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Why You Should Choose Chemical-Free Kids’ Personal Care Products

Date
Feb, 03, 2022

Have you ever wondered what chemicals might be lurking inside your kids’ personal care products? 

Why You Should Choose Chemical-Free Kids’ Personal Care Products.

As a mom of three kids, I can tell you when I began researching, I was disturbed to see how many personal care products contain harmful chemicals.

From shampoo and conditioner to lotion, makeup, and toothpaste, many products contain phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and benzophenone-3—hazardous ingredients known to be hormone-harming endocrine disruptors.

Of course, these chemicals are not good for anyone, but they’re especially harmful to developing kids and teenagers.

What are endocrine disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors are natural or synthetic chemicals that disturb our endocrine systems, a complex network of glands and organs in our bodies. 

When these chemicals enter the body–either by absorption through our skin, ingestion with food or drink, or inhalation–they tend to mimic hormones in our bodies. In response, our endocrine systems either go into overdrive or become underactive. Either way, endocrine disruptors throw off a delicate balance of hormones in our bodies.

It may be easy to think that hormones only affect fertility, but they have a much greater impact. Our hormones play a major role in all phases of our development, metabolism, and behavior. 

Long-term effects of endocrine disruptors

Endocrine disruptors take a long time to break down in our bodies, giving them plenty of time to wreak havoc. 

Research shows exposure to these chemicals may be linked to cancer, infertility, autoimmune diseases, obesity, and learning disabilities.

The effects of chemicals on children and teens

Children and teenagers are especially susceptible to hormone-disrupting chemicals because their bodies are still developing. 

Because our brains are not fully developed until our mid-twenties, there is mounting concern about the effects of chemicals on brain development.

Research suggests that commonly used endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates, BPA, and pesticides, can affect the pubertal development of children and teens, causing early onset puberty in girls and delayed puberty in boys. 

Because teenagers typically use more beauty and personal care products than kids, they may be exposed to these chemicals more often. 

The benefits of chemical-free products 

Thankfully, there is good news.

Research shows that after just a few days of switching over to chemical-free personal care products, the levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals stored in the body dramatically drop. 

Tips for going chemical-free

Why You Should Choose Chemical-Free Kids’ Personal Care Products

Here are some ways to reduce the amount of chemicals your family is exposed to through personal care products.   

  • Switch to all-natural, fragrance-free, paraben-free options for the following products:
    • Shampoo
    • Conditioner
    • Deodorant (or make your own!)
    • Moisturizer
    • Soaps
  • Brush your teeth with chemical-free toothpaste.
    • While you’re at it, consider switching to bamboo toothbrushes and plastic-free dental floss!
  • Invest in non-toxic beauty products.
  • Stick to natural and organic ingredients (for example products from Melaleuca)
  • Reduce the body products you use.

Less is more. So many of the creams, lotions, powders and bubble baths are unnecessary–even harmful–because they contain so many toxins. Our family uses a good body wash and shampoo, and that’s it.

  • Skip the scents.

Fragrances and perfumes can contain up to 3,100 different chemical ingredients, many of which are synthetic. Many of these chemicals have been shown to affect asthma, create skin irritation, and cause hormone and respiratory issues.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is a dangerous game, especially for kids and teens.

And because our brains develop well into our twenties, it’s vital to check your children’s personal care product labels to avoid exposure to harmful ingredients.

For a list of commonly used endocrine disruptors, visit the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences website.

To learn more about chemicals lurking in toothpaste check out this post I wrote about it.

Fredrika Syren

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