Organic Skin Care

Did you know that your skin absorbs 64% of what you put on it? *According to Juice Beauty

Scary to think about it absorbing all the chemicals in makeup, lotions, face wash, shower gel, shave cream, etc. How many products do you use in a day? I'm guessing if you're a girly girl like me... A LOT.

Lately, I've been getting more interested in eating healthier, exercising more and getting rid of chemicals that we put in and on our bodies every day. Some people argue that it isn't enough to get us sick, but I don't think it can hurt to try to limit the "bad stuff" we put on our skin.

So I've been looking into organic products. You have to be extra careful because some products claim to be natural and organic, but in reality, aren't. So likely you're paying more for these so-called organic products and they are just as bad as what you were already buying!

When looking for organic products, make sure it has a "certified organic" seal. If the product only uses words like "natural" or is called "Organix", check the labels. Chances are it still has lots of chemicals in it.

Google or surf Pinterest for DIY beauty recipes. For example, you can make a great scrub using only a few ingredients from your pantry!

For now I have switched to Juicy Beauty, a certified organic brand, for my facial routine and shampoo/conditioner. I hope to eventually find a great organic soap, lotion, makeup and even deodorant brand. Deodorant seems to be the hardest since I do not want to be all sweaty and smelly! I've tried some of Bubble and Bee's organic products before, even one of their deodorants, but I decided to take the plunge and try their sample pack of their new cream deodorants.

I previously tried their "Pit Putty" which I did not like because it was crumbly and hard to apply. The cream deodorants come in little jars and you simply spread them on and let them dry a bit under your arms. I've been using them for a few days and I do actually like them. I've found that they smell amazing and I don't get BO. However, since you can't find organic antiperspirants because the bad chemicals are what stop you from sweating, I did feel a bit sweaty throughout the day. I think I will still keep an antiperspirant around for times when I will have a tendency to sweat more and don't want sweat stains.

Still working on organic makeup and other personal care items such as lotion, but I hope one day to use all organic products to keep my skin and health safe. Don't think it will cost a fortune either! The new shampoo and condition I bought was only $9 each... a little pricier than a cheap brand but cheaper than a fancy brand. The bottles were quite large too and should last a while.

What do you think about organic skin care and makeup?

Should You Be Using Organic Deodorant?

We all use deodorant (or at least, we should be). But are the ingredients in your favorite, tried and true deodorant hurting you? What is organic deodorant anyway and how is it any different than Secret or Dove brand? There are a few differences in organic versus regular deodorant. Organic deodorant sold at local organic markets such as Plum Markets, Whole Food Markets, and Trader Joe’s target bacteria that causes odor instead of using aluminum to stop sweat in it’s tracks.

The reason that aluminum is concerning in your deodorant is that aluminum is a neurotoxin and has been linked to DNA damage, harmful effects to the blood brain barrier, and may cause Alzheimer’s disease.

We took a look at a popular organic brand, Tom’s to see just what is in their “natural and long-lasting” deodorant roll-on. No aluminum to be found. Yet one ingredient, called propylene glycol, doesn’t seem any better. It has also been shown to seep into your skin and cause nasty side effects like skin, liver, and kidney damage.

Another problem with using organic deodorant is that unlike your regular antiperspirant, it does nothing to stop sweating. Don’t get us wrong, sweating is good – it is your body’s way of ridding yourself of toxins and you need to sweat. But you probably don’t want constant sweat stains on your shirt or to feel uncomfortable, especially in the sweltering summer heat. Organic deodorants only work to fight odor from bacteria, so you will smell fresh but you might be pretty sweaty.

Yet there are some organic deodorants out there that do not contain propylene glycol or any ingredients that may be chemically harmful. So perhaps this battle of organic vs. chemical deodorants needs to be left to the individual. If you find you don’t sweat much and just want something for odor and are worried about chemical intake in your body, try an organic version. You may have to try a few before you find one that you really like that works for you. If you find you sweat more than normal or simply love your deodorant, keep it. Check out the ingredients and compare versions to find the healthiest possible brand.

Yet if you’re still dying for a chemical free alternative that fights odor AND wetness, we found a brand that claims to fight all three. Bumble & Bee Organics has organic deodorant that using natural ingredients to stop odor, but also has arrowroot powder to stop perspiration naturally. For around $9.85 a stick, it runs a bit pricier, but it may be worth a try if you’re very passionate about organic products!

Let me know – do you swear by organic deodorant or stick by your old Secret brand?

See the original post I wrote on ASKinyourface.com!