Making your own beauty products is not only fun and rewarding, it can also help balance your hormones. Xenoestrogens, present in BPA, plastics, perfumes, fragrances, sunscreen, insecticides, pesticides, and cleaning detergents can act like estrogen in the body. Therefore, preventing the absorption of natural estrogen. Estrogen (not xenoestrogen) is important for cardiovascular, heart, and bone health. Xenoestrogens affect the entire endocrine system including the adrenals, thyroid, and reproductive hormones. Xenoestrogens can be found in shampoo, conditioner, lotions, body washes, cleansers and more.

The accumulation of estrogen and xenoestrogen in the body can lead to estrogen dominance. Signs of estrogen dominance can include:

• Painful periods

• Heavy periods

• Tender breasts

• Headaches

• Migraines

• Bloating

• Anxiety

• Fertility issues

So let’s get to the fun stuff. Cleaning out your beauty products is one way to clear out xenoestrogens from your environment. Using products with a few ingredients that you can pronounce, and even eat, is a way of knowing that what goes onto and what is absorbed by your skin will be accepted by your hormonal system.

Grains Facial Exfoliator

• 1/2 cup Bentonite clay

• 2/3 cup Oats

• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

• 1/4 cup camomile flowers

• Option to add 1/4 cup of other petals from rose or lavender

Blend all ingredients on low in a food processor, store in a jar and use 2-3 times per week.

Facial toning spray

• 2 Tablespoons Witch hazel

• 1 Tablespoon (pure) aloe vera gel

• 1/4 cup cooled green tea

Place all together in a spray bottle, shake before use. Use each day after cleansing, before moisturizing.

Acne spot treatment

• 2 teaspoons raw honey

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix well and store in an airtight container. To use, place a spot over the trouble area, wash off after 10 minutes with warm water.

Warming salve

• 1 cup olive or almond oil

• 1/4 cup beeswax

• 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper powder

• 1 Tablespoon ginger powder

• 1 Tablespoon Turmeric powder

• Option to add 1 Tablespoon of arnica flowers for extra soothing and pain relief

Using a double boiler, melt the beeswax and oil together. Add the herbs and let simmer for 30-60 minutes. Allow to cool and strain the herbs by pouring the infusion through a cheesecloth into the container of your choice. Allow to fully cool before capping. Use daily on cold, dry hands.

Tired foot soak

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt

• 10 drops of essential oils (tea tree and sweet orange are my favorites)

• 1 Tablespoon carrier oil (olive oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil)

Place the epsom salt in a warm bathtub or large bowl. Mix the essential oils with the carrier oil, add to water. Soak feet for 20 minutes. Dry feet and add moisturizer.

Happy DIY spa day!

Ways to go deeper:

• Join in on a live or pre-recorded course to learn more about balancing your menstrual cycle and hormones through yoga.

• Work with me 1:1 to get support for your unique situation.

Further reading and resources:

Dr. Jolene Brighten - How Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Cause Hormone Imbalance

Wellness Witch: Healing Potions, Soothing Spells, and Empowering Rituals for Magical Self-Care by Nikki Van De Car

The Essential Cleanse by Kate Reardon

Hello Glow