Why? Well, we can slather on the latest and greatest anti aging concoctions (no one is immune from those powerful marketing campaigns or spur of the moment decisions!), complete with their mile-long ingredient lists, and hope to see the results we're looking for...the results these products hype...but we're likely to be disappointed, and we're concerned about the effects those synthetic ingredients may be having on our health.

And... We have a different idea altogether about beauty, beauty products and anti aging cosmetics.

We think that beauty starts on the inside. Feeling good about yourself is its own magical elixir and it shows! Also, feeding and nourishing yourself and your skin, both internally (through what you choose to eat) and externally (through what you choose to apply topically) is vitally important. The decisions you make every day count -- they're cumulative -- and can either leave you looking and feeling younger, or NOT!

If you're curious about what's in your beauty and personal care products, why not try a little sleuthing? We highly recommend the ingredient database Skin Deep. Just type an ingredient into the search box for more info, alternative names the ingredient goes by, and a score that gives you a hazard rating from 0-10, with 10 being the highest concern.

Here's a question for you: If beauty and personal care products could be made to be completely non-toxic and safe, formulated from food-grade, organic ingredients that are both healthy for us and for the planet, if they smelled delicious and worked wonderfully -- wouldn't you want to use those products?

We sure would -- and we do!

One of our favorite health, beauty and personal care product purveyors is the Australian company Miessence / OneGroup. They offer products that contain 100% beneficial, cold-processed, nourishing ingredients, such as organic aloe vera, nut and seed butters and oils, flower and plant extracts, fruits and vegetables, and unadulterated and fragrant essential oils.

Did that sound like we were describing something to eat rather than organic makeup? Actually, that's exactly the idea!

Miessence offers food-grade, certified organic skin care, personal care and beauty products (as well as a great probiotic and a delicious antioxidant superfood).

• Good for the Soil: Organic systems rely on a modern and scientific understanding of ecology and soil science, while also depending on traditional methods of crop rotations to ensure fertility and weed and pest control.
• Good for the Environment: Organic systems aim to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. Organic production aims at all times towards sustainability whilst having best management of the environment and wildlife as a priority.
• Good for People: Organic based ingredients have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants than non-organic ingredients.
• No Synthetic Chemicals: Organic systems prohibit the use of artificial chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers.
• No GMO's: Certified Organic products are produced without GMOs, which are prohibited in the standards for organic food and farming.