Winter 2015
Along with winter’s chill comes the dreaded dry skin. Itchy, flaky, I miss the sun, skin.
What you need to know before you lather up is that what you put on your body is just as significant as what you put in your body. Your skin is the largest organ and since it is porous, it absorbs whatever you put on it.
“A study published in the American Journal of Public Health looked into the skin’s absorption rates of chemicals found in drinking water. It showed that the skin absorbed an average of 64% of total contaminant dosage.Other studies found the face to be several times more permeable than broad body surfaces and an absorption rate of 100% for underarms and genitalia. And another peer-reviewed study showed 100% absorption for fragrance ingredients.“
Let’s take a look at a common product you may be using…
Vaseline Intensive Care Dry Skin Lotion
Ingredients from packaging: Active Ingredient: Ethylhexyl P-Methoxycinnamate (Spf 5). Other Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Glycol Stearate, Sunflower Seed Oil, Soya Sterol, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Tea, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Fragrance, Carbomer, Stearamide Amp, Corn Oil, Methylparaben, Dmdm Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Disodium Edta, Pg, Bht, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow No. 10.
Now, take a look at a local option with very few ingredients…
Heirloom Botanicals Herbal Moisturizing Cream -Earth-
Jojoba Oil, Organic Herbal Infusion (Calendula, Rosemary, Lavender, Rose Hips, Hibiscus,) Organic Rosemary Infused Olive Oil, Organic Lavender & Rose Geranium Infused Sunflower Oil, Organic Calendula Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Cocoa Butter, Beeswax, Borax, GSE, Essential Oil Blend.
Clearly, you can see the difference.
Personally, we’ve been using Heirloom Botanicals products for a few years now and even more so in the past year. Jamie Helper, owner and skin care magician, has done a great job crafting her line of small batch, artisan skincare products. Our personal favorites are Earth Moisturizing Cream, Lavender Mint Lip Balm, the Cocoa Butter Bar and the Honey Face Wash. Come check her out at the Callicoon Farmers’ Market…
We were really excited when Hudson Valley Skincare reached out to us and sent a wonderful array of products to try…soap, conditioner, face cream, hand cream, foot cream, lip treatment, face scrub and more! What a fantastic treat 🙂
Hudson Valley Skincare specializes in farm-to-face, as they source honey, maple, goats milk, beer and oats (found in many of their products) from area farms. Everything is freshly made in small batches ensuring a fresh, quality driven product. Here’s a quick video to check out. Their Better Butter is great for dry, chapped hands and their Goat-to-Goats Milk Face Scrub is a pleasant treat to the face.
Earthly Remedies by Erin was also kind enough to send a sample of her hand and face cream. Erin offers everything from mouthwash to deodorant, baby’s butt cream to pet care products. One of the coolest things she has created is her Earthly Remedies CSA share.
Overall, each of these local/regional skincare companies has quality products that are a way better option than anything you’ll find in a big-box store or at a pharmacy. Small companies, making small batches with ingredients that won’t leave you carrying a toxic load. All three ship directly to your door for easy access too.
So, treat your skin well. Your body will have less toxins to process leaving you with better health and less to worry about.
Check out the safety of products you use. Visit the Environmental Working Group’s website Skin Deep. All you need is a replacement with less toxicity – you’ll find one, just search.
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