The Truth About Sun Block

The Sun is life giving.  It sustains plants and animals and plays a very big role in our planet.  It is so powerful that ancient civilizations like the Egyptians worshiped the Sun God.  However, the sun can also wreak havoc on our skin.  Studies have shown that people who are more exposed to sunlight have a higher chance of developing skin related cancers.  With this in mind, how do we combat the harmful effects of overexposure to the sun?

Like most other products sun blocks and sunscreens are a dime a dozen.  There are too many products and too many varieties.  Choosing an SPF can be as time consuming as choosing one that is “water-proof”, “hypoallergenic” or even “for kids”.  Even more shocking, according to a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, 3 out of 5 sun blocks provide inadequate protection from the sun!  Ironic, considering that people buy sunscreen for sun protection!

The same study conducted last year reports that these products contain chemicals that are potentially toxic.  When these chemicals are absorbed in our bloodstream, they have the potential to give off allergic reactions, release damaging free radicals and some may even contain hormones which can contribute to hormonal imbalance.

In order to make sure that your sunscreen is safe physically and for our environment, check the label.  Earth and people friendly sun screen should contain natural ingredients like zinc oxide that block the sun’s rays.  These products should also contain zero dyes, preservatives and fragrance.  Another helpful natural ingredient is Vitamin E and Aloe which can soothe and moisturize skin.

Lastly look for a seal from a reputable source that can certify the product’s manufacturing process.  Approval from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) or Australian Certified Organic mean that at least 95-100% of the ingredients used come from organic and natural sources.

Remember that just because a manufacturer says that their product is “organic” or “natural” automatically means that these products contain organic materials.  Look for the seal.  Second organic sunscreen can still cause allergic reactions so again, it pays to check the label.  Check and recheck the ingredients.  If unsure, do your research on the internet!

. 

The Truth Behind Natural hair Dyes

Since reports of hair dyes being a cause of cancer in human body have come out, there has been a clamor over safer alternatives hair-dye-crazy people can use. This is to be expected since hair is considered as one’s crowning glory and seeing it go from beautiful, lustrous colored hair to salt-and-pepper gray must be hard to accept. Most people associate hair to one’s age and gray strands are truly a standout among your age group hence the need to cover up regularly. It seems that the fight against graying hair signifies the long-standing battle of human and aging.

Chemical based hair dyes are known to damage hair and not only that, the chemical in it somehow manages to enter your system through the scalp’s pores which will eventually cause cancer. This analogy certainly makes sense but what about those commercially sold hair dyes which boast of being organic and natural? Can they also make some damage or are they safe enough to be used?

The rule of thumb is always check the label, anything in there that you find hard to pronounce should be dumped at once! Steer clear of it also if it mentions coal tar as the substance was found to be a carcinogen too. The most popular among natural hair dyes are henna and those vegetable-based ones.

Unfortunately, natural hair dyes have their own share of mishaps. Henna is also known for its unpredictability even when used regularly. It has one thousand and one color spectrums that you’ll never really know until your hair dries up. For vegetable based hair dyes, it usually takes longer to prepare than the dye actually sticking on your hair.

Personally, I would rather go natural i.e salt-and-pepper gray if nature has it, than gamble with the unknown.

. 

The Cancer That Is In Your Home Right Now

More aptly, the killer that is in your home right now and you might have used it this morning, dousing your family’s bodies with carcinogens without you even knowing it! If you haven’t had the chance to examine your skincare products closely—perhaps doing a little research about all those scientific terms that only the manufacturers could understand– then you might be a victim of consumer misinformation. Don’t fret though, since you are not alone.

When it comes to our families, we should know that safety should always come first before anything else. The problem is, due to the kind of life we are living now where stopping to smell the flowers is already considered a crime, we rely on the things we hear and see through media. More often than not, media tends to be a manipulating tool. Whenever there is manipulation, expect deceit to be in close proximity as well.

We have seen its effects, not only to our bodies but to the environment as well. To humans, if we are lucky, we get as little as a rash but to a compromised, vulnerable body, you get cancer—the most deadly condition to date. As we go suffering from these so-called “skincare products”, the environment has its own set of problems to contend with due to the usage of these chemical laden products. For one, most of these chemicals are nonbiodegradable which means their composition wouldn’t normally breakdown. Although they won’t clog your sewage system as they are miniscule in size, just imagine what it can do to our underwater friends. It’s like putting poisonous gas in the air you breathe. Here’s a list of commonly used skincare products at home:

·    Alcohol
·    Mineral makeups
·    Mineral oil
·    Synthetic colors and fragrances
·    Talc
·    Triclosan

. 

Placenta: Is It Really Good for Your Skin?

Placenta usage for your skincare needs is still a debatable issue and an ongoing one. Manufacturers claim that they are as natural as it can get while critics stand firm in their belief that the product is not only unethical but poses a real health risk as well. Unfortunately, placenta creams are virtually flying off the rack these days as more and more users come out to attest to the product’s effectivity. Apparently, it also made a rift in green communities worldwide.

The main ingredient in placenta creams is of course, placenta, particularly the ones coming from cows and humans. It undergoes purification process and then extracted to be formed in creams, lotions and soaps. They are so effective they earned high praises from its loyal users. Placenta, by the way, is the lining of the womb that comes out along with your child when giving birth. In a nutshell, the placenta acts as the nutrient supplier to your developing child inside the womb. Naturally, a placenta is expected to be rich in nutrients by the time it comes out but do take note that it also acts as toxin reliever for the fetus inside since he or she is still unable to do this on his own.

Placenta is indeed natural since it is not man made but what shakes critics the most is that manufacturers claim their products to be natural when in fact, it is already processed and mixed with chemicals to stabilize the product and make it more attractive to use. Also, studies have found that placenta-based skin care products can be heavily laden with hormones triggering hormonal surge to humans making it very unsuitable for children’s use.

. 

Minimizing Your Cosmetic Health Risks

You and I both are aware on how intricately woven these issues pertaining to cosmetic health risks are. If we take them at face value, it is easier to see warning signs but with the constant evolution of cosmetic products, it becomes harder to distinguish the good from the bad. For me, the best way to prevent cosmetic health risks from touching our lives is to avoid using them all together. Sadly, this is something that is easier said than done. So, we resort to the next best thing, minimizing. Here are some ways to somehow lessen harmful cosmetics’ impact to our health:

·    Always read labels. This is done for you to know what things were used in manufacturing the product. Labels are required by the law so more or less, they are dependable.
·    Hypoallergenic doesn’t mean it won’t harm you. It only lessens the chance of you having a reaction to the product when applied.
·    Always do a patch test when you’re about to use a new brand/ product even if it looks harmless.
·    Cosmetics expire too. Take note of their expiration date since most of the time, they are not indicated accordingly.
·    Avoid using spray cans whenever possible. Healthcare authorities are concerned about the risk of inhaling the chemical particles when they are used by the consumers. When this happens, it may trigger a reaction within the lungs.
·    Cosmetics can be very harmful for your children too. Place it somewhere that’s not within their reach.
·    Not everything that the manufacturer claims is true. Be very weary when you hear a good sales pitch. Instead, do your own research and use your own gut-feel.

. 

Sunscreens, Cancer in a Bottle?

Most people use sunscreens to avoid the harmful effects of the sun on the skin.  Indeed prolonged sun exposure can actually induce the early appearance of freckles and wrinkles.  But a study published in the British Medical Journal reports that sunbathers who use sunscreens with higher SPF have a higher risk of developing skin cancers.  This is because a chemical called Oxybenzone which is a standard ingredient in high SPF sunscreens can cause more harm than good.

Oxybenzone’s job is to filter ultra violet light on the surface of the skin, converting it from light to heat.  Once heat is absorbed in the skin, it has the potential to damage cells.  Once light is converted into heat, it can cause basal damage to growing cells which causes malignancy in growth and cause cancer.  Scientists at the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center in New York say that sunscreens are very effective in preventing sunburns and cancers like Carcinoma but not against Melanoma.

PABA or para-benzoic amino acid which works in the same way as Oxybenzone also has similar effects.  For sunbathers and sun worshipers it would probably be better to use the old and tried tested method of applying tin oxide which reflects the sun’s rays rather than absorbing it.  It is also widely used in wound dressings and is safe.  Calamine lotion which has a Zinc oxide base is colored pink and washes off easily can also be used as a substitute for PABA or Oxybenzone based sunscreens.

. 

The Joy of Using Natural Soap

Surely you are aware of all those buzz about going natural and organic these days. These are not just fads—they are a way of life now especially after knowing how great the health risks are if we continue on exposing ourselves to chemicals. Every bar of soap you can find in a supermarket isle is chemical-laden and rich in the ever famous triclosan—the antibacterial agent primarily used as pesticide.

These commercial soaps are drying and very unforgiving to your skin. They strip the skin’s natural moisture and alter its pH levels making your skin look lifeless and dull. Sometimes it even causes skin reactions such as rashes, redness and acne. All of which you can avoid if you are natural and organic soaps.

Homemade soap making is actually fun, if you try making them yourself but of course, you will need to experiment with it for a little while before you can finally perfect the art of natural soap making. The benefits of which are tremendous, not to mention there is a big market out there for organic and natural soaps. If you make your own natural soap, you will know what goes inside a bar you are using rather than guessing it out. You can also customize your soap according to what your skin demands. Natural soaps are best for those with sensitive skins.

In making your own natural soap, you will only need a melt and pour base such as organic palm or coconut oil, molds and essential oils. You can find more ingredients to use in an organic store. You can also check out organic soap making books for fun and exciting ideas.

.