Organic, Non-Toxic Skin Care I am Loving
Did you know our skin is our largest organ and it absorbs what we put on it?
When chemicals from personal care products such as makeup, lotions, shampoos and cleansers are applied to the skin, the toxic substances that are included in many skin care lines are absorbed into the body.
These toxins have been shown to affect many physiological processes in the human body and cause adverse and sometimes toxic effects (Boer et. al., 2016, Yosipovitch et al., 2019). Additionally, many studies have demonstrated how many conventional cleaning products, laundry soaps, detergents, and powders have toxic chemicals and whitening agents that not only disrupt hormones but are also linked to other mental and physical health issues such as skin irritation, autoimmune conditions and cancer (Archangelidi et al., 2021; Clausen et al., 2020'; Gerster et al., 2014; Li et al., 2020).
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health (1984) examined the skin's absorption rates of chemicals found in drinking water. The results indicated that the skin absorbed an average of 64% of total contaminant dosage from the water. Imagine how many chemicals the human body is exposed to when we are applying personal care products that contain harmful chemicals and regularly use unfiltered water to bathe. The amount of toxins can accumulate quickly.
We know that an overburdened toxic bucket can exacerbate inflammation in the body which can then in turn lead to hormone disruption, chronic health issues and mental health issues. That is why I always encourage clients to use non-toxic makeup, personal care products and cleaners in their home.
Fun Fact About Me:
Before I went to college, I attended the Aveda Institute and studied Esthiology. I was a licensed esthetician up until this year when I finally let my license lapse.
Skin care was my entry point into holistic health care.
I am so grateful for my time as an esthetician because it allowed me to really see how much our skin can be an indicator of what might be going on inside the body. After seeing clients for many years, I was able to see that people who were struggling with their skin, were also almost always struggling with some other physical health issue such as hormone imbalance, food sensitives, stress, etc. Ever since my time as an esthetician, I have prioritized using organic, non-toxic skin care and home care products,
Here are a few of my favorite brands I have been using lately:
Primally Pure
I love Primally Pure! I have almost everything from this line and continue to order more. I tend to have direr skin, so I use the Soothing Face Care Line. I am a very active person and have used the Charcoal Deodorant, which stands up to Houston’s 100+ degree summer days. My newest favorite product is the Dry Shampoo.
Use Codes: WELLMINDBODY for discount on all items, anytime and WELLMINDBODY20 for discount on Dry Shampoo April 24th-26th.
Primally Pure does not use any artificial ingredients and is sustainably sourced in the United States.
Thena Wellness
Thena Wellness makes incredible plant based, cruelty free, clinically proven skin care products for the whole family. Some of my favorite products include the Mother’s Glow Oil and the Relaxation Soak. This line is perfect for pregnancy, postpartum and for littles.
References:
Archangelidi, O., Sathiyajit, S., Consonni, D., Jarvis, D., & De Matteis, S. (2021). Cleaning products and respiratory health outcomes in occupational cleaners: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 78(8), 604–617. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2020-106776
Brown HS, Bishop DR, Rowan CA. The role of skin absorption as a route of exposure for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water. Am J Public Health. 1984 May;74(5):479-84. doi: 10.2105/ajph.74.5.479. PMID: 6711723; PMCID: PMC1651599.
Boer M., Duchnik E., Maleszka R., Marchlewicz M. Structural and Biophysical Characteristics of Human Skin in Maintaining Proper Epidermal Barrier Function. Adv. Dermatol. Allergol. 2016;33:1–5. doi: 10.5114/pdia.2015.48037.
Clausen, P. A., Frederiksen, M., Sejbæk, C. S., Sørli, J. B., Hougaard, K. S., Frydendall, K. B., Carøe, T. K., Flachs, E. M., Meyer, H. W., Schlünssen, V., & Wolkoff, P. (2020). Chemicals inhaled from spray cleaning and disinfection products and their respiratory effects. A comprehensive review. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 229, 113592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113592
Gerster, F. M., Vernez, D., Wild, P. P., & Hopf, N. B. (2014). Hazardous substances in frequently used professional cleaning products. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 20(1), 46–60. https://doi.org/10.1179/2049396713Y.0000000052
Li, H., Kilgallen, A. B., Münzel, T., Wolf, E., Lecour, S., Schulz, R., Daiber, A., & Van Laake, L. W. (2020). Influence of mental stress and environmental toxins on circadian clocks: Implications for redox regulation of the heart and cardioprotection. British Journal of Pharmacology, 177(23), 5393–5412. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14949
Yosipovitch G., Misery L., Proksch E., Metz M., Ständer S., Schmelz M. Skin Barrier Damage and Itch: Review of Mechanisms, Topical Management and Future Directions. Acta Derm. Venereol. 2019;99:1201–1209. doi: 10.2340/00015555-3296.
