vitaleblog.org

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Yesterday I received this e-mail from a mother concerned about her daughter’s skin breakouts: My 12 year old daughter suffers from pimples splashed all over her forehead and just a few blackheads on her nose. Is there a reason that it’s her forehead mainly and what is best to treat her skin? Thanks.

Following on from my previous blog about facial diagnosis I thought it a timely question and so have put my reply below:

Skin breaks out because everyday toxins aren’t being eliminated properly by the

Teen Skin Care needs to be simple

other detoxification pathways of the body. The reason breakouts usually occur on the forehead is related to digestive congestion or poor detoxification. Often this comes back to a diet high in sugars and processed foods or fats. If the breakouts are more cyst like in appearance it can related to high dairy intake. There is also her age to take into consideration. Hormonal changes will be making themselves known I am sure and this may also be affecting her skin. Usually it is the liver that can’t cope with the combination of toxins from the diet and an increase in hormones that have to be broken down and so the skin is affected.

While this all sounds quite full on, if she increases her water intake and cuts down on any processed foods and sugars she may find that it will settle down.

Black Soap

Encourage her to wash her face daily to remove oil. Black Soap is ideal for teenagers as apart from being a great cleanser, it is also mildly antibacterial and very gentle on skin. If she does need a moisturiser a light gel such as the Mukti Aloe Gel is all she will need. It contains no oil and so won’t contribute to congestion.

If you think she needs to take stronger steps to clear her skin, and you will know best what she eats etc, then Karen Fischer’s The Healthy Skin Diet outlines an excellent and relatively easy to follow program that doesn’t restrict foods a growing teenager should have.

Dear readers, please let me know if you have any further questions or comments as I would love to hear them. And if you have used products that help your skin with breakouts, we would LOVE to hear about them.

Do you ever wonder why no matter how much sleep you get, the dark circles under your eyes never seem to get any better? Or why your cheeks are flushed even in winter? Or even why you seem to get blackheads on your nose and can’t get rid of them no matter what topical creams you use? These issues are actually signs that your body is giving you, and using facial analysis, you can work out what the root cause of your dark circles and flushed cheeks and finally do something about it.

From Greek medicine to Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), facial analysis has been used as an indication of the health of the organs or to provide useful clues as to the systems involved in any health issue. In particular TCM has a detailed map of the face including lines, organ zones and colour indications. Using TCM facial analysis principles with relation to skin conditions, the map and colours of the face can help indicate the underlying causes and support the choice of treatment.

Skin conditions that affect the face such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne don’t usually affect the entire surface of the face. The affected areas are often confined to particular areas or zones so just by looking at your face you can find out more about the underlying cause of any skin condition. This technique is not confined to skin conditions. It can also be used as a tool to assess wellbeing or to improve skin tone in general.

Face - Organ Map

As a guide, go over each zone of the face and look for any changes in colour (from your normal skin tone), deep lines (that aren’t part of the normal aging process), congestion (pimples, blackheads, milia, whiteheads) or puffiness. Below is a guide to the key areas of the face and their associated organs. Included are key indications about lines and colours that provide additional information.

The other day I was browsing one of my favourite research sites www.ewg.org and I came across their list of Safe Shopping Tips for skincare. It is a useful list but I thought that it could be added to and so here an extended version of the Safe Shopping List from the Environmental Working Group:

1. Avoid the most toxic ingredients in skin care. These are the especially problematic ingredients such as formaldehyde, phalates, artificial fragrances, parabens, Diethanolamine, 1,4-Dioxane, mercury & lead, triclosan, nanoparticles, petroleum byproducts, hydroquinone (skin lightener), coal tar and so on.
   

   Chemicals in Skin Care

2. Use fewer products. On average women use over 14 personal care items a day. I know I am one of them. The reason I don’t mind using so many is that they are all natural and mostly organic so I am not exposing myself to harmful chemicals. However if you are using conventional skin care, it might be wise to either cut down on the number of products you use. By cutting down on the number of chemicals contacting your skin every day, you will reduce any potential health risks associated with your products. Alternatively you can change over to natural & organic skin care as you run out.
3. Read labels. Be aware of greenwashing. Marketing claims on personal care products are not well regulated in Australia, and can mean anything or nothing at all, including claims like organic, natural, hypoallergenic, animal cruelty free, and fragrance free. Read the ingredient label carefully to find evidence that the claims are
   

   Olive Oil Soap

   true. If in doubt ask the manufacturer or retailer for proof of label claim.

4. Use milder soaps. Soap strips away the dirt and oil build up on the skin. Strong soaps or those containing ingredients such as SLS can further disrupt the acid mantle and slow the skin’s pH recovery time, which can lead to increased skin sensitivity. Choose soft soaps such as those based on oils – olive, hemp, castor, rice bran etc
5. Reduce the use of dark hair dyes. Many contain coal tar ingredients that have been linked to cancer in some studies. Alternatively do the research and find a hair dye you like that contains no formaldehyde, phalates, ammonia or coal tar. They are available. See my blog on non-toxic hair dye.
6. Avoid using baby powders or talc; A number of ingredients common in powder have been linked to cancer and other lung problems when they are inhaled. In addition standard talc products are a potential source of lead, which is linked to brain development issues in young children. Choose clay-based powders instead.
7. Choose products that are artificial “fragrance”-free. Fragrances are the number one cause of allergic skin conditions and irritation. They are also a primary source of phalates, a toxic chemical that has even been found in the placental blood of newborn babies. Be cautious – products that claim to be “fragrance free” on the label may actually contain masking fragrances that give off a neutral odour. Read the ingredient label to make sure. Alternatively, choose products that only contain natural essential oils.
8. Reduce your use of nail polish. It’s one of the few types of products that routinely contains ingredients such as formaldehyde and phalates, both of which have cancer-causing potential. Choose non-toxic nail polish such as Zoya. Paint your nails in a well-ventilated room and avoid the use of acetone based polish remover.

I would love to hear if you can add any other safe shopping tips when it comes to skin care. Or if you have had any adverse reactions to skin care of any type, conventional or natural.

Reference: www.ewg.org

Each fortnight a box of organic fruit and vegies is delivered to my door. I love this arrangement because a. it means I don’t have to go to the shops as regularly (I hate going to the supermarket and generally avoid it when possible) and b. it is organic! This fortnight the box contained peaches and nectarines, which I have been enjoying immensely. As I was eating my organic peach this morning I felt especially good because I remembered that peaches are on the Dirty Dozen List, a list of fruit & veg most affected by pesticide contamination. The other fruit & vegetables on this list include (most affected to least):

1. Peach
   

   Strawberries have the potential for a higher pesticide load

2. Apple
3. Capscicum
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes
11. Carrot
12. Pear

While I momentarily felt ok because I was eating an organic peach I realised that my other favourite fruits are also on that list, namely cherries (cannot share them with anyone) and nectarines.  There are some alarming statistics and facts bandied around about pesticide contamination:

• If you eat the 12 most contaminated fruit & vegies, you consume an average of 10 pesticides a day
• Washing or peeling fresh produce reduces pesticide residue but it does not eliminate it.
• Conventionally grown produce contains less nutritional value than organically grown produce

Reading all of this I felt a bit glum so I did a search to find out if there was any produce that wasn’t unduly affected by pesticide residue. At one of the best resources I have come across, www.ewg.org, I found the answer which cheered me immensely. Eating from the list below minimises pesticide ingestion significantly (around 2 pesticides daily and less if washed).  So my new resolution is to ensure that when I buy conventionally grown produce, I will choose from the list below:

1. Onion (from least contaminated)
   
2. Avocado
3. Sweet corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

How does this relate to skin care? Well the pesticides, herbicides, synthetic chemicals, petrochemicals we eat, inhale

How & Why we choose our products

or absorb all contribute to our overall toxic burden. The more burdened our body’s are, the harder it is for them to get rid of all the toxins and waste byproducts which are either stored or eliminated via alternative pathways such as the skin. In those with skin conditions, reducing the overall toxic burden by eating whole foods, choosing organic where possible and using natural skin care & cleaning products can help improve the condition of the skin. For those that just want to improve their wellbeing, it is also a good idea.

Do you eat any organic produce and if so how important is it to you and your family. Is it as important as using organic skin care? I would love to hear your comments.

Hi dear readers…I feel like I am going to confession because I haven’t blogged in over 2 weeks!! Oh dear. Moving on, I am back, I am refreshed and I have LOTS of freckles from being at the beach for two weeks. Despite slathering myself in lots of sunscreen daily and wearing a rash shirt in the water I have a tan…kind of. I am now off-white with lots of freckles instead of just white. I am pretty pleased really as I went to the beach every day and didn’t get sunburnt once!

Now that I am back into the swing of things, I have lots of new topics to write and video blog about which you will see over the coming months. But before I get started on skin care issues I thought I would share an inspirational blog I read with you. This blog is from another skin guru called Sarah Stacey, the author of the UK Green Beauty Bible and reminds me that true beauty comes from within. Sarah writes “Health Notes” in a British Tabloid and this is an excerpt from her column which I hope you enjoy:

Health Notes, December 27th 2009, by Sarah Stacey

000000;">How to be happy
Some ten years ago, I was asked to interview Richard Carlson, the American author of You Can Be Happy No Matter What.  To be honest, I was less than enthusiastic at the thought of talking to yet another personal development guru.  But the man and his books turned out to be wonderful – practical, perceptive and inspiring.  One key piece of advice he gave was ‘treasure yourself, you’re precious’ .  That’s such a difficult thing for most of us to do, but valuing yourself is the key to valuing others and creating good and enduring relationships. So my wish for you for 2010 is that you all start to treasure yourselves.  To set you on the path, here are some of Richard’s guidelines for living well. Very sadly, Richard died in 2006 but he leaves a legacy of truly life-enhancing books which I hope you will investigate.

000000;">Live in the present: many people spend much of their lives regretting what’s gone and worrying about what’s to come.  (And remember the word ‘resentment’ literally means ‘re-feeling’.)  When you find yourself doing this, simply bring your attention back to the millisecond that you’re living right now.  Your body and mind will unite and that brings an instant feeling of peace.  Living in the present also allows you to be wholly with the people you’re with and/or what you’re doing so that you can make the very most of it.  That’s also something that others really notice and appreciate.

000000;">Don’t try to change others: accept that you can only change yourself.

000000;">Think happy: your happiness levels may seem to go up and down with circumstances and of course that’s true to some extent.  But the biggest factor that dictates how you feel is your thoughts.  It’s not the outside world that produce our thoughts, it’s ourselves – and the way we think about someone or something totally influences how we feel. Tell yourself that you’ll have a happy day and you will – even if there’s a mountain of problems in your path.  Think optimistically about recovering from illness and research shows you will do better.  The trick is to recognise negative thoughts but not let them overwhelm your life: when they occur, look for a more positive way of seeing things – of changing your thought pattern.  You might be feeling low one day and think ‘I’ll never finish this project’ or ‘ this relationship will never work out’.  If this ‘thought attack’ goes on, it may spiral out of control and you’ll probably give up – or at least waste time and energy worrying.  Start thinking ‘I know I can do this’ -  and ‘there is no reason why this relationship should not work well for both of us’ – and you stand a good chance.

000000;">Don’t live in the problem, live in the solution: we become accustomed to thinking, talking and living with what’s wrong.  If we think about solutions, we start thinking positive.  When you’re facing a sticky situation of any kind, confront it and work out what would make you feel better.  Emotional situations are usually much more difficult than practical ones but focussing on the healthy parts of a relationship gives you a constructive perspective to start from.

Gratitude Symbol

000000;">Be grateful: appreciating all the good things, big and small, colours your whole being.  (It’s also been shown to boost your immune system.)000000;">

Understand your moods: up, down, up, down – our mood levels swing like a seesaw. Just when it seems as though life is going smoothly, bam!  Our mood level drops and everything seems rocky again.  Sometimes everything seems hopeless, then our mood lifts and everything’s sunshine again. For some people, these shifts are slight; for others, extreme. They vary for all sorts of reasons including hormones, tiredness, hunger, the weather and of course how relationships are going.  When you’re in a high mood, life looks good, you have perspective, relationships flow, communication is easy.  In a low mood, life seems hard, people are out to get you, you take things personally.  Most people have their most serious discussions when their mood is low – and that’s one of the core problems in relationships.  So don’t react or make decisions until the low mood passes.  Just keep putting one foot in front of another – and don’t get hungry, angry, lonely or tired.

000000;">Connect with other people from your heart first, head second. Be open and straightforward and truthful.  Appreciate what others do and feel.  They need the same thing as you – love.  Be sure the people in your life know that they are lovable and loved.

Much of this information comes from a book by Richard Carlson: You Can Be Happy No Matter What

I was walking at the beach this morning and thinking about the year in review…what a big one it has been for me, both personally and for Vitale Natural as a whole. Of course there are ups and downs, but I am pleased to say more ups that downs by a long shot.

Firstly I would like to share a few personal highlights:

• We adopted our dog Edmond after 2 years of fostering. A cruelty
  

  Monty & Ed at the beach (Ed is the black poodle)

  case, we started caring for Edmond at 4 months but couldn’t officially adopt him until the RSPCA won the court case against his previous owner. Finally in November we  adopted him from the wonderful people at the RSPCA. If I have never mentioned this before (I am sure I have!) I adore my two dogs.

• A book I contributed to was published in October. “Fast Living, Slow Ageing” is a collaboration of 50 doctors, scientists and specialist that addresses how to be optimally fit and healthy at any age. As an editor I can assuredly say that there is so much good information available but it is a big job bringing it together in an easy to read way…glad it is finally published!
• You-tube videos – yes despite being a nutrition lecturer for 6 years and talking in front of lots of people, the idea of being on a video blog did not sit well with me. Like anything though, once I overcame my fears, it was easy. I would still like to be a bit more polished…but you are getting the real me! Next year, I have lots more planned!

Some Vitale highlights:

• This blog…it started in March and it has been lots of fun to build it up, research topics and receive your comments.
  

  My holiday red

  Please let me know what you want to find out about as I am happy to do topic requests

• New products – I love new products and this year we have added heaps to the website and in-store. It is so exciting coming across a product that I have been searching for (non-toxic nail polish) or trying to find a natural alternative to (the natural eyelash enhancer took me 18 months to find!) or that is new to the market (La Mav – finally a fantastic Australian cosmeceutical range).
• Working with Karen & Roechelle my business partners. We bring out the best in each other…most of the time!
• My skin – I think I have found the right combination of skin care and dietary habits that suits my skin – no dairy, lots of vegies, limited red meat and of course the good stuff (red wine & chocolate) in moderation.

And I am just so excited about 2010. Looking forward we have some super exciting things coming up (well I think so anyway!):

• The Green Beauty Review – to be launched in March, this is a new review site that will have the best of the best reviews, information, articles and it is all about natural & organic skin care. More on this next year.
• Our new centre – we are opening in Bulimba. The new centre will be less about skin care and more about wellness and eco-living.
• Getting back to some exercise – oh yes, it is time!

I am sure I could think of lots more but I will hand it over to you. Please let me know your highlights of 2009 and what you are looking forward to in 2010. And please have a great New Years!

Green Beauty Review - to be launched March 2010

Propylene Glycol is a humectant and humidifying agent. This ingredient is generally used in brake fluid, anti freeze, laundry detergents, paints and floor wax. It is also used in the cosmetic industry and in some foods to keep products from melting or freezing in extreme temperatures by maintaining a balanced moisture content. Propylene glycol is on the US Food and Drug Administration’s list of ingredients which are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and is recognized by the World Health Organization as safe for use.

Despite its GRAS status there are a growing number of grass roots claims that propylene glycol is an inappropriate ingredient for cosmetics and food. This is largely due to the material safety data sheet (MSDS). An MSDS is a safety disclosure which instructs manufacturers and shippers on proper procedures for handling ingredients, for treating accidental exposure, and for cleaning up spills. An MSDS does not indicate how the ingredient will react when combined with other ingredients, and the effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. However the MSDS can be used as a guide of the ingredients potential for hazard.

The material safety data sheet for propylene glycol states that it is “implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities; can inhibit cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage”. The concentrated form of the ingredient can cause temporary reddening, stinging or swelling when it comes in contact with the eyes or skin. Propylene glycol is a petroleum plastic that can easily penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin potentially weakening cellular structure.

These indications do not mean that a product formulated with the ingredient will have irritating properties but that it could. Due to the potential for Propylene glycol to weaken cellular structure it is likely that people with a propensity to sensitive, easily irritated or damaged skin are more likely to be affected. However, it is probably best to avoid any cosmetic ingredient that has these risk factors as there are always safe alternatives.

If there is any good news it is that the MSDS for the propylene glycol contains no indications of carcinogenicity or chronic exposure effects and

Babies & young children are most susceptible to chemical exposure

tests both in humans that have worked with this substance and animals have confirmed this. However, these tests don’t take into account exposure to babies, children or the effect on babes in utero all of which are more susceptible to toxic exposure than adults.

Fortunately there are good natural alternatives to propolene glycol and in this author’s opinion synthetic ingredients should always be avoided where possible. Look for natural skin care products that contain alternatives.

Every day we are exposed to air pollution, sunlight, smoke and more all which give rise to the production of “free radicals”.  Damage to our DNA, protein (collagen & elastin) and protein remodeling (skin healing) are all side effects of the production of free radicals. Internally the metabolism, the effects of stress and emotions and the result of everyday body process that utilize oxygen all create free radicals. Externally ultraviolet light from the sun and environmental stressors such as smoking, pollution, poor dietary habits and chemical exposure also contribute. The production of free radicals and the damage they cause is one of the key mechanisms of aging.  As one ages, the skin’s structural foundation weakens. Specifically, collagen which keeps the skin firm and elastin which maintains elasticity and helps prevent the skin from sagging. Free radicals attack your skin’s collagen and elastin layers, accelerating the creation of fine lines and wrinkles.

Skin-aging caused by free radicals occurs over time however, the damaging effect of free radicals is exacerbated in the presence of an antioxidant

Berries are an excellent source of dietary antioxidants

deficiency which can accelerate this process considerably. Consider for example the skin of a smoker aged 40 years compared to a non-smoker. In this case, the antioxidant defenses of the skin are far outweighed by the production of free radicals as a byproduct of the daily cigarette habit. Much research has been done with regard to the benefits of antioxidants to combat the production of free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that harm the cells, causing damage and premature aging. Specifically antioxidants help to maintain the health of the skin cells such as collagen and elastin which keeps skin supple.

There are two ways to slow the effects of free radical damage on the skin:

Reduce the production of free radicals. You can’t really do much

Smoking contributes to free radical skin damage

about reducing free radical product that is the byproduct of everyday bodily processes however you can reduce your exposure to the environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays, pollution, chemicals and poor dietary habits. So the key advice such as minimizing exposure to midday sun and giving up smoking apply here.

Improve your antioxidant status. The neutralizing effects of antioxidants don’t prevent the effects of free radical damage however ensuring that your antioxidant status is optimal will certainly slow skin aging. Antioxidants can be increased internally and topically by:

1. Eating plenty of antioxidant rich foods – colourful fruit, vegetables and wholegrains are excellent sources of antioxidants. Key antioxidant rich foods for the skin include mangosteen, turmeric, green tea and berries of any kind.
2. 

   Antioxidant Supplements can help top up your levels

   Antioxidant Supplementation – specifically vitamins C and E, as well as lipoic acid and flavonoids (green tea and grapeseed), exert protective effect against oxidative stress in the skin and help protect the skin from damage caused by the sun. Lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin as a specific subset of carotenoids may also be used as oral sun protectants and contribute to the maintenance of skin health.

3. Topical antioxidants – provide some protection against environmental damage to the skin and may help slow down skin aging. However, the effectiveness of topical antioxidants depends on a number of factors including skin permeability, the concentration of the antioxidant and the other ingredients in the cream and whether they are water or fat soluble among other things. Also keep in mind that just because an ingredient is an antioxidant, doesn’t mean that it will be effective for slowing skin aging and indeed that different antioxidants have different effects on the skin. Some of the more effective topical antioxidants that have been researched thus far include:

• Vitamin C – supports and stimulates collagen synthesis and reduces free radical damage
• Vitamin E – assists with skin healing, protects cellular membranes which helps maintain the health of the skin cell
• Green tea – reduces erythema and the effects of ultraviolet radiation, anti-inflammatory effects.
• Betacarotene & Carotenes – helps minimise sun damage
• Vitamin A (as retinoic acid) – increase synthesis of collagen, reducing fine wrinkles, improve skin texture and increase skin thickness
• Coenzyme Q10 – improving the cells ability to produce new collagen. It also increases the ability of the cell to minimise damage from free radical production.
• Lipoic acid – inhibit cross-linking which contributes to the ageing process

Whether in our diet, as supplements or topically applied, antioxidant play an important role in slowing down the aging process. Of course to get the best effect it is important to consider all three delivery methods. In addition, minimising your exposure to the environmental factors that cause free radical production, will significantly add to slowing the aging process, not just of your skin, but of your whole body.

The pleasure of a morning cuppa had been increased by the emergence of the many health benefits from tea of all kinds – black, green and oolong (white). Heart disease, gum disease, cancer and even weight loss. In addition to these health benefits tea has emerged as a significant therapeutic ingredient active against skin damage.

The many medicinal properties of tea are attributed to phytochemicals called polyphenols of which catechins are the

Green Tea

principle subtype. White and green tea has the highest concentrations of catechins with up to 25% being standard. While black tea contains 4% on average. There are many types of catechins but those that have been studied most extensively in relation to skin phyto-ageing are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

Research assessing the benefits of green tea for skin has shown that topical application can reduce sun damage. Green tea does not have a UV ray blocking effect like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide however there is a synergistic effect when combined with either of these ingredients. The benefit is achieved by blocking free radicals and reducing inflammation and apart from reducing sun damage it may also help slow the skin aging associated with sun damage.

The findings above applied equally to white tea in clinical trials. Interestingly, while black tea contains less than a quarter of the EGCG of green or white tea, it also has a protective effect against sun damage and reduces erythema (reddening of the skin). Based on these findings it is worthwhile considering a sunscreen that contains green, white or black tea extract.

Green tea in particular has been showed benefits for papulopustular rosacea. The particular study used a lotion containing a

Devita Optimal Rejuvenation with Green Tea & Centella to support rosacea affected skin

tea extract which produced a 70% improvement in rosacea when compared to use of a lotion containing the base ingredients alone. The most significant finding was a reduction in inflammatory lesions when compared to placebo.

While not focused on topical application an interesting result using oolong tea was achieved in patients with chronic atopic dermatitis. Patients in the trial maintained their standard dermacological treatment and at the same time drank 3 cups of oolong tea per day that had been steeped for 5 minutes. After only one month of treatment, which is a relatively short period of time, 63% of patient showed marked to moderate improvement and the response was still evident 6 months after the trial in 54% of patients. The authors of the trial suggest the antiallergic properties of the tea polyphenols are responsible for the result.

One study that looked at the role green tea may play in slowing photoaging gave participants a 10% green tea cream and 300mg supplement twice daily or placebo over an 8 week period. However, while there was a significant improvement in elastic tissue there were no obvious visible signs of skin improvement. Given the trial was only 8 weeks, longer supplementation may be required for clinical results to become obvious.

Another quite specific use for green tea is to reduce the skin damage from of radiotherapy. Skin toxicity is a common side effect of radiotherapy for solid tumors. In one study a green tea extract made by steeping a green tea bag in water was applied to damaged skin. It showed that green tea supported the restitution of skin integrity by inhibiting inflammation and mediating local immune responses. In addition the higher catechin content of green tea may be responsible for the considerable antibacterial effect often seen in super-infected skin lesions common to hospitalised patients. This study shows potential for green tea to have greater benefit than just reducing inflammation, in particular an antibacterial effect which significantly widens the scope of use in skin conditions such as acne and skin infections.

The benefits for green tea are numerous and particularly effective in the area of sun protection and phytodamage. The issue with the use of creams that there is generally no indication of the percentage of extract in the cream and it could be anything from waving a tea bag over the top to significant levels up around 10%. In addition, the quality of extract may not be known or not specific for skin application. For example, the green tea extracts that are beneficial contain more caffeine (although

Remedica Hydra Mist

this isn’t the only active required) where as EGCG or catechins are required (as far as we know from clinical trials) to help slow sun damage.

Tea Tips

• Look for sunscreens that contain green, white or black tea for the additional phytoprotective effect
• Make your own tea treatment at home by brewing quality organic green or oolong tea and freezing into icecubes or put into a spritz bottle and refrigerate. Alternatively use our Remedica Hydra Mist with a base of green tea.
• Use the left over tea bags as soothing patches for eyes
• Make up your own green tea cream by adding the chosen extract to a base cream. Base it on the extract making up 10% of the final mix. Use an extract standardized to EGCG.
• During Summer, make up a pot of green tea, add some ice cubes and honey to taste. Refrigerate and drink throught the day.

This is my Christmas themed post! In our family we have made the choice to give presents that are in consumable (ie like skin care), experiences (such as a facial) or eco-friendly gifts (because it feels good). It is our way of helping to prevent land fill. So this year (I hope none of my family are reading this), I am going to outline what I am giving to my family:

My Mum likes indulgent gifts. She love beauty treatments and gorgeous smelling products. It is only of late that she has started buying these things for herself rather than on us kids so I like to encourage this trend:

Monoi Shimmer Body Oil

Deliciously exotic, this body oil is made from gardenia flowers that have been steeped in coconut oil. With mica for shimmer, it is the perfect body oil for Summer nights.

Twinkle Toes Pedicure & Manicure

Having a pedicure in Summer is perfect for wearing thongs and sandals. Mum loves it because it is something she would never do herself and it is for her a complete indulgence.

For my dogs (yes before anyone asks, I am one of those crazed dog owners and so buy my dogs Christmas presents), I bought a Etiko Fair Trade Soccer Ball. Granted the whole family will be able to play with it when we are at the beach but I also know it is going to be a hit with the dogs. The soccer ball itself was made without child labor and is sweat-shop free. This and other sports balls are available from Good Concepts in West End, Brisbane or on-line at www.etiko.com.au.

Etiko Fair Trade Soccer Balls

This year I am giving my partner a My Heart Beats Green eco t-shirt from Bliss Eco Wear. My Heart Beats Green and Kowtow have some fantastic designs and all in fair-trade and 100% organic cotton.

My Heart Beats Green

My sister is going on a European trip in January so she needs practical gifts. I am thinking of a recycled manicure kit (Eco Tools Nail Care Kit) as a good pair of nail scissors and a set of tweezers will come in handy and a La Mav Travel Pack so that she doesn’t have to lug around full sized skin care products.

La Mav Travel Pack

Lastly each year we choose a charity to give to and because I spend a fortnight at the beach every Christmas, my favorite charity is the Australian Marine Conservation Society. The AMCS guard our ocean wildlife and as a beach-goer I value the work they do:

A lot of us value more than just a coastal view, we love the sea itself. But the sea that we know and love is changing. Once treated as a dumping ground and considered inexhaustible, our oceans are now in crisis and need our help. The Australian Marine Conservation Society is Australia’s only charity dedicated exclusively to protecting ocean wildlife and their homes.

Australian Marine Conservation Society

I would love to here about the gifts you are giving to your friends, family and loved ones.