Hashimoto’s-Friendly Beauty Products - Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD - (2024)

I’ve been a girly girl for most of my life. From a young age, I loved dressing up in fancy outfits and carrying around a purse, and I would always find my way into my mom’s and aunt’s “treasures and jewelry”. When my family moved to the United States when I was nine, my proudest possession was my first real Barbie doll (they were hard to get in Poland), and I got my first “kid” make-up set at age ten — complete with pink lipstick and neon blue and purple eyeshadows!

By the time I was in my mid-twenties, I had cabinets full of makeup, perfumes, lotions, hair styling products, and every other type of beauty “enhancing” potion. I never thought being a girly girl would be a detriment to my health… until I started doing research for the “Toxins” chapter of my first book, Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause, and discovered that there are heavy metals and all sorts of potentially endocrine-disrupting chemicals in personal care products.[1]

Learning about the hundreds of chemicals that are lurking in our personal care and beauty products was a huge eye-opener for me. I had many “aha!” moments when I began to realize how harmful many of those ingredients are… and what they were doing to my body.

These days, I only use products that are free of harmful chemicals and toxins, and over the years, I’ve found the brands and products I love (through lots and lots of experimentation). Today, I want to share with you some things I’ve been loving lately for my skin, my hair, and my body!

Skin Care

For years, I struggled with dry and lackluster skin due to Hashimoto’s and things like iron deficiency. In addition to putting my Hashimoto’s into remission and correcting nutrient deficiencies, I’ve found that the right products can make such a difference in the health of my skin. Of course, the majority of products available today are loaded with harmful chemicals, but luckily I’ve found some amazing, high-quality products that not only work, but are also free of toxins.

• Glutaryl – Auro Wellness Skin care contains a high dose of our master antioxidant, glutathione. I’ve been using these products and have found they are giving me a natural glow!
• Pranvera – I’ve recently discovered Pranvera, and have been loving the results I’m seeing with their products! It was founded by a licensed esthetician and focuses on both supporting the aging process, and treating and preventing breakouts. (You can use the code DRWENTZ for 15% off your order.)
• Annmarie Skin Care – Many of my readers love Annmarie Skin Care. I love it because this line is free of any endocrine-disrupting chemicals. I love that I can trust their products because they use only herbs and extracts straight from nature in their purest form. I’ve tried many of their products and have loved them all. For a limited time, Annmarie Skin Care is extending a special trial offer on their most beloved serums: the Citrus Stem Cell Serum, Anti-Aging Serum (one of my favorites), and Probiotic Serum with Tremella—Bio Facial Elixir. You can snag them all for just $19.99! Get your serum sample pack here.
• Spa Doctor – Dr. Trevor Cates struggled with her own skin for years and eventually found her way to becoming a Naturopathic Physician. She created Spa Doctor because she couldn’t find skin care products that were natural, non-toxic, and really work. Spa Doctor offers a natural skin care system with products and programs to help you achieve glowing skin and vibrant health at any age. (Please note: The Spa Doctor 4-Step Skin Care System contains seaweeds that can expose us to extra iodine. Please avoid these products if you are following a low-iodine protocol.)
• MyChelle Cleanser – Washing your face is a key part of skincare, and I love MyChelle’s cleansers (especially the Fruit Enzyme cleanser)! They have been in the natural skincare industry for over 20 years, and were even founding members of the Environmental Working Group’s “Verified for Your Health” program. (Use code WENTZ for 10% off your order.)
• Gua Sha Tool – This is a Chinese medicine method for lymphatic drainage of the face. Gua sha can help relieve tension in facial muscles. It also promotes healthy blood flow to the face and works to “de-puff” and freshen the face. It’s one of those beauty practices that actually feels good to do, and produces instant benefits! I love doing a short gua sha routine in the morning to wake up my face, and it can be nice in the evening since it’s so relaxing.

Makeup

I love getting dressed up and experimenting with new makeup, but as you know now… so much of it is loaded with toxins that can hurt the thyroid and disrupt hormones. Whether you wear makeup daily or only on special occasions, I want you to have options that are free from harmful chemicals, and actually work and make you feel beautiful!

• Araza Beauty – This natural makeup is made with healthy fats, organic plant-based ingredients, and minerals, that all work together to feed and nourish your skin. And best of all, it’s the first makeup line to become Paleo Certified! Each product that bears the Paleo Certified logo has undergone a strict auditing process to ensure that it’s free from legumes, dairy, gluten, grains and anything artificial and harmful. (Use code Thyroid15 to get 15% off.) (Please note: Araza’s Coconut Charcoal + Sea Greens Treatment Mask contains seaweeds that can expose us to extra iodine. Please avoid this product if you are following a low-iodine protocol.)
• These are some specific makeup products that I use and personally love:
  • Bare Minerals Blush – A long-wearing blush that’s blended with antioxidants and cold-pressed camellia oil for anti-aging benefits.
  • Bare Minerals Eyeshadow – Provides vivid color with seamless blend ability and skin-nourishing benefits; lasts up to 12 hours.
  • Bare Minerals Foundation – A creamy, rich foundation with SPF 15.
  • Physician’s Formula Mascara – An organic, natural mascara made with the purest ingredients and is 100% free of toxic chemicals.
  • Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint – This is lighter than a lipstick, but perfect for a little pop of color on your lips, plus it’s so hydrating thanks to the coconut and avocado oils.

Hair

My hair was not always as long, shiny, and healthy as it is now. For years in my twenties, I struggled with hair loss and dull, dry hair due to Hashimoto’s. I’ve written an article about internal things we need to do to halt thyroid hair loss, but many also ask about the products I use. Now that I’ve put Hashimoto’s into remission, I treasure my hair and make sure to take great care of it! These are a few of my favorite hair products:

• Acure Organics – I love these pure, simple and effective plant-based beauty products. A few of my personal favorites include their leave in conditioner made with argan oil and argan extract for all hair types, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that help even the most dry and damaged hair to be soft and manageable, and clarifying shampoo and conditioner that provide vital moisture to combat everyday tangles and buildup.
• ATTITUDE Shampoo – I love that this is EWG-verified, fragrance free, and it adds volume and shine to my hair.
• Wellnesse – This line of personal care products by Katie Wells (the “Wellness Mama”) contains high quality, safe ingredients that are clearly labeled, so there are no surprises! I love their conditioner for keeping my long hair soft and manageable. They also make other great personal care products like mineral deodorant and fluoride-free toothpaste! (Clean teeth + great smelling pits are a thing of beauty, after all! :))
• Tangle tee*zer – While hair brushes are not exactly known to be toxic, people with thyroid conditions often struggle with tangled hair when their thyroid hormones get out of balance. The Tangle tee*zer brush is an awesome tool that helps to get the tangles out without causing unnecessary hair loss.

Body

I know how important it is to so many people to feel good in their bodies. When we feel good physically, we’re confident and we radiate this energy outwards, and this often makes us more magnetic and attractive to others! Exercise can help us feel strong and help us lose or manage weight. Good sleep is essential for feeling good and having the energy to exercise, as well as helps us keep a bright and bushy-tailed demeanor. Supporting our liver and detoxification system also contributes to glowing, healthy skin.

• Betty Rocker Abs and Booty Challenge – If you’re looking to shed some weight before summer, or want to work on increasing your strength and endurance, incorporating more exercise into your routine is essential. I know many of us feel lost a the gym, which is why I love programs and challenges that tell you exactly what to do! My friend, Coach Betty Rocker, creates incredible workout programs, and I’m going to be signing up for her Abs and Booty Challenge! It’s a 30-day workout program that can be done at home or at the gym. The workouts combine resistance training with explosive cardio blasts to boost your endurance, build muscle, burn fat, and maximize your workout time. Plus, it has three different workout schedule options to support you in every stage of life – whether you’re still in your regular cycling years, in perimenopause, or postmenopause – and to help accommodate busy and demanding schedules. Who’s joining me?!

Skin

• Dry Brushing Set – Dry brushing not only helps to exfoliate the skin, but it is also a great way to help improve circulation, reduce stress, reduce swelling, and detoxify the body. I love dry brushing my entire body a few times a week before I shower to keep my skin looking glowy and healthy.
• ATTITUDE Body Wash – This fragrance-free, EWG-verified body wash makes my skin so soft, and is ideal for people with sensitive skin.
  
• Bronner’s Hand Soap – A leader in the natural product world since the 1960s, Dr. Bronner’s makes a lot of home and personal care products with natural, non-toxic ingredients, but I especially love their hand soap. It’s in every bathroom in my house!

Nails (and Brain Function)

• Methylene Blue – Have you heard of this? Methylene blue was initially developed as a dye for use in textile manufacturing, but since then it’s been found to possess a number of health benefits, including antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, mood enhancing effects, and neuroprotective features. It also works on our mitochondria by increasing ATP production and reducing oxidative stress. It can also help with mood and focus by boosting neurotransmitter production. Recently, I noticed biohackers using it for its nootropic effects and all its other health benefits, so I thought I’d give it a try! It was incredibly helpful for me in focusing while working on my last book on IBS, but it also had an unexpected side benefit. Along with its signature blue tongue effect, methylene blue made my fingernails strong and grow like crazy, and my manicurist was so impressed, she asked me what I had been doing! Troscriptions makes incredibly high quality methylene blue products, with several different varieties that each offer different benefits. I personally use their Just Blue product. I love Troscriptions because it’s physician-formulated and pharmaceutical grade. They come as lozenges that are scored and easy to break, so you can take a precise dose. Please note, you can take it as a lozenge for the blue tongue effect, as well as swallow it whole. Please note, your urine will turn an interesting blue color. (You can use the code DRWENTZ for 10% off your order.)

Takeaway

I hope this guide was helpful, and I hope that you have the tools you need to look and feel your best!

I’d love to hear from you! What are some of your favorite Hashimoto’s-friendly beauty products?

As always, I wish you the best on your journey to better health.

P.S. I love interacting with my readers on social media, and I encourage you to join my Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest community pages to stay on top of thyroid health updates and meet others who are following similar health journeys. For recipes, a FREE Thyroid Diet start guide, notifications about upcoming events, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter from my first book for free, be sure to sign up for my email list!

References

[1] Panico A, Serio F, Bagordo F, et al. Skin safety and health prevention: an overview of chemicals in cosmetic products. J Prev Med Hyg. 2019;60(1):E50-E57. Published 2019 Mar 29. doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.1.1080