Pamper Your Skin

What is in your personal care products?

  • DEA – linked to cancer of the liver, kidneys, esophagus, and stomach; potential danger in fetal brain development (DEA blocks the absorption of choline)
  • Propylene glycol – a petroleum byproduct; can cause contact dermatitis, kidney damage, and liver abnormalities; inhibits skin cell growth; may be harmful if inhaled, ingested or absorbed; newborns, infants and the elderly are at special risk of propylene glycol toxicity
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) – It is a mutagen (meaning that in sufficient amounts it is capable of changing genetic information found in cells); alters skin structure and allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin; can cause loss of hearing and eyesight, damage the immune system, and cause skin inflammation
  • Mineral oil – allergies, immunotoxicity, reduces blood flow, can cause chemical pneumonia
  • Talc – cancer, irritation (skin, eyes, lungs), organ system toxicity, allergies, immunotoxicity
  • Alcohol – birth defects, cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity and organ system toxicity
  • Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates – Bad for reproductive health; incomplete testicular descent in fetuses
  • Aluminum chloride – It accumulates in the brain and is a neurotoxic agent (connected with Alzheimers, ADD/ADHD, autism, Parkinsons); carcinogenic, linked to breast cancer

Emphasizes the need for a nontoxic alternative:

  • There are several companies that sell products that do not contain these ingredients
  • Check your personal care products:

Essential Oils for Skin:

  • Frankincense
  • Lavender
  • Peppermint
  • Tea tree (melaleucaalternifolia)
  • Sandalwood
  • Geranium
  • Myrrh
  • Roman and German chamomile

Why make your own products?

  • Cost effective
  • Easy
  • Know exactly what ingredients are in the product

** Never put something on your skin that you couldn’t put in your mouth **

Coconut Lime Body Scrub

½ cup virgin coconut oil, melted

1 cup organic sugar or salt

20 drops lime essential oil

Mix oil and sugar together. You are looking for enough oil to make the sugar stick together without oil floating on the top. Slowly add essential oils until desired scent is reached.

Rub a small amount on your hands or body and rinse with warm water. It gently exfoliates and the oil moisturizes your skin. Try peppermint essential oil instead of the lime for a cooling sensation!

Other possible oil combinations:

Rosemary and peppermint

Orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit and/or bergamot

Lavender, lemon, and rosemary

Cypress and white fir (more masculine)

Peppermint Whipped Body Butter

½ cup coconut oil

½ cup cocoa butter

½ cup shea butter

½ cup sweet almond oil (or jojoba oil)

1 tsp. vitamin E oil (optional)

2-4 drops peppermint essential oil (or more to desired scent) ** lavender is nice for small children

Melt coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter on low. Add almond oil, vitamin E, and essential oils and chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours. After chilling, blend with a hand mixer until you get a decadent whipped consistency. Scoop into a jar or container. It should last about 6-12 months at room temp. If it melts, rechill and rewhip.

DIY Hand Sanitizer

5-10 drops Thieves essential oil

Witch hazel

Filtered water

Add Thieves to glass spray bottle. Add a dash of witch hazel, and then fill the remaining amount with filtered water. You could also add a pinch of sea salt instead of the witch hazel (or use vodka).

Relaxing Bath Salts

Add relaxing and calming essential oils like lavender, Roman chamomile, cedarwood, or Stress Away to Epsom salts. A good ratio is about 5-6 drops of essential oil per 1 cup of Epsom salts.

Alicia Dragic, RN, CGP

Healthy Home Body