If you’re like many of us, you’re shocked by how many toxic chemicals are in the same products that we use every day. They’re in our laundry detergent when we wash our clothes. They’re in our household cleaners when we wipe down the countertops or clean toilet seats. But can you believe they’re in the beauty products we use every day? Whether you’re detoxing your diet by eliminating processed foods or changing up your beauty routine by switching to vegan beauty products, here are eight ways to cut toxic chemicals out of your everyday life.
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- Eat Clean — When you eat clean, you’ll look and feel better. By cleaning up your diet, you’ll be eliminating or at least limiting your exposure to non-organic produce. That includes vegetables and fruits that have been exposed to herbicides and pesticides. You’ll stay away from dairy products that have hormones and antibiotics. Meats can also be pumped full of unhealthy hormones and antibiotics. What about fish? Those, too, can be junk-fed and exposed to pollutants including PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls. If that sounds nasty, PCBs are nasty! They’re a group of man-made organic chemicals, and the EPA notes that there are some serious health effects that can occur when people are exposed to PCB.
- Read Labels — According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, chemicals are all around us. That’s why it’s important to read labels carefully so that we can reduce our exposure or stay away from toxic chemicals whenever possible. When in doubt, opt for products that are made from plant-based materials. That includes cleaners, shampoos, and other everyday products. Look for products made from natural ingredients, such as oils that come from citrus, seeds, and vegetables.
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- Add Plants to Your Home — When you use products with chemicals, they’re not just staying on the surface you spray them on. They’re going into the air in your home. Bringing plants into your household will help purify the air. Plants help to remove harmful toxins, such as benzene and formaldehyde, from synthetic materials and household cleaners. 4. Switch to Vegan Beauty Products — There are plenty of benefits that accompany switching to vegan and clean beauty products. Besides being better for the Earth and our animal friends, they’re also better for your skin. Use shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that are vegan. That way, you’ll know where the ingredients come from since you’ll be familiar with and can actually pronounce them. You’ll rest easy knowing that no animals were harmed or used in the process.
- Use Glass Instead of Plastic — By using glass instead of plastic, you’re doing your part to help save the planet. That’s because plastic is damaging to our environment. It’s also damaging to your body. Multiple studies show that plastic leaks into our food and water sources. Glass remains one of the safest materials you can use to store water and food. Plus, who doesn’t love a cute mason jar?
- Make Your Own Natural Cleaning Products — You don’t have to go to the store and just use the cleaning products you find on the shelf. You can make your own natural cleaning products. Step up your game by getting glass bottles instead of plastic ones to make your own cleaning supplies. There are plenty of online recipes that offer easy and affordable DIY cleaners you can make with ingredients you very likely already have at home. If you can’t make your own or don’t have the time and wherewithal to make your own citrus cleaner, you can buy natural cleaning and personal care products instead to avoid nasty chemicals in your home.
- Choose Organic Products — Choosing organic products goes beyond opting for organic fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. You can select organic products for your household cleaners, your makeup, and even the face wash you use every morning. For a beauty or skincare product to be considered organic, it needs to be made with ingredients grown without the involvement of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or other synthetic ingredients. Instead of getting any shampoo, moisturizer, or body wash you found at the drugstore, go out of your way to choose healthy vegan skincare products instead.
- Unscented vs. Fragrance-Free — Although unscented and fragrance-free seem like they’re the same thing, they’re actually quite different. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, choosing a product that is fragrance-free is the safer choice. If a product is unscented, it could mean that the product contains chemicals that simply neutralize or mask the odors of other ingredients in the product. Fragrance-free means that the product isn’t using any chemicals to mask odors. Stay away from makeup that are scented with chemicals instead of naturally occurring ingredients. Go for vegan makeup that’s better for your beauty routine and the planet.
