OXYBENZONE - THROW OUT YOUR PRODUCTS WITH IT!

Hello Friends,
Oxybenzone = bad stuff. Lately, I have been doing a bit of research about oxybenzone. The following is a description of the possible negative health consequences of oxybenzone. I think the most disarming point is that oxybenzone can cause cell damage. Using sunscreen is to protect our skin from cell damage, so why would we want to use a product that causes cell damage? DUH. It seems I am reading more and more of these articles recently.

So I removed and threw away all my sunscreens and moisturizers with oxybenzone and purchased new ones without oxybenzone. Usually that ingredient is replaced with titanium dioxide or zinc ozide. However, don't be confused by similar words such as Octocrylene or octinoxate or octisalate. It's Oxybenzone I am referring to, but I can see and hear how all these words sound similar.

The above three products are ones I use now, all of which do not have oxybenzone: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Emulsion SPF 15, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defense for Face SPF 50, and Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40.

Read the following and tell me if you want that ingredient on your skin?



Oxybenzone is a chemical in the family of benzophenones that is used in the vast majority of common sunscreens, as well as other skincare products, lip balm, etc. It is in the majority of sunscreens because of its ability to absorb and dissipate UV light, which causes sunburn and eventually skin cancers. Ideally, the chemical would simply sit on the skin and block sun rays until being washed off. Unfortunately, a study from the CDC suggests that the chemical is actually absorbed into our system, and can stay there for an unknown amount of time. The CDC randomly tested thousands of blood samples and found traces of benzophenones in 95 percent of the samples. It is certainly a scary thought that this chemical is being absorbed into our systems and causing unknown effects.

Currently, there are no studies showing a direct relationship between oxybenzone in sunscreen and negative health consequences. However, there is evidence that benzophenones can cause damage to cells and affect hormones in a lab setting. This means that if you expose animal cells to oxybenzone in a lab, you may see toxic effects. The caveat is that this does not always translate into cellular damage in the real world, usually because the concentration of the substance is much higher in lab studies. Many commonly used substances have been shown to cause cancer in rats, most famously the artificial sweetener aspartame.

LIPS, LIPS, LIPS

Hello Friends,
I am a lipstick, lip gloss, lip product junkie. I have a huge basket in my bathroom filled with lipsticks, glosses, balms. You name it; it's in there. I can't seem to refuse a good lip product, especially one that promises to hydrate my lips.
Here are two Aveda products that I adore and use repeatedly. As I have described, I have tried many other lipsticks and lip glosses, but I return to these two products most frequently.

I want a lip product to hydrate and add color, but most importantly - hydration is my goal. Sometimes I want total color and I will go to one of my other products, but the next day, I will need a healthy dose of moisture to pamper my lips. I have tried lip stains and they dry out my lips. I have tried high end lipsticks and the same thing happens. Lips that are parched and rough. UGLY!

I highly recommend these two Aveda products. As you can see, one is more of a lipstick and the other is a gloss. I use each separately and every now and then, I'll use the gloss over the lipstick or another manufacturer's lipstick.

I am really interested in purchasing more colors. . .stop, stop, stop. I don't need any more lip glosses, but the colors are so beautiful. I have the raspberry lip gloss and it is extremely natural. But don't you think I need a pop of color. . .for those special occasions. . .maybe just one more. . . .
2012 is another year of paring down. Less is more. I get positively unsettled with too much stuff around so no, no, no, but lip glosses are so small and one more, just one more.

Be strong, Cookie. Ageless goddesses know that more stuff isn't essential to being a goddess.

To be satisfied with a little, is the greatest wisdom; and he that increaseth his riches, increaseth his cares; but a contented mind is a hidden treasure, and trouble findeth it not.

~Akhenaton
Happy New Year!
Cooooookie

Hello Friends,
As you may have read, I lost my beloved pet, Marcel on Labor Day. The hole in my heart was so huge. I had planned to wait for a bit to get a new puppy since no one could take Marcel's place, but when checking the breeder's web site, I noticed that Gus, Petou's father, had produced a new litter with Diamond. A half brother for Petou???
Impulsively I connected with our wonderful breeder at Pine State Poodles and selected the little guy above at eight weeks of age.

We changed his names three times; he spent one week in Maine, saw a ton of snow, traveled the east coast stopping in hotels, retirement villages, relatives homes and college campuses. He was a big hit at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. He slept in the car for hours on end as we moved from state to state. He landed at his new home and fell in love with the backyard and the beach.

He has learned how to ring the bell to go outside, and rings it constantly. He has many toys as he loves to play, loves his big brother and enjoys being in his crate for some quiet time.

He is playful, cuddles, and is gentle sometimes. We are working on the gentle part.

I still miss Marcel more than I can express, but Popcorn has helped to heal the wounds. He is not Marcel, nor would I want him to be, but he is special nonetheless. Having a puppy takes a lot of work, but he is bringing so much joy to this household.

An ageless goddess knows that giving love is the best remedy for a broken heart.
Cooooookie