Do You Read Labels? The first ingredient of any product is what makes up the majority of that product. For example if the first ingredient of your cleanser and moisturizer is water, than the majority of your cosmetics nothing but water. That is why it is important to know what is in your products. Are you interested in knowing what you are applying to your skin? Just as there are healthy and unhealthy foods, the same applies to skincare products. Here is a list of skincare ingredients to avoid. *MINERAL OIL (baby oil) - A liquid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum, mineral oil can attract dirt and causes blackheads and eruptions, it blocks natural immune barrier of skin. It can accelerate free radical damage, thus speeding up the aging process, because it causes toxins to build up in the skin. *DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine) cause the product to foam holding dirt in suspension to washed away, also to balance pH. It is found in bubble baths, shampoos, soaps, body washes and facial cleansers. They may contain hormone disrupting chemicals that are know to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. * PARAFFIN WAXE – Wax is widely used in cleansing creams, eye creams and moisturizers. Waxes clog pores creating blackheads and whiteheads. They also smother the skin, which over a period of time, creates an enlarged pore problem. * LANOLIN - A yellow, semi-solid, fatty secretion from sheep's wool is widely used in skin and beauty care products. It can cause an allergic reaction in some people, as well as enlarged pores. * PETROLATUM - This familiar semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons is derived from petroleum. Literally, "paraffin jelly" or "petroleum jelly" - it is not absorbed by the skin and suffocates pores. All petrochemicals pollute our water and destroy marine life - avoiding them is essential for humans, animals, fish, water, land and air. * ACETONE - Used in nail polish and nail polish removers, this colorless, volatile liquid is often used in astringents, fresheners or clarifying lotions. It is extremely toxic and will dehydrate the skin while speeding up the aging process. * BORAX (Sodium Borate Boric Acid) - Used in baby powders, eye creams, skin fresheners, and protective creams as a preservative- it is rapidly absorbed by the skin. And it is still widely used, despite repeated warnings from the American Medical Association. * ALCOHOLS SUCH AS ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, SD ALCOHOL 40, ETHYL ALCOHOL- Alcohols dissolves the body's own natural moisturizers and strips the skin of its own protection, leaving it vulnerable to infection. Alcohols destroy the skin pH balance and since they absorb water they speed up wrinkling of the skin. They can cause headache, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting and coma. * FD&C- When this abbreviation precedes the name of a color, it means that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has certified it as safe for use in drugs and cosmetics, but not in food. D&C colors are usually synthetic, coal tar colors; they're toxic and should be avoided when at all possible, They are carcinogenic, and cause skin sensitivity and skin irritation. * FRAGRANCES (synthetic musks) they give the product a pleasant scent. They are found in most beauty and personal care items. They may be carcinogenic, toxic, allergic reactions, bio-accumulation in human and fish! * METHYL, PROPYL, BUTYL AND ETHYL PARABENS. They extend the shelf life of the products by inhibiting microbial growth. They are just about every skin care and hair products made today. They known to be toxic, to give allergic reaction and to irritate skin, hormones disruptor, found in some fish also. * PROPLYLENE GLYCOL (PG) it is a surfactant/ wetting agent and solvent. It is found in make-up, hair product, lotion, aftershave, deodorant, mouth wash and toothpaste. It is used in antifreeze for the same function. They can break down cellular structure (skin) It can also cause brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. *SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) OR SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES) It is a hash detergent, degreaser and surfactant/ wetting agent. It is found in cosmetics, tooth pastes, about 90% of all products that produce foam. I can cause permanent damage to children's eyes, skin irritation and potential carcinogen. *TRICLOSAN It is antibacterial chemical. It is found in dish washing fluids, deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, creams and tooth paste. It is known hormone disruptor, suspected carcinogen, skin irritations, can bio-accumulate and cause “super-bugs” *UV FILTERS (OXY-BENZONE,OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE). A UV stabilizer and filter UVB light. It is found in sunscreens and foundations. They possibly harm human cells, estrogenic effects, transexualisation in male fish. I challenge you to read labels, to find out what is safe and effective and would benefit you and your skin the most. The skin is the largest organ of our body - a barrier between us and the "outside", and our first line of defense against pollution, chemicals, and the germs and dirt of everyday life. Our skin is also a delicate filtering system, allowing substances to enter our bodies and even our bloodstream (as an example, think of the many medications that are administered through the skin), and helps us eliminate toxins from our systems. It's important to make sure that the lotions, soaps, creams and powders that we use on ourself and especially on our children are as natural and healthy as possible. Many of us have dry skin, and most lotions, salves, and oils contain high percentages of mineral oil or other petroleum products. Unfortunately, mineral oil does not absorb well into the skin, and in fact clogs pores and makes it difficult our skin to eliminate toxins. Mineral oil is also a non-renewable resource; it is a by-product of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. Given these facts, it's preferable to use natural vegetable oils as the base ingredient in natural lotions, salves, and moisturizing oils. Many products also contain colorants, fillers, and fragrances that unfortunately do little except irritate sensitive, delicate skin. Synthetic ingredients and fragrances can also exacerbate eczema, acne, and rash. Unscented, all-natural products are the safest things to use on our family. Aromatic plants and oils have been used for thousands of years, as incense, perfumes and cosmetics for their medical and culinary applications. Their ritual use were an integral part of the tradition in most early cultures because of their religious and therapeutic roles . Natural aromatics and perfume materials were one of the earliest trade items of the ancient world, being rare and very prized.   The natural cleaning kit. The easiest way to know which chemicals you are using in your home is to choose natural cleaning ingredients. They can be found in your local super-market. The following ingredients performs a variety of functions and are “safe enough to eat” Bi-carbonate of Soda- removes stains, deodorises, absorbs moisture and is middly abrasive. White Vinegar- cuts grease, solvent, disinfects, bleaches, and deodorises. Fresh lemon juice- cuTs grease, deodorises and is a mild bleach. Pure soap-Castile soap – cleans and cut grease, made from plant extract. Salt – scours, disinfects and deodorises. Washing soda (sodium carbonate)- softener, cuts grease and removes stains. Soda water- removes stains Olive oil- polisher, moisturiser and sealant. The following are also very useful, however they can be toxic and should be used with caution Eucalyptus oil- disinfectant, deodorant, insect reppelent and stain remover. Tea tree oil- disinfectant, anti-fungal, deodorant and insect repellent. Other pure essential oils- have endless properties and uses. Borax- removes stains, deodorises, scours, disinfects and bleaches. Methylated spirit- solvent and disinfectant. ALL PURPOSE CLEANING SPRAY 2 Tablespoons pure soap ( preferably castile liquid soap) 3 Tablespoons washing soda 1ml or 20drops of eucalyptus essential oil 400mls hot water. Mix well the washing soda and the hot water then mix all ingredients together.Pour into a labelled spray bottle and shake before use. Suitable for most hard surfaces. Spot test if unsure. HAND DISINFECTANT 100mls Methylated spirit. 1 Teaspoon Aloe Vera gel 1Teaspoon glycerine 400ml distilled water (I use lavender floral water) 1ml or 20 drops of essential oils ( I use mandarin and Bergamot) Mix well all ingredients together.Pour into a labelled pump bottle and shake before use. Suitable to disinfect your hands when you can not wash your hands- I always carry a little bottle in my hand bag.