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
.
October 16, 2016
October 09, 2016
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.
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.
September 28, 2016
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
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
September 25, 2016
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
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
September 14, 2016
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!
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!
September 06, 2016
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.
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.
August 27, 2016
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
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
August 19, 2016
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!
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!
August 11, 2016
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.
August 07, 2016
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.
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.
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