Currently there isn’t any legal requirement for cosmetic companies to test their products for safety before they put them on in the market. The disclosure of ingredients on those products is also not required. Many of these synthetic chemicals have been linked to adverse health effects. The chemicals you should be concerned about are:
- Formaldehyde
- Triclosan
- Phthalates
- Lead acetate
- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Sodium lauryl
- Parabens
Healthy skin is essential to survival, not just beauty. Your skin is the most visible reflection of what’s going on in your body and here are some helpful tips to assist keeping it healthy.
Prevent cold sores – don’t share lip products. If you have the HSV-1 virus, (anyone who has ever had a cold sore has this virus in a dormant state), you need to prevent another outbreak. Learn to manage your stress, get plenty of exercise, wear plenty of sunscreen and eat a healthy diet avoiding acidic foods. Keep your hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores. Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays even if it’s cloudy or you don’t plan to spend much time outdoors. Choose a product that says “nonacnegenic” or “noncomedogenic” on the label. Remove makeup before sleep. Prevent itching and dryness – moisturize with creams rather than lotions, take short warm baths and showers. If you wear glasses for sight or sun, clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging pores around your eyes and nose. Avoid harmful chemicals in skin care products, such as those that are petroleum derivatives since they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream with liver-damaging and cancer-causing results. They can actually damage DNA. If your face is puffy in the mornings keep your freshener in the refrigerator for a quick pick-me up. Give your skin a day off allowing it to breath by not wearing makeup one day a week. In the winter wear oil-based makeup to protect your skin and in the warmer weather switch to water-based. Mix 1 teaspoon of dry milk with warm water to remove makeup. Make an herb scented toner for your skin type – Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water then add:- violet, rose, borage or jasmine for dry skin
- peppermint, marigold, rosemary or lavender for oily skin
- violet, salt burnet, parsley or borage for sensitive skin
- lemon balm, rose, spearmint or chamomile for normal skin
Prevent Puffy Eyes
If you have puffy bags under your eyes, where you applied your eye cream might be the culprit! Here’s the deal… eye cream warms up with your body temperature and travels as it seeps into your skin. So if you apply it directly on top of your crow’s feet along your lash lines, it will travel into your eyes and irritate them, causing them to swell and give you extra unwanted baggage.
The good news is, because eye cream travels, just apply it 1/2 inch or so above your upper lash line and below your lower lash line, then while you’re sleeping, it will travel on its own and stop right around your crow’s feet, where you wanted it in the first place! Be sure to use your ring finger to apply it (it’s your weakest finger so you won’t pull too hard) and after making the dots, gently pat them in.
Cream travels almost an inch over time. If you apply it directly on your crow’s feet it will travel into your eyes and you’ll wake up with puffy eyes.
Treating Puffy Eyes
Potato – Slice a raw potato, refrigerate it for a few minutes then cut it in half and the slices over your eyes being sure to cover the puffy area under your eyes. Remove after 15-20 minutes.
Milk – Dip cotton pads in chilled milk and place them on your eyelids and relax 20-30 minutes.
Oil – Add a few drops of vitamin E oil to a chilled bowl of water and mix well. Moisten cotton pads with this mixture and place on eyes for 20 minutes.
Cucumber – Put two slices of refrigerated cucumber on eyes for 25 minutes. This is a great anti-inflammatory remedy.
Chilled tea bags – Moisten two tea bags in cold water and refrigerate for a while. Place over eyes for 25-30 minutes. Wash with cold water and dry your skin thoroughly. Green or chamomile tea works well for this remedy.
Egg white – Stiffly beat egg whites, and then apply around your eyes with a brush. Leave on 20 minutes then rinse with cold water.
Water – Drink plenty of water daily to keep your skin nourished.
Sleep – Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night; sleep with your head elevated.
