All in Blog

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 9,000 chemicals used in the manufacture of water-repellant personal care items and fabrics, non-stick cookware, polishes, paint, wax, cleaning products, firefighting foam, microwave popcorn bags, floss, and even some menstrual underwear. PFAS are toxic to the cardiovascular system and linked to adverse health effects such as increased cholesterol, immune system effects, cancer, thyroid hormone disruption, and effects on infant birth weights.

Skincare

Flip over to the ingredient label on your skincare and you’re likely to find a long list of words you’ve never heard of. While some of these are harmless (think coco nucifera which is just coconut oil), many commonly used ingredients are linked to endocrine disruption, irritation, and even cancer.

Food Storage

Switching to food storage made of reusable, long lasting materials is not only better for health but better for our planet. Reusable items may be more expensive than disposable options, but will save you money in the long run. Studies show plastic food storage can expose us to endocrine-disrupting bisphenol A (“BPA”). BPA leaches into the food and drink it packages and enters the bloodstream.

Tips

Feeling overwhelmed is a shared sentiment of people trying to switch to natural products. With the right tip and tools, switching to non-toxic products is easy and manageable.

Gifts

My favorite non-toxic products on sale this holiday season! A great time to gift clean products to loved ones and stock up on your go-tos.

Aerosols

Aerosol sprays contain flammable propellants like butane and propane, and have been suspected as a cause of benzene contamination.

Deodorant

Agent Nateur keeps underarms fresh without masking body odor with another potentially harmful fragrance. The intensity of the scents is the perfectly balanced and does not mask or compete with other scents.

Parabens

Parabens were detected in 99% of 2,548 urine samples in a 2010 CDC study. Personal care products are one of the largest contributors to our exposure of parabens.

Mascara

Conventional mascaras can contain toxic ingredients like carbon black or black 2. For a long time, natural mascaras couldn’t compete with their conventional counterparts. Avoid waterproof mascaras as these are more likley to contain PFAs.

Sephora

“Clean at Sephora" might lead us to believe a product is safe, but in reality there are many potentially harmful ingredients allowed in products with this label. There is no legal definition for "clean," so it's important to vet the full ingredient list instead of simply shopping from the clean section.

Shampoo

Switching to natural shampoo will reduce your exposure to many toxic & irritating ingredients. Truly clean shampoos lather less because they do not contain harsh surfactants that can irritate skin and eyes.

Product Regulations in the U.S.

The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulations Act is the first legislation to change cosmetic regulations in the US since 1938. Companies are not required to disclose all ingredients in cleaning products and menstrual proucts (with the exception of New York for menstrual products).

1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane is a likely carcinogen found in cleaners, cosmetics, and personal care products. But even a conscious consumer will not find 1,4-dioxane on the ingredient label. It has been found in groundwater sites throughout the US.

Adverse health effects from 1,4-dioxane include eye, nose and throat irritation from short term exposure, and kidney and liver damage from long term exposure. [1] Unfortunately studies over the years (dating back to the 1970s) have continually detected 1,4-dioxane in a range of products, some far exceeding the supposed safe threshold of 10,000 ppb.

Laundry Detergent

Surprisingly, allergens and chemicals associated with skin irritation and eczema are commonly used in laundry detergent. Branch Basics laundry detergent cleans well with zero smell. Clothes just smell naturally clean.

How to Reduce Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are different types of chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature. VOC exposure can cause short term and long term health effects including the following: eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea, damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some VOCs cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Because VOCs indoors can be up to 10x more concentrated compared to outdoors, it is important to take a look at the sources of VOCs in our homes.

Non-Toxic Products At Target

Did you know Target has a “Target Clean” distinction for products that meet Target’s clean standard? The lime green target symbol indicates the product is formulated without certain ingredients like butylparabens and triclosan. Choosing Target Clean products is an excellent starting point but it is not foolproof. These are the best truly clean Targets buys that work.