What is a hormone disruptor?
Let’s talk hormone disruptors
What does that even mean? Hormone disruptors?? Like for real, I hear it all the time and I’m like but what is happening? So I looked it up one day, hormone disruptors are chemicals that really fuck with the endocrine system causing adverse reactions. As I’ve talked about before it’s literally everything we’re exposed to. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2020) endocrine disruptors “can mimic naturally occurring hormones (such as estrogen, androgens, and thyroid hormones) causing over stimulation. They (endocrine disruptors) can bind to a cell and block binding as well as interfere with metabolism in the liver.”
What are some examples of endocrine disruptors?
-Parabens
-Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)
-Phthalates
-Synthetic dyes/colors
Let’s talk what we use on our skin. Our beauty products are kind of a free for all. There are some guidelines but nothing that really makes safety a priority. Our skin is the largest organ. What you put on it matters, it absorbs all the things.
About four years ago I was breaking out so badly that I went to a dermatologist, I was put on all kinds of topical creams, nothing helped. If someone had just said to me, “hey babe- what are you eating? Maybe we should talk about your gut health. What products are you putting on your skin? When are you breaking out and where?” If someone had asked if I was on birth control? Inquired about my diet (what I ate), what my gut was doing (gut inflammation is a big deal), when I was breaking out, and how much alcohol I consumed...I could’ve been asked to guided down a different path. Fixing your skin really starts on the inside. So I’m saying it to you, hey girl- fix your gut, pay attention to what you’re putting on your skin, when you break out, and what you’re eating. Your gut and your endocrine system really work hard to keep you functioning. I know I’ve said that about every major organ I’ve talked about but it’s true, our bodies are really smart.
Probably within the last year, I really started paying attention to what skin care and make-up products I use. I’m a pretty low maintenance kinda gal. I don’t have time for 800 steps to better skin, by putting layers of shit on my face. If that’s you and you have an extensive face routine-power to you-I support that, it’s just not for me though. I barely get my face washed, honestly. I wash my face once a day-that’s it- but only out of pure laziness. So when it comes to beauty products I read all labels, double check, and google words I don’t know. I pay attention to where I’m buying my products. I also love supporting small businesses, I love buying products from people who put their heart and soul into their big DREAMS!!! Those are my people these days!
I just had a conversation with my Charlotte gals about dry shampoo and not using talcum powder or dry shampoo with aluminum in it. I use a dry shampoo (heavy metals can cause hair loss) made of arrowroot from a local Charlotte company called Roses + Azalea.
There are a couple of websites you can check out for cleaner safer products (EWG/thinkdirty) but ultimately you should be really reading labels and doing what works for you.
Here’s what I’ve been using on my skin lately. In no particular order.
Earth Harbor- a company out of Georgia, wonderful beach sea vibes (they give back to the ocean). My friend Kristen told me about this company and I decided to give them a try! Love what they stand for and their products.
Fit Rocker Chick Skin- a company by a pretty rad rocker chick named Erin that I found on Instagram. Simple skin care for me- I love what her oils do for skin.
W3ll People- a larger company but I have their face oil and also really like it. I know Whole Foods sell these products, if you want to grab something at a store and not wait to order online.
Dry shampoo from a company called Roses + Azalea (can also be found on Instagram).
*not sponsored I just love the products from all these companies.
If you’re thinking of switching to safer skin care feel free to reach out- your skin will thank you. I’m here to educate and hopefully spark an interest so that you go do some research on your own!
Let me know what your skin care routine is or what beauty products you really love!
-D
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (3 January 2020). Retrieve from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm
