Are you concerned about harmful phthalates, triclosan and parabens in your personal care products?
Mercury in mascara? Lead in lipstick?
If not, maybe you should be.
For far too long, most of us have been slathering toxic cosmetic ingredients on our bodies, for beauty’s sake.
Unbeknownst to many of us, harmful chemicals in our beauty and personal care products are absorbed into
our bodies, build up and unwittingly make us feel tired and sick.
Chemicals in cosmetics are largely untested and unregulated, which is why the Environmental Working
Group (EWG) has been advocating cosmetic safety reform for nearly 10 years.
Numerous research studies have confirmed that many of the personal care products we use daily contain
dangerous chemicals.
Since the law that governs cosmetics in this country has not been updated since 1938 when it was enacted,
cosmetics companies in the U.S. are basically free to include almost any ingredient they want into the
personal care products they sell, without first having to prove that they are safe.
According to the Environmental Working Group,
“Most consumers assume that the government has their backs
when it comes to the safety of the 12 or so personal care
products they use each day.
The shocking truth is that under current law, companies
do not have to show cosmetic ingredients are safe
before they go on the market.
What goes on our skin is often absorbed into our
bodies, and that’s certainly the case with chemicals
in personal care products.
One study alone–EWG’s 2008 teen body burden
study–found an average of 13 cosmetics chemicals
in the bodies of teenage girls.
Among them were phthalates, triclosan, parabens
and musks – all of which have been found to
alter the hormonal system.”
Fortunately, more and more of us are catching on to the fact that “natural” can be better.
In fact, most stores now have a line of “natural” beauty products.
However, often times manyof these products are not actually “natural” so it definitely pays
to do our homework to ensure that we are getting what we paid for–safe, nontoxic products.
On top of that, “natural” products often come with a big price tag attached as well.
The good news is that, Mother Nature provides us with the kindest care for our
skin and hair.
And actually, making beauty products ourselves isn’t very difficult at all.
So if you want beauty products that you know are natural and are also inexpensive, just
make them yourself.
Here are a few quick and easy recipes you can whip up in your kitchen to create
your own relaxing and natural beauty spa day in your home.
Let’s start with a healthy hair conditioner:
Castoroil & Egg Hair Conditioner
Many people pay a lot of money for a conditioner that actually makes your hair look and
feel good.
Here’s a great natural recipe that wil save you money and enhance your hair.
Simply mix:
*One organic egg yolk
*with a tablespoon of castor oil
*and apply to hair.
*Wrap your hair with a shower cap.
*Let sit for about 30 minutes and rinse out.
You can use this every so often as a conditioning treatment for healthy shiny hair.
If you like being experimental, you can try mixing other kitchen items, herbs, and natural items
with eggs for healthy, shiny hair.
While the conditioner is working it’s magic on your hair, why not relax with some food on your face:
Carrot Avocado Facial Mask
Eating fruits, vegetables and other nutritious food feeds your body you with the nutrients you
need to look good.
You can get more of these vitamins and minerals by putting the good stuff right on your skin.
Combine a:
*mashed, steamed carrot or mashed raw carrot juice pump
*mashed avocado
*a beaten organic egg
*with a few tablespoons of honey
The result: a great face mask that provides vitamins and improves the tone and texture of
your skin.
Simply stir well, apply the mask to your face, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, and then wash off with
cool water.
But, don’t forget your hands and feet!
While you are allowing the hair conditioner and facial mask to work their magic, pamper your
hands and feet with this homemade treatment:
Sea Salt & Olive Oil Hand and Foot Cream
A quick face mask will help make you look great in not a lot of time, but hands and feet require extra care.
Mix:
*½ cup of olive oil
*with natural sea salt
and massage into your hands and feet.
Leave a few minutes to soak and then rinse off with warm water.
Natural Skin Toner
After you’re washed and nourished your skin, you can apply:
*a grated cucumber
*or diluted lemon juice
to your face as a toner to help tighten your skin and close up your pores to close your pores and
keep your skin looking great.
When it comes to DIY natural beauty products, these recipes are just a start.
You can find hundreds of different combinations in natural beauty books, magazines, and online.
Or you can head to your kitchen, see what’s on hand and create your own natural beauty recipes.
Have you made your own DIY natural beauty products? What are your favorite recipes?
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These recipes are fabulous! Can you suggest something that I could substitute for the egg? Perhaps I could just eliminate it? Thanks so much!
I am glad you asked that question. I am considering updating those recipes with vegan substitutes. Flaxseed is often used as an egg substitute. Plus there are vegan egg replacement products available.
Great article & tips Deborah!
I really liked the fact that you addressed each part that we can be following on with the DIY spa day 🙂
Hi Danielle,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. We all need to take some time out and pamper ourselves. It’s fun and easy to do it in the comfort of our homes when we can.
Great post! I check the EWG database all the time!
Hilary x thehealthycollective.com
Hi Hilary,
I am so glad you enjoyed this post! What would we do without EWG? Thanks for sharing your comments.
As we know that most of the people are facing skin problems and they do lots of things for best skin.I think your post really helpful to get best skin with natural way,thanks for sharing it.
Nice post