Sweet Cheeks: Love, Naturally…

Sweet Cheeks: Love, Naturally…: "I know I told you the next post would be about a “shampoo” that you could make yourself, and I do promise that I will get that up tomorrow..."

Love, Naturally…

I know I told you the next post would be about a “shampoo” that you could make yourself, and I do promise that I will get that up tomorrow. However, this blog is not just about beauty and skin care. Really, for me, it is about how to get back to the best parts of life. Again, for me, I think that is getting a back to a more natural way of living, but it may mean something a bit different for you.

Either way, today the kids were being…I don’t even have the right word that wouldn’t make me sound like a bad mom. Twits come to mind, but I would never use that to describe my sweet little angels ;) It was gorgeous out, but all they wanted to do is fight. I wanted to be outside and certainly wanted them out soaking up the special glory that are the first peaks of spring. Sigh. However, my little [angels], had another agenda and I could not for the life of me figure out what it was or how to make us all happy. Exasperated I left them outside and went inside. Even more frustratingly, they followed. Grrrr.

Then Tristan sparked on an idea. He asked if tomorrow was Valentines, and then Jillian, asked to make a “special card for her friends, “ and finally we found something to settle into. I even made my own for my hot husband. Glitter flew, paint spilled, every window was open and the stereo was turned up just a little louder than normal…and it was perfect.

And truly to me, these are the most special acts of love I could ask for. The kaleidoscope of color, the sparkly brilliance, the honest intent...

True Love.

The Ugly Truth About the “Beauty” Industry

Image by sm. caruso

So I bet the last time you went the store and bought your shampoo…or maybe your babies, you felt good about your purchase. You felt safe. I mean after all, it is a national brand carried by a national store. Right? Thank god the industry is regulated. We could live in China. Then who knows, we could have lead in our shampoo.

Thank god, right? Wrong. Dead wrong. At this point my industry is NOT regulated. At all. You know what that means. That means I could bottle up sour milk and tell you it is the cure all for acne. Ick right. That also means I could put an ingredient that contains lead in that baby shampoo and, well, who’s to know!

Scary. Perhaps you are thinking, that wouldn’t happen, companies can’t mislabel in the U.S. Wrong. I, without a doubt can bottle something and put “All Natural” and “Organic” on the label and it be neither. What is stopping me? I am not regulated. But the label “ organic” is regulated, right? Yes, but only when it comes to food.

But my baby shampoo is so mild it doesn’t even make my babies eyes tear when it gets in. How harmful can that be. Hmmm. Did you ever think to ask why? Why would getting foreign matter in your eye not make your eye do what it is intended to, protect itself. By tearing. I never did frankly. Turns out, companies actually put an ingredient in baby shampoos that numbs the eyes so it won’t tear. Great, I guess, except for the fact, that that is what your eye needs to do to flush out that stuff that should be burning if your baby could feel it. Hmmm.


So how do you know what to do?

What you put ON your body goes IN your body. The skin is the largest organ after all so everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your body and processed by your liver. So, just like with the food you eat, you should read the labels. What do you look for? First let’s start with what to look for and avoid:

Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea:
Known to cause dermatitis.


Parabens - there are different Parabens but all end in Paraben (ex, ethylparaben). At the least they are irritants, but some are toxic. You will find them in most skin care products and are used as a preservative.

Stearelkonium chlorideToxin and irritant.


Sodium Laurel Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate
An allergen, irritant and some concern over toxicity.

Petrolatum-Petroleum jelly There is evidence that supports the use of this positively and evidence that indicates that this actually leaches moisture from your skin. I will take a neutral stance on that, but ask… at the end of the day is a petroleum product the BEST thing you feel you can put on your skin? No. Than why do it.


Phthalates (Dibutyl and Diethyl):
An ingredient typically used in hair spray, nail polish and some fragrances as a plasticizers providing flexibility. Considered high hazard on Skin Deep for it's various potential health problems.

Propylene Glycol PEG and PPG
Allergen

Diethanolamine, Triethanolamine (TEA, DEA):
These are irritants and possibly toxic.


PVP PVA copolymers toxic when inhaled



The reality is that alone none of these are probably that big of an issue. However think of how many, shampoo, soaps, lotions, cosmetics, detergents, deodorants, hair care products you use. Daily. It all adds up and overloads our body and our babies. And it is making us sick. So try a little detox. In your lotions and potions look for ingredients you know (olive oil, shea butter, coco butter, jojoba oil, sugar, salt, vitamin E). Read the labels and avoid the above, for shampoos, soaps and body washes. You might be surprised if you stop using the harsh cleansers that your skin will calm and you may not need to moisturize 5 times a day anymore. Just think what you can do with the extra time ;)

So next post stay tuned for the best shampoo, I have ever used… AND you can do it yourself. Really…


Also check out this great link for more information on this and what you can do to bring about change.

http://www.youtube.com/v/pfq000AF1i8&hl=en_US&fs=1″%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam




Keeping it Natural,


Sweet Cheeks

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Sweet Cheeks: Chapped Lips and How to Treat Them Naturally

Sweet Cheeks: Chapped Lips and How to Treat Them Naturally: "Tis the season of the cracked dry lips. So we are going to tackle the issue of dry lips and treatment. First the causes: Chapped lips are c..."

Chapped Lips and How to Treat Them Naturally

Tis the season of the cracked dry lips. So we are going to tackle the issue of dry lips and treatment.
First the causes:
Chapped lips are caused because the oil produced by our bodies to protect our skin is absent. It is likely due to the cold dry air, or wind. Moisture on our skin evaporating can also cause it, which is why licking your lips is about the worst thing you can do when they feel dry. Ironically it is our instinct to lick them!
As with most things, it is always better to prevent it if possible. To prevent it, you want to establish a layer between your skin and the elements. Get a high quality natural lip balm. Beeswax, jojoba, coco butter, and vitamin E are all good quality ingredients to look for. Another inexpensive but highly effective way to prevent chapped lips it to use lanoline.

If you get chapped lips, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. I would actually put your moisturizer (of if you have a butter, even better!) right on your lips. Most people buck at this when I tell them this. It always cracks me up. Do you think your skin ends at your lips? Your lips are skin! If your cheeks got chapped wouldn’t you put moisturizer on them? If you are using a moisturizer that you are afraid to get in your mouth…switch. There is isn’t anything I think you should put on your largest organ that you wouldn’t put in your body. Just this gal opinion! Wait a couple of minutes after putting on the moisturizer and than put lanoline or your lip balm on top. Do this as often as you can and you should notice relief in 36 hours.

Sweet Cheeks Face Products

Sweet Cheeks: Bumping Elbows

Sweet Cheeks: Bumping Elbows: "Sweet Cheeks was thrilled to be contacted by VH-1 Save the Music and asked to provide one of our products to be added to the celebrity swag..."

Bumping Elbows

Sweet Cheeks was thrilled to be contacted by VH-1 Save the Music and asked to provide one of our products to be added to the celebrity swag bags for their Battle of the Bands.  I know!  We thought was pretty cool too.  So I wanted to share some pictures with you. Wish us luck!!

Here are the photos Sweet Cheeks Swag Photos

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