Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Hair Care

 

Since going natural, I am much more aware of what goes into the bottles I am using. Sadly, this means I am throwing away most of my old products. But I am finally figuring out which ingredients strengthen & moisturize my hair, as well as which ones are destroying my precious locks.

THE PROBLEM: How are we supposed to avoid nasty ingredients if we don't know how to recognize them! Reading the ingredients label on the back of a bottle is like reading Icelandic (The Worlds' Hardest Language To Learn).
       *IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS

It may sound exhausting reading the label of every bottle you own (It does to me!) But all you have to do is find a brand that claims their products are free of these chemicals and check for the bad ingredients yourself. Once you find a brand that you can trust, it's easy to rid yourself of your old products!

Soak up the knowledge with my researched list of The Most Dangerous Ingredients To Avoid!


#1)   Parabens
This is number one on my list for a reason!! Recent studies have shown Parabens are heavily linked to breast cancer. They are inexpensive preservatives that are used for their antimicrobial properties and to prolong the shelf life of products.  Parabens are known to interfere with hormones within your body. They are not only detrimental to human health, but also destructive to animal hormones and development.

What to look for on the label:
Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben and Ethylparaben


#2)   Sulfates
Sulfates (SLS, SLES) are chemicals found in floor cleaners, and other cleaning products for their foaming/lathering properties. Sulfates strip the hair of it's natural oils that are essential to hair growth. SLS is a harsh detergent that strips color from your hair over time, leaving the hair dull, lifeless and brittle.

What to look for on the label:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Xylene Sulfonate,
TEA Lauryl Sulfate, Sulfur (in dandruff shampoos), Selenium Sulfide (in dandruff shampoos)


#3)   Ureas
Ureas are synthetic ingredients added to hair products for their antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties and are used in the production of many other products, such as teeth whiteners, baked goods and cigarettes(I need to find out which baked goods!!). I also found that these ingredients emit formaldehyde when heated above 10 degrees (not sure if it's Celsius or Fahrenheit!). Formaldehyde is a big no no, being  a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing) ingredient.

What to look for on the label:
Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea


#4)   Phthalates
Phthalate is a common ingredient found in hair products that should be avoided due to their ability to disrupt the human endocrine system, possible link to cancer, and link to birth defects. Phthalates are "plasticizers": substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. This ingredient is the hardest to avoid. Phthalates are used in the ingredient listing, ‘Fragrance.’ Because companies are not required to disclose what is in their fragrance, you may never know the exposure levels of phthalates in the products you are using.

What to look for on the label:
Most common will be Fragrance/Parfum,
Dimethyl phthalate, Diethyl phthalate, Diallyl phthalate


#5)   Petrochemicals
Petrochemicals are chemicals made from crude oil and natural gas. Initially it will leave your skin feeling smooth; however, it traps in toxins and keeps oxygen out. Petrochemicals and their byproducts, such as dioxin, are known to cause many serious health problems, including cancer and interferences with hormones within your body, which affects growth, development, intelligence, and reproduction.

What to look for on the label:
 PVP/VA Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Lanolin, Paraffin



Time to practice!
Can you spot the nasty ingredients in the label? Go ahead, feel smart.

What are in YOUR hair products?
Miranda

Best-Kept Secret: Bend Soap Co.

Bend Soap Company

Alrighty... So the Second product I switched over to after deciding to go All natural (the first being Coconut Oil), was Bend Soap Company. Oh my heavenly heaven! I know about this amazing brand because it is owned and crafted by my very own First Cousins Once-Removed, the Fabulous Dwight and Marilee Johnson. My mother has the gift basket (pictured above) and I might have stolen all of it from her for my own enjoyment. Hehe. I messaged my lovely cousin the second I fell in love (which was another second after first using it) and raved to her about their fabulous Soap.

WHY IT'S SO AMAZING: It's primary ingredient is Goat Milk and does not contain any chemicals or genetically modified substances... Finally! COMPLETELY ALL NATURAL

Bend Soap Co. Was Born!
Dwight & Marilee formulated their Soon-To-Be-Famous-Everywhere Soap after trying to relieve their sons Eczema. They couldn't find anything that worked so they created their own!! Friends and family caught wind of the recipe and wanted a taste (not literally) TADA!

Family owned and crafted, their motto became (appropriately): "If we won't put it on our children, we won't put it in our soap." - Dwight Johnson, Bend Soap Company Founder, Father of 7

Bend Soap Company's 4 Pillars of Rejuvenating Skin Care are:
1. Goat Milk
2. Coconut Oil (*Sigh*You can tell we are family)
3. Olive Oil
4. Palm Oil

What I found in this Soap...
I love the way it makes my skin feels! I smell fresh and clean all day- Even after sweating. I use the goat milk Soap on my face in the mornings and at night as part of my daily routine. It NEVER dries out my skin, like most faces washes do, and clears my skin of blemishes (BONUS!)

I use the Pure N' Natural Bar on my face but my favorite natural scent (So Far) is the Eucalyptus Spearmint--- To DIE For!

I also love using the goat milk lotion (YES THEY HAVE MORE THAN JUST SOAP)
I put it on my arms and legs just before I climb into bed
   * Taking a break from my Coconut Oil so my sheets don't get oily!

I am so excited for their new products that are in the works and have yet to try the Milk Bath in a Bag but can't wait to use it!! Go check out the website and  place your first order with them NOW! and follow Marilee and the Family's Bend Soap Company Blog for updates on new products!

Ta Ta For Now,
Miranda

 

The Neverending Uses of Coconut Oil!

You've probably heard TONS of amazing things about Coconut Oil (my friends and family have heard my spiel a dozen times!) BUT, like many, you probably haven't been drawn into the hype of it. Well let me help you fix that! Coconut Oil is a miracle. No really. I don't even know where it comes from (Lies, of course) !

I buy my Coconut Oil at Costco in a two pack of 42 fl oz (Its Huge) for $20 to $30... I can't remember (Cuz honestly I don't care how much it costs lol) Newbies might want to start at a smaller size.

WHY IT'S SO AMAZING: I have yet to discover a product like Coconut Oil that can be used on your body, that is both safe to eat & safe on open wounds AND improves the way you look and feel.

I have compiled my top 12 favorite uses! I am completely obsessed with it and will never stop finding ways to use it further... here ya go:

#12) Mouth Wash: YES! Kills bacteria in your mouth for a fresher breath

#11) Bath Soak: Melt 1 cup or as preferred and add to a hot bath... Relaxation time.

#10) Body Scrub: Combine with a tsp of Baking Soda and Voila! makes your skin so soft!

#9) Make-Up Remover: put a small amount on a cotton ball and you have a gentle makeup remover that takes off even the toughest water-proof mascara! Just rinse with warm water for more ease of removal.

#8) Healing Agent: Apply to minor scrapes and cuts for protection against dust, bacteria and viruses

#7) Lip Balm: Apply to Lips for silky smoothness BONUS! It's safe to eat!

#6) Kitchen Must-Have: Replaces butter (1 to 1 Ratio) and oil! and can be used as a pan greaser (Won't Burn do to it's high smoke and boiling point!) Great for Popcorn and Gluten Free Recipes.

#5) Split-End Hair Treatment: For ALL ladies (and some Gents). Rub a small amount in your hands and work through hair to spruce up the dead ends. WARNING a little goes a long way.

#4) Leave-In Conditioner: Apply a small (don't use too much) amount to your hands and massage into bottom half of Towel Dried hair. Dry hair as usual.

#3) Overnight Conditioner: Massage palm-ful into hair to leave over night and wash out with hot water in the morning. You can also apply a more generous amount and rinse out after 20 minutes up to a couple of hours.

#2) Smooth and Shine Up Hair: Either before or after your styling, add a bit of shine to your hair by gently massaging the tiniest amount to your dry hair. Be careful not to add to much, it can look greasy.

and my All-Time Favorite use:
#1) Your New Favorite Moisturizer: I apply it to my entire body right after I shower so I'm nice and clean! I also like to apply it to my face just before my makeup. You smell great, you're skin feels smoother, it's great for all skin types AND it provides natural UV protection (Disclaimer: The actual SPF is still up for debate so make sure to protect against UV rays accordingly)

Helpful? Let me know what your favorite uses are! I would love to hear new ones or your thoughts on the ones I've shared!

Post again soon XO's,
Miranda