Revelations Of A Health Detective
You have probably heard of the phrase “beauty is only skin-deep.”
Maybe you heard it from a friend or family member, but do you know where it’s from?
It’s actually from the bible! I had no idea, but it makes sense. It’s a book filled with timeless lessons. The lesson from the phrase is basically - it’s what inside that counts.
My whole life I’ve agreed that “beauty is only skin-deep.” But after I got sick everything changed.
A few months ago, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism though. Being diagnosed meant symptoms that made me feel physically unbeautiful. I couldn’t help but feel that my insides were ugly too.
I was desperate to heal these symptoms. After Western doctors treated me with tests and medicine, I decided to go to an Eastern doctor who told me many things I didn’t know about how to heal my body on my own.
She told me “The beauty products that go on our skin sink deeply into the body. Using harmful products can cause our body’s internal organs to suffer.
When health issues happen…it’s not pretty. So even though I was a little apprehensive, I switched my products and I started to feel better, less depressed and I saw that my skin glowed again.
When I discovered how toxic most of my products were because of their ingredients, I said good-bye and threw them out. It wasn’t easy. There were some products like my moisturizer. I loved the scent. But after a little research I accepted it was garbage.
I really didn’t have to change that many products and I started feeling better.
My body wasn’t functioning in a healthy way. But what it did know was that my body, mind, and spirit were taking action to be healthier and feel better.
Luckily, this process is not hard to do and to help you, I’m publishing what I found out about my products.
Changing products is convenient too because clean beauty is not trending. Products have safe seals because companies are getting wise. Their consumers want to know what is in their products because it is being placed directly on their body. Then seeping what lies beneath the skin. Our beautiful insides these chemicals slowly attack.
Knowing this now, I make sure that the materials I’m putting on our skin will keep my beauty inside and out.
Grab your beauty products and a trash can just in case you are using some of these products I used to.
It’s tricky, sometimes the bad ingredients do not appear in the ingredients, but I still have strategy for this below too.
Don’t be fooled by the beauty industry's marketing tactics. The truth is out there, and health concerns are a reality we have to face.
And if you have a thyroid issue like me it’s even more important..
I’m telling you. After I decided to get rid of the beauty products that were bringing toxicity into my body and changed to organic natural makeup, the positive changes I saw so quickly was refreshing.
Heavy Metals in my Lipstick?
The thyroid is a very sensitive gland so, although heavy metal music is okay, heavy metals like Aluminum, Lead, and Mercury need to be avoided because over time these sneaky metallic particles create antibodies that attack your thyroid and make your body susceptible to Autoimmune Diseases.
Women happen to be at a higher risk for Graves or Hashimoto Disease so education on these ingredients and their effects is crucial.
When you’re shopping for deodorant, be on the lookout for Aluminum. In the makeup you use daily, you should know that while manufacturers are creating colors that make your favorite shadow eye, those companies are inserting heavy metals to make their products instead of keeping it natural.
Those sneaky ingredients really negatively affect your internal organs. Your favorite lipstick can have trace amounts of lead and that can cause your levels of TSH to rise. The levels of T4 and T3 will drop, attacking the thyroid and causing symptoms to flare up. Most possibly a hefty doctor’s bill too.
And it’s not just makeup that contains heavy metals. Be weary of anything that says “fragrance.” Instant red flag!
And might be in more products than you think.
Perfume, dental hygienics, shower and hair products are products can have whatever “fragrance” is too. The problem is this fragrance exposes you to metals that can disrupt the bloodstream. If you see the word fragrance, run! Anything in the bloodstream can affect the thyroid which is what we are seriously trying to steer clear of.
This is a little disturbing. “Fragrance” is an umbrella term where many disastrous ingredients hide. If you see the terms: fragrance, essential oil blend, aroma or perfume, those might be concealing: formaldehyde, titanium dioxide, vinyl acetate, and 100s, perhaps 1000s more.
We internalize our makeup through inhalation and ingestion. Be safe by looking for the “Made Safe” seal. Those are companies you can trust to take care of you.
There is a website I left for reference at the bottom. The website will give your examples of products that are safe to use in all categories. Brands these sites know are safe, and where to buy them. That is how I found most of my regimen. I trust them.
Here is my list of toxic chemicals that I got rid of in my beauty routine:
Mercury:
Although it is our planet closest to the sun, Mercury is a chemical compound found in a multitude of eye products and it is extremely harmful to the thyroid. It causes inflammation and body temperature impairment and is a direct cause of Hypothyroidism.
This chemical lowers T3 and T4 creating a hormonal imbalance as Mercury gets released into the bloodstream. The toxicity in Mercury, even in the smallest of amounts, is a threat to your nervous, digestive, and immune system.
Coming into contact is common: breathing, eating, and skin contact. Sometimes Mercury hides behind the name: thimerosal.” Make sure to avoid Mercury (and thimerosal) at all costs!
Ethanolamines:
Ethanolamines are cleaning agents found in facial cleansers. It removes oiliness and dirt, but it’s still not good for the body.
This chemical, also found in cleaning products, affects the central nervous system, liver and heart because of its toxicity. And yet, it is considered safe.
Internal organs are connected to the thyroid and your hormones. Do you want your personal care products to have the same ingredients as your laundry detergent?
Formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde is a carcinogen which has been linked to causing Cancers and sinking thyroid function.
Formaldehyde completely tears apart the thyroid’s relationship with hormones. Toss any nail polish, hair straightening solutions, and glue made for your eyelashes to avoid Formaldehyde. Know that sometimes this ingredient is not listed and is concealing itself behind other names. This might take a little extra digging, but it’s important.
“Fragrances”
When you are trying to choose your next salon visit make sure that they are being safe and avoiding chemicals and carcinogens in so-called fragrances. The term fragrance has become raincloud that the real chemicals downpour on you.
Certain chemicals that are listed under fragrance are: benzene, petroleum, phthalates, and styrene. What these chemicals do is they intrude your system and pretend to be like other hormones. That’s why it cause thyroid problems instead of being good, healthy hormones.
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate:
Found in many skincare products such as: sunscreen, body lotion, lip gloss, facial cleansers, and fragrances, Ozybenzone and Octinoxate are compounds that are endocrine disruptors that want to wreak havoc on the thyroid.
It’s interesting that we use sun tan lotion to avoid serious health issues and yet the ingredients that are sometimes in it actually cause internal health issues.
Parabens:
As a major hormone disruptor, these preservatives used in makeup decrease thyroid hormone levels.
Maintaining these hormones are essential to feeling healthy especially if you are having thyroid issues. Parabens are another endocrine disruptor and they are imitating healthy hormones. These can be found in a lot of cosmetics, so best to be guarded.
Talc:
A filler used in many cosmetics: foundation, concealer, mascara, lipstick, moisturizing cream, eye shadow…the list goes on and on. We mentioned that the inhalation of some of these chemicals affect the respiratory system and talc is amongst one of them. It is used as a color additive and can have negative impacts on your thyroid.
How I Replaced My Trashed Cosmetics
After I threw all of my chemically materialized self care products in the trash and then dumped it out to eliminate these products from my life, I had the exciting task of finding personal care products that my body would thank me for.
Oil That is Great For You
I use coconut oil for almost everything: my body, face, hair, and I literally use it to pull bacteria from my mouth. Interestingly, I use organic olive oil on my face and my body. People have been using different types of oils for centuries to manifest beautiful skin because they have antibacterial and protective properties. They also happen to be natural moisturizers. Now…I’m starting to try broccoli oil because it’s trending. I have high hopes.
Facial Products
I use Jane Iredale products for my facial primer. The company boasts how skin positive they are and how they value ingredients that change your body for the better.
https://janeiredale.com/blogs/makeup-blog/pure-ingredients-and-makeup-safety
I love Real Purity’s website because that is where I get my light moisturizer and facial cream. I use these products every day and every night.
Real Purity: I’m A Healthy Customer
There are so many products that I buy from this beautiful company. They truly care about the environment and everyone in it. They are completely cruelty and paraben free. Here are some of the products that I love to use.
Dewberry Lipstick: Not only does it have the most adorable name, it is also great for your lips. This product hydrates and protects them from the sun while using organic aloe vera extract, candelilla wax, and sweet almond oil.
Matte Cocoa Eyeshadow: Instead of using harmful ingredients Real Purity uses minerals. Minerals like mica and iron oxide along with Vitamin E provide skin nourishment and UV protection. It also has pycnogenol that keeps your eyes away from harsh chemicals. Oh, and the color looks amazing and would match any skin tone!
Honey Beige Foundation: A core element in this product is distilled water that helps unclog your pores and protects your skin from the sun. I adore the complex shades and undertones.
Medium Concealer: Rich in Vitamin K and Vitamin E, Real Purity’s concealer protects your face from the sun while being one of the best concealers I have ever used. With antioxidants in the formula my concealer heals my skin.
Dark Brown Mascara: Safe ingredients like aloe vera extract, cucumber extract, and jojoba seed oil are healing and calming for my skin. The ingredients in this mascara protect my eyes against irritants and still makes my lashes POP!
https://www.realpurity.com/
Cleanliness for your Mouth
Pharmaca’s Himalayan Complete Care Toothpaste’s Simply Mint is what keeps my smile healthy. It is basically a detox for your mouth.
My Body’s Gratitude:
It takes a Health Detective to decipher what products are good for you and what are not. It takes that extra step: doing research and making the decision to choose your health. Part of that journey means purchashing products that will be good for all of you. The products that I use make me a healthier, more beautiful me. My hope is that you take action too because you and your body deserve it!
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14757716/
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/special_issues/Studies_on_Heavy_Metals_and_Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1253722/
https://clearlifeinc.com/hidden-chemicals-fragrance-parfum/
https://www.madesafe.org/find-products/cosmetics/