Isn’t it great to slather on lotion that smells good and smell like a tropical beach all day? But wait! Do you really know what that lovely fragrance is that you just rubbed all over your skin? I hate to be the one keeping you from smelling like a fake cucumber or crisp cotton sheet, but that fragrance is actually a dangerous chemical.

Fragrances are part of a group of chemicals called phthalates. This is a family of chemical plasticizers that are used in personal care products to moisturize the skin and are also used as a solvent. They are almost identical to the fragrance. So what is the problem?

• By dismantling an essential oil’s single chemical compound, discussed below, chemists reassemble a “Frankenstein” fragrance.
• 95% of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and allergic reactions.
• Phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects, reproductive problems, and liver damage in laboratory animals. (I do not condone animal testing.)
• The EPA reported that synthetic fragrances were shown to cause “possible mutagenic and genotoxic effects.”
• Synthetic fragrances have also been shown to contain hormone disruptors that are linked to abnormal cell reproduction and can lead to tumor growth.

So what can we do to smell good AND increase the health of our body? Use organic body care products that are fragrance-free, but instead contain essential oils.

An essential oil is a liquid that is usually steam or water distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. They contain unique and varied therapeutic properties and are highly concentrated. The chemical composition and aroma of essential oils can provide valuable physical and psychological therapeutic benefits. Essential oils have many therapeutic properties when applied topically, including antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. They also contain a multitude of healing compounds, such as vitamins, phytonutrients, and many other components.

As you know, the skin is the largest organ and needs to be nourished by the great toxic load that it must bear every day. Keep in mind that what we put on our skin is absorbed up to 10 times faster than what we eat! We need to be mindful of what we put on our skin so that the products we use don’t add to our toxic load. The skin needs vitamins, minerals, micronutrients and many other compounds that are abundant in nature. Chemical additives abound in body care products today due to their inexpensive nature, ability to mimic moisture, and provide a pleasant fragrance. However, it’s time to reconsider what we confidently put into our bodies and how these chemicals affect our overall health.