Non-toxic Personal Care

 

Non-Toxic Body Care Products:

• Home-made Body Care Products - Alternatives to Commercial Toxic Products: After Shave ... Astringent ... Body Power ... Body Scrub ... Body Lotion .... Conditioners ... Dental: Tooth & Gum Care ... Deodorant ... Exfoliant ... Facial Creams ... Facial Toners ... Facial Mask ... Foot Powder ... Lip Balm ... Massage Oil ... Perfumes ... Skin Cleanser ... Shampoo ... Soap & Cleansing Agents ... Tanning Oil

• If you are not "into" mixing your own potions, but would like to use non-toxic, natural body care products, please visit this website for a good selection






 
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• Did You Know?
   
  • Conventional makeup is composed of 10 percent or less pigments - the rest tend to be fillers, preservatives and other ingredients that sensitive the skin. Mineral makeup has grown in popularity amongs those seeking healthier alternatives. In addition to color, mineral make-up's main ingredients: zinc oxide and titanim dioxide - create a natural sunscreen for the skin. However, while most mineral makeup lines emphasize their sun protection properties, it's best not to rely on makeup alone to protect your skin.
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
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  • Toxic Lipsticks: According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, lead can be found in more than half of the 33 top-brand lipsticks. Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and according to Mark Mitchell, MD, MPH, director of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, "The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels." Since the average woman ingests more than four pounds of lipstick over the course of her life, it's time to get the lead out of lipsticks.

    (Please Note: snopes.com had dismissed rumors of lead toxicity in lipstick as "mostly false" and alarmist because -- according to them -- women do not eat lipstick (or at least not in sufficient amounts to do any harm). Any woman who has to keep reapplying her lipstick throughout the day knows that this is not so ... Additionally, some lipstick will get absorbed into the body right through the skin, which is no different than eating it.)

  • This website has a variety of non-toxic make-up and skin care products for you to choose from and has information on recommended products available at some grocery or health food stores; and warns about products sold as "organic" and "natural" yet contain toxic ingredients.
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
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  • ONLY Use NATURAL Sunscreen Products: The chemicals in many sunscreen products are highly carcinogenic, and they get absorbed right through your skin where they can contribute to damaging your liver, heart, brain and other organs. They also block vitamin D, which is crucial for preventing cancer. Coconut Oil applied regularly to your skin (not before sun exposure, but daily) will provide natural sun protection.


• Find out what toxins (if any) are in your favorite personal care items. Search the Cosmetics Database

 

The "Green" Home: Instructions for Preparing Safe Cleaning Products Yourself

Holistic Health: Organic Oils to Lower Cholesterol, lower blood-pressure and overall good health ... Herbal Anti-Inflammatories (addresses skin problems, bacterial / viral diseases, joint problems and arthritis ... Risks Associates with Commercially Available Personal Care Products

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Specific Problem Areas & Alternative Treatment:

Bookmarks on this page: Acne Treatment ... Age Spots ... Broken Capillaries ... Burns ... Cellulite ... Dry, Cracked Skin ... Foot Odor ... Mature Skin ... Oily & Acne Prone Skin ... Stretch Marks ... Sun-burned Skin ... Swollen Ankles / Tired Feet ... Bad Teeth and Unhealthy Gums ... Thinning, Damaged, Greying Hair .... Tired Eyes & Under-eye Circles ... Wrinkles

 

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Specific Problem Areas & Alternative Treatment:

Acne Treatment

 

Age Spots:

My favorite: Depending on how much sun exposure you had over the years, hyper-pigmentation and blotchiness can show up now. A regular weekly mask will help reduce this problem. Spread a thin layer of plain yogurt on your face and neck. Let penetrate for 20 minutes before rinsing. The lactic acid in the yogurt is a natural exfoliant and lightening agent. With consistent use, your pigmentation can become noticeably more even.

2nd Suggestion: To lighten age spots, rub lemon directly onto your skin.  However, citrus can aggravate the skin, especially if your skin is sensitive. Citus is a photosensitizer (increases the skin reaction to sunlight and makes it more likely to burn) - so if you do use it, do so at night.

 

Broken Capillaries:

Coconut butter as a base, add rose, palmarosa, or parsley oil.

 

Burns:

To treat burns, apply Coconut butter with geranium, patchouli or lavender oil added.

 

Cellulite:

Coconut butter, plus add grapefruit, tangerine, or orange oil (essential oils).

 

Oily & Acne Prone Skin

 

Mature Skin:

Beautiful skin starts with good nutrition. Please visit this webpage for information on what food items will keep your skin healthy and beautiful.

Home-made Moisturizers: I am mixing my own body oils to specifically address the problems associated with mature skin.

• • Body: I mix Shea Butter, Walnut Oil, Avocado Oil, Borage Seed Oil and Jojoba -- carrier oils that are very effective in moisturizing the skin (you can use just one or several oils - whatever your preference. I mix several as each one has their own benefits. I add the following essential oils: Carrot Seed, Frankencise, Parsley Seed, Lavender and Patchouli (the latter of which is a natural insect repellant and aids against cellulite). The other essentials oils basically are restorative (reducing sun damage) and moisturizing. I use a handheld food blender. (NOTE: Avocado is toxic to birds - do not use avocado oil is there is a chance that your bird will ingest any of it.)
     
  • Face: Grape Seed Oil, Walnut Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil (best anti-aging oil there is in skin care), Jojoba and Frankincense (ideal for mature, wrinkled skin in need of a lift), as well as Carrot Seed Essential Oil.
    • Essential oils.
    • Carrier oils (Grape seed oil, walnut oil, coconut oil, etc.)
    • Moisturizing and Refreshing Mask: Mix avocado with shredded cucumber. Avocados are rich in protein and Vitamin A. Cucumbers are cooling and cleansing. Use a mashed banana for a skin firming mask. (NOTE: Avocado is toxic to birds - do not use avocado oil is there is a chance that your bird will ingest any of it.)
       
  • Thin / Sagging Skin / Fine Lines:
   

  Mix green tea, chamomile or ginseng tea (made with mineral water or distilled water) with lavender or lemon oil. Green tea is rich in antioxidants which fight free radicals that damage and age the skin. Green tea is said to diminish fine lines. Lavender oil is a good toner and lemon oil is a good rejuvenator and toner. Add Vitamin C crystals as a preservative and antioxidant. MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) is a natural vegetarian source of organic sulfur good for the skin. Add MSM crystals to your toner, or eat high sulfur foods such as kale or watercress. Prick a vegetarian capsule of Vitamin A, E, or wheat germ oil and smooth directly onto your skin; add to coconut, almond, or apricot oil, or to your toner. Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant and Vitamin E is said to slow down the aging process. Almond oil soothes and lubricates the skin. Apricot oil protects and softens the skin. Wheat germ oil promotes skin elasticity.

   
  • NOTE: Experiment with the different carrier and essential oils. Initially, you will buy a lot of ingredients, but they will last a long time. Considering what you are spending on body care products now, you will find that you get better products and yet save money.
  • Also refer to this section for great tips!

 

Dry / Cracked Skin:

Pure unrefined shea butter works miracles on cracked skin. You could also infuse some nice healing herbs---Chamomile, calendula, comfry, etc in some olive oil----then add a little bit of lavender and *tea tree essential oils to enhance smell and antibacterial properties. Emu oil would be a good additive also. However, keep the percentage of shea high.

*NOTE: Tea Tree Essential Oil is Toxic to Birds - do not use around them

 

Foot Odor:

For a foot powder, mix cornstarch, aluminum-free baking soda (such as Bob's Red Mill Baking Soda) and tea tree* or peppermint oil. Baking soda acts as a deodorizer and soothes the skin. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial, and fungicide.

NOTE: Tea Tree Essential Oil is Toxic to Birds - do not use around them

 

Stretch Marks:

Coconut butter, plus, add palmarosa or neroli oil.

 

Sunburned Skin

 

Swollen Ankles / Tired Feet:

Peppermint oil is soothing to the feet and swollen ankles.

 

Thinning, Damaged, Greying Hair:

The secret of many renowned hair dressers is coconut oil, and it is used in many commercial products -- however, the ingredients are likely to be inferior to the organic, expeller-expressed, extra virgin coconut oil that you can get at better health stores or online. The richness and highly moisturizing properties of coconut oil are said to promote shine, keep hair from turning gray and, believe it or not, are said to help sparse hair grow thicker and fuller if a few drops of Rosemary Essential Oil are added, which increases blood flow in the scalp. You will literally feel the tingling sensation on your scalp - it feels very pleasant. The oil also helps repair damaged hair, offering essential proteins to strengthen and nourish it.

A hot coconut oil scalp massage once a week is rumored to be the secret of the luxurious hair of Indian women. Follow these steps to do your own treatment at home:

1. Heat coconut oil in a pan on the stove. DO NOT MICROWAVE.
2. Massage scalp.
3. Distribute oil throughout hair.
4. Place a clean towel over your pillow and leave oil on over night.
5. Rinse out in the morning.
6. Enjoy your lustrous look.

Dandruff

 

Bad Teeth and Unhealthy Gums

 

Wrinkles / Mature Skin:

• Beautiful skin starts with good nutrition. Please visit this webpage for information on what food items will keep your skin healthy and beautiful.
   
• Green Tea: Green tea is valued as a wrinkle reverser, inhibiting inflammation and sun damage. An article published in the Archives of Dermatology concurs that green tea may, indeed, ward off skin cancer and signs of aging. Researchers at Case Western University in Cleveland maintain that the secret to green tea's skin-protective properties are its high levels of its high levels of polyphenols and catechins - powerful antioxidants shown to function as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents.
  • Tip: After making a cup of tea, save the tea bags in a closed glass container in your refrigerator and use them as cleansing pads for your face the next morning. They are perfect for exfoliating the skin and green tea has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • If you really want to reap the
  • Available at your stores -- please make sure that you get the organic, higher-quality variety.
     
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C topical preparations can deliver even higher dosages of the skin-strengthening vitamin. This stimulates production of collagen, the connective tissue that keeps skin firm and taut. Lotions and serums enriched with vitamin C may also repair and minimize fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun exposure and aging, and protect the skin against environmental oxidative pollutants and other free radicals.
  • Vitamin C cream applied daily to healthy female volunteers with sun-damaged skin over a six-month period resulted in a significant decrease in lines and wrinkles, according to a study published in Experimental Dermatology. Skin biopsies revealed improved collagen structure and reappearance of elastic fibers in the vitamin C-treated skin.
  • For an at-home vitamin C treatment, Back recommends rubbing a slice of fresh orange in circular motions on the face before going to sleep, three nights a week. "The vitamin C in the orange will help with cellular renewal, naturally exfoliating hyperpigmentation scars," says Back. "Your epidermis will look like a whole new skin.


• Recommended carrier oils and essential oils: Coconut butter, Jojoba Oil or Shea Butter -- add rose, orange or patchouli oil (organic Essential oils)

 

Tired or Puffy Eyes or Dark Circles under Eyes:

To reduce puffiness without causing irritation, place cucumber slices over your eyes. The fruit's natural astringent properties soothe your skin.

For dark circles around your eyes, place cooled tea bags over your eyes. 

 

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