In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I wanted to focus this blog on a Detox Your Beauty Routine, raise awareness of the ingredients you are using and how they affect our health. Remember you can always donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation at www.komen.org.

Imagine your typical morning. You wake up and brush your teeth. You wash your face, hop into the shower, use shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. You may also use shaving cream, contact lens solution, lotion, and SPF. Then, on your way out the door, you might use a spritz of perfume or cologne. You might have used 10 products before you even left the house! In fact, the average woman uses 12 products with 168 chemicals daily!

Many of us are unaware of the potential harm from ingredients found in everyday products and yet we wear some of these products on our skin all day long!

Like other areas of wellness, these practices can energize us or drain us. Luckily, we get to choose what we eat and what we use.

Just as with food, looking at product labels can be confusing. There are many key terms, buzzwords, and ingredients to be aware of when shopping for clean products. Keep in mind that every small step toward detoxing your personal care routine adds.

Why Clean Beauty?

Finding a routine and products that support your health and the health of the environment can fuel you and offer nourishment. It can help you create moments to look forward and connect you to your personal values. Choosing products that support the health of your skin, hair, and body can also inspire you to support yourself in other areas. It may take some experimenting to find replacement products that work for your body, budget, and lifestyle. After you feel comfortable with those changes, consider graduating to products that you use less consistently.

Remember, clean beauty is an evolving spectrum. The more we learn, the more we can make conscious choices that fit our lifestyles.

Here are some simple shifts you can consider making:

This —> That	Reasoning
Body Lotion –> Paraben Free Body Lotion	Body lotion generally touches large area of skins, so choosing nontoxic options can greatly reduce your daily contact with toxins
Deodorant → Aluminum-Free Deodorant	You apply deodorant near multiple lymph nodes. Switching to a nontoxic deodorant supports the health of lymphatic system as well as breast tissue for men and women
Sunscreen with oxybenzone → Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide)	Sunscreen goes all over your body and your family’s body. Switch to a safer sunscreen supports your health as well as the health of the environment. For more information you can read more in https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
Shampoo → Sulfate-Free Shampoo	Shampoo comes into contact with your scalp, the area closest to your brain. Plus, in the shower, shampoo runs down your hair and entire body. Opting for safer products keeps you healthier from head to toe.
Body Wash → Bar Soap	Many body washes contain fragrance with synthetic ingredients that can irritate the skin. Bar soaps contain a short list of basic ingredients, especially if they are fragrance-free.
Perfume/Cologne → Essential Oils	Perfume can contain several hidden ingredients including synthetic chemicals in the fragrance, try creating your own roll-on by mixing several essential oils together.

Remember that self-care is unique. Maybe you’re not ready to look at ingredients labels right now but searching for products without these ingredients feels like a first step!

Conclusion

There are many ways to detox your beauty and personal care practices, and your approach will be unique to you. Whether you’re new to clean beauty or well-versed in this area, here are a few helpful reminders as you move forward:

1. Detoxing your beauty routine can be a whole-person health journey.
2. It’s a step-by-step process.
3. The more you understand key ingredients to avoid and how marketers try to trick you, the easier it will be to make informed choices.
4. Clean beauty is more than products and routines; it’s also about honoring inner beauty.

I work with my clients personalized programs, if interested in learning more on how to Detox Your Life, schedule a consultation with me.

I can’t wait to meet you!