Are the chemicals in personal care/beauty products harmful?

A scientist’s view

I asked this question of one of my clients, a scientist working in cancer research.

He said that the chemicals in beauty products are not harmful. Of course, if a child ate a lot of toothpaste (which has fluoride added) they could be harmed, but it’s also dangerous to eat massive amounts of organic carrots.

He pointed out that in nature, we only take the amount that we need. For example, to function properly our bodies actually need a little arsenic, yet this is poisonous in larger doses. So, he believed that chemicals in products are only harmful when used in large amounts.

ONEgroup responds

It’s quite incorrect to say that chemicals in products are harmful only when you use them in bigger amounts. Exposure to a small amount of mercury can kill or cause damage for example, so that already disputes that theory. Yes, we produce a natural amount of arsenic ourselves but that it is released as needed and in doses that our bodies can handle. The danger is in accumulation of additional toxins. The point of using organic skincare is to reduce the amount of chemicals that we absorb and that we pour down the sink and into our environment. – http://www.ewg.org/ 

See organic products

See related blog ‘Why are there toxins in everyday products?’

See related blog ‘Deodorants and breast cancer’ or watch the video

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Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Do chemical peels help acne scars?  

A client asks: ‘Do chemical peels help with acne scars? What is the youngest age you can have this treatment?

Keep in mind that the treatment of acne scars is very complex. There is no perfect solution. Effective treatments are: laser and skin resurfacing, chemical peels and dermabrasion 

A dermatologist or plastic surgeon can examine your skin and decide which peel is the most suitable. Read more on Wikipedia about chemical peels

There is no age limit – it depends on your skin condition. Again, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can advise you.

I recommend the ‘Green Peel ® from Dr Schrammek’ (only use the original as they are many copies on the market).

‘What is GREEN PEEL® ?

This herbal peeling treatment is a medically developed, biologically based method consisting only of natural plant ingredients. It has been successfully proven worldwide.

Ingredients include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, mucilage’s and tannins, phytohormones, enzymes, mineral salts and trace elements.

See:

http://www.schrammek.de/en/green-peel/facts.html

http://www.schrammek.de/en/green-peel/video.html

See more ‘Beauty topics’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Should young people use retinol?

A reader asks, ‘I bought cream by ROC, a drug store product here in the US. It contains retinol and claims to reduce fine lines and deep wrinkles. I’ve also heard that your skin will get ‘used to’ retinol so that is why you should not use anti-wrinkle creams at a young age. Is this true?’

First of all, it’s true the skin needs a while to get used to retinol/ Vitamin A. It is an exfoliating agent that peels your skin. It should be used only at night as it’s light sensitive and may cause hyper pigmentation (darkening of the skin). Always use sun cream if you use retinol products to avoid hyper pigmentation.

At a young age you don’t need to apply retinol as your skin’s collagen and elastin are still intact. Using those creams doesn’t make any sense as your skin doesn’t need them.

Remember when you were a baby. Your mother fed you with food that was appropriate to your needs and age at that time. She did not give you food for adults, because you did not need it. So it is with the skin. We need to understand which skin type we have and what kind of food our skin needs. Watch The right ingredients for your skin type. 

Get my e-book and you’ll receive a free report, ‘Know your skin type’.

Check the Safe Cosmetics site.  Type in the ingredients in your ROC cream, and you will understand what it does to your skin.

There are more effective ways to look after your skin when you’re young.

Eat antioxidants – vitamins or nutrients that help to protect us from the effect of free radicals in our bodies, including damage to skin cells. They are found in fruit and vegetables: plants produce antioxidants to protect themselves from damage by free radicals.

• Learn about Antioxidants in food

Watch ‘What are free radicals and antioxidants?’  or read more

Read product ingredients and check what they do to your skin and your health. Many chemicals are harmful. See article ‘Understanding product labels’.

Beauty comes from the inside!

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Blackhead extractor  

Diana asks, ‘Is it a good idea to get a blackhead extractor?’

This is individual decision. Some people prefer to use their fingertips, but others like to remove blackheads with an extractor. This costs between $10 and $20, from a  pharmacy or department store.

Be careful as you can injure the skin. I highly recommended you visit a dermatologist or accredited beauty therapist to get advice on the technique.

How to use an extractor

Before using, soften the skin with a warm compress or steam – holding a towel over your head, over a bowl of hot water. This makes it easier to remove the blackheads.

Place the extractor loop around the blackhead area and press gently downwards to push it out.

Closing facial pores

Soak a face towel or washcloth in cold water and leave it on your skin for 5–10 minutes. You can also use ice cubes – massage them into your skin.

Remember, heat opens pores and cold closes them.

See my e-book for beauty routines to improve your skin

Watch the video ‘What are blackheads & why they are dark?!’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Clay mask burning the skin

Jen writes: I put a clay mask on and at first it felt like my face was burning and then it went away after a few minutes but I still left it on. Is that ok? I love what it did to my face, but it just burned when I put it on at first.’

It’s not uncommon to experience a slight burning feeling when you apply the mask. As long as you have no signs of a reaction once you remove it, you can keep using the product.

The burning could be caused by a number of things, but usually it’s a sign that the mask is working deep within your pores.

See organic clay mask

See related topic ‘6 Solution for skin trouble’ or watch the video ‘Allergic reaction’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Toughen up the eye area

Lollie asks: ‘Is there a way of refirming the skin under my eyes?’

Improving health and vitality, eating organic whole foods, and getting plenty of exercise and fresh air would definitely improve your skin tone. Gentle facial massage to stimulate the lymphatics would also help. Visit a beauty therapist for lymphatics massage as you can’t do it yourself. 

In our certified organic range we have Firming Eye Serum 

You could also try Ambrosia Essence. This serum has a potent combination of eight highly effective herbal and flower extracts to soothe, tone and renew the skin benefits the skin. I am using both serums and my skin has improved enormously.

See related blog ‘How to apply eye cream or watch the video

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Hyperpigmentation

Sonia writes: ‘I have been battling hyper pigmentation – also known as ‘pregnancy mask’ – but my child is now five years old, and the condition just won’t go away!

Could you please suggest a natural treatment, I’m at the point where I’m considering laser for my face and my neck ring!’

Solution

I recommend the ‘green peel’ from Dr Schrammek (only use the original as they are many copies on the market).

‘What is GREEN PEEL®?

This herbal peeling treatment is a medically developed, biologically based method consisting only of natural plant ingredients. It has been successfully proven worldwide.

Ingredients include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, mucilage’s and tannins, phytohormones, enzymes, mineral salts and trace elements.

For more:

http://www.schrammek.de/en/green-peel/facts.html

http://www.schrammek.de/en/green-peel/video.html

Laser treatment

Please research this option well! Look on the internet for  others who have had laser therapy for this problem. And only consult a doctor with many years’ experience in lasers.

See related article ‘Sun exposure and the skin’ or watch the video

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Alternatives to laser for acne

Wendy asked: ‘I’m 33 and I have a little bit of acne and large pores!! What can I do? I was thinking about laser, but it’s expensive.’

Yes, laser is expensive and you can solve the problem in a much cheaper way.

There are some important elements you need to keep in balance: how much water you drink, amount of exercise, stress levels, and efficient digestion.

Food. Daily eat fresh vegetables, fruit and fish to support your skin. Fatty, oily foods will show in your skin and cause blemishes.

Water. The body needs to flush out all toxins. If you don’t have good hydration your skin will suffer. Drink 2 litres of water daily.

Exercise. Getting active helps you flush out toxins with sweat, so the skin cleans itself. More importantly the ‘happy’ endorphin hormones are activated. which is important for the skin as well for the soul.

Stress. If stress levels are high, the glands may produce more sebum which causes blemishes.

Digestion. For a healthy digestive system you need regular daily bowel movements. Eat prunes, muesli, husks (from wholegrains), fresh fruit (kiwifruit is good) and vegetables.

Beauty routine. Nurture your skin with ‘food’ (ingredients in product) regularly and consistently if you desire healthy looking skin. Avoid chemicals as they harm your health and skin. Some acne products have alcohol in which dries skin out, so the glands then produce more sebum, meaning more blemishes.

See my e-book for beauty routines to improve your skin.

Recommended products. These certified organic products are still helping me and others with acne.

Skin care   

Exfoliate

Mask for spots

Blemish gel

Probiotic food

See related article ‘The right ingredients for your skin type’  or watch the video.

See related blog ‘Good food for oily skin’ or watch the video

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Hormones and my skin

After the blog/video called ‘Give up the pill and get spots’

CanIrishGal85 asked:

‘I am experiencing the exact same problem. I have been off the pill for almost nine months and my skin just keeps getting worse! How long did it take your skin to get back to normal?’

My skin got better after seven months. However, I clean (manually removing spots) once or twice a week and I can honestly tell you that without my skincare regime it would be even worse.

My doctor said that after giving up the birth control pill it might take a year or more to clean up the whole body.

See my e-book for beauty routines to improve your skin.

Here are the products which rescue me daily:

Skin care   

Exfoliate

Mask for spots

Blemish gel

Probiotic food

See related article ‘Hormones: are you in charge?’ or watch the video

See related article ‘The right ingredients for your skin type’  or watch the video.

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Hormones and acne

After the blog/video called ‘Give up the pill and get spots’

Lisa wrote: ‘I also have a hormone imbalance. I am 21 and I have been struggling with acne for a year now. It has become an overwhelming process that I don’t want to deal with any more. I have tried every product in the book for my face. I went to a spa and the lady told me that I am the “perfect” candidate for birth control. Although I am opposed to birth control… I may be willing to try it due to my imbalanced hormones. I just want my “flawless” skin back, and I never thought that I would get to the point where I would try anything. PLEASE HELP. Thank you, Lisa’

Advice

You have to find the cause of your skin trouble. Then you can start to heal it. The birth control pill suppresses the symptoms, rather than healing.

• Go to an accredited naturopath or doctor and have a blood test to find out your hormone levels
• Consult an accredited nutritionist or naturopath who will design the right diet for your skin. Food may be the medicine!
• Find a beauty therapist who specializes in acne (a dermatologist may recommend someone). You have to regularly remove the spots.

Things to consider

• Find out what’s different in your life between now when you have acne and the years when you had nice skin.
• What kind of skin products are you using?
• Focus on ingredients that are designed for acne (see my article/video ‘The right ingredients for your skin type’ and blog ‘Good food for oily skin’ or watch video).
• Avoid chemically based products.
• What is your beauty/cleansing routine?
• A regular skincare routine is essential to support the skin (see my blog /video DIY facial , or article ‘3 step by step facials’ 

The skin needs to be treated from the inside (diet and lifestyle) and outside (skincare). You also need to be patient with the healing process.

See my e-book for beauty routines to improve your skin.

Here are the products which rescue me daily:

Skin care   

Exfoliate

Mask for spots

Blemish gel

Probiotic food

See related article ‘Hormones: are you in charge?’ or watch the video

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

 Forward to a friend