Ditch The Bone-Damaging Toxic Moisturizer And Use This Instead

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA Lifestyle

Evidence-Based
8 min Read

This week we have a treat: our bone health coach, Elizabeth, created a bone-healthy, antioxidant-rich moisturizer for face and body. So when she sent me the recipe, I knew I had to share it with Savers!

Commercial moisturizers can contain all sorts of bone-damaging ingredients, such as parabens and propylene glycol, to name a few. And many of them do not have skin-nourishing, age-defying antioxidants like today’s recipe.

This homemade moisturizer is all natural, a potent anti-inflammatory, and contains just five bone-smart ingredients, many of which you may already have in your kitchen.

The first ingredient helps hold moisture close to your skin, and even has medicinal qualities. So let’s begin with…

1. Sweet Almond Oil

Used for thousands of years, sweet almond oil is excellent for your skin. It is called “sweet” because it is cold-pressed from the edible almonds so many of us enjoy. While it is sometimes simply called almond oil, it is distinct from bitter almond oil, which is made from a different almond and does not have the same benefits.

Sweet almond oil, however, does have many benefits and skin-healthy attributes.
First of all, it balances absorption and moisturizing. Many oils absorb into your skin so quickly that they lose their moisturizing effect in minutes. Others fail to absorb much at all, and sit on the surface of your skin, making for a slippery mess. Sweet almond oil absorbs well into the skin, so there is no greasy feeling after use; but it also stays partially on your skin’s surface and traps moisture for hours.

Here are some other benefits of sweet almond oil.

  • Its anti-inflammatory action calms skin allergies, soothes chapped skin, and relieves other irritations and even infections.
  • If you have dark circles under your eyes, almond oil can help lighten these and other unwanted dark spots.
  • Almond oil is known as a wrinkle reducer and preventer, especially when applied at night while skin is damp and freshly washed.
  • Sweet almond oil contains bone-healthy vitamins such as E, D, and A. It contains Omega-6 linoleic acid as well as the lesser-known oleic acid, also known as Omega-9. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat that boosts antioxidant production. According to a 2002 study, oleic acids “contribute to enhance[sic] cellular antioxidant defenses against mitochondrial oxidative stress…”1 Antioxidants are not only good for your skin and bones, but they also help reduce the signs of aging.

2. Coconut Oil

This tropical oil has received a lot of attention in recent years. Once maligned as an unhealthy fat, coconut oil has been shown to be remarkably healthful. Here are some of its properties.

  • Research has shown coconut oil to be a powerful anti-fungal, with a study concluding “…that coconut oil was active against species of Candida at 100% concentration compared to fluconazole. Coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species.”2 Coconut oil would be an especially beneficial moisturizer for anyone with a fungal skin condition.
  • Coconut oil is also antimicrobial. It contains lauric and capric acids, which disrupt the cell membranes of harmful bacteria and viruses.
  • A comprehensive review of coconut oil’s antimicrobial effects concludes that coconut oil – especially lauric acid – “have in vitro and in vivo evidence for killing a wide variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria…it may be a reasonable option for patients with mild to moderate dermal infections, especially acne vulgaris caused by P. acnes, polymicrobial atopic dermatis, impetigo, or wound infections.”3 Finally, a moisturizer that will help clear acne rather than make it worse!
  • Amazingly enough, coconut oil has been shown to prevent bone loss.4 Great news for those who want to preserve their bone density!

3. Green Tea

Green tea is exceptionally rich in antioxidants, especially a type of antioxidant known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). OPCs fight the signs of aging (such as wrinkles and fine lines) by fighting free radicals and repairing cellular damage. In addition, OPCs have the unique ability to inhibit certain enzymes that, unchecked, break down collagen and elastin, which are responsible for skin’s supple elasticity.

Additionally, green tea:

  • Contains anti-bacterial catechins, making it an excellent acne and infection fighter;
  • Acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce irritated, red, or sore areas of the skin, making it ideal for those with rosacia or psoriasis.

4. Beeswax

Beeswax makes this recipe thicker and creamier, but it also adds its own healthful properties to the mix.

  • Like the other ingredients already listed, beeswax is anti-inflammatory, making this moisturizer a powerful remedy against inflammation. Like honey, beeswax can soothe and heal burns, so this moisturizer would be a soothing option after sustaining a sunburn.
  • Its Vitamin A content promotes cell renewal and supple, strong skin.
  • Beeswax has humectant properties, which means it attracts water to keep skin moist.
  • Beeswax forms a protective layer on the skin that holds in moisture, but also allows the skin to “breathe” and won’t clog pores.
  • Natural beeswax contains bone-healthy propolis, a natural antibiotic and anti-fungal. Beeswax is a very complex substance that cannot be reproduced by humans, and it contains Vitamin C, B vitamins, bioflavonoids, calcium, magnesium, and copper.

    You can make this recipe without beeswax. You can either use a vegan alternative to beeswax, such as plant-derived wax, or leave out the almond oil and use all coconut oil, which is solid at room temperature.

5. Grapefruit Essential Oil

Grapefruit essential oil (GEO) adds a refreshing citrus scent to this moisturizer, but it does more than just that. In aromatherapy, GEO’s uplifting fragrance improves mood and helps you “perk up” when you feel mentally fatigued.

In addition, GEO is rich in antioxidants (especially Vitamin C), and when used in facial moisturizer, it helps clear up acne. This latter is likely due to GEO’s antimicrobial attributes. In fact, a 2011 study found GEO to be effective against a wide range of harmful microbes, including Staphylococcus aureus.5

As you can see, this moisturizer has some very healthful ingredients. And to think, you can make it at home, and even give it as a gift!

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

Makes about 1/4 cup of moisturizer

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
  • 1 green tea bag or 1 tsp loose green tea
  • 10 grams of beeswax, grated (it will be around 2 to 3 tablespoons)
  • 8 drops of grapefruit essential oil

Directions:

  1. Place the oils in a small glass jar, and put the jar in a small pot of hot water. Stir occasionally as the oils melt together. When they are very warm, cut open the tea bag and stir in the tea leaves.
  2. Steep, covered, overnight. The next morning, strain the oil through a coffee filter into another small jar. Allow the oil to drip through the filter for several hours.
  3. Then heat the oil again in the pot of hot water, and stir in the beeswax until melted. Remove jar from the water and allow to cool completely. If it is too thin after it’s cool, reheat and stir in a little more beeswax.

To use, scoop up a small amount with your finger and soften it in your palm. Then gently apply to your face or wherever you need a non-toxic moisturizer.

Non-Toxic Skin Care Is An Important Step In Detoxification

Avoiding acidifying toxins is an important, yet often overlooked aspect of bone rejuvenation. Changing your skin care routine to include non-toxic, bone-healthy ingredients is an excellent first step in recovering your bone density and balancing your body’s pH.

You see, osteoporosis is a result of imbalance; it’s not a disease. In fact, osteoporosis is more like a symptom, alerting you to a state of unbalanced pH. Detoxification is an excellent way to “jump start” the pH-balancing process so your bones can flourish.

Now is a great time to detox. The holiday season is in full swing, and it will soon be time for New Year’s resolutions. Why not resolve to rid your body of toxins? With the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse, it’s easy to keep such a commitment.

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That’s because the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse is an uncomplicated, food-based cleanse that doesn’t involve expensive, harsh supplements. It is highly effective, particularly if you are coming off of osteoporosis drugs and want to remove as much of them from your body as possible. The Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse purifies the liver and kidneys, and helps your body “release” as many bone-damaging toxins as possible, leaving you feeling energized and ready to start a new year.

Give yourself the gift of more energy and healthy bones this holiday season!

Till next time,

References:

1 Duval, Carine, et al. “Mitochondrial oxidative stress is modulated by oleic acid via an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent activation of glutathione peroxidase.” Biochem J. November 1, 2002. 367(Pt 3): 889-894. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1222939/

2 Ognolu, D.O., et al. “In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria.” J Med Food. June 2007. (10(2):384-7. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17651080

3 https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2014-05/treatment-dermal-infections-topical-coconut-oil

4 Hyatullina, Z., et al. “Virgin coconut oil supplementation prevents bone loss in osteoporosis rat model.” Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Sep 16, 2012. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23024690

5 Uysal, Burcu, et al. “Essential oil composition and antibacterial activity of the grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi. L) peel essential oils obtained by solvent-free microwave extraction: comparison with hydrodistillation.” International Journal of Food Science and Technology. April 27, 2011. Volume 46, issue 7, pages 1455-1461. Web. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2011.02640.x/abstract