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.