The short answer to this question is yes, you should. There are reasons why more and more cosmetics are being made paraben-free nowadays. While science may not yet have produced unassailable proof that parabens are directly linked to cancer and reproductive maladies, there is a mounting body of evidence pointing in the direction of such a link. What Are Parabens and the FDA’s Position? Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics and foods. First used in the 1950s, they were deemed an inexpensive and effective way to prevent...

  No doubt you’ve seen the words ‘pH balanced’ on a container of moisturizer, as well as on other creams, cleansers, cosmetics, sunscreen lotions, shampoo and conditioner, etc. Have you stopped to consider what that means? It’s supposed to be good for your skin, right? Well, a little knowledge here is very helpful. And we’ll gladly tell you more about what pH balanced means. Think carefully before you buy any skin product, especially a moisturizer. You want a pH balanced moisturizer to help your skin achieve its best health. Just What Is pH?...

  Some skin conditions are simple to diagnose, like acne, cold sores or warts. But then there are problems that have us wondering because their symptoms seem similar to those of other issues. Eczema and psoriasis can fall into this category. People often confuse the two. Eczema and psoriasis are chronic skin conditions that feature itchy, irritated skin covered in blotchy red patches. Both are very uncomfortable and embarrassing. But how do you know which it is – eczema or psoriasis? I’m here to help with that and also to...

  Living with eczema means living with painful, itchy skin that becomes red, inflamed, and flaky. It’s a nightmare for some people. Treatments can vary dramatically in ingredients and effectiveness, so let’s run through some eczema dos and don’ts to help you out. Eczema Flare Chart Start by making a chart in a notepad, phone, tablet, or wherever is handy. Whenever your eczema gets worse, write down the time it’s occurring, how bad it is, and what you were doing when it flared up. This will help you and your...

There are many skincare products on the market that turn out to be no good because they use ingredients of no value. But there’s one substance that always performs as ‘advertised’. I use the quotation marks because it’s not a manufactured product. It’s all-natural Manuka honey.The benefits of Manuka honey are numerous. If you need something for your skin – to fight infection, moisturize, soothe, balance, tone and firm – Manuka honey is truly amazing. Of course, it’s not always easy or practical for you to be able to get...

If you’ve never had scalp psoriasis, consider yourself lucky. Having raised, scaly, red patches on the top of your head can drive you to distraction. They can hurt and they can itch like crazy. Then there’s the worry about the condition spreading to other parts of your skin. Almost as frustrating as the condition itself is finding a shampoo for psoriasis, with a conditioner as well. It can be a game of trial and error, with most of the scores going in the error column, either because nothing improved or because the...

  Aging is an inevitable part of life. But life also knows how to rejuvenate itself. Nature can keep itself looking refreshed. As you begin to age, you can learn from nature by using what it provides in a bid to maintain your own appearance of freshness and vitality. While the clock never stops ticking, there are things you can do to help slow down the appearance of age. A regime of natural ingredients for both your inside and your outside can go much farther toward keeping your skin healthy...

  Since time immemorial, people have wanted better looking skin. For the vast majority of that time, naturally occurring substances were what they had available for topical application. Think of one of the most famed beauties, Cleopatra, and her bathing in milk and honey, applying a mask of aloe vera and honey, exfoliating with sea salts, and cleansing with rose water. In recent decades, a beauty industry was born that advertised heavily and convinced people they needed the latest laboratory concoctions for their skin. That same industry loaded their products with chemicals...