Monday, November 5, 2012

Personal Care the Way Mother Nature Intended

Many people are aware of the toxic ingredients in many household cleaners. Another group of products we should be careful about are personal care products including antiperspirants, soaps, shampoos and conditioners, lotions, skin care, toothpaste, and etc...

The average American spent $616 on personal care products in 2008. Unfortunately, most of that spending was for toxic products that contribute to asthma, hay fever, rashes, organ damage, and even cancer. The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and whatever we put on our skin can be absorbed into our bloodstream to be carried to every cell of the body.

But who wants to use products on their body that don't work? Who wants to go around with greasy hair, body odor, and bad breath??

Therapeutic-grade essential oils to the rescue --

High quality essential oils and a little baking soda and olive oil can take care of almost any personal care need, and many times will give you better results than all those toxic chemicals! Essential oils are steam-distilled from plants, and are good for your health. As you brush your teeth, you will be boosting your immune system. As you condition your skin and hair, you'll also be helping to soothe your stresses away.

Here are a few personal care items used by the majority of Americans, some of their non-so-nice ingredients, and the natural and effective essential oil alternatives that I recommend -

Antiperspirant:

Aluminum - A toxic substance that prevents perspiration and may contribute to the development of breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Parabens - Preservatives that can disrupt normal hormonal function.
Propylene glycol - A humectant or wetting agent that is essentially antifreeze, and can cause organ failure.
Frangrance - Any number of 4,000 chemicals, most of which are synthetic, cause irritation to the central nervous system (and some of which are cancer-causing).

Natural Antiperspirant/Deodorant Alternatives:

For a 100% natural, non-toxic, and low-maintenance deodorant, apply a couple of drops of Purification oil to the armpits each morning. You will still sweat, but the Purification will keep you smelling fresh!

Natural deodorant sticks made with therapeutic-quality essential oils are also available.

Toothpaste:

Fluoride - An ingredient of rat poison that not only may not help to strengthen teeth, but has been linked to dental florosis (chalky or brown discoloration and even brittleness of teeth), lowered IQ, hindered thyroid function, gastrointestinal issues, and even cancer. Fluoride was reportedly added to the water in Nazi Concentration Camps as well as the Soviet Gulag (labor camps) to make the prisoners more complacent and easier to control.
Propylene glycol - See above.
Sodium lauryl sulfate - A harsh detergent and engine degreaser commonly found in many personal care products that can cause eye damage, depression, and diarrhea. When mixed with other chemicals, it can form nitrosamines that are cancer-causing.
Artificial colors - Made from coal tars, are carcinogenic and irritating, and can cause oxygen depletion.

Incidentally, you don't have to swallow your toxic toothpaste for it to get into your bloodstream as most everything we put in our mouths are readily absorbed into the bloodstream.

Natural Toothpaste Alternatives:

Make your own natural, non-toxic toothpaste with a tsp. of baking soda and 3-4 drops of Thieves oil. You will be amazed at how clean your mouth feels!! Thieves essential oil blend is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It has been University-tested and shown to kill 99.96% of hard-to-kill gram-negative bacteria, and it has a pleasant, cinnamon-y taste!

I personally use a non-toxic toothpaste with Thieves oil on a daily basis, and my teeth have never been cleaner! I don't have to worry about calling the Poison Control Center if I accidentally ingest it (which is what the warning label on most toothpastes say to do).

Lotion/Skin Cream:

Mineral oil - A toxic petroleum by-product that coats the skin and clogs the pores, blocking the body's natural route of detoxification through the skin. It can contribute to premature aging and has been linked to cancer.
Propylene glycol - See above.
Fragrance - See above.
Artificial colors - See above.
Natural Lotion Alternatives:

Natural Lotion/Skin Cream Alternatives:

Add a drop of essential oil to a small amount of sesame or olive oil, and massage into the skin morning and night. Use frankincense on the face for anti-aging and sun damage reversal, or lavender for all skin types including acne-prone skin. Use lavender or lemon for general skin conditioning. These essential oils will smooth wrinkles, clear blemishes, and give your skin a youthful, healthy glow!

Shampoo/Conditioner:

Sodium lauryl sulfate - See above. Also note that sodium lauryl sulfate can cause hair loss - not exactly the type of ingredient you want in your hair products!
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine) - Chemicals that can disrupt normal hormone function and can form carcinogenic nitrates and nicrosamines when combined with other chemicals.
Fragrance - See above.

Natural Shampoo/Conditioner Alternatives:

Make a paste with 1 Tbsp. baking soda plus 2 Tbsp. of water and smidgen (less than a drop) of either lavender or peppermint essential oils. Touch a toothpick to the outer rim of the essential oil bottle, and mix in the small amount of essential oil with the baking soda and water. Work the paste through your hair, and rinse. To moisturize dry hair, before shampooing massage a couple of tablespoons of olive oil plus 1 drop of lemon essential oil into your hair and scalp, cover with a shower cap, and let it soak in for 30 minutes.

I personally use a natural shampoo and conditioner with therapeutic-grade lavender oil. It gives my hair body and shine without all those chemicals! As you can see, there are ways to replace toxic personal care products on any budget with natural alternatives that often work even better than their toxic counter part.

buy personal care products, clarisonic mia sonic skin cleansing system green green color, tattoo machine tattoo gun tattoo kit 4 gun tattoo machine gun kit by fancier s t02, dr denese hydroshield ultra moisturizing face serum super size 2 fl oz 60 ml, babyliss pro babnt2071 professional nano titanium u styler iron 1 inch, similac organic powder 23 2 ounces pack of 6, proactiv solution luxury size micro crystal acne kit new advanced formula 120 day supply, seventh generation paper towels natural 2 ply sheets pack of 30, buffalo horn straight razor and practice razor, skinmedica tns eye repair 0 5 ounce, threelac probiotic dietary supplement natural lemon flavor includes 60 053 ounce packets, four piece shaving shave set with mach 3 razor badger brush soap dish on chrome plated stand, dermalogica daily microfoliant 6 fluid ounce, florastor probiotic 250 mg 2 50 count bottles 100 capsules total, philips norelco rq12 sensotouch 3d replacement heads, ghd professional original 1 inch styler, devacurl one condition 32oz no poo 32oz, verseo eglide home electrolysis hair removal roller, philips norelco rq12 replacement head for sensotouch 3d, cosamin ds joint health supplement capsules 210 count bottle, panoxyl bar 10 4 oz 1 bar, braun series 7 760cc shaver, optimum nutrition 100 whey gold standard natural whey vanilla 5 pound, one touch ultra 100 count 2, infiniti by conair ss9 1 12 nano silver steam straightner red, philips sonicare flexcare rechargeable sonic toothbrush, epilady legend rechargeable epilator, enfagrow premium toddler formula 15 ounces pack of 5 75 total ounces, p90x results and recovery formula 30 day supply tub, babyliss pro tt tourmaline 3000 natural ionic hair dryer 1 ea, philips sonicare hx651150 easy clean rechargeable electric toothbrush, eatsmart precision getfit digital body fat scale w 400 lb capacity auto recognition technology, philips norelco powertouch rechargeable cordless razor pt73441, philips sonicare essence power toothbrush, nizoral antidandruff shampoo 7 ounce bottles pack of 2, enjoy sulfate free hydrating duo shampoo and conditioner 33 8 oz, philips sonicare hx671102 healthywhite 710 rechargeable electric toothbrush, omron bp785 10 series upper arm blood pressure monitor blackwhite, remington r 7130 flex 360 lcd cordcordless rechargeable mens rotary shaver, seventh generation free and clear baby diapers stage 3 35 count pack of 4

No comments:

Post a Comment