Cosmetics Health and Safety

Most women (and, yes, some men) use one form or another of make-up everyday. Whether it is a little bit of mascara or everything from foundation to a brow-liner, you should really know exactly what you are putting on your face. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, "20 products with over 200 chemicals" is what the typical woman puts on her face before she goes out of her house for the day. I would sure like to know if those chemicals are safe to put on my skin.

As I have said before, your skin is too important to neglect because it is the body's largest organ. So I did some research. First-off, it is good to know that Cosmetic companies do not have to follow the same rules as food and drug companies. This means that they do not have to approve their products by the FDA or test the items before selling them. All they have to do is say "Product is safe if used as directed". What does that even mean? I am pretty sure I wasn't going to try and eat any of it anyways, but thanks for the tip.

I really wanted to find out what chemicals I should try and stay away from, since the Cosmetic industry really was not going to help me out. What I found was actually pretty scary. When you get home, check your cosmetics for any of these ingredients:

- parabens
- petro-chemicals and their by-products (skin creams, foundations, lip balms)
- mercury (mascara)
- lead (lipstick)
- dioxane (shampoo and body wash)
- phthalates (nail polish, hairspray, perfume)

Parabens and petro-chemiclas are the most common in cosmetics and luckily the least severe of harmful chemicals. You can find them on the ingredient list by looking for anything that ends in "parabens" and anything that starts with "petro" or "petra". All of the ingredients listed above can create long term effects such as several types of cancer, infertility and birth defects. WebMD also states that "women under the age of 25 are more susceptible to these future conditions". I think I might just go out and restock my supplies!

But which cosmetics are safe and how do you find them? There are many things that you can do to make your make-up bag chemical free. Looking up the product online is a very good idea. Www.cosmeticsdatabase.com is a good website to use to see the most up-to-date ratings of the available cosmetics. It is good to remember that when it comes to make-up, less is more. The less the ingredients, the better it is for you. The more bland the smell, the better it is for you. Chances are, you don't need that much make-up anyways! Also, just because the label says "organic" does not mean that it is free of these chemicals. I have listed some websites at the bottom of this post that have really good organic cosmetics. The products contain no parabens, which is really hard to find. My absolute favorite brand is Bare Minerals. These products can be found at any of the Sephora stores (which is located at the Holyoke Mall). It can be a little pricy, but I would rather pay more money for products that will be safe rather than one that might give me cancer or take away my ability to have a child.

So long story short, make sure you are using safe cosmetics. Use them correctly and as directed. And if you just cannot part with that special foundation that you have used for years and years its o.k. Just as long as you do not use it everyday or put too much on. Our skin is important, but these chemicals also cause cancer and infertility, which is nothing to mess around with. So be smart and wear minimal make-up. You don't need it anyways!

http://bareescentuals.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BareEscentuals-Site/default/Home-Show?brandId=BM&site=251
http://www.lavera.com/index.php?p=cat_home
http://www.tartecosmetics.com/
http://janeiredale.com/

Want to check your make-up on a rating scale? Check this out:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?maincat=makeup&gclid=CMCVi5SPk54CFYdd5Qod3zurog

You Are What You Eat

Taking care of your skin involves more than just applying lotions, creams, and cleansers to the outside of your body. It also depends on what you put in it. A healthy diet will create vibrant, healthy skin just as an unhealthy diet will result in unhealthy skin. Don't believe me? Elaine Linker, PhD, biochemist and founder of DDF Skin Care reported that eczema can be easily cause by a poor diet. So it really does matter what you eat!

What foods are especially healthy for your skin you ask? Here is a list of just a few.

Your basic antioxidants are really healthy for your skin. They protect the skin cells from being damaged by UV rays and the everyday wear and tear. Some of my favorites are blueberries, strawberries, plums and blackberries. Some others that do not sound as appealing are artichokes, beans, prunes and pecans. They might not taste as good but will do just as good a job. Low fat dairy products will also do the trick. Dietary vitamin A is healthy for the skin and also good for your intestinal health.

Foods high in fatty acids are also extremely good for your skin. They protect the cell membranes, therefore creating healthy skin. Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids are best. Eating flax seed, canola oil and salmon will give you the perfect amount of the Omega 3 fatty acids that you and your skin needs. Healthy oils are also good for your skin. They serve as a natural lubricator and help keep moisture in the cells and pores, therefore avoiding breakouts and inflammation. Natural cooking, vegetable and olive oils are best. Oily foods from fast food restaurants are not the kind you want to eat!

Lastly, there are two beverages that will give you healthy skin in no time. The first is good old H2O. Water naturally hydrates the skin and makes very happy cells. The skin itself could use about a 1/2 gallon of water a day. It also helps the skin to sweat which is a natural pore opener. However, my favorite drink is green tea. It serves as an anti-inflammatory agent that will definitely prevent breakouts and redness as well as create vibrant, glowing skin. It also helps to protect skin cell membranes. My favorite part is that it protects against the damage of UV rays, therefore protecting against skin cancer!!! Not to mention it is a delicious beverage.

So there you have it. If you want healthy, good-looking skin, especially during these up-coming winter months, pay attention to what you eat. Your skin cares about what you are feeding your body and after all, You Are What You Eat!

http://allwomenstalk.com/9-best-foods-for-your-skin/

http://food.yahoo.com/blog/beautyeats/29703/18-foods-that-make-your-skin-glow

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-food

Acne Treatment: Do's and Don'ts

So you have problems with acne? Big deal, everyone does in one form or another. Acne is described as a skin condition that results in blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and other blemishes. There are so many different ways to treat all different kinds of acne.

To simply lessen the effects there are a few things that you can do. The skin should be cleaned with a gentle soap. I highly recommend Dove and Neutrogena as mild but efficient soaps. It is also very important to use water-based makeup and facial creams. Oil or grease based products will just clog up the pores and create more infection and break-outs. Another essential tip is to shampoo the hair daily. Some salon professionals will tell their customers that skipping a day of wash is healthy for the hair. However, it makes the skin extremely oily and more susceptible to acne. Tight hair bands also pull the skin back deforming and clogging the pores so it is a good idea to stay away from them. Avoiding touching your face with your oily fingers and hands in general is a good idea if you want to avoid breakouts. Most importantly, DON'T PICK! Even though it is tempting and you may think it looks better afterwards, it leads to more breakouts, infections, and permanent scarring. A little sun exposure is also good for the skin, but remember, NOT TOO MUCH EXPOSURE! :)

If all of this does not work, there are over-the-counter creams and lotions that might do the trick. Proactive is the most popular, but there are other less expensive brands. These lotions work by killing the bacteria and drying the oil in order for the skin to peel off therefore opening and cleaning the pores. The most important thing to remember is that one lotion will not work for everyone. Everyone's skin type is different so different creams and lotions are needed for all types of people. Do not get discouraged if the first one you try does not work. While using the over-the-counter drugs, do not forget to practice the above mentioned methods.

If the over-the-counter method does not work, a dermatologist should be contacted. They can prescribe a number of medications that might work to help with the acne as well as prevent infection and scarring. Some of these include: Oral antibiotics (minocycline, tetracycline), Isotretinoin pills (Accutane), prescription formulas (benzoyl peroxide), chemical skin peeling, and topical antibiotics (erythromycin). For some women, doctors and dermatologists will prescribe a certain birth control pill to help with acne. Because there are so many different medications, it is really important to do your research before using them. Ask your dermatologist questions and be confident that you will find a medication that works for you. Acne is a skin condition that affects many people in the world. Even if you cannot find a cure right away, do not let it put you down. There are more important things in life than a skin condition that you cannot control.

http://www.acneheroes.com/acne/action-plan.aspx?WT.mc_id=GOG20092H01&WT.ev=s

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/prescription-acne-medication-dermatologists-recommend.html

http://www.drugs.com/enc/acne.html

Tattoos and Piercings: How to protect your body art

My roomates have been discussing their future plans to get tattoos together so it sparked an idea for a blog. The importance of skin care and body art is self explanatory. But there are so many different opinions out there from the media, stores, consumers and artists. Which is best?

Skin care for a tattoo is essential to keep the colors bright and your skin healthy. After all, it is permanent (for the most part). The most common ointment to apply after getting a tattoo is Bacitracin. It cleans and heals the wound while keeping the color vibrant. However, some people have an allergic reaction to Bacitracin which causes the colors to bleed out, hence ruining the tattoo. The second best is Vitamin A & D ointment. It keeps the color bright and moisturizes the skin, but it is not antibacterial so it will not clean. A & D is not the best ointment for someone prone to infections.

Another good idea is to moisturize the tattoo at least once a day. However, you do not want to use anything with dyes or fragrances in it. Any chemicals that will clog pores are bad because the tattoo needs to breath to heal. Items that contain Lanolin are also things you want to stay away from. Lanolin is one of the main components of sheep's wool and many people are allergic to it. A simple moisturizer that doesn't have a pungent smell is the best.

But what if you are prone to infection or even allergic reactions? Not to worry. If you keep the tattoo clean and protected until it heals, there really should be no problems. Take the advice of your artist because they know what they are talking about, if you did your research :)

*To keep the colors brighter longer: Wear sunscreen on the tattoo whenever it is exposed to the sun. (You should always wear sunscreen outside anyways)

Piercings are a whole different story, even thought they are still wounds on the skin. Many people fall for the mall shop "ear care solution". THIS IS NOT A GOOD CLEANER! It will not necessarily do damage to someone that does not usually get infections, but infections in piercings are extremely common. A SEA SALT SOAK is ideal. It can be found in any grocery store or pharmacy. A second best is saline solution. As long as the piercing is cleaned twice daily and kept loose, it will heal within the alloted time given by the artist.

Don't neglect your skin, especially your body art. You don't want this to happen

Wash, Moisturize and Care for your Face!

Afraid of that Halloween mask staying on forever? Don't be. Face care is easy and can be turned into a daily routine for anyone with an extra five minutes in their day. But when is the best time do all of this?

A face wash is best to do before you go to bed. The pores will open and stay clean all night. It is also very beneficial to choose an exfoliating wash, cream, or scrub. The skin is thinnest on your face, therefore the cells die and reproduce a lot faster. Dead skin cells can create problems for the new skin which create blemishes. That is where the exfoliating comes in. Products that advertised with "beads" in them are perfect because they rub against the skin. The chemicals in the wash exfoliate, or clear out the dead skin cells on your face. This is why you get a fresh stinging sensation after the wash! After the night wash, you should apply a facial moisturizer before you go to sleep. REMEMBER: When choosing any product for your face, make sure it says "FACIAL" or "FOR THE FACE". Because it is the thinnest skin on your body, other soaps, cleansers and moisturizers are too strong for your face.

*******ATTENTION* After exfoliating, it is even more important to apply a facial SPF lotion because the skin cells are new and more susceptible to UV Rays**********

It is also very smart to wash your pillowcase once, if not twice a week because the dirt and particles that pile up easily sink into your pores while you are sleeping. If you shower at any time during the day you should definitely moisturize afterwards. Leaving the skin dry kills the cells faster and the exfoliation cleanser you just used in the shower is therefore useless. No matter what, the face should be washed and moisturized before bed.

Some wash their face when they wake up, which is completely fine. Personally, I find it pointless. After you wash, you will most likely apply make-up, go to class, play a sport, go to work, etc. Your face is now getting its days worth of dirt and should be washed at night as well. I just believe it is a waste of time. However, a simple cold splash of water in the morning helps wake you up and get rid of those circles under the eyes.

Again, the best moisturizers are the organic ones. The exfoliating washes, scrubs, and cleansers can be big name brand products. I prefer to use the Clean & Clear exfoliators because they really work for my skin type. It really does depend on the person.



By request, I found my favorite moisturizer online. It is a Vitamin Enhanced Moisturizer from "Made By Earth". It contains no parabens or chemical preservatives and is made completely of ingredients from nature. However, it is a little on the expensive side going for $86.00 per product! It is really hard to find an organic product for a reasonable price.
http://www.madefromearth.com/content/vitamin-enhanced-moisturizer

Moisturizers: Do's and Don'ts

The most important asset to healthy skin is a good moisturizer. But which ones are best? Which ones are harmful? First of all, I do not use anything that has been tested on animals because it is unethical. That is besides the point. You should stay away from anything that is a mainstream, well-known brand and go towards very natural ingredients.

The big brand products are usually cheap, therefore made with the cheapest ingredients. These include chemicals and petrochemicals that you need to stay away from. Two harmful and even cancerous ingredients include "mineral oil" and anything that ends in "parabens". These chemicals have been named carcinogens by the Cosmetic Safety Database (CSD). Also, even though it should be obvious, PLEASE stay away from moisturizers with the warnings that read, "WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT". If it's harmful for you to ingest, it probably is not the best thing for you to be applying to your skin. Remember, it is the largest organ in your body.

So now you know what to look out for. Well here is what you should search for. Anything natural. Avocado oil, Shea Butter, and Olive oil are just a few that will moisturize your skin naturally and effectively. Their most important component? Natural Ingredients.

Think about what you are putting on your skin. Would you rather it be some lab-developed chemicals that cost next to nothing? Or would you want extremely natural ingredients that have not been processed at all? I think the answer is obvious. Do not neglect your skin, especially during the season change and winter. It is the key to healthy skin.

Some helpful websites:
http://naturalskinhealth.com/natural-skincare/
http://naturalskinhealth.com/blog/best-face moisturizer/
http://www.ehow.com/video_4756514_what-best-moisturizer-face.html

Safe Tan: is there Such a Thing?

Employees at tanning salons are extremely tan. I am sure that is an observation that every regular "bed-tanner" has made. However, if you ask them how many times they use the beds, their answer might surprise you. Many of them use spray tanning, a so-called safer way to tan.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but spray tanning is not 100% healthy either. Like any skin care product, it contains chemicals that have not been tested by the Federal Drug Association (FDA). Excessive exposure to these chemicals create allergic reactions such as rashes, swelling, and even flu like symptoms.

Many assume that the spray isn't harmful because of the tested, main ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Its just a brown sugar-like chemical that is the main coloring agent. It does not do any harm to the skin, however is is not supposed to be ingested. Now, think about the spray tanning procedure. The spray has to be ingested through the mouth, nose, eyes, and in some cases the genitals. That does not sound very healthy to me.

Despite all of this, a spray tan is healthier than UV ray tan. So if you must stay tan, here is a video that shows the process and gives great information on how to keep your tan for longer.
http://video.about.com/beauty/Watch-Airbrush-Tanning.htm