The “Dirty Dozen” Lurking In Your Beauty Products…
You’ve probably heard of the “Dirty Dozen” when it comes to fruits and vegetables—the list of produce that tends to have the highest pesticide residues. If you’re like me, you might grab strawberries, spinach, grapes, and blueberries on every grocery trip. Luckily, with a little effort, we can wash them properly or opt for organic to reduce our exposure.
But did you know there’s a “Dirty Dozen” lurking in your beauty and personal care products, too? Unlike fruits and veggies, you can’t just rinse these toxins away. Instead, they are absorbed into your skin—every single day.
Here’s the lineup of the biggest offenders:
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA & BHT)
- DEA
- Fragrance (a vague term hiding hundreds of chemicals)
- Petrolatum
- Triclosan
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG Compounds
- Siloxanes
- Coal Tar Dyes
Why Should You Care?
Some of these ingredients are linked to serious health concerns: hormone disruption, skin irritation, allergic reactions, neurotoxicity, and even cancer or birth defects. And let’s not forget the environmental impact—many of these chemicals contaminate the air and waterways and harm wildlife.
Yet, these toxic ingredients are hiding in everyday products like lotions, perfumes, toothpaste, shampoo, makeup, and sunscreen. Unlike the food Dirty Dozen, spotting these culprits isn’t as simple as checking a label. Terms like “natural,” “clean,” or “non-toxic” are often just marketing gimmicks.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
As I’ve learned through this journey of finding healthier body products, it can be time consuming and tedious to find a product that is considered clean, and even more so to find a clean one that is effective. It is very rare to find a clean beauty line where every single product is clean. Some products within the cosmetic line are perfectly fine and some contain unhealthy ingredients, so you really have to do your research if you want to find a non-toxic option. Once again, don’t assume because it says “natural”, “non-toxic”, or “clean” that it really is free from harmful ingredients.
Thankfully, there are some great tools to make this whole process easier! My personal favorite is Yuka—a free app that scans product barcodes and instantly rates their health impact. (Look for the orange carrot). It even suggests cleaner alternatives! Other great resources include EWG Healthy Living, Think Dirty-Shop Clean, and INCI Beauty.
My Clean Beauty Mission
Clean beauty has come a long way since the days of lead in lipstick (yikes!). But with so much misinformation, I’ve made it my mission to research and test the best non-toxic beauty products for you. Check out my other blog posts at livinglovelyandwell.com and my Instagram @livinglovelyandwell for the latest clean finds, along with honest reviews on how they perform—because no one wants to spend money on a product that doesn’t work!
Let’s ditch the toxins and make safer beauty choices—your skin (and health) will thank you!