Natural care

Natural bath products

When it came to personal care products, I always thought: the more foam, the better! Because foam means clean... right? When I switched to more natural products a few years ago, I mainly had to get used to the fact that they foam less. I kept using them but didn't dive deep enough into why this is actually the case. After all, the packaging says it's natural, but is that really true and what does it actually mean?

Natural ingredients

Nowadays, it is mandatory to list ingredients on the label, which is very useful, but it can be quite dizzying. A few things to look out for—and to get back to the foam—this is made possible by the agent SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). This is found in all kinds of products you use daily, such as toothpaste, shower gel, cleaning agents, and even baby products.

I don't want to claim to be an expert in this blog, but you often read that SLS can be quite harmful to your health. This refers in particular to the fact that it can penetrate your skin and thus damage your immune system, with all the consequences that entails.

Paraben-free

Something else that can significantly affect your immune system is products with parabens, a chemical preservative. These are not only used in personal care products but also in food products to extend their shelf life. This way, you end up consuming a lot of it without realizing it. Fortunately, you are finding more and more products that are free from all these components, mainly because clear links can be established between their use and their negative effects on health.

So, there are countless harmful substances in personal care products, and the last one I want to highlight here is aluminum, which is often used in deodorant. Research has not yet been able to prove that there is an actual link between breast cancer and the use of deodorant containing this ingredient, but there is plenty of debate about it. And why would you want to take the risk? Especially when more and more versions are appearing on the market without this agent!

Take good care of yourself

Does this all sound a bit too abstract for you? Below are some simple examples that I have experienced myself, which you will surely recognize:

- "Why do my lips stay so dry, I've already applied lip balm 100 times"

- "My hair gets greasy faster and faster, so I have to wash it more often"

- "Why do I smell like sweat, I've already sprayed on deodorant? Let's add some more"

This is what these components do to you. They actually create the opposite effect, and in the meantime, an 'addiction' is maintained by your body. People who don't wash their hair for longer periods or don't use deodorant for a while will start to notice this difference. You have to get through a difficult phase, but you will see that a difference will emerge.

Personally, I still have a way to go to make the full switch, but awareness is an important step. For Bloom Mondays, I have therefore consciously chosen natural and honest brands. The personal care products you find in the gift boxes are at least all free of these components. Plus, they all smell incredibly good and look beautiful!

Want to know more? Check out our gift boxes here