Stop Poisoning Yourself – Try Handmade Natural Body Care From Heal My Sole of Appleton

Since I started learning about the crazy toxic chemicals that most body care products contain, I’ve been avoiding conventional buys as much as possible.

These days, if products have ingredients ending in Ethyl, Methyl, Glycol or any others on the nasty list, I can’t even bring myself to buy it. Thankfully, there are people and businesses right here in Northeast Wisconsin who give us a healthy alternative.

Take Johnson & Johnson’s Head-to-toe Baby Wash as an example of what’s wrong with typical body and skin care products. J & J advertises – “Bathe your baby in pure gentleness” – but then you read the contradictory list of ingredients.

J & J Baby Wash Ingredients:

(the ones in red are bad)

Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-150 Distearate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Fragrance, Quaternium-15, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.

We’re better off washing our kids with water and a fresh-squeezed lemon. The chemicals listed in red have been known to cause cancer, liver damage, sterility in men, hormone imbalances, depression, insomnia – and the list goes on. I just can’t bring myself to bathe my babes in a bath loaded with carcinogenic poison.

It’s just sick and wrong. And According to the Environmental Working Group,

“Cosmetic ingredients do not remain on the surface of the skin. They are designed to penetrate, and they do. Scientists have found many common cosmetic ingredients in human tissues, including phthalates in urine, preservatives called parabens in breast tumor tissue and persistent fragrance components in human fat.”

I use the baby wash example because if corporations like Johnson & Johnson will use these toxic chemicals for seemingly-innocent baby care products, we can only imagine what else we’d find in Bath & Body Works or Victoria’s Secret lotions. Supposedly J & J has made a commitment to “remove” these chemicals in their formulations by 2015. However, when you read into their promises a bit more, they say they will reduce and limit some of these carcinogens and toxic chemicals – not remove them completely.

But this American multinational $65 billion fortune 500 company, that manufactures medical devices, pharmaceutical drugs and packaged goods, isn’t the only company that deserves a bad rap for using the same chemicals in their formulas that are used in garage floor cleaners. Almost all big-time brands are using these chemicals in their body care products. Along with 12,500 other unique chemical ingredients that the FDA doesn’t require to be tested or approved before they go on the market.

Most manufactures shouldn’t even be allowed to call their products personal, skin or body care…unless it’s the money they’re talking about.

Real Natural Body Care Products

Mary Kelley – Owner of Heal My Sole Natural Skin Care Products

The good news is – there are folks who truly care about the health and well-being of others.

Heal My Sole owner, Mary Kelley, of Appleton, is a perfect example. She makes all of her natural body care products herself and sells them online as well as in select stores in the Fox Cites and other areas.

“I’ve been a DIYer since I can remember, always recycle and am just curious as to how things are made.  I love making my own everything if I had time,” Mary says.

“I also worry about all the bad stuff that people put in their bodies and on their skin and the incredible health conditions that exist. If I can help someone soften their skin with some healthy ingredients then I’ve accomplished a good thing. I enjoy being unique and not following the crowd just because its popular. I’d rather follow what’s right with good reasons.”

Mary’s natural skin care products are designed to heal you from head to sole. Homemade with Grapeseed and Sweet Almond oil, Mary gets most of her ingredients locally.

Other common ingredients in Heal My Sole products include aloe butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, Vitamin E, zinc oxide, distilled water, glycerin, emulsifying wax, and a preservative made from soybeans.

“No parabens or petroleum used in any of my products.  All my products have the ingredients listed on the label and they are all pronounceable!” Mary explains. “Aloe butter is a wonderfully absorbing butter and we all know how well cocoa butter works for healing and beeswax protects our lips from harsh weather.  Zinc oxide is added for sunscreen protection.”

The thing that you will love about products like this is that almost every single ingredient serves a healthy purpose.  You don’t ever have to feel guilty about putting Heal My Sole cremes or lotions on your child.

Mary started out making her natural foot scrub and gave it to friends and family to try. Before she knew it she was giving more and more away by special request and making a variety of other products to go along with it.

“Foot scrub and hand lotion led me to develop my own line of natural lip balm – no petroleum here! Facial steaming herbs, cuticle creme, and bath oils soon followed,” she said.

You can order Heal My Sole products from the website or visit Whimsical Charm and Beatnik Betty’s in Appleton. Both stores sell Mary’s products.

Mary thinks having her own local store someday would be an awesome idea, but she would really miss the arts and craft shows, which she attends around the state throughout the year. Like the Heal My Sole Facebook Page to get updates on the Wisconsin craft shows Mary will attend.

Heal My Sole Products to Try

Massage Candle

Heal My Sole Massage Candle

Mary suggests the massage candle.  It’s not just any ordinary massage candle either.

“The massage candle has over 9 oils and butters for a really cool experience,” Mary explains.

“Just light the candle and when it puddles pour on your partner – it’s slightly warm  – and massage for a really relaxing time. So many customers use it for their rough heels too!”

Mary recommends using the foot scrub to exfoliate first. Then follow up with the massage candle.

“Keep in mind it’s not a paraffin treatment – all the oils will absorb into your skin – its awesome!” She says.

Heal My Sole Natural Bug Repellent

Bug Spray

Mary’s natural bug repellent is made from 100% essential oils (which are even edible).

Mosquitoes, gnats, even the no-see-ums will buzz off!  It’s a light and refreshing blend that feels good on your skin.

No greasy residue, no DEET or any other harmful ingredients.

Sore Muscle Rub

Heal My Sole Sore Muscle Rub

The powerful and cooling essential oils in this natural muscle rub help relieve strained, sore and tired muscles.

You’ll experience an icy-hot feeling that your muscles will love!

She adds these refreshing ingredients:

• Peppermint – to cool the muscles with it’s vasoconstrictor properties.
• Clove – to stimulate the circulatory system, clear the mind & reduce mental exhaustion & fatigue.
• Wintergreen – for its anti-inflammatory & anti-rheumatic properties.
• Eucalyptus – for an antispasmodic & muscle relaxer.

Lavender Rosemary Creme

Heal My Sole Lavender Rosemary Creme

The lavender rosemary creme will help with stress, clear your mind and improve your concentration.

Mary adds Lavender and Rosemary to:

• Help with acne, skin irritations, and nervousness.  It can even heal burns.
• Rosemary improves dry skin, erases lines & wrinkles, shrinks appearance of capillaries and varicose veins, and improves circulation.
• Lavender helps repel bugs! It’s calming, eases headaches & works as an anti inflammatory, anti depressant, & natural sleep aid.

Give the lip balms a try sometime. I’ve tried a few myself and they work well and are delicious too!

Heal My Sole offers so many other great homemade natural goodies. Mary is currently working on adding homemade soap to her line – which she says is so much fun to make! But I have a good feeling she won’t stop at soap.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment – we love it!