Would You Drink Your Shampoo?

Have you heard the phrase "What goes on your body goes in your body?" It's a fact that body care products like shampoo and conditioner, soap, moisturizer, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving cream, makeup, nail polish, and perfume are absorbed through the skin, so it's very important not to put anything on your body that you couldn't, technically, eat.

Unfortunately, many of the personal care products we use every day are full of everything from industrial petrochemicals to heavy metals. Some of the worst offenders are mineral oil (petroleum), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, a skin-irritating foaming agent, also sodium laureth sulfate, SLES), parabens (cancer-causing preservatives), aluminum, and fluoride.

These are at best irritants, and at worst toxic to our systems. Many mimic our natural hormones, raising concerns about cancer, infertility, PMS, and menopausal issues. And it doesn't stop there. What you use to clean your home, wash your clothes and dishes, and make everything smell good goes into your body as well.

Disinfecting sprays and liquids, bleaches, laundry detergent, dish and dishwasher soap, dryer sheets, dusting agents, candles and scented oils, and odor-maskers like Febreeze all deliver a chemical load that over a lifetime is staggering. And many of the ingredients in products we would never knowingly use in close proximity to ourselves (engine degreaser) are the same as ones we do unknowingly use in our households (shampoo) every day.

Fortunately, there are more and more healthy alternatives that use natural ingredients like citrus and essential oils. Pure coconut and other nut oils can be excellent moisturizers, and houseplants or an essential oil burner take care of any unpleasant odors in a natural way that is both therapeutic and supports immune function. 

Rather than worrying about reading the ingredients in your beauty and cleaning products, look for ones that have less ingredients as well as ingredients you can interpret. Stay away from "mainstream" beauty and cleaning products that you can find in conventional drug stores and grocery stores, and shop instead at places that use integrity when selecting their products, like Whole Foods.

The Environmental Working Group has a cosmetics database that rates all kinds of beauty products, from hair dye to makeup. You can check out what you use and also look up healthier options here.

Also consider these healthier body and hair care options:

• Avalon Organics (lotions, skincare)
• Aubrey Organics (shampoo/conditioner)
• Babyganics, Trukids, Earth Momma, Angel Baby (mother and child care)
• BareMinerals, Gabriel (makeup)
• EO (shaving cream)
• Hugo Naturals (soap, body care, candles)
• Giovanni (hair care)
• Jason's (toothpaste, bodywash, lotion, personal care)
• Soignee (skin, hair, and personal care)
• Similasan (eye, ear, and nose drops)
• Toms of Maine (toothpaste, deodorant—look for the kind without fluoride)

In the case of all of these products, be sure to check the labels, as sometimes even a different scent will contain a toxic ingredient. It's always a good idea to look up ingredients you aren't familiar with, and if you do use conventional brands, try to get unscented versions, which are likely to contain less chemicals.

Check out these 66 All-Natural Cleaning Solutions from Real Simple.

Seventh Generation is one of my favorite brands for sustainable, nontoxic cleaning products that work very effectively. Vinegar and lemon juice can be used to disinfect most surfaces. Here are a few more of my favorite products/solutions:

• Kitchen cleaner: Clean the sink and counters with baking soda. Sprinkle it on, let it sit 5 minutes, and then scrub off. They sparkle like they've been bleached!
• Bleach: Chlorine-free bleach is available at Whole Foods. Or add ¼–½ cup lemon juice to a load of laundry for brighter whites.
• Garbage disposal cleanser: Put several small pieces of citrus peel in the garbage disposal and run without water until clear.
• Drain unclogger: Mix ½ cup baking soda with ½ cup vinegar and pour down drain. Cover with a wet cloth for five minutes, then flush with boiling hot water.