04/08/2025
There's something I feel deeply called to share with you.
As a Holistic Therapist and Tropic ambassador doing treatments, facials, pampers parties or even online consultations, I meet a lot of ladies who are exhausted, inflamed, out of sync, and being told "this is just part of getting older".
But what I experienced this week shook me. It lit an even brighter fire under what I already do.
Tropic hold its annual Glammies event every September, and every year, we support charities at this event. This year, two of the chosen charities are cancer related. During a live announcement about the charities this week, thousands of Tropic Ambassadors were watching, as was I.
Then, the comments started coming up, and one after another, the Ambassadors were sharing their lived experience with cancer...
โIโve just finished chemo.โ
โI lost my sister last year.โ
โIโm living with cancer now.โ
I too lost my dad and Auntie to cancer, and had a scare myself.
It was overwhelming and disturbing to see how many of our Tropic Ambassadors were affected by this horrible disease. It was both heartbreaking and deeply, deeply sobering.
It made something click for me in a way that felt louder than ever.
I already knew the stats. I already knew what was happening in our bodies. But to see it reflected back by thousands of women who, like me, care about what we put on our skinโฆ it was too loud to ignore.
We are living in a world thatโs making us sick. Slowly, silently, and systemically.
One of the ways itโs doing that is through the everyday products we use, in our homes and on our skin.
Your skin is your largest organ. It absorbs what you put on it and those ingredients donโt just sit on the surface. They go in. They affect your hormones, your cells, your immune system. Some are linked to serious long term health risks.
The beauty industry is still one of the least regulated industries in this country.
Thatโs why I speak so passionately about Tropic. Itโs not just skincare. Itโs safety. Itโs trust. Itโs no compromise.
But even if you never buy a single product from me, Please take 5 mins to read this list. Save it and share it. ๐
๐ฅ *10 Ingredients I No Longer Put On My Skin โ and Why*
1. Parabens...
Synthetic preservatives. They mimic oestrogen and have been found in breast cancer tissue. Disrupt hormone balance โ which impacts mood, cycle, energy, and risk of disease (especially during perimenopause/menopause, when our hormones are already shifting).
2. Phthalates...
Usually hidden under the word โfragrance.โ Strongly linked to hormone disruption, fertility problems, early puberty, and low s***m count. Can worsen hormone-related symptoms like hot flushes, irritability, and fatigue.
3. Triclosan...
Used in some antibacterial products. Technically a pesticide (yep, you read that right!). Disrupts thyroid hormones, may contribute to antibiotic resistance, and harms the environment.
4. Petroleum derivatives (mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum)...
Often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, classed as a probable carcinogen (meaning it may increase cancer risk). Found in many baby and body products ๐คฌ and can block skinโs ability to breathe.
5. Synthetic Colours (FD&C or D&C)...
Made from coal tar. Linked to skin sensitivity, behavioural issues (especially in kids), and possible long-term cell damage. Often found in colourful bath products and makeup.
6. Oxybenzone...
A chemical sunscreen filter that disrupts hormones and may reduce birth weight in babies. Can contribute to hormonal chaos in perimenopause, and still found in many UK SPFs. Also damages coral reefs.
7. Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)...
A preservative used in shampoos and body washes. Linked to eczema, contact dermatitis, and even brain cell damage in animal studies. Especially risky for sensitive or inflamed skin.
8. Benzoyl Peroxide...
Used in acne treatments. Can cause dryness, irritation, and has shown tumour-promoting effects in animal studies. With so many gentler alternatives available, this oneโs best avoided.
9. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)...
Foaming agent found in many shampoos, toothpastes, and cleansers. Can strip the skin and scalp, leading to dryness, irritation, and flare-ups. If youโre dealing with dry, itchy skin or rosacea, especially in midlife, this oneโs a no-no.
10. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives...
These include ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15, which slowly release formaldehyde over time to prevent mould. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) and can trigger skin irritation, allergies, and even hormonal disruption. Still found in some shampoos, nail treatments, and liquid soaps.
*So what does this all mean for real life?*
Hormone disruptors donโt just cause vague โimbalances.โ
Theyโre connected to things we see every day:
- Heavy, painful, or missing periods
- PMT so bad it affects relationships
- Unexplained weight gain or stubborn belly fat
- Fatigue, even after 8 hours sleep
- Mood swings, rage, anxiety
- Endometriosis, PCOS, infertility
- Perimenopause and menopause symptoms that spiral out of control
- Acne, eczema, rosacea
- Early menopause
- Thyroid issues
- Breast, ovarian, and testicular cancer
If you recognise any of these, in yourself or the women around you, this matters.
Tropic will never include these ingredients. Instead it's packed full of fresh natural ingredients that we eat to feed our skin goodness. Thatโs why I use it, trust it, and recommend it, but this isnโt about pushing a product. Itโs about protecting your health.
If you're ever unsure about what you're using - skincare - haircare, anything, just ask. I'll help you check it. No judgement. No pressure. Just knowledge.
Because we deserve better! ๐
