DETOX YOUR BATHROOM CUPBOARD

A Clean Start to Toxin-Free Products

As we consider getting a clean start to the new year by cleaning up our diets and detoxing our bodies, why not consider going the extra mile by detoxing the products we use on our skin? Ditching conventional toxic products and greening up your bathroom cupboard can have benefits of not only being healthy for the skin, but it’s also good for our overall health and environment.

As you know, we at Matter Company go by the philosophy that what we put on our skin is as important as what we put in our bodies. On a very basic level, the products we use on our skin can have short-term effects of being skin irritants, and can create allergic reactions such as rashes, itchiness, eczema, and dryness. However, many of our conventional skin and body care products have chemicals with some pretty scary long-term effects which are not yet fully known. These include being cancer-causing, exacerbating allergies and asthma, as well as having endocrine disruptors which can run the gamut of effecting our reproduction, contributing to metabolic issues, and creating birth defects.

So, to recap… it’s important to use natural, toxin free products because its…

Some Main Culprits

  • Phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP and others) are a group of chemicals used to increase flexibility and softness in a variety of materials, and are known to be endocrine disruptors. Unfortunately, it is not disclosed on every product, as it is added to fragrances.  Found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials.
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: This surfactant can be found in more than 90 percent of personal care and cleaning products (think foaming products). SLS’s are known to be skin, lung, and eye irritants, and when combined with other chemicals are a known carcinogen.  Found in:  shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.
  • Parabens: possess estrogen-mimicking properties that are associated with increased risk of breast cancer.  Found in: shampoo, facial care products, moisturizers, body wash, body lotions.
  • Oxybenzone: A sunscreen agent and ultraviolet light absorber linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies, and possible hormone disruption. It is also known to be harmful to coral reefs. Found in: sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balms.
  • Synthetic Fragrance: engineered for scent or flavouring, and may contain up to 3000 different chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Found in:  all artificially scented products.
  • Petroleum: Petroleum jelly is a byproduct of the oil industry and the result of the distillation of a waxy petroleum material that forms on oil rigs. It may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).  Research suggests that exposure to PAHs (including skin contact over extended periods of time) is associated with cancer development. Found in: diaper ointments, lip balms, lotions, moisturizers, sunscreen.

Here’s a Few Matter Company Products to Get You Started on Your Toxic-Free, Fresh Start!

If you are interested in reading up more, here are some good resources for toxicity in products:  

EWG – Skin Deep
Green For Your Life 
Think Dirty
Adria Vasil

xo, Denise