The Chemical Sasquatch

In this advertising-led world, we tend to believe, whether we mean to or not, anything that commercials tell us. It's just in the back of our minds. If they were telling us something we actually cared about, we would go and research it, but since they tend to load us with information about deodorant and toothpaste, we go with it until we hear differently.
Most of us were born with perfect skin, and it was intended to stay that way our entire lives. Before the industrial revolution, it did for most people. Acne was a skin condition suffered only by the overindulgent wealthy that ate too much and exercised not at all. Anything else involving the skin was usually the result of trauma or a communicable disease. Now, we have rosacea, cystic acne, cancerous moles, premature wrinkles, pregnancy mask, and a host of other afflictions that mostly attack the face, the section of skin that undergoes the most strain. Our depleted ozone layer lets through far too much UV radiation, and though sunbathing may improve complexion on the short term, it leads to clogged pores, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and skin cancer in the longer term. Chemicals in our food set off myriad allergic reactions in our bodies that simply go unnoticed because we are so used to being unhealthy, and the first organ to suffer is our skin. Hormones in meat, dairy, and eggs cause premature puberty in females and feminine fat patterns in males, and also (because they're hormones, duh) hit the ovaries of females. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a new epidemic, and one of the top side effects of this condition is acne.
See, what the commercials and marketing directors that write those commercials will tell you is that there is only one little thing wrong with your skin that their product will fix, and then your skin will be perfect. The fact of the matter is that we wouldn't need all those products unless we were trying to control the side effects of other products, oftentimes produced by the same company.
Okay, okay, I admit, I'm a little bitter because of the cysts on my ovaries that are even now causing poetic amounts of pain as they try to figure out just what it is they're supposed to be doing again and taking my pancreas along for the ride. Chemicals and pesticides have done a number on my body as a whole. But really, cutting out the gross side-effects of a world that gives us whatever we want, a bag to put it in, and a side of free radicals to take home is not as hard as it sounds.
Hence, a few tried-and-true tips for combating the Chemical Sasquatch.

1. Water, water, water. Water is an amazing cure-all. So many problems are worsened or caused by dehydration, from abdominal discomfort to bloating to headaches to back pain. I hate drinking water myself. It's nasty crap. But your body needs it. And don't believe that idiocy that Coca Cola prints on its packages, that drinking straight water isn't necessary as long as you're intaking fluid. The stuff in soda (even and especially diet soda) is evil in a can, liquid Satan, sin with bubbles. There is not a thing in soda that you need. The water they use is minimal and of such poor quality that it does your body absolutely no good, while the phosphorus, sugar, aspartame, and plethora of other nastiness wreaks havoc on your digestive tract and the rest of your bodily systems. Water is best. Put fruit in it to flavor it. But don't believe the hype about Crystal Light and other ready-made drink mixes. They're not as bad as soda, but they're still harmful.

2. Vitamins are key. Multi-vitamins are okay, especially for people who don't have time to cook. The tasty-foody variety of vitamins are best, though. Many restaurants are beginning to make fresh and nummy menu items that are packed with nutrients.

3. Don't use the cheap skin crap. Splurge on the items that are made by full-disclosure companies, the ones that let people know exactly who they are and what goes in to their products. As a general rule, anything I recommend here is from just such a company. Also, there is no reason to buy beauty products that have been animal tested. There is so much out there that is affordable, animal friendly, and works GREAT. Animal testing, even though it sucks, is necessary for medical research. But for makeup? Come on. No one needs lipstick that bad. We're talking chemical burns that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, open sores, infections, and allergic reactions that kill slowly and painfully. Not to mention that these companies are taking the formulas that have these side effects and, instead of changing the formulas, are simply watering the solutions down until the side-effects are no longer noticeable, then selling it anyway. The FDA is a joke. They don't regulate anything besides the number of kickbacks they take before lunch. Is it any wonder we have so many skin problems?

4. Fiber, both soluble (the kind that's good for your heart) and insoluble (the kind that makes you poo) is good for detoxification, and hence, your skin. In case you've been on glue for most of this entry, toxins+skin=toxic skin. I hate oatmeal myself, but Kellogg makes an amazing fiber bar, and Fiber One isn't too bad either.

5. Sleep! I am a hypocrite for writing this, but sleep is the single most important ingredient for healing and restoration in your body. When an injury or sickness is sustained, the first thing your brain does is send sleep hormones rushing into your system. It's your body's way of recharging and reconstructing its tissues. Plus, bed and blankets and pillows are all awesome things.

On that note, I'm signing off now. More to come later, intermingled with a few new things I've tried, and a final ruling on the Visibly Fit Lotion Challenge.

Happy Detoxing!