Skincare
So what in the world does your skincare have to do with weight loss, you might be wondering. It has A LOT to do with it! Most people don’t realize the toxins that are in these products have something to do with weight gain and weight retention, let alone a whole other host of symptoms that we consider “every day, minor issues,” like itching, nose bleeds, runny noses, congestion, headaches, mental fog, gut issues, even anxiety to name a few.
So if you’re trying to shed those pounds and have gotten stuck in the past, this could be a major cause. There’s nothing more frustrating than doing everything you know to do, including diet and exercise, only to see no changes!
Many toxins and synthetic chemicals are stored in your body fat. That’s because they’re foreign to the body and having no idea how to process them or digest them, it stores them in fat cells because it seems to be the safest and most stable place for them. And because of that, the body doesn’t want to let go of the fat you’re trying your hardest to lose because of the dangers of letting those toxins out into your body. This is called Weight Loss Resistance Disorder and causes thousands of people around the world to be heavy and unhealthy.
So what’s a person to do??? First, we’ve got to stop allowing the toxins into our bodies. The next step would be a detox or cleanse. But the biggest mistake you could make is to do some juice fast or 7 day cleanse, trying to see fast results, only to cause your body more confusion. See, what most people don’t realize is that you actually need more nutrients when you detox, not fewer! And your body needs time to go through that detoxing process.
True detoxing: “lifestyle changes that reduce the exposure of toxins while nourishing the body to improve digestion and elimination”
This video from December summarizes what I've shared here as I present my favorite skincare line, Apple Rose Beauty.
So that you can be empowered to understand what the toxins are and where they’re coming from, I’m going to share some labels and definitions with you over the course of a month, as part of this Spring Cleaning for Weight Loss series.
Aluminum, usually found in deodorant has been linked to the dysfunction of the nervous system, including Alzheimer's and cancers.
Flouride is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing) that's found in all things "mouth related," can contain heavy metals and environmental pollutants besides the fact that it can disrupt the thyroid (weight gain!), cause bone disease.
Mineral Oil might sound good on a list of ingredients, but the petroleum-based moisturizer can lock in toxins and waste, causing you to hold on to fat cells. It also increases dehydration, clogs pores, and is linked to allergies and cancer.
Propylene glycol is found is deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and shaving gels and can cause a whole host of problems like dermatitis, kidney damage, liver abnormalities, and damage to cell membranes that can cause rashes and dry skin.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a detergent that's derived from coconut oil, thus touted as "natural," but it's production and use found in toothpaste, shampoo, and soaps can wreak havoc on the body. It builds up in the heart, liver, lungs, and brain, possibly damaging them. It also corrodes hair follicles, prevents hair grow, and may cause hair loss.
Xenoestrogens -chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body. Xeno means “foreign.” These synthetic chemicals are found in plastics, mainly and are known as endocrine disruptors. That means they’re causing hormonal distress and imbalances in our bodies, not to mention other reported concerns with compromised immune systems, heart disease, diabetes and weight gain. They can be found in toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, food preservatives, the lining of canned foods, and plastics. Not only are they causing reproductive, developmental, and menstrual issues, but they’re easily linked to cancer, especially of the sex and reproductive organs in both men and women.
One very harmful type of xenoestrogen is phthalates. They're industrial chemicals used in soft, flexible plastics and PVC and can be found in perfumes or anything with fragrance, nail polish, shampoos, shower curtains, baby toys, vinyl flooring, car interiors, insect repellant, carpeting, vinyl flooring, and medical devices like IV bags. It’s labeled as Recycling Code #3 or parfum or fragrance.
How to Avoid these toxins
Steer clear of fragrance unless it says it’s made with essential oils or is labeled as phthalate-free. (Perfumes, deodorants, hair products, face and body products, sunscreens, sanitizers and soaps)
Avoid this list of chemicals due to their possibly harmful contaminants: DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, Ceteareth, PEG and polyethylene, Triclocarban (bar soap), Triclosan (liquid soap), Retinyl palmitate or retinol in daytime skin or lip products, and Oxybenzone.
Avoid these known carcinogens: Alcohol (In mouth wash it's linked to mouth and throat cancers.) Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), Formaldehyde, and Talc.
Use the (Environmental Working Group) EWG’s app Healthy Living for a list of the safest cosmetic and food products. You can get their EWG Verified list of the safest products here.
When it comes to what we’re putting on our bodies, most of us never pay attention to those ingredients, thinking that if we’re not ingesting them, they’re not harming us. I have some scary news for you, Friend: they’re usually more harmful than what you’re eating. That’s because your skin absorbs what’s put on it, introducing it directly into your blood stream, with no digestive system to have to pass through, no filter. So again, you can exercise and eat right all you want, but if you continue exposing yourself to these harmful ingredients in your daily products, you’re just throwing away your money on expensive ingredients and can expect to hold on to the weight you’re trying to lose and have a whole list of ailments to boot!
My Personal Favorites
Apple Rose Beauty is my favorite brand when it comes to facial care. They've got you covered from cleanser to serum and scrubs. Apple Rose is a local Jacksonville-based company that isn't going to appear on the EWG list, but they're 100% natural, mostly organic, and of the highest quality skincare I've ever used. They also are a company "with heart," as they try to hire victims of human trafficking and donate part of their sales to companies who work with victims of human trafficking.
All of the below products can be found at Thrive Market.
This is the only deodorant on the EWG Verified list.
I am currently testing mineral oil mixed with bergamont essential oil.
A great blend for those who don't have issues with baking soda would be the following homemade recipe:
6 T coconut oil
1/4 cup (4 T) baking soda
1/4 cup (4 T) arrowroot or organic cornstarch
essential oils (optional)
You can purchase this toothpaste from Thrive or contact me for a couple of good options with Young Living Essential Oils.
I like to use the almond oil above or unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil and combine it with fragrant essential oils for a nice body oil. Some essential oils can also be applied directly to the skin as fragrance. My favorite brand is Young Living Essential Oils. Just contact me to order.
Stay tuned for the rest of the series, which covers hair care, makeup, and home care suggestions!
Download my 25-page FREE Cleanse Protocol to start detoxing now! -Includes which foods to eat and avoid.
To your health,
