Ingredients: The Good, The Bad + The Quick List
We’re here to level with you, so let’s start with the bad news. There are some “bad” chemicals in most products that perform in a way that (so far) cannot be replaced by a healthy alternative. Take sodium Laureth sulphate - the ultimate lathering agent, and the proverbial chemical thorn in the sides of those on the hunt for a “natural” shampoo. Who doesn’t love a good lather when cleansing?! While you may or may not realize that this foamy way of washing can dry you out (having stripped your skin and hair of their natural balance of oils), there is an even more pressing health concern with how this chemical affects your body’s major player: your endocrine system.
The endocrine system is what releases your hormones into your bloodstream. Because hormones control our mood, metabolism, growth, and organs (including our reproductive system), they have a huge influence on how we function. There is a common myth that hormone fluctuations are a total mystery, but research shows us that our endocrine system works much like a computer. It receives everything you consume or apply to your body as information, prompting a response. Your skin absorbs at least 60% of what you apply to your skin, and those substances can be in your bloodstream within 26 seconds. Chemicals can confuse the system, and launch imbalances in the body. Symptoms of hormone imbalance can look like increased pain during menstruation, skin issues, hair issues, mood swings and tons more. Now you may be asking yourself, “why the heck are these chemicals in my products?!”. Us too.
For some reason, unlike the food industry, the self-care and beauty industries aren’t regulated. Fun fact: Before Michelle Pfeiffer created a completely transparent fragrance product, Henry Rose, you probably didn’t think twice about what chemicals were used to create the intoxicating scent you’ve been wearing since High School? Probably not. That was largely due to the fact that long ago, the fragrance industry fought (and won) for the right to not list proprietary ingredients, including chemicals. Instead, they could then hide their “special blends” and “secret” potentially problematic ingredients behind a harmless-sounding noun - “fragrance”. It took a brand turning up its nose at the industry before we realized that secrecy is no place for something that’s applied to your skin. So in honour of transparency, here is a list of the known endocrine disruptors that are commonly found in bath and beauty products.
Before Michelle Pfeiffer created a completely transparent fragrance product, Henry Rose, you probably didn’t think twice about what chemicals were used to create the intoxicating scent you’ve been wearing since High School?
No thank-yous:
Parabens: anything containing the words “methyl”, “propyl”, or “butyl”
Phthalates: sometimes listed as abbreviations (DBP, DINP, DEP, DEHP, DMP, BBP, DNOP, DIDP)
Sodium lauryl/ether sulphate
Words ending in “amine”- DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Tryethylamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine)
Petrolatum
Other no thank-yous:
Alcohol: drying
Fragrance: vague descriptor that could be any number of harmful chemicals
It can be daunting when you realize how much of your products contain things that are harmful to your endocrine system. The good news is, at Freshbox, we don’t settle. Here’s our list of good ingredients, and why we love them:
DISTILLED H2O: purified to keep this product clean and uncomplicated.
WITCH HAZEL (hamamelis virginiana): extremely mild and soothing antiviral, paired with stabilizing benzoic acid
COCONUT OIL (cocos nucifera): made up of antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, this cleansing oil has anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. This is what will create an ever-so-subtle lather if used in the shower.
JOJOBA OIL: contains moisturizing and anti-inflammatory Vitamin E and B-complex
BERGAMOT/NEROLI (essential oil of citrus bergamia/aurantium): fresh-scented citrus oils that discourage infection and have been known to stimulate libido
SEA SALT: Nature's simplest and mildest deodorant
ROSEMARY (rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract): naturally preservative, while supportive as an antioxidant
Rest assured, we are in your corner. We’re combing through the research to keep up to date with the good's, the bads and the WTF’s of the bath and beauty industry. We love back-talk, so chat with us by emailing hello@freshboxinc.com. Thank you for staying curious with us, and keeping this conversation going!
*The references in this post do not reflect endorsement of our product on behalf of any other company or individual
