Beauty and the Beast

I love beauty products.  From make-up to moisturizer, I have always been a sucker for anything that promised me shinier lips, smoother skin or stronger hair.  So you can imagine my dismay when I began learning all the not-so-nice ingredients that go into many of these products, even the "natural" and "organic" ones.    Certain chemicals that we lather on to our bodies everyday have been linked to cancer, neurologic problems, auto-immune conditions and hormone disruption.  Yikes! Luckily, the fine folks at the Environmental Working Group have put together Skin Deep a database of cosmetic products that rates their safety on a scale of 0 - 10.  Go and look up the products you use everyday and start switching them out for safer, less-toxic alternatives.

Personally, I have recently fallen in love with the Denver-based Moondance Botanicals.  They handcraft amazingly effective products from organic and seasonal ingredients that are good enough (and safe enough) to eat.  Not a paraben or phthalate to be found.  If you are lucky enough to be a local, stop by the store and organize an affordable spa party for you and your friends.  Everyone else can get in on the action on-line.   My new motto is "Don't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't put in your mouth."

Anyone know of a tasty mascara?

In health,

Dr. Caitlin