Beauty

What you put on your body is just as important as what you put into it. Your skin breathes and absorbs, so when you take a look at what goes into most beauty products, it is horrifying! The FDA doesn't regulate skincare and beauty products. This means that manufacturers can put just about anything into the things we put on our skin every day.

Studies are uncovering a myriad of dangerous toxins in commonly used cosmetics, skincare and beauty products. I have to wonder, how can putting synthetic chemicals on my body possibly promote healthy hair and skin?

Here are just a few of the scary facts:

• Lipstick contains lead, which builds up in the body over time
• Formaldehyde and 1.4-dioxane, known carcinogens, are found in shampoos, soaps, body wash, moisturizers, sunscreen and bubble bath-even products marketed for babies
• Parabens are used as preservatives in over 10000 beauty and skincare products. In 2003 a United Kingdom study found parabens in 18 out of 20 biopsied breast tissue tumors

Then there's the whole issue of animal testing, which really comes down to torturing animals to test products for safety. For instance, there's a common test in which products are squirted into the animal's eyes to test for allergic reactions.

The best way to avoid all this stuff is to go raw. Raw beauty products give unadulterated, unheated, live organic ingredients found in nature. They smell good, feel good and are good for you.

So where do you get raw products like these? There are only a handful of companies you'll find on the Internet, and one of my favorites is TheBodyDeli.com. They make all-live raw vegan skin and hair care products by hand in small batches. I've found their products to be far superior to anything else I've tried, and their prices are more reasonable than most department store brands.

For hair care, I love the Morrocco Method products. They are all 100% natural, wild crafted, organic, gluten free, raw vegan products. I spend a lot of time on the beach, in the sun and water, and my hair takes quite a beating. With Morrocco Method products my hair is shiny and smooth as silk and I never have to worry about added chemicals. I even use the shampoos and conditioners on my dogs. It's great for their sensitive skin! 

For makeup, try AfterGlowCosmetics.com. Their all natural mineral cosmetics are cruelty free, contain nothing synthetic and are organic whenever possible. All the products from TheBodyDeli and AfterGlowCosmetics carry the USDA Organic and Certified Green Cosmetic seals. Like TheBodyDeli.com, MorroccoMethod.com and AfterGlowCosmetics.com prices are more reasonable than most department store brands.

With a little thought and small budget, you can go raw on the outside and use products that aren't harmful to you or others.