Saturday, January 31, 2015

HOW TO PROTECT SKIN DURING WINTER.




The cold weather leads to dryness of skin; one feels lips are chapped more often apart from discomfort due to dryness.  Following are some, though not exclusive, good tips for taking care of skin during winter as advised by Yagana Shah in Huffington Post :-
1.      Heating dries you out. As we spend more time indoors, we're increasingly exposed to central heating, space heaters and even electronic fireplaces. All that dry, hot air your skin is being exposed to all day long zaps the moisture from your skin, causing flaking, tightness and dullness. Since staying outdoors isn't exactly an option, fight the effects by using a humidifier which will pump moisture into the air, helping your skin feel more comfortable and hydrated.
2.      Avoid Tanning. As we have separately reported, increasing number of studies are pointing to a link between use of tanning beds and many skin disorders.  While your tan may appear good, it carries health risks.  The UV light in the tanning beds damage the collagen and elastin in your skin, causing all sorts of problems like premature wrinkling, sagging, dark spots and a leathery-texture.
3.      In winter, there is tendency to eat more as body burns more calories in order to retain warmth. Many people therefore tend to gain extra weight during the holidays, especially with increased intake of sugary diet and alcohol.
All skin experts advise reduced intake of sugar and alcohol. Alcoholic drinks dehydrate you and can deplete your skin’s vitamin A, a key component for cell renewal and keeping your skin supple. Sugar, on the other hand, which only adds calories, can cause inflammation, when certain compounds in body process sugar, thereby causing damage to proteins in skin, and weakening skin’s defenses against sun damage.
4.      Avoid frequent or too hot showers.  One finds steam and heat in the shower relaxing, but it adds to the dryness post-shower. Your skin needs all the moisture it can get in the winter and hot showers make it harder.  Long showers tend to strip your skin of its top layer of oil. The result : tight, itchy, flaky skin. Try not to stay in the shower longer than you need to get clean. And try to use warm, not hot, water. Most importantly, don't forget to keep skin adequately moisturized all the time.
5.      As a matter of fact, winter time is the best time to provide rich nutrients to your skin when skin’s ability to absorb them increases.  After experimenting with some powerful herbal ingredients, Herbally Radiant has launched special range of anti-aging cosmetics (Rejuvenating and Radiating) with Cleansers, Toners, Moisturizers and Serums, which contain a combination of exotic herbal extracts.  These provide excellent nourishment to skin, help in revitalizing skin, maintaining its elasticity and preserving its youthful appearance.  

Friday, January 30, 2015

DO YOU KNOW 5 MOST COMMON TOXC INGREDIENTS IN COSMETICS?




Most of the skin care products being marketed with aggressive promotional campaigns through print or electronic media do not mention the ingredients.  But consumers need to satisfy themselves that the products they buy do not pose health risks.  Here are five common ingredients which are potentially harmful for skin and body, knowing which will help consumers to make more intelligent and conscious choices.
US researchers have found that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in cosmetic and personal care products are less-than-safe industrial chemicals. Many of these are carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, plasticizers, degreasers and surfactants – quite a dreadful scenario.
i)                    Parabens: Used in makeup, moisturizers, lotions, might interfere with hormone functions, though these help increase the shelf life of the products. Paramens easily penetrate the skin and can harmfully mimic estrogen. EU restricts concentration of parabens in cosmetics.
ii)                  DEA, cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA: These compounds are used to make cosmetics creamy or foaming such as moisturizer, shampoo. Also found in soaps, cleansers. These can cause mild to moderate skin and eye irritation; high doses are known to cause serious health damage. Danish Environmental Protection Agency classifies cocamide DEA as hazardous to the environment because of its acute toxicity.
iii)                DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate): Used mostly in nail products as a solvent for dyes and as a plasticizer that prevents nail polishes from becoming brittle. DBP is absorbed through skin. Phthalates are commonly hidden on ingredient labels under the term ‘fragrance’, and fragrance recipes are considered trade secrets, not obliging manufacturers to disclose fragrance chemicals on labels. The European Union classifies DBP as very toxic to aquatic organisms.
iv)                BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): These closely related synthetic antioxidants used as preservatives in lipsticks and moisturizers are capable of interfering with hormone function, and can induce allergic reactions in skin.
v)                  Coal Tar Dyes: Mostly used in hair dyes and colors; can be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to brain. Darker hair dyes tend to contain more phenylenediamine than lighter colors. These colors may as well be contaminated with low levels of heavy metals and some are combined with aluminium  substate. 

HERBALLY RADIANT PROMOTES RELIGIOUS-SOCIAL HARMONY

As part of its community activities, Herbally Radiant hosted the important meeting of the MFC Men's Group this Monday (Jan 26).  The Group consists representatives of all faiths: Christians, Jews, Muslims, Bahais, Buddhist, Hindus and atheists as well.

Considering the need to promote tolerance and harmony among all groups, the Group held useful deliberations on the basic concepts of all faiths and groups, and, after listening to the views of all followers (of different faiths), unanimously resolved that all belief systems had to evolve with the changing times so as to help promote unity and peace.   The Group will be working towards this objective.

The Group also considered plans to help some charity projects in Ohio.  The final decision about Group's collective or individual participation will be taken separately.

Herbally Radiant also made brief presentation on the need to follow eco-friendly life style both in terms of food habits and cosmetics as more people were now coming up with skin allergies or acne-type problems for which Herbally Radiant was offering safe and effective herbal formulations with powerful plant-based ingredients.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

AMAZING BENEFITS OF TEA EXTRACTS IN COSMETICS




Tea extracts are important ingredient in our organic beauty products.  The extracts of buds and leaves of tea make effective ingredient as they have the highest concentration of antioxidant properties (polyphenol and flavonoid content).
Green and white teas contain anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic properties, besides providing excellent skin nourishment. The alpha hydroxyl acid and zinc content of red tea are very good for skin. One can experiment by applying some red tea powder directly to the skin to relieve acne, pimples, sunburns or related skin conditions.  After testing new formulations with tea extracts, HERBALLY RADIANT has found that in cosmetic products different tea extracts effectively reduce the signs of wrinkles and premature aging symptoms.  Since there has been some controversy about commercial uses of alpha hydroxy acid, it is always better to get it from a natural source.
The condensed antioxidant elements of green tea have many advantages, aiding body’s physical and biochemical systems as well as cell structure.  These have the proven ability to penetrate a cell and protect it against free radical invasion. Free radicals are damaging compounds that alter cells which directly correlate with the aging process.  The green tea is available with minimal processing – its leaves are withered and not fermented. It therefore becomes effective organic ingredient in top beauty formulations designed to prevent acne and restore the shine of the facial skin, while also nourishing hair and maintaining their shine.
Tea extracts also have scavenging effect of lipid free radicals due to high catechin & polyphenol properties.  During the tests, HERBALLY RADIANT found that the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of tea extracts have immense advantages, especially when combined with selected plant based ingredients.
In addition to tea extracts, HERBALLY RADIANT has started including unique blend of Essential Oils for its top of the range: Rejuvenating and Radiant anti-aging cleanser, toner, cream and serum. These work in tandem with other ingredients to create a revolutionary skin-friendly treatment for facial skin.  HERBALLY RADIANT has got excellent reviews from its customers who have found these formulations amazing treatment to their skin, especially in reducing appearance of lines, spots and wrinkles.
The Rejuvenating and Radiant Cleansers have been formulated especially to help eliminate very gently all impurities, including make-up marks, without stripping skin of its natural oils. This helps skin to absorb rich nutrients from specially prepared serums and moisturizers.  The net result is a fine rejuvenated skin, showing brightness and natural glow.
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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

DO YOU KNOW WHICH IS NATURE'S DRUGSTORE?

Many herbal beauty formulations launched by Herbally Radiant, especially lotions, contain Azadirachta indica oil, i.e., Neem Oil. It has amazing medicinal properties which help in protecting skin against pollution and other damage.

Use of Neem as a medicinal herb dates back over 5000 years.  All parts of Neem tree (leaves, fruit, seeds and even the bark) are used for for different medical products. Following are the key benefits of this wonderful tree :

1. Use of neem oil on skin is well known to rejuvenate the skin. It promotes collagen and works effectively in the treatment of many skin conditions, including acne.  The 'Clean' range of Cleanser, Toner and Serum, especially launched by Herbally Radiant, to treat acne disorders has many more plant-based ingredients.

2. Neem has been proclaimed to be the best product available in treating psoriasis - its pills can be ingested daily for complete relief.

3. Another way to treat psoriasis as well as eczema, skin ulcers, fungal conditions, cold sores and athletes foot, is to mix 1 tablespoon neem oil and 4 oz of olive oil. It should be applied at least two times daily to the affected areas.

4. Neem contains powerful anti-fungal properties that have been shown to aid in the treatment of athletes foot, yeast infections, thrush and even ringworm.

5. Neem paste applied directly to the sores caused by itching will provide quick relief and reduce scarring.

6. Use of neem based powder for jock itch will reduce the itching, dry the area and kill the fungus. For severe cases, a neem lotion would be more effective. Herbally Radiant has included neem oil in its popular body lotions.

7. For shining hair and preventing hair loss, mix a few drops of neem oil with coconut or olive oil and massage into scalp. This will help growth of hair and will prevent hair turning grey.

8. For inflammation, pain and swelling of the joints associated with arthiritis, neem oil can be gently massaged as it changes the immune system's response to arthiritis and can halt its progress.

9. When ingested in the form of pills, it cleanses the blood, stimulates antibody protection and strengthens the immune system, thereby strengthening body's resistance to many diseases.

Neem oil should always be stored in a cool dark place; if the oil solidifies it can be placed in warm water to bring it back to liquid form.

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Monday, January 26, 2015

HOW TO DEAL WITH ACNE PROBLEM

Acne is one of the most troublesome and common skin problems. Many of us have gone to great lengths to banish every blemish, only to see it return in short order, and skin in worse condition, dotted with red marks which are slow to heal.

There are basics for fighting breakouts that are essential if you are going to have any chance of getting clear skin, but thee are also precautions that anyone struggling with acne should follow. In brief, these could be summarized :

i)Don't pick at blemishes! You can "pop" a pimple, but how you do it makes all the difference between healing and scarring.  Anything other than that means unsightly scabs, which turn into scars that are hard to heal.

ii)Don't use extreme heat or cold to clean your face, or treat a blemish. Hot compresses or ice cubes are not the way to treat acne condition, or to encourage healing; they cause inflammation, and that makes acne worse. Pores do not open and close with hot or cold water.

iii)Don't use harsh or irritating skin-care products, especially pharma-based products many of which contain mild toxins for temporary relief. Treating acne-prone skin gently is the best way to go.

iv)Don't wash your face with bar soaps or bar cleansers of any kind. Soap has sulfate, and has drying effect. The ingredients that hold bar soaps, tend to clog pores.

v)Don't apply thick, waxy hair-styling products, or hairspray, especially if your hair usually touches your forehead. The ingredients in most of these products can clog pores when they get on your skin.

vi)Use natural gentle cosmetic products. Herbally Radiant team of experts (Herbalist, Physician) has formulated a special product to treat acne problems. Called 'CLEAN' range, consisting of Cleanser, Toner, Serum and Scrub, these are aloe based with well researched ratio of Essential Oils like Tea Tree, Lavendula angustifolia, Roman Chamomile, Cranberry extract, naturally derived hydrolyzed wheat protein.

The CLEAN products for acne problem offer a combination of moisture-balancing and film-forming properties that work synergistically to turn skin into a smooth, bright and healthy shape.

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Friday, January 23, 2015

BE CAREFUL OF INGREDIENTS CAUSING SKIN ALLERGIES, IRRITATION

It has been reported that the lip gloss product of Christian Dior, which contained a preservative "Propyl Gallate" caused allergic reaction to a consumer in UK, causing her lips to blister.  Propyl Gallate is widely used in color cosmetics, sunscreen lotions, face cleansers and other products.

Christian Dior was good enough to express sorry and responded to customer's complaint to address the issue, and refunded the cost.  It also claimed that the ingredient Propyl Gallate was mentioned in product's label for the guidance of customers. 

However, the point is that many cosmetic brands do not give such information on the labels or package, leaving the customers at the mercy of promotional campaigns and their unverifiable claims.

It is essential, therefore, that the consumers carefully go through the ingredients in order to avoid allergy-causing or other toxic elements. 

At Herbally Radiant, we have found natural skin care products most skin friendly and safe.  These are good alternate choices for those who would want to stay away from any potentially risky ingredient or product.
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Thursday, January 22, 2015

LAVENDER'S BENEFITS IN FACIAL PRODUCTS




Among the important herbal ingredients in our (HerballyRadiant) skin care products, lavender is most widely used. 
Since old times, lavender has found common application in a variety of medicinal and beauty formulations  -  Romans loved lavender oils in perfumes, and as cleansing agent.
Due to its great healing and nourishing  properties lavender is used in Herbally Radiant formulations for the following skin conditions:
Acne  : In their book “Milady’s Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary,” Natalia Michalun and M. Varinia Michalun note that oily and acneic skin benefits greatly from lavender-oil infused products that inhibit bacteria. The ingredient also works as an astringent and helps in normalizing oil production.
To provide quick relief to acne-affected skin, Herbally Radiant launched its special range “CLEAN” of Cleanser, Toner, Serum and Scrub. Aloe and aqua based, these have lavender besides Tea Tree Essential Oil, Vitamin B, C and A, and minerals to create smooth and bright skin.  Lavender speeds up healing of scars.
Redness Reducer : Lavender oil’s natural soothing properties and ability to reduce inflammation allow it to treat skin redness and conditions such as burns, eczema and psoriasis. Aggravated skin caused by stress can be calmed by lavender, as it also has stress-relieving properties.
Wonderful Healer : Lavender’s role as a normalizing agent extends to wounds and damaged skin.  The ingredient can help stimulate new cell growth and regeneration. It has been seen that  its skin-improving benefits can occur quickly, as lavender oil is rapidly absorbed into the skin.
In most of its formulations, Herbally Radiant has added lavender in combination with other herbs and plant extracts. This is among the key ingredients in its anti-aging and anti-acne formulations.  
Effective Beauty Products: Lavender essential oil also has anti-bacterial properties. In combination with other essential oils, it becomes extremely effective and  gentle skin-friendly natural formulation as face cleanser, moisturizer, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner.  It repairs any damage caused to skin due to sun or atmospheric pollutants. The anti-aging products launched by Herbally Radiant, namely: Rejuvenating and Radiant ranges, contain lavender which, along with other ingredients like aloe, extract of green and white tea, vitamin E and many others produce long lasting results, enhancing the natural beauty.
Aromatherapy: Many people also find lavender aromatherapy quite relaxing as it is reported to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.
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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

BEWARE OF FALSE MARKETING CLAIMS OF COSMETIC BRANDS

In a new story, online journal "Cosmetics Design' quotes the recent study by the University of Toronto which reports little or no benefits from the nutrient addition in functional beverages, many of which are being marketed with 'beauty from within claims'.

We have seen frequent cases where cosmetic companies have been charged for influencing customers with false claims.  In June last year, L'Oreal settled with Federal Trade Commission which held that the company made false and unsubstantiated claims with regard to its anti-aging formulation. Before that, it was Estee Lauder which was caught on wrong footing over its "night repair' claim which was alleged to be false marketing tactic.

The false marketing campaigns, especially by the online retailers, are on the rise, putting the customer at quite a disadvantage. It is also not easy to book many online retailers on this account.  It is, therefore, the customers who have to exercise due care in reading the contents, examining the label of the product for information before purchase, instead of going by the unverifiable claims of the retailers. This is, especially important for online purchasing where ingredients of the products are missing from the labels.


There is a piece of good advice from one retailer: don't believe everything you read, especially when you find outrageous cosmetic claims; "expensive does not mean better"; cosmetic sales people are not always skin care experts; and that almost every cosmetic company loves to tell customers that it has studies to support its lofty claims.  In actual effect, most of such studies are neither publis works, nor are they available for review.

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