Clearing the Air
When Olivia’s daughter Delphina was born, she realized how important ‘greening up’ her home was now that there was a tiny, fragile baby living in it. “I was already conscious about being ‘clean’ but when I became a mother, I realized how sensitive and vulnerable babies are, and started to read more about the effects of chemicals on our bodies—so many products we use in our everyday lives are toxic. I made an effort to reduce the amount of chemicals in our home because I didn’t want Delphina around them, of course, but also because it was healthier for all of us to have less of those toxins in the air and around our home.
Jump to a few years later:
In researching the effects airborne pollutants have on our skin and our bodies for Chantecaille’s Anti-Pollution collection, Olivia realized she could be doing even more to help literally clear the air in her home. Indoor air pollution is one of the top 5 public health risks ranked by the EPA—and since we spend about 90% of our time inside, it’s worth trying to improve. We’re happy to report that a few small tweaks, from green plants with air-filtering properties to high-tech air purifiers, can affect big change.
Smart Start
Olivia starts each day with skincare that protects from urban pollution and blue light damage.
Anti Pollution Mattifying Cream
A botanical shield that protects skin from blue light and environmental toxins with White Horehound Stem Cell and Lentil extract.
Anti Pollution Finishing Essence
Botanical Sugars provide an instant shield against soot and urban dust while desert cactus yeast extract and white tea extract offer antioxidants to reduce free radical damage.
Here are some simple natural upgrades she’s made at home that make every breath her family takes healthier.
Himalayan Salt Lamp: These beautiful glowing lamps made from pink Himalayan salt give a soft glow and are said to improve air quality and naturally ionize the air.
Beeswax Candles: Pure Beeswax Candles burn with almost no smoke or scent and clean the air by releasing negative ions into the air. These negative ions can bind with toxins and help remove them from the air.
Select Green Plants + Flowers With Air-filtering Power.
Golden Pothos: This low-light plant is great for filtering carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.
Gerbera daisies: These buds release oxygen throughout the night, helping you breathe and sleep better. Great in the bedroom.
Peace Lily: This plant’s large leaves clear ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.
Bamboo: This stalky plant emits moisture, which aids in breathing, especially during dry winter months, and also clears benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.
Chrysanthemums: These flowers clear benzene, the most common odorless pollutant found in inks, dyes, paints and detergents, from the air.
Charcoal Air Filters
Activated charcoal clears the air of toxins and absorbs excess moisture, preventing mold and mildew. Place them around the home—near trash cans, or damp spots, to neutralize odors and absorb airborne toxins.
Air Purifier
Smart technology makes machines like the Dyson Pure Cool and Molekule air filters perfect for staying in touch with the quality of air in your home. The Pure Cool captures allergens and pollutants and has a real-time air quality sensor, while the portable Molekule has two filters for breaking down large airborne particles and a wifi-enabled remote app.
Essential Oils
Using essential oils with antibacterial properties, like rosemary and thyme, or Thieves Oil, which has a 99.96% kill rate against airborne bacteria, in a diffuser helps keep the air in your home smelling clean and fresh while working to nix toxins. Saje, Young Living and Snow Lotus are all great sources.
No-Tox Household Products
Clean products that don’t emit harmful fumes or leave behind irritating chemicals help keep surfaces and the air in your home clean. With small children around it’s especially important to make sure that surfaces they come in contact with aren’t contaminated with chemicals that can cause skin irritation or respiratory troubles. Mrs. Meyer’s products are clean and essential oil powered and free of toxins like parabens and ammonia.
When she’s on the go, Olivia also makes smart choices about air quality. A Clean Space Tag is a smart device that acts as a sensor to monitor exposure to harmful air pollution and help you plan ‘clean’ routes when you’re out in the world.
