Rosacea Symptoms

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Julie Berquist
Rosacea

Rosacea

It is estimated that 14 million Americans have rosacea.  What is this skin disorder and what are some rosacea symptoms?

Rosacea is the inflammation of the small blood vessels in the capillaries of the face.  Symptoms can include:

  • Small solid bumps (sometimes inflamed).
  • Redness on the checks, nose, chin or forehead.
  • Small visible blood vessels on the face.
  • Watery or irritated eyes.

Rosacea symptoms usually appear between the ages of thirty and fifty.  There is no proven cause for rosacea.  Early signs may come and go unexpectedly, but over time the redness becomes ruddier and more permanent if left untreated.  The skin of rosacea sufferers is usually very sensitive and easily irritated.  A good rule of thumb is to select non-irritating skin care products that are super mild and free from harsh chemicals.

Natural botanical oils may lessen the symptoms.

  • Chamomile oil relieves inflammation and soothes the skin.
  • Rose hip oil is high in essential fatty acid which helps to maintain healthy cellular membranes.
  • Jojoba oil is non-irritating and keeps your skin moist.

Look for products with these natural ingredients to soothe rosacea.  They can be a gentler option than over the counter creams which can contain synthetic chemicals that may irritate skin.

 

 

Posted in Organic face care | Tagged | Leave a comment

Dibutyl Phthalate

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Julie Berquist
Dibutyl Phthalate

Dibutyl Phthalate

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a chemical used to help make plastics soft and flexible.  Some of the products that are made with DBP are shower curtains, car interiors, vinyl fabrics, plastic wrap and rain coats.  This chemical is also used in popular nail polishes, top coats and hardeners.  Other products include shampoos, conditioners, lotions, antiperspirants and sunscreen.

This dangerous toxin is banned in Europe and they have classified it as a suspected endocrine disruptor on the basis of evidence that it interferes with hormone function. Health Canada is now banning six phthalates (including DBP) in soft vinyl children’s toys and child care articles.   The State of California has classified DBP as a reproductive and developmental toxicant.

Chances are you won’t find dibutyl phthalate on any label of ingredients.  It is often hidden in the ingredient “fragrance” which can contain hundreds of untested chemicals.  Look for products labeled “fragrance free” to keep your exposures down from unwanted hidden toxins.

There are clean, healthy skin care products available.  Many times products will have a mixture of healthy ingredients but also include synthetic chemicals as well.  Read the labels and research the ingredients to make sure they are a healthier option.

 

 

Posted in Organic body care | Tagged | Leave a comment

What Causes Wrinkles?

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Julie Berquist
What Causes Wrinkles

What Causes Wrinkles?

 

There is not much we can do about stopping the aging process.  Over time, our skin cells just get tired and don’t turn over as fast as they used to.  There are many factors that lead to aging skin.  Let’s take a closer look at what causes wrinkles as we age.

  • Collagen and elastin, which give skin it’s firmness, decreases.
  • Skin becomes thinner and is more susceptible to damage.  It tends to be dryer and more transparent.
  • Sun exposure and sun damage are the biggest contributors to wrinkles.  Sunburn will dehydrate your skin and make the collagen fibers less flexible, diminish and harden.
  • Muscle fibers become more relaxed.
  • The sebaceous glands pump less oil.

It may seem overwhelming,  but there are steps you can take to repair some of the damage and protect your skin from further premature aging.

  • Protect your skin from the sun!  This will help to prevent future wrinkles. Use a sunscreen, especially on your face.  Many face creams have sunscreen already in them.  Look for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient as they are a mineral blocker.  They do a great job protecting your skin from UVA & UVB rays.
  • Use a chemical free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.  Dry skin magnifies fine lines and wrinkles.  Hydrating skin won’t prevent wrinkles but can lessen their appearance.  Synthetic chemicals in skin care can cause irritation and dryness.  Look for products with natural botanical oils.
  • Antioxidants such as vitamins E or C can help prevent skin cancer and keep skin firm and younger looking.   Free radicals (caused by sun exposure and pollution) can damage DNA, create age spots and wrinkles and increase the risk of skin cancer.   Antioxidants safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Other effective antioxidants that are in face creams are acai berries, pomegranates, green tea, and coffee.

It’s important to know what causes wrinkles but it equally important to take action and take positive steps to minimize future skin damage and wrinkles.

 

Posted in Organic face care | Tagged | Leave a comment

Shea Butter Uses

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Julie Berquist
Shea butter uses

Certified organic shea butter

Shea butter is natural fat extracted from the fruit of the shea or karite tree. This tree grows naturally in the wild in West Africa.  This hydrating oil has been used for centuries to heal dry, cracked skin.  Shea butter uses include:

  • rash
  • itchy skin
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • small skin wounds
  • chapped lips
  • cracked heals
  • sunburn and other minor burns

It is also an excellent hair conditioner.  Apply shea butter (about the size of a quarter) to your scalp and hair then wrap in a towel for 15 minutes.  Comb and style.

Look for certified organic shea butter.  It is filtered using earthen clay to remove impurities and not refined with chemicals.  Shea butter uses are almost limitless.  Keep a tub handy especially in the winter months when skin can be drier.

Posted in Organic body care, Organic shea butter | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ingredients in Soap

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Julie Berquist
Ingredients in bar soap

Ingredients in soap

Why get all lathered up about ingredients in soap?  Because, not all soap is created equal.  All soap is made with some form of fat.  Many soaps use tallow which is a rendered form of animal fat, mainly beef fat.  Think about what is stored in fat.  Toxins and hormones end up in the fat of animals and then that fat is used to make soap!  That’s not all.  Synthetic chemicals are also used in creating  soaps, many have not been proven safe.

      • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – SLS is used in car wash soaps, as an engine degreaser and cleaning garage floors.  Unfortunately, it is used in many personal care products like bar soap, body wash and shampoo.  It is a suspected liver toxicant and skin irritant.
      • Synthetic Fragrances - The ingredient “fragrance” can contain up to 200 chemicals, most of which are untested and harmful.  The National Academy of Sciences reports that 95 percent of the chemicals used in fragrances today are petroleum-based synthetic compounds.  These toxins are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.
      • Triclosan - This antibacterial ingredient, which is used in bar soap, hand soap, hand sanitizer and dish washing soap, has been studied in animals and human cells and has shown to be an endocrine disruptor.  The EPA has registered triclosan as a pesticide and claims it to be a risk to human health and the environment.

The Cleaner Alternative

 Ingredients in soap don’t have to be toxic.  Look for plant based ingredients like olive oil, sunflower oil, shea butter, healing herbs and essential oils.  Take the time to read the label to see what the soap is made of.  It might have “natural” on the front label but the ingredients list might prove otherwise.

 

Posted in Organic soap | Tagged | Leave a comment

Scaly Skin

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Julie Berquist

Scaly skin is a common condition.  It is usually more noticeable in the winter months when the humidity and temperatures are low.  Plus, we are inside with the heat on and that can further add to our skin drying out.  Scaly skin could be caused by:

    • Psoriasis – thick, flaky red skin.  It is an autoimmune disease.
    • Eczema – red, dry skin that itches and burns which can result in skin that is scaly.
    • Ichthyosis – mostly an inherited skin disorder.  Symptoms are scaly, dry skin.
    • Severe, dry skin – dry air, low humidity and age can cause skin to loose moisture and dry out.

It is always wise to see a dermatologist to determine what is causing the skin condition.  If severe dry skin is the culprit, there are a few steps you can take to nurture and improve your scaly skin.

  • Synthetic chemicals in soaps, cosmetics and detergents can irritate and dry out your skin.  Choose products created with all natural and organic ingredients.  Less is more when looking for mild, gentle soaps, lotions and cosmetics.
  • Use warm (not hot) water when showering.  Hot water removes natural oils from your skin.  Limit your shower time to 10 – 15 minutes.
  • Apply a natural moisturizer after your shower.  Shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter are a few excellent botanical oils for dry skin and will help trap water in the surface cells.

Wearing breathable fabrics like cotton and installing a humidifier in your home will also aid in relieving dry, itchy, scaly skin.  Fall might be a great time to initiate a few of these steps to ward off dry skin before it starts or to keep it from getting worse.

Posted in Organic body care | Tagged | Leave a comment

Green Tea For Skin

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Julie Berquist
Green Tea for Skin

Green tea for skin

The key to fighting free radicals (pollution, sun, etc. that cause damage to cells and tissues) are antioxidants.  They bind to and deactivate free radicals before they cause harm.

There may be some benefits of green tea for skin, reports  Hasan Mukhtar, PhD., a professor and the director of research in the department of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.  Green tea contains large amounts of polyphenols which are a class of bioflavinoids which possess antioxidant and anticancer properties.    The polyphenols in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).  Scientific Studies suggest that EGCG and green tea are highly effective against skin inflammation and cancerous changes in the skin and may even prevent the onset and growth of tumors.

More research is needed for the antioxidant benefits of green tea for skin but initial studies look promising.  Your skin will respond to a natural approach to skin care.  Green tea, white tea and coffee are just a few of many powerful antioxidants that are available in products today to help fight free radicals to protect your skin.

 

Posted in Organic body care | Tagged | Leave a comment

Homemade Lip Balm

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Julie Berquist

 

Homemade Lip Balm

Homemade Lip Balm

Cooler weather is setting in and with that comes chapped lips.  Homemade lip balm is fairly easy to make if you have the time.  There are many different combinations of oils to use when making lip balm.  Here are a few to consider:

  • Almond oil – a good all purpose oil that is great for dry skin.  It is full of vitamins and minerals.
  • Jojoba oil – a thick oil that is excellent for inflamed skin.
  • Olive Oil – high in vitamin E.
  • Hazelnut oil – high in vitamin E and fatty acids.  Good for anti-aging.
  • Rosehip seed oil – excellent for dehydrated, dry skin.

Here is an easy homemade lip balm recipe to try:

  • 5 tablespoons Jojoba oil
  • 1 tablespoon beeswax
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 10 drops of lemongrass, peppermint or orange essential oil

Combine the oil and beeswax in a small saucepan over low heat until wax is melted and remove from heat.  Add honey and essential oils and blend well.  Pour into 1/4 – 1/2 oz. tins while still hot.  Makes 3 ounces.

Homemade lip balm is a great healthy gift for anyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Organic face care | Tagged | Leave a comment

Mineral Salt Deodorant

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Julie Berquist
Mineral salt deodorant

Mineral salt deodorant

If you are looking for a healthier deodorant, consider the advantages of a mineral salt deodorant.

  • Naturally occurring alum is a large molecule and is not absorbed into the skin.  It prevents body odor by creating a thin barrier on the surface of the skin so bacteria cannot form.
  • It contains NO aluminum chlorohydrate, parabens, phthalates &  aluminum zirconium.
  • There are no artificial coloring, dyes or fragrances.
  • It is hypoallergenic, goes on clear and leaves no white residue.
  • Mineral salts are long  lasting, non sticky & non staining.

Synthetic aluminum chemicals in conventional antiperspirants are designed to block skin pores from breathing.  Since the pores are blocked, toxins have no where to go but to stay in your body.  Mineral salt deodorant eliminates the bacteria but allows pores to breath to eliminate the toxins.

Posted in Organic body care | Tagged | Leave a comment

Clear Skin Tips

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Julie Berquist
Clear skin

Clear Skin Tips

Managing your skin can be a daunting task sometimes.  It seems to have a mind of it’s own.  With a few easy clear skin tips, your complexion can look healthier with less breakouts.

  • Wash your face at least twice a day.  It’s important to remove make up before sleeping to keep pores from clogging.  Use warm water and a very mild soap.  Don’t scrub but massage in a circular motion.  Pat dry with a clean towel.
  • Exfoliate with an all natural face scrub to gently remove the dead skin cells that may clog pores which can lead to break outs.  Exfoliate once a week for dry skin and twice a week for oily skin.
  • Keep your hands off your face.  Touching your face can spread bacteria that can irritate and inflame facial pores.
  • Use products that are fragrance free.  The ingredient “fragrance” can  contain dozens or even hundreds of synthetic chemical compounds.  These chemicals can irritate skin.

Less is better.  Use products with all natural and certified organic ingredients.  Keep toxic chemicals out of all the products you use.  Be consistent with your skin care regime.  In time, applying these clear skin tips will improve your complexion.

Posted in Organic face care | Tagged | Leave a comment