The way we look is a direct result of what we put into our bodies. The food we eat and the beauty products we use every day greatly affect our health and appearance.

Unfortunately, most of common beauty products are full of preservatives, toxins, and sometimes poisons and carcinogens. These are put in our makeup, face wash, shampoo and hairspray in order to give them a longer shelf life so the company makes a profit. In order to be a healthy consumer, we must make conscious choices at the beauty counter by choosing organic and natural beauty products and supplements.

Don't let fancy advertising fool you. Most of the beauty products you see on television and in magazines are targeted towards our insecurities to make us think we need their product to look younger, sexier, and thinner. Most of these products actually end up causing what they claim to prevent because of all the preservatives and toxins in the product! When we use these products on our hair, skin or nails we are putting these toxic sometimes carcinogenic substances directly into our bloodstream!

The cosmetics industry is the least regulated industry under the jurisdiction of the FDA. This means that we have to be cautious and aware of the products we are using. Go to your local health foods store and purchase products that are certified organic. Be careful- even some organic products contain hidden toxins and preservatives so it is important to read those labels carefully. When you make conscious choices, your hair, skin, nails and body will be on their way to being beautiful and vibrant; the way nature intended!

Read Your Labels:
If your soap, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotions or make-up contain any of these ingredients, get rid of them:

Parabens: (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl): These preservatives are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries that are linked to breast cancer! The E.P.A. has found that they interfere with your body's endocrine system: your hypothalamus, your ovaries, and your thyroid

Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea: Preservatives used in cosmetics that release formaldehyde and cause dermatitis.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Popular skin exfoliating acids which compromise the skins protective functions and possibly even alter the natural biorhythms of the skin with long term use.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Literally a poison that causes eye irritation, scalp irritation, and tangled hair.

Diethanolamine/Triethanolamine: Causes dryness of hair and skin, and when mixed with certain chemicals, becomes carcinogenic.

Propylene/Butylene Glycol: The main ingredient in antifreeze. Need I say more?

Synthetic Colors and Dyes: Cancer-causing toxins that often lead to skin allergies, and a whole other host of problems. Most dyes are not regulated by the government and many have been linked to allergic reactions, skin rashes, hyperactivity and asthma.

Give your Makeup A Makeover!
The skin is the body's largest organ. Toxins exit our bodies through our skin. Lotions and powders may soften and smooth the skin temporarily, but they eventually end up inhibiting the health of our skin by weighing it down and causing it to sag and age.

Anything we put on our skin is absorbed right into our bloodstream. This goes for our face makeup as well. Make sure your makeup is mineral-based and free of chemicals, preservatives and dyes. Chemicals in your makeup not only go directly into your body but also clog your pores and cause premature aging.

Choose all-natural mineral-based makeup. Mineral-based makeup contains all-natural elements from the earth broken down into tiny particles so they can be easily absorbed into our skin. These natural minerals contain skin-healing properties and give us that youthful "glow."

Spare Your Hair:
Typical hair care products are full of toxic chemicals and preservatives. Celebrity stylist Chaz Dean says using regular shampoos on your hair is like using laundry detergent on your hair. "And what happens when you use laundry detergent to wash your clothes? The fabrics break down and fall apart. Your hair is doing the same thing. These harsh detergents are stripping your hair, robbing your hair and it's becoming finer, thinner and weaker. So it's not you, it's what you have been doing to your hair."

Be sure to read your labels. Buy only certified organic hair products and you will reclaim those lustrous locks!

Beautiful Supplements:
You can also add some great supplements to your diet to improve your health and well-being:

Borage Oil: Also known as Evening Primrose Oil, Borage Oil restores moisture to dry/damaged skin. It can provide relief for chronic skin-care problems such as eczema or acne.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants have numerous health and beauty benefits including diminishing cellulite, increasing metabolism, and keeping your skin youthful and hair soft and vibrant. You can get antioxidants from antioxidant rich foods such as fruits and vegetables and liquids such as teas and juices.

Spirulina: A blue-green algae with more protein than soy, more iron than beef and more vitamin A than carrots. Spirulina is the ultimate anti-aging food especially good for healthy eyes and strong vision because of its beta-carotene content.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C protects your skin from free radicals, boosts immunity, treats and prevents colds, and aids in collagen production. Use organic face and body products with vitamin C for clearer, more radiant skin.

Wheat Grass : Full of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, wheat grass juice is a powerful body cleanser with multiple healing properties. The chlorophyll in wheat grass cleanses and rebuilds the bloodstream and combats toxins. Wheat grass can help with skin problems such as eczema and sun spots.

Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful supllement that fights free radicals, stimulates tissue regeneration and has anti-aging properties.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental factors, benefits your cardiovascular system and prevents the breakdown of your body's tissue.

Just remember that everything you put in or on your body affects you- inside and out. Making informed choices will lead to a more vibrant, healthy and of course beautiful life!