Isn’t it great to slather on a nice smelling lotion and smell like a tropical beach all day? But wait! Do you really know what that beautiful fragrance is that you just rubbed all over your skin? I hate being the one to keep you from smelling like a fake cucumber or a crisp cotton sheet, but that fragrance is actually a dangerous chemical.
Fragrances are part of a group of chemicals called phthalates. It is a family of chemical plasticizers that are used in personal care products to hydrate the skin and are also used as a solvent. They are almost synonymous with fragrance. So what is the problem?
- By dismantling an essential oil’s unique chemical compound, discussed below, chemists reassemble a “Frankenstein” fragrance.
- 95% of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and allergic reactions.
- Phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects, reproductive problems, and liver damage in laboratory animals. (I do not condone animal testing).
- The EPA reported that synthetic fragrances were shown to cause “potential mutagenic and genotoxic effects.”
- Synthetic fragrances have also been shown to contain hormone disruptors that are linked to abnormal cell reproduction and can lead to tumor growth.
So what can we do to smell good and increase the health of our bodies? Use organic body care products that do not contain fragrances, but instead contain essential oils.
An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distilled by steam or water from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. They contain unique and varied therapeutic properties and are highly concentrated. The chemical composition and aroma of essential oils can provide valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits. Essential oils have many therapeutic properties when applied topically, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. They also contain a multitude of healing compounds, such as vitamins, phytonutrients, and many other components.
As you know, the skin is the largest organ and needs to be nourished by the great toxic load that it must bear every day. Keep in mind that what we put on our skin is absorbed up to 10 times faster than what we eat! We need to be aware of what we put on our skin so that the products we use do not increase our toxic load. The skin needs vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, and many other compounds that are naturally abundant. Chemical additives abound in body care products today due to their inexpensive nature, their ability to mimic moisture, and provide a pleasant fragrance. However, it is time to rethink what we rely on in our bodies and how these chemicals affect our overall health.
