As we bid farewell to warm weather, we are often pushed—albeit unwillingly—to bid farewell to our easy-peasy beauty regimen, as well. As cooler temperatures set in, taking care of yourself becomes a little more complex than dabbing on a bit of sunscreen before you go outside. Fall and winter bring with them a host of challenges to your personal health, including various illnesses, dry skin, vitamin-D deprivation, weakened immune systems—and let’s not forget the most irritating offender of all: dry, static hair.
With all of these health problems to consider, our first reaction is often to turn to the nearest drugstore or department store in search of remedies. Yes, it’s quick. And yes, sometimes it’s effective. But the problem with in-store remedies is that most of them contain harmful chemicals and toxins, which inevitably do more harm than good in the long run. According to www.treehugger.com (a lifestyle-oriented website that emphasizes the benefits green living), even products that claim to be “made with organic” materials only consist of 70 percent certified-organic ingredients.
For example, Softsoap Body Wash, Ultra Rich Shea Butter, a product often used to wash and relieve dry skin, contains formaldehyde, which is preservative that has carcinogenic (cancer causing) properties. Remember those frogs you had to dissect in high school bio, and how disgusting they smelled? Well, that nasty odor was nothing other than formaldehyde.
So, how do you avoid exposing your body to these chemicals when they’re in practically everything we use? The answer is simple: do your research. Look up the products you already use or are planning to use online in order to make sure that they don’t contain any toxic chemicals. Check the ingredient labels of a product in the store before you buy it. If there’s anything on the label that you can’t pronounce or that sounds foreign to you, it is probably best to do some research on that ingredient.
However, buying the better—and in this case, healthier—product usually means that the consumer pays more. And it’s not exactly like we college students have an abundance of cash floating around. Another solution to using healthy remedies is making them yourself. There are tons of at-home treatments out there that are just as good as what we buy in the store—sometimes even better! And the best part about DIY health remedies is that you have the power to use safe, all-natural ingredients. For example, Pinterest has step-by-step DIY instructions of everything from immune support and energy boosters to at-home teeth whiteners and hair masks. And what collegiate doesn’t want to have an excuse to peruse the Internet?
It is important, if not vital, to know exactly what you’re putting in your body as well as where it comes from. Take this season as the opportunity to make yourself feel fabulous both inside and out—and the best way to do that is to treat your body, and yourself, with love.