At some point in my health journey, I realized I had been paying a lot of attention to what I put into my body...
while barely thinking about what I put on it.
Shampoo.
Body wash.
Moisturizer.
Makeup.
Deodorant.
Toothpaste.
Feminine-care products.
Sunscreen.
Hair products.
The list goes on.
And I started asking myself:
If I'm using these products on a regular basis, shouldn't I at least know what's in them?
That question changed the way I shop.
Your Skin Is an Organ—And a Barrier
The skin is the body's largest organ and serves as an important protective barrier between you and the outside environment.
But it isn't an impenetrable wall.
Certain substances can penetrate the skin, and the amount that gets through depends on the substance, concentration, formulation, area of the body, condition of the skin and other factors.
That's why I don't believe we need to panic about every ingredient in every product.
But I do believe we should be aware of what we're using repeatedly.
My thinking became simple:
If something is going on my body every day, I want to know what's in it.
I Started Reading Labels Differently
I wasn't looking for perfection.
I was looking for awareness.
I started paying attention to ingredients in my skincare, haircare, personal-care and household products.
And I began looking for products with ingredient lists that made sense to me.
That doesn't mean I believe that an ingredient I can't pronounce is automatically dangerous.
"Natural" doesn't automatically mean safe.
And "chemical" doesn't automatically mean harmful.
Everything is made of chemicals—including water.
The point is to become an informed consumer rather than relying on marketing claims alone.
What About Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals?
This is where the conversation becomes particularly relevant for women in midlife.
Some chemicals used in consumer products have been studied for their potential to interfere with the body's endocrine system.
These are commonly referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs.
The endocrine system regulates hormones, and hormones influence a tremendous number of processes throughout the body.
Researchers continue to study exposures to substances such as certain phthalates, parabens, bisphenols and other chemicals used in consumer products.
That doesn't mean every product containing one of these substances is going to disrupt your hormones.
It means the scientific community is investigating whether repeated exposure to certain chemicals may have biological effects.
For me, that was enough reason to become more intentional.
Not fearful.
Intentional.
I Started With the Products I Used Most Often
I didn't throw away my entire bathroom.
I started replacing products gradually.
When something ran out, I looked for an alternative.
When I needed a new product, I read the label.
Over time, I transitioned many of the products I use regularly toward options that fit better with my personal philosophy.
And I learned something important:
You don't have to change everything at once.
Look Beyond the Bathroom
Once I started paying attention, I realized personal-care products were only one part of the picture.
Think about:
Skin care
Cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sunscreen.
Makeup
Foundation, concealer, mascara, lipstick.
Hair care
Shampoo, conditioner, styling products.
Oral care
Toothpaste, mouthwash, whitening products.
Feminine care
Pads, tampons and other products used against sensitive tissue.
Fragrance
Perfume, body sprays, scented lotions and other fragranced products.
You don't need to become obsessed with eliminating every possible exposure.
Instead, ask:
What do I use every day?
What stays on my skin for hours?
What products could I easily replace when they run out?
What changes make sense for me?
That's how I approached it.
The Bigger Lesson
This wasn't really about cosmetics.
It was about changing how I thought.
I stopped assuming that because something was sitting on a store shelf, it automatically meant I needed it.
I stopped allowing marketing to make every decision for me.
And I started asking questions.
That's the bigger lesson I took from my health journey:
You don't have to control everything.
But you can become more intentional about the things you can control.
And if reducing unnecessary exposure is something that matters to you, personal-care products are one place to start.
Not because every conventional product is harmful.
Not because every "clean" product is automatically safe.
But because you deserve to know what you're buying and why you're buying it.
Want to Take a Bigger-Picture Approach to Your Health?
My own journey eventually taught me to stop looking at each symptom as an isolated problem.
That's the philosophy behind the RA Blueprint.
Inside, I teach the framework I've developed for looking at inflammation, gut health, hormones, energy and other pieces of your health terrain—and you aren't simply handed a course and left alone. There are group sessions with me, group support and additional opportunities for support along the way.
If you're looking for a personalized place to begin, the RA Breakthrough Intensive gives us the opportunity to look at your individual situation and begin creating your RA Terrain Map™.
This article is educational and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Ingredient safety and individual exposure vary, and "natural" or "clean" are not guarantees of safety. If you have specific health concerns, discuss them with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
