Although my work focuses primarily on what we put in to our bodies by way of nutrition, I am also very passionate about how we care for ourselves on the outside. 

From the day we are born we are lathered in lotions and potions for hygiene reasons, and of course to look and feel good. Considering the amount and variety of products we use over the years, have you ever wondered about the volume and diversity of chemicals you are exposed to? Body washes, deodorants, make-up, nail polish, and hair dyes, to name a few, are a manufactured combo of various ingredients, many of which are preservatives and artificial additives.

Marra Hensby, owner of My Pure Earth, is on a mission to not only educate you about the downfall and potential dangers of these products, but she also stocks natural versions which are far healthier in the long run. Marra also runs workshops to show how to make your own yummy scrubs and lotions at home!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Marra recently, just before the birth of her first baby! Congratulations Marra!

Liza: People like to ‘detox’ to get off to a good start, and for many that means getting rid of toxins that have built up in their body. However, apart from adopting a clean ‘diet’, what are the other main steps that we should take to reduce our exposure?

Marra: What a lot of people don’t realize is that the air quality inside our homes is two to five times more toxic than the air outside. Our homes have hundreds and sometimes thousands of toxic chemicals in them. They are hiding in our personal care products, cleaning products, fabrics on our furniture, the paint on our wall and even the fragrance in the air. It really does bring new meaning to the phrase “get outside for some fresh air”.

As part of your detoxification, take a look at the products you bring into your home other than food. Think about what you splash on your floors, spray on your windows, and rub into your skin.

Liza: They say our skin absorbs many toxins through our pores – is this really the case and can you put this into perspective in some way for our readers?

Marra: Yes, our skin is our largest organ and since it is porous, it absorbs whatever we put on it. Just think about nicotine or birth control patches. These are a perfect example of how effectively our skin can absorb products and how quickly they enter the blood stream.

There have been studies published in the American Journal of Public Health that have looked into our skins absorption rates. One study found that when contaminated water was placed on our skin, we absorbed 64% of contaminants compared to if we drank it. Studies have found that the skin on our face is far more permeable than broad body surfaces and that the skin on our underarms and genitalia has an absorption rate of 100%.

Liza: In personal care items, what are the worst offenders – the main chemicals we should avoid and why?

Marra: It’s hard to tell which chemicals are the worst offenders because it all depends on the level of exposure that we have to them. I prefer to tackle the problem by identifying the ‘easiest things to remove from the home’ or the ‘low hanging fruit’. This is the best way for people to start detoxifying their home as many of these items won’t be missed or it’s easy to replace them with healthier, more natural options.

1. Air Fresheners And Perfumes

Anything that you breathe in or spray onto your skin eventually ends up in your bloodstream.

Synthetic smells or anything that lists “perfume” as an ingredient can have up to 300 chemicals in it. They also contain phthalates which have been linked to birth defects, respiratory difficulties and even liver cancer. Instead, choose products that are scented with natural products such as essential oils. You can diffuse essential oils in your home, purchase candles that are scented with them and even use them in a body spray to give yourself a fresh boost.

2. Cleaning Products

There are no regulations in Singapore for cleaning products. Companies don’t have to list the ingredients and there are no rules about what they can claim. They can use phrases such as ‘all natural’, ‘eco’ and ‘chemical free’ without having their products tested. Many of these products contain phthalates as discussed above.

Products that claim to be ‘antibacterial’ will most likely contain triclosan which was used as a pesticide in America in the 60s. Some studies have found that it alters hormone regulation and promotes the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. Quarternary Ammonium Compounds (or Quats) are similar to triclosan as they are used to add an antibacterial element to cleaning products and long term exposure has been linked to asthma, especially in young children.

In reality, the list of chemicals found in cleaning products is extremely long and it would take hours to go through them all and discuss their health impacts. I recommend for people to choose one or two products to start with and replace them with a more natural solution. Maybe you make these products yourself, or find a trusted brand to buy from. Some of my favorites in Singapore include Ecover and Seventh Generation.

3. Cosmetics

From shampoo to lipstick, the average woman in America applies twelve personal care items each day and the average man, up to six. According to the Environmental Working Group, this adds up to roughly 126 unique ingredients in our bathroom alone.

Look for cosmetics with mineral-based pigments and natural oils. Choose soaps and shampoos that are free of synthetic fragrances and chemicals such as triclosan. I buy most of my toiletries from iHerb who have many products to choose from and offer free delivery to Singapore.

4. Personal Care Items

Think about what you have the most exposure to. What do you use most often and in higher quantities? For example, if you use body lotion every day and rub it into your entire body this would be a higher priority than finding a natural eye-shadow. For me, that means my shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and deodorant are my main concerns.

You can experiment with making your own, or there are lots of great companies out there that make natural options. Just remember to give these products a chance. Just like with chemical filled products, we usually have to try a few before we find one that suits us.

5. Baby Products

No doubt babies are more susceptible to toxins and we tend to cover them in anything from talc, to nappy rash cream, and other skin care items – mainly due to pressure from marketing. Is this really necessary, or do you think we should just let their skin ‘breathe’ naturally?

This is such a sensitive topic. As excited as I am to become a first time mom, I’ve also found that motherhood is filled with so much guilt! There are so many decisions to be made and so many opinions out there. For me, I’m sticking to the same philosophy with my baby as I already use in my everyday life. I make what I can using basic all-natural ingredients, and when I do have to buy products I go for the most natural option I can find.

I really believe that the world of marketing has made our lives as consumers way too complicated.

We buy a ton of products that lead to issues that require more products to fix them and we get caught in a nasty cycle. Baby products are a perfect example. Many new ‘fancy diapers’ (as I like to call them) come with all kinds of bells and whistles such as extra absorbency and odor-capturing super powers. Many of these features are made possible with the use of chemicals.

Babies are extremely sensitive to these chemicals so further issues occur such as diaper rash, etc. Now I’m not saying all diaper rash is a chemical reaction, but studies have shown that this can be the case. Also, many paediatricians that I have spoken to also warn against the use of commercially bought baby wipes for the same reason.

So how what are some consumer choices that we can make to limit our babies’ exposure to these chemicals? Opt for a chemical free, non-bleached diapers such as the ones made by Seventh Generation. Brands such as the Honest Company are also starting to come out with decent options.

You can also just use a spray bottle with water and a cloth instead of baby wipes to keep things simple. If you are looking for an all natural product line for other personal care items for your baby, I love Earth Mama Angel Baby. They are one of the most natural lines that I have found and they are sold in shops in Singapore. Plus, I don’t find them painfully expensive.

Liza: What items do you recommend for babies and young kids in reduing their toxic overload?

Marra: Personal care products are #1! If you want to take it a step further I recommend looking at their bed as this is where they spend the most time. Many mattresses contain fire retardants and a list of other potentially harmful chemicals. So opt for a chemical free mattress made from natural fibers and organic cotton bedding. The third priority for me would be looking at the toys babies are using as many of these end up in their mouths.

Liza: What about for expecting and new moms out there?

Marra: Don’t get too stressed out about all of this stuff. It can be very overwhelming and at the end of the day we are all just doing the best that we can. Your priorities should be lots of cuddles with your little one and lots of rest for you!

To our health!

– Liza Rowan

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