Personal Care Products
Things to Keep Your Eye On
- Use tampons and sanitary napkins made of organic cotton without chlorine. The FDA has detected dioxins and many other hazardous substances in conventional tampons. Look for ones without chlorine, fragrance, wax, surfactants, rayon, etc.
— breastcanceroptions.org - Try to avoid synthetic hair dyes, which were linked to cancer in numerous studies. Certain natural dyes may be safer because they use vegetable colors. — breastcanceroptions.org
- Many lipsticks contain lead. Avoid these. — breastcanceroptions.org
- Avoid fluoridated toothpaste. — breastcanceroptions.org
- Avoid anti-perspirant deoderorants, which contain aluminum, which is toxic. They also inhibit detoxification of the breasts and chest area.
— breastcanceroptions.org
Safe Alternatives
If You'd Prefer to Purchase Your Products
Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep analyzed literally hundreds of personal care products to discover their levels of unsafe chemicals. Their website is simple and easy to use. You can check out where the products you use most often rank, as well as look up safe alternatives at the Environmental Working Group web site
If You'd Like to Try Homemade Solutions
Although it takes some extra effort, it can be fun to make your own beauty products, such as moisturizers and face masks. Plus, it's also safe. Natural Beauty has a wealth of homemade recipes to try out.
Here are a few more ideas.
- Astringents/Aftershaves: witch hazel, undiluted isopropyl alcohol.
- Deodorants: baking soda, white clay, deodorant crystals.
- Moisturizers and conditioners: egg yolk, milk, yogurt, safflower oil (for light moisturizing), olive oil (for dry skin or hair), oatmeal, jojoba oil. Organic cocoa butter can also be a good solution for dry skin, but make sure to consult Skin Deep before purchasing any specific brand.
- Perfumes: essential oils provide nontoxic fragrances that can be used to scent shampoo, bath soak, or - in the case of peppermint - toothpaste.
- Soaps cleansing agents: castle soap, olive-oil based soap.
- Toothpastes: baking soda, salt.