Home Remedies No. 1 For Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that can affect individuals of any age group, although it is more commonly noticed among teenagers and young adults. Acne develops when the follicle that carries dead skin to the skin surface becomes clogged. While acne in most cases is inflammatory, it can also develop as non-inflammatory acne. It manifests itself as tiny pimples, papules, nodules, or cysts, as per the increasing nature of its severity. Typically, acne begins to show in the years following puberty, as this is when there are considerable hormonal changes that take place in the body. Acne is also common among women due to monthly hormonal changes. Acne affects those areas of the skin that have the most number of sebaceous follicles. Thus, it is primarily visible on the face, chest, back, upper arms, and shoulders. Typically, acne wanes off after the inflammation as the clogged pores subside, and acne outbreaks lessen once we get into our early twenties, as this is when the hormonal levels balance themselves out. In rare cases, however, medical investigation and follow up is required for treating acne of a more stubborn nature. Additionally, since each individual is physiologically different, it is possible that the acne may continue late into your thirties and forties. While acne in itself does not pose any serious health risks, it could lead to scarring. Acne scars can, at times, be exceedingly stubborn, and may never really go away. Acne also has psychological implications as the acne and its scars are generally regarded as unappealing, leading to lowered self-esteem issues in teenagers and young adults.

Symptoms for Acne

Acne symptoms include the presence of different types of pimples and cysts on the affected area of the skin. A pimple appears when the blocked pore begins to drain, so what is visible is usually the latter stage of acne. Some of the different physical indications of acne are as follows:

• Acne can manifest itself as enlarged hair follicles filled with sebum, which are referred to as comedones. Blackheads are comedones that pop out of the skin surface, and white heads are comedones that have not pushed their way through the surface of your skin. 

• Papules are pink tender bumps on the skin and pustules are red at the bottom but filled with pus, owing to bacterial infection.

• Nodules are the large and painful, solid pimples that are deep seated in the skin, while cysts are the deep and painful pimples that are filled with pus and can develop scars in future.

A doctor can easily diagnose acne during a physical examination. He/she may look into its stage, depending on the exhibition as comedones or nodules or cysts. The extended side-effects of acne are the scars that they leave behind. This may call for a long course of medical or cosmetic treatment. It is advisable to take precautions against any kind of skin irritation, so that the acne just fades off without leaving behind any scars. 

Acne Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet

Causes for Acne

Acne causes are many, and research is still being conducted in this arena. However, some of the common and established causes of acne are as follows:

• Many factors have been found to be contributive to acne development. In girls and women, the timeline during the menstrual cycle shows an increase in acne on the skin.

• Hormonal changes at the onset of puberty or during pregnancy can also cause the pores on the skin to get clogged up.

• A sudden start or stop in the use of birth control medication can also result in acne showing up on the skin.

• Heredity and the use of greasy cosmetics also results in the appearance of acne.

• Although a common myth exists that chocolates and oily food contribute to acne, this has not been scientifically proved yet.

• Teenagers and young adolescents show an increased manifestation of acne as the hormonal changes during puberty add to the sebum build-up, leading to more inflamed pores.

• Lifestyle changes, especially being subject to a lot of stress, can also result in acne developing on the skin.

Acne home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers 

Remedies for Acne

Intensive research is been done in the field of dermatology to comprehend the nature, causes, and treatment for acne. Topical application of certain medications, use of certain home remedies, and changes incorporated into one’s lifestyle help to decrease the intensity and subsequent outbreaks of acne. Most people opt for various types of face washes and creams to deal with acne, and there are various products available in the market that promise acne-free skin. However, it should be kept in mind that these products do not completely eradicate the acne. Face washes that contain salicylic acid help to drain the sebum from the clogged pores. Topical creams or gels can also be applied to dry or peel off a layer of skin or to restrict sebum formation. Certain antibiotic creams can also be used to reduce the growth of acne causing bacteria. While some of these products can be bought over-the-counter, others may require the prescription of a qualified physician or dermatologist.

Apart from the conventional treatment, many people choose various home remedies to deal with acne. Natural and herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular as these usually pose less risk of side effects, particularly for sensitive skin. Some of the commonly used herbal or home remedies for acne are as follows:

• Evidence suggests that aloe vera may be effective in treating minor skin infections, burns, cuts, as well as sebaceous cysts, pimples, and acne. These therapeutic effects can be attributed to the polysaccharides, anthraquinones, mannans, and lectins that are found in aloe vera. Applying aloe vera gel on the face and other acne-affected areas may thus be helpful.

• Honey is also another remedial option that can be used for acne treatment. Honey prevents the skin from becoming too oily, as an oily skin allows for more bacteria to thrive. At the same time, it helps maintain the moisture content of the skin. You can apply honey (mixed with yogurt) directly to your face or opt for honey-based face washes.

• A homemade face wash that contains diluted apple cider vinegar is also effective for clearing up acne. Apple cider vinegar is believed to help restrict bacterial activity on account of its antiseptic properties.

• Natural home remedies for acne include the use of face packs containing fenugreek paste or cucumber. Lemon juice diluted with mint and applied on the skin keeps infection at bay. Yogurt is also effective as it prevents the skin from getting too oily and supplies ample probiotics and nutrients to the skin.

For prevention and management of acne, a lifestyle change is also beneficial. Try to exercise regularly so that the pores on your skin remain open and clear. It also helps to get sufficient rest and to avoid sleeping on your face, especially if you are prone to acne. A healthy diet is also a requisite to keep acne at bay. Lastly, engaging in stress-relieving activities helps lower stress levels, decreasing the intensity of acne.

Various acne remedies at home can be used quite easily, and the results seen are often positive, with minimal side-effects. However, it is always best to consult a dietician or dermatologist before opting for any home treatment, as overuse or contraindications with other medications and treatments are possible. It is also best if you consult a physician if the redness and pain associated with acne takes a turn for the worse and does not subside.

Acne : Home Remedies suggested by users

Diet for Acne

The relationship between certain foods and the production of acne has not been scientifically established yet. However, a diet plan for acne would include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and a sufficient intake of clean water. Almost all fruits and vegetables contain a good deal of vital minerals and vitamins. These help in keeping the skin clear as they provide the body with the necessary nutrients. In particular, vitamin A and B-complex vitamins are known to be beneficial for the skin.

Good sources of vitamin A include carrots, dark leafy vegetables, cantaloupe, red pepper, cayenne, dried apricots and herbs, as well as liver. For vitamin B, you can opt for dark leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, chicory, collard greens, and Swiss chard, as well as legumes, egg yolks, whole-grain cereals, berries, and yeast. Keep in mind that too much of anything is also bad for health; a well-balanced diet plan is key. Also, if you’re opting for vitamin supplements, then consulting a doctor is a must.

Suggestions for Acne

Adequate skin care is a requisite to keep acne development in check.

• Washing should be done gently and not more than twice or thrice a day, as frequent and strong washes irritate the skin further and this results in increased production of sebum. Pinching or pricking of the pimples also irritates the skin further and may result in scars that are difficult to get rid of.

• Although sunlight can help in drying the skin surface and making the acne look lighter, too much exposure of the skin to the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun does more harm than good.

• Shampooing your hair, especially if your hair type is oily, goes a long way in curbing the development of acne. This is because excessive oil in the skin is a breeding ground for bacteria that cause acne formation.

If you’re going through puberty, it is best to live through this phase with a deep sense of optimism rather than allowing depressing thoughts to take over. In almost all cases, acne is just a phase that you will soon outgrow. If you’re an adult with acne problems, seek medical treatment and/or opt for home and natural remedies.

Source: http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Acne.html

Facts About BHT or Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Other Toxic Chemicals Found in Chewing Gums

The Dangers of Chewing Gum

Both gum and automobile tires have in common is that they are both made from RUBBER!

If you're chewing gum today you are chewing rubber and plastic. That's right! The American people are so beat down that they are walking around chewing on rubber and plastic and think nothing about due to successful social conditioning and brainwashing.

Whereas chewing gum was originally made from tree sap (chicle from Mexican sapodilla trees), today's commercial gums don't have a trace of chicle in them.

Our modern day gums or chewing gums are made up of four major ingredients: Synthetic Rubber, Plastic, Sugar, and Coloring (dye). Modern day gums are produced from synthetic polymers, i.e. styrene-butadiene rubbers and polyvinyl acetate. The final product is composed of 60% sugar, 20% corn syrup, and only 20% actual gum material.

Did you know that nylon (as in nylon stockings) is a polymer? This should give you an idea of what you're putting into your mouth and chewing with gum.

Today's chewing gums and bubble gums are predominantly SUGAR by volume. Seventy to eighty percent of most gums on the market today are sheer vehicles for sugar, the number one drug on the planet. Just as cigarettes are a conveyor for the addictive drug 'nicotine,' so is gum for sugar.

Brief History of the Origin of Modern Gum

Modern commercial chewing gum originated in Bangor, Maine, in 1850.

In 1859, Thomas Adams of New York used "chicle," the dried latex material of the sapodilla tree of Central America to make chewing gum. Adams received a patent in 1871 for "chicle gum."

In 1885, William J. White of Cleveland, Ohio further refined and improved gum by adding corn syrup and flavoring the gum with peppermint, which was very successful.

In 1893, William Wrigley invented Juicy Fruit and Spearmint gums, greatly improving upon chewing gum.

In 1900, Frank Fleer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania placed a hard shell on gum and called in Chiclets. In 1906 Fleer would also go on to invent Bubble Gum and an employee of the Frank H. Fleer Company, Walter Diemer, would go on to invent the pink colored Double Bubble, bubble gum.

The first recorded history of mixing a gum with sugar can be traced to the Arab sugar traders who mixed the sugar with acacia, known as "gum Arabic."

There is great danger in chewing gum due to numerous toxic and poisonous chemicals used as ingredients in gum. Following are a few of the common harmful ingredient substances used in gum that makes gum harmful to human health.

Aspartame

Aspartame, a known carcinogen and the #1 brain carcinogen ever discovered by science, is a neurotoxin due to conversion into formaldehyde that is produced when aspartame reaches degrees beyond 86 degrees. It is a given or automatic for aspartame to convert into formaldehyde (embalming fluid) when inside the human body due to the natural body temperature of the human body being 98.6 degrees, ten degrees hotter than the turning point whereby aspartame converts into a neurotoxin. Aspartame in gum is absorbed by the buccal mucosa of the mouth, gums, and the tongue. According to research, because aspartame is absorbed this way, it makes aspartame a far worse poisoning than if given or injected intravenously. The aspartame goes directly into the brain by passing the spinal cord and the blood-brain barrier when it is absorbed in the mouth. The smallest amount of aspartame (like what is contained in a piece of gum) is very dangerous and damaging to the health of the body. When aspartame is ingested into the digestive tract, it breaks down into numerous other poisons. I constantly tell children that I suspect gum manufacturers use aspartame in gum as part of a nefarious plan to further dumb down American youth as well as adults. Americans, especially the youth, are chewing themselves into stupidity, dumbness, and oblivion. Through aspartame in candy, gum, and soft drinks and fluoride in the public school breakfast and lunch programs, American youth are being greatly lobotomized which prevents them from being able to critically think and to question or object to what the Rulers and social engineers are doing to people in this country, from violation of civil rights and liberties, encroachments and deprivations of constitutionally protected rights, and loss of human rights. The Orwellian society written about in the novel '1984' as well as the society Aldous Huxley wrote about in the novel 'Brave New World' is here.

WE ARE BEING DUMBED DOWN IN AMERICA ON PURPOSE! It is no accident that the average American reads, talk, and comprehends on a second grade elementary level.

Aspartame is a silent weapon and a brainwashing agent used on the masses of unconscious people in the United States as well as other countries. It should be avoided at all costs! This chemical causes a plethora of diseases and disorders:

"In 1991, I was diagnosed with an 'incurable' case of Grave's Disease, a fatal thyroid disorder, I never really had Grave's Disease but my doctors were convinced I did. I had aspartame poisoning with symptoms of 'textbook' Grave's Disease caused by aspartame saturating my foods." - Dr. Janet Starr Hull

Saccharin

Saccharin is another artificial non-nutritive sweetener and just like aspartame is a known carcinogen. But this doesn't stop it form being used as an ingredient in gum.

In 1997, the New York Times reported the following:

"WASHINGTON -- The artificial sweetener saccharin, which for 20 years has been dogged by suspicion that it causes cancer, was denied the scientific equivalent of parole Friday when a board of independent experts recommended that it remain on the government's list of suspected carcinogens." - Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Copyright 1997, The New York Times

Anything consumed that is a non-nutritive will eventually rob your body of nutrition. Like its cousin aspartame, saccharin is also a silent weapon and brainwashing agent. Saccharin should also be avoided at all costs.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup has been implicated in our modern epidemic of obesity and diabetes. It is true that people under the age of 45 are "Children of the Corn." Like Stephen King's thriller (movie) by the same name, they are reaping the consequences and dietary karma of the commercial food industry's high fructose corn syrup.

This crap (HFCS) is damn near used in everything from soda pop, bread, candy, gum, commercial fruit juices, and even meat. This crap was introduced into the American food supply as a cheap alternative to sugar. Consider the following:

"It is getting difficult to find a food product at the grocery store or McDonalds that is not loaded with HFCS. One 20-ounce bottle of Coke, Pepsi, Mt Dew, Sprite or Dr. Pepper is the equivalent of pouring 17 teaspoons of sugar straight into your body. HFCS is the leading ingredient after carbonated water in these beverages. Women who drink at least one regular soda a day are 85 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who drink less. It also leads to tooth decay."

And further,

"High Fructose Corn Syrup is found in fruit drinks like Capri Sun, Sunny Delight, Snapple, Hawaiian Punch, Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice and in most energy drinks. It is also found in chocolate drinks like Yoohoo, Arizona Tea, SoBe Beverages, cookies, ice cream, Campbell soup, Heinz Ketchup, Ragu, Aunt Jemima Syrup, Hershey's Syrup, Breyers Yogurt, Kraft Barbecue Sauce, Smucker's Preserves and some breakfast cereals.

High fructose corn syrup masquerades under the name of crystalline fructose in Glaceau Vitamin Water and some energy drinks. Naive teenagers guzzle this "poison" because they think it is good for them. Then they go on a diet and wonder why they are still gaining weight."

And further,

"Have you seen the new commercials on TV for Capri Sun? The ad suggests that Capri Sun is now healthy for you because they have added antioxidants. As long as they continue to sweeten Capri Sun with HFCS, they are lying to you. The body metabolizes high fructose corn syrup differently than sugar. It blunts the body's ability to recognize when it is full and increases a person's appetite. High Fructose Corn Syrup puts people at risk for metabolic syndrome. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Having just one of these conditions - increased blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, excess body fat around the waist or abnormal cholesterol levels - contributes to your risk of serious disease. In combination, your risk is even greater."

And lastly,

"There is a rise in uric acid in the bloodstream that occurs after fructose is consumed. The temporary spike of HFCS blocks the action of insulin, which typically regulates how body cells use and store sugar and other food nutrients for energy. If uric acid levels are frequently elevated, over time features of metabolic syndrome may develop, including high blood pressure, obesity and elevated blood cholesterol levels.

Research by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveals that high fructose diets shorten the life span of laboratory mice from the normal two years to a mere five weeks." Source: Know The Lies, "High Fructose Corn Syrup"

Color Lake Dyes

The various 'color lake' dyes, i.e. Blue Lake, Green Lake, Red Lake, and Yellow Lake are all derived petroleum and have also been classified as dangerous due to being carcinogenic (cancer causing).

Lake dyes are usually used for textile dying and are thus an industrial agent. So what is an industrial agent doing in gum that is chewed in the mouth?

I guess it really doesn't matter because Americans will consume anything.

Petroleum is derived from rocks (stones). Rocks are not food, right? Well, I guess if you use petroleum to make gum it's a food and especially if you ask the federal United States government (Congress). Believe it or not, but the federal government (Congress), U.S. citizens' collective master, actually defines chewing gum as food. Please reference the following:

(f) 1 The term "food" means (1) articles used for food or drink for man or other animals, (2) chewing gum, and (3) articles used for components of any such article. - 21 U.S.C. section 301

Now since when have the U.S. Congressional members become certified food specialists? We're in more bad shape than we think or know if we are allowing politicians to tell us what is food by defining what food is.

Gum is made from SYNTHETIC rubber and plastic and therefore cannot be assimilated by the human body nor does rubber or plastic provide essential nutrients and therefore cannot repair the body, promote growth of the body, nor maintain the human body. Therefore, gum cannot be food!

Also, the artificial sweeteners used in most commercial gums (which are 200-300times sweeter than regular sugar (sucrose)) are non-nutritive in nature, so they can't be considered food. The petroleum-based lake dyes are derived from rocks and thus also cannot be considered as food. Clearly, gum is not real food. Gum cannot be assimilated and digested by the body. It provides no essential nutrients. It does not repair the human body. It does not nourish the human body. And it does not sustain the human body. The crap is straight toxic!

BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene)

The chemical BHT is used in gums as a preservative. Remember, anything that has to be preserved is DEAD! But hey, what's the big deal, right? Aren't the majority of American citizens (U.S. subjects) the walking dead?

BHT is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, JET FUEL, RUBBER, petroleum fluid, and EMBALING FLUID. Now what does this tell you?

So in some cases we may have aspartame which converts into embalming fluid as a gum ingredient and also may have BHT which is used in embalming fluid as a gum ingredient in a particular gum brand. So Americans are being dummified and deadened at the same time. Good God almighty! As my late uncle Arthur Lee Cooper would say: Terrible, terrible situation! Or as my buddy Ahman Dolphin would say: That's horrible!

Other Sweeteners

Gums will also contain other sugars denoted be the suffix "-ose" and/or "-ol", i.e. gluc(ose), sucr(ose), dextr(ose), and fruct(ose); or, mannit(ol), sorbit(ol), malit(ol), and xylit(ol). All of these sugars are suspect. Your '-ose' ending sugars are derived from fruits and your '-ol' ending sugars are derived from grains or even wood.

Xylitol would be the safest or least harmful to use unless you can find real fructose.

Gum and Digestion

Chewing gum destroys the teeth because of the constant chewing and grinding of the teeth to chew this crap. You cannot help the teeth with the chewing of gum, be it an unhealthy kind of gum, i.e., Wrigley's, Dentyne, Double Mint, etc., or a so-called healthy kind, i.e. Peelu.

Most Americans don't have a clue that they are habitually chewing gum due to tension. They have been trained that something must always go into the mouth, that they must always be chewing or chomping down on something. Many people have an oral fixation but are totally oblivious and unconscious of this fact.

Have you noticed that in most contact sports gum is chewed? I always saw this on the playground basketball court coming up in South Los Angeles.

Most contact sports create tension due to aggression and these feelings make you grind your teeth. Contact sports such as boxing, football, and basketball are nothing but continuations of the ancient Roman gladiator fights, now carried out in state-of-the art luxury stadiums and arenas across the United States. Caesar still got us in modern times, despite all those fancy college degrees, with BREAD and CIRCUS! We are refined and sophisticated savages today cheering for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, or Detroit Redwings.

Chewing gum helps with the desire of people to continuously eat. Gum is also insalubrious in that it causes your body to produce digestive juices (hydrochloric acid) in preparation of eating solid food, though you will not be eating any solid food despite the digestive juices produced due to chewing plastic called gum. Therefore, gum is a product that helps to fool your body, just like female birth control pills. But when your 6th Chakra (Third Eye) is closed it's easy to embrace lies, because the demon (negative quality) of this chakra is LIES.

Television greatly helps to shut the Third Eye because that's what it does: Tell LIES! It's the Tell-LIE-Vision! Its function is programming - programming the mind to be exact! That's why it's called television 'programming.' If the show you're watching is the 'program', then what is being 'programmed?' Can you say: MY MIND!

Folks, contrary to popular opinion, you cannot mask foul breath with gum. Chewing gum on top of foul breath is the equivalent of spraying perfume on manure. It defeats the purpose! Foul breath is the result of a toxic and polluted colon so gum can't possibly help. This is yet another American urban dietary legend.

Also, please know that you can't whiten teeth by chewing gum, so all those brands that purport to whiten teeth while chewing or due to chewing are simply exploiting people with stained teeth whose teeth most likely became stained from drinking soda pop, drinking coffee, and/or smoking symbolic white phalluses called 'cigarettes.'

Just look at what people are unconsciously putting into their mouths today: gum, cigarettes, alcohol, meat, pharmaceutical drugs, toothpaste, and mouthwash to name a few. And we might as well add toxic and polluted penises and vaginas to the equation because there's a lot of random and indiscriminate oral sex going on today. The problem is not with these sexual acts, but the sexual organs used in these acts. They are attached to toxic people and are thus toxic, but still end up in the mouth along with all of the other toxic substances and things named above.

In closing, I am doing my best in helping people, all people regardless of race, sex, creed, and nationality, to become conscious; however, in America, we are simply hit with a barrage of attacks with toxic weaponry and agents in almost every aspect of life here in the Matrix of the United States.

The Rulers have done a masterful job on us collectively and have succeeded thus far due to making what is toxic, harmful, dangerous, and fatal to us (perhaps in the long run), fair seeming and delectable to us, to our senses.

Our eyes and sense of sight have been corrupted with billboards, advertisements, television, and magazines.

Our nose and sense of smell have been corrupted with synthetic fragrances from the likes of perfume and cologne, air fresheners (home and car), artificially flavored foods and beverages, and household cleaning supplies.

Our mouth and sense of taste have been corrupted with faux foods and beverages, toothpaste and mouthwash, cigarettes and marijuana, and sugary candies.

Our ears and sense of hearing have been corrupted with degenerate and decrepit music from the likes of heavy metal, Black gangster rap music, television and radio commercials, telephones and cell-phones, blue tooth devices, electronic hearing devices, i-pods and mp3 players and the stereo walkman before these.

Our skin and sense of touch have been corrupted with harmful skin care and body care products, synthetic fragrance oils (i.e. Egyptian Musk), mineral oil and lanoline, silicon implants and Botox injections, and painkillers.

Our genitals have become corrupted with sexually transmitted diseases, use of male and female condoms, intra-uterine devices, synthetic chemical lubricants, tampons and pads, feminine deodorant sprays and talc's, douching, vaginal creams and jellies, constant sex with numerous partners in very short periods of time, and inundation and bombardment of toxic sperm and vaginal secretions.

Public Enemy said, 'Welcome to the Terror Dome!' I say, 'Welcome to the Toxic Terror Dome!"

Folks, we can live without gum and gum chewing. It is not necessary at all. Beware of all the gimmicks to get you to chew gum to lose weight (i.e. Hoodia gum which contains the powerful African herb 'Hoodia' which is an appetite suppressant), to brighten your teeth, to cut down on or to quit smoking (i.e. gums that contain nicotine), or to combat halitosis.

And because I know it takes many people some time to make their transition to the healthy or health conscious side, if you must chew gum perhaps due to a gum or chewing addiction or fixation, purchase gum from a health food store with moderately safe ingredients, brands such as Peelu, Glee Gum, Spry, and Xylichew to name a few.

They taste pretty good and are made with far better and safer ingredients than your commercial brand gums such as Chiclets, Dentyne, Bubble Yum, Doublemint, Bubblicious, Spearmint, Juicy Fruit, Big Red, Bazooka, Big League Chew, Big Bol, Extra, Freedent, Orbit, Stride, Winterfresh, and Trident.

Commercial grade gums are nothing but conveyers for sugar and carcinogenic synthetic sweeteners.

We are chewing ourselves into abstract and astronomical stupidity and dumbness.

Thank you for reading!

This article is compliments of Dherbs.com

Read more: http://dherbs.com/articles/dangers-of-chewing-gum-244.html#ixzz1l9nLIYUl

Facts About N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide or DEET used in Mosquito Repellants

Chemical Mosquito Repellant DEET Causes Neurological Damage, Gets Absorbed Through The Skin
All over the country, people are purchasing insect repellent products made with DEET. They are spraying them on their skin, soaking their clothes in the chemicals, and even eating foods after they have spread lotions containing DEET on their bodies with their bare hands. There's little doubt that DEET is effective at repelling insects such as mosquitoes, but growing questions remain about the health consequences of using DEET.

The environmental protection agency and the CDC both state officially that DEET is not harmful when used as directed. However, this advice is based on the idea that DEET is not absorbed through the skin. This is a common myth in the medical and pharmaceutical industries -- that cosmetically-applied lotions somehow stay outside the body and don't interact with the blood stream and internal organs of the body. In fact, as any good medical researcher knows, nearly all chemicals that are placed on the skin, especially in liquid form, are eventually absorbed and enter the bloodstream. DEET is known to cause neurological damage, and once it enters the bloodstream, it makes its way to the nervous system, where it is known to cause seizures and even deaths. It can be especially harmful to children, which is why its use should be strictly limited with children.

Even the EPA says that DEET should not be frequently used -- in other words, they're saying it's okay to poison yourself just a little bit, but not too much. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one application of DEET per day for children. Once again, this is a position that says it's okay to poison your children just a little bit. The Duke University Medical Center has concluded through laboratory rat studies that long-term use of DEET kills brain neurons.

People who are interested in protecting their health, and who don't want to give themselves cancer or liver damage from products containing toxic chemicals like DEET, typically want to know what kind of products they can use as a replacement for commercial, brand-name insect repellents. One of the best products is simply soybean oil. Soybean oil insect repellants may often contain cloves, cinnamon oil or other extracts containing rather strong oils from the natural plant kingdom. These repellants do work, but certainly not as effectively as DEET.

There's no question that DEET is a highly effective insect repellant, and that's probably because its neurotoxicity extends to insects as well as human beings. If you coat your body with something that kills nerve cells, and kills anything around it, it will also cause insects and other animals to retreat. But it doesn't mean that these items should be put on your skin. If you want to avoid mosquitoes, stick with natural products and avoid products containing toxic chemicals such as DEET.

Articles Related to This Article:

•Deet Finally Exposed as Neurotoxic
•Insect repellent DEET is toxic to brain cells
•DEET chemical now being found in municipal water supplies
•Toxic Chemicals Are Destroying Our Health - an Interview With Debra Lynn Dadd
•Popular shampoos contain toxic chemicals linked to nerve damage
•The mass poisoning of humanity: an exploration of human stupidity



Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/001586.html#ixzz1l3tlJTNf

Facts About Toxic Chemicals Found in Branded Lotions and Cream

Harmful Ingredient Glossary

Toxic Name Brand Lotions

It is more harmful to put many of the following ingredients on our skin than it is to eat them? I was shocked to hear that. What I continued to learn is- if they don't coat our skin like plastic, preventing the skin from properly regenerating- they are causing anything from minor irritation to a variety of dermal diseases. these poisons and toxins are absorbed directly into our body and blood stream and stored in our fat tissues, possibly becoming cancer, changing our DNA, causing us infertility, neurotoxicity or causing an array of other medical problems- some we don't even know about or understand yet.

Lotion Secrets' LOTIONS & CREAMS ARE FREE FROM ALL OF THESE TOXINS.

The following sources led me to much of this information: MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS, COSMETICSDATABASE.COM, COSMETICSINFO.ORG and PESTICIDEINFO.ORG. I got some of the following information for this section directly from an article by "The Green Guide written by Claire Gutierrez" and will use unmarked quotes to cite each of those passages. I will use asterisks to show the passages from a health report by the UK*, there are links at the end of the glossary. There are a few other references for this section which I will name individually. *Asterisks and "quotes as well as a color change will be used to reference someone else's work. FYI- carcinogen means 'cancer causing', in case you didn't know.

Change takes time. Unless something is causing immediate danger, I don't think throwing away your entire bathroom supply of cosmetics is necessary for an adult who has been using them for years. And even when you run out and slowly start switching to less toxic alternatives, there will still be those certain things a girl, or boy, just can't live without. Moderation is the key to life. Many of these ingredients are only harmful if repeatedly used over extended periods of time. I hope you find this page useful.

"Your skin is designed to protect you from countless insults: from air pollution to murky lake water, from dirty gasoline-pump handles to staph. Skin cells provide a physical barrier, sort of like bricks and mortar, to keep the bad stuff out -- most of the time, says Francesca J. Fusco, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "The cells aren't as tightly packed as real bricks, though, which means things can squeeze by and penetrate." That's good news if you want, say, an anti aging wrinkle cream to wage war against your crow's feet or an anti-itch product to tackle that exercise-induced rash on your inner thighs. Bad news when strong chemicals meet sensitive or thin skin, cause an allergic reaction, or dangerously flood yourbloodstream." Source: cnn.com/health

• Alkyloamides- Thickening agents, emollients and emulsifiers in lotion.
  1. DEA – diethanolamides
  2. MEA – monoethanolamides
  3. TEA - triethanolamides
  4. MIPA – monoisopropanolamides
  5. PEG or ethoxylated alkyloamides
  They are manufactured by using fatty acids as the starting material. Not considered toxic, but canbecome contaminated with nitrosamines. ' Nitrosamines are considered cancer-causing. Other chemicals that can cause nitrosamine contamination are: Cocoyl Sarcosine, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Hydrolysed Animal Protein, Lauryl Sarcosine, Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate.'*
• Aluminum - Metallic element used in antiperspirants and antiseptics. Certain scientists have established links between aluminum and breast cancer. It's use in antiperspirants blocks the pores of the skin, preventing the toxins we already have from being excreted in that area. The toxins then go to the closest fat reserve: the breasts or even the brain. Some suspicions have been equally raised about it's association with Alzheimers. For some this is a hard habit to break. Tom's natural deoderant works surprisingly well, better than other deoderants. It also heals and soothes under the arms. I like the apricot scent. They also carry unscented. It's a little over $4 per stick. One stick lasts a long time. A few dollars more a month for our health is definately worth it. Arm & Hammer aluminum and paraben free deoderant also works well. It has a nice citric scent and a reasonable price. If you sweat alot, just apply twice a day. They don't leave a heavy film like antiperspirants. Please consider avoiding aluminum as much as possible. Only wear antiperspirant when absolutely necessary and avoid other products containing aluminum all together, like lotion. You may see it listed as Magnesium Aluminum Silicateor another aluminum compound . Aluminum compounds are known to be neurotoxic to humans
• Alcohol - Alcohol is the natural fermentation of sugar but should only be considered for topical use on small areas of the skin infrequently for only a handful of reasons. Otherwise, 'it strips our skin's natural acid mantle opening it up and leaving it vulnerable to bacteria, molds, viruses, carcinogens and other environmental toxins. It also severely dries and ages the skin and can be an allergen or irritant to many. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin.'*
• Aminomethyl Propanol - A buffering pH adjuster. This ingredient is considered mildly toxic. There are federal restrictions on the amount that can be used in cosmetics. There are reports of neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, endocrine distruption, ecotoxicity. It may contain harmful impurities. If nitrosamine compounds are present because of nitrosating agents, this ingredient is considered a carcinogenic, or cancer causing. (It is impossible for a comsumer to know whether nitrosamine compounds are present unless they get the product tested.)
• Animal Testing and Products - "Neither the FDA nor the US Consumer Product Safety Commission requires animal testing, and with viable alternatives such as in vitro and computer modeling, there is no need for animal testing to continue." Look for "cruelty free" labels or "no animal testing" labels, though this isn't a guarantee since there is no agency to regulate what companies put on labels.

I also always use pure vegetable products. Be careful of Glycerine. It can be manufactured naturally or synthetically. Even natural glycerine can be made from lard- animal fat. We wouldn't know what that animal was fed or if it was given any hormones. These hormones transfer to us and cause an array of problems. Look for 100% organic vegetable glycerine if you have to use it. (Glycerine makes homemade lotion very greasy though) Also, some animal fat cells, likeCollagen, are too large to pass through our skin and will just sit on top, preventing our skin from breathing and regenerating properly. And many animal products contain pesticides. Also look out for Stearoxytrimethylsilane. It is either fat from cows or sheep. Or it's from dogs or cats euthanized in animal shelters, etc. It's often a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs. Can be harsh, irritating- especially on the skin. Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hair spray, conditioners, deodorants, creams, chewing gum, food flavoring. Cholesterol is also an animal product in over the counter skin care products that may contain fat cells too large to pass through our skin, just like the cells are too large in our bodies and clogs our arteries? Have you ever seen "Fight Club"? What if the glycerine or cholesterol they are using is from human fat from liposuction clinics? If they don't label what it is, we have no way of knowing where it came from. Gelatin is also an animal product, that some people are seriously allergic to. It is a biproduct of boiling bones and joints of whatever animal is available. Elastin is another animal product. It is a protein in connective tissue that they extract from different animals and give to us.

My problem is that I like my skin. I like my genes. I don't know who these animals are, what they are eating, what hormones or chemicals they are getting and what kind of genes they have. I don't like them in my lotion. I eat them sometimes. But that is different then applying their fat cells directly onto my skin and into my system that way with all of these chemical doorways, also in the lotions and creams helping them get deeper inside.

• Borax - Someone out there decided that borax was safe and natural to use in skin care products to whiten products and prolong their shelf life. This is not true. Just because borax is a naturally occurring mineral made of boron, sodium, oxygen and water, does not mean it is safe. What's disturbing is how often it is used in baby products and how especially harmful it is for babies. It can be very irritating to sensitive skin.

It is usually considered an organic solution because borax is mined from deposits. Organic does not guarantee it's safety. Borax can also be chemically produced very inexpensively. Though this chemical compound does have a pure state, it is harder to find in organic form. Whether organic or non-organic, borax is for cleaning and pest control only. Borax is toxic and has been linked to cancer, kidney problems, reproductive difficulties and genetic birth defects in any use. Even organic borax is toxic when ingested or applied to the skin. It will also bleach skin over time and is very irritating to say the least. Used once or twice to kill lice may be necessary. Compared to store-bought lice treatment, an organic borax mixture may be less harmful in this rare circumstance. Adults use at your own risk. Keep away from eyes and skin abrasions. Borax is especially toxic to babies. Do not ever have borax near children, pets or food. Borax can be used as a pesticide in our home or herbicide in our garden or as an environmentally friendlier cleaner than most. As with any cleaning agent, pesticide or herbicide- apply responsibility and caution when using. Rinse borax thoroughly off of clothes and surfaces before coming in contact with them.

Borax-Chemical Formula: Na2B4O7

Synonyms
Sodium borate decahydrate,
Sodium tetraborate decahydrate,
Sodium biborate,
Sodium pyroborate .

Uses:
Borax is a good buffer, helping to keep the acidity or alkalinity of a solution stable.
Borax is used safely in laundry detergents, cleaning agents, weed control, pesticides and bleaches when rinsed off and kept away from food, children and pets. It releases hydrogen peroxide when it reacts with water. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a bleach, and this action is aided by the alkaline solution also produced by the reaction. The boron (along with the oxygen and salt) in a borax solution helps to disinfect by killing bacteria and fungi. Do not inhale the powder. Do not apply to skin. Do not get near eyes

• Butylated hydroxianisole (BHA)/Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)- "Synthetic antioxidant – avoid - BHT is a suspected human carcinogen. Animal studies showed BHA & BHT to cause metabolic stress, depression of growth rate, loss of weight, damage to the liver, baldness & fetal abnormalities. BHA & BHT are suspected causes of hyperactivity and behavioral disturbances in children. BHA & BHT both act as a synthetic oestrogen or xeno-oestrogen. Causes allergic contact dermatitis. Is a skin & eye irritant and slowly corrodes metals. Up to 13% of the BHT is absorbed through the skin"Source:http://www.earthtobody.ca
• Ceteareths - Potentially contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other significant health concerns. Classified as a Penetration Enhancer (not good in lotion) which alters the skin structure allowing chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin, increasing the amount of toxins that reach the bloodstream. This is not a good chemical to have in a lotion full of toxins. Also, based on the limited data on Ceteareths and the extensive data on chemically related ingredients, these ingredients should not be used on damaged skin. Much more studies need to be conducted on this ingredient before we use it any further.
• Color - (Natural colors are prettier anyway) "FD&C Blue 1 and FD&C Green 3 are carcinogenic, andFD&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5, and FC&C Yellow 6 have been shown to cause cancer when applied to the skin. Some artificial coal-tar colors contain heavy-metal impurities, including arsenic and lead, which are carcinogenic (and toxic in other ways as well). Since moisturizers lie on large areas of the skin for extended periods of time, exposures are increased." Crayons contain toxins. Food coloringcontains paraben preservatives. Remember, it is less harmful to eat the paraben preservative than it is to put it on our skin. Berries and flower petals make the best, natural colorants. Teas can be very colorful as well.
• Disodium EDTA (and it's salts) - Basically what I got from researching this ingredient is that it is toxic if you inhale it or eat it or it is absorbed into your system. So basically, stay away from products that contain it in a spray or powder and stay away from it in a lotion or cream. This toxin is cytotoxic and weakly genotoxic, but not carcinogenic. This has also shown to be a reproductive toxin.
• Distearyldimonium Chloride- Quaternary ammonium salt that is toxic to the environment. It is also harmful to the eyes of humans and animals, including water animals. It can be an irritant to eyes, skin and lungs but the most serious danger is to the eyes.
• Essential oil warning -When making skin care products, there are certain essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy because their concentrated aroma has caused blood thinning and uterine cramps and contractions:

Basil, Cedar wood, Cinnamon, Clary sage (ok during labor), Clove, Cypress (ok after 5 months), Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine (ok during labor), Juniper, Lemongrass, Myrrh, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Rose (ok during labor), Rosemary, Sweet marjoram, and Thyme.

These essential oils should be avoided if you are prone to getting seizures:

Eucalyptus, Fennel, Hyssop, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Sage, Savin, Tansy, Thuja, Turpentine and Wormwood

Please keep essential oils away from children and pets.

• Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer- Toxic to humans, including carcinogenic, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute toxicity.
• Farnesol - May cause skin irritation according to the material data safety sheet. It should not be used by people with perfume allergies. It is a natural- organic compound which is a sesquiterpene alcohol found as a colorless liquid.
• Fragrance - "Phthalates, a family of chemical plasticizers that are used in personal care products to moisturize skin and as a solvent, are almost synonymous with fragrance. Phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects, reproductive impairments, and liver damage in lab animals." In most fragrances there are over 5000 toxins and irritants causing our bodies an array of problems. Headaches, dizziness, nausea and respiratory problems are the most common. Essential oils are the best choice when it comes to making lotions and creams smell good- second to non-toxic, non-petro based fragrance oils. I use both. My labels say "99% all natural". I try to get 100% pure essential oils but sometimes I cannot find the list of ingredients on the bottle. There also may be a few drops of non-toxic fragrance oil in the mix. There is never more than 1% fragrance in my lotions and creams, typically less, about .25%. I prefer a mild scent. This is why cosmetics only list "fragrance" instead of what the fragrance is I bet: according to the Healthreport/uk web site: "Toxic gender bending chemical used as a plasticizer in food wraps and many pliable plastics and containers. Have been linked to development problems in the male genitals of humans and rats. Also used in hair sprays and some cosmetics including nail varnishes from where it is readily absorbed into the system. All 289 people in a recent test for body load of chemicals tested positive for phthalates. Phthalates are implicated with low sperm counts and also causing sexual abnormalities and deformities." An in depth article on phthalates can be found therewww.health-report.co.uk.
• Glyceryl Oleate- Toxic to humans, including carcinogenic, reproductive and developmentally toxic, neurotoxic, and acute toxicity. It is also an environmental toxin. Toxic to aquatic animals.
• Glycols - Propylene glycol is considered safe and unsafe by just as many credible people. I don't mark propylene glycol red when listing the harmful ingredients in name brand lotions. The other glycols however are recognized as more toxic "Derived from hydrocarbons, glycols are often used as humectants in moisturizers. The glycol family includes:
• propylene glycol;
• glycerin;
• ethylene glycol;
• carbitol;
• diethylene glycol.

The FDA warns that glycols can cause adverse reactions in users. A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients warns that "ethylene glycol, carbitol, and diethylene glycol are hazardous in concentrations exceeding 5%, even in preparations for use on small areas of the body" and advises that in sunscreens and lotions, which are applied all over the body, they not be used at all. Glycol ethers are often used as solvents in cosmetics. Some glycols can affect the reproductive system or cause birth defects, and overexposure can result in kidney damage and liver abnormalities. Glycols may also cause contact dermatitis. Avoid the following: EGPE, EGME, EGEE, DEGBE, PGME, DPGME; and those with methyl in their names."

• Lanolin - Though lanolin itself is natural and non-toxic, derived from the wool of sheep, any chemical used on the sheep or wool contaminates the lanolin. 'The majority of lanolin used in cosmetics is highly contaminated with organo-phosphate pesticides and insecticides.'* If you wanted to use lanolin in your own projects, make sure to order it from an organic farm that promises it doesn't use these chemicals and pesticides on their animals. And beware- most humans seem to develop an allergy to lanolin products when applied to the skin repeatedly. Especially when used in lotions and creams that don't wash off. This is especially true with the use of lanolin alcohol.
• Laureths- Almost always contaminated by the carcinogens 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide. Very dangerous.
• Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone - Both are used as antimicrobials but have shown to be skin irritants. More importantly, there is great concern that these chemicals have potential dangerous neuro-toxic effects on humans. More testing is needed. Until testing is finished and safety is certain, I personally don't think using a skin care product with either of these ingredients in it, which have such a big potential health risk, is necessary.
• Natural Preservatives - Please read the next page on natural preservatives. Those can be harmful as well if too concentrated or in the wrong combination.
• Nut Oils - I personally don't make oils for sale that contain nut oil because there are so many people with nut allergies. Also, many pediatricians are recommending that children under 3 not be exposed to nuts or nut products as much as possible, so that they do not develop an allergy. Nut oils do make wonderful lotions and creams, so definitely indulge for your own creations! Common nut oils in lotions are macadamia and shea butter.
• Oxybenzone- Organic compound used in sunscreens. Blocks UV-A rays. It comes from benzophenone which is known to attack DNA when illuminated therefore this ingredient should not be used in lotions and especially sun block. It can penetrate and photosensitize the skin. photo carcinogen.
• Petro-products -"Also of concern are common moisturizers such as mineral oil, petrolatum andceresin (wax) (better known as Vaseline, petroleum jelly, or paraffin jelly). All are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable source. it is a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil." 'It coats the skin like plastic, clogging pores and preventing it from breathing, releasing toxins and regenerating properly resulting in premature aging and other minor to major skin conditions'*. Baby oil is pure mineral oil. Almost all feminine lubrication products, which are made to go inside of women, are petroleum based. (pure apricot oil makes a wonderful, safe lubricant) Petro-based products are also horrible for tattoos. They dull the color of the and contribute to scaring as tattoos are healing because they do not allow for proper cell regeneration. Isoparaffine is synthesized from petroleum products in Japan. They claim they found no skin irritation in their testing. I still don't like it.
• Polyacrylamide - This ingredient is highly toxic. It is a possible carcinogen. Further study is needed. It is extremely irritating to the skin and respiratory system. It is environmentally toxic to the air, soil and water. It is neuro-toxic and genotoxic to humans. Toxic to animals and fish. OSHA has added a skin notation to its PEL for acrylamide, indicating that workplace dermal exposure should be controlled. It soaks into skin immediately. It has no business in lotion.
• Polyethylene- (PEG) compounds. Petroleum product. Plastic coating that prevents regeneration and is associated with pre-mature aging.
• Preservatives - "Preservatives used in skin care products ensure that the products do not become contaminated with bacteria, mold or yeast and to prevent rancidity from oxygen; however, consumers should note the choice of preservatives, since many can have adverse effects."

Parabens were created to be a chemical food preservatives. Parabens are a group of the alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and typically include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben. They cause skin irritation in some people but are tolerated by the general public. Parabens are classified as toxic chemicals when applied to the skin, especially in lotions and creams, in other major countries. There is a debate that parabens may be linked to the development of breast cancer. *According to a study published in 2004 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, parabens have been found in some tissue samples from human breast tumors. But so far the American Cancer Society will not support that this study alone means parabens are linked to breast cancer. Parabens are weakly estrogenic. Too much estrogen causes cancer in women and causes developmental problems in prepubescent boys. Some scientists say Parabens are linked to testicular cancer. This is a hot topic. But people really love there paraben preservatives. I personally find them irritating to my skin as well as a couple of my children's skin and just not worth the serious risk for us.

·          Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate- Thought to possibly present risks to human reproduction and development by reducing fertility or reducing a chance for a healthy, full-term pregnancy. Suspected to be neuro-toxic Suspected to be gastrointestinal or liver toxic.

"Some preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde, which the EPA classifies as a probable human carcinogen. Avoid the following ingredients, all of which contain formaldehyde, release formaldehyde, or break down into formaldehyde:bronopol (often listed as 2-brono-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol);diazolidinyl urea;DMDM hydantion;imidazolidinyl urea;quaternium 15." And a lot of people claim that Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is all natural. It is not. It is a chemically altered amino acid preservative. It can break down into a formaldehyde. This product is very irritating to the skin for many people, and is always irritating to the eyes. Imidazolidinyl urea and DM hydantoine (Germall Plus, Germall II and Germal 115) are toxic. (I can't believe how many "homemade", "healthy" and even "natural" products list this amongst their ingredients). They have the loosening effect of formaldehyde. They are the main cause of eczema and contact dermatitis in skin care product preservatives (according to the American Academy of Dermatology). I found this on my quest for natural preservatives: "all natural, food-grade (paraben and toxin-free) preservative consisting of: Glucono Delta-Lactone, Sodium Benzoate and Calcium Gluconate. " Though these chemicals can be naturally occurring from fruits and trees and the like... that is not where they came from. These are synthetically made food preservatives that can really irritate the skin. They do irritate many people's skin when in lotions and creams. And they are very hard to work with. They can be very hazardous if inhaled or swallowed pure or if they get into the eyes or skin or any cuts. They can also be flammable. And they will make your product only about 90% natural. They are made for food. If you can tolerate it topically, I cannot find any toxic information about them. If anyone else can- please email me. I just don't like that people try labeling things "all natural" or "naturally occurring" when they are not. These preservatives don't irritate me personally. I do purchase and use skin care products that use them as preservatives as long as they are not misleading in calling them natural because I can't find anything bad about them yet. But I won't handle them myself in my own lotion making in pure form. I have small children in the house and customers with sensitive skin.

·          Phenoxyethanol is linked to cancer and in high doses it is linked to organ damage, developmental defects, brain and nervous system effects and is a skin allergen and irritant. It is not supposed to be used on the face and there are other emerging concerns according to >cosmeticsdatabase.com <, one of my favorite web sites. If you ever have a question about an ingredient, this web site can tell you all the latest about it. This is an ingredient in a preservative called Optiphen Plus, which is sold to us homemade lotion makers. I hope no one uses too much of it or sells it to any of you!

• Recycle - Recycle, Recycle, Recycle your bottles. Please. Glass is better, but I personally find plasticcontainers easier to manage than glass, especially with my lotion. I also have children and plastic is safer. We wash and re-use our plastic containers. They seem to last forever... hence the need to recycle. Plastics do not break down. They pollute our ground and water and release toxic chemicals into our air when heated. The production of new plastics is based on supply and demand. When it is time to dispose of them, our local trash company takes clean, plastic containers for recycling. Plastics can be very useful and even save lives. Moderation and re-use here are key.
• Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment and Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment - I debated whether or not to add these to 'harmful ingredients'. These compounds have not been assessed for safety in cosmetics by the industry panel. However there is much evidence to suggest they are harmful lotion ingredients. they help penetrate the skin and bring everything else toxic in the lotion or the environment with them. Also, "Ferment" means fermentation... which is aging to the skin and, in combination with the metallic minerals zinc and magnesium, can be toxic.

Metal poisoning is serious. I would definitely be weary of any product using fermentation and metal, especially if that product opened a doorway directly into your body..

• Silicone derived emollients - "Silicone emollients are occlusive - that is they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.) Recent studies have indicated that prolonged exposure of the skin to sweat, by occlusion, causes skin irritation. Some synthetic emollients are known tumor promoters and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes. They are also non-biodegradable, causing negative environmental impact. Dimethicone,Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Cyclomethicone etc. are all silicone derived emollients. Silicone was and still is used as breast implants. Tens of thousands of women with breast implants have complained of debilitating symptoms. Anecdotal evidence indicates silicone to be toxic to the human body. For more detailed information on the dangers of silicone simply key "silicone toxicity" into the Google search engine." Source: Healthreport/uk
• Sodium Hydroxide - "A powerful alkali used in industry for cleaning drains and pipe lines also used in oven cleaners. Workers exposed to steam containing sodium hydroxide have suffered lung damage and an increased risk of throat cancer. Used in toothpastes and as a pH adjuster in skin creams. Causes contact dermatitis and may sensitize individuals to other chemicals.

From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED. CAUSES BURNS TO ANY AREA OF CONTACT. REACTS WITH WATER, ACIDS AND OTHER MATERIALS

Skin Contact:
Corrosive! Contact with skin can cause irritation or severe burns and scarring with greater exposures.

Chronic Exposure: 
Prolonged contact with dilute solutions has a destructive effect upon tissue.

Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance." Source: Healthreport/uk

• SPF - "Moisturizers with SPF offer protection from the sun's harmful rays, but some sunscreens come with risky side effects. For instance:
• Benzophenones (benzophenone-3, homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)have shown estrogenic activity in lab tests.
• Padimate-O and Parsol 1789 are chemicals that have the potential to damage DNA when illuminated with sunlight.

On the skin's surface, the chemicals do protect from UV damage, but once absorbed, these same chemicals can prove destructive. Dr. Knowland, a biochemist at Oxford University, has studied both of the chemicals mentioned above and warns, "DNA damage inflicted by an excited sunscreen is much less capable of being repaired by naturally occurring repair mechanisms than the DNA damage inflicted by UV alone." Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are effective sun blocks that rest on the skin without being absorbed. Look for moisturizers with SPF that use these active ingredients, or use a moisturizer in combination with a sun block."

• Talc - Used especially as baby powder and in deodorant and antiperspirant products. Long term use can produce the same effects as long term exposure to asbestos. It is mined from the same place as asbestos. It is a carcinogen. It irritates the respiratory system, especially in infants. Talc particles have been found in tumors of female patients who use products with talc in them regularly on their undergarments or pads to absorb moisture.

·                     Triethanolamine - Skin irritant, skin sensitizer, eye irritant, resporitory irritant, asthma trigger, moderate evidence human immune system toxin, limited evidence human carcinogen, limited evidence organ toxin. These findings are especially evident in products meant to be left on and soaked into the skin instead of washed off, like moisturizers.

"According to the US agency that regulates cosmetics—the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors—"a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from the FDA". Testing of product ingredients is not only controlled by the manufacturers but is also voluntary. Not surprisingly then, many ingredients in cosmetics, skin care products, and other personal-care products are not tested for safety at all, and most have not been evaluated for safety by the FDA. This means that companies can market ingredients that are known to pose potentially serious health risks, including some found in moisturizers" (which are the most dangerous place for them because moisturizers are designed to soak into the skin without being washed off).

Please women- don't use any of these hazardous ingredients internally as lubrication of the feminine area or even externally to keep that area dry, especially repeatedly. Don't self medicate an already irritated area. Women are open and vulnerable in the feminine region. (Again, clean apricot kernel oil makes a wonderful, safe lubricant- for women and men and can be found inexpensively at your local grocery store.) Most doctors recommend against using feminine powders, douches, creams and other over the counter "feminine hygiene" products of the like, because women are open down there. Females even have to be careful of the type of soap used in that region. These products can be extremely harmful.

(Quoted text in "Harmful Ingredients" is from an Article by The Green Guide written by Claire Gutierrez- http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/08-09/safe-skin-care-article.htm(unless otherwise stated) Please visit the web site for more information. )

*I have listed harmful ingredients found mainly in store bought lotions and creams. For a more detailed report of the toxins in all of our cosmetics and skin care products please visit http://www.health-report.co.uk/ingredients-directory.htm*

Source: http://lotionsecrets.com/glossaryharmful.html