Friday, May 29, 2015

GROWING CONSUMER AWARENESS OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL INGREDIENTS IN BEAUTY FORMULATIONS

The recent NY Times article exposing grave health risks posed by hazardous chemical-mixed finger nail products is forcing New Yorkers and consumers elsewhere to consider their regular salon visits from a different perspective, and with caution.

The article blames finger nail products, specifically gels, with potentially toxic ingredients that can lead to skin infection, respiratory illnesses to those long exposed to them.

Using potentially hazardous chemical ingredients even in branded beauty formulations has been going on unchecked. With emerging scientific evidence of their harmful effects, there is growing awareness now among consumers for choosing safe products.

As manufacturers of natural beauty products, which are safe and effective, Herbally Radiant has been highlighting the potential dangers of many commonly used chemical ingredients in beauty formulations.  Unfortunately, the packaging or labeling of most of such unsafe products does not contain adequate information about their ingredients.

Consumers need to be careful in buying the products, especially if they contain the following ingredients :

1.      BHA and BHT (used mainly in moisturizers and makeup products)
2.      Coal tar dyes: (potentially contaminated with heavy metals toxic to brain)
3.      DEA-related ingredients (used in creamy and foaming products such as moisturizers and shampoos)
4.      Dibutyl phthalate (plasticizer in some nail care products)
5.      Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (cancer causing ingredient)
6.      Parabens (by-product of petroleum, potentially harmful in mail reproductive functions)
7.      PEG compounds (used in cosmetic cream bases)
8.      Petrolatum (used in some hair products, lip balms, lip sticks and moisturizers). for shine
9.      Sodium laureth sulfate (used in foaming cosmetics)

Due to increasing scientific evidence of potential risks of such chemical ingredients, more and more consumers in Europe are opting for natural products.  In US, Herbally Radiant is using certified organic ingredients in all its skin care formulations. These are not only safe for use but these also help revitalize skin effectively.  Particularly, its special anti-agingformulations : Rejuvenating and Radiant,  are now getting more and more acceptance.




Wednesday, May 27, 2015

WELCOME TREND IN BEAUTY CARE, INCLUDING ANTI-AGING REGIME



Latest trend in beauty market shows growing consumers’ preference for a wellness focus to inspire seamless and holistic beauty lifestyle. They regard Health, Beauty and Wellness as an integrated approach for overall wellbeing. This healthy approach, of course, greatly helps in anti-aging process, preventing appearance of premature signs of lines and wrinkles.

In this context, it would be useful to go through following beneficial tips in skin care procedures, including maintaining young and beautiful appearance :

Health of skin is vital for overall wellness. Just as body needs right nutrients to remain in good shape, so does the skin. In day to day life, we feed ourselves mainly with processed foods which might contain many toxins and therefore accelerate aging. Applying on skin toxins in the form of cosmetics also impacts adversely on our skin. We have therefore been promoting organic way of protecting and enhancing one’s health and beautiful appearance.

Following specific advisory offers useful tips :

1.       Eat food with antioxidants (Blueberries, Raspberries, Nuts, Grapes, Green Tea) and fresh vegetables and fruits.
2.      Plenty of water to keep skin well hydrated which will prevent wrinkle-formation.
3.      Prefer organic food which does not contain any kind of toxins.
4.      Use only natural organic skin products, depending upon the type of your skin.
To address special skin disorder, use products with aloe vera, calendula, witch hazel tea tree, rosewater as toner. One can get these in specially combined formulation from online store of Herbally Radiant (www.shop.herballyradiant.com).
5.      Do not use soap which contain sulfate; instead use organic face cleanser.
6.      Since antioxidants play important role for good skin, vitamin C should be taken adequately.
7.      Avoid sugary diet which tends to damage collagen and elastin, causing lines and wrinkles.
8.     Deal with stressful situations with calm and relaxed mind. Follow meditation practice.
9.      Enjoy adequate sleep.
10.  Regular workouts which help increase blood circulation and release of toxins.
11.   Use sun screen in winter as well.

These are not exclusive, and can be supplemented where necessary.

Herbally Radiant physician is also available for further consultation on any skin related problem, or for advice on planning the best beauty care regime.

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Thursday, May 21, 2015

ALARMING RISE IN DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING PRACTICES IN BEAUTY BUSINESS

There has been alarming increase in misleading adverts by beauty companies. Recently the Advertising Standards Board of India, which is receiving more consumer complaints, held top beauty industries (Oriflame, Hindustan Lever among them) liable for misleading consumers.  The Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore has reported highest number of complaints in the last three years against the personal care companies.  Several Singapore companies indulging in unsubstantiated claims have been asked to withdraw them.  
In the latest US case, TruthinAdvertising.org, has charged Revlon, parent company of Almay, for its misleading advertisement “All American …. natural beauty look” which it claims is not accurate and violates “the FTC Made in US Standards”.
Wherever you happen to shop for personal care or makeup items, you are likely to find one or more item with claims that are misleading, false, or exaggerated to the point of absurdity. Cosmetics companies rely on the same claims again and again to sell new products. The  regulating agencies lay down standards to prevent deceptive marketing campaigns, but despite the regulations, the companies are able to come up with new versions and campaigns that help them get away with unsubstantiated claims -  claims that are deceptive or nearly worthless.
For example, in Europe, cosmetics claims are supposed to be backed by studies that prove the claims are valid. But, all that really happened in response to that was the creation of a new type of business: research companies. These companies,often run by dermatologists or even by universities, offer their services to perform ‘testing’ that they design specifically to prove whatever claims the cosmetics company make, for a fee, of course. The ‘testing’ most often does not lead to scientific published studies, so the results don't prove a thing, and are often nothing more than biased deception. However, the regulators are satisfied that "studies" have been carried out and the cosmetics companies are happy because the "study" shows what they want.
So, even at the cost of repetition, HerballyRadiant would like to remind consumers that
i)Expensive product does not mean better stuff. Spending more doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting higher quality.
ii)Sales people at the cosmetics store aren’t skin-care experts. They are trained to sell; they are not necessarily trained to understand cosmetic formulations, different types of skin and their characteristics. Selling cosmetics is of course a great career.
iii)Just one high-sounding ingredient or formulation is not the right answer for, say, anti-aging treatment. The customer has to make his/her own assessment about the efficacy of the product after reading the detailed ingredients.

iv)Unfortunately, the cosmetic sellers do not follow satisfactory ‘return policy’. It is, therefore, all the more necessary to satisfy themselves about the product, and lodge complaint with the agencies entrusted to look after consumers’ interests.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

ALARMING RISE IN COUNTERFEITING OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS

The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) has launched latest campaign “Wake Up – Don’t Fake Up” to raise awareness of the health risks from using fake personal care products.  London Police which estimates nearly 90 million Pounds spending by consumers every year on fake skin care products, reports rising cases of counterfeiting, which is blamed on growing online market suppliers through social media campaigns which, it claims, are quite difficult to monitor and check.
In the past 18 months, PIPCU has managed to protect consumers from being ripped off online by suspending 5,500 websites selling fake luxury branded goods. Last year, it dismantled a criminal operation suspected of importing and selling counterfeit goods, seizing a shipping container with more than 47900 fake versions of one of UK’s most popular beauty brands.  In 2013, EU Customs seized over a million suspected fake cosmetics and perfume items with retail value of more than 55 million Euros.    
The  Cosmetics, Toilet and Perfumery Association (CTPA) has also voiced grave concern, and highlighted the fact that the problem with fake products is that the packaging and look of the product can be almost the same as that of genuine brand which is difficult to detect by common consumers. Such products are not only not genuine, but their use may lead to potential health risks.
The “Wake Up – Don’t Fake Up’ campaign by London Police is being launched to raise awareness of the alarmingly growing counterfeiting cases, and the need for being vigilant, especially before buying from online suppliers.  The rule of thumb being: if it seems to too good to be true then probably it is.
Surprisingly, natural beauty products are being counterfeited so far at that level. Therefore, Herbally Radiant, which specializes in herbal organic skin care formulations has been advising customers to choose from among its top of the range products like Rejuvenating, Radiant or Clean, that are more effective and skin-friendly than the pharma-based products which are being copied by unscrupulous players and sold to unsuspecting consumers. 


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

PLANT STEM CELL EXTRACTS & OILS IN NEW BEAUTY PRODUCTS



More and more awareness about the efficacy of plant-based ingredients in beauty products  is influencing consumers, especially in younger age group, who are now preferring  plant stem cells to traditional ingredients like retinol (Vitamin A) for their products. (Retinol is routinely used by manufacturers to improve facial tone and texture, in their antiaging products.)
According to latest studies, dermal stem cells have the ability to different into fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin proteins which are essential for skin elasticity and resilience. For the manufacturers, plant stem cells, being natural, enhance their environment friendly credentials.  The use of plant cell extracts like jasmine (Gardenia Jasminoides) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus) in beauty products is increasingly steadily, reflecting consumer’s awareness for natural botanical ingredients in cosmetics.
The statistics reveal that the percentage of facial care products with stem cell increased from 1% in 2010 to 3% in 2014. The number of consumers in France and Germany preferring the plant-based ingredients is showing steady rise.
In line with this natural trend, organic oils like hip oil, strawberry seed  oil, hemp oil, sandalwood oil and Moroccon argan oil are also finding wider acceptance from consumers.  Prominent players like MayaChia, Church & Dwight, Glides Away have entered the market with new products containing some of these oils.
Talking of oils, it would be worth noting that HerballyRadiant has launched a wonderful serum (Perfection) which contains Grapeseed oil, Argan oil, Santalum Spicatum oil, Pink Grape fruit oil, Citrus Paradis oil, Citrus Bergania oil. A fine blend of these essential oils makes immediate transformation of the skin, its texture, natural glow and attractive youthful appearance. Packed in 1 oz bottle with special dropper for economic use, Perfection serum is just amazing; its pure restorative anti aging formulation with richness of antioxidant oils.
Available through online (shop.herballyradiant.com)  at $ 33.90 (shipping free), the top of the range Perfection serum is more effective as compared to other brands, yet quite economical in use and price.  



Friday, May 15, 2015

DNA TECHNOLOGY NOT A WIN-WIN SOLUTION FOR ANTIAGING OR BEAUTY



As in other fields, new studies are on to revolutionize skin care system with the help of DNA techniques. Sensing consumer’s wish for optimized living through skin care products, many players have begun to integrate Essential Oils in their formulations. Giovaudan is reported to have launched Patchouli Oil sourcing initiative in order to capture customers’ attention and British beauty brand GeneU recently launched U+ service that uses DNA testing to match customer’s skin with specific products that counteract genetically based aging.

As we have highlighted earlier, Essential Oils are more beneficial not only to the skin care routine, but to the whole body. The natural products from Herbally Radiant have very high organic content, up to 93% as they all carry blend of Essential Oils that are known for their therapeutic value, while enhancing facial beauty. These Essential Oils create aromatherapy for the whole body, leading to stress-free mind.

Stress-free state of mind is crucial in order to revitalize skin and promote glowing beauty.  One study has reported that stress-related ills cost the nation $ 300 billion in terms of treatment and loss of man-hours & productivity. The anti-aging range of Herbally Radiant, (Rejuvenating andRadiant) come with unique blend of Essential Oils which provide optimum benefit through stress relief, while reducing facial lines and wrinkles, creating rejuvenation effect on skin.

It is a welcome trend that consumers are showing more interest in long term benefits, and in products which provide whole-some beauty.  Some companies are exploring DNA route to see if they can come up with new technique. The high-concept approach to health and beauty that’s sweeping industry is based on ‘Optimized Self’. Its proponents want access to customers’ DNA, the tightly wound set of codes and instructions that hold the complete building plan for every bit of your body, with a view to personalizing treatments to a molecular level and even predicting the disease that could kill you.
The beauty industry is adopting DNA route now after a study from retail market research group Canadean, which concluded that as high as 45 per cent UK adults are willing to pay for skincare created in a laboratory and developed for their customized needs while 54 per cent said they would provide blood, skin or hair samples to help develop tailor-made products.
There are, however, cost factors. First, the customers would be billed for DNA tests, up to $ 600 besides general health scan to complete the genetic make-up. The cost of customized formulations will be additional.  Second, beauty experts feel that ultimately with the new DNA-based technology also, the basic formulations will remain more or less the same, viz., retinol, vitamin C combined with other existing skincare ingredients.
For some of these companies, DNA testing is less an exciting marketplace opportunity and more an evangelical crusade. The customers need to have ownership of their own information, they need to be pro-active, and be the one taking charge. Making personal genetic information broadly available would pose many more questions and dilemmas, like advance signals of any other disease, or new health risks.
Therefore, the DNA route for innovative skin care formulations might not be a win-win outcome for the customers. It might divert them from their skin care needs to general health issues which should be dealt with more comprehensively with the help of health specialists, and not with the help of beauty experts.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

ALGAE IS NEW POWERFUL INGREDIENT IN BEAUTY FORMULATIONS



More and more quality conscious women are choosing their beauty products which contain Algae (commonly referred to as Seaweed). In Japan, the use and study of Seaweed, is light years away from any research done elsewhere.  Algae has become hot topic among cosmetic ingredients who have cited many studies to the effect that algae can stabilize minerals that aid in skin moisturization; that it has anti-acne properties without the irritation of over the counter drugs; and it may help with skin lightening.
Algae growing in waters which are free from pollution, can absorb, like a sponge, much more vitamins, minerals and beneficial substances.  Algae in other latitudes present much less absorption rates and in many cases, a great part of the absorption is contamination.
We have seen many useful drugs which contain algae extracts. These extracts are very simple, chlorophyll-containing organisms in a family that includes more than 20,000 different known species; and contain vitamin A, sugar, starch, vitamin B1, iron, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and calcium. In cosmetics, algae act as thickening agents, water-binding agents, and antioxidants. Some algae are also potential skin irritants. For example, the  phycocyanin present in blue-green algae has been suspected of allergenicity, and of causing dermatitis on the basis of patch tests.
Skin experiences more dryness during cold season, and with, needing right kind of powerful nourishing moisturizer. In cold, skin’s capacity to absorb nutrients also grows.  To protect skin from dryness, one has to prevent water loss which is key to maintaining skin’s moisture. Emollients are lubricating ingredients that prevent water loss and have a softening, protective and smoothing effect on skin. A healthy, intact barrier lets skin look smooth, soft and moist – exactly the opposite of dry skin.
Many cosmetic manufacturers are heavily advertising their products which contain substances like hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, cholesterol and ceramides. However, it is for the consumers to make sure that the ingredients in these products do not contain such substances which pose potential risk to the skin.
At HERBALLY RADIANT, we have included algae in a new product “Body Polish”, an amazing formulation to exfoliate and nourish soft skin.  Along with blue green algae, it contains sea salt, almond oil, vitamin E, avocado  and coconut oil, besides other rich ingredients to reinvigorate and revitalize skin in natural way. Priced at $ 34.90 (shipping free) ( 4 oz jar), (also available in 2 oz jar for $ 20.90)“Body Polish” is the best natural organic product to exfoliate and nourish, leaving a soft supple and radiant skin.
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