Deborah Tosline wrote and published Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare in 2015. Deborah's education and work experience is in science, where hypotheses are tested through observation and experiments. She has Bachelor of Science degrees in geology and ecology. Her approach to skin care is based on that scientific background, a love of research and over 30 years of DIY skincare experience.

The Ladies' home journal (1948) By Wyeth, N. C. (Newell Convers), 1882-1945 [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Gosh I wish it were not so, but the products that are readily available to us by mainstream retail have questionable benefits and potential health risks, despite the pricy options.

The safest skin and personal care products that we can use contain organic and nutrient dense ingredients and do not contain questionable preservatives, fragrances and synthetic ingredients.

Personal Care Products including moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, polishes, makeup, shampoos, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants are not tested for safety or regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Under law, cosmetic products and ingredients do not need FDA premarket approval, with the exception of color additives. In general, a manufacturer may use any ingredient and is responsible for ensuring that the ingredient and the finished cosmetics are safe.

Are manufacturers providing effective products and ensuring our safety?

The Huffington Post reported: “Most cosmetics and personal care products on store shelves today contain five major categories of toxic ingredients. These are: frank carcinogens (cancer causing); precursors of or “hidden” carcinogens; endocrine or hormonally disruptive; penetration enhancers; and allergens.”

Yikes… and further…

“Our skin is highly permeable. Less than one-tenth of an inch thick, skin is a porous membrane that is highly sensitive to toxic chemicals. What we put on our skin affects our health just as much as, if not more than, what we put in our mouths. Some toxic ingredients illegally remain unlabeled. Of particular concern are hormonal phthalates, and synthetic “aroma boosters” which strongly intensify organic fragrances.”

With news reports of potentially unsafe products and many unknown causes of disease it just makes sense to suspect that our health is tied to everything we consume and use.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit environmental research organization based in Washington, D.C. “An EWG analysis of government and industry sources shows that at least 146 cosmetic ingredients may contain harmful impurities linked to cancer and other serious health impacts, including 3 of the top 20 most commonly used cosmetic ingredients. Our analysis of ingredients in 7,500 personal care products shows that because some of these ingredients are used so widely, the vast majority of products on the market have the potential to be contaminated with impurities. None of these impurities are regulated by the federal government.”

Don’t despair! Our skin and personal care product future is bright! Today, there are more healthy options available than ever And you can give yourself Do-It-Yourself skin and self care that will be better than any mainstream retail products. So, it’s time to eliminate mainstream retail ingredients and products and find organic skincare or, like me, you can DIY and use premium ingredients, at the lowest cost, to achieve maximum effectiveness. No joke. Giving oneself DIY premium simple or advanced skin care feels like a Canyon Ranch healthy self care lifestyle. Health = Beauty (and so much more)

Take good care of yourself and for more skin care tips get my book "Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare" xo Deborah