There are hidden things lurking on your bathroom counter that could harm you…

Many of you have written in with questions about my recommendations for beauty products and what I look for in a quality product.

First of all, I try to use organic products as much as possible because I personally have very chemically sensitive skin and having Psoriasis (Sore-Eye-Asses) lurking about is a common deciding factor for me. I love organic face washes but honestly most of organic cosmetics just don’t have the staying power or brightness. As I look at products on the shelf though, I cringe at having limited choices if I want a quality product. Especially since believe it or not, many products contain very harmful chemicals that “do their duty” as cleansers, pigments, or UV blockers but can leave very damaging effects behind and can cause irritation, allergies, lung problems or cancer.

Here is the Toxic 12 List… (see how many you find in your makeup bag or in your shower stall. It will shock you!)

* Benzoyl peroxide
* DEA (diethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine)
* Dioxin
* DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea
* Synthetic Colors and Pigments
* Parabens (methyl, butyl, ethyl, propyl)
* FEG (polyethylene glycol)
* Phthalates (9xenoestrogens)
* Propylene glycol and butylene glycol
* Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate
* Sunscreen chemicals like avobensone, benzphenone and PABA
* Triclosan

Admitting I am guilty of using products with a few of these, since they are SO hard to avoid. But, two big personal no-no’s for me are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Benzoyl Peroxide, these both have enormous factors in drying out skin and causing skin to be more prone to UV damage, you may be “Clean and Clear” but you’ll be “Cancerous and Wrinkly” in about 10 years of cell damage.

Here is what scares me, is that the FDA allows these in products, personally I have always thought that products that “work” too effectively are always a way to get the consumer to have to continuously buy a product for fear of remission. Sadly, I know that pulling the chemicals out of these products would never happen since many of these products would lose their effectiveness sending companies into shambles and our economy to even worse conditions. As the consumer we all need to be “street smart” when it comes to our personal buying choices. Next time you are at the store think of this “Do you want to live or leave a good looking corpse?”

There are many amazing products out there that are chemical free… here are a few of my favorites!

* Desert Essence Face Wash- (Can be used as shampoo, face wash, dog shampoo, brush cleanser, hand washing clothes… it’s all around helpful and healthy!)
* Aubrey Organics Shave Cream- I love the toasted almond (d0n’t eat it, it’s tempting), makes legs baby butt smooth.
* Seventh Generation Cleaning Products- Available at most Target stores!
* Sweet Skin Moisturizer- Light, moisturizing cream. I like to keep it in the fridge for warm summer days!

If anyone out there has any recommendations, please leave a comment since I am always looking to try new, natural cosmetics or beauty products.

The Toxic Avenger,

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