Scrubbing Or Exfoliation Of Facial Skin: Harmful Or Helpful?!

Using Exfoliation Scrubs On Our Faces Since High School

Many of us have been convinced since our high school days when we began to suffer the angst due to the hormonal changes in our skin, that in order to keep our skin free of oil and debris and to fight acne, we must rub a dub scrub our faces until essentially raw as this was the only way to have clear skin.

In part this is true, but it is the extent of which we pursue this practice, sometimes feverishly, that is causing the ongoing problems with what might be otherwise healthy skin.  Acne is prolonged, skin is damaged, deterioration of collagen occurs causing permanent acne scarring, whereby accelerating the aging process on our faces.

So many methods have been introduced into the marketplace, it becomes a daunting task to know the wise thing to do.  Commercialization of many skincare products purport to the consumer, "use this product daily and have beautiful, lustrous skin" or "this will help clear up acne when you use our product."  

Let's begin with what we see typically:

Irritating to facial skin ~

• Terry Washcloths (harsh to delicate skin types)
• Buf Puf Facial Wedges (been around since forever, extremely harsh)
• Walnut Facial Scrubs (damaging, tears skin, sharp edges)
• Apricot Facial Scrubs (same as above for facial scrubs)
• Sea Salt Facial Scrubs (recommend for body only)
• Any Other Ground Seeds In The Formula (same principle applies)
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (Glycolic or Salicylic Acids)
• Facial Brushes Of Any Kind (overused and can create chronic irritation)

Gentle to facial skin ~

• Oatmeal (precooked, gentle and healing, can help with dryness and has anti-itch properties)
• Rice Flour (raw version, has super fine grainy finish, extremely gentle and healing)
• Facial Mask Specific Recipes for cleansing and exfoliating
• Micro Fiber Towels (perfect for delicate skin types)
• Polymer Beads (smooth surface so no sharp edges for tearing skin)
• Jojoba Beads (same as above, yet will also moisturize, soothe and balance sebum)
• Baking Soda (basic fine grained scrubbing agent and is best used with yogurt preparations)
• Fine Textured Sugar (same as above and best used in oil or plant based treatment to prolong texture)
• Gentle AHA's comprised of natural fruit acids or lactic acid for maintaining daily natural cell turnover

What's The Harm Of It All?

Unfortunately, the many commercial preparations and mechanical methods of removing dead skin cells, or for basic cleaning of the skin are overused and are too coarse or harsh to delicate facial tissues.

For instance, your scrubbing tools are in a category of over consumption and will create problems for skin that weren't there before using one of these devices.  Although the brush can be used safely for exfoliation of the skin, in most cases the advice given with this type of facial tool is to use them everyday for the removal of makeup and daily oily grime buildup on the skin.  The advice even goes as far as to recommend twice per day usage.

Here in lies the harm: as you can see from the two lists above, one that is irritating and the other offering gentler alternatives, is if this tool is used along with the rest of these products or other micro fine scrubbing ingredients that are normally considered gentle, certain types of skin conditions can occur that could go on to require repair or treatment from your dermatologist.

To preface the list below, smoking and sun exposure along with pollutants in our atmosphere are the major causes for premature aging of our skin.  Over exfoliation contributes to this problem, but it is certainly not an overall cause for aging our skin.

Examples of harm to your facial skin tissues when over exfoliation occurs:

• Dryness and irritation due to stripping the skin by not only removing dead cells but healthy ones as well, making it more difficult to maintain moisture on the face.
• Keeps skin in a constant state of inflammation something similar to a chemical peel, causing cells to break down and making the face more vulnerable to free radical damage.
• Stripping the skin of it's lipid barrier, including destroying good facial bacteria can cause a reaction dermatitis which in and of itself has it's own set of problems and can be difficult to clear.
• Acne can actually worsen when over exfoliating the facial skin due to irritation, over stimulation of skin cells creating more sebum production and the face is no longer in correct balance for maintaining proper skin health.
• Any combination of these two lists, or just using gentle methods along with even your daily cleansing regimen can create and exacerbate many skin problems since your cleansing products will also have a certain level of ingredients that offer exfoliation benefits.

First Do No Harm To Your Lovely Face

With all of these methods and ingredients available to the consumer there are easy ways to keep your skin nice and clean and show off a lovely polished surface without looking red faced.

Remember, using a washcloth with your cleanser is already exfoliating, so to follow with a facial brush or other skin damaging scrub, your face will not be happy. 

Always treat acne and other skin conditions gently!  Rice flour or oatmeal in a facial mask followed by a bit of scrubbing action before removal, and fruit acids in cleansers, moisturizers or facial serums are wonderful for doing the job well.  With these types of raw ingredients you can use them 2-3 times per week and skincare products like our ONATI Skin Care line can be used each and everyday.

We also offer our "gentle to the skin" Micro Fiber Face Cloths.  These are excellent for delicate skin types and gentle exfoliation each and every time you cleanse your face.  Skin exfoliation is a good thing and will help keep our skin looking polished and refreshed as long as it is performed in the right doses.

So as you can see with all these everyday rituals, it is easy to be overusing exfoliation products without really realizing you are overusing exfoliation products.  Treat your face and skin gently and your skin will sustain proper balance which in turn provides overall skin health.....and that my ladies is my best advice!

Cheers!

Protection and Rejuvenation Of Our Pink Parts

Our Delicate Area

When dealing with skincare, most of us think in terms of what we can see and that the norm is as it relates to our faces and bodies. But what about the parts we don't see?

Sometimes it is assumed that the area in question will take care of itself, at least that is what I thought to be true.....uh not so fast it seems.

As we age, there is nothing more subject to aging and irritation, than our tiny pink parts. Yes, I do mean our "delicates", the vulva and vaginal area. But for duration of this article, I will fondly refer to this area as our "pink parts."

Although I try to be open and honest about things when I explain them to my daughter for instance, the little bit of "prude" holds on from the teaching of my mom and grandmother....so in reverence of their memory, I'll remain as prim and proper as I am able to, but in today's society, this area of discussion need no longer be "taboo." And if there are other women without the benefit of having their elders be there with them throughout their adult years to explore such issues, as I did, both passing away before I was 27 years of age, then I hope what I can offer in this article will help women, young or old, that may be on the same road as I am, or at the very least, will be in the future.

Many things can subject us to dryness, redness, itchiness, soreness and worse, atrophy. Not a subject easily explored, even by me, but I finally had to take a proactive approach when dealing with all of the above, especially now that I am officially through with menopause.

Even though aging causes many of these problems, these symptoms are not irrelevant to younger women. For example, women that have had to undergo a hysterectomy so early in life and typically maintain levels of hormones through the use of hormone replacement therapy.

HRT Not An Option

When I originally tried HRT back in my late thirties as I went through perimenopause, after 5 years of use, I began to suffer from side effects to the progesterone portion of the treatment, including vertigo and drug induced lupus. In the interim however, it was truly a lifesaver for me and helped me to regain my sanity once more. This was a hurdle I don't feel I could have overcome without it during this phase of my life.

Once I removed this from my regimen, fortunately my body stabilized hormone wise and the side effects subsided and completely cleared after about a full year.

In fact, I was unsure of using any form of hormones to assist me with keeping things working with my pink parts based on my past experience. I began to feel "this is it" for me, and an acceptance settled into roost that this is just the sad part of aging, and that any normalcy of intimacy for me and my hubby would be forever different.

Dryness and Irritation

Since I wasn't keen on taking HRT, I researched OTC remedies and discovered REPLENS. Although it does work well on the dryness, it does nothing to remedy the atrophy or all irritation that occurs to our pink parts. It does absolutely nothing for pain.

It also has some ingredients that did cause me some concern, especially utilizing them in an area that has a direct feed to our blood supply.

I did tons of research to see what other avenues I could explore, now getting desperate to fight off this ruinous side effect to women that no longer can produce estrogen on their own.

Sought Help

I have an awesome female doctor, and once I overcame some of my embarrassment in regard to my latest challenge to aging, I decided to make an appointment with her and completely open up about my intimate issues and concerns for using any type of HRT. Wonderfully, desperation can sometimes overrule unfounded fears as I learned in our consult.

She taught me much about my pink parts and explained how they function as to them once being plump like collagen on a face. They are actually puffy folds that expand and contract, yet have now been reduced to shrinkage and atrophy. Correcting the atrophy was the ultimate goal since this is the source of pain and dryness, but I told her I didn't want the estrogen to replace it....what was one to do?

She advised me to stop using REPLENS since she was a bit concerned about it causing some continuing irritation based on the ingredient profile and it was pretty much producing a bunch of gunk.

She then recommended Estrace which is an estradiol vaginal cream. I expressed my reservations about using this in terms of how it is absorbed into the bloodstream and not wishing to introduce higher levels of estrogen into my body....of course making this statement based on a lot of fear generating blogs which don't really understand the chemistry of this treatment. As other women can relate, I'm sure, my concerns are more than likely similar to theirs, in not really wanting to mess with mother nature, but I could not allow my life to deteriorate as I knew it. I wanted to maintain life like when I was younger and full of vim and vigor.

Thank goodness for her kindness and willingness to explain and educate me in the science with no condescension. She told me not to use the applicator and to only use a daub of cream in the immediate area and slightly deeper, and this is all it would take to rejuvenate my tiny pink parts. She assured me, this reduced risk due to dosing and the miniscule amount that would travel internally would be so insignificant as to bodily absorption, should not bear any level of worry on my part, basically no more than what I get naturally from fruits and vegetables. Plus estradiol is a bio identical estrogen our own bodies create or did create. She only wanted to assist with the localized conditions of dryness, irritation and restoring the plumpness and suppleness to the area, just like any good face cream can do.

Taking Care Of Our Pink Parts

Even though there are many of my readers that try to use as much organic and natural products as they can, including myself, such as handmade soaps using butters and oils, they apparently, still should never be used on our pink parts. Things like douches, soaps, cleansing gels, are all problematic and can further contribute to the symptoms stated above.

My doctor advised me that all we should use is warm water during our showers and to only take clear water baths with a touch of skin softening essential oils. We, of course, can absolutely wash the external area of the vulva with a favorite cleanser, but never go beyond this and only use rinse water for gentle care of our pink parts.

Many bloggers have recommended all sorts of concoctions out of our kitchen cupboards such as olive oil and such for vaginal dryness, but although natural, it is never a replacement for actually correcting what our body is going through as we age....it is so much more involved.

Personal Choice

Of course using any type of estrogen cream is a personal choice and some may still have reservations on this issue. The only thing I can add, is to do research as I did, get all the facts as to dose and risk, and then visit with your doctor to see if using a daub of estradiol cream can correct many of the unwanted side effects women get as they age, with minimal risk.

By using topical estrogen for targeted treatment instead of a broad overall treatment with oral HRT, we also eliminate the processes of the liver, whereby further eliminating risk to those that may be susceptible to blood clot related HRT or contribute to hormone related breast cancer by substantially increasing estrogen throughout the body that we no longer want or need otherwise.

As a whole, I am doing fantastic and my body has not missed the estrogen, so I pretty much sailed through menopause with little problem and with zero medical intervention, except for the one important side effect that seems to have been easily remedied. Plus I am now blessed with carrying around a few extra post menopausal pounds which as explained by my doctor, are murder for taking off these days. It is what it is I guess.....

The creation of Estrace cream certainly restored my faith in modern science, and revitalized a new carefree desire in me, and has literally turned back the clock and allowed me to continue to have a fulfilled love life with my main squeeze.....after all we are sensitive, sexual beings from cradle to grave. I thankfully learned, it doesn't need to end at menopause. And after the initial treatment of everyday for a week, I now only need it 2 x per week for maintenance. A small price to pay for keeping me young in more ways than one.

I am coming to the realization, that aging and menopause is not the end of life, but a new beginning of freedom, with modern science lending a helping hand on occasion.

Cheers to my fellow compatriots in life's trials and tribulations.

Cancer Treatment and Skincare and Makeup

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is the month to remind us to keep ourselves checked out and do our annual mammograms as determined by our age, medical history, and heritage.

But it is also about celebrating women who have fought the good fight and survived their disease. Breast Cancer Awareness is the best for keeping women, young and old, in the loop with the latest technologies and cure rates when breast cancer is found early.....and a mammogram will do that in the vast majority of cases.

My Poor Skin

Believe it or not, there are things we can do to keep our skin looking radiant and healthy. As many of us know, along with treatment of cancer, which in most cases does involve radiation or chemotherapy, and in some instances, both, comes with some of the less than desirable side effects. Typical issues are hair loss, dry, flaky skin, discolorations of the skin, brittle nails, and sometimes skin that becomes hyper-sensitive to touch or anything we apply to it or wear against it..... Yes, going through cancer treatment is never easy, yet some of us will and / or have reacted differently to various treatments. Our bodies can look and feel depleted, and how we feel on the inside can be reflected on the outside, which in turn can take a toll on us emotionally as well.

Even eyebrows and eyelashes can be lost for the duration of the treatment. Just remember though, it is only temporary and they will all grow back. Our skin of course, needs tender loving care also.

Getting Into A Routine

Now is not the time to begin changing your regimen if what you have been using has worked thus far. However, you may wish to search for more gentle products if you have, let's say, been using liquid makeups or a skincare that utilized AHA's, Retinols, or BHA's. These can all be potentially irritating with the many synthetic chemicals involved. Maybe now is the time to go simple and even research the possibility of finally trying out mineral makeup. The last thing skin needs, is any harsh products being used. What may have once been just fine in the past, may now be like throwing gasoline on your skin as it reacts and changes with the treatments.

Stick with simple skincare that offers gentle cleansers, primarily cream cleansers and avoid those that lather, no matter how gentle they may be. A creamy cleanser will keep the skin soft without stripping or drying it out....and then of course a very good facial cream for moisture enhancement.

Get rid of old makeup, dirty hairbrushes, used sponges, and skin care products past their shelf date. During cancer treatment, the skin is especially fragile at this time because it cannot regenerate itself in a normal way.

Other good ideas are to go fragrance free, such as anything heavily scented that touches you now has the potential to irritate your skin, including your favorite perfume, toilet paper, facial tissue, scented laundry soap, dryer sheets and fabric softener. Cutting these out of your life for a time is not a big sacrifice.

Use a humidifier, particularly in the bedroom while you sleep. It's an excellent idea because it adds moisture to the skin and the hair. But then, I have always touted the use of a humidifier regardless, especially in winter for those that live in cold, dry climates.

Wear gloves.... hands are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body to experience dryness, cracking and fissures because they're constantly placed under adverse conditions. Wear clean, dry, long, waterproof gloves for all wet household chores and thin white cotton gloves for dry household chores.

So by maintaining a regular daily skin care regimen, you will possess a sense of well-being while maintaining excellent skin health. By caring for you skin in preparation of a cancer treatment and the followup for the weeks to come, your skin will be stronger and better able to withstand the assaults of your cancer treatment. The goal is to keep your skin as healthy as possible so that you can continue with your treatment.

Quick Fixes For The Cosmetic Corrections

During the trying time of a cancer treatment, we may look at ourselves in the mirror and wonder how we can right what is going terribly wrong with our skin and face.

As I mentioned above, hair loss can be inevitable for some, and for others they will not drop a strand of hair from their heads. But for those of us that may suffer the painful pangs of eyebrows and eyelashes disappearing, along with our manes of hair from our heads, there are of course great tricks to mask this dilemma, so we can return to some semblance of a normal routine.

Even being bald as a bean, each and every one of us are still beautiful and all the more for what we can teach others through the celebration of living our lives to the fullest. Of course, a touch of makeup helps make the process a little bit easier, giving a brightness to our complexion, hence being a mood elevator.... when we look good we are able to feel good....or better at the very least.

Several Tips: For missing eyebrows and eyelashes, you can use a makeup pencil to fill in the brows, but remember to never go darker than the original color they were. If you are also wearing a wig, then by all means keep the color only a tad darker than the wig color.

For redness of the skin that can occur, then mineral makeup would be a good choice. Our mineral makeup for instance, is not only very gentle, but will cover well, soothe irritation and reduce redness with beautiful undertones that do an excellent job of color correcting. Plus you don't need to utilize a dozen products to accomplish what a single jar of mineral makeup foundation will do for the complexion.

For those wanting to restore the look of eyelashes until they grow back, a brownish black eye liner or pencil works great for this. Simply apply tiny dots, on the natural lash line and it will give the illusion of eyelashes, yet will still appear quite natural to the eye.

A Great Resource For Women With Cancer

The American Cancer Society offers free seminars to women afflicted with cancer and it is defined by wishing to help women Look Good and Feel Better program. It is a national service, so a quick phone call to their toll free number will direct you to the closest workshop near you.

Many volunteer beauty professionals offer their services to women needing help to reorganize their routine and keep themselves looking good, so they will feel better about themselves and be able to persevere through their cancer treatment. Maintaining one's self esteem can do wonders for keeping a positive mindset during the fight for life.

You may also get involved in one of the workshops offered by ACS, along with self help materials being offered to help women soldier on and be the best they can be during this challenging time.

Breast cancer can be cured when detected early and the stats are showing new technology is also preserving breast tissue while eradicating the cancer. Radical mastectomies are no longer the norm when caught early. At least not like they were in my younger days. This was also what generated so much fear of discovering a lump. Women feared the worst, and identified the diagnosis as losing part of their sexuality, feeling somehow they would then become less of a woman with the loss of a breast(s) This no longer need be the case. In fact, the option of lumpectomies are becoming far more popular with many oncologists today with excellent success for the cure.

Take care and make sure you get your annual mammogram, and always do breast self exams each month in the shower. As the old saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

I personally have found this method the easiest to do and the best way to find tiny bumps or bulges that may seem odd at the time, but in 9 times out of 10, are normal changes to our bodies. Not all bumps mean cancer....please remember that. Because nothing can allow a cancer to spread faster, than a fear of finding something, that may absolutely turn out to be nothing at all.

Now to follow my own advice and set my appointment today!

Cheers Ladies and God Bless, and remember to share stories of our weaknesses, strengths, challenges some of us may face and the transformation of a desire to set new goals. Our futures are what we make of them.....don't waste a moment of it because life is fleeting.....love much.....love well.....be loved!

Keratosis Pilaris -Red Patchy Skin and Bumps On Arms

Wouldn't You Know It!

Every time I mull over what to write about, all I have to look to it seems, is things I have faced in my own life. The longer I am on this planet, the more things I have dealt with.

My doctor used to say to me, "Katie, you are certainly not a hypochondriac, but when you get something, you really get it." I have had a few health scares over the years, suffering a blood clot in the lung, bouts of vertigo for no apparent reason, and even contracted the Parvo virus, if you can believe it....what human gets a disease prevalent in canines? But then again, it is me.....sometimes I boggle the minds of the medical community.....but that is another story.

Ever wonder what a reddish, bumpy area on your arms has been all this time?

I have also for many years had this odd discoloration on my upper arms, which included reddish bumps with tiny whiteheads, and I thought it was a form of acne. I would also get a few of these on my back. They never seemed to itch and they never hurt like acne, but the red bumps would get crusty and were particularly worse in the winter time. Well, I decided to find out what I had.....

What is Keratosis Pilaris?

Well this is a chronic condition all right, but it is only a problem for people that dislike the patchy redness and little bumps. Their increasing in frequency, singled winter time for me. I rarely suffered from the discoloration or bumps during summer months. But as we transitioned into colder weather, the bumps became more prevalent.

Keratosis Pilaris which causes acne-like bumps (resembling goose bumps) is caused from a build up of keratin, a natural protein in the skin.

Although this painless condition may remain for years, it gradually improves before age 30 in most cases....but of course not for me. Treatment of keratosis pilaris is not medically necessary; but, individuals with this condition may want to seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. Personally, I just didn't care that much about something that was confined to my arms. However, it can also be found on the face, chest, back and buttocks, and for some this could be quite disconcerting.

The initial treatment of keratosis pilaris should be intensive moisturizing. An excellent skin cream can be applied after bathing, and then re-applied several times a day. Other treatments may include good Alpha-hydroxy acids, such as Glycolic or Salicylic and they could be applied twice daily if so inclined.

Efforts to unplug pores by taking long, hot soaking tub baths and then rubbing and exfoliating the areas with a coarse washcloth, microfiber towel, or loofah sponge will work wonders. For the hard to reach spots, like on the back, loofahs are also attached to handles for getting the back scrubbed in the shower.

The Good And The Bad News

The good news is, it isn't contagious....but the bad news is, it can be spread through to your offspring....yep, that's right, it is hereditary. My mother had it, I had it, and now my daughter also has it.

More good news than bad. It is easily controlled through a major skincare regimen and tends to only be a real problem in the winter.....so basically, we are all covered up anyway, so no one is the wiser to the condition. When warmer weather prevails, short sleeves are back in, and higher humidity and sunshine are all great remedies for keratosis pilaris improving.

Now for even better news....it seems as I travel through menopause, this condition is all but gone. I would normally have the bumps showing up by now as we change into the cooler weather and forced air is running full time. So chalk up another benefit of going through the change....so far so good.

So if you have been wondering what those tiny pimple like bumps and patchy red skin are on the areas of the body described, don't worry about them. As long as they are not painful and don't itch, then you are more than likely dealing with keratosis pilaris, and not some other condition such as rosacea, psoriasis or eczema....all completely different and more invasive than a simple problem of over growth of keratin in the skin.

Get to scrubbin' and moisturizing and you can avoid the pimply bumps altogether, having smoother, softer skin. However, the red patchiness may remain until you are outside during warmer weather once again....regardless, it is a malady easily controlled with a bit of effort on your part.

Cheers.

Stop The Insanity Of Acne Cycles

Don't Accept It At Face Value

I can't even count anymore as to how many women have contacted me these past several years, about the continuing frustration they suffer from trying to clear up their acne.

Acne has become an all too common experience for many, yet the advice they receive from commercials, estheticians, dermatologists, friends or family may not be the best advice.

Unfortunately, because of that frustration, all too often, these women which contact me have accepted what they are being told at face value, yet their skin screams, "this isn't working!"....and when we speak on the phone, their emotion is real and their pain is real, and it is not lost on me....in fact in many cases, they are literally at their wits end.

Hidden Agendas

Let's look at some of this advice from a different perspective:

Commercial Promotions: Like any great marketing strategy a commercial promotes the product it wants us as a consumer to buy. It isn't necessarily a great product, or it may or may not work, but with all the hype surrounding the product, especially if it is endorsed by a person with the M.D. after their name, creates the illusion, "it must work," so we buy it strictly from an emotional response brought about by desperation.

Estheticians: They are in the business of skincare and they have been trained to address issues specifically targeting maladies of the skin. In many cases, a good esthetician can literally know and understand more fully what is going on with your skin, and can provide sound advice. However, again, be cautious, if along with the advice, they push a certain product on clients, one they may not necessarily have seen absolute results with, but is the product their salon or spa carries and a commission is received for every product they sell.

Friends and Family: They have nothing but good intentions at heart, and we want nothing more than to believe what they tell us. Perhaps they had acne as a kid, but not as an adult or vice versa. Depending on the type of acne or how severe it is, can make a huge difference on how to treat it. Though their heart may be in the right place, what they did to treat their acne, may not actually be the best course to take today. Their acne may be cleared up, but at what expense to their skin....and if it isn't, you have to wonder if you can take their advice seriously.

Dermatologists: They have the skilled knowledge of working with skin disorders and can bring about some relief for acne sufferers. However, I can't tell you how many women have seen their dermatologist, only to still be suffering from the angst of acne, or endure continuing pain, or have ongoing issues unrelated to the acne, but more from the acne treatment. Literally causing more harm to their skin than the acne itself, including eroding their self esteem.

I have even been told stories by these women, as to how their dermo actually bullied them into using a product they knew would dry out their skin worse, but the acne would be gone. In this context, this suggests to me, these types of dermatologists only concern themselves with clearing up the acne, but leave little in results of overall soothing and healing of the skin in its entirety, or providing patient support to the underlying emotions behind the affliction.

Unfortunately, some doctors are afforded a certain type of reverence based on their title, but sometimes we need to remember they are still just people, whereby, they do and can make mistakes. And in some cases, they will promote a particular line of skincare products with the same harmful ingredients which contribute to more dryness or irritation.....this utterly flabbergasts me!

If you have an intimidating doctor, seek help elsewhere....there is a fabulous doctor for you somewhere...I know....my dermatologist is the kindest and gentlest doctor, and is one of the 3 I see for their specific specialty! Mutual respect is a must for both patient and doctor, and life is too short to deal with a doctor whom lacks empathy.

Finding The Balance And Stopping The Raging Battle For Control Of Your Skin

Acne is not something to go at with a full blown assault. When it is approached in this manner, the results will be less than favorable. Yes acne is not attractive, but it is a tender issue for skin and something which should be treated gently to mitigate as little damage as one can.

Using products which dry up the acne, will also dry out your skin terribly. Then the skin tries to compensate by producing more oil (sebum). The irony of this is, overproduction of sebum is the very thing which clogs pores and feeds the bacteria which causes acne in the first place. It is almost like a call by the "dinner bell" for Propionibacterium Acnes to have a feast on your face, followed by their rapid growth which then explodes into the cystic acne, and this form is very painful and can and will leave scarring in its' wake.

What also contributes to the raging battle on ones skin is the use of drying ingredients combined with moisturizing ingredients. The skin literally fights itself, trying to compensate for all the different chemicals being used to correct one thing while destroying another.

This is insanity and makes absolutely no sense to continue with this tactic of fighting facial acne. In fact to quote the definition, "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."

The Vicious Cycle

Face produces oil....oil attracts dirt and debris and plugs pores...... oil feeds bacteria.....acne breaks out..... you use products to dry up acne and remove excess oil..... face produces more oil.....attracts more dirt and debris and plugs pores...... oil feeds rapidly growing bacteria.....more acne breaks out....you use more products to dry up acne and remove excess oil.....infinity!

And in most cases, these same women avoid moisturizers....very bad idea....or they use a moisturizer with synthetic emollients, or the wrong type of emollients, thinking this is all they can use. Yet certain emollients contribute to more occlusion of pores and can actually still contribute to enhancing dry patches on the face.

Also product labels which state "oil free" are not necessarily oil free, but are comprised of silicone oils. So the connotation really means by definition, doesn't contain mineral oil or other petroleum based emollients. But due to this labeling practice, it has many acne sufferers afraid of anything "oil."

Bottom line silicone oils of dimethicone and cyclomethicone and their derivatives are a synthetic oil and do not moisturize.  Any ingredient name incorporating in part, the word "Siloxanes"  is also considered part of the dimethicone / cyclomethicone family.  All of these are actually designed to trap moisture against skin, which is not sustainable unless other moisturizing properties are utilized.  This is extremely rare....typically this type of product contains a fatty acid and alcohol derivative profile which can be considered a surfactant and / or an emollient, but should not be confused as it having moisturizing properties.  In terms of a "synthetic emollient", these are utilized to give skin a soft feel only and prevent further dehydration of the skin.  Basically locking moisture against the skin after washing the face.

So you are essentially sealing your skin with a thin oily, slick coating of Saran Wrap....results, typically more acne.  Plus once the product that contains a silicone derivative is applied to the skin it essentially becomes a velvety, silken dry residue, so applying another moisturizer over the top will do nothing now that the skin has been sealed.  This can also prevent mineral makeup products from properly adhering to the face due to this drier, non moisturizing texture on the skin, giving a less than desirable finish.

12 Ingredients To Avoid Which Contribute To Irritation, Dryness, Flakiness, Or Occlusion Of The Skin

• Benzoyl Peroxides
• Salicylic Acids and Glycolic Acids
• Bismuth Oxychloride
• Fragrance Oils
• Retin A
• Mineral Oil (Petrolatum)
• Lanolin
• Silicone Oils (dimethicone, cyclomethicone, anything Siloxane)
• Beeswax
• Detergent (Sulfates)
• Alcohol Derivatives (thickeners, surfactants, emollients, emulsifiers)
• Nanoparticles

What is also contradictory to treating acne, is the fact that many of these ingredients will also leave the skin in a constant state of inflammation, giving a never ending pink tinge to the face.

The Oil Factor Can Be The Magic Bullet

There are actually fantastic natural essential oils known for treating and clearing up acne, while also soothing skin and moisturizing it. Certain oils are not the enemy when used correctly and will actually control and reduce the over production of pore clogging sebum.

In fact the oil cleansing method works wonders for cleaning and dissolving debris, dirt, and excess sebum, while soothing, softening and balancing the skin, whereby finally ending the vicious cycle of oil production which contributes to acne. Not only does this method not strip the skin, but leaves a micro thin layer of protection on the skin.

A skincare regimen which utilizes herbal extracts and natural oils will work beautifully for gently and slowly aiding in the healing and prevention of acne breakouts.

Do not fear a moisturizer, but fear the moisturizing ingredients used in substandard products which only drain your pocketbook, contribute to ongoing frustration and essentially do little for resolving your acne.

Essential Oils Known For Treating Oily Skin and Acne Associated With It:

Never use these full strength but look for them as a component to your skincare products.

• Tea Tree Oil
• Bergamot Oil
• Clove Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Rosewood Oil
• Orange Blossom Oil
• Calendula Oil
• Lemon Oil
• Sweet Orange Oil

Carrier Oils For Balancing, Moisturizing or Cleansing Skin

• Jojoba Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Meadowfoam Oil
• Neem Oil

Herbal Extracts or Distillates For Soothing, Balancing or Restoration of Skin

• Aloe Juice
• Chamomile Flower Extract
• Green Tea Extract
• Fruit Extracts (gentle AHA's)
• Comfrey Root (Allantoin)
• Marshmallow Root
• Oatstraw Extract
• Rooibos Extract
• Sandalwood Extract
• Rose Distillate
• Witch Hazel (alcohol free)
• Chamomile Distillate
• Cucumber Distillate
• Lavender Distillate

Raw Ingredients For Soothing, Calming or Reducing Acne (in mineral makeup or masks)

• Rice Starch
• Kaolin Clay
• Oat Powder
• Allantoin
• Zinc Oxide (non nano dry form)

Finding Peace And Calm

This is what will actually begin to stop the insanity of acne cycles, by treating the skin gently and allow holistic methods to do their job and bring about real change on the skin naturally. In some rare instances there are liquid makeups which can be used, but for the most part, they are comprised with many pore clogging ingredients, which is why mineral makeup was clearly invented. Besides when minerals meld with your organic moisturizer, it is like wearing the ultimate in makeup application.

Furthermore, by using some of these botanical ingredients such as Jojoba, Grapeseed, Avocado and Olive oils, they simulate the fatty acid profile, squalene and wax esters of your natural sebum, but without clogging your pores. The best part is, they not only do not disrupt skin function, but work in tandem with your skins natural functions while also working to soften, soothe and hydrate the skin continuously.

The final outcome, sebum production reduces, acne begins to heal and even lessens between occurrences, and the skin can at long last return to a more revitalized appearance with fewer or zero outbreaks in the future....and that is a good thing....beautiful skin can be a reality!

To learn more about moisturizing oily, combo or acne prone skin, my article, "Does Oily Skin Need Moisturizing Too?" will explain in detail the benefits of how, why and best ways of clearing up and reducing oil on your skin forever!

Also another great article is dealing with the "Myths About Acne Revealed and Debunked." Or to learn more about botanical and synthetic ingredients in skincare is "Synthetic Chemical Skincare vs Organic Botanical Skincare."

We are also closing early on Wednesday, Nov 24th, at 12 pm to enjoy a long holiday weekend. All orders placed during the holiday weekend will be processed the following week.

The Skin Care Guide will not publish next week. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers

Does Oily Skin Need Moisturizing Too?

Faces That Produce Oil

Many women write to me about how oily their skin is and want to know if they can skip the moisturizing step to their skincare regimen before applying their mineral makeup.

The answer to this perplexing dilemma is "no..... skin always needs to be moisturized, especially oily skin." However, this answer is simplistic and I find myself needing to elaborate to help them understand the benefits of moisturizing even oily faces.....and that is what has prompted me to write this article.

The word oil in any context on an ingredient list can send shivers down ones' spine if they struggle with always trying to correct the over production of sebum. Well, fear not because certain oils in skincare products are not the enemy to oily skin....and will become your skins' new best friend.

Although it sounds contradictory to apply a moisturizer to oily skin, especially one that may contain oils, except it actually will help reduce sebum production and give skin a better texture. Most women who think it makes the oily skin worse or increases their acne, which is typically a side effect of oily skin, simply need to understand this concept and to retrain their thinking of what a moisturizer really is. Oily skin also tends to be thicker than normal to dry skin types, with larger pores. Their faces can literally look like an oil slick within an hour or so after washing.

Also, they think cleansing is the only answer.....and this is great for removing excess oil, debris and grime from the face, but over cleansing will strip the skin whereby creating the cycle of the face producing more oil to compensate.

Moisturizing the face is not just for normal to dry skin types, but is for all.

What Is A Moisturizer

First off, when our face produces oil, it is not the same as hydration of the skin and in many cases can be linked to hormonal changes. That is why as we mature and then finally go through menopause, oil production is reduced, our skin becomes drier and our skin thins. Although it isn't as prevalent as in the past, oily skin can still be a problem, just not to the degree as when we were younger.

A moisturizer increases water content in the skin and prevents further moisture loss when infused with natural humectants. These will attract moisture from the air keeping skin moist and supple throughout the day. Moisturizers also smooth skin and will actually aid with skin cell turnover, especially those that have natural fruit acids. Pore clogging sebum is thicker, attracts dirt and debris, allowing skin cells to become occlusive causing the endless battle with acne. Also sebum is the food for acne bacteria, so keeping it to a minimal is a good thing.

By slowing evaporation of moisture on the face, sebum producing cells shut down, and when using certain types of organic oils which mimic our own sebum, your skin will produce less and less until such time as you can enjoy an entire day without the oil slick or at least to a much lesser degree.

Bottom line oily skin is not hydration but a reaction to a lack of it. And if you are using acne products which tend to exacerbate this condition by drying the skin, causing flakiness and tightness, then the endless cycle of cleansing and treating never ends to fight oil production and everything else is a band-aid.

Treating The Oily Skin Type

Believe it or not, women can complain of having oily skin, yet they claim their skin feels tight and uncomfortable. Now you would think with oily skin, it would feel more lubricated, but again, oil is not moisture and oily skin does not make skin smooth and supple. Women with oily skin can also be sensitive, irritated, and experience stinging conditions when using some skincare products. Though it is rare, sensitivities do occur in women with this skin type.

Typically in these instances they are using acne treatments either within the moisturizer itself (Glycolic Acid AHA, Salicylic Acid BHA, Retin A, Benzoyl Peroxide, Accutane, Pro Activ) the list can be endless, or they use them as stand alone products after they cleanse. These only serve to dry the skin further, cause peeling and excessive flakiness, and keep the face in constant state of inflammation, only making acne worse.

But I can't Stand The Heavy Feel

Yes....certain moisturizers can feel too heavy to someone with oily skin. Certain emollients (mineral oil, lanolin, paraffin, dimethicone, cyclomethicone, anything siloxane, petroleum derived ingredients, castor oil) will cause occlusion of pores and make a moisturizer feel like you are smearing buttery grease on your face. These ingredients are too heavy for any skin type and are not necessary to achieve protection from loss of moisture. Some also can be irritating to sensitive skin such as the silicone oils and lanolin and be quite occlusive....perplexing to me, I see some of these same ingredients in skincare that is recommended for acneic skin...huh?

There are lighter weight moisturizing emollients such as cold pressed plant oils (avocado, coconut, grapeseed, jojoba (actually wax ester), olive, tea tree) which work to perfection without leaving a greasy feel, are readily absorbed into the dermis layer and also possess natural humectant properties including that of vegetable glycerin. The added benefit of plant oils is they also contain natural sterolins and sterols for anti-inflammatory effect and possess antibacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant properties for an overall holistic healing experience, leaving pore clogging and irritating synthetic chemical ingredients in the dust.

In fact Jojoba Oil mimics our own natural sebum, restores pH balance to the skin and is excellent at dissolving pore clogging sebum whereby reducing acne breakouts. This miracle oil, after only a few minutes, is completely absorbed and leaves skin with a velvet texture, and it is why it is in our Evening Rose Veil and our Mineral Makeup Foundations.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil stands alone as a face wash for dissolving excess sebum and grime and softens blackheads, supports the skins' acid mantle, and since it is non-occlusive, it assists in allowing skin to breathe. Wonderful addition to skin creams!

The problem perceived with using certain emollients and synthetic emulsifiers in commercially prepared, mass marketed formulas, is they are used in the incorrect combination and they can actually make skin feel drier. So there is this battle raging on your face with your skin trying to compensate for the drying effects of one ingredient while another is trying to moisturize, whereby an oily face occurs.

By using botanical ingredients such as Jojoba, Avocado and Olive oils, they simulate the fatty acid profile, squalene, and wax esters of your natural sebum, but without clogging your pores. The best part is, they not only do not disrupt skin function, but work in tandem with your skins natural functions while also working to soften, soothe and hydrate the skin continuously.

Now with the benefits stated and you still are unsure, when applying an organic moisturizer to oily skin, you can reduce the amount you put on due to the high concentrations of these plant oils...it takes so little for an optimal effect. They are much lighter in texture so they are quite easy to disperse on the skin and can be thinned to just using a scant portion.

Example ~ our skincare products we recommend a pearl size or less for entire face, neck and decolletage. You can thin the cream further, not only by applying to a moistened face (which is preferred for optimum moisture retention on skin) but by reducing it to as small as a pea size and move quickly across the skin thinning out the texture. This will give a very light weight feel to the extreme, yet will go far at sustaining moisture, reduce dryness, and keep skin from producing excessive levels of sebum.

Keep That Moisture Coming


Additional humectants on top of natural humectants found in some plant oils, are added to skin creams to keep skin moist throughout the day. Some examples are Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Propylene Glycerol, Honey and Hylauronic Acid.

Even if you live in a dry climate, spritzing with moisturizing sprays or distilled water throughout the day will go far to bringing additional moisture to the skin where the humectants are ready and waiting to hold it there for a time.

Reducing Oily Skin And Clearing Up Acne

When using moisturizers and other skincare products that are infused with plant extracts, plant oils, fruit acids and plant distillates, you have a winning combination for dealing with skin problems, fighting aging, not causing acne and improving overall skin texture. These ingredients create an unsurpassed synergetic blend (working in unison) of a highly effective skincare regimen for all skin types, and will go far at improving oily skin, whereby acne which is the side effect, should also improve. We also don't add water to our emulsions like so many others, but Aloe Vera Juice to supplement our skincare formulas.

Sensitivities will also reduce when products are eliminated with skin drying ingredients and the stronger AHA's (glycolic acid) and BHA's (salicylic acid). Natural fruit acids are alpha hydroxy acids also and work well since when used everyday, whether in our cleanser, toner or serum will have a cumulative effect and will maintain an exfoliated skin. Also cleansing with the use of our Microfiber facial towels can be far gentler and replace the need for stronger products which create further irritation.


Women Ask About ONATI: Which Skincare Regimen For This Skin Type

• Honey Foaming Cleansing Gel ~ will not dry out or strip skin, is detergent free as we use gentle surfactants derived from coconut and fruit sugars, and helps maintain pH levels along with providing a protective layer to the skin through the use of Honey.
• Perfect Balance Facial Toner ~ provides light moisturizing properties, balances pH, tea tree oil for even the occasional breakout, and has natural fruit acids for gentle exfoliation of skin. Not to be confused with a drying astringent which will strip skin of its' delicate acid mantle.
• Calm and Refresh Face Cream ~ very lightweight moisturizer and is infused with natural plant oils, and plant extracts for helping with acne and their scars, fights free radicals, calms stressed facial tissue and never feels greasy....it feels more like a light lotion in application.
• Vitamin Rich Facial Serum ~ Alternative to cream if one can't wrap their mind around putting skin cream on their face...this is extremely lightweight, it is a serum not a cream, and can be used as a very light moisturizer for oily skin. It is loaded with natural humectants and antioxidants, also possesses gentle fruit acids to assist with exfoliation of skin.
• Grecian Secret Body Souffle ~ Although this is a head to toe cream, its' texture is whipped light and fluffy and moisturizes without greasiness. And Extra Virgin Olive Oil only is ideal for soothing acne, is rich in sterols and is a natural humectant. Depending on usage and following directions, it is also very economical! It comes in 3 delectable scents made from an aromatherapy blend of essential oils and unscented for extremely sensitive skin types.

Remember, for lighter weight moisture when using any of our creams, the more damp the skin is, the further the product will go. This should finally answer the question that has been a source of confusion for those with oily skin type.

Glad to be back at writing, I think I went through withdrawal there.

Wishing everyone a great weekend and the best in 2010!

Treating A Cold Sore Or Fever Blister

After resting up from a nasty head cold, you wake up on a morning where you seem to be feeling much better, fever has broken and head is cleared....but uh...there is a slight tingling and perhaps an itchy feeling occurring on your lip....you touch it, stare at it in the mirror, not really seeing anything just yet. You get that distinct feeling you know what it is.....you are pretty sure it is the dreaded fever blister or cold sore beginning to rear its ugly head. (I only wish I could look this good when I arise in the morning. Coffee in hand, bed head and fuzzy pink bath robe and slippers, that's me!! Give me a hot shower and I am halfway there. But I digress!)

You lick your lip to be sure...yep....a tiny little hard bump is forming and the more you lick the spot, it seems to grow by the second. Great....your body just doesn't seem to want to cut you a break. Just what you need, right?.... as you get ready to go back to work or get out for some fun on the weekend!

Then as you begin to get up and get ready for your day, take a nice hot shower washing yourself, and your hand grazes the neck area, you realize this cold sore or fever blister is going to be a doozy because you can even feel a mild pain taking up residence in your lower jaw.

It is your body giving you a nice little gift to remind you to take better care of yourself.

Cold sores and fever blisters are typically associated with a virus we have within our immune systems known as the Herpes Simplex virus. Most people (about 80% to 90% of the population) have it and it is brought about by illness and a build up of stress in our lives. In this weakened state our immune system now makes us more susceptible to the otherwise dormant herpes virus. It is our badge that announces to the world I have neglected myself for too long. Even a small injury to the mouth can bring one on, such as chapped, cracked lips or biting the lip.

Some people may only get an outbreak once in their lives and others may have one up to 4 times per year. Doctors can only treat them symptomatically since there is no cure. Typically they will run their course in a period of 7 - 10 days time. But perhaps you can fight back and shorten the time.

This is my personal home remedy that has worked for me over the years and timing is everything.

At the first sign of a cold sore or fever blister, and I do mean the first sign, the itchy, tingly feeling, but no sign of the sore yet, I take a tab of aspirin, 325 milligrams, everyday along with keeping the lip super moisturized, until the sensation subsides. Usually the fever blister or cold sore recedes within 1-3 days, and never comes to its fullest painful potential.

Now if I miss my window of prevention by a millisecond, then I follow the routine of aspirin and treating my lip with Vicks VapoRub. This little miracle worker is usually no farther than your medicine cabinet....I mean who doesn't own a jar of this stuff? This incredible stuff usually keeps it to the tiniest size and it won't reach the full scope of an untreated cold sore or fever blister. I've tried the hot compresses to no avail, usually enlarging it, but it works great for softening the blister and helping it to drain, which in turn can bring about faster healing, but it doesn't do anything for keeping that little sucker from coming forth and growing.

Why this home remedy works can only be attributed to aspirin being an anti-inflammatory and has holistic healing properties, and the Vicks has the holistic plant extracts, Camphor and Eucalyptus in it which act as an antiseptic, they are counter irritants and have anti-microbial, calming and soothing properties. Combined in the Vicks base, it also will keep the lip moisturized well. So even if my fever blister or cold sore has taken hold, Vicks VapoRub works to reduce the size, the pain, and create faster healing time.

Now for the Legal Disclaimer: I make no medical claim as to the benefit of this recipe. The information is not meant to replace those opinions of your doctor. Any concerns should be shared with him or her. The information provided is not intended to prescribe, treat, cure, or prevent certain diseases or ailments and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. I furthermore make no warranty as to the effectiveness of this formula. You may or may not have similar experiences. Results can vary.

Now that I have gotten that out of the way.....next time you might feel the symptoms described, even if this is your very first one in your life, you will recognize it and can begin early treatment to stave off the full outbreak. And remember to de-stress your life, take care of yourself and get plenty of rest to avoid an outbreak all together. Also make sure you keep the cold, wind and sun from your lips, especially if you ski whether on water or snow. I don't know how many times I have seen ski enthusiasts sport these lovely little nasties. It is so important to take care of our lips because as some of us have learned, if you crack your lips, it may not be isolated to a single breakout but a few can emerge in one viral attack. And if you treat just one, you may very well be preventing others from emerging. So take good care of the first one even if you don't catch it in time.

Well enjoy our better weather that is headed our way this weekend. Hopefully I will be out riding my bike after getting over a serious head cold myself this past week. It was a doozy and my hubby suffered right along with me. Perhaps that saying is true, "Misery Loves Company" because we were quite the pair.

If you have a favorite home remedy for what ails you, be sure to share it with us since home remedies are sometimes the best!

Take Care and Happy Weekend!

Synthetic Chemical Skincare vs Organic Botanical Skincare

What Do You Look For?

As we all know there are so many skincare products on the market to choose from, the task of choosing the right one can be daunting. What's in it?....How is it represented?....What does it cost?......Is it attractive? Well, it actually boils down to the proof is in the puddin'!

The decision to make a choice comes from many factors but only the last example is what matters:

• Pricing ~ High or low. Some will shop according to budget and others think unless it is sporting a high price tag it isn't any good or won't work. The same can be true for really inexpensive products, the saying "you get what you pay for" rings true in this instance, but you certainly don't need to pay $100.00 to $200.00 an ounce to get a great skincare product.

• Packaging ~ Expensive packaging captures our sense of value as to the level of how well something works when very little value is actually placed within the products. This includes the high tech scientific packaging that creates a belief it is the most innovative when most of the ingredients have been around for years.

• Name Recognition ~ We are bombarded with commercials singing the praises of a long standing company's products, and we purchase on emotion rather than what is actually offered inside.

• A Name With Innuendo ~ This captures a thought then creates a belief in our head which responds to a promise a name might offer. (ie; Age Reversal, Botox in a bottle, Anti-aging)

• Sales Pitch ~ These are fine unless the person doing the pitching has little to no real knowledge as to what is in the products or how they work.

• Ingredients ~ Can be synthetically created or will be comprised of Organic botanicals in their purest forms to maintain the healing essences for which they are used.

Although all of these things matter to a degree in order to capture the senses of the consumer, the majority of these things are irrelevant if what is inside the package is useless and serves only to create hype surrounding a product.

Chemicals In My Skincare Jar

Natural or synthetically derived products carry with them the process to have them reach their safe form for use in cosmetics. Many of us don't realize what goes into creating an ingredient and what other chemicals are utilized in order to have the finished product be safe. An example of how a synthetically derived ingredient goes from an impurity to a cosmetically safe one is described in my Bismuth Oxychloride Article.

This is not to say that all ingredients that are chemically synthesized are bad for the skin since minerals and iron oxides must go through a chemical process in order for them to be safe to be used in cosmetics. Nothing mined from the earth intended for cosmetics are safe for skin without going through this process. It is more about the level of chemical manipulation in order to create a safe ingredient. Bismuth Oxychloride to be achieved must go through several levels of extreme chemical manipulation in order to make the impure form of bismuth, pure, since in its' raw form it is chemically related to arsenic.

Skincare Improved With Organic Botanicals

Botanicals in most cases are gently extracted through steam distillation, cold pressed, expeller-pressed and in some cases will be chemically extracted such as the case of Grapefruit Seed Extract. Finding this ingredient in its pure form today is not always the case since it is typically solvent extracted. Not to be confused with Grapeseed Oil as its' benefits remain the same of what this oil can offer skin.

Dr. Perricone has the right idea and has written books on the subject about what we put into our bodies as well as what we put on them, and the ramifications which can occur from this. The only reason I furrow my brow at some of what he proclaims, is in his own skincare line of products he utilizes silicone oils, (Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone) propylene glycol, SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) and parabens. I simply don't understand utilizing a few botanical ingredients for the benefit of skin and anti-aging only to permeate them with a full range of synthetic chemicals? This contradicts the basis for why we use organic products in the first place, and there is nothing holistic about his very expensive line of products as he promotes in his books. What is interesting about this as well, a botanical ingredient is far more expensive than a synthetic one in most cases, so what constitutes his price point?........I have no idea!

Understanding Skin Sensitivity Causes

When using either formulation of skincare products whether they are filled with synthetics or with botanicals for fighting aging, it is important to understand the differences and how skin will react. Botanicals just like synthetics can cause a skin sensitivity to an individual, much in the same way a person might be allergic to grasses or pollens in flowers, or poison ivy. These are all natural but some of us will react when coming in contact with them. I personally have allergies to sage when in bloom, and my skin goes ballistic if I even brush up against juniper, yet I can roll in poison ivy and not have a reaction...... go figure!

Synthetics can have the same effect. Some will react in severe ways while others will do just fine. It depends on the level of sensitivity our skin has to the chemical processes an ingredient might go through since it may not be the ingredient necessarily, but what chemicals were used to create it. And this process is not required to be on the label.

What Synthetics Can Pose Problems For Skin Health

Synthetic skincare is widely used, yet synthetic ingredients are being demonized by watchdog groups who claim they can show long term ill effects to our bodies. What I also find however, most of this information is suspect when I see huge data gaps and antiquated information being used to support a "precautionary principle" standard.

The most popular chemicals these political groups claim that are a cause for concern (or should say under attack) are Propylene Glycol, Phthalates, Artificial Fragrances, Dyes and Lakes, and SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). There are other chemical synthetics infused into skincare lines and many which I can't pronounce, much less spell. These products when used by the consumer may cause a reaction, plug pores, as much as any other certain natural ingredient can, may give pause to what our skin may be absorbing, because our skin can absorb these chemicals at some level. However, it is better to identify the level at which they are actually penetrating deeply enough to reach the dermis layer, whereby crossing into the blood brain barrier. In terms of how the science community describes skin penetration, it is highly unlikely since skin is an impermeable barrier, if the actual truth be known.

To date cosmetics have the best safety record in history and there isn't any reason to believe they are the cause of long term ill effects. Basically, all the lopsided theories in regard to the personal care products is speculative rather than actual science. Make no mistake however, our skin is the largest organ on our body and its our first line of defense against sun, pollution and toxic ingredients whereby creating a barrier against outside assaults to our body, so we must take care of it properly.

Some products use synthetics extensively, which includes preservatives and just a touch of botanicals and claim it is natural or organic for the skin. When reading the ingredient label, you kind of have to wonder, what is the point? When the products primarily consist of synthetic chemicals with a few fancy organics, the benefits an organic can offer is negated by the synthetics used.

The Botanical Ingredient Alternative With True Benefits

When dealing with Botanically derived skincare, the majority of ingredients are highly concentrated, are in their purest form, and through gentle extraction methods, the natural holistic benefits are retained.

Essential oils, Distillates, Nut Butters, Herbal Extracts and Cold Pressed Oils are among the finest and most expensive ingredients found in a skincare line geared toward keeping it pure, natural, with skin reactions being quite rare since many of the ingredients have been shown their benefits throughout the ages in holistic or Ayurvedic medicine.

Synthetics have not and are never used for Holistic Health Care.

Making The Argument

There are those that believe organics can't do the same thing as a synthetic chemical counterpart, convinced that science is perfection for accomplishing the impossible. Well, science is important since it is science combined with nature that creates the best skincare products. Holistic healing and Ayurveda are sciences of ancient origin and it is through the combination of using gentle botanicals, natures' healing processes are in tune with our body, mind and soul. It is the whole package.

Also when using skincare which is comprised of mostly organics, a person used to using synthetically derived skincare will realize how very little of the organic skincare it takes to achieve similar or better results on their skin. Synthetic chemicals can sit on the skin or are absorbed in their unchanged state since they will not synthesize with skin due to them not being synergetic with our skin cells. (Example: Micro Collagen, though it sounds great, does not replace our own collagen)

Organics are by the very definition, synergetic to our bodies since they are derived from living organisms which are bio-available to our skin cells and will be quite soothing and cooling to the skin. They possess skin toning effects, and age-defying properties and can be a collagen stimulant, but they will not go beyond what genetics has created for us. No product can! Only a very tiny bit of a botanical ingredient is necessary. When combined with other rich botanicals, the results are an extremely concentrated effective form of skincare which is in tune with our bodies. Our skin further benefits from a botanical ingredients' effects which provides nutrients rich in vitamins and minerals, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties.

Tip: Don't use more than what is directed since this will not make it work faster or better, but will be a waste of product. You will know if you are using too much if your skin feels greasy or oily for any length of time after application. Your skin should feel supple and soft after an application. Products sitting on top of the face is the excess. Our skin can only take up what it needs and anything more is wasted and could cause adverse effects such as having an occlusive effect, perhaps perpetuating more acne cycles.

Proper Application Ratios

The woman on the right is what most of us are used to when applying commercial preparations of skincare. It takes this much in order for our skin to feel moisturized and supple, plus this is how many companies prescribe its' use so they can sell more skin cream since you will use it up much faster. Silicone oils and propylene glycol are what give commercial preparations their slip across the skin, yet this can leave our skin feeling oily or greasy if too much is used. Also, many companies claim to be oil free, yet I submit to you, silicone is a synthetically derived oily substance.

Example: Dimethicones and Cyclomethicones can be found in many serums and face creams including some of the most expensive on the market and can be occlusive to skin. These synthetic oils also are not moisturizing per se, but actually are utilized in skincare to help prevent moisture loss.

The woman on the left is using the correct amount for a botanical line of skincare. Just a dab on the tip of the finger is all that is required for best results, and it is about the size of a Pearl. This is ample to do the face, neck, and decolletage. Natural oils, butters, vegetable glycerin combined with moist skin are what provide the slip to botanical preparations. And in their concentrated, purist form are readily absorbed directly into the epidermis layer and beyond, giving truly exceptional benefits through going beyond just sitting on top of the skin.

More On What Can Be Expected For Acne Prone Skin

Now I wanted to explain in more detail about switching skincare regimens since I touched on this in my Acne article and what a person prone to acne may expect. As I explained, when changing skincare regimens acne may appear to get worse over the course of the next several weeks while the skin regenerates. But what I didn't explain is what exactly is going on during this time.

When using synthetic chemicals for clearing up acne, like hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, AHA's, or BHA's, these all work to suppress and / or keep pores open and clear, free of sebum buildup through something similar to exfoliation of skin.

When botanicals are used they work in a different context. Botanicals will actually assist your skin and / or body to expel the impurities from your system. A detoxification process is occurring within the skin cells. This can show outwardly such as with the case of acne. This can be in the form of a few new pimples or a massive outbreak.

Now this is the real kicker for some and might be difficult to believe; a pimple takes 3-6 weeks to form under the skin. You will not even know it is there until it pops up of its own accord over time. This is why our faces will get the occasional zit or several pimples here and there. It is all about timing and how and when the pimple began to form. One day of not cleaning our face, wearing a pore clogging makeup, perspiration under a headband left on too long. The pimple forming was created by something we missed or did to our skin several weeks back.

Patience Is Key

So now we introduce an all natural organic line of products designed to detoxify and gently exfoliate through natural fruit acids. Solutions that will not cause burning or stinging like Glycolic Acid in its' concentrated form. Some will either get a little pimple or none at all and their skin will remain flawless, or they may have a severe breakout and will instantly think they are having a reaction to the products. As much as we want to believe it, science tells us otherwise. An immediate reaction within a few days of using botanicals means that the pimples you see whether coming up a few at a time or in a massive way is the detoxification of the impurities being pulled from the skin. This is why acne pops up for those with acneic skin continuously throughout their lives, because with other chemicals the products clear pores of sebum or suppress the acne but don't get to the underlying cause. Detoxing the skin of the impurities that contribute to skin cell buildup and pore blockage such as pollutants and dirt in the air are the real cure. Plus the added bonus of botanical ingredients....they work to dissolve sebum buildup and reduce its' production, giving you a healthier complexion overall.

Most commercial cleansers clean the surface of our skin and can be irritating and drying since many contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Detergent), but rarely gets into the pores. Only a botanical ingredient can provide skin benefits due to it being synergistic with our skin cells other than a BHA (Salicylic Acid) which can cause delay in cell regeneration due to its composition of it systemically working deep within the pore to keep it clear. This is not detoxifying the skin, but mechanical removal through the use of a chemical for keeping our skin free of acne. This can also be quite harsh to delicate skin, giving the appearance of the skin being in a constant state of inflammation.

An allergic reaction would not be an acne result, but an irritation, swelling, stinging or redness which may occur if you are sensitive to a product or ingredient.

The good and bad news: bad news first..... It can take up to 60 days for a complete detox of your skin and prevention of future outbreaks. This only stands to reason due to the fact it can take up to 6 weeks alone, not a few days, for a pimple to form from something we did to our skin then.

Now for the good news...... Once detox has occurred and we now have created a new environment on the skin, one that resists bacterial growth, then skin will remain healthier and fewer outbreaks to none at all will occur over time. It is simply having to endure the process and to have patience with the progression our skin must go through to be clear of problems. And though frustrating and we all want immediate results, natural holistic remedy is not rapid but works with our own body's immune system to correct what is happening within our bodies and this takes time.

There is one silver lining to this process though...using our mineral powders will help to conceal and calm erythema, soothe the pain associated with acne or skin ulcerations, making the process a bit easier to endure. Women have noted their skin felt less inflamed and acne pain was alleviated during the day after applying their mineral powders. So keep using your minerals during the transition to healthier skin.

Just remember not all types of acne are related to plugged pores solely, other genetic and medicinal or hormonal factors can play a role, but through better skincare even these can be greatly reduced in being a factor in acneic skin. And in some very severe cases, certain types of acne will still require medical attention, certain types which I will not explain here. Sometimes medicine combined with holistic care can bring about excellent results. Great resources to better understand the different types of acne can be found on Web MD, Acne.org, or simply google "acne afflictions" or "different types of acne".

I hope this has explained and clarified the differences in skincare products and how and why they work. For a full description of every ingredient in ONATI Skin Care visit our ingredient glossary.

I wish everyone continued skin health.