Shocking Facts About So Called Organic Cosmetics

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Every company, it seems, wants to jump on the organic bandwagon. ‘Natural’ is the in word coupled with ‘organic’. The only problem is that there are still a lot of potentially harmful ingredients in these so called organic cosmetics. Let us take a few glaring examples.

Fragrance is still widely used. This is just a chemical cocktail and nobody is compelled to reveal what is in the mix. Why? Because it is still regarded as a trade secret. If you see fragrance on the label, then you know that it may be suspect, unless it is clearly stated what is in there.

Another shocking fact is that researchers found that there was a large percentage (85%) of pregnant mothers who had at least one harmful chemical in their milk. This included oxybenzone (usually in sunscreens). But the others ranged from parabens, synthetic musk fragrances, pesticides, PCBs and phthalates.

Research by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine also put oxybenzone under scrutiny. What they found was not comforting at all. Low birth weight in baby girls was the result of use of sunscreen by the mothers. But oxybenzone is not only in 600 sunscreens but is also used in lip balm, moisturizers, fragrances and lipstick.

We should always be careful when looking at labels. It might be comforting to see some natural or organic sounding ingredients on the list but if they are not at the top of the list, then they are there in miniscule quantities.  They are usually in descending order as regards the actual quantities.

Another suspicious ingredient is butylenes glycol which the EWG (Environmental Working Group) regards as being a moderate hazard. Dimethicone is made of silicone polymer and falls into the same class.

Given that we are exposed to thousands of harmful chemicals in everything we touch, breathe and eat, it is wise to reduce the exposure to as many as these as we can and also help the environment while doing so.  Study the infographic below and get an idea of what is really going on with organic skincare. You will also be better informed to make a wiser choice when it comes to deciding on safer skincare products. 

Paraben Free Skincare – Questions and Answers

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There has been some fierce controversy about whether parabens, in no less than 85% of our cosmetics, are really good for our health. There are some conflicting reports and studies about paraben free skincare.

The only certain thing about these parabens is that they are chemicals used to stop mould from invading cosmetics and making them useless. They extend the shelf life of these products considerably. A great invention, you might have thought. They have, in fact been in use now for almost a hundred years!

One fact is that they do disturb the endocrine system. This is what controls our cell development and has a direct bearing on how our thyroid and pancreas glands work. They do this because they are in effect endocrine disruptors and that is the real cause for alarm. This is why most people would prefer NOT to have them in their products. It is, after all, better to be safe and not take any unnecessary risks.

There were some alarming reports when scientists who examined breast cancer patients at a hospital, (University of Brunel UK)  found that the parabens were present in the cancerous tissue. This is not to say that they actually caused the cancer. But the fact that they were there when they should have been excreted by the body started to ring alarm bells. There is no doubt at all that the parabens are oestrogen mimickers and as oestrogen is one of the factors in breast cancer, it seems wise to avoid them. So, why risk it?  Surely there are safer alternatives?

Paraben free skincare is one answer to all these questions. It makes perfect sense, after all. We should also be avoiding all the other chemicals in many products. These have been called ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and they include dioxins, mineral oils, formaldehyde, just to name three.

Another answer to consider is whether the actual substitutes for parabens are safe! Yes, you’ve guessed it. Some companies have used phenoxyethanol instead and it is just as harmful, if not more so!

The only safe way is to read the labels and look out for chemicals and always go by the rule that if it is safe to eat, then it can be used on your skin. But you also need to make sure that the company manufacturing the product is a reputable one and will offer you guarantees. 

Sources:-

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-looks/beauty/parabens-what-are-they-and-are-they-really-that-bad

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780590_5

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23508773

Why Manuka Honey Is Essential In Skincare

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New Zealand is an unspoilt land with very few problems of climate change and pollution. It is no surprise that the white, crisp flowers of the manuka bush produce some of the world's best honey. Bees are allowed to thrive there in a protected environment where pesticides are not allowed. This honey is such a  rare commodity that it has become a national treasure.

The Waikato University has established that all honey should be judged by the Unique Manuka Factor and they have established a scale of 10 which is the maximum score.  Manuka honey is used for treating all sorts of ailments from wounds to treating gastrointestinal problems.

It is in skincare that its properties have given some startling results. Not all manuka honey is equal and you have to make sure that the manufacturer of your skincare products are using the one with the maximum score of 10. This means that it has a maximum potency and will work at the cellular level in the skin by renewing it and nourishing it. See the infographic below to see why this is essential for your skincare. 

Did you know that the darker the honey, the more likely it is to have methyglyoxal in it?  This is the one ingredient which makes manuka honey rock on the antibacterial front. This is why when the UMF of 10 is awarded, it means that it has a plentiful amount of this ingredient. What does this actually mean for your skin though? It can heal and restore it, more specifically :-

 *  A winner for treating acne as it is a natural antibacterial agent
 *  Full of antioxidants so delays aging and keeps skin youthful
 *  Excellent for opening up pores and cleansing them
 *  It is second to none for moisturizing and soothing the skin to give it a great glow

 This is why when you are selecting your skin care products, you really do have to look at the label and check carefully to see whether the manuka honey mentioned is really top notch. Anything less than 10 is not really giving you the best.

Exciting New Exfoliating Face Scrub Which Also Helps To Save The Environment

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What if there were a product such as a face scrub for both men and women which did not use microbeads at all? Those microbeads are in loads of everyday cosmetic products from body wash to face scrubs and even toothpaste. But some companies are already producing products which can avoid the chaos and damage to the environment.  This is revolutionary – it just needs people to wake up and stop buying harmful products.  
   
Microbeads are bad for the environment.

They are just tiny polyethylene elements which are supposed to tighten the pores in your skin and kill off dead cells. But the damage they do to the ecosystem is staggering.  The State of Illinois has banned these already. Watch the video to find out what damage these can cause to our environment. Given that they can

 last up to 100 years, this is scary. The fish eat them because they look like food and then we eat the fish! You can see why this is urgent and why the Great Lakes states are already trying to push legislation through. 

 

What about alternative products?

Yes, there are companies who are determined not to use any ingredients which will ruin our environment and at the same time do our skin a lot of good. This is a win win situation. Did you know that the very soft volcanic pumice stone often used for cleaning stains from hands can also be used in delicate skin care?  The actual stone (Ryolite lava rock) has fine and coarse grounds which can clear away dead cells and when used in conjunction with apple peel, can help to clean all the clogged pores while revealing fresh new cells which can finally let you have fresh, rejuvenated skin.

There are other ingredients which are totally skin-friendly and which are more than effective. These include Shea butter, Jojoba oil which can moisturize at several layers and give your skin a fresh new look. This company (xtendlife) is streets ahead of the new legislation. They have already done what most companies will only start to do in a few years’ time. Why not be ahead of the game and help save the planet? 

Dark Circles Under Eyes Organic Remedies

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If you want to learn about dark circles under eyes home remedies, read on because I have a few suggestions for you.  Look at the following vegetables which can all be applied to the eye area and will give you results provided you do it regularly.

The best ingredients are :-

·        rose otto oil

·        cucumber slices

·        potato puree

It is fascinating to learn that Avicenna who was the great Persian doctor recommended rose oil as a cure for many ailments. It is no accident that his most famous book, The Canon of Medicine was used right up to the seventeenth century in many European countries.

Now there are other essential oils which are just great for the skin and especially for the dark circles under eye home remedies which is the main point of this blog post.  The best one for our purpose here is jojoba oil which can be mixed with the rose oil and then add it to cotton wool which can be applied directly to the under eye area.

Jojoba oil beats many other oils for several reasons :-

·        better stability than other oils like grape seed oil

·        does not contain triglycerides

·        very close to the chemical structure in human skin.

·        its tiny molecules means that it can penetrate the skin much more easily than many other oils.

Dark Circles Under Eyes Products

Many of these products contain harmful chemicals so we must look for completely organic ones which are fully compatible with our skin. In addition, we are looking for products which can reduce :-

·        swelling and puffiness

·        dark color due to spillage from the delicate capillaries which abound in the under eye area.

In addition we are looking for other organic vitamins, minerals and enzymes which can strengthen and firm up the skin there. This is an area which is subject to lots of wear and tear due to muscular movements and it also happens to be one of the most delicate skin areas on the body.  Click here to find out more about darkcircles under eyes organic treatment.

Using Eco Friendly Skincare Products For Better Health

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So you think that the water treating systems in the USA will be able to filter out all those nasty chemicals in personal care products? Well, the truth is that according to the authorities, there are about 20% of these that are sub standard and are not working properly.  That basically means that the Safe Drinking Water Act is not being fully enforced. That should raise a red flag and encourage us to use products which are much more eco friendly and will help to protect the environment we live in and the water we actually drink.

Southern California Coastal Water Research Project

Because a lot of the chemicals we use in products cannot easily be broken down, they tend to stay intact and poison our water sources.  For example, researchers at the Southern California Coastal Water Research project have found that hormones in fish life have been affected. What is bad for fish cannot be good for us! 

Fish hormone levels disrupted

In another study, it was found that many pharmaceutical elements such as steroids and antibiotics together with antidepressants were found in fish life near water treatment plants. Add in all the parabens which can affect human hormone levels and all the petroleum derived substances and we have a chemical mix which is harmful to human health. Water treatment systems just cannot cope with the deluge.Using less plastic will also help.

Our own health is at risk

Apart form the drinking water, we are also applying all these substances to our skin and that is being absorbed into the bloodstream. The main problem chemicals which can affect hormone levels and cause various health problems are:-

• Parabens
• SLS  (sodium laurel sulphates in most shampoos)
• Fragrances – 90% are made from synthetic chemicals
• Petroleum derived products (usually better for engines and machinery lubricants!)

Action plan to safeguard ourselves and the planet

They say that good planets are hard to find!  That is so true and although there are 100 billion galaxies, there could be other planets which support life but that is another story!

We have to preserve life on THIS planet as it is the only one we have at the moment.

The best way is to go for organic skincare products and selecting those which have none of the harmful ingredients I have mentioned above. In this way, we will be doing our bit to preserve the planet!

Your DNA and Skincare

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JANUARY 2013  - SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH

Did you know that when applying all natural ingredients and especially looking for paraben free products may not be enough for your skincare treatment? A new scientific breakthrough allows you now to fine tune your skin care regime and it all depends on your genes. This is now known as genetically targeted skincare or DNA skincare

Your DNA has certain genes and variants of those genes that no one else has and that is why DNA testing is the queen of all the porof in criminal cases.

As regards the skin, there may be a certain imbalance that needs boosting with certain ingredients that will help to restore the lost equilibrium. That means a custom built type of treatment which will really make all the difference.

This will consist of DNA repair enzymes and these are going to stimulate that essential skin cell growth which will really give great results.