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How Can We Avoid the Effects of Toxic Chemicals?

By: Thursday, December 8, 2011 Healthy Home , , , , Permalink 0

How Can We Avoid the Effects of Toxic Chemicals? | The Organic Beauty BlogThis past Tuesday, I attended a conference put on by the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), entitled “Birth Defects, Learning Disabilities, Obesity and Breast Cancer:  How Can We Avoid the Effects of Toxic Chemicals?”  Although many of the chemicals discussed were those that we at the Organic Beauty have been writing about for some time (see 4 Steps to Naturalize Your Life), hearing first hand about the research and catastrophic effects these chemicals have on our bodies, and particularly children, was very jarring.

A panel of brilliant doctors, many of them young fellows in the Children’s Environmental Health department at Mount Sinai, spoke about the effects of endocrine disruptors (like parabens, DDT, phthalates, PBDEs, BPA and DBP found in common plastics, electronics, furniture and beauty products) on reproductive and neurological development, as well as cancer, diabetes, and obesity.  These toxins are ubiquitous, but it is with persistent, on-going contact that the long-term effects begin to manifest.  What struck me most was how preventable  these environmental causes of disease are.  By taking action in our communities and taking manageable steps within our own homes, we can significantly lessen our exposure to toxins that can not us sick, but make our unborn children sick as well.

So… what can you do?  Become an educated consumer!

  • Use glass or stainless steel instead of plastics, especially when storing or cooking foods.  If you must use them, avoid #3 and #7 plastics, which are chock full of pretty much every toxic chemical we should be avoiding. This handy saying helps you remember: “Four, five, one and two, all the rest are bad for you!”
  • Avoid using vinyl shower curtains.  Like many other products mentioned here, these contain phthalates, the fumes from which are then inhaled every time you enter your bathroom.  Phthalates disrupt development of male reproductive organs, lower sperm count, and damage the endocrine and immune systems.
  • Use natural beauty products.  I mean honestly, at this point there is no excuse not to!  There are countless affordable, natural products out there with ingredients that are recognizable.  If you don’t know what it is, don’t put it on your skin.  At the very least, make sure anything you put on your body and hair is paraben-free, phthalate-free, and SLS-free.
  • Clean your home with a wet mop and/or a vinegar solution, and when you must use cleaning solutions, make sure they are natural and non-toxic as well.  Everything you use to clean your house with is inhaled by you, your family, and your pets.  If it’s full of disease-causing toxins, that’s what you’re going to get…disease and toxicity.  Cleaning with homemade solutions is infinitely cheaper than store-bought as well!
  • Buy fragrance-free products, or those scented with essential oils only.  Nearly every common product with a fragrance, from lotions and shampoo to detergent and countertop spray, contain toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that increase risk of all manner of cancer as well as neurodevelopmental disorders like ADD, ADHD, autism, behavioral problems and lower IQ.
  • Only use DBP, formaldehyde and toluene-free nail polish.  There are loads of brands that are now free of these chemicals, so again, there really is no excuse to expose your body to these deadly, carcinogenic chemicals, especially if you are, or are around, a pregnant woman!  (Priti and O.P.I. are just a few of the safer brands)
  • Choose PBDE-free electronics and furniture (especially mattresses).  PBDEs are flame retardants that are found in most older, stuffed furniture items and rugs, and many electronics like phones, TVs and computers.  When buying any of these items, verify that they are free of PBDEs, which decrease thyroid hormone levels, damage reproductive systems, and cause neurological symptoms as well.  The EWG has a handy PBDE Guide everyone should check out! 
  • Avoid canned foods and beverages, unless they are BPA-free.  Almost all canned foods and beverages contain BPA, which can have devastating effects on the neurological and reproductive systems, and has also been linked to heart disease, intestinal damage, diabetes, and obesity.  So far, Eden Organics is the only brand that has made the switch to all BPA-free cans.  But Trader Joe’s and Wild Planet offers some, but far from all, products in BPA-free cans.
  • Wash your hands after handling thermal receipts.  Those smooth, warm, thermal receipts used by so many retailers are made up of nearly 3% pure BPA, which then gets onto your skin and even straight into your mouth.  Always wash your hands after touching the receipts, or forgo them altogether!
Dr. Philip Landrigan, who moderated the panel, added the following universal recommendations for avoiding exposure to these dangerous toxins:
  • AVOID SMOKING
  • REDUCE YOUR CLIMATE FOOTPRINT (which lessens universal risk of exposure)
  • USE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (instead of toxic pesticides, sprays and fumes)
  • EAT LOW ON THE FOOD CHAIN — A MOSTLY PLANT-BASED DIET
  • EAT ORGANIC WHENEVER POSSIBLE (which lowers exposure to pesticides by a whopping 90%)
  • JOIN A FOOD CO-OP  (or start one if there isn’t one in your area)
  • BE A CITIZEN!  (nothing will change if we don’t make our voices heard.  All of these environmental causes of disease are preventable, and with enough public pressure, we can get these toxins banned!)
 

10 Most Dangerous Household Toxins for Pets

By: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Healthy Pets, Organic Beauty , , , Permalink 0
10 Most Dangerous Household Toxins for Pets 2 | The Organic Beauty Blog

Detoxifying our homes, beauty routines, and eating habits obviously has a huge impact on our health and well-being, but what we often don’t take into account is the effect it has on the health and longevity of our pets as well.  Our pets inhale our cleaning supplies, lick the floors, kiss our skin, and eat food of often questionable content.  Focusing on quality, non-toxic products and natural foods and treats will help your pet live longer and be much healthier!


10 Most Dangerous Household Toxins for Pets | The Organic Beauty Blog

10 Most Common Household Toxins for Dogs
  • Chocolate.  We all know chocolate can be deadly for dogs, and it is super important to consider places chocolate can be hiding (like candy bars, cake, and ice cream) so as to keep pets away from it at all costs.  Chocolate contains theobromine, which causes severe stomach upset, vomiting, seizures, blood pressure elevation in dogs and cats.  So no tasting (no matter how much they beg!), and keep those chocolatey treats covered and in a cabinet where pets can’t get to it.
  • Insect Bait Stations.  All those little ant and roach houses are full of super toxic poisons.  Even though a dog can’t crawl inside, it can chew through the trap and get to the poison nonetheless.  Choose a non-toxic, pet-safe alternative if you have a bug problem to control.  EcoSmart has some really good products made with plant oils that are safe for pets AND humans!
  • Rodenticide.  Although there is definitely a valid ethical argument against using rodenticides, some people still choose to use them, which is fine, provided they don’t accidentally poison an unintended animal!  There are some organic rodenticides on the market that only target rodents, and are generally harmless to other animals and humans.  Kiwicare makes one that is supposed to work really well.  But try to research some other options before resorting to poison.  Sometimes, fixing some holes or crack in walls and floors, or keeping food covered and tightly sealed and be enough of a remedy!
  • Chemical Fertilizers.  Ever see those signs on fertilized lawns warning you to keep pets and children away?  That’s there for a reason.  Fertilizers can cause seizures, liver and kidney damage, and potentially fatal levels of toxicity in pets.  Use caution when letting your dog play on any manicured lawn, because you never know what it’s been treated with!
  • Xylitol.  This sugar substitute is found in many sugar-free gums, diet products, and processed foods, and can cause severe hypoglycemia, acute toxicity, and even death in dogs.  If you occasionally feed your dog human food, make sure it is a whole food like a good quality meat, fruit, or vegetable (but not onions!)… Never feed your dog processed junk food that isn’t even health-supportive for you!
  • NSAIDs like Advil and Tylenol.  Unless recommended by your vet in specific doses, these over-the-counter medicines can cause a potentially lethal build-up of toxicity in your pet, and can cause severe stomach ulcers and kidney damage.  NEVER give your dog human medication unless your vet prescribed it!
  • Silica gel.  Those little packets that come in your vitamins and other products are sometimes irresistible to pets, both as little toys to bat around, and as a snack.  Although a tiny amount won’t do much harm if eaten, a larger packet ingested by a small dog could wreak all kinds of havoc.  Dispose of these packets immediately in a place your pup can’t reach.
  • Toxic household cleaners.  Pets come into much more direct contact with the cleaning solvents we use than even we do… They eat things off the floor, walk on and touch various surfaces and lick their paws, and lick everything.  Just as non-toxic household cleaners are important for your health, they can be even more important for the health of your pets.  Make sure to only use non-toxic cleaning supplies that are natural when possible.  Click here for an extensive list of recommendations!
  • Poisonous houseplants.  Some houseplants are poisonous and potentially deadly for both dogs and cats, so before bringing home a new plant-buddy, make sure to check the plant against the ASPCA list of toxins!
  • Onions, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and caffeine.  All these foods can cause irreversible damage to your dog’s internal organs, and in some cases could even be fatal.  Feeding your dog human food can be a great choice, but make sure you’re making educated decisions for your pet.  Not everything that is good for us is good for them!
10 Most Dangerous Household Toxins for Pets 3 | The Organic Beauty Blog

 

10 Most Common Household Toxins for Cats

  • Lillies.  These beautiful flowers are highly poisonous to cats.  Eating just a few leaves can cause organ failure and even death!  Best to keep lillies out of a kitty household altogether.
  • Canine Flea and Tick Medicine.  Households with both types of animals need to be very careful.  Medicine that is recommended for dogs can be lethal for cats, like the common topical flea and tick treatments used.  Opt for a natural alternative to flea and tick treatments, like those found on Only Natural Pet.
  • Toxic household cleaners.  Same as for their canine buddies, these toxic chemicals are bad for all beings!  See above.
  • Rodenticide.  See above.
  • Paints and varnishes.  Just like many commercial paints and varnishes are super toxic to humans, our furry friends are especially vulnerable to the carcinogenic toxins in many of these products.  VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) used to be a necessary component of indoor paints, but no longer.  There are many safer low-VOC and no-VOC paints and varnishes on the market these days that are just as effective!  Check out Earth Easy for all kinds of awesome, safe, non-toxic solutions for all of your painting needs.
  • Glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark jewelry.   These relics of your 90’s party days are full of chemicals that can be especially toxic to kitties.  If your nostalgic streak keep you from throwing them out, keep them out of your cat’s reach!
  • Amphetamines.  ADD/ADHD drugs and other amphetamines may be what keeps you functional, but to a cat, it could spell heart attacks, tremors, and even death.  And the worst part is, cats are especially attracted to these drugs, so it’s especially important to keep them hidden away.
  • NSAIDs like Advil and Tylenol.  See above.
  • Onions, garlic, and root vegetables.  These contain a substance that destroys red blood cells in cats, and can cause serious anemia.
  • Chocolate.  We all know that chocolate can be lethal to dogs, but it also has some terrible effect for cats!  A good blanket rule is to keep chocolate away from all domestic animals.
    • If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, or has ingested any of the above, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA National

Animal Poison Control Center

    • at

1-888-426-4435

    .

Stay Healthy and Beautiful While Traveling

By: Thursday, July 21, 2011 Exercise, Healthy Beauty, Lifestyle , , , , Permalink 0

 

Stay Healthy and Beautiful While Traveling | The Organic Beauty BlogMost of us do a lot of traveling during the summer months, and whether it’s for work or those long-awaited vacations, travel can wreak utter havoc on our health.  Air travel is dehydrating, and can leave us exhausted for days.  Unfamiliar surroundings can make finding a healthy, organic meal difficult.  Sitting for hours on our chosen form of transportation can cause soreness and swelling.  All this stress on the body can increase the chances of getting sick, but can also cause fluid retention, breakouts, stomach problems, and other unfavorable effects.  But there are some simple steps we can all follow that will help us leave the downside of traveling behind so we can enjoy our well-deserved vacations, and be super productive on our business trips.. With no regrettable after-effects!

Tips for healthy air travel:

  • Make sure to drink lots of water before, during, and after air travel to combat fatigue, swelling, skin dryness, and jet leg.  Aim for a large glass of water for every hour you are in the air.
  • Don’t eat the food!!  Plane food is utter garbage, and is laden with salt, which worsens dehydration, bloating, and fatigue that many people experience while flying.  Instead, make sure to eat a healthy meal before you leave the house, or if you must, grab a salad at the airport.  But avoid anything heavy, greasy, or salty before getting on that plane.  And bring a healthy snack like raw, unsalted nuts, some fruit, or veggie sticks with you on the flight in case you get hungry!
  • With their recycled air, planes are breeding grounds for germs.  Make sure to strengthen your immune system by taking 1000 mg of vitamin C the morning of your flight and when you land.  And make sure you eat lots of nutrient-rich, immune-boosting fruits and veggies before your flight!
  • I know it can be fun, but stay away from alcohol before and during your flight.  If your goal is to arrive looking fresh and great, alcohol will definitely not help, and it adds to the body’s dehydration.  Getting off the plane hoarse, dry, and with circles under your eyes is anything but fabulous.  If you’re a nervous flier, and need a little something to help you relax, take some valerian root to calm your nerves, or some natural melatonin to help you sleep.  Benedryl, or any prescription sleep aids will just result in arriving groggy and out of it.
  • Flying is no fun for your skin either.  Make sure to wear a good, oil-free facial moisturizer with SPF to protect your skin from the super strong UV rays up there, and pack a revitalizing facial spray to perk up your face after the flight (I like L’Occitane Olive Tree Organic Toning Face Mist).  Ladies, avoid caking on the makeup before your flight.  If you must wear something, just a little mineral powder, some mascara, and a moisturizing lip balm should do the trick to get you there in style.  Wearing more than runs you the risk of getting post-flight pimples, clogged pores, oily skin, and looking all melted when you land.  I like to bring a little face wash with me to wash up after the flight, and if necessary, putting on a little more makeup at the airport when I land.

Stay Healthy and Beautiful While Traveling 2| The Organic Beauty BlogTips for when you arrive:

  • Try to do some stretching (or even hit the gym at your hotel if you feel up to it!) shortly after you arrive.  This will do a lot to combat post-flight stiffness, swelling, not to mention fatigue.
  • Do some research before you leave about some healthy food options near where you’ll be staying, and locate them when you get in.  We often arrive at our destinations famished, and it’s really easy to make terrible food choices in the interest of convenience when we’re stressed and tired.  But that’s exactly the time when a healthy, nutritious meal is most important!
  • Once you’re all settled, purchase some healthy snacks, bottled water, and maybe some breakfast items to keep in your hotel room (that little fridge isn’t just for overpriced candy bars!).  This will help keep you away from those hotel buffets and continental breakfasts that are responsible for so much of travel-related weight gain.  Fruit, some whole grain crackers and hummus, nuts, and Larabars are all great options to have around.  If you’re going to be in a location where purchasing specific items you like will be difficult, just bring them from home!
  • If your hotel room has a kitchen, try to incorporate some home (or hotel-) cooked meals into your travel schedule, especially if there aren’t a lot of healthy restaurant options around you.  And even when eating out at the most dubious of restaurants, you can still make healthier choices!  A soup or salad is always a good idea, and almost all restaurants will have at least one or two vegetarian options available, which are definitely preferable to the sketchy, high-fat meat dishes you’ll find at that greasy spoon or chain restaurant.
  • Lastly, try to keep up some semblance of your normal routine while you’re traveling.  Go to bed around the same time (accounting for time differences, of course), eat around the same time you are used to, and definitely maintain your exercise routine!  This will keep you from getting sick, putting on travel weight, and throwing your body out of balance.  Indulging in treats you wouldn’t normally eat, and getting a little lax with working out can be a fun part of de-stressing and letting go while on vacation, bit it’s important not to overdo it.  Spending the three weeks after you get back undoing all damage you did to your body while traveling isn’t really worth that one week of blissful abandon, is it?
 Photo via Pinterest

The Sephora of the Organic Beauty World

By: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 Healthy Beauty, Organic Beauty , , , , Permalink 0

Ok… This is a little embarrassing.  I literally JUST stumbled upon a site that is going to change my life!  (And hopefully the lives of my lovely readers)  It’s no secret that there is a huge shortage of quality online stores that carry a wide variety of all-natural and organic beauty products that have been carefully edited to exclude harmful ingredients.  Enter:  Spirit Beauty Lounge!  Kind of like a Sephora for Organic Beauties, they carry a wide range of organic and/or natural products that adhere to a strict list of do’s and don’ts (including NO harmful chemicals, no animal testing, recyclable and/or biodegradable packaging, and actual potency of the product), and they carry some of my favorite brands!  Check out great beauty gear by SkinnySkinny, RMS Beauty, Priti, and Pangea Organics.

Just from my initial, super excited sweep of the site, here are some of my top picks:


RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek has been one of my favorite products since I got one in a gift bag from the release party for Pure Food & Wine’s latest cookbook.  It comes in a great palette of colors that look great on lips AND cheeks, and the ingredients are organic and super potent.

RMS also makes this amazing and versatile Raw Coconut Butter, which serves as a great moisturizer for face and body, a super nourishingleave-in product for hair (great for dry ends!), and an easy makeup remover.  Coconut oil is deeply moisturizing, and has anti-aging, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties.

In addition to all of their awesome, non-toxic nail polishes, in all the best seasonal colors, this Soy Nail Polish Remover by Priti is an absolute must-have.  It is totally green, with no formaldehyde

Intelligent Nutrients Organic Volumizing Spray is another great, organic, multi-functional beauty bad-ass.  It embodiesthe hair with tons of volume, activates curls, and is great to use between showers as a water-free hair refreshing tonic! Plus it won awards from everyone that matters, like Elle Mag and Fig+Sage.  A+

Affordable Organic Makeup!

By: Friday, July 8, 2011 Healthy Beauty, Organic Beauty, Product Reviews , , Permalink 0

Affordable Organic Makeup! | The Organic Beauty Blog

Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Pressed Powder

$13.95

This is for all you readers out there that living the organic life is prohibitively expensive… It’s just not true!  There are SO many all- (or mostly-) natural and organic beauty products out there that are available at your local pharmacy and won’t break the bank.  All it takes is reading your ingredients!  One of my latest faves is the Organic Wear line by Physician’s Formula, which I stocked up on the other day when a bunch of my makeup products ran out once, and I couldn’t wait long enough to order my stand-bys online.  I had used their pressed powder and Jumbo Lash mascara before and was impressed by the quality of the products, and the more or less decent ingredient list (the powder does contain mica, but in a pressed powder that is not inhaled, it is much less dangerous).  The entire line is free from harsh chemicals, parabens, GMOs, and synthetic preservatives, which, along with being 100% natural origin and anywhere between 15-45% certified organic, already puts them miles ahead of any other products sold at conventional stores.  And they are totally affordable!

Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara

$9.95

On my last trip, I purchased the bronzer, the regular mascara (I found the Jumbo Lash to be a little too clumpy, but the regular version is great), and the eyeliner, all of which I was super happy with.  In a pinch, even the regular Physician’s Formula line is still a decent choice, in the absence of other options, with no parabens, and a lot less toxic chemicals than most conventional makeup lines.


I totally realize we all can’t afford the fancy 100% organic and natural beauty products out there, but as the beauty industry catches on to the huge demand for more natural and safe products, we have so many more options available to us beyond the more mainstream Revlons and Clairols of the world.  Every purchase we make, regardless of our budget, is a statement.  Do we want to support companies that test on animals and continue to use toxic, carcinogenic chemicals and sub-par ingredients just because they are legal?  Or do we want to make it clear to the beauty industry that we have smartened up, and we won’t settle for products that are harmful to our bodies, animals, or the environment?  Even on a tight budget, I think the choice is clear!

Everyday Products That Can Cause Cancer

By: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Healthy Home, Organic Beauty, Wellness , , , Permalink 0

Everyday Products That Can Cause Cancer | The Organic Beauty BlogNot to be alarmist, but I really do believe that making informed decisions about what we put in and on our bodies is the first step to preventing disease and extending our life spans significantly. A leading cancer institute recently released a list of common foods and products that have been linked to cancer.  Though it is really important to be aware of this these risks, it is also valuable to point out that genetics, environmental factors, and exposure to other toxins and carcinogens greatly effect the degree to which certain foods/products will effect you.  For example, someone who eats a clean, organic diet, and uses organic cleaning and grooming products (like all of us Organic Beauties!) may be less effected by the regular consumption of coffee than someone who is on the Standard American Diet and uses conventional, toxic products on their body and in their home.  If any of the following products figure prominently in your diet and lifestyle, it might be time to rethink your habits!

  • ALCOHOL:  Regular consumption of alcohol has been linked 3.5% of cancer deaths worldwide.  Alcohol increases risk of breast and ovarian cancer, colon cancer, mouth, esophagus, pharynx and larynx cancers, as well as liver and stomach cancers.  Women especially should limit their alcohol consumption to 1 drink per day (men up to two).
  • COFFEE:  Coffee has recently been labeled a class 2B carcinogen (along with chloroform, DDT, and gasoline exhaust), but the research around coffee consumption (who should and should not drink it, and how much is safe) is still relatively inconclusive. A recent study found that coffee decreased risk of prostate cancer in men who consume 6 cups or more per day.  At the same time, other studies have found that drinking 2 or more cups a day increases risk of bladder and lung cancers.  Coffee has also been linked to a host of other health problems.  Unless directed otherwise, try to limit coffee consumption to a cup a day..  Green tea and yerba mate are great alternatives to get that caffeine fix, and have a lot of beneficial properties as well!
  • ANTIPERSPIRANT:  Aluminum, a known carcinogen, is the main ingredient in antiperspirants, which block your pores and inhibits the release of toxins from your body.  Both the aluminum and this blockage causes an increase in toxicity of the lymphatic system, which can cause a whole host of problems, including breast cancer, lymphoma, prostate cancer, as well as other diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.  For non-toxic alternatives to antiperspirant, see my article “Smell Like a Rose, With No Lasting Side Effects!”
  • BODY WASH AND BUBBLE BATH:  Almost ALL conventional beauty products contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which has been linked to many different forms of cancer and a whole mess of other complications.  Parabens feature pretty prominently in these products as well. Children and babies are especially susceptible to this chemical, which is very common in most bubble baths and children’s soaps.  For yourself, and definitely for your children, start reading your ingredients and consider switching to a natural or organic product.  (Click here to read more about revolutionizing your beauty routine).
  • TALCUM POWDER:  You can find talc in makeup, powders, and baby powder (where it’s especially dangerous for the same reasons you read above).  Exposure to talc (which has similar properties to asbestos) significantly increases risk of ovarian and lung cancers.  Try using corn starch-based baby powders and organic mineral makeup instead!
  • CELLULAR PHONES:  We’ve been hearing debate on this topic pretty much since the introduction of cell phones into our culture.  Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement stating that radio frequency electromagnetic fields, including cell phones, are “possibly carcinogenic” to people (a class 2B carcinogenic classification), and could increase risk of developing brain tumors and acoustic neuromas.   CDMA phones (by Verizon and Sprint) are generally a bit safer than GSM phones (by AT&T and T-Mobile), due to the fact that they emit a steady stream of medium range radiation, as opposed to the pulsating radiation of the latter class of phone.  The safest route is to use headphones…NOT Bluetooth devices!  And never keep your phone in your pocket, close to your chest or reproductive organs.

{adapted from my post on One Minute News]

Safer Sunless Tanning

By: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Healthy Beauty, Product Reviews , , , , Permalink 0
Safer Sunless Tanning | The Organic Beauty BlogAs the weather heats up and those pasty white legs start emerging from their layers into the late spring sun, many people (male and female alike) feel the need to quickly get some color to lessen the glare (and embarrassment) of those day-glo limbs.  Often times we remedy this by baking in the sun, SPF-free, for as soon as the weather permits, working on that “base tan” that will usher us into the summer months.  Though I myself have been known to commit this offense, let me be the first to admit this is a TERRIBLE idea.  Coming out of the colder weather, when our skin has not been receiving much sunlight, we are significantly more susceptible to getting a dangerous sunburn if we’re exposed to UV rays without the necessary protection.  Risk of developing melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, doubles for people who have experienced a sunburn 5 or more times in their lives.  Think about all those innocent summer sunburns in childhood… do you really want to compound that risk?

Some people, presumably those who have no exposure to media, advertising, or common sense, still favor a few sessions in a tanning bed to get that preliminary summer color.  People, this isn’t 1995.  There is now irrefutable evidence that points to tanning beds as even more dangerous than the sun.  I’m not even going to go into the multitude of ways that tanning beds are terrible, aging, carcinogenic monsters (that’s a whole different article).. but needless to say, just stay away!

The much safer option of sunless tanning has long been a popular solution for people looking to get that summer glow without the cancer risk.. But is it really safe?  A closer look reveals that not all sunless tanners are the same.

Most sunless tanners, particularly sprays, contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a color additive that is still largely controversial.  For what it’s worth, the FDA has thus far only approved topical uses of DHA, but not sprayed methods during which the chemical could be inhaled.  Some adverse reactions to DHA inhalation include fainting, dizziness, coughing, and rashes, which are definitely not symptoms of a healthy and safe chemical.  Until more research is done, experts suggest avoiding spray tanning altogether.

This leaves lotion self-tanners as by far the safest choice for sunless tanning.  As with all beauty products, the majority of conventional, pharmacy bought self-tanners feature ingredients that read like a laundry list of chemicals to avoid.  Parabens, dioxane, BHT, and pretty much anything with a long, chemical name that is difficult to pronounce are best to avoid.  These common additives have been linked to birth defects, many forms of cancer, and liver, kidney, and skin problems, just to name a few.  But luckily, there are lots of more natural self-tanning lotions out there, some even with organic, anti-oxidant ingredients.  If you take the time to read your ingredients, educate yourself about what common chemicals to stay away from, and maybe even do a little research to find brands that create safe, quality self-tanning formulas, you can totally have your beautiful, pre-summer base tan without compromising your health!

Some healthy sunless tanners to try:

  • Lavera Self-Tanner is non-toxic, and features organic ingredients like jojoba oil, soy, lavender and aloe to soothe skin while gently providing color, and it doesn’t have that terrible, self-tanner smell.
  • Chocolate Sun Cocoa Glow Sunless Tanning Cream smells amazing, is 92% organic, and has super rich, antioxidant ingredients that actually moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
  • Josie Maran’s Argan Self-Tanning Cream isn’t quite as impressive with its ingredient list (it has DHA and some other mostly innocuous chemicals), but it is still chock full of good stuff like organic argan oil (obviously), caffeine (to fight cellulite), and antioxidants like matcha and ginseng.  Not quite as natural, but definitely super effective.

[From my feed on One Minute News]

Exfoliating Homemade Sugar Scrubs

By: Friday, March 25, 2011 Healthy Beauty, Healthy Home, Holistic Health, Organic Beauty , , , , Permalink 0

Homemade Sugar Scrubs | The Organic Beauty Blog

Ever notice how near the end of winter your skin starts looking a little dull and listless?  Dry, winter skin causes a build up of dead cells on your skin that make the outer layer look a little less than fabulous.  Though there are a lot of good facial scrubs on the market, sometimes all those added ingredients aren’t all that necessary.. I’ve found that a really effective, super easy, and decidedly cheap option is a simply at-home sugar scrub.  I did one this morning to wake up my skin a little bit, and noticed an immediate improvement in the brightness, smoothness, and moisture of my skin, not to mention a marked shrinking of a pesky zit I woke up with.

I recommend using a raw, organic sugar of a medium coarse size (a little finer than Sugar in the Raw, but not nearly as fine as table sugar).  This size gives you a really good exfoliating effect without being too harsh on the skin.

Continue Reading…

Smell like a rose.. with no lasting side effects!

By: Friday, February 4, 2011 Healthy Beauty, Holistic Health, Organic Beauty , , , , Permalink 0


As promised, today I want to write about natural deodorant and give some recommendations about how to stay healthy and organic, without venturing into the stinky BO world of compromised personal hygiene. Most conventional deodorants, and nearly all antiperspirants contain pretty much a laundry list of everything you should let anywhere near your skin, especially not so close to your glands and the tender tissue of the underarms.

The primary ingredient in a lot of deodorants, and all antiperspirants is aluminum. Aluminum is what blocks the sweat glands from allowing sweat to come to the surface of the skin.  Unfortunately, aluminum has also been found to have a direct correlation to breast cancer (in fact, high levels of aluminum have been found in many malignant breast tumors).  Additionally, aluminum can interfere with calcium absorption, stunt growth, weaken bones, AND cause all kinds of liver and kidney toxicity.  A 2003 study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found that women who applied deodorant at least twice a week and shaved their armpits at least three times a week developed breast cancer almost 15 years younger than women who did neither. Need I say more??

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Get a Squeaky Clean, Organic Smile!

By: Saturday, January 29, 2011 Healthy Beauty, Healthy Home, Holistic Health, Organic Beauty, Product Reviews , , , , Permalink 0

A Little Back Story:  Every winter, I get this annoying dry, red skin around my mouth and nose.  It started in college, when I first discovered tinted moisturizers (bad move!), and has resurfaced literally every winter since.  I saw a dermatologist, who told me it was perioral dermatitis, and promptly prescribed oral antibiotics (what else is new??) and an antibiotic cream.  Not only did this whole plan screw up my belly (antibiotics wreak havoc on your intestinal flora), but it also only helped for a hot second before the whole unsightly mess reared it’s ugly head again.  So this year, I started researching natural remedies for this issue… And what did I discover as one of the primary causes/irritants of the problem??  Fluoridated toothpastes full of sodium lauryl sulfates (check out Step 1: Read Your Ingredients if you’ve forgotten why they’re evil)!!  And thus began my quest for the perfect toothpaste.

Toothpastes are a great example of where reading ingredients is so crucial.  For as long as I can remember, Tom’s of Maine was always the go-to for healthy, natural toothpaste made from sustainable resources… right?  Apparently, wrong.  I had been using it for so long, that I hadn’t even looked at the ingredients in years.  But after my getting schooled on the above connection, I took a peek.. and what did I find?  Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, right there, clear as day.  Imagine my surprise!  I had been so busy eradicating parabens and SLSs from my moisturizers, hair products, and makeup, that I didn’t even realize I was exposing myself to the culprit twice a day, 7 days a week.  Now, to Tom’s credit, they have since released an SLS free toothpaste, but it still contains fluoride (which has been shown to suppress the immune system, inhibit the production of essential enzymes, and break down collagen, among other things), so I’m afraid they are out of the runnings…

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