One product I like alot and about the only one I've been using since pre BC (1990s) is ALVERA roll on deodorant. (freaked about aluminum /alzheimers link - that's what motivated that sole 'green' product use back then).

Since then, post bc, I've switched soaps to Dr Bronner baby mild/unscented bar soap. I find it is very NON-drying. I like it.

I rarely use moisturizer, and only wear mascara! I'm not green with the mascara or its removal--I figure that most of it is not directly on my skin therefore 'not so bad'….

Outside of the above, I'm not particularly selective or loyal on the paraben free products…I just consult the above mentioned ewg.org database…when I need insect repellant, or moisturizer, or sun screen, I just buy from what's avaialbe at the organic store/combined with a good rating on ewg.org.

I never really thought about it before but I supposed the fact that I've quit buying eye cremes and night cremes and foundations and blush etc -- be it from Roc, Sheseido, Mac, Chanel, or what have you -- I must be saving money!!! Yeah! Now I can go out this weekend for nice dinner/babysitter etc and feel no guilt ! ;o)

PS There is one sun bloc I can recommend for face, phtalate/paraben free: MD Solar Sciences tinted sun creme spf 30. I like it alot but a bit pricey

I have just started using Ava Anderson products. Every single one of them is chemical free, all natural.

www.avaandersonnontoxic.com.

PM me if you have more questions - in full disclosure, I do sell the product and while I know we can't self-promote, I think you may need to purchase through an independent consultant. Though I'm sure the website will point you in the direction of someone local to you.

TheDMM, have you looked at Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara? Here's a link with the ingredients. Not totally natural, but a good choice. I've used it for a couple of years now. http://www.neutrogena.com/product/healthy+volume-+...

I've also done some research on cosmetics, and Bobbie Brown is one of the most natural. Their cosmetic counters have a book that lists ingredients in each product, and they're surprisingly pure and simple. Clarins, which is made in France, is also botannically based. I recently bought one of their foundations, and it works great for my sensitive skin. And Boots Botanics (from the UK; available at Target) are also pretty natural, although I've only used their foundation, which I liked, except for a kind of limited color range.

You really have to search out ingredients lists. So many things that are labeled "healthy" and even "natural," just aren't.

charlottesmommy - just wanted to let you know I found some of the psi products at a Walgreens here. I was able to pick up the Vanicream, Lite Lotion and the bar soap. I just got it yesterday and have been using the cream and really like it. Unfortunately the pump on the lotion is not working properly - we can't get it to pop up to be able to pump it so I have to go exchange that. I was going to order online but then saw the link to check the retail stores that sell it so I figured I would get a few things that way to try out. It turns out a store not far from my surgeon's office sells some of the other products, like the hair spray, so I am going to pick some up from there when I go to my 6 month check up in 3 1/2 weeks. Thanks for suggesting them!

I haven't gotten any make up yet...still checking things out with that, but plan on getting some soon now that I have the lotion taken care of.

Happy Sunday, all!

TheDivineMrsM - I will be really curious to see how the hair spray does. My hair is thin and straight so I curl it a little bit every day and I really, really need the hair spray, so I will definitely have to go with one that works, too. I'm not sure if I am going to get another perm. I had one every few months for years then at some point stopped. Then I started again a few years ago, but I would really drag out the times I did it so it was only about twice a year. Now it's been over a year since I had one, my hair is back to being straight and I can't decide if I want to to it again or not. I figure that stuff can't be too good for me, but at the same time, I haven't done any research on recommendations regarding hair products.

smo23915: I like The Body Shop's Aloe Face Day Cream and Night Cream. Fragrance free, good texture and weight, very moisturizing. If you go to the links below, the provide a full list of ingredients for each.

Day cream: http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/shop-by-line/aloe-s...

Night cream: http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/shop-by-line/aloe-s...

I looked at the ingredients for many of the product that have been listed here. There are so many chemicals out there that it isnt even funny. Europe bans over 1300 toxic chemicals, the U.S. Bans only 11. The fDa does not regulate personal care products (not to mention household cleaners).

www.safecosmetics.com is a great site for more information.

Parabens and aluminum are only part of the story. I also try to avoid anything with "fragrance" as that typically means hidden phthalates which have been associated with autism, infertility, breast cancer, birth defects and diabetes. Triclosan, oxybenzone, petrolatum, polyethylene glycol (PEG's)' sodium laurel sulfate, DEA...the list goes on. UGH, it's so hard!

My husband asked, "isn't it too late for us?" To a degree, maybe, though I have to worry about recurrence and we do have four kids to worry about!

PM if you have questions or want to talk about non-toxic options.

Off to watch Downton Abbey!!

mary625: I am attaching a photo of the Clinique lip balm box here. I don't see parabens listed. Take a look and make sure though, in case I missed it.

Parabens are far from the only things to worry about. Although they're rated low in toxicity, lake dyes like the 6 or 8 listed on the lip balm package above, for example, are synthetically produced from coal tar or petroleum. So while in theory a little bit of 1 may not be harmful, no one has bothered to test what happens when you mix several of them together and apply it to your lips (where surely you'll ingest some of it) multiple times a day, as well as to other areas of your skin via other products.

If you think of these products as skin food or food that gets absorbed into your body through your skin, then the same rule should apply to these ingredients as to food: If you don't recognize it, you probably don't want it eat it or put it on your skin.

That is really good to know because I used to like those brands a lot.

smo, here's a review of Phenoxyethanol by someone who appears to have researched it pretty well. https://www.truthinaging.com/review/phenoxyethanol...

Thought I'd share my recent discovery. It's AWESOME! First I have to preface this by saying I'm a minimalist when it comes to makeup so this might not be for everyone. I've never been one to slather cream foundation on my face and was a big fan of BARE MINERALS for coverage. Lately though, while reading the label of my last batch, I've noticed they've started putting some of that junk you can't pronounce back in their formula. I went searching (and experimenting) and found this webpage. It works really really well. 95 bucks for BARE MINERALS or 50 cents for the DIY! Also, I don't think the article mentions it, but I made bronzer using the same formula (just used extra cocoa powder) and it is hands down the most natural looking bronzer I have ever used.

http://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2014/03/homemade-pow...

A couple tips if you plan on trying it.....I like the arrowroot better. It doesn't attach itself to the baby fuzz on your face as much as cornstarch. Also, I needed a few more drops of oil than the basic recipe called for for moisture so it didn't settle into fine lines. I didn't use tea trea oil because I can't imagine you'd want that stink unless you have break-out prone skin. Finally, I know it said not to use cinnamon, but I have pretty bullet proof skin so I added a touch to the bronzer I made up and haven't had any issues.

This is all great information. Thanks everyone! I have used the skin deep site, but have found it confusing. I have purchased some items at Whole Foods. I had a ton of avon products that I tossed. Used them for years in the previous life.

Did any of you throw out plastic containers, plates and such? My daughter basically cleared out my kitchen of all plastics and we purchased all new, mostly glass items. I can't help at times thinking I'm closing the barn door after all the animals have escaped, but what is one to do...... We must have faith that what we are doing is helping in some way.

Just a tidbit from today. I was at a rummage sale and there was a tube of Celine Dion Lotion. I picked it up and looked at the ingredients. There were no less than 5 different parabens in it along with all the other unpronounceable ingredients. Scary.

Not only do we need to have faith in what we are doing, barn door or no barn door, we are setting good examples for our daughters, telling them to think about things we never thought about until being diagnosed w BC.

My favorite body scrub:

1 1/4 cup epsom salt or sea salt
- 1/2 cup almond oil
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- Essential Oil (whatever fragrance you like, or a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice)
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Jar with lid

Mix salt, almond oil and coconut oil together in large mixing bowl until well combined. Add a 5 drops of essential oil and smell the mixture, adding more essential oil if desired. Place in a jar and store by shower or sink until ready to use. I love this stuff.