Even though many people eat healthy, they often put toxins in their body by unknowingly using harmful skin care products (lotions, perfumes, soap, makeup, etc.). Reading the label on your skin care products is just as important as reading the label on the foods you eat.

According to studies done by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, levels of toxic metals and pesticides can be found in the blood and urine of most Americans. Harmful chemicals are found in many skin care products including shampoos, soaps, shower products, and toothpaste. Over a period of years of applying these products directly on your skin, or in your mouth, the buildup occurs in the system since the skin is a highly absorbent organ.

Not only is the skin highly absorbent (I've read studies that say within 2-3 minutes whatever is applied to the skin is absorbed into the bloodstream) but it is also the body's largest organ and is used for elimination of toxins. Instead of using lotion sold in the grocery store, consider using organic virgin coconut oil, instead. Pure coconut oil is known for its benefits to the skin. For soap, I use 100% pure olive oil soap (the soap itself is green and can be purchased at local health food stores such as Whole Foods).

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Press release below from a new line of natural skin care products called Raw Gaia.

Raw Gaia, a Brighton-based natural skin care company, announces the launch of an unusually pure range of hand-crafted creams, moisturisers, lip balms and massage bars made using only 100% organic, raw and vegan ingredients.

The main benefit of a skin care product made with raw, living ingredients — such as cacao butter, cold-pressed oils and essential oils — is that the body is nourished from the life force, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals present within these substances. In contrast, a high temperature treatment — such as that used to make the vast majority of skin care products — destroys most of this goodness.

Managing director Lisa Lennon comments: "Our products are made by hand, carefully avoiding temperatures above 40°C, to ensure the ingredients retain all their living energy. This makes Raw Gaia truly different."

Raw Gaia's skin care range is free from petrochemicals, artificial colourants and parfums, glycols, lauryl sulphates, parabens, preservatives, synthetic additives, bulking agents and hidden ingredients. Products do not contain any toxic transfatty acids, as the oils are not heat treated.

Hector Bolanos, sales and marketing director, adds: "Our products are absolutely pure — so pure that you could in fact, eat them. As a result of their purity and living nature, they are highly nourishing and effective. Many people have said their skin starts to feel firmer and softer, blemishes and dark patches start to disappear, that their eczema has improved after using our products."

All Raw Gaia products are available at selected stores or can be bought online.

About Raw Gaia
Raw Gaia was started in Brighton by Lisa Lennon and Hector Bolanos during 2006. For many years, the couple searched for the ideal moisturiser, made with ingredients as fresh and close to nature as possible. Unable to find anything suitable, Lisa started experimenting in the kitchen and making her own creams. Eventually, she came up with a product that is one of the purest creams on the market. The success with this cream led her to develop a range of other skin care products.