Beauty is more than just skin deep

I am very vain when it comes to hair and skin care. At any given time I would be using 2 or 3 brands of lotion, 1-2 kinds of facial moisturizer, various conditioners, hair spas and shampoos not to mention soaps that I fancy. (maarte talaga!)

LOL! When I was around 11 or 12 I remember my Tita Chibi (thats aunt for you in english) said that I was too dark. So I bought the then popular and only cheap alternative that I could find to lighten my skin: C.Y. Gabriel WonderSoap!

HALA! SIGE! Babad sa banyo, to dry the soap on my skin. I had delusions of being fair skinned after 12 days. NGEK...wala pala. Wa epek. (Believe me Likas Papaya soap made my skin lighter after just 3 days! Di lang pang tinola pang skin pa!)

When I got into the environmental movement and I worked for the organization Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), I was made aware of the possible and proven carcinogenic ingredients of most of the popular brands of shampoos, lotions, perfume, hairspray, deodorants, make-up and the whole lot out on the market. This included Jergens, Clairol, L'Oreal, Hugo Boss, St. Ives to name a few.

For those of you who would like to check out the whole listing please go to this link:

http://www.nottoopretty.org

This website lists US, European, China, India and Korean products that would have phthalates (thats the toxic ingredient that they put thats carcinogenic)

Also this website explains how the chemicals got to your body:

http://www.chemicalbodyburden.org/

So what to do? There are alternatives to us vain people!


Virgin Coconut Oil-rub it at night and use as an all over body and facial lotion and when you wake up WOW your skin is very very soft. No need to put on moisturizer in the morning!

Oat meal-great oil absorber... mix 1/4 cup oatmeal with water till its a little like pasty, something that you can spread on your face. Then put on your face and let it dry complately. Works really well with oily complexions. Tightens your skin afterwards


Yoghurt and honey-another great moisturizer. mix the two together and rub on your face.


Cucumber-cool cucumber slices on your eyes to get rid of the eyebags in the morning.


Okra-great intestine cleaner. If youre having a hard time doing no. 2 (like I do sometimes), this is a great bowel mover.


Apple-mashed apple works great on burns. First degree burns tho. I tried this when I was scalded with hot water on my hands.

Well, here are just some stuff that I remember.
I will try to remember the other alternatives that I use.

So guys, if you still want to look good and be environmentally conscious and health conscious at the same time, try these "kitchen cosmetics".