I am so exhausted tonight...it's been a really long week but it's too early to hit the hay, so I decided to share with you an amazing experience I had this week. If you read this blog, you know that I've struggled with food and weight for years. I finally feel like I have a handle on that, but continue to struggle with my face, specifically acne. Many people probably wouldn't call it that, but I have no better word for it. I have lots of splotchy patches with constant breakouts along my jawline and cheek. I have completely switched over to all natural, chemical free product and have even been making my own lately. I gave up sugar briefly, but more or less was really unsuccessful at completely giving it up.
Then on Tuesday night, I headed to PCC with my dearest friend and old college roommate for a class on Gluten Free Italian cooking (I know, seems like an oxymoron). She tries to go gluten free when she can and I was along for support and to learn a few new recipes. Let me tell you, this class rocked my world.
The instructor is a local Chinese Medicine practitioner who shared her story of how she became interested in the power of foods. Her brother had an episode of joint inflammation when he was four and was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and was prescribed antibiotics by the doctor. His mother was not convinced that this was the best course of action, so she took him an early day naturopath who told her he was having a reaction to the foods he was eating. They took him off all dairy, eggs, and gluten and his JRA cleared up within weeks and he has never had a recurrence AND the best part is that he was able to add these allergens back into his diet in moderation.
How does this affect my acne? Well, our instructor spoke on the many things that gluten can cause. One of them is acne because gluten causes inflammation in the body. It has also been tied to thyroid cancer/disease and it is the number one cause of autoimmune disorders. This was enough to keep me listening. Here are some other really interesting facts on gluten and healthy eating in general:
--gluten foods have not been in our diets that long; most people of European, Alaskan, or Irish descent are gluten intolerant (70%).
--wheat has been hybridized over the years to have a high level of gluten (which is unnatural) which is why we are seeing more sensitivities to it. It has 8x more gluten than it did only 20 years ago. Plus we overeat wheat, especially the processed kind.
--wheat is stored in steel drums and a specific kind of mold forms on it and people have a reaction to this mold (apparently the same goes for peanuts: a certain mold forms in the storage containers and so people are more likely having reactions to the mold than the peanuts).
--she recommended using sea salt for seasoning over other salts because of the mineral content
--Italy is 1/3rd gluten intolerant! Who knew! Apparently you can ask for a gluten free menu in any restaurant and the noodles are amazing!
--New Zealand is 100% gluten free (according to a few recent travelers in the class).
--Olive oil helps to decongest the gall bladder; gall bladder removal is the #1 performed surgery
--processed (non virginized oils) have been chemically altered so that the ingredient that makes the smell bad when they go rancid is gone. This means most cooking oils (unless you use them often) will go bad and you'll never know. Look for "virgin" and "unrefined" oils. Olive oil is apparently best in your body when it is eaten raw, without heating.
--research shows that if you follow a gluten heavy diet during your life, by the time you are 45 the odds are against you that you will have a sensitivity (even if you don't know it)
--gluten is toxic to everyone's small intestine.
--Alcoholics and those that crave sugar are often sensitive to gluten and by going gluten free, will eliminate those cravings (an aha! moment for me!)
--if you tend to cook with extra virgin olive oil, you should never use it when cooking higher than "medium" on your cooktop or when the oven is hotter than 375 because the high heat turns the olive oil into a trans fat.
--she recommended taking a break from sugar in the spring and often it will lead to less allergies.
--there is a 40% false negative when testing for Celiac Disease
So, this was enough for me to reassess how much wheat we eat in my family. Our instructor's recommendation was to give up gluten for six months and then be able to add in just a little bit when necessary. If you have the gene for Celiac Disease, she stated that you should never consume gluten. And since I'm not going to pay $200 to have my poop tested, we are going to try to significantly cut down on our gluten consumption. I spent a little too much money yesterday on gluten free baking flours, pastas, and grains, but when it comes to healthy eating, a dear friend always says, "pay now or pay later." So here's to paying now. I'll let you know how the journey goes.
Here's our instructor's website: community.eatingforevolution.com
another resource that oddly enough was sent to my inbox on the night I was in the cooking class...I think someone is trying to tell me something :)
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/05/31/simple-secrets-to-eliminating-acne-for-good.aspx
Showing posts with label acne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acne. Show all posts
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Safe Cosmetics
The world of face products and cosmetics is so huge and overwhelming that I have been putting off this very important blog. I've touched on the topic briefly in other blogs, but I'm diving in, tackling it head-on. When I refer to cosmetics in this post, it also includes face washes, shampoos, deodorants, etc.
What motivated me to finally write this post, is that I've been reading the most amazing book, "The Green Beauty Guide" by Julie Gabriel, who also has a website by the same name. I'm going to attempt to highlight the most eye-opening parts of this book, but if you are interested in natural skin care, I highly recommend reading the book (available at the library too!).
1. "Normal" skin doesn't exist. Slight dryness and oily spots are totally normal, but cosmetic companies have turned them into problem areas that need fixing. The key to remember is that when you put a product on your face (or hair) to fix a problem such as an oily T-zone or a pimple, you are simply trying to cover up the problem and not dealing with the cause.
2. Sebum is our skin's way of keeping itself moisturized. Skin care experts claim that sebum mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria to form plugs in pores. So naturally they jump to the conclusion that sebum is the enemy, instead of promoting good skin care habits that would eliminate dead skill cells and bacteria buildup.
3. Our skin absorbs up to 60% of what we put on it, meaning that what you are putting on your skin, you are also putting into your body. Many of the chemicals in our skin products are carcinogenic and therefore getting into our bodies.
4. Many of the claims made by cosmetic companies are bogus. They do have to prove or back up their effectiveness claims. When a product says "dermatologist tested" what it means is, a dermatologist looked over the ingredients and deemed them safe.
5. The European Union banned animal testing 2000, but here in the US, all we do is animal testing, and most often on genetically modified mice or rabbits, and it's the only research the FDA will stand by. As I've mentioned before, the FDA is a joke. Since it's creation (67 years ago), the FDA has banned only nine personal care ingredients. It took 20 years for the FDA to ban lead, yet it is still used in millions of toys that are let into our country. And there is a ton of research out there (quoted in the book) that supports the connection between chemicals (that are allowed by the FDA) and cancer.
6. Do NOT be fooled by the claims that a product is "natural," "eco-friendly," or "organic." You MUST read the label and ingredients. Many contain "eth" chemicals that are dangerous (see below).
7. Perfumes are FULL of toxic chemicals. I began avoided them while pregnant because I learned how dangerous they can be for a fetus and have not returned to wearing them.
Okay, here's the list of chemicals you want to keep an eye out for because they have been shown to be carcinogenic:
1) Anything containing the word "ethanol" including DEA (diethanolamine)
2) 1,4-Dioxane; banned in Cali and a by-product of ethoxylation which is an attempt by companies to provide mildness to harsh ingredients. It has been proven by EPA to lead to cancer and yet it is not required to be listed on the label. Look for products with ingredients "eth" in the name--sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), oleth, myreth, ceteareth. PEGs are very often found in baby wipes (which is why we use cloth wipes, except when on the road).
3) Phthalates: disguised as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP commonly in nail polish) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) DEHP in perfumes). The word "fragrance" should also be a red flag for you, unless it specifically says that it comes from essential oils. Fragrance is a disguise for phthalates, which changes our hormones, making males and females more feminine. Research links phthalates to rising incidence of hormone-related conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility, and breast cancer. Recent research links phthalate use to early puberty in girls. The CDC found that phthalate levels in young women were 20x above average. Unborn baby boys are also susceptible to phthalate use. Increased phthalate levels have been shown to damage the developing testes, but also have been shown to have more systemic affects such as low sperm count, sexual dysfunction, and hormonal problems. Increased phthalate presence has also been linked to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. And yes, phthalates are in our children's toys, and yes, Europe banned them two years ago....and the US is behind the ball again...
4) Aluminum has been linked in research to breast cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. It is most commonly found in our deodorants, because it helps to clog the pores and not let sweat out. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin and it can alter the blood-brain barrier.
5) Glycol: these are in everything, from aircraft deicer fluid to baby wash. The two most common are propylene glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). PGs are generally recognized as safe by the FDA for use in food, cosmetics, and medicines, however it was banned from cat food...hmmmmm. PEG is used in a lot of "natural" products that have to be delivered in a slippery, syrupy form. These chemicals have not been linked to cancer, but change the body's chemistry by increasing the amount of acid present, which results in metabolic problems. There has been evidence that PEGs have impurities that lead them to be toxic.
6) There are also many, many preservatives used in cosmetics that increase their shelf life. There are many natural preservatives that could be used to replace these, but aren't. One natural cosmetics expert stated that if a product is made poorly and diluted with water, then it needs a preservative, but a well made product would not need such strong preservatives.
7) Parabens (a preservative): again, these are in EVERYTHING. When rubbed into the skin, the parabens are rapidly absorbed and metabolized and stored in the body. A major study in 2002 linked parabens to proliferation of two estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cells. Parabens have also been found in breast milk and breast cancer tumors. Parabens mimic estrogen and can therefore affect our ovaries and thyroid. They are disguised as benzoic acid, isobutyl p-hydroxybenzoate and p-methoxycarbonylphenol and are strictly regulated in Europe.
So here's my latest finds that are about as natural as you can get:
Natural Being, using Manuka honey from New Zealand
Suki, the latest rage among celebs but have very good natural care products, with the exception of 1-2 products.
Dr. Hauschka: the end-all and be-all of healthy cosmetics. It falls WAY above my price range, but maybe someday :)
Origins is pretty good in eliminating the major players like DEA, parabens, phthalates, but still have a few questionable ingredients, usually low on the ingredient list, but nonetheless they are there. Many of their simple products, like "Checks and Balances" facewash, are fairly safe.
And if you have others you love, let me know!
If in question about any of your cosmetics and skincare products, please consult www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. It allows you to type in products as well as ingredients to find out how safe or unsafe they are. It also tells you why a chemical is unsafe.
This book has been a fabulous read, and I'm going to try a few new strategies (found in her book), on how to improve my skin. If you struggle with your skin, it is worth your time. I'm hoping for good results!
What motivated me to finally write this post, is that I've been reading the most amazing book, "The Green Beauty Guide" by Julie Gabriel, who also has a website by the same name. I'm going to attempt to highlight the most eye-opening parts of this book, but if you are interested in natural skin care, I highly recommend reading the book (available at the library too!).
1. "Normal" skin doesn't exist. Slight dryness and oily spots are totally normal, but cosmetic companies have turned them into problem areas that need fixing. The key to remember is that when you put a product on your face (or hair) to fix a problem such as an oily T-zone or a pimple, you are simply trying to cover up the problem and not dealing with the cause.
2. Sebum is our skin's way of keeping itself moisturized. Skin care experts claim that sebum mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria to form plugs in pores. So naturally they jump to the conclusion that sebum is the enemy, instead of promoting good skin care habits that would eliminate dead skill cells and bacteria buildup.
3. Our skin absorbs up to 60% of what we put on it, meaning that what you are putting on your skin, you are also putting into your body. Many of the chemicals in our skin products are carcinogenic and therefore getting into our bodies.
4. Many of the claims made by cosmetic companies are bogus. They do have to prove or back up their effectiveness claims. When a product says "dermatologist tested" what it means is, a dermatologist looked over the ingredients and deemed them safe.
5. The European Union banned animal testing 2000, but here in the US, all we do is animal testing, and most often on genetically modified mice or rabbits, and it's the only research the FDA will stand by. As I've mentioned before, the FDA is a joke. Since it's creation (67 years ago), the FDA has banned only nine personal care ingredients. It took 20 years for the FDA to ban lead, yet it is still used in millions of toys that are let into our country. And there is a ton of research out there (quoted in the book) that supports the connection between chemicals (that are allowed by the FDA) and cancer.
6. Do NOT be fooled by the claims that a product is "natural," "eco-friendly," or "organic." You MUST read the label and ingredients. Many contain "eth" chemicals that are dangerous (see below).
7. Perfumes are FULL of toxic chemicals. I began avoided them while pregnant because I learned how dangerous they can be for a fetus and have not returned to wearing them.
Okay, here's the list of chemicals you want to keep an eye out for because they have been shown to be carcinogenic:
1) Anything containing the word "ethanol" including DEA (diethanolamine)
2) 1,4-Dioxane; banned in Cali and a by-product of ethoxylation which is an attempt by companies to provide mildness to harsh ingredients. It has been proven by EPA to lead to cancer and yet it is not required to be listed on the label. Look for products with ingredients "eth" in the name--sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), oleth, myreth, ceteareth. PEGs are very often found in baby wipes (which is why we use cloth wipes, except when on the road).
3) Phthalates: disguised as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP commonly in nail polish) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) DEHP in perfumes). The word "fragrance" should also be a red flag for you, unless it specifically says that it comes from essential oils. Fragrance is a disguise for phthalates, which changes our hormones, making males and females more feminine. Research links phthalates to rising incidence of hormone-related conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility, and breast cancer. Recent research links phthalate use to early puberty in girls. The CDC found that phthalate levels in young women were 20x above average. Unborn baby boys are also susceptible to phthalate use. Increased phthalate levels have been shown to damage the developing testes, but also have been shown to have more systemic affects such as low sperm count, sexual dysfunction, and hormonal problems. Increased phthalate presence has also been linked to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. And yes, phthalates are in our children's toys, and yes, Europe banned them two years ago....and the US is behind the ball again...
4) Aluminum has been linked in research to breast cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. It is most commonly found in our deodorants, because it helps to clog the pores and not let sweat out. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin and it can alter the blood-brain barrier.
5) Glycol: these are in everything, from aircraft deicer fluid to baby wash. The two most common are propylene glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). PGs are generally recognized as safe by the FDA for use in food, cosmetics, and medicines, however it was banned from cat food...hmmmmm. PEG is used in a lot of "natural" products that have to be delivered in a slippery, syrupy form. These chemicals have not been linked to cancer, but change the body's chemistry by increasing the amount of acid present, which results in metabolic problems. There has been evidence that PEGs have impurities that lead them to be toxic.
6) There are also many, many preservatives used in cosmetics that increase their shelf life. There are many natural preservatives that could be used to replace these, but aren't. One natural cosmetics expert stated that if a product is made poorly and diluted with water, then it needs a preservative, but a well made product would not need such strong preservatives.
7) Parabens (a preservative): again, these are in EVERYTHING. When rubbed into the skin, the parabens are rapidly absorbed and metabolized and stored in the body. A major study in 2002 linked parabens to proliferation of two estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cells. Parabens have also been found in breast milk and breast cancer tumors. Parabens mimic estrogen and can therefore affect our ovaries and thyroid. They are disguised as benzoic acid, isobutyl p-hydroxybenzoate and p-methoxycarbonylphenol and are strictly regulated in Europe.
So here's my latest finds that are about as natural as you can get:
Natural Being, using Manuka honey from New Zealand
Suki, the latest rage among celebs but have very good natural care products, with the exception of 1-2 products.
Dr. Hauschka: the end-all and be-all of healthy cosmetics. It falls WAY above my price range, but maybe someday :)
Origins is pretty good in eliminating the major players like DEA, parabens, phthalates, but still have a few questionable ingredients, usually low on the ingredient list, but nonetheless they are there. Many of their simple products, like "Checks and Balances" facewash, are fairly safe.
And if you have others you love, let me know!
If in question about any of your cosmetics and skincare products, please consult www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. It allows you to type in products as well as ingredients to find out how safe or unsafe they are. It also tells you why a chemical is unsafe.
This book has been a fabulous read, and I'm going to try a few new strategies (found in her book), on how to improve my skin. If you struggle with your skin, it is worth your time. I'm hoping for good results!
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