Is Your Morning Routine Riddled With Toxic Chemicals?

You may not know it, but many of the products we use on a daily basis contain hazardous chemicals. Find out which toxins you may be exposing yourself to and learn some tips for detoxing your own routine!

1. When you hit the snooze…

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* The laundry detergent used to wash your sheets may contain alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs) which can cause harm to your reproductive system, or monoethanolamine (MEA) which can contribute to asthma

* Detox tip: Make your own nontoxic laundry detergent with only 4 ingredients!

2. When you hop in the shower...

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* Those suds could have 1,4 dioxane in them which has been linked to cancer risk, as well as formaldehyde (yes, the stuff they use to preserve dead bodies!) which also increases cancer risk, and leads to skin irritation and respiratory problems.

* Detox tip: Try “fragrance free” soaps instead (Note: “unscented” products still have fragrance in them!), or check out companies like Makes 3 for nontoxic options!

3. When you brush your pearly whites...

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* Your toothpaste may contain triclosan which can cause hormone disruption and increase your risk of breast cancer

* Detox tip: Avoid tartar-control toothpastes and read the label to make sure “triclosan” isn’t listed as an active ingredient!

4. When you get dressed...

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* The clothes we wear often contain dyes and fragrances that expose us to chemicals all day long!

* Detox tip: Look for undyed fabric to wear closest to your skin or check out companies like Thundress who make nontoxic underwear!

5. When Aunt Flow is in town...

* For those of us who get periods, there’s a whole other set of potentially dangerous chemicals we’re exposed to on a monthly basis! Pads, tampons, sprays, and washes can contain pesticide residues (yes, like the poison we use to kill bugs) that can lead to allergic rashes!

* Detox tip: Avoid unnecessary feminine products like sprays and washes, and look for unfragranced, organic cotton pads and tampons. Want to reduce your waste as well? Try out a menstrual cup!

6. When you apply makeup...

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* All of those smell-good lotions and sprays often have synthetic musks which can break down your body’s natural defenses to other toxic chemicals. That killer shade of lipstick may have lead in it which contributes to reproductive, nerve, joint, muscle, heart, bone, and kidney harm!

* Detox tip: Many of our daily beauty products can be DIY projects instead! For the products you purchase, apps like the SkinDeep database can help you pick the least toxic options!

In just a few hours, we can be exposed to all of these dangerous chemicals! The good news is that in addition to these detox tips, YOU can take action to protect yourself. We have a right to live in a nontoxic environment and there needs to be more regulation and disclosure around the products we use day-to-day. You can join Women's Voices for the Earth and speak out to companies and Congress about ending toxic chemical exposure!