Nothing conjures increased awareness of our chemical environments quite like pregnancy. Being solely responsible for the health and wellbeing of a new human is excellent fodder for deep dives into our lifestyles, from top to bottom. From the foods we eat and the things we drink to the products we put on our bodies - taking stock of our invisible chemical lifestyles (so to speak) often becomes a top priority for many hopeful parents-to-be. In this post, we’re doing a little deep dive ourselves, in which we seek to both uncover some truths and squash some myths about one such chemical: phthalates. What are phthalates? Pronounced “tha-layte,”phthalates are sometimes referred to as “the everywhere chemical, due to their omnipresence in the products we purchase and keep around our homes. If you’ve ever scanned any of the beauty and/or body care product containers in and around your bathroom, for example, there’s a good chance your eyes have landed on the word, perhaps causing you to pause and wonder what that actually means. What in the world are phthalates? “Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable. They are often called plasticizers. Some phthalates are used to help dissolve other materials. Phthalates are in hundreds of products, such as vinyl flooring, lubricating oils, and personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays). - Centers for Disease Control.” These man-made chemical compounds known as phthalates were developed over the last several decades for use in the manufacturing of plastics, body and personal care products, and solvents.They have no color and no odor, and maintain an oily, viscous consistency that won’t evaporate (at least not easily). Also, phthalates don’t chemically bind to whatever materials they’re added to. How are people exposed to phthalates? Due to their widespread use in so many common goods and products, people are exposed to phthalates in a number of ways. Inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption are all common potential pathways of exposure. The use of phthalates in products made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to boost flexibility, as well as in personal care products to make fragrances last longer, has resulted in widespread general population exposure over the last half-decade. “Phthalates are readily absorbed into the human body and are converted quickly to their respective metabolites. Unlike some chemicals, they tend to pass out of the body quickly in urine and feces. Phthalates can interact with each other and increase the exposure effect.” - www.niehs.nih.gov. What do phthalates do to the body? The short answer is that this is still being researched and assessed; very few studies have been conducted or have provided concrete data from which to glean a true and full answer to this question. It remains a little uncertain as to what phthalates' exact impact is/are on the human body. That said, clinical research has shown that phthalates have adversely affected animals, both developmentally and reproductively. These studies shed some possible light into the impact that these chemicals may have on our own bodies, and are worth heeding when it comes to choosing the products we keep in our homes. Phthlates and their effects on animals in clinical studies include: An early onset of puberty.Interference with male reproductive tract development.Interference with the hormone system’s natural functioning.Reproductive and genital defects.Reduced testosterone levels in adolescent males.Reduced sperm count in adult males. Are phthalates harmful to fertility or pregnancy? If you find yourself wondering if phthalates are safe for fertility and pregnancy, you’re in good company. This is a frequently asked question, to be sure, as it relates directly to the health and wellbeing of both the mother and child. It stands to reason that simple education and increased awareness about the chemical environments in which one lives during her fertility and pregnancy journey, can go a long way toward creating the safest situation possible, for everyone involved. “Phthalates are weak endocrine disruptors and androgen blocking chemicals. This means that when absorbed into the body, they can either mimic or block female hormones, or in males, suppress the hormones involved in male sexual development.” - National Institutes of Health It is true that there has not been much research into the potential risks and impacts involved with human phthalate exposure, especially as it relates to fertility and pregnancy. But from where we’re sitting, stripping questionable chemicals from our lives is never not a solid idea. We certainly won’t be doing any harm by choosing not to include them, you know? So when in doubt, we always advise to just go without. How to avoid phthalates The best way to try to avoid something called “the everywhere chemical,” is to remain diligent and aware of both your surroundings and the various products you’re consuming on a day-to-day basis. Read labels, ask questions, and seek the information that you need to be as safe as possible, in the ways that work best for you and your routines. Here are a few simple things you can do to avoid exposure to phthalates: Opt for plastic or vinyl products labeled “phthalate-free.” This goes for everything from your toothbrush and your contact lens case to your plastic dishware and shampoo bottles. If unsure, you can always contact the manufacturer. In the kitchen, if and when possible, try to use only containers that are labeled, “microwave safe” and phthalate-free when microwaving food and/or drinks. Same goes for plastic wrap, since phthalates can leach into foods either immediately on contact or when heat is applied. Read labels! The process of becoming a more well-informed consumer, when it comes to the vast sea of chemicals that are out there, can be an understandably intimidating task. It’s no small endeavor, but we always say the best place to start is right in your own bathroom. Before calling any manufacturer, and before you toss out all of your personal care products - take stock of what you have on hand, and why. Read the labels and get to know the ingredients that you’re inviting into your home and your body each day. Knowledge is always power, and we’d all be well advised to work to be better informed consumers. umanos products are phthalate free, always. At umanos, we wear our hearts on our sleeves (and by sleeves, we mean labels). We walk the walk that we talk from the first to the last ingredients that we list on our bottles, all the way to the actual bottles themselves. Our goal is to make your shopping experience easy and stress free - you get an ample dose of peace of mind when you choose products made with the utmost care, intention, and attention to all of the details that matter. This means there are no phthalates in any of our products, and there never will be. Like, ever. You might also want to check out: The Dirty Dozen4 Conscious Choices for a Cleaner, Greener RoutineBenefits of Seaweed for Your Skin Resources: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences
First Things First: How to Create a Non-Toxic Morning Routine There may be no better time of day to devote some undivided attention to ourselves than first thing in the morning. Before our attention is stolen by an infinite number of big/little interruptions, responsibilities, and tasks, we get this chance to gently unfold our day just how we like it. We can give it softer edges, starting slow and steady - with real intentionality - rather than bursting out of the gates, full speed ahead. In this article, we’re sharing all about how to create a non-toxic morning routine that will get your day started in a clean, healthy way. With clean, superfood-powered products to help you start your day on the right foot, umanos definitely has you covered in the shower. But there’s more to a morning routine than the products we use, right? Right. We love the idea of building a calming, cleansing routine in the morning that nourishes us inside and out, addressing our minds, bodies, and souls. Here, we’re dishing up some of our best tips and tricks for establishing and maintaining a non-toxic morning routine that can uplift and carry you through your busiest days. What does “non-toxic” mean? “Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ such as the liver.” - Wikipedia That said, the definition of the term “toxicity” can apply to more than just what goes in or on our bodies. We can (and do) tend to stretch the notion of poisonous things past the chemical level and into other, less tangible spaces that make up our days. What we listen to, look at, and even think about can affect us in ways just as deep as the foods we eat and products we use. Just because you can’t literally reach out and touch them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there, having their way with everything from our stress and anxiety levels, to our fatigue and sense of peace and balance. We thought we’d dedicate this article to sharing a few of our best practices for cultivating and sustaining a non toxic morning routine that will reap rewards all day long. Setting Intentions for the Day For starters? We’re clearly big fans of journaling, and cannot recommend the practice enough. Whether you do it right from your cozy bed, or prefer to rise and write from a quiet corner (with coffee), the simple act of putting down some basic thoughts - with actual pen and paper - can be hugely rewarding. This simply centering activity helps to begin your day with a good dose of stillness, thoughtful reflection, and intentionality. Embracing the idea of a “toxin free” mind as you begin the day is a sound approach to a clean morning routine if ever there was one. And let’s be honest, sometimes it’s tough to find those things as the days carry on. So, morning pages are a great way to capture them and carry them through our daily lives. Journal Ideas for Morning Pages Write from a place of gratitude. By penning a few things that you’re grateful for in the moment, you set your day on a track of positivity and appreciation. “Practicing gratitude at work and home benefits those around you and is a “gateway drug” to better personal mental health.” Read more about the proven benefits of gratitude practices here. A to-do list never hurts. It may not sound like much, but mapping out your plans for the day ahead, in a way that you can reference as needed, can center your mind and offer a sense of empowerment as you start your day. Also? Try adding in a few self-care oriented “task” to ensure you’re not forgetting to take care of yourself. Create a short-form diary. Maybe the idea of writing page after page of your inner thoughts first thing in the morning doesn’t do it for you. We get it. But, you can reap similarly positive benefits by adopting a short form approach to your journaling. Try writing no more than three sentences about what you accomplished the day prior, and what you aim to accomplish that day. This way, you’re taking stock of the past while looking toward the future. The key is maintaining a tone of positivity as you write, as that will set your day on the right track both mentally and emotionally. Avoid Screens We know, we know. The 8-hour fast from our phones as we sleep can instill an immediate desire and almost addictive need to reach for the phones as soon as we wake up. But enough cannot be said about how beneficial it is to refrain - to strike down that urge - and give yourself time to wake up slowly. We don’t need to invite the whole wide world back into our ether right away - it can and will wait, every time. “Social media and smartphones have been around for less than 20 years and the impacts they have on humans are still being discovered. Recent studies have uncovered that people can develop addictive behaviors with smartphones and social media, including thinking about the device or platform constantly and craving using it, using their smartphone or social media apps to cope or modify their mood, and experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when they are unable to access their phone or apps. If these behaviors progress to interfere with everyday life, it is cause for concern.” - Reid Health The highly addictive nature of social media and screen usage most certainly qualifies as a toxicity that we should work to eliminate as best we can. By waiting for a certain amount of time (you get to decide this) in the morning before introducing these things into your day, you take a stand against the addictive and toxic properties of your electronic devices, remaining in control. A non-toxic morning routine is almost impossible to craft when screens are in the mix. Our best tip? Keep your phone on airplane mode or stored in a drawer while you enjoy a slow, steady start to your day. Routine Clean When it comes to the things you actually are putting on your body in the morning, umanos has you covered. Our original, custom blend of marine-derived ingredients was created to ensure that you get squeaky clean with nary a toxin in sight. From our 100% natural fragrance blend to our moisturizers and everything in between, each thing that goes into our premium, luxury shower and bath care products was chosen carefully, and with great purpose. So, shower easy friend. When it comes to a non-toxic morning shower ritual - we’ve got you totally covered. Okay, But What Happens When I Get Out of the Shower? A great place to start, when it comes to a non-toxic morning routine, is to take stock of what products you’re currently using and try to understand where they’re coming from and who they’re coming from, along with the “why’s” and “what’s” involved. Which is to say, it’s a good idea to get to know these everyday products as best you can. Do your research, and become an informed consumer. Knowledge is power and by better understanding the ingredients in and missions behind the beauty and body care brands you use, you can really evaluate which things to change out, and which things are safe to keep. Here are a few of our favorite non-toxic /low impact resources: Low Tox Pharmacist Remodelista's: The Low Impact Home Environmental Working Group: Toxic Free Future If you found this article interesting, you might also enjoy: The Dirty Dozen: 12 Ingredients We Avoid in Our Products Four Conscious Choices for a Cleaner, Greener Routine Benefits of Seaweed for Your Skin Shop umanos clean and sustainable hair and bodycare products.
Did you know that nearly 80% of products we use on a daily basis contain at least one of the “Dirty Dozen” ingredients, and over half contain multiple offenders? Here’s a peek at the top 12 ingredients we avoid at all costs, and how they can harm your body: Sodium Laureth Sulfate Common in cleaners, shampoos, and bubble bath, sodium laureth sulfate is a foaming agent that may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which can cause cancer. Parabens The bad boys of the ingredient world, parabens are the most widely used preservative in personal care products. Because they are able to easily penetrate the skin, parabens are especially dangerous as hormone disruptors and estrogen imitators. One particular paraben, methylparaben, is associated with DNA damage and increased skin aging. Triclosan Triclosan is an antibacterial agent and preservative common in cosmetics, cleansers, sanitizers, and deodorants. In addition to acting as a possible endocrine disruptor, triclosan may contribute to antibiotic resistance by wiping out beneficial bacteria. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance) More than 3,000 chemicals are used as fragrances in personal care products, but you’ll be hard pressed to figure out which ones, since companies aren’t required to list exact fragrance ingredients. These chemicals can cause everything from migraines and allergies to asthma. As an alternative we use a unique blend of pure essential oils for our subtle, natural scents in our clean hair and bodycare products. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quaternium-15, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate) These preservatives, which appear in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, slowly release formaldehyde, which is a known cause of cancer. DEA (cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA) DEA compounds are used in shampoos, moisturizers, sunscreens, and soaps to make products creamy and foamy. High doses can lead to precancerous skin changes and even liver cancer. Siloxanes (ending in -siloxane or -methicone) These silicone-based compounds—used in personal care products to smooth, soften, and moisten—are endocrine disruptors, and may harm the reproductive system. BHA and BHT These preservatives are generally used in moisturizers and makeup. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) can interfere with hormone function and may cause cancer, and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) can mimic estrogen and may cause liver, thyroid, and kidney issues. Coal Tar Dyes (p-phenylenediamine and colors listed as "CI" followed by a five digit number) Seems odd right? But used in cosmetics and hair dyes, coal tar dyes may be contaminated with heavy metals and are recognized as human carcinogens. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) Mostly used in nail products and as a fragrance ingredient, DBP is a suspected endocrine disruptor, can lead to genetic mutations, can impair fertility, and may cause harm to unborn children. PEG (polyethylene glycols) Petroleum-based PEGs are often used as cream bases in cosmetics, and can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen. Petrolatum Frequently used as a moisture barrier in moisturizers and in hair products to promote shine, petrolatum may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can cause cancer. Why are all these ingredients in personal care products? Great question! Unfortunately, U.S. regulations aren’t very strict with ingredients in personal care products. This is in stark contrast to the European Union (EU), which bans 150 times more beauty product ingredients than the U.S. (EU law prohibits the use of 1,328 chemicals, while the U.S. restricts just 11 chemicals.). The Dirty Dozen are just a few of the thousands of dangerous and unhealthy chemicals present in hair and skincare products. When going through product design and creation for our formulas, we crafted our products following the most rigorous of EU standards. We also cross-referenced every ingredient we selected + sourced with over 5 additional databases (there were lots of spreadsheets!). The top ones are below: The U.S. FDA prohibited ingredient list The EU prohibited ingredient list Environmental Working Group Ingredient Database Credo Clean Approved Ingredient List Made Safe Restricted List You can also read more about our product promise here. Shop Clean and Non-Toxic Hair and Bodycare
We’re all about creating sustainable routines that are great for us and great for the planet. And when we make small, intentional shifts to things we’re already doing that don’t require much thought, we believe we can make a big impact on our wellbeing. We know it’s not always easy to live a clean, low-impact lifestyle, but starting small can make the process more manageable. That often means swapping out the products we use for ones that contribute less waste, are made with healthier ingredients, and compliment our values. Here are some of our favorite ways to cultivate sustainable habits: 1). Reduce plastic! This might seem like an obvious one, but plastic is so pervasive, it can be easy to forget how often we use it in our daily rituals. We started running through our routines to see where plastic popped up. Cooking, eating, drinking, and showering are often big ones. In the kitchen, we opt for glass containers instead of tupperware and choose wood or bamboo cooking utensils. In the bathroom, we pick brands that utilize non-plastic containers and non-plastic packaging. At umanos, our eco-friendly bodycare products come in sleek and sustainable BPA-free aluminum bottles that are free of single-use plastic. 👌 2). Read the ingredients It can be easy to go crazy checking ingredients. After all, we’re not all organic chemists and who has time to obsess over the details? But we’ve found that the more we read the ingredients in anything that goes on or in our bodies, the easier it is to identify which products are safe and which are potentially harmful. We started by learning the big ones. For personal care products, we avoid these “Dirty Dozen” ingredients that have proven to be harmful and opt for clean and natural body and haircare products that are plant-based and made with 100% clean ingredients. And since we believe in full transparency, all umanos product ingredients are listed on our website and on the bottles. 3). Shop locally The more local we shop, the fewer steps in the supply chain it takes for our products to reach us. That means less waste, less energy, and an overall smaller carbon footprint. When possible, we love walking or biking to local shops (anyone else working on their step count? 🙋♀️), combining many of the ideas on this list. To further reduce our carbon footprint, we look for biodegradable products that are made with renewable, sustainable energy. At umanos, our bodycare products are biodegradable and manufactured in a 100% solar-powered facility! 3). Invest in your values We believe that when passionate people–the movers and shakers in all of us–come together, we can drive change for the better. And one of our favorite ways to do that is to invest in businesses that invest in our values. Also care about supporting ethical businesses? Here are a few conscious brands we love! At umanos, we’re particularly passionate about clean water so we donate 1% of our net proceeds to sustainable, community-owned water projects in developing countries. Resources that can help Environmental Working Group Think Dirty App Made Safe's Banned Ingredient List Skin Safe App The Umanos Difference “People First. Planet Focused. ” At umanos, we believe in caring for ourselves, for others, and for the world around us. That’s why we’ve set out to create the most lovable, sustainable bodycare collection, using 100% clean and natural ingredients and responsible packaging that eliminates 90x more plastic waste. You won’t find any harmful chemicals in our products—just clean, sustainable, effective ingredients from the power of plants. Join us today in going clean and green to give your body and the planet the love they deserve! Want endless inspiration? Join our Instagram community of passionate people sharing the different ways we can foster cleaner, greener, more mindful routines. References and Further Reading Here’s the David Suzuki Foundation’s list of “Dirty Dozen” ingredients often found in personal care products. This is the Environmental Working Group’s list of “Dirty Dozen” food additives that are potentially harmful. The Environmental Working Group also came out with a guide to shopping for produce that is least likely to be contaminated with pesticides. Plus, check out our list of ethical brands we love.
