What’s the deal with personal care products?
The rise in autoimmune diseases among women is alarming (almost 80% of autoimmune sufferers are women). Over time, studies have begun to link these diseases with hormone disruptors in our environment—BPA, parabens, and phthalates to name a few.
Women often sound the alarm on dangerous chemicals by reacting before men. Women have very specific hormonal balances that are more easily impacted by external forces.
But how do men fit into the equation?
Although the effects of hormone disruptors on men’s health may not be as obvious, they are just as concerning. A recent study shows that male sperm counts are dropping at an alarming rate of 1.16% every year.
In the past 50 years, sperm counts have dropped by about 50%. Studies are now beginning to link this decline with hormone disruptors, toxic chemicals, and (you guessed it) personal care and grooming products.
Understanding How External Products Impact Internal Functions
There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about whether or not external products (or dermal, meaning applied through the skin) can impact the body’s internal systems.
We like to use the example of the nicotine patch. Although it’s applied to the skin, a nicotine patch is used to curb smoking addictions. But it never technically “enters” the body. Instead, small doses of nicotine are absorbed through the skin.
It’s the same way for toxic body and grooming products. Heavy chemical usage over time may make its way into the lymphatic system (one of the body’s natural drainage pathways) or the bloodstream.
Men Should Avoid These Harsh Chemicals in Skincare Products
One study showed that a combination of heavy metals, phthalates, and pollutants in men had a greater impact on a couple’s ability to get pregnant than the same level of chemicals in a woman. If you’re struggling with infertility, one of the best small changes you can make is to switch out your personal care products for non-toxic versions. Here are some common chemicals to watch out for:
Phthalates
Phthalates are an ingredient used to make plastics, but they don’t bind to the plastic permanently. This means they can be absorbed into the body—and they’ve been found in human blood, urine, and everything in between (including breast milk!). Studies on phthalates associate them with decreased sperm counts and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical and known endocrine disruptor that’s used regularly in skincare products to help eliminate acne-causing bacteria. Not only has triclosan been found in urine samples but it may also cause imbalance in the microbiome, since it’s created to kill both good and bad bacteria. When good bacteria is killed, it leaves room for bad bacteria to take over.
Parabens
Like triclosan, parabens are chemicals used for antibacterial purposes and as fillers—meaning they take up space in products like shampoo, conditioner, and beard oil. If parabens can’t be excreted through urine, they may be stored in adipose tissue (aka fat) until the body has the capacity to detox.
These chemicals are known for their ability to mimic estrogen in the body. Although no studies have specifically linked parabens to men’s fertility (yet), adding estrogen to your careful balance of hormones is never a good idea.
Aluminum
Heavy metals in deodorant? Yep, aluminum is commonly found in antiperspirant deodorants. Not only is aluminum linked to lower sperm counts but it’s also a neurotoxin that can mess with the central nervous system.
Sweating is vital to the detox process and helps drain your lymphatic system. When you prevent yourself from sweating, you’re eliminating an essential process your body uses to rid toxins from your system. Eliminate sweat and you automatically put your body under extra stress.
The Benefits of Using Organic Skincare for Men
What changes can you expect when you switch over to organic skincare for men? You may notice…
You Experience Better Overall Results
There’s a misconception out there that natural skincare products aren’t as good as conventional ones—but this couldn’t be further from the truth. For example, many conventional beard oils only contain a small percentage of actual oil. The rest of the bottle is made up of cheap fillers (like parabens) that are meant to take up space and make the product cheaper to produce.
You’ll Feel More Confident Around Your Family
For many parents, the motivating factor behind their switch to organic skincare products is their children. You may not notice the impact of parabens and triclosan in your everyday life, but you’ll definitely notice their effects on your kids if you look closely enough. With their delicate microbiomes and immune systems, your children’s hormone balances can be easily thrown off by chemicals.
You Might Stink Less
When extra toxins are dumped into your bloodstream and lymphatic system, they have to come out somewhere. If your sweat is particularly potent, you might consider what you’re putting on (or in) your body.
Introducing Our Brand New Line of Organic Skincare For Men
There’s a gap in organic skincare for men.
Many non-toxic products either don’t work or don’t actually contain non-toxic ingredients (hello, greenwashing).
We believe men deserve to look and feel their best—without having to worry about sketchy chemicals in their personal care products. We’re introducing a new line of our best organic skincare for men. Our family has carefully tested each recipe—so you can trust that every Toups and Co men’s product is farm-tough and family-safe.