The Dangerous Truth about Perfume

We all love a good perfume…but is our perfume good for us?

Harmful Side-Effects

I have  learned that the fragrance industry has checks and balances that are nothing but a conflict of interest. Big companies are here to make money. Here are some findings that prove how bad the chemicals can be for us, but remain hidden for a hefty profit…

•If you have a sensitivity to Chemicals, you can get nausea, dizziness, headaches, rashes, etc.

•Linked to causing/triggering asthma attacks

•Animal studies have shown that chemicals found in perfumes caused Cancer, Organ damage, and even reproductive harm. If it does that to the animals, what is it doing to us?

•There are thousands of different ingredients used in the fragrance industry, and less than half of them have been tested for human exposure. On top of that, fragrance companies have “Independent” companies check the ingredients for human exposure.

The Author of Toxic Beauty and chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, , Dr. Samuel Epstein, M.D. counsels:

“This testing is minimal and restricted to local effects on human skin, and short-term toxicity tests in rodents.”

Healthy Solutions

•Spray perfume on your clothing rather than your skin. I noticed I was getting a rash on my arms, and didn’t know what it was from. I got tested and found out it was from my perfume! Now I make sure that I spray on my clothes…not my skin.

•You can go “All Natural”. Studies have shown that men are attracted to woman’s natural scent. Guess we didn’t have to buy all of those expensive perfumes after all?

•Don’t overdo it! Smelling a lot of chemicals from perfumes can never be good and always remember that nobody wants to smell someone drenched in perfume.

•Try Essential Oils. Essential oils are natural and come from plants. If you have a negative reaction to perfumes, Essential oils may be a solution for you. If you are pregnant or nursing some precautions should be used.

What’s your healthy beauty secret that keeps you smelling good without all the chemicals?

Keep updated on the latest & greatest health articles by joining the Skinny Twinkie community!

Tags: asthma, Beauty, chemicals, dizziness, Essential Oils, healthy solutions, nausea, perfume, rashes, skin, toxic

Whiten your Teeth!

Whitening your teeth has become a fashion statement that seems to be here to stay. We all see the beautiful white smiles celebrities have, and we want the same bright smile too. You may have a healthy shade of white teeth, but compared to your friends and co-workers with bleached teeth, your teeth might just look yellow -but only in comparison.

Cause of Discolored Teeth

Simply put, colored molecules found in some foods and drinks can get absorbed in your tooth’s enamel surface. This causes your teeth to become less white with time. If you want a brighter smile, you may want to avoid red wine, coffee, tea, cigarettes, mustard, and even blueberries.

Problem with Professional Teeth Whitening

Most, if not all Teeth whitenings contain hydrogen peroxide. This is a harmful chemical that can destroy your gums and nerves and will make your teeth very sensitive.

Natural Solution to Whiten your Teeth

Here is a little homemade remedy that will brighten your smile:

1 Strawberry

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

Step 1) Crush Strawberry and then mix in the Baking Soda.

Step 2) Spread Strawberry mixture onto your teeth and leave on for about 5 minutes.

Step 3) Brush and floss your teeth to clean out the Strawberry mixture.

Note: You can do this natural whitening to your teeth about once a week. You don’t want to overdo it, since the acid from the strawberry can start to damage the enamel on your teeth. Use in moderation, and enjoy your whiter teeth!

Keep updated on the latest & greatest health articles by joining the Skinny Twinkie community!

Tags: baking soda, blueberries, coffee, mustard, natural remedy, red wine, strawberry, tea, teeth, teeth whitener, white teeth, yellow teeth

Get rid of Acne – Naturally!

Acne is one of those horrible things that seems to haunt us during our teen years. Finally, here’s some information teens and adults can put to use for clear and healthy skin!

Get rid of Acne

What actually causes acne? This is a great debate, and you can have acne for several reasons. Here are some common causes of Acne, and how you can get rid of it.

•Wash your face before you go to bed – This seems like an obvious technique to prevent and get rid of acne, but it must be said! If you want to get rid of acne, you must wash your face before you go to bed, especially if you wear make-up. When you wash your face with your cleanser, rinse your face with warm water (this opens up your pores and gets rid of the make-up and dirt on your face), then splash your face again with cold water. You want to end with cold water since it will tighten your pores and prevent your pores from being exposed to dirt, make-up, and other bacteria – all which would cause breakouts.

•Stop touching your face –  Whether you realize it or not, you are probably touching your face a lot throughout the day. First order of business here is to stop touching your face! Your hands are not as clean as you may think, and when you constantly touch your face to either ease a scratch or move your bangs out of your eyes – all of this causes pimples.

•Workout with shower afterwards – Working out is a great way to get rid of toxins in your body by sweating. This is something that can actually help you get rid of acne. The problem comes when you sweat and don’t shower afterwards. Be sure to take a shower afterwards rather than hitting the sofa for a quick snooze!

•It may be the make up – Not all make up is created equal. Depending on what type of foundation you are using, your acne might just be
from the make-up that you are using. Be sure to look for a foundation that is either “oil-free” or “non comedogenic”. If you are able to, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go a day or two without any foundation make-up at all. Perfect excuse to stay in on a Saturday and watch chick flicks with the girls. By doing this, you are giving your face a break from your make-up, which can help you clear up your skin.

•Don’t Stress! – I hear that many people link stressful situations with acne. Don’t stress about it, and stop worrying about it. It won’t make your acne go away. Focus on the positive, and imagine yourself with clear skin.  Acne isn’t the end of the world, and there are natural ways to help you get rid of it. That’s why I am writing this post in the first place.

•Drink lots of water – Water is a natural, zero calorie way to cleanse your body. Be sure that you are drinking enough water every day. A habit that is good for you – inside and out!

•It’s your eating habits - This is the most understated cause for acne. A lot of people may feel that your eating habits have nothing to do with your acne, and unfortunately, they are just plain wrong!

“Diet plays a big part in your skin. Your skin is your biggest organ, so if you are polluting your body with bad food, your skin will be the representative of those bad habits” says Sabrina Lytle, Aesthetician and owner of Ambrosia Lashes.

Food has more to do with your acne than you realize. Avoid a diet that will increase the insulin levels in your body. Basically, avoid processed sugars and all grain carbohydrates (which just turn into sugar). Yes, if you want to get rid of your acne, you need to stop eating candy, chocolate, cereals, bread, pasta, corn, rice, and potatoes. Be sure to get carbohydrates through vegetables, since your body needs carbohydrates – now you will just have a healthier version of it. Once you have gotten rid of your acne, you can slowly incorporate those foods back into your diet, but in limited quantities. Always choose the healthier version, if there is one. Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate, or brown rice over white rice.

Do it Yourself

If you are looking for a quick, easy, and cheap at-home regimine for skin care, Sabrina Lytle says to “Mix salt and lemon juice and do a light skin scrub. Afterward, take RAW honey and put a light layer on your skin and leave on for about 20 minutes. Raw honey has many antioxidants and properties that are very helpful to use on skin that has acne or irritation caused from a sensitivity to products”.

What NOT to do!

•Antibiotics - This may get rid of the acne, but it also gets rid of a lot of healthy bacteria in your body too! Plus, once you stop taking the medication, your acne comes back. Isn’t it just better to get rid of the root cause in the first place?

•Birth Control Pills - Trying to get rid of acne isnt a reason to start taking birth control pills. Birth control pills have synthetic hormones, and the long term side effects aren’t worth the clear skin in the end.

•Salicylic Acid – This is the main ingredient in Aspirin. When did acne become so bad that you needed to take a drug to get rid of it? Yes, acne can get pretty bad, but there are natural, healthy solutions to solving this issue. Taking a drug isn’t one of them.

•Benzoyl Peroxide - Many people are tricked into believing that this is the miracle acne cure. Unfortunately, these “reputable” sources don’t tell you that it will dry out your skin, increase redness and irritation on your face, and won’t actually get rid of the problem. The company wants you to keep buying their product for more than just a one time use.

Good luck with your clear skin endeavors – remember to be patient (try!), and get rid of your acne – naturally! You will be happy you did!

Keep updated on the latest & greatest health articles by joining the Skinny Twinkie community!

Tags: acne, antibiotic, benzoyl peroxide, birth control pill, Cleanse, diet, eating, face, make-up, natural, pimple, salicylic acid, shower, stress, wash, water, workout

Organic Lip Balm by Dr. Bronner’s

Throw away your Chapstick, because I am going to introduce to you a new way to keep your lips hydrated and healthy.

Is Chapstick bad for you?

Chapstick, Smackers, SoftLips, Vaseline, Carmex, and other popular brands out there are actually something you may just want to avoid. Why? They contain Mineral Oil and Petroleum, which actually dries up your lips rather than helping them. If Chapstick causes addiction, it would be better for you to avoid it rather than keep using it.

Alternative

What I love about Organic Lip Balm by Dr. Bronner’s, is that is actually helps heal your lips, without causing an addiction, or a constant need to keep using it over and over again. If my lips ever feel chapped, I can use this Lip Balm a couple of times, and then that’s it. I can go weeks without feeling like I have to need to use the Lip Balm, which is the way it should be- not a constant application.

What’s in Organic Lip Balm by Bronner’s?

In the Peppermint “flavored” Organic Lip Balm by Bronner’s, the ingredients include the following; Organic Avacado Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil, and Natural Tocopherols. That’s right, no Mineral Oil or  Petroleum.

Avoid Chapped Lips Naturally

If you need a quick and instant fix, I definitely recommend this Organic Lip Balm. If you want to prevent and really take care of chapped lips, the best thing you can do is hydrate your body with lots of water. Never underestimate the powerful effects of drinking enough water.

Whether it is the Winter cold or Summer heat – you are now ready to take on any season with chap-less lips!

Keep updated on the latest & greatest health articles by joining the Skinny Twinkie community!

Tags: addiction, Beauty, carmex, chapped lips, Chapstick, dehydration, Dr. Bronner's, drink water, Healthy, hydration, Lip Balm, lips, Mineral Oil, Natural Tocopherols, Organic, organic avacado oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Lip Balm, Organic Peppermint Oil, peppermint, Petroleum, smackers, softlips, summer heat, vaseline, winter cold

Why do I need to use SPF?

This is a question I am sure a bunch of sexy beach babes ask all the time, or at least should be asking themselves this question.

“Why do I need to use SPF?”

What does “SPF” Mean?

Let’s start at the beginning. SPF means Sun Protection Factor. The number you see with SPF (SPF 30 for example), represents the length of time you can stay out in the sun without burning, multiplied by that number. If you normally burn after 10 minutes, you should be able to stay out in the sun (theoretically) for 300 minutes if you have SPF 30. I would recommend  having a high SPF, and putting SPF on as often as you can…let’s say every hour or every other hour, depending on whether you are swimming/sweating or not.

Is the Sun Good for you?

The Sun is good for you for the first couple of minutes of exposure (sunlight helps our body make Vitamin D, which helps with things like depression), but as the saying goes, too much of a good thing can be bad. In the case of the sun, it can be very bad.

What is a Tan or Sunburn, and what are the side effects?

So many people are focused on having the nice beach tan, but they ignore the realities of a tan. Tanned skin may lookgood to you, but it is actually a sign of sun damage to your skin.The body is trying to protect itself from the sun’s damaging rays.

Sun damage also causes pre-mature aging. I realize as I get older, I am going to get wrinkles. That’s life.  Am I going to try to invite wrinkles earlier than they need to arrive on my face? I don’t think so.

Sun damage can also cause skin cancers, by having the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays hitting your skin. The sad thing about skin cancer, is that it is one of the most common cancers, as well as probably one of  the most preventable. Skin cancer not only doesn’t look or feel good, but sadly it can also be deadly. If you can prevent pain or even death…would you?

Do all that you can to prevent sun damage on your skin. If you can, wear long sleeved shirts, wear a big hat that covers your face and neck. Wear sunglasses that help protect your eyes. And when it comes to SPF, make sure all skin exposed to light gets covered- year round. Sun protection is something you should be thinking about year round, not just when summer time comes around. Some doctors will recommend SPF 15 or SPF 30. I say, why not SPF 70? It is out there, and since it is something you should use on your face, neck, hands, etc., you might want to get an all natural SPF 70 Sun Block so you won’t be exposed to harmful chemicals from your sun protection.

It doesn’t matter whether you are light or dark skinned…protecting yourself from sun damage is still necessary if you want to prevent all of the things i just mentioned that sun can cause.

Keep updated on the latest & greatest health articles by joining the Skinny Twinkie community!

Tags: burn, cancer, pre-mature aging, skin cancer, spf, sun damage, sun protection, sun protection factor, sunblock, sunscreen, tan, wrinkle