Personal Care

All Natural: What You Need To Know

All natural is a term that most companies are using, here is what you need to know

I can’t say enough how important it is to read labels. Not just the “all natural” (and often misleading) stamp on the outside, but the tiny ingredients printed in the packaging. What if those ingredients aren’t there? To me that is a red flag. There is no reason not to include ingredients on a label.

 

Several weeks ago I went to an event at a friends house. To be entirely honest,  I never read the part about it being a All naturalpresentation-I went to spend time with my friend. During the presentation of beauty products I was impressed at the discussion of keeping toxins off your body and avoiding ingredients.  I had heard this company name come up a lot recently and that they had cleaned up their line. I am happy with my skin care products and their ingredients, but a few things caught my attention and I was going to buy something to try a new product and be supportive of the person throwing this gathering.

 

When I started to look at the products I naturally went to read the labels. There were no ingredients listed. That seemed odd to me considering how this presentation stressed how safe and healthy these products were. I picked up a catalog and figured they would be listed there. Wrong again. For a company that is investing it’s entire marketing on its safe ingredients (and a list of ingredients they would never use) where are the ingredients? I chose not to buy anything without having that knowledge and later I spent some time looking into it.

 

Based on my knowledge I know you can’t have a water-based lotion without added junk. The water breeds bacteria so there is no way around it. This is why we opt to use oil based products.  I was able to find their ingredients on the website.  They certainly are much “cleaner” than many companies out there-but do not be fooled into thinking there are no synthetic ingredients or ingredients that don’t pop up as mild or moderate hazards in anything lotion based. If you are using a lotion based moisturizer for your face, body etc it will contain some level of synthetic ingredients. Always read your labels!

 

All of our ingredients are listed on our website and our products:

 

See what is in our face moisturizer: Face Moisturizer

 

Check out our Moisturizer: Moisturizer

 

Toxins in Deodorant and Antiperspirants?

Yes, toxins are in deodorant and antiperspirants, but there are  safer, effective alternatives.

This is one of the most important swaps you can make.  Before getting into the toxic ingredients in most Toxins in Deodorant deodorants and antiperspirants it is important to know the difference and what makes them effective.

Antiperspirants

An antiperspirant contains aluminum of one form or another. The aluminum clogs your pores to prevent your body from sweating. There are two major problems with that. First off, your body needs to perspire to eliminate toxins. Second,  you are applying it to under your arms, directly after a shower or shaving. It is a fact that your pores open more at that time.

Research (link http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0162013413001608) has shown that 50% of breast cancers begin in the upper outer quadrant of the breast by the underarm region. While the American Cancer Society has not established a “direct link” to breast cancer and aluminum there are no safe levels of aluminum for your body. Keep in mind that while a direct link has not been established at this time it is due to lack of studies and there is also no study that can eliminate it entirely yet. Aluminum has also been linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s  Disease.

You won’t find an aluminum free antiperspirant since aluminum is what makes them work, so that leaves deodorant.

Deodorant

Let me be clear-I believe we should all wear deodorant.  What can we wear without toxic consequences?

The most common toxic ingredients found in most deodorants:

  1. Parabens: You will find these in any mass produced personal care products so they will have an extended shelf life. Unfortunately, although there is no conclusive proof here either-evidence DOES suggest that long term toxin exposure could cause cancer.
  2. Triclosan: A hormone disruptor. Banned in hand soaps beginning next year, the same rule has not applied to other products as of yet.
  3. Phthalates: Phthalates generally show up in any products that contain fragrances (note: an essential oil will be labeled as such on your ingredient list. Fragrances may contain many ingredients including toxins of their own that have never been tested for safety.)
  4. Propylene Glycol: a known neurotoxin that ironically warns workers against contact with skin.
  5. TEA and DEA: (triethanolamine and diethanolamine) these are both banned in Europe. They can be toxic when accumulating over time. DEA can result in liver or kidney damage.
  6. Talc (magnesium Silicate) -as you know from previous blog posts this is a carcinogen.

Solutions:

You have all this information. You checked your label and you want to make a change. What are some of the best solutions? First off, expect it to take a little time for your body to adjust. When eliminating aluminum you will feel like you are sweating more. (You are not eliminating deodorant too so that doesn’t mean you will smell bad!). Cooler temperatures this season is the perfect time to let your body make this change.

I have not used an antiperspirant in 3 years. It definitely took some adjusting since my body was used to aluminum clogged pores.  I also learned that many of the natural deodorants contain baking soda.  While I love baking soda for many things it did not agree with my underarms. There was a lot of trial and error on my part.  Like any other product not all of them work great.  I tried a Crystal brand once as well until I learned it actually contained aluminum as well. Although it is deemed a “safer form” and the label states it is specific types of aluminum free-be sure to take note before  you purchase if your goal is to be aluminum free. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/02/16/aluminum-lurks-in-crystal-deodorants.aspx)

Do-It-Yourself

I did find a DIY recipe that I liked but I found it too “soft” to travel with (Coconut oil as you know liquifies over 76 degrees) I have heard people swear by “Pit Paste” but I have no personal experience or opinion on how well it works. This spring I discovered Schmidt’s. (https://schmidtsdeodorant.com/our-shop.html) The anti bacterial and anti fungal properties come from the essential oils.  They are vegan, gluten free, and free of parabens and Phthalates, and aluminum.

BONUS: they are also on Amazon so if you are like me that makes life easy and shipping free. This is the first deodorant I have been able to use that contains baking soda, however there is now a baking soda free option for those who are not able to use it. I used it all summer,  and it was still working by days end.

 

Facial Toner Toxins

Facial Toner Toxins Can Do More Harm Than Good

Before I started making my own, I never used toner. In hindsight, I am glad that I was skipping what would have been anotherFacial Toner Toxins bunch of toxins applied daily, but it does have it’s benefits (so long as it’s toxin free).

So what does toner actually do for your skin?

Toner’s job is to balance the pH levels (an abnormal pH can promote bacteria growth and make our skin more susceptible to infections and wrinkles), remove dead skin cells, dirt, oil and traces of cleaner left behind.  Toner will help temporarily minimize the appearance of pores when used between cleansing and moisturizing.

What is in a Facial Toner?

Unfortunately the majority of toners will contain synthetic ingredients. Toners specific to oily skin will likely contain salicylic acid, and benzyl alcohol. Both of these ingredients are neurotoxins and skin irritants. In addition most will contain phthalates if they have a fragrance and parabens as a preservative. Some even contain synthetic colors!

So what is the solution?

Can you live without toner? Yes. However-this DIY recipe along with our skin care moisturizer has my skin clearer than it has been since I was about 12.  Before you jump to conclusions and click off the page-let me assure you that you will not smell like vinegar!

Apple Cider vinegar  (raw unfiltered) is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It can help treat acne and reduce redness for those with oily skin. For those with normal and dry skin it can help reduce wrinkles and exfoliate.

Recipe:

2TBSP Raw unfiltered organic Apple Cider Vinegar

4TBSP witch hazel or filtered/distilled water (I use witch hazel)

Several drops of essential oils (good choices are Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lavender or Tea Tree)

Store in bottle. Shake. Spray onto cotton ball and apply. Moisturize as usual.

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