As we talk about hormonal support this week, it is important that we touch on the products we use in our home. You can be the healthiest eater and someone who exercises everyday, but if you aren't watching the products you bring into your home, you are still putting yourself at unnecessary risk for so much. The next topic can REALLY get me going 😊 Shall we dive in?
Paraben free, Dye- Free, SLS-free, Sulfate-Free, Phthalate-free….we are seeing all of our household and personal care products try to clean up their act! Why? People are slowly waking up. They want reasons for their health issues and they are starting to become aware of the long-term impact the products we use in our homes have on our health. Unfortunately, people wait for that reason or health concern to arise before they start to do their research and pay attention.
You know what you will not see removed from most of these products claiming to be clean? FRAGRANCE.
It is in everything! From the candles we burn, the air fresheners we spray, to our dish soap and make-up. (Seriously though, why do you need fragrance in your dish soap?) There are a little over 3,000 chemicals than can be blanketed in that term fragrance and guess what… some of them are harmful! Endocrine disruptors, chemicals linked to tumor growth, chemicals that can have an impact on the respiratory system, chemicals that have been linked to cancer, and more. We often see a “green” label or “clean living” being advertised and ignore the FRAGRANCE label that is listed right there in the ingredients. The worst part about this label is none of the chemicals under this umbrella being used in your product are required to be disclosed to you. It is considered proprietary information. You could have an allergic reaction to a product, and they do not have to tell you what is under that label.
Think of the air in your home. Especially, with the holidays approaching and people wanting anything and everything to smell like pumpkin spice. It doesn’t matter what kind of wax you are using, fragrance is fragrance and you are polluting the air in your home. If the word fragrance is written on the label of your candle/spray/wallflower, it is not clean ( even some aromas claiming to be essential oils are labeled as “fragrance”). Your home is the one place that you can control what your family is exposed to. Already, your body is having to process these chemicals that are in the air you are breathing all day long before you leave the house.
Then think of your skin care products, soap, lotion, make-up, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, and your laundry products!! Laundry products kill me. When I can smell your laundry from down the street while I am running, I get concerned for your health. On top of that, you wear and smell that fragrance all day long. You sleep with that fragrance! The smell of flowers does not equal clean.
I challenge you to look at your products. Even the ones you do not think would contain fragrance. Read that label! This is why we use oils! High quality oils from a trusted source (the regulation on the essential oil industry is an entirely different post 😊) This is why we use Young Living! You will never see “fragrance” listed under the ingredients. They tell you what ingredients are making you product smell so good. I do not have to label read and worry about transparency with them. The other thing I love, is how long the products last because they are not filled with all the junk. From the outside it may look a little complicated, but it is quite simple to do this on a budget with the right help and resources!
Here is one of my favorite recipes to replace those nasty aerosol sprays:
5 ounce continue mist spray bottle
1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner (
Add 15-20 drops essential oils of your choice
I like Northern Lights Black Spruce and Orange right now
Top with witch hazel or vodka
You now have yourself a continuous mist “clean” air freshener/spray
Add a cute Avery label if you wish 😊
Favorite Things Week #1: Savvy Minerals Lengthening Mascara
Savvy Minerals is a product line we don't talk enough about! Yet, it is one of Young LIving's product lines that I use the most. Clean make-up! What does that mean?
The U.S. bans 11 potentially harmful chemicals from cosmetics. ( yup, that is not a typo)
The European Union bans 1,328 potentially harmful chemicals from cosmetics.
Savvy Minerals has banned 2,500 potentially harmful ingredients! Including some "natural" ingredients other companies use.
If you all haven't watched the documentary "Toxic Beauty", it is a must watch for all. We are responsible for what we put on our bodies, and a simple, healthy switch, is with your cosmetics! Unfortunately, lots of label reading and research is involved when attempting to purchase a clean product. The beauty of shopping with Young Living, is their transparency. Their standards are high and the Young Living consumer knows, they can trust the ingredients in their products.
I have been a Savvy Minerals user for almost three years now! I was satisfied with everything but the mascara. That was a flop! However, Young Living listened to their consumers and with the recent Spring Launch, Young Living released two NEW mascaras. They now have a Lengthening and Volumizing mascara! It was a hesitant purchase but the two years of reformulating was worth it! They have hit the mark with these two new additions!
For everyday wear, I LOVE the lengthening formula! Savvy Minerals Lengthening Mascara is made with lash-loving ingredients, including Lavender essential oil, arginine, buildable natural plant fibers, and carnauba wax to take your lashes to new heights. Our clean, richly pigmented formula glides on without unwanted clumps or flakes to lengthen and define lashes. The brush is small with defined bristles to create a light look but adds length for just enough pop!
If you are looking for a more dramatic look, use the Volumizing mascara first ( fuller lash look), and layer it with the Lengthening mascara . We want to share this favorite new item with you!!
To be entered to win the Savvy Minerals Lengthening Mascara, comment below with the make-up item that would be hardest for you to part with!
(Also, if you are looking to try some Savvy products, slick on SHOP in the Virtual Office. Then go to "Essential Specials" and you will see a list of items that are currently on sale. )
