Let’s do a health check. Do you know what you are putting in and on your body? Do you know what you are using to clean your home? The names of the brands you are using may come to mind, but are you aware of what is being used to create these products? The only way to truly know is to carefully check all labels and know what ingredients are present in your everyday products. 

Just because something works effectively does not mean that it is healthy for you and the space around you. Many brands advertise their efficiency but often do not put their formulas on display. A lot of manufacturers know they are cutting corners by using cheaper ingredients that are unhealthy and can lead to various types of diseases and health issues. While components may be deemed safe by the Food and Drug Association, there are still many qualities that can make something unhealthy to consume or use. Changing what we purchase for our household, personal care, and food items can help prevent the declination of our health. So, how do we alter our buying habits? Check the labels.

Why You Should Check Labels

Chemicals can enter the body in various ways: inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion. The chemicals can enter our blood and body tissues, which is how many health issues are developed. Knowing what chemicals are present in your food and household items will help you determine what works best for your household and those living there. 

Furthermore, reading food labels can help you maintain a more balanced diet by limiting your fat, sugar, and cholesterol intake. Checking the ingredients will allow you to discover food items that contain the number of vitamins, proteins, and other desirable qualities that you require. 

How to Look at Labels

Unfortunately, a lot of products are not required to list every single ingredient in their formula. For example, while the FDA requires all ingredients to be listed on cosmetics and personal care products, many cleaning items do not have this same requirement. However, according to WebMD, it is best to visit the National Library of Medicine’s Household Products Database to research items. Skin Deep was also suggested as a great database to search for cosmetics and personal products. Overall, the best practice when shopping is to search for terms such as “green,” “non-toxic,” “biodegradable,” and others related to clean living. 

What is a Clean Label?

When searching for the best brands and products for a cleaner and healthier lifestyle requires you to be on the lookout for what is known as “clean labels.” By definition, a clean label contains ingredients that consumers can easily recognize and contain no artificial or synthetic chemicals. The products with clean labels typically use the least amount of ingredients compared to other harsher products. Because of their simple formulas focusing on healthy lives and cleaner environments, clean label products usually gain other manufacturers’ trust.

Ultimately, it’s essential to know what you’re consuming and applying to the environment around you for a safer and healthier lifestyle. Checking labels is the first step to living clean and preventing health issues.