Friday, February 26, 2016

WHY TO USE NATURAL HERBAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS?



Herbs are nature’s bounty. Our body’s response to organic substances is gentle yet very effective. The extracts of plants and herbs, essential oils and tinctures have amazing protective and curative properties. The formulations out of these ingredients have immensely beneficial effect in cosmetic applications. Some have nourishing or cleansing active ingredients, some whip up circulation, others refine pores, while some freshen skin, leaving it soft and glowing. Organic ingredients help skin’s capacity to absorb, allowing better penetration of beneficial herbal extracts.
The best way to stay fit, remain beautiful and healthy is to benefit from nature’s bounty. With growing awareness of the benefits of herbal ingredients, larger number of physicians, beauticians and cosmetologists across the world are shifting to organic skin care products. Increasing use of organic products is also due to visible harmful side effects from the application of synthetic and chemical ingredients. Annual herbal medications and cosmetic products in US has already crossed $ 3 billion.
There is a large variety to choose from plants and flowers. New know-how has enabled manufacturers to present them in ready-to-use products with long shelf life. Some of these are natural preservatives themselves while others are hardening agents which have excellent uses for face masks. Many are wonderful emulsifiers. Besides, fruits, vegetables and other plant extracts and oils have their own fine aromas and fragrances. The organic formulations have, therefore, highly soothing aroma creating cooling and calming effect.
Some of the herbs, known for their curative and beauty enhancing properties are: Turmeric, Clove, Lemon, Amla, Gram Flour, Lemongrass, Comfrey, Camphor, Arnica, Rose, Marigold, Sandalwood, Seaweeds and host of Essential Oils. Most of these are antiseptic and germicidal agents, yet produce soothing effect on skin. These have powerful cleansing effect as well as highly effective nourishing elements. Herbs, like chamomile, contain emollient substance that keep skin texture soft and smooth. Cabbage, carrot, almond, date, apricot have wonderful nourishing ingredients. With rich vitamin and mineral contents, these rejuvenate the skin, improve its tone and elasticity, while minimizing wrinkles.
Lavender and Jasmine have essential use in aroma therapy; vegetables and fruits are natural storehouse of beauty aids; apricot has excellent rejuvenating effect; papaya contains enzymes that help soften dead skin cells to be removed; potatoes contain skin-cleaning agents; cucumber juice benefits the area round the eyes; lemon is a concentrate of vitamin C, increasing body resistance to infection and used as bleach for elbows, heels and toes, as a hand lotion, as a hair rinse to make hair shining; fuller’s earth used as a pack, tightens skin on the face and body; sandalwood has antiseptic and germicidal effect.
Herbal extracts are wonderful moisturizers which prevent moisture loss. Plant products have natural enzymes which help cleanse the skin of free radicals. So are other natural cleansers like milk and lemon. Extracts of rose have been included in skin tonics for oily skin, removing impurities, refining the texture and improving skin tone. Fruits, like peaches and apricots, also make excellent face packs.
The oils from almond and coconut act very good massage oils for skin and hair, bringing a healthy glow to the skin and hair. These also help restore and maintain youthful appearance by controlling wrinkle and crease formations on skin surface. Aloe Vera, used in most formulations, has wonderful moisturizing and nourishing properties.
There are many more organic ingredients that have immense benefits. Here are recounted only few that one can benefit from and which are used in Herbally Radiant skin care formulations.




Tuesday, February 23, 2016

POWERFUL REGENERATIVE PUMPKIN FACE MASK FROM HERBALLY RADIANT



As more and more researchers are examining the benefits of pumpkin ingredient in skin care formulations, it may be useful to learn about these. We at Herbally Radiant use pumpkin as key ingredient in a unique regenerative face mask, packed with Vitamin C & E with many beneficial properties.
Its amazing properties are :
-It is packed with fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which increase  cell turnover, to brighten and smooth the skin.
-It contains antioxidant Vitamin A and Vitamin C to help soften and soothe the skin and boost collagen production to prevent the signs of aging.
-Zinc in pumpkin seeds is brilliant for acne sufferers. Zinc will help control the hormone level and oil production, as well as assist with healing of the skin.
-Pumpkin seeds are high in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which are necessary to maintain good barrier function of the skin. They also regulate sebum, great for an oily skin.
-The molecular structure of pumpkin is small and therefore can penetrate deeper into the skin when used topically. This is amazing for treating a dull complexion, aging skin and pigmentation.
-Known as PSO, pumpkin seed oil is rich in vitamin E, zinc, omega 3- and 6- fatty acids as well as antioxidants.  It has, therefore, proved to be the superfood for everybody’s skin. Its use makes skin feel hydrated, supple and smooth, thus helping maintain a youthful appearance. Pumpkin is also fabulous for hair, hydrating the follicles, locking in moisture and leaving shiny, lustrous strands, braids, coils and curls.

The Pumpkin Face Mask formulation especially developed by the Herbally Radiant R&D team has a fine blend of other oils, with a touch of Vitamin E. It applies light, and cleanly, absorbing quickly without leaving any heavy, oily feel.

One will find the Pumpkin Mask a delicious, exfoliating treatment targeting dull, maturing, and chaotic skin.  In addition to being a delicious source of antioxidants and enzymes, Pumpkin contains more than 100 beneficial nutrients that help skin transition through the changing seasons.

The glycolic acid that the Pumpkin Face Mask contains helps rejuvenate face, hands and body, creating a more youthful appearance of skin.

Modestly priced at $ 19.90 (2 oz ), it can also be ordered on line (www.herballyradiant.com).

Friday, February 19, 2016

RISING CASES OF MISLABELING




Following FDA’s  2012 finding that Pennsylvania cheese factory Castle Cheese Inc was doctoring its “100% real parmesan” with filler ingredients like wood pulp, or cheaper cheeses, Bloomberg made its own investigation and found high percentages of cellulose – essentially powdered wood pulp and the main ingredient in paper – in four different brands.
According to the Guardian, Bloomberg found that “Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, from Jewel-Osco, was 8.8% cellulose, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese registered 7.8%, according to test results. Whole Foods 365 brand didn’t list cellulose as an ingredient on the label, but still tested at 0.3%. Kraft had 3.8%.”
The discovery of wood pulp in cheese is the latest in many food safety scandals and consumer fraud cases that call into question what we eat.
Instances of mislabeling and deceptive marketing of cosmetic products are rising exponentially. Being in the business of natural skin care products (Herbally Radiant), with certified organic ingredients, we have been highlighting the potential harm to the skin that most of the aggressively marketed products can cause. In one recently reported case, Avalon Organics and Jason Brand Cosmetics agreed to settle a class action law suit filed by Lexington Law Group in a California court, which alleged that the two cosmetic companies were misleading the customers with unethical advertising and deceptive packaging labels on the products. The cosmetics sold by them during the period May 2007-May 2011 had misled the consumers to think that the products bought by them were mostly, or wholly organic.
The cosmetic companies agreed to a settlement, running into nearly $ 9.35 million dollars, to avoid further legal costs and damages. In the absence of lax regulatory mechanism, most of the cosmetic companies are indulging either in unethical advertisement campaigns, using misleading words, or making unverifiable claims.
Instead of getting influenced by the aggressive marketing campaigns, consumers need to read the ingredients on the labels carefully to avoid falling into the trap of unverifiable claims, especially if they appear too good to be true.


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

MOST "FRAGRANCES" (95%) DERIVED FROM PETROCHEMICALS ARE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL

Manufacturers of cosmetic and skin care products use fragrance to influence consumers’ choice. However, in pharma-based ingredients, synthetic fragrances are commonly used, more than 95 per cent of which are basically derived from petrochemicals like benzene derivatives, aldehydes, phthalates and other potentially toxic elements.
To avoid detailing these chemicals on labels, manufacturers use the word “fragrance”, on the pretext that showing specific ingredients would harm their “trade secret”. The consumers are, therefore, unknowingly absorbing harmful substances into their skin as a routine. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) researchers have found more than 75 per cent of products listing the ingredient “fragrance” that contained phthalates, known to cause disruption of hormonal activity, reproductive malformation and linked to few types of cancer and obesity.
In order to derive safe and beneficial effect from natural fragrances, Herbally Radiant R&D team has tested several EOs (out of more than 90 EOs) for their aromatic and skin cell rejuvenating properties.  The objective is to assist natural ability of skin to balance, regulate, heal and restore its natural glow. These penetrate skin via hair follicles and sweat glands, and get absorbed in body fluids. Minute molecules of EOs are immediately absorbed into the blood stream when inhaled as the drugs oxygenate the blood.
The EOs derived from flowers, plants, resins and roots, are the basic life force of organic flowers and plants, and are very effective in helping increase circulation and promote new cell growth, while eliminating toxins. As antispasmodic, analgesic, antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, chologogue, febrifuge, sudorific, antidepressant, deodorant, anti-inflammatory, their therapeutic effect on body, mind and spirit is amazing, creating a calming and soothing effect, so helpful in organic beauty care.
EOs consist of tiny aromatic molecules that are readily absorbed by the body by inhalation  through the Cillia (the fine hairs lining the nose) to the limbic system which, when stimulated, releases endorphins, neurotransmitters and other 'feel-good' chemicals. These control our moods, emotions, state of skin and general appearance, memory and learning, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, stress levels and hormonal balance. This is why EOs have such a powerful effect on our state of mind. Stress-free mind is essential for good health as well as for maintaining well hydrated, revitalized, wrinkle-free and shining skin.
In Herbally Radiant products, special care has been taken to choose the right blend of EOs, with most compatible base or carrier oil.  The special combination of EOs used in its anti-aging formulations, in right proportion, produce amazingly durable results. The mixing of EOs and base oil is done in incremental steps by trained persons.
Different EOs are used in facial and body treatments, as different skin types react differently to EOs. A note of caution: aromatherapy during pregnancy should be undertaken carefully. 
Right kind of EOs effectively improve skin tone, reduce inflammation, increase blood circulation, relieve tension, stress and headaches, regulate hormones, relax muscles , stimulate the immune system and energize the whole system.
A notable success achieved by use of special blend of EOs, Herbally Radiant has launched new range of Cleansers, Toners, Serums and Scrubs under the CLEAN range, especially to address acne, black spots, lines and many skin disorders. The special CLEAN range formulations have received good customer reviews. (Shipping is free when ordered online at www.herballyradiant.com).
---

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

WARNING OF SKIN CANCER BY X-MEN STAR HUGH JACKMAN



As X-Men star Hugh Jackman is using his latest experience with skin cancer as a warning to others, one is reminded of the potentially grave harm to skin that can be caused by UVA and UVB sun rays. Jackman took to Instagram on Monday to display his bandaged nose with his powerful message: “An example of what happens when you don’t use sunscreen. Basal cell. The mildest form of cancer. PLEASE WEAR SUNSCREEN and get check-ups regularly!” 
Hugh Jackman who got his basal cell carcinoma removed for the fourth time from his nose in the past three years (he’s also had it on his shoulder), attributes his developing the cancer to not protecting himself with sunscreen when he was a child. “Being an Australian, it’s a very common thing,” Jackman told People magazine. “I never wore sunscreen growing up so I was a prime candidate for it.” In addition to avoiding sunscreen, it turns out that growing up in Australia actually also increased his risk – Australia and South Africa record the highest rates of skin cancer.
Hugh now suffers from recurrence of BCC, the most common type of skin cancer that affects sun-exposed areas. “Both long-term sun exposure over your lifetime and/or extended intense exposure leading to sunburn can cause damage that can lead to BCC,” explains Manhattan-based dermatologist Sejal Shah. While it’s usually not life-threatening, if not treated the skin cancers can wreak havoc on the skin. “If found on the nose it can spread up and down the nose and be quite disfiguring,” says Shamban. “If it grows on the eyelid it can actually extend all the way into the orbit of the eye.” 
To inspire and motivate others to protect themselves and wear sunscreen, Hugh has even launched a line of sunscreen for kids to prove that it pays to protect your skin from young age. Herbally Radiant which has experimented with different natural ingredients in its beauty formulations, has used a fine ratio of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide which nourish skin and protect it from UVA and UVB rays.
There are several sunscreen lotions being marketed, many of which contain oxybenzone which, according EWG, can cause reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, allergies, and organ system toxicity.  Conscious of public health and making safe skin care products, Herbally Radiant promotes healthy formulations. The Zinc Oxide in its Body Day Cream is a natural mineral powder; it acts as a skin-friendly physical barrier, protecting skin against harmful rays.
Similarly, Titanium Dioxide content in Herbally Radiant’s Body Cream is an inert, insoluble and non-toxic substance. FDA considers it safe for public health. It prevents penetration of harmful sun rays by absorbing them.
Coming from the experienced R&D team, the Body Day Cream launched by Herbally Radiant is immensely popular. With key ingredients aloe barbadensis, shea butter, avocado oil, grapeseed oil and other rich organic nutrients, this cream currently is best in terms of price ($ 12.90 for 4 oz jar), as well as the most effective skin cream, taking care of both health of skin and protecting from sun.