Why I Created The Golden Secrets: Skincare Without Compromise

Living with rheumatoid arthritis for years has made me more sensitive—not only to what I put in my body, but also to what I put on my body. This is why I created The Golden Secrets: to offer truly effective skincare that never compromises your health.

In a world where personal care routines are second nature, we often forget to question what’s really in the products we apply daily. A study published in May 2023 in Chemosphere is turning heads—and shifting habits.

The research uncovered a powerful truth that lies at the heart of The Golden Secrets: the ingredients in our body care products don’t just stay on the skin—they can enter the system, accumulate in breast tissue, and potentially alter cellular health. The good news? When women in the study eliminated toxic ingredients for just 28 days, their breast tissue began to heal.

The Hidden Dangers in Conventional Beauty

Many conventional body care products contain parabens and phthalates—synthetic preservatives and plasticizers known to act as xenoestrogens. These chemicals mimic estrogen in the body and can disrupt hormonal balance, contributing to long-term health risks, including breast cancer.

And here’s the irony: the very companies that plaster pink ribbons across their products in the name of “cancer awareness” are often the same ones lacing those products with ingredients linked to cancer risk. Awareness without accountability isn’t enough—it’s action and integrity that make the difference.

The Results Were Profound

After the 28-day detox from toxic products, researchers collected breast tissue and urine samples. What they found was nothing short of remarkable:

• Urinary levels of parabens and phthalates dropped significantly, indicating a rapid decrease in body burden.

• Breast tissue analysis revealed a reversal in cancer-associated gene expressions.

• Pathways linked to tumor growth and hormone disruption—like PI3K-AKT/mTOR—showed measurable improvement.

• The cells shifted toward a healthier, more balanced state.

This study is one of the first to demonstrate such a direct and rapid connection between what we put on our skin and how our breast tissue responds at the cellular level.

What This Means for You

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting information about clean beauty, let this be your sign: your choices matter.Your skin is not a barrier—it’s a gateway. What you apply daily is absorbed, processed, and can either nourish or burden your body.

This study validates what so many in the holistic health world have long known: when we remove the toxic load and nourish the body with nature, the body responds—quickly and intelligently.

Ingredients in Skincare Linked to Cancer

While research is always evolving, several categories of ingredients commonly flagged for cancer risk (or cancer-related concerns) include:

1. Parabens

• Why concerning: Synthetic preservatives that act as endocrine disruptors (xenoestrogens).

• Research: Found in breast tissue; associated with hormonal imbalance, which can play a role in breast cancer development.

2. Phthalates

• Why concerning: Used to make products flexible (especially in fragrance and plastics).

• Research: Known endocrine disruptors, linked to reproductive toxicity and possible breast cancer risk.

3. Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde Releasers

• Common names: DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea.

• Why concerning: Classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

4. Ethylene Oxide & 1,4-Dioxane Contaminants

• Where found: Byproducts in ethoxylated ingredients like PEGs, sodium laureth sulfate, and polysorbates.

• Why concerning: Both are considered probable human carcinogens.

5. Coal Tar Dyes & Certain Synthetic Colors

• Label clues: FD&C, D&C followed by a number.

• Why concerning: Some contain heavy metals and have been linked to bladder and other cancers.

6. Triclosan

• Use: Antimicrobial agent (once common in cleansers, deodorants, toothpaste).

• Why concerning: Possible endocrine disruption and carcinogenic potential; now banned in some regions.

7. Benzophenones (e.g., Oxybenzone)

• Use: Chemical sunscreens, UV stabilizers.

• Why concerning: Endocrine disruption, possible link to hormone-related cancers.

Plastic Packaging and Cancer Concerns

Skincare packaging is often overlooked, but it can also contribute to toxic exposure.

1. BPA (Bisphenol A)

• Where: Some plastics and resin linings.

• Why concerning: Endocrine disruptor linked to breast and prostate cancers. Even BPA-free plastics can have “regrettable substitutions” like BPS.

2. Phthalates in Plastics

• Where: Used to make plastic flexible.

• Why concerning: Can leach into formulas, especially oils and alcohol-based products.

3. Microplastics & Nanoplastics

• Where: Packaging breakdown over time, plus microbeads (now banned in many places).

• Why concerning: Can accumulate in tissues and potentially interfere with cellular health.

4. Heat & Storage Issues

• Plastic leaches chemicals more readily when exposed to heat (think warehouses, shipping, bathroom steam). That means skincare formulas stored in plastic may carry additional toxic burdens.

The irony is striking—we buy “self-care” products to nourish ourselves, but hidden inside both the formula and the packaging are chemicals known to harm us. This is why creating skincare that’s truly safe—inside and out—requires not just clean formulations but also conscious packaging.

How to Make the Switch

Start simple. Read your labels. Look for products (like TGS) that are:

• Paraben-free

• Phthalate-free

• Synthetic fragrance-free 

• Certified by trusted clean beauty organizations (like Think Dirty, EWG,) You can do a quick search or scan a product of concern.

• In glass/ plastic -free packaging

At The Golden Secrets, we set the bar higher. Every formulation is Think Dirty Verified, with several proudly carrying the EWG Verified seal and the rest on their way. We’ve also been rated “Excellent” on Yuka, so you can feel confident that what you’re putting on your skin is as safe as it is effective.

But it’s not just about what we leave out—it’s about what we put in. Each product is crafted with botanically active ingredients that work in harmony with your body, supporting natural detoxification and regeneration instead of adding to the toxic load. Unlike the irony of brands that profit from pink ribbons while filling their products with carcinogens, our mission is rooted in true integrity: skincare that heals, nourishes, and never compromises your health.