Saturday, April 10, 2010

What's that Ingredient: Propylene Glycol



What's that ingredient?
#3: Propylene Glycol


My 'parabens' video

My 'silicones' video (part 1):

My 'silicones video (part 2):

Synonyms for Propylene Glycol:
epoxypropane
1,2-epoxypropane
methyl ethylene oxide
methyl oxirane
propene oxide
1,2-propylene oxide

Some other names:
1,2-Dihydroxpropane;
2-Hydroxypropanol
Methylethy Glycol
1,2-Propanediol
Propane-1,2-Diol

Let's start off with what a glycol is. Well, a glycol is 'any class of organic compounds belonging to the alcohol family'. Propylene Glycol is one of the many glycol's out there. PG (Propylene Glycol) is metabolized in pyruvic acid, which is organic. This metabolization process is a normal part of the glucose metabolism process, and thus the outcome is energy.
PG is found in products such as moisturizers and deodorants. Deodorants sold in stores, such as whole foods, may have PG as an alternative ingredient to Aluminum, making the product with PG a deodorant, and NOT an antiperspirant (which has aluminum). Basically, PG is a humectant, which prevents things from drying out and "keeps products moist". Sure, it may keep your products moist, but it's an alcohol, and alcohol's dry out your skin, regardless.
Now, on to specifically why PG is bad!
Obviously because PG is metabolized, it is absorbed into the skin. Because this happens, PG alters the structure of one's skin. Putting PG on your skin allows chemicals, not JUST PG, to penetrate deep beneath the layers of your skin. Thus, increasingly the ability for these products to reach the bloodstream.
As for other affects, PG can cause irritation and blistering, is toxic to human cells, alters cell membranes, and causing unnatural thickening of the skin.
While PG is anticipated to be a carcinogen, there are sources on the web that say it either is, or is not.
Therefore, I cannot confirm it!

ALSO...please use caution in reading information on wikipedia. I began my research on PG there, and then confirmed that the information I read was incorrect by reading other respectable sites.

For a another site on PG and it's affects, as well as it's affects on animals, visit:


While I am in no way telling you what products to use and not use, I hope that you make the healthiest and most natural choice for your skin and body.

If you have any questions, please email me at: iluvjesse@me.com






Sunday, March 21, 2010

What's that Ingredient: Silicones


What's that ingredient?
#2: Silicone
Hair and Skin

If you haven't seen my video on parabens, please watch it here:

Non-Soluble:
Dimethicone
Dimethiconol
Phenyl Trimethicone
Amodimethicone
Cyclomethicone

Soluble:
PEG-modified dimethicone
Dimethicone copolyol

HAIR:
When it is humid outside, your hair picks up moisture. It loses moisture when it is dry outside. Silicones will prevent this from happening. Silicones are almost like a type of plastic for your hair. They coat the hair shaft and prevent anything from getting in or out. While Silicones do make your hair feel shiny, silky, detangle, and prevent UV rays from effecting hair, they build up over time and can cause breaking, drying, and tangling.
Silicones are not water-soluble, meaning they do not dissolve in water, and for this reason, they will not come out unless one uses a shampoo with a surfactant in it. Unfortunately for me, I have given up Sulfate shampoos, and have Dimethicone in my hair due to a poor choice on my part (lack of research beforehand). So what did I do? Coco-betaine, another mild surfactant, has been said to do the job of removing a silicone but less harshly. It is found in the Burt's Bees line of shampoos. However, I have used the shampoo once, and I can still feel the effects of the silicone on my hair. Now I have to use a sulfate to get it all the way out (hopefully)

For information on types of sulfates, if they are water-soluble, and how to remove them, please refer to this chart:

(Please refer to the chart on this site to see which silicones are water-soluble and what will remove them from your hair).

Skin
Dimethicone is the most common silicone found in facial products. Lots of moisturizers have Dimethicone, as well as makeup primers. Just like silicones do to hair, they make your face silky and smooth. I used to tell my boyfriend 'Hey, feel how smooth my face is!' Yeah...that's because of Dimethicone.
Silicones in makeup still act as a barrier. They allow makeup to go on smoothly and increase the staying power of the makeup. It creates a "hydrating barrier" by preventing water from entering or exiting. Products with silicone in them will not allow your skin to BREATHE. Can you imagine going for a run with a silicone-based moisturizer or makeup primer on? Your sweat is getting trapped in your pores! And silicone ITSELF clogs pores! It makes pores look smaller by clogging them up and causing breakouts (for some people - myself included). Products with silicone will also fill in wrinkles and reduce the appearance of fine lines, therefore being popular in (non-natural) anti-aging products.

While I am in no way telling you what products to use and not use, I hope that you make the healthiest and most natural choice for your skin and body.

If you have any questions, please email me at: iluvjesse@me.com


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Parabens

What's that ingredient?
#1: Parabens

If you haven't seen my video on parabens, please watch it here:

Most common types:
methylparaben:
reacts with UVB and causes increased aging and sun damage
ethylparaben
propylparaben
gutylparaben

Less common:
isobutylpraben
isopropylparaben
benzylparaben

Parabens are the most widely used preservative in the cosmetic world. While they do protect against bacterial growth, they are still harmful. Parabens are rapidly absorbed into ones body and metabolized. Although they are excreted, they still leave a lasting effect due to the fact that they mimic the hormone estrogen and damage the nervous system. High levels of parabens have been detected in breast tumors.
Parabens are also found in food. Food is a necessity to live, and therefore I believe that the nutritional properties of a food item makes up for the fact that it might have parabens in it. While food is a necessity to live, body products are not; they are not required and are only around to make an individual look better or, if the products are natural, TRULY improve ones skin.

It is important for there to be some type of preservative in all products, especially natural ones. (Just NOT parabens) Without preservatives, there is more likelihood that bacteria will form.

Alternative types of parabens:
Grapefruit seed extract (most common)
phenoxyethanol
Potassium Sorbate
Sorbic Acid
Tecopherol - Vitamin E
Retinyl - Vitamin A
Ascorbic Acid -Vitamin C
Tetrasodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA
Calcium Disodium EDTA
Cosmocil CQ

While I am in no way telling you what products to use and not use, I hope that you make the healthiest and most natural choice for your skin and body.

If you have any questions, please email me at: iluvjesse@me.com








Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Blog Sale starts NOW!

CLOSED

Hello subscribers!! Welcome to my first blog sale! :)
You MUST be a subscriber in order to purchase. I will check if you are or not!
You DO NOT need to be a subscriber if you want to SWAP.

Below you will find a list of products I no longer want.
They are all in very good condition. Most are new, some are briefly and gently used.

*I will cover the shipping cost, which is usually around $4.00/$5.00 You guys are my subscribers, you deserve not to pay for shipping :)
The prices are a little higher than probably everyone would like, but that is because I AM paying for shipping. If you guys would like me to have prices for the products AND have you guys pay for shipping...let me know. I thought this was the easiest way.

You (or a parent) must have a paypal account in order to purchase any of the products below.
I will only hold an item for 3 days. You must pay within 3 days.
(If conflicted, let me know.)
***If you or your parents do not have a paypal, but you really would like one of the products listed below, please email in regards to a SWAP. (I give you the item you want in exchange for an item you have that is new or gently used).

If your parents have any questions as well, please tell them to email me :) ALSO, check with your parents about giving out your address.

Sale will last for 1 WEEK (unless I extend it) from January 7th until January 14th.

HOW TO PURCHASE:
Please email me at heckyesitsjesse@mac.com with the following information:
1.) Subject title = the product you are interested in.
2.) Your YOUTUBE username
3.) Your EMAIL ADDRESS (or parents) so I can send the PAYPAL INVOICE
4.) You DO NOT need to send your HOME ADDRESS right away. I will contact you after I receive the email for your address.

HOW TO SWAP:
Please email me at heckyesitsjesse@mac.com with the following information:
1.) Subject title = 'SWAP' + the product you are interested in.
2.) A list of products you are willing to swap for the product I have.
3.) You DO NOT need to send your HOME ADDRESS right away. I will contact you after I receive the email for your address.


Sale will last for 1 WEEK (unless I extend it) from January 7th until January 14th.


Now..
TO THE SALE! :)
First come first serve!!

(NEW) Bath and Body Works 'Sea Island Cotton' Creamy Body Wash. 8 floz.
$7.00 (Original $10.00)

(NEW) Bath and Body Works 'Sea Island Cotton' Bubble Bath. 10 floz.
$6.50 (Originally $10.00)

(USED ONCE) Bath and Body Works 'Moonlight Path' Shower Gel. 10 floz.
$5.50
(Originally 9.50)

(NEW) Bath and Body Works 'Velvet Tuberose' Bath Bar. 4 floz.
$3.50
(Originally $4.50)
(Not listed on BBW website or in stores anymore)

(USED) Bath and Body Works Shampoo AND Conditioner. Both 12 floz.
$8.00 for BOTH
(Originally BOTH $7.50)
(Not in stores anymore)
(The conditioner is at the same level as the shampoo)

(NEW but OPEN) LUSH 'Vanilla Puff Powder' Dusting Powder. 3.5 oz.
$9.00
(Originally $10.95)
**When shipped, I will tape the top so no powder comes out. Promise :)


(USED TWICE) LUSH 'I Love Juicy' Shampoo. 3.5 floz
$7.75
(Originally $8.75)
*Will tape top for shipping

(USED TWICE) LUSH 'Rub Rub Rub' Shower Gel. 3.3 floz
$7.95
(Originally $8.95)
*Will tape top for shipping

(NEW) LUSH 'Ultimate Shine' Shampoo Bar WITH Shampoo Bar Tin. 1.9 oz
$12.00
(Original = $9.25 (bar) + $2.95 (tin))


(USED) Samy Silk 'Anti-Frizz Smoothing Serum) 1.75 oz.
$4.25
(Originally $7.99)
(NEW) Pantene Pro-V 'Curl Scrunching Spray Gel - Extra Strong Hold'. 5.1 floz
$4.50
(Originally $5.48)

(NEW) Olay Body 'Quench Mousse' 7.1 oz
$5.50
(Originally $8.99)


(USED TWICE) Olay Body 'Quench Therapy Lotion' 8.4 floz.
$4.50
(Originally $7.49)

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Upcoming Video! Selling my Lush!?

For those of you who watch my videos, I will be posting a very important video to me soon on my channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/iluvjesse444)

Also, in the next week or so I will be listing most of my Lush products on Ebay. I will also be posting the listings here incase anyone is interested in purchasing them!
You'll find out why I have decided to sell my products in the upcoming video!
EDIT: due to the fact that I don't want to get yelled at by ebay for listing opened products because they think it's 'unhygienic', I will be posting the products I have for you guys for a week for the blog sale, then swapping whatever anyone doesn't buy!


I am not doing a contest on my youtube channel for my subscribers with these Lush products due to the information I will share in my video!

-Brianna