A few years ago I had a scare at the doctor when they felt a lump in my breast and there was several weeks of waiting between when they found it and when I could get another exam. During the waiting period I had the time to really start looking into more information about breast cancer. While there is a genetic component, much of cancer risk can be influenced by diet and lifestyle. Did you know many of the chemicals in makeup, lotion and shampoo were found in cancerous breast tissue samples? That info was enough to get my attention.

Also many of the chemicals that are used in the USA are banned in other westernized countries such Canada, Japan, or the European Union where there are stricter standards for safety in cosmetics.

A few weeks later I had an ultrasound and they found that there was nothing to worry about but that scare increased my awareness, now I take my medicine cabinet and makeup bag contents more seriously. I read labels and am cautious about the chemicals I put on my skin.

I first started cleaning up my act with a diet high in healthy fats, organic, wild, grass fed/pastured proteins, and many antioxidant rich vegetables is the best place to start. I am so glad I started an anti-inflammatory, Paleo lifestyle in 2010.

After getting my nutrition on track I started to become aware of all the chemicals in my home and personal care products. One by one I replaced them with fragrance free and plant derived alternatives from this company. Essential oils became critical for me because they can be used for home cleaning, deodorizing, making my home smell amazing. I even updated my natural medicine cabinet with Young Living’s OTC pain cream and bug repellent, after sun spray and natural sunscreen.

Then I moved on to my makeup routine which has been more of a challenge because sometimes companies “green wash” products to make them seem natural but in reality are not so clean. I started using the Think Dirty application which rates makeup, shampoo and lotion.

Chemicals to avoid in personal care products:

parabens
synthetic colors
fragrance
Phthalates
Triclosan
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
Formaldehyde
Toluene
Propylene glycol

Then the best thing happened in the summer of 2017, my favorite company that I had been using for three years released a line of non-toxic makeup!! I am so excited about these new products from Young Living that I ordered all of them after trying them at the convention.

They are free of talc, bismuth, gluten and artificial colors just to name a few. The most important thing is to shake up you makeup routine and get rid of the junk that is clogging up your detoxification systems.