You Really Don't Want to Put This On Your Skin!/Life Update

Friends and Family of Me/Consumers: Be on high alert for the following ingredients in your beauty-related/hygiene products:

1. COAL TAR: Used in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Is a known carcinogen (any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer ). Coal-tar based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, should be avoided.

2. FRAGRANCE: used to conceal hundreds of ingredients, including phthlatates, which harm the endocrine system.

3. HYDROQUINONE: Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, it's a neurotoxin (A toxin that damages or destroys nerve tissue) and is allergenic (A substance, such as pollen, that causes an allergy).

4. ALUMINUM: Used in eye shadows as a color additive. Also used in deodorants. Listed as carcinogenic, toxic, and mutagenic [capable of inducing mutation (used mainly of extracellular factors such as X-rays or chemical pollution)].

5. TRICLOSAN: Used in almost all anti-bacterical products, including soap, toothpaste, cosmetics. Often contaminated with dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic.

6. P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE: Found in regular hair dye. Can damage nervous system, cause lung irritation and severe allergic reactions. Listed as: 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine; 4-Phenylenediamine.

7. LEAD AND MERCURY: Lead can appear in toothpaste as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica. Is a neurotoxin. Mercury is found in cosmetic preservative thimerosol.

If in doubt about a particular product you own, visit www.safecosmetics.org which has a database you can search by typing in your product.

SOURCES:"Gorgeously Green" by Sophie Uliano, Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), dictionary.com


UPDATE:

The Knabe side had a family reunion/Memorial service for my Grandpa Knabe over Memorial Day weekend. It was great to see everyone and I think it was the first time the whole family has been together since Christmas '94. My sister Kellie and I were able to sing "Be Still, My Soul" without any complications at the Memorial service. Good thing, since we only started practicing about 12 hours before we performed.

I had the privilege of playing lifeguard for the family BBQ at Uncle Don's house (Good luck Don at elections tomorrow for LA County Supervisor! You'll kick butt on that 19 year old girl and "Dr. J"), where I bonded with Drew, 4 yrs. (who is my favorite EVER and who I owe a movie night with!!!), who invited me to his 5th birthday party next year, Christy, 4 yrs, the most adorable little girl ever!, and Olivia, 2 yrs (sister of Chloe). And I had to keep an eye on Chloe, the most enthusiastic little 4 year old I have ever met, who was NOT afraid of the water slide or the deep end, kept giving Don and her mom minor heart attacks and who I had to dive after many a time to keep her from the deep end/getting smashed by other swimmers at the bottom of the slide.

For Memorial Day, I went out on a family friend's boat with Curt, Svea, Matt, Briana, Chris, Steph and the kids around the canals in Long Beach... beautiful day, beautiful water! Pictures to follow soon.

As for now, I am just working at Victoria's Secret and about to start as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and water aerobics teacher... at least I'll get my tan back this summer!

I can't wait to go to the dog beach with Diane, Carol, and the girls, Nora and Peanut. It's very therapeutic.

I need a girls weekend at the beach with Tawnie again ASAP.