Less stuff=less stress. Less ingredients=more nutrients. Less products=less chemicals. Ok so these all aren't exactly perfect equations, but generally speaking they are rules that I am trying to live by and I am challenging you to as well. As a women, I can easily gain an assortment of products and potions in my cosmetic and toiletry collection. That's normal, right? However, I found that I was rarely using most of the products and that a bunch of them were out of date, anyway. It was time to simplify.
Not only did I want to de-clutter my cosmetic cabinet and keep only what I used, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't secretly applying tons of chemicals to my skin and body. Since the skin is the biggest organ of the body, why wasn't I caring about what I put on it? I realized how some chemicals could be damaging to my body when I was told not to use certain things when pregnant. Then, after having Noah, I realized that he was constantly in contact with my skin, and his hands were constantly in his mouth. It made me think about what I was exposing him to, not to mention what I was exposing myself to.
A few years ago, I came across a great website with a database measuring the safety of cosmetics. The Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Database has been a great resource for me. Check it out! Here are some tips when looking at the safety of your products:
- Financially speaking, this website helps to know where to spend and where to splurge. Sometimes, splurging on organic skincare products is not worth it when you look at their safety score. And sometimes, a mainstream product (that has sales and coupons) can have a great score.
- The things I use most are highest on my priority list of what to check. Things like foundation, mascara, eye liner, face wash, shampoo/conditioner, and toothpaste are things that I use every day. I try to find the safest, most inexpensive products in these categories. Some other things that I don't use every day are not as high of a priority to make sure they are safe.
- Don't drive yourself crazy! A small change is a good change. If you have a product that you love and can't live without, don't change it! Make small changes where you can afford them.
Happy Simplifying!