Your Third Lung

 The Chinese actually call the skin the "Third Lung" because it breathes. Our skin takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide (the same amount AS the lungs in a 60 minute time frame!!!!!).
     Our skin has 3 layers: 
-epidermis, which sheds and replenishes every 28 days. The reason signs of aging occur is because as we age, the cells begin to mix with sebum (which is the oil produced by sebaceous glands) and forms a sticky bond which makes the skin look wrinkled. This is because the skin simply cannot "breathe" like it did in younger years. 
-dermis, the middle layer where you will find hair follicles, sweat glands, nerves and blood vessels. We have to be extremely careful about what reaches this level and enters the bloodstream. You will notice that people who have severe sun damage, or those who simply do not take care of their skin (and eat poorly), look older than they are. This dermis is 70% collagen fibers bonded by elastin. When there is loss of moisture, the fibers become less elastic....skin sags and we get wrinkles.
-subcutaneous layer, the deepest layer.

     In each square INCH of skin there are:

65 hairs
95-100 sebaceous glands
78 yards of nerve fibers
19 yards of blood vessels
650 sweat glands
9,500,000 cells (this blows my mind)
1,300 nerve endings
19,500 additional cells at the end of the nerve fibers
78 sensory apparatuses for heat
13 sensory apparatuses for cold
160-165 pressure apparatuses for the perception of tactile stimuli

     With all this going on, the skin performs 5 functions. It protects our bones and organs. It allows you to feel via the power of sensation. It regulates body temperature. It excretes and secretes. You can absorb as much through your skin as you can through consuming food. SO needless to say, we NEED to treat it better.
     There are about 25,000 chemicals found in household products and personal care products. This is the MAIN reason for my page. I hope to make you aware of these chemicals including coloring agents, perfumes, preservatives, sequestrants, fillers, humectants, texturizers, and stabilizers.

Keep an eye out for these:
*Benzyl alcohol-usually found in cosmetics and perfumes. HIGHLY toxic, poisonous if swallowed, moderately toxic if inhaled or absorbed via skin, can cause skin and eye irritations.
*Benzyl Salicylate- found in perfumes and sunscreens. Possible allergen and can irritate skin. Moderately toxic if swallowed.
*Butyl alcohol- Used in shampoos..oh and gasoline. Need I say more? ok I will..skin irritant, harmful and toxic if swallowed or if it comes in contact with the eyes. Duh.
*Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- VERY COMMON in shampoos, bath and shower gels, hand lotions, bubble baths, toothpaste. This is toxic if swallowed (ironic that it is in toothpaste), it is a mild allergen and skin irritant..and and this gem is also a mutagen(chemical agent that CHANGES DNA and causes mutations) 
*Methoxsalen-Found in suntan lotions, hair gels, mousse, creams and ointments. This is a confirmed carcinogen(causes cancer...infuriates me that this is even legal), toxic by swallowing, mutagen.
*Octyle acetate- Oderant in perfumes cosmetics, hair products, skin lotions. Toxic if swallowed..also skin and eye irritant.
*Salicyclic Acid- used in hair gels and skin care products. Mutagen and poisonous if swallowed.
*Methylparaben-Preservative used in moisturizers. Mutagen, toxic if swallowed, can cause allergic reactions
*Isopropyl myristate-helps absorption of skin creams. Irritates skin and clogs pores
*Stearic acid-Found in bar soaps, cosmetics, facial creams, lotions and shaving creams. Causes skin irritations.
*Triethanolamine- Found in shampoos and shaving gels and helps products from drying out. Toxic if swallowed
*Propylparaben-added in products to kill germs. Toxic if swallowed; allergen.
*Titanium dioxide- Provides white pigment in products. Known skin irritant.
(these are just the most common toxins)

     Now you may be saying "Hey Holly, I won't eat these and won't swallow them so why be so worried?". Well, if you swallow a substance, the liver filters SOME of it protecting the bloodstream..and while this causes stress on your liver, it WILL end up reducing the harmful effects. However, if you apply this same toxin to the skin, the wonderful mechanism of the liver is completely bypassed. The skin is kinda counting on you to NOT put poison on it...for real.

     Again, please look through the photo album I created. I have found high quality, SAFE products for you to use. I will continue to research and add to this album and list. The FDA is not your friend, but I am. Please become a label reader, with food AND health care products/cosmetics. We really do not know the full extent of the damage of these toxins, and I can assure you that we don't WANT to know.