Bathrooms themselves aren’t toxic, but you will be surprised to know that many of the products you use in the bathroom contain toxins.
From the toilet cleaner to your mascara there are toxins lurking in your bathroom.
But look on the bright side, you can minimize your exposure by knowing what chemicals to look out for and why.
Read on to learn more.
Related:
20 Ways To Use Essential Oils In Your Skincare Routine To Avoid Toxins
11 Super Easy Ways To Clean With Essential Oils
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is known as a class A carcinogen and you would be surprised to know of the many products it is used in.
It is commonly used as a disinfectant in deodorants, liquid soaps, and shampoos, and also goes by the names, formal, methyl aldehyde, formalin.
Research has linked this toxin to increased risk of cancer and leukemia.
Parabens
Parabens are used as a preservative and found in products like moisturizers, deodorants, and toothpaste.
It is also listed as alkyl parahydroxy benzoates.
Parabens can contribute to increased levels of estrogen, a hormone responsible for many types of cancers such as breast, colon, testicular and prostate cancer.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a kind of industrial plasticizer that is widely used in plastic cups, bottles, and toys and is banned in the EU.
However, they are also present in bathroom products such as shower gels, shampoos, hairsprays, nail varnish, and perfumes.
Phthalates have been found to damage the kidney, lungs, liver, and reproductive skin and can be absorbed into the body through the skin, inhalation or ingestion through liquids or contaminated foods.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate is a common ingredient in bubble baths, liquid soaps, and shampoos.
It creates a lot of bubbles when mixed with salt and is cheap.
SLS has been found to cause skin irritation, stop hair growth, and cause cataract and damage eye development in children.
Skin is a carrier for this product and its slightly less toxic variant, SLES may cause more drying.
Toluene
Love to style your hair and paint your nails?
You’d be surprised to know that these things contain the toxic chemical toluene that is known to cause liver damage, endocrine system disturbances, and asthma.
Go to my previous post to find out some less toxic nail polish to try.
Also, don’t forget to use non-toxic polish remover.
Conclusion
The deeper you dig, the more products you will find that contain toxins that are harmful to our health.
From products that we use to beautify and clean ourselves to those that we use for cleaning the bathrooms, everything contains some exposure to the toxins that pose harm to human health.
Be careful and mindful when purchasing products and try to use toxic-free cleaning products whenever you can.
Look for alternatives like essential oils to both help you clean and detox your medicine cabinet.
Plus, do your own research at EWG.org to check the toxin level of the products you are using.
Don’t get overwhelmed. Little changes each week will add up and reduce your toxin exposure dramatically.
What Changes Will You Make In Your Bathroom Routine Next Week?