I had so much talking to Ron and Lisa on their Healthy Home Hacks podcast this past week that I decided that two lucky listeners should win clean beauty bundles from Authentic Skin Remedies. Enter the sweepstakes here. One lucky listener will win an Armpit Cleanse valued at $80.00. This is essential before you ditch your toxic brand for a safe and natural deodorant. One more lucky listener will win an Acne Detox Kit valued at $158.00. That’s a total of over $238.00 worth of clean, green, cruelty-free, and vegan skincare goodies.
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As a 14-year survivor of stage 3 neuroendocrine cancer and busy mom of 5, I am so proud to share my story with Ron and Lisa from the Healthy Home Hacks podcast! Click on the image to access.
When I discovered my cancer had strong environmental origins, I began asking a lot of questions especially of the beauty cosmetics industry: ‘Why should a lipstick contain lead? Should a foaming cleanser release formaldehyde? And, why is the cosmetics industry the least regulated in the United States, with no laws requiring the FDA to monitor the ingredients of cosmetics?’ Frustrated by the lack of truth in beauty products and instead of wasting boatloads of money on plastic tubes filled with carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and empty promises, I took beauty into my own hands, figuratively and literally. The result? A fully transparent, high-end, natural, plant-based skincare line that’s good for the earth and your skin. Tune into the podcast as I share: resources to help check ingredients of your personal care products, how to read labels and what to avoid, and the most shocking animal by-products commonly found in beauty items. As a follow on to my chat with Ron and Lisa from the Healthy Home Hack blog - episode #31: From Cancer to Clean Beauty: A Mom’s Fearless Journey - I tackle a hidden danger found in antiperspirants, aluminum, in addition to other nasty ingredients including chemicals and preservatives that can disrupt hormones, are linked to cancer, and can negatively affect organ functions. Tune in as I share why antiperspirants are the PITS and why it’s vital to implement an armpit cleanse before making the switch to natural deodorant. We could not be more excited to launch Authentic Skin Remedies’ organic, oil-based personal lubricant! Now everyone can Glide into fun and pleasure without having to worry about the health risks that go with toxic chemicals. Yes, I said everyone – lube enhances the sex lives of women and men! It’s true, over 65% of women report using personal lubricant, and we tend to associate the word with vaginal dryness brought on by menopause. But the truth is lube is for so much more, and the statistics bear it out. According to the National Survey of Sexual Behavior and Health, 70 percent of all men have used lubricant in the past year, saying it made sex more fun and comfortable. Non-toxic lubes protect men’s health, too In last week’s blog we talked about the real concerns surrounding pH balance and endocrine disruptors for women choosing a personal lubricant. But did you know the same concerns go for male bodies as well? The truth is, male bodies are also affected by conventional lubricants and chemical ingredients left unregulated by the FDA. Parabens are easily absorbed by the penis and anus - and have been shown to have anti-testosterone properties. That’s no small concern, when you consider the implications include reduced sperm count and motility, and a possible rise in prostate cancer. Here at Authentic Skin Remedies, our passion for non-toxic, organic and plant-based products has never been limited by any demographic, including one’s gender. Everyone deserves truly healthy choices when it comes to their personal care products. And everyone deserves to feel beautiful and sexy! That’s why we’re so proud to launch Glide at an event all about beauty, glamour and what it really means to be authentically you! Glide launches at the Miss Gay America Nevada Pageant! It really couldn’t be a more fabulous fit. Authentic Skin Remedies is looking forward to sponsoring the 2018 Miss Gay Nevada America Pageant at the Downtown Grand in Las Vegas on April 27! This pageant has a long history in the art form of female impersonation. Now in its 46thyear, the prestigious pageant demands talent, creativity, glamour and authenticity – no body augmentation below the neck allowed. This event is all about beauty and the personal expression of one’s sexiness, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to attend as a sponsor. Authentic Skin Remedies knows that Glide can enhance fun and pleasure for every beautiful body out there because it’s made from plant-based essential oils. Did you know oil-based lubricants are known for a silky smooth experience and help sex last longer because they don’t dry out quickly? This lube can be safely used with any non-latex condom, and Glide provides an aphrodisiac bonus from the essential lavender oil! But don’t just read about it. We hope you’ll join us for the launch of Glide at Miss Gay Nevada America, and we hope you’ll try Glide for yourself. Let’s celebrate beauty, pleasure, and fun. That’s authentically sexy! It’s no secret that Authentic Skin Remedies is fueled by passion. As a lover of beauty products and a cancer survivor, it’s my mission to develop skin care products that are free of toxic chemicals. I want you to look and feel beautiful while protecting your health. And this got me thinking: if you’re choosing non-toxic products for your skin, why not do the same for all products that go into your body? Yes, this time it’s personal. But the word authentic wouldn’t be in our name if we weren’t willing to go there. It’s time to look at what’s in your lube. Why the ingredients in your lubricant matter Like most of your skin care products, the ingredients in your personal lubricant are not regulated by the FDA. That means many of the same toxins will pop up in most lubricants too. Why does this matter? The first thing to remember, if you’re born biologically female, is that the vagina is a mucous membrane with thin, permeable walls. Chemicals are easily absorbed there. So, what are the chemicals commonly found in lubricants? For starters:
What is a safe, non-toxic personal lubricant? According to none other than the World Health Organization, a couple of things are really important in a lubricant. First, it should mimic your body’s pH levels. Conventional lubricants disrupt your pH levels which can lead to bacterial overgrowth. And it should have what they call “osmolality levels below 1200,”which is the scientific way of saying the lubricant should only add moisture – not block your body’s ability to make it in the first place! Okay, you might be thinking, how do I make sure of that? We’ve been thinking about that here at Authentic Skin Remedies, too. One thing we do know is that if something is nourishing and safe to eat, it’s safe to apply to your body. What’s more, a truly nourishing and organic ingredient will embrace your body’s natural processes. We see that the same principles we’ve applied to our beauty products can apply to your personal lubricant. It is possible to use toxin-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free ingredients and reap amazing results. In fact, you could say we’re pretty passionate about it. Announcing Authentic Skin Remedies’ Glide I’m so excited to announce we are making a safe, non-toxic personal lubricant available later this month. Glide relies on a blend of essential oils to enhance your body’s own natural lubrication. Protecting your health while ensuring you enjoy yourself? That’s authentically sexy. And I can’t wait to tell you more – so stay tuned! If you’re anything like me right now, you’re looking over holiday shopping lists and looking for the best deals…without sacrificing quality. Hand creams, body lotions, and beauty products are definitely popular this time of year. I’ve got to admit, it’s hard to resist all the sparkly holiday packaging. But do we take for granted that the product is as great as it looks? It’s important to look a little deeper Somewhere on that cute box of lotions is a label. When you read it, do you see ingredients you can recognize? Or do you see things like methylparaben...formaldehyde…petroleum? They say it’s the thought that counts, so let’s think about this for a minute. A gift of beauty products is one your loved ones will use every day. Not only that, it’s one they’ll use on the skin. The largest organ in our bodies. We’re not used to thinking of it that way, but it’s true. The skin is always hard at work. It stands between you and the chemicals you come across every day. Your skin shields you from disease and has its own protective oils to carry toxins away from your bloodstream. Just because it’s on the shelf doesn’t mean it belongs in the stocking So what happens when you slather your skin in products full of harsh chemicals and carcinogens? For starters, they strip your skin of the very protective oils it needs. Come on, you might be saying. They wouldn’t be able to just sell that, would they? Sadly, the cosmetics industry is the least regulated in the United States. There are no laws requiring the FDA to monitor what goes into these products. The European Union has banned over 1,000 of these ingredients for use in cosmetics due to concerns over links to reproductive problems, cancer and birth defects. In the U.S., that number is just ten. You’re empowered to make better choices Authentic Skin Remedies exists to offer you and your loved ones a high-quality alternative. You don’t have to settle for unacceptable risks to your health. Authentic Skin Remedies’ ingredients are organic, plant-based, and toxin-free. We are stocked with luxurious creams, masks, and more that support your skin’s work to protect your health. Not to mention they make you look, feel, and smell fabulous. And what could be better than that? How will you make your holiday shopping count this year? When I started this journey with Authentic Skin Remedies, I thought a lot about what “clean” means for our skin and for beauty products. As the body’s largest organ, our skin is really our shelter, and keeping it clean means more than washing up and making it look good – it means keeping it as free of damaging chemicals as possible. As I researched that idea of clean, it clicked on another level too. What about the homes that shelter us and the ways we keep them clean? Just reading the labels of household cleaning products, from toilet bowl cleaners, dishwashing detergents, window and glass cleaner, you name it – the list of toxins like isopropanol, phosphates, something called 5-dimethyldantoin popped up. What good is this brand of clean if it comes with corrosive, dangerous chemicals? According to a chart published by the Cleveland Clinic, common household cleaners can cause severe problems for our nervous and circulatory systems, corrode and burn our skin, and cause cancer, just to name a few of the risks we take using those products. It might seem daunting at first to change the way we clean our homes. But I’ve found some simple and cheap solutions that clean my home and keep it smelling fresh! I’m talking about baking soda, lemons, vinegar, and a spray bottle. That’s it! And you can really clean your whole house. Here are some excellent tips from the myhealthygreenfamily blog that I like to refer to:
Check out some more resources at EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning and let’s keep our homes safe and clean for our bodies. I bet you’ve got some great green cleaning tips too, and I’d love to hear them in the comments section below! Did you know we are exposed to toxic chemicals known to be cancer-causing compounds on a daily basis? And I’m not just talking just about industrial chemicals used in factories around the world. So many of the products we buy—from carpets to furniture, household cleaning products to perfumes and of course beauty products—can all contain harmful carcinogens. We need to be more aware of what is harmful for our bodies in order to better protect ourselves and our families.
Take a look at what the Environmental Working Group (EWG) uncovered in their latest research about pollution in our bodies caused by chemicals. According to EWG, “The ubiquity of chemicals in modern life means we cannot eliminate exposure, but we have some control through our consumer choices…” and “Reducing exposures to carcinogens, whether through regulation or personal choices, can have important health benefits.” I’d love to hear your thoughts on these research findings. It’s an involved but interesting read! While you’re at it You should also check out their shopping tips for safer beauty products. And start making the choice to ensure what you put on your body is toxic free. As I began planning the relaunch of the Authentic Skin Remedies website late last year, I initially thought I should distance my cancer story from my skin care products. I wanted the products to stand on their own as a healthy, organic choice for skin care beauty that works. I quickly realized that my personal connection to Authentic Skin – protecting our bodies from harmful chemicals and environmental factors – is my passion. And this is why Authentic Skin Remedies exists, and why I am so happy to share my products and my story with my friends, family and customers. Over the years, I’ve researched, studied and analyzed everything possible about healthy living. I do not consider myself an expert by any means. But I feel what I know and share could help inform choices that are good for you and your families. So here goes! While what we put on our bodies has been a huge focus of mine, I think the best place to start is with what we put in our bodies. So let’s kick this off with food! Organic food is now mainstream and for good reason. But cost is a big consideration – it’s expensive to maintain an all-organic diet. One of my go-to grocery lists (thanks to my friends at Fully Raw) for fruits and veggies is the Dirty Dozen. The top most pesticide contaminated fruits and veggies out there. Don’t eliminate these from your diet but try to buy the organic versions if at all possible: Fruits: Apples, Grapes, Nectarines, Peaches, Strawberries and Blueberries Veggies: Celery, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Spinach, Sweet Bell Peppers And then there is the Clean 15 list – thanks again to Fully Raw. These are the top fruits and veggies that, on average, contain the lowest amount of toxins. Save money by buying the non-organic versions and always rinse well before you eat or cook: Fruits: Pineapple, Mango, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Honeydew Melon, Watermelon Veggies: Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn (watch for GMO), Sweet Peas, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes What do you buy that’s organic? I’d love to know and share your ‘must-have’ organic foods. How do you manage the high cost of buying organic foods? Please add your comments and feedback below and let’s discuss! |
About AmyWhen our founder – cancer survivor Amy Kearnan – discovered how toxic most beauty products really are, she spoke up and took action. Learn more. Archives
March 2021
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