Yes, size does matter.
I wrote last time about how I, the toxin-free teacher and avid label reader, was in a hurry and got greenwashed with our feminine hygiene products. In fact, all of social media seems abuzz with the info on those pesky toxic tampons.
But here’s the thing, the brand I highlighted is NOT the only one by any means. Seriously. Almost every other brand contains toxic ingredients in their tampons and pads, including titanium dioxide. (Which is why reading labels is so important, because Ew!) The now infamous brand L. just happens to splash the organic label all over the front, while the backside tells another story of sus ingredients. Many people were fooled, or didn’t even know to look for this (or other) ingredients.
Titanium dioxide is a white powder used to pigment various foods and products, basically to make them whiter. It is the whitest and brightest pigment option. Which is why it’s crazy to be used in tampons especially - who even cares what color it is when you are sticking it where the sun doesn’t shine???
Here in America, titanium dioxide is found in many different food products (there was also a big Skittles controversy last month*), makeup, toothpaste, paint, plastic, and chewing gum to name a few. But it is banned in the EU for being a potential carcinogen. When we look at the studies, the route of exposure is an important factor. These are usually inhalation, consumption, or absorption. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as a Group 2b carcinogen, which means it is “possibly carcinogenic to humans” when its inhaled.
Absorption is another thing! When talking about titanium dioxide, the fact is that SIZE DOES MATTER! Particle size, that is. Nanoparticle titanium dioxide is a much smaller particle (less than 100nm) that is more easily absorbed and digested. If applied on the skin, breathed in, or eaten, these smaller particles can easily get into the circulatory system where it accumulates eventually in target organs like the liver, brain, and kidneys, eventually causing dysfunction. Non-nanoparticle titanium dioxide is bigger (larger than 100nm) and is unlikely to be absorbed or accumulate in the body.
This is important especially when comparing brands of makeup and of course natural sunscreens. It makes sense, and is even necessary, for it to be used in certain products. But again, SIZE MATTERS. Please make sure that your products ONLY use NON-NANOPARTICLE titanium dioxide! If it doesn’t say it on the label, chances are it is nanoparticle (BAD). It costs more to use non-nanoparticles, and isn’t required, so if a company IS using it, chances are they are going to list it proudly on the label. If you do have specific questions on a product, please always reach out to the company directly to find out!
If this information has you feeling overwhelmed and confused, remember - I did the homework for you! My favorite brand of clean makeup (use code HOTMESSHOMESCHOOLER10 for 10% off) and my favorite brand of reef and human-safe sunscreen use ONLY non-nanoparticles! I would still avoid titanium dioxide in any form that is a loose powder and spray to minimize any inhalation despite particle size.
Remember, y’all, your skin is your largest organ and is a carrier NOT a barrier. What you put ON goes IN. THIS IS WHY SIZE MATTERS! You want it sitting on top of your skin, not sinking in, circulating around, and building up in your tissues. After all, titanium dioxide is considered a heavy metal. In many products, it is just not even necessary. (I like to avoid all unnecessary additives in products anyways). Even though so far the link is only a “potential” for causing cancer, that’s a good enough reason to say away. I still don’t need it accumulating in my organs after sitting in one of the most absorbent places in and on the body.
Now go flip over those products, read your labels, and make sure to check for particle size.
nano = bad
non-nano = good
*And I don’t know, maybe Skittles should have been called out more for being a franken-food filled with neurotoxic food dyes. They most certainly are NOT the only offenders.
