Beauty Products: Why Organic Matters

I have talked to you about the importance of organic, whole food eating on the blog multiple times. I realize, however, that I have not talked to you about another huge concern that faces us regarding non-organic products: Beauty Products.

The average woman applies more than 150 chemicals to the skin by way of beauty products a DAY. The skin is the largest organ of the body. From your eyelids to the soles of your feet, your skin takes up about 15% of your body weight. This being the case, 60% of the chemicals we apply through our beauty products are actually absorbed into our bloodstream.

Let’s do a quick side by side comparison of a “household brand name” lotion product and an organic lotion (that can also be found at your local drug store)

Lubriderm Daily Mostiruzier w/SPF 15:
Octinoxate 7.5%
Octisalate 4%
Oxybenzone 3%
purified water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, cetearyl alcohol (and) ceteareth-20, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol, white petrolatum, diazolidinyl urea, trolamine, edetate disodium, xanthan gum, acrylates/C 10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, vitamin E, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, fragrance, and carbomer

I wish you could see my editing screen, over half the ingredients listed above are highlighted in red, meaning my computer doesn’t know how to spell them. If that doesn’t tell you something about the ingredients, I don’t know what does.

Here is a list of ingredients in and organic lotion that can be found at your local drug store.

Kiss My Face Almost Butter Moisturizer:
Juniperus Oxycedrus*, Melissa Officinalis*, Lavandula Angustifolia*, Aqua/Eau, Chamomilla Recutita*, Angelica Archangelica*, Althaea Officinalis*, Avena Sativa*, Helianthus Annuus*, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearth-20, Glycerin, Caprylic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii, Jojoba Esters*, Glycine Soja*, Olea Europaea*, Theobroma Cacacao*, Rosmarinus Officinalis, Citrus Dulcis*, Citrus Nobilis, Cucumis Melo, Glycine, Xanthan Gum, Cyanopsis Tetragonalba, Tocopherol.
*Organic Ingredients are Certified by Quality Assurance International

Organic skin care products are made with ingredients that have not been subject to toxic chemicals. They are almost always comprised of natural ingredients as well. It is important to note the effects the toxic chemicals (found in non-organic beauty items) have on your hormones.

It has been proven that the increase in paraben use is directly correlated to an increased risk of breast cancer. Be sure to check your beauty products,  if any or most of the ingredients include butyl-, ethyl-, methyl- and propyl-, which are the four main parabens, then each time you put it onto your skin you increase your risks of upsetting your hormones and are increasing your risk for cancer.

“You should never put anything on your skin that you would not put in your mouth.”

Because of the natural and organic movement right now, there are a lot of organic beauty product choices available at your local drug store. Kiss My Face, Yes to Carrots, Alba Botanica, Tom’s of Maine and many other brands clutter the shelves at most stores. I have even been able to find great options in the clearance bins at Albertson’s and Fred Meyer locally, sometimes up to 75% off.

Beauty Products to Consider Switching to Organic:

Body Lotion

Sunscreen

Shampoo/conditioner

Soap/body wash

Makeup

Deodorant

Lip balm

While you can buy all of the above mentioned products at the store, the cost of these items can really add up. If you are like me and my family, you are on a tight budget.

A great way to save on these items? Make them yourself! There a lot of resources online that show you how to make these products at home.

Here are a few links to some of my favorites:

Homemade Deodorant

Shampoo and Conditioner

Skin/Belly Balm

Lip Balm
 

Lotion Bar

Body butter/Diaper Cream

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 16: 19-20