Posts Tagged ‘skin care’

Posted on September 2, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Toxicity Fight Club: Boys & Girls Edition

If ingredients linked to allergies, cancer and other ailments deserve a one-two punch in grown-up products, they deserve an extra whammy when it comes to kids’ lotions and potions. After all, the wee ones count on us to make smart, grown-up decisions (even if they do scream over washing their hair or a smart slathering of sunscreen).

Here are some highlights of what to avoid when it comes to chemical-free kiddie care…

Shampoo & Conditioner:

Avoid these ingredients…

• DMDM Hydantoin: This allergen and irritant can form cancer-causing contaminants
• Fragrance:  As we’ve pointed out before, ‘fragrance’ is code for all kinds of funky allergens that may contain neurotoxic or hormone-disrupting chemicals
• Ceteareth & PEG Compounds: These harmful petrochemicals that may contain cancer-causing impurities are far from kid-friendly.

Body Wash & Liquid Soap

Avoid these ingredients…

• Triclosan: Like we said, try, try, try for no triclosan! It’s a potential hormone disruptor which can effect the endocrine system which regulates growth and development.
• DMDM Hydantoin: See above, and keep in mind that in Japan, DMDM Hydantoin is prohibited for use in some types of cosmetics!
• Fragrance: See above and always opt for ‘fragrance-free’

Play Make-up

Kids love to play dress-up. But when it comes to trying on mom’s make-up, keep in mind that…

• Your lipstick may contain harmful impurities that your child might swallow in trace amounts
• Most nail polish contains dibutyl phthalate and toluene, both of which are linked to hormone disruption and cancer
• Cosmetics in powder form might damage lungs when inhaled

Buy organic, keep toxins at bay for your tot, print the guide to learn more and don’t forget the ultimate in full-disclosure personal care for you and the kids – Do It Yourself (DIY!).

Posted on August 28, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

6 All Natural Ingredients to Know About

We’ve told you what you don’t want in your truly natural and healthy personal care products (formaldehyde, triclosan, etc.)  Now it’s time to focus on the “dos!”

Nature is chock full of wonderful ingredients that can moisturize skin and hair with nary a chemical in site. In addition to our all-time favorite, organic lavender, consider these inspiring ingredients:

1. Aloe vera: In addition to her love for lavender, Cleopatra used aloe as a skin rejuvenator. It is rich in polysaccharides, galactose, plant steroids, enzymes, amino acids, minerals and even natural antibiotics.

2. Avocado: Containing more fatty alcohols than any other fruit, avocados are rich in potassium and vitamins B, E, and K. Avocado is also a highly effective emollient.

3. Beeswax: Rich in fatty acid esters, beeswax (a colorless liquid secreted by female worker bees) is an emollient, thickener and emulsifier. It locks in moisture, fosters cells and protects skin from dangerous environmental factors.

4. Cornflower: Tired and puffy eyes? No problem. Cornflower (or the more romantic bluebottle or bachelor’s button!) is known to soothe skin and reduce dark circles.  Try this easy face steam and feel your face lift: use a hot tea made from cornflower, marigold, lavender and wild chamomile; steam for 10-15 minutes.

5. Candelilla wax: This vegetable wax is the vegan’s alternative to beeswax; it can be found in lip balms or body lotions and is lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Cocoa butter: It’s made from the vegetable fat of the cocoa bean – how can it not be awesome!  With its incredibly high volume of Vitamin E, cocoa butter provides extreme renewal and repair properties. In addition to moisturizing, cocoa butter is famous for reducing scars.

What are your favorite all-natural ingredients? Let us know!

Read More:

Travel Beyond the Surface of Skincare

5 Wrinkle Reducers

Posted on August 24, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Rough patch? The ‘Why’ Behind Dry

Your skin is more complicated than it looks. The average square inch of your skin holds:

• 650 sweat glands
• 20 blood vessels
• 60,000 melanocytes (pigment skin cells)
• 1,000+ nerve endings

All three main layers (epidermis, stratum corneum and dermis) work in harmony with one another. If any of the following are a part of your daily life, dry skin may disrupt your natural ability to moisturize:

• Exposure to excessive sun
• Excessive bathing
• Use of conventional, detergent-based soaps
• Low humidity
• Central air and heating

It’s time to get rid of pesky dry patches one and for all!

Moisturizing Madness to the Rescue!

Napa Valley Bath’s Moisturizing Madness gift set includes 3 steps to moister, smoother skin:

1. 8oz. Lavender Lotion – Certified organic herbal extracts, the highest-quality natural food-grade safflower vegetable oil, nourishing seaweed (algae) and healing aloe vera blend with four lavenders selected from around the world. Decadent, delightful…and mortal enemy of dry skin.
2. 4 oz. Body Butter - Combines the highest quality shea butter from Uganda, healing herbs, health-food-grade fresh vegetable oils, natural vegetable waxes, and soothing aromatic lavender water from the Aromatic Plant Project. A must-have for cracked, callused and parched skin.
3. Hoof Cream – This tin of rich balm revitalizes your hands and feet with a blend of olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, tocoperol, orange essential oil, lavender essential oil and peppermint essential oil

…given the prices of typical department store brands (which are chock full of synthetic ingredients, toxic fragrance and may even be tested on animals) the Napa Valley Bath Moisturizing Madness package is a steal at $58 – order yours here!

Posted on August 5, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Michael Pollan Says Invest in Organic!

“Don’t eat anything your grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.”

Simple, smart advice like this is why I’m a fan of Michael Pollan, a writer who covers the politics and pleasures of eating with a passion.  Several generations ago, no one would recognize the foods commonly found in today’s vending machines…or pretty much anything pre-packaged for that matter.

Pollan was interviewed recently in what looks like the Greenmarket Farmers Market in Union Square, NYC. At Napa Valley Bath, our focus is on personal care products, but I thought I’d do a ‘tip of the hat’ to our sister site, St. Helena’s Olive Oil Co. and share some of Pollan’s top sound bites (pun intended!):

• “Food is too important to economize on.”

• Organic is always a better choice for the environment:  buying organic helps contribute to keeping pesticides out of land and water supply.

• If economizing, buy organic when it comes to delicate skin foods – peaches, apples, grapes. They tend to have more residues than thicker skin fruits and veggies (oranges, bananas, pineapples).

• Organic food is harder to grow – hence why it’s more expensive.  More weeds means more work (vs. labor-saving chemicals/pesticides).

• One way to economize with organic meat is to buy in bulk and freeze what you don’t use.

• Organic junk food is still junk food – don’t fall for it.

• When it comes to organic milk, make sure it comes from grass-fed dairy cows. Ditto for buying beef.

What are some of the healthy food choices you live by? Share them with other readers here!

Check out Michael Pollan’s interview in its entirety at NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

Posted on August 3, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

The Cold Coal Truth

Coal tar, a thick liquid or semisolid obtained from bituminous coal, is an oft-used ingredient in:

• Anti-dandruff shampoos
• Hair dyes
• Topical treatments for psoriasis and skin rashes
• Moisturizers
• Most of the synthetic colors and dyes found in our cosmetics

Why the Goal Should Be No Coal

Coal tar is a…

• known human carcinogen
• contributor to lung and urinary tract cancer
• potent skin irritant

The European Union banned coal tar in 2004. But yep, it’s still in play here in the U.S., even though it scores a 10 (highest hazard rating) in the super helpful Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database. And the Centers for Disease Control recommends that coal tar simply should not come in contact with your skin.

Coal tar can also be listed on ingredient lists as:

• Tar
• Coal
• Coal tar solution

What to do? Invest in organic personal care products. The Organic Trade Association says it best with their campaign Organic: It’s Worth It. I love this title since it frankly admits that yes, organic is more expensive…but it is a worthy investment in order to protect your health and the health of your loved ones.

Posted on July 29, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Animal Testing 101: Not Right, Not Necessary

This one is not for the squeamish.

Animal testing is banned in the Netherlands, Belgium and the U.K. But in the U.S., it continues.

We’re not talking about curing cancer or halting polio…we’re talking about lotions, potions and high sheen glosses.  Consider these two stomach-wrenching tests in the name of product safety:

The Draize Test: Evaluates irritants

Method: Caustic substances are place in the eyes of rabbits to see how much damage can be done to their sensitive eye tissues.

Outcome: Rabbits scream in pain and sometimes break their necks trying to wiggle out of restraints

Test: LD50 (LD = lethal dosage): Determines how much of a substance will kill a predetermined ratio of animals

Method:  Animals are forced to ingest poisonous substances through stomach tubes.

Outcome: Most animals die. Other reactions include convulsions, vomiting, paralysis and bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth or rectum.

Julie Gabriel, author of The Green Beauty Guide, is spot on with this assessment…

What amazes me is the logic…if they already know that that the chemical is irritating, toxic, or lethal, why kill animals and waste time and money to find out how much of this deadly stuff they can legally stuff into a new cosmetic product?

Gabriel and countless other scientists, researchers and experts believe there are better, less cruel and actually more accurate ways to test the products we use every day.

Creature Comfort

When you chose truly pure products that tap into the earth’s bounty (Organic Lavender! Shea Butter! Sea Salts!), you’re voting with your dollar against the above cruel and antiquated practices.  You can also look for these conscious-easing certifications:

• The Leaping Bunny: The Humane Cosmetics Standard is the world’s only international criteria for cosmetics or toiletry products that are “Not Tested on Animals.”

• Cruelty Free: They may be extremists, but their heart is in the right place as evidenced by PETA’s bunny ear standard that guarantees no animal testing

• V is for Victory...and Certified Vegan, a nonprofit organization that certifies food, clothing, cosmetics and other items that contain no animal products and are not tested on animals.

On a Bright Note…

Learn more about how some agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Toxicology Program and the National Institute of Health are working in tandem to put an end to animal testing – for good.

Check out Jessica Biel’s short film Hole in the Paper Sky (and keep the tissues handy) about a doomed laboratory dog.

Posted on July 22, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

5 Wrinkle Reducers

Yes, we want to age gracefully.

No, we don’t like wrinkles.

How do you marry these two simple premises?  If your skin detox program isn’t quite eliminating those lovely lines (after all, they are the calling card of a life well-lived!) here’s some more insights for glow-and-go wrinkle reduction.

Know Your Active Ingredients!

The following active ingredients may result in slight to modest improvements in wrinkles…while nothing is a miracle cure, these are considered top tier:

1. Retinol. An antioxidant neutralizes free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that break down your skin cells and cause wrinkles. Retinol is a critical antioxidant and the first one to be widely used in nonprescription wrinkle creams.
2. Hydroxy acids. These are exfoliants that remove the upper layer of old, dead skin and stimulate growth of smoother, more evenly pigmented skin. Look for alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy and poly hydroxy. But note: these are synthetic substitutes for sugar-containing fruits, so a DIY all-natural or organic option would be better!
3. Copper peptides. Antioxidant power is pushed even further when combined with copper peptides, small protein fragments that are combined with trace elements of copper that are found in every cell.
4. Kinetin. Derived from plant growth hormones, kinetin is another antioxidant that helps skin retain moisture and stimulate collagen production.
5. Tea extracts. Green, black and oolong tea…not just for sipping! With their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, these teas are often found in wrinkle creams, with green tea leading the way.

Don’t forget to avoid junk food skingredients…and don’t forget organic everything for the rest of your bod!

Posted on July 20, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Cleopatra, Real Dead Sea Salts, and You

Egypt, around 50 BC.

Cleopatra, the last reigning Pharaoh, demanded exclusive rights over the Middle Eastern Dead Sea, ordering factories built to harvest its healing salts for her toilette. From bathing in the dead sea salts to using them for customized cosmetics, the daughter of the Nile tapped into the  salts’ anti-aging power, magically holding on to her youthful looks – the original spokesmodel for ageless beauty.

Therapeutic. Beautifying. Rejuvenating.   Dead sea salts contain 10% sodium (vs. 90% sodium in ‘regular’ sea salt) and are bursting with essential minerals for the skin like Magnesium, Potassium, Bromine and Calcium.

A virtual feast for the oft-depleted dermis, Dead Sea salts…

• Relieve muscle tension
• Cure skin problems and diseases such as acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and even arthritis
• Exfoliate dead skin cells
• Stimulate blood circulation
  
• Remove toxins

When used in tandem with the healing power of lavender, Dead Sea salts are elevated to heady, aromatherapeutic heights. Napa Valley Bath opts for a coarse grain from Israel’s Dead Sea for their proprietary blend of bath salts, combining organic lavender and hops flowers spiked with lemon and organic lavender essential oil.

Treat yourself like a queen with the ancient healing that only real Dead Sea salts can deliver…and breathe a little Cleopatra into your beauty routine!

Posted on July 17, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Make Your Own Lavender Sleep Pillow

Tossing and turning? Here’s a do-it-yourself, all-natural way to catch some zzzs – and float away on sweet-smelling dreams!

This mini-pillow should be placed between pillow and pillowcase, and laid on with your head to release the therapeutic aromas.

What you need:

1 cup dried hops

1 cup dried lavender buds

¼ cup dried thyme leaves

3 Tbsp. cellulose chips (cellulose chips are fixatives used to absorb essential and fragrance oils and then slowly release them)

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops bergamot essential oil

Two fabric pillows 6 inches square, each with one end open – why not make it organic cotton?

How to:

In a glass bowl or measuring cup, mix the essential oils into the cellulose chips. Cover and set aside overnight. The next day, mix in the dried herbs. Place half of the mixture into each fabric pillow and sew or fasten the open end closed with lace, ribbons or a simple sewing thread.

From: Natural Beauty Basics, by Dorie Byers, R.N.

Note that these essential oils are also known for their relaxing aromas – feel free to swap one or more into your pillow based on  your personal preferences:

• Clary sage
• German chamomile
• Patchouli
• Rose
• Basil
• Neroli
• Sandalwood
• Tangerine
• Myrrh
• Orange
• Frankincense
• Cedarwood

What all-natural sleep remedies lull you to sweet slumber? Let us know here!

Posted on July 8, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

And the #1 Natural Antioxidant for Sun Protection is…

In a recent post, we told you what nasty ingredients to avoid when seeking a healthier, non-toxic sunscreen when lazing surf-side.

But what about the rest of the time?  You’re skin is exposed to sun radiation every day – not just on those gloriously long weekends. When you combine sun radiation exposure with any one of the following…

• toxins in the environment
• a weak immune system
• a so-so diet
• stress

…you’re skin may not be able to tap into it’s natural ability to protect itself from the elements, including the sun.

Tea Time!

Green tea to the rescue!

The polyphenol called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea has been proven in studies to prevent DNA damage from ultraviolet radiation.

Opt for iced green tea this spring and summer. Here’s one fun way to wrap the sun’s power into the very beverage you’re using to offset its ‘dark side.’

Sun-Soaked Green Iced Tea

In a glass jar or pitcher, place 1 teaspoon of loose green tea or 1 tea bag per pint or tap water (with sugar or honey, if you wish). Cover and set in the sun for 1 hour or so. Timing is not critical – because the water doesn’t boil, the tea will not get bitter.

Adding EGCG: An Alternative

If green tea – hot or cold – isn’t your thing, you can buy EGCG in a concentrated extract or powder form. Add it to your sun-protection moisturizer and prevent DNA damage from ultraviolet radiation that way!