“I Like my Products, like I like my people - Non Toxic !

Introduction:

How many of us read the labels on our Skincare like we read the labels on the food we buy ? Well, there is a reason why you should read your labels.

Read on....

Being mindful of your skincare is not only good for your fertility, but also for your general health.  Because, if your endocrine system is imbalanced, many areas of your health can be affected too.

These include;

• Fertility

• Irregular periods

• Metabolism

• Endometriosis

• PCOS

• Fatigue

• Cushings Disease

• Graves Disease

• Hashimotos

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Cardiovascular

• Endometriosis

• Premenstrual Tension (PMT)

• Sperm quality

• Birth defects

  and more.

My skincare products were one of the first things I cleaned up when we were trying to have a baby over 20 years ago.  And why is that, you may ask ?

Well, the thing is, everything you put on your skin goes into your bloodstream  and around your body.  That’s why some medications can be given to you in the form of a patch or a cream, for instance, HRT and Nicotine patches.  Carefully choosing your skincare products is as important, as your favourite everyday beauty products might be secretly packed with ingredients that are wreaking havoc with your hormones, and you don’t even realise. This can give rise to issues with your reproductive systems and other organs.

WHAT IS YOUR ENDOCRINE SYSTEM ?

The endocrine system is a network of organs and glands that create, store, and secrete hormones. Hormones are chemicals that get carried around the body through your blood, signalling your body what to do and when to do it. When your endocrine system is functioning normally, it will continuously monitor the amount of hormones in your body via the master gland called the Pituitary gland ensuring homeostasis (a balanced body).

WHAT IS AN ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICAL (EDC)

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals are natural or man made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, by disrupting the endocrine system and causing many health issues.

These can be found in your skincare, and also in your shampoos, shower gels, makeup etc.  They are also found in lots of other things such as plastics, textiles, anti-bacterials, carpets, children’s toys etc.  Here are samples of some endocrine disrupting chemicals to look out for in your skincare;

Parabens

These chemicals are artificial preservatives and are used in a lot of skincare products such as cleansers, moisturisers, toothpastes, sun cream, cosmetics, deodorants, shampoo, conditioners….  Have a check on your product labels for methyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, and ethyl paraben.  These are the most common.

Phthalates

Phthalates are liquid plasticizers and are found in many products including nail polish, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, soaps, shampoos, and cleansers. Even small amounts of these chemicals may be unsafe.

According to Jodi Flaws, Ph.D., a professor of comparative biosciences and the director of the Interdisciplinary Environmental Toxicology Program at the University of Illinois. “They can interfere with the production, elimination or binding of any hormones in the body. And the reproductive system in particular is extremely sensitive to these compounds.”

 Phthalates are rarely listed as an ingredient on product labels, but keep an eye out for the words “fragrance” and “parfum”.  Ditch synthetic fragrances !

Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent now being used in everyday household products which we regularly use including toothpaste, deodorants, soaps, shower gels, cosmetics, shaving products etc. It is known to interfere with the estrogen in women, androgen hormone in males and thus affecting the reproductive system.  It influences the concentration of the thyroid hormones. So check your labels and you should be able to find other products which are more natural and do the same job.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

Now look at the packaging of your favourite skincare, soaps, shower gels, shampoos.  According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)  BPA can imitate the body’s hormones and interfere with the production of, response to, or action of our natural hormones. For example, it can behave in a similar way to estrogen and other hormones in the human body.  In the right conditions, BPA can then leach in to your product and then in to your body.  Attempt to buy your products in glass jars or any packaging which is listed as BPA free. Ditch plastic water bottles.

and lastly…..

It is very easy to become bogged down with what to eat, what not to eat, what to drink and not drink, what to put on your skin and what not to put on your skin.  However, if you try to get back to basics as much as possible, that would be good.  Go for organic vegetables and meats, readily available in most supermarkets.  Try natural and organic skincare, which is just as powerful and works just as well as other well known brands.  Use glass or stainless steel containers for your food in the home, avoiding plastics as much as possible.

I have been using clean skincare products for almost 25 year now and I find them amazing.  Everything I use in my treatment room is clean and free from troublesome chemicals.  I recommend and sell Blumain Organic Skincare products (blue bottles) and Zone Face Lift skincare products (black bottles) in my online shop.  Both are produced in Ireland. If you would like to buy any of these products, just click the picture below.