03/22/2010 In Skin Care 101 by bien-être

It is very common to see clients with skin irritations like dermatitis, Eczema, breakouts and rashes that can be traced back to a certain ingredient used in everyday life. When this happens, it is necessary to perform an investigation into what that ingredient is…and this is difficult as there are a ton of them out there.

This great article about the 10 Most Common Skin Irritants lists the 10 categories of irritating ingredients, and thought we’d share it.

The most irritating ingredients found in skin care seem to be sunscreens, soaps, color, fragrance, preservatives and other synthetic fillers. It is noted that active ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Retinoids can cause irritation if used improperly – and we wholeheartedly agree. These active ingredients need to be used in the proper amounts and not overdone. You also need to be very careful about sun and heat overexposure when using them.

“Fragrances and preservatives, ingredients commonly found in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, are the most common causes of allergic reactions. More than 5,000 fragrances are used in products; however, less “allergenic” fragrances have been developed to minimize this problem.” – American Academy of Dermatology

It’s a good idea to limit the amount of potentially irritating ingredients from your skin care, body care, hair care, household products, and clothing. Don’t get too overwhelmed just yet, though! There’s no need to stop everything unless you are experiencing some sort of skin rash. Just take a look at what your skin comes in contact with daily and become more familiar with the ingredients or chemical substances involved. If you find that your skin is exposed to more irritants than you’d like, find greener, cleaner alternatives.

Topical application of pure coconut oil can sometimes calm irritation, but it is important to eliminate the offending ingredient in order to clear the irritation. Applying medicated creams like steroids will only suppress the irritation, so they are not recommended unless absolutely necessary. Even then, I don’t recommend them until after you’ve discovered the source of the irritation.

For gentle yet effective skin and body care, visit our shop.

And, for more information on green household products, visit:
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-cleaning/

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03/19/2010 In Skin Nutrition by bien-être

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. Many of us have already made our first trek to the beach, pool, lake or park to bask in the warmth and sunshine. While sunshine is important for Vitamin D production and overall mental happiness, overexposure can lead to oxidative damage and burning. Viva Women posted this great article, and we thought it would be a nice reminder to boost your natural, internal sun protection factors in time for summer. This article does promote sun protection pills, and while they are great….we’d prefer something a bit more natural and efficient.

We think that food is the best medicine, and that eating a diet rich in antioxidants and free of pesticides and synthetic chemicals is the very best way to boost your natural sun protection factor. You can also apply skin care products high in antioxidants like green tea, zinc and Vitamins A, C and E to protect your skin further.

Here are some great web resources for antioxidant-rich foods:
AltMedicine: Antioxidants
HD Lighthouse: Antioxidants

Looking for antioxidant rich skin care products? We’ve got you covered! Shop bien-etre now.

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03/18/2010 In Key Active Ingredients by bien-être

Almonds are roughly 54% oil which contains both Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids. This is is pressed from the almond and has many culinary uses, but is also very popular in skin and body care.

Almond oil is very similar to the oil a baby’s skin produces…and who doesn’t want skin as soft as a baby’s.. “you know what?”

This is why it is a great choice for skin care and is used quite frequently for massage.

Almond oil is nourishing and deeply moisturizing for the skin. It also contains regenerative properties that boost cell metabolism and damage repair. This oil can also reduce itchiness associated with dry skin, and is delicate enough to use right under the eyes.

Because there is no heavy fragrance, almond oil makes a great “base” or carrier oil for essential oils blends.

You can purchase almond oil right form the skin care section of your local health food store, or look for it in your favorite skin care products. We love using it directly for face and body massage, but also love it in DNA Health Institute’s Creme of Nectar Soothing Wash and Anti-Aging Eye Repair Creme!

*Almond oil is a nut oil. So, it is not recommended for those with nut allergies.

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03/15/2010 In Ask-the-esthetician answers, Skin Nutrition by bien-être

I have psoriasis on my scalp and inside my ears. I have gone through several prescriptions from family doc. and dermatologist. Nothing works anymore. I really don’t want to continue to use topical steroids for this condition. Could you suggest anything? Internal, topically, home remedies??
Anything would be helpful.
-Thank you

Thanks so much for your question! I understand that you have tried many things and they do not seem to be working to calm symptoms for you. My suggestions tend to involve a more holistic route. Western Medical Doctors tend to push Western Medications. I believe that these can do harm as well as good and should be used sparingly only when absolutely needed. These medications only deal with symptoms and do not get to the root of the problem, which is why the symptoms come back. Almost always, the root of the problem leads to diet and stress – i.e – what you put into your body and how your body processes it. I am not certified in nutrition, so I cannot diagnose and treat psoriasis…but I can make suggestions that have worked for my clients, friends and family…and here they are:

Look into food allergies, like night shade plants (tomatoes, bell peppers, etc) dairy, wheat and shellfish

Stop all sugar!! Refined, brown, turbinado, artificial sweeteners, etc. Sugar leads to poor health and inflammation. It is hidden in a ton of packaged foods like sauces, breads, dressings, crackers, dairy, etc. This is difficult to cut out but you will feel the benefits after a couple weeks of quitting cold turkey. (Small amounts of organic honey and agave are ok still.)

Try a raw food diet for a month: I have several clients who have been cured from dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis with dietary changes. These clients all eliminated processed foods, and in two cases, went about 90% raw. Here are some resources for raw food diets:
Pure Mamas: Raw Food and Drink
Living Foods
Raw Food Helps with Skin Problems

Visit an Acupuncturist who also practices Traditional or Non-Traditional Chinese Medicine. Psoriasis has direct and indirect links to internal imbalance in the body, which then affects your immune system. TCM has been shown to help when combined with Acupuncture and dietary changes.

Put more good fat into your diet: Omega 3s, 6s and 9s are very very important and usually missing from the Traditional Western American Diet. Look into supplements and add them into your diet. I like Carlson’s and Udo’s brands. You can also cook with and eat these oils: olive, coconut, flax seed, grape seed, etc.

Topically, Vitamin C (like Sanitas Topical C,) shea nut oil and squalane are very helpful to keep skin hydrated. Be sure to also eliminate harsh detergents, soaps, perfumes, dyes, and any other synthetic chemicals from your face products, laundry detergents, and hair products.

Balance your lifestyle to eliminate extra stress. Stress can make symptoms worse. Yoga is a wonderful tool for balancing stress – and it’s a great workout! Cut down on caffeine – and do not drink coffee (decaf or regular) as it can mess with healthy digestion and raise the stress hormone called cortisol. This is especially important around mealtimes and later in the day. So, if you have to have a cup of joe, make it at least an hour after you eat breakfast and 30 minutes before eating anything else.

Try LED Light Therapy. Red and Infrared Lights help trigger the healing processes in the skin and encourage healthy cell renewal while calming inflammation. I’ve seen this work for dermatitis in many cases and its definitely worth looking into.

Here is a post on Eczema, but it has some suggestions that may be helpful for you.

I hope this helps! Good luck to you, and let me know if you have any other questions!

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03/12/2010 In Skin Care 101 by bien-être

New research has come out that reinforces the theory that chewing gum chronically can lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles in the skin. These wrinkles are sometimes referred to as expression lines, the lines caused by making repetitive facial expressions, talking, frowning, smiling, etc. In addition to muscle movement, chewing gum could also break up hyaluronic acid injections like Retsylane and Juvederm, causing them to not last as long. At the price most pay for these injections, that can’t be very cost effective.

Does Gum Give you Wrinkles?
Chewing Gum May Lead to Wrinkles
Spit Out Your Gum—It’s Making You Look Old!

You probably wont see extra wrinkles from the occasional piece of gum to freshen breath or ward off a sweet craving. After all, you chew your food (well, hopefully, anyway) on a daily basis…These extra lines are the side effect of a ‘chewing gum’ habit. Bottom line: If you are addicted to chewing gum and cannot go for long periods of time without chomping down on a piece…you may want to consider cutting back.

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