01/07/2012 In Key Active Ingredients, Skin Care 101 by bien-être

Adaptogens are plants known for their ability to adapt to any environment or outside stress. These special plants have been able to survive harsh environments for hundreds of years due to their unique combination of active substances. Some adaptogens, like Ginseng, have been around since before the last Ice Age – incredible, right?

Studies have found that these plants are also quite remarkable at calming stress in the skin and helping skin adapt to stressful situations when they are used internally or topically in skincare. Environmental factors like sun exposure, radiation, smog, and extreme temperature changes can all cause stress in the skin. So can worrying about deadlines, getting caught in traffic, eating a diet rich in sugar or caffeine, and getting restless sleep. Most of us have skin that’s a bit stressed out. Some of us have skin that seems to be extremely sensitive to this stress, as seen in acne breakouts, redness, irritation, rashes, dehydration, hyper-pigmentation and more. If adaptogens can help our skin get some relief from all this stress, why not take full advantage?

Ginseng – anti-bacterial ingredient, purifies, increases health circulation, anti-inflammatory, boosts skin immune function.
Licorice Root - purifies, decongestants and detoxifies the skin.
Polygoni – boosts skin immune function, protects against environmental damage.
Euphoria - boosts skin immune function, protects against environmental damage.
Suma root – strengthens, balances, protects from environmental toxins.
Rhodiola rosea – balancing, toning, calms adrenals.

Is your skin stressed out? Help boost its natural immunity and adaptability with these amazing plants. You can find some of these adaptogens in Jadience Herbal Skincare products.

Continue Reading...

No Comments

11/08/2011 In At Home Spa, Key Active Ingredients by bien-être

Clementines are a known favorite for mid day snacking and make a great alternative to ice cream or candy when a sweet tooth attacks, but did you know that they are also an amazing little fruit for your skin?

Clementines contain Vitamin C and a natural acidic acid that brightens and clears the skin (similar to a toner.) The extract from these little fruits acts as an anti-inflammatory for the skin which makes them perfect for treating breakouts or congestion.

Most stores will sell clementines by the bag or box…and we are usually scrambling to eat them all before they spoil. After reading through this month’s issue of Whole Living, we were delighted to see a clementine facial mask recipe, and wanted to share the wealth with all of you. It’s perfectly simple and good enough to eat (we know, we ate some!)

Clementine Honey Mask Recipe

4 clementines peeled and pureed in blender or food processor
½ cup rolled oats
3 tbsp raw organic honey
2 tsp jojoba or coconut oil

Blend all ingredients and apply a small amount to cleansed, damp skin on face and neck. Eave mask on for at least 10 minutes, then rinse clean and moisturize.

Enjoy!!

Continue Reading...

No Comments

09/29/2011 In Key Active Ingredients by bien-être

photo credits: lunchboxbunch, growabrain, gardenofeden

This interesting article suggests there may be a new contender in the fight against acne breakouts…and it’s located in your vegetable garden!

Radishes are the latest natural ingredient to prove effective in reducing inflammation and bacteria that causes acne. The interesting things about this ingredient is that it reduces the overproduction of acne bacteria while allowing effective bacteria levels to remain.

The bacteria (officially known as bacteria Propionibacterium acnes) is helpful at normal, balanced levels. However, with the overproduction of oil and internal imbalances leading to acne, this bacteria goes haywire and builds up in the pores and hair follicles, leading to pimples. Inflammation is sure to follow, making matters worse for the acne sufferer.

Antibiotics are typically used to treat acne in the world or dermatology, but they often wipe out all levels, leaving the skin (and body) vulnerable.

Let us know what you think!

Radishes for Acne article

Continue Reading...

No Comments

09/21/2011 In Key Active Ingredients by bien-être

photos courtesy of Salt Works, Tree Hugger, Sur la Table

Did you know that our word “salary” is form the Latin word for Salt? Ancient Romans were sometimes paid partly in salt…must be an important natural mineral. The key word here is NATURAL. Common table salt is manufactured, not natural. A microscopic view of table salt shows strange square-shaped molecules that are foreign. Sea Salt and Himalayan Salt (natural salts) are vital for health as they provide essential minerals for digestion, water absorption, brain development, and heart health!

We add some of these minerals, like fluoride into products and water – but this fluoride, again is synthetic and isolated – which can cause many problems. I highly recommend avoiding common table salt and replacing it with natural, unrefined salt.

Himalayan Rock Salt has been used for centuries in food preservation, cooking and seasoning. This ideal salt contains 84 trace elements / minerals and has known cleansing effects on the air we breathe. However, its not just ingesting the salt that reaps the health benefits. Just standing near a chunk of Himalayan rock salt can improve the quality of the air you breathe, thereby improving your overall health. Sounds pretty cool, huh?

Within the Himalayas there are beautiful, fresh flowing rivers and pristine lakes, each a product of glacial activity. These waters produce the salt that has been admired for its beauty and healing properties for years.

“Millions of years ago, water within the Himalayan mountain range evaporated under the hot sun and left pure, beautiful crystals of salt behind. The salt formed when the earth was pristine and free of toxins, and today, each grain of salt remains untainted and clean.” ~Salt Cave Inc

Here are some of the ways Himalayan Salt can benefit your body: ~Courtesy of mercola.com

• Regulating the water content throughout your body.
• Promoting a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells.
• Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.
• Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body.
• Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract.
• Supporting respiratory health.
• Promoting sinus health.
• Prevention of muscle cramps.
• Promoting bone strength.
• Regulating your sleep — it naturally promotes sleep.
• Supporting your libido.
• Promoting vascular health.
• In conjunction with water it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure.

Aside from using this pink salt in cooking and food seasoning, you can purchase salt lamps for home and office (especially recommended for near the bed or electronic devices.) We’ve added this Himalayan Salt Lamp to our treatment room at bien-etre skincare studio, and encourage you to try using one at home. Each pound of salt can help purify 10 square feet of living space. They are also really lovely!

The salt can be added to your bath in place of Epsom salt to aid in soothing muscles, nourishing skin and detoxifying the tissues.

Himalayan salt can also be used in lieu of sea salt or sugar in body scrubs.
Himalayan Salt Scrub Recipe:

½ cup Himalayan rock salt (small granules)
5 drops lemongrass and 5 drops lavender essential oil
¼ cup organic coconut oil

Blend all ingredients in a small bowl and take with you to the shower so that you can gentle rinse skin, massage scrub into skin and then rinse again in shower.

Continue Reading...

No Comments

09/02/2011 In Key Active Ingredients by bien-être

Ginseng is a funny-looking root that has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine and body care. The health benefits are numerous and include everything from digestive and circulation aid to balancing the body’s yin and yang energy and treating stress and headaches.

We love ginseng because it is a powerful force in clearing, toning and clarifying the skin. It helps brighten skin complexion, calm skin and encourage healing and cell renewal. Ginseng is highly effective for rejuvenating and strengthening the skin while improving the immune system within the dermal skin cells.

Jadience Herbal Skincare, which is based in Ancient Chinese Beauty recipes, incorporates Ginseng in many of their products, including:

Jade& Ginseng Firming and Lifting Moisturizer
Jade & Ginseng Cleansing Cream
Jade & Ginseng Anti-Aging Eye Treatment

Continue Reading...

No Comments