A few months ago I felt a lump under my arm. Every woman dreads that moment. I called my doctor immediately and she was able to see me a few hours later. For a year, I’d been thinking about how I should switch to an organic deodorant. But I didn’t. Every morning as I swept aluminum, paraben or other toxins under my arms, I thought... THIS IS BAD. THIS IS LINKED TO CANCER AND ALZHEIMER’S. I SHOULD STOP DOING THIS. But call it habit or a fear of smelling badly—I didn’t stop. On my way to the doctor’s office, I fought opposing thoughts. Thought One—I’m overreacting and probably don’t even need to see my doctor. Thought Two—What if this is serious? What if by wearing deodorant I did this to myself? My doctor felt the lump and suggested I go directly for a sonogram. She tried to reassure me, saying she believed the lump was nothing. But she wanted me to check it out for my own peace of mind. It’s true, I had already begun to think about my children without a mother, the grandchildren I wouldn’t know and the things I had yet to do. The end of this story is a happy one. Within two hours, I was examined and reassured that the lump was insignificant and would be gone in a few days. But the experience got me thinking... What else did I do every day knowing I shouldn’t? I wear lipstick. Lipstick contains lead. I wear body cream, which may contain Mercury. Nail polish has a number of toxins. Dousing ourselves in chemicals starts early. When my kids were small, I sprinkled Johnson and Johnson baby powder on their bottoms with every diaper change. Talcum powder is linked to ovarian cancer and Johnson and Johnson presently has many law suits against them. We don’t stop to think about what’s in our skin care products. We assume they are safe, and we shouldn’t because the beauty industry is largely unregulated. Here’s a fact: Europe has banned 1,300 products. America has banned 11. Due to my latest scare and some common sense, I’m making changes: I’ve been experimenting with some natural, safe alternatives for moisturizing my extremely dry skin. And I wanted to share them here because these homemade recipes work! They made my skin glow! After trying a banana facemask (recipe below), I called my daughter into my room and told her what I did. Laughing, she said, “You’re so weird.” I took that as a compliment. But then I made her touch my cheek. “It’s like a baby’s butt,” she said, impressed. Another compliment!! To Cleanse and Exfoliate: Recipe #1: Coconut Oil and Sugar Recipe #2: Coconut Oil and Salt Hydrating Face Mask #1 ¼ mashed banana. Apply to neck and face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Hydrating Face Mask #2 ¼ of an avocado ½ tsp. honey squirt of lemon Apply to neck and face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Moisturizer: Organic coconut oil  It’s great for face and body. As proof, after a recent massage, the masseuse asked what I used on my skin. It’s an effective make up remover and hair conditioner. Another small change… When I apply deodorant, I pay attention. I use a smaller amount. I also use it less often. Turns out you might not need it as much as you think you do. Also, I've experimented with homemade deodorant and got great results. I hardly use my pharmacy bought one any more. But since no one in my family believed I was a fair test, my grown son agreed to be my guinea pig, and wore it to play basketball on a sweltering summer day. He texted me after: No smell. Homemade Deodorant Recipe 3 tsp baking soda 3 tsp coconut oil 2 tsp arrowroot 2 tsp shea butter A few drops of essential oil of your choice (I used Lavender.) Melt the coconut oil and shea butter together. Add arrowroot, baking soda, essential oil Let cool. Homemade Lipstick Recipe #1 1 tsp Vaseline 1/2 tsp honey 1 vitamin E capsule 2 drops cranberry extract (Since making my own lipgloss, I read that Vaseline, petroleum jelly, is bad for us. Who knew? Once you start paying attention, the list of ingredients we shouldn't use seems endless. You can substitute Vaseline with beeswax.) Homemade Lipstick Recipe#2 1 teaspoon beeswax pastilles 1 teaspoon Shea butter or Cocoa Butter 1 teaspoon coconut oil For color add: cinnamon, cocoa powder, beet root powder or turmeric.   FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Take the time to click on the link. It’s important. On their site you will find the Red List with the names of ingredients you should stay away from. There is also an app called Think Dirty. You can learn about potentially toxic ingredients in your personal care products. I guarantee your bathrooms are stocked with products that contain dangerous chemicals. Watch: The Story of Cosmetics. You won’t believe what you don’t know.   HERE’S WHAT WE CAN DO… KNOW WHAT'S IN OUR PRODUCTS. MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES SHARE WHAT WE LEARN