Stripping out nasty chemicals

[Fizzwhizz]

Hello everyone. Just wanted some tips please on reducing toxic chemicals from every day life please. I don’t knowingly use lots chemicals of as I have delicate skin but looking at what I can do to find safe alternatives. Even some supposedly organic brands like Dr Hauschka have not so great things in them when I’ve looked on inci decoder. Just not sure where to start for reputable safe alternatives. I’m trying to make sure the supplements I take are good quality. I’ve started using a probiotic toothpaste but just looking at what else can be done. Obviously eating organic is another possibility but again it’s not possible to get everything sourced as organic. I started to read an article about endocrine disrupters in everyday life like coatings on till receipts, air pollutants etc. I don’t want to become obsessive but just do whatever I can to reduce unnecessary exposure especially in cosmetics, sunscreen, household products etc. Anyone have any recommendations for specific products or good info on reducing the daily toxic load of exposure to stuff? Thanks

[HealthStarDust]

To be frank, having adopted various natural products in my daily living as possible I am not entirely convinced it helps once the damage is done. I am beginning to wonder if what is needed is not to avoid chemicals but paradoxically more exposure to give our bodies a chance to adapt if it can.

[greygoose]

I’ve started using a probiotic toothpaste

What's the point of that? You don't swallow it. What is more important is that it's fluoride-free.

Personally, I don't use any make-up or skin care products. I use vinager to clean and shampoo etc without parabens etc.

You can't avoid everything, I'm afraid, but always read the ingredients and make a list of things you don't want to find it. Shopping takes a bit longer, but there's no such thing as a free lunch!

[Fizzwhizz in reply to greygoose]

Thanks, I didn’t explain it well. It’s fluoride free and designed to not upset the gut microbes apparently. This is where it’s easy to get conned into buying products that aren’t necessarily helpful. I was using plain olive oil to moisturise but it wasn’t delivering the hydration. Even so called ‘good healthy’ products one has to be careful. Hence asking for any tips.

[greygoose in reply to Fizzwhizz]

Oh, yes! It's very easy to get conned. There are plenty of unscrupulous people out there just waiting to take advantage of our concerns. And a lot of them have Dr before their name!

[Fizzwhizz in reply to greygoose]

Sadly yes. I experienced that with a private menopause GP. Even though I kept saying I felt my thyroid was an issue she didn’t treat that area just sex hormones so the treatment wasn’t actually helpful in the end and it was expensive…

[greygoose in reply to Fizzwhizz]

She probably didn't know enough about it to treat it. Not many of them do.

[HealthStarDust in reply to Fizzwhizz]

For hydration I would recommend trilogy rosehip oil and Jason naturals vitamin e. I still find I need to steam and use a mask for my face mind.

[Mostew]

I do what can to minimise chemicals . Damage may be done but we can help prevent future damage

Toothpaste does go in to our system through gums so good idea to get natural one ...

Sounds like you are doing your best . Its all we can do ..

[HealthStarDust in reply to Mostew]

prevent future damage

I thought this too. Now I am just not too sure we can prevent future damage by living as naturally as possible, particularly if the thyroid disease is autoimmune.

I feel the best way one can prevent future damage is to avoid any nasties in too much excess is sugar, excercise, and being as stress free as possible. Unfortunately, worrying so much about chemicals is counterintuitive to that when it is so dirty to achieve.

It’s just my current doubts. There are certainly some cleaner living habits I want to hang on to regardless.

[Mostew in reply to HealthStarDust]

I suppose i was thinkining genrral keeping as healthy as possible . Definatly anti inflammitory diet ..

And not worrying. !!

[Fizzwhizz in reply to HealthStarDust]

I think stress is a big issue and of course a truck load of coping habits to stress can be sugar, alcohol etc. I’ve ditched higher impact exercise for walking, have hot water instead of coffee as soon as I wake and a couple of other things. I don’t want to obsessing about it but I already have some skin issues so was looking for better options for skincare. I don’t use hair products other than shampoo and don’t use makeup as I have eye problems. I guess it’s just doing what we can where we can to help our bodies out.

[HealthStarDust in reply to Fizzwhizz]

There is no one place to get such products. Try ewg.org/skindeep/ to search for products. If you look around the website, there is also a database for everyday items.

[asidist in reply to Fizzwhizz]

Just noticed HealthStarDust already mentioned this site! Sorry for the dupe rec.

But wanted to mention in response to your note about skincare that Bybi (actually based in the UK) makes a great product called Bakuchiol Booster: bybi.com/products/bakuchiol.... It's also very reasonably priced!

My skin seems to like nothing, but that does a great job calming it down, so I consider it miraculous. It's an oil solution with only two ingredients, and not hydrating enough on its own for me, so I pair it with a hydrating gel-moisturizer. This combo has proven to work well for me. Not sure what skin issues you have exactly but perhaps will help you as well.

[Bertwills]

I’ve had bad reactions to chemicals for 2 decades. I’ve found Green People products to be ok. Their suncream is good. Unfortunately ingredients can be changed even by good companies & I’ve had to stop using favourites. Weleda is also generally ok.

Be aware that some essential oils can be problematic for some people. BioD, sold online & at Oxfam shops is a good source of household cleaners but using vinegar, bicarbonate & lemon juice can be effective. Lots of posts on Pinterest or just Google for recipes & ideas.

Holland & Barrett can be a useful source. I buy Unperfumed Faith in Nature shampoo, conditioner & bath foam in 5 litre bottles from them. Lots of oils eg rose hip, argan, almond are brilliant for skin & hair. Westlab make bath salts with magnesium in that I like.

Peroxide is useful as a bleach & can be used for laundry. Clothes washing is a difficult area. Lots of “green” choices but some are still full of chemicals. Trial and error on Amazon is probably unavoidable to find what suits you.

Puressential make useful but expensive sprays for the house. I buy from Amazon on subscription

Please ask me more questions if you like. I’ll write again later as I’m on my way out now.

[Batty1]

Too much of a good thing can be just as bad as not enough good things … everything in balance is my motto.

[Bertwills]

A good source of everything for a greener less chemical life is the website, & keep.com. Plastic free living is a popular aim. I’ve bought lots of lovely metal storage boxes for the fridge & kitchen.

[asidist]

Hi FizzWhizz,

EWG.com is a great resource. They're a nonprofit that has a guide/database for cleaning products that rates products on a scale, one for sunscreens, one for general skincare products, and more. In my experience, easier to see what products you have access to in store and online and check the ratings for those, rather than browsing a ton of products you might not be able to get (over time as you get familiar with the selection you start to recognize which brands you do and don't have access to without having to look it up - for instance, I use sites like Vitacost.com and iherb.com a lot and have an idea of what brands are available there).

Their databases aren't perfect because ingredients lists change (i check ingredients list against the site), and also the org can only rate the list, not the actual formulas with amounts of ingredients taken into account, so take the info with a grain of salt and keep in mind there might only be a very tiny amount of a very toxic chemical listed in a product, but EWG can't know the amount.

Mamavation.com is another good resource with lists of products tested for PFAS and other toxins (you'd be surprised at the products in which PFAS have been found).

As someone else has noted, trying to avoid plastics (and nonstick cookware) and opting for glass/steel/cast iron whenever possible is also a good idea. Silicone bags like Stasher are helpful replacement for plastic bags. Buying organic (and avoid processed foods) as much as possible of course can make a huge difference too, as you note.

Yes, you'll go crazy if you try to be perfect so I just do what I can and what's not too much sacrifice in terms of time/effort/cost. A lot of it becomes second nature and just a lifestyle after some time, you internalize a lot of knowledge, and then it's much more just low-effort maintenance. Good luck!