3 steps to detox your bathroom

Step 1. Expired shelf life? Throw it out.

Stand up for a moment and make your way towards the bathroom. Look on your sink, in your cupboards, or on the shelves. What do you see? Probably your daily skincare. Did you know that a cream or lotion only has a shelf life of 12 months when opened? And that mascara can contain so much bacteria after only three months that it can irritate your eyes? The rule of thumb goes: unopened products will keep for another 3 years on average, and opened they will keep for a maximum of 12 months. Apart from make-up, that is. Do not get sentimental and throw it out.

Step 2. Learn to read the labels

It's useful to know which ingredients are best avoided to guide yourself in the world of cosmetics. To lend you a hand, we've categorised the main ones, and listed under which name they can be found on the packaging labels.

Parabens

Many creams and shampoos contain parabens, which are used as preservatives. Preservatives are essential in personal care products because they prevent the growth of fungus and bacteria. However, parabens have gained a bad reputation in recent years. Both scientists and consumers are debating the possible hormone-disrupting effects of these parabens, and, for example, the risk of developing breast cancer. Endocrine-disrupting substances can wreak havoc on hormone metabolism. Research shows that their action is similar to the female sex hormone oestrogen (source: RIVM).

It is important to stress that there is insufficient information to establish that parabens are endocrine disruptors. Nor has the relationship between paraben use and breast cancer ever been scientifically proven. The EU has even legislated that the claim "paraben-free" may no longer be used by manufacturers because it unnecessarily gives a negative connotation to the use of this entire ingredient group (source: RIVM).

For now, there are no rules for avoiding parabens. However, at Naïf, we prefer not to add these unnecessary preservatives to our products. This is why our products do not contain parabens. Here's how to recognise parabens on the label:

• methylparaben

• ethylparaben

• propylparaben

• butylparaben

• isobutyl paraben

P.S. Also the chemical alternative to parabens: Phenoxyethanol is one we prefer to avoid

Substances that can dry out the skin

SLES is a surfactant that provides the foam in your shampoo, soap or detergents. Products containing SLES can be irritating or cause tightness on the skin for some people (source: RIVM). So, why is it used in cosmetics? Because it's nice and cheap... and because we've learned from the cosmetics industry that we don't feel completely clean unless we are foamed from head to toe.

Unfortunately, this doesn't make your skin happy because it can dry it out. That's why we prefer milder variants, where derivatives of coconut oil play the main role (sodium coco sulphate). This is how you recognise the above foaming agents on the label:

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)

Substances that can interfere with natural skin processes

Such as mineral oil. Mineral oil is extracted from petroleum and refined and purified for use in cosmetics. In cosmetics, it forms a layer over the skin, which retains moisture. Nothing wrong with that, mineral oil used to be used in the construction industry for scrapes and cuts. No dirt could get in or out. Even so, your skin undergoes a learning process. If you put a layer on top of it, your skin will eventually stop producing its own moisture and the famous lip balm effect occurs - your skin gets addicted and you keep smearing. Mineral oil is often the basis of a cream or oil and is usually at the top of the list of ingredients. Here's how to recognise mineral oil on the label:

• Paraffinum Liquidum

• Paraffinum Perliquidum

• Light Liquid Paraffin, Light Mineral Oil

• Liquid Paraffin

• Liquid Petrolatum

• Liquid, Paraffinum Subliquidum

• Paraffin Oil, White Oil and White Mineral Oil.

Substances that cannot or hardly break down in nature

Such as microplastics. Did you know that a scrub can contain over 100,000 particles of microplastics (source: Beat the Microbead, Plastic Soup Foundation)? Microplastic is often used for improved elasticity of a product, but you can also find it in toothpaste and cosmetics for texture (think scrub granules and glitter). In this way, plastic ends up in the body, and nature. Not a nice idea for either. Opt for natural variants, such as sugar grains, rice grains or a residual substance, calcite. The most common microplastics are:

• Polyethylene (PE)

• Polypropylene (PP)

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

• Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)Nylon, Mica and Silica

And what about perfumes? Well, you can add fragrance in two ways: with essential oil (such as rose oil) or with perfume. We chose the latter because we can then opt for a mild perfume. That is the mildest form of fragrance for the skin, both for babies and grown-ups. You may be asking: why don't you then use natural essential oils? Well, because the chances of irritated skin are high. With a mild perfume, this chance is lower, as these mild perfumes are free of the most common allergens. However, for the products with a mainly medicinal function, we've now also created a version with 0% perfume.

Step 3. Swap your skincare for variants with natural ingredients

Choose ingredients that do what they promise: condition, cleanse and leave you glowing, literally from head to toe. Think cottonseed oil, avocado oil, or sweet almond oil. You can also apply the 80/20 rule, that way you can gradually incorporate a new routine. You choose a natural variant for the products you use the most, 80%, such as your day cream or shampoo. And the other 20% of the time you use the less natural products that you don't want to replace just yet. That makes for a good first step.  

And what about us? At Naïf, we use natural ingredients that are kind to the skin and have minimal impact on nature. We also choose plant-based, so we are 100% vegan. And plastic? Nope, we have a Zero Plastic Inside certificate from the Plastic Soup Foundation. Just like your skin, there's no planet b.