Health PinUp™, Issue 8, Vol. 3: Winter Wonders, February 2011
Skin Saving Tips
.....and "twinkle"is the key word, and might I add "from the inside out". For over a year you have been receiving news from me on how to eat well. We've chatted about the benefits of adding fruits, vegetables (including greens), grains, legumes,nuts, and water to your diet, while removing some of the more toxic foods and drinks. We have also gained an understanding of how to be more balanced with our lives. We have cleansed together, gone on health store tours, done pilates, embraced relaxation techniques, experimented with many dietary theories, and much more...but ultimately we have discovered that embracing small changes can have a large impact. This month many of you have asked that I share what I've learned about skincare; and although much of what we've encountered is the first step to glowing skin, recognizing what is in the products that you use is beyond important as well.
How many of you look in the mirror every day and wish your skin could glow more? Have less blemishes? Have that dewey feel? Be less red? And so on.... My bet is that all of you have some skincare questions/concerns. How many of you know that the main ingredient in those expensive moisturizers that you buy is simply petroleum jelly (yes, the same stuff we call Vaseline)? And even more frustrating is that US products may carry the same brand name as our favorite imports but the ingredients are completely different e.g., La Roche Posay's famed ingredient is Mexoryl but if you take a trip to your local drugstore you'll see that the US La Roche Posay is made with the chemical benzones we all need to avoid.
Unfortunately,if you haven't taken any steps toward organic, natural skincare then the soaps,moisturizers, and shampoos that you use most likely contain toxic ingredients. You could very well be lathering up with a chemical soup. Better yet, grab some of your products right now and find out for yourself. Simply go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ to see what the Environmental Working Group (EWG) will rate your product on a scale of 0=least toxic to 10=most toxic. Before a few months ago,all of my products rated at least an 8 and I had been using them for years. After tons of research I found products with ratings of 0-4 and the transition has been amazing.
Before I tell you about ingredients to avoid in your skincare routine, I would like to give you some tips for greening your beauty routine.
Green Your Beauty Routine
- Start by calling me today for a complimentary consultation of your overall well-being. 917.250.0267.
- Visit www.betterorganicchoice.com and complete a questionnaire about your products, skin tone, hair type, and allergies. A natural product consultant will recommend similar green alternatives for each item. Cost is $30 for three product suggestions. Ask more general questions at www.dermtv.com or http://www.drbaileyskincare.com/about-dr-bailey.shtml.
- Visit your local whole foods and ask about natural oils and products. Before a few months ago I used Lancome eye makeup remover ($25), rated a 9 by EWG. Now I use Jojoba Oil ($13), rated a 0 by EWG, to not only clean my eyes but also my whole face. Depending on your goal there are natural options for everyone: ROSE smooths and firms; DAFFODIL and MILK defeat dryness; CORNFLOWER smoothes puffy eyes; EVENING PRIMROSE and COCONUT OIL eases dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis; ECHINACEA clears acne; FEVERFEW reduces redness; ZINC and TITANIUM DIOXIDE offer physical, non-chemical sun protection.
- Read labels carefully, carry the "list of ingredients to avoid" ( thanks Dr. Mercola) that are listed below, and ask questions. Great news if you haveeczema -- the National Eczema Association will soon have a "seal of acceptance"on skin products and detergents that are safe for eczema and sensitive skin. Another label reading tip is to switch to skincare products made of plant names you recognize, can pronounce, and could eveneat (if you had to...). Some of the products I love are from:
- Get a blood test. Learn if you have any deficiencies e.g., zinc, D3, B12, etc. that may belinked to a skin imperfection that concerns you. Herbs such as Oregon graperoot extract, bitter sweet extract, sarsaparilla, juniper berries, neem extract, burdock root can help heal from the inside. I learned of an amino acid deficiency that I have; after taking the amino for 3 days my rosacea flare-ups literally stopped. I had not been given a blood test but it is what inspired me to get one.
- Challenge your doctor. After years of my having perfect, evenly toned, clear skin, I broke out with dermatitis and rosacea overnight. Dermatologists told me there was no remedy except for oral/topical antibiotics, laser, and hydrocortisone cream. To my disappointment, not one of them gave me a blood test, asked about my life/diet, or even embraced the idea that whole, natural, organic might be the answer. After months and months of research, cleansing, experimenting with products, etc. I was able to cure the situation. You too can challenge the prescription (ok,well, you may need my help so feel free to give a call).
AVOID these Ingredients:
Topical Steroids e.g., hydrocortisone creams. These are typically subscribed to fight dermatitis. Hydrocortisone deteriorates the epidermis by removing layers of the skin, eventually stopping collagen production.
Quaternium 15. This preservative is found in lotions, makeup, shampoos and baby products. It's often labeled as methenamine 3-chloroallylochloride on cosmetic packaging.
Lanolin. A naturally occurring waxy substance derived from wool, lanolin is in everything from cosmetics, personal hygiene items, sunscreens and hair removers to hair spray, diaper cream and hemorrhoid preparations.
Propylene glycol. Considered a "primary skin irritant" by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, this ingredient is found in everything. On product labels, it's sometimes listed as one of these names: 1,2-Dihydroxypropane; 2-Hydroxypropyl; Methyl ethyl glycol; 1,2-Propanediol; Propane-1,2-diol; 1,2-Dihydroxypropane;1,2-Propylene glycol; Alpha-propylene glycol; Dowfrost; and Methyl ethylene glycol.
Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum -- Petroleum products clog pores, create a build-up of toxins, slows cellular development, and can cause you to show earlier signs of aging. Also a suspected cause of cancer.
Parabens -- Widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic industry (including moisturizers). An estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products contain parabens. Studies implicate their connection with cancer. They have hormone-disrupting qualities -- mimicking estrogen -- and interfere with the body's endocrine system.
Phenol carbolic acid-- Can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma and even death from respiratory failure.
Propylene glycol -- Shown to cause dermatitis, kidney or liver abnormalities, and may inhibit skin cell growth or cause skin irritation. Acrylamide Linked to mammary tumors in lab research.
Sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)-- Found in car washes, engine degreasers, garage floor cleaners... and in over 90% of personal care products! SLS breaks down the skin's moisture barrier, easily penetrates the skin, and allows other chemicals to easily penetrate. Combined with other chemicals, SLS becomes a "nitrosamine", a potent class of carcinogen. It can also cause hair loss. SLES is sometimes disguised with the labeling "comes from coconut" or "coconut-derived".
Toluene -- Poison! Danger! Harmful or fatal if swallowed! Harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Made from petroleum or coal tar, and found in most synthetic fragrances. Chronic exposure linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage, and may affect a developing fetus.
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) contains toluene. Other names may include benzoic and benzyl.
Dioxane -- Found in compounds known as PEG, Polysorbates, Laureth, ethoxylated alcohols. Common in a wide range of personal care products. The compounds are usually contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane, easily absorbed through the skin. Warning: It is a synthetic derivative of coconut. Watch for hidden language on labels, such as "comes from coconut".
