Tag Archive for: wake up call

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Are your Beauty Products making you Sick?!

Breast cancer awareness month is the perfect time to take a closer look at what you’re putting on your body. We all know how important a healthy diet, exercise and screening is for cancer prevention. But what about your hair care and skin care, they can be causing you more harm than good. Absorption rate on the face and scalp is 5-10 times higher than the rest of the body. In today’s world there are so many healthy clean alternatives to traditional hair and beauty products. It may seem like a daunting task to change all your products at once but it doesn’t have to be. Start one at a time and ease into a healthier beauty regimen. Below are some ingredients to be aware of and stay away from.

Screen Shot 2014-10-08 at 11.03.07 AMPhoto via Cloudy With A Chance of Wine 

PEGs and glycols: Including polyethylene glycol (PEG), butylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, or anything ending with “eth” or “oxynol”

Lauryl and laureth sulfates: Includes sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate

Petrochemicals: Including mineral oil, petrolatum, light liquid paraffin, petroleum distillate, mineral jelly and petroleum jelly

Synthetic chemicals and dyes: A cocktail of potentially hundreds of chemicals

Triethanolamine: Often listed as TEA

Triclosan: A popular antimicrobial agent used in sanitizers and hand soaps

Phthalates: A plasticizer used in lipsticks, nail polishes, fragrances and hair sprays.

1,4 dioxane: A contaminant formed as a byproduct during manufacturing of detergents, foaming agents, emulsifiers and solvents. The FDA does not require it be listed as an ingredient, but it can be found in ingredients listed as PEGs and glycols.

Silicones: Methicone, Phenyl trimethicone, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Dimenthiconol copolyol

Now that you know what not to use, what are the alternatives? We have so many favorites to share!

Skincare can be tricky in the hydration department. We want our skin to be hydrated and feel hyrdated. This is usually achieved with the ingredient dimethicone. While dimethicone has been labeled safe by the FDA and remains on the ‘low risk’ list with the Skin Deep Database, there is still reason for concern.  Dimethicone is a silicone  that gives haircare and skincare products that luxurious slip. The issue is that silicone coats whatever it is applied to. This can cause allergic reactions and dry skin. Because your skin is coated it cannot properly breathe and accept natural oils and humidity. Think of dimethicone products as a barrier over the skin, none of the good ingredients are able to be absorbed. So what to do? Look for skincare products that are free of silicones. Good ingredients to look for that will deliver hydrating results are Vitamin E, avocado oil, coconut oil, or naturally derived hyaluronic acid. Our Wake Up Call is the perfect example!
Screen Shot 2014-10-08 at 11.06.03 AMFor haircare our goto is Rahua which is organic, free of parabens, silicones and sulfates! A rare Amazonian nut produces an oil that give Rahua its magic. “The key to Rahua’s outstanding performance is its molecular structure. Unlike other botanical oils that simply coat strands, the extraordinarily small Rahua oil molecule deeply penetrates the hair’s cortex – bonding and repairing it – while simultaneously smoothing the hair’s cuticle.” Not to mention it smells delicious!

When trying to live a healthy, clean, cancer-free life every little bit helps. Join us in spreading the word to other women about getting screened, eating organic, exercising, not smoking and getting educated on what goes on your body can be as important as what goes in it!

 

 

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Are You Wearing A Mask To Bed?

Hud-maske

The thought of an overnight mask or treatment can be daunting for skincare newbies. How will you look in the morning? Will you actually see a visible difference?  And the main question, “I’m supposed to put what on my face?!?” Well fret no more, there are numerous overnight facial treatments, masks and DIY concoctions to choose from.

Overnight treatments are popular and effective because skin rests during sleep and the body performs its biological repair during these wee hours. Being inside your bed, warm and cozy away from environmental stressor such as the sun, wind, high temps or low temps, is also very beneficial. Choosing the correct treatment is important too. The first step is figure out what problem you want to target. Most people have similar concerns, brightening, hydration and anti-aging. Brightening and lightening are good issues to target at night because your skin is not in sunlight, which can stimulate melanin and also causes issues for retinoid users.

When deciding on an overnight cream or treatment look for ingredients like avocado, yogurt, retinol or vitamin c. Avocado(in a DIY mask) or avocado oil are some of the most effective and hydrating natural ingredients around. Retinol, found in WAKE UP CALL is also a favorite ingredient in overnight treatments. Yogurt as an ingredient in a cream or just applied directly on the face is beneficial for lightening and brightening due to it’s high levels of lactic acid. Yogurt is also antibacterial and anti-fungal(both fight acne). Because of the high levels of zinc in yogurt, it offers a cooing effect and is good for sunburns, rashes and some irritation.Then of course there are the anti-aging must haves-Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10 and Glucosamine. When combined these anti-aging powerhouses improve skin’s texture, plump sagging loose skin and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Who doesn’t want to wake up looking 10 years younger?

When venturing into DIY, the more natural the better. You always want to do a spot test on your skin when making your treatments and masks just in case there is something that doesn’t agree with your skin. Our favorite DIY masks are the avocado/honey, all over coconut and yogurt and lemon. All over coconut is really an overnight treatment that consists on put raw coconut oil all over your face and sleeping in it. Since coconut oil is anti-microbial, ant-bacterial and anti-viral it will leave your skin clear, supple and hydrated not to mention smelling like a cookie! A yogurt and lemon mask is made to be worn for 10 mins and then removed. Just mix some plain unsweetened greek yogurt with just a tiny squeeze of lemon and mix. The yogurt will brighten and the lemon will help to lighten any existing dark spots or uneven skin tone areas.

The most important thing about overnight treatments and masks is to use them. Ensuring your skin gets enough hydration at night is imperative to waking up with a refreshed glow in the morning.

 

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Tips to Keep Your Skin Hydrated

cukesMost of the country is experiencing an arctic chill right now, which never helps with already dry winter skin. Covering your face if you have to go outdoors is a must, as skin can freeze within 5 minutes of exposure. But what about other ways to keep skin hydrated all thru the winter? This is an ongoing struggle for me because I tend to be naturally dry. This winter I have been very diligent about keeping my skin hydrated, here are a few tips that work for me.

Blow Cool Air

Sleeping with a humidifier on has been a big help. Cold temperatures, low humidity and indoor heat are killers when it comes to sucking skin dry. By using a humidifier you are adding water/cool steam/basically humidity back into the air. If you work from home or spend a lot of time at home, run it as much as possible. Bed Bath and Beyond has the best selection of humidifiers varying in sizes and prices.

Switch Up Your Skincare

As loyal as I am to certain brands (wink wink), I have to switch it up during the winter. Gone are the warm days of Vitamin C serums and retinoids-my skin cannot handle them during the winter months. This season I decided to alter the beginning of my regimen instead of the serum/moisturizer step for hydration. I added a creamy cleanser, kept my serum and moisturizer and added an oil for that extra glow. I’ve also been using a hydrating mask that I’ve noticed a difference from when I wake up in the morning.

Eat Your Water

Drinking more water is a new years resolution of mine. Drinking water and liquids will keep you hydrated internally. During the winter I never crave cold water so I have been drinking a lot of Red Tea (Rooibos) and eating veggies and juices with high water content. Cucumbers and celery are full of water as well as vitamins. Some of my other favorite water filled yummies are radishes, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and green peppers (which are 92% water)!!

The good news is these are easy steps to take and the better news is Spring is only a few months away!

Stay warm and hydrated!

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