The First Five Things you can Change in Your Bathroom Today
So you’ve read my book, heard me on the radio and or saw me at a presentation where I explained that 95% of everything we put on ourselves is not friendly to us or the environment.
You head to your bathroom and start reading the labels of everything you’ve got and that my friends- is GREAT!
Let’s look at the first five things you can do to improve your consumption of hazardous materials that are lurking in the products that have been so brilliantly marketed to you that you just “apply as directed”.
#1.) Turn your shampoo bottle over- read the ingredients. If there are sulphates listed- sodium lauryl and laureth- toss it out. I am inclined to tell you to take it to the hazardous waste site as the above listed ingredients contain petroleum derived contaminates 1,4 dioxane that are probable human carcinogens according to the EPA. The first time you use a non sulphate shampoo your hair will be one shade lighter (free of the trapped soap suds), dry in half the usual time, and be squeaky clean.
#2.) If you are using a skin care cleanser check for the same ingredients- you will be amazed at what is in your facial cleanser, shaving cream and body wash! ( I think we already have 4 items!)
#3.) This is a touchy subject but get to the facts right now women and any men who care about women, the Feminine Hygiene Products being offered to us gals are about 98% garbage. There are two companies or 2% of every tampon company in the U.S. that are not chlorine bleached (which releases dioxin into our uteruses) and potentially filled with phthalates found in the artificial fragrance added to 90% of feminine hygiene products. The companies that make these tampons are Seventh Generation and Natracare. If you can’t sense the difference the first time you put a non toxic tampon in you have become another DESENSITIZED consumer…but it won’t take you long to make a change. If you wouldn’t put the ingredients in your mouth why would you put it anywhere else?
#4.) What you use on your face for skin-care and makeup enters your bloodstream via your skin. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. What are you saturating your body in? I know it sounds gross but if you think about it when you apply something to your skin it starts to cook on and in it. 98.6 degrees as a matter of fact. Anderson Cooper’s level of phthalates was over 95% of his blood burden test and the cause-his professional makeup on set. Take a look at your makeup… does it meet the European Union standard of non-toxicity? You can go to www.campaignforsafecosmetics.org and find out for yourself.
#5.) Does the perfume and or cologne you are using contain phthalates, allergens, formaldehyde and or sensitizers? Your favorite bottles may not even list these ingredients but if it doesn’t state what is really in the ingredients than put it aside. Let your nose be the test. If it knocks you out on the first whiff it isn’t great for you to consume. When there is not a source of the fragrance ( like made from real essential rose, lemon, lavender concentrate) skip it. There are great scents available online or in your favorite natural food stores that won’t make you sick. One of my faves is Aroma M essential roll-on perfumes at www.aromamperfume.com.
Happy demystifying your bathroom!