How to Detox Your Beauty Routine

Toxic chemicals are found hidden everywhere: in our water, food, clothes and even our beauty products. Did you know that the U.S. has not passed a major law to regulate the safety of ingredients used in personal care products since 1938? It’s time to detox your beauty routine!

I started my beauty detox journey in the summer of 2017. I honestly didn’t realize how polluted my everyday products were!

Drugstore deodorant? Toxic.

Sephora blush? Toxic.

Popular salon shampoo? Toxic.

The transition to “cleaner” products didn’t magically happen overnight. It is an ongoing process. (I honestly am still phasing products out of our home.) Sometimes, I even get frustrated with the effectiveness of some non-toxic products compared to the effectiveness of what I was used to. Clean deodorant, I’m looking at you!

I think I was most surprised to learn that there are no set standards for products labeled with words like “organic, natural, green or non-toxic”. The best advice I can give you is to read the labels carefully – the simpler, the better! To make it easy, here are some of the biggest offenders you should watch out for!

1. Parabens

Parabens are preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast in products. They are associated wide variety of health effects, including breast cancer.

2. Fragrance

The term “fragrance” was created to protect a company’s secret formula (aka their chemical-ridden recipe). Fragrance is often associated with allergies, dermatitis and negative respiratory effects.

3. Phthalates

A group of chemicals used in products to increase the flexibility and softness of plastic. Known endocrine disrupters. Linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive birth defects in males and females.

4. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)

The offender known for making products sudsy and foamy (think shampoo, body wash…and more!). SLS’s are known to be skin, lung and eye irritants and can also lead to kidney and respiratory issues.

5. Petroleum or Mineral Oil

Petroleum (derived from crude oil) is often used in cosmetics, body creams and baby oil. Since petroleum jelly and mineral oil act as a sealant, they block our skin from properly eliminating toxins. They’re linked to endocrine disruption, skin irritants, allergies and cancer.

I know this information can seem very overwhelming at first. Believe me, I know how you’re feeling! The easiest way to detox your beauty routine is to simply use up what you currently have. Then, slowly replace your toxic products with a cleaner version!

It will be less stressful and who lot easier on your wallet!

So, where to start? One of my current favorite resources is EWG’s Skin Deep. You can simply type in the name of the product and see how clean (or dirty) it really is.

I also swear by The Detox Market. That’s my go-to shop for all things green beauty! They have the highest standards for products and ingredients they approve, so I trust anything they put on their site!

Are you currently ditching + switching? Feel free to check out my other post about how to switch to a toxic-free kitchen!