BODY LOTION

I was about .2 seconds away from ordering my old trusted Hempz lotion on Amazon. The weather is getting colder and my skin is noticing. Also, working as a nurse I am constantly washing my hands and using harsh hand sanitizer all day long. My skin is dry and my hands are cracking so I needed to figure this out before January rolls around.

Before pushing "order" I took a closer look at some of the ingredients listed in Hempz lotion and I really was not surprised. Like most body lotions, fragrance is listed as an ingredient. Fragrance is the first thing I look for AND avoid when searching personal care products- it is easy to spot and probably one of the most common...and it is absolutely NOT necessary. Fragrance has a rating of an 8 on the EWG due to the potential of so many hidden and undisclosed chemicals and ingredients that fall under under this label. Methylisothiazolinone, another ingredient on Beautycounter's never list and rated a 7 on the EWG was also included in this list along with Retinyl Palmitate.

After glancing the ingredient list I knew I could and needed to find some better options for myself this winter. Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs what you put on it all day long. The last thing I want to do is cover it with chemicals that have the potential to cause hormone disruption, allergies, reproductive toxicity and increase my risk for cancer. We are exposed to many things we have limited control over however we do have full control what we put on our bodies---and a great place to start is your body lotion!

Here are a few safer alternatives I found and I am looking forward to giving them all a try this season. They can be found at Target, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Marshalls, Amazon and of course Beautycounter. 

Winter is coming...

This post was originally called "Winter is coming" however after spending the weekend in Wisconsin I realized it should probably be called "Winter is here". I've been brainstorming ways to combat winter dull dry skin and have been taking notes on what I do and plan to continue doing as the temperature changes. I love having a skincare routine and this includes more than just my morning and night face regimen. I am all about essential oils, lotions and exfoliants to help me feel my best during the cold dreary winter days. We make changes to our wardrobes when the seasons change and we need to do the same with our skincare regimens!

1) Stay hydrated- for many people cold temps mean long hot showers or baths and blasting the the car heat for an extended period of time. All extremely drying to our skin so be sure to find a great moisturizer and be sure to keep drinking tons of water!

2) Vitamin C brightening face oil- add oil to your routine. Face oil's have been a game changer for me and a great product to try this winter! You apply a few drops to a clean face and follow with a moisturizer. Oil helps create a protective barrier on your skin and depending on what oil you purchase it should absorb easily and help to soothe, balance and leave your skin glowing! Vitamin C specifically helps to brighten and even skin tone.

3) Try a cleansing balm- the cleansing balm tends to make my face feel congested during the summer months however I find it works great for me during the winter. The cleansing balm can be used as a cleanser/ makeup remover as well as an overnight hydrating mask.

4) Exfoliate your skin and follow with a body lotion. Exfoliate while in the shower and follow with body lotion, oil or a combination of both right after while your skin is still damp (this will help your lotion be absorbed into your skin!)

5) Use a humidifier in your home

6) Wash your face with lukewarm vs hot water

7) Change up your routine- during the winter I continue to double wash my face at night with an oil followed by a foam cleanser however in the morning I just splash my face with water and before applying my morning skincare regimen.

8) You still should wear daily SPF- Hello DEW skin!

Hope this helps! Only 200 days until summer =]

Halloween is over but...

These scary stats are here to stay!

1)Only 10% of chemicals used in personal care products have ever been tested for human health and safety. 

2) The beauty industry is a 62 billion dollar industry that is governed by less than 2 pages of federal law. The last major federal law made to help regulate this industry was 1938...

3) 99% of breast cancer tissue contained parabens

4) The ingredient "fragrance" can include over 3,000 stock chemicals- none that are required to be listed such as phthalates. Phthalates are linked to hormone disruption and low sperm count.

5) Women on average use 12 personal care products per day- exposing their bodies to approx 168 chemicals every single day.

6) Guanine- a common ingredient in mascara is a crystalline material that shimmers--found in crushed fish scales. Also often confused with bat guano (bat poop)!