Inexpensive skin care products harmful to your health?

Drug stores, discount retail stores, and grocery stores are fully stocked with inexpensive skin care products. We read the skin care manufactures claims that the product will reduce the signs aging and will fully hydrate your skin for a beautiful complexion, but that is a pretty big claim for a $10 bottle of moisturizer.

Below are a few things to consider when purchasing your next skin care products.

Active ingredients - all skin care products have an active ingredient, whether it is a natural substance such as Aloe Vera for example or an animal based ingredient such as Emu Oil. The active ingredients that are listed on the label are terms we are familiar with and we believe that they have some value in our skin care product. However, with inexpensive skin care products, the active ingredient is usually so miniscule that it really offers no benefit to your skin. The inexpensive product is usually comprised of chemical fillers, which in some cases has been known to be hazardous to your health.

Preservatives - The best skin care products do not use artificial preservatives. A common preservative in a less expensive skin care product usually contain parabens. There has been recent evidence that parabens can alter hormone function and increases the risk of certain cancers and infertility.

Fragrance, Fragrance free or Natural Fragrances - Fragrances are added to inexpensive skin care products to mask the smell of the chemical ingredients. Additionally, added fragrances in skin care products are usually the culprit for allergic reactions or topical skin dermatitis. Fragrance-free or unscented means a product has no odor, but synthetic ingredients are often added to mask odors. Look for products that do not contain the word fragrance.

The average consumer of skin care products, including teenagers, uses 15 to 25 cosmetic and personal care products a day. These products will contain about 200 chemicals that have been added to preserve, dye, fragrance, and emulsify the product. These same chemicals are used in industrial manufacturing to soften plastics, clean equipment, and stabilize pesticides.

There has been significant research done on the chemicals in skin care products and unfortunately the results are not good. To many personal care products and skin care products DO contain harmful ingredients that may ruin your health sometime in the future. If you have a teen daughter that is wearing makeup please look at the labels on her skin care products to ensure their safety. There are various websites available such as http://www.safecosmetics.org/ and http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ to help you determine the safety of your skin care products.

For wonderful skin care products made from botanical ingredients which leave out the non-necessary ingredients such as oils (mineral and vegetable which clog pores), no soap (which are usually high in alkaline pH and very drying), no propylene gylcol, Sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate (some of these ingredients have been objectionable), no dyes, no DEA (a lathering or foaming agent which is currently being questioned by the National Toxicology Program), just to name a few. Furthermore, there is no testing on animals making it a cruelty free skin care product.

Dr.Hauschka Daily Face Care Kit only $20.95!

Product Features
For normal, dry or sensitive skin.

Re-usable metal boxes are a perfect as a travel companion - easy to pack away in a purse or suitcase. Designed to support and encourage the skin's ability to take care of itself by addressing the skin care problems rather than dealing with symptoms. Free of synthetic fragrances, preservatives, colors and GMOs (genetically modified organisms).Valuable organically and biodynamically grown plant oils, genuine essential oils and plant extracts guarantee the highest quality and purity their products. Not tested on animals.

How to Determine Your Skin Tone

Knowing how to determine your skin tone and applying that knowledge to your cosmetic and clothing selection can bring out the best in your appearance. We all know when a certain color looks great on us while other colors seem to leave us looking ashen and worn out.

Skin tones fall into three classifications, they are: Warm, Cool and Neutral. Below are some easy steps to help you deterimine your skin tone.

Vein test - in a natural light, look at the inside of your wrist; if the veins appear greenish this indicates you have yellow undertones and thus would have a warm skin tone. Veins that appear to be more bluish indicate a cool skin tone.

Pony tail test - pull all your hair back away from the face in a pony tail or with a headband and thoroughly cleanse the face. Place a white towel or cloth around your neck and shoulders, if you face looks more yellow this would indicate a warm skin tone, whereas a bluish reflection would mean a cool skin tone.

Silver/Gold test - If you think you look better in gold than silver, this indicates a warm skin tone. People with cool skin tones usually look better in silver. Additionally, you can use a gold and silver cloth for this test, hold a swatch of gold fabric under the chin, does it make you look healthy, ashen or neither. Try the same with silver fabric, what do you see? a bluish hue or yellow undertones?

Genetic natural color of eyes and hair - As a rule of thumb, normally people with blue, green or grey eyes with blond, black or brown hair have a cool skin tone. Additionally, cool skin tones will have a pink or rosy undertone. Those people with brown, black, or hazel eyes and have black, brown, blond, red, or strawberry blond hair are usually have a warm skin tone and have a golden or apricot undertone. However, there are always exceptions to the rule when trying to deterime your skin tone by the color of your hair and eyes.

If after doing the above tests you are still unable to determine your skin type, you may fall into the neutral skin tone. Neutral skin tones can wear any color and look great, however neutral skin tones may lean towards either warm or cool. For instance, a neutral skin tone can look great in a warm color and fabulous in a cool color or vice a versa.

So what colors are best for your skin tone? Below is a short summary, again there are always exceptions to the rule.

Cool Skin Tone - Consider rich, true colors. These would include black, navy, red, shocking pink, rich raspberries, deep emerald greens, royal blue, plums or pure black. Additionally wear icy tones instead of pastels for a lighter color. Cool skin tones should avoid beige, orange and gold.

Warm Skin Tone- Consider earth colors either crisp or muted. Normally those with a warm skin tone look great in sage greens, gold, mochas, and bronzes. For a softer color try peach, apricot yellow.

Neutral Skin Tone - luckily for you, all colors will look good however, as indicated above most neutral skin tones will sway one way or another, so while a warm color may look great on you a cool color may look fabulous.

Selecting the right colors based on your skin tone can add so much to your overall appearance. The right color can add sparkle to your overall being and complexion while the wrong color can leave you looking ashen and your complexion washed out.

If you are still uncertain about your skin tone, stop by a cosmetics counter at a fine department store and talk with the clerk. Additionally, you could consult with your beautician for advice.

Check out these great beauty books, tips, techniques and more!

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Create Your Scent - DIY perfume

There are several advantages to making your own perfume. The first is that you can easily customize the scent specifically for you. Have you tried on perfume at the store just to get it home and then decide it is not really you? Secondly, you are not applying possibly harmful chemicals and preservatives to your skin. Lastly, although the initial costs of the essential oils may seem high, that essential oil can be used for a variety of other uses around the house. For example, lavender essential oil can be used in creating your perfume, used in aromatherapy at home and even in your bath, body and skin care regimen.


The basic ingredients for creating perfume are essential oils, water and grain alcohol (Vodka). Additionally, for the sake of making perfume, the essentials oils are categorized as "notes" and perfumes are comprised of four notes. There is a base note, middle note, top note and bridge note.


Top Note - this is the first scent you smell when sniffing a fragrance. These notes usually last no longer than 10 to 30 minutes. Examples of top notes: bergamot, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lime, neroli, orchid, and rose.


Middle Notes - also known as the heart notes. Middle notes fragrance emergences 10 - 45 minutes after the perfume has been applied. Examples of middle notes: clove, geranium, lemongrass, neroli, nutmeg, and ylang-ylang.


Base notes - remain on your skin the longest and will become stronger as the other notes fade. Some suggested base notes include cedarwood, cinnamon, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, moss, lichen, and fern.


Bridge note - this is a scent that will tie the others together. Some popular bridge notes are vanilla and lavender and used for blending.


The base and middle notes together are the main theme of a perfume. Base notes bring depth and solidity to a perfume. Compounds of this class of scents are typically rich and "deep" and are usually not perceived until 30 minutes after application.


So let us begin with these easy recipes:


Orient Nights


4 drops sandalwood essential/fragrance oil
4 drops musk essential/fragrance oil
3 drops frankincense essential/fragrance oil
2 teaspoons jojoba oil


Mix all the ingredients together, shake well. Place in a dark color bottle. Then allow the perfume to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry area.


Country Garden5 drops Valerian
5 drops Chamomile
3 drops Lavender
1 cup distilled water
5 teaspoons Vodka
Mix all the ingredients together, shake well. Place in a dark color bottle. Then allow the perfume to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry area.


Citrus Body Spritzer
1 tablespoon witch hazel
1 tsp lemon extract
1 tsp cucumber extract
1 cup water
For a refreshing cool feeling, make an after shower spray by combining all the ingredients. Place in a pump spay bottle and sprits onto skin.

Get your oils at:









Please note that care should be taken when using essential oils. Know your body and your essential oils, you can read about the properties of essential oils here. Additionally essential oils can affect mood for instance for a calming effect try lavender. Inventing your own scent can be fun and exciting.


Author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

So What's the difference between oranic and nautral skin care products

Today more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits nature has to offer and are seeking environmentally friendly products in their homes and in their skin care regimen. Therefore, it is no surprise that skin care manufacturers are catering to this wave of eco-friendly consumers and labeling products natural and/or organic.

The words natural and organic are interpreted and implied as the same meaning, however, there are distinct differences between the two.

Natural - this implies that one, some, or all of the ingredients are unprocessed and comes from nature, such as fruits, vitamins and minerals for instance; Aloe Vera is a natural product thus a product with Aloe Vera could be labeled natural. However, that does not mean the natural ingredient was grown organically and it does not mean that the skin care product is not mixed with synthetic/chemical ingredients. The term natural is not regulated in the skin care industry so the term natural is used loosely and extensively in marketing ploys.

Organic - means that no chemicals or pesticides were used during the growth of various plants and herbs. Additionally, the processes to extract the various oils from the plant did not use any type of chemical processing. If a product with Aloe Vera in it is labeled organic, then the Aloe would have had to been grown without any type of pesticides and there would be no chemical processing to extract the oils from the plant. Thus the product could be labeled organic.

A good analogy would be a skin care product which lists papaya and Aloe Vera. If the papaya, and Aloe Vera were grown with any type of pesticides then the skin care product can not be labeled organic, however, it could be labeled all natural and still can contain harmful chemicals.

Additionally, just because a product is labeled natural or organic that does not mean you will not have an allergic reaction. A product made with beeswax or honey would not be recommended for people that are allergic to bees, a product with almond oil would not be recommended for people with nut allergies. A skin test is always recommended with any new skin care product whether it be a synthetic, natural or organic product.

The word botanical is used a lot in skin care products too. This implies that the product includes ingredients that are derived from plants and/or trees, such as Aloe Vera and coconut. Again, botanical products can be labeled as natural but does not mean they are also organic.

Currently there are no legal standards for the terms organic and/or natural for personal care products sold in the United States. Therefore, skin care manufacturers are allowed to make all kinds of claims that their products are pure, natural and/or organic. A case in point is Clairol Herbal Essences which gave users an "organic experience", however there isn't much about this product that is herbal or organic as it contains more than a dozen synthetic petrochemicals and has a moderate toxicity rating. Visit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics on the web to read more about your skin care products.

The skin care product industry is a billion dollar business and the claims they make concerning their products may or may not be true. Additionally, if you are paying top dollar for cosmetics that read pure, natural or organic, read the label, research and decide for yourself. The most prominent ingredient on the label will be at the top of the ingredient list and the least ingredient at the bottom. So if your natural or organic ingredient is at the bottom of the ingredient list chances are the amount in the product is minute and has no significant value for your skin.

As a personal note, I would like to state that I do believe in the natural and organic concept in skin care products, although if I am buying natural or organic products I expect them to be just, natural with safe synthetic chemicals or truly organic. There are so many chemicals in skin care products that can be harmful to your health and these chemicals are so detrimental to our environment so I read the labels and do the research to find some "green" in the products I use.


For skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy





Carol Belanger author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes


BURT'S BEES Facial Cleanser Orange EssenceWith orange oil to cleanse and purify, and olive oil and aloe vera to soothe, moisturize and condition, this formula is perfect for refreshing, hydrating cleansing. It's designed to clean and replenish without the tight after-feel that harsh soaps and detergents can leave behind. Orange Oil Obtained by expressing the cold, fresh peel of the orange tree, a smallish tree native to China and India, now cultivated in Brazil, Cypress, Israel, Mexico and the United States. *Picture may be of different size or flavor






BURT'S BEES Body Wash Citrus and Ginger Root
  Essential citrus oils and ginger root extract combined with coconut and sunflower oils create a wonderfully rich cleansing complex for your skin. Naturally moisturizing honey and sugar esters nourish and soften skin, while an abundance of aromatic botanicals rejuvenate the body. Orange Oil Obtained by expressing the cold, fresh peel of the orange tree, a smallish tree native to China and India, now cultivated in Brazil, Cypress, Israel, Mexico and the United States.

Get ready for spring with these skin care tips!

Spring is in the air, and as we put away the bulky sweaters and boots, it is also time to evaluate our skin care products. For instance the moisturizer we have used all winter long may be too heavy for the spring and summer months. Furthermore, your winter moisturizer may not contain enough SPF protection for the spring and summer months.

An how about color? Usually our spring and summer wardrobe have a wonderful assortment of different colors. Why not add some color into your makeup bag and introduce new shades of eye shadow, lip tints and blush.

Below are some simple steps to get you glowing for the spring season:

1: Evaluate your moisturizer - Does it contain SPF protection? As the weather gets warmer everyone’s complexion tends to get a little oilier. Even if you have a dry or combination skin, you may need a lighter moisturizer. For those with extremely oily skin, keep a few blotting papers in your bag and/or consider Mattifying Gel which will control oily skin for up to eight hours.

2: Exfoliate the whole body - winter months can take a toll on our skin because the skin cells do not rejuvenate as fast, thus leaving behind dry, rough, and scaly skin. Smooth out skin with a whole body exfoliation. Additionally, exfoliation will promote circulation and bring about a natural glow to the skin. Get some homemade body scrub recipes here.

3: Evaluate your skin - Just as you visit the doctor for yearly physicals; it is imperative that you check your skin. Get a skin survey from a dermatologist. The dermatologist will evaluate all moles, freckles, dark spots and variations in skin tone. Most skin cancer is treatable if detected early.

4: Your Skin and food - spring brings a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables and offers so much to promote great looking skin. Fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants which fight off free radicals and
protects the skin

5: How about a hydrating facial mask to relieve winter dryness, below is a simple recipe you can make at home:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unripe papaya, diced
1 teaspoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend. Apply the mask to your face for eight to ten minutes. Then, rinse with cool water and apply a toner to remove all traces of the mask and restore pH balance. Follow with a moisturizer. Get more skin care recipes at Complete Skin Care Therapy

6: What about your beauty products? If you are using a hydrating foundation, consider a light dusting powder, bronzer and light lip gloss. For springtime, it is best to keep it simple and fresh. However, ensure that your moisturizer has SPF protection!

7: Be diligent about sun protection - As the weather gets warmer, make sure you’re applying sunscreen to all exposed areas 20 to 30 minutes before heading outdoors, and reapplying every two hours. If you don’t own a double-duty product already, consider using a facial moisturizer with SPF, thus avoiding applying several layers of lotion on the face.

8: I can relate to this one! Clean out the makeup bag! Does you makeup bag look like a child went through it with their crayons? How many items do you have in you makeup bag and never use? Maybe it is time to spring clean your makeup bag and make room for wonderful spring products.

9: Don’t forget feet and hands - Well manicured toes add so much to that pretty sandal! Your hands and feet need extra care to stay smooth and supple.

For skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Using Blush to Contour Your Face

Properly applying blush as part of your makeup routine can add so much to enhance and accentuate your facial features. For instance, if you have a round face, blush can elongate your face. If you have sunken check bones or cheek bones that are not really prominent, blush can define your check bones and give dimension.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a blush. The first is selecting the right color and the second is selecting the right blush for your skin type.

Blush Color:

When selecting your blush choose a blush shade that is correct for your skin tone. Additionally stay away from blushers that are to bright, too dark or to pale for your skin tone. Below are a few tips to help you choose the right color.

beige, pink tones are appropriate for fair skin
warm, brown shades are appropriate for yellow-tones skin
plum, bronze shades are appropriate for dark skin
orange, apricot and coral shades are appropriate for sun-tanned skin
the soft tones/ apricot, peachy, pink/ are appropriate for everyday use
Blush Type:

Blush comes in a variety of textures such as creams, powders, and gels. My personal recommendation is to stay away from gels. They are difficult to apply and do not blend as well as powders and creams.

Powder blushers provide a natural looking finish. Generally it is easy to apply, goes on smooth and blends well. Apply with a wide brush after you have applied your foundation or powder. Select a texture that is sheer and can easily build upon. Additionally powder blush is recommended for oily.

Application: A wide sable or other quality brush is recommended. To ensure an even application tap the excess blush off the brush before application to the face. A good blush brush will give you a nice application and follow the natural curves of the cheek bone. Smile in the mirror and apply the blush to the fatty part of the check going from the centre of check bone out, blend as you apply. A good tip is to apply blush where color naturally arises.

Cream blushes are oil-free. Apply with fingertips to give a more precise and even result. Additionally, cream blushers blend easily and provide a natural result. Cream blushers are appropriate for normal to dry skin types. Furthermore, cream blush is recommended for dry and mature skin as it blends easily.

Application: Apply with fingertips and blend well. You can also use a makeup sponge for blending. Also a stick blush is considered a cream blush.

A proper blush application with the right color can add dimension to your face and accentuate your facial features. A blush can add depth and elongate your face and make it look thinner.

Tip to make a round face look longer and well defined:

Purchase a blush palette which enhances your skin tone. The palette should consist of a dark tone, medium tone and light tone.
Apply the darkest tone just below the check bones; even if not prominent at this time. Do not apply past the corner of the outer eye.
Apply the medium shade and blend well all the way to the hairline.
Finally, highlight the check bones with the lightest shade. You should see that your round face will look naturally thinner and has an apparent glow.

A blush palette will add dimension which can not be achieved with just one ordinary color.

Check out some of these economical blush palettes:




For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

No More Blackheads

Blackheads can occur in almost all skin types but are most commonly appear in those with oily skin types and normal to oily skin types. They usually appear in the T-zone of the face (forehead, nose and chin).

A blackhead is a combination of dirt, debris, dead skin cells, and oil which embeds in the pore. The first inclination is to pinch it out; however doing so only bruises the surrounding area, especially if the blackhead is well embedded into the skin.

Most of the time blackheads are the result of improper skin care. Too often people overuse skin care products, first drying out their skin with the wrong cleanser for their skin type, not using a toner to close the pores before applying a moisturizer and using the wrong moisturizer for thier skin type. However, that is a whole different topic.


Below is a simple recipe to make your own blackhead remover strip(s).

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 tablespoons milk

Instructions:
Mix both ingredients and microwave for 10 seconds till it is warm to the touch.

Note: this does not smell the best when taking it out of the microwave, but this recipe actually removes blackheads!

Warm nose and/or chin with warm cloth to open pores, apply mixtures to nose and chin area. Do not use around eyes or other delicate areas.

Allow mixture to dry on nose and chin for 15-20 minutes, or until a stiff film appears. Peel off the film and there you go, all the debris in your pores has surfaced to the top. Follow with a cool toner to close pores and restore pH balance and follow with a moisturizer.

As with any new skin care recipe or product, always do a patch test first.



Get your Pro Extractor and Lance (for blackheads and whiteheads)!

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy