Category: Uncategorized

Au Naturale by Miss Sixx: Hair Recipes for Natural Hair: “0”

Most of the commercially available hair care products today use harmful, potentially carcinogenic ingredients. In the interest of good napptural health, I list below, what are in my opinion, the 10 worst commonly found product ingredients thngs you can put on your hair (and body). Check the list of ingredients on your hair products. The more of a particular ingredient you have in a product, the closer it is to the top of the list of ingredients on the bottle:

1. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substances natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. Napptural hair reacts very badly to isoalcohol and this ingredient should be avoided at ALL costs. It will dry your hair out and break it off. According to A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and even coma.

2. MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM: The best baby oil is made from almonds. But the oil which being sold as baby oil is 100% mineral oil. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin and hair just like plastic wrap. The skin’s natural barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin’s ability to release toxins and wastes is impossible through this “plastic wrap,” which can promote acne and other disorders.

3. PEG: This is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol that is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG’s are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG’s contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG): As a “surfactant” or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance.

5. SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): SLS is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. They are used in personal-care products because they are cheap. A small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thicken to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated. (SOME OF THE NITROSATING AGENTS ARE: SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA). Shampooing the hair with a product contaminated with these substances can lead to its absorption into the body at levels much higher than eating nitrite-contaminated foods.

6. CHLORINE: According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This your Child’s World? exposure to chlorine in tap water, Showers, pool, laundry products, cleaning agents, food processing, sewage systems and many others, can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure,
and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair.

7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers.

8. FD & C Color PIGMENTS: Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer’s dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: “Colors that can be used in foods, drug, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.”

9. FRAGRANCE: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. “Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes,” (Home Safe Home). For better health try purchasing unscented products and for fragrance, adding a natural essential oil.

10. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.

Info provided courtesy of nappurality.com

10 Essential Oils for Great Skin
These tips will end dryness, sores, skin lesions, skin fungus and reduce wrinkles.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1068706/10_essential_oils_for_great_skin.html

Homemade Cleaners & Stain Removers
Use real mayonnaise mixed with some cigarette ashes to remove water stains from wood.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/63502/homemade_cleaners_stain_removers.html

Transitioning from Permed Hair to Natural Hair
How to transition from permed hair to natural hair
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/651179/transitioning_from_permed_hair_to_natural.html

How to Use Shea Butter for Natural or Relaxed Black Hair
Many have heard of the benefits of pure unrefined shea butter but not many know how to use it. This article explains the benefits of this wonderful natural butter and how to use it effectively.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1138282/how_to_use_shea_butter_for_natural.html

Natural Nail Care Recipes: Hand scrubs, homemade foot scrubs, natural hand and foot care scrubs you can make at home. Enjoy!!!

Peppermint Foot Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
10 tsp. grapeseed oil
3 drops eucalyptus oil
4 drops rosemary oil
2 drops peppermint oil
4 tbs dark brown sugar

Directions:
Combine ingredients. Store in a small glass jar. Warm up oil before doing any massage. Your toes will love the minty, refreshing feeling!
*************************************************************************************

Divine Hand and foot scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
1/4 cup oatmeal or 1 packet instant oatmeal
3 tbs. Olive oil

Directions:
Mix ingredients in a bowl. Massage into feet or hands for 5 minutes. Rinse well. Your tips and toes will be simply smooth!!!!
*************************************************************************************

Salt Hand and foot scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

1/8 cup of Olive Oil
1 tablespoon of sea salt

Directions:
Mix into a paste Rub into hands or feet for 5 minutes. Rinse well.
*************************************************************************************

Olive Oil Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tbs. olive oil
1/4 DARK brown sugar

Directions:
Mix into a paste Rub into hands or feet for 5 minutes. Rinse well.
*************************************************************************************

Apricot Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of brown sugar
2 tbs lemon juice
2 tbs apricot oil

Directions:
Combine and massage into hands. rinse well. Scrub into the nail bed. the lemon juice will also help remove any nail stains!
*************************************************************************************

Whitening Nail Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Enough Baking Soda to make a paste

Directions:
Combine ingredients and massage into nails. rinse well.
*************************************************************************************

Sugar Hand Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 tablespoon of sugar

Directions:
Mix into a paste Rub into hands for 2 minutes. Rinse well.
*************************************************************************************

Homemade natural hand and feet scrub tips
*****Sugars, meals such as corn, almond, salt etc. make great skin exfoliates.*****
****Exfoliating your hands weekly can reduce wrinkles! ****