Nanotechnology in Sunscreens: Cancer Risk

In previous articles we looked at sunscreen factors (SPFs) and their possible health risks and we looked at the use of nanotechnology in the cosmetics industry. Today, scientists from the CSIRO have shown, under laboratory conditions, that nano particles of metal oxides (as used in sunscreen lotions) can penetrate cells and damage DNA.

Below is a transcript from the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) reporting on the potential cancer risk resulting from the use of nanotechnology in sunscreen lotions.

Safety concerns over high-tech sunscreens

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Broadcast: 17/12/2008

Reporter: Kirstin Murray

Nanotechnology has been a revolutionary science utilised to improve water supplies, screen for viruses and increase durability in food among its other uses. Nanoscience has also been used to produce products such as stain resistant clothing and is often found in cosmetic products such as anti-ageing creams and sunscreen. With this technology being so widely used, questions are being raised as to how safe nanotechnology is in products that are rubbed directly onto human skin.


HEATHER EWART, PRESENTER: The revolutionary science of nanotechnology, which engineers tiny particles the size of an atom, has transformed the world we live in. And within two years, it's expected to be a $1 trillion industry. Scientists have used the technology to improve water supplies, increase the durability of food, screen for viruses and create new forms of drug delivery. It's not surprising the cosmetics industry has seen the appeal, with nano particles now common ingredients of many anti-ageing creams, hair products and sunscreen.

But how safe is nanotechnology in products that are rubbed directly onto human skin?

Read the full article "Nanotechnology in Sunscreens, Noisturisers and Anti-Ageing Creams - a Cancer Risk" and find out the potential risks of using products containing these modified molecules.

It's not worth the risk. Use natural skin care products that do not contain modified, synthesised or manipulated ingredients in them

Following Bad Skin Care Advice can be Harmful to Your Health

Bad Skin Care Advice

There is a plethora of information about what to do and what not to do when it comes to taking care of our skin. The media is full of reports and the cosmetic/beauty companies run full-page advertisements in popular magazines telling you how you should take care of your skin and the various treatments you should impose on your skin.

Some of this skin care advice is good, useful information, however, there are things that we are being told is good for our skin that in reality is very bad.

For example, chemicals peels - these involve applying a chemical solution to the skin which causes it to “blister” and eventually peel off. The newly regenerated skin is usually, but not always, smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

However, by intent, new skin will grow following a peel. This skin is very fragile and vulnerable to complications. The newly formed skin requires protection from overexposure to the sun and those with a history of cold sores may develop a severe outbreak for which they may require antibiotic or antiviral medication.

Why would anyone want to peel-off healthy skin tissue? Using a gentle exfoliant to remove excess dead skin cells is one thing, but using harsh chemicals that burn your skin to the point of blistering is quite another.

Another example of bad skin care advice is the use of Botox injections or Botox-alternatives. Botox is a substance derived from botulinum toxin (A potent neurotoxin from the microorganism Clostridium botulinum) that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to be essentially paralyzed.

Think about this for just a moment… Remember the saying: “if you don’t use it you loose it”? Muscles if not used start to loose their tone within 24 hours – just look at the difference in muscle tone and strength after having a broken leg in plaster for 6 weeks or so, and you’ll see how much bulk, strength and tone the muscles of the broken leg have lost.

Logically then, by artificially paralyzing muscles, muscle tone, strength and volume will be lost and if Botox injections/creams continue to be used, ultimately the targeted muscle(s) will atrophy and eventually die. The long-term end results therefore, has to be more lines and wrinkles than before…what genius came up with that idea…

There are also the side effects to consider. The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), lists the following side-effects:

• Droopy eyelids, which can last for a few weeks
• Feeling like you have the flu
• Headache and upset stomach
• Risk of botulism (a life or death illness that makes it hard for a person to move the arms and legs or to breathe) is low with Botox™, if used the right way.

Both manufacturers Botox™ and Botox Cosmetic™ warn on their labels of the possibility of adverse reactions near the site of the injection for each product's approved uses, and of "the rare potential of distant side effects'' including severe difficulty swallowing and breathing when the products are used on patients with neuromuscular disorders.

Hello! Even the manufacturers warn of serious potential problems, so why on earth would anyone want to risk subjecting themselves to what are potentially serious side effects.

Now we all know that the normal process of aging and sun damage are the most common causes of lines and wrinkles. WebMD.com states that: “Wrinkles caused by sun damage and gravity will not respond to Botox, because it works only for wrinkles that are caused by the contraction of the underlying muscle”. So if most lines and wrinkles are due to natural aging and sun damage, what’s the point in using Botox?

What lies at the root of most lines and wrinkles is the loss of or damage to collagen and elastin fibres, which are the proteins responsible for the elasticity, tone and texture of the skin. Using natural skin care products that promote the production of collagen and elastin fibres will help your skin to retain a more youthful appearance for longer. Combine good quality skin care products with healthy food, at least two litres of water daily and some exercise, and your skin will be visibly healthier and look younger.

Don’t risk the health of your skin by taking bad skin care advice and using chemicals that have the potential to cause serious side effects or health problems. Use common sense when choosing what type of treatment you will subject your skin to and ask some probing questions.

You can access good skin care advice that is based on the philosophy of natural medicine and is written by qualified, experienced practitioners who have decades of experience in alternative medicine to inform yourself of the type of skin care that is safe and effective to use on your skin. Beauty is more than skin deep and there are many factors that contribute to healthy, beautiful skin.

Allergy: How and Why Do Allergies Develop?

Ever Wondered How You Develop An Allergy?

Allergies are becoming more and more common. In fact about thirty percent of people suffer from one or more allergies. Why? What exactly is an allergy anyway? And how do allergies develop?

Before we go much further, we need to define what an allergy is. A simple definition is: An allergic reaction (hypersensitivity reaction) is an inappropriate immune responses to a normally harmless substance.

This can be almost any substance natural or otherwise, for example pollens in the air may cause sneezing, runny eyes and/or nose and in severe cases an allergic response can actually result in a medical emergency and be potentially fatal.

So why do we get these allergies?

Normally, the immune system, which includes antibodies, white blood cells, mast cells, complement proteins, and other substances, defends the body against foreign substances known as antigens (substances that are antagonistic). However, in susceptible people, the immune system can overreact to certain antigens (called allergens), which are harmless in most people. The result is an allergic reaction (Merck, 2008).

Simply put, an allergic reaction is basically an over-reaction by your immune system to an otherwise benign substance.

Some people are allergic to only one substance, whilst others are allergic to many. So how do we become allergic to a substance that in the past we have not been allergic to?

To read the full article, view: Allergy: How & Why Do Allergies Develop?

Medical Science Confirms link between Acne and Diet

A recent article published and distributed through MedScap confirms a link between Diet and Acne. This is not new to natural therapy practitioners who have been saying this for decades.

Our bodies will respond to the types of foods we feed it; Good quality food high in nutrients and low in 'junk value' will help to promote good health and wellbeing. Your skin will sooner or later reflect the quality of food we've been eating, as will the health of the other organs in our body.

Food itself does not cause Acne, however, the type of food you eat can contribute to the severity, frequency and duration of an acne outbreak. Conversely it can also reduce this and to some extent prevent the outbreak of acne.

Eating a diet of mostly unprocessed food, high in nutrients and low in saturated fats will make a difference. In addition, keeping the body well hydrated and being physically fit, all contributes to fighting acne successfully.

To read the full article go to "Does Diet Cause Acne", it is a little heavy on the scientific terminology, however, if you read past the jargon, you will get some insightful information

Skin Care – Finding Relevant Hints & Tips For Your Particular Skin.

With the ever-increasing amount of information being added to the vast online information base on skin care, getting information that is specifically relevant to an individual is becoming increasingly difficult.

Even though search engines are getting more sophisticated and try to provide the most relevant results for your question, they cannot be anything other than reasonably close, but at the same time still remain quite general.

Everyone’s skin is different, we are after all individuals and no two people will have exactly the same skin. Sure, there are 3 basic skin types; oily, normal and dry, but within each of these, there are differences.

For example, some people also have sensitive skin, others have combination skin and in addition, age plays a factor as well. Heredity is another factor that will influence your skin. Depending on your cultural background, there will be additional differences affecting your skin, colour for example.

There are lots of hints and tips on how to care for your skin, but if you don’t know what your specific requirements are, then how do you know which of these hints and tips to follow?

One of the ways you can start to define the needs your skin has is to establish which skin type you have. Then, look at your cultural/genetic influences on your skin and finally consider your age.

So for example, you may have dry & sensitive skin, are from an English (Caucasian) background and are over 40 years young. In other words, you have fair skin that is sensitive and tends to dryness, and your skin is starting to mature.

Now, armed with this information it’s much easier to identify the relevant hints & tips on how to care for your particular skin.

Skin Care is a Necessity, not a Luxury.

Taking Care of Your Skin is like Life Insurance

Menon (2002) says it best, when he states that: “…the human skin is not only the largest organ in the body, but also perhaps the most complex, with at least five different cell types contributing to its structure, and other cell types from circulatory and immune systems being transient residents of the skin. In terms of the number of functions performed, the skin simply outweighs any other organ: its primary function is of course protection, which covers physical, chemical, immune, pathogen, UV radiation and free radical defences. The skin is also a major participant in thermoregulation (regulates the body's temperature), it functions as a sensory organ, performs endocrine functions (Vitamin D synthesis, peripheral conversion of prohormones), is significant in reproduction (secondary sexual characteristics, pheromone production), and perpetuation of the species, human non-verbal communications (visual signalling, emotions expressed), as well as a factor in zenophobia and bias against fellow humans that has shaped the destiny of humanity”.

Okay, it's a little on the 'academic speak' side, but think about it - the skin effects areas of our lives ranging from reproduction to defending us from UV-rays, bacteria, viruses; keeps water both in and out of our bodies and reacts to touch, emotions, temperature, etc.

There are hundreds of skin conditions ranging from annoying to deadly

Whilst there is nothing wrong with our skin, we barely give it a second thought. It is only when something goes wrong that we suddenly start to pay attention and quickly realise that there are very few experts that can actually help us to overcome many of the problems our skin can develop. Most treatments of various skin problems target symptom control. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs, cortico-steroid creams, antibiotics, etc. None actually target the cause of a skin disorder such as dermatitis, eczema, and many other similarly common conditions.

Modern medicine is great at diagnosis what is wrong, but very poor at actually fixing the problem. In their defence, skin problems are notoriously difficult to treat and even natural medicine is not exactly great at it either, but at least it attempts to identify the underlying constitutional cause and its treatment does primarily target this cause rather then targeting the symptoms that result.

To illustrate the difficulty in treating skin conditions, it is useful to have a quick look at the many conditions that fall into the category of skin problems:

Below is an alphabetical list of skin problems as recognised by the National Skin Care Institute:

A-B	E-I	M-P
– Acne	– Echtima	– Malignant melanoma
– Alopecia (baldness):	– Eczema	– Melasma
alopecia areata		– Miliaria
alopecia totalis	– Epidermolysis bullosa	– Molluscum contagiosum
alopecia universalis	simplex	– Paget's disease of the nipple
traction alopecia	junctional	– Pediculosis
– Angioma	dystrophic	– Pemphigus
– Athlete's foot	hemidesmosomal	– Photoallergy
– Basal cell carcinoma		– Photosensitivity
– Bed sore	– Erythrasma	– Pityriasis rosea
– Behcet's Disease	– Erysipelas	– Pityriasis rubra pilaris
– Blepharitis	– Folliculitis	– Psoriasis
– Boil	– Friction blister
– Bowen's Disease		R-S
– Bullous pemphigoid	– Herpes:
	HHV1 - cold sores	– Raynaud's disease
C-D	HHV2 - genital herpes	– Ring worm
	HHV3 - chickenpox, shingles	– Rosacea
– Calluses and corns	HHV6, HHV7 - roseola infantum, sixth disease	– Saint Anthony's fire
– Canker sore	HHV8 - Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus	– Scabies
– Carbuncles		– Scleroderma
	– Hidradenitis suppurativa	– Sebaceous cyst
– Candidiasis:	– Hives	– Shingles
oral (oral thrush)	– Hyperhidrosis	– Skin cancer
vaginal (candidal vulvovaginitis)	– Ichthyosis	– Skin Tags
penile (candidal balanitis)	– Impetigo	– Spider veins (telangiectasia)
in the diaper area (diaper rash)		– Squamous cell carcinoma
in the skin folds (candidal intertrigo)	J-L
		T-W
– Cellulitis	– Jock itch
– Cold sores	– Kaposi's sarcoma	– Tick bite
– Creeping eruption	– Keloid
– Dandruff	– Keratoacanthoma	– Tinea:
		barbae
– Dermatitis (eczema):	– Keratosis:	capitis
atopic dermatitis	actinic (solar) keratosis	corporis
contact dermatitis	keratosis pilaris	cruris (Jock Itch)
seborrhoeic dermatitis	keratosis follicularis (Darrier's disease)	pedis
cradle cap	seborrheic	unguium
nummular dermatitis	hyperkeratosis	versicolor
stasis dermatitis
perioral dermatitis (muzzle rash)	– Lice infection	– Trichomycosis
dermatitis herpetiformis	– Lichen planus	– Varicose veins
	– Lichen simplex chronicus	– Vitiligo
– Dermatofibroma	– Lipoma
	– Lymphadenitis	– Warts

This list is not an exhaustive list of all known skin diseases or disorders, however it is quite comprehensive and illustrates the vast range of afflictions that may affect the health of our skin.

Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes are often responsible for skin problems. In order to treat skin diseases caused by such microbes, it is necessary to target the offending bug with appropriate herbs, essential oils, drugs or a combination of these therapies.

However, skin diseases are not solely caused by microbial infection. Some skin disorders are due to deficiencies in nutrients. A classic example is Scurvy, which is a vitamin C deficiency and can easily be treated by taking supplements of vitamin C or eating foods high in vitamin C.

Then there are the other skin problems.... Read the rest of this article here...

References:

Menon, G. K. (2002) New insights into skin structure scratching the surface. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. Vol. 54, 1, Pages S3-S17.

Incey Wincey Spiders

No, it's not the nursery rhyme. It is about three annoying skin blemishes that may reveal more than you think.

• Spider nevi
• Spider angioma, and
• Thread veins

These little, annoying skin blemishes can tell you a lot more about what's going on with the health of your body than you might expect.


Spider nevi

Spider nevi are little skin flaws where small broken capillaries that look like a little red spider are visible on the skin's surface, usually on the face or abdomen. Often they occur on the cheeks, but can develop anywhere.

The way to tell if the blemish you may have on your skin is a Spider nevi, is to press lightly in the centre of it and if the 'legs' disappear, you have spider nevi (or spider angioma). These usually occur in people over 40 or folk with liver disease, but in themselves they are harmless. However, they can point to a health imbalance of some kind.

Spider nevi may also be due to a vitamin C deficiency, high blood pressure, and may also occur during pregnancy. The best way to treat them is to a) make sure you have no underlying problems that may be the cause of them, such as the problems listed above. If you do, then these health issues must be addressed first.

Natural Skin Care Systems for Your Skin Type

Wildcrafted's Rose Day Cream is ideal for dry, mature and blemished skin.

...more information

b) Use natural skin care products that contain Rose oil, which has incredible healing properties.

For example combine the Hydrating Cleanser, Milk of Roses Toner, Rose Day Cream and Age-Defying Essence to provide your skin with the perfect combination of ingredients to help heal the tiny blood vessels and restore proper circulation to the affected area.

Remember to implement a daily skin care regime of cleansing, toning and moisturising to obtain best results and finally, use a good exfoliant twice a week to keep stimmulating the skin's blood circulation and remove the dead skin cells.


Spider angioma

Spider nevi differ slightly to Spider angiomas (all though often considered the same in many medical reference books). Spider angiomas are an abnormal collection of blood vessels near the skin's surface and look very similar to spider nevi, except that spider angiomas have a raised red central dot with reddish 'legs' radiating out. Pressure on the central spot will cause the 'spider legs' to disappear. They are a type of benign tumour associated with pregnancy and in patients with liver disease.

Rapid development of numerous prominent spider angiomas may point to cirrhosis of the liver, malignant liver disease, and other liver dysfunctions. A common characteristic is an elevated blood estrogen level.


Thread veins

Spider nevi are not to be confused with Thread veins, which are a venous problem rather than a problem of broken capillaries. Okay, it's getting a bit medical... Veins transport deoxygenated blood via the liver to the heart and then to the lungs where the blood is oxygenated again.

Capillaries are where the arterial blood, through loss of oxygen, becomes venous blood and enters the veins. The veins that become visible at the surface of the skin are the thread veins and these thread veins point to underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease or liver disease. They are often precursors to varicose veins.

Now just because you have a single spider nevus or a spider angioma, doesn't mean you have a liver disease or that there is something wrong with your cardiovascular system, but if you have several of them or they are increasing in numbers, it might not be a bad idea to go and consult you health care professional - just in case.

The skin really is an incredible organ and is able to reflect many health problems to the trained eye. Taking good care of it is not a luxury - it's a necessity.

Information on Natural & Organic Skin and Personal Care

We Are In The Information Age

Information is becoming one of the most important aspects in our lives. Computers, mobile phones, email, internet and what ever else is featuring heavily in day to day life and allows us to stay in touch with news, friends and family instantly.

As regular visitors to this blog know, I've published many articles on a range of topics covering skin care and associated topics. The issue though is that some articles have been published in ezines, others on our primary website, still other here in this blog and basically they are all over the place.

In order to bring together all the different sources and provide one place where you can access almost all of the articles I've written I have constructed a new website that is intended to provide information on skin & health care.

Information on Natural and Organic Skin and Personal Care

This is an extensive library of information on natural and organic skin care products, skin problems, plus hints and tips on how to take care of your skin naturally.

While I will still publish information on skin and health issues here, you will be able to access all the information on our new site. So have a brows and I hope you'll enjoy the information.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine - What is it, how does it actually work and what can it treat?

These are some of the most often asked questions we get from people who have never been exposed to this system of medicine and form of treatment. They hear good things, but don't know if they can believe their information sources and are interested, but not sure about it...

Well, that is understandable, after all we are told that the only 'doctor' you can trust is your family doctor and he/she alone is able to diagnose and treat your ailments. Everything else is non-sense and does not work. It has no basis in science and therefore can't be any good.

Strange then, that pharmaceutical-based medicine still uses morphine (comes from the poppy plant); Digoxin, which increases the strength and vigor of the heart muscle contractions, and is useful in the treatment of heart failure (from digitalis plant); Aspirin, which comes from the bark of the White Willow tree... Need I go on?

The point is herbal medicine employs herbs and other medicinal plants to treat illness holistically. It is effective, in fact very effective as the pharmaceutical industry still employs hundreds of herbal preparations in their medications. In fact about 70% of pharmaceutical products contain substantial amounts of herb-based ingredients.

You can access my recently written article "Herbal Medicine Explained" to read more detailed explanations on just how effective herbal medicine is, how it is applied and what it can be used for.

How These Chemicals Affect Your Skin

According to a recent interview with Stacy Malkan, the co-founder of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, young women use around 12 or more products a day and in doing so, are exposing themselves to hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals.

Depending on the products you use, you are exposing yourself to several carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and irritants. According to a study published by the Mayo Clinic, these chemicals are one of the most common causes of dermatitis and similar skin problems.

Here are some of the well known problem chemicals commonly use in skin and personal care products:

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and/or Ethyl Paraben

Used as preservatives to extend the shelf life of skin and personal care products. Parabens have been reported to have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Studies have shown that they are weakly estrogenic and can be absorbed by the body through the skin. Widely used even though they are potentially toxic.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde, used as a preservative, is a known carcinogen (causes cancer). Causes allergic, irritant and contact dermatitis, headaches and chronic fatigue. The vapor is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat (mucous membranes).


Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA)

DEA and TEA are often used in cosmetics and shampoos as emulsifiers and/or foaming agents. They can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and dryness of hair and skin. DEA and TEA are "amines" (ammonia compounds) and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates. They are toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea

These are widely used preservatives. The American Academy of Dermatology has found them to be a primary cause of contact dermatitis. Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals contains a good antifungal agent, and they must be combined with other preservatives. Both these chemicals release formaldehyde, which can be toxic.

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate

A cheap, harsh detergent used in shampoos, bubble baths, hand and body wash products for its cleansing and foam-building properties. Often derived from petroleum, it is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the phrase "comes from coconuts." It causes eye irritation, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, skin rashes and other allergic reactions. Avoid at all cost.

Methylisothiazoline (MIT)

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is a biocide widely used in industrial and cosmetic products and has been shown to pose a potential risk to unborn babies. It is widely used in shampoos and there very well could be neuro-developmental consequences from Mit. It is of particularly concerned to women with occupational exposure to MIT during pregnancy as there is a possibility of risk to the foetus. Avoid at all cost.

Petrolatum

Also known as petroleum jelly, this mineral oil derivative is used for its emollient properties in cosmetics. It has no nutrient value for the skin and can interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness and chapping. It often creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap. Most Petro-chemicals are carcinogens and are to be avoided.

Propylene Glycol

Ideally this is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. It has been known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. When you see PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on labels, beware—these are related synthetics. The natural versions are fine and perfectly safe, not so their synthetic counter parts.

PVP/VA Copolymer

A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, styling aids and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since inhaled particles can damage the lungs of sensitive persons. Most Petro-chemicals are carcinogens.

Stearalkonium Chloride

A plant-derived ingredient, it reduces static electricity by neutralizing electrical charges on hair, and is a good conditioning agent. It is a quaternary ammonium compound also used in hair conditioners and creams. Developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, it is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which are beneficial to the hair. Causes allergic reactions. Potentially toxic.

Synthetic Colors

Used to make cosmetics "pretty," synthetic colors, along with synthetic hair dyes, should be avoided at all costs. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 3 / D&C Green No. 6. Many synthetic colors can be carcinogenic. If a cosmetic contains them, don't use it.

Synthetic Fragrances

The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply read "fragrance." Some problems caused by these chemicals include headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation—the list goes on. Synthetic fragrances should be avoided. Be careful when looking at these because often the lable may say "fragrance of Lavender", or fragrance of "Rose" or similarly popular essential oils. Fragrance of = Synthetic, NOT the real essential oil.

You can check this for yourself by simply doing a search using the terms in bold in the list and adding the following MSDS. MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet, which are tests done on chemicals to establish their ‘safety’.


How do you avoid these dangerous chemicals?

Simple, switch to 100% pure natural skin care products and you will eliminate the risk of being exposed to these chemicals through your skin and personal care products.

The benefits are not just that you eliminate these dangerous chemicals, but using truly natural products that contain herbs, essential oils and other natural ingredients will benefit your overall health as well.

There are also other benefits. Formaldehyde, for example, is very harmful to our natural environment. By eliminating products that contain this, and other toxic chemical, you are indeed not just benefiting your own health but that of the environment as well.

So make the switch. Change over to using natural skin and personal care productsand you’ll not just benefit your health but help the environment as well.

What is it that Women really want from their skin care products?

Why is it often difficult to find the right skin care products?

So just why is it so hard to find good quality, safe, and effective skin care products? The answer is quite simple, it’s called marketing. Marketing is the problem here. Why, I hear you ask? What does Marketing have to do with the quality of skin care products?

Well, it’s because most highly visible skincare companies are trying to out-do each other by adding obscure ingredients to their products and then marketing them as if they were the latest and best ingredient to have in your skin care products.

We, the consumers, looking to find something that actually works, ‘fall’ for the slogans and are thus quickly parted with our money, only to find that the products we thought were going to be good quality, safe and effective do not live up to the promises and are probably not that safe either.

So how can you tell what’s good and what’s not?

There are basically two types of products on the market. One group is safe, the other is not. What do I mean by safe?

Safe skin care products are products that do not contain any potentially harmful ingredients what so ever. They do contain natural ingredients and these too are safe. Remember that not every thing that's natural is necessarily safe.

Not safe are many of the products that do contain highly manipulated chemicals that are synthetic or artificial and have been shown to cause potential health problems. Now, just because a chemical is not natural also does not mean it is therefore potentially toxic. There are man-made chemicals that are indeed safe to consume or use in personal care products, however, these are few and far between.

More often than not, highly processed plant material or synthetically made chemicals do have a tendency to cause problems. (If you want to read more about this topic, please see: These Articles)

Now just because a products is Safe, does not mean it is effective either. Many natural skin care products have safe ingredients, but are almost useless and at best not very effective. But they are a good place to start looking.

Natural Skin Care Products can be a Good Solution

Natural skin care products manufactured by small companies are a good place to start looking for good quality, safe and effective products. Why? Because companies like Wildcrafted Herbal Products, Elysian Dream, Clare Le Dor and others pride themselves on only using the purest, safest and most effective ingredients in their range of products.

Small boutique skin care companies do not have the marketing budgets of large companies and as a result, their products have to live up to their claims if these companies hope to be able to sell their products repeatedly to the same customers. You see, finding new customers all the time is much more expensive than providing the same satisfied customers with products over and over again.

Let’s face it; if you know a product works for you, you’re not likely to change the brand and try something different, are you? No, once you are happy with the results you are getting from a range of skincare products, you’re not very likely to change. In fact, you’ll probably go out of your way to locate the brand’s product you’ve become to like and trust, and are even happy to spend a little more money to get it.

Another reason why natural skin care products are preferable and more likely to give you the results you want, is because some of the companies that make these products are run by medical herbalists and Aromatherapist that have a sound knowledge and understanding of what ingredients are safe and effective. They make their batches in small numbers and this means you get a much fresher product when you buy it because it has not been sitting on shelves in warehouses and in containers on the wharfs. That in it self has to be a bonus.

Also take a close look at the ingredients list on the product label or the Product’s web site.
Check each of the ingredients and Google them, or you can have a look at this list of potentially toxic chemical ingredients commonly used in skin care products and their side-effects.
So when next you look at your skin care products, think about what the ingredients are. Are they safe? Are they actually doing what the manufacturer’s advertisement said they were going to do? Do they actually make your skin feel good?

These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself and if the answer is no, than it’s time to start looking for some good quality, safe and effective natural skin care products.

Echinacea, your Immune System and Skin Infections

The Role of Echinacea in Supporting The Immune System To Fight Skin Infections

Medicinal herbs have a long history in fighting infections and have thus been associated with having beneficial effects on the immune system. Herbs such as Echinacea have become very popular herbal remedies for the treatment and prevention of the common cold and other similar conditions.

This article reviews some aspects of Echinacea's ability to aid in fighting of infections and in particular its benefit on aiding the immune system in combating skin infections.

The Skin and The Immune System

The skin of the body is one of the first lines of defence against pathogens, employing both mechanical and chemical barriers that block the initial attempts of microbes and foreign substances to penetrate the body and cause disease.

With many layers of closely packed, keratinised cells, the outer epithelial layer of the skin, the epidermis, provides a formidable physical barrier to the entrance of microbes. In addition, periodic shedding of epidermal cells helps remove microbes at the skin surface.

When the skin is intact, bacteria rarely penetrate the surface of healthy epidermis. However, when the epithelial surface is broken, by cuts, burns, wounds, and so on, an infection often develops. The bacteria most likely to cause such an infection are staphylococci, which normally inhabit the hair follicles and sweat glands of the skin. Furthermore, when the skin is moist, as in hot, humid climates, infections are quite common, especially fungus infections such as athlete's foot.

Certain chemicals also contribute to the high degree of resistance of the skin to microbial invasion. Oil glands (Sebaceous glands) of the skin secrete an oily substance called sebum that forms a protective film over the surface of the skin, known as the 'Acid Mantel'.

Sebum contains unsaturated fatty acids that inhibit the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The low pH of the skin, between pH 3 and 5, is caused in part by the secretion of fatty acids and lactic acid. The skin's acidity discourages the growth of many other micro-organisms.


Echinacea To Aid The Immune System In Fighting Infections

One of the most popular herbs in America today is the Native American medicinal plant known as Echinacea. The herb is named for the prickly scales in its large conical seed head, which resemble the spines of an angry hedgehog (echinos is Greek for hedgehog).

Results of archaeological digs indicate that Native Americans may have used Echinacea for over 400 years to treat infections and wounds and as a general "cure-all." Echinacea has also been used throughout history to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria.

Although this herb was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline in the United States after the introduction of antibiotics. Echinacea preparations became increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th century, where almost all of the scientific research on this herb has been conducted.

Today, Echinacea is primarily used to reduce the symptoms and duration of the common cold and flu and to alleviate the symptoms associated with them, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend Echinacea to help boost the activity of the immune system, treat skin disorders and to help the body fight infections.

Clinical Trials Testing Echinacea purpurea

There is a large amount of research which has been done to test the effectiveness of Echinacea species on the immune system. It is important to remember that there are several species of Echinacea and that this article is only focused on Echinacea purpurea.

Studies show that Echinacea and its active components affect the phagocytic immune system, but not the specifically acquired immune system.

The Phagocytic immune system is a part of the immune system that comprises the lymphatic system (lymph nodes, lymph vessels and lymph fluid) the phagocytic immune system responds to inflammation due to microbes, physical agents or chemical agents that injure the skin. The lymph nodes are activated to produce special cells called phagocytes that engulf and clean up pathogens and dead cells. They are usually the first immune cells to arrive at a site of injury or infection.

Beneficial Effects of Echinacea purpurea in Fighting Skin Infections

From the above discussion and the research findings, it follows that using Echinacea as a key ingredient in herbal products to treat skin infections makes good sense. Echinacea's beneficial effect on the phagocytic immune system has been well demonstrated and thus it's effects on wound healing and treating of various skin infections is unquestionable.


Skin Infections and Echinacea purpurea

Over 500 scientific studies have documented the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical applications of echinacea. The most consistently proven effect of echinacea is in stimulating phagocytosis, that is encouraging white blood cells and lymphocytes to attack invading organisms. Specific actions:

• increases the number and activity of immune system cells, including anti-tumor cells:
• promotes T-cell activation;
• stimulates new tissue growth for wound healing;
• reduces inflammation in arthritis and inflammatory skin conditions;
• Mild antibiotic action: bacteriostatic, anti-viral, anti-fungal.
• Inhibits the bacterial enzyme hyaluronidase, to help prevent bacterial access to healthy cells.
  

Therefore, Echinacea purpurea should be considered in the treatment of:

• Cuts, grazes, skin ulcers and wounds;
• Acne, Inflammatory Skin Conditions, and Fungal infections of the skin such as Tinea;
• Burns
• Other possible uses include: Dermatitis, including Contact dermatitis, Psoriasis, etc.