How To Identify Hidden Toxins in Your Home

Toxins are hidden in many a number of products that we use every day. You can find them in face wash, shampoo, deodorant/antiperspirant, nail polish, baby wash, laundry soap and more.

We will discuss items you may have/ use in your home that contain "hidden" toxins so you can learn what contains harmful (possibly even cancer causing) ingredients. Well equipped with the information,  you can decide if it is worth the risk or not. We will focus on a highly dangerous toxin: Formaldehyde. Why? Because it is a very serious one that has a range of hiding places from our furniture to our nail care and hair care products. 

Try to search for personal care and home care products that are toxic-free. A good place to shop for such items is at Health Food/ Home stores.

Unfortunately, formaldehyde has many other names, so one can't just pick up a product and find "formaldehyde" listed as one of the ingedients. There are many chemicals listed on our household items that contain a form of formaldehyde that is still dangerous for us. Common places to find these hidden toxins:

• Air Fresheners can release a chemical that reacts with the ozone to create formaldehyde also

• All purpose cleaners/ Disinfectants

• Hair Care products use preservatives that may contain formaldehyde. The effects can be minor like irritation to eyes, headaches, sleep disorders, irritant to skin, lungs and throat or irritant to respiratory system or major like cancer and neurological system disorders. Now that you know where formaldehyde is lurking, how do we abolish it from our homes.

Search and Remove

• Air Fresheners: Safe options for freshening your air include an air purifier or using safe air freshening alternatives. Some safe alternatives are 1. Eliminate aerosols 2. You could boil vanilla on the stove top for a soft vanilla scent. This can also be done with cinnamon sticks. I burn pure sage leaves all the time! Works wonders. 

  

  Sage Herb, really helps neutralize odors and leaves your space smelling clean. Its also toxic free! 

• All Purpose Cleaners: I use vinegar and water or another reputable green cleaner. It is best to use a super concentrated green cleaner and mix with your own water so you help the environment as well. Disinfectants: That may sound funny but the point is don't use a disinfectant that is more harmful than the germs that it is cleaning.

• Hair Care: Look for companies, such as YAMERRA, that don't use formaldehyde as a preservative. Some of the chemicals that can contain formaldehyde are DMDM hydantoin, and bronopol.; A few safe brands are Aveda, YAMERRA, and Georgia NY; These are jut a few so it is relatively simple to find one that fits your hair care needs. 

  

  Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP free. Yamerra recommends living sustainably, yet ultra fashionably! Use toxic free nail polish that's ultra fashionable yet sustainable for you and the environment.  Image from Sephora.com

Some known aliases for formaldehyde are as follows: Formalin, Oxy Methylene, Methanol, Methaldehyde, Methyl Aldehyde, Methylene Glycol, Methylene Oxide. 

As you can see, formaldehyde is lurking in many areas of our homes. Great thing that now that you know where it is hiding, you can remove it/ avoid it and protect your health and your family's health.

YAMERRA features Eco-Luxury Scarves From Georgie's Garden

Yamerra has found yet another Treasure to add to our favorite Eco-Friendly and luxurious great New York finds. Georgie's Garden,  a lingerie and fashion accessory line founded by Supermodel Georgie Badiel, makes an incredibly stunning scarf with and 100% cotton and shimmering silk thread. In a clever blend of black, white and a rich royal blue, made of Faso Dan Fani as is called in Burkina Faso, scarf can be worn by men or women. It's all in how you wear the fashion accessory!

The one of a kind scarves are hand crafted, woven in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Each scarf is special and stunning, having been woven by hand, thus no two are exactly the same. Yamerra's NEW Treasures from Georgie's Garden are now available at:

12 Lions Studio

Yamerra

684 Broadway

NY 10012

Can't make it to the store? Purchase them below. We will ship it to you in 5 business days or less!

The "Georgie" is about 9 feet long, and stunning in its craftsmanship. The fabric is surprisingly softer than ones assumes at first because of its textured look.

Georgette

Black Scarf with Blue and White detail$240.00 USD

The "Georgette" is lined with an incredibly soft additional cotton fabric. The user is welcome to wear both sides of the 2-in-1 scarf!

Georgie

White Scarf  (w Blue and Black Detail)$300.00 USD

Eco-Luxury Scarves are provided by Georgie Badiel of Georgie's Garden.

How to Fight Wrinkles...Natural Anti-Aging Skincare Aids

From the time of Cleopatra and Nefertiti, women have been fighting to keep their skin smooth, supple and younger looking. Pure essential oils (that can be found in all Yamerra products) are time tested solutions that have been found to be effective and harmless, by women across almost all the continents. 

An essential oil is a concentrated, hydrated compound derived from plants. They simply bear the label of the plant from which they are extracted. Sage oil is extracted from the herb sage, Frankincense oil from frankincense- a gum resin from the boswellia tree. 

Applying any one of the following essential oils keeps to embolden the skin to greater heights of radiance. Of course, consistency of application of these natural remedies is KEY.  One word of caution though, just mix a few drops of these extracts in a cream or olive oil base. These natural ingredients found in any kitchen are highly potent and powerful enough to strip the skin off completely! Or try any of Yamerra's blends containing the needed natural essential oil.

Extracts that are great for youthful skin are:

1. Carrot seed oil

This oil is the most rejuvenating and regenerating one that helps in enhancing the elasticity of the skin and reducing scars. (High content of carrot seed oil can be found in Yamerra's Natural Facial Serum. It hydrating moisture cream is highly recommended for its anti-aging properties). 

Yamerra's Dual Function Natural Facial Serum.
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2. Myrrh

Balances the moisture, removes toxins from skin tissue and is great for repairing damaged skin.

3. Rose

The oil extract from rose petals is excellent for hydrating, maintaining elasticity and a miracle oil for mature skins.

4. Neroli

Extracted from orange flush, this oil has cell stimulating properties and mends broken capillaries. It also helps in maintaining elasticity and is a superstar for mature skin. (High-content of Neroli can be found in Yamerra's Natural Facial Serum)

5. Grapefruit

Has an excellent astringent property, useful for toning the skin. (Yamerra's Be Bodacious Tangerine Grapefruit is absolutely divine! Recommended for stretch marks, increasing skin elasticity and maintaining supple skin).

Yamerra's Tangerine Grapefruit Hair and Body Butter.
Highly Nutrient, increases Skin elasticity.
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6. Patchouli

Promotes and stimulates new cell growth. Soothes inflamed skin. (Try Yamerra's Ladies Night Lavender, that includes fresh lavender and patchouli).

Yamerra's Ladies Night Lavender contains high levels of patchouli. Try it for skin rejuvenation 

7. Sandalwood

Sandalwood oil is an excellent skin toning remedy for oily skin.