Getting Started with Green Beauty

Let’s begin by looking at why organic, non-toxic skin care is better for you than conventionally produced products. The petro-ingredients, synthetic preservatives and fragrance, and artificial colors in conventional skin care are harmful to our health, causing everything from allergic reactions to cancer. They don’t do our skin any good either, triggering clogged pores and congestion over time.

Pure plant derived ingredients, herbal extracts and essential oils are not only beneficial to your skin, but your body’s health. And, yes, there are natural solutions to skin care issues. Sometimes prescriptive measures even exacerbate the problem.

This is all great and good, but the thought of searching through your bathroom cabinet and chucking most (if not all) of it can seem overwhelming, not to mention pricey. Just know that switching to natural skin care does not have to be all or nothing. You can start comfortably small and work your way up.

Whether you are new to green beauty or just need a refresher course, these simple tips should get your beauty regimen greened-up easily:

A good rule of thumb when switching out conventional products for safe ones is to look at which products expose your skin and body to the most toxins. Products like facial moisturizers and body lotions sit on the skin all day, giving it a good, long time to soak up whatever is in it – good or bad. Extremely attached to your facial moisturizer? Okay, start by swapping your body lotion for a green body moisturizer. You can replace your beloved facial moisturizer once you’ve become comfortable with the process.

Cleansers (facial and body) are easily substituted. Whether your skin prefers a gel, milk or cream cleanser the composition is usually fairly basic and will perform like the product you are currently using. The same goes for toners.

And forget the hefty price tag. Sure, if you want to spend a decent chunk of dough on some luxury organic skin care items, they are out there. But natural skin care is becoming more widely used and, consequently, more affordable. Invest in a couple of higher-end products as a treat.

Breakouts are another issue. You have your skin care routine all set, you know which products work for your skin and don’t relish the thought of messing that up. You are not alone. Yes, sometimes switching products can cause skin to become upset, and certain ingredients may cause irritation. Some experimentation may be necessary, but generally this is not the case. You know your skin – give it what it likes. If you tend to be sensitive, go with products from the sensitive category. If you are dry, try a cream cleanser rather than gel. Check ingredient lists for any ingredients known to irritate your skin. Another trick: if your skin likes a product from a certain line, it will usually accept the other products from that line.

A little bit of research up front will pay big rewards for your skin and your health in the long term. And don’t forget, this process can be fun along the way. Caren offers Try Me! sizes so you can sample without busting the bank. These special sizes give you about a week's trial to really see how your skin reacts. Believe me, it is like Christmas to receive a package of skin care samples at your door.

If you need further guidance or have questions about a particular product, use the Ask Caren! feature and your question will be answered via email. Just click the Ask Caren! button at Caren Online.

The process of replacing your skin care products doesn’t have to be a huge pain. But the benefits are enormous.

Image: DaisyStarr at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Sometimes Less is More

Rough skin, redness and irritation tend to crop up in drier months. But before you reach for the medicated cream you may want to check your hydration habits.

Often a skin “rash” isn’t a rash at all, but an irritation caused by dryness. Few can get through winter without some sort of extra hydration, and medicated creams are not always necessary. Over the counter and prescription ointments for eczema and other skin conditions are often petroleum based and are not only harmful to your health, but can congest skin and trigger breakouts and inflammation. Try treating with soothing ingredients, like pure plant oils and extracts, instead.

Take a look at your cleansing regimen. Be sure you are not over-cleansing and stripping away natural oils. When skin is dry use a mild cleanser, like Evan Healy Blue Lavender Cleansing Milk, and only when skin is actually dirty. Splashing your face with warm (not hot!) water may be all the cleansing your skin needs most mornings. Save deep cleansing for your night time routine.

Moisturizing is key. Skin’s Seaberry Restorative Face Cream contains oils of Sea Buckthorn, Avocado and Plum Kernel for gentle yet effective hydration that won’t clog pores. Sea Buckthorn oil also provides restorative properties to help heal upset skin. This rich yet non-greasy facial cream is suitable for both dry and oily complexions.

Check your diet. Yes, what you eat comes into play here as well. Essential fatty acids play an important role in keeping your skin healthy and hydrated. Omega-6 fatty acids help to restore the barrier function of the epidermis and omega-3’s preserve collagen and elastin. Find these in flaxseed and fish oils, nuts, seeds, and leafy vegetables. And, of course, drink plenty of filtered water.

If skin remains itchy, red or inflamed or appears to worsen, seek advice from your doctor. But often the simple steps listed above, used consistently, are all it takes to provide relief to dry, irritated skin.

Image:  John Steven Fernandez at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Push For Ban on Popular Antibacterial Ingredient

Recently over 75 environmental health groups petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking for a ban on non-medical use of the antibacterial pesticide triclosan.

This widely used antimicrobial has been identified as an endocrine disruptor (which could increase risk of cancer), causes environmental problems such as resistance to antibiotic medications and bacterial cleansers and can interact with other chemicals to form chloroform and breakdown to dioxin, which introduces the body and environment to even more toxic chemicals. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) began warning of the the dangers of triclosan in consumer products nearly a decade ago.

Originally developed for use as an antibacterial agent for hospitals, triclosan is now found in many common household products like antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, cosmetics and clothing. Furthermore, the chemical was found in 75% of people tested in government biomonitoring studies, waterways and soil, fish, human milk and foods.

The petition, led by the public health and environmental organization Beyond Pesticides and national consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch, seeks advanced action by the EPA to ban the use of triclosan in household products. This challenges insufficiencies in the EPA’s September 2008 registration of triclosan and its failure to comply with environmental statutes.

Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides said, “Given its widespread environmental contamination and public health risk, EPA has a responsibility to ban household triclosan use in a marketplace where safer alternatives are available to manage bacteria."

Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch added, “Scientific studies indicate that widespread use of triclosan causes a number of serious health and environmental problems. EPA needs to ban its use in non-medical settings and stop allowing companies that market triclosan to exploit consumer fears regarding bacterial-borne illnesses.”

A similar petition was submitted last July to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stating that the use of triclosan in household products violates the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. Last month, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) submitted letters to EPA and FDA urging them to reevaluate their oversight of the pesticide.

We will keep you posted on any follow-up news on this matter.

Soléo Sunscreen Recognized by NBJ

The Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), a research, publishing and consulting company serving the nutrition, natural products and alternative health care industries, awarded the 2009 Personal Care Product Merit Award to our favorite sunscreen, Soléo. NBJ is a monthly executive journal focusing primarily on the nutrition industry. NBJ also addresses how this industry impacts the larger food, pharmaceutical and health care industries.

“Soléo, developed in Australia, offers an evolution of choice by providing a very water resistant, biodegradable, and effective sunscreen without the use of chemical ultra-violet absorbers, synthetic preservatives, or artificial fragrances,” says a Soléo spokesperson.

Soléo was one of the first products we chose to endorse at CarenOnline for its effectiveness and purity and continues to be one of our best sellers. We also love that it is coral reef-safe for our oceans too.

With Spring break right around the corner, don't forget to order your Soléo sunscreen!

The Incredible Shrinking Pore

We're often asked the question, "How can I shrink my pore size?" Well, the short answer is, you can't. The size of the pores on your face are either large, small or nearly non-existent (lucky you) and are determined by your skin type and heredity. Those with oily skin will tend to have larger pores in the T-zone area, sort of a trade off for having skin that wrinkles less and/or later in life than those with dry skin.

Depressed yet? Wait, there's more. As we've said before, it is a myth that pores can open and close like little sea creatures on the coral reefs. The phrase "open the pores" is uttered by trained estheticians to refer to the practice of using steam to soften hardened sebum at the surface of the pore to make it easier to unclog them. The "opening" is unclogging and the only way to "close" the pore is to just clog it back up.

Okay, now that you know the hard facts, don't despair. There are a few things that you can do to minimize the appearance of those gaping holes on your face. Just don't expect miracles that turn your skin back to the seemingly pore-less face of a toddler. And these are not new to you, you just may be forgetting to do them from time to time:

C is for Cleanse – Keep pores clean and free from debris using a cleanser with Vitamin C, like Evan Healy Tea Tree Cleanser, to increase collagen production while drawing out impurities. The use of a toner or hydrosol that is slightly astringent can help constrict the skin cells and minimize the appearance of larger pores. Try Evan Healy Orange Blossom Facial Tonic or Karen's Botanicals Fennel Sage Toner after cleansing or treatment.

Exfoliation is Key – Removing dry, dead skin cells will not only keep pores clear, but will improve tone and maintain a bright, healthy complexion. Skin Fruity Face Scrub gently sloughs away dead cells without stripping away natural oils. Jojoba oil is the most similar to the skin’s natural oils and will not clog pores. Just remember: Never scrub irritated skin!

Release your Inner Impurities – A good steaming will open pores and prepare them for further treatment. Follow instruction here.

Mask It – Evan Healy Green Tea Clay is perfect for all skin types. This facial treatment draws out impurities and helps to detoxify skin, eliminating pimple-causing bacteria, with the help of green tea.

Correct Camo – Most everyone applies some type of concealer. For a more refined skin surface be sure to use a cream or mineral powder foundation which won’t sink into pores. A dusting of translucent powder on top will absorb excess oil, even out skin tone and give skin a more refined surface.

Follow these simple steps to tone down the appearance of larger pores and embrace your wrinkle-blocking natural oils.

Image: craigCloutier at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.