause hormone imbalances, leading to weight gain, mood swings, and insomnia. Many other ingredients like fragrance and colors in body wash may cause skin irritation. If you opt for organic body soaps, you won’t even have to worry about these things. Organic soaps are comprised of natural anti-bacterial agents such as essential oils (like peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and lemongrass) that create delightful scents without being harmful to your health.
Thankfully, there are a gazillion options to choose from. A quick google search – or visit to your local markets, and you should be able to get your hands on something you’ll love. Using natural and organic skincare products like organic soaps is a long-term investment for you and your family’s health. Again, your skin is the largest organ of the body, so give it your best care. Here’s one to try!
Shea Moisture Coconut + Hibiscus Shea Butter Soap
Last Non-Toxic Product Swap : Shampoo + Conditioner
In my research, I came across a few blogs/articles where people were discussing if you even need to wash your hair. And then blogs about if you need to shower every day. Insert wide-eyed emoji. Goodness gracious, why don’t people want to practice good hygiene anymore?! Anyway, shampoos can be similar to soaps in terms of their toxic contents. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, some of these include skin irritants and even endocrine disruptors, which are thought to interfere with the body’s hormonal system and potentially have developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune adverse effects. You’ll want to steer clear of shampoos that contain:
- Sulfates – many contain hints of a carcinogen called dioxane, which has been linked to kidney issues and cancer.
- Parabens – role is to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. They are xenoestrogens—meaning they have an analogous structure to human hormones—and propose a cancer risk.
- Fragrance – from synthetic sources (not essential oils). Synthetic fragrances are not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the States. There are 3,100-plus chemicals used in the fragrance industry to create numerous scents – it’s frightening to not know what’s in them or whether or not they are safe for short – and long-term use. I just feel like there will be a bunch of class-action lawsuits in a few years. Now I’m typically down for a random check in the mail, but I’ll pass on the ones that come with cancer diagnoses. 😀
- Triclosan – can cause inflammation of the colon, disruption to the immune system, and colon cancer due to the fact that it alters gut microbiota found in the intestines.
- Polyethylene Glycol – deemed by the state of California as a “developmental toxicant,” which means it disrupts development and/or behavior. Can also be tainted with the aforementioned – dioxane.
I know, that was a lot. And honestly, you probably won’t remember all these ingredients when you’re shopping around. A strategy I employ is to start with products that are advertised as clean, and then google any ingredients I don’t recognize to see if they truly are a non-toxic product.
Sites/Apps like EWG and Think Dirty are also super clutch for looking up product toxicity.
Here’s a shampoo and conditioner to try!
Melanin Hair Care African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo
Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner
Well sistren, it’s my sincere prayer that you’ve found this helpful and EASY. I believe in knowing better and doing better, so make this mama proud, go out there and get your swap on. I’d love to hear about anything you’re using that you love. So sound off in the comments, shoot me an email, or DM on IG. I know it can be a lot when you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, but now you have 3 easy swaps you can make in the coming days.
I’m working on doing a review of some deodorants I’ve tried. I’ll have that up on the blog for you soon. So make sure you’re signed up to our email list so you don’t miss when that drops.
In the meantime, get to know more about me by reading My Salvation Story.
*Disclaimer*
This article contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you use them for purchases.
[…] and food we eat can play a major role when dealing with postpartum depression. Check out my blog on 3 Easy Non-Toxic Product swaps you can make to start living a healthier […]