Are Your Skin Care and Body Care Products Safe or Toxic?
Did you know that what we put on our skin gets absorbed
into our blood stream? Your body drinks in everything. Using nontoxic
ingredients in all of our skincare and cleaning supplies is another very
important step we can take to achieve optimal health. After all, our skin is the largest organ of our body and we want to make sure we are supporting, nourishing, and protecting it regularly.
In the world we live in today, we must be cautious with everything we apply to our skin and breathe in while we’re using our cleaning supplies. Most of our cleaning supplies also comes in contact with our skin.
Most of the cleaning supplies and body care products we buy at the store are loaded with toxic chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer and hormone disruptions. These are usually in the form of parabens (ethyl parabens, butylparabens, propylparabens, methylparabens), phthalates, fragrances, sulfates, sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde, PCB’s, BPA, BPS, heavy metals, propylene glycol, synthetic and artificial colorings, and the list goes on. Also, be aware of the word “fragrance” or “natural fragrances” in products too. These so-called fragrances are also very toxic and are comprised of many unnatural chemical components. The FDA does not require the disclosure of individual ingredients to create fragrances, making it impossible to know what you are truly applying to your skin. Only use items that are made with 100% pure essential oils.
Only use skin care and body products (this goes for perfumes as well), that you can clearly read and know exactly what the ingredients are that are listed. If you are unsure of an ingredient, check out the website below. You can go to this website and type in an ingredient or the product and find out if that specific item is safe or a toxicity concern.
You can check make-up, skincare, or body care items you are using regularly, at this link:
Cleaners and other household items, you can go to this website to verify the safety:
Over the next week, I will be sharing some fun and healthy skin care, body care, and cleaning recipes made with all natural ingredients and 100% pure essential oils. Stay tuned this week for the other upcoming recipes!
The first recipe I’m going to share with you is a homemade natural hand sanitizer. Of course, nothing ever takes the place of a good hand washing with soap and water but when you don’t have access to this, a good natural hand wash is a good choice. Most store bought and commercial hand sanitizers have toxic chemicals that are endocrine disruptors, which can cause hormone imbalances and other health problems. They are also very drying to the skin. This recipe is so easy and it’s non-toxic!
You can put this in a pump bottle for the office or home or fill a small clean empty container for your purse or car. You can also put a little container in your child’s back pack for school.
Natural Hand Sanitizer Recipe (Anti-Microbial)
3/4 Cup of 100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel
1/4 Cup Witch Hazel
1/2 tsp Vitamin E oil (natural preservative and will help keep hands and skin moisturized
20 drops 100% Lavender Essential Oil
30 drops 100% Tea Tree Essential Oil
*Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils are both anti-microbial oils and work very well together in this blend.
Mix all the ingredients together in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon (it’s best to use metal free utensils when working with essential oils)
With the Vitamin E Oil added to this mixture, each batch should last 2-3 months, especially if kept in a cooler area.
*Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing a refreshing shower gel and a lovely smelling linen spray recipe.
Here are some links where you can find good quality ingredients for this natural hand sanitizer:
Recipes
- Natural Anti-Microbial Hand Sanitizer Recipe
- Refreshing Shower Gel
- Fresh Linen Spray
- "Thieves" DIY Essential Oil Blend
- "Thieves" DIY All Natural Cleaner Spray Recipe
- All Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe
- Easy Soft Scrub Cleanser Recipe
- Skin Calming/Soothing Mask (great for acne or irritated/inflamed skin)
- All Natural Shaving Cream Recipe
- Acne/Blemish Relief Toner Recipe
- Thieves Oil Blend Natural Toothpaste Recipe
- Refreshing and Natural Whitening Mouthwash Recipe
- Healing Aloe Cream Recipe
- Coconut Moisturizing Shampoo Recipe
- Leave In Moisturizing Conditioner Recipe
- Homemade Lemon Dishwasher Pods and Rinse Aid Recipes
- Silky and Herbal Body Powder Recipe
- Antimicrobial Carpet Freshener Powder
