Clean up Your Cosmetics, Bring Health Back to Your Skin

Most women don't give a second thought to what's in their cosmetics. They are used to one brand or one product and often don't deviate from that because they are either used to it, the product provides coverage, or meets their skin needs. This is good and bad. Good in the sense women are aware of what works well on their skin tone but bad because they don't care what ingredients fill the back label. What does it really matter? Well, harmful chemicals like phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, and soy dirty the ingredients label and store in your body's system. So, how can you clean up your cosmetics? Good question and here are a few ideas:  Make your own beauty products and soaps. I didn't say this was the easiest, but it is the absolute only way to know what you are putting on your skin. You can find an audio-video and a step-by-step tutorial here https://heatherearles.com/lye-soap/. I use this bar soap for everything—hands, body, face, and hair. My entire family, male or female, also has used it for years.Next, research your ingredients, so you know what each ingredient is and what health impacts it can have.If you don't have time for research, you can find information on more than 68,000 personal care products at the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, EWG.org/SkinDeep. If you have a smartphone, make it work for you. Lily Tse has created an app called “Dirty Meter,” which will scan a barcode and then give you a rating on that product. The rating is on a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the cleanest and 10 the dirtiest. “Beauty products are not as strictly regulated as food and drugs, so the labeling is not very standardized.” Which makes it hard for the everyday shopper to understand what the chemicals are.” Tse stated. For example, “fragrance” on a label disguises up to 3,163 ingredients including several known hormone disruptors.  Your skin is one of your largest and most vulnerable organs and you do not want chemicals and hormone disruptors soaking into your skin. Certain companies know this and have seen the need for clean products like bareminerals. They offer a full line of products for every skin tone and type of coverage a woman is looking to achieve. BUT, you still need to research each product you use within the bareminerals or other companies as it is not an across-the-board rating. Each product is rated and even on bareminerals, some products are not considered clean. Some ILIA Beauty products are also rated clean and are considered safe to use if you have Hashimoto's and any other thyroid or autoimmune disorder. Changing brands or lines to clean up your cosmetics My suggestion if you are trying a new line is to find a store and have them match your skin, so you are getting the proper coverage immediately. If you don't have a store near you, take advantage of the store's online matching program. Companies want your business so make them earn it by answering all of your questions and concerns about each product you are interested in buying. Also make it fun. Changing lines or products can be exciting if you view it in a positive way. Other than that, you have the information to get you started on your way to clean up your cosmetics but I still want to leave you with a DIY tutorial to get your health and skin back on track. Besides making your own soap, the next recipe/tutorial is from Erin McIntosh, Mountain Rose Herbs. Erin keeps it simple but gives your skin a lift with her... Rejuvenating Skin Serum "We all know that protecting our very delicate skin is important especially after sunny summer months spent outdoors. Or, winter months with the wind. Keeping the skin hydrated protected and nourished naturally can be easy and economical when you feed your skin some lusciously organic botanicals rather than those expensive chemical-filled formulas you find at the store. This serum will penetrate your skin cells to help repair mature dry or damaged skin lessening those wrinkles caused by smiling at the sun. This oil blend absorbs quickly and leaves the skin super soft. Carrier Oil Base: 2 oz organic macadamia nut oil or jojoba oil1/2 t organic vitamin E oil1 oz organic rosehip-seed oil1/2 oz organic pomegranate-seed oil1/2 oz organic tamanu oil  Essential Oils: 25 drops organic lavender essential oil10 drops organic carrot-seed essential oil5 drops organic ylang-ylang essential oil  Directions: Pour all carrier oils together in a glass bottle and roll between your palms to mix.Carefully drip each essential oil into the carrier base and roll again to mix. Invert the bottle several times and roll again. You can use a queen-sized amount as a facial serum or all over the body each day. It's as simple as that to clean up your cosmetics! If you don't have all of the ingredients, young living is a great place to start or your choice of oil supplier. Just like your food, make sure you know where your oils are coming from, and they are free from synthetics. Treat your skin like a jewel, and as always, stay healthy and free. Heather EarlesHeather EarlesHeather is married to a retired Special Forces Officer, and they live on a sustainable farm with their four children. She is an established author of inspiration, fiction, and children’s books; a journalist, a stay-at-home mother, and an advocate for healthy living. She publishes a weekly blog and podcast (Herb ‘N Wisdom™) and writes for two newspapers to aid and inspire others. “I want to make people feel good about life.” Learn more about the author