Discover the Scooch Factor: Easy Swaps to Remove Harmful Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals from Your Life:

BY: TRACEY VLAHOS

 

 

Once you understand the world of toxins and how they may be impacting our hormones, you’re probably here because you want to know where to start. Switching to non-toxic products may seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be, instead, it's simply a series of small scootches (swaps) toward a healthier, more mindful lifestyle. Join me, a Holistic Well-being/ Hormone expert turned non-toxic advocate, as I share my starting point and the gradual shifts (scooches) I made in my daily and weekly beauty and wellness routine that made a huge difference in my life, feeling more confident and energetic…. And dare I say aging gracefully.

 

Once I was educated, there were just some things I couldn’t unsee... Like the fact that in the US only 11 ingredients are banned from personal care products (versus the EU with over 2,000), despite clear evidence linking to hormone disruption and even cancer😱 That’s why here at Elan Pure we’ve decided to set our own standard. When going down this path on my own, here’s where I started. Because marketing trickery is real, just because it says clean, doesn’t mean it actually is. 

 

In this article, I am sharing the top 5 toxic chemicals I started scootching out  and the top 5 products I swapped out first for a less toxic lifestyle. 

Top 5 Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals and Simple Swaps

 

Our skin, the body's largest organ, absorbs much of what we put on it. This makes it crucial to be mindful of the ingredients in our daily personal care products. Many common items contain chemicals that can disrupt hormones, potentially leading to health issues over time. Here are the top five hormone-disrupting chemicals I started watching out for, and the five key products I swapped out first. 

Top 5 Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals I Started Scooching Out…

 

1. Fragrance
• Often listed as "fragrance" or "parfum," this term can mask a cocktail of synthetic chemicals, some of which are known endocrine disruptors. These hidden ingredients can disrupt your hormones and other health issues. 
2. Synthetic Dyes
• Found in everything from cosmetics to food, synthetic dyes — often labeled as FD&C or D&C followed by a color and number: Red40, Yellow5. These can contain heavy metals that are toxic to the brain and nervous system and may interfere with hormone balance.
3. Parabens
• Parabens (such as methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben) are preservatives that can mimic estrogen in the body, potentially leading to hormone imbalances and increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity.
4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• This surfactant is used to create lather/foam in products like shampoos and soaps. SLS can irritate the skin and eyes and has been shown to interact with other chemicals to form carcinogenic compounds, disrupting the endocrine system.
5. Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs)
• PEGs are petroleum-based compounds used as thickeners, solvents, and moisture-carriers. They can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, both of which are carcinogens and known endocrine disruptors.

Top 5 Products to Switch for a Healthier Routine:

Start with your skin...

1. Lotion

First things first, I started with my skin. Your skin is your largest organ, and it can absorb around 60% of the products you apply to it into your bloodstream (yikes!). This highlights the importance of choosing high-quality, non-toxic skincare products. Opting for non-toxic alternatives not only nourished my skin but also gave me peace of mind knowing I was treating my body with ingredients that aren’t going to disrupt my hormones.  We can all agree that what we eat affects us on a cellular level. Well, what we put onto our skin soaks into our skin and ALSO affects us on a cellular level, which affects our hormones, well-being, energy and so much more! 

 

Opt for lotions with natural ingredients like shea butter, aloe, coconut oil, and essential oils. 

Elan Pure Recommendations:

• Just Ingredients: code TraceyLadyv save 10% at checkoout
• Acure
• Rowe Casa Organics

2. Body Soap/Wash

Next on the list was bidding farewell to conventional body washes and welcoming in non-toxic alternatives.Choose soaps made with organic oils and free from synthetic fragrances and dyes. Castile soaps, such as those from:

• Dr Squatch
• Dr Bonner’s 
• Acure
• Rowe Casa Organics

3. Deodorant

Sweating is natural, and so is opting for a non-toxic deodorant. Many conventional deodorants contain aluminum and synthetic fragrances. Switch to natural deodorants with ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, and essential oils. The transition was surprisingly seamless, and I found effective alternatives that kept me feeling fresh without compromising my wellness goals.

Elan Pure Recommendations:

• Just Ingredients use code TraceyLadyv save 10% at checkoout
• Dr Squatch

4. Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent residues can linger on clothes and be absorbed by the skin. Ladies, think about your delicate lady parts and what is being absorbed all day long. Choose detergents that are free from SLS, fragrances, and dyes.

Elan Pure Recommendations:

• TrulyFree 
• Molly’s Suds 
• Branch Basics

5. Self-Tanner

Integrating a non-toxic self-tan into my routine was a game-changer. Embracing a natural-looking glow without the harmful chemicals allowed me to maintain my love for being tan while prioritizing my health.

• Elan Pure: Use code Scootch10 for 10% off 

By making these simple scootches, you can significantly reduce your exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals and promote a healthier lifestyle with more energy and confidence!

REMEMBER, it’s NOT all or nothing!!  EACH SCOOCH you make that crowds out toxic chemicals makes a BIG difference.  Your skin will thank you!

Here is to scooching your way to a healthy YOU - one product at a time! 

 

 

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References Supporting the Impact of Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals on Health

Fragrance

1. Study on Fragrance Chemicals and Endocrine Disruption:
• Reference: Rudel, R. A., & Perovich, L. J. (2009). Endocrine disrupting chemicals in personal care products: A review of the literature. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(5), 685-690.
• Link: Environmental Health Perspectives

Parabens

1. Study on Parabens and Breast Cancer:
• Reference: Darbre, P. D. (2006). Environmental oestrogens, cosmetics and breast cancer. Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 20(1), 121-143.
• Link: ScienceDirect
2. Study on Parabens and Endocrine Disruption:
• Reference: Vo, T. T., & Jeung, E. B. (2009). An evaluation of estrogenic activity of parabens using uterine calbindin-D9k gene in an immature rat model. Toxicology Science, 112(1), 68-77.
• Link: Toxicological Sciences

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

1. Study on SLS and Skin Irritation:
• Reference: Lundov, M. D., & Zachariae, C. (2008). Recurrence of eczema caused by preservatives in cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis, 59(1), 43-49.
• Link: Wiley Online Library

Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs)

1. Study on PEGs and Carcinogenic Contaminants:
• Reference: Nohynek, G. J., Antignac, E., Re, T., & Toutain, H. (2010). Safety assessment of personal care products/cosmetics and their ingredients. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 243(2), 239-259.
• Link: ScienceDirect

Synthetic Dyes

1. Study on Synthetic Dyes and Neurotoxicity:
• Reference: McCann, D., Barrett, A., Cooper, A., Crumpler, D., Dalen, L., Grimshaw, K., & Stevenson, J. (2007). Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet, 370(9598), 1560-1567.
• Link: The Lancet

By considering these studies, it becomes clear that hormone-disrupting chemicals present in many everyday products can have serious implications for health. Switching to safer alternatives can significantly reduce exposure and promote better well-being.