They recently found that a certain cancer-causing chemical 1,4-dioxane, is used by many companies in many cosmetic products. You will notice this chemical by other names, such as dioxane, diethylene dioxide, 1,4-diethylene dioxide, diethylene ether, glycol ethylene ether, dioxane-1,4, tetrahydro-p-dioxin, tetrahydro-1,4-dioxin.

The description of 1,4-dioxane from Wikipedia: 1,4-Dioxane is primarily used in solvent applications for the manufacturing sector; however, it is also found in fumigants and automotive coolant. Additionally, the chemical is also used as a foaming agent and appears as an accidental byproduct of the ethoxylation[1] process in cosmetics manufacturing.

Simply speaking, this is scary stuff and cause for concern.

From the EWG study in which they read the ingredient listings of 15,000 cosmetics, skin care and other personal care products, they have published the following alarming statistics:
*22% of cosmetics and skin care products, including baby soaps, are contaminated with 1,4-dioxane.
*80 percent of all cosmetic products may be contaminated with one or more carcinogenic impurities.

Overall, they have found that this chemical is used in almost all brands of
hair relaxers and over half of the baby soaps. They broke down the contamination levels as follows:
* 97% – hair relaxers
* 82% – hair dyes and bleaching
* 66% – hair removers
* 57% – baby soap
* 45% – sunless tanning products
* 43% – body firming lotion
* 36% – hormonal creams
* 36% – facial moisturizers
* 35% – anti-aging products
* 34% – body lotion
* 33% – around-eye creams

So, what do we need to do? First thing is to read your ingredient labels and get to know the names of the chemicals we do not want on our skin. Besides the ones listed above, look for the ingredients sodium laureth sulfate and others that include the clauses “PEG,” “xynol,” “ceteareth,” and “oleth.” These all have some form of 1,4-dioxane in them.

Even if you thought that natural was the way to go, some of these names will sneakily surprise you by showing up on the label. The only true way to avoid these chemicals are to use 100% Organic products – which will be certified as so.

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Kiss My Face was launched in a farmers feed-supply store in upstate New York 25 years ago. It has grown way beyond the pure olive-oil bar soap (which is to this day a top seller) it originally began with.

The line is famous for its Certified Organic Aloe Vera Toothpaste, Sugar Reef Organic Body Scrub and Lavender & Shea Moisture Shave. I don’t know what I should try.

It’s top sellers:
Sun Screen SPF18 with Oat Protein Complex
Sun Spray SPF 30
Pure Olive Oil Bar Soap
Peach Moisture Shave
Olive & Aloe Moisturizer

Do you have a favorite Kiss My Face product you recommend?

Post from: Pretty by Nature

I wonder if they are making a division of Clarins Organic, or will all of their products be certified Organic now? Or are they creating a new line all together? I know that they use a lot of herbal and plant-based ingredients, but they will need to do more to make sure they are Organic.

If any one has the scoop, please do share. I am really interested into hearing more about this.

Post from: Pretty by Nature

The products are all hand-crafted in small batches.

My favorite product of Terressentials is hands down the Cool Mint Body Wash. What a way to start your day with a minty fresh “wake-me-up” in the shower. It retails for $11.75. And it is nice to know that the lather you get from this wash is made from the traditional cold-process castile soap made from certified organic olive oil.

Their website is also a great source of information with links to various articles all about organic and natural beauty.

Post from: Pretty by Nature

This organic and vegan certified spritz can boost skin’s radiance, minimize age spots, sun spots and fine lines. It is fabulous for all skin types including oily, sensitive, normal and combination skin.

• The spritz contains some beneficial ingredients:
  MSM which helps to soften the skin
  Hyularonic Acid to hydrate the skin
• DMAE is included to tighten pores
  Red, White, and Green Tea protects your skin cells from being damaged by attacking free radicals and slowing down the aging process

von Natur Refresh & Rehydrate Spritz can be purchased for $22.00 at vonnatur.com.

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Each of Pangea Organic bars of soap is cold processed by hand, and custom blended with some of the best ingredients there are. And the cold process means that the benefits of such wonderful ingredients are not wasted by being boiled off.

There are 12 different bars to choose from:
AUSTRALIAN TEA TREE & LAVENDER
PYRENEES LAVENDER WITH DAMIANA TEA
MALAGASY CINNAMON CASSIA WITH CLOVES
OATMEAL WITH ITALIAN BERGAMOT
CANADIAN PINE WITH WHITE SAGE
INDIAN LEMONGRASS WITH ROSEMARY
ITALIAN WHITE SAGE, GERANIUM & YARROW
TUNISIAN OLIVE OIL & COCONUT
EGYPTIAN FENNEL WITH GRAPEFRUIT & SWEET ORANGE
EGYPTIAN BASIL & MINT
PYRENEES LAVENDER WITH CARDAMOM

You simply cannot imagine just how wonderful these bars smell. I have been using the Australian Tea Tree & Lavender bar and it is divine.

Each soap bar comes in it’s own recyclable container and retails for $7.99. Pangea Organics can be found online at their website and at wonderful retailers such as Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and World Market.

Post from: Pretty by Nature

She sticks to a very strict regimen, and favors beauty products from the following lines:
Kiss My Face
Zia Natural Skincare
Burt’s Bees
Crystal Rock Deodorant.

I have used Burt’s Bees, but none of the others. I will surely be adding them to my list of new things to try.

Do you have a favorite in any of these lines?

Post from: Pretty by Nature