Toxic Free! Homemade Body Cream

There are so many products on the market that boast hydration, healing, and aroma therapy, but little do you know there are chemical toxins in these products that affect your overall health.

For years, I’ve used over the counter lotions and creams. I’ve known since I was very young that it was important to hydrate your skin, to avoid dryness, and other skin problems. However, I wasn’t aware that manufacturers are knowingly using chemicals in these products that affect our health and promote the development of cancers and damage DNA and disrupt thyroid function.

Today, I’m going to share about a few of these chemicals and encourage you to do your own research on the products you use daily if any of them contain any of them. Plus, I will share a natural healthy body cream, that will provide you with the hydration and overall skin health you want.

First, here are 7 chemicals that you should watch out for in over the counter body cream and lotions that are being sold today!

Vaseline

• Vaseline is a petroleum derivative and belongs to the family of mineral oils. While prohibited in foods, it’s allowed in cosmetics. These oils may contain residues, such as MOAHs and MOSHs.

• MOAHs can act as a genotoxic carcinogen, which promote the development of cancers and damage DNA

• MOSHs, can accumulate in your body, particularly in your lymph nodes and liver and they can cause inflammatory reactions.

• A study showed that these two residues are present in half of all tested lip balms.

• These oils should be avoided, especially with the risk of ingestion, such as lip balms and lipstick. The effects could be especially concerning because they are never fully eliminated once ingested.

BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)

• This hazardous chemical has shown endocrine disruptive effects, particularly on thyroid function. It may also have effects on the sex hormones and may affect fertility and development.

Propylparaben

• Parabens are used as preservative agents due to their antibacterial and antifungal properties

• Propylparaben is classified as an endocrine disruptor that may exhibit estrogenic (i.e. it may contribute to the development of estrogen-dependent tumors and thus certain breast cancers)

• This agent is prohibited from use in leave-on products applied to the diaper area of children under the age of 3.

Butylparaben

• Butylparaben is classified as an endocrine disruptor. It has an effect on the thyroid hormones and may lead to fertility problems.

• Studies have found a significant link between the presence of butylparaben in men being seen for infertility and altered sperm DNA.

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate

• This UV filer is an endocrine disruptor.

• Research has shown in vivo estrogen disruption (female hormones) and impaired thyroid function

Phenoxyethanol

• Phenoxyethanol is used primarily as a preservative. It is regulated, and its concentration cannot exceed 1% of the finished product. Some studies indicate toxic effect on blood and liver.

• It is also suspected to have effects on the hormones and fertility.

Paraffinum liquidum

• This is a mineral oil produced by oil refining process.

• MOAHs can act as a genotoxic carcinogen, which promote the development of cancers and damage DNA

• MOSHs, can accumulate in your body, particularly in your lymph nodes and liver and they can cause inflammatory reactions.

• A study showed that these two residues are present in half of all tested lip balms.

• These oils should be avoided, especially with the risk of ingestion, such as lip balms and lipstick. The effects could be especially concerning because they are never fully eliminated once ingested.

Many of the products we use today have one or two of the above chemicals, which totally shocks me. It’s no wonder the increase in thyroid conditions, infertility and cancers exist in the overall population today.

If you’d like to learn more about this, get better educated and find alternate products that do not contain these chemicals listed, download Yuka app, and begin living a more natural healthier life. To learn more behind the creators of Yuka, click here.

In the meantime, I promised to share a natural healthy body cream that is fantastic!

Here’s all you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup organic coconut oil

• 1/2 cup shea butter

• Your favorite essential oil – I’ve used frankincense, orange or peppermint.

Measure out a 1/2 cup of the organic coconut oil and shea butter.

Place in a small sauce pan to melt both butters together.

Allow to cool, refrigerate for 30 minutes or so, until it’s slightly hardened. It’ll be opaque in color, but not too hard.

Once it's cooled and is hardened, as pictured above. Add your preferred essential oil, approximately 15-20 drops. Mix until light and fluffy. Can take up to 10 minutes with your kitchen aid stand up mixer. Or you can use a hand mixer as well.

Transfer the cream into a jar or into an empty shea butter/coconut oil container.

It's ready to use! A little bit goes a long way, so don't over do it, or it'll be too oily. Hope you enjoy this body cream as much as I have.

Note: I keep my body cream in my bathroom cabinet. Because it has coconut oil, you'll want to store it in a cool area. If it's too warm it'll melt. If it's too cold, it'll harden. If either happens, just transfer it to a more temperate area.