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Most people don’t realize how lucrative “beauty” is. It is one of the fasting growing industries in the world, and recent reports suspect that the global beauty market will reach $265 billion in 2017! Now, don’t get me wrong, making money isn’t a bad thing. What concerns me is the real cost that the marketplace doesn’t like to talk about; namely, the health risks associated with a vast majority of products sold on store shelves today.
This, my friend, is why my wife and I DIY and why I hope you will, too!
Your Skin is a Sponge
The reason why we’ve become aware of the harm that body care products can cause is because of the discovery that human skin is literally a sponge. Scientists have proven that more than 60% of the chemicals in our body care products absorb through our skin and into our blood stream, but this is just one part of the equation! Think about all the hairspray you inhale when doing your hair, the lipstick that you unconsciously lick throughout the day, or the minute mascara particles that enter your eyes!
If you’re using an abundant life giving concoction made with a healthy base and therapeutic grade essential oils, then you have nothing to worry about. You can do a happy dance because you’re doing your body good! On the other hand, if your favorite cosmetic line is filled with harmful fillers and preservatives, then you better on dance yourself to the doctor’s office for a early check-up because you’re poisoning yourself!
Yes, I jest, but this is no laughing matter. This is serious business, folks, and the safe rule of thumb to live by is if you won’t eat it, you shouldn’t put it on your skin!
Hidden Toxins in Your Body Care Products
It is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase pure, wholesome body care products and unsuspecting customers are duped by labels claiming they are “all natural, “organic” and “GMO-free.” Yes, these qualities are all very important to maintain the integrity of your health, but they are not a guarantee of purity because harmful fillers and preservatives are oftentimes slipped in your favorite lotion or cream.
Some of the most dangerous (and common!) culprits to be on the lookout for are:
- Coal Tar
- DEA (Diethanolamine)
- Formaldehyde
- Fragrance/Parfum
- Mineral oil
- Lauryl sulfates
- Parabens
- Propylene glycol (PEG)
- Talc
The bottom line is that you need to be avid label reader, and make sure that you are not being inadvertently poisoned by the products that you’re using every day!
Easy DIY Natural Solutions
Two of the most dangerous culprits in the beauty market are cosmetics and lotions; both of which are extremely easy to do-it-yourself (DIY).
Cosmetics
By and large, the vast majority of women use one or more cosmetic items to enhance their look. Sadly most of these are made up of synthetic ingredients that are caked on their face for hours on end. We mustn’t forget what we have already learned – these chemicals are blinked into your eyes, seeped into your pores, and accidentally licked into your mouths every single day of the year and this accumulates over your lifespan.
The primary way to stop this vicious cycle is to implement some easy-to-implement natural solutions and lipstick is the first place to start. Essentially a jazzed up lip balm, you can DIY by following this recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon beeswax / beeswax beads
- 1 teaspoon cocoa or Shea butter
- Dash coloring powder (beet, cinnamon or powder)
- Essential Oils (where The Paleo Mama recommend purchasing from)
Instructions
- Melt oil, beeswax and butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Stir in optional coloring powder
- Remove from heat and stir in a drop or two of essential oil for fragrance and nourishment, like frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, nerloi, rose, or ylang ylang.
- Place mixture in lipstick tubes or a small tin container.
- Put in refrigerator to cool and use when desired.
As a word of caution, don’t forget that many cold-pressed citrus oils are phototoxic, meaning they can cause excessive sensitivity when exposed to the sun. If you’d like to use citrus oils in your lipstick, be sure to use the ones on this list:
- Bergamot Oil (FCF)
- Blood Orange Oil
- Lemon Oil (Steam Distilled)
- Lime Oil (Steam Distilled)
- Mandarin Oil
- Sweet Orange Oil
- Orange Leaf Oil
- Satsuma Oil (Cold/Expeller Pressed)
- Tangelo Oil
- Tangerine Oil
- Yuzu Oil
Lotion
We all can use a little moisturizing love to take care of the skin that works so hard for us now and again, right? But, at what cost are we doing so? Granted, lotion is a very basic product (or should be), but most contain a mile-long list of chemicals that are a recipe for nothing good for our health!
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the harmful fillers and preservatives like parabens, mineral oil and fragrance when purchasing your lotion. If you get discouraged because you can’t find one with the fragrance that you enjoy without all the junk in it, then doing it yourself is the way to go. And, oh, how simple it is!
By and large, the easiest and most effective moisturizer is a simple ointment reminiscent of something our ancestors used to enjoy. All you need is a healthy, non-toxic base and some essential oils. Easy peesy!
- 1 oz of the carrier oil of your choosing (fractionated coconut, jojoba, almond, olive, grape seed are all great options)
- 5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil (geranium, helichrysum, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, rose and sandalwood are all good choices)
If you want a thicker lotion or cream-type of consistency, try:
- 1/4 cup Shea butter
- 1/8 cup sweet almond oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 20 drops of essential oils
Don’t forget the warning about photosensitization and citrus oils. You certainly don’t want sunspots and excessive burns, because you’re going to be out in the sun too much one day.
Guest posted By Dr. Eric Zielinski (thanks Eric!)
