MANAGE STRESS WITH BREATHING TECHNIQUE AND LOOK BEAUTIFUL

We at Herbally Radiant have been emphasizing the need for calming the mind and maintaining emotional balance because any stressful disorder reflects on skin as well, impacting adversely on the beauty.

It is in this context that we appreciate the article in the NY Times which highlights the advantages of breathing exercise.

Long a key part of meditation and some kinds of yoga, breathwork is now becoming a discipline in its own right. It has been long recognized that deep, controlled breathing can calm someone having an anxiety attack or help anyone in need of a little more stress-relief and mental clarity. Hillary Clinton, for example, has talked about using alternate side nostril breathing to help her relax while on the 2016 presidential campaign trail. But what’s new is that scientists have found a physical link between breathing and what they call “emotionality.”

A study published last March in Science showed a direct anatomical link between the parts of the brain that control voluntary breathing and the parts that control emotionality. Altering the activity of this connection changed how aroused, alert or calm mice were. “It’s an important finding because it shows that there is a causality between the two,” said Andrew D. Huberman, a professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford University.

He’s also developing an app with Brian MacKenzie, a strength and conditioning coach in San Mateo Hills, Calif. The goal of the app will be to customize breathwork for people by giving them a simple inhale-and-exhale test and incorporating other data provided by those who sign up for it.

“Breathwork can be thought of as exercise in that, if done correctly, has immediate benefits — physical, emotional and cognitive — but breathwork also has longer-term benefits if you do it regularly,” Dr. Huberman said. “The idea is that people can alter and strengthen the neural pathways that link breathing with emotion regulation centers in the brain, which can help them feel calmer and more alert, and sleep better, depending on the protocols they use.”

The R&D team at Herbally Radiant has experimented with a combination of Essential Oils in its products to assess their mood balancing properties.  Such formulations help fight stress and calm down the nervous system.  This therapeutic characteristic of our natural products has been appreciated by the large number of its customers. 

AMAZING EFFECT OF ESSENTIAL OILS IN BEAUTY PRODUCTS

While doing research on Essential Oils (EOs), we came across a good piece by Tenneke Barresi that explains the process of production of EOs.

In Hertbally Radiant products, especially those produced to bring under control skin disorders like acne, blemishes, dark lines and for preventing premature aging signs, a combination of EOs are used to give the basic organic ingredients the ability to penetrate the pores of the skin as rich nutrients.

The EOs are concentrated, aromatic volatile compounds that can sometimes seem magical. The term “essential oil” is actually short for quintessential oil from the Aristotelian idea that matter is composed of four elements, namely, fire, air, earth, and water. The fifth element, or quintessence, was then considered to be spirit or life force. Before we understood the science of extraction, it was believed that by extracting essential oils you were capturing the spirit or life force of the plant.

Distillation: Because water and oil, including essential oil, don’t mix, the essential oil can be found floating on the surface of the water. It is then easily siphoned off. Some essential oils are heavier than water and are found below the water instead of floating on top, such as with clove essential oil. The remaining water is what is commonly called a hydrosol or distillate. The most common types of distillation include:

• Steam Distillation: By far the most common method of extraction. During this process, steam is introduced into the still at a high pressure and high temperature.
• Water Distillation: In this method, the plant material is in direct contact with the water. Most commonly used for extraction of flower petals like Rose and Orange Blossom as steam causes this delicate plant material to clump together making it difficult for the steam to force its way through.
• Water & Steam Distillation: This starts the same as water distillation, except the plant material is placed on a grid above the water and steam is introduced from outside the main still compartment.
• Fractional Distillation:  A fairly new method of extracting different constituents from the plant by halting the distillation process at precise pointsm, its separate constituents are collected and combined with other constituents from other plant materials also using fractional distillation. The result is complex scent profiles that often don’t resemble the original plant materials at all.

Cold Press: Cold Press or Expeller Press is a purely mechanical process for removing essential oils. It’s generally limited to citrus such as orange, grapefruit, lime, and lemon as the essential oils are contained in the peel of the fruit. 

1. Simply soak the rind of your citrus in warm water until warm and soft.
2. Remove from water and place on cutting board or in a large mixing bowl with a nice flat bottom.
3. Take a sponge or clean cloth and press down on the outside of the rind allowing the sponge/cloth to soak up all of the liquid.
4. Squeeze your sponge into a clean bowl and wait for the water and oils to separate. siphon off the oil and voila! You have a citrus essential oil – home made! This is not a very sanitary method and if you siphon any water into your oil you could potentially be growing bacteria and mold so I would suggest you use your oil immediately, or add it to a skin or hair care recipe with proper preservation.

CO2 Hypercritical Extraction :CO2 extraction is pretty exciting from a science perspective. CO2 under pressure turns into a liquid with is then used as a solvent to extract the essential oils. The best part, the CO2 is completely inert and will not leave a residue. Often CO2 extracts retain more of the plant’s original properties which are often not present compared to other extraction methods.

The EOs market in US has grown by nearly 200% since 2012, and the present size of $ 1.6 billion market is likely to go up as 57% of the 13-34 age group have begun to follow the trend toward natural health care, of which well-being and wellness are essential components. This segment of consumers is reporting that they feel more stressed out, and need to clear their minds.  Most of the EOs have calming effect. 

The benefits from EOs can be optimized with the advice of experts. Just going by DIY formulae that are being put out on the internet might not be the ideal way.  There are no standards regulating the quality and purity of the EOs, and there are frequent reports of adulteration, or impurity of EOs especially from the online vendors. The consumers also need to learn which are Essential Oils and which are courier oils.

Herbally Radiant has been using only the USDA certified natural ingredients and fine blends of Essential Oils. Most of these formulations are mood balancing, and accelerate epidermal regeneration to create more evenly toned skin. 

The anti-aging formulations launched by Herbally Radiant (RADIANT and REJUVENATING) eight years ago enjoy the trust of its customers as these prevent visible signs of aging by improving skin hydration and elasticity, reducing the appearance of over-pigmentation and skin inflammation. 

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS TO PREVENT PREMATURE AGING

Top 5 Ingredients for aging skin

If you are keen to understand the aging process and the ingredients that can help prevent premature aging of skin then Teeneke Barresi has something useful to say.

A healthy-looking, glowing complexion can be routinely maintained even by those who are inching towards 50's or 60's.  It is more a question of healthy lifestyle and effective skin care regimen. With advancing years, the skin tends to lose elasticity, collagen, and simply doesn't "turn over" as quickly as it did when we were in our 20's and 30's.  Careless skin care regimen speeds up the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and our aging skin appears dull. It is natural for us to want to look and feel beautiful and comfortable on our skin.  The following five ingredients play an important role to ensure attractive looks and bright skin :

1. Hyaluronic acid: Dry skin reminds me of a dried up lake bed. Cracks and crevices everywhere! Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best ways to bring moisture to dry skin. Imagine that dried up lake bed being suddenly flooded with water. This is what hyaluronic acid feels like, and the best part is that with all of that moisture filling up your skin there’s far less chance that your skin will resemble that lake bed at all.  
2. Vitamin C :Vtamin C can help skin’s appearance by decreasing the visible signs of aging and sun damage. Products that contain vitamin C are best used in after sun products and at night.
3. CoQ10: When applied topically, CoQ10 creates a youthful appearance.  Generally, after the age of thirty optimum levels of CoQ10 in the skin begin to decline. CoQ10 is not only critical to the cells ability to produce energy, it’s also critical to the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen is important because it makes skin appear firm and smooth, while elastin gives your skin the appearance of flexibility and elasticity. The loss of collagen and elastin can cause skin to appear wrinkled and sagging. 
4. Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Exfoliation helps to reveal fresh skin which becomes more important as we age.  The regenerated skin cells give a fresh look with crystal clarity. 
5. Ceramides: These are lipid molecules found in cell membranes that help skin retain moisture. Ceramides help restore moisture and act as a natural barrier protecting the skin from our environment and from drying. These powerful little molecules are a must have for aging skincare. Pro tip: Retinol can be extremely drying so pairing ceramides with retinol helps to keep skin moisturized while still receiving all of the benefits of retinol.

Of course, there are many more natural ingredients that help retain the young looks. Herbally Radiant has been manufacturing with USDA certified organic ingredients most effective anti-aging skin care products for the oily, normal and dry skin.  The combination of essential oils used in Herbally Radiant products (Radiant and Rejuvenating range) provide extra strength to the formulations.

Our customers have testified that our wonderful cleansers activate cellular cleaning process and the serums and moisturizers accelerate epidermal regeneration.  Since these ingredients work from within, they have an amazing effect that lasts much longer.

TYPES OF SKIN THAT NEED CARE

Esthetician Kasia Hampton has good tips for those trying to take care of their beauty. She explains according to the skin types.

Oily : It may sound counter-intuitive but because you are drying out your skin, tightening the large pores and trying to get rid of all that excess oil and stripping your skin of its natural oils, you may end up with a plethora of oil on the surface.  The skin is telling your body that there is just not enough nourishment (oil) or hydration (water) in the skin, so it makes up for it by making more and more to satisfy itself.

The most basic way to even out the oil in oily skin is to use a non-drying or gentle foaming cleanser, to be followed with a toner, which helps to tighten pores and balance the pH of the skin. Finish with a light-weight moisturizer twice a day, every day.  Once to three times a week use an exfoliant which takes away that peeling, flaking skin on the surface (this is not dry skin) and once a week try a deep cleansing mask or alternatively a calming hydrating mask.  Get the skin fed with what it needs, and it will aid towards normalizing your skin.  When it does get to normal you can then add in treatment products such as serums which would be used once a day, every day, under moisturizers.

Normal : Normal skin does not look oily or dry, and there are small to medium pore sizes with on-and-off flakiness on the surface.  To keep normal skin normal, try to use a non-drying or cream cleanser followed by a toner and a light to medium moisturizer.  An exfoliant is beneficial here as well, once to twice a week.  Keeping this up will give your skin its basic needs to keep going strong.  Of course, adding serums, treatments and masks are all a bonus and quite beneficial to this skin type.

Most normal skin will be plagued with some oily areas and some dry areas. Try to use the same natural organic products on the entire face but treat some areas (usually T-zone is the oilier area, and cheeks are the drier) with more advanced treatments to help get the skin back to normal.  Peels and Microdermabrasion are great for that rapid exfoliation to reveal new glowing skin layers.  All skin types may use this type of exfoliation but normal skin has the fewest contraindications than any other.

Dry : This skin type tends to feel dry and tight all the way down.  What is key in helping the appearance of dry skin is finding something that soaks in and fills up the dry cracks and crevices (not completely literally) and satisfies the skin so there is no dry feeling.  You will need a crème with the right combination of oils and water that will saturate the skin until it plumps up and is no longer dehydrated, improving the appearance of dehydration lines (those little crisscross lines that fall horizontally across the face).  Start with a rich crème cleanser, followed by an alcohol-free toner and a rich moisturizer for day and night.

We recommend products made of natural ingredients (Herbally Radiant has been producing these out of USDA certified natural ingredients.) Dry skin doesn’t necessarily need exfoliation, but once a week is great with a mild exfoliator or enzyme mask.  There is always room for serums and special treatments with dry skin.  These dry skin products are usually the pricier options because dry skin can take in so many more ingredients than other types.

Chaotic or troubled : It is troubled, confused and just doesn’t know how to act. Sounds like its main group it descends upon…teenagers!  Of course, it gets the best of us at older ages too, the main culprit is hormones which usually attack the teenager.  With chaotic skin, I have found that being gentle and kind to the skin is best.  Sometimes using over the counter products can over dry the skin and make troubled skin even worse.  By using gentle products, (made with natural ingredients are the best), you may find that the skin is calmed and appearance is improved.

Anyone with acne, including adults, can benefit from calming and soothing products. Herbally Radiant has most effective treatment for these: its CLEAN range of cleanser, toner, and serum.

Around the eyes: The eye area is very delicate.  The skin is much thinner with smaller and fewer pores so it’s beneficial to use an eye crème, gel or serum specific for that area.  There are excellent natural ingredients that help improve the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, “chicken” skin and crow’s feet.

Make sure you are using the right products for your skin type. Avoid products marketed with unverifiable claims. Read the ingredients on the label. Using genuine natural products are the safest bet for all.

COOL MIND HAS WONDERFUL EFFECT ON BEAUTY

'Meditation For Fidgety Skeptics' Offers Practical Advice For Stressed-Out Cynics

Rachel Martin writing for NPR quotes ABC News anchor Dan Harris in his new book "Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics how even a short daily meditation can do wonders for mental health. Dan had a panic attack on life TV after years of working in war zones and using drugs to cope with the stress.

After his own studies and opinions of several neuroscientists, he explains how meditation can lower blood pressure, help with depression and increase awareness.

Coming in the beginning of the new year, Dan's advice is very timely and he emphasizes that a 10-minute daily meditation is a great habit.

From the point of overall beauty and beautiful appearance, one needs to live with a cool mind. Stress and tension are harmful to the facial skin as these speed up the appearance of aging signs. Herbally Radiant has advised its customers to cultivate the habit of controlling tension and stress in order to maintain beautiful looks. 

GOOD IMMUNE SYSTEM FOR HEALTH OF SKIN AS WELL

Today's Wellness column of NYTimes highlights the basic element of human health, i.e., immune system.  at the Herbally Radiant we believe that a healthy body possesses strong immune system which, among other benefits, is the best guarantee to maintain a beautiful appearance.

In answer to a woman's letter, it says:  Someone with a weakened immune system is likely to be more vulnerable to passing bugs than someone with a healthy one. There are different types of patients who are more resistant to infections or who have a slower progression of infectious diseases based on certain immune features and the physicians recognize them as having a stronger immune system.

A healthful lifestyle clearly boosts the immune system, while the opposite is also true: Practicing unhealthy habits like not getting enough sleep, a poor diet and lack of exercise can weaken the immune system.

Smoking, or even living with a smoker, can also cause structural damage to the lungs, and could make someone more vulnerable to certain infectious diseases. Smoking is harmful, especially for the skin. It speeds up the appearance of aging signs. 

The immune system’s responsiveness typically declines with age, making older people more vulnerable to many pathogens than they were in their younger days. The features of the weak immune system also get reflected in the skin and overall appearance.  

While aging process cannot be halted, one can continue to feed the skin the best nutrients in the form of serum, moisturizer and cleanser that strengthen the skin cells and accelerate epidermal regeneration resulting in a more evenly toned skin. 

WHY FIBER-RICH DIET IS IMPORTANT FOR BEAUTY

For good health and strong metabolism, a diet of fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, is essential.  Gut health is important for maintaining healthy shining skin. The good piece in New York Times explains how fiber-rich diet works for our gut health. 

Scientists now explain that the fiber we eat feeds billions of bacteria in our guts. Keeping them happy means our intestines and immune systems remain in good working order. 

In order to digest food, we need to bathe it in enzymes that break down its molecules. Those molecular fragments then pass through the gut wall and are absorbed in our intestines.

But our bodies make a limited range of enzymes, so that we cannot break down many of the tough compounds in plants. The term "dietary fiber" refers to those indigestible molecules.  nue reading the main story

But they are indigestible only to us. The gut is coated with a layer of mucus, atop which sits a carpet of hundreds of species of bacteria, part of the human microbiome. Some of these microbes carry the enzymes needed to break down various kinds of dietary fiber.

From the point of maintaining and preventing premature aging signs on skin, Herbally Radiant R&D team has been recommending high fiber diet which helps better circulation of blood to skin cells. The natural formulations developed by Herbally Radiant help in the epidermis renewal process from basal layer to the stratum corneum. The epidermis is rebuilt from within, and the skin barrier is restored.  Good gut health with the help of fiber-rich diet speeds up this process.

ALCOHOL-CANCER LINK

There have been in the past many studies and by several medical groups warning against growing drinking problems.  With our (Herbally Radiant) interest in maintaining healthy skin and beautiful face, we have highlighted the danger of smoking and alcohol.  Apart from impacting adversely on body and mind, these also cause lung and circulatory disorders. These, in turn, cause premature aging signs and harm the skin in many ways. 

Now for the first time, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which represents many of the nation’s top cancer doctors, has warned that there is empirical evidence linking alcohol with the incidence of cancer.  the Journal of Clinical Oncology published on Tuesday carries the warning of ASCO and highlights the evidence that even light drinking can slightly raise a woman’s risk of breast cancer and increase a common type of esophageal cancer.

Heavy drinkers face much higher risks of mouth and throat cancer, cancer of the voice box, liver cancer and, to a lesser extent, colorectal cancers, the group cautions.

“The message is not, ‘Don’t drink.’ It’s, ‘If you want to reduce your cancer risk, drink less. And if you don’t drink, don’t start,’” said Dr. Noelle LoConte, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the lead author of the ASCO statement. “It’s different than tobacco where we say, ‘Never smoke. Don’t start.’ This is a little more subtle.”

This warning is timely in the context of rising 'heavy drinking' and 'problem drinking' in the US.

SKIN CARE IN DRY WINTER

As we have underlined in earlier blogs, the skin should remain adequately hydrated. This is important especially during the winter. The sharp nip in the air means that winter is coming — and with it, the blistery conditions that often lead to red, chapped skin. The drop in atmospheric humidity often depletes skin of its moisture, a shift that requires your internal system to work harder to stay hydrated. Firing up the furnace at home doesn’t help matters, explains the New York-based dermatologist Dr. Julie Karen. “Changes in temperature — like going from the cold outdoors to the heated indoors — can aggravate redness,” she says, especially for those dealing with already-sensitive skin or chronic inflammation from eczema and rosacea. 

Herbally Radiant has excellent formulations that maintain right level of moisture on skin. These are made from natural organic ingredients combined with right kind of essential oils in varying ratios. The cleanser, toner, moisturizer and serum made by Herbally Radiant, especially to fight aging factors, have earned loyal support from a large number of consumers during the past eight years since these were launched - Radiant, Rejuvenating and Clean range.

The moisturizers and serums contain therapeutic salve with lipids and proteins to help reinforce the skin's protective outer layer. The rich nutrients derived from plants and flowers penetrate the skin and work from within. The products in these ranges : Radiant, Rejuvenating and Clean, amazingly improve the visible signs of aging by restoration of skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of over-pigmentation and skin inflammation. 

All these organic formulations accelerate epidermal regeneration.

LEARN HARMFUL CHEMICALS IN BRANDED SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

In her latest piece “Are Dove Beauty Products Filled with Toxins and Cancer Causing Chemicals?” in the Health News, Emma Deangela explains how brand beauty and skincare products can play havoc with health.

She goes on how Dove launched their “Campaign for Real Beauty” in 2004. Instead of ads full of models and celebrities, they featured “real women”. These ads were made to make women identify with the models instead of envy them, and make them feel more connected to the brand.

Dove has marketed themselves as a “pure” brand, above the rest of the drugstore brands in both product quality and mission. But while the mission part is commendable, Dove’s ingredients are no better and sometimes worse, than any other drugstore brand of beauty products.

Dove White Beauty Bar The longest-running Dove product, it was introduced to the market in the 1950s. Since then Dove has stuck to the same marketing, touting that the bar has “1/4 moisturizer” and “won’t dry out your skin like other soap”. While that may be true, this beauty bar still contains ingredients that are suspicious or downright dangerous for your health.

Ingredients: Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Tallowate Or Sodium Palmitate,

Lauric Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Water, Sodium Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine,

Sodium Cocoate Or Sodium Palm Kernelate, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)

Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo
Dove’s basic shampoo is supposed to be protective and nourishing for your hair.

It claims that your hair will be “up to 5X smoother” by using it.

By including harmful preservatives, fragrance, and color, this shampoo is not doing your hair any favors.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride,

Fragrance (Parfum), Ppg-9, Polyquaternium-10, Tetrasodium Edta, Dmdm Hydantoin, Citric Acid,

Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Yellow 10 (Ci 47005), Green 3 (Ci 42053),

Deep Moisture Body Wash
This body wash is marketed as nourishing and long-lasting, and it claims to “deliver natural nutrients to the skin”. Dove also claims that it’s #1 dermatologist recommended. Its ingredients are:

Water (Aqua), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate,

Lauric Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil,

Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol,

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Isethionate, BHT, Tetrasodium, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Dove Advanced Care Original Clean Antiperspirant
This antiperspirant claims to contain ¼ moisturizer like the beauty bar,

and says that it gives “up to 48-hour antiperspirant protection”.

Antiperspirants, in general, are harmful to your health, but Dove’s has some truly scary ingredients.

Ingredients: Active Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly (15.2%). Purpose: Anti-Perspirant.

Inactive Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ppg-14 Butyl Ether, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg-8, Fragrance (Parfum), Dimethicone, Silica, Polyethylene, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Steareth-100, Bht, Hydroxyethyl Urea.

Why these ingredients are dangerous?

Cocamidopropyl Betaine: A surfactant, a chemical that makes things bubble and suds.

In particular, this one has been linked to allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, and skin and eye irritation.

It can also contain many impurities like nitrosamines, which have a strong connection to cancer growth.

Methylisothiazolinone: This one is a preservative, used so the other ingredients don’t spoil.

It is also used as a pesticide and fungicide. The EU, Canada, Germany, and Japan have all banned its use because of evidence that it is neurotoxic, or poisonous to your brain. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared it to be “highly acutely toxic” and corrosive when it comes in contact with eyes or skin. The majority of Dove products in the USA still use this ingredient.

Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly: This compound is the active ingredient in antiperspirants. If you don’t already know how antiperspirant works, when you apply it to your underarms it is absorbed into your skin. The chemicals in the product are then activated to block your sweat glands and stop you from sweating. Sweating is one way your body gets rid of toxins. By clogging your sweat glands your body cannot get rid of these dangerous waste products and they end up circulating through your body more and more. Aluminum is the most common antiperspirant (literally: stop perspiring/sweating), and studies are showing that it causes unbelievable harm to your body.

Aluminum in the body has been linked to breast cancer growth, increase in allergic reactions, and neurological disorders.

Fragrance/Parfum: In any item it’s a really sneaky way that manufacturers expose you to harmful chemicals. There are no regulations on what can be used, and companies don’t have to disclose the ingredients of their fragrance. However, some chemicals that are very common in fragrances have big consequences for your well-being. Artificial musks are linked to hormone disruption.

Phthalates are used to keep plastics soft as well as add fragrance and are extremely easy for your body to absorb. Many fragrances cause allergic rashes and breathing problems, as well as headaches and nausea.

Tetrasodium EDTA: This one is scary for two reasons. Tetrasodium EDTA is a penetration enhancer, which is a cleaned-up way of saying it breaks down the protective layer of your skin so other ingredients can be absorbed deeply and quickly. It is formulated from formaldehyde, a known poison and preservative generally used to keep dead bodies from decaying too quickly. Formaldehyde is also linked to skin rashes, eye, nose, and throat irritation, and causes some types of cancers.

BHT: It stands for Butylated Hydroxytoluene. It is a synthetic preservative used in many beauty products and cosmetics, as well as in food. Animal tests done on BHT exposure showed that it interrupted blood coagulation, decreased lung functions, and damaged the liver, kidneys, and thyroid.

It was also shown to promote tumor growth and disrupt the reproductive hormones in the body.

Take a moment to think about the myriad of different health and beauty products you use every day.

You probably start by washing your hair and body in the shower and then use antiperspirant as you get dressed for the day.

Imagine putting these toxic compounds on your body 10 or 20 times over the course of the day when you wash hands and face.

In short, the deceptively marketed skincare products should be avoided. As a small business enterprise, Herbally Radiant has been advising its customers to stick to the products which contain no chemicals.  All the products manufactured by Herbally Radiant in US have USDA certified organic ingredients, a great treat to skin in enhancing beauty and preventing premature aging signs.

GOOD MOISTURIZER FOR WINTER SEASON

The NY Times article on the need for using the right moisturizer is timely with the onset of autumn when the skin needs more protection. With the cool air of fall upon most of us and winter’s cold, dry winds approaching, it’s time to get serious about caring for the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, the body’s largest organ.

With  64 percent water content in the skin makes it an essential ingredient. If the stratum corneum gets too dry, the skin can become itchy, scaly, inflamed, leathery and unattractive. For most people, whether their skin is dry or oily and especially if they live in a cold, dry or windy climate, routine use of a moisturizer can protect the skin’s water supply.

But faced with the dizzying array of choices on store shelves, how is the consumer to select a moisturizer likely to be effective and unlikely to cause an unwanted reaction? Do you make a selection based on brand name, price, a doctor’s or friend’s advice?

Due to overwhelming advertised claims, most of the cosmetic products are at best loosely regulated, dependent entirely on the integrity of manufacturers to market a safe, effective product and on consumers to holler loudly when a product is neither.

Triggering of allergy resulting in itchy, red, inflamed skin is one prime concern.

Experts recently evaluated 174 best-selling moisturizers across a price range of 10 cents an ounce to $9.51 an ounce, with special attention to the presence of allergenic ingredients.

Body lotions were by far the most popular, accounting for 59 percent of moisturizers sold, followed by creams at 13 percent, oils at 12 percent, butters at 8 percent and ointments at 2 percent. Based on the North American group’s list, the team found that only 12 percent of the best-selling moisturizers were free of allergens. The three most common allergens were fragrances, parabens and tocopherol.

Even among products labeled “fragrance-free,” 45 percent had at least one fragrance-related ingredient, the team reported.  It was found that if a company uses an ingredient that is both a preservative and a fragrance, it can still claim the product to be “fragrance-free” if preservation is the ingredient’s primary purpose.

Also, a product labeled “fragrance-free” or “unscented” could contain a masking agent (a fragrance that counters a chemical odor), a cross-reactive chemical that acts like a fragrance, or a botanical ingredient that is an allergen. The experts feel that it’s hard for dermatologists to guide patients to products that are truly fragrance-free.” Among the 15 products claiming to be hypoallergenic, 83 percent had at least one ingredient on the allergen list, and 24 products contained five or more such ingredients

An initial mild allergic reaction of itching and redness can progress to a profound reaction of stinging, burning, swelling and pain, Dr. Silverberg said. “With each exposure, the reaction gets stronger,” he said. Thus, the wise consumer with an allergic tendency might consider switching periodically to a different product and should certainly stop using any moisturizer that seems to be setting off an untoward reaction.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that in choosing a moisturizer, consumers wishing to avoid common allergic sensitizers pick one that is free of additives, fragrances and perfumes, though the new study showed this is clearly a challenge, even for knowledgeable physicians.

Cost is no guarantee of safety or effectiveness, the new study showed. Products labeled “dermatologist-recommended” are more expensive, but Dr. Xu said “the label doesn’t mean anything – is it 100 dermatologists, 10 dermatologists or one dermatologist?” The most expensive moisturizer his team analyzed contained the most allergens – a total of eight on the North American group’s list.

Health-conscious consumers sometimes turn to products labeled “organic” or “all-natural” for moisturizing in hopes of avoiding synthetic chemicals. But these “are not necessarily unlikely to cause a reaction and may not be very effective,” Dr. Xu said.

Olive oil, for example, increases water evaporation from the skin, he said, adding that the oils likely to be most protective and free of allergens are sunflower oil, coconut oil and shea butter.

However, for most people, moisturizing lotions, which contain more water than creams or ointments, are effective and least expensive. They evaporate quickly on the skin and do not leave a greasy feeling that many consumers dislike.

Nonetheless, people with very dry skin might invest in a cream or ointment, the cost of which is reduced by the need to use less of the product. Creams contain more water than ointments and offer what the team called “a middle ground” for people who dislike the greasiness of ointments. Ultimately, the team concluded, “patient adherence and willingness to use a moisturizer is more important than a specific formulation.”

Ideally, moisturizers are best applied on damp skin within minutes of bathing, after patting the skin dry, to lock in moisture. Also helpful is to bathe or shower in warm, not hot, water.