Are you Beauty Products Polluting Your Body?

Our skin is the largest organ in your bodies. Skin protects from us harmful UV rays and environmental pollutants. Our skin serves as a barrier against nasty viruses and bacteria that can make us sick. Skin protects our muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels and everything else inside our bodies. Yet many of us who sware by organic produce and whole foods, are quick to slather our bodies in chemical laden soaps and lotions. Think about it this way, using a body product that contains harmful chemicals to nourish your skin is the equivalent of eating a big mac for good nutrition. With that said, converting to an organic beauty regimen takes a little knowledge and a lot label sleuthing.

A good rule of thumb is that if a product has too many ingredients you cannot pronounce, be wary. In addition here are some common ingredients to avoid:

Sodioum Lauryl Sulfate or SLS: Found in Shampoo’s face wash, and engine cleaner. It is an expensive and corrosive cleanser. Prolonged use and exposure can lead to skin irritation and damage.

Petroleum and Mineral Oils are cheap fillers that clogs pores, and are often synthetically manufactured.

Urea, aka Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Germall II and Germall 115. Used as preservatives to prevent bacterial growth although it is ineffective against fungi. Germall 115 may release formaldehyde, something you probably don't wan't on your skin. Urea is also known to cause contact dermatitis.

My Top Beauty Product Picks

Alba TerraGloss. This lip gloss comes in awesome colors for every skin tone and it glides on silky smooth cause it's made with Shea butter and beeswax. And, Alba Terra Lip Gloss is free of artificial colors, petrolatum, mineral oil, phthalates or parabens. My favorite color is Garnet. Retails for $5.99.

Weleda Almond Intensive Facial Cream for dry or sensitive skin. This rich moisture cream can be worn day or night and it’s super concentrated so you only need a dab. Almond oil is the main ingredient, which moisturizes fabulously and doesn't clog pores. Almond oil also helps even out complexions and it’s great for under eye circles. The lactic acid in the cream gently exfoliates to reveal a glowing complexion. Cleopatra is rumored to have bathed in curdled milk to reap lactic acids anti-aging benefits. And, did I mention all Weleda products are biodynamic! Retails for $15-$20.

ShiKai Shampoos have a low ph and are soap-free. The product uses natural shikai extracts as a cleansing agent along with moisturizing ingredients like aloe and panthenol. Retails for $6.99.

Organic Grape Seed Oil. I use this as an all-over moisturizer and I even put it in my hair. It’s much cheaper then expensive body lotions and my skin, which can get really dry, has been soft and luminous since I substituted my lotion with this light oil. Grapeseed oil absorbs easily into the skin, and it’s best used right the shower when your skin is still damp. Grape seed oil contains proanthocyanidins, which are very potent antioxidants that have the ability to fight free radicals and sun damage. You can pick up a bottle that will last you months at the grocery store for around five bucks—less then the costs of a good bottle of lotion.