Cool Cleansers

If you have oily skin, summertime can be the worst. Heat and humidity can make your skin feel extra dirty, and washing 5-6 times a day may be difficult to schedule, causing your skin to dehydrate. The best way to combat this problem is to choose a good bar cleanser, and an astringent toner. These products used in conjunction with each other can make your skin feel better and look healthier. It is also a good idea to incorporate exfoliation into your routine a few times a week, before or after the cleansing stage. Here are some great products that I (and my friends) use!

Energizing Eucalyptus

For me, there is something special about eucalyptus in the summertime. Maybe it has this effect on me because of the naturally stimulating, and energizing smell. Or perhaps eucalyptus appeals to me due to the antiseptic properties of the oil. Eucalyptus also has been shown to be an effective bug repellent. It is no wonder why I love this bar soap I found from SallyeAnder online. I have personally used it for years, it really is my favorite bar in the summertime...try it... and post your comments...:-)

Balmy Bugs

Without sounding like a pessimist, the warmer weather really only makes me think of one thing... mosquito season. Depending on your area, you may experience black flies, horse-flies, or even ticks. 'Tis the season for repellant, but which one will you choose? There is certainly no end to the choices on the market. As a reader of this blog, you know your best bet is to stay natural, and organic. But can you find a product that is all that, while also remaining effective? The answer is yes, and it is a remarkable creme produced by the nice people at SallyeAnder. This No-Bite-Be creme can be found at various retailers online, or at the manufacturer's website. Either way it is a wonderful and effective natural creme, even for pets! The great thing about this creme is that it also works as an after-bite if you forget to put it on before you go out (like me!). THIS summer, camping will finally be fun!

Shocking Sunscreen Secret

With summer around the corner, the season of sunblock and sunscreen is upon us. What's the difference? A sunscreen is a lotion with an SPF of 2 and higher, while sunblock works to effectively block harmful rays from absorption into the skin and are categorized as lotions with an SPF 15 and higher. When choosing a lotion for you and your family, make sure to read the ingredient list carefully. A particularly harmful ingredient that is found in many sunblocks is benzophenone. This organic compound is used frequently, yet has extensive research has shown that it may not be safe.  While this is not the only ingredient that you need to keep an eye out for (i.e. parabens) it has been the subject of discussion in the scientific community. Your best bet is to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Of course, while this may not be all that practical, consider using a sunhat, or umbrella if you have sensitive skin. Here are two nice organic lip balms that protect the lips from sunburn without clogging pores with SPF.

Fad Free Personal Care

The natural skin-care market has exploded. More companies than ever have appeared on the marketplace promising better skin quality, fewer blemishes, and to reduce the effects of aging. But is this just a fad? When looking for a new product, perhaps you should consider a product line that has been around longer than the fad. I found a great company that has been around for over 20 years, and they offer everything from laundry treatments, to anti-aging cremes. Perhaps longevity in the industry is indicative of a superior product line. Check out their website and post a comment with your thoughts...

Blueberries Bring Benefits to Skin-Care!

In the past few years the public profile of the common blueberry has been steadily rising. High levels of antioxidants contained within the skin of the blueberry is the focus of most of the discussion. It seems that not only are they incredibly good for you to eat, but when included in your favorite skin-care product,  they have a wonderful effect on the skin! This so-called 'superfood', contains the highest levels of antioxidants of ANY food. I suppose it should be less surprising that items such as blueberry juice, blueberry infused beauty products have flooded the market. 

Aluminum Alert!

Aluminum is an element that has been proven to harm the body. Internal consumption has been linked to breast cancer, Alzheimer's, and kidney problems. The most common place where we intake aluminum is in our drinking water. Cooking in Aluminum pots and pans is also not recommended because the aluminum is transfered from the cooking vessel to the food. Aluminum toxicity is also well known in the food preparation business. In particular, breweries take care not to brew their beverages in aluminum containers. It doesn't just influence our food preparation, it also appears in anti-perspirants and deodorants. The aluminum in deodorants lodges itself in the pores and absorbs the sweat naturally produced by our body. While it does not permeate the skin, it clogs the pores in an area that is dangerously close to important underarm lymph nodes. I recommend using a natural deodorant crystal made from either ammonium allum, or potassium allum. 

Almond Oil: A Great Winter Solution to Dry Skin!

Almonds are delicious, particularly toasted and on some type of pastry. Besides their lovely flavor, the oil derived from almonds is an effective emollient. Emollients are substances that soften the skin and are used to treat dryness and scaling. Not only does almond oil sooth the skin, but it also smells delightful. Many massage therapists use this oil as the base oil for their formulations because it is such a pleasant, easy to spread substance. Here is my favorite line of almond products, they smell good enough to eat!

Wonderful Willow

The internal use of White Willow bark for pain relief has been documented to reach back to the era of Hippocrates in the 5th century B.C. White willow is also very useful in maintaining healthy skin. It contains an active ingredient called salicin, which is an anti-inflammatory. Salicylic acid, which is found in many skin-care products intending to treat problem skin, can also be derived from the bark of the White Willow tree. This naturally occurring acid is known as a beta hydroxy acid, a popular type of anti-aging ingredient. Salicylic acid is also useful in the treatment of acne, psoriasis, calluses, keratosis, and dandruff. There are many products available with this naturally occurring ingredient, here are some of my favorites!

Surfactant Confusion: Soap vs. Detergent

Detergent is common in our everyday lives, from the laundry room where we wash our clothes, to the shower where we wash ourselves. Believe it or not, most soap is actually a detergent. While  laboratories manufacture detergents from petrochemicals derived from plants and animals, many small soap companies hand make their soap with fine, natural ingredients, often the actual plants or oils, not chemically created synthetics. With the onset of a global market, the line between soap and detergent is being blurred by the major chemical companies that produce the majority of these products. Because detergents are cheaper to produce, these companies will typically use the same detergent base when producing their "soap". Because these detergents are being marketed as soap for human skin, and because they are reaching a global audience, there is an increase in the percentage of people experiencing allergic reactions to the artificially derived chemical compounds, and or fragrances, contained in "soap". The solution? Handmade, natural soap. A quick Google search lists so many companies to choose from, and so many luxurious natural soaps on the market, all you have to do is find the product that suits you!

Dehydrated Dermis

Dry skin is a problem for most people in the winter.  The dry wintry  air absorbs moisture from the skin, regular bathing then becomes damaging because it depletes the naturally occurring body oils and not replenishing lost moisture. Sometimes, people reach for a petroleum based lotion or cream intended to prevent further damage to their skin. What if we could use something that moisturizes the entire dermal layer? In fact, you can. Oils applied directly to the skin will work, or some creams with an oil base. Soaps with a cocoa butter, shea butter, 

Luxurious Lavender

It is now midwinter and if you live in the North-East like I do, you are probably feeling a bit of the wintertime blues. Incorporating lavender into your day is a wonderful and relaxing way of combating the dreary weather. Lavender oil is anti-fungal and antiseptic, but aside from those wonderful properties, it also has the ability to sooth tension, and the nerves. Enjoy various lavender products in your home and in your shower, just be sure to use organic lavender and organic lavender oils. 

Antibacterial Vs. Antiseptic

There are about ten times as many bacteria cells as human cells in the human body, and while many of us have become obsessed with obtaining a germ-free world, the reality is that bacteria is necessary for proper health. Is eliminating bacteria necessary or even possible? Hand sanitizer has become a popular alternative for people on the go who are unable to wash their hands, and it is a helpful product for people who shake hands all day, or live in a city, or a dorm. Of course it has also become a habitual favorite of your local germophobe hypochondriac. One has to wonder how effective it is at preventing disease and infection. Recently studies have questioned the alcohol content of these products, if it is lower than 60% alcohol, your product probably is not as effective as you think. There IS a better alternative to this antibacterial craze, antiseptic herbs for millennia have been known as antiseptic, and recent science has shown that naturally occurring alcohols behave this way. Herbs such as lavender, thyme, and myrrh along with  clove buds, and tea tree oil are all proven antiseptic agents. Perhaps we should be using personal care products with these naturally occurring ingredients, rather than the chemically created alcohols that are being peddled by major manufacturers. My favorite company SallyeAnder has created many products containing lavender, myrrh, thyme, tea tree, and clove. Check it out!

Fallacious Fragrances

Personally, I have been allergic to fragrances in personal care products since I was very young. My parents noticed it first and made the change to all-natural skin-care in the mid 1980's, way ahead of the curve (of course). Apparently, artificial fragrances cause what's known as dermatitis. These harmful ingredients are typically not essential oils, but are rather complex chemical compounds intended to deceive the nose into conjuring vivid and imaginative responses from our brain. One study found that in a single type of perfume, there were 177 different chemicals that, when sprayed, diffuse into the air and contribute to further environmental pollution, contributing to reduced lung function. I am not alone in my passion against artificial fragrance, there are many others who are affected by these chemicals and the number is growing every day. A quick Google search will reveal many groups of people who have organized themselves to raise awareness and provide resources for people like me. Here is my favorite information resource regarding fragrances. 

Olive Oil: Nature's answer to skin health

Olive Oil has been used for millennia, and recently, topical application of this oil has been shown to counter the damaging effects of the sun, and the consumption of the oil has also been linked with keeping colon cancer at bay. Soap, or personal skin care products that feature an olive oil base, have been crafted as well, resulting in softer, more supple skin. Typically, personal care companies have a blend of oils that together, provide nutrients to the body. A few pure olive oil soaps are available on the market, this is my favorite!

Natural vs. Un-Natural

"Natural" is a word companies are throwing around everywhere, from packaging to advertising. But does it mean anything? The word is defined as something 'existing in or formed by nature'. But this definition is confusing because most ingredients are at some point formed in nature, or affected by nature. If something is deemed as 'natural' does this mean it is better for your skin than something that is not labeled as such? Pufferfish poison and Cobra venom are natural, but of course that does not imply it has any benefit for the skin. The real question is not if an ingredient or product is natural, but rather if some naturally derived ingredient is most beneficial for the maintenance of healthy skin. Natural is not always better.

Lather: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Lather. It conjures up a luxurious image of a morning ritual. However wonderful it may seem, it may not be doing your skin any favors. Lather is actually a chemical that may be damaging your skin. Chemicals such as METHYLcellulose are used in many bath and beauty products because it makes the products lather, and you in turn assume you are achieving a higher state of cleanliness. Be sure to read the labels of any product you buy before using.

Green Tea is GREAT for our skin!

Ok so green tea is gaining acceptance in the marketplace as a wonderful thing for our skin! SallyeAnder soaps have some wonderful products with all natural green tea in them. I have used them and the cream in particular leaves your skin feeling really soft. They make a cream, bath salt, and soap...check it out!

Welcome to the Tub Times!

Welcome to the Tub Times everyone! Every day there will be new and interesting information related to the world of All-Natural Skin Care.