HERBS ARE NATURE'S BOUNTY TO STAY HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL

In a topical paper brought out by Sabinsa, the fact that natural beauty care products are the best choice is again highlighted.

It explains how effective and safe natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial compounds and preservatives, find multifunctional applications in personal care products.

The need to control microbial activity is inherent in two major facets of personal care, namely, antimicrobial care wherein the product helps to retard the growth of topical pathogens or eliminate them, and preservatives that retard the growth of microbes in personal care product formulations.

We at Herbally Radiant are promoting the basic concept that herbs are nature’s bounty. Our body’s response to organic substances is gentle yet very effective. The extracts of plants and herbs, essential oils and tinctures have amazing protective and curative properties. The formulations out of these ingredients have immensely beneficial effect in cosmetic applications. Some have nourishing or cleansing active ingredients, some whip up circulation, others refine pores, while some freshen skin, leaving it soft and glowing. Organic ingredients help skin’s capacity to absorb, allowing better penetration of beneficial herbal extracts.

The best way to stay fit, remain beautiful and healthy is to benefit from nature’s bounty. We have seen in recent years that larger number of physicians, beauticians and cosmetologists across the world are shifting to organic skin care products. Increasing use of organic products is also due to visible harmful side effects from the application of synthetic and chemical ingredients.

Consumers have a large variety to choose from plants and flowers. New techniques enable  manufacturers to present them in ready-to-use products with long shelf life. Some of these are natural preservatives themselves while others are hardening agents which have excellent uses for face masks. Many are wonderful emulsifiers. Besides, fruits, vegetables and other plant extracts and oils have their own fine aromas and fragrances. The organic formulations have, therefore, highly soothing aroma creating natural cooling and calming effect.

REMOVE ACNE WITH PLENTY OF FRUITS,VEGETABLES AND NATURAL SKIN PRODUCTS

NY Times columnist Aanahad O’Conor has come up with a new idea of fighting acne condition. 

Explaining how acne can be an embarrassing problem that seemingly no amount of expensive creams and ointments can resolve, the author underlines the fact that what you put in your mouth may be as important as what you put on your skin.

Referring to the statement of dermatologist Dr. Daniel J. Aires at University of Kansas Hospital, that he had a lot of patients who got their acne under control just by changing their diet, author recalls several studies on the link between various foods and acne, and summarizes them :

■ Avoid sugary and starchy foods that have a high glycemic index, meaning they cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly.

■ If you eat dairy products, avoid low-fat dairy varieties.

■ Eat plenty of very colorful plants and produce.

Most compelling evidence comes from research at the relationship between acne and high glycemic foods like sugar, white bread, white rice, pasta and other simple carbohydrates. Highly processed and refined carbohydrates tend to have little or no fiber and generally cause blood sugar levels to spike.

Scientists aren’t sure why, but one reason may be that high glycemic foods not only cause blood sugar levels to rise but also prompt the release of various hormones, such as insulin, IGF-1 and growth hormone, which can exacerbate acne.

The simple dermatologist advice to patients eating dairy products is to avoid low-fat options, and better take the regular cheese.  The diet should be full of real, whole foods without too much sugar or refined carbohydrates, besides, of course, eating plenty of plants and vegetables.

The author seems to have overlooked the fact that strong chemical ingredients in skin care formulations  aggravate the acne condition. Herbally Radiant has experimented with several combinations of Essential Oils and herbal ingredients that have proved a boon to many women who previously were suffering from acne eruptions frequently. The CLEAN range of products launched by Herbally Radiant with high organic content are the most effective anti-acne products in the market  at present that work from inside out, and accelerate epidermal regeneration.

HEALTHY HABITS IN 20'S HAVE DRAMATIC EFFECT ON HOW WELL WE AGE

Associating skin health with the overall physical health, we at Herbally Radiant  have been monitoring the latest research studies that are pointing to healthy lifestyle tips.

The New York Times has come up with some new factors leading to weight gain and consequent health problems.  It highlights the fact that while most 20-year-olds don’t worry much about their health, studies show the lifestyle and health decisions we make during our third decade of life have a dramatic effect on how well we age.

It adds that staying healthy in your 20s is strongly associated with a lower risk for heart disease in middle age; those who adopted five healthy habits in their 20s – a lean body mass index, moderate alcohol consumption, no smoking, a healthy diet and regular physical activity – stayed healthy well into middle age.

And a disproportionate amount of the weight we gain in life is accumulated in our 20s. The average woman in the United States weighs about 150 when she’s 19, but by the time she’s 29, she weighs 162 pounds – that’s a gain of 12 pounds. An average 19-year-old man weighs 175 pounds, but by the time he hits 29 he is nine pounds heavier, weighing in at 184 pounds.

It is true that it can be especially difficult for a young adult to focus on health. Young people often spend long hours at work, which can make it tough to exercise and eat well. They face job pressure, romantic challenges, money problems and family stress. Who has time to think about long-term health?

It, therefore, advises taking the following minimum steps to prevent obesity and to stay healthy :

1.       Weigh yourself often on bathroom scale or one at the gym because the weight tends to creep up starting in the 20s.

2.      Learning to cook. It will save you money and help eat more of veggies and fruits and nutrient-rich ingredients.  

3.      Cut back on sugar. Avoid excessive simple sugar by eliminating sugared soft drinks, breakfast cereals with added sugar, or adding table sugar to foods.

4.      Live an active life. Build physical activity into your daily life; fix a schedule in gym, take brisk walks.

5.      Eat your veggies. Increase intake of plant foods, go easy on junk foods.

6.      Practice portion control. It does not mean tiny portions of all foods. It’s okay to eat larger portions of healthy foods – no one gets fat from eating carrots.

7.      Practice post-party exercise. Excess drinking and snacking can also be balanced by increasing your physical work out.

8.       Happy lifestyle. It also includes that you have a job that you love. People who are less happy in their jobs are more likely to report depression, stress and sleep problems, and have lower overall mental health scores.  Remain more engaged in life and healthier behaviors which have long term benefits for their well-being.  

MORE CHEMICAL INGREDIENTS BANNED FROM PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Japanese Ministry of Health has announced to ban 19 chemical ingredients used in so-called 'medicated' soaps within one year.  This follows the US FDA's recent decision that antibacterial wash manufacturers must ban 19 ingredients from their products. FDA concluded last month that the aggressively marketed 'antibacterial' soaps were, in fact, no more effective than the plain bath soaps. This ruling did not apply to the hand sanitizers and antibacterial products used in health care operations.

Coming on the heels of this development, the latest article of Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has quoted the findings of a group of US and EU researchers that harmful chemicals like endoctrine disrupting chemicals used in personal care and beauty product formulations, together with similar other elements, cost consumers $ 58 billion in terms of subsequent medical expense.

So, one more logical reason for the consumers to turn to safe natural beauty formulations. 

ESSENTIAL OILS EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING PSORIASIS SKIN DISORDER

Psoriasis is a long-term skin rash that can be managed with Essential Oils which is confirmed by Markus MacGillr in latest MNT article. Being in the business of promoting skin care and cosmetic products with herbal natural ingredients, Herbally Radiant agrees with the Markus MacGillr that effective alternative treatments are available to deal with psoriasis condition. All Herbally Radiant formulations contain powerful Essential Oils. These act as preservatives and enhance the effect of other natural ingredients in the beauty formulations.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the body's own cells in the skin in the same way that it would attack foreign bodies. People with psoriasis have a rapid buildup of skin cells that form inflammatory papules and plaques with silver-colored "scales" on the surface of the skin. These lesions can also be: Itchy, Dry, Red and Painful.

Psoriasis shows in different forms among different people. Psoriatic plaques can be in specific places – at skin folds, palms of the hands, or soles of the feet, while others might have it on whole body. It comes and goes over time; it appears gradually, then goes away for a time before returning again. The flare-ups can come and go in relation to triggers.

Essential Oils used in Herbally Radiant products are natural oils obtained from plants through a process of distillation. These are volatile oils, and can be readily vaporized and then condensed in the process of distillation.

There are nearly 300 types of Essential Oils mixed in different formulations. Herbally Radiant uses mainly Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Grapefruit,  Primrose as well as a combination of complementary oils. 

Some standard medical treatments for psoriasis are derived from plants, and Essential oils carry powerful curative properties. For example, Tea Tree oil is widely used in nonprescription skin care products. It has wonderful antiseptic properties, and Herbally Radiant uses it effectively in its CLEAN range of products prepared especially for acne or similar skin problems.

Similarly, many Herbally Radiant formulations are Aloe Vera based. It is a gel-like substance from the aloe plant and can be applied to skin affected by psoriasis. Creams containing aloe vera may have some effect on symptoms such as redness and itching.

Physicians and dermatologists commonly prescribe methotrexate, retinoids such as acittretin and isotreinoin, cyclosporine and other strong medicines. But these have strong side effects: these suppress the natural immune system, and  render delicate skin vulnerable to further  infections.

There is no specific medicine for psoriasis, which is attributed to factors like genetics,  infections, drugs like beta blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, too much sun exposure, alcohol intake, smoking or emotional stress. Physicians can try to bring the symptoms under control with strong medicines which trigger further side effects. There are excellent herbal formulations that can help control it and gradually eliminate it with their long term use.

STRESS ADVERSELY IMPACTS ON SKIN

Not only for maintaining radiating skin, but for overall health, stress management is important. It has been highlighted by many studies that mental  or emotional stress impacts adversely on skin and appearance. At  Herbally Radiant we have been monitoring new studies which are coming out with new techniques  on stress management.

Essential Oils used in our products, especially the anti-aging range, increase their efficacy, and also create the effect of aroma therapy for the user with calming and soothing effect on skin. The right blend of Essential Oils in our anti-aging formulations (Radiant and Rejuvenating) is therefore an essential step of epidermis renewal. The epidermis is rebuilt from within with the help of especially chosen herbal ingredients.

As the stress is known to speed up the aging process which gets reflected on face, Herbally Radiant takes epical care on using the fine ratio of various Essential Oils and their compatibility with other herbal ingredients.

On stress management,  we recently came across a new book  “The Upside of Stress” by Stanford psychologist and award-winning teacher Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D. in which she offers new perspective on causes and effects of stress.  She emphasizes that stress is not always harmful, and in many cases makes us stronger, smarter, and happier. She advises that to deal with stress, the best technique is to embrace it rather than trying to escape, avoid or attempt to reduce it.

On the basis of her long experience in conducting dozens of studies, her view merits support that it is not the stress which is harmful, but the feeling of potential harm from stress which is the culprit. And to overcome stress, one needs to change the negative mindset.

Focusing on stress from the point of skin specialists, we have seen how a recent women's survey, conducted by a brand skincare company, revealed that as many as 92% of them admitted that "stress impacted on the quality of their skin".  (It was followed by diet, sleep, hormones, genetics.) Another survey by beauty journal Cosmetics Design recently reported a survey of women in which 88% of women thought that personal care products impact their skin, and 56% found it stressful when they have not gone through regular skin care regimen.

We advise our customers  that for maintaining beautiful appearance, it is essential  to avoid stress, and opt for natural  products which are safer, skin-friendly, and gently restore skin’s glow and beauty. We keep experimenting with combinations of herbal  ingredients,  and have found that some Essential Oils, when combined with right proportion  of extracts of plants and herbs, create amazingly calming effect on skin, driving away stress and improving overall appearance.  

QUESTIONABLE CLAIMS OF USE OF STEM CELLS FOR ANTI-AGING EFFECT

Increasing number of skincare brands in the market are touting the use of human stem cells for giving anti-aging effect.  No reputed brand is making such claims.  Most of them are using plant stem cells which is quite a different area altogether, because function of plant cells is not transferable to human skin.  How a plant functions in natural environment is completely unrelated to how human skin functions.

There are some brands which are using stem cell extracts which also is a different technique; such formulations are in fact based on growth factors. (Use of extract of stem cells is different from the use of human stem cells.)

Well known skincare physicians are advising consumers that there is no such bio-medical technology at present which could claim the anti-aging effect by the use of human stem cells. There are no safety and reliability tests carried out so far.

CARCINOGENIC INGREDIENTS FOUND IN COSMETICS IN UK

There have been reports of counterfeit cosmetic products that contain potentially harmful chemical ingredients.  Recently, UK authorities prosecuted marketers of cosmetic products which contained banned substances. One substance detected was carcinogen O-Aminophenol.

Currently over 1000 substances are banned by EU regulations for use in cosmetic products. These are basically chemical ingredients, many of which pose long term health risks.

Cosmetics market in US is operating under lax regulations and many players are taking advantage of these by using inexpensive chemical ingredients which are not safe for application on skin or hair.

Herbally Radiant strongly favours marketing of only safer skin care products and more effective measures to regulate their safety and reliability.

The recent bipartisan proposal made through the House of Representatives, therefore, needs strong support of all consumer groups that aims at strengthening FDA's ability to regulate cosmetics products more effectively.