I had breakouts on my back and chest several years ago. And it was not fun. But by realizing what some of your triggers are, you might be able to clear things up all on your own like I did–without pricey or drying products.

Don’t get me wrong, I tried seeking professional help first. I went to a dermatologist, a doctor, an acupuncturist, an aesthetician, but nothing helped. Doctors even told me that the strongest, most severe types of acne medication would not have even helped my horrible breakouts–thank goodness, considering all of the dangers now linked to some of these products.

Then I was diagnosed with intolerances to gluten and casein. So I went gluten-free in my diet, but I took it further still. I was already using only natural, paraben free products for my hair care, skin care and cosmetics, but I wondered if gluten in these products was also sabotaging my skin.

And guess what . . . it was! But there are still other ingredients that I avoid as well to keep my back and chest ready for strapless, backless and whatever kinds of outfits fit my mood.

I actually still receive emails from people all the time who are also suffering from acne on their chest, back or face, and here is the advice I usually share:

Top Tips for Battling Acne on Your Back, Chest and Face

• Start With Diet: If you suspect that you might have a food intolerance, try doing an elimination diet for a few weeks to see if you can target any trigger foods. The top eight food allergens are wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, dairy, fish, shellfish, eggs.
• Check Your Shampoo: If you are sensitive to any foods, you may need to purchase shampoo, conditioner and styling products that are also free of them. Think about it, when you’re in the shower, your hair products rinse right down you back and chest.  It’s also a great idea to wash your body last, so you can wash off hair products like conditioner, which is meant to coat the hair and could be coating your back and chest.
• Use a Gentle Cleanser: If you’re sensitive to something like gluten, you may also be sensitive to common irritants like parabens or fragrances. In my case two bars of soap can be exactly the same, but if one has any amount of fragrance oil in it, it’ll be fine on most of my body, but use it on my back, chest or face and I’ll get a zit. So I only use fragrance-free, natural soaps or cleansers on my face, back and chest. Even using your face wash (if it meets the criteria) is fine, but it will cost you more!
• Check Your Laundry Products: Personally, I haven’t had much problem with fabric care products, though I do try to use fragrance free, natural options. For some people, the icky chemicals in fabric softeners can irritate the skin.
• Don’t Over-Treat: Your back and chest are not used to a lot of products, and the less the better for keeping them clear. In my case just putting any type of moisturizer on my neck will cause a pimple–even if it has built in acne fighting power! Think more about what you put in your body and what you cleanse it with, and then you shouldn’t have to use any topical creams or treatments on your back and chest. These can just irritate and dry the area–over drying of acne prone areas can result in your skin just producing more oil and more acne.
• Be Patient: It took a while for me to figure all of this out, and the time I spent with the breakouts was pretty unpleasant. But I did figure it all out, and now everything’s clear! I do still get one or two spots on my chest or face at a certain time each month from time to time, but now if I do, I just make sure that I’m cleansing the area with a good, gentle cleanser, and if it’s on my face I make sure I’m using my Facial Moisture Serum twice a day to balance. But I also know that it will pass and one pimple every couple of months I can handle!!

European beauty experts have favored natural, oil-based beauty serums to chalky-feeling, oil-free moisturizers for decades. And the reason is that some natural, plant-derived oils can actually retrain the skin to help regulate oil production.

The first time I was ever told to put oil on my skin to stop oil and breakouts, I was shocked! As far as I had always been told by department store makeup brands, oil was  bad, right? Not true. Especially since natural oils like Jojoba Oil and Macadamia Oil are actually very close to the skin’s natural sebum. And Essential Oil Palmarosa also helps to combat acne and balance oil.

So while you may need to use a bit less of your moisturizer, like this Moisture Serum, in the Summer, just because your skin isn’t as dry, it’s still an important part of your Summer beauty routine. Stick to a gentle, exfoliating cleanser to help wash away dirt and dry skin cells, your moisturizer and sunscreen when you need it, and you’ll be simply glowing this Summer!

Here are a few ingredients that I hear people mention all the time, and wince when I realize are in eye makeups, underarm deodorants and other products that wind up getting absorbed by the body or making their way into our mucus membranes:

Neem Oil–This oil, which I spotted in some former favorite holistic eye makeup products is often used for its antibacterial properties, which would be especially important in an eye product, as these can be breeding grounds for bacteria. But is the cost worth the benefit? Neem oil can be damaging to organs such as the liver and kidneys, and should especially not be used during pregnancy, as it has been shown to produce damage to organs vital to maintaining pregnancy, and ingestion of more than 5ml has lead to death in infants.

Tea Tree Oil–Often seen in products like natural deodorants, tea tree oil is used for its anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. But some common side effects include skin reactions such as itching, rash or worsened eczema. While too large of topical doses can cause poor muscle coordination and even difficulty walking, but worse yet, when taken orally, this ingredient can cause severe reactions ranging from hallucinations to coma. Tea tree oil should also not be used during pregnancy, or by children, as hormonal abnormalities like enlarged breasts in prepubescent boys has been shown to occur.

Carmine–Considered one of nature’s only “true reds,” this pigment is made from grinding up the abdomens of cochineal (beetle). But not only is it not a cruelty-free ingredient, but also a common skin irritant. And when used as a food dye, this natural red has even caused such severe allergic reactions in some such as anaphylactic shock.

Still, every year I do tend to give in at some point and a box of soothing, lotion-coated tissues. This does banish the dry skin, but what’s in those tissues, and is it worth it?

While there are a couple of leading brands specializing in these types of tissues, let’s take a look at the brand so big we call it by name: Kleenex.

Here is the ingredient list for a box of Kleenex Lotion Facial Tissues with Aloe and Vitamin E:

• Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Ceresin, Stearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract

And a breakdown of what exactly those ingredients are:

• Mineral Oil: a mixture of petroleum derived hydrocarbons
• Ceresin: derived from a natural wax
• Stearyl Alcohol: a long-chain organic alcohol
• Isopropyl Palmitate: an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid
• Dimethicone: silicon-based lubricant and conditioning agent
• Tocopherol Acetate: chemical compound of acetic acid and vitamin E
• Aloe Vera Extract: extracted from the leaves of the aloe plant

Some are simple enough, but dimethicone and mineral oil are two ingredients I try not to put on my skin.

So I ran a SkinDeep preliminary report:

A score of 2 is really not bad. But I also wondered if these “vitamin E” rich tissues contain gluten. So I contacted the parent company, Kimberly-Clark. According to the rep with whom I spoke, they do not use any wheat, rye, barley, spelt or kamut in the manufacture of this product. (I also checked on soy while I was at it, and was told no soy or palm either.)

So the tissues are gluten-free, and the hazard score is only a 2. But will I be using them this Winter?

Well, just look at what EWG said about the tissue’s number one ingredient, mineral oil: Human immune and respiratory toxicant – strong evidence.

So then in my opinion it would seem a bit counterproductive to blow my runny nose with a respiratory toxicant. In other words, I think I’ll pass.

For tips on how to manage your skin to combat Winter dryness, check out my Gluten Free Beauty blog post.

I am in a wonderful state of skin shock!

At Tuesday night’s Gorgeous and Green, I was very fortunate to meet Karen Behnke, founder of Juice Beauty.  I have long been a fan of Juice Beauty’s Blemish Clearing Serum.  So when I heard back from a customer service rep that the products cannot be confirmed as gluten free, I was quite distraught about finding a replacement. 

On Tuesday night, however, Karen was shocked to hear this news and confirmed that the product is in fact gluten free!  She was unsure of how this misinformation came my way, and very appologetic, but most importantly, proud to review with me the organic ingredients she uses in her products, all of which are gluten free and !

Now, I have been blogging a lot lately about how nothing can ever compare to my 100% Pure Organic Healing Balm facial moisturizer, but last night I just may have found it’s match–and it contains an SPF.  A quick spritz of the Juice Beauty’s mist and application of moisturizer, and I woke up with soft, supple skin.  I’ll continue my trial to be sure, but I just may be loving these other Juice beauties already!

My skin was immediately softer and more supple, leaving me infinitely grateful to be using the Healing Balm again.  I can see how the toner is a nice addition, and would’ve been good to have while travelling, but I did sneak a bit of my new Naturopathica Environmental Defense Mask along with me, and used that to spot treat any blackheads or spots. 

What surprised me the most, however, was when I saw my mom.  I hadn’t seen her since the summer, and her skin looked positively radiant!  My mom is nearing 60 and looks like she’s in her 40s, she absolutely has great genes, but her skin was different since I’d last seen her.  Her skin was soft and glowing, and I had to know how! 

Surprise!  Mom’s been using the 100% Pure Organic Healing Balm for the past few months.  She absolutely loves it, and was telling everyone at Thanksgiving who was willing to listen.

So all in all, I am back onto my regular skin care routine, though maybe I’ll give the Hauschka facial oil and toner another try. Either way, I adore Dr. Hauschka’s bronzer, mascara, eye liner and lipstick. And I’m sure he has plenty more amazing products to offer that I’ve yet to try.

The morning show has passed, but there is still another chance.  QVC will re-air the program about these amazing products and their patent-pending fruit pigmented formulations tonight at 9pm EST and 6pm PST. 

This is a great chance to learn about some truly groundbreaking natural products–plus, the entire line (except the mascara) is gluten free!

Click the product picture to purchase or check out my reviews in the Make-Up and Skin Care sections of www.NaturallyDahling.com .

1. Lead- A neurotoxin that can accumulate in the body over time. Found in lipsticks, hair dyes, hair care, etc. Often listed as lead and lead acetate.

2. Mercury- Known to cause damage to the brain and diminish function. Found in mascaras, etc. Often listed as mercury, thimerosol, mercuric oxide, phenyl mercuric acetate, and phenyl mercuric benzoate.

3. Phthalates- These tiny plasticizers can cause infertility, feminization of baby boys and sperm damage. Found in “fragrance,” nail polish, nail treatment, etc. Often listed as phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate. These tricky toxins can legally be left out of ingredient list, encompassed under “fragrance.” So when buying a product that does not specify fragrance as being naturally derived, I suggest contacting the company.

4. Hydroquinone- This skin bleaching ingredient can cause ochronosis, an irreversible skin condition causing black and black raised bumps on the skin. Found in skin lighteners, anti-agers, hair color/bleach, SPF products, concealer, acne treatments, astringent/toners, etc. Often listed as hydroquinone.

5. Petroleum- Byproducts of this non-renewable, industrial resource still make their way into cosmetic products despite the high-incidence of cancer causing contaminants. Found in facial cleansers, moisturizers, facial treatments, styling products, eye make-up, soap, anti-perspirants, concealer, sunscreens, etc. Often listed as petroleum, petrolatum, petroleum distillates, mineral oil, mineral spirits, unspecified waxes and paraffins.

6. Parabens- These estrogen-mimicers have been found in breast tumors, linked to breast cancer and known tocause hormonal activity in the body. Found in deodorants, lotions, eye shadows, shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes, facial moisturizers, etc. Often listed as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, (I pretty much avoid anything ending in “paraben”).

7. Sodium Lauryl Sulfates- These commonly found chemicals have been shown to cause severe changes to the skin, though studies linking them to cancer are still debatable. Found in toothpastes, shampoos, facial cleansers, body wash, acne treatment, exfoliants, moisturizers, hair color/bleach, etc. Often listed as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sulfuric acid, monodecyl ester and monododecyl ester.

8. Formaldehyde - This awful enbalmer is not just awful smelling, it is also known to cause respiratory irritation as well as cancercancer. Found in nail polish, baby soaps, eye lash adhesives, hair products, sunscreens, etc. Often listed as formaldehyde, formalin, formic aldehyde, Merthaldehyde, methanal, methyl aldehyde, oxomethane, oxymethylene.

9. Coal Tar- A known carcinogen that still makes its way in to beauty products used daily. Found in shampoo, skintreatment, anti-redness creams, bath oils, conditioners, bath salts, bath soaks, etc. Often listed as coal, tar and coal tar solution.

10. Food Allergens- Though little research is currently available on the subject, food allergies and sensitivities can cause rashes, irritation and breakouts. My suggestion is to check all labels for any ingredients that may be of concern to you.

After energizing and nourishing my body, I then go for a deep facial cleansing with the swamp mud looking 100% Pure Lavender Seafoam Cleanser (gluten free). At first glance, this facial wash is quite deceiving, but a quick sudsing with it produces an amazing, deep cleaning lather. My pores have never been so clear, and my skin feels utterly clean sans stripping.

So at first sight, yes, these two morning rituals of mine do appear a bit unappealing, with their swampy green colors. But if you can conquer the color, the results are far worth it. Amazing Grass Super Food mixed with a bit of water and apple or cranberry juice is a power packed formula to feeling great, staying healthy and looking amazing. 100% Pure Seafoam Cleanser is like a gentle, yet utterly effective daily facial–your pores will love you for it!  So get over your fear of swampy green beauty already, and try these two gluten free, organic beauty marvels. Green beauty doesn’t get any better than this!

**Amazing Grass Green SuperFood and 100% Pure Organic Lavender Seafoam Facial Cleanser are Gluten Free

An avid label checker, today, I found myself in ingredient shock after scoring a teensy sample of a former product fav from a posh Neiman Marcus cosmetics counter. This product I sampled from a "botanical" skin care/cosmetic line, was formerly for me, that one. The one utterly indulgent and expensive product that I would rationalize the purchase of, despite the price. Some womens' secret weapon is a fine parfum, mine was a luxe bust firming cream that leaves the decolletage glowing in all her radiance. Large or small, this botanical bust firming cream firms as promised, but then delivers so, so much more. Almost immediately post application it leaves the entire chest area glowing with a non-greasy, dewy, healthy radiance. It's really amazing! So today I retrieved my sample and did something I never thought to before, I checked the ingredients. Unsure of what many of them were, I decided to make a chart of ingredients and then researched each in search of it's mystical properties. Instead I found that 8 of the 23 ingredients in this luxe "botanical" lotion are dangerous preservatives or emulsifiers. Of course, one might expect that these awful chemicals would be used in minute amounts, coming in at the bottom of the ingredient list. But the fourth product in a 23 part mix is a known toxin! That means that the fourth most important ingredient to this formulation is simply a vile additive. And thus one must decide: glowing bust with a toxic cocktail or eau natural sans awful (possibly) cancer-causing chemicals. My vote is for the natural botanicals sans icky synthetics and petroleum derivatives. Of course, that raises a whole other concern: product instability. Are you prepared to risk finding that your fav skin cream has grown a little mold?