We all know the importance of eating well, and preferably organic to avoid chemicals and pesticides. By eating organic we reduce the risk of cancer, immune suppression, and other degenerative diseases. We also help the destruction of the environment from chemicals being used in agriculture. Many organics are richer in antioxidants and other nutrients as opposed to their conventional counterparts. So why would you not use organics on your skin?
Our skin is the largest organ in the body. Many pharmaceutical medications are used transdermally including opioid pain relief medications, anesthetics, hormones and antidepressants to name a few.
These medications penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, providing fast and long-lasting relief.
This being said….we need to be just as careful with what goes on or skin as what goes in our bodies. Many common skin care products contain chemical and synthetic ingredients, including carcinogens, hormone disruptors and neurotoxins.
A few companies have registered their products with the USDA’s organic certification program. These products have the USDA Organic seal and meet the same stringent guidelines applied to certified organic foods.
When choosing any personal care products, make sure to read the labels and avoid ingredients such as parabens (which may be linked to cancer), as well as petroleum based products, and synthetic fragrances. Two companies I like are: www.juicebeauty.com and www.eco-beauty.com.
A great reference for product safety to see how the products you’re using match up is The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.