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.