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