Because It’s All About Hormones, It’s All About Balance: Part 2

Also, start growing your own food! You don’t have to own a backyard to do so either. There are a variety of things that can grow in windows and options that allow you to grow produce in small spaces. Stress is also at an all-time high, so join a community garden, foster new, local relationships and get your hands dirty!

Lastly, seeing we are made up of mostly water, the quality of the water we are consuming needs to be increased as well. Unfortunately, although our municipal water supplies are generally safe, they are not necessarily as pure as they could be, so consider a high quality water filter. Effectively filtered water is a game-changer.

Bewildering Bisphenols

Bisphenols are chemicals that are used to produce polycarbonates and epoxy resins, wherein bisphenol A is the most widely used. The most common sources of exposure are from the linings of canned foods and beverages, food packaging and single-use plastic containers.

Due to mounting evidence of their health impacts, Canada was the first country in the world to ban the use of BPA in infant products in 2008. Interestingly, although BPA exposure still appears to be considered low risk overall, and therefore not banned outright, the Canadian government just recently classified plastic as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Moreover, many companies have taken steps to remove BPA from plastics, so progress is being made.

How To Reduce Exposure To BPA:

Although we cannot entirely remove plastic from our lives yet, reduction everywhere possible is an excellent place to start. Opt for stainless steel, glass and bamboo options for storage, etc. Also, familiarize yourself with the plastic symbols and avoid types 3, 6 and 7. Try and stick to hard plastics like types 2 and 5 if necessary. There is conflicting information on types 1 and 4, so do your best to avoid when possible seeing as they are often single-use. Be sure to never heat plastics in the microwave or dishwasher.

With respect to food and beverage containers, look for companies that do not use BPA as a lining. For example, Eden Foods has been using a plant-derived lining in their cans for years. Other companies such as Amy’s, NuPack and Bioitalia all use BPA-free cans, while Canadian Brand Cullen’s states that their cans are BPA non-intent, meaning that it is not added to any stage of manufacturing. They also only buy from Canadian organic farmers, keeping things more local. Tetra pack items are also free of BPA and its analogue BPS.

Although it can be hard to avoid canned foods, do your best to buy in bulk which allows you to further avoid BPA and reduce packaging altogether. An alternative to canned beans for those of us on the go is to soak and cook in large batches, then cool and freeze in glass jars. It takes a bit of practice and preparatory work, but once you get the hang of it, it is totally worth it. Your food costs also come down and you can save even more if you reuse glass jars from your grocery purchases.

Tricky Phthalates and Problematic Parabens:

Phthalates (pronounced “thalates”) are used to make soft plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Like bisphenols, they are also found in many other forms of plastics and packaging, but are also widely used in cosmetic and household products. For example, they are found in perfumes, lubricants, hair sprays, shampoos, soaps, nail polish and detergent. Although 6 types of phthalates have been banned in children’s toys and care items in North American and Europe, they are still widely regulated for use globally. Interestingly, phthalates are often found at high levels within personal care products, which in almost all cases are applied to the skin. Remember, your skin is your biggest organ, so what goes on, always goes in.

Parabens are preservatives that have been the standard for cosmetics since the 1950s. However, in the mid-2000s, they came under fire for being endocrine disruptors. This led the NHP industry to replace them with safe, highly effective preservative systems, yet many conventional cosmetics still use them today. Although they are considered “weak estrogens” they have been linked to serious hormonal disruption in young children and have been shown to disrupt the detoxification of estrogen, in turn leading to estrogen excess.

How To Reduce Exposure To Phthalates and Parabens:

This is actually a little easier than you may think because it simply requires a shift in how you perceive beauty regimes and skincare overall. For those who are really into minimalist, DIY living, the naked beauty approach may be an excellent place to start. This requires a bit of research, experimentation and high quality kitchen ingredients.

For example, raw apple cider vinegar is becoming more popular as a replacement to shampoo—even natural and organic ones. Interestingly, those who practice this say their hair and scalp have never been healthier.

A variety of face masks can be made from oatmeal, raw honey and plain fermented yogurt varieties as well. Then there is the “naked moisturizer” which believe it or not is raw oil and probably already in your kitchen. Although it may be hard to wrap your head around this, cold-pressed olive, avocado and coconut oils can do wonders for the skin. The reason for this is quite simple—skin does not need chemicals for preservation, but fat. We are primarily made up of water and fat, so effective hydration nourishes one of these factors, while raw oil nourishes the other. Think of our skin as leather. It needs to be conditioned, right? Well, up until chemicals were introduced, we have historically conditioned leather with natural oils!

Conventional beauty is starting to catch on to this as seen with the oil-serum rage that has been happening for the last few years. However, you really don’t need a complex oil serum for your skin to benefit and age more effectively and gracefully. It’s really all about what I like to call the “slide and glide” technique that makes the biggest difference. Simply ensure that your skin is moistened with water or a simple hydrosol toner before applying your oil of choice. This will ensure there is no “drag” which is what actually creates wrinkles! You literally shake off after the shower like a puppy, lightly pat dry and then apply your oil to your face and body. This will allow the oil to disperse evenly across the skin and absorb much more effectively leaving your skin supple and moisturized, not covered in a heavy layer of oil.

The cousin to raw oil is plant wax and is commonly referred to as butter. Shea Butter is like magic for the skin and can also be used over the entire face and body if desired. For those who prefer a lighter oil on the face, butters are excellent around the eyes, on the forehead and around the mouth. It doubles as hair wax too. It also lasts forever because a tiny bit can go a long way when the skin is damp or moistened prior to application. Just be sure to warm the butter between your fingers before application. An excellent, local, female-owned, ethical option is Twenty20 Skin Care. Wildcraft, Etymologie and Province Apothecary are excellent options that range from minimalist, to medically formulated, active ingredient profiles. Derma E has been making clean, safe, body care products since 1984. They are committed to eco-ethical, sustainable beauty and offer an excellent product line.