HuffPost Energy Makeover Winner Marissa Campise Talks Toxin-Free Skin Care On GMA Health (VIDEO)

HuffPost Living Total Energy Makeover winner Marissa Campise appeared on GMA Health recently to discuss month three of her personalized energy makeover.

Joined by expert nutritionist Ashley Koff, RD and celebrity makeup artist (and HuffPost blogger) Karim Orange, Marissa discussed everything from allergies to organic skin care.

Working alongside Ashley Koff, Marissa was able to detoxify her body (and heal her allergies!) through a combination of dieting, yoga, acupuncture and vitamin D supplementation. Now, she's stepping it up a notch by chucking the toxins and chemicals found in most skin care products.

According to Ashley Koff, toxins in skin care products can be "energy drainers" that "interfere with digestion" and "keep the skin from breathing effectively."

Specifically, toxin-free makeup artist Karim Orange warned against parabens, a common "preservative found in a lot of conventional makeup that we use." In addition to being found in breast cancer tumors, Parebens are dangerous because the body is incapable of digesting them.

Watch:

Comments

[organicconnect]

11:24 PM on 05/02/2010

Here's a line of completely organic skincare products: http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/2010/02/organic-cosmetics-the-lily-engine-that-could/

[smilinggreenmom]

06:10 PM on 04/30/2010

I am so happy to see that more people are creating awareness about all the extra "stuff" in skin care products that have the potential to be dangerous to us! I personally only use olive oil as my moisturizer, raw honey masks and I take my daily Vidazorb OPC age defense probiotic so that I can not just look good but feel good. My priority is to be healthy first!! Thanks for sharing this :)

[RMankovitz]

09:29 PM on 04/29/2010

Research into existing sunscreen formulations continues to show that they are not only toxic to the user, but also to the environment. They may cause DNA damage to skin cells, cause hormone disruption, and also cause damage to coral reefs from swimmers covered in the stuff. Use Google Scholar to search: sunscreen toxic. See for example:

http://www.ewg.org/analysis/toxicsunscreen

http://www.foe.org/nano-sunscreens-not-worth-risk

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=700596

Then there are the Vitamin D studies showing that sunscreens may produce a deficiency that could lead to a host of illnesses including cancer!

Then there are the studies that show rates of deadly melanoma have increased dramatically since the introduction of sunscreens.

The good news is the latest development in sunscreen technology. Known as Berrynol, it is totally plant-based, and non-toxic to the user and the environment. It is so safe it is edible. This patented breakthrough is based on how nature protects plants from UV damage. It relies on cyanins, which make blueberries blue and raspberries red.

The remarkable advantage of the Berrynol technology is that it not only filters UV, it also stops the reproduction of cancerous skin cells, while not harming healthy cells. So, it continues to work its magic even after sun exposure. Hopefully, ingredients like this will be designed into future sunscreen products. For research details, see:

www.berrynol.com

Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com

[Vanessa Belle]

06:37 PM on 04/29/2010

What cosmetics are toxin-free? Even most sunscreens contain toxic chemicals.

Most of the reputable cosmetic companies use chemicals in their skin care lines and make-up. There are a few cosmetic lines that are "toxin-free" and these products are not as readily available everywhere. Although I do believe that some lines are carried by Whole Foods.

I have recently decided to forgo buying and using some of the major label cosmetic creams because I have begun to think that they are doing much more damage to my skin and health than the good that they claim to do.
Many of the strong chemicals contained in cosmetic toners, facial washes strip the skins natural healthy barrier.