5 toxic ingredients you should be avoiding in your body lotions

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Why you should care //

your skin is your largest organ and it absorbs whatever you put on it. It’s estimated that your skin soaks up at least 60 percent of the product your using – allowing the chemicals to enter your bloodstream.

These chemicals are considered “endocrine disruptors” meaning that they may cause disruption on the reproductive system, thyroid function, and some are even linked to cancer.

What to avoid //

1. Parabens: Look for words ending in “paraben” like isobutylparaben or ethylparaben.
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2. Phthalates: this one can be tricky to find because phthalates are often not listed on the label if it’s considered part of the “fragrance”. The best tip is to look for “phthalate free” on the label. If it’s not there, check the product in the Environmental Working Group database, and/or look for the 8 most common phthalates: 1. DBP (dibutyl phthalate), 2. DINP (diisononyl phthalate), 3. DEP (diethyl phthalate), 4. DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), 5. DMP (dimethyl phthalate), 6. BBP (benzyl butyl phthalate), 7. DNOP (di-n-octyl phthalate), 8. DIDP (diisodecyl phthalate).
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3. “Fragrance”: be mindful of this term as it can hide over 3,000 different chemicals. Unless the brand clearly lists “free of parabens and phthalates”, they’re probably hiding them under the term “Fragrance” with a ton of other not so great chemicals.
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4. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA): an endocrine disrupter commonly found in beauty products like lotions, lip gloss and even food.
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5. Polyethylene Glycol: commonly used to enhance the penetration of other toxic ingredients in the lotion.