Why You Should Not Use Talc

Hello Beautiful People,

Please be aware that the products you use on your body or at home may be harmful and make you sick. It’s time to look through your medicine cabinet to see if any of your items have talcum powder as one of its ingredients. Look closely at the things as if you were a detective solving a case.

Drugwatch.com states talcum powder is derived from talc, a soft and naturally occurring mineral used in baby powders, makeup, deodorant, ceramics, and paint. Some research links talc to ovarian cancer and talc contaminated with asbestos to mesothelioma. To learn more about talcum powder and its dangers, click HERE. To learn more about talc and its use in cosmetics, click HERE!

Johnson & Johnson, one of the major companies that used talc for many years, announced in August 2022 that they would stop selling talc-based baby powder globally in 2023. The company faced thousands of lawsuits that claim its product causes cancer. The company insists the decision is purely financial and has nothing to do with the product’s safety. However, in April 2023, they agreed to an $8.9 billion talc settlement. According to a DrugWatch article that outlines the settlement, asbestos was found in a batch of talc. This settlement is a long time coming but will not bring back those whose loved ones passed away.

Talc is not only in baby powder or makeup. It is also found in these unexpected products, like ceramics and paper.

If you have not cleaned out your medicine cabinet or your beauty bag in a long time, now is the time. Look at what you have, check out the ingredients, and dispose of anything that has talc or talcum powder as one of its ingredients. More options are available that are safer and better for you.

Tips on Looking and Feeling More Beautiful

f you want to look and feel more beautiful, you must take a multi-pronged approach. You cannot simply work on your exterior, get your hair and nails done, and forget everything else. This strategy may work for a day or so, but feeling beautiful is more than how you look on the outside. It is something that comes from within. In other words, beauty is more than skin-deep; it is your mental state too. So to look and feel more beautiful, you need to work on your mindset and your body. Here are a few ways you can do that:


Pixabay

Practice Gratitude
A great way to help you focus on the good and enhance that in your mind is to practice gratitude. In the morning, think of three things about yourself that you are genuinely grateful for. They can be anything, from the color of your hair to the shape of your hands. Focus on these things and allow the good feeling that you get from having them to flood your body. The better you feel about yourself and the good things you possess, the more beautiful you will feel.

Drink More Water
Dehydration is a very common thing. As many as three-quarters of Americans are estimated to be dehydrated to a lesser or greater degree. This means that there is a strong chance that you are dehydrated. If this is the case, you may be experiencing headaches and tired; you may even be causing kidney damage if you leave it. Drinking more water can reinvigorate you in so many ways. First, it will help the body function better, help you lose weight, and make your skin look more lush and youthful. Being hydrated means that small lines and wrinkles are flattened out, preventing new ones from appearing so easily.

Make-Up
Wearing make-up is a great way to make you appear more beautiful. However, you must wear makeup that suits you. For example., if you have hooded eyes, you need to learn how to wear eyeliner properly, so it enhances your eyes, not detracts from them. Another aspect is your skin; you need to learn what skin types you have, such as oily or combination. You also need to get the coloring right. Look at reviews of ILIA and Kosas concealers for more information about this. Make-up is an art form, and you must practice it before it looks good.

Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to look and feel more beautiful. Not only does it enhance your body, but it enhances your mental state. It does this by, first of all, making you look better, but it decreases the amount of stress in your body and increases the number of good hormones like serotonin and dopamine. Exercise is a natural anti-depressant and can improve your mental and physical health in many ways. 

Bad Habits That Could Be Ruining Your Skin Right Now

We all want to look our best, and it’s much easier to look great when your skin is clear, clean, and radiant. Unfortunately, many of us are doing things that can ruin our skin and cause us to look less than our best.


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Below you will find some of the most common bad habits that can ruin your skin. If you do the following, you should try your best to stop as soon as possible.

Itching and picking your skin
Many of us itch our skin or pick at it regularly, but this can often lead to scratches and scars forming, which are almost impossible to get rid of once they have marred the skin. Even if they are not permanent, itching and scratching your skin can cause inflammation and sores, which do not look good.

It is a good idea to get to the bottom of why you itch or pick your skin. If you have eczema, for example, these 10 Tips To Stop Eczema Itching Immediately might be useful, or if you pick your skin because you are stressed, then seeing a therapist could be a good idea. Get to the root cause and break this bad skin habit as soon as possible.

Not drinking enough
If you often forget to drink enough water, chances are your skin does not look as good as it could. When you do not consume plenty of water each day, you are likely to get dehydrated, dehydration causes issues like brain fog and fatigue, but it can also lead to dry, dull skin. If you want to look as radiant as possible, with smooth and glowing skin, then you need to drink at least a gallon of water every day – it is that simple.

Not removing your makeup
If you regularly sleep with your makeup on because when bedtime comes around, you are too tired to go to the effort to remove it, and you could be damaging your skin.

When you leave your makeup on, you allow dirt and oil to build up in your pores. This can cause your skin to break out, blackheads to form, and your skin to dry out. It is worth taking a few minutes each night to remove every speck of makeup if you are serious about looking after your skin in the long term.

If you find it tiresome, invest in some micellar water which will quickly get all traces of makeup off your skin in no time, so you can get to bed and get your beauty sleep.

Not getting enough sleep
Talking of sleep, if you do not get around 7-9 hours of good quality sleep each night, you might find that your skin looks dull and lifeless when you wake up in the morning.

As well as having dark, puffy eyes, if you do not sleep enough, you will find that your skin does not have enough time to repair and regenerate itself, which can lead to a whole host of skin problems, from acne to dry and flaky skin. Make sleep a priority if you want your skin to look its best.

Using cleansers that are too harsh
Keeping your skin clean and free of makeup and other debris and oils that can build up over time is essential, so you must clean your face at least twice a day.

However, if you have gotten into the habit of using harsh chemical cleansers, you could be doing more harm than good. Harsh cleansers may get rid of all the dirt and oil, but they can be so effective that they end up dying out your skin, and dry skin is more likely to peel and become damaged than soft, moist skin and supple.

Try switching to a natural cleanser made up of simple ingredients that remove dirt without stripping all essential oils from your skin.

Eating too much junk food
There is nothing wrong with enjoying junk food from time to time, but if your diet consists of little more than junk food, then you might notice that your skin starts to break out more often due to the fat and sugar content of things like chips, cookies, and takeout burgers.

Not only that, but if you eat a lot of junk, you will not be getting all of the vitamins your body, including your skin, needs to stay healthy and repair itself, which can result in sallow skin, stretch marks, dry skin and various other conditions including rosacea, that can ruin your complexion.

Over-exfoliating
We all know that it is important to exfoliate regularly to get rid of dead skin cells and ensure that your skin looks as bright as possible. However, it is possible to exfoliate too much. It’s really easy to exfoliate more than you should.

Most people only need to exfoliate once or twice a week. If you exfoliate more often than that, you risk making your skin red and inflamed which is far from ideal.

Squeezing zits
It can be so tempting to squeeze your spots to make them disappear much faster. Still, you should never do this because doing so could introduce even more bacteria into the zit, which will cause it to become angrier, redder, more inflamed, and potentially even infected. 

Next time you have a zit, use an over-the-counter treatment to try and shrink it, and cover it with concealer if you must, but do not be tempted to pop it because there is a high chance it will backfire.

Your skin is a delicate organ, so you must treat it right if you want it to be as radiant as possible. That means giving up these bad habits once and for all. Good luck!

Different Ways To Help Look After Your Skin

Apply sunscreen to your skin every day before going outside. The closest thing we have to a fountain of youth is sunscreen. It does have the ability to slow down the aging of the skin. It may also aid in the prevention of skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection, an SPF of 30 (or greater), and the ability to withstand water. While it is crucial to protect newborns’ skin from the sun, sunscreen should only be used on children aged six months and up.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Being out in the sun is great fun, but you need to be careful as things like skin cancer can be a worst-case scenario. Tanning is a popular option for sitting out in the sun for hours, but it is something that isn’t great for your skin. If you want to look tanned, use a self-tanner. When you tan indoors or outdoors, your skin ages prematurely, you also raise your chances of developing skin cancer. Using a self-tanner, you may get the look you want without the hazards. Even if you use a self-tanner, you should protect your skin from the sun to maintain it healthy.

Another thing that can help is when you wake up, before going to bed, and after sweating, wash your face. When you wash your face when you wake up, you eliminate the dirt and bacteria accumulated on your face while you were sleeping. Remove any makeup and grime that has landed on your skin, such as smog, smoke, or dirt, before bed. Wash your face gently. Skin looks its best when it is cleansed gently. Wet your face with lukewarm water to gently cleanse it. Then, gently massage a gentle cleanser into your skin in a circular manner using your fingertips. Finish by washing the cleaner thoroughly off your face and gently wiping it dry with a clean towel. Refrain from scrubbing your skin clean. Cleansing your skin may seem natural if you’ve been sweating a lot or have a bad case of acne. Scrubbing irritates the skin, making any skin issue, including acne, worse.

Reduce your anxiety. Finding healthy strategies to cope with stress can also benefit your skin. Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema) are two skin illnesses that typically emerge for the first time when someone is highly agitated. Many skin diseases, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, can be aggravated by stress. If you have skin conditions that sometimes can be unavoidable, then look to get the right help; by not having the proper treatment, you can make the conditions worse and more painful. So if you have eczema, make sure you get adequate eczema treatment.

A daily skincare program can help you maintain general skin health and alleviate particular concerns like acne, scars, and dark spots. A daily skincare routine consists of four essential stages that should be completed once in the morning and before bedtime. Choose a cleanser that does not dry out your skin after use. If you have dry skin and don’t wear makeup, clean your face no more than twice a day, or once if you do. Washing for a squeaky-clean feeling is terrible since it removes your skin’s natural oils.

Under sunscreen, a serum containing vitamin C, growth factors, or peptides would be preferable in the morning. Retinol or prescription retinoids function best at night. Vitamin C and E serums, as well as retinol, are available from all different stores. Even oily skin requires hydration, but choose a light, gel-based moisturizer that is non-comedogenic or won’t clog your pores. More cream-based moisturizers may help dry skin. Most brands will designate their products as gel or cream on their packaging.

Overexposure to the sun and tanning beds, strong soaps, chemicals, and poor nutrition can all hasten the appearance of wrinkles and age spots on the skin. With this in mind, it’s essential to take a holistic approach. Eat antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, healthy fats from oily fish and nuts, and a varied and balanced diet to care for your skin and optimize your nutrition. This should provide ideal quantities of nutrients, including beta carotene, vitamins C and E, zinc, and selenium, all critical for glowing skin.

Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, which prevent skin from free radical cellular damage. Wrinkling and age spots can be caused by free radicals, smoking, pollution, and sunshine. Consume a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables daily, aiming for at least five pieces. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant as well. It is required to maintain the immune system, create glowing skin, and aid in healing blemishes. The most acceptable sources are blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwi fruits, oranges, papaya, strawberries, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin C is required to form collagen, which helps strengthen the capillaries that supply the skin.

Moisture is required for the skin to remain flexible. Your skin will appear dry, weary, and slightly grey if you are somewhat dehydrated. Drink six to eight glasses of water every day – all fluids count, but water is the best. Keep a large bottle of water on your desk if you work in an office to remind you to drink. Teas that are caffeine-free and herbal are also helpful. Remember that some fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, courgette, and cucumber, provide fluids as well – and the minerals they contain can help you hydrate your body and skin faster. Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol intake, as both can cause premature skin aging.

 You can boost your skin quality and beauty with these simple steps in looking after your skin. Your skin is something that needs daily treatment and looking after. These can be hard to remember sometimes, but you can add them in gradually and even set yourself alarms to remind you to do your skincare routine.

Do You Know If Asbestos Is In Your Makeup?

Hello, Elegant Lovelies,

Have you ever thought about what ingredients are in your makeup? We often go by a name brand that we know and how pretty the eyeshadow colors look. However, we need to do more research to determine what we are putting on our children’s skin. Just because a product has on its packaging that it is organic or clean doesn’t mean that it’s good for you.

Photo by Raphael Lovaski on Unsplash

The Mesothelioma Center (asbestos.com) created a guide on asbestos use in makeup. This free resource helps consumers understand why it is essential to look for daily asbestos-free cosmetics.
https://www.asbestos.com/products/makeup/

The website features the most comprehensive guide to mesothelioma, including general information about the disease, treatment, and symptoms, and it is entirely free to view. The site is medically reviewed by doctors and lists other resources for seeing how healthy your makeup is. Certain cosmetic products and brands make talc-free makeup and cosmetics, according to the site. Online resources are available to find these brands and products. You can use the websites skin Deep and Made Safe to find talc-free cosmetics.

I knew that talc was not good in cosmetics but did not know how much it was being used and contained traces of asbestos. The use of asbestos in makeup is shocking to me because makeup is described as making you look and feel good.

“Because talc and asbestos are minerals found close together, when talc is mined, it may contain traces of asbestos. Talcum powder is still an ingredient in several cosmetics brands. As recently as November 2020, a study found 14% of the talc-containing makeup tested also contained asbestos.”

Two products that I use regularly are talc-free, and they are Shea Moisture and Smashbox. I used BareMinerals foundation and checked on the EWG site, which does not contain talc. Don’t be fooled by a beauty brand that says organic or clean; you still need to check to make sure it is good.

I first started looking at ingredients in hair and makeup when I realized that some of my hair products contained mineral oil. And a colleague happened to share a nail polish article with me, and I read this article;  OPI 3-Free made me think about what ingredients are in the products I’m using on my skin. Hence, I did a completely 360 turn-around and checked everything I was using on my skin.

Do you look at the ingredients of your makeup products that you use every day?

Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com would like to thank Asbestos.com for creating this guide, so we have the opportunity to make our readers aware of what all the medical jargon means and what talc-free means.

 

 

Natural Ways To Supercharge Your Skincare Regime

Smooth, radiant, clear skin can make you look and feel a million dollars. As the body’s protective barrier, the skin is exposed to the elements and environmental hazards, and it can also pay the price of lifestyle choices. If you’re keen to look after your skin and supercharge your skincare regime, here are some tips to shield and nourish your skin for a beautiful, bright complexion.

Cleansing, toning, moisturizing and exfoliating
If you took a moment to do an online search, or you went to a store that sells beauty and skincare products, you’d be greeted with hundreds, maybe thousands of lotions, potions and links to online apothecaries and beauty brands. There is a vast array of products out there, so how do you go about choosing which to bring into your bathroom? One of the most important considerations for those looking for natural remedies for better skin is the ingredients used. Look for organic cleansers, toners and moisturizers made with natural substances and chemicals that are found in the body and focus on products that are tailored to your skin type. Try to avoid perfumed creams or lotions if you have sensitive skin and add hydrating products for dry skin and light and oil-free serums and cleansers for oily skin.

Exfoliating is an effective way to boost skin cell renewal and remove dead skin cells, but it is important to be gentle, especially if your skin is sensitive or irritable. You can use organic products or clean your skin with an abrasive sponge. If you’re looking for a new hobby, or you want to stick to natural cleansing and exfoliation techniques, you can even look into making a luffa sponge by following guides and tutorials online. Skincare experts usually recommend exfoliating once a week. After exfoliating, your skin should look brighter and it should also feel soft and supple. You may need to apply moisturizer to boost hydration if you’re prone to dry skin.

Image source: PIXABAY

Hydration
Hydration is vital for healthy, youthful skin. If you’re dehydrated, your skin will be one of the first body parts to suffer. It’s particularly important to take plenty of fluids on board if you’re sweating due to exercise or if it’s hot outside. Sweating is a mechanism used by the body to cool down. When you sweat, you lose fluid, which needs to be replaced. If you’re doing a workout, or you’re going for a walk on a sunny, warm day, make sure you have a water bottle or a flask with you. You should aim to drink at least 2 liters of water per day, but you’ll need to increase the amount of fluid based on your individual needs.

Working up a sweat
Most of us know that exercise will benefit our heart and lungs and strengthen our muscles and bones, but did you know that working out can also nourish your skin? Exercising improves circulation, which increases blood flow. This helps to ensure that oxygen and essential nutrients reach the skin cells and that waste products, including free radicals, are eliminated. If you’re not already an active person, try and steadily increase the amount of exercise you do. Even low-intensity activities, including taking your dog for a walk, will make a difference. Health experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week for adults. You can include everything from cycling, swimming, yoga and playing tennis to hiking, jogging, trampolining and dance classes.

Picture courtesy of PEXELS

Sun protection
Many of us love nothing more than feeling the warm glow of the sun on our skin. While limited exposure to the sun is beneficial for the body because it helps to generate vitamin D, it’s vital to understand the risks of UV rays. No matter your skin tone or type, being out in the sun can cause damage to the skin cells and accelerate the aging process. If you are going outside on a warm day, or you’re enjoying a day at the beach or a vacation, apply sun lotion. Sun creams are designed to protect the skin from burning, but they also keep your skin nourished and hydrated. If you’re spending the whole day outdoors, or you’re going swimming, you’ll need to reapply every few hours. Avoid the intense midday sun if possible. When you get back to your hotel or you return home after an afternoon at the park or the beach, lathering on moisturizing lotion or after sun will help to revitalize and revive your skin.

Do you wish your skin was smoother, softer or more radiant? If so, you’re certainly not alone! For many of us, flawless skin is top of our beauty wish-list. The good news is that there are some very simple ways to take better care of your skin and enjoy a beautiful, vibrant complexion.