Question from Kiki Li

Hi Debra,

I recently read your book Toxic Free and have been doing my best to transition into living a chemical free lifestyle. I work in the beauty industry and was an avid Botox and dermal filler client which I have stopped doing since reading your book.

I would like your opinion on the safety in terms of toxicity of treatments such as thermage and fraxel which uses radio frequency and lasers.

Also I assume without saying that Botox and dermal fillers are unnatural and toxic but I would like your confirmation as well.

Debra’s Answer

You don’t have to look far to find information on the side effects of botox injections. Just search on “botox health effects ” and you’ll get warnings from The Mayo Clinic, WebMD, drugs.com and other mainstream medical sites.

Botox is a drug made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum called botulinum toxin. A neurotoxin. That means it’s toxic to the nervous system. When you get a botox treatment you are just injecting a toxic substance into your body.

There are three types of dermal fillers, each with their own health effects. Here’s a good article on WebMD that gives a breakdown of available wrinkle fillers, their basic ingredients, how they work, and their pros and cons: WebMD: What you should know about wrinkle fillers.

If you want to reduce your wrinkles, it’s best to use a natural product, such as Touchstone Essentials’ Super Serum I personally know people using this all-natural product and I’ve seen dramatic changes in their skin. You can see a before and after picture.

There are other natural skin restoring products that reduce wrinkles by nourishing the skin topically and from within. Better to choose one of those.

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Question from cheseldm

Hi Debra,

I found this company on line and thought you and your readers would be interested. I am not connected with this company. Just interested in creating a non-toxic home.

www.diynaturalbedding.com

P.S. Thank you for your wonderful website. It has greatly help me and my husband.

Debra’s Answer

Oh this is great! Thank you! I’m going to put this on Debra’s List.

DIY Natural Bedding is about letting you have your mattress and pillow your way. They have all the natural materials (including GOTS certified organic fabrics). They have patterns so you can get materials and make your own mattress at home, or they will sew it for you. You choose and control everything.

Mattress fill is latex or wool, more choices for pillows. They even sell the notions, like zipper by the foot.

I just spoke with Deborah and she’s going to be a guest on Toxic Free Talk Radio on Tuesday, 24 February 15. Listen live or play the archived recording.

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Question from L Budin

Hi Debra,

I would like a list of furniture manufacturers who make furniture that is free of carcinagens and toxic odors. I am asthmatic and have gone thru two different sets of bedroom furniture that I now have to discard. Help!

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have a list of manufacturers, but you probably have some nontoxic wood furniture right in your own community.

Look in the yellow pages for “unfinished wood furniture.”

I have purchased most of my furniture at unfinished wood furniture stores. Most of the pieces still don’t have any finish on them—just bare wood. But you can finish them yourself with any nontoxic finish.

Everything I didn’t buy at an unfinished wood furniture store I bought used at auctions or salvage stores. My desk where I write every day is an old oak library table from Stanford University that was taken apart and was sitting in pieces at a salvage yard. All the edges were frayed but it was a beautiful table. My husband sawed the edges off and put an edging of purpleheart wood and a nontoxic finish. It’s the most gorgeous desk in the world. $50 for the desk and I don’t remember how much the purpleheart wood was, maybe another $50. So $100 and lots of love. I should take a picture…

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Question from sttlove

I purchased a new Maytag gas range, but have been unable to use the oven because the fumes make my eyes burn and give me a headache. I called the company and they said it is a coating and it needs to burn off, but it still hasn’t. I suspect that it is the insulation inside the oven that is bothering me.

Would an oven that doesn’t have self-cleaning be less toxic because it would have less insulation and coatings inside?

Are there any recommendations on a gas oven brand or model that is less toxic?

Or, should I continue on my hunt for a used one that has finished its off-gassing?

Debra’s Answer

You’re best bet is to get a used oven that has finished outgassing.

The last oven I bought was a Whirlpool gas range that was a floor model. It had been sitting there quite some time and when I brought it home there were no odors of any kind. I think it was because it had been sitting out on the floor for months.

Mattress fill is latex or wool, more choices for pillows. They even sell the notions, like zipper by the foot.

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Question from Craig

Hi, Debra. This is Craig. I contacted 3 USDA organic companies regarding the question: “For the skin, is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?”

Badger Balm: http://www.badgerbalm.com/
Terressentials: http://www.terressentials.com/
Herbal Choice Mari: http://www.herbalchoicemari.com/

Hi, my name is Craig. I have a question. My skin is more of a dry/sensitive type.

For the skin, as a man, what products would work for skin that is a dry/sensitive type, and is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?

Thank you for your time.

Craig Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 7:55 PM
Hi, my name is Craig. I have a question. My skin is more of a dry/sensitive type.

For the skin, as a man, what products would work for skin that is a dry/sensitive type, and is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?

Thank you for your time.

To: Craig
Hi Craig –
Great questions! In return, I have a few questions for you. What kind of skin products are you interested in? Ones that moisturize? Cleanse? Products used for shaving? Sunscreen? The reason I ask is because we have a large selection of skin care products that work a little differently from one another. As a whole, I would say that anything in our Unscented line would be great for dry/sensitive skin. Also, given that it is unscented, it lends itself to being gender neutral.
In regards to lotion vs. oil: with lotion there are the added ingredients for product stabilization as well as for the lotion itself. With oil, you’re basically cutting to the chase and using the base ingredients for moisturizing your skin: oil + essential oils. In our Body Oils, the main ingredient is Jojoba Oil, an oil that most closely mimics our skin’s oil, thus allowing the body oil to be absorbed into the skin fairly quickly.
Hope this helps! Feel free to follow up with any additional questions.

Your friendly Badger,
Caity

Caity Stuart – Customer Service
W.S. Badger Company, Inc.
custserv@badgerbalm.com | 800-603-6100
www.badgerbalm.com

To: Cust Serv Inbox <custserv@badgerbalm.com>
Thanks for the reply. I’m more interested in moisturizing.

Cust Serv Inbox <custserv@badgerbalm.com> Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM
To: Craig
Hi Craig –

Again, I would stick with the Unscented line. If you’re wanting something for the face, the Unscented Face oil is a great everyday moisturizer. It is best used when after a shower or cleansing of the face. It is also beneficial to use at night before bed as an overnight treatment.

For the body, I would go with the Unscented Body Oil.

Let me know if you have any additional questions!

Your friendly Badger,
Caity

Caity Stuart – Customer Service
W.S. Badger Company, Inc.
custserv@badgerbalm.com | 800-603-6100
www.badgerbalm.com

#2 Terressentials:

Craig Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 7:51 PM
To: terrehelpdesk@mailworks.org
Hi, my name is Craig. I have a question. My skin is more of a dry/sensitive type.

For the skin, as a man, what products would work for skin that is a dry/sensitive type, and is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?

Thank you for your time.

terrehelpdesk@mailworks.org <terrehelpdesk@mailworks.org> Sat, Jan 17, 2015 at 4:55 PM
To: Craig
Hi Craig —

Many people with sensitive skin just rave about our Fragrance-free line
of products (http://www.terressentials.com/fffacialcare.html). You
could try the Fragrance-free Gentle Bath Gel (made with organic olive
oil castile soap and moisturizing oils) for washing the body and the
Fragrance-free Facial Cleanser for the face. For daily moisturizing, we
recommend our Fragrance-free Facial Lotion and Body Lotion; for deeper
moisturizing of face and body (perhaps overnight), the Fragrance-free
Moisture Cream (pure, organic shea butter) is great.

Our organic Cocoa Butter Body Oil is great when your skin is warm and
damp, right out of the shower. Whether you use a body lotion or oil (or
our super-moisturizing Body Cremes) depends on your personal preference,
but the lotions do have certain healing herbal extracts (such as green
tea and lady’s mantle) that are not contained in the oils. Check out
all of the ingredients on our website.

I hope this information is helpful. Thanks for your interest in our
products.

Mary
Terressentials

Last is Herbal Choice Mari: Nature’s Brands:

Craig Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 7:37 PM
To: Service@naturesbrands.com
Hi, My name is Craig. I have a question. My skin is more of a dry/sensitive type.

For the skin, is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?

I’m looking at the organic jojoba oil. http://www.naturesbrands.com/hcm/organic-jojoba-oil.html?gclid=CMGxsaXimcMCFdcUgQod8jMAGg

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Natures Brands <Service@naturesbrands.com> Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 11:12 AM
To: Craig
Hello Craig,

Thank you for your inquiry. The organic jojoba oil works very well for dry skin; however oil seeps into the skin very quickly and a cream will slowly release its moisturizing oils. It is good to try both to see which one will work best for your skin.

Hope this helps,

Customer Service

Over 150 Certified USDA Organic health and Beauty Products
Natures Brands
www.NaturesBrands.com
Service@NaturesBrands.com
Toll Free 1-888-417-1375
Tel 210-599-1109

Debra’s Answer

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From Debra Lynn Dadd

New research from Rutgers University has now associated a common pesticide with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

Apparently, pyrethroid pesticides may alter the development of the brain’s dompamine system, which is responsible for emotional expression and cognitive function.

Read more: Environmental News Network: ADHD linked to pesticide exposure

Pyrethroids now constitute the majority of commercial household insecticides. Heretofore they were considered to be generally harmless to humans in low doses.

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Question from Vivian

I found a Natural Sleep Shop in Cranberry township, PA 16066 whose mattresses are certified both by GOTS and GOLS. They have some beds set up to try out so you can determine what firmness you want before you purchase. I took me forever to find this place and thought others my be interested in knowing there is a store like this.

Debra’s Answer

Yes, they do carry mattress certified by both GOTS and GOLS, but only their Naturepedic brand mattresses are so certified. Their other mattresses are not.

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Question from Bonnie Johnson

Hi I was surfing the on line Sams Club page for some organic products and noticed they carry an organic mattress set. It is called American Sleep Organic Mattress. It says it is composed of ;atex and wool. Just wondered if you have heard anything about it?

Debra’s Answer

I went to http://www.samsclub.com/sams/american-sleep-organic-mattress-full/prod865238.ip to take a look at this.

There are a few errors. Clearly the copy was written by someone who doesn’t understand mattresses.

First, there are no certifications mentioned, so “organic” is just a claim.

Second, “organic mattress” is a defined term. Though it may use organic components, the mattress as a whole is not certified organic, so there is no third party inspection that the entire manufacturing process meets any kinf of standard.

Third, it says that their “components” come from the USA. Well that’s just untrue. There is absolutely NO latex grown in the United States. All latex components of mattresses are imported.

If you are considering purchasing this mattress, ask them for their organic certifications.

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Question from sue

Hi,

I’m thinking of buying linen bedding. They are pretty expensive so buying them organic is not possible for me. I do buy organic sheets otherwise. My question is if you may know if they are free of chemicals? I’m looking into buying them from H&M as they are well priced. I will try to get info from them but I wondering if anyone here would know about Linen Bedding as well.

Thank You!!!

Debra’s Answer

I did a wonderful interview on Toxic Free Talk Radio with Tricia Rose, Founder of Rough Linen. On this show she talks about how linen is grown.

Here is another good article about linen production: How Products Are Made: Linen

Some chemicals may be used, such as herbicides, but much of the linen supply is still produced by traditional methods that don’t involve chemicals. This is not usually labeled.

In general, though, fewer chemicals are involved in the production of linen than cotton.

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Question from Jane Burkhouse

I had my new Speed Queen top loader washer delivered today and the smell from t he drum is making me very ill.

I was told to wash 4 tubs of clothing and t he smell would disapate or get less nauiating. It hasn’t and right now I’m rinsing the tub with white vinegar, letting it dry and rinsing it again, letting it dry, etc., etc.

I have severe MCS and was worried about getting a new washing machine. I was told that a Speed Queen would smell for a few days and then the off-gassing from whatever is in or coating the drum would go away. Not so it just seems to be getting stronger and stronger.

Do you have any ideas as to how I clean the drum to get rid of the smell? It was suppose to go away as soon as I cleaned the drum and removed the finishing wax. Not so. It just seems to keep right on smelling.

Would Zeolite help. I would put Zeolite in the drum and let it set for a few days. Them remove the Zeolite and rinse, rinse, and rinse again with a strong bleach and vinegar solution.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Sincerely, Jane Glora Burkhouse

Debra’s Answer

Here are a couple of things you might try.

1. contact odorklenz.com about this and see what they recommend

2. contact nontoxic.com and see what Daliya recommeds

3. There is a product you get at the supermarket called washing machine cleaner. www.clorox.com

It’s strong chlorine bleach, but the cholorine dissipates and this worked for me to get an odor out of my new washer.

Debra 🙂