The Rabbit Hole That Changed Everything: From B.O. to Balanced Hormones

If you’ve read about why I started my journey with Apple Cider Vinegar, you know this all started with something... kind of embarrassing. Yup…..body odor. The kind that makes you overly conscious of every hug, handshake, and hot day.

At the time, I was doing what most people do: grabbing a deodorant off the shelf that smelled good and promised to “protect me all day.” I wasn’t questioning it. I wasn’t reading the label. I mean, why would I? If it’s on store shelves, it’s safe, right?

Oh, how wrong I was.

My real awakening began with one small step: I scanned the label of my deodorant using the YUKA app. It scans products and tells you how toxic they are.

The app rated my deodorant poor, and one of the most concerning ingredients that popped up was BHT. I’d seen that name before on food packaging and skincare, but this time I actually paid attention. And what I discovered sent me spiraling into a rabbit hole of research, questions, and ultimately change.

What Is BHT, and Why Should You Care?

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a synthetic antioxidant used to prevent products from spoiling. It’s in everything from cereal and chewing gum to moisturizers, shampoos, and deodorants. Sounds helpful, right? But here’s the part that made my jaw literally drop:

A scientific study using human stem cell-derived tissues found that BHT disrupts hormone signaling pathways, particularly ones that regulate metabolism and appetite. That means it can potentially mess with how your body manages weight, energy, and hunger.

And it doesn’t stop there.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also reported that BHT has been linked to reproductive and developmental toxicity and thyroid disruption—at least in animal studies. They called for more research to assess how it affects humans, but honestly, that was enough of a red flag for me.   That’s when everything clicked. I thought: I’ve been struggling with hormonal issues like, bloating, fatigue, irregular cycles, mood swings and here I am using products every single day that could be making it worse.

And I’m not alone. So many women I know are battling PCOS, infertility, endometriosis, thyroid disorders, anxiety, and even depression. And while we’re careful about the food we eat, we rarely think about what’s in our makeup, lotions, shampoos, and deodorants.

Could these seemingly innocent products be a hidden cause of our health issues?

The Greenwashing Trap

Fueled by curiosity (and honestly, a little rage), I started looking at every label I could get my hands on—shampoo, body wash, lotion, makeup. The more I scanned, the more I realized how many so-called “clean” or “natural” products were anything but.

This is where I learned about greenwashing, a marketing tactic where companies make products look natural and safe with buzzwords like "organic," "plant-based," or "eco-friendly," without actually eliminating toxic ingredients.

I felt betrayed. I trusted these brands. I paid more thinking I was making a healthier choice, but it was just a prettier label hiding the same harmful chemicals.

I started slowly. The first thing I switched was my deodorant, I ditched the chemical-heavy one and tried a cleaner brand. At the same time, I began experimenting with apple cider vinegar (ACV) as my body soap. I’ll be honest, it took a little getting used to, but I could literally feel the difference within days.

From there, I began replacing other products one by one. Every swap I made was another “a-ha” moment. Why didn’t I know this before? Why isn’t this common knowledge?

Reading labels became second nature. I said goodbye to artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates, PEGs, sulfates, and preservatives I couldn't pronounce.

It wasn’t overnight, but with time, things started shifting.

✨ My bloating disappeared.✨ My PMS symptoms drastically improved—no more extreme mood swings, cramps, or fatigue.✨ My skin cleared up—I had struggled with hormonal breakouts for years, and suddenly, they were just… gone.✨ My mental clarity returned. I felt more focused, less foggy, and more me.✨ And yes—my body odor normalized without heavy-duty deodorants.

Why I Created Core Living

I didn’t start Core Living because I had it all figured out. I started it because I needed to create products I could trust. I was tired of being misled by labels, confused by ingredients, and feeling like I had no control over what I was putting on my body.

I wanted clean, effective, transparent wellness products, for me, and for you.

Everything I create now is rooted in that same mission: pure ingredients, honest education, and results that support your body, not work against it.

I’m not perfect, and this journey is ongoing. But I can confidently say: once you start reading labels and listening to your body, everything changes.

Your Turn: What’s In Your Products?

I’m not here to tell you to throw everything out today, but I am here to encourage you to start. Pick one product. Scan the label. Research the ingredients. Ask yourself if it aligns with the health you want.

Remember, small steps make a huge difference.

If you’ve ever struggled with hormonal issues, fatigue, skin flare-ups, or mood swings, consider this your invitation to look beyond your diet and start questioning what you’re putting on your body, too.

You deserve to feel good. You deserve to be informed. You deserve products that work with your body, not against it.

Let’s Keep Going Together

This isn’t just a blog post. This is a conversation I want to keep having—with you, with other women, with the whole world. Because we deserve better.

If you’re ready to take that next step, browse the Core Living shop—everything there has been vetted by me, used by me, and trusted by me. And if you’re not ready to make changes yet? That’s okay. Just keep learning. Keep questioning. Keep going.

The rabbit hole might feel deep, but I promise, there’s so much light at the bottom.

DOWNLOAD our FREE guide that lists some hormonal disrupting ingredients to watch out for. [Click Here to DOWNLOAD]