Can Makeup be dangerous during pregnancy?

A recent article posted by DANIELLE ROSE in northjersey.com points out the difficulties that pregnant women face in trying to avoid toxins, eat healthy and take care of their developing baby.

A firm follower of using natural products, Danielle often makes up her own blends and potions to ensure that she stays well and healthy. What’s wonderful is that the type of things that she blends herself, are mostly made of products you would use to cook with. That is the true beauty of using natural products. However creating safe makeup is not something that can easily be created from home.

Danielle points out that although most women will switch to organic foods, quit drinking and leave toxic jobs such as painting the nursery to their husband, they often don’t realise that what they put on their skin can be just as important to baby's health. So natural skincare products should be picked carefully. Daily moisturizers, makeup, foundation all sit on the skin for hours.
Danielle points out that the skin is a porous organ and it absorbs lotions and makeup into the body, along with the chemicals they are comprised of, which is the whole basis of nicorette patches and contraception patches.

According to Dr. Alan Greene, author of "Raising Baby Green," many cosmetics and sunscreens contain what are called nanoparticles, particles so tiny that they permeate the skin and body tissues quickly and deeply.

A regular issue of concern that Danielle raises is the difficulty of really knowing what is in the product you are buying, coupled with the fact that the list of ingredients that are safe during pregnancy varies from source to source. In addition, manufacturers are not required to list all the ingredients on the product label and chemicals can get hidden under generic terms such as ‘fragrance’. I recently had a customer who was buying organic shampoo and I pointed out to her that it contained Rosemary (Which is not considered by general aromatherapy circles to be suitable for pregnant women in the first two trimesters) I suggested that she switch to another shampoo which contained gentler ingredients such as lavender, the smell of which is also less likely to turn a pregnant woman’s stomach. Lavender naturally helps ease nausea. Some other natural herbs and essential oils - basil, birch, cinnamon bark, sage and tarragon should not be used during pregnancy.

Also a beauty product listed as "organic," may not always be organic. Many high street brands and less scrupulous brands may only add a few organic ingredients to a concoction of other less favorable ingredients. One of Danielle’s favorite sites and mine too for determining the safety of skin care products is cosmeticsdatabase.com. It rates thousands of cosmetics on a scale of zero to 10 with 10 being a high hazard and zero being low.

Another good resource Danielle uses is Greene's book. In his chapter "The Bathroom," he lists and explains the types of ingredients to be wary of and many safer alternatives to the common cosmetic.

Danielle recommends making your own moisturizer , body scrubs, and facial masks using simple ingredients such as olive, grapeseed, safflower and walnut oils. For instance you can add oil to Epsom salts to create a safe and effective scrub. Blending with Essential oils should be done more carefully, however. Essential oils are concentrated plant matter and should always be purchased pure (not blended with other ingredients) and used diluted in the proper proportion with a base oil (never used directly on the skin).

For many of these reasons sighted by Danielle and other beauty experts in the field I’m really particular that buyOrganics check ingredients, only take on reputable brands and help customers one to one as much as possible make the right choice. We have special herb blended teas by Earth Mama to sooth many pregnancy ailments such as morning sickness, postpartum blues and even a blend to help your milk increase naturally when breastfeeding baby. Coupled with pure natural skincare and makeup products that do not contain nanoparticles, parabens or phthlates, and that we have vetted ourselves for purity, you no longer need to blend away yourself!! And can just purchase and apply with confidence.

Are Stain Repellants making you more susceptible to developing Thyroid Disease?

The latest research from a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) has for the first time linked thyroid disease with human exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

This chemical is a persistent organic chemical used in industrial and consumer goods, including nonstick cookware and stain- and water-resistant coatings for carpets and fabrics. It is also used during the process of making common household and industrial items, including nonstick pots and pans, flame-resistant and waterproof clothing, wire coatings, and chemical-resistant tubing. PFOA can also be formed by the breakdown of certain other highly fluorinated chemicals used in oil- and grease-resistant coatings on fast-food containers and wrappers and in stain-resistant carpets, fabrics, and paints. Some of these products are everyday items that are used in our home.

Numerous animal studies show that PFAAs can affect the functioning of the mammalian thyroid hormone system, which is essential for maintaining heart rate, regulating body temperature, and supporting many other body functions, including metabolism, reproduction, digestion, and mental health

This latest study revealed that people with higher concentrations of PFOA in their blood were more likely to report a history of thyroid disease.

Tamara Galloway, a professor of eco-toxicology at the University of Exeter (U.K.) School of Biosciences and the study’s senior author, says, “These results highlight a real need for further research into the human health effects of low-level exposures to environmental chemicals like PFOA that are ubiquitous in the environment and in people’s homes. We need to know what they are doing.”

However due to the methodology used in conducting the experiment Galloway stresses that the evidence from the new study does not rule out the possibility that having thyroid disease may change the way the body handles PFOA. Further research is needed.

If you’re already dedicated to making healthy choices then you may already be avoiding many of the possible offenders. Our advice from a natural living and healthcare perspective is to choose natural products for your home wherever possible, for instance, natural paints, wood flooring, or wool rich carpets and natural fabrics such as hemp or jute. If possible avoid stain repellants especially in closed spaces and on sofas and furnishings. Avoid re-using fast food wrappers and containers and safety dispose of them in the bin. Choose pots and pans that are stainless steel or ceramic based rather than non stick and opt for natural fibre, untreated organic clothing where possible.

Put Spring back into your skin the natural way with buyOrganics’ expert advice

Despite months of slathering on creams, protective serums, blocks and foundations to shield our skin from the harsh winter elements, all of us are no doubt desperate to get back to the fresh, sun-kissed glow that is now just a memory from last year’s summer holiday….

It’s not always about what you put onto your skin however – as we are all aware, most skincare products contain mind-bogglingly long lists of ingredients, many of which are synthetic and quite possibly harmful when absorbed into the skin and bloodstream, building up to cause allergies, irritancy and even disease.

Organic skincare is the perfect solution – and buyOrganics' range of carefully selected skincare products will set you up for the spring – sloughing off the winter and protecting new skin so you’re ready to face the world again! Two of buyOrganics’ ranges are perfect to ease this transformation – and expert advisors from both Essential Care and Organic Apoteke have some great tips and advice as well.

Margaret Weeds of quality, affordable organic range Essential Care says, “The skin is the largest elimination organ of the body, so using chemical-free skincare products all year round will reduce toxic load, but in order to slough off the winter from our skins, improving sluggish circulations, focusing on exfoliation and extra moisturisation with vitamin-rich plant oil products will pay dividends.”

Margaret suggests using the Essential Care Tea Tree & Green Clay organic soap or their Honey & Oatmeal facial bar to gentle exfoliate the face, and to use a fine scrub mitt, brush or loofah with any of their soaps, for the rest of the body. Splash on cold water to boost circulation and close pores the natural way.

Cleanse with an Essential Care organic cleanser, followed by Rose Petal or Citrus Tonic to gently tone the skin without stripping or irritation. Says Margaret, “For a fantastic glow and vitamin boost I strongly recommend finishing with a couple of drops of Organic Superfruit Concentrate.”

Left with dry, flaky or chapped skin from the cold, wind and central heating? Essential Care’s Ultra Rich Balm is economical and multitasking, suitable for use anywhere on the body. For particularly badly cracked hands or heels, and even according to customer feedback, psoriasis, use their Calendula Balm.

If you aren’t fussed about the pennies, then luxury organic skin care range Organic Apoteke offers several products which are pure pampering heaven – indulge in one or two special organic skincare treats from the range in addition to your everyday cheaper products for perfect skin which won’t cost the earth.

Dr Nitasha Buldeo, creator of the Organic Apoteke range, also offers a simple and fun weekend detox plan to get the whole body, inside and out, ready to face the world again. As well as drinking plenty of water, avoiding dairy, fried foods, preservatives and carbonated drinks, she particularly recommends the following Organic Apoteke products for glowing, toxin-free skin: for the face, Active Face Cleanse Gel and Active Herbal Toner, moisturise with their Active Face Hydrating Gel and even have a go with the super cleansing Detox Face Mask. Use the Organic Apoteke Body Cleanse Gel and Body Hydrate Oil both in Sicilian Orange & Mandarin to cleanse and moisturise the body.

Put the Spring back into your skin now!