Friday 16 March 2012

Product Replacement Therapy - Live!

Almost three years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I dived head first into researching and informing myself about every possible cure and contributory factor, no matter how insane. 

Once I'd calmed down a bit, I realised that there were about five areas where I could make fundamental changes in my lifestyle that would improve my outcome and, ultimately, my life. These were: 
1. diet
2. exercise
3. spiritual practices
4. getting and giving help
5. possibly the most tricky - beauty products. 

When I began to find out about toxic ingredients in my everyday cosmetics I was deeply confused. In fact, I did not want to know. It all seemed like too much information. I had other things to worry about. Yet the seed had been planted... Gradually, I began to understand what some of the issues are, what the alternatives are, which products actually work and where to get them. As my studies unfolded I became more and more horrified by what I learned. Over time I have replaced every single expensive lotion and potion in my bathroom with a safe - and superior - alternative. And, I promise you I do not miss those old 'friends' at all. 

You too may be concerned about what’s in your beauty products – yet feel overwhelmed at the prospect of digesting all this confusing technical information about ingredients, carcinogens, hormone disruptors and the rest. 

Do not despair – Product Replacement Therapy is here to help (see point 4, above).

Just tell us which beauty product you can’t live without and we will suggest a fabulous non-toxic alternative that will soon become your new must-have.

Leave a comment below or tweet your product to @itsjessyjones with the hashtag #PRT.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello, your blog is amazing....I Love beauty products so am naturally interested in what you write about some skin products being harmful and full of chemicals etc...however, it is as you write...so much information to take in and digest, so overwhelming. I often find that I make a mental note to only buy natural products, but then end up buying my normal skin creams. It's hard to make the full commitment, even though somewhere in the back of my mind I do feel uneasy about what it is that I'm putting on my skin.
One thing that inhibits me from buying natural, organic skincare is the cost. It seems to be quite hard to find a decent organic skincare regime that is affordable. If there is a range out there is a range out there I'd love to hear about it.
I guess I don't mind paying £20 for a moisturiser, for example, as that's what I'd pay for Boots No 7 Protect & Perfect. I'd like to find a natural range that is anti aging and doesn't cost a bomb...
Thanks

canalily said...

The most excellent and proven anti-ageing ingredient that I have come across is rose hip seed oil. This is different to the scented rosa damascene oil. Rose hip seed oil is bright orange in colour and has no scent at all. It's not cheap but the trick is to mix 3-4 drops in with your regular moisturiser. That way you benefit from the humectant properties of the moisturiser as well as the restorative properties of the oil. When using oils always go for those that are raw and cold-pressed. Heating and chemical extraction alter the molecular structures of the oils.

Pai do a lovely rose hip seed oil : http://bit.ly/qMcSA7

As do The Organic Pharmacy: http://bit.ly/wn5U8U

I love Pai Avocado and Jojoba Organic moisturiser: http://bit.ly/xuEdFR

but if you're looking for something cheaper try Barefoot Botanicals SOS Face & Body Rescue Cream: http://bit.ly/FOaif4

Jan said...

Hello!
I'm looking for a invisible, lightweight, non-greasy, non-toxic/organic SPF 30+ facial sunscreen that can be worn under makeup..phew!

And thanks for the tip on the Pai rosehip oil.
Thanking yu

canalily said...

Aaaargh sunscreen. This is one of the most gnarly subjects in beauty. Before I make a recommendation, there are a few things to know, briefly:

1. SPF refers only to the product's ability to filter UVB rays. UVB is implicated in basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. UVB also causes sunburn.

2. To filter UVA rays we need a 'broad spectrum' sunscreen. UVA is implicated in DNA damage leading to malignant melanomas and does not cause visible sunburn.

3. The SPF scale is held to be so misleading that in Australia, the home of sunscreens, products may only be labelled to an upper limit of SPF30.

4. Sunscreen must be applied throughout the day in order to be effective. There is no such thing as 'all day protection'.

5. Many chemical sunscreens are not only toxic to humans they also cause a great deal of damage to marine environments. A common chemical sunscreen is Oxybenzone, but new ones are being developed all the time and they are largely untested.

6. The most effective, non toxic physical sunscreen (as opposed to chemical) is Zinc Oxide, closely followed by Titanium Dioxide. These are the minerals that make you look white. Therefore, manufacturers finely grind or 'micronise' the ZO to make it appear less white on the skin. This leads to another hazard: nano particles - particles so small that they can be absorbed through the skin. There has been almost no research into the long-term health effects of nano particles. Avoid anything that uses the terms 'nano' or 'micronised'.

I use Green People SPF15 with tan accelerator. It is very light. http://bit.ly/r2VNTS

For greater protection in high summer, I use Green People No Scent Sun Lotion SPF 25. http://bit.ly/GW384C

Gil Lederman said...

Your blog is too much interesting.Definitely some of the cosmetics of low price effect on the skin and cause of cancer and other diseases. So its better do not use the cosmetics so often. Excess of every thing is dangerous.

canalily said...

Hi Gil,

There's lots more info at The Chemo Chic Project: www.chemochic.org. Please come and have a look.

Jenny Lo said...

My hair is thinner, Im getting a bit worried..

Jen

Joan Collier said...

Hair loss is not good especially for women ;(

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