So, How to protect children from chemical overload?
Schools are going back, and this is the time to think about protecting children from chemical overload.
We all love our children and care for their safety, specially under these unprecedented circumstances with Covid19, still lurking around. We all want our children to be well protected and to build natural defences against viruses in general.
Giving them a better start by ensuring that products they use on a daily basis are natural and free from toxins is imperative.
Why is this so important?
Toxins and chemicals impact directly on the hormones in our bodies. These toxins are called endocrine disruptors. They interfere with the actions of hormones. These toxins increase or decrease their production by imitating them.
This can have serious effects in the body, such as causing reproductive issues, birth defects and even cancer.
The situation as it is…
We are all surrounded by hundreds if not thousands of chemicals on a daily basis. This makes protecting children from chemical overload very difficult. We wake up, get ourselves ready, and have breakfast. So by the time we leave the house, we have been literally exposed to hundreds of chemicals. Let’s look at this in more detail:
As parents we try to keep our homes free of bacteria thinking we are protecting children from chemical overload, and protecting our own health too. In the process of using cleansers, bleach and any other cleaning products, we are introducing our homes to even more toxins and chemicals. We are putting our health and that of our children at risk when we inhale these, as they are going straight into our blood stream.
When we shower we wash our hair with shampoos and conditioners:
Shampoos and conditioners, in particular, contain a lot of toxic ingredients. Some health-conscious consumers have taken to making their own haircare products, but others still prefer to use ready-made, expert-developed shampoos and conditioners. If this is you, rest assured that you have plenty of options. You don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune, either. A quick glance at a product’s ingredient list can tell you a lot about its safety.
Here are five toxic ingredients you’ll want to avoid when picking out a shampoo or conditioner:
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Sulfates
They are chemical detergents. It means that sulfates are extremely effective at removing dirt and oil … in fact, they’re a little too effective. Sulfates are harsh on the hair and scalp, so they can strip away that natural moisture that keeps your hair shiny and soft.
On a deeper level, they may carry some hormone-disrupting agents along with them. According to Natural Society, many sulfates contain traces of dioxane, a known carcinogen. Dioxane is also thought to disrupt kidney function.
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Parabens
Parabens are xenoestrogens, which means that they have a similar composition to hormones found in the human body. Xenoestrogens are thought to disrupt hormones and could even pose a cancer risk.
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Fragrance
Fragrances are bad. If the fragrance in your product comes from a natural essential oil, it will say so on the packaging.
The term “fragrance” allows manufacturers to opt out of including a list of the ingredients used to create that fragrance, so we have no idea as to what those ingredients are. Natural Society notes that there are more than 3,100 chemicals used by the fragrance industry to concoct these suspicious-sounding additions to your shampoos and conditioners.
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Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that’s often added to personal care products as a preservative
It is thought to be an endocrine disruptor, which means it can be harmful in the same fashion as xenoestrogens, it will interfere with the action of the hormones. It’s also been linked to immune system problems, weight loss and uncontrolled cellular reproduction.
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Polyethylene Glycol
Polyethylene glycol or PEG, is also thought to interfere with human development. It’s also known to be contaminated by the aforementioned cancer-causer dioxane.
Conventional make up and skin caring products like cleansers and moisturisers also contain harmful ingredients that can cause harm to health.
According to different studies, in a single day, the average woman uses 12 products containing 168 different ingredients. Most of these contain endocrine disrupters which means they can disrupt the hormone balance and fertility, and even contain ingredients with clear links to cancer.
We apply these products to our skin and lips and then we go and kiss our children, with these products on, but it’s not safe for any of us.
The impact on me!
I got rid of all my make-up, new and old, after doing all this research and finding out all these facts. But I am still trying to replace all the contents of my make up bag but its going to take me a while. What’s clear is that I’m not going back to conventional products.
Unfortunately, my nail polishes went too. I now shop for 12-free which means they are clear of the worst 12 chemicals which most polishes contain. The problem is finding nail bars that stock these more expensive products. The alternative? you could take your own with you. Most nail bars will happily apply it for you. The alternative however is to look for a saloon or nail bar that may stock if not 12 but “7-free” varnishes which is a better option.
What else can we do to help ourselves?
We are all becoming more aware of these frightening facts, and manufacturers have realised they need to change things for the better.
Lots of hair and skin products are made with safe, natural ingredients, however you need to look for them. If you’re feeling more adventurous, of course, you could always try making your own homemade hair care products, face oils and even home cleaning products.
I have started making my own orange oil, which added to avocado oil makes a good moisturiser not only for my skin, but my hair and nails appreciate it also.
You can make a basic sink cleaner by mixing baking soda and any essential oil such as lavender, lemon, or orange.
Mixing tea tree and lavender oils with water in a spray bottle, can remove bathroom mildew.
Half a lemon in your sink will become a smell blocker and olive oil makes a good polisher.
A final reminder…
To conclude, let me remind you also to be aware of aluminium in deodorants. Most anti-perspirants work by clogging pores with aluminium salts to prevent perspiration. Natural deodorants use natural ingredients such as lavender or bergamot. They also use other ingredients containing antibacterial and disinfectant properties such as coconut oil and tea tree oil, to provide the pleasant smell. In the same way, by using baking soda, arrowroot and corn starch they deal with the moisture.
I carry chap sticks or lip balms in every coat and jacket pocket, and every handbag in my house. But every time I look for one, I can’t find any of them. I cover my lips with lip balm every time I leave the house. So you could expect to digest a great amount of lip balm or lipstick, over your lifetime. So how do you feel when I tell you that most are made of petrolatum?. Yes, the same as what you fill your car with but refined, obviously! Other ingredients include parabens, fragrance and chemical sun-screens.
Give deodorants and chap-sticks a little thought too, as you are getting your children ready to go back to school. While thinking about protecting them from germs, about face masks and sanitisers for their hands, please think a little further than that . This may be a good start to protect children from chemical overload.
We are our children’s first educators, they see us as their role models, and how we behave will influence their decisions in the future. As parents, we have a direct influence on the products our children use on a daily basis. It’s our responsibility to ensure we all live healthier and happier lives.
