Guest post by functional medicine patient, Linda Moslow
What I Never Knew About The “Not So Pretty” Toxic Beauty Product Industry
Linda had reached out to me asking if I had seen the HBO four part series, “Not So Pretty.” I don’t really watch TV nor have HBO, so after she gave me the highlights, I asked her to give our readers a sneak peek into what she learned. Thank you Linda!
I just finished watching the four part series, “Not So Pretty” on HBO Max…and boy, is it not – so – pretty!!! Even as I write this, I am still in shock at what I thought I knew, what I believed to be true, and that I have unknowingly used personal care products that I thought were clean, healthier choices for my body, when in actuality, they were not! I feel violated!
I pride myself on making healthier choices for myself! It’s a way of life for me that comes easier than it does for most. There is so much we cannot control in the world we live in, but what we choose to put IN and ON our bodies is solely our choice. This has been my mantra for a long time. I trusted that when a product said, “Safe” – “Healthy” or “Free of” that the companies that produced these products had my, our, best interest at heart.
Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth…so it’s important that we educate ourselves, and make choices that best serve our well being!
Here are my observations:
NO Talc-Based Products
Talc and asbestos are mined together. It is impossible to separate the two. And while the asbestos particles are microscopic, those microscopic particles are extremely detrimental to our health! Think Cancer! Talc is found in most products that are powder based. That includes Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder (which is so ridiculous considering their marketing that “if it’s safe for a baby, it’s safe for everyone”) and our eyeshadows, blushes, and facial powders. Check your product’s ingredient list…Talc is usually first!
➔ Action Step:
Manicures and Pedicures
Unless the polish is certified “10 Free” – Not 5 Free or 8 Free, you should not be putting it on your nails. And even if it is 10 Free, it should only be used minimally. If you are within your child bearing years, you should not be using polish of any kind. Babies can actually be born “pre-polluted” with toxicity from our personal choices. Even sitting in a nail salon, breathing the fumes of some of the products is toxic to our systems. I switched to a buff manicure many years ago, which involves buffing the nail to its natural luster, while still getting to enjoy all the other benefits of a mani and pedi! My nails have never been better or stronger…Try it!
Our Skin
Our skin is a BIG deal — literally! It’s the largest organ in our bodies and one of the most complicated. It has many roles in the maintenance of our life and our health. I just want to focus on our skin’s ability to absorb what we choose to put on our skin. So while products, like moisturizers, shampoos, and conditioners, primarily work on the surface of our skin, they can and do penetrate beneath our skin into our bloodstream.
Common ingredients in all of these products are Synthetic Fragrance, Phthalates, Parabens, PEG, Formaldehyde, Sodium Laurel/Laurent Sulfate. These are known toxic chemicals, they are linked with disease, and are known Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDC).
EDC’s disrupt the hormonal balance of our bodies. When you are in perimenopause and menopause, EDCs are the last thing you need to pile on top of all the other hormonal things we have to deal with. It affects fertility in younger women too. I placed Synthetic Fragrance in bold because it has a larger umbrella of issues.
Companies do not have to disclose the ingredients of the fragrance when using the word “Fragrance.” If it doesn’t say “Natural Fragrance” – then it is NOT natural! It is a toxic chemical…and one of the worst!
➔ Action Step:
I urge you to take charge of what you can control putting ON and IN your body, as there is so much we cannot control. I don't believe in deprivation on any level…so if you can't live without your mani and pedi, do everything else mindfully! If you are not ready to go gray, make the healthiest and best choice of product to use for hair color. We only get one body…it's yours to take care of!
Please Share the Health if you liked what you read!!!
For more information about my wellness programs and my practice, check out my website drsadaty.com. Hey Look! You are already here…
Ready for the legal disclaimer? Information offered here is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. As with any health recommendations, please contact your doctor to be sure any changes you wish to consider are safe for you!