First Step The first step in the face wellness process is designed to soften, loosen, and remove oil-soluble makeup and grime from the face. Plain olive oil can be used to soften makeup, cold cream may be used, or a natural product designed to remove face and eye makeup thoroughly. This should be done nightly to help prevent premature aging of the face caused when makeup is left on while sleeping. This step can be skipped if not wearing makeup.
Second Step The second step is designed to cleanse, smooth, heal, and soften the skin. Natural products with rice bran and mild and gently cleansers do the job nicely. Do not use harsh deodorant soaps on the face.
Third Step The third step is designed to cleanse, stimulate, revive, tone, and/or detoxify. The third step is not done daily but occasionally through the week. This would include any facial scrubs, masks, or hydrators. Remember, be gentle.
Fourth Step The fourth step is designed to astringe, tone, lift, firm, and calm. This, of course, would include natural toners and astringents. Commercial astringents usually contain alcohol that is too drying and harsh for any skin type including oily skin types. Natural toners and astringents will close pores, calm, and provide some nourishment for the skin.
Fifth Step The fifth step is designed to lubricate or moisturize the skin. Water is the true moisturizer. So better results are achieved if oils and moisturizers are applied immediately after cleansing and toning while the skin is still moist. Aloe, beeswax, vegetable oil based moisturizers are very good at holding moisture. Some people use vaseline, which certainly has its following, but vaseline can be too heavy for skin and while it sits on top and provides some protection from the elements, it does not provide and moisture or nourishment. Remember, that the eye need moisture as well. A good one to try is Embellir's light eye gel for day with immortelle plant extracts--only a drop per eye is needed. This is also a good time to apply a light lip balm to moisturize the lips.
Sixth Step If you are going to wear a makeup base, it is a very good idea to apply natural base to face, eyelids, and lips. We recommend that you purchase your makeup base from Embellir which has a colorless light base that can applied with a small powder puff. While these products are not completely, we do like them. We suggest that you order the base for the eyelids and lips from the line of Alexander de Markoff.
Seventh Step Apply natural-looking makeup for day, tell yourself how great God is, how great you are, and how great the world is, and go out and make your dreams come true. Oh yes, check out Embellir for any aromatherpy for the home, bathroom, or workplace.
Cosmetics Ingredients to Avoid
2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1--Can be carcinogenic
3-diol--can be carcinogenic
D&C and FD&C Colors--safety is questionable
DEA (diethanolamine)--can be carcinogenic
TEA (triethanolamine)--can be carcinogenic
Mineral Oil--can rob the skin of nutrients, make the skin dry, and block pores
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)--can cause extreme sensitivity; has largely been replaced
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate--strips the skin of moisture
Sodium Laureth Sulfate--strips the skin of moisture
Talc--can be contaminated with asbestos; can have an adverse affect on the lungs similar to asbestos.
Zinc Stearate--can be harmful to lungs if inhaled similar to asbestos.
Beautiful Skin, Like Most Things in Life, Does Not Just Happen
There are 7 steps to a healthy complexion…
Healthy skin is dependant on a balanced diet, hydration, exercise, sun protection, and a daily care routine.
1. Makeup Removal (if wearing; use a cleansing cream for entire face) Remove all makeup using an olive oil based cream for eye makeup and foundation. Our cold cream is wonderful for removing makeup and our eye makeup removal is gentle and wonderfully effective to avoid pulling and stretching the delicate eye area. Sleeping in your makeup can add years to your face; so no matter how tired you are at least use our cold cream and tissue to remove makeup before going to bed.
2. DAILY Cleansing Cleansing removes the day's accumulation of dirt and makeup; This step can be skipped in the morning if you cleansed the night before and you can go straight to the toning step or you can use a very mild cleanser to remove any impurities released through the skin during the night. Your cleanser should not be harsh--even if your skin is oily. We have found that alcohol is not good for any skin type, so watch for it in skin care products.
3. WEEKLY Steaming (more often for oily skin) Face steaming should be done about once per week regardless of skin type. If your skin is oily, steaming helps to soften debris in clogged pores; and if your skin is dry, it will help to add moisture. Just use our floral facial steam for all skin types to steam your way to a great complexion. Dry and combination skins be sure to moisturize immediately after steaming or masking. Do not hold your face to close to the steam to avoid damaging delicate capillaries.
4. WEEKLY Masking (periodically to draw out impurities) A facial mask serves to draw out impurities for oily skin and to add moisture and softness to dry skin type. Be sure to use the mask that is appropriate for your skin type. Masking can stimulate circulation and healing by drawing blood to the surface, clean and tighten pores, nourish, and moisturize.
5. DAILY Toning (toners for dry skin and astringents for oily skin) Toning should restore the skin's natural pH and freshen the face and close or reduce pores. Toners should be alcohol free.
6. DAILY Moisturizing (oily skin needs moisture too) Moisturize your face while it is still damp. Water keeps the skin plump and moist. Drink plenty of healthy water to stay hydrated. Moisturizers should provide hydration properties and nutrients. DAILY application of an eye cream to delicate eye areas to moisturize and prevent crow's feet is a must. Our nutrient rich eye cream is wonderful for this purpose.
Bi-Weekly exfoliating with skin scrubs will remove the accumulation of dead skin cells that can cause the skin to look dry and dull. Fine grains of nuts, oatmeal, cornmeal, almonds, apricot kernels, or walnuts are the best ones. MONTHLY treatments such as face oils, professionals facials, etc. can also be done to keep your skin healthy.
Causes of Wrinkles
1. Overeating, especially of highly refined animal protein can cause aging. 2. Nutrient Deficiency, to stay wrinkling you need the necessary vitamins of A, B2, C, and E. 3. Dehydration, just as dried fruit comes to life when rehydrated, you skin needs hydration in the form of water; drink plenty. 4. Drinking with Meals, do not drink liquids with meal--drink before or after as to not hinder the body's utilization of fats. 5. Sunlight, avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light which can degenerate skin. 6. Wind, of course, wind is drying to the skin. 7. Environmental Pollution, toxic substances in the air, in our food and drink, and in our personal and home care can wreck havoc on our skin. 8. Free Radicals, atoms or molecules (our most basic structure) contain unpaired electrons that can cause damage at the cellular level. Antioxidants are the key. Vitamin E, C, A can terminate the chain reaction that causes the damage. 9. Smoking, accelerates the aging process; and if you smoke longer than 10 years, some damage can be irreversible 10. Alcohol, can be very drying to the skin; if you drink alcohol excessively, you will develop serious wrinkling 11. Drugs, while some drugs are designed to combat wrinkles, still others have to create them. Avoid illegal and social drugs. 12. Stress affects dermal skin cell can decrease the skin elasticity 13. Expression Lines, please don't stop smiling, but be sure to utilize facial exercises to help negate laugh lines, frown lines, and scowl lines
Be sure to check the ingredient listing for all products that you use, especially the one that you use on your body--for the skin, as you well know, will absorb the cosmetic if possible. The rule of thumb is pretty much that if you can't or wouldn't eat than do not use it on your body.
10 SYNTHETIC COSMETIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID by AUBREY ORGANICS, renowned chemist and founder of theAubrey Organics Product Line
1. Methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl paraben--used as preservatives and can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. Toxic. 2. Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA)--used as foaming agents and can cause dryness of skin, allergic reactions, and some studies show that they may be carcinogenic. Toxic. 3. Diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea (Germall II & Germall 115)--used as preservatives and has been linked to the primary casue of contact dermatitis. Toxic. 4. Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate--a cheap, harsh detergent used in cosmetics. It is derived from petroleum and can cause eye irritation, skin rashes, and dandruff. 5. Petroleum--a mineral oil derivative used in cosmetics. It can cause dryness and chapping; and it is believe to hamper the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism. 6. Propylene gylcol--used as an humectant. It has been know to cause allergic reactions, hives, and eczema. 7. PVP/VA copolymer--a petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, styling aids, and other cosmetics. Inhaled particles can damage the lungs. Toxic 8. Stearalkonium chloride--a quaternary ammonium compound in hair conditioners and creams. Originally developed as a fabric softener. It can cause allergic reactions. Toxic 9. Synthetic colors--synthetic colors are used in a array of products from food to cosmetics. They are labeled as FD&C or D&C followed by a color number such as RED No. 6. Many synthetic colors are considered carcinogenic. Avoid them. 10. Synthetic fragrances--this is where we sometimes draw the line and occassionally use a synthetic fragrance in our home care line of products. However, remember that they are widely used in perfumes, especially the newer ones (that is why we like the classic fragrances). Synthetic fragrances can cause headaches, dizziness, hyperpigmentation of the skin, voughing, vomiting, skin irritation. Avoid them.
Healthy Skin is Beautiful Skin
Improving your image can certainly help in the way you see yourself. Our society can be youth oriented and the pressure to maintain a youthful appearance can be enormous if you allow it. To maintain and keep beautiful skin, you must start now and follow an all-natural routine each day. All the expensive creams in the world cannot top good nutrition, exercise, and a healthy attitude.
First, what you put in your body and on your body matters greatly. The skin is the largest organ; therefore, it has millions of cells that need to be feed to function properly. Organic foods and products that are free of pesticides and hormones are what is needed. Consuming excessive sugar and foods made with white flour can stress our cells, inflame our bodies, and cause premature wrinkles. Natural supplements can prevent premature aging, fight free radicals, and build collagen.
Secondly, hydrate, hydrate! Drink plenty of pure water all day each day--this will help to keep the skin moisturized and help the body to flush out toxins.
Thirdly, protect your skin from excessive exposure to the sun by using sun block and products that contain zinc oxide.
Fourthly, keep chemcials away from you skin period. Wear rubber gloves when performing household tasks using chemcials. Better yet, switch to natural home care products; they are better for your skin and for your environment.
Lastly, exercise, exercise! Do some form of exercise at least 3-4 times a week to keep the body toned and to reduce the accumulation of toxins.
Face Steam
The beauty aid that improves the skin most rapidly is a steam facial.Fill a teakettle with 4-6 cups of water and put it on to boil.Than take a large bowl and add the herbs either dried or fresh—2 handfuls of fresh or 3 tbs of dried.Cleanse your face in the usual manner.Pour the boiling water over the herbs in the bowl and stir gently.Place bowl in a comfortable place.Close your eyes and lower your head near the steam.Cover your head with a large towel to make a tent and trap the steam.Be sure to keep 12-18 inches from the water.Try to stay that way for 10-15 minutes while your face perspires and the herbal steam softens the skin and draws the impurities from your pores.
Facial Mask
Facial mask are most effective right after face steaming.Follow instructions for mixing paste which is usually just adding enough water.Spread the paste over the face avoiding eye mouth area.Lie down and relax for 10-30 minutes with cucumber slices over your eyes if desired.Your skin should feel tight and stiff.Wash off mask with warm water and apply a pore-closing natural toner.
Here's To Your Health--Live Long And Prosper! Embellir Corporation 2577 Broad Avenue (Historic Arts District) Memphis TN 38112-2615 901.452.1950
"You won't stop being sick until you stop doing the things that are making your sick!" Copyright 2001 - 2010 All Rights Reserved
