Last Updated on June 14, 2022
Products we use every day contain scores of unregulated industrial chemicals harmful to your health, and not enough people are aware of the dangers they pose. Learn how to reduce your chemical exposure and protect yourself from ingredients linked to hormone disruption, cancer, and more.
Every time you shampoo, wash your hands, or put on lotion, you may inadvertently expose yourself to some of the more than 80, 000 industrial chemicals currently in use in the United States.
You read that right. Eighty thousand. But here’s the really astonishing part: only a few hundred of these chemicals have been studied for safety.
Why Are Unregulated Chemicals in My Shampoo???
We go about our business generally giving little thought to what we put on our skin (and eventually send down the drain) because we assume that in this day and age, measures exist that ensure our safety. While this may be true in a number of areas of our lives (think traffic lights, pasteurization), chemical regulations in the United States do little to protect us.
Here’s why: U.S. chemical manufacturers don’t have to prove that compounds are safe before putting them in products millions of people use daily. Testing happens only after the fact, when people are unknowingly exposed, and independent studies evaluate the health consequences.
In some cases compounds shown to be hazardous are voluntarily phased out and in others they’re banned. Minnesota just became the first state to ban triclosan, an ingredient linked to endocrine disruption and antibiotic resistance that we encounter in antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, and numerous other consumer products. We’ve been exposing ourselves to triclosan for years, and while many companies have voluntarily phased it out, it still remains in plenty of products, as well as in our water supply.
The more forward-thinking European Union has for many years followed what’s known as the precautionary principle, and requires manufacturers to prove the safety of a product before it goes to market. In the U.S., the FDA only responds to acute problems reported after these products reach consumers.
One of the many problems with this approach: We simply can’t know the effects of long-term low-level exposure to these chemicals. Or the nearly-impossible to study interactions between the hundreds of chemicals we’re exposed to every day.
Your moisturizer or shampoo may contain small amounts of suspected carcinogens or hormone disruptors. But proving that this exposure causes fertility issues, developmental problems, obesity or cancer is well nigh impossible.
Our babies now enter the world pre-polluted, with traces of nearly 300 synthetic chemicals detectable in their cord blood. The breast milk they drink likewise contains chemicals absorbed by their mothers.
The CDC has begun monitoring exposure in the general population and has found that most subjects have detectable levels of phthalates, parabens, and numerous other synthetic chemicals.
Our notoriously “broken” Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is currently being reevaluated in Congress. Bill s. 725, proposed by Barbara Boxer, would amend the TSCA to follow the more precautionary EU model and require companies to demonstrate the safety of chemicals before bringing them to market.
In the likely event that it doesn’t pass, for the foreseeable future protecting yourself and your family from the array of poorly-understood chemicals in our lives remains your responsibility. Below are some tools to help.
Related: How to Design a Healthy Home ~ An Architect’s Blueprint for Wellness
Tox-In, Tox-Out: What to Know to Keep these Chemicals Out of Your Beauty Products
The Environmental Working Group is a fantastic resource for information on toxic substances. So far their Skin Deep Cosmetics Database includes over 60,000 personal care products that you can search to find the safest alternatives.
The least toxic products get a score of 0, the most a 10. Look up your favorite lotion, sunscreen, deodorant, and your kids’ bath products to check that you’re not unwittingly exposing yourself to chemicals linked to increased cancer risk, fertility problems, or organ toxicity.
You can also browse a whole category and pick options with the lowest scores. They even have an app for your phone so you can check out safety data while you shop.
Some of what you find might surprise you. Several popular “natural” brands (even pricey department store lines) include products with higher scores, while many inexpensive drugstore brands scored lower.
If something you’ve been using has ingredients of higher concern, you can probably find a satisfactory replacement with a lower score without too much trouble.
Pro tip: Your home has lots of other sources of chemicals that may affect your health. The good news is that many common houseplants can help remove chemicals like formaldehyde and VOCs. Learn about the best plants for cleaning indoor air.
Try DIY Beauty Products to Reduce Chemical Exposure
Another easy way to reduce chemical exposure is to use ingredients from your kitchen. Almond, olive, and coconut oils can be used as moisturizers and hair masks. Apple cider vinegar works as a hair rinse. DIY recipes for food-based cleansers, lotions, and deodorants abound on the internet.
Here are some great homemade deodorant recipes to try. Google DIY+whatever product you’re looking to replace, and decide which recipes might be a good fit for you. And check out some of the terrific recipes for DIY bodycare I’ve pinned from around the blogosphere on my homemade bodycare Pinterest board.
Here’s a crazy-easy recipe for DIY bath salts that lets you skip all the chemical additives. They make great gifts, also!
Or try this super simple homemade sugar scrub — made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
Or consider signing up for Herbal Academy’s Botanical Skin Care course and learn how to use nourishing herbs to make salves, lotions, and more.
Not up for making safe skincare for yourself? Pronounce Skin Care carries tons of handmade body and hand lotions. You can also find some wonderful homemade beauty products on Etsy, everything from fantastic zero waste shampoo bars to sunscreen. Here’s more on safer sun protection.
Don’t Freak Out Over Chemicals in Your Beauty Products, Just Do Your Best to Reduce Exposure
Can we expect to completely rid our lives of chemicals? Of course not. Unfortunately, we live in a world riddled with toxins that come into our homes in cleaners, toys, furniture, food, and water. Many persist in the environment long after they’ve been banned, and they turn up in the chemical profiles of people who have had no known contact with the substances.
We shouldn’t drive ourselves crazy trying to eliminate them. Until common sense prevails and industries are prevented from using dangerous chemicals, no matter how “green” our practices, we’re still likely to get exposed to toxins.
But if you want to try to limit the effects of the vast science experiment we’re all conducting on ourselves, being savvy about personal care, cleaning products, and the water you drink can greatly reduce your family’s exposure to questionable chemicals. Upcoming posts on plastics and household cleaners will help you limit your exposure even further.
Outraged by the triumph of industry interests over human (and environmental) health? Take action to help tighten regulations on the chemical industry. Join the Environmental Working Group’s mailing list to be notified of petitions and opportunities to contact your representatives.
What’s your take on toxics? Have you taken steps to reduce chemical exposure?
–> Interested in the most effective ways to reduce your chemical exposure? Be sure to read these posts:
- How to choose an effective water filter
- Finding the best organic mattresses
- Why to avoid canned food
- Why to get a shower filter
Further Resources
Great overview film from The Story of Stuff
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Scientific American article on cosmetics safety
Environmental Working Group’s overview of endocrine disruptors
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Photo credits: Sobredo, Nina Nelson, Martin Roell, myllissa, Meal Makeover Moms via Flickr
Susannah is a proud garden geek and energy nerd who loves healthy food and natural remedies. Her work has appeared in Mother Earth Living, Ensia, Northern Gardener, Sierra, and on numerous websites. Her first book, Everything Elderberry, released in September 2020 and has been a #1 new release in holistic medicine, naturopathy, herb gardening, and other categories. Find out more and grab your copy here.
Lindsey says
HI there! you have been nominated for the Liebster award!
http://lipstickandanimalcrackers.com/2015/10/nomination-for-liebster-award/
healthygreensavvy says
Thanks, Lindsay! I’ll get working to pass on the good will…
Lisa Mann says
Hi Susannah,
There is a wonderful skincare and cosmetics company, Beautycounter, whose mission is to take toxic chemicals out of all products. Among many other things it has developed a “Never List” of chemicals that we should avoid in all of the products we use on ourselves and our families. It is a remarkable, transparent company worth knowing about! If you or any of your readers would like any information about the company let me know.
healthygreensavvy says
Thanks for the helpful tip, Lisa! I’ll be sure to check them out.
Lisa Mann says
Hi Susannah,
After looking at the company, let me know if you would like any free samples of any of the products. I would be happy to send them to you. That is how I was introduced, and despite my skepticism (not about the safety but about how well they would stand up to my vanity!) I became so enthusiastic that I completely switched over. Beautycounter is a Benefit company- impact on people and environment are the top priority- and their staff include giants in the field of environmental safety. We haven’t had regulation in this industry since 1938, and we currently ban only 11 ingredients from our American skincare and cosmetic products (vs. the EU that bans over 1300). Beautycounter won’t use 1500 ingredients. They are on a mission to change the field!
Kathryn says
I have used natural deodorant for about the last six months. I love it and it works way better than the commercial stuff. Coconut oil and ACV are miracle workers in my mind. Stopping by from Urban Naturale. Following on Facebook!
healthygreensavvy says
Thanks for the comment, Kathryn. Nice to “meet” you 🙂
Cristina Mandeville says
Thank you for sharing this over at #healthyliving link party. Pinned! Hope to see you again 🙂
Marge Sweigart says
Hi Susannah! Very good article! This is my first time participating in the Let’s Get Real party, and your article caught my eye. I have been working to eliminate toxins from my personal care for several years. The one thing that I haven’t found yet is a good natural deodorant that actually works. Do you have any suggestions?
Susannah says
Thanks for stopping by, Marge. There are a lot of posts out there on exactly this topic! I personally haven’t found any store-bought ones that work, but I gave up on them almost a decade ago. When I was doing the “No Impact Challenge” with some of my students, I came across baking soda as a natural deodorant and used that for many years, but it makes a bit of a mess on the bathroom sink. Then I took the advice of Meghan from Whole Natural Life and tried using milk of magnesia as deodorant, and I like that better. I think it works a little better as well. But I’m not confident about the ingredients in what I found on local pharmacy shelves, and I’m wondering about making my own. Here are some links from some sites I like that you might find useful (recipes are all from my homemade bodycare Pinterest board, which has recipes for all sorts of personal care products:
on stuff you can buy:
http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/smelly-try-one-these-natural-deodorants-actually-work
recipes for making your own:
http://thecrunchychronicles.com/homemade-bentonite-clay-deodorant/
http://naturesnurtureblog.com/how-to-make-your-own-deodorant/
http://everblossom.net/2015/11/diy-roll-on-herbal-deodorant.html
Seems like I have a round-up post in the making here. Thanks for suggesting the topic!
Let me know if you find something you like!
Marge Sweigart says
I’ll check out those links. Thanks so much!
Susannah says
Marge, I hope you saw the post you inspired: https://www.healthygreensavvy.com/diy-deodorant/
Thanks for the suggestion!
Robbi says
I have been making our own personal care products and cleaners for around 3 years now. Ridding our home of toxic chemicals is something I have been working on a lot. I’ve got a few blog posts about personal care products, cleaners etc that I have made and use.
Susannah says
That’s great! It seems like every day I find some other way toxins make it into our lives. I’m getting my soil tested, upgrading my water filter, and replacing more and more plastic with glass and metal, but there’s no avoiding them altogether in our polluted world. Good for you for trying to cut your family’s exposure! Thanks for stopping by.
Karen Grosz says
I am definitely concerned so slowly working on changing out anything that is not natural or chemical free in the bathroom and in the kitchen. Finally found a toothpaste I like, now working deodorants. It is a slow process, but I know each one is cumulative so anything I can do, helps.
Susannah says
Please share any suggestions you have — people are always happy to hear recommendations for what other people have found that actually works! Thanks for stopping by!
Danielle @DIYDanielle says
Great ideas! I need to check out that no baking soda recipe for deodorant… everything I’ve tried so far seems to bother me. Baking soda made me so itchy. Thanks for linking up at #SustainableSundays
Susannah says
Let me know if you find something you like!