Did you know that the average adult loses roughly 300 billion cells every day? Your body is constantly renewing itself, using the fuel provided from your diet. So when people say you are what you eat: you actually are what you eat. But what about what you put on your body? In fact, while often forgotten, what you put on your body is equally as important as what you put in your body.
You wouldn’t pour bleach onto your lungs would you? So why are you using toxic chemicals like bleach in your household cleaning products, perfume, laundry detergent and makeup even though they are coming into direct contact with your skin? Your skin is the largest organ in the body, and what you put on it is absorbed straight through into your internal organs. If you’re regularly exposed to toxic chemicals you are causing a range of problems.
For example, the beautiful lavender smell in your shampoo actually strips the hair of its natural moisture and irritates the skin, leading to rashes and breakouts. This is because it’s not natural lavender being used to fragrance the product, it’s a number of chemicals constructed to smell like lavender. When inhaled or absorbed by the skin, the chemical compounds go into the lungs and affect the brain, nervous system and endocrine system.
The chemicals in household products like shampoos, conditioners, face washes, laundry detergents, surface cleaners etc. contain phytates, known endocrine disruptors. The frequent use of products that disrupt your endocrine system can cause hormonal issues, fertility, immune suppression and cognitive downregulation; as examined in a review by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
According to the American Lung Association, many cleaning supplies or household products can irritate the eyes or throat, or cause headaches and other health problems, including cancer. Some products release dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs and other chemicals that are commonly used in cleaning products contribute to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions, inflammation, migraines and endocrine disruption; as shown in a study published in 2018.
In fact, it’s not just the health dangers associated with chemical exposure that make standard household products unappealing. Natural, green, clean household products are superior in every way. Not only are they safe for human use, they are equally as effective, significantly cheaper and last for longer. Rather than exposing yourself to harmful chemicals, use essential oil combinations to clean your home and your skin, without irritation, inflammation or hazardous long-term effects.
Remember that your skin is the largest organ, what you put on your skin, and what your skin is exposed to in the home, matters. If you want to make your house a safe haven, contact me for guidance on how to create and purchase green cleaning and beauty products to ensure you are living in optimal health and happiness.