What’s in your bathroom?
27 products.
John and I use these every day. Some of them multiple times a day.
27 products, hundreds of separate ingredients.
When I had the idea for this post, I thought the words of how many products and ingredients we use every day would be impactful. Yet, when I started placing everything on the floor for a picture it really hit me: most of these are regular ole products that everyone uses – shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, body lotion, deodorant. Then several of them are add-ons that I choose to use for healthier, more nourished skin and aren’t simply requirements for personal hygiene. Others still are makeup, something completely optional that I love to wear a little of.
When I was placing all of these on my floor I was struck by not just how many it seems like when it’s all piled together, but how much I have changed over the last few years. And how every single product I use today is nearly a 180 degree turn from what I used to use. Switching to safer products across the board has been eye opening and has lessened my toxic load immensely.
I’ve read different stats over the years – about how many products women use. This study says an average of 12 per day. I apparently use 22; John uses 6. We use a couple several times a day like hand soap and hand cream.
What’s in your bathroom?
Since I started working with Beautycounter in 2019, my eyes (and ears!) have opened even more. I hear from women all the time that don’t “wear a lot of makeup” and don’t “use a lot of skin care.” What I want you to hear from me is that whatever you’re using, even if it’s just a couple of products, should be safe for you. I do a ridiculous amount of reading about personal care products these days. I’ve been doing it for years. Switching even one product that you use daily can make a big impact in lessening harmful ingredients you put on your body.
I encourage you to take a quick inventory the next time you’re getting ready for the day (or night as the case may be.) I love to use ewg.org and their app to scan products in the store. The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit that works to empower change. Using their Skin Deep Database leads us to live healthier lives by avoiding toxic and potentially harmful chemicals.
I believe the more you know, the better choice you can make that’s right for you and your family. The personal care industry – from toothpaste to eye cream and lipstick – is super shady and sorely under-regulated. Labels aren’t everything. Take matters into your own hands and look up ingredients and products yourself.
It’s not all doom and gloom
You might be thinking that this all sounds a little harsh and you need to go on a rampage throwing everything in your house away and start all over. Please don’t do that. As I mentioned, switching even one product will make an impact. For me, it was a snowball affect. Once I switched my mascara, I began to wonder about everything else I was using. I started replacing one product at a time with the exception of my skin care. I overhauled that whole lot with Beautycounter because what I was using before was filled with ingredients I don’t want to use. The line I first used is no longer available, but the Countertime line is what I use now. It’s positively dreamy and oh, so effective without the use of retinol and other questionable ingredients.
One suggestion I have is to start with what you’re running out of. The next time you go to replace it, choose something safer. Use the EWG app or website, or allow me to help you find the dupe in a Beautycounter product. I feel 100% confident in using anything they put on the market because I know their ingredient selection process and testing practices are above bar. They aren’t called the Leaders in Clean for nothing.
