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One of the first things I needed to change with my cancer diagnosis was to remove as many toxins as possible from my system. Our skin is our biggest organ and the task of keeping it clean and free of toxins became my first mission.
Our skin acts as an incredible barrier, providing
protection against external environmental factors. However, it's not completely impermeable, and it can absorb certain substances from the products we apply to it. The degree of absorption varies depending on several factors, including the properties of the product and the condition of the skin. A lot of products, such as moisturizers, serums, and medications, are formulated to be absorbed into the skin, passing through the protective barrier that protects us.
In past years, I made choices based on liking products or their pleasant smells, but I never really read the fine print on the back. However, in the last few years, I've consciously chosen to purchase locally made or Australian-made products. The penny dropped when I realized that everything I had been using on my skin contained some form of chemicals. To truly detox my body, I also needed to change what I considered the easiest thing. So, I started with the skin I live in.
While the decision was quite easy, it was worked out to be expensive and hard at times to source the right products. I almost needed to audit what I had that I could still use and what needed to be put into the bin. Underneath my bathroom vanity has never looked so empty as over the years I had also inherited all the leftovers from my mother’s bathroom when she passed on.
I now use organic and vegan products in the following areas:
Body lotion
Body washes/soaps
Toothpaste
Shampoos and conditioners
Makeup
Deodorants
Skin care
Sunscreen
Laundry detergent
Cleaning products
It was a necessary mission, but it got me thinking about what else I needed to change to give my body the best chance to heal itself. It was also something I could do without compromising any of the other advice or evidence-based medical treatments for cancer that I had received from my healthcare professionals. I am always cautious about unsupported claims regarding skincare and cancer prevention or treatment, and I always seek advice from reputable sources in the medical field.
I am, however, in charge of my own destiny, and nothing I've done regarding this is going to hurt me in any way.
I started with the skin I live in and jumped to the next level when I realised that I feed my skin with what I drink and eat, so detoxing your body took on a whole new meaning. My next task is what I drink. More about that in another blog.
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