Brands I Use to Reduce My Exposure to Toxins
We live in a world full of polluted air and we are continuously exposing our bodies to both avoidable and unavoidable toxins. This continuous exposure causes our liver to work endlessly to detox our bodies and eventually, it can get to a point where the liver can no longer keep up. Since the organs in our bodies are constantly communicating with each other, this overload on the liver can lead to chronic inflammation, which can cause the other organs in our body to not function at their best (think: digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, anxiety, depression, achy-ness).
Ever since I attended The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I’ve been working to replace common household, hygiene, and beauty products with cleaner brands to reduce my exposure to toxins. Not to mention, the bloodwork my functional medicine doctor ran on me in November 2020 revealed my body was producing antibodies against multiple toxins. These antibodies are part of the reason why my body has high inflammation levels & I am working to reduce inflammation each and every day through the food I eat and the products I use.
Below is a list of the brands I use to ensure I am not exposing my body to unnecessary toxins. Read this article to learn more about what common toxins are found in the products we use every day and the specific ways they affect our hormones and overall bodily functions.
Beauty
Beautycounter - I’ve been using Beautycounter products for both my skincare and makeup for about 3 years now. Don’t let the price tag scare you away - these products last forever (I literally buy my skincare routine only twice a year, that’s how long it lasts).
Hygiene
Native - I buy Native toothpaste, deodorant, and body wash. My favorite two deodorants are: Citrus & Herbal Musk & Charcoal (both found in the men’s section, lol). My current favorite body wash scent is Palm Leaf & Bergamot. They started selling sunscreen recently but I have to try it. I’ll probably add it to my cart during my next order!
Prose - I started using Prose shampoo & conditioner a few months ago and I’m hooked. The shampoo & conditioner you receive is tailored to your hair needs. My hair tends to be on the greasy side and I always used to switch shampoo/conditioner brands because I could never find one that worked well after a few months. Prose has stood the test of time & they even let you customize your own scents (yay!). I recently ordered the curl cream & am excited to give that a try!
Cleaning/Common Household Items
Seventh Generation & Method - My go-to brands for all things cleaning/house related (dishwasher pods, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, floor cleaner, & anything else you can think of that needs cleaned in your house!).
Mrs. Meyer’s - My go-to brand for hand & dish soap.
Branch Basics - While I have not tried Branch Basics yet, I’ve read multiple good reviews. Next time I need cleaning products, I will probably give this brand a try.
Favorite Places to Shop
Emptying your cupboards, bathroom sinks, etc. and replacing them with new products is an overwhelming task. Start by taking small steps to replace your house with cleaner products. Replace something small like your toothpaste or shampoo and then continue from there. Don’t try to do it all at once!
As you fill your house with cleaner products, be sure to check out EWG where tons of brands & products are graded for their transparency & safety.