Pretty Hurts: Detox Your Personal Care

Do you know that on average, women are exposed to 168 chemical ingredients per day, while men are exposed to 85 unique chemicals – all via personal care products? Cosmetics are rife with parabens, dyes and synthetic fragrances, which can harm health. What you use to brush your teeth, wash your hair, and take care of your body with matters!

At The Ranch, we provide our guests with the most natural, clean and pure hair, face, and body care possible. Our spas and casitas are stocked with La Puerta Core Essentials collection, and we only partner with companies who omit toxins from their products.

Tara Grodjesk, an Aromatherapist, Holistic Health Educator, Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Certified Massage Therapist, has developed eco-conscious products, including The Ranch’s Core Essentials™ line.

Tara suggests that everyone avoid the following ingredients:

• Synthetic fragrances and perfumes: 99% of the perfumes on the market are made with synthetic fragrances. These are petroleum-derived chemicals that are absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin.
• Artificial colors and dyes: Most colors in bath and body care are artificial. Read your labels to see if there are any dyes and colors listed; if they are not noted as naturally derived, avoid them. These can cause irritations to the skin and mucous membranes for bathing and skin/body care.

Terese Linke, Global Educator of our partner Amala Beauty recommends avoiding the following ingredients:

• Parabens: Parabens are chemicals often used as preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The most common parabens are methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben. Parabens are believed to disrupt hormone function by mimicking estrogen. It is believed that having too much estrogen may trigger an increase in breast cell division, leading to the growth of tumors.

• Silicones: Silicones such as Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone and Cetearyl methicone, are used in skincare to help to fill in wrinkles, therefore making the skin appear smoother. They are also found in makeup primers, BB creams, and other cosmetic creams. Consistent use of silicone can lead to acne or cause irritations for those with sensitive skin concerns. Silicone-filled serums and moisturizers might make your face look and feel smooth and soft when you first start them, however, they do not contribute to the long-term health and improvement of your skin.

• PEG compounds: PEGs, or Polyethylene glycol, is a polyether compound derived from petroleum, and they are used in cosmetics as softeners, thickeners, solvents and carriers of moisture. Some PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1, 4-dioxane, which are possible human carcinogens. PEG’s are found in moisturizers, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioners, deodorants, and more.

Next time you’re shopping for beauty products or anything else to use on your body, take time to read labels and avoid these harsh ingredients. For a comprehensive list of clean and natural products, visit the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website.

Sources: Environmental Working Group, https://www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens, and https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/potential-contaminants-cosmetics/14-dioxane-cosmetics-manufacturing-byproduct#What