By Liz Thompson on June 4th, 2009
Okay, so the economy is bad. And, yes, we have all had to make changes and/or sacrifices in the name of saving a buck. But can this whole mess be put to good use? Yes it can! While you are already watching your spending closely, try keeping an eye on what you buy and not just how much it costs.
We can blame the big corporations for getting us into this economic mess and much of it may be deserved, but we the people are out there buying stuff up, so let’s make it count. We are still a capitalist country and true to this is supply and demand. We buy it, they keep making it. If we buy cheaply made, toxic-laden products, that is what the big companies will make. If we purchase nontoxic, safe products made with pure ingredients, the makers of these products will keep making them. Not only that, but the producers of organic, wild-crafted and natural ingredients will have to make more of them which is not only good for us but for the planet as a whole. (more…)
By Liz Thompson on May 22nd, 2009
It is definitely time to get the sunscreen out, but with so many chemical and not-so-natural versions on the market it can be very difficult to choose one that is safe. In the past natural sunscreen product manufacturers used zinc oxide to provide UV protection. And though it is safe and effective, it leaves behind that ghostly white skin we all wish to avoid. So the next scientific breakthrough was the use of nanotechnology, the creation of incredibly small particles — measured in nanometers (nm), or one-billionth of a meter. This took care of the white film, but recent evidence shows that these nanoparticles may pose risks to the environment. Not a great trade-off.
Not to despair, there are some terrific sunscreen products on the market that are safe, effective, free from nanos and leave your skin, well – skin colored. Vivesana is a new product line that presents major breakthroughs in organic sun care. The products are free from harmful synthetic ingredients, nanoparticles and even water, providing a stronger sun product.
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By Liz Thompson on May 14th, 2009
Aromatherapy is one truly beneficial indulgence most of us don’t make time for. Afterall, you do have to know what you are doing, like which essential oils work for what ailment, how to mix and use them and which to stay away from. Essentials oils are very potent and it is not wise to throw caution to the wind when using them, as some are skin irritants and over doing it can be toxic. That said, the right ones can go a long way toward good physical and mental health.
Nuworld Botanicals has come to our aromatherapy rescue with Aromatherapy Personals, little rollerball vials that combine aromatherapy and acupressure, along with health benefits of antioxidants, vitamins and 100% certified organic essential oils. Nuworld Botanicals uses a base of 100% certified organic Jojoba oil to dilute the essential oils for safe use. (more…)
By Liz Thompson on April 16th, 2009
Fresh air and sunshine (and the vitamin D it provides) are good for you. But too much sun exposure can have adverse effects on the health of your skin. Premature aging, dryness, sun spots and even skin cancer can result. But this time of year we are all itching for a bit of summer glow.
The chic and safe way to sun these days isn’t the natural way. In this case, fake is better. So, rather than laying in the sun or going to the tanning bed to get your bronze on, check out the safe, nontoxic tanning creams on the market.
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By Liz Thompson on January 5th, 2009
With the arrival of the New Year, we are in the mood to organize and clear out the clutter in our homes, offices and closets. The same needs to happen for your beauty regimen.
Most of us have way too many products in our bathroom cupboard and probably use too many of them in any given day. For freshness and effectiveness, the less you have on hand at one time, the better.
There is something very liberating about paring down on your beauty routine. In our busy, hectic days it seems we need to let go here and there, and if you can shed a few minutes off of your get-ready-time in the morning you are off to a great start.
You really only need a handful of good beauty products to keep your skin happy and healthy, starting with a good cleanser. You may need to switch to a more moisturizing cleanser in colder months, like a milk or cream cleanser. The lowest cost and most effective cleanser for dry skin is an oil. Only a small amount is needed to remove makeup, dirt and impurities and if you are especially in need of more moisture, simply forgo any toner. (more…)
By Liz Thompson on December 10th, 2008
Purchasing and using nontoxic skincare and personal care products is of the utmost importance for our health. Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs approximately 60% of what we put on it, and if that is harmful chemical/synthetic ingredients….you get the general idea.
While healthy skincare products equals better health overall, how much does it affect our appearance? After all, we all like to look good and spend a fair sum on products that we feel help us achieve this goal. But we need to take a look at the bigger (and, yes, slightly more scientific) picture.
Our toxic body burden lends a huge hand in the premature aging of our skin, more so even than sun, stress or gravity. “No matter how many anti-wrinkle serums you rub into your face, your body is crippling under the weight of the industrial toxins that have entered our food, air and personal care products in the last fifty year,” says Julie Gabriel, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, in her new book, The Green Beauty Guide. (more…)
By Liz Thompson on December 4th, 2008
‘Tis the season to be jolly! So, why does your hair so often act like Scrooge himself this time of year? Drier climates and indoor heating do not help, but more frequent going out, thus more styling, could also be to blame.
Our hair, though seemingly resilient and elastic, is fragile and should be handled with care. Frequent washing, blow drying and styling with drying products and heated tools can take a massive toll on locks and leave you looking more glum than glam.
Adding more moisture to the hair can help to keep static and flyaways in check, but since the outside of the hair strand itself is actually made up of dead layers, this will not help in the long term. Moisturizing the scalp and stimulating hair growth is what will make your hair shinier, more manageable and healthier. (more…)
By Liz Thompson on November 27th, 2008
The current economy is forcing most of us to cut spending anywhere we can. But it looks like we are still willing to fork over a little green when it comes to green cosmetics.
I have recently spoken with a few organic cosmetics retailers on this subject and was surprised to find out that sales have actually been up since Election Day. There are two schools of thought on why this may be.
People want to feel good, and nontoxic organic beauty products are an affordable way to obtain this optimistic state of mind. While most of us are watching our dollars very closely these days, a vacation or even a massage may be out of the question. But a new lip shimmer or deliciously scented body oil is something that we can allow ourselves. And when that product is also free from toxic ingredients, it not only glams us up on the outside but also makes us feel better about what we are doing for our health.
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