Toxic Beauty: How Some Products Cause Fat Gain & What to Use Naturally

If you’re here because you love moving your body, sculpting your shape, and reclaiming your energy through the magic of hula hooping: have you ever thought about what you're putting on your body?

A lot of commercial cosmetics—from lotions to skin firming creams—contain obesogenic compounds. These are chemicals that can actually disrupt your metabolism, mimic hormones, and contribute to weight gain or make fat loss harder. Crazy, right? We train hard with our hoops, so the last thing we want is something sabotaging our results from the outside in.

🚫 Hidden Dangers in Store-Bought Cosmetics

Many mainstream beauty and body products contain endocrine disruptors such as:

• Phthalates (found in fragrances and plastics)

• Parabens (preservatives that mimic estrogen)

• BPA (even in packaging that can leach into products)

• Triclosan (an antimicrobial agent linked to thyroid issues)

These are often called obesogens—chemicals that have been shown in studies to alter fat cell development and metabolism.

📚 References:

• Grün, F., & Blumberg, B. (2006). Environmental obesogens: organotins and endocrine disruption via nuclear receptor signaling. Endocrinology.

• Heindel, J. J., et al. (2017). Metabolism disrupting chemicals and metabolic disorders. Reproductive Toxicology.

These toxins can sneak into your system through your skin and add to the "body burden" your detox system is already working hard to manage. That’s why what you put on your skin matters as much as what you do with it (like hooping!).

I mentioned Endocrine Disruptors in the What I Eat Series, too.

DIY Skin Masks for a Natural Glow-Up

The great news? You don’t need to buy pricey creams filled with mystery ingredients. Your own garden, windowsill, or local meadow can provide incredible ingredients for glowing, firm, happy skin.

I make skin masks for my face and belly using fresh, natural ingredients I grow or forage. My latest fave is super simple and packed with skin-boosting goodness:

Belly & Face Mask Recipe:

Parsley + Oats + Kefir OR Yoghurt

• 1 handful fresh parsley

• 2 tablespoons porridge oats

• 1 tablespoon kefir or plain live yoghurt

💚 Instructions:
Crush or blend the parsley with the oats and kefir/yoghurt until you get a thick, spreadable paste. Apply to clean skin on your belly or face. Leave for 10–15 minutes, then rinse gently with warm water.

💚 Why It Works: Ingredient Benefits

🌿 Parsley:

• Rich in vitamin C and flavonoids for brightening skin and supporting collagen

• Natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

• Helps reduce puffiness and improve circulation to the skin

🌾 Oats:

• Soothes irritated or dry skin

• Contains saponins, which help gently cleanse

• Acts as a mild exfoliant while calming inflammation

🥛 Kefir or Yoghurt:

• Full of probiotics that help balance skin microbiota

• Contains lactic acid, a gentle exfoliator that smooths and softens

• Nourishes and hydrates for a dewy glow

🌼 Forage Your Beauty

There’s something incredibly healing about touching the earth, harvesting from your own environment, and making your own beauty rituals. Try infusing your skincare with foraged or homegrown herbs like:

• Chamomile (soothing and calming)

• Rose petals (antioxidant and uplifting)

• Plantain leaf (healing and anti-inflammatory)

• Nettle (mineral-rich and toning)

Just be sure you forage safely—away from sprayed areas and with proper plant ID. If you don't know what it is: do not pick it.

Pair Natural Skincare with Hula Power

When you pair your hoop workouts with clean, natural skincare, you’re giving your body a double boost—from the inside and the outside. Your skin is your largest organ, and what you feed it matters.

So next time you're doing a hoop session give your belly a little spa moment afterwards. You’re not just working toward visible results—you’re supporting your skin’s health, metabolism, and glow naturally.

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