Self Care Products

Thanks for your question. I am a beauty junkie myself so I relate to having a lot of products in the house! I suggest a few simple steps to start reducing your toxic load:

1) Read Labels: There are many ingredients to stay away from and it can be overwhelming to know what they are and remember them all. So, for your convenience, I’ve developed an ingredient to avoid card (top 10 ingredients to stay away from)that you can keep in your wallets the next time you’re shopping for haircare, skincare, oral care. (when you sign up for my newsletter you can download it it for free http://cincovidas.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3065387b0903e8b6d30913aaf&id=48532d28b6)Start to learn how to read labels. Just because a product says its "organic" or "natural" does not mean it does not have any potentially harmful chemicals in it. One point I always like to get across to my readers is that it takes so little time to read a label, and doing so can make such a profound difference in your life....none of this has to be stressful or overwhelming. If you need further tips on reading labels, I wrote a step by step post http://cincovidas.com/reading-labels-5-ways-to-figure-out-%e2%80%9cgreen%e2%80%9d-misleading-labels/

2) Use fewer products! Potentially harmful ingredients can build up inside the body over time. The less you use them, the lower your exposure.

The next 3 steps are a great way to get started when you are deciding which products are the most important to switch first. The goal is to reduce toxic load especially with products that can accumulate inside our bodies.

3)Start switching to safer options and choose carefully anything that ends up inside you: Lip balm, lipstick and toothpaste

4)Start switching to safer options or choose carefully anything you might inhale: Hairsprays, fragrances, talc and micronized mineral makeup, air fresheners and paraffin wax candles.

5)Choose carefully anything that stays on your body a long time: moisturizers, antiperspirants and foundations

I would then proceed to switch products once you run out of them, one at a time. Products that we rinse off like cleansers and shampoos are not a priority as the ones that can accumulate in the body (they are eventually but most important to start with the above). Do your research, read labels, try different products and stick with the ones that work for you. If you have found a clean and safe product from one brand that you like, it is a good place to look for other products within that line because they usually carry the same philosophy.

For places to find safer and cleaner products go to my blog post here http://cincovidas.com/where-do-i-find-safer-products/

Hope this helps!
Thanks
Thanks for your question. I am a beauty junkie myself so I relate to having a lot of products in the house! I suggest a few simple steps to start reducing your toxic load:

1) Read Labels: There are many ingredients to stay away from and it can be overwhelming to know what they are and remember them all. So, for your convenience, I’ve developed an ingredient to avoid card (top 10 ingredients to stay away from)that you can keep in your wallets the next time you’re shopping for haircare, skincare, oral care. (when you sign up for my newsletter you can download it it for free http://cincovidas.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3065387b0903e8b6d30913aaf&id=48532d28b6)Start to learn how to read labels. Just because a product says its "organic" or "natural" does not mean it does not have any potentially harmful chemicals in it. One point I always like to get across to my readers is that it takes so little time to read a label, and doing so can make such a profound difference in your life....none of this has to be stressful or overwhelming. If you need further tips on reading labels, I wrote a step by step post http://cincovidas.com/reading-labels-5-ways-to-figure-out-%e2%80%9cgreen%e2%80%9d-misleading-labels/

2) Use fewer products! Potentially harmful ingredients can build up inside the body over time. The less you use them, the lower your exposure.

The next 3 steps are a great way to get started when you are deciding which products are the most important to switch first. The goal is to reduce toxic load especially with products that can accumulate inside our bodies.

3)Start switching to safer options and choose carefully anything that ends up inside you: Lip balm, lipstick and toothpaste

4)Start switching to safer options or choose carefully anything you might inhale: Hairsprays, fragrances, talc and micronized mineral makeup, air fresheners and paraffin wax candles.

5)Choose carefully anything that stays on your body a long time: moisturizers, antiperspirants and foundations

I would then proceed to switch products once you run out of them, one at a time. Products that we rinse off like cleansers and shampoos are not a priority as the ones that can accumulate in the body (they are eventually but most important to start with the above). Do your research, read labels, try different products and stick with the ones that work for you. If you have found a clean and safe product from one brand that you like, it is a good place to look for other products within that line because they usually carry the same philosophy.

For places to find safer and cleaner products go to my blog post here http://cincovidas.com/where-do-i-find-safer-products/

Hope this helps!
Thanks

Thanks for your question. I actually have a top 24 list of ingredients to avoid in personal care products. It's too long to list here so you can go to this link on my website http://cincovidas.com/toxic-truth/ingredients-to-avoid-in-personal-care-products/ to view all of these potentially harmful chemicals and why I suggest you stay away from them.

I had a similar question earlier. You can see my response of the top 6 offenders I would stay away from in my home and personal care products.(http://talkabouthealth.com/do-you-have-a-top-ten-or-less-if-appropriate-list-of-skin-care-ingredients-that-you-never-allow-into-your-house)

Hope this helps.
Thanks! Thanks for your question. I actually have a top 24 list of ingredients to avoid in personal care products. It's too long to list here so you can go to this link on my website http://cincovidas.com/toxic-truth/ingredients-to-avoid-in-personal-care-products/ to view all of these potentially harmful chemicals and why I suggest you stay away from them.

I had a similar question earlier. You can see my response of the top 6 offenders I would stay away from in my home and personal care products.(http://talkabouthealth.com/do-you-have-a-top-ten-or-less-if-appropriate-list-of-skin-care-ingredients-that-you-never-allow-into-your-house)

Hope this helps.
Thanks!

Thanks for your question. Yes, I do! When readers sign up for my newsletter (http://cincovidas.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3065387b0903e8b6d30913aaf&id=48532d28b6)I give them four wallet-size cards they can download; each card has a list of ingredients to avoid in food, personal care products, home and environment. When looking for safe personal care products, always take the ingredient to avoid card with you and avoid the ingredients listed on it. However, the top 6 offenders I would not let into my home are:

1) Phthaltes: chemicals from oils used to make plastics. Used in hairsprays, fragrances and nail polish. Have been labeled probable carcinogen by the EPA. Many air fresheners contain phthalates as well, including those labeled as “all-natural.” According to the Global Campaign for the Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), indoor air quality experts recommend against using chemical air fresheners and/or chemical room deodorizers of any kind. Find and remove sources of bad smells, use baking soda to neutralize odors, keep windows open when possible, and try adding drops of organic essential oils to cotton balls and place around the house, or use a diffuser.
What to look for on the label: You can’t look for the word “phthalate” on the ingredient list. Instead, look for names like DBP and DEP


2) Parabens: preservatives found in over 13,000 personal care products. A 2006 study took urine samples from 100 adults and found two of these parabens (methyl- and n-propyl) in over 90 percent of them, with other parabens showing up in over half the samples. Studies have also shown them to be estrogenic and capable of being absorbed by the body through the skin.
What to look for on the label: methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben.

3) SLS or “sulfates": they make shampoos, toothpastes and soap foam up. Products with SLS can be contaminated with 1,4 dioxin, a known animal carcinogen. When combined with other personal-care ingredients, can form “nitrates,” which are linked to cancer.
What to look for on the label: Look for: sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.


4) Synthetic Fragrance – Its a “trade secret” so they don't have to reveal what it contains. They can have over 200 chemicals (76% of fragrances contain allergens and 16% contain carcinogens) I am referring to both "fragrance" in personal care products as well as perfumes and colognes. Use essential oil based perfumes instead.
What to look for on the label: fragrance or “Parfum”.

5) Chemical sunscreens – There are 2 types of sunscreens:chemical and physical (or mineral). Europe has banned all chemicals sunscreens except 1. They contain hormone altering chemicals. Safest choice: non-micronized physical like zinc oxide with a minimum of SPF 30.
What to look for on the label: oxybenzone, PABA, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), salicylates, avobenzone, & menthyl anthranilates.

6) Paraffin-Based Candles: These can give off potentially toxic chemicals like astoluene and benzene, labeled as probable carcinogens by the EPA. Some candles have metal-core wicks, which can release lead and other harmful toxins, and some imported and older candles can contain lead-core wicks. Oils used in scented candles, as well, are often petroleum-based synthetics. To protect yourself, avoid paraffin-based candles. Purchase those made of natural waxes like vegetable, soybean, or beeswax. Avoid candles in jars, as they don’t get enough oxygen and can cause toxic black soot. Finally, avoid synthetic-scented varieties and use candles scented with essential oils only.

Hope this helps!
Thanks
Thanks for your question. Yes, I do! When readers sign up for my newsletter (http://cincovidas.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3065387b0903e8b6d30913aaf&id=48532d28b6)I give them four wallet-size cards they can download; each card has a list of ingredients to avoid in food, personal care products, home and environment. When looking for safe personal care products, always take the ingredient to avoid card with you and avoid the ingredients listed on it. However, the top 6 offenders I would not let into my home are:

1) Phthaltes: chemicals from oils used to make plastics. Used in hairsprays, fragrances and nail polish. Have been labeled probable carcinogen by the EPA. Many air fresheners contain phthalates as well, including those labeled as “all-natural.” According to the Global Campaign for the Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), indoor air quality experts recommend against using chemical air fresheners and/or chemical room deodorizers of any kind. Find and remove sources of bad smells, use baking soda to neutralize odors, keep windows open when possible, and try adding drops of organic essential oils to cotton balls and place around the house, or use a diffuser.
What to look for on the label: You can’t look for the word “phthalate” on the ingredient list. Instead, look for names like DBP and DEP


2) Parabens: preservatives found in over 13,000 personal care products. A 2006 study took urine samples from 100 adults and found two of these parabens (methyl- and n-propyl) in over 90 percent of them, with other parabens showing up in over half the samples. Studies have also shown them to be estrogenic and capable of being absorbed by the body through the skin.
What to look for on the label: methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben.

3) SLS or “sulfates": they make shampoos, toothpastes and soap foam up. Products with SLS can be contaminated with 1,4 dioxin, a known animal carcinogen. When combined with other personal-care ingredients, can form “nitrates,” which are linked to cancer.
What to look for on the label: Look for: sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.


4) Synthetic Fragrance – Its a “trade secret” so they don't have to reveal what it contains. They can have over 200 chemicals (76% of fragrances contain allergens and 16% contain carcinogens) I am referring to both "fragrance" in personal care products as well as perfumes and colognes. Use essential oil based perfumes instead.
What to look for on the label: fragrance or “Parfum”.

5) Chemical sunscreens – There are 2 types of sunscreens:chemical and physical (or mineral). Europe has banned all chemicals sunscreens except 1. They contain hormone altering chemicals. Safest choice: non-micronized physical like zinc oxide with a minimum of SPF 30.
What to look for on the label: oxybenzone, PABA, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), salicylates, avobenzone, & menthyl anthranilates.

6) Paraffin-Based Candles: These can give off potentially toxic chemicals like astoluene and benzene, labeled as probable carcinogens by the EPA. Some candles have metal-core wicks, which can release lead and other harmful toxins, and some imported and older candles can contain lead-core wicks. Oils used in scented candles, as well, are often petroleum-based synthetics. To protect yourself, avoid paraffin-based candles. Purchase those made of natural waxes like vegetable, soybean, or beeswax. Avoid candles in jars, as they don’t get enough oxygen and can cause toxic black soot. Finally, avoid synthetic-scented varieties and use candles scented with essential oils only.

Hope this helps!
Thanks

Thanks for your question. Yes, there are many brands that are affordable as well as clean and safe. Weleda, Burts Bees, Pangea and Natural Being are a few brands that I like.

You can also pamper your skin with goodies from your own kitchen. Forget high-cost skin-care products that are full of chemicals anyway. Need extra moisture? Smash up a banana or an avocado, mix it with some yogurt, and wear it as a mask for 10-15 minutes. Find more homemade skincare recipes from my blog here http://cincovidas.com/try-these-natural-homemade-skin-care-wonders-from-your-kitchen/

Another way to save money and avoid chemicals in your home is to make your own non-toxic household cleaners. You’ll be amazed how much money you can save by making your own cleansers, and you’ll save your tender nasal passages and lungs from absorbing all those toxic chemicals typically present in over-the-counter cleansers. All you need is a little baking soda, washing soda, and vinegar. Check out my household cleaning recipes here http://cincovidas.com/make-your-own-non-toxic-household-cleaners/

And lastly, cutting back on the amount of products we use is a great idea. We don't need to use so many products. The average American uses 15 products a day - do we really need all those products? Can some of them be multitaskers?

Hope this is helpful and let me know how you do!
Thanks Thanks for your question. Yes, there are many brands that are affordable as well as clean and safe. Weleda, Burts Bees, Pangea and Natural Being are a few brands that I like.

You can also pamper your skin with goodies from your own kitchen. Forget high-cost skin-care products that are full of chemicals anyway. Need extra moisture? Smash up a banana or an avocado, mix it with some yogurt, and wear it as a mask for 10-15 minutes. Find more homemade skincare recipes from my blog here http://cincovidas.com/try-these-natural-homemade-skin-care-wonders-from-your-kitchen/

Another way to save money and avoid chemicals in your home is to make your own non-toxic household cleaners. You’ll be amazed how much money you can save by making your own cleansers, and you’ll save your tender nasal passages and lungs from absorbing all those toxic chemicals typically present in over-the-counter cleansers. All you need is a little baking soda, washing soda, and vinegar. Check out my household cleaning recipes here http://cincovidas.com/make-your-own-non-toxic-household-cleaners/

And lastly, cutting back on the amount of products we use is a great idea. We don't need to use so many products. The average American uses 15 products a day - do we really need all those products? Can some of them be multitaskers?

Hope this is helpful and let me know how you do!
Thanks