Organic Skin Care and Arometherapy

Good makeup is hard to buy. That's the bottomline. They are not hard to find. Revlon, Clinique, Max Factor... the big brands have always been the best to deliver. But when it comes to safety... Who do you turn to?

Reports of lead in lipsticks have alarmed many consumers. Lead can cause cancer and using a product with lead (despite having minute amounts of it) everyday can still be bad for one's health. Hence, the rise in use of organic cosmetic and beauty products.

Organic skin care products are mostly made from natural ingredients and use synthetics in small portions to lengthen the product's shelf life. However, these synthetics are not as dangerous as lead or any other chemical.

Organics can now be found sold in cosmetic counters and even online. One can order their favorite product with specific ingredients actively producing their desired results. Lavender, chamomile, green tea... these natural ingredients come from herbs and plant oils that we usually find in gardens and in the wild.

Lead in Lipstick?

The reports of famous brands of lipsticks containing lead is alarming. Actual studies done have proven one third tested contained more lead than what was allowed by the US FDA.

Lead in lipstick is worse than lead in foundations. Lipstick is often ingested and accumulation of the chemical can lead to development of cancer, and even infertility issues as well (including among men who kiss lips laden with lead-filled lipstick). To avoid these, use natural makeup which contain mineral pigments and organic plant extracts and oils that are gentle and healing. Organic makeup does not contain synthetic materials, artificial fragrances or petro-chemicals that even those with sensitive skin and allergies can wear it.

The Nose Knows

If you're like me whose sense of smell is an influential factor for maintaining good health, then aromatherapy is perfect for us.

To calm my senses and lessen stress, I often use scented candles to spread fragrance in my room. The pleasant odors together with soft music can ease the chaos from my mind and relax my body.

Use lavender to improve sleep, chamomile to ease stress, and citronella to protect you from mosquitoes. Also use vanilla for a sensual air.

When choosing perfumes and colognes, choose the water-based or the oil-based over those with alcohol. Water-based ones are good for sensitive skin, while oil-based fragrances are for long-term use and you risk having the scent stick to your clothes despite the many washings. So choose carefully.

Skin Care Benefits of Using Sulfur Soap

A sample of sulfur (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Despite its acrid smell, a bar of sulfur soap brings many health benefits to your skin through its antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities. In olden times, individuals had to take a dip in sulfur-rich hot springs located at a distance from an active volcano. Spas often appeared around these areas to provide patrons privacy and comfort while they visited the pools of heated water and sulfur. Many people frequented these places because the hot water therapy soothed their aching muscles and the sulfur healed their skin problems, such as acne vulgaris, whiteheads, blackheads, eczema, rosacea, scabies, and seborrheic dermatitis. Now, sulfur's cleansing properties are packaged neatly in soap bars. The ten percent sulfur content in the soap has enough potency to effectively produce the same effective results as dipping your whole body in a pool of sulfur-rich hot water. Like in the ancient times, use sulfur soaps to reme...

How Do You Treat Scalp Acne and Scalp Dermatitis?

A case of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis on the back of the head (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) If you suffer from pimples on the scalp, then it's important to find a good scalp acne treatment. They're ugly, painful, and irritating. We can't see them ourselves so we pick them often by scratching our scalp before knowing they're there. Scalp wounds tend to bleed and this can make the spots visible, especially if your hair is thinning, fine or very short. Most acne on the scalp has the same cause as acne on the face, that is, overproduction of sebum leading to blockages of hair follicles, which often become infected. Inflammation can be caused by a condition called seborrheic dermatitis , and this, together with oily skin, is what you have to go along with scalp acne. What happens is the scalp will be red and itchy and the skin will flake off as dandruff. Associated with the condition of seborrheic dermatitis and more serious cases is yeast and it's someti...

A brief vacation

I have just got back from UP Diliman for a week of respite. I had training for trainers at UP SoLaIR (School of Labor and Industrial Relations). It was a working vacation. At least I had time to slow down and not think of work for a few days. It was good! Really felt good to be taken cared of by the University Hotel staff.