TOXIC CHEMICALS TO RECOGNIZE WHEN SHOPPING FOR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

The following personal care product are likely to contain toxic chemicals that may damage your skin, leaving you with dry scaly skin more prone to infection and cancer.

Bar soap and body wash

Baby wipes and lotions

Facial cleanser

Hand sanitizer

Makeup remover or face masks

Acne treatments

Anti-fungal or anti-itch creams

Foot odor controllers

Skin treatments for eczema, psoriasis, skin fading, scars, varicose veins, wounds and sunburns

Anti-aging creams

Body-firming lotions

Hand creams

Moisturizers

Antiperspirants / deodorants  

TOXIC CHEMICALS to recognize and avoid when shopping. Chemicals such as oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), benzoyl peroxide, DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine), dioxins (used often to bleach disposable diapers), parabens (methyl, butyl, ethyl, propyl), PEG (polyethylene glycol), butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, triclosan, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, Tinosorb M and S, Uvasorb HEB and isopentenyl-4-methoxycinnamate, just to name a few, are prevalent in cosmetics and other skin- and hair-care products.


NATURAL SKIN CARE
Aloe vera is hands-down the first defense when treating skin abrasions, burns or other skin damage. It will naturally moisturize and help the skin repair itself.
Apple cider vinegar is another excellent natural treatment remedy for certain skin conditions. Applying a compress can help reduce swelling in the face, hands and feet; soaking the feet in 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and water, or applying the apple cider vinegar directly to the affected area, can treat skin fungus or yeast (including athlete's foot). You can also mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and bentonite clay with 1 tablespoon raw honey and apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water for a natural, healthy facial mask.
A natural moisturizer, coconut oil can be applied directly to the skin to help relieve dry patches or itchy skin (known as winter itch) during the winter months.
GET A TOUCH!
By the way, skin-to-skin contact between a mother and infant has been confirmed to maximize healthy childhood development. A recent study by the UMEA University in Sweden suggests simply touching the skin of an adult can have a positive effect. Results showed that touch massage reduced the stress response, as indicated by decreased heart rate and decreased activity in the sympathetic nervous system, and a significant decrease in cortisol and insulin levels. Anxiety levels significantly decreased in the patient group that received touch massage as compared to the control group.¹¹ The study concluded that massaging the skin activates a brain area involved in sending rewarding, pleasant stimulations, which decreases anxiety and dampens the stress response.