We’ve covered wellness in your body and for your body but what about on your body? On a daily basis we use many different products on our skin and hair from hand wash and lotion to toothpaste and hair products! With these chemicals (yes they are mostly chemicals!) coming into contact with you at such a hight rate, they should also be reconsidered as you revamp your lifestyle for wellness!

Think about it, every day (sometimes multiple times a day) you’re lathering up and soaking up soaps, moisturizer, deodorant, toothpaste, make-up and other products. Whether is during a warm shower or prolonged exposure these products are easily absorbed though the skin, enter the bloodstream and thus can wreak havoc in your body. From disrupting hormones to overworking your cleansing organs like the liver and kidneys, dehydrating and damaging your cells and some even known to cause cancer and birth defects. Though many brands use marketing techniques that claim to have natural products or seem “green” they can be quite deceptive. Have you read the labels? Most of the ingredients are synthetic or highly treated or processed thus a far cry from their initial “natural” source. Some are cryptic and misleading like “perfume” and “fragrance” which allow company’s to keep their recipe a secret but can include an array of different chemicals. Also, many ingredients can be contaminated through their processing with harmful chemical by-products like lead, mercury or hydrocarbons.

Here are a few ingredients to definitely keep off your body: Parabens, phthalates, coal-tar, toluene, sodium laurel (ethyl) sulfate (SLS), triclosan, diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA) and monoethanolanine (MEA).

I recommend keeping it as simple and natural as you are comfortable with! Focus on one product at a time, do a little research and read the labels! In general, I recommend, finding everything SLS, triclosan and paraben free in addition to fluoride free toothpaste; simple soaps with essential oils for fragrance; aluminum chlorohidrate free deodorants; and a natural moisturizer like shea butter and coconut oil.

There are many ingredients to watch out for and it can get overwhelming! The goal is to be informed so you make choices that continue support your well-being!