05.24.07
Toxins, toxins everywhere.
Every now and again I read of someone who has developed a serious illness like aplastic anemia who claim that they have never been exposed to toxins. It makes me wonder what they think toxins are because I thought that it has been pretty common knowledge that everyone living in any modern city is exposed to toxins of some sort every day. After all anyone who drives a car or are exposed to fumes from a car are exposed to benzene, a known toxin. Building materials are full of toxins like formaldehyde that continue to outgas even after construction has been completed. Our foods are commonly laced with excitotoxins like MSG and other questionable ingredients added purely for colors, textures, preservatives, and even flavors, which add no nutritional value to the product. Not only are we exposed to toxins from the air and our foods, there are toxins in our daily cosmetic products. One such toxin are phthalates. What are phthalates? This link explains phthalates like this:
“What are phthalates?
Phthalates are a family of industrial chemicals that are used as a plastic softeners or solvents in many different consumer products. They can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as fumes, ingested when they contaminate food or when children bite or suck on toys, and are inadvertently but directly administered to patients from some PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) medical devices.”
I can hear it already. . . There’s only just a tiny amount in our products, so it’s likely not enough to harm us. . . Well, that may be true, but consider this from the above link:
“Companies say that the level of phthalates in their products is “safe.” That might be true if people were exposed to only one phthalate from one source at a time, but none of us is and the exposures add up. Since many phthalates have similar effects, we may be affected by the total exposure to this group of chemicals. What appears to be a “tolerable” level of exposure to a single phthalate could contribute to an unsafe overall exposure. Therefore, when possible, you may wish to reduce your use of cosmetics known to contain phthalates and as well as plastic products made from soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic, also known as vinyl — products such as vinyl flooring, shower curtains, wallpaper and food containers.”
Before I developed AA, I wore cosmetics daily and used fragrant lotions and perfumes every day. My favorite at that time was “Romance.” So, not only did I inhale all that stuff every day, I was absorbing it through my skin and then sniffing all the other stuff everyone else around me who applied their daily douse of lotions, colognes, perfumes, hairsprays, deoderants, etc. had on. Knowing these things, I have endeavored to spare myself and my fellow man of just a little more toxins by trying to use products with natural fragrances made from herbs and essential oils. I know that living in modern times it’s virtually impossible to live completely free of toxins, but I do think that being aware and more knowledgeable about them will help us to lower our toxin loads and hopefully live more healthful lives.
For more info on phthalates, check out Poisoned Cosmetics, Not Too Pretty. That site has other links that will lead to other interesting sites regarding our toxin exposures.
Marlakins
patti said,
May 25, 2007 at 6:25 am
Marla,
I have been looking for a more natural makeup to replace my Mary Kay stuff. Do you have any recommendations? I found a tomato toner from Burts Bees and a lemon poppyseed facial cleanser and a mud mask that’s fairly easy to use from Burts Bees but I’ve been unable to really discern a good makeup switch. I wear powder daily and “liquid” makeup (it’s really a cream to powder makeup) on Sundays. Reuter and I have been talking about replacing those two things but I haven’t found a suitable replacement yet. Know of any?
I agree with you. If toxins from one area were our only source they “might” be safe, but who only gets them from one source?
patti
Administrator said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Hi Patti:
You know, when I was diagnosed with AA back in 1999, I stopped using makeup for a long time, including all my perfumes, lotions, hair conditioners, etc. I just switched over to Aubrey Organic Shampoos and body soaps, but never went back to foundations or perfumes or hairsprays. I have tried to use natural stuffs for my skin since I had so much trouble with it, but hardly anything worked for very long. I tried different oils like almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil, chamomile tea washes, etc. What finally worked for my skin was Bert’s Bees Coconut Foot creme, which I just use a very small amount on my face. The tube lasts a long time for me that way because I don’t have to use much of it. For instance, the tube is 4.34 oz, and it has already lasted me a year, and I’m still using the same tube. That’s pretty much all I use on my face on a daily basis. I do use a little eyeliner and a little lipstick when I go out with other people, but I don’t use it on a daily basis anymore. I generally don’t wear any makeup when I go out to the market or when I do my errands. The eyeliner I use is Burt’s Bees, too, but the lipstick is another organic company, but honestly, the one I have is so old that the label is worn out, and I can’t read it! I know the word “Organic” is part of their name, but I can’t remember the exact name, ha! When I go to the store, I’ll check it out again because I know they carry other makeup items such as foundations. I still have half a stick left, so you can see that I don’t use it much and I’d say it’s a good 3 years old or more. I have been contemplating looking more into makeup again, but I’ve gotten so used to not wearing it much that I forget to go look.
Basically, the stuff I use for my body is Aubrey Organics shampoo (Blue Chamomile) and bar soap (either the rose or lavendar), Burt’s Bee’s Coconut Foot Creme, Burt’s Bees Body lotion Aloe & Buttermilk, and eyeliner and lipstick only when I’m going out to meet people.
I like that the Burt’s Bee’s products that I use are paraben and phthalate free, plus they don’t have alcohol in their lotion or foot creme. The shampoos I use don’t have those either, nor do they have sodium lauryl sulfate. The ingredients for the Burt’s Bees are basically herbs, natural oils, and lanolin and beeswax as carriers. I can’t say that all their products are like that, but those few that I use seem the closest to harmless that I have found that my skin doesn’t rebel against. I would prefer if they were “organic,” but I like their ingredient combinations the best so far.
When I go back to the store, I’ll look at the foundations again and see what their ingredients are for you. I’ll check out both the liquids and the powders.
Oh, and the toothpaste I use is by Weleda, their calendula one. It was weird at first getting used to because it doesn’t “lather” up like regular toothpaste. But I’m happy not to have flouride in my toothpaste or sodium lauryl sulfate either or any of the other things in regular toothpaste for that matter, ha!
Has Dr. Reuter suggested any? What does she use?
Take care,
Marla
patti said,
May 25, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Reuter hasn’t suggested any yet but I haven’t pushed her either. Usually if I push she’ll find me something to look into. It’s mainly been a time thing up to this point. A lot of my appts. used to focus on mom. Even though she’d have her own appt. there were certain things we couldn’t talk about with her there. So now I can start thinking about stuff like make-up changes again. I’ll have to ask her when I see her again in a few weeks.
I like the Burts Bees stuff mostly. The foot creme has saved both my feet and my elbows. I wouldn’t be able to use it on my face. I have extremely oily skin so that would send it into a tail spin. I have to say, that’s partly why I was so hooked on the Mary Kay. It was so balancing for my skin with the toners and moisturizers. But in detoxing, I’m going to have to get rid of it. I’m not real impressed with the BB lemon poppyseed cleanser so I may see if they have something else for my skin that would work.
Hmmm. Toothpaste. My kids use Tom’s of Maine. I have such sensitive teeth I have to use Crest Sensitive or I can’t touch anything to my teeth. I wouldn’t be opposed to changing.
Better jet. I’ll post my kid’s stuff on your other page.
patti
Administrator said,
May 26, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Hi Patti:
Well, just visited one of my regular stores and the line of cosmetics that I couldn’t read or remember the name of is “Hemp Organics.” That’s the brand of lipstick I’ve been using. I found a link to them here http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/hemp-organics-lipstick.htm which also lists the ingredients so that you can check it out. I know the ingredients aren’t perfect, but the best I could find at the time. The ingredients to their foundation looks okay to me, but I didn’t see the liquid types, only the pressed compacts. At this time, I’m staying away from foundations since I’ve gotten so used to going without now. I might start back up again with them for special occasions. I did look into “Zuzu” and “Emani” but some of their ingredients were a little questionable to me (although still much better than what I used to use!). But then again I noticed that you really have to look at each product because they don’t all have the same stuff in them. So one company might have good lipstick, while another company may have better eyeliner, etc. Next time I’ll check out Whole Foods and VP to see what makeup lines they carry.
We used to use Tom’s of Maine until I read on the packaging that part of their ingredients are flouride and sodium lauryl sulfate. I also didn’t like the “natural flavors” since that is one way hidden MSG or excitotoxins are still sold.
Anyway, if you find other brands, let me know! Thanks!
Marla
Andrea said,
May 26, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Hi Patti–Ever tried witch hazel as a toner? I believe it’s very natural and safe–correct me if I’m wrong, Marla–and a splash on the face really helps with oiliness and is also very refreshing.
I agree with you Marla–it’s the synergetic effect of all those different toxins that has gotten us into trouble. Let us not ignore, either, the toxins our own bodies produce due to stress, overwork, chronic anger, not enough love. I think that both kinds of toxins, the inner and the outer, were players in Rob’s getting AA.
Glad to hear the tip about “natural flavors.” Will watch out for those.
Andrea
Administrator said,
May 27, 2007 at 9:25 am
Hi Andrea:
I think you’re right about the witch hazel. Good thinking! It’s considered an astringent and is drying, but I have not heard of any toxicity to it for external use. That reminds me that Marlene had shared her use of witch hazel as a natural replacement for commercial deoderants. My sons were using it, and it worked very well for them. So not only is it an astringent, it’s also antibacterial according to the reason why witch hazel works as a deoderant. Marlene had mentioned that the odor is a result of bacteria, and the witch hazel reduces or eliminates those odor causing bacteria. I remember when I had my first child, the hospitals sent me home with Tuxs. All it was were very thins pads soaked in witch hazel to be applied to the area where the episiotomy was. It was to help soothe and reduce swelling and probably also served as an antibacterial, I’m guessing. I think it’s also used to help reduce the swelling on external hemorroids. So yeah, it appears that witch hazel has a toner quality to it. I know I probably couldn’t use it on my face because my skin tends to be on the dry side already, but if you have oil skin, then it sounds like it would be a good thing to try. Maybe have a good moisturizer to follow up with it to make sure you don’t over dry yourself, tho. I’ll have to hunt down Marlene’s witch hazel suggestion again and move it up to the pages section for quick reference. Thanks for reminding me about that, Andrea!
Oh, yes, and I agree with you that our own bodies naturally produce toxins or “waste” products, which need to be eliminated on a regular basis. And that is another reason why our detox pathways have to be in good condition otherwise we can, in a sense, wallow in our own toxins, ick! But that’s part of the reason why lymphatic drainage is so important. The lymph system is one avenue by which our bodies moves out a lot of our own waste materials. We don’t want to clog that up or hinder it’s progess otherwise we may end up with a buildup of excess wastes, which has been believed by some to be a cause for various illnesses. I think in Chinese medicine it’s referred to as “stagnation.” And as you pointed out, Andrea, it’s believed that we can actually “increase” our internal wastes from excess stress, bad attitudes, chronic anger, etc. I think that’s a very important point you bring out because “attitude,” I think is a major player to some illnesses and the ability to heal. Not only physically, but mentally as well. Dr. Lorraine Day shared on one of her videos that they had done a small study with mental patients. What they found was that the patients who were willing to forgive, actually got well, while the patients who would not forgive, and remained angry, did not get well. I really think there is a good reason why the Bible tells us to not let the sun go down with our anger. There’s so much practical advice in there.
Take care!
Marlakins
Andrea said,
May 27, 2007 at 11:20 am
Yes–there is a woman at church who had cancer, and swore that what cured her was forgiving her sister. She said she could feel the cancer leaving her body when she finally did this! THAT’s practical!
On the other hand, I do believe there is evidence that happy thoughts, loving thoughts, joyful and compassionate thoughts and feelings, actually produce healing chemicals–natural drugs, if you will. In Chinese medicine, there is a characteristic negative and positive emotion for each organ, and folks are advised to meditate on those organs every day, breathing in the positive and releasing the negative (or as we say when we baptize a baby “renouncing the forces of evil.”) So, for example for the liver, you would breathe out anger and frustration, and breathe in lovingkindness. The kidneys and adrenals are fear/wisdom, the heart hate/love and courage.
Bye for now, Andrea
Administrator said,
May 28, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Hi Andrea:
Thanks for sharing that! What kind of cancer did she have? And what treatment/s did she undergo for it? I remember we kinda touched on “attitudes and healing” in another thread, and I thought we could easily fall into a cycle of bad attitude contributing to poor health, and then vice versa that the poor health contributed to bad attitude, ha ha! Vicious cycle once one gets caught up in it. But yes, I have also heard about the kidney and fear connection. And I suspect that connection would fit with me. I remember being fearful for different things throughout my life, and I think it may have been partly due to weak kidneys or adrenals. I think I’m much better now, so hopefully that’s an indication of some healing.
Patti:
I just got back from Whole Foods, and I checked out their makeup section. Here are the other lines that they carry, which had foundations and which you may want to check out to see if any of these interest you:
Dr. Hauschka
Evan Healy
Mineral Fusion
Alba
Larenim
I think I will be checking more into them, too since some of the products did look good. The Evan Healy one even had a blurb on there that their makeup was developed based on the premise that the less you intervene with the skin’s own ability to achieve balance the better. So hopefully I’ll find something there that may be light and even nourishing, ha! (In addition to helping me look better, heheheh).
I noticed Dr. Hauschka carries a liquid foundation. I found there link to it here http://www.drhauschka.com/holistic-products/decorative-cosmetics/face.aspx And I recall reading one of the ingredients in facial toners which had witch hazel in it, so that helps to confirm that witch hazel is usable on the face. I have to check another time for the other makeup lines to see what’s in their products. But hope this helps with your makeup hunt.
Take care,
Marla