Photo by Prudence Earl on Unsplash
WHAT IS A “LOW TOX” LIFE?
The term ‘low tox life’ was coined by Alexx Stuart, educator and now author of Low Tox Life who has created a positive movement that’s all about making better choices for your health and the planet.
With “low tox” living, it aims to eliminate the harmful chemicals that litter our everyday existence whilst promoting a sustainable and rewarding way to live. From skin care and cleaning products to cookware and bedding, no area is left untouched.
BACK STORY
For the past 2 years, I’ve been working towards a “low tox” lifestyle - reading labels, googling and replacing certain products that contain chemicals like parabens, pthalates etc
Living the la vida “low tox” is definitely a la vida loco. It’s something that never crossed my mind in my 40 years of living. I'm a girl who loves among many things - her Bath and Bodywork body lotions and Annick Goutal perfume and the thought of giving up what gives me a joy was definitely a struggle.
So I was pretty resistant, which is not new, because who likes change? One - I couldn't see the impact the chemicals were having on me. (and the only people I knew doing "clean" living are my friends who do essential oils).
Two-I thought it would be an expensive undertaking (it's not).
Three - I was worried that my husband wouldn't be onboard (but we came to a compromise on a few things).
Four - I was afraid of feeling overwhelmed and not being able to see this through the end. (yet, anything is possible, right?)
And then, l we watched this scary documentary on Netflix: “Kiss The Ground” - about pesticides, which got my butt moving.
But the idea of going “low tox” actually came to my attention when I started IVF treatment about 3-4 years ago.
THE FERTILITY CONNECTION
As most of you know, I got married at a ripe old age of 40 and I was looking for natural ways to boost my fertility chances and I read in some fertility blogs that we should avoid toxins from the very start of my IVF journey; as they are endocrine disruptors.
Our bodies are regulated by a system of hormones and glands —called the endocrine system—which affects our development, metabolism, and behavior.
The bad news is that synthetic chemicals in products like plastics and fragrances can mimic hormones and interfere with or disrupt the delicate endocrine dance. We’re exposed to these chemicals daily, and we’re especially vulnerable to them during phases of accelerated development—in utero and throughout childhood.
At that time, I wasn't sure if it would help. I mean I knew the science was there but my fertility doctor told me not to worry about it. And well, I already had too many things on my plate. I was busy with doctor appointments, acupuncture, injections, consuming copious amounts of fertility supplements; and in general, trying not to be stressed.
So this begged the question of would I have gotten pregnant earlier, if I overhauled my lifestyle before trying to conceive?
The answer is I don't really know. It's like they say IVF is not the cure for infertility. Other women have babies and they didn't do one single thing different. They didn't change what they ate; or what they use.
My conclusion (not evidence based) is that since everyone DNA's make-up different, toxins affect our bodies differently. And genetically we are all different, even we eat the same food, breathe in the same air.
I don't regret the decisions I have made, because I trusted that the path that I was on was the right one at that point in time.
Plus researching for product alternatives became a (good) form of distraction from baby-making and it gave me control over one part of my life that I had no control over.
THE AHIMSA Practice
I also realised that choosing to go toxin free aligns with a yogic philosophy of Ahima, of not causing harm (in action, words or thoughts) to ourselves and thus others.
Chemicals and toxins are harmful right, even if we don’t see it?
Another way to look at Ahimsa is from the perspective of compassion. I’ve been working on self-compassion, being curious and not be judgy of the stories I tell myself because it can be harmful, especially if its not true.
So I’m learning to stop judging myself for the choices I’ve made for the things I put on my skin, and to just be okay with it.
My BIG WHY
Concern over the impact that toxins have on my fertility and body did prompt this journey into “low tox” living, but at the end of the day, my WHY has to be bigger than that in order for it to be sustainable for me.
From the yogic perspective, going low-tox puts me on the pathway towards peace and blissfulness for myself and the world.
That has been my lifelong goal, to find peace in everything that I do, and making better choices for my health and my planet is just one of the many ways that will help me find peace in my heart.
It seems a bit noble, even for me, but it is what it is. The planet is already suffering, and the people living on it.
One thing I remembered from the documentary - Kiss the Ground that the impact of pesticides doesn't happen overnight; it's over seasons, years, and it's generational.
If I can do my part by doing my bit to reduce toxins in the world, by doing this “one” thing, why not?
“It’s the journey, not the destination that matters.”
Making SMALL Changes
I did make a few unconscious efforts to reduce my interactions with toxins - like
Adding plants to my home (my cactus died but my snake plant is still alive after 3 years)
You’ll never see me without my Hydroflask and Owala
There's always a re-useable bag (love the ones from Bright Campaign) in my backpack, for the impromptu grocery shopping
Microwaving food in non-plastics (Though I still keep some food in plastics at the moment, as you can't run away from the ease of takeaways but I'm slowly transitioning, to 4 glass bowls and one glass tupperware. 🙂)
The challenge was in overhauling the things I use regularly, like cleaning products and body products. In the beginning, it did feel daunting but what saved my sanity was doing it one at a time, and worry less about getting it right, and focus more on how I can make the change work for me.
I mean, I've been "intoxicated" for half my life - what's a few more moments.
Plus it's almost impossible to live a toxin-free life - our air is naturally full of toxins. We breathe in fumes from 2nd hand smokers, or when they do mossie fogging in our condo and how about the pollution from cars.
Alexx Stuart says this best - "You'd be lonely, sad and obsessive if you thought you could change everything."
I'm million years away from living the perfect low-tox life but as I always say - " just do the best you can with what you have" .
“You’d be lonely, sad and obsessive if you thought you could change everything. ”
my “Low Tox” Shopping List
Below is list of "clean" products that I've used or currently using but there are plenty more out there. But I hope this helps you if you are looking to change to "cleaner" products.
Beauty and Body
Shampoo, Conditioner, Bodywash
Sukin Natural Balance Shampoo, conditioner and bodywash
Herbal Essence Bio:Renew Sulphate Free Potent Aloe Shampoo
Olaplex Hair Perfector (pre-shampoo treatment)
Hask Hair Oil
(Look for paraben, pthalate and sulphate free, noting that sulphate free means it won't lather as much. And in case you are curious, I have fine hair, so these suit me a lot)
Body lotion/oil
Sukin body lotion
Natural Factors, Women Sense coconut oil with essential oils (from Iherb)
Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner (which is a gradual self-tanner, which I use occasionally as a body lotion, noting that this may not be safe during pregnancy as it contains Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and Erythrulose, active ingredient in self-tanners)
Deodorant
Arm & Hammer (iherb)
Aesop Herbal Deodorant (spray)
(Look for aluminium free products)
Hand Sanitiser
Dr Bronner's Organic Hand Sanitiser
SKIN CARE
(I was already using them unknowingly, so this was a bonus)
Sunday Riley
Fresh Skincare
Joi Singapore (this local brand popped up on my IG ad recently, and I just bought a set, but this looks promising #supportlocal)
Home
Laundry Detergent and softener
Biohome Laundry Liquid
Earth Choice Softener
Seventh Generation Softener
Air Freshener Alternatives
Essential oils (I diffuse using my favourite young living oils like lemongrass, joy, and a combination of bergamot, eucalyptus and lavender)
Candles (Look for no lead wick (cotton/wood), 100% soy, beeswax, coconut candles, essential oils, no parabens/ petroleum(paraffin) / pthalates)
Hush Candles
Candescent Candles
Mrs Meyers Clean Day Scented Soy Candle
Handwash
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day, Hand Soap, Geranium Scent
Live Clean, Hydrating Liquid Hand Soap, Fresh Water
Only Good Natural Paraben Free Hand Wash Refresh
Cloversoft Hand Wash
Splurge on Aesop
What I'm working on in 2022
Of course the list above is non-exhaustive, and I’m always on the search for bargains and depending on the occasion, I’ll do a splurge too.
Currently, I'm working on “cleaning” up my perfume stash. These days all I use is my Arm and Hammer deodorant or Aesop deodorant and sometimes I dab Young Living oils behind my ears when I heading off to yoga.
For special occasions, I whip out my Charcoal, a creation by a cult UK perfumery, Perfumer H, and the owner personally confirmed to me that it is free of toxins, and she sources from natural products
But I just received my favourite Annick Goutal as a christmas present, and I hate wastage so I'm going to sparingly use it and am on the look out for easy-on-the-pocket - clean perfumes that suits my nose buds 🙂 and where you don't have to get on a plane to purchase.
I did find the following to try out:
local brand Scent Journer and I’ve already bought their sample size.
Fresh Perfume from Sephora
If you’ve read all the way to the end, I thank you so much for being so patient with me. I have not been patient with myself, I mean I started writing this post June last year.
The list is not perfect, but i’m not going for perfection - I’m going for what I’m comfortable with, for right now.
Are any of you also on a journey to living toxic free? What has been your favourite change so far?
x Sophie