What you put on your skin doesn’t just stay at the surface. Our skin absorbs up to more than 50 percent of what we put on our skin. This is why it is vital to make sure the products you are using don’t include toxic chemicals. When these toxic chemicals are absorbed, health issues can occur such as infertility, birth defects, reproductive problems, cancer, and learning disabilities. While this can be shocking, all of these can be avoided to an extent by ensuring what you put on your skin...

  As you walk down the aisle of your local grocery store or search online for new skin care, you’ll be sure to see two words: “natural” and “organic.” They both sound pretty good, but is one better than the other? What does natural really mean and are the two words truly interchangeable? The truth is there is a significant difference between products that are organic versus products that are natural. This is how they are different. Natural Skin Care Products When a product says “natural” on the label, it means...

  When you were younger, you probably used Aloe Vera to help with sunburns, but it has been used far longer than that. In fact, aloe vera has been used for many purposes since the time of the Egyptians; they called it the plant of immortality. Ever since then, aloe vera has been utilized for medicinal value for many conditions, making it very beneficial. What Is Aloe Vera? Aloe vera is a cactus that belongs to the Liliaceae family. It thrives in dry climates such as Africa and India. The...

  When it comes to choosing a moisturizer, before you start poring over ingredients, check to see if the label says ‘cream’ or ‘lotion’. These two words do not mean the same thing and are definitely not interchangeable. There is a great deal of difference between a cream moisturizer and a lotion. It’s not just a marketing thing. Let’s look at those differences. Cream Versus Lotion Formulation These differences between a cream moisturizer and a lotion are useful to know so you can make a better choice for your particular skin type and needs. ...

  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...