3 Tips For Healthy Skin

10/2010

If you're short on time, don't cut out out these important steps to keep your skin looking young.

The three golden rules I follow for healthy skin are:

1. Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse,

2. Always wear sunscreen

3. Drink plenty of water.

These three steps will go a long way in helping you achieve clear and younger looking skin.

Cleansing your skin at least once daily (preferably at night) will remove potentially pore clogging dirt that builds up during the day. While it's tempting to skip this at the end of the day after you've worked a gazillion hours, cooked dinner and run your kids to endless after school activities, don't do it. Take the 30 seconds to spend some time on yourself and take

care of your skin.

Experts say that the key to keeping your skin young looking is not to slather on the latest and greatest expensive anti-aging products from the mall department store but rather to slather on creams that contain sunscreen that block both UVA and UVB rays. Look for creams that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are the 2 highest rated sunscreen ingredients according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Lastly, to promote both clear and younger looking skin, drink as much water as you can. Drinking water hydrates your skin making it appear plumper. It flushes toxins from your system that might otherwise be flushed out through your skin causing blemishes.

So you follow the golden rules and are ready to commit to a skin care program! Watch for my next blog post on cleansing your skin with Be Green Bath and Body products. I'll talk about the types of products we offer and how you should use them.

"Nourish your skin safely” ™Karen

Cleansing And Toning Your Skin

1/2011

Cleansing your facial skin daily is the most important part of your basic skincare routine. Don't skip this,even if you're low on time. Cleansing your skin not only removes dirt and makeup, but it improves skin circulation, removes dead skin cells and prepares skin to receive moisturizer.

Here are the steps I recommend to my customers using Be Green Bath and Body products:

1. Remove eye makeup. Be Green Bath and Body's Facial Makeup Remover can help you do that.  Our Facial Makeup Remover is oil-based (organic olive and castor oils and grapeseed oil) but it won't leave your skin oily. It contains organic mandarin and lavender essential oils known for their skin healing and calming qualities. Place a small amount on a cotton ball or pad, close your eye, and gently rub across your eye to remove the makeup. Our forumula will remove mineral makeup and waterproof mascara. Remember to keep your eye closed! If you get cloudiness in your eye you may have gotten a bit of oil in your eye. Not to worry, it will clear momentarily. Facial Makeup Remover can also be used to remove foundation on your face. This product is great for contact lens wearers (I am one!) and people of all ages: my mom uses it, I use it and my 15 year old daughter uses it.

2. Remove facial makeup. Splash warm water (hot water will dry out your skin and cold water won't' remove the grime as well) on your face to wet it. Shake the Daily Facial Cleanser and pour a quarter sized amount into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together to form a small amount of lather.  Using your finger tips, apply the cleanser to your skin using a gentle circular motion for 30 seconds.  Don't scrub too hard as this can irritate the skin. Rinse with plenty of warm water to remove the cleanser residue making sure to cover neck and hairline areas. Blot skin dry with a soft towel.  Daily Facial Cleanser works for all skin types and is especially great for those with sensitive skin or rosacea due to the gentle but effective ingredients. Be Green Bath and Body's facial cleanser will clean your skin without drying it out and the gentle exfoliants will remove dead skin cells revealing the new skin underneath. Organic castile soap for lather is combined with apricot kernel oil, organic jojoba oil, vegetable glycerin and organic honey for moisture. The reason we use a base of apricot kernel oil is because it is a light weight oil that is rich in essential fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acids. It penetrates the skin easily and is known for it's revitalizing and soothing qualities. It is appropriate for all skin times, especially inflammed skin. Other ingredients in the Daily Facial Cleanser are colloidal oatmeal, both soothing and calming, and the mild exfoliators of milk powder, fine sea salt and apricot kernel meal. As a bonus, kaolin clay effectively rids excess oil, detoxifies and slightly exfoliates skin.

3. Exfoliate using Be Green Bath and Body Cleansing Grains as often as you would like. Cleansing Grains are a mixture of organic herbs, clay, oatmeal and apricot kernel meal. They are mild and nourishing and can be used for any skin type. What's more they gently cleanse, remove dead skin cells and improve circulation. I use them about 3 times per week. I mix about 1/2 tsp of grains with 1/8 tsp of water (you can also use honey) in a tiny bowl to form a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your skin for 10 seconds or so and rinse off thoroughly with warm water then pat dry. When using cleansing grains, I usually let the grains dry on my face for about 5 minutes. You will feel the clay drying and your face feel a little tight. The clay is working to draw the toxins out of your skin. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Your skin will feel remarkably smooth! Dry skin may also feel tight. I recommend using the grains as a mask only 1 time per week if you have dry skin.

4. Apply Toner to your skin using the formula that most closely matches your skin type. Be Green Bath and Body's Toners are alcohol-free tonics made with a good amount of organic ingredients that will remove any remaining cleanser residue and oils. They leave your skin fresh and vibrant unlike most toners on the market that are loaded with alcohol that is drying and contain synthetic petrochemicals, fragrances and dyes. These are definitely not healthy for your skin! The real question, though, is do you need a toner? This question is the subject of much debate and one that you really have to answer for yourself. Honestly, if you have to skip one step this would be the one. Toners will not "close your pores" or "reduce the size of your pores". Personally, I love to use Toner. It assures me that I have removed all the dirt and grime and I haven't missed any spots during rinsing. I love the way my skin feels refreshed and smooth after I put it on and I love that the natural essential oils are doing their job balancing and soothing my skin. The smell of the essential oils is so calming so I never want to skip this step. Bottom line: try Toner for yourself and see how it makes your skin and mind feel then decide if you want to continue. 

If you do decide to use Toner (and I hope you do!), apply it after your skin is dry from cleansing. Shake the toner bottle to disperse the essential oils throughout the mixture. Squeeze a small amount onto a cotton ball and massage into your skin with a gentle motion. Follow with Facial Serum or Regenerative Night Cream.

All of Be Green Bath and Body's Toners contain alcohol free wild harvested witch hazel hydrosol and organic rose hydrosol.

Witch hazel hydrosol is a soothing and refreshing distilled water that comes from a blend of bark and leaves of the witch hazel shrub. It is antiseptic and possesses strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Rose hydrosol stimulates the skin, restores PH and controls and balances sebum production so it's helpful for all skin types.

Calming Carrot Seed Toner also contains glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin and carrot seed essential oil, containing carotene and vitamin A and known to treat dry and damaged skin by softening and rejuvenating it.

Healthy Skin Balancing Toner also contains glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin and essentials oils of palma rosa, lavender and benzoin. Palma rosa oil balances skin hydration levels and encourages cell regeneration. Lavender oil is anti inflammatory, anti viral and anti bacterial. It also helps balance the skin and encourage cell regeneration. Benzoin aids in healing chapped skin and, like lavender, is very calming.

Refreshing Rose Toner also contains cider vinegar to remove dull, dry skin and organic rose hip seed oil that is high in essential fatty acids, vitamins A, C and E. It has been shown to help prevent premature skin aging. Carrot seed essential oil contains carotene and vitamin A and is known to treat dry and damaged skin by softening and rejuvenating it. Geranium essential oil balances the skin and improves elasticity and myrrh oil balances skin hydration and tones the skin.

Ylang Ylang Soothing Toner also contains glycerin,a humectant that draws moisture to the skin and cider vinegar, a natural astringent that will kill bacteria and balance oil. Ylang ylang oil regulates sebum production, frankincense oil accelerates healing of inflammed skin and palma rosa oil balances skin hydration levels and encourages cell regeneration.

Now you've got clean skin! It's exfoliated and toned and ready for moisturizer!

"Nourish your skin safely” ™
Karen

Moisturizing Your Skin

9/2011

Morning Moisturizing

You wake up in the morning and the day is already crazy. Either your rushing to get ready for work, rushing to get the kids out the door for school or (YIKES) both! Who has the time to properly take care of their skin amid the chaos? Good news! With Be Green Bath and Body moisturizers you can "Nourish Your Skin Safely" (TM) and be on your way quickly.

There is no need to cleanse your skin in the morning. You did this last night and unless your skin is oily, it's still clean. In fact, you want your skin to have some oils and over washing it will wash away the acid mantle that protects your skin from the environment and bacteria which can lead to breakouts.

My first beauty step after showering and roughly towel drying is to apply a small amount of Healthy Skin Body Oil on my arms and legs while my skin is still damp. This keeps in the moisture that you already have on your skin. In the winter months I follow this up with Body Lotion (Coriander & Citrus is my favorite) to lock in the moisture. I find that the Body Oil and Body Lotion combination takes about 1 minute to penetrate my skin. During this time, I move on to my face.

If you use toner, I recommend a quick swipe of a cotton ball with Toner all over your face. This will remove any remaining impurities from the night before and prepare your skin for moisturizer. Remember Be Green Bath and Body toners are alcohol free so they won't strip your skin of any natural oils.  Next, follow up with the moisturizer that best suits your skin.

Those with dry, mature or environmentally damaged skin should use Day Face & Hand Cream. Normal skin can use this cream or the Light Weight Moisturizer (see below). The Day Face & Hand Cream is thick and rich and provides some protection from the suns harmful rays as it contains zinc oxide. Grapeseed oil, a quick absorbing oil that is excellent for all skin types, is the base of the cream. Moisturizing coconut oil and cocoa butter act as emollients and will soften your skin. These ingredients also lend a thick consistency to the cream, especially in colder temperatures. When temperatures are hot, the cream will be less firm. This is because coconut oil is solid at temperatures below 76 degrees but melts at temperatures above 76 degrees. At Be Green Bath and Body, we don't agree with adding any synthetic ingredients to maintain the consistency of the cream. The cream is just as effective whatever the consistency. When using the cream on your face, using clean hands, scoop out a pea-sized amount and dab on each check, forehead, nose and neck. Massage the cream in with a gentle circular motion and let penetrate for 1 minute before applying makeup. Don't forget to use it to protect your hands too.

For those with oily, combination, sensitive or normal skin, the Light Weight Moisturizer is recommended. This cream is a blend of nut free, low or non-comedogenic oils that are deeply moisturizing and nourishing for the skin. While still firm, it has a lighter consistency, goes on lighter and absorbs more quickly than the Day Face & Hand Cream. Using clean hands, scoop out a pea-sized amount and gently massage into your skin. Allow to penetrate 1 minute before applying makeup.

Night Moisturizing

After cleansing and toning your skin at night, I recommend using one of our hydrating Serums in the formula appropriate for your skin type. Our facial serums contain a special combination of high quality carrier oils and essential oils designed to pentrate deep into your skin. Made from cold-pressed vegetables, seeds and nuts, the oils are selected for their nourishing and protecting capabilities. They contain natural vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that will help you nourish your skin safely. Serums are useful for all skin types, even oily skin. It is a myth that oily or combination skin should not use oils.  Stripping the skin of oils, as many harsh astringents do, actually causes the skin to overproduce, thus causing the skin to be more oily. The Serums are bottles with glass droppers for easy application, just place a few drops of oil on your finger and massage into skin on face and neck. Allow the serum to penetrate for 2-3 minutes then follow up with Night Cream. Those with oily skin may choose to use either the serum or the Night Cream with the serum being the less heavy of the 2 options. I recommend that those with oily skin rotate between the serum and the Night Cream for Combination Skin, using one one night and the other the next night.

Using Regenerative Night Cream is the next step for all skin types except oily, combination and sensitive. This cream is thick and hydrating and will replenish your skin's moisture as you sleep. It's made with olive, sweet almond, evening primrose and macadamia nut oils that are high in fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Apply a small amount to your face and neck with a gentle circular motion. This cream will take 2 minutes to penetrate your skin.

Those prone to breakouts and with oily, combination or sensitive skin will prefer the Regenerative Night Cream for Combination Skin. This cream is made with non-comedogenic oils that will not irritate skin or cause breakouts in sensitive skin.  It contains sunflower and jojoba oils in place of olive and sweet almond oils. Sunflower oil is high in vitamins A, C, D and especially E. It can provide the skin with a natural barrier of protection against bacteria and others irritants which are the cause of many blemish issues.

One of my favorite uses of either Regenerative Night Cream is as an under eye cream. Eye creams sold in department stores tend to come in tiny jars at a hefty price and if you check the ingredients, they are probably the same as the face cream! We have been marketed to death and we believe we should pay twice the price for half the cream! It's outrageous really. It is true that the skin around the eyes is a little different than the skin on the face. The pores are smaller and the skin is definitely thinner around the eyes. This however, doesn't mean you need a special cream. A cream like Regenerative Night Cream that contains no mineral oil, parabens, synthetic fragrances or petroleum based silicones is fine. Do be careful when applying a cream near your eyes, however. The cream should be applied at least 1/4 inch away from your eye lashes.

Even though the Day Face & Hand Cream and the Regenerative Night Creams make great hand creams, we also make a luxurious cream specfically formulated as a hand cream. Shea Butter Hand Cream is a thick, rich cream made with moisturizing shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and beeswax. The ingredients not only moisturize but provide a water resistant barrier that locks in the moisture and softens dry hands. A small amount goes a long way so a 4 oz jar should last a whole season. This cream is unscented but does have a pleasant chocolate nut smell from the organic shea and cocoa butters.

You will find that using Be Green Bath and Body toxin-free moisturizers will leave your skin feeling hydrated, protected and softer than ever. I hope you enjoy using them as much as I enjoy creating them!

"Nourish your skin safely” ™

Karen