Since I was a little kid, I have had incredibly sensitive skin. I have distinct memories of itching my legs with hairbrushes (yes, hairbrushes) so hard that they would bleed. It got so bad that at one point I had to wear gloves and take oatmeal baths just to try and alleviate some of the damage that I was causing to my skin. Later in life, I found out that apart from just having “sensitive skin,” I am allergic to most synthetic scents and dyes found in laundry detergents and bathing products. Why am I telling you this? Well, my unfortunate, scentless hygiene life has made me obsess over reading the labels of shower products and has forced me to research the heck out of the ingredients found in soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergents. And guess what? Most of them are actually horrible for our health — and not just because I’m allergic to them.
Single-use plastic bottles, like the ones commonly used for body washes and lotions, are examples of large macro pollutants that eventually break down into smaller microplastics. Many of the products on the market contain synthetic microbeads — tiny bits of plastic often used as a skin exfoliant — which leach into our water systems and contaminate our marine life. Regardless of the size though, both are examples of plastic that clutter our landfills and pollute our oceans.
But apart from the waste and environmental pollution that these products contribute to, these personal care products often contain incredibly harmful chemicals that are known to cause cancer and other health-related issues. Common ingredients found in lotions and washes, such as parabens used to prevent bacteria build-up in products, are said to be linked to types of breast cancer. Retinyl Palmitate, another common personal care product ingredient, is known to cause aggressive tumors in animal studies.
Surprisingly, one of the worst and most common ingredients in personal care products are perfumes and fragrances. These aren’t just found in body sprays, they are put in just about every personal care product that we purchase. Be it cosmetics, lotions, soaps, detergents — you name it, it’s in there. While these things do smell lovely and are often the selling point for consumers, certain varieties are noted as possible carcinogens and others are known for being toxic to our organ systems. Some of the same chemical compounds used to make a product smell good are also found in exhaust from vehicles and cigarette smoke.
By nature, many of the chemicals found in our personal care products are designed to absorb into our pores, and in turn, filter into our bloodstream, which can lead to a long list of possible health concerns. And while all of this is incredibly scary, there are safer options for us to choose from.
When I first learned about the dangers of the soaps and washes that I was lathering myself with daily, I immediately switched to non-toxic products. Not only did I stop itching myself until I bled, but I felt better about knowing that I wasn’t covering my body in harmful chemicals. Currently, I use pure, unscented castile soap as it has been the most accessible non-toxic product for me to get my hands on. As it is a one-ingredient product, we don’t need to worry about other chemicals leaching into our bodies. Castile soap is a very universal household and body care product, but be warned, you need to heavily dilute it in water otherwise it can be incredibly irritating and drying to the skin. So, depending on what you are using it for (laundry, body care, surface cleaner), be sure to research the proper dilution ratio before committing to it. Simple swaps like this one can make a big difference to your long-term health, though, and so I encourage you to make the switch.
Sydney is a BA English major, creative writing student, who has been a content contributor for The Cascade and is now the Opinion editor. In 7th grade, she won $100 in a writing contest but hasn’t made an earning from writing since. In the meantime, she is hoping that her half-written novels will write themselves, be published, and help pay the bills.
