While I don’t always make the best choices, I am always thinking about eating healthy.  Since the skin is the bodies largest organ it finally occurred to me that I should look at what I am putting on my skin.  So, I headed to my favorite health food store, Vitamin Life, and talked to the manager for about 45 minutes learning about the dangers of parabens, artificial fragrances, and propylene glycol.  Then I went home and started reading the ingredients on my shampoo and conditioner, styling gel, face cleanser, face moisturizer, body lotion, make-up, deodorant, etc.  It was quite shocking to me that these ingredients showed up everywhere.

Now I understand that some people say that the amounts are so small that they aren’t harmful but I have to wonder that if such miniscule amounts of gluten, from the cross-contamination of bins in the bulk food section, can create such havoc on someone with celiac’s system couldn’t small amounts of these toxic  substances be affecting my body in some unknown way?  Given the rates of breast cancer and thyroid disorders I’m not willing to take the chance so I’ve been replacing all the products that go on my skin.  I prefer to save my indulgences on things I can taste so it’s been a pretty easy decision until I fell in love with the Mandarin Lime aromatherapy soap at my sister-in-law’s house.  To buy or not to buy?  I can’t decide…

If you are interested in learning more, below are articles discussing the dangers of these additives.

http://www.examiner.com/x-18171-Wichita-Natural-Beauty-Examiner~y2009m8d9-Natural-beauty-info-101-Why-are-parabens-in-our-beauty-products-bad

http://www.naturalnews.com/023138_propylene_glycol_food_health.html

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?91