Skin Care
Super Tub Scrub
Jan 20th
Looking down at my wintry hands I thought: ugh…they look weathered and dry. 
Our skin is our biggest organ so taking care of it is very important. So what to do? I went into my superfood cupboard and came up with a SUPER scrub. My recipe includes Coconut Oil which kills bacteria and is an incredible moisturizer. The Rock Salt also serves to remove toxins from the skin, it hydrates the skin as it allows moisture to be retained and also promotes cell regeneration. The Chia acts as a great exfoliant but also has vitamin E which is vital for skin health. The lavender oil not only smells terrific but also is anti-bacterial, removes nervous tension and enhances blood circulation. So go ahead and have a super-you day!!!!
2 Tablespoons Mum’s Original Coconut Oil (room temperature)
3 Tablespoons Mum’s Original Himalayan Inner Mountain Rock Salt
1 Tablespoon Mum’s Original Wholeseed Chia
3 drops organic lavender oil
Mix all ingredients together with a spoon until it forms a thick paste. Tip: if oil is too liquid, place in fridge. Use scrub to exfoliate body while in dry bathtub. Once done, rinse off with warm water. Don’t use soap as it will strip your skin of the amazing effects. Dab yourself dry with a fluffy towel. You will smell and feel wonderful!
Youthful Boosters
Mar 22nd
For better skin, hair and nails you can incorporate great foods into your routine with beauty-saving nutrients for great results inside and out.
Coenzyme Q10
In the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, patients who took CoQ10 supplements saw a noticeable improvement in their skin texture after 3 months. On average pore size and fine lines decreased by 20%.
Hempseeds / Hempoil
For natural beauty opt for the anti-oxidant and EFA power house of hempseeds and hempoil. High in gamma linolenic acid, hempseeds and hempoil are a great tasting way to ensure your cells rebuild and are rejuvenated while reducing and inflammation. The essential fatty acids in hemp also serve to plump up and provide healthy skin. For any dry patches or for an excellent hair and scalp conditioner, use the hempoil topically. Hempoil makes an excellent body lotion, makeup remover and repairs dry scalp and damaged hair (massage in for 2 hours then shampoo out 2x). Keep it by the bedside as it can also be used as a safe and effective natural night time lubricant.
PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid)
PABA assists in breaking down protein, the formation of red blood cells and maintaining intestinal flora. It is used in some sunscreens as it helps protect the skin against ultra-violet radiation. Without enough PABA, you can end up feeling tired, grumpy and nervous and a deficiency may even result in weeping eczema. When taken in excess (i.e too much sunscreen or PABA supplements) it can result in nausea, skin rashes and vomiting and can result in liver damage. PABA is found in liver, kidney, brewer’s yeast, molasses, whole grains, mushrooms and spinach.
Patchouli Oil
This South and East Asian plant, with its distinct smell, is good for the skin as it helps with acne, eczema, oily skin and wrinkles. The oil has therapeutic properties as it is an anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, diuretic and tonic. Mix it in with your skin creams or add to water for a natural skin tonic.
Rosemary Oil
Use this amazingly nutrient dense herb in oil form on scalp and hair to rid product buildup and slow the onset of grey hair as it darkens hair over time.
Seabuckthorn
Native to Asia, this shrub produces Vitamin C and E rich berries that also have phytochemicals and fatty acids. This is one of the most powerful botanical antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. The oil can help topically for skin blemishes, micro skin tears, and help heal scars. This can be used topically and atopically as an anti-oxidant booster both inside and out.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an extremely effective antioxidant, and can neutralize the volatile reactions caused by free radicals (unstable molecules), caused by genes, environmental pollutants, smoking, or excess sun exposure. It is also a critical component for the production of collagen, which is a naturally occurring protein. Collagen is required throughout your body and is critical for connective tissue in organs, bones and teeth.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps support the skin barrier and can assist in protecting the skin from sun damage. It also pumps up the effectiveness of Vitamin A and K at the cellular level.
So by adding in healthy daily doses of vitamin C you can stave off free radicals to reduce your risks of cancer, and improve your overall skin quality. Foods rich in Vitamin C include: strawberries, lemons, oranges, kiwi, broccoli, brussel sproats, kale, peppers and Salba.
Wrinkles
As you get older the body has less ability to handle the evil free radicals which means that cells get more easily damaged leading to older looking skin. With the super antioxidant Vitamin E, as found in hemp, nuts, papaya and seeds, the body can better able process the free radicals and is also studied to firm up the skin. Firmer skin means less wrinkles and fine lines. So eat it and apply it….opt for the pocket book efficient hemp oil or higher cost avocado oil for both topical and digested beauty 101.
Toxic Cosmetics
Jan 1st
Toxic Chemicals Found in Cosmetics (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com)
The following is a list of toxins that are found in MOST over the counter cosmetics – even the chi-chi brands with designer names and logos include them….don’t be fooled by labels. Instead, read the labels, ask the questions and know that your local healthy food store will carry excellent good-for-you brands for both your facial beauty and your children’s skin health for creams, bubble baths and sunscreen. Some of my favourites include: Green Beaver, Dr. Hauschka and Zuzu Cosmetics.
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Amine Family or Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), and monoethanolamine (MEA)
This is found in shampoo, soaps, hair sprays, sunscreens, foundations, concealers, eyeliners, talcs, face powder, and shaving creams. It is used emulsifier, pH adjuster, preservative, foaming agent added to coconut oils. It is a hormone disrupter and carcinogen linked to liver and kidney cancer. It is an irritant to hair, skin, and eyes, corrosive to eyes, causes contact dermatitis, and reacts with other chemicals to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.Butylene glycol
Hair sprays and setting lotions contain Butylene glycol which is used as a preservative with low threshold for skin irritation, which helps resists humidity. It strips the skin of its natural protection barrier leaving the immune system exposed. It is damaging and causes aging of the skin as well as rashes and dryness.
Formaldehyde Family
(Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Lmidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Nicopropane-1, Formalin, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methlene oxide, Morbicid acid, Oxymethylene.)
This is found in shampoo, bubblebath, conditioners, shower gels, skin lotions, bubble bath, hair care products, antiperspirants, nail polish, mascara, mouthwash, makeup remover, and nail hardener. It is used as a disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, defoamer and preservative. Can result in: allergic reactions and contact dermatitis; headaches, irritation of mucous membranes; damage to eyes; linked to joint and chest pain; depression; headaches, fatigue, dizziness and immune dysfunction. It is a carcinogen and irritant.
Hydroquinone skin lightener
Avoid skin lighteners with hydroquinone. This skin bleaching chemical can cause a skin disease called ochronosis, with “disfiguring and irreversible” blue-black lesions that in the worst cases become permanent all over the skin.
Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Sodim laureth sulfate (SLES)
This ingredient is a harsh detergent found in car washes, engine degreasers, toothpaste, shampoo, bath salts, body and shower gels, cleansing products, and hair conditioners. It is used as a foaming agent and emulsifier. Use of this product can result in: kidney and liver damage; nervous-system disruption, damage to eyes leading to cataracts; eczema and dermatitis. It is known to inflame skin layers. SLS breaks down the skin’s moisture barrier allowing other chemicals to more easily penetrate the skin. When combined with other chemicals, SLS can be transformed into dangerous “nitrosamines”… a potent class of carcinogens. Frequently Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is disguised in products claiming to be natural as, “comes from coconut”.
Lead
Lead harms the developing brain of a child, this neurotoxin is found in hair dyes and commonly found in lipstick. Studies find residues on door knobs and cabinets. Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development. Lead has also been linked to infertility and miscarriage.
Mercury
Mercury has the ability to damage brain function even at low levels, but it is still found in cosmetics. It can be listed as the mercury preservative “thimerosal.”
Nanotechnology/nanoparticles/nanomaterials
Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials and the creation of structures and systems that exist at the scale of atoms and molecules. Personal care products can use nanoparticles, nanomaterials or nanotechnology. This emerging technology is almost entirely untested for its health effects, and no requirements exist for either testing or labeling these products to make sure consumers are both safe and informed. Nanoparticles have entered just about every personal care product on the market, including deodorant, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, hair conditioner, sunscreen, anti-wrinkle cream, moisturizer, foundation, face powder, lipstick, blush, eye shadow, nail polish, perfume and after-shave lotion. It results in toxicity to human tissue and cell cultures, resulting in increased oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine production, DNA mutation and even cell death. Nanoparticles can penetrate cell walls, including organ tissues, and are known to be highly reactive. Researchers using animal models have found that, when inhaled, carbon nanotubes may cause the same type of cancer linked to asbestos: mesothelioma.
Nickel Sulphate
Nickel sulphate is used in hair dyes and astringents and can cause skin rashes when used in cosmetics.
Paraben Preservative or alkyl-p-hydrozybenzoates
(methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl).
This is found in conditioners, hair styling gels, nail creams, foundations, concealers, mascara, facial masks, skin creams, deodorants, sunscreen, hair colouring products. It is used as a germicide and preservative. It can result in the development of breast cancer and have been found in breast tumours. It is a hormone-disrupter, estrogenic (mimics natural estrogens, which can lead to cancer), and may cause skin irritations.
Phthatale Family or di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-2-ehtylehexyl phthalate (DEHP)
These chemicals are used because it makes plastic soft and malleable. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) adds flexibility and a moisturizing sheen, and helps dissolve other cosmetic ingredients. It is mainly found in nail polish, hair sprays, body lotions and deodorants. It can result in endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) and carcinogens linked to birth defects; premature breast development, lowered sperm counts, testicular injury, damage to reproductive organs, infertility, feminization of infant boys, lung, liver and kidney cancer. Pregnant women should avoid it in nail polish (“di-n-butyl phthalate”) and everyone should avoid products with “fragrance” on the label. Fragrances are chemical mixtures where phthalates often hide. Fragrances are the great secrets of the cosmetics industry. Law does not require companies to list on product labels any of the potentially hundreds of chemicals in a single product’s fragrance mixture. Fragrances can contain neurotoxins and are among the top 5 allergens in the world. It is wise to buy fragrance free. “Unscented” does not necessarily mean no fragrance ingredients since masking fragrances (which cover up unpleasant chemical odours) do not have to be identified. If a product contains a synthetic fragrance, you may also be exposed to other hazards including: allergens, Phthalates, Sensitizers (One in every 50 people may suffer immune system damage from fragrance and become sensitized, according to the EU’s Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-food Products. Once sensitized to an ingredient, a person can remain so for a lifetime, enduring allergic reactions with every subsequent exposure) and neurotoxins.
Petroleum byproducts/ petrochemicals
These are cancer-causing impurities derived from crude oil containing carcinogens in baby shampoo and petrochemical waste called coal tar in scalp treatment shampoos. Petroleum-based ingredients such as petrolatum, mineral oil, and paraffin form a barrier when applied to the skin that does not allow our skin to breath and can clog pores, potentially causing skin problems. It interders with your skin’s natural moisturizing mechanism. Petrochemicals are found in a wide range of cosmetics and is used as filler with no benefit. Derived from petroleum or coal, it coats your skin like plastic, clogging pores and decreasing your skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. This can result in the accumulation of toxins leading to acne and skin rashes. It also causes cellular development to slow down, resulting in pre-mature aging and therefore, should never be used in anti aging skin care.
Potassium bromate
It is found in products that are an antiseptic and astringent like toothpaste, mouthwash and gargles. It can cause bleeding and inflammation of the gums. It is very toxic if taken internally.
Resorcinol
This is found in dandruff shampoos, hair dyes, and lipstick. It is used as an antiseptic, anti-itching and antifungal device. It can cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.
Talc
Talc is found in baby powders, face powders and body powders as well as on some contraceptives such as condoms. Talc is a known carcinogen. It can result in ovarian cancer when used in the genital area. It can also lodge in the lungs, causing respiratory disorders.
Toluene
Toluene is used in nail polish to help suspend the color and form a smooth finish across the nail. It can result in headaches, dizziness, fatigue, chemical pneumonitis (a fatal disorder). It may also affect the liver, kidneys, nervous system, and blood. Severe overexposure can cause coma and death. Exposure to toluene can also affect the proper development of a growing fetus.
Ureas
(Formerly known as diazolidonyl urea, imidazolidiyl urea, or DMDM hydantoin and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.)
Ureas can release the harmful chemical formaldehyde in small amounts.
The chemicals are not listed on labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that babies are 10 to 65 times more vulnerable to cancer-causing chemicals than adults.
1-4 Dioxane
1-4 Dioxane is found in shampoo, liquid soap and bubble bath. It can result in eye irritation, skin irritation, central nervous system depression, headaches, dizziness, damage to the liver and kidneys and blood disorders.
