Pop Some Bubbly for the Skin

Champagne contains several ingredients that are amazing for the skin. Resveratrol is potent antioxidant that can act as a shield against skin damage and provides serious anti-aging benefits. Polyphenol helps reduce skin inflammation and skin redness. Tartaric acid helps balance out discoloration and can brighten your skin. 

So what do you do with all that leftover champagne from New Years? You put it on your skin!

Champagne can be used as a toner to help promote clear skin. Put any leftover champagne back in the fridge so the liquid is slightly chilled. Wash your face while it's chilling. Apply the champagne with a cotton ball to your face and neck as you would with your normal toner. Follow with a generous amount of moisturizer.

Champagne contains carbon dioxide which acts as a gentle exfoliator to sooth dry skin. Add a cup of champagne to your hot bath for an exfoliating and fizzy treatment for your skin.

Champagne makes an excellent hair treatment. Mix 1/2 cup champagne with 1/2 cup water and distribute evenly through your hair. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, rinse out, and follow with conditioner. Your hair will feel silky and smooth.

Remember to keep champagne stocked throughout the year. A glass of bubbly contains antioxidants that are 20 to 50 times more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E. As a result, every sip protects the skin's vital collagen and elastin from environmental free radicals and oxidative stress. Oh and a glass of champagne is only 95 calories...

Drink up ladies and cheers to 2017! 

Bite Beauty Lip Products

Bite Beauty lip products are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMO, and triclosan. Because you eat what you put on your lips, Bite Beauty uses real ingredients. All products are handmade in house and never outsourced. Their lipsticks, called Amuse Bouche, come in 34 shades. 

I was first introduced to Bite products at Sephora. I got a free sample of the lipstick in Radish. I immediately fell in love. The color was gorgeous, it stayed on for a good portion of the day, and it's chemical free. What's not to love? I purchased another color, Gazpacho, and I love that one too!

Bite products are made in Toronto but they also have a Bite Beauty Lab in NYC. The lab, located in Soho, allows you to make your own lipstick. What?!?! This is so up my alley! Thank god my sister is a flight attendant because I hopped on a plane and flew to NYC, thanks Allison! My friend Katie and I got to make two lipsticks each. We got to pick the color, the scent, and the finish. I attached pictures of the whole process below. I would highly recommend this if you live in NY, or if you are there visiting. I can't wait to do it again!

    Bite Beauty Lab NYC              Bite Beauty Website               Bite Beauty at Sephora

          

 

 

Primally Pure Deoderant

My fabulous friend Kari bought me a bottle of Primally Pure deodorant. Thanks Kari! Of course, the first thing I did was look at the ingredients. Safe. Since I haven't heard of the company, I immediately went on their website. 

Primally Pure makes safe, organic, 100% natural skincare products with the best and most nourishing products on the planet. All their products are made without harmful chemicals, parabens, artificial dyes, talc, fillers, and fragrances. The ingredients are created in a lab and never tested on animals. 

This deodorant will keep you smelling fresh all day long while also pampering your pits with good-for-you ingredients (like tallow from grass-fed cows and organic fair trade coconut oil) that are pure and natural enough to eat!

Primally Pure deodorant is not an antiperspirant since sweat is a healthy and normal part of being human. And since this product doesn't contain any of the toxic chemicals found in conventional deodorants, it won’t interfere with your body’s natural and necessary detoxification process (also known as sweating). 

Let me be honest with you, I have tried a TON of chemical free deodorants. This one is definitely at the top of my list. I don't smell at all when I use this. She bought me the lemongrass scent, which smells amazing, but it also comes in lavender, tea tree, and unscented. It's $12 a bottle but so worth it!

Primally Pure Website

Charcoal Tooth & Gum Powder

I found the most amazing product at TJ Maxx the other day, charcoal tooth & gum powder. We all know my obsession with anything charcoal so of course I had to buy it! Although I have never heard of the company, InVitamin, the ingredients looked safe and it was a whopping $5.99. I figured I would research it when I got home to make sure it was legit.

InVitamin was founded in 2011. It's a small company and all of their products are handmade in small batches. I love companies is like this. They are committed to natural, quality ingredients. Their goal is to craft uniquely natural household and personal care products for the entire family. You can read more about the company here, inVitamin

So let's talk about the powder. It comes in a little 2.75 oz jar that looks like sand and smells like mint. The instructions say to wet my toothbrush, apply the powder, and brush normally. I wasn't sure if this was suppose to replace my normal toothpaste or if I was supposed to use this in addition to it? After reading the reviews, it says you can do either, so now I sprinkle the powder on top of my normal toothpaste. The verdict? I love it! It has a great minty taste, leaves my teeth feeling super clean, and I already notice my teeth a shade whiter. Let's not get carried away, my teeth don't look like I bleached them, but they do look whiter. I'm sure with continued use, you will see great results. It doesn't leave my mouth black and it doesn't make half the mess that the charcoal capsules make. It even comes with a little spoon in the jar so you can neatly sprinkle it right on your toothbrush!

Essential Oils 101

Lets talk about essential oils...

I use essential oils all the time. I put them in products I make, I use them when I am sick, I clean with them, and I diffuse them. The funny thing about essential oil is that it's not even oil! They got stuck with the name simply because they don't mix with water. Essential oil is a liquid that is distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, or roots of plants. Not all essential oils are created equal, some contain fillers and some are synthetic. You should only use pure, organic, therapeutic grade essential oils. I use Young Living oils but there are lots of oils on the market. Do your research before you buy. Below are signs to tell if the oil is fake.

Color - Place a single drop on white printer paper and let dry. If there’s an oily ring left behind, it’s not a pure essential oil. It means it has hidden nut, seed, or vegetable oil in it and its not a true pure essential oil. 

Price - While high cost doesn’t signify high quality, it’s smart to be wary of an essential oil with a super-low price tag. Essential oils are almost inevitably pricey: It can take a roomful of plant material to fill just one bottle of essential oil, and if the botanical is scarce, it further drives up cost.

Sign - Make sure the plant’s Latin name is listed on the label or, if you’re shopping online, the webpage. If only the common name is listed (for example, "lavender essential oil") you might be shelling out for a lower-cost hybrid. And if it doesn’t specify that it’s an essential oil, it isn’t. 

Container - All essentials must be stored in glass containers, because the oil’s strong chemical compounds break down and react with plastic. What’s more, glass should be dark blue or amber to protect the oil from degrading ultraviolet radiation. 

Feel - Place a drop of vegetable, nut, or seed oil on the pad of one index finger, and place a drop of essential oil on the other. Rub the oils with your thumbs, noting the differences (or similarities) between the feel of each. True essential oils have a little slip. But for the most part, they shouldn't feel thick or greasy. 

How its cultivated - Since essential oils are plant-derived, avoiding pesticide contamination by buying organic only makes sense. Many companies carry the official USDA seal, but here’s an insider secret: Oils labeled "wild-crafted" are also a safe bet. It means the plant was harvested in the wild, rather than farmed. You can pretty much assume they’ve been unsprayed. The organic label means a price bump, but you can be strategic about when to save or splurge. If nothing else, make sure you buy organic citrus oils as it’s been shown that they tend to contain pesticides. 

How it pours - When you unscrew an essential oil’s cap, ideally it will be sealed with an orifice reducer, a plug that controls how many drops come out at once. This is helpful for dosage, yes, but it also prolongs the shelf life of oxidation-prone oils by limiting their exposure to air at all times. It’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t have one, but do watch out for any essential oils with built-in dropper pipettes. The little tubes are typically made of plastic or rubber, which can both break down and release synthetic impurities into the oil

I found this information in an article 7 Signs Your Essential Oils Are Fake. You can read more here.

The Power of Lavender

Lavender is the swiss army knife of essential oils. It has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anti-fungal, calming, moisturizing, and antimicrobial properties. It is the oldest and most popular known oil in essential oil history. If there’s a number one essential oil for all skin problems, it’s got to be lavender essential oil. Below are some amazing things you can do with it. 

*Add a drop of lavender oil to your mascara to make it last longer and help your eyelashes grow.

*Take 1 drop of lavender oil and apply it directly to acne or pimples. It should heal in 2-3 days.

*Mix a few drops of lavender oil with coconut oil (or any carrier oil) and use as a moisturizer. Lavender restores skin complexion and slows aging with its powerful antioxidants. 

*Gently rub stretch marks with a few drops of lavender oil to tighten skin and reduce the size and coloring of scars. 

*Create a spa-like retreat by adding 1 cup Epsom salt and 4 drops of lavender oil to a hot bath. 

*Lavender oil can be applied to prevent new scar tissue from forming and also reduce the evidence of existing scars 

*Add a drop of lavender oil to your shampoo each time you wash your hair. When massaged into the scalp, it can improve blood circulation, promote hair growth, and prevent hair loss.

*Add 5 drops of lavender oil, 1 tsp witch hazel, and 1 cup distilled water to a spray bottle. Use this facial mist to combat oil and heal breakouts.

*Add a drop of lavender oil to aloe vera to sooth sunburns.

*Lavender oil induces sleep. Rub a drop of oil on your palms then spread on your pillow before you go to sleep. 

*Make your own lavender body wash
1/2 cup Dr. Bronner lavender Castile soap
4 Tbsp vegetable glycerin
3 Tbsp grapeseed oil
Mix all ingredients together. Transfer to a bottle you can keep in the shower. Shake before each use.

When it comes to essential oil, please make sure you are using pure, organic, therapeutic grade essential oils. I use Young Living essential oils. As with many other essential oils, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender oil. It is also recommended that patients with diabetes stay away from lavender oil. 

Salt Scrubs

Salt is sugar's even twin. It can wreak havoc on your blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. It can also work magic on your skin. Salt scrubs are made with sea salt which make them excellent exfoliators. The most common sea salts are Himalayan, Dead Sea, and Mediterranean. All of these salts contain trace minerals which include, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and iron. These minerals  promote circulation, reduce inflammation, tighten the skin, and improve skin texture. Sea salts are also natural purifiers that remove toxins from the skin. Salt scrubs are more abrasive than sugar scrubs. This is mainly because salt has sharper edges where as sugar granules are round. You should only use salt scrubs once per week and don't use after you shave! Below are my favorite salt scrubs.

Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub
You need fine grain pink Himalayan sea salt (I get mine at Marshall's/T J Maxx), coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and grapefruit essential oil (optional). You also need a glass jar, those little 4oz mason jars work perfect. Fill the mason jar 3/4 of the way with the salt. Melt some coconut oil and pour over the salt, make sure you completely cover the salt. Then add 2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil. This is important because the vitamin E acts as a preservative. I also add a few drops of Young Living's grapefruit essential oil. This step is optional but I love the smell! Mix everything together. You can add more salt and/or oils to get the consistency you want. I keep the jar in my shower and use it in the morning. Your face will feel a little oily when you get out of the shower but your skin quickly absorbs it.

Coconut Lime Salt Scrub
I love to switch it up between sugar and salt scrubs and this is one of my favorites! To make one 8 oz mason jar, you will need:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup coarse sea salt ( I use Mortan Sea Salt or Bob's Red Mill Sea Salt )
1 tsp coconut extract
2 limes (or 10 drops of  lime essential oil)
Melt coconut oil until liquid. Add coconut extract. Zest both limes and add to bowl (if using essential oil, add 10 drops now). Stir in salt 1/4 cup at a time. 

The Dark Side Snarky Bar
This charcoal and shea scrubby bar exfoliates with Dead Sea salt. It's not recommended for your face so just use it on your body. It's amazing! I use it in the shower twice a week. As a reminder, all Perfectly Posh products are paraben free, paraffin free, phthalate free, sulfate free, gluten free, and soy free. The Dark Side Snarky Bar

Sugar Scrubs

We all know sugar is the devil. It can do a number on your teeth and your waistline. Did you know it can also do wonders for your skin? Sugar is an excellent exfoliator. It's small particles help to gently remove dead skin cells to keep your skin smooth and glowing. Sugar is a natural humectant, it draws moisture from the environment into the skin, which helps hydrate. Sugar also contains glycolic acid. This alpha hydroxy acid helps break down skin cells encouraging cell turnover. Glycolic acid is also anti-bacterial which helps the fight against wrinkles and blemishes. Below are some great sugar scrubs. Whether you make your own, or purchase (hopefully from toxic-free companies) you should only exfoliate 2-3 times per week. 

Orange Creamsicle Sugar Scrub
I love the smell of this! It really does smell like orange creamsicle. To make one 8 oz mason jar, you will need:
1/4 cup of coconut oil
3/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
10 drops of orange essential oil
Melt coconut oil until liquid. Add vanilla and essential oil. Stir in sugar 1/4 cup at a time. 

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub
This is like vacation in a bottle! To make one 8 oz mason jar, you will need:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup sugar
1 tsp coconut extract
2 limes (or 10 drops limes essential oil)
Melt coconut oil until liquid. Add coconut extract. Zest both limes and add to bowl (if using essential oil, add 10 drops now). Stir in sugar 1/4 cup at a time. 

Castaway Coconut Snarky Bar
Snarky bars are very exfoliating, almost to the point where it hurts (in a good way). It's a solid sugar bar you can easily rub all over your body making sure you exfoliate every inch. I even use it on the bottoms of my feet to removes calluses. All Perfectly Posh products are paraben free, paraffin free, phthalate free, sulfate free, gluten free, and soy free.
Castaway Coconut Snarky Bar

Whole Lava Love Face Exfoliator
Another amazing Perfectly Posh product! This face exfoliator is awesome. It contains charcoal powder, sugar beads, and volcanic ash with an all natural minty fragrance. Whole Lava Love

Lip Exfoliation

As a follow-up to my last post on dry, cracked lips, it's also important to exfoliate your lips. As the weather gets colder (sigh) we turn on the heat, which can dry out your lips. Dry lips lead to peeling, flaky, chapped lips. In order to properly moisturize chapped lips, you must first get rid of the flakes and dead skin. If you don't, the balms will just sit on the dead skin and never make it through to actually moisturize. Below are some DIY and store bought options. Don't exfoliate your lips more than twice a week.

DIY lip exfoliators:

Brown Sugar Lip Scrub - mix 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tsp brown sugar in a small bowl. Apply the mixture in a circular motion on your lips for a few minutes. Rinse with cold water.

Peppermint lip scrub - mix 2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp coconut oil, 1/4 tsp honey, and 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil. Gently massage the mixture on you lips for a minute. You can rinse off with water or just lick your lips for minty fresh breath!


Other chemical free lip exfoliators:

Kiss Me Honey Lip Polish - this exfoliating lip polish will remove dead skin and create soft supple lips. It's USDA organic, all natural, paraben free, chemical free, gluten free, and certified cruelty free.
Kiss Me Honey Lip Polish

Tarte Maracuja Lip Exfoliant - As lips are exfoliated, maracuja oil simultaneously promotes hydration, cell recovery, and surface rejuvenation. Lips are left noticeably revitalized, fuller, and kissed with a hint of refreshing mint. It's formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, triclosan, synthetic fragrance, petrochemicals, and GMOs. 
Maracuja Lip Exfoliant

Perfectly Posh Snowed In Lip Scrub - this softening vanillamint lip scrub makes your lips feel refreshed and soothed. All natural sugar, shea and cocoa butters, honey, and macadamia, jojoba, and peppermint oils scrub away dry, tired skin and hydrate lips. Then protective beeswax and sunflower seed wax create a barrier to keep all that moisture where it belongs.
Perfectly Posh Snowed In Lip Scrub

Dry, cracked lips?

Its that time of year again. You wake up, it's freezing out. By noon, you are sweating. This can do a number on your lips. The weather and the sun can damage your lips causing them to dry out, crack, and even feel like they are burning. Unfortunately, that Blistex and ChapStick you put on is only making it worse. Most commercial chapsticks are filled with fragrance and chemicals which dry out your lips even more. They strip your lips of hydration. You become addicted to the feeling of soft, smooth lips and apply more. This leads to a vicious cycle of your skin relying on products that never solve the issue; lack of moisture. You should be using chemical free, oil-based, lip balms that actually lock in moisture. Below are some great recommendations. 


Hurraw! Balm - Hurraw! Balm started out of pure intent; a personal obsession to create the perfect balm: all natural, vegan, made from premium raw, organic and fair trade ingredients, complete with a bunch of natural and fun flavor options! They source honest, fair trade, organic, vegan and raw ingredients from reputable suppliers and are thrilled to share the labors with other balm lovin' individuals. Your purchase supports legit fair trade, organic farmers and suppliers here in the States and around the World. 
Hurraw! Balm is available online and at Wegmans

Dr. Bronner Lip and Body Balm - Dr. Bronner's Organic Lip Balms, made with organic beeswax, provide a protective barrier to the elements with no synthetic ingredients. Organic jojoba, avocado, and hemp oils help with extra moisturization. Only the finest essential oils are used for fragrance. Certified organic USDA National Organic Program Standards, because what you put on your lips goes into your body.
Dr. Bronner lip and body balm is available online and at The Vitamin Shoppe

Badger Balm - These creamy organic lip balms feature rich, Certified Organic and Fair Trade Certified Cocoa Butter, which has the sultry fragrance of dark chocolate. Their Cocoa Butter is traditionally processed at low temperatures, allowing the butter to retain its natural, health-giving properties. Flavored with all natural steam distilled essential oils - no artificial sweeteners or fragrances. Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free. 
Badger Balm  is available online, at Wegmans, at The Vitamin Shoppe, and at Walgreens


Beautycounter Lip Conditioner - Nourish and protect lips with this ultra-moisturizing lip balm, formulated with soothing and softening avocado oil, shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil, and jojoba oil. That subtly sweet scent you smell? It's calendula and chamomile oils, which act as anti-inflammatories to help heal chapped lips. What’s not included? Approximately 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals on their “Never List” that they never use to formulate their products. 
Beautycounter Lip Conditioner Calendula Balm is available online or through a Beauycounter rep

. 

Castor Oil

Castor oil is a vegetable oil made by pressing the seeds of the ricinus communis plant. It's a colorless, thick liquid, with a slight nutty smell. It's used by many as a liquid laxative but it does wonders for the skin and hair. If you click on the What Are Cosmetics tab at the top, you can read about how castor oil saved my eyelashes. It's a miracle in a bottle.

Promotes hair growth - castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid and omega-9 fatty acid. When the oil is applied to the scalp, these acids penetrate the hair follicles. They provide nourishment allowing the follicles to restore growth. Since the oil is thick and a bit sticky, warm it up in the microwave. Apply directly to the scalp and massage in with your fingertips. Leave on for 20 minutes and shampoo out. I shampoo 2-3 times after I use it to make sure it's all out. You can do this a few times per week. You will notice your hair is silkier and shinier right away. After a few weeks, you will notice hair growth. You can also use it on your eyebrows and eyelashes. Just take a q-tip, dip it in the castor oil, and apply to your eyebrow or eyelash line. You can also buy mascara wands to apply the oil directly to your lashes. Do this before bed and leave the oil on overnight. Wash face as normal in the morning. Castor oil will help eyebrows and eyelashes grow thicker and fuller.

Skin Moisturizer - castor oil is an excellent facial moisturizer. It penetrates deep into the skin tissue and nourishes it with the fatty acids. Apply the oil at night as a nighttime moisturizer. Wash face as normal and don't dry it. Immediately apply the castor oil while face is still wet. The castor oil is thick, and a little sticky, so the water allows you to rub it in easier. One applied, your skin absorbs castor oil very quickly so you aren't least with any oily feeling. Your face will feel super soft in the morning.

Reduces Acne - castor oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it great for treating acne. The rincinoleic acid fights off acne-causing bacteria. Take a q-tip and apply the oil directly to the acne as a spot treatment.

Anti-Aging - castor oil stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. This hydrates the skin and delays the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Castor oil is a great treatment for crows feet around the eye.

Armpit Cleanse

I'm a huge fan of natural deodorant. The deodorants and antiperspirants in the stores are filled with chemicals and aluminum. They are formulated to prevent us from sweating, even though our bodies are designed to sweat. I'm personally convinced that chemical based deodorant is directly linked to breast cancer. I know this is a very controversial topic, but there are just too many links between the two. I constantly tell my friends to switch their deodorant to an all natural one. They tell me the same thing over and over again, "the natural deodorants don't work because i smell"

The transition from a chemical base deodorant to more of a natural deodorant can be brutal. You might notice excessive sweating, odor, and even skin irritation. Unfortunately, this is normal. Those chemicals in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants can change the bacterial microbiome in your armpit, causing an overproduction of bad bacteria, which can contribute to a worse odor when you stop using them. What?!?

So the complaints I get that the natural deodorants make them "smell" isn't exactly accurate. What is accurate is that your armpits need to detox off the chemicals and get the bacteria back in balance. The best way to do this? An armpit cleanse.

1 Tbsp Bentonite clay
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Before you start, it's important that you don't use metal utensils or mixing bowls when using Bentonite clay. Mix the clay and apple cider vinegar together until well blended. The paste will be thick and have a mousse like texture. Apply a thin layer on the armpits and let dry, about 15-20 minutes. Wash off with water. 

Repeat this process until your body odor has settled down and you can use a natural deodorant without complaints. To learn more about the benefits of Bentonite clay, click here. To learn more about natural deodorant, click here

The benefits of Bentonite clay

Bentonite clay is an all-natural healing clay. It contains 67 trace minerals including calcium, magnesium, silica, sodium, copper, iron and potassium. It's composed of ash made from volcanos. It was named by Wilbur C. Knight in 1898 after the Cretaceous Benton Shale near Rock River, Wyoming. It's a very fine powder that is odorless and non-staining. 

Our bodies come in contact with toxins everyday. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the chemicals we put on our skin, and the processed food we eat all contain toxins. Bentonite clay can help draw out these toxins from the body. Bentonite clay is compromised mostly of negative ions. Toxins and heavy metals in the body are made of positive ions. Bentonite clay works like a magnet that bonds to toxins and helps to eliminate them out of the body. The clay also heals and regenerates skin tissue, unclogs pores, exfoliates, prevents blackheads, treats acne, evens out skin tone, and leaves your skin feeling super soft.

Below is the recipe for a clay mask. You can do this mask weekly.

Bentonite Clay Mask:
2 Tbsp Bentonite clay
2 Tbsp water OR apple cider vinegar
Before you start, it's important that you don't use metal utensils or mixing bowls when using bentonite clay. Mix the clay and apple cider vinegar or water together until well blended. The mask will be thick and have a mousse like texture. Apply to face and neck and let dry, about 15-20 minutes. You may feel tightness or slight tingling which is normal. Wash off with water. 

I bought my clay at The Vitamin Shoppe. A one pound jar only costs $7.49. Bentonite Clay

Beautycounter for Target

Beautycounter is launching a limited collection for Target, Beautycounter for Target. The line popped up in most Target stores on September 12th. It will be available in Target, and on target.com, for nine weeks or while supplies last. Prices range from $12 to $39.

If you follow this blog, you know I'm a huge fan of Beautycounter. It's a chemical free company whose mission is to get safer products in the hands of everyone. I'm obsessed with the charcoal cleansing bar, the purifying charcoal mask, and the cleansing balm. I also love their lip gloss in peony. Normally you have to buy Beautycounter products from a rep and you are responsible for the shipping charges. This is huge Target is carrying the products in the store, it's like free shipping! It will be a limited line but there will also be some exclusive for Target products. Stop in your local Target and check it out. I'm excited to see what they have!

FDA bans 19 chemicals used in hand and body washes

On September 2nd 2016, the FDA issued a rule banning the use of 19 chemicals in hand and body washes. This ruling, 40 years in the making, ends the debate over whether or not these chemicals are safe. The ban includes triclosan, which is the most widely used chemical on the list.

Triclosan has been around since the 60's. It's a synthetic anti-bacterial found in soap, toothpaste, face wash, deodorant, and mouthwash. It's a hormone disruptor, linked to antibiotic resistance, and causes environmental damage. Triclosan has been detected in breast milk, blood, and urine samples. Once it's washed down the drain, it can stay in nature for decades. Triclosan has been found in lakes, streams, oceans, and even in house dust. This posts significant health risks to both humans and animals.

Companies have until September 2017 take these 19 ingredients out of their products or remove the products from the shelves. Many companies have already removed ingredients like triclosan but simply replaced it with other chemicals like benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, or chloroxylenol PCMX. These chemicals have been given an extension to remain on the market for another year while they are tested for safety. Who wants to buy products that haven't been tested for safety?

You can read the full ruling and see a list of all 19 chemicals on the Federal Register. The bottom line is we need to read labels on everything we buy. Stay away from products that contain triclosan or any of the banned chemicals. Clearly these companies are just going to replace chemicals with other chemicals and we end up being the guinea pigs.

Stop using talcum powder

Earlier this year, a jury in Minnesota helped award $72 million to the family of a women who died of ovarian cancer. The women used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder for over 35 years. The defense team argued that talcum powder is linked to ovarian cancer. The jury found that J&J failed to warn consumers about the cancer risk. They also found that J&J knew about the risk since the 80's and did nothing about it.

Talc is a clay mineral that is finely ground into a powder form. It's typically bleached and perfumed to form talcum powder. J&J's signature, and most widely used product, is talcum powder they call Baby Powder. It's used to treat diaper rash and as a deodorizer.

The American Cancer Society states "there is some suggestion of a possible increase in ovarian cancer risk" when using talcum powder. Ovarian cancer is not the only health risk. Inhaling the powder can lead to inflammation of the airways, pneumonia, and even death in infants. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends not using talc on babies.

Whether or not talcum powder causes cancer, why take the risk? There are safer alternatives for babies, women, and even men!

Babies
Nature's Baby Organics - Silky Dusting Powder
California Baby - Calming Organic Powder

Women
NutriBiotic - Natural Body & Foot Powder
Farmaesthetics - High Cotton Body Dust

Men
Jack Black - Dry Down Friction-Free Powder

Juice Organics

I spotted this chemical free shampoo and conditioner recently at Ulta. It smells amazing so I couldn't put it down. I have been using it for a few weeks and I love it. It comes in a few different scents but this coconut one stole my heart. I have not heard of this company, Juice Organics, so I did a little research. Juice Organics is a cruelty free company based out of California. All products are made in California and formulated with greater than 70% organic ingredient content.

The entire line is free of:
Parabens
Silicones
Phthalates
Sodium lauryl sulfates
Propylene and butylene glycol
Artificial colors and dyes
Synthetic fragrance
Petroleum
PEG
TEA
GMOs

You can see the full product list in their website Juice Organics

You can buy Juice Organics products at Ulta and Target. My local Target does not carry the line but yours might. At Ulta each 10oz bottle was $10 so it's totally affordable!

Make your own foaming hand soap

Have you looked at the ingredients in hand soap? About 75% of liquid anti-bacterial hand soap and 30% of anti-bacterial bar soap contain triclosan as an active ingredient. In my ingredients to avoid post, I explain how triclosan has the same chemical structure as a pesticide. Who wants to wash their hands with pesticides? I don't. Triclosan can cause decreased fertility, birth defects, and damage to major body organs. It's also and endocrine disruptor. When triclosan is combined with the chlorine in our tap water, it produces chloroform gas which is a human carcinogen. So what can you do? Stop buying anti-bacterial soap and make your own foaming hand soap. I went to Marshall's and bought glass foaming pump bottles for $5.99 each. I got home and got out my Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap. I have it in lavender, almond, rose, and citrus because those are my favorite scents. You can see a full list of Dr. Bronner's here and choose the scent you want. The ratio to make the soap is 5:1, 1 part castile soap to 5 parts water. Fill the bottles, give it a little shake, and voila you have a chemical free hand soap! I put these bottles in all the bathrooms and kitchen at my house. I love this soap because it's super easy to make and free of chemicals.

The benefits of Epsom salt

Epsom salt is a pure mineral compound. It's the crystal form of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is an inorganic salt containing magnesium, sulfer, and oxygen. It has numerous health benefits, has been around for hundreds of years, and can play a major role in your beauty routine. 

Epsom salt helps flush out the toxins in the body. Add one cup to your bath and soak for at least 20 minutes. Since our skin is a highly porous membrane, adding Epsom salt containing minerals like magnesium and sulfate to your bathwater pulls the salt out of your body and harmful toxins along with it. Next time you take a bath, swap your bath bubbles out for Epsom salt. You can also make an Epsom salt scrub. Mix 1/2 cup with an oil of your choice (olive, apricot, grapeseed etc). Scrub your body in the shower. You can even add a pinch of salt to your normal face wash to for a little extra exfoliation.

Epsom salt can help decrease excess oil when added to hair products. When your hair has too much oil, it can look weighed down and flat. Combine equal parts of salt and conditioner together. After shampooing, apply the mixture to hair, coating it from the scalp to the ends. Leave the mixture on for 10 to 20 minutes then rinse out. You can do this mask weekly. 

Epsom salt can soften feet. Pour 1/2 cup in a tub of warm water and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes. It will soften the skin and make it easy to remove the dead skin and calluses. You can also take a handful of salt and scrub the bottom of your foot for stubborn calluses. 

Epsom salt can soothe sunburns and relieve itching from bug bites. Mix two tablespoons of salt with one cup water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the bug bites or sunburn to help reduce the irritation, itching, and pain. 

Better options at Sephora...

If you insist on shopping at Sephora (I totally get it, no judgement here) try to buy products from the below companies. While these companies aren't 100% chemical free, they are more cautious about their ingredients. Im a firm believer that every little bit helps...

Tarte Cosmetics - All Tarte products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sodium laurel sulfate, triclosan, synthetic fragrances, and gluten. They are cruelty free which is a huge plus in my book. Maureen Kelly started Tarte out of her one bedroom apartment in 1999. I love stories like this! Now through July 27th, Tarte is hosting their Friends and Family event. Use code FNF on their website and enjoy 30% off.

Cover FX - All Cover FX products are free of parabens, gluten, mineral oil, fragrance, and talc. Also a cruelty free company. I used to love MAC products, especially their studio fix powder. Cover FX was founded by one of the same guys who served as the chief chemist and co-founder of MAC. Cover FX's pressed mineral foundation powder is almost identical to MAC's studio fix powder but without the above chemicals.

Bite Beauty - All Bite Beauty lip products are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMO, and triclosan. Because you eat what you put on your lips, Bite Beauty uses real ingredients. All products are handmade in house and never outsourced. Their lipsticks, called Amuse Bouche, come in 34 shades. I have it in radish and it's gorgeous!

Josie Maran Cosmetics - Most of the Josie Maran cosmetics are free of petroleum, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and fragrance. Most of them also contain her signature ingredient, 100% Pure Argan Oil. This fair trade oil is grown and harvested responsibly by co-ops of Moroccan women who earn a living wage. Josie Maran is committed to natural, earth-friendly beauty. 

Is your nail polish toxic?

Nail polish contains quite a few harmful ingredients. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), a suspected hormone-disruptor that’s commonly used as a fire retardant in furniture. Really? But I love to paint my nails! I have an entire box of Essie nail polish in almost every color. Sigh.

So I went on the hunt for nail polish sans the above ingredients. I found one, Mineral Fusion. All Mineral Fusion nail polishes are formaldehyde free, toluene free, camphor free, DBP free, and 100% vegan. All of their products are made in the USA and many of them are still handmade. Mineral Fusion is committed to sustainability and utilizes wind power, soy inks, packaging from recycled materials and packaging that is recyclable. I already like this company!

The nail polish comes in 61 different shades so you won't have a problem finding your favorite color. The polish costs $7.99 which is cheaper then Essie. Score! I bought the nail polish at Wegmans but it's also available online at Target and on their website below. 

Mineral Fusion Nail Care

Purifying Charcoal Mask

Beautycounter just came out with a Purifying Charcoal Mask. This mineral-rich mix of kaolin clay and charcoal is the best mask I have ever used. Hands. Down.

The mask comes a 2.75oz bottle for $45. Don't let that scare you because a tiny bit goes a long way. You only need a little more than the size of a quarter to cover your whole face. It goes on very smooth and isn't super thick like most face masks. It's black when you put it on and dries gray. It takes about 10 minutes to dry completely then you just rinse it off with warm water. It comes off very easily and very quickly. The mask works to exfoliate, draw out impurities, and sooth. My face felt extremely soft and squeaky clean after the mask. I highly recommend this!

Purifying Charcoal Mask


               

Ditch your moisturizers and replace them with oils

I ditched my face lotions and body lotions and replaced them with oils. Sounds crazy right? Keep reading. Moisturizing lotions, for the face and body, are useless. They are filled with toxic chemicals like parabens, fragrance, petrochemicals, alcohol, and oil emulsified in water. The only ingredient that provides any moisture to the skin is the oil. So why not take out all those additives and start using straight oil?

We have been brainwashed by the beauty industry that oil is bad. They made us believe that oil clogs pores causing acne and blackheads. This is true when using the wrong oils, like mineral oil or animal oil. This is not the case with plant oils. Plant oils will not clog pores, are easily absorbed into the skin, and strengthen skin cell membranes. 

I know some of you are still questioning oil. Let's go back to chemistry 101. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that 'like dissolves like.' The best way to dissolve a non-polar solvent like oil, is by using another non-solvent similar in composition: other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oils with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit.

My advice is to ditch the store-bought moisturizers and use plant oils on your face and body. In the morning, I put jojoba oil on my face after I shower. I use jojoba oil because it's the lightest oil and absorbs the fastest. At night, I switch between apricot oil, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil on my face. For my body, I make my own body butter (using oils, recipe below) or you can just use any plant oil as your body moisturizer. My favorite plant oils are sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, apricot oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. These oils are non-toxic, chemical free, and get the job done more effectively than any moisturizer you can buy in the store. 

Homemade Body Butter
1/2 cup Shea butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond oil
15 drops essential oil ( I use Young Living orange or grapefruit)

Melt the shea and coconut oil in the microwave. Once liquid, add the almond oil and essential oil. Mix together. Pour into the stand mixer bowl and let cool until the oils start to solidify. This is important because you won't be able to whip it up if it's still liquid. Once it's solidified, turn on the stand mixer at a high speed for about 8 minutes. It will whip up nicely and look like whipped cream. Transfer it into mason jars. 

Sunscreen

Most over the counter sunscreens are filled with chemicals making them harmful instead of helpful. There are two kinds of sunscreens, one that contains chemical filters and one that contains mineral filters. The most common sunscreens on the market are the ones that contain chemical filters. These products contain active ingredients such as: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. These ingredients are highly toxic and you should stay away from them.  Sunscreens that contain mineral filters contain active ingredients such as: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are the only sunscreens you should use.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes their guide to safe sunscreens every year. Of the 2000 sunscreens and 257 brands reviewed, 75% of them contained toxic chemicals. The 2016 edition has been released 2016 Sunscreen Guide

Here are the sunscreens I recommend. According to EWG's rating scale, all of them rate 3 or below out of 10.

Beautycounter - Protect All Over Sunscreen SPF 30

Alba - Very Emollient Fragrance Free SPF 30

Thinksport - Everyday Face SPF 30

Bare Republic - Mineral Body Spray SPF 30

MDSolarSciences - Mineral Creme SPF 30


These two haven't been rated by EWG yet as they are both new products. I highly recommend both of them too. 

Wegmans - Mineral Certified Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Perfectly Posh - My Hero SPF 30

Dry Shampoo

I have long naturally curly hair that I straighten with a flat iron every day. Since this is quite a process, I only wash my hair every other day. I use dry shampoo on the days I don't wash. I tried every dry shampoo on the market, Alterna, Blow Pro, Bastiste, Bumble and Bumble, Oscar Blandi, the list could go on and on. I wasn't thrilled with any of them. When I switched to chemical free shampoo, I knew I needed to find a chemical free dry shampoo. That was nearly impossible so I had to make my own. I made a few before I found one i'm obsessed with. This homemade dry shampoo soaks up excess oil, gives my hair lift and body, and smells great!

Homemade Dry Shampoo
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup organic non-gmo corn starch
1/4 cup alcohol (you can use vodka or rubbing alcohol)
5 drops of Young Living Grapefruit Essential Oil

Mix all the ingredients together until the corn starch is fully dissolved. Transfer into a spray bottle. Part your hair in small sections going from one side of your head to the other. Spray the mixture on the scalp of each section. Let it sit for a minute or two, comb through your hair, then blow dry it out.

Be sure to shake the bottle before each use. The corn starch will settle at the bottom of the bottle so it's important you shake it up enough to dissolve it before you spray it on your scalp.

I truly think my hair looks better on the days I don't wash it thanks to this dry shampoo!

Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C provides potent antioxidant protection. It helps reduce the appearance of brown spots and sun damage, boosts collagen production, and reduces inflammation and irritation. Considered the 'skincare superstar', it can help you achieve younger, healthier, and more radiant skin. You can certainly buy vitamin C serums but they will run you a pretty penny. Most cost close to $100 a bottle and contain chemical additives. I prefer to make my own for a fraction of the cost and so I know exactly what's in it. Below is the homemade vitamin C recipe I use.

Vitamin C Serum

2 tsp vegetable glycerin - Vegetable Glycerin
1 tsp vitamin C powder - Vitamin C Powder
Dark colored glass bottle with dropper - Dropper Bottle

Mix the glycerin and vitamin C powder with a whisk until completely dissolved. You can put it in the microwave for 20 seconds to help dissolve the vitamin C powder faster. Just make sure you use a glass bowl. Once completely dissolved I add a few drops of orange or citrus essential oil. Use a funnel to pour it into the dropper bottle. Put 2-3 drops on freshly washed face at night. You might feel some tingling after applying this due to the high content of ascorbic acid. Also, if you are anything like me (and Oprah) we only use all white bedding. So my sheets, pillows, and my duvet cover are white. If I put the serum on right before I go to bed, I notice it leaves orange stains on them. So now put it on at least an hour before bed so my skin fully absorbs all of before I hit the pillow.