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Deodorant & Antiperspirant Products: Friend or Foe???

Deodorant. Now here’s a product that we all use and, if we’re being honest, that we all need, as well. There’s no refuting this one, deodorant is a must for every person’s list of required personal care products. Male or female, the human body requires some form of deodorant or antiperspirant in order to prevent the smelly consequences that will arise without this product.

All humor aside, deodorant is without a doubt one of the most important products used worldwide by both genders. Though the brands may vary from country to country, the formula for the actual product tends to remain incredibly similar. One ingredient, in particular, tends to pop up in the majority of commercial deodorants. The cheap, generic products that typically cause nothing but trouble for the human body are likely to contain this mystery ingredient, as well. When browsing any personal care product section, it is near impossible to find a product without this toxic ingredient. The ingredient I’m referring to is Aluminum…both a heavy metal and a carcinogen (cancer-causing ingredient).

Now you tell me, is that the kind of ingredient you want in your deodorant? We’re talking about a product one applies in a heavily absorbable and porous area of the body. In other words, once you apply the deodorant to your armpit, every ingredient is absorbed into your body, your cells, and your bloodstream where it is processed and absorbed further internally.

The thing about heavy metals is that they take a very long time to be processed out of the human body once they’ve been absorbed. I’m talking years, decades even because these types of materials often become cellular debris. To cleanse each individual cell is no simple task, especially if you’re constantly pouring more of the same, toxic ingredient into your body on a daily basis. My best advice is to avoid aluminum-filled deodorants at all cost!

But how does one do this in a world where processed products have become the majority???

Lucky for those of us interested in all-natural products, other companies creating personal care products such as deodorant are too! One company, in particular, has actually created a guide for finding healthy, aluminum-free deodorant products. Reviews.com is a fantastic source for deodorant products that are both aluminum-free and beneficial for your body. I highly recommend checking them out if you’re in the market for a new aluminum-free deodorant, but aren’t sure where to begin.

Not only does Reviews.com provide awesome products to choose from, they also provide detailed information for each just in case you are interested in learning a bit more about a product before you actually buy it. Personally, I make it a rule to read the ingredient label before I even consider adding the product to my shopping cart! It may be the grocery store or it may be a cosmetic store…food, makeup, and personal care products all become absorbed into your body whether it is through the pores on your skin or the digestive tract in your stomach. Therefore, it is always wise to exercise caution when choosing any of these products and the best way to do this is by paying more attention to those ingredient labels. Though it may seem like a different language at first, the Internet is your best friend when it comes to decoding and understanding the confusing terms.

If you have any questions about a specific ingredient please comment below or feel free to email me at Katie@seizethedayblog.com. I’m more than happy to help decode any terms.

So, you may be wondering, “How on earth did such an unhealthy ingredient find its way into the formula of a product so highly related to the beauty / personal care industry?”

It’s a fair question since deodorant is a product that is supposed to actually help rather than hurt us! Well, we should probably start at the very beginning of the story…let’s discuss the difference between an antiperspirant and a deodorant. Although they look pretty much identical to one another, the purpose of each is actually quite different.

An antiperspirant is designed to keep you smelling good by completely blocking the pores in your underarm, thereby blocking the sweat (and the smell) from exiting your body.

Talk about cutting a problem off at the knees! Sweat became an issue and companies said, “No problem! We’ll just prevent you from sweating altogether!” Here’s my issue with this so-called “solution” to body odor: your body isn’t sweating just for fun or to make life more difficult for you, you are sweating for a very important reason! And that reason is so that you can easily clear your body of toxin buildup occurring within your cells, organs, tissues, and your entire body, basically. Here’s another little fact about sweat: Body odor (B.O.) is stinky because it is essentially bacteria from the inside of your body being excreted through your pores in an efficient manner. Mystery solved as to why nobody’s B.O. smells like a field of flowers!

Sweat may stink, but this bodily function is actually a process that is very healthy for you! Also, most commercial deodorant brands have chosen to use the heavy metal, Aluminum, as the pore-clogger. So, not only are you preventing the release of bodily toxins when you use an antiperspirant, you are also flooding your body with even more toxins from the Aluminum. Any way you look at it, antiperspirants are a lose-lose product for you and your own personal well-being.

I used to wonder if the ingredient, Aluminum, was chosen because it was the cheaper option, but as it turns out this heavy metal has a special talent that most people do not know about…it attaches easily to the hair follicle located within each pore in a person’s underarm thereby guaranteeing full blockage for a temporary amount of time. Whatever the motivation behind any company’s choice to exploit this ingredient may be, I don’t believe they were doing so with a big picture perspective. For example, the effect of a heavy metal on the human body never seemed to be taken into consideration.

Although more research is STILL required before a direct connection between aluminum and cancer can be made, Time magazine has reported that Aluminum, “can cause ‘gene instability’ in breast tissue…This instability can cause changes that may promote the growth of tumors or cancer cells, ‘over 50% of breast cancers start in the upper outer quadrant of the breast local to the underarm region.’ While that’s not proof aluminum is to blame, breast cancer incidence tends to align with use of products that contain the metal” (Markham Heid, Time.com).

The underarm is where your lymphnodes are located, making it an incredibly sensitive area. Like I’ve mentioned before, the large pores in your underarm make it a highly absorbable area, as well. When you smear an antiperspirant across the underarm, it is going to be absorbed through the pores and released into your body. Since this absorption process happening through your pores is different from the absorption processes taking place within your digestive tract, all ingredients within antiperspirants and deodorants can be released into the bloodstream before they are properly metabolized. The consequence of this unfortunate fact means toxic ingredients, such as aluminum, being stored within the cells and tissues throughout your body.

As if all of this information about aluminum isn’t bad enough, you should also know that once your body absorbs heavy metals of any kind, it could take years before your body will properly dispel of the toxic ingredient. That means you will have toxins just sitting in your body for an extended period of time. Hence, the link between diseases, such as cancer, and heavy metals like aluminum. Mercury is another heavy metal that should be actively avoided, but that’s for another article.

I mean, if you’re putting harmful ingredients onto and into your body the logical consequence would be poor health. Harm will come from poor-quality ingredients, which is why it is imperative you think twice the next time you apply any product to your body, especially your underarms!

The worst part is that aluminum has also made its way into deodorants, as well. Despite the purpose of deodorant relating more to the cleansing and deodorizing of the underarm area so that the smell is controlled, many commercial deodorant companies have still chosen to add aluminum as an ingredient.

Here’s my question for the deodorant companies choosing this type of product composition: If the pore doesn’t need to be clogged, then why include the aluminum ingredient?

Truthfully, I do not know the answer to this question. I have extensively researched this subject and I still cannot find a single logical reason as to why this ingredient is included in deodorant. It’s during times like these when I can’t help but wonder, “Are the companies producing these aluminum filled products trying to poison us?” Once again, I don’t know the answer to this question (although evidence would suggest a “Yes” answer). And I highly doubt I am going to get a concrete answer any time soon so instead of spouting crazy ideas that may sound more like conspiracy theories, I am going to look at the facts…the ingredient label for any antiperspirant and/or deodorant product is available online at the brand website. So, all food for thought conversation aside, let’s review the evidence provided by the product companies…

 

Women’s Secret Clinical Strength Smooth Solid Deodorant (Sensitive Unscented):

Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex Gly (20%), Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Trivehenin, Petrolatum, Cyclodextrin, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Fragrance, Ppg-14 Butyl Ether

 

Women’s Dove Advanced Care Original Clean Deodorant:

Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrez Gly (15.2%), Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-8, Fragrance (Parfum), Dimethicone, Silica, Polyethylene, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Steareth-100, BHT, Hydroxyethyl Urea

 

Women’s Degree Ultra Clear Black & White Antiperspirant:

Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly (11.4%), Cyclopentasiloxane, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Stearyl Alcohol, Plyethylene, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-8 Distearate, Fragrance (Parfum), Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydrated Silica, Maltodextrin, Gelatin Crosspolymer, Hydrolized Corn Starch, BHT, Cellulose Gum

 

Dove Men + Care Clean Comfort Antiperspirant Deodorant:

Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly (15.2%), Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Steareth-100, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate)

As you probably already guessed, the ingredient called “Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly” is the heavy metal component of each deodorant and/or antiperspirant product listed above. What you may not have realized is that it isn’t the only toxin present in each of the product examples I provided and the majority of processed products currently available in store or online.

If you read over each ingredient label, you may have noticed that almost every ingredient is nearly impossible to pronounce correctly and probably very unfamiliar to you. Honestly, the majority of ingredient labels in the cosmetic industry have become like this these days. The only positive aspect of this reality is that this very complicated “other language” most labels tend to use makes it very easy to distinguish between synthetic and real ingredients. A good rule of thumb when reading the label of any product is to assume it’s synthetic if:

  1. You don’t recognize the term
  2. It sounds like it was invented in a lab
  3. It could also be found in the textbook from your high school Chemistry class

These toxic ingredients are exactly what we should be avoiding in our food, cosmetics, and personal care products. Let me provide you with an example of an ingredient label for a natural, Aluminum-free deodorant product so that you can see firsthand the drastic difference between the composition of these products compared to the synthetic products.

You will find a fantastic list of all-natural and Aluminum-free deodorants at the Reviews.com link I provided earlier in this article, but my personal favorite aluminum-free deodorant product happens to be one that is not included in the list on Reviews.com. Since it’s a good-quality product, I couldn’t not provide you with the details! The company is called Free Brands Inc. and their product is called Freedom Deodorant. Because of my extreme sensitivities to scented products, I prefer their Sensitive Unscented flavor. However, for those of you less sensitive to these types of ingredients, the brand has Lavender Citrus, Bergamot Mint, Frankincence Peach, and Amber scents, as well.

Previous to my diagnosis with epilepsy in 2009, I was a die-hard fan of Secret deodorant. They had so many scents to choose from and their products definitely kept all unwanted body odor away. So if I’m being completely honest, I had my doubts about using an all-natural deodorant product. I didn’t think there was any way a natural product would ever work better than the commercial products being sold at the chain-stores. I figured, if they weren’t being advertised on TV or sold in the local cosmetic stores, they weren’t worth my time. Boy, was I wrong!

Societal protocol taught me to trust the intentions of companies such as Secret, Dove, and Degree. Therefore, I didn’t question the ingredient labels, I didn’t even read them pre-epilepsy. Realizing the true quality of the majority of my personal care products was a rude awakening, but it helped me to abandon that naïve mindset I so wholeheartedly embraced for 15 years prior to my diagnosis. This rude awakening was the push I needed to open myself up to the changes only I could make.

I understand that this might come off as a marketing technique for Free Brands Inc., but I would like all of my readers to know that I am not connected with this company in any way nor am I receiving any kind of compensation for mentioning their product. Freedom deodorant happens to be one of my favorite natural products I am currently using and I only want to share the goodness with as many people as I can. This is no advertisement, it is simply a recommendation I feel could benefit everyone! Although I am recommending this product, please remember that I am not a medical professional therefore any recommendation I do make here on Seize the Day Blog is not medical advice, it is my own personal opinion and that is all. You always want to consult your doctor before making ANY changes to your daily routine.

Okay, let’s finally take a look at that natural deodorant ingredient label I promised earlier! I can express my opinion all day long here on this blog, but the absolute best way to convince any one about the quality of a product is to provide the facts…

Freedom Deodorant (Sensitive Unscented):

Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Butyrospermim Parkii (Shea Butter), Maranta Arundinacea (Arrowroot Flower), Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Kaolin (Kaolin Clay)

Does anyone see “Aluminum” or Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly in that ingredient label?

Look for as long as you like, you won’t find it! And guess what…this product works great! I wear it everywhere…shopping on the weekends with my family (lately this has been 90 degree weather, the Summer heat is still holding on even though it’s technically Autumn!), to the gym, when I take my doggy, Dash, for a walk, to Disneyland, and it always lasts all day long! It is a tried and true product that deodorizes your underarms without blocking your pores, without filling your body with heavy metals, and uses only natural ingredients!

If you’re skeptical like I was at first, take a moment to re-prioritize how you view the opinion of society because even though Freedom Deodorant isn’t sold in stores or advertised on TV, it is a deodorant product that does work and is beneficial for your long-term health. How many deodorant or antiperspirant products can you say that about??? Forget social norms and embrace products that are healthy.

Between the natural and artificial sources existing today, our battle with heavy metals is a daily struggle. Why purposefully feed this toxic ingredient to your body, thereby contributing to your daily exposure with aluminum? Only you can make the change from aluminum-filled deodorant to an all-natural and aluminum-free product? The sooner you switch the healthier you’ll be…so what are you waiting for? Find yourself a deodorant product you can proudly call your friend and toss that “foe” of a product in the trash where it belongs!

 

**Side Note: When you begin using an all-natural deodorant, your body will go through a minor detox period that will last for about 2 weeks. During these 14 days, you might feel like your body odor is smellier than usual. You might even feel like your new deodorant isn’t working and therefore may be tempted to revert back to your aluminum-filled deodorant. Don’t give in to temptation!

You see, your body isn’t being filled with those toxins from your old deodorant product anymore. Because of this, your body actually has the chance to dispel of some of these horribly toxic ingredients. And trust me when I say, your body is going to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Once you get past the detox period, you’ll find the deodorant doing its job effectively and minimizing odor successfully. My sister and I went through this detox period and though it may be a bit inconvenient every once in a while; at the end of the day, it was the best thing possible for our health and it will be for yours, as well! Personally, I have found it beneficial to be aware of this minor side effect before you begin using a new deodorant product so that you can fairly judge the quality and effectiveness.

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

 

Sources: 

Cyclodextrins: http://www.eurocdsoc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67:what-are-cyclodextrins&catid=37:article

Cycopentasiloxane: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702011/DIMETHICONE/#.Wf49dky-Ich

Degree Ultra Clear Black + White Antiperspirant: https://www.target.com/p/degree-ultra-clear-black-white-antiperspirant-and-deodorant-2-6-oz/-/A-50032409#lnk=sametab

Dimethicone: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702011/DIMETHICONE/#.Wf49dky-Ich

Dove Advanced Care Original Clean Deodorant: https://www.target.com/p/dove-advanced-care-original-clean-deodorant-2-6oz/-/A-16640062#lnk=sametab

Dr. Mercola: https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/07/20/dangerous-deodorant-antiperspirant-ingredients.aspx

Fragrance: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702512/FRAGRANCE/#.Wf49HEy-Ich

Freedom Deodorant: https://freebrandsinc.com

Lady Speed Power Shower Fresh Stick Antiperspirant Deodorant: https://www.target.com/p/lady-speed-power-shower-fresh-stick-antiperspirant-deodorant-2-3oz-2pk/-/A-14384069#lnk=sametab

MightyNest.com: https://mightynest.com/learn/getting-started/easiest-changes/concerning-chemicals-in-deodorants

Organics.org: https://www.organics.org/7-harmful-ingredients-in-your-deodorant/

Pop Sugar Beauty: https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/Aluminum-Free-Deodorants-37189079

PPG-14 Butyl Ether: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/705247/PPG-14_BUTYL_ETHER/#.Wf482ky-Ich

Secret Clinical Strength Smooth Solid Deodorant: https://www.secret.com/en-us/clinical-strength-smooth-solid

Time Magazine: http://time.com/4394051/deodorant-antiperspirant-toxic/

Tribehenin: https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/tribehenin

Wellness Mama: https://wellnessmama.com/91772/aluminum-safe/

RAW HONEY: The Sweet & Sticky Side of Natural Skincare

Finding a healthy, chemical-free set of skincare products has been an absolute nightmare for me lately! There are so many reputable companies proudly claiming that their products are paraben-free, phlalate-free, and sulfate-free, but the ingredients in their formulas say the exact opposite. Some days I research products for hours without finding any cleansers, toners, serums, or moisturizers that are truly chemical-free.

Not to mention, fad ingredients like Rosehip are becoming widespread amongst the little guys and huge corporations producing skincare products for the face and body. And while Rose hydrosol is an incredibly beneficial ingredient for balancing your overall complexion, its sister ingredient, Rosehip, is an absolute nightmare for your hormones because it naturally increases your estrogen levels. Be careful not to mistake the two ingredients when reading the label of a product because though they do share a similar source, one can benefit your overall body while the other can act as a hormone disruptor.

Little side notes like these are crucial for me when choosing a skincare regime because I’m already fighting against estrogen dominance. I need a product that is going to compliment my health not capitalize on an existing issue. Is this such a grand request to make for the products I put on the most absorbable organ in the human body? We may not always see the pores in our skin, but they’re there just the same and they will absorb the cosmetic products you put atop them.

I’ve gotten to a point where looking to cosmetic companies for products containing clean and healthy ingredients is no longer an option. Honestly, with the large amounts of poor quality ingredients being approved for use these days, finding good-quality skincare products is yet another overwhelming feat to accomplish. It’s seriously almost as difficult as trying to find organic jalapenos at the grocery store. Whenever I do find them, I can’t help but do a little victory dance in the produce section. I may look crazy, but I just found pesticide-free jalapenos…and do you know what that means?? Bacon, Jalapeno, and goat cheese grilled cheese sandwiches! Yum (psst…there’s a link to the recipe included)!

Back to the topic of skincare…

Should we just give up and use the substandard products? Oh how those cosmetic companies would love for you to do this and use their products! But, my answer will always be no! I already have seizures, I’m not exactly looking to add anything else to my medical history. If you’re teetering between using the standard chemical-filled products and truly healthy products, remember this one very important fact: You deserve better! Your body deserves better! And so does your overall self-esteem!

Be better than synthetic-filled products! Living a healthy lifestyle just feels good because it’s good for you! Also, if you’re experiencing problems with acne and breakouts, consider this: are these chemicals helping to clear up your issue or are they contributing to it? Logic tells us that bad ingredients will produce bad results while good ingredients can’t help but improve upon your body. When you put a moisturizer, for example, on your face, the effects are far more than just skin deep, contrary to what you see in the mirror.

I recently took the high road and ditched the commercial skincare products altogether. They weren’t producing the results I was looking for anyway, plus I wasn’t feeding my body nutrients by putting those chemicals onto my skin. In reality, I was actually poisoning my body and getting nothing in return except poor health. No extra soft skin, no perfect pH balance, no clear skin. I’ve reached the point where I’m no longer asking “Which product should I try next?” rather I’m starting to wonder “Why am I choosing to poison my body?” It’s as though I’ve hit a brick wall in the search for the perfect skincare regime. Honestly, now I’m questioning my methods altogether.

Well, the dilemma with this confusion brings us right back to the commercial skincare industry.

Society tells us that we should use these amazing and cutting-edge brands that have not only been promoted by well-known dermatologists, but are advertise incessantly on social media platforms, television, and paper advertisements. We don’t always realize it, but we’re bombarded by this industry on a daily basis to believe their lies…one lie in particular: buy these types of products if you want positive results. So it really shouldn’t come as that much of a shock to discover that everyone and their brother not only uses this particular method, but views it as the normal way (and sometimes the only way) to treat skin issues, as well.

I certainly fell for these lies! Even after I ditched the chemical skincare products, I was still searching for something similar only healthy. I’m talking about still using the same basic system recommended by the dermatologists. If you look at any supposed “well-rounded” skincare system, it is typically comprised of a cleanser, a toner, possibly a serum (depending on the severity of your acne), and a moisturizer. Some other systems also recommend an eye cream and some sort of spot treatment for stubborn cystic acne. But wait, there’s more! An exfoliant once a week to clean dead skin off the surface of your face is held in high regard by skincare professionals AND on top of all this, a facemask to replenish your skin and make it “glow.” I’ve used plenty of facemasks over the years from a variety of brands and I’m still yet to see my skin “glow.”

If you want to get really complicated, you can also try the Korean method which uses anywhere from 7-15 different products in the routine. I wouldn’t recommend this method to anyone who is typically in a rush in the mornings. Not only is it time-consuming, but it is also complicated. I have tried this method and I have to admit that using 7 products for my regime did produce decent results in my skin, but it was nothing to brag about. In fact, I’ve actually had better results from using only 3-4 products. As you can imagine, this amount of products from a name brand company cost a pretty penny! Worst of all, at the end of the day, the penny was prettier than my skin and I was sick of it!

I then moved on to a more natural form of skin treatment. I found some products by a company called Rawsum Organics that are natural enough to eat. The company called their product raw skincare because not only were their ingredients natural, they were also organic and food grade! Their set consisted of the standard cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and exfoliant. However, instead of a huge ingredient list only found on the packaging because it is literally too long to fit on the product itself, the entire set of skincare printed each ingredient label loud and proud on the very front of each bottle. Why? Probably because the ingredient list for the cleanser only consisted of four ingredients total, the toner 3 ingredients, the moisturizer 3 ingredients, and the exfoliant also 3 ingredients. You could combine the ingredient lists of the all four products and it would still be less than the ingredient list of one commercial product. Who knew this even existed??? I was shocked when I found the set, but more than anything it restored my hope that maybe the cosmetic industry isn’t completely devoid of good quality manufacturers.

I used these edible skincare products for almost two months and never experienced any interference with my epilepsy. Typically, skincare products contain the soy-derived ingredient, Tocopherol, which is a seizure trigger for me, personally. To my great relief, Rawsum did NOT use any soy-derived ingredients. To my great dismay, they did use other ingredients that just did not react well with my skin-type. I have oily skin naturally and although I noticed the Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, and Castor Oil ingredients on the labels, I was desperate for something free of chemicals. As expected, my skin reacted with increased breakouts and an incredibly uneven skin tone. It reached a point that made it absolutely necessary for me to make a change. I still recommend the Rawsum products to anyone with a dry skin complex, but Oily-Combination skin types should be wary. There is no guarantee that your skin will react the same way mine did, but it’s always good to be careful!

When the raw products didn’t work out, I had absolutely no idea what to do next. Finding the Rawsum products was a miracle from God, I knew that trying to find something similar was going to be a long shot. I stopped researching products being sold by other organizations and started researching DIY skincare. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, I do it with food all the time, so why couldn’t I do it with my skin products, too? Plus, if I was able to find a decent recipe for a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, it would be a guarantee that I was finally feeding my skin instead of harming it.

Why hadn’t I thought of this sooner??? Well, I have but other rabbit trails got in the way and my actually pursuing the idea. Part of me probably thought it was going to be too much work and the other part of me still had faith in the skincare industry. I was also skeptical about whether or not I could actually make something that would be beneficial, not just some crazy concoction that pales in comparison to the typical products with the perfect texture being sold today. I failed to look past the outer and focus on the inner because the ingredients of these products are far from perfect.

This time around, I was out of any other ideas, I had already tried the majority of options provided by commercial products, and my skin was NOT looking good.

I was way past the point of “pulling out the big guns” and I had reached the state of desperation where, as anyone who has also been in my shoes knows, anything is possible. And I do mean anything!

My skin had seen better days and I wanted nothing more than to clear it up. The acne on my face and neck confirmed the obvious…my pores were being clogged by my previous choice of skincare and the visible blockage was spreading quickly…I needed a miracle and I needed it yesterday.

As I researched recipes for a healthy cleanser, one ingredient kept popping up in a majority of the recipes. It was Raw Honey. Huh…so simple. Was it actually possible with its natural sucrose structure to improve my acne rather than add to the existing problem? The answer is yes. Honey is famous for being anti-bacterial and healing to the skin. Though we mostly use honey for eating purposes these days, this delicious nature given product was commonly used amongst medical professionals as a disinfectant to treat burns, cuts, and other minor injuries. As it turns out, honey has been used to heal the skin for generations…we just forgot this helpful information thanks to all of the commercial products that have been created over the years to replace it (although not one of them has ever been able to compete with the natural abilities of raw honey). You can’t create God-given abilities in a lab, no matter how hard those scientists try! I’m sorry to burst those scientists’ bubble (actually, I’m not), but Honey is one of a kind! I just like to give a shout out to those hard working bees across the globe…thanks for doing what you little guys do day in and day out!

Right now, I don’t know what I would do without raw honey and I hate to think about what my skin might look like if this simple product wasn’t the beneficial powerhouse history has proven it to be!

I decided to skip a DIY recipe and go back to the basics instead. I started using just straight up organic raw honey (I prefer Tropical Traditions, you can’t beat the quality of their product!) on my face instead. After I get out of the shower, I spread an even layer of honey on my face and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. I usually leave it on my face for the full ten minutes just so that the honey has plenty of time to really get into my pores and clear out the bacteria causing my breakouts. After ten minutes, I wet my hands with warm water, not hot water! Hot water will kill the beneficial elements in the honey that not only clean your skin, but naturally balance the pH levels in your skin, as well. Bye, bye red blotchy skin when you use raw honey as your cleanser and toner!

Once your hands are wet, take some time to thoroughly rub the honey into your skin. Think of it as working the honey even deeper into those pores. In this way, you will also incorporate water into the honey mask, loosening the sticky layer, and making it much easier to wash off.

Once the honey is completely removed, I like to pat dry my skin using a washcloth. Instead of rubbing the cloth across your face, pat your skin so that you are not wiping away any honey residue that might be left. When I say residue, I mean the good stuff that is happily soaked into your skin already, not the leftover sticky substance that was missed while washing. I’m not expecting you to leave any honey on your face all day, that would be inconvenient for anyone. By all means, wet your washcloth and wipe that honey off!

The pat dry method helps to further work the honey soaked into your pores further into your skin. You definitely want this on your skin all day, which is why I have chosen not to use a toner afterward.

The toner is a potent cleansing device that will wipe away anything on the surface of the skin. It does not discriminate, therefore, it will wipe away the beneficial matter in addition to the detrimental matter. Using a toner means removing the healthy leftover honey in your pores, you do not want to do this nor do you need to! The honey is already attending to this issue.

The toner is also created to help restore balance in your skin’s pH levels, but the honey takes care of this issue too (and much more successfully than any other product I’ve used in the past). So I have found it to be irrelevant in my honey based skincare routine.

I do, however, still follow up the honey with my moisturizer despite the fact that I am yet to find a chemical-free commercial moisturizer product or a decent diy recipe for this particular product. I’m still on the lookout and once I find one I will be sure to announce it here on Seize the Day Blog. Until then, I’m stuck with what I have. I tried only using the honey and not following it up with anything, but my skin felt shriveled, tight, and like it needed a serious drink of water. If you have any suggestions for a natural and chemical free moisturizer, please comment!

I apologize that I do not have a healthy moisturizer to recommend in combination with the Raw Honey. However, if you are interested in the moisturizer I am currently using and which I have found to be the best yet in accordance with all skin types, I can most definitely share that info!

The brand is Karin Herzog and it is called Oxygen Face. For a more intense moisture delivery I recommend the brand’s Vitamin H Cream. My mom uses this one and she loves it! Both products ship the fastest from amazon if you are interested in trying them out (there is a link with the product name above and in the sources list below). The ingredient list isn’t perfect, but it is free of soy-derived ingredients and I do not have a seizure when I use it! This is a huge benefit for me and also says something for the overall quality of the moisturizer despite the chemicals.

Who knew that something as well-known as honey, could be so beneficial for human skin? It took about three days to begin seeing serious changes in the amount of acne on my face, but it only took one use to begin seeing healing. I honestly could not believe my skin when I looked in the mirror after rinsing off the honey mask for the first time. Not only that, it felt good to put something on my skin that I knew was healthy for it, truly healthy. I haven’t been able to say that about my skincare in a long time! Finally, an affordable product that will treat your skin at a miraculous rate! Honey is fed to people from all walks of life on a daily basis, so why not feed it to your skin too???

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Sources:

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/12/estrogen-in-moisturizers-may-worsen.html

https://www.dermstore.com/product_Vitamin+H+Cream_13414.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQjwnubLBRC_ARIsAASsNNlo1amiPsI9WPx5u52-alnzf63GxCphbxHxqwaUxAmBVrc1bOThXc4aAmIHEALw_wcB&scid=scplp13414&sc_intid=13414&utm_source=fro&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_term=skin+care&utm_campaign=500686

https://www.amazon.com/Karin-Herzog-Oxygen-Face-Ounce/dp/B0002Y5JC8

https://us.karinherzog.com/en/about-us

https://healthytraditions.com/organic-raw-honey-17-6-oz-glass-jar.html

http://www.rawsumorganics.com/mini-kit.html

http://www.rawsumorganics.com

Rosewater

https://wellnessmama.com/13344/homemade-honey-face-wash/

Let’s Talk About Petroleum Part 1: Bedding

You’re probably wondering why I’m discussing this particular topic; maybe you’re thinking it’s a bit too controversial for a health & wellness blog. However, I would like to discuss a non-political and lesser-known facet of the subject matter at hand…Petroleum. For the next three weeks I am going to be posting a three-part series on Petroleum and how it is related to our daily lives in unexpected ways. For some, its prevalence may be shocking, for others it may be common knowledge…in my opinion, all should be aware of the widespread predicament petroleum manufacturers have carelessly placed people in across the globe. In this way, hopefully we will be able to combat its presence in our own lives and spread the word so that other people can do the same. Let’s just dive right in, shall we? For Part One, I would like to discuss Bedding, a commercial product commonly found in practically every home worldwide.

When I first heard about this connection, I thought it ridiculous and laughed the entire notion off, thinking it was nothing more than some crazy person’s superstition that had clearly gotten out of hand. The truth is, it was easier to chalk it all up to “ridiculous” fiction rather than accepting it is as fact because then I’d actually have to do something about my current lifestyle! I’d need to consider the effect it could be having on my health, make changes where change is absolutely necessary, spend money (God forbid) on new bedding, and most of all, make more of an effort to read the ingredient labels of products beyond the food industry. Please don’t make the same mistake I did when I first heard this news, keep reading because it will only help you and your family to become more informed on the subject!

At this point, some of you may be thinking ‘How on earth could there be a connection between petroleum and bedding??’ A completely natural inquiry, might I remind you. Especially since most people are tricked into believing that petroleum is limited to the oil/fuel industry when, in actuality, petroleum derivatives extend into a multitude of other industries as well (including but not limited to Cosmetics, Textiles, and Food).

So, before I begin answering this question I would like to first shed a little light on what exactly “petroleum” contains and the not-so-stellar chemical makeup of this product. I feel as though a brief history is necessary in order to fully convey the truly appalling quality of certain mainstream products pertaining to the bedding industry.

For starters, “Petroleum is a general term for oil and natural gas. Oil and gas are important fossil fuels formed from the decomposition and pressurization of algae, plankton and other organisms. This process forms hydrocarbons, which are compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon that are powerful combustible fuels. Individual deposits of oil and gas can also contain other compounds, but it is the hydrocarbons that make them valuable” (AAPEA).

According to Earth Science Week, “A typical 42-gallon barrel of crude oil yields about 20 gallons of gasoline and 4 gallons of jet fuel.” They go on to pose the question, “What products come from the other 18 gallons?” Well, the complete answer to this question would take a while to form due to the lengthiness of the list. So instead, here are just a few items to give you a well-rounded idea: Plastics, Ink, Paint, Bug Killer, Ammonia, Vaseline, Novelty Candy, and Crayons.

Reading this list is informative at first glance, but just plain scary at second glance! Companies rarely name the specific “petroleum” ingredients in their product(s), therefore, I can’t help but wonder if the same petroleum derivative found in Bug Killer (poison) & Ammonia (very toxic chemical) has also been used to make novelty candy. How can that be safe?! My guess is that it isn’t, but somehow manufacturers have slipped under the radar of organizations like the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) with their toxic products and without any concern for the health of their customers. Sadly, this has become the norm for many companies and is part of the reason why Petroleum is now in random products such as bedding!

Lastly, I would like to remind every reader of the carcinogenic (cancer causing) qualities of petroleum. “Gasoline contains large numbers of dangerous and cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene, butadiene, toluene, ethylbenzene, yxlene, trimethyl pentane, methyltertbutylether (MTBE) and many others. For the U.S. alone approximately 140 billion gallons of gasoline were consumed in 1989. An increase in only ten cents per gallon in price of gasoline generates 14 billion dollars in extra profit per year for the oil industry cartel. Laboratory animals exposed to gasoline developed cancers in different tissues and organs. A number of epidemiological studies in humans provide evidence of increased cancer risk of leukemia, kidney, liver, brain, lymphosarcoma, lymphatic tissue pancreas and other tissues and organs” (Mehlman MA / Teratog Carcinog Mutagen). All petroleum products come from the same source, therefore, Petroleum, whether in the form of gasoline or as a highly processed derivative, should be avoided whenever possible.

So, after reading these quite disgusting details on petroleum does it make you want to double-check those sheets and blankets currently covering that mattress of yours? I hope so! My current dilemma with the companies selling these types of bedding products is the burning questions of HOW exactly did an ingredient made from petrol end up on the label for blankets??? Sure, it may save them money in the long run, but at what cost to human life?

Consider this: if the average person gets around 7-8 hours of sleep every night, that allows 7-8 hours of skin to product contact with whatever blankets, sheets, or bedspreads he or she happens to be using.

Now consider this: The skin happens to be the largest organ in the body and easily absorbs both toxins and nutrients through the pores. Obviously, this is a good thing when we want to feed our body nutrients, but it becomes quite the issue when toxins are involved because like any other organ, the skin has a specific duty to perform in order to keep the body in tip-top shape. In this case, the skin disperses said ingredients throughout the body, into the digestive tract where it can be determined as useful or harmful, and then toward the appropriate organ.

Unfortunately, coming in contact with some amount of toxins already happens to be an inescapable part of daily life due to natural (and slightly uncontrollable) causes (such as air pollution, for example), therefore, we might as well try to reduce pollution in the areas of our lives that we can control. This is when bedding comes into the picture. We can control the quality of blankets and sheets we expose ourselves to and whether or not our systems are absorbing toxins or nutrients.

Truth be told, our bodies come in contact with too many toxins as it is, therefore, adding to this toxin exposure does not improve our chances of winning the fight against a toxic environment! We win when we surround ourselves by beneficial products!

So, let’s talk about how to do this.

First of all, if these companies can turn petrol products into bedding materials than I’m sure they are creative enough to figure out a healthy alternative that could actually benefit human life! Can I get an amen?!

Of course, presenting companies with an idea like this is comparable to talking to a brick wall, but I hope for my readers it will come across as a rare look inside the honeycomb. Seeing the inner-workings of what seems like such an innocent product will hopefully prompt change amongst the families currently using what are actually really very harmful products.

In our world today, we hear about many children developing learning disabilities and too many people, in general, becoming deathly ill at every age. Cancer is a word that has become much too common in the everyday vocabulary of people worldwide.

The current definition of “Toxin” (as found in Webster’s Dictionary) is “an antigenic poison or venom of plant or animal origin, especially one produced by or derived from microorganisms and causing disease when present at low concentration in the body.”

Petroleum products are, in my opinion, toxins. At this point, I think the only question we need to be asking ourselves is, “Do we want to purposefully, knowingly, and intentionally expose ourselves to toxins for 7-8 hours on a daily basis by using bedding containing petroleum derived ingredients?”

Based on the fact that healthy lifestyle choices are a growing trend (just look at the expansion of organic products now found in your average grocery store), I’m going to assume that the majority of the population would answer “No” to this question. Which is fantastic! But, how do you become truly healthy when companies make it practically impossible to know the truth behind their products?

For me, personally, it has become all about digging as deep as I can go with a product because, thanks to the internet, there are people trying to find out the exact same answers as me! And there are even more helping to clear up these kinds of questions all together by sharing the answers they have found. There are some who might respond to my avid research with a snarky remark like “Curiosity killed the cat,” not-so-subtly hinting at the notion that I’m over-stepping my right as a consumer…Umm, what?! As the consumer, I think I have the right to know what exactly a product contains before I spend MY money on it! In all honestly, if I’m not curious then my cat might die anyway from sleeping on the toxic bedding products! Trust me when I say this isn’t taking a famous mantra too literally…

I’m very sorry to inform my readers that the bedding most often containing petroleum-derived ingredients (Or, as my Mom likes to call it, “Sludge”) are the super soft and fuzzy blankets. You know, the warm, cozy ones that can turn even the most active human being into a Grade A couch potato? I believe the technical term is “Fleece.”

By digging a little deeper into the chemical makeup of fleece blankets, one will discover two main types: Synthetic Fleece and Cotton Fleece. While both can be bad if you do not purchase Organic Cotton Fleece, Synthetic Fleece is the worse choice of the two.

Essentially, Synthetic Fleece is exactly what it claims to be: synthetic, fake, artificial, faux. It is made to look, feel, and act like real, natural fleece, but what lies beneath the surface is actually a collection of imposter ingredients, one being petroleum.

***Side Note: I would like to think that petroleum derivatives began being used in an attempt to be more efficient with leftover ingredients that really should be thrown away in some special dump area covered with those bright orange “Warning! Hazardous!” signs (kind of like an insane recycling attempt gone-wrong), but I just can’t ignore those nagging suspicions in the back of my mind, causing me to see it more as an irresponsible scheme that increases paychecks for CEOs of large corporations and leaves us, the consumer, with the short end of the stick. Food for thought…

The truth is, synthetic fabrics have been in use for quite a while and actually date way back before the 21st century (“How Products are Made” // madehow.com). Is the word ‘Polyester’ familiar to any of my readers??? Personally, whenever I hear this word I am instantly reminded of those perfectly creased, brightly colored pants my Grandma used to wear. I never knew one style of pants could come in so many different colors!

The last thing I think of is petroleum, but without fail it manages to pop up here, as well. “Polyester is made by reacting terephthalic acid, a petroleum derivative, with ethylene glycol, another petroleum derivative (commonly known as anti-freeze). When the two chemicals are combined at a very high temperature, they form a new chemical known as a polymer” (How Products are Made, madehow.com). It is still commonly found in a variety of clothing products, but back in the 1940s when it was first created (madehow.com), Polyester was a dream come true to people world-wide. My own Great-Grandmother called it “the greatest invention the world has ever seen” because it refused to wrinkle when washed and dried. Little did she know it was actually laced with both toxic and harmful ingredients!

Fast forward to the 1980s when interest in recycling plastics had sky-rocketed…everyone wanted a piece of this action (clearly it was before BPAs had come onto the scene), including the Polyester Manufacturers! They were already using petroleum-derived ingredients, why not throw some plastic into the mix? And that is exactly what they did! With recycled soda bottles.

As it turns out, the afore mentioned chemical compound called polymers (crucial in the production of polyester), can also be turned into polymer fibers when adding recycled plastic bottles. What we end up with is a thick syrup substance that is currently used to create polyester, polyester fleece garments, and new plastic bottle products! (For more details on this process please visit the How Products are Made website, link available below in the “Sources” section).

Although the production process for each of these products is absolutely horrendous, I’m focusing on bedding in this article, therefore, I would like to take a moment to review just how bad synthetic fleece blankets truly are.

Right off the bat we have a 100% man-made item on our hands that not only contain petroleum-derivatives from the polyester, but incorporates recycled plastic materials into its foundation, as well.

Do we know if the plastics being used contain BPAs? How about if (whether or not) the previous products housed in these recycled plastic containers were Organic? For argument’s sake, let’s say they were not Organic because then we have to consider if the recycled plastics were properly cleaned before they were used again. Especially if the second product happens to be Organic, no one paying for an Organic product wants leftover pesticides contaminating it.

Research has found that recycled plastic containers do contain a certain percentage of the previous product housed due to absorption of the production into the makeup of the plastic container itself. So many questions, so few answers. What we do know is that petroleum derivitives and plastics (therefore, BPAs) do exist in much of the bedding currently being sold, today.

When I’m shopping for new sheets, blankets, or other bedding necessities, I have found it best to avoid polyester and fleece no matter what! I try to stick to the basics and choose products I know to be good quality. 100% Organic Cotton is always your best option. So, at the end of this article I will share a few of my favorite companies and a few I prefer to avoid.

Before I learned this tragic fact, the cabinet in my own living room used to be full of these types of blankets! My bed even used to have one in between the sheet and the duvet. To me, no bed seemed complete without a super fuzzy blanket! Isn’t that terrible?! I was blinded by appearance; I never stopped to consider exactly what went in to making this specific set of sheets or that particular bedspread. My first mistake was automatically assuming that everything is probably “good enough” since it’s being sold in a legitimate store.

Naivety took over and made me picture these blankets coming from sheep hair. I don’t know what made me make such a crazy assumption. I guess it just seemed really simple to shave a sheep (in a humane way, of course) and use it’s hair for something like a soft blanket. Boy was I wrong!

Maybe this is how soft blankets are made in a Disney fairytale (woodland creatures do seem to appear in great quantities so it wouldn’t be that crazy of a notion), but unfortunately our world has found petroleum to be more procurable. Consequentially, here we are, with sludge blankets to cuddle up with.

Although things have taken a depressing turn, I’m very happy to inform all of my readers that this is NOT the end of my story and a happy ending does exist for those of us interested in eliminating the toxic bedding from our households!

It is called Organic Cotton and it has been used to create 100% Organic Cotton sheets, blankets, duvets, and pillows! Not only is it derived from organically grown cotton plants, but the products made contain 0% petroleum, as well! Amazing, right?

Make sure you’re careful to buy only 100% Organic Cotton bedding because products not grown organically will be full of pesticides, hormones, and who knows what else!

I have found a few manufacturers that are reliable when it comes to the quality of their products. I will share this list shortly. First, please know that I am in no way linked to these companies nor do I receive any kind of compensation for mentioning them. The list you see below is comprised only of companies that sell products of the utmost quality. I have thoroughly researched each company and I even own a few blankets from two of the mentioned companies, Magnolia Organics and Glo-Organics. Needless to say, I am very happy with my purchase!

When it comes to the blankets on my bed, I am very particular….maybe it’s just me, but during the winter I need more than sheets and a comforter to keep me warm! If any of my readers happen to share this preference, I recommend Coyuchi’s “The Organic Bed” collection. Their organic cotton woven blankets are perfect for layering on your bed. They do the job perfectly without being too heavy. Plus, they offer organic flannel sheets, which I absolutely LOVE during winter! Switching to Organic bedding does NOT mean you have to sacrifice comfort!

You will have to spend a little more for any Organic bedding product available on the market, today. I know this is a huge bummer, but you will save money in the long-run by switching to Organic sheets, blankets, and mattresses. You save money on medical bills when you’re no longer exposing yourself and your families to toxic ingredients. You also save yourself a lot of emotional stress and heartache dealing with the suffering linked with sickness, whether it be you or a loved one! So, going Organic can be thought of as a pro-health/longevity protocol of sorts. The good thing is that you don’t have to “Go Organic” all at once. Making the change gradually is also fantastic for your future health! As long as you’re decreasing your toxin exposure, you’re making positive changes within your household! Kick-start this change by checking out the companies listed below!

Organic Companies:

Coyuchi (Blankets, Sheets, Duvets, Pillows, Comforters, Mattresses, Mattress Pads)

Magnolia Organics (Bedding, Nursery, Towels)

The Company Store (Bedding, Towels)

Glo-Organics (Bedding, Nursery, Mattresses, Clothing)

Garnet Hill (visit their Organic Store for a variety of bedding products)

Pottery Barn (“Down Blend” insert and flame retardant-free options for furniture)

For more Organic recommendations, check out Apartment Therapy’s articles, “The 10 Best Organic Bedding Sources” and “The 10 Best All-Natural and Organic Mattress Sources.”

I hope these suggestions have been helpful to all of my readers! Also, If you know of any 100% Organic Cotton bedding companies that I failed to mention please share on Twitter or Instagram (@seizethedayblog)! I know I would appreciate it and I’m sure your fellow readers will, as well!

 

Source List:

Down Linens: http://www.downlinens.com/pages/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-fleece-blanket
How Products Are Made: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Polyester-Fleece.html
Coyuchi: https://www.coyuchi.com/organic-bedding/blankets-throws.html
Coyuchi Blog: https://www.coyuchi.com/the-naturalista/bedding_basics/
Organic Cotton Plus: http://organiccottonplus.com
Webster’s Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxin
APPEA/The Voice of Australia’s Oil and Gas Industry: https://www.appea.com.au/oil-gas-explained/oil-and-gas/what-is-petroleum/
Earth Science Week: http://www.earthsciweek.org/classroom-activities/products-made-petroleum
Mehlman MA/Carcinogenic Qualities: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1981951

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.