Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Jennie Fresa Beauty
Did you know that 85% of breast cancer occurs in women who have no family history of breast cancer? That's right. It's time to take a look at the environmental factors. Let's take a closer look at what's in our cosmetics, the products we put on our skin every single day.
You may not know this...but my personal journey with clean beauty started over six years ago after working in conventional cosmetics for nearly 18 years. Here I was proudly selling cosmetics to my clients and I never even gave it a second thought. Like a lot people, I had this natural trust that if something is available for me to buy and use, then it must be good for me.
I was early in this newly launched business and just invested every dollar in the bank to carry a “well-known” cosmetic line at my boutique. As I was blissfully moving forward with this exciting step...
I received the news: Not one, but three of my close friends had Moms who were diagnosed with breast cancer. All of which are now survivors, I'm happy to say!
In that moment the reality that 1 in 4 women will be faced with breast cancer in their lifetime suddenly hit me and I realized what I needed to do. I began researching what was truly in our cosmetics, I took my loses on that "well-known" line, and committed myself to creating a safe place for women to buy cosmetics.
Remember my findings? They were shocking.
I discovered that so many of the ingredients in everyday cosmetics are known carcinogens, hormone disruptors and skin irritants. Some of those chemicals I found interfere with estrogen levels in the body and may even lead to changes in breast tissue, which has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
What to look out for?
Known endocrine-disrupting chemicals or carcinogens that may have links to breast cancer are...
Parabens
Phthaltes
Synthetic musks
Formaldehyde
Deodorant is the first product breast cancer patients are told to replace. That's because the thin skin of the armpit (which is exfoliated each time we shave) is extra vulnerable to absorbing any less-than-desirable ingredients our products may contain (hello, aluminum). Our favorite deodorants skip the antiperspirant altogether, without losing their power.
Formaldehyde is a known endocrine disrupter and found inside most commercial nail polishes. Other harsh ingredients include DBP, resin, and camphor – all things our team at Copal Clean Beauty are happy to pass on. That’s why we love Lauren B Beauty's polish line, they’re designed to dry fast, stay delightfully glossy and chip-free for at least 14 days, and don’t cost a fortune.
Triclosan is often found in antibacterial soaps and cleansers. In addition to being linked to breast cancer, it is also linked to environmental damage, is a known thyroid disrupter, and can cause skin irritation and dryness. For that reason our team reaches for Indie Lee's Brighting Cleanser and Kaia Naturals Juicy Bamboo Cleansing Cloths, two of our favorites!