Each day, we are more and more concerned and aware of the types of food and food products that pass our lips into our body; but have you ever stopped to think about what your largest organ – your skin – is taking in on a daily basis?

Did you know that the average woman uses 12 personal care products daily? Between her face wash, toner, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, hair gloss drops, foundation, powder, eye liner, lip gloss, blush, mascara, and body lotion a womans body is being inundated with chemicals, mainly xeno -estrogen forms, daily. And men aren’t too far behind, with about seven in their daily arsenal; shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, deodorant, face wash, moisturizer and cologne.

Xeno -estrogens as mentioned above, are chemical forms of the female hormone estrogen (xeno – meaning foreign and estrogen). This synthetic chemical form of the hormone is so closely related and resembling the natural hormone estrogen our bodies produce on its own, that our cells have the ability to uptake and absorb all too well.

This is the leading cause of Estrogen Dominance in woman, leading to and not limited to:

  • spider veins and varicose veins
  • cellulite
  • heavy menstrual bleeding and bad PMS
  • Fibrocystic breast disease
  • Ovarian cysts and fibroids
  • Headaches  and migraines
  • Autoimmune disease or allergies
  • weight gain around the “love handles” or abdomen, plus upper arm and face
  • Fat gain in the hips

For men they may notice:

  • Prostate enlargement
  • Breast growth
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Loss of morning erection
  • Anxiety, mood swings and irritability
  • Fat gain around abdomen

Additional harmful ingredients to avoid in your skin and body care products:

  • Parabens in any form
  • DMDM hydantonin
  • Quaternium 15
  • FD&C or D&C
  • Cocamide DEA
  • Phthalates
  • Sodium lauryl sulphate
  • Petroleum based ingredients (vaseline)

Remember: Your skin eats – or, more accurately, absorbs everything it comes in contact with.

If you’re having a hard time believing that your skin can actually absorb some of the ingredients from your favorite products, than you only have to think of three popular drugs that are transported into the bloodstream via a topically applied patch: nicotine to stop smoking, the birth control patch and nitroglycerin for angina pectoris.

The time is here for us to get back to basics in our approach to taking care of our bodies, on the inside and out!

Many of us have lost sight of our true selves in an effort to become flawless, smoothed, or physically enhanced without considering the side effect or consequences. With consistent practice of holistic health, beauty and lifestyle habits you will learn to feel and look your best.

I have attached two of my favorite homemade products to use on my body; one is a Coconut Brown Sugar Body Scrub and the other is Orange Lavendar Bliss-Oil for moisturizing. My whole family uses the oil daily.

Coconut Brown Sugar Scrub

1 1/4 cup organic brown sugar

6-8 tbsp organic coconut oil

15-20 drops of pure vanilla essential oil

In a glass bowl combine coconut oil and sugar until well mixed. Add the vanilla essential oil drop by drop blending as you do this. Once mixed, fill up a pretty glass jar or mason jar with your body scrub that has easy access to get the scrub out or place a small scoop or spoon inside.

Good for 2-3 months

Orange Lavender Almond Bliss-Oil

2 cups of pure almond oil

20-40 drops each orange essential oil and lavender essential oil

Alternate combining the orange and lavender oils into the almond oil until you have achieved the potency of scent you are looking for.

Good for up to 6 months (but it won’t last that long!)

Enjoy your new lush skin; chemical free and radiant!

Store in an easy to use spray bottle or squeezable PBA free container.

For best use try the scrub in the shower and follow with this delicious smelling oil!