How Many Chemicals Do We Put On Our Skin?
Something a little different today folks, some food for thought. Bare with me.
I say it time and time again, but the beauty products I try to use on a regular basis, are mainly natural and/or organic certified. Why? This way I am limiting the number of dangerous chemicals my skin can absorb. The big C word is thrown around like the simple flu these days, and I will do everything I realistically can to keep my body healthy. So avoiding nasty chemicals is high up on my to do list – have you ever turned your products over and read the ingredient list? Without going into too much detail as to which chemicals are bad and which ones are regarded as safe – I don’t want to open up that can of worms just yet folks – I thought I would write down a list of all the products I use daily, just to try and be more aware of what I am actually opening my body up to.
Morning / Evening Routine
1. Cleanser
2. Shower Gel
3. Exfoliator
4. Toothpaste
5. Mouth Wash
6. Deodorant
7. Toner
8. Serum
9. Moisturiser
10. Body Moisturiser
Make-up Routine
11. Primer
12. Foundation
13. Concealer
14. Powder
15. Bronzer
16. Blusher
17. Mascara
18. Eyeshadow
19. Eye liner
20. Lip liner
21. Lipstick
The Extras
22. Dry Shampoo
23. Perfume
24. Hand Wash
25. Hand Lotion
So on a daily basis that is 25 different products alone. With say an average of 20 different chemicals in each product – pretending that none of my products are natural or organic – then that is a staggering 500 chemicals I am willingly putting onto my skin. I am not even going to take into consideration the chemicals that surround us in our daily environments. This is just from a beauty routine.
I like to think I am a pretty healthy human. I am a vegetarian. I limit my intake of dairy and hope some day I could give it up entirely so that I have a more plant based, vegan diet. I exercise regularly and drink plenty of water. I don’t own a car, so I walk and cycle everywhere – my carbon footprint is pretty small. Yet, here I am, with my 500 chemicals, smothering myself daily.
I am a beauty lover. I love beauty products. Hey, I would be a pretty bad beauty blogger otherwise. But sometimes, I do wonder if I could treat my skin a little kinder? It is pretty scary when you think about it in this way, don’t you agree?
Over the next few weeks I am going to try alternative natural remedies from deodorant to toothpaste and let you know how I get on. We only get one skin, and I want to love the one I am in.
How many chemicals do you put on your skin on a daily basis?
What are your thoughts on this?
13 Comments
Sophie
I pretty much have less than 200 on my skin every day cos I’m lazy and skip my make up in the mornings! haha xx
Disa Chantel
Ooooh, love this! I’ve recently made the non-toxic switch with my cleaning products, and I’ve started to become more conscious of the soaps and lotions I use as well, but I know many of my favorite face potions are loaded with crappy ingredients – but they work so well! Would love to find a natural deodorant that also doubles as an antiperspirant that also doesn’t wear off in 22 minutes… in the Atlanta summers.
Xx
Chantel | http://www.TheActiveSpirit.com
jenna cantillion
I was literally thinking about this the other day as I was wondering why I got so many spots ha ha. Its actually crazy when you think about it isn’t it?
jenna | Beauty And The Style
Lucy
I’ve honestly never really thought about this wow I didn’t realise just how many chemicals touch my skin on a daily basis, its a lot – maybe looking into more organic products should be a thing!
Lucy | Forever September
Pam Scalfi
ive never considered this, this is so eye opening.
Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥
Laura Louise
The big ‘C’ word *giggling monkey face*…..no but seriously this is super interesting. I am becoming more mindful of the quality of things I put on my skin, but even so…..it’s probably still a huge amount of bad stuffs too x
Sophie Blumenthal
This is SUCH an interesting post and has definitely made me rethink the amount of chemicals and products within one product! Thanks Zoe.
Sophie xx
Jodie
This is something I’ve really not thought about so reading this was really interesting. It’s definitely made me think about what I’m actually putting on my face so thank you Zoe! x
Jodie // Jodie Loue
Annabel
I had wondered what ever happened to you ‘going green’ you just sort of stopped? haha.
I cringe at the word chemicals because everything is technically a chemical, air, water… etc. There’s a HUGE debate in the green/natural beauty blogger community right now about the terms brands use to market their products, and the terms bloggers use, chemical free, no nasties, non-toxic etc. It’s overwhelming and nothing is ever simple, people always find a way to nit-pick, no? 😉 I have been trying to avoid the terms all together and just focus on the positive when I blog, it’s pretty easy though because I don’t use anything that has “toxic” ingredients so easy work for me! 😀
I can’t wait to hear how you get on. Honestly, toothpaste is the hardest one. And maybe deo as you just cant get an anti-perspirant deodorant as that involves metals and whatever crap is in them xxx
http://www.helloannabel.com
Victoria
This is the thing I think about everyday! But just can help, but put everything on my face… I try to use less chemical packed moisturisers in the evening so I replace it with coconut oil, but it just not enough to be healthy… Love your blog and you are extremely gorgeous woman! New follower!
http://victressvic.blogspot.lt/
Victoria ♥
on my own way
I’m proudly saying, none! I’m not using foundation, I use rose water instead of tonic and for cleansers I prefer organic brands!
Kisses,xx
Nazlıgül | on my own way
Leanne Page
I probably use ALOT. I never used to be to fussed about what I’m slapping on my face. But I’m becoming a bit more concerned about their long term effects xx
http://www.lpagebeauty.com
Beauty Bird
Wow I’ve never thought of this before! Look forward to seeing future posts about the alternative remedies you’re trying xx
Ramblings of a Beauty Bird | Beauty Blog