The Most Important Facial Skin Care Tip

There are compelling reasons to make your own skin care products. Federal law does n`t requirecompanies to provide data on product safety nor does it demand full disclosure of ingredients onproduct labels. Evidence continues to mount that personal care products are brimming with unsafeingredients. Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, a project ofEnvironmental Working Group (EWG), shows that everyday store brands, expensive mail orderproducts and upscale luxury skincare items commonly contain toxic substances. Even manyreputable "natural" brands found in health food stores may harbor harmful ingredients linked tocancer, reproductive toxicity, allergies, neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption.

What are some of these ingredients?

Phthalates

* Phthalates are industrial chemicals used in plastics as well as skincare products. These compoundsare some of the most abundant toxins in the environment. They have been implicated in reducedfertility. Studies have also found that they inhibit normal sexual development by blocking the actionof key hormones.

* In animal experiments, prenatal exposure to these chemicals has been linked to obesity inoffspring.

* Recent research by Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana of the University of Washington found phthalatebreakdown products in the urine of 163 babies under two and half years of age. Eighty-one percentshowed seven or more phthalates. This study, reported in the journal Pediatrics, noted that the useof infant skincare products was associated with increased concentrations of the compound.

Parabens

* These are a related group of chemicals used to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in manyproducts. Parabens have been found to cause allergic reactions.

* More seriously, parabens have a weak estrogenic effect. One study found the presence of parabensin breast tumors. Other studies note a potentially dangerous synergistic effect, multiplying theimpact of parabens along with other endocrine disrupting agents in the environment.

1,4-dioxane

* An inexpensive process used to make emulsifiers, humectants and foaming agents generates thistoxin. These agents may be indicated on the ingredient label as polyethylene, polyethylene glycol,polyethylene, polyoxyethylene, oxynol, myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth, the prefix "PEG" or "eth" iningredient listings.

* A study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association reveals the presence of 1,4-dioxanein leading "natural" skin care products.

* 1,4-dioxane is considered carcinogenic as well as a potential neurotoxin.

Isothiazolinones

* These chemicals are antimicrobal agents used in industry as well as personal care products. Theyare widely found in hair dye, shampoo, shaving cream, body wash and other products.

* They can be toxic to the respiratory system, cause allergies and negatively affect the immunesystem. If listed, they can be found on ingredient labels as methylchloroisothiazolinone,methylisothiazolinone and other ingredients containing "chloro" or "methyl.".

Triclosan.

* This antibacterial agent is found in soap, toothpastes, shaving cream, mouthwash and other skincare products as well as "germ-resistant" toys, garbage bags and kitchen utensils.

* Triclosan is associated with endocrine disruption and allergies. Research published in the journalEnvironmental Health Perspectives noted that triclosan may impact the brain's neural circuitry,potentially affecting mental development.

* Triclosan is an environmental hazard. It can form chloroform gas in combination with chlorinatedwater and as it degrades in the environment it can form highly toxic compounds such as dioxin.

Talc.

* Talc is a mineral, and although it may be a natural product, when used in talcum powder andcosmetics it has long been connected to adverse health effects.

* Forty years ago research linked cancer to talc application in the genital area. Women's talcumpowder use is associated with ovarian and cervical cancer. A 1971 study found three-quarters ofovarian tumors studied to contain talc particles.

* Talc is also related to respiratory distress and pulmonary disease, particularly when particles areinhaled.

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You have choices, including buying products from highly ethical companies known to avoid thesetoxins.

Consider making your own skin care products. It may be the best way to know exactly what you areusing to wash your hands, powder your baby and soothe chapped lips. Once you have the necessarycomponents and some experience, you will find that you get a better value for your money.

It goes without saying that you need high quality ingredients purchased from ethical sources. Usecold pressed oils. Make sure you use essential oils, not fragrance oils or perfumes. Choose herbs andessential oils for aroma as well as therapeutic properties. As with any product, closely gauge yourreaction to determine if you are sensitive to any ingredient. Store your products in jars with tight-fitting lids. This can be a good way to re-purpose jars from olives, salsa, spices and other products.

Body Powder.

total of 1 cup of any of the following: arrowroot powder, betonite clay, cornstarch,.

baking soda. Find a mix that is deodorizing and absorbent for you.

optional: up to 1/4 cup dried herbs. Consider lavender, sage, calendula, oregano, rosemary,.

thyme, clove or nutmeg (grind large particles using blender or food processor or.

powder with mortar and pestle).

optional: up to 30 drops essential oil.

Mix carefully in a clean bowl or shake in a lidded jar to avoid breathing particles if you make bodypowder using only dry ingredients. Add drops to dry ingredients in a food processor or grind withmortar and pestle to incorporate oils if using essential oil.

Store in cleaned salt or spice containers with shaker tops, or use with powder puff in glass jar.

Healing Lip Balm.

total of 2 ounces nourishing solid oils such as shea butter, cocoa.

butter, coconut oil.

total of 2 ounces nourishing liquid oils such as wheat germ oil, olive oil, almond oil.

optional: 2 tablespoons healing herbs (calendula, echinacea, St. Johns wort, slippery elm,.

comfrey, etc.).

2 ounces organic beeswax.

optional: up to 30 drops essential oils (orange, mint, lavender, rose, etc.).

optional: natural vitamin E.

If herbs are used, make an oil infusion. Place the oils and chosen herbs in a lidded glass jar. Heatthem gently. Either allow them to stay warm in a sunny window for up to one week or place the jarin a larger container partially filled with water for at least one hour that is simmering on the stove orin the oven. Proceed and strain the oil.

Heat oil and beeswax over low heat until wax is melted. Remove from heat. Stir in essential oils andimmediately pour into small containers. This makes an excellent lip balm or skin salve. Store in cooldark place. The ratio of oil to wax can be adjusted for cooler or warmer climates, firmer or softerbalm, or other conditions such as added essential oils.

Shaving Cream.

4 ounces hot water.

optional: up to 4 tablespoons dried herbs (slippery elm, green tea, etc).

4 ounces grated bar soap (good quality, such as goat's milk soap).

3 tablespoons solid oil such as coconut oil, shea butter or cocoa butter.

10 drops essential oil (bay, tea tree, sage, orange, etc).

If herbs are chosen, make infusion by pouring boiling water over herbs. Let steep in coveredcontainer from 1 to 8 hours. Strain in fine sieve or through cloth. Reheat infusion water, dissolvegrated soap in hot water. Melt oil of choice into hot liquid. You may choose to use a mixer or blenderto incorporate the soap and oil into the water. Cool. Blend in essential oils. Use additional water ifnecessary. Store in lidded container, shake well before using.

Shaving Gel.

4 ounces organic liquid Castile soap.

up to 3 ounces hot water.

3 tablespoons vegetable glycerine.

up to 10 drops essential oils (tea tree, orange, grapefruit, rosemary, etc).

optional: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel.

Blend ingredients well. Shake before using.

Shampoo.

6 ounces water.

4 tablespoons dry herbs (chamomile, sage, lavender, green tea, nettle, etc.).

4 ounces organic liquid Castile soap.

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon high quality oil (olive, coconut, grapeseed, jojoba, etc).

optional: up to 50 drops essential oil (choose from orange, rosemary, tea tree, mint, etc.).

optional ingredients: 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon.

apple cider vinegar.

Pour the infusion and remaining shampoo ingredients into lidded container and shake to mix.Ingredients will separate between uses. Always shake well before use.