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Recently, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, with the backing of congressional representatives, and even Holywood  has launched another attempt at scaring consumers into  thinking “big brother is watching out for you ”.  Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, sponsored by Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc. Was introduced on Capitol Hill.

While the safe use of ingredients used in personal care products is of the utmost priority, this act will not, and cannot guarantee this.  Charging an annual fee to companies with sales over $1,000,000 sounds good, but in reality, that only proves the companies can afford the fee, not that they are in compliance to rules and regulations!  For those companies that cannot afford the fee?  Simply put, they will be out of business………, but does that mean the company did not offer quality products with GRS – generally regarded as safe, ingredients?  Not at all!

Personal Care Products Council’s president and chief executive officer, Lezlee Westine, stated:  “For decades, the industry has had an impeccable safety record under the existing requirements implemented by FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Our products remain among the safest in the marketplace.”  The FDA, Food and Drug Administration, has very explicit requirements for labeling cosmetic products, and the ingredients used in these products.  Why then do we need more legislation, fees, and additional testing on ingredients already GRS – generally regarded as safe?  Perhaps there is a hidden agenda?

Eliminate the competition …. What better way to eliminate the competition than by hiding under the pretense of protecting the consumer?  And, think about it – this legislation does not include imported products.  Imported products, today, and in the future”, still be allowed into our mainstream consumer market without having to adhere to the same regulations as US based businesses.  Larger US manufacturing companies, with off-shore holdings, sitting as board members and advisors on off shore companies, and not having to comply with the same regulations as US only based companies. 

Is the consumer being protected more?  No!  The unsuspecting consumer, thinking all these additional requirements will make their products safer, is being led down the path of political and monetary gain of  large corporations, politicians, and very powerful tax-exempt organizations. 

Once again, the possibility of a smaller  business, to stay in business,  is questionable.  Once again, as a consumer, my choices would be limited to products manufactured by companies able to pay large fees, initiate records for additional testing, and still not be able to actually prove the ingredients used are not going to cause cancer!

Additional reading:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h5786ih.txt.pdf

http://www.indiebusinessblog.com/2010/07/21/the-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2010-has-been-introduced/

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Meadowfoam seed oil, a natural emollient, is one of my favorite oils. Derived from the seeds of Meadowfoam (Limnanthes Alba), a low growing annual herb, this oil provides emolliency without being overly greasy. I have used meadowfoam oil to formulate many products for quite some time, but it is only recently that meadowfoam has become more widely used in the cosmetics industry.

Understandbly so.  Meadowfoam is highly stable, meaning it does not go rancid easily; with naturally occurring tocopherols (VitE), this oil can help extend the life of other less stable oils, like almond, borage, or rose hip. Meadowfoam provides a silken feel to the skin.   This oil provides a moisture barrier, allowing the skin to retain moisure, gives good slip, as for a body massage oil, and absorbs easily. Luscious and mild, this oil is a perfect oil for sensitive skin, hair care products, and baby products. 

Usage of meadowfoam oil can range from 1% of a products total to 100% of a products total. 

Melanie

For further reading about yet another gift of nature:

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/meadowfoam.html

Spring has officially begun.  The trees are budding, the grass is greening, and the crocus and daffodiles are blooming!  A walk through the gardens tells me it’s about time to clean up the debri left from the Winter storms and corral the mints before they take over.

This time of year is also a good time to review your skin care regime.   Your facial skin could use a little spring cleaning this time of year too.   Winter dry heat, cold winds and temperatures, can leave your skin begging for some tender loving care.  Even if you live in an area where the temperatures don’t reach below freezing, your facial skin, especially, has been subjected to dust, debri from the air, and temperature changes.

I know, some of you think you just don’t have time to spend a little extra time pampering your facial skin.  But, your skin will be much happier and repay you with a healthy glow! 

If you don’t already use a gentle facial scrub or mask, now is a great time to start.  Scrub and/or mask  your facial skin to increase circulation, deep clean, remove dead skin cells, and pull hidden impurities from your skin.

Scrub your skin once every two weeks to remove dead skin cells (depending our your skin type) Over scrubbing can cause skin irritations.  Apply your scrub in a circular motion using your fingertips.  You may use a facial brush, facial pad, or washcloth, but keep in mind these can be more harsh to the skin.  Do not use excessive pressure or scrub vigorously, as this can cause skin damage.

Apply a mask once per week  – apply your mask in an upward and outward motion, avoiding the lip and eye area.  Don’t forget your neck.  Allow your mask to dry and remove with a warm face cloth using upward and outward strokes.  Splash your face with warm water and pat dry.  Apply toner to remove any mask residue and then moisturize.  Your skin will feel so refreshed, soft, and supple with this simple routine. 

And, it doesn’t need to cost you a fortune to have fresh, healthy, skin.  Remember, higher cost and fancy packaging does not equal high quality. 

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Many of us use the shower rather than the bathtub.  Showers are quick and easy, that’s true.  But, how about giving yourself a spa experience and use your bathtub?  Hydrotherapy, water therapy , used for treating pain, illness, and disease, has been used for centuries. One type of hydrotherapy is soaking in a bath.  Soaking hydrotherapy has many benefits, including:

• Pressure on joints may be reduced
• Muscle tension may be reduced
• A calming, relaxing effect may be noticed
• Circulation may be increased
• Pores are opened, which allows the skin to hydrate and soften

Adding salts to your bath offers increased benefits.   I prefer Himalayan Pink, Dead Sea Salt and Epson Salt  (Magnesium Sulfate) in my bath.  Why?

Pink Himalayan salts contain 84 trace minerals and Dead Sea Salts contain 21 minerals.  These trace minerals, including magnesium, calcium, sulphur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc and potassium.  These minerals are needed for good health and are lost throughout the day by physical exercise, stress, and by improper nutrition.    Adding these minerals to a bath soak enhances the bath water for deeper detoxification and cleansing effects.  When the salinity, or salt content, is higher in the water used to soak, then the bacterial count on your skin is reduced.  Salts help to soften the bath water, which aids in softening the skin and easier shedding of dead skin cells; while the trace minerals provide nutrients to newly forming skin.  Epson Salts (Magnesium Sulfate), another mineral, is absorbed thru the skin and helps replenish magnesium, a natural stress reliever, in the body. 

So rather you are suffering from stress, sore muscles, tired feet, or just need a good nights sleep, treat yourself to a soothing, relaxing, detoxifying spa experience right at home and take a bath with bath salts!  

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Tamanu oil, botanical name, Calophyllum tacamahaca, is derived from the the Tamanu tree, is a viscious greenish-brown oil with a nutty smell similar to unrefined shea butter. The Tamanu tree is from the Mangosteen family. This tree blooms twice a year and produces a fruit which when eaten is similar in taste to an apple. Inside this fruit is a large nut, from which tamanu oil is produced. Tamanu oil is obtained by cold pressing. This cold pressed oil is produced by softening the nuts with low temps into a paste and pressing the oil from the paste.

This oil is gaining popularity in skin care in the United States, but the oil and leaves of the Tamanu has been widely used by Pacific islanders, Fuji natives, and in European countries for many, many years. Some uses of this oil has been for pain relief, chapped skin, skin allergies, abrasions, athlete’s foot, burns, and diaper rash. There are several documented studies regarding the topical use of Tamanu oil and the properties contained within the oil. (see links below)

Tamanu oil is pricier than some oils because it takes A Lot of nuts to produce the oil, but in my opinion, the higher price is quite worth it. I use Tamanu oil, and have been very pleased with the results.

http://www.curaderm.net/pdf/tamanuoil.pdf

http://www.jeannerose.net/articles/Calophyllum_inophyllum.html

Second in a series of posts on herbal and botanical extracts used in cosmetics

Fig extract, derived from the fruit of the fig tree, is relatively new in skin care.  But, figs, and other fruits, such as pomegrantes and olives, have been used to improve health and well being since bible times. 

This extract is high in Vitamin A and beta-carotene.  According to MedLinePlus: “Carotenoids are dark colored dyes found in plant foods that can turn into a form of vitamin A. One such carotenoid is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals. Free radicals are believed to contribute to certain chronic diseases and play a role in the degenerative processes seen in aging.”

Fix extract also is a wonderful exfoliator because it contains protien dissolving enzymes that act as exfoliators of dead skin cells.  This enzyme exfoliation leaves no flaky skin behind, and the skin feels very soft and smooth.

First in a series of posts on herbal and botanical extracts used in cosmetics

Why use cucumber extract?  First, cucumber extract is high in silicon, sulfar, minerals, and Vitamin C.  Our skin can benefit from these Cucumber extract is a natural emollient and has been used for centuries for its anti-inflammatory and skin tightening abilities.  Alone, cucumber extract can be added to a cosmetic to help the products moisturizing, soothing and cooling properites.  Cucumber extract is used in Herbal Natures toner for its soothing, cooling, and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

Tip:  Have you ever seen a picture with women having sliced cucumbers over her eyes?  Well, there is an advantage to doing this.  The next time you experience tired or puffy eyes, make sure your eye area is free of eye makeup, and place fresh sliced cucumbers over the eyes.  Kick back and relax for about 10 minutes.  When you remove the cucumbers, your eyes should feel refreshed and eye puffiness should be reduced.  For an all over facial, make sure your skin is clean and free of makeup, place sliced cucumbers over your entire face, lay back and relax for 10-15 minutes.  The cucumber slices  will help moisturize and restore a youthful glow to your skin.

Three important steps to daily facial cleansing:

1. Cleanse – remove dirt and makeup
2. Tone – Remove any dirt or makeup left from cleansing and aid in closing pores
3. Moisurize – seal in moisture and protect skin from pollutants

Scrubs and masks can be applied to increase circulation, deep clean and pull impurities from your pores, and remove dead skin cells. 

Scrub your facial skin once every 2 weeks (depending on your skin type) to remove dead skin cells – overscrubbing, excessive pressure, or scrubbing too vigorously can cause skin irritations.  Masks can be applied once per week – don’t forget your neck area – after mask has dried and been removed, spash your skin with warm water, pat dry, follow with toner and moisturizer