An ingredient that I’ve noticed in a number of my personal care products in the past is phenoxyethanol.  Its relatively low hazard score (3-4, depending on usage) eased any initial concerns I might’ve had. I’ve only recently begun to research it extensively, and it’s quickly becoming  yet another ingredient I’ll steer clear of in the future.

Apparently, phenoxyethanol is a chemical preservative has become a common replacement for parabens in a lot of natural brands. It has been linked to skin irritation, hormone disruptions, and even cancer. After careful consideration, I’ve added phenoxyethanol to my ingredients to avoid list. For more a more detailed analysis of phenoxyethanol, check out this informative Truth in Aging article.

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I drink a lot of juice, and I’ve made it a personal goal of mine to only drink juices that add something other than sugar and water to my diet. Because of this, I’ve obviously been doing some research.  I’ve learned some pretty interesting facts about all sorts of juices, but apple juice is what I’d like to discuss right now.

Other than buying organic, I’ve never been too picky when buying apple juice.  Apparently, whether or not the apple juice I’m buying is organic is is only one thing to consider.  Cloudy (or unclarified) apple juice is the way to go, for a few reasons, and I should have been buying it all along. Not only do cloudy apple juices contain more antioxidants (including polyphenols, which may combat cancer and heart disease), but they’re also said to have a better, richer taste than clear apple juices.  They’re also less processed than clear apple juices.  It’s obvious why clear apple juice has always been the popular choice: people assume that clear apple juice is somehow cleaner or more pure. Still, It’s not a logical conclusion to draw. The cloudiness is simply the presence of the pulpy, more nutritious parts of the apple. The shelf life of clear apple juice is suspiciously longer, which makes the unclarified, cloudy variety much more appealing to me.

Still, as a few of these articles point out, eating an apple rather than drinking it is your best bet for maximum nutrition, benefits, and antioxidants.

The Articles:

‘Cloudy’ Apple Juice Packs More Antioxidants

Cloudy Apple Juice Four Times Healthier Than Clear

Cloudy Apple Juice Has Clear Benefits

Clear or Cloudy-Choosing Which Apple Juice Is Best for Good Health

photo credit: tanakawho

Until a few days ago, perfume had always been a guilty pleasure of mine.  I successfully traded in most of my old health and beauty products for safer (and consequently, more expensive) alternatives…but perfume was kind of a hard habit to break. I’d spray just a little on top of my clothes instead of directly on my skin and hope for the best. I kept telling myself that I would make a change as soon as I finished my bottles of  Heavenly (from Victoria’s Secret) and Hot (by Ralph Lauren).  After reading the articles below, however, I can’t put it off any longer. I’ll be taking both bottles to the thrift store the next time I make a donation. In case you’re tired of me talking about articles and don’t feel like reading these, I’ll give you a short list of the high points:

• The basic formula for all perfumes is this: water+alcohol+fragrance oils+chemical compounds
• Fragrances are protected as trade secrets. For this reason, it’s nearly impossible to know how few or how many chemicals make up our favorite scents.
• Some of the most common chemicals found in perfumes are: benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, linalool ,acetaldehyde,a-pinene, acetone, a-terpinene, methylene chloride, styrene oxide, dimenthyl sulphate, a-terpineol, limonene
• Side-effects from these chemicals can range from something as simple as eye irritation to much more serious things like cancer.
• “Fragrance Oils” or “Fragrant Oils” are not the same things as “Essential Oils”.
• The absence of an ingredient list should cause suspicion.

Still interested? Here are the sources:

The Toxic Effects of Perfume

Perfume Ingredients- What’s in a Scent?