Perfume and cologne can be two of the worst culprits when it comes to detoxifying your body since they are not natural fragrances. They may be your favorite way to freshen up or cover yourself with an intoxicating aroma, but did you know they contain phathlates? Phathaltes are a group of chemicals that are added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. Perfumes are full of these groups of chemicals and the Canadian Cancer society encourages consumers to check their labels. “Check the ingredients list for dibutyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate, (source).” Just checking your labels may not be enough as “it is quite worrisome that fragrance companies don’t have to list their ingredients because they’re considered trade secrets, (source).” Phathlates have been linked to interfering with hormone function, insulin resistance, kidney and liver failure and also cause reproductive defects. Fragrance can mean a cocktail of up to 3,000 different ingredients and most have not been tested for safety. We’ve taken some of the guesswork and fear out for you as doing your own research can be incredibly difficult. We choose to stick to essential oils blends as the most natural and stress-free options. “If only more people knew just how toxic these stinky perfumes are to their bodies, (source).” Below are a list of fragrances that not only smell amazing but are also great for the mind+body connection:
Lavender: Is a go-to scent for relaxation, and restoring calm to the mind and body almost instantly. “In a study of 42 college women, research found that the fragrance effectively eased sleep problems and depression in the participants, (source,).”
Citrus: This is one of our favorite scents to wear all over. Lemon, key lime, and pink grapefruit combinations are uplifting and energizing. “Simply sniffing the fruit can help boost energy and alertness, (source).”
Peppermint: “If you are shocked, stressed out or nervous, peppermint oil may help restore feelings of normalcy and balance (source).” You can easily add peppermint oil to body lotions, carrier oils such as sweet almond oil or to the bath to repair imbalance and stimulate mood.
Jasmine: Jasmine has been found to have a “stimulating effect and can aid in the relief of depression and lead to an uplifted mood, (source,).” These tiny flowers pack a big floral punch and can be worn alone or with wild orange or sandalwood.
A great place to start is to choose a blend of essential oils that appeal to you and then choose a carrier oil (such as sweet almond or jojoba) to dilute your desired scents. When you apply essential oils topically you always want to ensure you dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil as to avoid possibly burning your skin. This is especially true if you already know you have sensitive skin. Using a roller ball application is another added benefit as makes the transition over from conventional perfumes easier than ever. Here at the SalonMovement we believe in natural alternatives that are healthy for not only your body but for our planet as well.
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