Cosmetics 101

Part of my quest for having a healthy body involves the cosmetics and toiletries I use.  There are many chemicals that are in common products that we all use that are not good for us.  I have spent some time researching and am excited to share with you what I have learned....

When you have estrogen-positive breast cancer, estrogen is your enemy (because it is your cancer's best friend) and so are pseudo-estrogens.  A pseudo-estrogen is easily mistaken by the body for a true estrogen and actually turns them into virtual copies of estrogen.  Pseudo-estrogens are: soy, lavender,  tea tree, dairy and verbena.

Avoid: Phthalates and Parabens.  Phthalates to avoid include: BBP and DEHP.  Parabens to avoid include methylparabens, polyparaben, isoparaben, butylparaben.  If these are in your products, they will be listed on the ingredients list.  Most often the parabens are towards the bottoms but not always.  Typically when you see that a product is Vegan or Organic they are likely free of both the bad things.  But, not always so check.  Other things to stay away from are sulfates (commonly found in hair products), mineral oil and petroleum oils.

If you use these products they are not going to give you breast cancer, however, research shows that they may be playing a part in the rise of breast cancer cases.  They help create the right environment for a tumor and are not suppose to be good for the overall health of the skin.  I have come to appreciate the skin much more, it is one of the largest organs.  Everything we put on it, is absorbed into our body.  Research has suggested that tumors biopsied have large amounts of parabens.  My disclaimer: within my research there are some who say that any products are good products (for example my oncologist) and many that say that natural is important.

Here are some tools I have found and use: Cosmetic Buying Guide and Sunscreen Buying Guide

I stressed out when I was first diagnosed, wondering if I should go through my toiletries and throw everything out that listed a ingredient that wasn't good for me.  So that it wouldn't be so overwhelming I have been changing things out one-by-one.  Finding something I love and starting to use it has been a fun experience.  I will share with you what I have found that I LOVE and I promise to share along my journey. If you have a product that you love, please share.  I would love to try it.  There are some things that I am not going to give up, but most all I have.  For example; La Mer has ingredients that aren't great for me, but I have been using it for years and am choosing to continue to use it.

My Favorite Products:

I use Aveda lip balm and have the Neutrogen Naturals handy. 

L'Occitane Almond Body Oil.  I use this instead of lotion and truly am in love with it. 

L'Occitane Hand Cream.  A staple.

Yes to Cucumber Facial Towlettes.  You can get these at Target which I love. 

La Roche-Posay Sunscreen The only deodorant worth trying.  LaVanilla from Sephora J.R. Watkins Lotions which you can get at Target Tom's Toothpaste For those of you with little ones.  Aveeno Wash and Shampoo Burt's Bee Baby Bee Apricot Body Oil