Friday, April 16, 2010

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! my hormones!

No, no - it's NOT that time of the month.... NO, no - it's not a zit..... Well, then, what provoked that shriek, you ask? Well, last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration acknowledged that triclosan--the ingredient in everything from your cutest skivvies to cosmetics to toothpaste and antibacterial soaps--may pose a health risk. Specifically it may mess with your hormones, contributing to endocrine disorders (which impacts everything from fertility to metabolism) and may be the cause of increased resistance to lifesaving antibiotics. Disturbing fact of the day: Triclosan is so ubiquitous, in fact, that it's found in the urine of 75 percent of the population. So, it has taken Beauty Wonkette a bit of time to calm down as Beauty Wonkette is very sensitive about anybody messing with her hormones and / or endocrine glands!

Of course, the FDA is not telling us to ditch our triclosan-laced products just yet. They emphasize that they are reviewing the existing science--mainly animal studies--and will report back in spring 2011. That's a year away!

Beauty Wonkette is not going to be a freak about it (at least not any more of a freak than usual). AND, Beauty Wonkette loves her current lip gloss so much that the FDA will have to pry it from her cold, dead hands. But, Beauty Wonkette now considers herself officially done with antibacterial products and is going to make an effort to look at labels.

We live in a relatively germophobic society, but lathering up with antibacterial soaps isn't necessary--a solid 20 to 30 seconds of hand-washing with good old-fashioned soap is just as effective (and, as a bonus, it won't give you dry granny hands the way anti-bac products do).

Beauty Wonkette loves that The Body Shop, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's sell only triclosan-free products.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Beauty Wonkette Celebrates Spring with a Zingy Peppermint Facial


Beauty Wonkette adores Spring. Maybe it's the bright sunshine, the cherry blossoms, the azaleas.... Whatever the reason, Spring is a time when everything feels new and energized and it is a fabulous time to give yourself an at home facial. Facials at home can be SUCH a relaxing experience, and something to look forward to after a day of Spring cleaning (you guessed it - Beauty Wonkette HATES housecleaning :( ). Once thought of as indulgences, today, facials are largely considered to be an essential part of a healthy skincare regime.

And why not? Facials can increase natural cellular regeneration by aiding in faster skin cell renewal and help make your skin healthy and vibrant. The use of exfoliating, extracting and hydrating helps remove daily impurities to reveal the skin’s natural state. Not only will you look better, you'll FEEL better.

And, as their popularity has increased, facials have evolved from the dull, old steaming and extracting routine to experiences where science, technology and even exotic foods (not to mention BIRD POOP.....lol) are combined to give your skin the ultimate clean-up.

While researching facials Beauty Wonkette came across an interesting peppermint facial scrub that she just had to try. It's easy to do, and requires a few simple ingredients. What caught BW's eye was the fact that this uses peppermint leaves, a leaf known for its medicinal properties. Chock full of Vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, inositol, niacin, and iron, this leaf is great for the helping the complexion. Usually associated with trying to naturally remedy acne, it has been used for more than 200 years for treating all kinds of skin diseases. And, even if you don't grow your own (just so happens that Beauty Wonkette does), peppermint leaves are very easy to find.

Soooo my fellow Beauty Wonkettes, here goes - just follow these easy peasy steps:

* Blend 1/4 cup dried peppermint leaves with 1 cup oatmeal (REAL oatmeal - NOT instant).
* Mix in a food processor or blender to form a coarse, dry mix.
* Put into a well-sealed jar and use a handful to rub onto wet, cleansed face and neck for a quick facial scrub.
* Add just enough water to make a thin paste.
* Stay away from the eye area. Rinse with cool water.

Enjoy!

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