I try to eliminate toxins from my life and love sharing the information I gather with others so they too can make an educated choice.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
avaNews! December Newsletter
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Ava Anderson in Austin, Texas!
Serena O'Gwin-Miranda
December Ava Anderson Style!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Fall into October Specials!
Friday, August 29, 2014
I tried this Crazy Wrap Thing!

Hidden Makeup Health Risks!
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
I am a Wrapper!
Friday, July 4, 2014
Sunscreen Smarts!
Monday, June 9, 2014
Top Trending Company Ava Anderson!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Think Big!
Monday, June 2, 2014
A Great Cosmetics Resource for You!
Friday, May 30, 2014
A Toxin Free Life Vendor at NISD “kick-off party”
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Bug Spray 'Shout Out'!
Bug Off! Tick Season Safety Tips and Tricks
"Play It Safe Sport light-colored clothing to your next outdoor BBQ so you can easily spot the bad guys and tie long locks back into a tight ponytail. “Then they can’t crawl right up into your scalp,” says Caesar. (Your fave baseball cap will do the trick, too!) Swap out the shorts for leggings or pants tucked into tall socks when tackling yard work. The latter is a total fashion faux pas, we know, but hey—wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry!? And don’t forget the repellent sprays/lotions. The CDC suggests products with 20 percent or more DEET, although Caesar—who lives a non-toxic life—prefers catnip oil. “It can be ten times more effective [than DEET]!” Her fave: Ava Anderson’s Natural Bug Spray" ($19.95, avaandersonnontoxic.com/serenamiranda).
Friday, May 16, 2014
A Proud Day for Ava!
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Mineral Oil - Ingredients to Avoid #16
MINERAL OIL – a petroleum ingredient that coats the skin like plastic wrap, disrupting the natural immune barrier, inhibiting its ability to breathe and absorb natural moisture and nutrition, and its ability to release toxins, which can promote acne and other disorders. The process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing premature aging.
This also applies to tanning oils and lotions—which many of you may be using right now with summer in full swing—as well as the baby oil or lotion that many parents unwittingly slather on their babies.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/21/is-your-moisturizer-causing-skin-cancer.aspx
body butter 4 oz. | |||
Item #: BB01 | |||
Luxurious cream offers superb moisturizing. Naturally rich in vitamins. Maintains skin health and elasticity. Helpful with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dry or irritated skin. | |||
Ingredients: water(purified), butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter), simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) oil, (Helianthus annuus, (organic sunflower) oil, citrus medica limonum (organic lemon essential) oil, citrus aurantifolia (organic lime) oil, citrus reticulate (organic mandarin) oil, rosmarinus officinalis (organic rosemary) leaf extract. www.atoxinfreelife.com |
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Glycol - Ingredients to Avoid #15
GLYCOL – (propylene, butylenes, etc) a synthetic petrochemical mix that has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions, and has been linked through contamination to cancer, developmental/reproductive issues, neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption.
"Propylene glycol is a related chemical that, like PEGs, functions as a penetration enhancer and can allow harmful ingredients to be absorbed more readily through the skin. It can also cause allergic reactions. (Dirty Dozen, Dr David Suzuki) ... "it was also found that PG provoked allergic reactions in patients with eczema and other skin allergies"
shower gel 16 oz. | |||
Item #: SG01 | |||
Created from organic oils and butters to leave your skin clean, soft and smooth. The consistency is indulgent, the lather abundant and the citrus aroma is organic. The results will exceed your expectations. | |||
Ingredients: aloe barbadensis (organic aloe vera leaf) juice, cocos nucifera (organic coconut) oil, coco-glucoside, vegetable glycerin, radish root ferment extract, helianthus annuus (organic sunflower) oil, xanthan gum, citrus aurantifolia (organic lime essential oil), citrus medica limonum (organic lemon essential oil) www.atoxinfreelife.com |
Synthetic Dyes/Colors - Ingredients to Avoid #14
SYNTHETIC DYES/COLOR - "Coal tar dyes are artificial coloring agents made by combining various aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene, xylene, benzene, which are obtained from the distillation of bituminous coal. Coal tars are also made from petroleum distillates." - Healthy Child Healthy World
Avoid synthetic colors. Ava's colors come from fruit, flower and vegetable extracts only.
http://healthychild.org/easy-steps/dont-use-products-made-with-coal-tar-dyes/
pink lip gloss | |||
Item #: LPG02 | |||
Moisturizing and conditioning lip gloss with vitamins and antioxidants to give you shiny, delicious lips. | |||
Ingredients: simmondsia chinesis (organic jojoba) oil, persea gratissima (organic avocado) oil, prunis dulcis (organic sweet almond) oil, limnanthes alba (organic meadowfoam) seed oil, butryospermum parkii (organic shea butter), theobroma cacao (organic cocoa seed) butter, vitis vinifera (organic grape seed) oil, apis mellifera (organic beeswax), euphorbia cerifera (organic candelilla) wax, mentha viridis (organic spearmint leaf) oil, vaccinium macrocarpon fruit (cranberry) powder, chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) extract, rosa gallica (rose petal) flower powder, nelumbo nucifera (lotus flower seed) powder www.atoxinfreelife.com |
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Say 'No' to Lead in Lipstick!
http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=223
#safecosmetics #lipstick #activist
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Monday, May 5, 2014
TEA (Triethanolomine) - Ingredients to Avoid #13
TRIETHANOLOMINE (TEA)
"Triethanolamine is produced by reacting ethylene oxide (considered highly toxic) with ammonia (another known toxin). . According to Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there is strong evidence that Triethanolamine is a human skin, immune system and respiratory toxicant. One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses, especially when used around the mouth, eyes and lips, and one or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results. It has been shown to cause bladder and liver cancer, as well as changes in testicles.
Treithanolamine is used in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products, including eyeliners, mascara, eye shadows, blushers, make-up bases and foundations, as well as in fragrances, hair care products, hair dyes, wave sets, shaving products, sunscreens, and skin care and skin cleansing products.
According to OrganicConsumers.org, Triethanolamine can cause allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. It can cause itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin, all symptoms which may increase with higher concentrations"
http://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/triethanolamine
cleanser 4 oz. | |||||
Item #: CL01 | |||||
Our antioxidant and enriching cleanser leaves the skin clean and refreshed, with natural scent and sudsing. Can also be used as a substitute for soap and/or body wash. Use daily. | |||||
Usage: Apply small amount to pre-wet face. Smooth on face in circular motion and rub gently, until foaming and cleansing begins. Wash away with a warm cloth. Ingredients: aloe barbadensis (organic aloe vera) extract, rosa damascena (organic rose) flower extract, cucumis sativus (organic cucmber) extract, coco glucoside, arctostaphylos uva-ursi (organic bearberry) leaf extract, raphanus sativus (radish root) extract, xanthan gum, citrus sinensis (organic sweet orange essential) oil, vitrus medica limonum (organic lemon essential) oil, citrus paradisi (organic pink grapefruit) essential oil www.atoxinfreelife.com |
DEA (Diethanolomine, Cocamide DEA, Luaramide DEA) - Ingredients to Avoid #12
DIETHANOLOMINE (DEA) and COCAMIDE DEA, LAURAMIDE DEA
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2012/04/10/you-have-the-right-to-know-17-chemicals-to-avoid-in-cosmetic-and-personal-care-products/
"DIETHANOLOMINE (DEA) and its compounds cause mild to moderate skin and eye irritation ... exposure to high doses of these chemicals has been shown to cause liver cancers and precancerous changes in skin and thyroid. The EU classifies DEA as harmful on the basis of danger of serious damage to health from prolonged exposure. DEA compounds can also react with nitrites in cosmetics to form nitrosamines, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies as a possible human carcinogen. Nitrites are sometimes added to products as anti-corrosive agents or can be present as contaminants. The degradation of some chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics can release nitrites when the product is exposed to air.
The Danish EPA classifies cocamide DEA as hazardous to the environment because of its acute toxicity to aquatic organisms and potential for bioaccumulation.
The EU restricts the concentration and use of cocamide and lauramide DEA in cosmetics, and limits the maximum nitrosamine concentration in products containing these ingredients... MEA (monoethanolamide) and TEA (triethanolamine) are related chemicals. Like DEA, they can react with other chemicals in cosmetics to form carcinogenic nitrosamines." sadly, not true in the US.
pretty in pink blush - 12 grams | |||
Item #: BL01 | |||
Formulated with silk powder, a natural moisturizer with anti-inflammatory properties, reducing puffiness and maintaining skin firmness. | |||
Ingredients: Illite, silk powder, daucus carota (purple carrots), kaolin clay. Illite (French Clay has rich mineral content. and acts like a magnet for toxins. It improves blood circulation and makes the skin look radiant, hydrated, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and broken capillaries. It also purifies congested, acne-prone skin types.). In comparison to other synthetic powders that people commonly apply such as talc or even titanium dioxide, silk powder has the unique characteristic of air permeability, helping in maintaining skin glow. The chief ingredient of natural skin powder contains a balanced mix of proteins, and amino acids, which are vital for healthy growth and maintenance of the skin. The other main component of silk powder is a substance called fibroin which is an amphoteric protein, rich in alanine, glycine and serine. These are essential building blocks from which the protein the skin is created naturally by the body. Silk is full of anti inflammation properties which can assist to reduce puffiness in the skin and make it more firm. Not only does silk powder for cosmetics act as a natural sun screen, it aids in promoting glowing skin and a lustrous texture to the skin by absorbing excessive oil thus leaving the skin quite clear and soft.. Not only does silk powder act like a natural moisturizer, it assists in renewing old and damaged skin cells, thus reducing the signs of aging. Even pigmentation, like blemishes and freckles, is significantly reduced. The real color of the skin is restored as melanin production is considerably slowed down. www.atoxinfreelife.com |
Aluminum and metals - Ingredients to Avoid #11
ALUMINUM and metals
"Aluminum is found in some underarm antiperspirants. Like cadmium, aluminum is a metal that mimics estrogen and can also cause direct damage to DNA. ... breast tissue has been shown to concentrate aluminum in the same area where the highest proportion of breast cancers are originally diagnosed. The cosmetics industry uses thousands of synthetic chemicals in its products, in everything from lipstick and lotion to shampoo and shaving cream."
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/environmental-breast-cancer-links/cosmetics/
mens aftershave and moisturizer 2 oz. | |||
Item #: MAS01 | |||
Massage a small amount on freshly shaved skin to moisturize and prevent razor burn. Provides soothing, nourishing and healing benefits. Use between shaves as general moisturizer for face and neck. | |||
Ingredients: water, helianthus annuus (organic sunflower) seed oil, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, prunus armeniaca (organic apricot kernel) oil, butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter), citrus sinensis (organic sweet orange) essential oil,citrus aurantifolia (organic lime) essentail oil, santalum album (organic sandalwood) essential oil.
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Sunday, May 4, 2014
SXSW Eco Voting is Open so Please Help me get 'Picked' to Present
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Slinky Art
Everyone needs a slinky right? Well being the awesome mom I am, I put slinkys in the kids Easter baskets. My oldest Marco tends to take regular things and make them his own and as a mom I have struggled to let that creativity shine through. My first reaction to his creations is to freak out and I have to tell myself he is expressing himself and to just 'Let it Gooooo!' Thank you Frozen for giving me a song to sing on a daily basis! Marco has an Art of seeing the different and I live that in him and as a mom I am learning that it's ok to not always follow the crowd and play with a slinky the way everyone else does but to make it your own! Thank you Marco!
Friday, May 2, 2014
Nano Particles - Ingredients to Avoid #10
"NANOPARTICLES - "The increased capacity of nanoparticles to penetrate skin and gain access to our bodies' cells is a double edged sword: it may be useful for medical purposes, but it could also result in far greater uptake of substances that have a negative health effect.
Recent research shows that nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, one of the most commonly used cosmetic ingredients, (sunscreens) can move across the placenta of pregnant mice, resulting in brain damage and reduced sperm production in male offspring.
The beauty industry is adding 'nanoparticles' to lipstick, foundation and anti-aging products because at this extremely small scale familiar substances have novel optical and biological properties.
As larger particles titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are white and opaque - as in the old fashioned zinc sunscreen worn by surf life savers. But at the nanoscale, a hundred times smaller than a red blood cell, these same substances become transparent. This enables their use in moisturisers and foundations. Other nanoparticles such as aluminium oxide give a 'soft focus' effect that disguises wrinkles. These are used in high-end concealer sticks, foundations and face powders. Carbon 'fullerene' nanoparticles are used in anti-aging creams and moisturizers partly because these tiny nanoparticles penetrate skin so effectively.
The beauty industry's willingness to use novel nanoparticles in its products while their health effects remain so poorly understood has raised a few eyebrows among the less fashion-conscious scientific community."
bb cream - 2 oz. | |||
Item #: BBC01 (Ivory), BBC02 (Bisque), BBC03 (Tan), BBC04 (Latte) | |||
bb creams - short for beauty or blemish creams - are an all in one moisturizer, primer, sunscreen, concealer and foundation. Wear alone as a tinted moisturizer or over your daily moisturizer or powder. | |||
Active ingredients: zinc oxide (non nanoparticle 10%), titanium dioxide (non nanoparticle 7%) Ingredients - aloe barbadensis (organic aloe vera), vitis vinifera (organic grape seed) oil, olea europaea (organic olive fruit) oil, simmondsia chinesis (organic jojoba) oil, butryospermum parkii (organic shea butter), sesamum indicum (organic sesame) oil, titanium dioxide (non nanoparticle), zinc oxide (non nanoparticle), radish root ferment, camellia sinensis (organic green tea) extract, rose mosqueta (organic rosehip) oil, xanthum gum, apis mellifera (organic beeswax), oryza sativa (organic rice bran) oil, punica granatum (organic pomegranate seed) oil. Plus powders for color - argania spinosa shell powder (argan), cocos nucifera shell powder (coconut) pyrus malus fruit extract (apple), theobroma cacao shell powder (cocoa), rosa gallica flower powder rose petals), nelumbo nucifera seed powder (lotus flower), ribes nigrum fruit (black currant), citrus aurantium dulcis peel powder (orange), vaccinium macrocarpon fruit powder (cranberry), and chenopodium quinoa extract (quinoa) www.atoxinfreelife.com |
Retinyl Palmitate - Ingredients to Avoid #9
RETINYL PALMITATE "is composed of palmitic acid and retinol (vitamin A). When exposed to UV light, retinol compounds break down and produce toxic free radicals that can damage DNA and cause gene mutations, a precursor to cancer. Recently available data from an FDA study indicate that retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions. FDA also raised a concern that extensive, daily skin application of vitamin A creams may build up in the woman’s body a high enough level of Vitamin A that may be toxic to the developing fetus." Why is this is many sunscreens and leave on skin care products?
http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/the-problem-with-vitamin-a/
lip balm spf 15 - set of 3 | |||
Item #: LB02 | |||
Fabulously smooth and soft lips will be yours with this delicious “hydrating” lemon lip balm with sun protection - spf 15. | |||
Ingredients: olea europaea oil (organic olive oil), beeswax (organic), theobroma cacao seed butter (organic cocoa butter), butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter), citrus medica limonum oil (organic lemon), zinc oxide ( 15%, non nanoparticle). www.atoxinfreelife.com |
Thursday, May 1, 2014
My SXSW Eco Flipagram Clip
The "-eth" Ingredients to Avoid #8
- Popular products that contained both contaminants include: Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash and Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash."
- Several samples of American Girl shower products were found to contain the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane found in the tests
http://www.womensvoices.org/issues/reports/no-more-toxic-tub/