We often hear people use the term “Self Care” which can consist of a multitude of different things ranging from eating healthy, seeing friends and family regularly or treating yourself to a nice long bath after a hard day. What is often less talked about is quality personal care products and the importance of using them in our daily self care rituals. Using quality products is a way to not only elevate your health but your self care routines as well.
These products are anything that we consistently use in or on our bodies such as deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, bath/foot soaks, lotions, cosmetics, skincare products, toothpaste, mouthwash, the list goes on! When making the decision of which product to purchase or use, it’s important to take into consideration the ingredients and third party certifications.
Arming yourself with the knowledge and tools to read and understand labels is vital in today’s world. Many of these products contain products that can harm your health which in turn when using them, takes away from the term “Self Care” heavily. Chemicals can enter your body through your skin, mouth, and/or nose, and can also accumulate in your body and put you at risk for a slew of chronic health conditions. A few common chemicals to be aware of are color additives, parabens, phthalates and bisphenols, etc.
In addition, many products use terms on their labels that are not FDA approved to promote and sell their products. This means using phrases with no “legal” definitions in efforts to boost sales on their products. A few examples of these terms are “Organic”, “Hypoallergenic”, and “Cruelty-Free”. Many potential allergens are also overcasted using this method and since there is no legal definition to these products, they can be freely used to do so.
Provided below are a few tips from Fullscript on how to find non-toxic personal care products. Above all, staying informed and always, always checking the product labels for ingredients listed before purchase or use is going to be your best and safest bet.
To your health and wellness,
Stephanie Pete
Executive Assistant
EPIC Functional Medicine
