Did you know that a typical personal care product has 5 to 15 ingredients? So you can imagine how many of them you come in contact with if you use multiple products daily. The worst part is that not all of them are safe. In fact, some ingredients may be toxic and unhealthy, causing health issues like cancer and hormonal disruption. That’s gross, right?
But don’t freak! There are some practical things you can do to reduce your exposure and prevent damage from toxic chemicals in personal care products. While these steps require conscious effort, it’s worthwhile because they can save you from severe implications down the road.
So next time you’re shopping for personal care products, choose wisely. Also, follow these measures to curb damage from the ones you use daily. Here you go!
Understand the risk
Well, even a premium product from a top brand may have some harmful ingredients, so you’ve got to know the risks in the first place. The top culprits are phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
According to research studies, these chemicals can elevate the risk of several health issues, from reproductive problems to allergies, skin irritation, and cancer. Understanding the risks is crucial because it puts you in alert mode.
Read the labels
You’re half ready to deal with the threat once you are aware. Knowing the dangerous ingredients means you can check them on the labels and steer clear of cosmetics, skincare, and haircare items that have them.
Manufacturers are mandated to mention them on the labels, so you can expect transparency here. All you need to do is go through the label thoroughly so that you may skip anything harmful to your health. That’s easy, right?
Know your rights
You should also know your legal rights in this context. Aren’t these brands and products regulated? Unfortunately, that’s not really true. The industry is largely unregulated, and many brands use whatever ingredients they want, no matter how dangerous they are. But you can enforce your rights as a consumer if you sustain damage.
For example, more and more women are seeking legal help for hair relaxer lawsuits after a study established the link between these products and uterine cancer. They can legally claim compensation for their pain and suffering if they prove the link of their disease with hair relaxer usage.
Avoid fragrances
Did you know that fragrances aren’t actually the best thing about personal care products? The truth is that they spell trouble when it comes to toxic chemicals. A fragrant product will likely have all sorts of nasty chemicals, so it’s best to avoid them in the first place.
You don’t even need to read the labels for this one. Just give up on them and choose fragrance-free alternatives.
Be wise with natural and organic ingredients
Most people will pick products and brands mentioning “natural” or “organic” to skip the toxic chemicals and ingredients in personal care items. It makes sense, but wait! Anything labeled “natural” or “organic” doesn’t become automatically safe.
Even natural ones can be as irritating or harmful as their synthetic counterparts. Once again, reading the labels and doing your research can help you choose wisely.
Make your own products
This one’s a great idea if you want to skip the daily toxins in personal care stuff. The best part is that you can do a lot of DIY with natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils. There are countless recipes online, or you can ask around for some helpful tips.
You may even get some great ones from your mom or grandma, right? With DIY items, you know exactly what goes into the product. Not to mention, you can save loads of money by skipping expensive branded items. It’s a win-win!
Simplify your routine
Surprisingly, simplifying your personal care routine can go a long way in reducing your toxin exposure. The secret is simple- the fewer products you use daily, the less exposure you have to toxic chemicals.
The next time you feel tempted to reach out for a new one on the store shelves, you’ve got to think twice. Stick to only the essentials!
Your daily dose of personal care may not be the best thing for your health. The risks run high if you use products with toxic ingredients because they can do more harm than good. So what’s the solution? Choose wisely and skip the extras you don’t require. You can look, smell, and feel good without harmful chemicals, right? Be aware and stay safe!
