Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Ingredient to Avoid
05/28/2009 In At Home Spa by bien-être
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is an inexpensive cleansing agent used in many skincare and home cleaning products for the removal of oil, dirt and residues. It is found in very high doses in cleaning agents like floor cleaners and laundry detergent and lower amounts in skincare products like shaving creams and facial wash degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. SLS (as it is commonly referred to) is responsible for the lathering action – think bubble bath.
I don’t know about you, but i don’t really want to use the same cleaning agent for my face that cleans my floor. Because SLS is a charged particle that attracts dirt, removing it from the pores and the surface of the skin, it causes irritation. So, for this reason, SLS is now being avoided in many professional skincare products.
When shopping for skincare products, look for the gentler alternatives like Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Taurate, Decyl Glucoside and Cetearyl Glucoside which are all plant based cleansing agents (amino acids, sugar and coconut.)
Here’s a great informational site on some of the harsh effects of SLS (note that in very small doses the FDA has approves SLS for use, but that for total well-being, bien-être suggests avoiding them whenever possible).
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Nature’s Own: Natural Water for Beautiful Summer Skin
05/27/2009 In At Home Spa by bien-être
Want beautiful summer skin? Ditch the pool and opt for nature’s best swimming options!
Pools contain chlorine. Blah! Not the best ingredient for your skin.
So, as it is nearing bikini time once again, try to take advantage of nature’s own watering holes instead.
Spring - naturally chilly fresh spring water is great for increasing healthy circulation and cleansing the system. the naturally occurring algae and trace minerals in the water also help to remineralize and nourish the skin. Cold water is said to keep skin youthful!
Lake / River - again the cold water can be invigorating for your skin, giving you a nice break from the daily hot shower! Rivers and streams feed into lakes, bringing with them nutrients from the soil that benefits your skin. Not to mention that regular swimming can do wonders for your overall health!
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What’s Really in your Tap Water?
05/26/2009 In Skin Care 101 by bien-être
Water, in its nature, can pull moisture from the skin. Your natural moisture barrier, or hydro lipid barrier, consists of oils and sits on the surface to protect your skin from over drying. This keeps everything in balance, as long as water is the only liquid coming out of the faucet. Unfortunately, there are other chemicals and minerals that find their way into the water system. These minerals can be very harsh on your skin, causing dryness, irritation – even premature aging!
Among the main contenders are:
- fluoride - this ingredient is added to tap water to help prevent tooth decay. However, it is not necessary and has some side effects, including skin dryness and sensitivity which can lead to skin rash.
- chlorine - another skin and scalp irritant. this ingredient can also deplete the skin of certain proteins (like collagen). Believe me, you want all the skin proteins you can get – and you want to avoid exposing your skin to anything that depletes you of it.
- barium - an inorganic salt that is a known neurotoxin for humans. Used as a coloring agent in some cosmetic products (except in Europe where it is banned.) It is allowed in minute amounts by that are not seen as threading but is regulated and tested in water systems in the U.S.
- lead - the harmful (poisonous) effects of this ingredient should be obvious
- uranium - a known carcinogen. Human exposure is allowed by the government in small doses
mmm…sounds good, huh? Not really. Many consumers are buying filters and bottled water for drinking, but what about what goes on to the skin and in the pores during a shower?
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Vitamin C: Ingredient to Love
05/22/2009 In Skin Care 101 by bien-être
Based on research for the cure to scurvy, Vitamin C is a well-known immunity booster and healer for the body. There are many other benefits to internal supplementation and topical application of this powerful vitamin. To name a few:
Vitamin C is a water-soluble KEY network antioxidant, working in the watery part of every cell to boost environmental protection and maintain a healthy free radical population in the body. Vitamin C works synergistically with Vitamins A and E, Alpha Lipoic and CoQ10 to form the KEY Network of powerful antioxidants. The role of vitamin C for prevention of UV damage and photoaging is well studied, making it an essential ingredient in skincare for preventing premature wrinkling and hyperpigmentation. For more information on Network Antioxidants, read “The Antioxidant Miracle”, by Lester Packer (LINK).
Vitamin C works as an anti-inflammatory when applied to the skin topically, as well as internally. Research shows that Vitamin C, along with Vitamin E, reduces inflammation while reducing free radical damage. Not hungry for fruits and veggies yet? This recent article from TIME Magazine delves into reasons why chronic inflammation is linked to premature aging and disease.
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Facial Lymphatic Drainage
05/18/2009 In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work by bien-être
What is the lymphatic system?
The human body has many systems in place to aid in detoxification, protection and overall health. Two of these systems work directly with the skin (in addition to internal organs) to maintain health and balance.
The circulatory system brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin and pulls waste product from the skin back out to be processed.
The lymphatic system works throughout the entire body, and moves fluid called lymph between the skin and the muscles. It consists of organs, ducts, and nodes that work to assist the circulatory system, transporting a watery clear fluid called ‘lymph’ that distributes immune cells throughout the body and drains excess fluid and waste proteins from the skin (as well as all the body’s cells and tissue.) The lymphatic system helps the skin in it’s protection of the body, as the second line of defense from invading viruses and bacteria.
We are like human water beds in a way. When our lymphatic system is healthy, fluid travels up and down, back and forth from one area to another all day long. When lymph gets blocked due to poor lymphatic circulation, we are more vulnerable to illness and infection, and waste proteins start to build up.
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