8 Hygiene Products with Great Natural Alternatives

Washing Hands

It may seem a bit dramatic to consider that your everyday hygiene products may cause harm, but that might be the case.

You don’t have to break the bank to go natural – try swapping one product per month, or as each item needs to be refilled.

If you feel daunted to swap out all your products, please read on!  This article will show you how natural alternatives may be easier to use and probably healthier, too. Check out eight top hygiene products with great natural alternatives!

Deodorant

When you eat something, it can be processed and removed by your digestive system, but that’s not always the case with the skin. In some cases, what you apply to your skin can obtain direct access to your bloodstream without any filtering.

Parabens are a preservative used in many skincare products as a preservative, and are often found in most deodorants. Numerous physicians believe that parabens can interact with hormones, possibly causing cancerous cell growth. For women, breast tissue is very sensitive to estrogen, and applying certain types of deodorant near this area may cause hormonal imbalance and possible cancer cells to multiply.

Aluminum can be found in certain deodorants, and has also been found to disrupt hormones in much of the same way. Phthalates disrupt the function of the hormone testosterone in your body, which can also lead to cancer growth in nearby tissue. These substances are used in a number of products to help the product stick on your skin, and have also been linked to increased rates of asthma. Triclosan is used in a number of hygienic products to stop bacterial growth. You’ll typically find it in hand sanitizer, and 75% of Americans’ urine has measurable levels of triclosan. It’s also a hormone disruptor, and may cause irregular gene activity.

“Fragrance” listed on any product does not have to disclose exactly what it is – and could be a harsh chemical, allergen, or any hormone disruptor mentioned above. Opt for natural herbal or essential oils to add fragrance to your hygienic products.

In addition to that, antiperspirants seek to stop sweat from the glands in the armpits. Though this may mean your tee stays dry, it has devastating effects on your health.

  • Be sure it doesn’t have: Aluminum, parabens, triclosan, phthalates, fragrance, antiperspirants
  • Swap it for: Homemade deodorant, Schmidt’s, or another natural deodorant

Fragrances and Perfumes

Fragrances and perfumes, including men’s colognes, have ingredient you aren’t even aware of because the manufacturer is not required to disclose them. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), most fragrances contain 14 ingredients that are not listed on the label. Many also contain triclosan, which as mentioned above may disrupt hormone and normal gene expression.

  • Be sure it doesn’t have: Fragrance, triclosan
  • Swap it for: Essential oils (Note: You still need to be careful with certain essential oils.  Depending on the person, they can cause allergic reactions and/or may also at as hormonal disruptors, too)

Soap

Reconsider anything you put on your skin since it may access to your bloodstream and may clog your sweat glands.  If you purchase a homemade soap, you may be in the clear, but if you buy the bottled liquid stuff, you might want to consider reconsidering.

Commercial soap will likely contain parabens, triclosan, fragrance, phthalates, formaldehyde and also sodium laurel sulfates, SLS for short.

SLS is what makes 90% of your hygiene products and foamy and create a good lather. Though you may enjoy those bubbles, SLS is a known skin, eye, and lung irritant, and combines with other chemicals to form a carcinogen. Forego the froth and purchase something natural. (You can find more “natural” alternatives that still provide those soap bubbles!)

  • Be sure it doesn’t have: Parabens, triclosan, fragrance, phthalates, formaldehyde, fragrance, synthetic colors, sodium laurel sulfate(s).
  • Swap it for: Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap or bar soap.

Washing Hands

Cosmetics

Conventional make-up contains the holy grail of weird substances – most of which are unhealthy, and some that are downright gross. We are talking everything from fish scales for shine to human cells for anti-aging creams (which aren’t necessarily bad for you).

Formaldehyde, fragrance, SLS, parabens, triclosan can all be found in any cosmetic, but the list doesn’t stop there.

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoulen) is found in most lipsticks although it’s a known carcinogen. DEA (Diethanolamine) has been linked to liver, skin, and thyroid cancers. Coal tar dyes, often listed as CI, can be found in lipsticks and are linked to brain damage.

Toothpaste

With conventional toothpaste, you may find some of the common offenders: SLS, DEA, and triclosan (and also a few more) Propolene Glycol is used in antifreeze, yet can be found in your toothpaste. It’s a known skin, eye and lung irritant and many reports show it can be toxic to a number of organs and bodily systems.

You’ll also find fluoride in most toothpastes. Remember, while ingested fluoride at higher levels can be a neurotoxin, it does help you strengthen your teeth. It can disrupt your endocrine and neurological systems, and is easily for young children to overdose on, especially when you consider its added to drinking water systems across the United States.

  • Be sure it doesn’t have: SLS, DEA, triclosan, Propolene Glycol (Note: You may or may not want fluoride in your toothpaste.  While there’s may be less of a reason to drink fluoride, you can safely use fluoride to clean your mouth, just don’t swallow the toothpaste or mouthwash)
  • Swap it for: Dr. Bronner’s or homemade toothpaste.

Lotions and Sunscreen

You’ll find all the likely culprits in your lotion that you’ve already learned about – SLS, triclosan, fragrance, formaldehyde, and loads of parabens. Parabens are named a number of things on a label, so don’t be fooled. Steer clear of all of these parabens in your lotions: methylparaben (E218), ethylparaben (E214), butylparaben, heptylparaben (E209),  propylparaben (E216), isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben.

This is unfortunately also true of sunscreens. In addition to toxic chemicals, they also contain known endocrine disruptors and may also cause cancer when these substances are absorbed by the body. These include oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate.Though the media (or sunscreen companies) spout out that the sun will kill you, it’s actually sunscreen that can do more damage. Your body desperately needs the vitamin D available from the sun. Be smart and opt for a natural sunscreen with carrot oil or other natural substances, or simply be more sun-conscious. Wear light, long sleeves and brimmed hats when in the sun for long periods of time, and monitor the amount of time you’re in the sun.

  • Be sure it doesn’t have: SLS, triclosan, fragrance, formaldehyde, parabens, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate
  • Swap it for: Natural lotions, or regular oils, such as olive, avocado, almond oil or shea butter. For sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses and try using non-nano zinc-based sunscreen. (Review of Beauty by Earth’s Facial Sunscreen)

Shampoos

Shampoos may look and smell natural, but there’s nothing natural about them. You’ll find SLS, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, fragrance, and propylene glycol in the majority of conventional shampoos, as well as conditioners. Luckily, a number of natural options are now available.

  • Be sure it doesn’t have: SLS, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, fragrance, and propylene glycol
  • Swap it for: Natural shampoo (and conditioner).

Nail Polish

It’s no secret that nail polishes can contain some nasty ingredients. Luckily, there are more natural options. You’ll find formaldehyde and equally damaging toulene in most conventional nail polishes.

Toulene, which can be labeled benzene, toluol, phenylmethane, or methylbenzene,  can actually dissolve paint thinner. This dirty heavy hitter is a known respiratory irritant, immune disruptor, and can cause damage to a developing fetus.

  • Be sure it doesn’t have: Formaldehyde, toulene, benzene, toluol, phenulmethane, or methylbenzene.
  • Swap it for: Natural nail polish (or a polish free look).

In Summary

You don’t have to break the bank to go natural – try swapping one product per month, or as each item needs to be refilled. The long term investment in truly natural products will benefit for your health for years.

Besides hygiene products, please consider making the switch to green cleaning, too!