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For most consumers, scented beauty and home products are a part of the luxury experience and largely impact our purchasing decisions. However, clinical research has established that fragrances in skincare products are among the most common causes of skin inflammation (contact dermatitis), eczema, allergies, hormonal imbalances, infertility, and overall increased toxic load on our body. While perfumes are not life-threatening enough for FDA to ban using them now, scientists are finding more and more evidence that synthetic fragrances act as endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, and recommend replacing personal care and home care products with fragrance-free alternatives.

 

How does synthetic fragrance affect our hormonal balance?

Our bodies are run by a network of hormones and glands that regulate everything we do. This is our endocrine system, which regulates all of our bodily functions, metabolism, reproduction, and even our behavior. Synthetic chemicals known as phthalates that fragrances are made of, mimic hormones and interfere with or disrupt the delicate endocrine balance.

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Does our skin really absorb the toxins from the products? 

The simple evidence that everything we apply to your skin goes directly into your bloodstream is based on the fact that hundreds of drugs and hormones today are now being administered through our skin. Hormone replacement therapy today is commonly done via skin patches and creams, that deliver hormones into our blood within minutes.  Just like the hormonal creams, any cream we apply to our skin delivers the good, together with all the bad such as preservatives, colors, perfumes, and other toxins our body has to keep filtering and eliminating 24/7.

 

Why do skincare brands use fragrances knowing that it's harmful?

Well, not every brand does. For instance, my favorite skincare brand Dermalogica (made in California, and we use it in our Spa) had never used artificial fragrances. Dermalogica’s founder Jane Wurwand, the skin therapist is on the mission to improve the health of our skin. I have included 2 more brands below that we love and recommend to all of our clients, and their must-have products we recommend using every day. The good news is that with more consumer self-care education, and people choosing to buy smarter, even the bigger retail brands start offering fragrance-free alternative options. Fortunately, the fragrance isn’t necessary for a product to function well or be effective. Please speak up, and choose fragrance-free creams, cleaning products, and laundry detergents. And check ingredient labels to find out where else fragrance lurks; it can show up in unexpected places, such as diapers or garbage bags. Use the Skin Deep tool made by Environmental Working Group to look up the ingredients in your personal care products > 

 

3 Personal Care Products to Replace with Fragrance-Free Options Today:

 

1. Laundry detergents. Our skin absorbs the overly toxic fragrances in our bedsheets, pillows, and clothing. As more and more people develop allergies and inflammation, the manufacturers finally begin to listen and even Tide today came out with fragrance-free detergent. Bravo!

Please listen to this Optimal Body podcast with an interview of the founder of Branch Basics – toxin-free home cleaning products who was forced to create her own home products years ago after severe hormonal disease caused by home-product toxicity. 

 

2. Home cleaning products and all home fragrances like Airwick, Glade, Mrs. Meyers add harmful toxins directly into our air. The air in our homes can be more toxic than the air outside because of the cleaning products and Room Spray that we use. The toxins we breathe go directly into our bloodstream just like skincare and detergents. There is no wonder that there is an allergy pandemic, and inflammatory conditions are on the rise. Please read this Environmental Working Group research that warns schools to stop using regular cleaning products in schools as the kids get affected by the toxic load much more severely. At Glow, we use organic air mists by Inhale Nature and highly recommend you too, to create a toxin-free environment inside.

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3. Skin Care – all creams and lotions that touch your skin.  Please check the ingredients for words ‘perfume’ and ‘fragrance’ and toss those out. 

 

3 Fragrance-free clean skincare brands, and the must-have products for healthy glowing skin:

 

1. Demalogica, and their Pre-cleanse and Active Moist.  This first-step cleanser is just what you need to wash away makeup, oil, and dirt from your skin. This plant-based oil thoroughly melts layers of excess sebum, sunscreen, waterproof makeup, environmental pollutants, and residual skin products that build up during the day. This should be followed with your regular cleanser and their best-selling Active Moist daily moisturizer. 

 

 

2. ORGAID, a Californian company, and their Youth Serum Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. Hyaluronic Acid helps reduce the visibility of lines and wrinkles retaining moisture to the skin, creating a plumping effect. When the skin is protected and hydrated, increased skin cell production takes place, leading to smoother, plumper skin cells. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it protects skin cells from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure. It also promotes collagen production, which has the potential to thicken the dermis, diminish fine lines, and is essential for firm youthful skin.

 

 

3. MyCHELLE, a Colorado-based brand, and their Sunshield SPF 28. Our skin works to protect us from harmful ultraviolet radiation, which is why we should use sunscreen to protect us from damaging UV rays. Even on cloudy days, our skin is susceptible to the sun’s rays which can lead to skin cancer, discoloration, and wrinkles over time.

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Thank you for reading, and for choosing to honor and take loving care of what we have been given as a gift - our health, and the health of our planet. Sending you love, please do not give up.

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Natasha and Neris, Glow skin master 🌱✨

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Book Glow facial and start taking loving care of your skin today >