Your skin is an amazing organ. It is your “protective layer” and absorbs nutrients as well as eliminates toxins. It is important to consider what you put ON your skin because whatever products you are using can nurture your body or poison it. What goes on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream and your bloodstream carries everything to your organs, muscle tissues and bones. Many “mainstream” products contain hormone disruptors, toxic petroleum ingredients, artificial colors, preservatives and many other questionable ingredients. Become an ingredient reader. A great resource to check toxicity is the Skin Deep site at ewg.org. Some of my favorite “clean” products are Avalon Organics, Aubrey cosmetics, and Andalou Organics. You can buy them at a discount at vitacost.com . If you have a TJ Maxx close by, I have also found them there for even less expensive than Vitacost. AND if you are 55 or older, TJ Maxx has a 10% discount for “seniors”. I love a good bargain!
If you are so inclined to make your own body lotions or body butters, you can buy coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter (which smells like chocolate!) and make your own moisturizers. Buy them from the Vitacost website so you can buy the smaller (4 oz) so you can experiment. Being a Licensed Massage Therapist for over 25 years, I like to make my own concoctions to use on my clients. I wouldn’t use something on them that I wouldn’t use on myself. My base lotion is Alba Aloe lotion. I normally add grapeseed oil to it for extra moisture and glide. Grapeseed oil will not stain your clothes like other oils, as it is water soluble. If you use anything with coconut oil, shea butter or other heavier oils, they may stain your clothes. Recipes to come!
I love the Andalou Vitamin C creamy cleanser and the Earth Science Clarifiying Facial Wash to start, then Beauty Without Cruelty Toner. Since I have been toning my face, I have less trouble with blemishes. Definitely make toner part of your routine to clean that last bit of dirt and dead skin. If your face is prone to breakouts, you can add a drop or two of tea tree oil to your toner. Also, make sure you wash your cosmetic brushes at least once a week. Moisturizers I love are Derma E and Reviva. They both have a DMAE moisturizer that is amazing. Reviva also has a 5% glycolic acid cream to help with gentle exfoliation of old skin cells and the regeneration of new skin cells.
I absolutely love mineral make up by Larenim for foundation and Aubrey silk powder for blush. I sometimes find some clean eye shadows thru Almay, but I normally chose Larenim, Pacifica, Eco Bella, Honeybee Gardens and others that I find on the VitaCost site. Again, what ever you put onto your skin will be absorbed by the blood stream, so make sure you are using “clean” non-toxic products. It’s easy to switch over with the price points at Vitacost. Since I regularly go to the health food store, I found my perfect shade of foundation by sampling the products there. Then I purchased them at a discount online. Yes, I am frugal! When you compare the prices you are probably paying for what is advertised mainstream as premium, I am showing you how to save money with much better products!
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