Natural Solutions Magazine's "Beauty With a Conscience Awards"

The average woman, teens included applies at least 150 different chemicals to her body through her skincare and cosmetics everyday.

It's surprising, but true, according to Linda Sparrowe, editor-in-chief of Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health, Balanced Living magazine "Many of these chemicals are hormone disruptors, carcinogens, and toxic heavy metals—and too many women are unaware of their cancer-causing risks," Sparrowe says.

So the editors of Natural Solutions magazine rounded up the best beauty products—from moisturizers and shampoos to makeup and perfume—that contain only the purest, healthiest ingredients available. They worked with Whole Foods Market and adopted the Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care Standard for quality sourcing, environmental impact, effectiveness, and safety. The 103 winners were presented with the 2008 Beauty With a Conscience Award in the October issue, which is now on newsstands, to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"We were excited to reveal these winners during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, because we wanted women and their daughters to understand the connection between what they put on their bodies and serious health concerns," said Sparrowe. "And it's never too early to educate them. Teens who become savvy about that connection may form healthy habits—such as using toxin-free skincare—that could prevent some types of breast cancer in their later years. But regardless of age, all women should take this positive step of choosing body care products that don't contain cancer-causing ingredients."

Today, conventional cosmetic companies market their products to teens, tweens, and girls as young as 3 years old. But their products often contain the hormone disruptors that some scientists blame for early puberty. In fact, half of all American girls now show signs of breast development by the age of 10. Early breast development and early puberty may lead to a higher risk for breast cancer, as well as depression and even drinking and unprotected sex. In the article "Pretty in Pink?" Natural Solutions recommends teens and parents learn more information about the ingredients in skincare and cosmetic products at to avoid potentially dangerous chemicals. For Natural Solutions' list of the Formidable 15 ingredients to avoid in your skin care products, click here.

"In our hunt to find the healthiest skincare products available, we slathered on hundreds of serums, scrubs, and shampoos, says editor Sparrowe. "Here are the ones we can't live without—the winners of Natural Solutions' first-ever Beauty With a Conscience Awards."

Go to naturalsolutionsmag.com and enter to win a basketful of the healthy beauty products featured in Natural Solutions magazine's Beauty With a Conscience Awards.

For a sneak peek of the award winners, click here.