Why am I suddenly so sensitive to fragrance?

Can personal care products cause inflammation?

And what actually contributes to scalp inflammation and hair loss?

In this episode of Green Living Now, I sit down with Phyllis Benstein to talk about fragrance sensitivity, toxic ingredients in hair products, stress-related hair loss, and how inflammation may be connected to what you’re putting on your scalp every day.

We discuss:

• Synthetic fragrance and migraine triggers• Scalp inflammation symptoms • Alopecia and stress-related hair loss• DHT and thinning hair• Common hair product ingredients to avoid • Cleaner ingredient alternatives • Greenwashing in clean beauty• How to evaluate ingredient labels with discernment• Why shower filters and water quality matter for scalp health

At the federal level, the United States has banned only about a dozen cosmetic ingredients, while the European Union has prohibited well over a thousand.

So, how do you decide what’s actually safe — without spiraling into overwhelm?

This conversation is about understanding cause and effect so you can make confident decisions about fragrance, inflammation, and non-toxic hair care.If you’re health-conscious, already making changes, but still second-guessing your product choices — this episode will help you connect the dots.

And if you’re ready to apply that same clarity to your kitchen, join me inside the 5-Day Non-Toxic Kitchen Reimagined (starts on March 16th). We focus on heat, frequency, and cumulative exposure so you can prioritize what matters most and stop reacting to headlines.

Learn more about the 5-Day here:

https://www.greenlivingnow.com/start-with-your-non-toxic-kitchenTimestamps00:00 Regulation Shock00:53 Phyllis Story01:34 Toxins and Labels05:09 Tracking Triggers06:02 Mold and Remedies08:49 Fragrance Everywhere09:20 Ferma Glow Explained09:59 Scalp Microbiome11:38 Alopecia and Stress12:39 Inflamed Scalp Signs13:00 Hair Loss and DHT14:37 Bad Hair Ingredients15:35 Moisture Lock Science17:42 Best Ingredients List18:43 Testing and Sourcing19:57 Greenwashing and Ratings21:24 Water and Shower Filters22:23 Wrap Up and Next Steps23:06 Non-Toxic Kitchen Invite

I’m Amy (Todisco) Hartshorn—green living mentor, podcast host, organic farmer, and upcoming TEDx speaker.

This channel is for people who want clean food, a safer home, and practical holistic support that actually fits real life.

We question what’s “normal,” cut through greenwashing, and choose what enters our homes, kitchens, and bodies—eyes open.Expect:

• Clean eating + label truth• Non-toxic home upgrades• Organic gardening anywhere• Low-waste, plastic-free living• Holistic tools + real healing conversations

🌿 Notes from the Rebellion (Free): https://8c02-amy.systeme.io/2f1bd82c🌎 https://www.greenlivingnow.com

Disclaimer: Educational only, not medical advice.