Day 2: Detoxing, from Micro to Macro
Video 1 of 3
While detoxing your beauty regimen is an amazing start, clean beauty means so much more than simply removing toxins from a compartmentalized area of your life. In today’s lecture, we begin to understand how toxins make their way into our bodies, and how they interact with our cells. We’ll start on a micro-level, with an overview of cellular structure, and expand into all the ways that toxins around us make their way into our bodies and our homes.
Your free access to this course will expire in:
00
DAYS
00
HOURS
00
MINS
00
SECS
Video 2 of 3
Clean Beauty is more than what’s in our makeup bag
- We need to be identifying substances in our home, garage, and our day to day environment that have the potential to cause harm to our wellbeing, and the wellbeing of our families.
- Synthetic chemicals can disrupt cell function–this can cause affect cell hydration within minutes.
- Many of the synthetic chemicals we’re exposed to were invented in the 20th century, and many in the 1950s. Our bodies have not co-existed with these chemicals for very long, and our systems don’t know how to process them.
- Toxic chemicals enter the body, dehydrate the cell, and our organs can’t always process these chemicals.
- The body ends up storing a buildup of these synthetic chemicals in two primary places: adipose tissue (connective tissue that stores fat), along with our brain tissue, which is made up of mostly fatty tissue as well.
Understanding our cells
- Our cells are like little hydro-electric power plants, and need to certain things to function well. Two of those are voltage (energy/electricity) and hydration.
- For cell hydration, drinking plenty of good quality water is critical. Avoid water stored in plastic, or that may contain heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, toxic chemicals, or other pollutants.
- The second part of cell function is the voltage. Our cells need electrons, and energy, to function. We have things in our lives that give our cells energy, which we will call ‘electron donors’ and things in our lives that steal electrons away from the cell, which we’ll call ‘electron stealers’. These electron stealers destabilize the molecule, and create ‘free radicals’ in the body.
- Some of the biggest electron stealers that we face are toxic chemicals, which form free radicals by stealing an electron from the cell, destabilizing it.
- Electrons like to exist in pairs, so when an electron has been split from it’s pair, through the body’s process of metabolizing toxins, it forms a free radical. Free radicals, which are basically unpaired electrons, seek out other electrons to steal pair with, continuing the cycle of stealing electrons, destabilizing molecules, and causing damage to cells, proteins and DNA. Many diseases, like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s are linked to a buildup of free radicals in the human body.
- Other non-chemical factors, like stress, can contribute to cellular damage as well. Stress can even show up in the form of toxic relationships.
- Electron donors, compounds that donate an electron or a pair of electrons to the molecules in your body, are found all around us. Sunshine (Vitamin D), and other peaceful, serotonin-inducing experiences like a walk on the beach, being in nature, or giving a hug to a friend, act as electron donors in the body.
Synthetic chemicals are hiding everywhere
- One of the biggest culprits in our beauty products are hiding under the words ‘fragrance’, and even ‘natural fragrance’. There can be hundreds of undisclosed chemicals in that single ingredient name.
- Real fragrance comes from flowers, leaves and plants. Synthetic fragrances are made from a cocktail of chemicals, frequently using phthalates and parabens. Most of the chemicals (often up to 95%) included in synthetic fragrances are derived from petrochemicals.
- We are often tricked by mainstream products to think that we are getting a real botanical scent, when it is instead a blend of synthetic chemicals.
- When shopping for beauty products, take your awareness one step further and look at the ingredient list. Always avoid products that list ‘natural fragrance’ or ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient.
- Even if the packaging says that a product is ‘fragrance-free’, you should look at the ingredients. Often times, a ‘fragrance’ will still be listed and it will contain synthetic chemicals that mask the scent of the product to make it seem fragrance-free.
- Synthetic fragrances are also hiding in our laundry detergent and cleaning supplies.
Clean Beauty goes beyond just our beauty products
- We need to be looking at the ingredients in our beauty products, our laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and especially our lawn-care products.
- One of the most common toxic ingredients in and around our homes is glyphosate, a common ingredient in weed-killers like Roundup.
- Glyphosate is a carcinogen and is commonly used for residential yard maintenance, along with traditional agriculture production.
- Glyphosate has been linked to cancer, and has been found in agricultural products, surface waters, groundwater and drinking water.
- Glyphosate, along with other herbicide and pesticide ingredients, can disrupt cell function.
- We need to look for the synthetic chemicals in our day-to-day lives, not only our beauty products. From our homes to our playgrounds, synthetic chemicals are making their way into our lives, often without us knowing it.
- A big step towards combating these everyday toxins is by taking active steps to detoxifying our lives, and removing these chemicals from our homes.
Video 3 of 3
Day 2 Assignment
Where do chemicals sneak into our lives?
Go through your cleaning cupboard and remove anything with the word ‘fragrance’, or with parabens, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, pesticides or anything on our Top Ten Beauty Offenders list.
Daily Course Videos
This course is made possible by:
Detoxing your beauty regimen starts with your deodorant. Chemicals like aluminum compounds and parabens are found in many deodorants and can easily pass through your armpits and into your cellular tissue. Skinny & Co.’s line of deodorants are free of toxic chemicals and contain just five clean ingredients. Receive 30% off Skinny & Co.’s line of deodorants as well as their entire line of clean beauty products with code 30COMMUNE.
Today’s Commun(ity) Question
What sort of products do you use that you turn a blind eye to, and allow synthetic chemicals into your home?
SHARE YOUR ANSWERCourse Notes and Additional Resources
Ingredients to avoid; based off of the Dirty Dozen list by the David Suzuki Foundation, with modifications to include ingredients that are banned in Canada or the EU, but still allowed in US cosmetics and personal care products.
1. BHA & BHT
Look for:
- butylated hydroxyanisole
- butylated hydroxytoluene
A common preservative found in food products, cosmetics, packaging, and plastics. Both stabilize fats, and prevent them from going rancid. BHA is considered reasonably likely to be a human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program (U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services) and The International Agency for Research on Cancer. The EU classifies BHA as an endocrine disruptor. Both can induce allergic reactions in skin. BHT has potential to bioaccumulate, is toxic to aquatic organisms.
2. Coal Tar Dyes
Look for:
- p-phenylenediamine
- “FD&C” or “D&C” followed by a color name and number
Used commonly in cosmetics, Coal tar, a byproduct of coal production, is combined with a plethora of other chemicals (like tuluene, xylene, and benzene) to create artificial colours and dyes used in both cosmetics and hair dyes. Coal Tar Dyes may be contaminated with heavy metals. The EU considers p-phenylenediamine toxic when put on skin, inhaled or swallowed. It is also extremely toxic to aquatic organisms and. Warnings often include to keep hair dye products containing p-phenylenediamine away from eyes, as it “may cause blindness.”
3. DEA-related compounds
Look for:
- diethanolamine
- cocamide DEA
- lauramide DEA
- monoethanolamide
- triethanolamine
Used primarily in personal care products to make them creamy or sudsy. Found mostly in lotions, moisturizers, shampoos, soaps and other cleansers. The EU classifies DEA compounds as harmful, especially the potential serious damage that can be caused from prolonged exposure. These chemicals can react with nitrates to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.
4. Phthalates
Look for:
- diethyl phthalate (DEP)
- dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Other ingredients ending in ~phthalate
Often used as a plasticizer in a wide variety of personal care products including: nail polish, hair sprays, lotions, soaps, shampoos and fragrances. Phthalates have been linked to everything from asthma to neurodevelopmental issues and cancers. Exposure to phthalates in the US is omnipresent; nearly everyone tested for phthalate exposure had it present in their urine. Phthalates is a huge classification of chemicals, with some being ‘worse’ than others, but avoiding all phthalates is a good idea since many chemicals in the classification have yet to be studied. They are often not listed as an ingredient in many consumer products, but required to be listed in cosmetics and personal care products. Phthalates are common in plastics used in food packaging, and have been found in dairy products due to being extremely fat-soluble.
5. Formaldehyde & formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Look for:
- DMDM hydantoin
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Quaternium-15
- Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol )
- 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
- Hydroxymethylglycinate
Mostly used as preservatives, these ingredients release a slow, small, and continuous stream of formaldehyde gas, and research suggests that formaldehyde can be absorbed through the skin. Formaldehyde use in cosmetics is not restricted by the FDA. While small amounts of formaldehyde are not considered extremely dangerous, consistent exposure, and especially inhalation, can be dangerous over time; formaldehyde is considered a known human carcinogen. Most commonly found in nail polish, nail polish remover, hair products, fragrances and some baby care products, along with baby wipes.
6. Parabens
Look for:
- methylparaben
- ethylparaben
- propylparaben
- butylparaben
- isobutylpraben
One of the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products, parabens are used most commonly to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds. Parabens are most common in makeup, moisturizers, hair products, shaving products and others. Parabens very easily penetrate human skin, and there is evidence that they interfere with hormone function, mimicking estrogen. When applied to the skin, parabens bypass the metabolic process and enter the blood stream and organs directly, and intact. Parabens have also been detected in breast cancer tissue.
7. Sulfates
Look for:
- sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
- sodium lauryl sulfate
A very common ingredient in cosmetics, and personal care products like shampoos, shower gels, facial cleansers, and household products like dish soap. Sulfates are used to create suds, making a product foamy/bubbly. Sulfates are frequently contaminated with other human carcinogens like ethylene oxide. Sulfates can irritate the skin and eyes, and is toxic to aquatic organisms.
8. Fragrance
Look for:
- natural fragrance
- fragrance
- parfum
Fragrance is listed as a single ingredient despite being made up of a mixture of dozens of chemicals. There are around 3,000 chemicals used to create fragrances, and even ‘unscented’ or ‘fragrance-free’ products can contain may contain them, often along with a masking agent that prevents the brain from perceiving odor. Many of the unlisted chemicals in fragrances cause allergic reactions, and are not tested for their toxicity. Fragrance ingredients will often be used as a hidden preservative.
9. Triclosan
Most common in cosmetics, toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant, cleansers, hand sanitizer, detergents and products advertised as “anti-bacterial.” Triclosan can pass through the skin, and may interfere with hormone function. The CDC detected triclosan in the urine of 75% of those tested, and studies have shown that it interferes with mitochondria (a cellular component) function. Triclosan is banned in the EU.
10. Siloxanes (aka silicones)
Look for:
- silicon-based compounds
- cyclotetrasiloxane (D4)
- cylcopentasiloxane (D5)
- dimethyl siloxanes and silicones
- dimethicones
Silicone-based compounds are used in moisturizers and facial treatments, along with hair products and deodorant creams to soften, smooth and moisten. Classified by the EU as endocrine disruptors, they may impair fertility and have caused uterine tumors in lab experiments. Silicones are toxic, persistent and have the potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.
Free access to this course will expire in:
00
DAYS
00
HOURS
00
MINS
00
SECS
By purchasing, you can unlock the rest of this course and start detoxing your entire self-care routine today.
In upcoming sessions you will learn how to clean up your self-care from the inside out.
Course participants get 50% off for a limited time!
Your purchase includes:
Permanent Access
Revisit Clean Beauty again and again as you need it — like a good reference book.
In-App Viewing
Watch videos offline, create custom playlists, and screencast to your TV.
More Ways to Learn
Access audio-only MP3 versions of the lectures.
We offer a 7-day money-back guarantee. So give it a try!
