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On Grooming: 4 Products You Should Live Without
Posted by Marisa Belger on April 26, 2006 - 9:48pm.
files/images/prod/1361/nailpolish.jpg

In the push towards natural beauty some things will inevitably get left behind. As we seek to clear our shelves of the lotions and potions that are more toxic than beautifying, these four should definitely get the boot:

Nail Polish: The bad news is that most conventional nail polishes contain dibutyl phthalates, strong chemicals that help polish stay blended and dry evenly. These toxins can be inhaled or absorbed through the nail. Either way, they are endocrine disruptors and can disturb hormonal balance. The good news is that nails look just as lovely when simply cleaned and buffed.

Anti-bacterial Soap: If you haven't already heard, anti-bacterial soap can do more harm than good. While the soap eliminates bad bacteria it takes the good stuff with it too. And to stay healthy the body needs to be continually exposed to everyday bacteria. Another concern is that the rampant use of anti-bacterial soap can lead to strong and more resistant strains of bacteria. Plain old soap and hot water work just as well.

Alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy lotion: These lotions are prized for their ability to reverse the signs of aging. What they're really doing is zapping dead tissue and exposing new, vulnerable skin. This can lead to a greater chance of sunburn, which in turn can increase the risk of skin cancer. Be sure to look for lotions with no AHAs or BHAs and apply suncreen daily.

Antiperspirant: I'm a stickler about this one. The body sweats for a reason and blocking the process with aluminum-ridden antiperspirants is unnecessary and dangerous. There are shelves of non-toxic deodorants available for your sweet-scented pleasure that pose no risk of aluminum entering the bloodstream - which may be linked to Alzheimer's disease.

[via Delicious Living]

Image: ennispharmacy.com



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<em>kat</em>'s picture
no more painted toes?
by kat on April 27, 2006 - 7:46am
I gave up all that other stuff, but nail polish? I knew it was bad (you just have to smell it!), but painting my toenails is my sole attempt at self adornment...guess I'll have to rethink that. And just in time for sandal season, too. Guess there's a good reason why Aveda doesn't sell nail polish. Oh well! Maybe some entrepreneurial type will figure out a way to make a natural nail polish...
<em>fbalmer</em>'s picture
Whole Body sells Natural Nailpolish...
by fbalmer on April 27, 2006 - 8:42am
I'm not sure if that means it excludes the nasty chemicals, but predictably, it's got a lousy texture and takes forever to dry, so my guess is that it does.
<em>kat</em>'s picture
thanks, Freyja!
by kat on April 28, 2006 - 1:48am
I'm willing to put up with lousy texture and slow drying, if the colors are any good. Will check it out.
<em>Anonymous</em>'s picture
So then what should we use?
by Anonymous on April 29, 2006 - 6:45am
This is helpful info but now I don't know what to use instead. I'm not interested (and neither are my co-workers) in me being smelly and spreading germs. Can you recommend products that I can safely use?
<em>Anonymous</em>'s picture
tell me about a deodorant that really works first
by Anonymous on May 1, 2006 - 9:22am
I can say okay to no to nail polish, anti-bacterial soap and to AHBH lotions, but deodorant? I've read recommendations and tried on all kinds of deodorants, including Burt's Bees herbal deodorant which was recommended on this site. None have worked even remotely as well as an anti-perspirant. If someone knows of one that really works, I'll switch.
<em>Anonymous</em>'s picture
natural nail polish
by Anonymous on September 4, 2006 - 10:05am

I discovered a water based nail polish.  The company is Honeybee Garden and Suncoat.  They dry quickly and last a long time.  One has its own remover and the other uses rubbing alcohol to remove the polish.  They also come it lots of colors. 

Crystal Fairie


<em>LorenMojo</em>'s picture
Polish and B.O.
by LorenMojo on April 28, 2008 - 2:43pm

Yea those natural nail polishes are cool .

To the person who was talking about the deodorant.

Anti-Persperant & Deordorant are two COMPLETELY different things.

Anti-Persperant if you break down the words, does just that . Stops you from perpiring by using chemicals such as aluminium. It might not be cute or attractive but humans are SUPPOSED to sweat. It's another way our bodies naturally detoxifies themselves. Now this is where Deordorant comes in. Deordarant inhibits odors and/or make your sweat smell better! Just like how your body naturally has to use the restroom ... sweat is another necessary evil!

 Anti-perspirant keeps you from detoxifying your body through sweat. So these products all do what they claim on both sides.

 I recommend Tom's of Maine DEODORANT which allows you to sweat but you won't smell bad. Just like you find ways around other unavoidable things... you might want to try and find a way around sweat ! :-)


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