Daily Skin Care

Skin care is not just a daily thing. It is a regime that is followed to improve skincare and protect your skin. Skin care is not just about, cleaning. It also includes, moisturizing, exfoliating, sun protection. Anything that is put on your skin can and will have an impact on your face.

How to Buy Cosmetics

 

If possible ‘try before you buy’ is a good thing to remember. Sometimes after using a cosmetic brand you may develop an allergic reaction. If you do try, do not sample the ‘tester’ at the cosmetic counter at the local department store. These pots of creams are open to a plethora of bacteria. The sample should be in, if possible, in a single use air tight package.

If you are getting a rash or reaction from products you have been using consider how long you have had them:

• Mascara – Turf it after 3- 4 months. Mascara has a considerable amount of bacteria able to grow in the tube. Never pump the wand in the holder. That puts air into the container and makes the mascara dry out. NEVER share your mascara. It is a great way to share…. Share your bacteria that is. Itchy eyes, swollen lids and tearing can result from bacteria in your mascara.
• Foundation – One year max. on the foundation.
• Lip stick – 2 years
• Brushes and applicators – these can be washed regularly. Clean them every few months or replace them.

Be aware that if there are natural botanicals does not mean that there are natural ingredients. Sometimes these natural ingredients are actually synthesized in a laboratory not extracted from plants.

  

Moisturizers

 

Anti-wrinkles, age defying, regenerate, all these are descriptors seem to point to the main point of skin care… to stop your skin from aging. Well your skin is getting older as we speak. To slow the aging process will take more than moisturizer.

 

Having smooth, blemish free skin is a desirable goal but at what cost. Moisturizers work by replacing natural oil in you skin with an added substance from a bottle. The fissures in your skin are filled making them look smoother and provides an oily film to prevent natural moisture loss.

 

When buying lotions, look at the ingredient list. If you are buying a soothing aloe cream and aloe is listed in the bottom 3rd of the ingredients then you’re not getting much aloe in your cream.

 

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Chemicals and Kids - Be Safe!

Chemicals and Kids - Be Safe

We worry about our children taking drugs and the influence they have on our families. Well what about the hidden chemicals that our families and our children are exposed to every day. The Guardian.co.uk reported November 6 that children are exposed to chemicals in domestic products such as rubber clogs and sun tan lotions.  Doesn't this concern you?

One of the biggest concerns is the cumulative effect of the chemical phthalates, which is used as softeners in soap, rubber shoes and soft toys. The guardian.co.uk identifies this chemical as blocking the action of testosterone in the womb, also alleged to cause low sperm counts and high rates of testicular cancer. With those credentials why is it allowed around people and in particular children?

Hormone disrupting chemicals

Chemicals have been shown to disrupt the normal growth in fetuses. A recent Denmark study has shown a significant increase in the rates of testicular cancer. The Danish study identifies predominantly oil based moisturizing creams and sunscreen for the appearance of the preservative Paraben. The Paraben have been identified as a hormone disrupter which poses a risk to children and fetuses.


We were worried about DDT, PCBs and other chemicals.  Can Paraben be posing the same problems?

So what do we do.  Paraben is a chemical used in cosmetics to preserve them.   What alternatives are there?





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Vitamin C Creams - Are they worth it?

Vitamin C - not just for oranges!


I’ve been using a new Vitamin C cream and I really like the results! Vitamin C creams and lotions seem to be the latest and greatest in the anti-wrinkle brigade. Reliable scientific evidence has shown there is significant value to vitamin c for skin care. The big hole is that when Vitamin C is in contact with air it breaks down and becomes ineffective, and at worst, increases the formation of free radicals.

Vitamin C has been extensively tested and reported about in the Journal of the American Academic of Dermatology. Vitamin C has been identified to improve collagen synthesis. This helps keeps skin looking younger and healthier. It also inhibits the production of melanin, in turn producing lighter and brighter skin. With all the hype about wrinkles and getting old it is nice to hear about a product that may even live up to its billing.

Expensive Vitamin C products are usual and cheaper alternatives are available. You can even make some yourself!

When purchasing skin care products with vitamin C it is important that they do not allow air to reach the product. Vitamin C and its derivatives gradually degrade when exposed to light and air. Freshness and proper storage are key to the life of your skin.

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Skin Care and Animal Testing - What you Should Know

We all like beautiful skin don't we? At what cost are you willing to have it? Animal testing is a controversial issue. Why is it necessary? Some say it is to ensure safety. Cosmetic and skin care products are tested before consumers buy and use it. Animal testing can include exposing animals to different substances to see if irritations develop. This may mean skin irritations, eye tearing or to see if the animals get sick.


Testing for drugs and pharmaceuticals is even more stringent and severe. Test animals are exposed to diseases and then treated to see how the 'new' drug performs. This includes the treatment and side effects. Also animals are examined after the treatment to record any internal cure or damage.

Are there other methods of testing besides testing on animals? YES! Some companies, have long established reliable, non-animal testing methods. These alternatives are permitted for cosmetic companies. Do your research and find out where to find them. I know that Mary Kay does NOT test on animals.  For a list of companies that do /do not test check out The Leaping Bunny to find out more.

If there are reliable methods of testing without cruelty to animals then why aren't companies using them? Some businesses are concerned about their financial situations and maintaining jobs. Others are protecting themselves against liability.

If you buy products that test on animals, you are responsible for promoting that company. Use your prerogative to promote animal friendly products. There are various sites that list 'animal friendly' cosmetic companies. Testing on animals is cruel and unacceptable. Use your purchasing power, you as a consumer can send a message to companies that test on animals.

Please contact me at lkelland-may at live.ca (just replace 'at' with @) for information about this and other articles. Want more information about which companies do not test on animals, visit me at http://www.ottawaskincare.wordpress.com for more information!



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