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Toxins in Soaps
I wish we lived in a world where I could trust the products on the shelves of my local supermarket… but (and I mean a BIG “but” here!) that is not the case. Many common household items as simple as soaps, shampoos, lotions (and the like) contain endocrine disrupters and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals. Endocrine disrupters can lead to hormonal imbalances that can lead to a variety of issues, but namely reproductive issues – especially in women. Sadly, many of the product options we have readily available at the store contain these harmful chemicals. Some of these said chemicals are still found in bottles labeled “eco-friendly,” “vegan,” “natural,” “botanical,” and you name it… Well-paid marketing teams work to convince us that their product is a safe and healthy solution for our consumer needs. This is “greenwashing.” Greenwashing is when a marketing team convinces you that their product is safe because it has some natural elements to it. They will use these “natural” buzzwords to make a profit.
What to Look Out For
So what can we trust? Well there are few tell-tale signs that a product really is clean, natural and safe. Avoid products that include parabens or any synthetic dyes, fragrances, or preservatives. Parabens and synthetic preservatives will give the product a longer shelf life – which is why companies use them. However, these can compromise your overall health. Synthetic dyes and fragrances are cheap ways to increase appeal, however, these also will compromise your health and expose you to harmful chemicals. For more information on the specific ingredients to avoid, visit Dr. Bronners’ brief blog on common toxins to avoid. For these reasons, I have been making my own hand soap for several years. It so easy and cost-effective. Above all, this hand soap recipe really is natural and safe (even safe enough to use for babies!). As a bonus, my three-ingredient soap is also cheaper per ounce than most truly natural soaps at the supermarkets or local co-op.
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup of Dr. Bronners Castile Soap (I use unscented so I can add my own essential oils)
- (Optional) 20 drops of your favorite essential oils (I love Garden of Life because they are a pure, third-party tested, USDA Organic certified essential oil line & bonus: they are not a MLM!)
- Water
Directions
Add 1/4 cup of the unscented Dr. Bronners Castile soap to an 8 ounce foaming hand *soap dispenser. Add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil/oil blend (My favorite oil combo right now is 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of eucalyptus). Fill the remaining room of the soap dispenser with water. Shake lightly and viola! You have made yourself a paraben- and synthetic-free, natural hand soap.
That is it! Simple, natural, inexpensive and customizable! Enjoy!
Blessings, Tawny
*If using a larger soap dispenser modify soap amount accordingly (example: 1/2 cup of Castile soap for 16 ounce bottle).