We spend so much time and effort making sure what we put inside our bodies is pure, but what about what we put on our bodies? Diet plays a huge role in allowing our bodies to thrive and for us to feel our absolute best, but our environments are just as important! Ever wonder what is actually put into your hair care, and what impacts those things can have on the environment and us? Using pure ingredients from Mother Nature herself not only keeps us healthier, but raises our vibrations and allows us to tap into our natural beauty as goddesses! Here are five reasons why you should switch to non-toxic hair care products.
Cancer, hormone disruptions, thyroid problems, acne, fertility issues, mood swings, and headaches are just some of the side effects toxic ingredients can bring on. Pretty scary stuff! Avoid ingredients like this at all costs. There is absolutely no reason to use them when there are great alternatives already out there. Our skin is our largest organ, which absorbs everything we put on it. The scariest part about using toxic hair products is the fact that these ingredients are not only being absorbed by the skin on our scalps, but are extremely close to our brain. Even some “organic” hair products contain toxic ingredients so always read labels when buying new products. Utilize EWG Skin Deep Database to look up any ingredients you are questioning or to find out how toxic your current hair care is. Here are a few examples of ingredients to avoid and why.
Propelyne Glycol which is in brake fluid, food and even “natural” deodorants. Tricky labels. Yeah, Tom’s of Maine I’m calling you out! It is a form of mineral oil, it is a toxin and although some argue it to be safe, I say there are safer alternatives out there. Even the derivatives of propylene glycol are known to cause hormone disruptions and are carcinogens.
Sulfates SLS known as sodium lauryl sulfate, SAS (sodium ammonium sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) are what you will commonly find in shampoo, even some conditioners, face products, body wash, toothpaste and floor cleaners. They help strip you of all natural oils so your body will no longer understand how to regulate itself. There is some research that says they also can harm the immune system and can cause severe damage to the skin. Even sodium coco-sulfate can be harmful, the only difference is that it is a blend of fatty acids.
Phthalates and synthetic fragrances are known for causing serious hormonal issues and fertility issues in women.
DEA, MEA and TEA: Diethanolamine, Triethanolamine and Monethanolamine. used to form dioxane. These can be found in almost anything from sunscreen and mascara to foaming bubbles and soaps. These can cause liver and kidney damage.
Other ingredients you want to avoid would be parabens, formaldehyde containing preservatives, triclosan, petrochemicals and many others. Staying away from toxic ingredients will not only help you avoid any potential problems in the future, but they will help you to vibrate higher and feel healthier!
Using natural, organic products allows you to tune in with your body and understand the signs your hair could be giving you. Is your hair thinning out of nowhere or do you suffer from hair loss? Could be a serious health concern, signs of a bad diet, or even that your body isn’t absorbing nutrients properly. Dry, damaged hair could also be trying to tell you something so pay attention and don’t reach for a quick fix. Invest in your health so that what you do will feed and nourish your cells. Nature provides us with some of the most magical oils, and ingredients to nourish our bodies and our hair. Utilize these ingredients and your body with thank you. The first thing I noticed when ridding my bathroom of toxic ingredients was my overall sense of wellbeing. I felt good about what I was using, and I felt even better knowing I wasn’t possibly harming my health.
Most of us don’t even think about the things we wash down our drains, and what happens after that moment. Not only are these toxic ingredients hurting our own bodies, but they are also contaminating the water supply, in turn hurting the living earth and ourselves. Plants and animals such as fish are all affected by what we wash down the drain.
I don’t know about you, but anything that isn’t deemed safe until a lab tests it on a dog, rat or bunny doesn’t appeal much to me, nor would it make me feel safe about putting it on my own body. Now, I know there are plenty of conventional products that do not test on animals. I also know they still use toxic ingredients at times, but why not have the best of both worlds? There are so many cruelty-free, non-toxic brands that utilize ingredients from nature that we already know to be safe to humans. To see which brands test on animals, you can always check out PETA, or simply check the bottle. If it says “cruelty-free”, or “does not test on animals” then you have your answer!
It took me a few years to discover what products worked and what didn’t. It also took my hair a detox period of about four months to finally learn to regulate the oil production once again. Now, my friends tell me my hair has never looked this good! Diet played a huge roll in getting my hair back to being thick and able to grow to longer lengths again, but choosing natural hair care improved many aspects of my general health and it keeps my hair strong, clean and beautiful. Strong hair means less breakage which results in being able to grow my hair out. While there are many options for non-toxic hair care, some of my favorite brands include Josh Rosebrook, Rahua, Yarok, Enkido, and Living Libations. You could even go as far as using your own baking soda and water mix for shampoo, and an apple cider vinegar rinse for conditioner, saving your health and your wallet at the same time!
http://www.enkido.com.au/home___
http://www.rahua.com/us/hair.html
http://store.livingearthbeauty.com/Seabuckthorn_Shampoo_Body_Wash_120ml_p/ll148.htm
http://joshrosebrook.com/collections/hair
