Natural MakeUP...

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M.A.C cosmetics give you a perfect look and a flawless finish. It was a great choice for me…until last week.

I blog to get my readers to begin to ask questions about safe cosmetics, be aware of safe natural hair and skin products that give great results; if not better!

In my day job I sell fair trade products; as well as educate customers on the values of fairness and equality in the marketplace. Because of this, I’m becoming more cautious of what I choose to eat; as well as my choice of skin and hair care products. This is a recent shift; my only regret is not knowing this earlier.

I’ve wrestled with the probability of an all-natural make-up. However, is this even possible?  

African tribes such as the Himba’s of northern Namibia and the Wodaabe Fulani of Niger Republic use natural red Ochre to beautify themselves, so the answer is YES!

Truth be told, today, there are many toxic chemicals in cosmetic products that have been clinically proven to cause cancer, tumors, irritation and many different skin disorders. (3)

Many problematic ingredients, including parabens, have always been legal to use in the U.S. and Canada. Only recently, when studies have drawn correlations between their use and breast cancer, has concern been raised. Up to this time, many — possibly most — makers of natural personal care products were not aware of the hazards of these ingredients. (1)

Helpful tips to protect you involve reading and interpreting labels. It takes a bit of work but it’s so worth it.

Personally I avoid cosmetics that contain parabens, artificial fragrances, chemical preservatives, talc, and artificial colours. Then what choice is left? They are many alternative choices that work –just as well. Keep reading…

MAC Blot Powder (pressed) - Mica, Dimethicone, Silica, Kaolin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Methicone, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines. (2) In my opinion, only a scientist can understand these ingredients!

Last week my dilemma was put to rest. I stumbled upon an all-natural makeup company “100% Pure” and the results are refreshingly amazing!

To start I bought their tinted moisturizer with vitamins and antioxidants, which is kind of a foundation but with lighter coverage. I wanted to try this product to see if I would react to any of the ingredients [natural or not!] Thankfully, I didn’t. To be honest, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the results.

I’m so happy with it that I’ve asked my lovely husband to buy me their foundation and flawless skin foundation powder for my birthday, January 28!

The tinted moisturizer evens out my skin tone nicely and offers a truly natural finish. Its ingredients are as follows:

Pigments of Peach, Apricot, Carrot, Pomegranate, Cocoa Bean, Goji Berry and Tomato, White Tea, Cucumber Juice, Aloe Juice, Acai Oil and Pomegranate Oil, Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), Rice Starch, Candelilla Wax, Extracts of Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Grapefruit Seed, Japanese Honeysuckle, Goldenseal and Cinnamon

SUNSCREEN ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: 15% Titanium Dioxide & 10% Zinc Oxide. (3)

Sounds better!

How to Check for Toxins in Your Products?

In a massive undertaking, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed the health and safety reviews of 10,000 ingredients in personal care products. The EWG discovered that there is scant research available to document the safety or health risks of low-dose repeated exposures to chemical mixtures. But the absence of data should never be mistaken for proof of safety. The EWG points out that the more we study low-dose exposures, the more we understand that they can cause adverse effects ranging from the subtle and reversible, to effects that are more serious and permanent. (1)

I use the EWG Skin deep database and safe cosmetics.org frequently to decrypt safe ingredients!

Get Involved

Purchase from the list of companies dedicated to safe products: http://safecosmetics.org/downloads/Compact_Signers_12.15.pdf

Skin Deep interactive Web site: www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep

To view/order 100% Pure click on this link http://www.100percentpure.ca

Quote of the week

“Consumers have real power they are not exercising, we need to let cosmetic companies know we’re not going to buy their products unless they make a strong unwavering commitment to safety.” 
Janet Nudelman, Safe Cosmetics Campaign. (1)

Sources

Ephraim, Rebecca. The Ugly Side of Pretty. Safecosmetics.org.  Dragon Fly Media. 1 February 2005. Web. 15 January. 2012

Strickland, Barbara. Safe Cosmetics, Powder.  Zerozits.com. Sage Advice. 10 October 2005. Web. 15 January. 2012.

“100% Pure Frequently Asked Questions.” 100percentpure.ca, n.d. Web. 15 January. 2012

Farlow, Christine H. How to Make Sure Your Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Are Safe. www.naturalingredient.org, n.d. Web. 15 January. 2012.

(c) Shakara Natural Tips January 17th 2012

Eco Styler Gel: Love it or Loathe it

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Have you ever used Eco styler gel? Numerous YouTube tutorials on natural hair recommend Eco styler gel. Why not? It offers maximum hold; contains 100% Olive oil and, has no alcohol! Thus, I decided to give this one a try.

As you all know [if you follow my blog] I always read ingredients. To my surprise, this one raised many flags.

Nonetheless I bought a jar for $3.99 [CDN] and left the store. Rule of thumb #1, if you can’t eat it don’t put it on your skin.

Upon getting home I compared my jar of Kinky Curly custard gel to ECO styler gel.  Kinky Curly custard’s ingredients are listed as follows:

Botanical fusion of water, horsetail, chamomile, nettle and marshmallow, organic aloe vera juice, agave nectar extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), pectin, citric acid, potassium sorbate and natural fragrance.

Quite easy to read and pronounce, right?

I’m always amazed at cosmetics that have the word “natural” highlighted boldly in front of the product, but when you start reading the ingredients you quickly discover that there is nothing natural about it. In the case of Eco styler gel, ECO [a prefix relating to ecological or environmental terms (11)] and 100% Olive Oil are emphasized, but olive oil is the 10^th ingredient out of 15...which is way down on the list. Consequently, does this not represent green washing?

Green washing is a form of spin in which green PR or green marketing is deceptively used to promote the perception that a company's policies or products are environmentally friendly. (12)

Once again, curiosity got the better of me and I did some digging. This is what I found:

Here is a list of Eco styler gel’s ingredients, in order of percentage, and as they appear on the jar: Water, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PVP, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydrxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Olive oil, Fragrance, Blue #1, Yellow #11, LOVE AND PRIDE.

For starters it has so many unpronounceable ingredients, but what do they mean??

Carbomers and water are the top two ingredients inside Ecostyler Gel. 

Carbomers are plasticisers used to thicken cosmetics. While they are safe ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, they are also cheap fillers. Carbomers make products feel luxurious on the skin and since the formula contains a lot of water, it will also appear to soak in quickly. (7)

Since there is a great deal of water, there is less room for oils and butters. Put simply, Carbomers are economical, so they are used to keep manufacturer’s costs down. (7)

PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) is a petroleum-derived chemical used in cosmetics. According to the Organics Consumer Association, It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons. The Cosmetic Ingredients Review Expert Panel however considers PVP safe. (1)

What is of greater concern to me is why anyone would want to put petroleum (i.e. black oil derived from the ground) on his or her skin.

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: If you have Celiac disease you may want to avoid any cosmetics that contain wheat. (10)

As stated by the Organics Consumer Association, Triethanolamine is often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, as well as with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. (1)

Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is NOT a natural preservative. Its allergic reactions include skin and eye irritations and those with sensitive skin are advised to stay clear from it. In truth, there have been no studies on the long-term effects of this preservative on the skin. (5)

Polysorbate-20 is a fragrance component, surfactant, an emulsifying agent, and solubilizing agent. Why is it a risk?

Polysorbate starts out as harmless sorbitol, but then it's treated with carcinogenic ethylene oxide.  It's called Polysorbate 20 because it's treated with 20 "parts" of ethylene oxide.  The higher the number, the more ethylene oxide it has been treated with.  This substance is then combined with various fatty acids.  The Skin Deep Database rates it as only a "one" [meaning safe] and doesn't pick up on the risk that it could be contaminated with ethylene oxide, and subsequently, 1,4 dioxane.  In addition, it can be laced with heavy metals. (4)

Tetrasodium EDTA is a preservative that’s made from the known carcinogen, formaldehyde and sodium cyanide. It is also a penetration enhancer, meaning it breaks down the skin's protective barrier, going right into your bloodstream. Many companies trying to be "natural" will use Tetrasodium EDTA instead of parabens to preserve their products. It is safe to say, Tetrasodium EDTA is just as bad. (9)

“Fragrance” can be one or more of 200 chemicals.

Companies don't have to disclose the actual components of each fragrance, under the guise that their fragrances are trade secrets. Fragrance has been known to cause many side effects, including headaches and allergic reactions. Why put an unknown synthetic chemical on your skin when you don’t have to? The Environmental Working Group has an extensive database of cosmetic chemicals and their corresponding danger rankings. "Fragrance" receives one of the highest rankings possible in their score system. (1) (8)

Artificial colors, such as Blue 1 are carcinogenic. (2)

Yellow #11: suspected carcinogen. One is advised to avoid this if possible. (3)

Something else, a dear friend of mine [Yinka] used to set her hair with Aloe Vera as far back as ’97. She says the hairdresser would just use a tail comb to part the aloe vera leaf open and scrap out the gel. Then, she’ll apply it to her hair and roll it. It was sticky icky but it worked wonders.  In my opinion, I prefer aloe vera plant or kinky curly.

Finally, remember I simply share what has worked for me and the products I feel comfortable using. I do plenty of research, read ingredients and stay informed. You are free to do the same if you choose to and draw your own conclusions.

Proverb of the week:

“Simplify. Choose products with fewer ingredients, and choose fewer products overall."
 Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the campaign and author of "Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry. (8)

References:

1. Hampton, Aubrey.  Ten Synthetic Cosmetics Ingredients to Avoid. Organic Consumers Association. N.D. Web. 10 January. 2012.

2. “Cosmetics and Parsonal Care Products Can be Cancer Risks.” Cancer Prevention Coalition, n.d. Web. 10 January. 2012

3. “List of More Widely Known Dangerous Ingredients in Body & Food  Products.” Pure Zing…for a better lifestyle, n.d. Web. 10 January. 2012.

4. “Polysorbate 20.” Chemical of The Day. Febuary 2, 2010. Web. 10 January. 2012

5. Dr. David. M.A. Ingredient Watch: Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate. Truthinskincare.com.  24 January. 2008. Web. 10 January. 2012.

6. “PVP.”  Cosmetic Ingredients Review Expert Panel, n.d. Web. 10 January. 2012.

7. Tuffy, Megan.  Read the label: Carbomers.  The Skinny. 1. 1. Page 1 (2008). Web.

8. Elejaide-Ruiz, Alexia. Saving Face. Don’t let your cosmetics cause you health problems. How to spot ingredients that irritate.  Chicago Tribune. Safecosmetics.org. 14 March 2010. Web. 10 January. 2012

9. Greenwood, Stephanie. “Top five Chemicals to Avoid.”  Bubble & Bee Organic bath and body. Bubbleandbee.com. 23 August. 2007. Web. 10 January. 2012.

10. “New Cosmetic Regulations.” Canadian Celiac Association. Canadian Celiac Association, n.d. Web. 10 January. 2012.

11. “Eco.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 28 September. 2011. Web. 13 January. 2012

12. "Greenwashing." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 3 January. 2012. Web. 13 January. 2012

(c) Shakara Natural tips 2012

Holy Molasses!

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Simple solutions in your kitchen

If I could credit the start of my natural hair journey to anyone, it will have to be my husband and sister. Today I’ll be sharing a recipe I learned from my sister, which I’ve altered to suit my hair. I can’t say enough about making your own recipes, for one it's cheaper, another reason is the freedom and liberty to experiment with stuff!

For this recipe, be prepared for a messy sink or bathtub! But the results…are SO worth it.

1 free-range egg [you might need 2 eggs for long hair]

1-2 tablespoons of Blackstrap Molasses.

3 cups cooled black tea [organic & fair-trade certified]

Directions: Step 1

Combine the eggs and molasses and stir to blend.

Wet your hair as usual or leave it dry. Personally, I prefer to do this on dry hair.

Massage mixture into hair and scalp, concentrating on the ends of your hair.

Put on a shower cap and sit for 15minutes.

Rinse off with warm water & black tea.

Step 2 (Co-wash)

Apply conditioner to your wet hair [still targeting the ends]

Wrap your hair in a towel and leave on for at least 1 hour, before rinsing off thoroughly with cool water.

Then apply leave –in conditioner and proceed to style!

Benefits: Raw Eggs are rich in protein and essential nutrients thus they help strengthen hair follicles Blackstrap molasses is rich in copper, iron, calcium, manganese, potassium and magnesium. It promotes hair growth, as well as helps to combat grey hair. Substitute Honey for Molasses sometimes. Honey helps to add moisture to hair.

Tip:

• Do not wash your hair with hot water otherwise the eggs will cook on your head!
• I deep condition with eggs & Molasses once a week
• Always dry your hair with paper towels, an old cotton T-shirt or a micro-fiber towel. Standard towels leave your hair frizzy!
• What's blackstrap molasses? Blackstrap molasses is made from the third boiling of sugar syrup and rich in several essential nutrients.

(c) Shakaranaturaltips.blogspot.com
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12 Reasons to Chuck Commercial Deodorants/Antiperspirants

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Last year I was on a quest to find a natural deodorant; it was a very challenging task. If you’ve been reading my blog you’ll have gathered I’m a huge fan of anything natural. Whenever I can help it, I limit my use of chemicals to the minimum. Not an easy task in our world.

There are so many studies, debates and counter debates about whether or not aluminum and parabens found in most commercial antiperspirants/deodorants really do cause breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other ailments. According to the FDA both are “safe”. [1] [3] [6]

However, FDA regulation does not mean that a drug is without danger. That’s right; antiperspirants are classified as over the counter (OTC) drugs in the US! [1][5] Nobody thinks of it as a drug but it is.

In Canada, as of Spring 2009, "regular" antiperspirants are classified under cosmetics. 

There are many products, or their ingredients, which are controversial because of possible negative health effects but these products are not taken off the shelf, until proven unsafe.[1] [3] 

Often, the FDA and Health Canada do not consider the evidence of danger to consumer’s health strong enough to take action. (Remember the Johnson+Johnson scandal?)

It took me 10 months to find a natural deodorant that works. I tried baking soda and Druide natural deodorant, neither was successful. To add salt to injury, during this period, I had many embarrassing moments.

A tale for another day…

However, every cloud has a silver lining. Lately, I’ve been getting ready to send my brother [who lives in Hungary] a parcel of all natural products. Once again, I found myself standing in the aisle of Grassroots looking for natural deodorants. After much consideration, I finally decided on Lafes deodorant stick. I’m currently using it and cannot believe the effectiveness! I’ve been using it since Christmas.

Lafes Deodorant stick is made up of natural mineral salts. It contains no aluminum chlorhydrate, parabens or fragrance. Additionally, 1% of all profits go towards breast cancer awareness and prevention.

Once a day [every morning] I wet the stone and apply it liberally to my underarms, there is NO smell throughout the day. Lafes also has a roll-on deodorant, but I find the mineral salt stick works better for me.

12 Reasons to Chuck Commercial Deodorants/Antiperspirants

• Aluminum was first recognized as a human neurotoxin in 1886, before being used as an antiperspirant. A neurotoxin is a substance that causes damage to nerves or nerve tissue.[1]

• Most of us don’t know the difference between deodorants/antiperspirants – we make our selection based on smell. Antiperspirants try to prevent sweating through aluminum –most antiperspirants have deodorants! [5]

• Although there is a relatively small amount of aluminum in any application. Nevertheless, the amount of exposure cumulative over time, and daily, use can lead to chronic exposure to aluminum. There are established links… [1][7]

• Studies have found Aluminum absorbs better through the skin than orally [1]

• Limiting your aluminum usage will only benefit your health [1]

• Deodorants deal with smell by neutralizing and killing bacteria, however, in the past decade, parabens, a preservative ingredient in deodorants have become very controversial. [1][5][7]

• Several recent respected studies have shown the relationship between antiperspirants/deodorants and breast cancer – yet all government and breast cancer organizations will tell you antiperspirants are safe. [1][3][6]

• Only 5 – 10% of breast cancer is genetic, 90% are from the environment and lifestyle. [1]

• Applying parabens to the skin is one of the most effective ways to get it into your system. [1]

• Do not assume that products that are labeled “natural” or “organic” do not contain parabens, [also study small or fine print]. [1]

•  Unfortunately most cosmetics  we use contain parabens. A 1995 survey of 215 cosmetic products found that parabens were used in 99% of leave-on products and in 77% of rinse-off cosmetics.[1]

• How to spot parabens on labels [1]

          Methylparaben (E218)


          Ethylparaben (E214)


          Propylparaben (E216)


          Butylparaben


          Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid

          Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid


          Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid


          Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid

          Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid


          Parahydroxybenzoic acid


          Parahydroxybenzoate

Did you know?

The average person has about 2.6 million sweat glands’; sweating is your body’s mechanisms to cool down. [1] Sweat glands are in our forehead, hands, feet, armpits, and genital areas. [1] Sweat has no odour; bacteria cause the familiar unpleasant odour we know [4].

In conclusion, there is nothing wrong with being an active and concerned consumer. Knowledge is power and education influences change. Vote with your wallets! By researching we will not only make better  & healthier choices, but also hold cooperation’s accountable for their actions.

References:

1. " ControlYourImpact.com: Solid Information on Controversial Health Topics” Deodorants, Antiperspirants and Your Health; Antiperspirants – Aluminum & Alzeheimer’s Disease; Antiperspirants – Aluminum & Breast Cancer; Deodorants, Antiperspirants, Parabens & Breast Cancer. N.P., N.D. Web.  4 Jan – 6 Jan 2011. http://www.controlyourimpact.com/articles/deodorants-antiperspirants-and-your-health/
2. Product Assessment Against Criteria: Antiperspirants. Health Canada. N.P., N.D. Web. 6 Jan 2012.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/indust/cosmet-antiperspir-sudorif/index-eng.php
3. Health Effects of Aluminum powder. Canadian Center for Occupational Health & Safety. N.P., N.D. Web. 6 Jan 2012. http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/aluminum_powder/health_alu.html
4. Antiperspirant/Deodorant Stick: How Products are Made, ENotes.Com, Web. 6 Jan 2012. http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/antiperspirant-deodorant-stick
5. Annie B. Bond, Deodorant or Antiperspirants? Green Living At Care2, March 26, 1999. Web. 6 Jan 2012. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/deodorant-or-antiperspirants.html
6. Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer: Questions and Answers, National Cancer Institute, Web. 6 Jan 2012.  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/AP-Deo
7. Concern Over Deodorant Chemicals. BBC News 11 Jan. 2004. Web. 06 Jan. 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3383393.stm

100% Pure Unrefined African Shea Butter

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The ancient Egyptian queen, Nefertiti, credited her beauty to shea butter.  Today, walking along the aisles of drug stores and grocery departments one cannot help but notice the amount of cosmetics & general skin care products that contain shea butter as an “active” ingredient. While it may seem as though these products have a large quantity of shea butter, they don’t. Although this is what we are intended to think. Ingredients are listed in descending order of percentage, and quite often it is only a small fraction that’s present.

Natural shea butter is manually churned and traditionally extracted with no chemicals. It is whitish or yellowish in colour, silky in texture, and has a distinctive smell. 
Unrefined shea butter is rich in unsaponifiable matter, essential fatty acids, natural latex, and vitamins A, D, E, F, & K. All the things that one's skin loves!

In contrast, refined shea butter is very white with little or no scent, meaning that most of its distinct properties have been lost.

Years ago I put a stop to lotions and bio-oil simply because they contain inarticulate ingredients [which include petroleum bi-products]. I use pure unrefined shea butter daily as a body cream and lip balm, and can honestly tell you it works! [Recommended Nharo’s 100% Shea butter]

10 REASONS to choose 100% pure unrefined shea butter

•   It treats dark spots, skin discolorations, stretch marks and blemishes
•  Shea butter encourages regeneration of skin tissue and skin hydration
•  Shea butter has a natural sunscreen protection  (SPF 15)
•  Heals dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and minor burns
•  Repairs cracked heels and elbows
• Moisturizes and reduces irritation after shaving
• Improves scars due to its anti-inflammatory properties
• Excellent for massages, diaper rash, and as a hair conditioner (Tip: Do a shea butter mask once a week to nourish & protect hair from dryness & breakage)
•  It's a healthy massage oil for kids & babies 
• Excellent for pets! shea butter is rich in vitamin K; Vetenerians use it as a natural remedy when pets ingest poison.

Rule of thumb: If you can’t eat it, don’t put in on your skin.

100% pure unrefined shea butter is naturally extracted from the nut of an edible fruit. For centuries West Africans have used it for cooking and as a lotion. Today, in North America and Europe, it is being used in margarines and as a substitute for cocoa in chocolates.

When buying shea butter make sure it's 100% pure unrefined Grade A (Organic & Fair trade-certified). Fair trade breaks the cycle of poverty. It guarantees that women producers are not exploited by offering them a stable purchase price, higher than that of the traditional market!

Shelf life: 18 months