Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
Most consumers do not want to see oil separating in their new face cream or body lotion because they aren’t used to it. Manufacturers know this and go to great lengths to avoid separation, including using dangerous chemicals. But separation in skin care products is not only okay, it’s good! It proves your products are truly natural and don’t contain any hidden chemical emulsifiers.
Chemical emulsifiers are used in every commonly sold skin cream and lotion to bind ingredients together and prevent separation. They usually show up on labels as monostearate, stearic acid and triethanolamine. Ethoxylated emulsifiers (usually abbreviated to something like PEG-20-stearate – or PEG- something else) often produce 1,4-dioxane in the manufacturing process, which is so toxic it has been banned in Europe. These chemicals pose serious hazards to your health when absorbed through the skin and should be avoided.
Chemical emulsifiers have been linked to cancer in government, industry and academic studies or assessments. They have also been proven to disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system and the hormones it releases, which influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes. Chemical emulsifiers have also been linked to immunotoxicity, a class of health problems that manifest as allergic reactions or an impaired capacity to fight disease and repair damaged tissue in the body. Dry or itchy skin and eczema are two of the most common reactions that fall under this category of health concerns.
These are some pretty serious health risks just to avoid some separation. So, as I said earlier, a little separation is a good thing because it means you are avoiding these harmful chemicals. Plus it’s pretty easy to keep it at a minimum. Keeping your natural products cool or refrigerated helps immensely, as well as remembering to shake them before using.
Contributing Writer and Cosmetics Expert
Founder Healing Anthropology
Sabrina Posillico
Friday, May 28th, 2010
Sabrina was born in Rome, Italy in 1974 and immigrated to the United States a year later. Her mother, from a tiny town in Italy, was an early source of inspiration for her, using natural remedies and concoctions throughout her childhood. “I remember her using rosemary-infused olive oil on her skin and how amazing it smelled,” recalls Sabrina.
Later she was fortunate enough to travel the world through modeling and international social work. She was always introduced to the latest in skin care technology, but inevitably found herself inquiring about natural beauty secrets within the local culture. These experiences gave Sabrina a unique perspective on skin care, one that blended modern science with ancient healing practices.
Sabrina’s passion for natural practices intensified after she lost several family members to cancer. She realized her relatives that had remained in their small towns in Italy were living longer, healthier lives than those who had moved to the states and that the food we eat and the products we use have an incredible impact on our well being.
Changing her diet to natural and organic foods, free from chemicals and preservatives, was not that difficult, however finding beauty products with the same standards was nearly impossible. Sabrina repeatedly found that even products claiming to be 100% natural still contained parabens, petroleum-based ingredients and other chemicals. She realized there was a need for high quality, truly natural products and so Healing Anthropology was born.
As founder and president, Sabrina is involved in every aspect of Healing Anthropology, which includes working closely with ethnobotanists and clinical herbalists to formulate every product. She feels very passionately about creating skin care products that are truly pure and healthy, yet still luxurious and effective. As proof to the efficacy of the products she is still modeling at 35 with girls half her age! She has also always been passionate about the environmental and social health of the planet and this comes out in every aspect of the company. We are thrilled to see what Sabrina has to share with us! Check out Healing Anthropology on FACEBOOK!
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
With product lines including Organic Body-Bath, Organic Motherhood and Organic Babyhood, Naturity’s lines of basic health and hygiene products represent their commitment to the environment and all ingredients are 99 to 100% certified organic and carry a “zero” toxicity rating in the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database; all their products are made without chemicals, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
Naturity walks the walk and talks the talk in preserving and protecting the environment. They use glass and metal containers (with massage oil containers created with 40% recycled glass), gift items are contained in bamboo, recycled paperboard boxes or tin and are filled with recycled paper shred. They also ship their products with biodegradable packing peanuts.
Products include items like peppermint massage oil created with organic peppermint essential oils and certified organic oils of sunflower seed, sweet almond oil and extra virgin olive. Also, rosemary sugar body scrub created with organic sugar for gentle exfoliation, organic sunflower seed oil and organic coconut oil. And salt soaks in a variety of relaxing scents like lavender sweet orange and chamomile. Their products also include mom-friendly and specialty products like belly butter, belly massage oil and even nipple cream.
The website allow visitors to browse by scent like: chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, peppermint and sweet orange. Also, shoppers can peruse by product line and learn more about Naturity and their eco-conscious initiatives like Plant & Green, Recycle Naturity and their e-mail gift certificate program. Naturity is all about green and clean! Get 20% off your order from Naturity with discount code: hipmoms
Enter out our Green Giveaway this week it is a Rosemary Bath and Body Gift Basket!
