by Linda Sechrist

Caroline Thonon, owner of Beautiful Health, LLC, in Naples, discovered in a most challenging way why using only organic skincare products was a necessity rather than a luxury. A nasty bout with an unrelenting and mysterious skin rash, fatigue, nausea and headaches sent Thonon in search of the root cause.

“It was a long, in-depth search for causes such as allergens from gluten, food, my dogs, toxins in my home and the cleaning products I used. With the help of medical testing, I learned that my body’s immune system was overreacting to a buildup of arsenic. This heavy metal, frequently found in household paints, some pesticides and water supplies, was in the skincare products that I had used for a long time. It took many months of detoxing to eliminate the arsenic from my body,” says Thonon. 

Her wellness spa boutique carries an extensive line of organic earth and ocean inspired plant-based beauty products as well as naturally derived skincare and professional spa products. Skincare consultations and spa treatments as well as health classes and workshops facilitated by trained and certified health coaches and beauty experts are also offered.  

Safety testing chemicals in cosmetics

Skin, which is highly absorbent, is the body’s largest organ. It takes only 26 seconds for toxins in hair, body, skin, and nail care products to be absorbed. According to the Huffington Post, the average woman puts 515 chemicals on her body every day without knowing it. The European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals used in cosmetics. In the U.S., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned eight and restricted three. 

“In the U.S., no safety testing is required until there is a problem. It is unfortunate that some issues, such as what I dealt with, can take years until they are visible or felt. Many beauty and skin care products contain ingredients that cause hormone disruption, organ toxicity, and cancer,” advises Thonon.

Read labels

Being conscious of what we put on our body is as important as what we put in it. Reading labels is essential. For example, when shopping for a new moisturizer, face cream, lipstick, nail polish or eye makeup, look at the list of ingredients and consider if they are edible or pronounceable.

“Naturally sourced products made from flower and plant extracts are designed to nourish the body, whereas substances such as artificial colorants, dyes and synthetic chemicals are not. They can greatly increase the risk of sensitivity and irritation,” says the former spa owner, who has 18 years of experience in the spa and beauty industry. 

Beautiful Health, LLC, is located at 4947 Tamiami Tr. N., Naples. For more information, call 239-241-5111 or visit BeautifulHealth.biz.