As a mum, I’ve always been careful about what my kids eat and use, but I never realised just how many hidden ingredients can quietly affect our health. For years, we’d done our best to avoid artificial colours in foods—especially after noticing how sensitive our daughter was to them when she was little. But what we didn’t know was that those same dyes were hiding in unexpected places, far beyond the lolly aisle.
The First Signs
When our daughter was young, certain coloured lollies would quickly change her mood and energy. It wasn’t just sugar highs—it was something deeper. Once we removed those colours from her diet, things settled. We thought we had it all figured out.
But as she grew older, new symptoms began to appear—worsening anxiety, low moods, jaw and tooth pain, and odd physical reactions that didn’t seem to fit any pattern. We ruled out food dyes long ago, so it didn’t even cross my mind that they might still be a factor.
The Lightbulb Moment
It wasn’t until I started journaling her health patterns that things began to make sense. Around the same time her symptoms had intensified, she’d also started using beauty and self-care products like fake tan, handwash, and moisturisers—most of which we later discovered contained the very same petroleum- and coal-based dyes we’d worked so hard to avoid in food.
These artificial dyes, such as Yellow 5 and Red 40, are common in mainstream skincare and tanning products to give them a “golden” or “bronzed” look—but they can still be absorbed through the skin. Once we made that connection, it all clicked.
The Inflammation Connection
Looking back, we realised that these dyes weren’t just affecting her mood—they were also triggering inflammation. The jaw and tooth aches that had puzzled us faded once the dyes were gone. Her body was simply overloaded, and removing that constant exposure finally gave it a chance to calm down.
Making the Switch
We began swapping out products one by one—starting with her tanning products, then our shampoos, handwash, moisturisers, and even supplements. It was shocking to realise that dyes were even used in things like vitamin coatings.
The iron supplement we were using didn’t list this on the back of the bottle—it only showed the active ingredients. When I looked it up online to find the full list, I discovered it contained petroleum- and coal-based dyes. I was stunned. I ended up calling the pharmacist to find an alternative, because so many of them contained these same hidden colourants.
Within a week of removing those dyes completely, we saw clear improvements. Her mood steadied, her energy felt more balanced, and the physical discomforts she’d been living with eased.
And it wasn’t just her. I discovered my daily facial moisturiser also contained artificial dyes. Once I switched to a dye-free alternative, something surprising happened—those dull, everyday headaches and jaw aches I’d quietly lived with for years disappeared. It was a powerful reminder that even small changes can make a big difference. I even tested it – tried my old face moisturiser again containing the dyes and the symptoms came back.
What We Learned
I used to think artificial colours were just a food issue. Now, I know they can hide in almost every part of daily life—beauty products, medicines, even body wash. And for some people, especially those with sensitivities, these dyes can have a much bigger impact than most realise.
Our journey hasn’t been about perfection—it’s about awareness. Understanding what’s in the things we use every day has helped our whole family feel healthier and more in control.
A Gentle Guide for Anyone Starting Their Own Health Discovery Journey
If your child or someone you love struggles with unexplained anxiety, mood swings, headaches, inflammation, or recurring illnesses, it might be worth checking labels—not just in food, but in everything that touches their skin.
Here are a few small steps that helped us:
- Check labels carefully. Look for ingredients like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, or their European “E numbers.”
- Keep a simple diary. Note symptoms and what products were used—it helped us find patterns we’d have otherwise missed.
- Try dye-free swaps. There are so many beautiful natural options now—from skincare to self-tan—that don’t rely on synthetic colourants.
Why I’m Sharing
I’m not a doctor, just a mum trying to connect the dots and share what we’ve learned. My daughter and I both feel strongly about raising awareness—because these hidden dyes are everywhere, and most of us don’t even realise it.
If this helps even one family start asking questions or look a little closer at ingredients, then sharing our story is worth it.
You can connect with me at www.jessicajanephotography.com.au. I’ve started using my photography page to share pieces of our health journey too—because sometimes, it’s the smallest hidden things that make the biggest difference.
Warmly,
Jess
