The average women puts 515 chemicals on her body every single day without knowing.

That is a pretty worrying statement and coupled with other environmental toxins it can be a heavy load.

From the time you get up you may begin the daily ritual; shower wash, shampoo, conditioner, cleanser, toner, moisturiser, deodorant, body cream, body spray, perfume, make-up, nail varnish and perhaps a fake tan or a chemical laden sunscreen.

Putting it on your skin does let it in. You only have to think of birth control patches and nicotine patches to know. These effective doses are absorbed in the blood stream and can prevent pregnancy and the desire for a cigarette.

The Environmental Working Group published a combination of two studies in 2005 that found toxic chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies born in 2004 in the US. They screened for more than 400 chemicals, and an astounding 287 toxins were detected within the umbilical cord blood of these newborns. Out of 287 chemicals, 217 were neurotoxins, and 208 are known to damage growth development or cause birth defects.

What impact does this chemical storm have on your personal health?

There is growing concern that the combined chemical burden which includes hormone disruptors, carcinogens and neurotoxins are partly to blame for the rise in reproductive issues and cancer among women.

In 2013 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reported that there is robust evidence linking toxic environmental agents to adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes.

In 2014, a non-profit organisation, Women’s Voices for the Earth  commissioned independent lab testing on 4 types of Always sanitary pads. They found a number of carcinogenic and reproductive toxins including acetone, chloroform and styrene.

Most chemicals found in beauty products have not been independently researched and so women are effectively guinea pigs. Keep in mind that this is a gradual toxic build up and herein lies the problem.

It can be overwhelming and daunting scrutinizing every product but it is important to remember that the skin is the body’s largest organ and what goes on does go in.

Think about what you use the most ie shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, and where it is important to buy ‘clean’ products.

Look for the cleanest ingredients in the following products –

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Anything you soak in or that soaks in you! ie; bubble bath, body lotion, sunscreen, face cream

Products you should scrutinise, avoid or reduce use of –

• Talcum powder
• Baby wipes
• Baby products
• Hair dye
• Nail polish
• Perfume
• Bubble bath
• Deodorant

Top ingredients to avoid –

• Parabens
• Formaldehyde
• Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate
• Phthalates
• Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), monoethanolamine (MEA)

Remember there are many more than this list.

Think Dirty is a great App to learn beauty ingredients and shop clean.

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At Botanica we offer organic sanitary products, natural deodorants, skin care, make-up, nail polish, baby products and fragrance. Safer ways to feel and be pretty.