What You Put ON Your Body Matters Just As Much As What You Put In Your Body
Our skin is our largest organ and, more specifically, our largest detox organ.
With that in mind, think of all of the products that you use on a daily (or near daily) basis that come in contact with your skin.
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- Shaving gel or cream
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Perfume/cologne/body spray
- Toothpaste and mouthwash
- Hair products
- Skin care products
- Makeup
…and the list may go on and on.
Most of these contain at least one of the following toxic ingredients:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- EDTA
- Propylene glycol
- Synthetic colorings
- Synthetic fragrances
- Talc
- Aluminum
- Sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate
- Formaldehyde/ammonia
- Mineral oil
- PEG
And this is just a tiny portion of the ingredients that have been linked to things like cancer, hormone disruption, skin irritation and damage, thyroid disruption, nervous system damage, estrogen mimicry and so much more.
Just think of the combined negative affect all of your personal care products may be having on your health as they are absorbed into your skin. Not to mention that several product ingredients clog your pores which means that they are blocking one of your body’s primary ways of detoxing. That is going to put stress on your body’s other detox organs (colon, liver, kidneys, and lungs).
So where do you start? Should you just dump everything in the garbage? Well, to make it easier on your wallet and the environment, I would suggest replacing items with toxin-free alternatives as you run out of your current products. If you have unopened items, you could pass them on to those who may not be on the same health optimization journey as you…yet. This may provide the perfect opportunity to share what you are learning with them.
By the way, one of the most harmful products you may be using is…DEODORANT, especially antiperspirants because they stop you from sweating.
Sweating is a necessary part of our God-given design. It is a means for our body to release chemicals, toxins and excess hormones. When you stop that process, all of those things can begin to build up in your body potentially leading to some serious health issues (including cancer, particularly breast and prostate).
In addition, commercial deodorants often contain:
- Parabens – a hormone disruptor, these are found in the breast tissue and malignant breast tumors of almost every case of diagnosed breast cancer.
- Aluminum – which has been linked to Alzheimer’s, oxidative stress in breast and other tissues, it accumulates in the brain, bones (which weakens them and may cause osteoporosis), liver and kidneys.
- Other chemicals like propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and formaldehyde that are toxic to humans and can cause skin damage and reactions.
Many are able to make the transition to toxin-free deodorant with minimal or no issues. Others may experience, well, a lot of stink and/or a rash in the armpits. Don’t automatically assume that this means the deodorant is not working for you. It is likely a detox period as your body is returning to how it is designed to function. Using a paste of this mineral mud mask in your armpits can help speed up the detox process. Just let it sit for 5 – 20 minutes and rinse off (in the shower is easiest). Repeat daily or as needed until underarm odor goes away and the deodorant is no longer irritating. If the rash persists, try switching to a baking soda free deodorant.
This has been a quick introduction to this topic that I hope you have found helpful. I know that all of this can feel overwhelming, but just keep putting one foot in front of the other (anyone else singing the song from the 1970 classic Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town?). I have been on my health optimizing journey for over 30 years now, but I am still learning new things every day. Let me know if I can be of help.