When my aunt died of breast cancer, I started paying closer attention to the things I ate.
We've all heard the recommendations: whole grains, fruits and leafy greens, plenty of water and tea.
What I didn't consider, however, were the ingredients seeping into my skin from the various products I'd been using to keep those wrinkles and fine lines at bay.
It was time to check out my regime and perform a thorough anti aging skin care review.
A lot of the products in my bathroom didn't have the ingredients printed on the small bottles -- I'm sure there was some fine print in the packaging that I had long since thrown away.
So a little further research revealed that my anti aging skin care system included something called Acrylamide.
This chemical often forms in foods that are cooked at a high-temperature-such as frying and baking.
Acrylamide forms naturally-from sugars and amino acids often found in potatoes, plants and grains -- but it's also used industrially in things like plastics and cosmetics.
There have been cases of people who work around high levels of Acrylamide experiencing nerve damage.
And not only is it found in cigarette smoke, it's caused cancer in laboratory animals.
The kicker was when I learned it may cause tumors in the breast.
With all that, why would I want to include Acrylamide in my anti aging skin care system? It was right there, in the ingredients list I found online.
The products we use seep into our skin and make it into the blood stream, filtering through our bodies as we're in motion and at rest.
Are you aware of what you're putting into your body -- even with your mouth closed? Do yourself a favor and take a good hard look at the ingredients inside your vanity.
Here's to your wellness.