When we refer to a microbiome we’re talking about the collection of microorganisms that live in a particular environment or organism; including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes.
We use the term to describe the highly complex community of microbes that live in and on the human body, better known as the human microbiome; no doubt you’ve heard this term before.
The human microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms; an estimated 38 trillion microbes live in and on us (Sender, et al. 2016). Just to put that in perspective, recent estimates suggest we have about 30 trillion of our own cells that make up the human body. So yes, more microbial cells live with us than our own cells.
This blog explores the intriguing connection between the microbiome and crucial facets of human health, backed by some notable research findings.
Microbial populations or microbiomes (I’ll use the terms interchangeably) don’t just live in your gut (and throughout your entire digestive system), which you have probably heard a lot about, but also in and on other parts of the body; on your skin, in your nose and mouth, and in the reproductive organs; each of these hosting unique, diverse and highly complex microbial communities. Anywhere our insides meet the environment, we have a microbiome there to play a role.
These microorganisms play crucial roles in most physiological processes and can have a significant impact on our health; impacts we are only just scratching the surface on research wise.
It is largely thought that the womb is a sterile environment so before we are born, we are in effect, a blank canvas. So how is it that we acquire this abundance of microbial species?
There are several factors that influence what strains we are ‘seeded’ with when born. The method of birth, i.e., vaginal or caesarean, method of feeding, skin of other caregivers (and strangers too), surfaces you’re exposed to and whether you have a pet in the home will all influence which microbial strains initially land and populate your system.
Then after the first year of life, when solids are introduced, we see a shift in the microbial populations present. It is thought that these personal and what we call native microbial populations remain relatively stable into adulthood but can differ between people based on a variety of factors like Body Mass index (BMI), cultural and dietary factors, lifestyle and frequency of exercise (Rinninella et al., 2019).
Just for a moment I’d like you to think of your gut (or large intestine if I’ve got my scientific hat on) as a large bustling city.
It has a protective wall, the gut lining, protecting the city (you) from unwanted intruders (pathogenic microbes). Protecting this wall (or barrier) is a vibrant neighbourhood, a community of trillions of bacteria, viruses and other inhabitants, our microbiome. And, to keep the peace in this bustling city, we have the immune system, our body's very own security force on the other side of the wall; just in case anyone or anything untoward gets through!
Now, let's delve into the science of this crucial but complex relationship:
Your gut lining is like the city's protective wall, serving as the first line of defense against harmful invaders. It's a single layer of cells that separates the bustling city from the outside world, ensuring that only the good stuff gets in – like nutrients from your food. So, this interface is composed of a single layer of intestinal mucosal cells (or colonocytes), a mucous layer and our immune cells just sitting and waiting for instructions.
The Microbiome, our lively neighbours: Along this protective wall lies the microbiome – a diverse and teeming community of microorganisms. These friendly residents include a multitude of bacterial species, viruses, fungi, and more. Think of them as the quirky neighbors who play a big role in keeping the city running smoothly. They help with digestion, produce essential nutrients, and even influence your mood and health, more on this in a moment.
The Immune System - The Security Squad: Now, let's introduce the immune system – your body's vigilant security force. They are like the police and firefighters of the city. Their job is to maintain order and respond to any threats. The immune system is constantly patrolling the gut lining to ensure everything is A-OK.
We have mentioned that the gut lining (protective wall) keeps the contents of our gut where it needs to be but is really just a single layer of cells and some mucous. Sometimes things go awry.
There are various environmental factors that can shift the balance of microbial populations out of balance. Things like chronic stress (sadly, so common in this day and age), exposure to environmental toxins (yes, in the air and environment but also those we put on our skin and in our bodies, like pesticides), a poor diet, antibiotic use can all cause dysbiosis in our microbiome.
When out of balance, some bacteria can damage the mucous and colonocyte layer causing ‘holes’, or a leaky gut. Our once balanced fortress, the gut now allows molecules to pass through that shouldn’t; microbes themselves, toxins and some particles from our diet, leaking from the gut into the bloodstream.
Now, this is when our army of immune cells on the other side launch an attack, which often causes inflammation.
A damaged intestinal lining can lead to an array of leaky gut symptoms from minor ones (though they don’t feel minor) to more serious diseases like (Camilleri, 2019):
Gastrointestinal: Bloating, cramps, pain, allergies, heartburn, gas or sensitivities
Skin: Acne, rashes, Eczema, Rosacea, Itchy and irritated skin, Psoriasis
Neurological: Fatigue, headaches, General brain fog, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, ADD/ADHD
Autoimmune and Metabolic: Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis.
Now is as good a time as any to introduce and clarify a few terms:
Prebiotics:
These are foods or supplements that feed our microbiome. They allow our beneficial microbes to grow and flourish and to make metabolites that benefit us. Prebiotic foods are generally those that are high in fiber like whole grains, legumes, fruit and vegetables.
Prebiotic can also be purified forms of fibre, like Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) (fancy name for a carbohydrate chain) and Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) (Davani-Davari et al., 2019). These are generally found in low levels in food and so are now purified for an extra prebiotic boost.
Probiotics:
These are the microbes themselves. The good guys. There are many gut health probiotics now available, different strains, different doses… a lot.
Whether these bacteria can actually pass through the entire digestive tract and are then able to populate the colon is up for debate. However, recent studies have shown the benefits of ingesting fermented foods, teeming with live good bacteria, on microbial diversity and improved immune responses (Wastyk et al., 2021) as well as antiviral support (Varsha et al, 2022).
I recommend consulting with your functional medicine doctor before taking any probiotics.
Postbiotics:
So, these are the byproducts of our gut microbiota. They eat what we feed them, and then they produce a host of beneficial metabolites, like short chain fatty acids, more on this in a moment.
So far, scientists have identified key biological functions of the human microbiome which include but are not limited to:
Microbes in the gut help break down and digest food, helping us absorb vital nutrients. Not only do they break down some nutrients that we can’t (think indigestible carbohydrates like dietary fibre and resistant starch), but the kicker with this is that through this process microbes generate metabolites (or postbiotics) that significantly impact human health. Not only are they beneficial, many of which are actually essential for optimal health and wellbeing.
Probably the most well studied microbial metabolites are short chain fatty acids, SCFA, mainly butyrate, propionate and acetate which are produced by some colonic bacterial strains in the Firmicute species (like Lactobacillaceae strains).
SCFA have been shown to influence microbiota-gut-brain communication affecting brain physiology and behaviour (O’Riordan et al, 2022) as well as other organs and most biological systems to some degree.
Some microbially produced metabolites are beneficial but others are not. The table below shows how varied the biological effects of some of these microbial products are.
Short Chain Fatty Acid |
Documented effect |
Acetate |
Increased satiety, weight loss, suppress appetite, improves insulin sensitivity, reduce proinflammatory cytokines, may serve to promote cancer cell survival |
Propionate |
Anti-obesity effect; reduces weight gain, intra-abdominal adipose tissue distribution. Decreases proinflammatory cytokines |
Butyrate |
Supports mucosal integrity, modulates both local and systemic immunity, protects against colonic neoplasia (uncontrolled cell growth), anti-obesity effects; stimulates the release of anorexigenic hormones and leptin synthesis. |
Table 1: Summary of effects of gut microbial SCFA (Adapted from Rahman et al., 2023)
Interestingly, low levels of SCFA have been associated with Alzheimers (Zhang, 2017), Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Liu, et al., 2017) and chronic stress so, these SCFA-producing bacteria are the good guys that we want to feed well to help them propagate and flourish.
The microbes that share your body help to train and regulate your immune system which aims to protects you against harmful pathogens. Growing research highlights the impact of a diverse and healthy microbiome to a well-balanced immune system.
The previously mention postbiotics, produced by our microbiome can mediate crosstalk between the colonocytes that line the gut and our immune cells on the other side.
In a healthy system, specialised cells in the gut called goblet cells produce mucous to help keep our microbiome where they need to be so that the integrity of intestinal barrier is maintained. A healthy microbiome supports little permeability to unwanted molecules (i.e. no leaky gut). If no nasty foreign materials cross this barrier then we have happy and calm immune cells on the other side.
Extensive research suggests that certain microbial species promote immune tolerance, which stop the immune system from overreacting to harmless substances while other microbes trigger immune responses (including inflammation) to ward off any potential pathogens.
It’s all fine balance as those of us with autoimmune issues know all too well.
Commensal bacteria, like those belonging to the Bacteroides and Clostridium genera, produce SCFAs (as discussed above), which play a key role in modulating immune cell function and promoting anti-inflammatory responses (Honda and Littman, 2016).
It should be no stretch, based on what we’ve covered thus far that these interactions have a significant impact on the body's ability to fend off infections and maintain a balanced immune response.
Microbial dysbiosis, where there is disruption between the microbiome and the host has been implicated in several types of cancers, metabolic deficiencies and autoimmune diseases among others.
Microbes can influence metabolism and may play a role in conditions like obesity and diabetes.
Interestingly, the microbiome can modulate energy intake by directly affecting the digestion of complex marconutrients (i.e. complex carbohydrates) or indirectly by influencing the production and/or secretion of molecules that control hunger and satiety through the neuro-endocrine axis (Fettisov, 2016).
Obesity is linked to several diseases of metabolic dysregulation like fatty liver disease, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and recent studies have shown links between the microbiome and these diseases (Bäckhed et al. 2004; Kahn et al., 2014).
Beneficial gut microbes play a key role in our immune function, as noted above. They work to protect us against pathogenic (disease causing) strains by:
These tools ultimately ensure that these harmful bacteria cannot colonize and cause infection (Rinninella, et al., 2019).
While we get many of our essential vitamins from our diet, many are synthesized by our gut microbes; how clever is this symbiotic relationship!
Several microbes are involved in the production of vitamins and other essential nutrients. Studies have shown gut microbes are able to synthesize vitamin K2 and most water-soluble B vitamins (Pham et al., 2021).
The pathways for their synthesis vary but have been shown to be produced by various bacteria like Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Fusobacteria (Yang and Cong, 2021). Again, good guys we want to continue to feed and nurture.
Emerging research supports the connection between the gut microbiome and mental health, with potential implications for mood and cognitive function; there is so much great info out there on this and it’s termed the Gut-Brain Axis.
Studies have shown how several bacterial strains can alter levels of neurotransmitter (NT) precursors in the gut and even synthesize (or control production of) several neurotransmitters themselves, including:
Our microbiomes are unique and composed of an array of bacterial species, yeast and viruses. Bacteria are classified by phyla, classes, orders, families, genera and species – a complex system with only a few phyla represented in our microbiome.
For those of you who love science, the dominant gut microbial phyla are Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, which represent approximately 90% of our gut microbes with others like Actinobacteria, proteobacteria, Fusobacteria and Verrucomicrobia also represented (Arumugam et al., 2011).
The Phyla Firmicutes represent more than 200 species; including Lactobacillus, Bacillus and Clostridium, some of which you may have heard of.
The composition of the human microbiome can vary widely between people depending on a bunch of varying factors like diet, genetics, age, antibiotic use, BMI, ethnicity and environment as well as the prenatal and postnatal periods of development, as mentioned previously (Rininella et al., 2019).
A balanced and diverse microbiome is generally associated with better health, while disruptions or imbalances in the microbiome can contribute to various health issues.
Gut dysbiosis has been linked to the development of many metabolic, behavioural and neurologic outcomes like diabetes, IBD, Crohn’s Disease, Depression, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and many more (Silva, Bernardi and Frozza, 2020; Rininella et al., 2019).
So, we need a healthy, balanced and diverse gut microbiome to;
Firstly, it’s important to be able to identify whether you have poor gut health. Some signs might include;
There are tests available that analyse a sample of your poo and identify what microbial populations live in your gut and in what proportions. BUT, and it’s a bit but, there is not yet a universal method for determining whether what is found in your gut is necessarily healthy or not and how to completely interpret this data.
While it’s known that certain bacterial strains are beneficial, developing a symbiotic relationship with us, there is no unique and optimal gut microbiome. We are all different. What is healthy for you or one population is not necessarily so for another.
What we do know is that there needs to be a healthy balance of commensal (beneficial) bacterial strains that outnumber the pathogenic (ones that cause disease) ones. This gut microbiota balance is crucial for maintaining a healthy metabolism and immune system while preventing disease.
Scientists are pumping out fascinating research into the human microbiome so we can better understand its role in health and disease. This knowledge has led to the development of therapies like prebiotics and probiotics, which aim to promote a healthy microbiome and improve overall well-being.
Sometime in the not-so-distant future, there is likely be individualised treatments based on analysis of your microbiome to improve health outcomes.
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can. While this topic is a blog on its own, there are ways to alter your microbiome to help the good guys flourish and sometimes, if needed, start over.
Without going into detail here, there is research to support the numerous ways to modify your microbiome including:
If you are suffering with or suspect poor gut health, please consult your functional medicine GP, Nutritionist and/or Naturopath.
While we have focused on the gut here, the skin microbiome is also incredibly important. While the bacterial populations found on the skin differ from those in the gut, we also find some other critters on our skin, like fungi, many viruses and mites, yes, you read that right. All of this found on the surface of healthy skin.
Our skin microbiome is involved in:
A well-balanced skin microbiome plays a significant role in maintaining the health and appearance of your skin. It helps to regulate skin pH, moisture levels, and sebum production. An imbalance in the microbiome can lead to issues like dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity.
The skin's microbiome interacts with the immune system (noticing a theme here?), helping it distinguish between harmful invaders and beneficial microbes. A healthy microbiome can bolster the immune response, reducing the risk of inflammatory skin conditions and allergies (Ferček et al., 2021).
Beneficial bacteria on the skin can aid in the wound healing process by preventing infection and promoting tissue repair (Tomic-Canic et al., 2020). Interestingly, they also contribute to the formation of a protective biofilm which shield the wound and promote barrier restoration.
A balanced skin microbiome can help slow down the aging process by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress on the skin. It can also support the production of collagen and other skin-rejuvenating compounds (Ratanapokasatit et al., 2022).
Maintaining both a healthy skin AND gut microbiome is essential for individuals with chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea (Ellis et al., 2019). Imbalanced microbiomes (both gut and skin) can exacerbate these conditions, while well-regulated ones can help manage symptoms (De Pessemier et al., 2021).
Given the complexity of our symbiotic relationship between our microbes and us, it should be no surprise that dysbiosis in the skin’s microbiome has been linked to systemic health issues beyond the skin.
Just like we need to nurture our gut microbiome, the microbes on our skin also need some love. Here are a few tips to keep your skin microbes happy:
The human microbiome’s impact on our overall health can’t be overstated. It influences our immune function, metabolism, brain function and mental health and most of our physiological processes.
Scientists are working to further understand and harness the potential of the microbiome and it is opening up a new world for personalised therapies and interventions to improve human health and quality of life. We have only just scratched the surface into microbiome research It’s remarkable really.
Here, we’ve highlighted the intricate interplay between the microbial world within (and on) us and our physiological and psychological wellbeing.
I trust that you now have a newfound respect for the trillions of microbes that share your body and will be a bit more conscious about nurturing them.
Here’s to living in harmony with our microbiomes,
Tammy
P.S. If you are having gut issues and not sure where to turn for help, we've got your back, here is a list of local practitioners who have experience with gut health:
Andrea Murphy - Acupuncturist at Mornington Chinese Medicine
Tessa Rickard - Nutritionist
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How much simpler would it be to just cook deliciously nutrient-dense meals just for me and my partner, but alas, the good food police stop me in my tracks.
I used to make multiple meals to appease the masses but gave up on that as it was burning me out. Now, I am far more sensible and just adapt meals to suit the fussy ones.
My theory is if you start with a super-nutritious meal then you’re winning. Sometimes it’s your one hawk-eyed child that examines every mouthful that you have to win over, so you may have to get a bit sneaky about how you go about it.
By incorporating simple yet powerful ingredients, you can supercharge your meals and maximize their nutritional value. So let’s look at how to get that extra boost of nourishment into your meals and fuel yours (and your kids) bodies with the goodness they deserve.
Eat the rainbow as I tell my kids... Vegetables are the superheroes of nutrition, packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants.
Make it a goal to include a variety of colourful veggies in every meal. Add vibrant red capsicums to your stir-fries, toss leafy greens into your salads, or roast a rainbow of root vegetables. The more colours on your plate, the wider the range of nutrients you'll consume.
With little finicky food haters in the family (each of mine have had their time as fussy easters), I’ve found the more I offer different foods, the more likely they are to just try them.
Failing that, I get all sneaky with blended up vegies added to our meals (I mean who hasn’t snuck carrots, mushrooms and zuchinni into their Bolognese) and another option is get yourself some Nutra Organics Vegie Hero powder which is a blend of 15 fruits and veg to add to any meal.
Protein is a key nutrient for building protein, repairing tissue, oxygenating blood, digestion and regulating most other physiological and metabolic processes (via hormone and enzyme production) so crucial for overall well-being. Making protein a key component of each meal will also help keep you full.
Ideally, you want to include quality sources of protein; this means opting for lean meats like chicken, turkey, or fish. I always try to find pasture raised poultry, which is often tricky so often a good free range will have to do (I look for Hazeldene Poultry).
If on a plant-based diet, include protein-rich options like beans, broccoli, lentils, tofu, yoghurt (plain Greek if possible), tempeh, or quinoa.
Whip yourself up a power packed sprinkle that can added to any meal that tickles your fancy; soups, salads, pastas, roasted vegies or even popcorn.
Try making your own jar of super sprinkle by whizzing up the following in your food processor:
Then sprinkle on everything! Alternately, get creative with your favourite ground spices in a nutritional yeast base.
Supplementing with these nutrient-dense foods (‘superfoods’) can add an extra vitamin, mineral and fatty acid punch to your meals. A few more easy peasy ideas;
Herbs and spices not only give your meal a little bit of extra flavour, but also provide an array of health benefits.
There are a wealth of studies showing that various herbs and spices possess antioxidant (Yashin et al., 2017), anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective (Faridzadeh et al., 2022), anti-carcinogenic (Talib et al., 2022), and glucose and cholesterol-lowering properties (Jiang, 2019). There are also some that can affect cognition and mood, which isn’t surprising really.
Go easy on the salt but go forth and explore the world of herbs and spices. If your little ones aren’t so sure about them, put aside their portion and add to the rest; I mean, why should you miss out.
Ways to add these powerhouses to your meals might be to add:
Flavourful? absolutely, but these additions will also level-up your meals by offering powerful healing properties, a welcomed benefit.
Anytime you are making a soup, a saucy dish nor even cooking some rice, switch out water or standard stock cubes with a high-quality organic bone broth powder or concentrate. I love the Nutra Organics bone broth powders but also have used Gevity bone broth body glue (this is a thick broth concentrate) and honestly can't live without them.
These are not only high in protein and collagen (helpful for wound healing, healthy skin and nails and improved joint health) but also contain calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin K2, iron, zinc, selenium, and manganese, vitamins and minerals needed for efficient metabolic function and immune health.
Healthy fats are essential for nutrient absorption, they’ll nourish your body, promote satiety and be beneficial for overall health with research showing they can help lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease (Yanai et al., 2018), improve blood cholesterol levels (Pizzini et al., 2017), reduce inflammation (Calder, 2010), and even help to control blood glucose levels.
Make sure to include sources of unsaturated fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, fish and olive oil in your meals.
Why not:
For fussy little ones, make a batch of nutmeal-based bliss balls, an almond meal banana bread or sneak a piece of avocado into their smoothie.
Keeping your fluid levels up is a big one and key to maintaining overall health. Instead of reaching for sugary beverages, infuse your water with fruits, herbs, and citrus slices. Have you tried adding slices of cucumber and mint leaves? It’s pretty refreshing, or maybe have a go with a lemon, lime, and strawberry combination. A great way to hydrate while also adding a hint of flavour and additional nutrients.
Interestingly, when foods are fermented, the nutritional content often increases. During the lacto-fermentation, the bacterial enzymes digest molecules that we can’t, and in the process generate molecules that are hugely beneficial for our health.
The good bacteria make nutrients like Vitamin C, B vitamins and Vitamin K and they make them (and others present in the vegetables) more bioavailable for us meaning they are more easily absorbed and utilised by the body. There are plenty of other benefits to adding fermented foods to your diet but I’ll save that for another blog.
So, get some Kimchi, Sauerkraut, lacto-fermented olives or pickles on the table. There are plenty of organic and fancy ferments available these days; try some.
If you’re keen to DIY some lacto-ferments, which is addictive by the way, there is a great resource explaining the process and the key players you’ll need to lacto-ferment an array of vegetables or get yourself a copy of Sharon Flynn's beautiful and gut-loving book, Ferment for Good.
Now a brief word on the little fussy ones. Choosing healthy food options for kids is easy (ish) but getting them on board to actually eat them is not. You'll likely experience periods of time when you have to go full stealth mode and jam as much goodness into your meals while they are none the wiser.
And yes, we’ve all tried talking sense and logic, but sometimes the little ninjas just won’t have it. You may very well need to:
So you see, you can power pack your meals and step up your nutrition game. Remember, nourishing your body is a journey, and small changes as I’ve outlined can have a big impact on your health.
Eat the rainbow, pick your protein thoughtfully, sprinkle like it’s stardust, get to know herbs and spices, include healthy fats and introduce fermented foods. Your body will thank you for the extra dose of nourishment and vitality.
Get ready to embrace a healthier, supercharged you, one meal at a time!
Eat well & Be well,
References:
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Jiang TA. Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices. Journal of AOAC Int. 2019 Mar 1;102(2):395-411. doi: 10.5740/jaoacint.18-0418. Epub 2019 Jan 16. PMID: 30651162.
Pizzini A, Lunger L, Demetz E, Hilbe R, Weiss G, Ebenbichler C, Tancevski I. The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Reverse Cholesterol Transport: A Review. Nutrients. 2017 Oct 6;9(10):1099. doi: 10.3390/nu9101099. PMID: 28984832; PMCID: PMC5691715.
Talib WH, AlHur MJ, Al Naimat S, Ahmad RE, Al-Yasari AH, Al-Dalaeen A, Thiab S, Mahmod AI. Anticancer Effect of Spices Used in Mediterranean Diet: Preventive and Therapeutic Potentials. Front Nutr. 2022 Jun 14;9:905658. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.905658. PMID: 35774546; PMCID: PMC9237507.
Yanai H, Masui Y, Katsuyama H, Adachi H, Kawaguchi A, Hakoshima M, Waragai Y, Harigae T, Sako A. An Improvement of Cardiovascular Risk Factors by Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. J Clin Med Res. 2018 Apr;10(4):281-289. doi: 10.14740/jocmr3362w. Epub 2018 Feb 18. PMID: 29511415; PMCID: PMC5827911.
Yashin A, Yashin Y, Xia X, Nemzer B. Antioxidant Activity of Spices and Their Impact on Human Health: A Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2017 Sep 15;6(3):70. doi: 10.3390/antiox6030070. PMID: 28914764; PMCID: PMC5618098.
]]>By strengthening your immune system, you can markedly reduce the risk going down to the flu or other common infections, which there are plenty of at the moment. So, today I am arming you with you evidence-based approaches and tips (and a couple of delicious, nutrient-dense recipes) to help you boost your immune system and stay healthy during this flu season.
A well-balanced diet plays a fundamental role in supporting your immune system. Make sure to include as many of these immune-boosting foods in your daily diet;:
Food rich in Vitamin C: think orange, kiwi, lemon but also cruciferous vegies; Broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower.
Leafy greens (loaded with vitamins and antioxidants): Spinach, Silverbeet (Swiss Chard), Beet Greens, Kale (if it’s your thing), Dandelion greens and Cress.
Berries (packed with antioxidants): the brighter the better and choose organic – we don’t want the side of pesticides! Grab yourself a few packs of frozen organic berries, and throw some into smoothies or a warm pot of apple and berry compote packed with spices like cinnamon and ginger, seriously good (and good for you).
Yogurt or kefir and other ferments (probiotics): Research shows that the populations of bacteria in your gut have a profound impact on your immune system. Fermented foods can boost the good guys found in your digestive tract and intestines and can help reduce your risk of common infections.
Garlic; There is nothing not to love about Garlic and it’s immune-strengthening compounds. Research shows that it can help bolster the immune system to fight infections with the key ingredient, allicin, produced when garlic is crushed or chewed. Add crushed garlic to broths, ferment it in honey (seriously, it turns into garlic candy) or add it to your dinner, and LOTS of it!
Turmeric (anti-inflammatory properties): Turmeric is one of my go-to’s. Research has shown that turmeric can modulate the activation of many of our immune cells (without getting too science-y here, T and B cells and foreign-invader- gobbling macrophages among others).
Here are a couple of tried and tested recipes:
Immune-Boosting Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
Handful Spinach
Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy knowing you're getting a boost to your immune function
Turmeric Honey
Combine:
½ cup honey (local and raw if possible)
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp ginger
Mix well and store in fridge. Take 1 tsp spiced honey daily.
Getting adequate sleep and managing stress are vital for a robust immune system. Lack of sleep and chronic stress can weaken your immunity. I know it’s not always easy but try to incorporate these practices into your routine.
Research has shown that regular physical exercise modulates the immune system and leads to lower incidence and intensity of viral infections (da Silveira, 2021). A simple way to boost your immune system!
Try to aim for at least 1.5 - 2 hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Some exercise options include going on a brisk walk, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Exercise improves immune response and reduces the risk of respiratory infections.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day, alternately, opt for herbal teas and homemade fruit-infused water which are also excellent options. Ideally, limiting sugary drinks is wise as excessive sugar intake can impair immune function.
Prevent the spread of germs by practicing good hygiene, surely we’re all experts post-COVID right?
While it’s best to get all your nutrients from whole foods, certain supplements can be used to level-up your immune health. We do recommend consulting with a healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your routine. Some evidence-based options to discuss with your health care advisor include:
Vitamin C: This antioxidant is well known for its immune-boosting properties. Supplements may be beneficial for individuals with deficiencies or at high risk of infections as Vitamin C is involved in immune health by stimulating the activity of white blood cells.
Vitamin D: Adequate vitamin D levels have been implicated in properly functioning immune systems. If you have limited sun exposure, are known to be deficient in Vitamin D, consider a supplement, especially during the winter months.
Zinc: This mineral plays a crucial role in immune system function, more specificallty, healthy levels support normal growth and functioning of immune cells. Even a mild deficiency can have a significant impact on the function of lymphocytes (White blood cells), neutrophils and macrophages (Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board). Zinc supplements may help reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu.
Probiotics: As noted above, beneficial bacteria supports optimal gut health, which is closely linked to immune function. Look for reputable probiotic supplements that have multiple strains of the good guys or incorporate more probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and fermented vegetables into your diet.
Elderberry: A small study (that needs more research) showed that elderberry was able to reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory infections (Hawkins et al, 2019).
By kicking some of (preferably all) these evidence-based approaches and tips into gear you can proactively boost your immune system and navigate the flu season with confidence. Should the sniffles take hold, grab yourself a naturally clearing decongestant balm for your little ones or not so little ones.
Remember, it all about a holistic approach that includes a nutrient-dense diet, adequate sleep, stress management, regular exercise, good hygiene practices, and appropriate supplementation can contribute to a strong immune system. Be sure to prioritize your well-being, and consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. Stay healthy, stay strong, and embrace a flu-free season!
Stay well & Healthy,
Tammy
X
References:
da Silveira MP, da Silva Fagundes KK, Bizuti MR, Starck É, Rossi RC, de Resende E Silva DT. Physical exercise as a tool to help the immune system against COVID-19: an integrative review of the current literature. Clin Exp Med. 2021 Feb;21(1):15-28. doi: 10.1007/s10238-020-00650-3
Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc: a Report of the Panel on Micronutrients. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2001. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222317/ Accessed 10/17/2019
Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne E. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Feb;42:361-365. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004. Epub 2018 Dec 18. PMID: 30670267.
]]>It's time. I mean, has there been a better time to become a confident conscious consumer who can cut through the BS?
Put simply, Greenwashing is when a brand makes misleading or outright false claims that deceive you into thinking you’re buying a natural (clean) or an environmentally friendly product when in really, you're not. Pretty shifty huh!
Sadly, greenwashing is EVERYWHERE. This practice misleads consumers into believing that they are making environmentally responsible choices when instead, they may in fact be supporting products or companies that have a negative impact on the planet.
It’s so important for you to be aware of and avoid greenwashing. You can and should actively seek out credible, third-party certifications or evidence to support environmental claims made by companies.
You’ll see so many claims; ‘natural’, ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘from recycled plastic’, ‘biodegradable’ but what you won’t see is any evidence to back up them up. Deliberately left out will be any evidence to support these claims and of course any negative impacts the product (or its production) may be having on the environment.
Cue you becoming savvy at spotting greenwashing!
Here are 8 ways to spot and avoid Greenwashing.
Green imagery (think leafy, nature-y logo) and fancy flora on packaging does not mean a product is green so don’t be swayed solely by packaging. The marketing goal here is to be perceived as natural but truth be told, the product inside may be far from it.
Look for evidence that supports their clever packaging; check out the ingredients list and also delve deeper into the business’s practices and credentials. If you find label reading tricky (you’re not alone), we’ve broken it down for you in in our ‘Understanding labels’ blog.
Arghh, it’s still bloody plastic (and a huge pet peeve of ours). Have you wondered where it will end up? Sadly, it’s heading straight to landfill; taking 100s of years to break down.
Unfortunately, more than 90% of plastic produced today is NOT recycled, and yep, the majority ends up in our oceans. It’s been estimated that plastics in our oceans will outweigh fish by 2050, please stop for a moment to consider the impact of this. Currently in Australia, about 80% of the plastic that we conscientiously put into our curbside recycling bin is not being recycled. That's a lot of plastic pollution.
Let’s look at the facts here; plastic can only be recycled 1-2 times before heading to landfill so using recycled plastic or claiming a product is recyclable isn’t the solution and claiming that it is greenwashing.
It's time to stop falling for the ‘it’s recycled' or 'recyclable’ marketing. If there is an option to buy cardboard or tin over plastic, please choose the truly environmentally friendly option.
Another important note that I feel must be addressed here are Bioplastics.
These are bio-based polymers made from natural starting materials (usually sugar) rather than petrochemicals. Sounds pretty good right? Bioplastics are often thought to be better for the planet (a debate that I'll save for another day). Yes, they break down much faster than traditional plastics but what isn’t openly shared is that they require very specific environmental conditions (including access to oxygen and sunlight) for them to break down; conditions that are greatly lacking in landfill. So really, just another form of greenwashing.
Check out the certifications the business has to back up their claims.
Many little logos you see on packages are just simple graphics that can be downloaded and added to any product. Look for third party certifications from reputable organization. One example is the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACO) for products claiming to be organic. Unless you see this logo on an organic claiming product it is not certified. Others might include Fairtrade or EcoCert
A little side note; some certifications, like ACO are pretty costly to acquire. If you're looking to support a small business (and I say, go you!!!) and they are claiming to be organic but you don't see the authorized ACO logo, it's worth reaching out to them.
Research the company claiming to be environmentally friendly. Go to their website, check out what are they are actively doing for the environment, what environmental initiatives they've got going on. Have a look at a companies values; do they align with sustainable practices beyond just marketing claims?
Buzz words like “eco- friendly” or “sustainable” without anything to back it up must be questioned. Look for specific details on how it’s sustainable or eco-friendly. Genuine sustainability claims are usually backed by clear explanations and verifiable information.
Greenwashing often involves exaggerations or overstatements, using phrases like ‘Greenest Ever’ or ‘100% Eco Friendly’ without any further explanation; red flag alert! Look for concrete and specific claims rather than broad statements that lack substance.
A company that produces just one environmentally friendly product will potentially still have a huge carbon footprint due to other products or their supply and production practices. Genuine sustainability extends beyond one aspect.
Consider the entire lifecycle of a product, including sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, use, and disposal. If a product is claiming to be planet-friendly, these factors should be addressed, not just one isolated factor.
If something seems too good to be true or raises your suspicions, you’ve got to go with your gut. Avoid greenwashing by using critical thinking and a discerning eye to properly assess sustainability claims.
By being vigilant, researching and questioning claims, you will become a savvy consumer and start to spot greenwashing more effectively. Hold companies accountable for their sustainability claims and support genuinely eco-conscious brands making a positive impact.
Tammy
x
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So on average, women use 12 personal care products every day, containing around 168 ingredients in total. And get this: Our skin absorbs 50-70% of these ingredients during application.
It’s time to stop sweeping it under the carpet and pretending it’s not doing you any harm. Let's get informed and make cleaner choices.
Do you look at the ingredients list on your skincare, haircare and personal care products?
Generally speaking, we, the consumers, are completely in the dark about the hidden dangers of all the toxins lurking in the skincare products we use.
The thing is that many of these synthetic skincare ingredients have not been tested for safety in humans, are not well regulated, and are therefore legally permitted in our products.
So this really leaves us no choice but to start gathering our own knowledge and making positive changes to minimise our exposure to harmful chemicals in skincare products.
I get it. Switching to a cleaner and greener lifestyle can be pretty daunting. The first step is understanding why it’s important and this is what I want to address for you today.
There is just so much crap piled into all of our everyday products and they affect us in ways that are incredibly scary.
Synthetic chemicals are added to everything from toothpaste, body wash and shampoo to dish and laundry detergent, all our cleaning supplies, and our food.
They have a multitude of purposes including as emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilisers, pH adjusters, preservatives and plenty of others. The vast majority are not tested for use in or on humans (and they don’t have to be, thanks to the Australian Government).
In Australia, our laws don’t restrict the use of a huge array of chemicals (including many nasty ones) that are used in the manufacture of these products – unlike in the EU and Japan where there are much more stringent regulations.
There are so many studies out there that highlight how synthetic chemicals are detectable in various bodily fluids and tissues.
If you’re science-minded (like I am) and want to look at some of the evidence, there is a great review article looking at the cumulative chemical exposure during pregnancy and early development and an interesting read about the effects of chemical exposure on reproductive health.
These chemicals don’t just affect US, they are affecting the development of our children and we are only just scratching the surface on how.
Since many of the synthetic chemicals used in cosmetics have not been evaluated for safety in animals or humans, there is a distinct possibility that they are having an impact on your health and not likely in a good way.
This is not a complete list but some of the main toxins in skincare and cosmetic products that can be damaging. If you want to delve deeper, check out this other article that gets more specific on which toxic skincare ingredients to avoid.
These substances trigger your immune system by acting like a flag, alerting your body that they are foreign invaders and causing an allergic response.
What does this response look or feel like?
Well, it could mean stinging, burning, hives, itching or a red rash that shows its face whenever you use that product or it could be worse by causing a full-blown allergic reaction.
The interesting thing is that this type of response can happen straight after using a product or after years of using a product with seemingly no issues.
Some of the main culprits here are:
Sulphates
Fragrances, acids
Triclosan (a chemical similar to Agent Orange and the pesticide DDT. This 2017 study explains its effects on human health).
Ammonia
Formaldehyde
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Aluminium compounds
These are substances that are capable of causing cancer. They do this by altering normal cellular reactions and processes that ultimately cause damage to cells. This makes them replicate faster than they die, resulting in the formation of tumours.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are fairly common in personal care products and behave in this way. Other carcinogenic chemicals are less common but still used. These include:
Quaternium-15
Diazolidinyl urea
Imidazolidinyl urea
DMDM hydantoin
Benzene
Untreated or mildly treated mineral oils
Ethylene oxide
Learn more about formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives here.
These compounds are problematic on several levels:
They accumulate in both our bodies and the environment
They don’t degrade, they linger
They are TOXIC
Referred to as PBTs (Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic chemicals), our bodies just can’t process or excrete them quick enough so they build up, mostly in fat tissue, bones and brains.
It has been suggested that accumulated mercury and pesticides may affect metabolism or circulation and may trigger chronic diseases.
As you can imagine, studies supporting this in humans would be difficult to carry out but this 2019 study looks into bioaccumulation in food chains.
Some common ingredients considered PBTs are:
Nanoparticles
Oxybenzone (think sunscreens)
Ethanolamines (MEA, DEA and TEA)
Cyclosiloxanes (the basis for many silicones)
Aluminium salts
Mercury
Lead
Heavy metals
PABA (UV absorbers in sunscreens)
These ones get into your cells and mess with your DNA — your genetic material — which means you create more genetic mutations than would be normal without exposure.
Some of these mutations can cause cancer but this isn’t always the case. A 1981 study by Gocke et al. looked at the mutagenicity of various cosmetic chemicals if you're interested in reading more.
There are far too many of these Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in everyday products, from cosmetics and makeup to cleaning supplies.
This is a big topic and covers synthetic chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system and may affect several other systems too.
These disruptors have been linked to lowered sperm counts, thyroid dysfunction, endometriosis, PCOS, several cancers, and autoimmune conditions (you can see all the references for these studies at the bottom of this page).
Learning to avoid these compounds can help protect your hormonal balance. While there are lots of these around, the most common ones are:
⚠️ Parabens — The most notorious endocrine disruptors that have been shown to mimic oestrogen. Multiple parabens have been detected in biopsies of breast cancer tissue. Look out for any ingredients ending in ‘paraben’.
⚠️ Phthalates — Found in a huge array of products from perfumes to plastic kids toys, vinyl, and PVC products and have been linked to reproductive disruption in both men and women and an increased prevalence of breast cancer and tumours.
Look out for the term ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on the ingredients list and just swiftly return the product to the shelf.
⚠️ Bisphenol A (BPA) — Studies have linked BPA to accelerated puberty, breast cancer, behavioural changes, diabetes and obesity, which is why lots of your plastics are now labelled BPA free (which doesn’t necessarily make them safe, by the way).
⚠️ Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) — These are pretty nasty. They build up in the bloodstream and liver, which can affect women’s fertility.
Studies have shown that they are passed via the placenta and umbilical cord to a fetus, leading to a whole range of issues like low birth weight, increased rate of miscarriage and can negatively impact organ and skeletal development in a fetus.
You’ll find these in products formulated to repel grease and water. Think nail polish, moisturiser, eye makeup, non-stick cookware and stain/water-resistant clothes.
⚠️ Triclosan — Used as an antibacterial and antifungal, triclosan has been shown to mess with the endocrine system, particularly thyroid hormones, which control many of our metabolic processes. Hmm. I wonder why so many of us have thyroid issues?
⚠️ Synthetic fragrances — These can contain thousands of toxic chemicals, most of which do not need to be divulged to the consumer.
This is not meant to scare you or make you feel bad for using products with these ingredients — they’re EVERYWHERE, but there ARE alternatives.
We want you to make the switch to tox-free and safer products but doing this can feel like a big ask.
Cleaner products may not feel or behave like the conventional products you’re used to but that’s not a reason to dismiss them; they are better for you and will reduce your exposure to the nasty stuff.
We recommend switching out to cleaner products slowly so the process isn’t a huge upfront expense and seems much more achievable.
Baby steps — but the first step is becoming informed, which you've already chosen to do. Ten points for that, my friend!
If you’re keen to make some changes but don’t know where to start, we recommend Alexx Stuart's book Low Tox Life: A handbook for a healthy you and a happy planet. Alexx also has some pretty awesome resources, podcasts, and courses to learn more.
Another really useful tool is to download the Healthy Living App prepared by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). With it, you can scan products (mostly US products though) and look up individual ingredients to assess their safety (they give ingredients a score) and get a little more familiar with those crazy lists of ingredients.
Although daunting at the start, you will quickly get familiar with the nastiest of ingredients, be able to spot them on the labels (and promptly put those products back on the shelf), and start opting for the cleaner alternatives.
Here is a list of some steps we think are important to start working through to start reducing your family’s exposure to toxins:
We have a range of non-toxic products but there are some amazing clean brands around. You just need to find one or a couple that you trust and look past all the greenwashing (easier said than done)!
We know this is probably not what you feel like hearing but toxic substances (lead, pesticides, and others) are often found in household dust. It’s best to use a wet cloth to wipe down surfaces.
So much crap is transferred from our shoes into our homes.
They use way too many chemicals.
Here’s a good resource about what types of products contain these.
Again not always possible. Eat organic where you can and if this isn’t an option choose fruits and veggies that are less likely to be contaminated (check out the EWG clean and dirty lists).
Toxins can be found in higher quantities in animal fat. So if you are choosing higher fat meats, try to make them organic where possible.
Particularly for food and drinks.
Like shark, swordfish and orange roughy.
They can contain BPA lining.
‘Be proud of that little change you’re going to make today. Be proud of the plans you’re laying out as time, circumstance and energy permits’ - Alexx Stuart
Be kind to yourself and do what you can.
We have plenty of non-toxic, zero-waste skincare products to help get you started. Browse our natural skincare products (including soaps and deodorants) online now and get free shipping Australia wide on orders over $95.
Tammy X
Ali, H & Khan, E. 2019. Trophic transfer, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification of non-essential hazardous heavy metals and metalloids in food chains/webs—Concepts and implications for wildlife and human health. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. 25(6): 1353-1376. Read here.
Barr et al., 2012. Measurement of paraben concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast from axilla to sternum. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 32(3): 219-232. Read here.
Calsolaro, V. et al., 2017. Thyroid Disrupting Chemicals. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 18(12): 2583. Read here.
Gocke, E. et al.1981. Mutagenicity of cosmetics ingredients licensed by the European Communities. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology. 90(2): 91-109.
Mitro, S. et al., 2015. Cumulative Chemical Exposures During Pregnancy and Early Development. Current Environmental Health Reports. 2(4): 367–378. Read here.
Kuo et al., 2012. Immunomodulatory effects of environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals. The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences. 28: S37-S42. Read here.
Mikołajewska, K. et al. 2015. Bisphenol A – Application, sources of exposure and potential risks in infants, children and pregnant women.International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health. 2015;28(2):209-241. Read here.
Reddy, B. et al., 2006. General gynaecology: Association of phthalate esters with endometriosis in Indian women. An international Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 113(5): 515-520. Read here.
Palioura, E. & Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. 2015. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders 16: 365. Read here.
Wang, A. et al., 2016. Environmental influences on reproductive health: the importance of chemical exposures. Fertility and Sterility. 106(4): 905-929. Read here.
Weatherly, L. & Gosse, J. 2017. Triclosan Exposure, Transformation, and Human Health Effects. The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. , Part B. 20(8), 447-469. Read here.
Check, L & Marteel-Parrish, A. 2013. The fate and behavior of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals: examining lead (Pb) as a PBT metal. Reviews of Environmental Health. 28(2-3), 85-96. Read here.
Soto, A. & Sonnenschein, C. 2010. Environmental causes of cancer: endocrine disruptors as carcinogens. Nature Reviews; Endocrinology. 6: 363-370. Read here.
Sumner, R., 2019. Independent and combined effects of diethylhexyl phthalate and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 on sperm quality in the human and dog. Scientific Reports. Read here..
]]>The only way to really break through all the marketing hogwash is to understand how to decipher the skincare ingredients on product labels.
This article is going to help you do just that.
]]>The only way to really break through all the marketing hogwash is to understand how to decipher the skincare ingredients on product labels.
This article is going to help you do just that.
Welcome to your crash course in cosmetic label language and INCI names (INCI stands for the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients).
We’ve already introduced you to all the nasty crap manufacturers pop into their formulations, for a multitude of reasons (if you haven’t read that article, please make sure you learn all about those toxic skincare ingredients first).
The thing is, so much money goes into all those fancy-pants labels and packaging that it can be really hard to look past it. If it looks great it must be, right?
That’s what they want you to think.
When you start looking at the (sometimes lengthy) skincare ingredients lists, they do feel like another language and are completely daunting.
But as you get more familiar with them, I promise you will start to feel a bit more comfortable about recognising different ingredients.
So here are a couple of tips to start off…
Most of the ingredients lists you read on skincare or cosmetic labels are made up of INCI names. As I’ve already said, INCI stands for International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient. It’s an internationally recognised scientific naming system for cosmetic ingredients.
INCI names are developed by the International Nomenclature Committee (INC) and published by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).
Here’s the important part: Just because an ingredient has an INCI name doesn’t mean it’s been approved for cosmetics or skincare. Having an INCI designation does not mean it’s safe or compliant.
Read on to get a list of websites that check skincare ingredients by their INCI names.
I run a mile when I see compounds like fragrance, sulphates, PEG compounds, phthalates, parabens and a few others on the label.
Check out our previous blog about skincare ingredients to avoid and simply pop the product back on the shelf if you spot any of these nasties.
They’re listed either as their common name (which sounds like a plant in English, for example Calendula flower or Burdock root) or using their scientific name, which is almost always a two-word Latin name like Eucalyptus radiata (Eucalyptus) or Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola).
I have read quite a few blogs that state that if there are ingredients listed that you cannot pronounce, you should be wary; this is often the case but not ALWAYS true.
There are plenty of natural/plant-derived skincare ingredients that do still have science-y sounding names. Again, the more you practice and get familiar with different ingredients, you quickly learn which are A-OK.
An example is tocopherol, which is simply Vitamin E, or panthenol, which is pro-vitamin B5.
Others like cetearyl alcohol and sorbitan olivate are naturally-derived molecules used to stabilise and emulsify ingredients. These more than likely contain palm but that’s for another blog!
The order in which the ingredients are listed indicates the relative amount of that ingredient in the product. The most abundant ingredient is written first, the least abundant last.
Important note: When water is the first ingredient, you can assume it comprises around 60-90% of the whole product. That can be some expensive water you’re buying!
Another note: Just because an ingredient is present in lower amounts, doesn't necessarily mean that it is not effective. For example, niacinamide is known to be effective at around 5%, hyaluronic acid at 0.5-1.5%.
Ingredients present at less than 1% can be written in any order, generally found at the end of your ingredients list. But there may be lots of them!
Allergens are usually components of essential oils or synthetic fragrances. It is worth becoming familiar with some of these, particularly if you have sensitivities. Here’s a full list of allergens.
It is wise to also look out for the following common allergens:
Some detergents (Sodium Lauryl & Laureth Sulphate, SLS and Cocamidopropyl betaine have been known to cause reactions)
Fragrance/ Parfum (blanket term used for a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals that don’t have to be disclosed and could come from a pool of around 3000 different compounds)
Preservatives (Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl alcohol and Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate have been shown to be allergens)
Some websites showcase the ‘key ingredients’ rather than the full list, which you have to search a little deeper for. By law, at the time of purchase, either in real life or online, the full ingredients list MUST be available to the consumer.
So now you’re armed with these tips, it’s time to look into the actual ingredients themselves — with the help of some handy skincare ingredients checkers.
There are plenty of resources to turn to while you’re learning the ropes of what ingredients are, why they’re in the product, and whether you need to steer clear of them.
Finding your favourite skincare ingredients checker is key. Here’s a really useful list:
The EWG Skin Deep skincare ingredient dictionary is my go to. It’s super simple to use, gives you a colour-coded grading, and indicates what type of hazard the ingredient might be.
It also tells you the function of the ingredient as well as synonyms that can be really useful.
The best bit is if you geek out on the science like I do, it offers references for further investigation.
The INCIDecoder is another useful searchable database.
The Think Dirty app allows you to type in a product name or scan barcodes and you get a rating for each of the product's ingredients clarifying if and why they are considered toxic.
Note that some Aussie brands or small boutique brands might not be on their database.
You can also search for individual ingredients. Unlimited access to all ingredients comes at a cost of $4.80/ month or $45/ year but you can try it out for 1 week free.
The INCI Beauty app allows you to scan barcodes (handy if the product is on the database) or search for a product or an ingredient. It then breaks down all the ingredients, outlines whether they're good, not so good, or satisfactory, and gives an overall score. Premium features have a cost of 15 Euro per year.
The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion is a searchable and pretty easy-to-use app that includes ingredients found in both food and cosmetics. It does cost $11 but well worth it, I think.
The way I’ve learnt how to read labels is by learning bit by bit and researching suspect ingredients as I find them. You will start to recognise and remember them and will find yourself much more confident when deciphering a label.
Here is the ingredient list for the Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream, which is a relatively clean product with just a few questionable ingredients included:
One of the most important things when shopping clean is to sidestep all the marketing drivel on the packaging skilfully devised to suck us in.
I mean sure, active ingredients are included for a reason, but not all the claims made are true.
Companies can use words like ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ on their label (there are no laws preventing this if it’s not true); there is very little transparency when it comes to cosmetic product labelling.
Accomplished marketers can highlight the 'amazing' skin-loving benefits of included skincare ingredients that unfortunately are often found in such small quantities that they really aren’t going to do anything at all.
Ah marketing… it makes suckers of us all!
Learning about the different skincare ingredients may seem daunting at first but I promise that the knowledge you will gain is well worth it.
Once you start learning about skincare ingredients and potential toxins, you'll start seeing why natural skincare is better and be ready to go clean.
Ready to go clean? Shop our range of toxin-free, zero-waste natural skincare products today.
Tammy x
]]>Thinking of switching to shampoo bars? It’s a big decision to ditch the synthetic laden commercial shampoos for a greener, more natural alternative.
But ultimately it’s a better decision — for your hair, your body, and the environment.
Let’s dive into the wonderful world of shampoo bars! We’ve covered all the FAQs we get about shampoo bars, including:
Why shampoo bars are better than liquid shampoo
How to use a shampoo bar
How to store shampoo bars
Additional haircare options
People often think shampoo bars are more expensive than liquid, so we often hear the question: Are shampoo bars worth it?
There are so many reasons why shampoo bars are better than commercial liquid shampoos. Here are a few:
Shampoo bars are great for the hair and scalp. They cleanse without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
If formulated correctly, they should give a great lather. Our shampoo bars are formulated with coconut and castor oils to give a creamy thick lather.
Shampoo bars help you help save the planet. You’re purchasing less plastic and you’re not flushing a myriad nasty chemicals down the drains and into our waterways.
Win - Win - Win!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve spilled liquid shampoo in my bag before. Not a pretty sight.
One bar allowed to dry between uses should last quite a while. This however, would be affected by a number of factors like how often you wash your hair and how long your hair is.
Don’t forget, most commercial shampoos are up to 80% water! Shampoo bars are concentrated hair cleansers where you add the water.
So with these pretty awesome benefits, hopefully I have you about 80% sure you’re ready to commit to the switch.
Let’s get stuck into a few truths about what to expect when you do finally switch to shampoo bars.
You may or may not experience a transition period where your hair is behaving a little weirdly. If you do, rest assured, it is just for a short time while your hair is getting used to the change from synthetic chemicals to the natural cleansers in your bar.
There are lots of factors that may determine how your hair responds to shampoo bars, like whether your hair is damaged, how much built-up residue is on your hair, and your hair type, among other things.
It is completely normal when starting out with natural shampoo bars that your scalp or hair can feel oily or dry, have a little extra frizz, or feel tangled or even waxy.
Hang in there. It’s totally worth it – I promise!
This is just your hair adjusting to the change. In the end, you will have synthetic-free, clean, shiny and healthy hair.
See, commercial shampoos contain harsh detergents that strip the oils from your hair and often replace it with a smooth coating of silicone. In response to this, our scalps can produce excess sebum.
When transitioning to a more natural, gentler approach, it may take a few weeks for sebum production to return to normal.
To make the transition that little bit easier, you need to be patient. All good things take time. Initially, your hair may feel a little wiry or just weird. That’s totally normal. This may be due to residual suds being left in your hair so to eliminate that issue, make sure you rinse out the suds from your hair thoroughly.
So you're ready to use your shampoo bar? Let's go!
Step 1: Wet your hair thoroughly
Step 2: Wet the shampoo bar and rub it over your hair from the scalp to the ends
Step 3: Massage through to work up a thick, creamy lather
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly
We have formulated 2 pretty fab, richly lathering shampoo bars: our Hemp, Honey and Nettle bar and our Charcoal, Coconut and Brahmi Bar.
We don't really favour one over the other for specific hair types. Both cleanse equally well so it comes down to personal preference.
What about conditioner? We’ve got that covered below, but first, let’s make sure you’re storing your shampoo bars the right way to get the most bang for your buck.
You don't need a dedicated shampoo bar container to store your bar in. You simply need a little soap dish, like our wooden soap saver, that helps elevate your bar out of a puddle of water.
Resting your bars in puddles of water makes your shampoo (and conditioner) bars a mushy squishy mess and they really won't last long at all. Allowing them to dry between uses will ensure you get at least a few months out of them.
Storing both shampoo and conditioner bars correctly means you're stopping MANY plastic bottles going to landfill. See, worth it on so many levels!
You may find that your hair benefits from an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse. A super simple, natural and nasty-free way to add body and shine to dull hair.
Our Rinse Your Locks herbal apple cider vinegar rinse is infused with hair loving herbs and is a concentrate but plain old apple cider vinegar works too. It truly can make a world of difference.
A few added benefits are that:
So, Apple Cider Vinegar for hair scalp is a win! It can reduce itchiness too.
Step 1: Simply add 1-2 tbsp of ACV to 1 cup of warm water and pour it over your hair after shampooing.
Step 2: Be sure to massage it through your hair and your scalp and leave it in for a few minutes.
Leaving the vinegar in for a few minutes helps:
When I first switched to shampoo bars, I would do this religiously and it really did make all the difference.
Being completely upfront here, the first few times I did though, the smell of the vinegar was a little hard to take but I got used to it and now it's not an issue.
Now, many years later, it still does something magical to my hair, letting the natural curl just do its thing.
If you just can’t stomach the smell of the vinegar, you may want to try a tox-free (and of course zero waste) conditioner bar instead.
There is no simple answer to this one. Some people do and some people don't. It really depends on your hair type. Is it on the drier side? A bit oily? Is it straight? Or Curly? How has it adapted to the switch to shampoo bars?
You may find in time that you don’t really need a conditioner as natural shampoo bars contain conditioning oils that will leave your hair soft anyway.
But you may however want or need to experiment a little with using ACV and conditioner bars intermittently. You will find what works best for your hair. Again, I promise it's worth it!
Personally, I use an ACV rinse every time I shampoo and use a conditioner bar once a fortnight for a deep hydrating condition.
The great thing about conditioner bars, particularly natural ones like our Smooth Your Locks Conditioner Bar, is that it doesn't contain any water so it's concentrated with hair-smoothing and nourishing ingredients that are activated by water. No paying for water here!
A little goes a long way so you really only need to rub the bar across your wet, shampooed hair, comb through and leave it in for a few minutes.
The key with conditioner bars is to rinse thoroughly and you will be left with silky, soft hair.
We've had lots of feedback from our curly-haired friends who claim that their hair cannot live without conditioning, and if you're following the curly girl thang, they actually often skip shampoo (but this usually has to do with the harsh chemicals in conventional shampoos).
So what if you want to ditch the chemicals and reduce your waste but much prefer using a liquid conditioner?
No worries at all, we've got a little tip for quickly making a liquid conditioner from your bar:
Step 1: Grate about 2 tablespoons of your conditioner bar into a clean bowl or jug
Step 2: Pour in approximately 1 cup of slightly cooled boiling water and whisk to dissolve the grated flakes.
Step 3: As the solution cools, it will thicken somewhat. You will get the feel for the consistency you like too; if you prefer it thinner, add a bit more water and if you prefer it as a thicker cream, simply add a bit more grated conditioner bar.
Step 4: Store your liquid conditioner in a clean, sealed bottle.
Step 5: Use this within a month as it is unpreserved and where there is water, there is potential for microbial growth. So make a fresh batch often.
We know that after a short period of time and experimentation, you can find a new, more natural routine that makes you, your hair, and the environment jump for joy.
Ready to switch to shampoo bars? We have a range of natural haircare products, including shampoo bars, conditioner bars, and ACV. Shop now to get free shipping across Australia for orders over $95.
Here's to your new naturally cleansed hair.
Tammy and Sarah x
With my 2 eldest children I unashamedly used disposable nappies, with my prime concern being preventing leakages at all costs. Years later, a hell of a lot more environmentally conscious, I have looked for alternatives. When I think about how many plastic disposable nappies I sent to landfill I feel sick; they’ll be lingering around for many many MANY years to come; I’m talking 500 plus years for the traditional plastic nappies.
This time around I did some research and armed myself with some uber cute cloth nappies (both purchased and borrowed from kind friends). I did however have to be honest with myself; for the first couple of months of being a mum to a newborn again, cloth nappies wasn’t something I was up for straight away so I gave myself 3 months before using them. So for this 3 month period I needed something practical that was kinder to the planet and didn’t leave me feeling incredibly guilty.
Bamboo Eco disposable nappies were the answer for me; I know they are not a perfect solution given my desire to go zero waste on this one, but they are better than the alternative. I’ve tried a few so I thought I’d share my experience with them. Firstly, they’re not cheap; not even close to the old Huggies and Babylove but being environmentally conscious comes at a price, don’t we know it! I came across quite a few and thought trying them out would be the best way forward. When Maeve came along, we just got stuck in and tried Bambo, Luvme Pandas, Tooshies by Tom and Eco originals. Just to be clear, these are not 100% biodegradable but will definitely not linger around in landfill as long as their plastic counterparts.
Bambo: One of the more expensive options and made in a facility where most (95%) of all production waste gets recycled, impressive. Free from Nasty stuff, recyclable packaging, carries Nordic Eco Swan and FSC (Forest Stewardship council) labels. Now, I really loved these when Maeve was really new but considering they are made in Denmark, not so ‘eco’ friendly considering they need to be shipped to Oz. Nappies themselves are super soft for bubs bottoms, only had leaks through the night when Maeve grew a little. These can only be purchased online and for a premium. You’ll be looking at about $100 for 132 nappies. Look out, the size of the bulk boxes vary from supplier to supplier too, which caught me up.
Tooshie by Tom: So these organic bamboo nappies are freely available at many supermarkets and chemists. Much more economical than the others coming in at around $20 for 50 nappies. They feel really soft, seem to have relatively good absorbancy but they don’t seem to draw the moisture away from your bubs skin as well as some of the others. One downfall of these, and this happened on more than one occasion, is that some of the adhesive used ended up sticking to Maeves skin, was not cool impressed; needless to say after the 2nd time we stop using them. There is also no indicator on the nappy to show if it is wet. I have read some other reviews highlighting that the new nappy design (currently available) is not as good as the last.
Luvme Pandas: These are my favourites! Not exactly cheap but better than Bambo, coming in at around $69 for a box of 72, these supersoft bamboo nappies are a winner. We haven’t had any leaks with these and single nappy can see us through a whole night some nights. Made from 90+% plant-based biodegradable materials, free from any nasty stuff and take between 90-120 days to biodegrade (depending on the conditions). Another brand that can only be purchased online but is Australian owned and operated. They manufacture in off-grid facility that uses 100% renewable energy and aim for 0% trade waste.I believe a subscription option is not far away.
Ecooriginals: These are also great and the only reason they're not up there with the Luvme Pandas for me is because there is no wetness indicator. They are a little more expensive at around $118 for 120 nappies, slightly cheaper if you subscribe to frequent deliveries. Founded in Byron Bay and manufactured in an off-grid facility in New Zealand, this female dominated company are committed to sustainability by planting trees, being plastic neutral and undertake carbon offset projects. The nappies are super soft and highly absorbent, 90% biodegradable and definitely worth the purchase.
In terms of wipes, we have trialed the Wotnot biodegradable baby wipes which are fantastic, although a little pricey and the Luveme Eco plant baby biodegradable wipes which are much more affordable and also very good, albeit much thinner and smaller. I prefer the Wotnot wipes as they are a thicker wipe but the Luvme are much better value. Of course, when it came to a sore bottom and even in redness in those chunky leg creases, our Soothe It Balm is the perfect tox free, baby friendly balm option, check it out here.
Just thought I’d share my experience. I have only a few left before switching to cloth nappies, will share what I find in that arena too.
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Let’s work on demystifying some of the chemicals used in conventional skincare, personal care and cleaning products; the ones that we come into contact with on a daily basis. We want to make sure you steer clear of some of the nastiest of these ingredients and realise why natural skincare and lifestyle products are the way to go. Knowledge is power!
So, to start, a bit of hard truth time. In 2004, the environmental working group (EWG) surveyed a bunch of women and found that on average women use 12 personal care products every day, equating to approximately 168 different compounds (1). Seriously… 168! Not hard to see how when you look at the list of ingredients on the back of your average skin care product. It can be pretty overwhelming trying to understand all of those ingredients with names as long as your arm; (A blog looking at debunking labels is on its way.)
In Australia, our laws don’t restrict the use of a huge array of chemicals used to manufacture personal care and cleaning products; many of which have been banned in the EU and Japan but are still permitted to be used here. Without government regulation of these chemicals, a volunteer industry program called the Cosmetic Industry Review (CIR) process has stepped in to assess the safety of personal care product ingredients (which companies can completely ignore if they choose) (2). As at 2008, in 3 decades, the CIR only reviewed 11% of the ingredients used in products, equating to about 1400 of a total of 12,500 ingredients (1) These synthetic chemicals are used for an array of functions; such as emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilisers, preservatives, chelating (bind up minerals to make then unavailable for microbes) agents and others; the vast majority not tested for use in or on humans and they don’t have to be – nuts! Several of the dirtiest chemicals are contaminated with hidden carcinogens.
So, this is where it gets a bit heavy and can’t really be sugar coated!
Here are some of the main compounds you need to avoid. This is not an exhaustive list, there are many more environmental and industrially used toxins that have been linked to many diseases and metabolic dysfunction that we won't go into here.
Companies are NOT required to disclose the composition of the ‘fragrance’ component of their product. These are usually a toxic mixture of any number of thousands of chemicals. Not just found in personal care, some are used as ‘plasticiser’ compounds (plastic softeners) and are used in hundreds of products from toys, food packaging to paints and, believe it or not, pharmaceutical pills.
Pthalates are one type of chemical coming under the 'fragrance' umbrella and include Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Diethyl-pthalate (DEP), DHEP and others. DEP is used as a solvent and fixative in fragranced products (helps to keep the scent on your skin for longer) and while DEHP has been declared a public health risk by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), it is still used at low concentrations in some products, and DEP is still used.
Classified by the US EPA as harmful to our health, these compounds are highly susceptible to leaching out of products into the environment (3) and well… us! Pthalates have been linked to endocrine disruption (4), reproductive and developmental interference, low sperm counts (5,6) asthma (7) and suspected to be linked to some cancers (8). Pthalate plasticizers have also been linked to birth defects in male reproductive systems (9). About 2 million tonnes of DHEP are produced annually (10) and we are exposed to these toxins ALL the time….. everywhere! Scary stuff.
Pthalate containing products that come into close contact with our skin include nail polish, make-up, soaps, shampoos, perfumes and most fragranced products among others (think all the scented cleaning products we use).
These will be hidden under the term ‘fragrances’ or ‘parfum’ in the ingredients list, so unless it is specified that the fragrance is from an essential oil or a ‘natural’ source, avoid it. You may also see the following; Diethylpthalate, DEP and Diethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP.
Parabens are pretty nasty. They penetrate the skin easily, interfere with hormone function and studies have shown some to mimic estrogen. These compounds have been detected in breast cancer tissue biopsies (11) which suggests their possible link between their use and cancer. Please be aware; since all the public hoo-ha about parabens, manufacturers are labelling products as ‘paraben free’ but contain replacement molecules that are not much better; like phenoxyethanol, classified as an irritant with other potential unknown systemic negative impacts.
Deodorant, shampoo, soap, moisturiser, make-up, haircare and sunscreen
The term ‘paraben’ will be listed on the ingredients list so if it is there, scrap that product.
Sulfates are salts that are formed when sulfuric acid reacts with another chemical and there is a bit of contention about whether these are safe or not. They can be produced from petroleum or plant sources like coconut or palm and are included in product formulations because they produce the lather we all love about cleansing products. Those derived from petroleum are of concern due to their origin not only because they are associated with greenhouse gases and climate change but there is also evidence to suggest SLS and SLES are irritants and may also be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (potential carcinogen) and ethylene oxide (known carcinogen) (12). SLS is also a suspected environmental/ aquatic toxicant. Plant based glucosides (i.e decyl, coco, and other glucosides) and are good alternatives as is liquid castile soap. There are other ethoxylate compounds that can also be contaminated by ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane and these will show up with a chemical name that includes ‘eth’ (Steareth, laureth, ceteareth, ceteth).
Soaps, shampoos, body and face washes, bubble bath products, laundry and dish detergents and toothpastes.
Sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) and Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) as well as ‘eth’s.
These are ammonium containing compounds used as cleansing and foaming agents, emulsifiers as well as pH adjusters. Excess absorption of ammonia compounds can be toxic, particularly problematic when used in leave-in products. These react and can form molecules called nitrosamines, known to be carcinogens. They have also been linked to reproductive disturbance (13) as well as liver and kidney toxicity (14).
Most face and body washes, make -up (mascara, foundation), fragrances, sunscreens and cleaning products.
Diethanolamines (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA)
Formaldehyde can be added directly to products but more often we see the ingredients below interacting with other molecules that form formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen (15) and formaldehyde releasing preservatives (FRPs) are used widely in cosmetics. A few of the chemicals below (quaternium-15 and DMDM hydantoin) can also irritate skin and eyes and trigger allergic reactions (16).
You’ll find them in nail polish, eye lash glue, hair gel, hair smoothing products, baby shampoos, body and face washes.
Formaldehyde, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
There are hundreds of PEG derived products used in cosmetics and these petroleum-based compounds are used as thickeners, solvents, softeners and moisturiser carriers. Most have very little in terms of scientific safety data to support their safe use. Similar to SLES above and the –‘-eths’, the issue with these compounds is the contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, both suspected carcinogens (17).
Another concerning factor is that they also act as penetration enhancers (18) that increase the uptake of other ingredients, some of which are nasty… which surely isn’t a surprise. The smaller the number at the end of the chemical name, the smaller the molecule is and the greater chance it will be absorbed through the skin.
Make-up, haircare (shampoo/ conditioner/ serums/ gel), sunscreen, moisturiser and serums, hand creams, face masks, face and body scrubs.
Look out for Polyethylene glycol or PEG on the label, usually followed by a number i.e. PEG-7, PEG-20.
Protecting our skin for harmful UV radiation is essential but how we do it is important. Melanoma is one of the deadliest cancers out there and Australia has one of the highest rates of Melanoma globally (19). Some ingredients we use to protect us from UV radiation are better in terms of human safety than others. There are two main filters we can use; organic and inorganic. Organic compounds absorb the UV radiation and convert it to another form, one that is safer for the skin and inorganic filters, like Zinc and titanium dioxide work by scattering the UV rays away from the skin. The latter are considered the safer option. The issue with the organic compounds, like oxybenzone, used in many sunscreens is that some can be absorbed into through the skin and enhance the uptake of other hazardous chemicals (20) into the bloodstream with potentially detrimental effects. They have the potential to affect cell growth as well as reproduction; in one study oxybenzone was found to affect the size of mammary glands in mice (21) and in another it was found in breast milk (22). Furthermore, in a study of 500 couples trying to conceive, analysis of semen quality found that males with higher levels of a benzophenone derived UV filter in their urine showed a 30% lower chance of conceiving in a given menstrual cycle (23). Too little is known about their safety in humans for us to use them indiscriminately.
Sunscreens, some anti-wrinkle creams, moisturisers, some lipsticks and fragrance ingredients.
Avobenzene, oxybenzone, octanoate, ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), benzophenone-3 (this is a nasty one) and homosalate oxybenzone
As I mentioned earlier, this is not an exhaustive list, there are thousands of ingredients used in personal care, cosmetics, domestic cleaning products, toys and more that can be harmful.
If you’re serious about cleansing your environment of these damaging ingredients, we recommend starting to take a really good look at the labels on the products you use. Are the ingredients freely available? Any honest company lists the ingredients on their label, whether the law requires them to or not. All cosmetics sold in Australia, by law, must show all ingredients on them at the time of purchase so you have the choice as a consumer. The power is entirely in your hands.
Over the coming weeks we will be providing you with a guide to help you understand and decipher those perplexing product labels designed to overwhelm you. In the meantime, if you’re ready to starting cleansing, jump on to our previous blog here to find some steps about how to start your journey.
Tammy X
(1) EWG, 2008. Statement of Jane Houlihan on Cosmetics Safety. Accessed June 10 2020. Read more here.
(2) CIR wesbite. https://www.cir-safety.org/
(3) Halden, R. 2010. Plastics and Health risks. Annual Reviews of Public Health. 31: 179-194. Read more here.
(4) Meeker, S and Swan, S. 2009. Phthalates and other additives in plastics: human exposure and associated health outcomes. Philosophical Transaction of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 364(1526). Read more here.
(5) Dobrzynska, M. 2016. Phthalates - widespread occurrence and the effect on male gametes. Part 2. The effects of phthalates on male gametes and on the offspring. Rocz Panstw Zaki Hig. 67 (3). Read More here.
(6) Rehman, S. et al. 2018. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and impact on male reproductive health. Translational andrology and urology, 7(3), 490–503. https://doi.org/10.21037/tau.2018.05.17. Read more here.
(7) Wang et al. 2015. Effects of phthalate exposure on asthma may be mediated through alterations in DNA methylation. Clinical Epigenetics. 7 (1). 27. Read more here.
(8) Zuccarello et al. 2018. Implications of dietary Pthalates in breast cancer. A systematic review. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 118; 667-674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.06.011. Read more here.
(9) Houlihan J, Brody C, Schwan B. 2002. Not Too Pretty. Phthalates, Beauty Products & the FDA. Accessed May 12 2020 at https://www.ewg.org/reports/nottoopretty. Read more here.
(10) Latini G. 2005. Monitoring phthalate exposure in humans. Clinica Chimica Acta. 361 (1-2):20–29. Read more here.
(11) Dabre et al. 2004. Concentration of parabens in human breast tumours. Journal Applied Toxicology. 24 (1); 5-13. Read more here.
(12) David Suzuki Foundation. The Dirty Dozen: Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Accessed June 10, 2020. https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-sodium-laureth-sulfate/
(13) Panchal, A and Verma, R. 2013. Spermatotoxic effect of diethanolamine: An in vitro study. Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction. 2(3); 196-200. Read More here.
(14) Gamer, A., Rossbacher, R., Kaufmann, W., and van Ravenzwaay, B. 2008. The Inhalation toxicity of di-and triethanolamine upon repeated exposure. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(6), 2173-2183. Read more here.
(15) IARC. “Formaldehyde.” Monographs 88 (2006). Read More here.
(16) Groot et al. 2009. Formaldehyde‐releasers: relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy. Contact allergy to formaldehyde and inventory of formaldehyde‐releasers. Contact dermatitis. 61; 63-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2009.01582.x. Read More here.
(17) David Suzuki Foundation. The Dirty Dozen: PEG compounds and their contaminants. Accessed June 10, 2020. https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-peg-compounds-contaminants/
(18) Casiraghi A. et al. 2015. Nonionic Surfactants: Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Ethers and Fatty Acid Esters as Penetration Enhancers. In: Dragicevic N., Maibach H. (eds) Percutaneous Penetration Enhancers Chemical Methods in Penetration Enhancement. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47039-8_15
(19) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2019. Cancer in Australia 2019. Cancer series no.119.
Cat. no. CAN 123. Canberra: AIHW. Read more here.
(20) Pont, A. et al, 2004. Active ingredients in sunscreens act as topical penetration enhancers for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 195 (3); 348-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2003.09.021. Read more here.
(21) LaPlante, C., Bansal, R., Dunphy, K., Jerry, D. and Vandenberg, L. 2018. Oxybenzone Alters Mammary Gland Morphology in Mice Exposed During Pregnancy and Lactation. Journal of the Endocrine Society. 2 (8), 903-921. Read more here.
(22) Schlumpf, M. et al. 2008. Developmental toxicity of UV filters and environmental exposure: a review. International Journal of Andrology. 31 (2); 144-151. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2605.2007.00856.x. Read more here.
(23) Buck Louis, G., et al. 2015. Urinary Concentrations of Benzophenone-Type Ultra Violet Light Filters and Semen Quality. Fertility and Sterility. 104 (4), 989-996. Read More here.
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Do you know your skin is craving some attention and just not sure which of The White Pigeon Said Masks to add to your green and natural beauty regime? You’re not alone. We often get asked which mask best suits different skin types so we thought we would simplify things in one place and outline why each of our clean, green and toxin free botanical face masks are unique and which should be the next natural skincare product you welcome into your ritual.
So here is the breakdown of what each of our natural and mighty face masks will do for your skin! Each is biochemist formulated and jam packed with skin loving ingredients from nature without all the additive, fillers and synthetics. These bottles of botanical goodness are hand crafted in small batches on the Mornington Peninsula using only the best organic ingredients. Each is sustainably packaged in reusable and recyclable glass bottles with no plastic in sight.
This mask is perfect for ageing skin but is also helpful in treating skin with rosacea and pigmentation. The hero ingredients you’ll find in this mask are detoxifying Australian pink clay, nutrient dense Rosehip powder and the antioxidant rich Pomegranate Peel.
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Rich in Silica, which helps regenerate the skin
• Tames inflammation
• High in vitamin C, this powerhouse promotes wound healing and stimulates collagen production
• Inhibits the breakdown of collagen
• Protects the skin from oxidative damage
• Improves skins elasticity
• Rich in Vitamin C, E, A and D
Click here to view all the ingredients
A nourishing mask to detoxify, hydrate and wake up dry and tired skin. It’s like a green smoothie for your face filled with the minerals and nutrients of barley grass, moringa leaf, colloidal oats and cardamom.
• Provides relief to irritated skin
• Oat proteins encourages the skin to retain water and stay hydrated
• Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
• Packed full of minerals- iron, zinc, copper, selenium and calcium
• Barley grass contains high levels of superoxide dismutase, a powerful antioxidant
• Moringa is a powerhouse with a host of purifying properties and is rich in vitamins A, B, C, D and E as well as approximately 30 antioxidants.
• Cardamom is mineral & phytonutrient rich with proven anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
You can find more details of this soothing mask here.
A powerfully healing face mask; it truly is a game changing face lover this one. Wild turmeric and Sandalwood are a match made in heaven, offering the ultimate combo to clearer skin. Added to these already curative ingredients are hemp seed, manuka honey and orange peel powder.
• Rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and full of antioxidants
• Wild turmeric promotes blood circulation and improves skin complexion
• Useful to tame inflamed and irritated skin and is therefore an effective acne treatment
• Lightens skin and fades scars
• Sandalwood is known to reduces rashes, blemishes, dark spots, pimples and acne and is thought to fight the signs of aging but reducing wrinkles with regular use.
• Promotes healthier looking skin
• Contains anti-microbial constituents that have been shown to modulate the skins immune system and assist in skin repair
We know this all sounds incredible inviting so you can find out more here.
A wholly nourishing and antioxidant rich mask suitable for those with sensitive skin; bursting with phytonutrients found in Blueberries and Maqui berries.
• Gentle Australian ivory clay is suitable for sensitive, younger or older skin and works to draw out toxins that have absorbed in the top layers of the skin
• Rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanins like delphinidin and malvidin, ellagic acid, triterpenes and flavonoids offering a multitude of benefits including neutralizing free radicals, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties
• High in Vitamins A, C, E and K , calcium and potassium
• Blueberry constituents can help strengthens blood vessels and assist in healing broken capillaries
• Brightens dull and damaged skin
Need more details on Revive My Face, check them out here.
So, which one are you going to pick? If you can’t decide, we don’t blame you... We do offer all four of our face masks in sample sizes so you can try them ALL out before deciding which is your favourite! For $20 you can try all four with each sachet containing enough for two face masks – that’s 8 applications in total. Follow this link to check out our samplers.
If you know which just which one suits you best, grab a full-size bottle with 3-4 months worth of weekly applications. For those who are after a special delight or gift, why not treat yourself or someone you love to our Face Mask Pack that comes with our custom made Jade Lees-Pavey custom ceramic Mask Spoon and a vegan mask brush for $48 (free shipping on this pack for a limited time).
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Let’s talk face cleaners,
Cleansing should always be a high priority in your skincare ritual to keep your skin clear and healthy. But finding the right one that ticks all the boxes is a key first step. A great cleanser should remove make up, dirt, oil, dead skin cells and any other pollutant that has built up on your skin throughout the day, but it doesn’t stop there! We also need to make sure we unclog pores which might be another function of your cleanser or may require an added step in your routine. This is particularly important in preventing the formation of blackheads and acne in the future.
There are so many face cleansers on the market from gels, creams, foams, scrubs, soaps and now we are seeing an increase in oil and powdered cleansers. It can all be pretty confusing figuring out which is right for you. And we get it, while you’re trying to figure out what type of cleanser you actually need, you’ve gotten off track looking for all the hidden nasties, which we think should still be one of your main focuses. Finding a natural face cleanser should be the top priority.
If you are using a liquid cleanser, I can pretty guarantee that first ingredient you will see is water, which says a couple of things about the product. Firstly, the most abundant ingredient (that you're paying for) is water, probably in the order of 80-90% of the product and secondly, there must be a preservative of some description in the formula so it doesn’t turn funky!
I don’t want to go into too much detail and explain all those nasty ingredients we see on the labels; you know the ones we can’t even pronounce? (that’s for another one of Tammy’s blogs). I will say though, that preservatives (among many other cosmetic ingredients) can be toxic to our bodies. Now, let's just clarify something, there are natural preservatives, which we'll cover another day, but the vast majority of products will contain the powerful and not so friendly ones. Studies have shown some to be endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with the functioning of our hormones as well as potential irritants. If you haven’t already read Tammy’s Blog on “Why you need to go clean” you absolutely have to read it (read it here), it’s such an eye opener and incredibly frightening knowing what we have been putting on our bodies AND our family's bodies!
Let’s just break down the type of cleansers that are available on the market, what they aim to do and what to look out for with each type.
With a clear gel consistency, these are generally light weight cleansers that deeply clean and can help to clear out congested pores and remove acne-causing bacteria. Given these are mostly composed of water they tend not to be drying and are usually suitable for most skin types. Our issue with these is checking that all important ingredients list to steer clear of the nasty stuff.
These have a slightly heavier consistency and like the gels are composed mostly of water (again, check for nasty ingredients). These tend to be more moisturizing but care needs to be taken as some included ingredients have the potential to clog pores. These also needs to washed off thoroughly or else the next step in your ritual won't be absorbed.
Excellent for removing makeup; remember, like dissolves like so oils picks up make-up, dirt and debris like a dream. Oil cleansers can require another cleansing step to remove all the residue, so they make are an excellent first step in a double cleanse regime. Highly nourishing to the skin but be sure to have a regular deep cleanse as well.
These have a bit of a clay mask vibe about them, same idea in that they are formulated with some sort of clay to absorb excess oils and detoxify. Not particularly useful for removing makeup so considered a better second step cleanser. Caution as they can be drying.
Given their composition, no water here (you add your own) so there shouldn't be any need for preservatives. Having said this, check the ingredients. There are natural ones, like our Free Your Face Cleansing grains which are highly concentrated in the good stuff and there are not so natural detergent based ones (these tend to be foamier when adding water). Powdered cleansers are good for both make-up removal and deep cleansing.
A correctly formulated face soap shouldn't contain any harsh detergents that strip the skin of their natural oils but instead be filled with nourishing ingredients (oils and left over glycerin) that gently cleanse the skin. An ecofriendly option that should contain plenty of skin loving ingredients. These may take a week or so for your skin to adjust to but are effective at deeply cleansing, may be exfoliating and soothing (depending on the ingredients).
Ok, so how to choose. Tammy with her clever natural formulating prowess has come up with the goods with three effective and completely toxin-free face cleansers to choose from.
A well balanced 100% Natural Face Cleanser soap full of gentle skin loving ingredients like Australian Pink Clay, Organic Hibiscus (known as Nature’s botox) and Rose petals. Hibiscus is enriched with anthocyanidin and antioxidants and will leave your skin feeling hydrated and completely nourished. Rose Flower prevents the soap from being overly drying. It’s pretty amazing! Your skin will thank you. It’s so easy to use and is completely waste free so it’s a double win! A face soap can make your skin feel tight and a little dry at first so we may sure to follow up with something hydrating like our Blossom and Plum hydrosol toner and a nourishing Face oil like our Face love Elixir which is perfect. Not recommended for dry skin. This baby comes in the perfect pack with our Blossom and Plum Toner and Face Love Elixir, check it out here.
Next up our Free Your Face Powdered Cleansing Grains, I really don’t know where to start on how awesome this natural face cleanser is. This one acts as a cleanser and a mild exfoliant. It’s base offers the cleansing power of Organic Oat and both cleansing and exfoliating prowess of Adzuki bean. It has the added exfoliant properties of Hibiscus and skin healing and purifying goodness of Tulsi (Holy Basil), Neem Leaf, Chamomile Flower and Orange Peel Powder. Smells delicious and leaves your skin feeling soft and purified. All you need to do is use a small spoon (we have a custom made Jade Lees-Pavey spoon to fit perfectly into the jar) to remove ½ a teaspoon into your palm, mix with a few drops of water to make a paste and massage gently into your skin. Rinse off with warm water and voila.
Introducing our new Natural face Cleanser: formulated with the perfect balance of Organic Camelia, Grapeseed and Organic Hemp oil, this oil cleanser is suitable for all skin types. While using an oil to clean your face seems a little weird, if we think of the composition of all the crap we want to remove from our faces, most of them are oil based or oil soluble like makeup, dirt, debris and pollution from the air. As previously mentioned, like dissolves like and using oil to remove all of these impurities is having a resurgence. Plus, it’s a great way to help maintain the natural lipid layer that lines and protects our skin, unlike many detergent based products out there.
Choosing the right cleanser for you!
So now you are probably asking what cleanser do I need? First things first; Let’s try and help you identify your skin type. Use the table below to try and find which best describes your skin. We have added in some suggestions on how to treat each skin type, things to look out for and some products that would be suitable. Be aware though, that some skin is a combination of some of these characteristics and skincare is also not a one size fits all situation. Everyone’s skin is unique and what works for one person with oily or dry or sensitive skin may not work for another.
Skin Type |
Characteristic |
How to look after |
Suggested products |
Normal |
🌿 Feels neither tight or oily, 🌿 No dry spots or excessive shine. 🌿 Occasional breakouts |
Cleanse (or double cleanse), tone and use nourishing moisturizer/ oil. A serum may be an option for an added hydration boost |
Daily: Any of the cleansers Blossom and Plum Toner Face Love Elixir Lite, care with T-zone. |
Dry |
🌿 Feels tight with dehydrated/rough patches and/ or flakiness |
Requires extra love to keep hydrated. Cleanse and use serums, moisturizers and oils that are rich in essential fatty acids and are deeply nourishing |
Daily: Bare My Face Oil Cleanser Blossom and Plum Toner Hyaluronic Acid serum Face Love Elixir |
Oily |
🌿 Feels oily all over with a noticeable shine. 🌿 Often see enlarged pores 🌿 Prone to breakouts |
Keep skin clean and free from pollutants by cleansing thoroughly to dissolve and get rid of excess sebum. Using an oil based cleanser is a good idea and follow with toner and some form of weekly treatment (mask) to unclog pores and prevent breakouts. Best to use a few drops of a light oil or moisturiser in the evening. Using a weekly mask after cleansing is a good idea. |
Daily: Rose and Hibiscus Face soap Blossom and Plum Toner Face Love Elixir or lite Elixir Weekly: Any clay based Face mask |
Combination |
🌿 Oily T-Zone with normal/ dry cheeks |
Aim to keep the T-zone clean and free from debris by cleansing thoroughly to dissolve excess oils in this area. Follow with a toner and a light oil. A weekly exfoliation and/ or mask treatment to keep breakouts at a minimum is a good idea. |
Daily: Any of the cleansers Blossom and Plum Toners Face Love Elixir Lite, care with T-zone. |
Acne prone/ Hormonal |
🌿 Reactive to hormonal changes (mostly around jaw & chin) 🌿 Blemishes, blackheads and clogged and enlarged pores |
There’s no quick fix with hormonal acne, you have to work on it from the inside out. This may using supplements to get those hormones balanced (speak to a professional endocrinologist or naturopath) or dietary changes. Choose skin care with ingredients that are noncomedogenic (won’t clog pores). Oils that have a higher comedogenic rating will cause blemishes, blackheads and clog pores. Drink plenty of water, Green and/or Tulsi tea |
Daily: Free Your face Cleansing grains OR Bare My Face oil cleanser Blossom and Plum Toner Lite Face Love Elixir Weekly: Rescue My face Mask |
Sensitive |
🌿 Red, irritated, tight and/ or patchy 🌿 Rashes, bumps, blemishes, visible capillaries across cheeks and nose. 🌿 More common in people with lighter skin tones |
Choose products free from fragrances, any nasty stuff and aim for pH balanced formulas. Opt for ingredient inclusions known to soothe like Oat, Calendula and Hemp (among others) and avoid ‘active ingredients’ |
Daily: Bare My Face Oil Cleanser Blossom and Plum Toner Lite Face Love Elixir Weekly: Rescue My Face OR Protect My Face Mask |
We always recommend patch testing of new products and if irritation occurs to stop use immediately. And again, we also appreciate that everyone's skin is unique and it is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Should you have concerns with problematic skin we recommend seeing a professional skin specialist to try and resolve your issues.
Sarah
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]]>The second most important place (after the kitchen) to start making eco conscious product swaps is your bathroom! So, I want to you to visualise your bathroom cupboards, your sink and your shower… What do you see? I’m guessing a lot of single use plastic bottles; from hand soap, shampoo and conditioner, body wash to toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant and makeup;- the list goes on and on. Commercially, there is very little available packaged plastic free, pretty crap really. The great news is that it’s actually really easy to make some simple switches to ecofriendly products without compromising on quality, effectiveness and price. Just a heads up… just because something is packaged all fancy-like and has a high price, this is by no means an indication of its quality or for that matter its contents’ safety… but more on that in another blog! There are some great, effective toxin free products on the market but not that many packaged with the environment as a consideration. Here we offer you up some suggestions for a few easy bathroom swaps to help you reduce your plastic use.
Try for a second to calculate how many bottles of soap, shampoo and conditioner your household goes through in a year… frightening to think really. Over 50 million of these bottles end up in landfill in NZ and up to 500 million in the US each year - no stats available for Australia but they are likely to sit somewhere in between. Staggering figures! Switching to cleansing bars, be it soap, shampoo or conditioners is a pretty dramatic way to reduce your plastic waste. Always opt for those that are sustainably packaged (i.e. not wrapped in plastic or unnecessary wasteful packaging) and if possible manufactured using sustainably sourced ingredients. Our shampoo and conditioner bars are packaged in ecofriendly paper packaging that is 100% recyclable and the shampoo bars lather just as well as a conventional detergent based shampoo without all the nasty stuff. You can check out our haircare range here. Stored correctly on a soap saver, these bars can last you months; on average 1 bar is the equivalent to 3 bottles of shampoo. Our conditioner bars last even longer!
Granted, changing from conventional toothpaste takes a little bit of time to adjust but if your committed to reducing your waste this is definitely one to try. There are a couple of options here; the first is a tooth powder where you simply dip your wet toothbrush bristles into the powder and brush away. There are quite a few on the market now so not hard to find. The second option is a tooth soap bar.. I know this sounds a little odd but it’s a soap bar formulated for brushing your teeth. I haven’t tried it myself and wouldn’t imagine it’s for everyone but worth mentioning. There are a couple on the market, here is one from our friends at Urthly Organics. Alternately, make your own powder! We are running a Low-Tox workshop with MPKickass Collective on August 11th 2019 in Mornington where you will make your own tooth paste powder among other things (book your ticket here) but if you can't make it and want to have a crack at it yourself, try this recipe;
DIY Toothpaste Powder
2 tbsp Bentonite clay
2 tsp Bicarbonate powder
½ tsp Activated charcoal
1.5 tsp xylitol (or stevia)
A pinch of salt
8-10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
Mix all the ingredients together in a (non-metal) bowl, pack into a glass jar and off you go.
Onto the toothbrushes.... In Australia we use approximately 100,000,000 plastic toothbrushes a year! It’s scary to think that these will take over 500 years to break down. So this swap collectively is one with huge impact. Making the switch to bamboo was one of my family's first bathroom swaps and we haven’t looked back. My kids draw little pictures on the handles so they know which one is theirs. New toothbrush day is pretty exciting in our house.
These are great! Yes, the razor can be a little bit pricey, some can be around the $40 mark but a pack of 5 blades is only $1.95, such a great investment. You can get them from Barber supplies co online for $29 or Shave with Valor who also have a blog with some great tips for using them... Check it out here.
This was another easy swap for us. We use two different brands, my daughter and I like No Pong and my hubby uses Valor; Pit stop and yes they absolutely work! They both come in a cool metal tin that can be reused. There are loads of effective and affordable products on the market to check out. We have been asked so many times if we make a deodorant. Funnily, it was the first product Tammy ever made for herself but as The White Pigeon Said came to fruition the deodorant dropped off the product list… maybe in the future.
Stop throwing out those make up remover pads and switch to a more sustainable option. Some are made from Bamboo or there are these organic hemp fleece ones, which are $13 for 10.... pretty good value when you think about how long they'll last. Just pop them into a washing bag and in with the wash and voila, ready to go again - definitely a winner. Better still; if you’re handy on the sewing machine, you can whip these up with terry towelling, flannel, organic cotton and/or hemp and store them in a jar in your bathroom cupboard.
For those of us who still use them, the sticks in conventional cotton buds are generally plastic! Loads are now popping up on the market that are either paper or bamboo, both are affordable and way more environmentally friendly. Once you've switched, used buds can be composted. On the bandaid front, we use Patch brand. They are made from sustainable bamboo and are latex free and hypoallergenic. Use up what you've got and then switch!
Ok, so I was a little late to get on board with the menstrual cup. Tammy pretty much made me buy one and has asked me every month if I've used my cup yet. Honestly- I haven’t used it! But I will this month. I’ve heard great things about them and Tammy swears by hers, she says it’s a game changer. So who else is with me? Let’s make the switch this month.
In the past, pretty much all of my skincare products were packaged in plastic; my face cleanser, toner and moisturiser, and all of my make-up. Each 4-6 weeks replaced with even more plastic. Now, all my skincare products are in reusable glass - still working on the makeup though. We've got you covered for some of your regime with more coming soon. Our cleansing grains, face masks and face oil are all packaged in glass that can be re used and re filled – we are very happy to take the bottles back to be washed, sterilised and reused! Even our accessories are ecofriendly. Our custom made ceramic mask and grain spoons and our bamboo brushes are a great addition to your bathroom without adding to landfill in the long run. You can check out our range here. If your favourite products come in plastic, write to the manufacturer requesting that they find an ecofriendly alternative; eventually if enough people ask, they will.
Next week we are running our first DIY Natural skincare workshop at Creative Makes Studio. We are so excited to share our knowledge and teach eco conscious friends how to customise their own products. We’ll be providing high quality organic ingredients and customisable recipes to make a cleansing powder, toner and face oil – it’s going to be fun! Places are limited so if you are wanting to book in check out this link. If you want to join us in the future, please just send us a message to let us know; we’ll pop you on our waitlist and when we announce our next sessions you’ll be the first to know. Get in touch here.
When you shop with us you can rest assured that you are shopping with a brand that is committed to providing you with the most effective, tox-free and affordable products that are packaged sustainably.
Making these simple bathroom swaps will not only reduce your environmental footprint but will actually save you money. You don’t have to run out and make all these swaps straight away... baby steps. Use up what you have first and then swap out each product as you need to. Before you know it, your bathroom will free of plastic.
Sarah and Tammy X
]]>Does the idea of Grocery shopping plastic free seem unrealistic? Daunting?
Yes, there are challenges AND yes there are just some things you can’t avoid buying in plastic (yet). What matters is that we are all making changes, even small ones that are adding up to reduce our waste. So don’t be discouraged if your shopping trolley has plastic in it, there will be days- we are only human.
The key to overcoming these challenges is getting educated AND organised. Here we explain how you can be prepared and introduce you to a few shopping options you might not be aware of.
Firstly; You need BAGS and plenty of them. You need your reusable shopping bags/boomerang bags which by now everyone should have a pretty decent stash. Then you need produce bags, I picked up a box of 5 for $15 from our local farmgate but they’re readily available at health food stores and other eco conscious stores. Mesh ones are great for fruit, veg and bakery stuff (rolls and bread fit perfectly) while solid canvas ones are perfect for flours/grains and bits and pieces you pick up from your local bulk store. It's good to get a variety. I’m sure you can get them cheaper online too. They are super lightweight, so don’t worry about them adding unwanted weight to your fresh produce. Keep these in your favourite Boomerang Bag in your handbag (don’t know about yours, but my handbag always houses at least 2 of my favourite Boomerang bags for those unplanned shops).
No doubt, you have one of those drawers full of Tupperware and/ or pyrex containers – now is the time to get them ready to leave the house with you. It’s a good idea to keep a small box of them either by the door or in the car, clean and ready to hit the shops with you to collect your fresh goodies. I have separate clip seal containers for the butchers. Don’t be put off taking these to the butchers or Delis- trust me you won’t be the first to do it and you won’t be the last. Most retailers these days should be happy to fill your containers, and if they're not, maybe it's best to find one that is!
Next, find out where your local farm gates are and when farmers markets are on in your area. You will find amazingly fresh produce, so much fresher than you find in the supermarket and more often than not, the produce won’t be pre-packaged in plastic like at the supermarket. Plus, most will be local produce = less food miles! There are a tonne of local farm gates on The Mornington Peninsula, we are pretty blessed but also lots all around the country.
A couple of local ones are:
Benton Rise Farm; 150 Coolart Rd, Tuerong visit here
Torello Farm; 410 White Hill Road, Dromana visit here
Peninsula Fresh Organics; 6 Henderson Road, Baxter visit here
Hawkes Vegetable and Farmgate; 661 Boneo Road, Boneo visit here
Mossy Willow Farm; 547 Main Creek Road, Main Ridge Farmgate open Saturday am visit here
Mornington Market Day; Wednesdays, 9am – 12pm, Main St Mornington; lots of local producers and easy to go waste free.
For Victoria Wide Farmer's Markets head to the Victoria Farmers Market Association website here to search for farmers markets near you OR Australia Wide, the Australian Farmers Market Association has a great market directory here.
Look up where your closest bulk whole foods shop is. They're probably closer than you realise. You will find all your pantry staples there from rice and pasta, flours, nuts and grains to dried fruits and spices. Take your jars and produce bags, the staff will weigh them, add your goodies and they'll be weighed again. Too easy! If you're not sure where your local is, check out the links below;
Thrive Wholefoods; 1/154 Main St, Mornington
The Source Bulk Foods; Found all over the country, jump on their website here to find one near you.
Sustainable table, a fabulous organisation, has a great Bulk Food Directory here to find somewhere close to you along with ethical shopping guides, explanations of farming systems and a whole array of other interesting reads. There is another through Local Harvest here showing bulk buy and local produce stores Australia wide.
Local Co-ops and collectives are another brilliant way to buy in bulk from local suppliers; some orders go in monthly, others quarterly - just need to check how your local co-op works. Co-ops are a great way to access excellent quality bulk foods; dry pantry items as well as fruit and veg. They have a tonne of benefits including; building relationships in communities, consumers accessing fresher, local produce at a cheaper price and producers benefit from cutting out the middle man and taking more of the hard earned profit. There is also less need for excess packaging and of course lower food miles. These co-ops are really making a huge difference to communities, going back to basics and bringing quality produce (ditching the processed crap) back into everyone’s homes.
Spoilt again here on the Peninsula; we have The Prom Coast Collective, providing incredible produce (pictured above) from the Gippsland region direct from the farmers (learn more here), The Mornington Peninsula and Bayside Bulk Food Co-op (learn more here).
Here is a great list of bulk food and co-ops Australia wide collated by quirky kitchens, and another here by The Raw Food Store.
Before you go shopping make a list so you know exactly what you need. Then, think about how you can achieve that list plastic free. Is it possible? If not, can you make changes? Can you substitute it for something else? Can you make it from scratch? I actually find we eat so much better as we have greatly reduced pre-packaged and processed foods – eating more real whole foods.
So remember, every little change we can make to shopping plastic free is huge. Together we’ve got this!
We all have the power to BE THE CHANGE!
Sarah & Tammy
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July is just another month; but it is as good a month as any to start (if you haven’t already) to make the switch to planet friendly alternatives. Let it not just be for the month of July but well beyond; hopefully lifelong changes! Life is just so insanely busy and it has become way too easy to pollute unconsciously. Let’s get a little real here; none of us are perfect, we all succumb to the convenience of plastic wrapped products – and often it’s REALLY inconvenient to avoid plastic. It’s just shit but we are all in control of living more consciously.
Just last week I went to the supermarket and just before the check out I looked into my trolley feeling pretty ashamed at all the plastic I was piling into it. That was just MY trolley! Multiply that by everyone and WOW- that’s just so much avoidable waste. If we all start making the changes and saying no to single use plastic and landfill waste, manufacturers will have to change the way they do things.
As a business we are committed to making a difference and vow to use as little as possible, if any plastic to package our clean products. We are always looking for more ecofriendly options. It’s all very well and good to create pure and clean products but totally hypocritical packaging them in planet polluting plastics. We use only reusable and recyclable glass and compostable paper packaging. NO wasteful boxes because seriously, who the hell needs them! Personal care packaging accumulates quickly and just have a look in your bathroom; the vast majority are plastic – this has to change!
Personally though, we are both committed to changing our ways and helping you all change yours too. We think a huge part of it is being prepared; It took me SOOOO long to remember to take my reusable shopping bags with me… but now I keep a stash everywhere; the car, the door handle and always keep at least 2 bags in my handbag. I once read someone who promised herself that if she forgot her reusable bags she’d either have to carry her shopping or leave it at the shop – great way to start remembering!
We are devoting the month of July to sharing our journey to becoming plastic free households with you, not claiming to be perfect, far from it, but genuinely wanting to be the change. Please join us, share your journey, share the tips and tricks you use to reduce YOUR environmental footprint. Apart from the individual changes you can make in your own home and life (which we will start sharing this month) consider the bigger picture too. Here are a couple of things to start thinking about before you get started;
• Find, join, support or donate your time to a local group committed to helping the community reduce their waste. Booomerang bags is a great example of an organisation that brings people together to divert wasted material into reusable bags among other fabulous initiatives. This is a global movement with almost 900 communities worldwide working together to make a difference. Find a Boomerang Bag community here.
• Do an honest audit of your own household waste. Where does the majority of your landfill waste come from? We’ve managed to reduce the waste we send to landfill by half if not more some weeks by simply committing to throwing all our compostable waste into either a compost bin at the back of our garden or our worm farm. If that isn’t an option at your place, maybe consider joining forces with your neighbours to create a pooled community composting system. Or do you gather a tonne of single use plastics from your fruit and veg shop each week that ends up in landfill? If your answer is YES, get yourself (buy or make) some reusable produce bags, shop at local farmgates and say no to the bags, or find a REDcycle partner to drop off your soft plastics to! An easy swap that makes a big difference. Note down all the problem areas you are facing… connect with others and find sustainable solutions.
Watch this space as we will be sharing loads of positive changes you can make!
Here’s to together, making lasting change that we owe future generations and our beautiful Mother Earth,
Tammy
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]]>If you’re anything like me, the first time I applied a face mask I kind of thought that the longer I left it on, the more effective it would be… hmmm!?! How wrong I was. My mask ended up so dry I had to scrub pretty hard to get it off. Needless to say, I ended up with a pretty red face, literally and figuratively. Regardless of which of our skin loving masks you are applying (and we've formulated four beauties), the steps to getting the most out of your mask is the same.
Start by mixing one to two capfuls with enough water, hydrosol or cooled tea (Protect My Face, Purify My Face or Revive My Face) or water/milk or yoghurt (Rescue my face is pretty special when mixed with an organic natural yoghurt) to form a thick paste.
You then need to start with a clean face, free of make-up, dirt and oils. Wash your face with warm water using a cleanser; the warm water will open your pores and allow the botanicals to do their thing. For best results exfoliate to remove any dead skin cells, this will help your skin absorb the mask better. Gently pat skin dry.
Using a soft bristled brush (yep, we stock a super soft, vegan brush) apply the mask evenly to your face and neck. If you don’t have a brush, you can use clean finger tips. Best to avoid contact with your eyes and mouth.
Leave the mask to work its magic for 10- 15 minutes and then remove the mask using lukewarm water and a soft cloth. When using clay-based masks, it is important not to leave them on too long. Always follow the instructions on how long to leave them on. Lovingly pat dry your skin.
Apply toner (our Blossom and Plum Toner does the trick, smells delish and is free from all the nasty stuff) to shrink your pores and lock in all the masks goodness. Then follow with your favourite moisturizer or serum. We love our Face Love Elixir or Face Love Elixir Lite!
We know you'll love the masks as much as we do and they will very quickly become part of your self love ritual.
XXX