Cosmetic & Toiletries app that rates ingredients according to carcinogen level, hormone disrupter, potential for allergies etc.

[Brownlow]

I know that some of you have opted to switch to less harmful cosmetics and toiletries in a bid to reduce any possible toxic substances entering the body via the skin. We do absorb quite a bit through our skin so it makes sense to consider what we put on it just as much as what we eat or drink. Many ingredients in the common cosmetics and toiletries we use have not been tested and there is no regulation as far as I know. Some ingredients are even carcinogenic, cause allergies or interfere with our hormones which seems quite mad to me. The trouble with many ingredients is that anything toxic has to be eliminated by the liver which prevents it from doing the really important job of eliminating excess oestrogen.... and all us endo ladies probably have too much oestrogen. Also, I think that if something enters the body via the skin it doesn't necessarily go to the liver but gets transported around the body by the bloodstream.

I am just starting to find products that will replace what I currently use and found this really useful app that rates hundreds of cosmetics and toiletries according to how 'dirty' they think it is depending on the ingredients. thinkdirtyapp.com

Pretty much everything I use scores 9 or 10 especially for carcinogens and hormone disrupters. Personally I think I need to be kind to my body and take care of what I put in it and on it now that I have endo.... and I would still do this if I didn't have endo. The app also suggests alternative products which is really helpful. Bear in mind it is American so might not have all products we use in UK.

[Hidden]

Hi Brownlow. I hope you are okay? Thanks for this, this looks REALLY useful. Toxins in cosmetics is something I have always worried about.

I found Jennifer Young cosmetics, recommended on Polly Noble's website. I know we don't have the same disease but these cosmetics seem very sensible to me. The ingredients really are very simple, I hope they are rated okay on your app. What I like is that all the ingredients are listed on the actual website so you can evaluate them before you purchase, which is quite unusual.

Here is the link - beautydespitecancer.co.uk

Polly Noble also recommends this, I will try it and will let you know how it is.

ohlief.co.uk/body-range

Polly Noble also has some good healthy recipes on her website. This brownie looks endo diet passable and delicious, and I will make it on Friday. Although it contains lucuma, have no idea what that is - will just ignore that ingredient.

Considering Polly has survived stage 4 cervical cancer twice at such a young age, she is doing really well controlling the disease with everything she can throw at it. She amazes me.

Thanks again.

[Brownlow in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the links and also for telling me about Polly Noble. Just looked her up and she does seem quite fab.

I always worried about ingredients in cosmetics and even when I was diagnosed with endo 7 years ago I still did nothing to change my products. With the return of endo comes a pretty firm commitment to clean up my act. I wish I had done it sooner!

[penguin35]

Hi Brownlow - I came to the same conclusion recently and am busy making changes, thanks v much for the app recommendation - will definitely take a look. So far I have ordered some kiss my face products from the US via Amazon (their fine hair shampoo was recommended) and some New Dawn samples (also via Amazon). KMF should show up on your app I think...

I'm also changing to ecover products for around the house - dishwasher tablets, washing liquid...

I'm new to this process though and so would love to know what other things you do/have changed to lead a 'cleaner' lifestyle??

Xx

Ps a possibly funny related question - what do you eat for breakfast?!?

[Brownlow in reply to penguin35]

Hi penguin35,

Good to hear you are making changes. I use a lot of baking soda and vinegar to clean around the house (plenty on internet and pinterest about this)but also plan to switch to ecover or similar.

The main thing I concentrated on first was my diet and I switched to more endo friendly eating. Mostly vegetarian, no gluten, dairy, caffeine (still take green tea) sugar and only the odd glass of red wine here and there. I sometimes eat meat but it has to be organic grass fed. It has made me feel stronger and better overall. Endo problems still present. I add nutritional yeast for additional vitamins and minerals.

Breakfast is usually lemon juice in hot water with a small bit of honey (meant to cleanse the liver) first thing followed by porridge made with almond milk adding turmeric, cinnamon, honey, whole flax seeds, chia seeds and something like blueberries if I have them. Or I sometimes have gluten free toast with a small bit of honey and slice a banana on top.

I haven't got started on the toiletries front yet apart from coconut oil. I use a skin brush (from Boots) to brush my skin before a shower. After the shower I apply coconut oil to my skin. I also pin my hair back and apply it to my face. A bit greasy but dries quickly enough. Doesn't smell that much. It is like a wax but melts quickly in your hand. It's organic, virgin, cold pressed and I have another jar in the kitchen to cook with.

Also found this site which seems very good naturisimo.com/index.cfm?nme= Might be a good idea to check the ingredients too.

[daffodil in reply to Brownlow]

Naturisimo is great website-I used to do reviews of new products.I use Green People and Weleda and Akin products for toiletries.Also very essential to cut out normal deodorants -I use the salt sticks which lasts for years.

Thanks for posting this as this is something everyone should do to reduce the toxic load our livers have to deal with.It is horrific to find out what we are putting into our bodies and onto our skin isn't it?But diet changes and changing the products we use is one way we can have a bit more control,as endo often makes us feel our body is controlling us!

I have a number of good books on the topic of living in more eco friendly and healthy way,but cant recall them just now -will post later.

[Brownlow in reply to daffodil]

Hi Daffodil,

How are you? Good to hear the naturisimo site is helpful. So many products, so hard to choose but I think I'll get some samples too.

I'm trying to find a good deodorant so I'll try out the salt stick but I did find some warnings on potassium alum. Dr. Mercola has a good article on the whole subject articles.mercola.com/sites/...

I wonder if I can be bothered using baking soda and water though. Soap and water alone won't work for me as he suggests!

Hope you're having a good day and you're surrounded by all the pretty daffodils in flower! x

[Brownlow in reply to penguin35]

Another breakfast I do is a sort oat bake that I found via pinterest. Some people think there is gluten in oats but I'm not too bothered for now and use ordinary oats.

buttecreekmill.com/2012/07/...

I substitute a few things and instead use the following: coconut palm sugar, frozen blueberries thawed, leave out the chocolate, unsweetened almond milk, coconut oil for butter.

[Hidden in reply to Brownlow]

Sounds nice I will try that. I agree about the oats, they are too good for us not to have. I find thy settle my pain and pressure alot. There was an article only this week or last in The Telegraph about the health benefits of oats. For me, the key benefit is how the help digestion and help create good digestive bacteria, which is health promoting - particularly for those of us with endo bowel involvement.

I was have coconut palm sugar, its v nice, got it from Whole Foods just off Piccadilly / Regents St in London. It's a good place to find healthy alternatives.