Natural Bath & Body Products are made without added chemicals and toxins. They gently cleanse, nourish, moisturize and protect hair & skin.** They also work to:
- Support wholesome cleansing.**
- Promote glossy, silky-soft hair.**
- Support clear, glowing skin.**
What are Natural Bath & Body Products?
Hair and skin face an uphill battle: Every day, they’re exposed to environmental stressors such as humidity, wind and sun, all of which have a drying, damaging effect that may exacerbate the natural effects of aging. Non-natural Bath & Body products contribute yet another factor that damages hair and skin while speeding the aging process: Chemicals and synthetic ingredients. Most people use more than 20 of these products each day, potentially exposing themselves to hundreds of chemicals on a regular basis.**
The FDA has only evaluated the health and safety implications of about 11 percent of the more-than 10,500 chemicals commonly used in non-natural personal care products. Over time, these chemicals build up in the body, creating a cumulative effect that’s known as a toxic load or body burden. Toxins commonly found in non-natural personal care products include carcinogens such as acrylamide, petroleum distillates, formaldehyde -- often used in shampoos -- and phthalates, often used in scented products. Chemicals that disrupt the body’s hormone balance -- also known as endocrine disruptors -- include lead, a known neurotoxin that’s found in many hair care products, and hydantoin DMDM, a common ingredient in conditioners and children’s hair de-tanglers.**
Additional common synthetic personal care ingredients DEA, MEA and TEA are used in shampoos, soaps, body washes and other foaming products. These chemicals have been linked to edema, or skin inflammation caused by fluid retention, as well as respiratory and skin irritation. Similarly, propylene glycol, a common additive in shampoo and conditions, has been found to irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system.**
Undesirable health consequences aside, exposure to these chemicals may also lead to dry, damaged skin and brittle, dull hair. As skin and hair ages and experiences oxidative damage, it undergoes a number of natural changes such as thinning, shifts in pigmentation, and loss of moisture. These effects appear to be exacerbated by chemical exposure.**
As consumers learn about the damaging effects of synthetic personal care products, more are turning to personal care products derived from natural ingredients. Natural shampoos, conditioners and cleansers supply emollients that nourish and moisturize hair and skin, such as jojoba and coconut. Natural cleansers contain ingredients such as bentonite clay and pine tar that gently remove impurities without stripping moisture for clear, smooth skin. As an added benefit, natural products are easy on the environment, too – both during the manufacturing process and when being washed down the drain.**
Some of the most popular Bath & Body products include:
- Pine Tar Bar Soap: Pine tar soap has long been used to soothe irritated, itchy and dry skin. Derived from the sap and wood of the slash or longleaf pine, this natural substance contains fatty acids and oils that calm skin without drying. Studies indicate that pine tar bar soap helps reduce breakouts and acne and help maintain clear, health skin.**
- Bentonite Clay Powder: For hundreds of years, traditional healers have prized bentonite clay powder for its soothing, healing properties. Named for the ancient volcanic region near Fort Benton, Wyoming, where the clay – actually volcanic ash -- is found, research shows that this clay attracts and absorbs skin impurities through a process known as cation exchange. Negatively charged ions found in the clay draw out positively charged ions in the skin, capturing toxins and dirt and removing it from pores.**
- Natural Shampoos: Natural shampoos gently cleanse hair without stripping the body’s natural protective oils. Many contain ingredients such as biotin or vitamin H. The body needs this water-soluble vitamin to maintain healthy hair and skin; studies indicate that biotin helps strengthen dry, thinning and brittle hair. Coconut-based shampoos deliver natural emollients that penetrate the hair shaft. Studies indicate that coconut oil contains rich concentrations of lauric acid, a beneficial fatty acid that helps the hair retain essential proteins, thereby minimizing breakage.**
- Natural Conditioners: Like natural shampoos, natural conditions add moisture to hair without adding toxins, while smoothing cuticles along hair shafts. These activities help promote shiny hair that is easy to comb. Common ingredients in natural conditioners include coconut oil, biotin, and natural emollients such as avocado, shea butter, honey, argan oil and olive oil, all of which help lock moisture into the hair shaft, keeping it smooth and supple.**
- Massage Oils: Natural massage oils add moisture back to skin, while delivering powerful antioxidants that protect against damage from free radicals. Massage oils are usually based on carrier, or neutral, oils such as sweet almond coconut, olive, sesame and sunflower oil. Many oils contain jojoba, a plant that’s been found to speed wound healing, soothe inflammation, and provide a layer of protection from UV rays. Other common ingredients include botanical essential oils that add fragrance, such as lavender, and vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that fights the effects of oxidative damage and aging.**
Natural Bath & Body Products
Bath & Body products are available for topical use in a range of forma, including cream, lotion, bar soap, liquid soap, oil, powder, shampoo or conditioner.**
Natural Bath & Body Products Directions for Use
Bath & Body products supply varying amounts of active nutrients, so there is no set dosage. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting supplementation.**
