Hi guys!

Over the last two years or so I have leaned into clean beauty. But first, what the heck is clean beauty?

“Clean Beauty is defined by products that are mindfully created and produced without any proven or suspected toxic ingredients. Clean Beauty products include ingredients ethically sourced and are made with the health of our bodies and the environment in mind.”

I have educated myself on not only what I put in my body, but what I put ON my body.

Most of the beauty products we use (especially as women) are chock full of chemicals. The average women puts on 515 synthetic chemicals every day. It’s in our bath products, makeup and personal care products.

These products that we’ve gotten so used to using have toxins that are detrimental to our health and the health of our families.

I am going to highlight a few toxins, but really – I just want to share with you the products I have switched to.

Just using clean products helps me feel like I am doing something good for myself and my family. I want to give my family the cleanest, safest environment and changing out what we use in the bathroom is a great place to start.

Here are some of the toxins found in our personal care products. Sourced from this article

Parabens are a fairly common additive in cosmetics, including toothpastes. Used as a preservative, parabens are chemicals that can mimic the hormone estrogen and can potentially cause cancer, developmental, and reproductive issues. Some of the chemicals to watch out for are: Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Benzylparaben.

You know what’s a great idea? Adding a potentially ulcer-causing chemical to your toothpaste to make it foam. Because, as everyone knows, the more foam there is, the cleaner my teeth will be. Sorry to disappoint, but foam doesn’t actually clean your teeth. The need for foam is all in your mind. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are surfactants that are used in a range of products from industrial cleaners to toothpastes and their main purpose is to provide a foaming lather. The problem with SLS and SLES is that they may cause canker sores, mouth ulcers, stomach issues, and cancer.

Triclosan - In 2016, the FDA banned triclosan from soaps, however it’s still allowed in toothpaste. That’s right. It’s banned from a product that we use on our hands, but not from a product that we put into our mouths. The world is weird.

Triclosan, by definition, is a pesticide but it’s been used as an antibacterial agent in toothpastes with the claim that it helps fight plaque and gingivitis. It has even been deemed a “super-chemical” because of its down-right frighteningly strong bacteria fighting ways. Have you ever heard of Agent Orange? You know, the herbicide used in the Vietnam War by the U.S military as part of its herbicidal warfare program?

Well in a crazy turn of events, it turns out that the chemical structure of triclosan closely resembles a major component in Agent Orange. They’re like compound cousins, if you will. And it’s still allowed in toothpaste.

Health concerns associated with triclosan include cancer, weakened heart muscle function, endocrine issues, and bone deformation just to name a few.

Now onto the good stuff!!

Now that you know how harmful some of our everyday products can be, it's time to start switching. Look around at your local grocery store, Amazon and your local health food store. There are always better options available, we just have to know what we are looking for.

Jason’s Personal Care Products - everything from toothpaste to deodorant. We love this toothpaste for the girls!

Primal Pit Paste - the best deodorant. Even Guapo uses it!

Linne Botanicals - this skin care is so luxurious. It feels like I'm treating myself every night !

Young Living - I use MANY Young Living products. Their hair care, essential oils, supplements, and also their makeup!

Tom’s of Maine- this is brand I trust. No frills, just good, clean product.

Shea Moisture- We adore this brand in our house. It's very affordable and easy to find. Walmart, Target, HEB, Amazon. I always know that if I'm buying this product, I am safe.

Dr. Bronner- classic and clean.

I hope these suggestions help you feel empowered to make choices that are good for you body. The better we treat our bodies, the better they will respond, and the more joyful we will become.

Health is a gift to be honored and enjoyed.