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Beauty

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Making a Beeline to a Sun-drenched Hotspot this Month? Don’t Forget Your (Clean) Sunscreen

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ARE WE THERE YET? 

Craving a little sun?  We don't blame you.  But before you hit the tropics, don't forget to pack your sunscreen - particularly one that does not contain harmful chemicals. 

Understanding what’s toxic, what’s not in the cosmetic & personal care industry can be a complicated process and one that is often shrouded in mystery.  Finding safer, cleaner alternatives can be a seriously huge challenge.  Don’t worry; we’ve got your back.

To help ease you into your beach holiday tan here is a list of our favourite super-clean sunscreens.

A FEW FAVOURITES:  

FOR THE WEE ONES IN THE FAMILY: 

There's no time like the present to start integrating clean products into your travel adventures and soaking up the sun, safely.   And if you're curious to know what the toxicity levels are of your current products, download Think Dirty Shop Clean app on the iTunes app store.  You'll be surprised what you uncover.

Happy travels! 

xo your Brit Beet team 

PS : ** Our list is based on the ingredients and product ratings from both Think Dirty Shop Clean (one of the top beauty and personal care guides in the market) and the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep cosmetic database.  

Lash Love and Mascara

I am always on the hunt for ‘clean’ cosmetics, so when my sister gave me the top selling ‘clean’ mascara in the UK for my birthday , I was pumped!  Don’t get me wrong, back in the bad old days before I knew any better, I used to adore my old mascara - DiorShow, by Dior. It made my lashes seem miles longer and fuller and all that fluttering had me suppressing the harsh reality that department store mascaras were probably NOT the best choice.  

But I knew the end of my love affair with DiorShow was close at hand when I began researching the commercial cosmetics industry and quickly uncovered the ugly truth.  It was and still is a very under-regulated industry and even the Food and Drug Administration does not have the legal authority to approve cosmetics before they go on the market.  In fact, cosmetic companies can use almost any ingredient they choose.  If you think that is bad enough, the FDA does not have the authority to recall possible unsafe products. Oh dear….    

According to the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database which is a fabulous resource compiled by Environmental Working Group (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ - check it out), there are many toxic chemicals that go into the melting pot when it comes to cosmetics.  Did you know you that cosmetics can contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen  or diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA), chemicals that combine to form nitrosamines - also carcinogens? In her book, “The Detox Solution”, Dr Patricia Fitzgerald cites that of the makeup products tested by the FDA, and by the way they do approve colour additives (not good), 37% contain these nitrosamines

Of course I wanted to check my old friend, DiorShow by Dior on the EWG’s make-up website and wouldn’t you know it, 5 of the following ingredients were on EWG’s High Concern list: So I did some more digging and found other popular mascaras that also are Maybe your mascara is listed below...? 

FRAGRANCE
Concerns:  Allergies, immune toxicity, irritation of the skin, eyes (funny!) or lungs, organ system toxicity. Mascara brands that contain fragrance:  Yves St Laurent, Dr Hauschka, L’Oreal

PROPYLPARABEN
Concerns: Development and reproductive toxicity (know anyone trying to have a baby), hormone level disruption (early menopause anyone), allergies. Mascara brands that contain Propylparaben:  Revlon, Covergirl, Physician’s Formula, Dr Hauschka, Elizabeth Arden, L’Oreal

ISOBUTYLPARABEN & BUTYLPARABEN
Concerns: Cellar level changes, developmental and reproductive toxicity, hormonal disruption , allergies and immune toxicity. Mascara brands that contain isobutylparaben & butylparaben: Neutrogena, Physician’s Formula, Maybelline, L’Oreal

GERANIOL
Concerns: Allergies, immune toxicity and system toxicity. Mascara brands that contain cinnamyl alcohol or geraniol: Maybelline, Anna Sui

OMG!

Well I know my baby-producing years have passed but I don't need my hormones to be messed around with and I certainly don't wish any allergies to kick in or my immune system to be knocked down. 

That DiorShow mascara hit the bin faster than a model hitting the runway.  I had to face it - not everything glamorous and glitzy was as fabulous as it would like to appear!

BUYING YOUR ‘CLEAN’ MASCARA

When you decided it's time to kick your toxic mascara to the curb, start by checking out EWG’s site: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ - you might want to look up your tossed mascara (just for old time sake) or take a look at the mascaras that are cited for low concern levels to find one you might like the look of.  Or shop online at sites such as http://www.thedetoxmarket.ca/  or http://www.pureanada.ca/ offering natural mascaras

TIME TO DO THE ROAD TEST 

If you don’t have the time or inclination to shop around, I've done that for you (my pleasure). I have tested a brand called, “Raw Mascara” by earthlab which is widely available and claims to be paraben free, botanical based and 100% natural formula. It also claims, “No clumping, flaking or smudging”. I didn’t find that to be true. 

I currently use (2nd tube) and LOVE the brand “100% Pure” and two of my favourite colours are Black Tea and Dark Chocolate. It definitely does not clump, flake or smudge and gives a pretty good dark lash look that last throughout the day; When I'm heading out for the evening I apply two coats to get a more dramatic effect (trying to recreate my old DiorShow days…). Amazingly, even Amazon carries it!  It claims to be 100% natural and vegetarian and is coloured with black tea and berry pigments that are antioxidants and nourish the lashes. Who knew! 

So, next time you shop for a mascara, give the 'clean' mascaras a second look - your eyes will definitely love you. 

Are You Dry Skin Brushing?

Following up on my blog, 'Winter Skin: How To Make Yours Fabulous', I want to share another AMAZING skin technique that you may become addicted to. It's called, 'Dry Skin Brushing'. I know it sounds a little 'out there' but stay with me... It's a traditional healing practice that has been used by skin and body lovers for decades because of its tremendous skin and whole body benefits.

Do you know that the skin is the largest organ of our body, playing a pivotal role in detoxification  and overall health? What if you discovered that 5 MINUTES A DAY of dry skin brushing could not only improve the look of your skin but the health of your WHOLE body! Here's why:

  • Beauty Promoting: Dry skin brushing exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells that clog up our pores, making our skin look and feel dry, dull and lifeless - not what we want! Daily dry skin brushing helps to restore our skin to a new level of beauty, making it softer, smoother and almost glowing.
  • Cellulite Removing: It can assist in breaking down and softening the hard fat deposits that accumulate beneath our skin - causing it to 'pucker' (I had you at cellulite, right!). 
  • Immune-boosting: It can improve our lymph circulation - our body's personal 'garbage truck' that circulates around, picking up all the toxic waste for excretion through the bloodstream. The brushing action helps to 'unclog' our lymph, stimulate and strengthen our immune system and helps to fight off inflammation, infection and disease - it's like a mini superhero!
  • Pimple Removing: Would you love to loose those unsightly spots or pimples that seem to mysteriously appear, making us want to hide our legs away even in the summer months? Dry skin brushing can be very effective in banishing those unwanted leg bumps so you will be flashing those fabulous gams at any opportunity.

Want to jump on these skin and body benefits right away? No need for an expensive visit to the spa, you can do it all in the comfort of your own bathroom! Read on: 

  • Buy: For under $20, buy yourself a high quality natural bristle (not synthetic) dry skin brush with firm bristles. My brush has a long handle so I can reach my back and other hard-to reach places. You can buy them at any good health food stores or online (Amazon has a large range). 
  • 5 Minutes: Find a time every day that works for you - I like to do it before I jump into the shower, then I can wash away the dead skin and impurities. 
  • Brushing technique: Use quick, short upward brush strokes, always moving towards the heart which is most beneficial for blood and lymph circulation.
  • Road Map: Start with the soles of your feet and work your way up the body; brush the front and back of your legs and buttocks then turn your hands over and brush your fingers, palms and then the back of each hand. Move up your arms, then over to your shoulders, neck, back (here's where the long handle helps) then to your chest (use soft pressure on your breasts). Finish with your stomach, using a clock-wise circular motion that gently stimulates your digestive tract. Avoid delicate areas (genitalia), the face or any areas which are irritated. 
  • Pressure: You should use a firm pressure but not so hard that you end up with red, irritated skin! Your skin should look 'blushed' and feel invigorated. 
  • BRUSH CARE: Like your tooth brush, don't share your dry skin brush. Wash it with warm water after use and hang it in an area where it can dry.

Let's not forget, our No.1 strategy for helping our bodies to detox is eating a healthy diet which centres around whole foods (preferably organic), supplying the vital nutrients our skin needs to flourish. Adding dry skin brushing on top... well, that just takes everything to a whole other level! So go on - take 5, and reap the amazing skin and body benefits. 

There's Nothing Better Than A Good Night's Sleep

Have you ever donned a sleep mask? I've been using an Air Canada sleep mask (sweet-talked a steward on my last flight home to London); it's not the most luxurious - but I put that mask on and I'm in my own cocoon, ready to fall off the ledge into deep sleep. The feeling is addictive. Because there's nothing better than a good night sleep! 

A sleep mask can help us all enjoy a better night's sleep by working with our body's natural circadian rhythms: Here's how:

  • Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain which helps to control our sleep and wake cycles
  • Normally, melatonin levels begin to rise in the mid- to late evening, remain high for most of the night, and then drop in the early morning hours
  • However, light affects how much melatonin our body produces
  • So if we are exposed to artificial light such as street lights curling around the curtains, or blue and white lighting from electronic devices in the bedroom, our melatonin production is interfered with
  • A sleep masks helps block out all these sources of light, telling the photosensitive receptor cells in our eyes that sleep is upon us

So don't wait until your next flight .... invest in a sleep mask and give yourself the gift of a better night's sleep.  You've earned it. Night, night! 

    Love Your Skin. How Clean are Your Beauty Products?

    I'm always looking for clean beauty products that are void of harmful toxins and chemicals so when Think Dirty hit the market I was excited! 

    Think Dirty is a beautifully designed mobile app that can help us all make informed decisions about the products we use on our skin everyday.  The app allows you to search the names or scan the barcodes of your beauty products and tells you exactly what’s in them, along with any potentially harmful ingredients. The Think Dirty app will rank your products on a scale from one to ten on its “Dirty Meter”, as well as offer healthier, cleaner alternatives. 


    So if you’re looking to detoxify your makeup drawer, this is the app to get!  Check it out: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/think-dirty/id687176839?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

    Why I Love Argan Oil

    I gave all my three sisters Argan oil for Christmas this year. It wasn’t because I was feeling lazy – I just had to introduce them to one of my favourite oils and its wonderous benefits. 

    Where does Argan oil come from?

    Argan oil is prepared from unroasted kernels of the argan tree fruit nuts. The argan trees are exclusive to the dry arid lands of southwest Morocco, one of the poorest areas of the country. Oil extraction requires a tedious multistep process and is primarily undertaken by all-women cooperatives, providing a welcomed financial stream and educational platform for women in this rural part of Morocco. The Argan forest, which covers about 8,280 km2, was declared a Biosphere Reserve by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO,  protecting these rare trees.

    So why do I love this wonderous oil so much!!

    According to Dr Zoubida Charrouf, Professor of Chemistry at the Mohamed V. University in Morocco, argan oil has traditionally been used in Morocco as a topical oil to a number of skin complaints from dry skin, acne, psoriasis, eczema to wrinkles, joint pain, and skin inflammation.  

    Dubbed as “Morocco’s liquid gold”, by The New York Times, Argan oil has so many beautifying applications: Here are a few ways you can reap its benefits:

    1. Night and day face moisturizer:  Cleanse your skin and then add a few drops of argan oil, gently massaging over your face and neck in small circular movements for smooth, supple skin. I've been 'dewing' my skin with argan oil throughout the winter months and honestly, it 
    2. Body moisturizer: After a bath or shower, apply argan oil over your entire body to minimize itching and dry skin
    3. Cuticle softner: Massage a drop into each cuticle to soften cuticles and prevent dry, brittle nails
    4. Heel de-cracker: Dry brush your heels, rinse off the dry skin, then place a few drops over your heels and massage in.  For lasting results, do this before bedtime and slip on your favourite socks to lock in argan oil’s moisturing effects
    5. Overnight hair treatment: Place a few drops on your head and massage into  your whole head.  Wrap your hair up in a towel, go to sleep and when you wake up, shampoo your hair and unveil your shiny, silky mane
    6. Hair styling aid: Distribute argan oil throughout your wet hair – this will protect the hair shaft from hair dryer heat and damage
    7. Lip softner: Massage a drop into dry lips to plump and soften them

    So what you need to look for when buying your argan oil?

    • The label should read just, “100% organic argan oil” from Morroco  certified organic and should contain NO additional ingredients. Watch out for imitators: Morrocanoil – a popular brand does contain argan oil but it is in small quantities. Unfortunately it also contains silicons (for de-frizzing but they clog the pores), synthetic perfumes, dyes, solvents and preservatives. According to the Environmental Working Group, some of these added ingredients are associated with allergies, dermatitis and mild organ toxicity – certainly not what I want to be putting on my skin or in my hair!
    • The bottle should be dark, protecting its vital beautifying properties from being degraded by light 
    • Avoid plastic bottles at all costs and look for glass bottles. Glass is ALWAYS a good indicator of the authenticity and superiority of a product. Buying products in glass will lessen your exposure to possible cancer-causing  chemicals (more on the dangers of plastic in my next post).

    Due to its labour intensive production, argan oil is not inexpensive.  Don’t be fooled by cheaper, inferior brands. But just know, it is worth every golden drop.