One of the most common and least safe ingredients in skincare products of all kinds is “fragrance“. The term, itself, is very vague and could apply to thousands of different chemical compounds. Companies don’t have to reveal which chemicals specifically are used to create their “secret scent”.

Most olive oil facial cleansers contain natural fragrances, but even they can cause allergic reactions. The natural aroma of a flower or its petals is normally pleasant, but when that same aroma is “concentrated”, it can be irritating to the throat and nasal passages, as well as the skin.

Always look for fragrance free, as well as preservative free products. If the olive oil facial cleansers you are considering claim to provide antibacterial properties; make sure they are natural antibacterial agents and not the common triclosan, which is organic, but also possibly carcinogenic.

Health and beauty aids are not well regulated, in general. Even fewer regulations apply to olive oil facial cleanser and other bathing products, since they are designed to be “rinsed off” and not “left on” the skin. There is some concern, though, that even short-term exposure of this kind can cause irritation and possibly long term health problems.

But, how effective is an olive oil facial cleanser? As a moisturizer, olive oil is very compatible with human skin. However, it has no known benefits for cleansing.

Normally, you want something that will dissolve the oil and grime that accumulates in your pores every day, such as orange peel extract. It is possible to find orange peel and olive oil facial cleansers and they would likely be more beneficial.

In my opinion, tea tree oil is a better choice than an olive oil facial cleanser. It comes from the Australian Melaleuca tree and has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is very unlikely to cause allergic reactions or irritation and can be used on irritated or damaged skin.

A relative of the tree, the manuka bush, is the source of a type of mono-floral honey that is also a good choice for cleansing. The honey is another natural antibacterial agent. You can find manuka honey bars for bathing and facial cleansing. One of the best deep cleansing masks on the market combines manuka honey with clay extracts that absorb excessive oil and pull dirt and grime out of the pores.

If you want to protect your face from wrinkles and other signs of aging, you need more than an olive oil facial cleanser. A daily anti-aging cream containing natural antioxidants, protein and other nutrients is advisable.

The bottom line is that olive oil facial cleansers are not some kind of miracle, as some advertisers claim. They are simply one natural choice and there are actually better options.

Soy wax is a totally renewable resource, instead of paraffin, which is a by-product of the crude oil refining process. Paraffin contains chemicals used in the refining process, and when burned, emits those chemicals. Most soy waxes are organic, and are labeled as such. Most of the soy beans are grown in the Midwest, with Iowa being the largest producer of soy wax. With the availability of natural vegetable waxes, numerous soy candle home-based businesses sprouted – both in retail stores and Online businesses.

Over the past few years, the “green” movement has prompted the largest of U.S. candle manufacturers to develop their “natural” lines. When there is money to be made, and growing consumer demand, why not? Some manufacturers even promote the green movement with their soy wax line of candles. But, in reviewing these candle products, some are made with soy wax, dyes and fragrance oils; some are made with a soy/paraffin blend with essential oils, and some products – you can’t even tell what is in them. It’s a bit confusing to me. Are all the ingredients natural? Are they really “green”?

So what makes a candle “natural” or “green” or “organic” in the labeling, in order to market the product effectively? According to the Natural Ingredient Resource Center, there are established “guidelines” that mirror those used by the USDA for organic food, and are inspired by other organizations that are working to establish the term “organic” for cosmetic products. There are currently 3 guidelines to be used in labeling products with natural ingredients:

1. 100% Natural/All Natural

The NIRC guidelines state that products labeled as “100% Natural” or “All Natural” can only contain ingredients that fit the NIRC criteria for natural ingredients.

2. Natural

The NIRC guidelines states that products labeled as “Natural” have to include 95% of the ingredients that fit the NIRC criteria for natural ingredients.

3. Made with Natural Ingredients/Made from Natural Ingredients

Products labeled as “Made with/from Natural Ingredients” must contain at least 70% natural ingredients that meet the NIRC criteria. The remaining 30% may come from ingredients that do not meet the NIRC for natural, however, products that include synthetic fragrances, artificial colors or ingredients from petrochemicals MAY NOT display the NIRC “Seal”. All percentages are based on weight.

There has been a bit of confusion in labeling and marketing “green” and “natural” products. So if going “green” to you means 100% natural, look for the NIRC seal in purchasing your products. In looking for your candle products, read the label, look at the waxes, look at what is used for the essential oils/fragrance oils. Just because the label states that the candle has “essential oils” does not mean that it is 100% essential oils. Same thing with soy wax. Just because it contains soy wax, does not mean it’s 100% soy wax, or “natural“. I find these guidelines helpful in understanding the labeling, when purchasing “natural” or “green” candles. If you’re contemplating or already making your own soy candle lines, take the NIRC criteria into consideration in labeling and marketing.

If you’re ready to make the switch to natural skin care, you’ll be needing a few things. Let’s go over three of the basics.

Olive Oil Soaps

Organic soaps will leave your skin feeling smooth and soft with a healthy glow. You’ll also smell lovely, as many olive oil soaps feature the perfect blend of natural fragrances including mandarin, verbena, green tea, and lavender scents. For truly high-quality soap, invest in bars made out of 100% olive oil with French ingredients.

Besides for ingredients, production is also important, with triple milled soap at the top of the list. Organic soaps made in this fashion are crystalized and rolled — or milled — three or more times under a stainless steel roller. This turns the soap into a paste, which is then pressed into molds to form triple milled soap. The result? Organic soap that’s both uniform and silky, and that will last longer than alternative products because it is so densely packed.

Shampoo & Conditioner

Like olive oil soap, shampoo and conditioner products made with 100% olive oil provide a gentle, thorough clean. Even sensitive or dry scalps can benefit from the all-natural formula, designed to increase shine and improve health at the roots. Plus, when you pair olive oil shampoo with olive oil conditioner, the effects multiply! These products will leave your hair looking and feeling good, and help you grow longer hair by preventing breaks. And just like the soap, organic shampoo and conditioner products feature light fragrances to give your hair that little extra something.

Clay Face Mask Kits

Having smooth arms and legs is great and all, but the first thing most people will notice about you is your face, which is why a French clay mask can come in handy. Skin care clay comes from all over the world — even from volcanos — but the most popular clay is from France. Clay also varies by color, as it is available green, yellow, red, pink, and white. Each color clay offers different benefits. For example, a green clay mask is a natural astringent ideal for acne-prone or oily skin.

Best of all, clay face mask kits provide a true spa experience for a fraction of the price! Your clay mask will detoxify and hydrate your skin, thus providing long-term benefits to your complexion more effective than many spa facials. For best results, follow up your mask treatment with an after-mask moisturizer. These masks are designed to go with specific colors of clay and work to seal in moisture, allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of your clay face mask.

Phthalates adversely affect the developing hormonal system. They have been linked to early puberty in girls and genital defects in boys, and recently to insulin resistance and obesity.

Parabens are endocrine disruptors–chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of hormones that control growth and reproduction in people and animals. It is now known that parabens accumulate in fatty tissue such as breast tissue, where they have been found in breast cancer tumors.

Why are parabens and phthalates used in baby lotions?

Lotions and creams contain high percentages of water and must be preserved to prevent bacterial contamination. Parabens–methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isoparaben, and butylparaben–are very effective at preventing growth of bacteria, fungus and molds. Discovered in the 1930s, they are still used in hundreds of products despite numerous studies linking them to health problems and cancer. Today, safer alternatives exist.

Manufacturers add synthetic fragrance to mask the smell of other ingredients in a product. Phthalates are chemical “plasticizers,” used to help the fragrance blend with other lotion ingredients and help the smell last longer.

Are natural fragrances safe for infants?

Natural fragrances made from essential oils don’t contain phthalates. However, long-term effects of daily essential oil use haven’t been studied. There is concern that some essential oils, particularly lavender, may affect a baby’s immature endocrine system. And any essential oil may cause contact sensitivity or an allergic reaction on an infant’s sensitive skin.

Fragrance-free baby oil–the safest way to moisturize your baby’s skin

You can avoid exposing your baby to preservatives and fragrances by using a fragrance-free, vegetable-oil-based baby oil instead of a lotion or cream. Baby oil contains no water, so it doesn’t need the host of preservatives, emulsifiers and other chemicals required in a water-based product.

But it’s important to read the ingredients. Drugstore baby oils are made entirely from mineral oil–distilled from petroleum as a by-product of gasoline refining–and synthetic fragrance.

Unlike mineral oil, natural vegetable oils provide important fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids that help your baby’s skin stay healthy. Look for sunflower oil or safflower oil–both high in vitamin E and considered excellent for preventing water loss in infant skin–in a baby oil’s ingredient list. In several studies, sunflower oil has been shown to reduce bacterial infections in premature infants. A high-quality oil should also contain antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, to keep the oil from becoming rancid. It’s a safe and effective way to keep your baby’s skin soft and moisturized, without chemicals.

References

1. “Phthalates Overview.” Environment California. http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/environmental-health/stop-toxic-toys/phthalates-overview.

2. Stahlhut, R, van Wijngaarden, E, Dye, T et al: Concentrations of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites Are Associated with Increased Waist Circumference and Insulin Resistance in Adult U.S. Males. Environ Health Perspect. 2007;115(6):876-882. On Medscape.com http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/558240

3. Sathyanarayana, S, Karr, CJ, Lozano, P et al: Baby care products: possible sources of infant phthalate exposure. Pediatrics. 2008 Feb;121(2):e260-8. Full text at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/121/2/e260

4. Darmstadt GL, Badrawi N, Law PA et al: Topically applied sunflower seed oil prevents invasive bacterial infections in preterm infants in Egypt. A randomized, controlled clinical trial. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2004;23:719-725. [http://www.popline.org/docs/1508/273776.html].

When the heart is broken, a spectrum of feelings is manifested.

These feelings consist of hurt, pain, anger, sadness, relief

and forgiveness. In the process of living with these feelings

and going through the experience of having a broken heart, what

happens physically and emotionally to women?

In my practice, many women have scheduled an appointment with me

for an annual gynecological examination or they were returning

for their weekly obstetrical examination. Within the first few

minutes of interviewing the patient about her medical history

since the last visit, I realize there is a strong emotional and

physical component to the visit that is not directly related to

what is considered a routine exam. In essence, the emotional and

physical components are indicative of a broken heart. I make a

holistic assessment of the patient’s medical history, emotional,

spiritual, physical and clinical findings. These cases may

warrant a referral to a specialist, depending on her status at

that moment. A follow up visit is always scheduled.

Throughout time, it has been said individuals have died of a

broken heart. For instance, a wife died and then her husband

died from natural causes within a week or a sister died and her

sibling died naturally very soon thereafter. Were the

subsequent deaths just a coincidence or did they die from a

broken heart?

Researchers have started scientifically looking at such cases

and calling it the Broken Heart Syndrome. In health care

terminology we call this condition stress Cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy is heart muscle weakness. It can occur after

various emotional and physical stressors such as fear, surprise,

anger and the death of a loved one. Stress cardiomyopathy

affects primarily women and occurs most frequently in middle

aged women and women over age sixty. Many of the women that

have been studied have no prior history of heart disease and the

majorities are postmenopausal. There is no known reason for the

increase frequency in women in these age groups and

postmenopausal women in particular. Physical stressors can fuel

a stroke or seizure and as mentioned emotional stressors such as

fear, grief and anger can cause this condition.

Women with dis-stressed can suddenly and unexpectedly experience

a heavy feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, abnormal

rhythm of the heart, low blood pressure, congestive heart

failure and shock. It can be life threatening. She may appear

sad, express feelings of sadness, lock of concentration and

difficulty sleeping at night. The good news is there can also be

a quick and complete recovery.

Aromatherapy is a fantastic complementary therapy. One hundred

percent essential oils are more potent than herbs -less is

better than more. They are volatile oils which are obtained

directly from the root, flower petals, leaves or skins of fruit.

The price can range from approximately five dollars to several

hundred dollars for a half ounce. It takes 2000 pounds of rose

petals to make one pound of oil. Therefore there is a variance

in the cost of essential oils. The essential oils widely used to

restore the heart are Rose Otto, Jasmine sambac, Neroli,

Rosewood, and Lavender. Essential oil blends can be used through

inhalation and application methods. They can be inhaled by using

a diffuser, sniffed directly from the bottle (less expensive

oils) or they can be used in the bath/shower or through vapor

and nebulizer. They can be applied by massage or as perfume oil.

Lavender has a long history as a medicine and perfume. In

Chinese medicine it circulates heart Qi. It can restore

vitality, relieve tension and calm a person. Dried lavender buds

can be added to the bath or a tea can be made from the dried

herb. To make a single note lavender perfume oil add three drops

of 100% Highland or Bulgarian lavender essential oil to one

tablespoon of jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is a stable carrier oil,

won’t rancid and is relatively odorless.

The benefits of essential oils are numerous. However, care must

be taken in using them. Aromatherapy is very technical. One oil

can cancel out the effects of another oil. Some oils are toxic

and what may benefit one person may have no effect on another

person. One fragrance may be pleasant to one person and

offensive to another. Determine which oil is best for you. Our

behavior is affected by the aromatic scent. They also help the

body regulate itself and come into balance. Therefore the

stressors and feelings produced by a broken are relieved with

the consistent use of aromatherapy.

It is particularly good for people who have sensitive skin or are already suffering with acne or rosacea, as it provides good coverage whilst still being light and non clogging. Most people’s response to acne or an adverse skin condition is to cover it up with heavy makeup. This of course, further inhibits the skin’s ability to breathe and further aggravates the skin condition. Mineral Cosmetic and Natural Organic Cosmetics are a much better, healthier alternative.

Another problem which often presents with the use of liquid foundations, if not blended correctly, is the tell tale line at the jaw. Not a good look and not something you have to worry about when you use Mineral Powder Makeup. Blending is easy and there are no harsh lines.

Mineral Powder Makeup is quick and easy to apply. Shake a little powder into the lid, collect with your brush and tap off any excess. Then lightly brush your face in downward strokes and then blend in a round motion. Depending on your skin tone, this one application may be enough to get the desired effect and coverage. If you are a little darker, you may like to apply just a touch more. You are then good to go, for the entire day. Your face will glow with health and you will look radiant.

The Benefits:

o free of chemicals, waxes, fragrances, oil, talc and preservatives

o is light and non clogging

o easy to apply and blend and provides great coverage

o long lasting

o it looks and is natural

So buy some Mineral Powder Makeup and a brush today and know that while investing in your skin and health you are still looking fabulous and flawless while doing it!

Nowadays usage of essential oils are very wide – massages, saunas, compresses, bath, addition to creams, hair rinses and masks. We can go to the salon, where we would be carefully wrapped in mask of aromatic oils, or we could try to do it ourselves. If you think that your skin will became greasy after these masks – its not true, because they are airy and ”lean”. They consist of substances derived from plant roots, leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits. Skin won’t became greasy after this procedure. Essence will soak deeply in your skin and will positively affect condition of your skin – it becomes fragrant, healthy and glowing.

It is important to buy good quality aromatic oils, which, unfortunately, for people who are not familiar with them will be difficult to do. When buying these products, pay attention to the label, words ”pure essential oil” shows the clean, natural products. Name should be written in English and Latin. Avoid products with the inscription ”perfume oil”, ”plant perfume” or ”fragrant oil”. Another quality indicator is price – very cheap aromatic products probably wont be any good. Most of them cost more than just a few pounds, for example – several tonnes of rose petals will only make one litre of rose oil, so it means that the one bottle can’t cost only two or three pounds.

Effect of essential oils are much stronger than effect of dried plants. That’s why they are effective even in very small amounts. They must be stored in tightly sealed glass containers and kept in dark places, for example such as citrus and conifer tree oil group.

Before you use them test to check if body does not have allergic reaction should be carried out. And the smell of oil should be pleasant. Masks consists of a main base, or adding a few drops of aromatic oil to already made natural product facial masks. Base oils usually are made from plants – seeds, nuts, fruits. Essential oils which are insoluble in water will easily dissolve in these plant oils. To make masks on the base oil use 10 grams of product and add few drops of essential oil. Place it in a hermetically-saleable container and mix. Use it 2-3 times a week.

Masks which contains oils have effects on organism at several levels: through the sense of smell it enters the brain and energy system, through skin – the blood and internal organs. Aromatic masks is designed to treat all skin types, they help to remove old skin cells. All goodness of plants gets absorbed deeply in skin.

First, if you are attempting to make candles for use in aromatherapy, your candle making fragrance will come from essential oils because this is the only way to receive the benefits of aromatherapy. These oils are naturally based plant extractions, or “virgin oils”. That is important when you remember that wax, and the fragrance and dye that you put in it is a suspension. As such, essential oils will not work well with anything other than a naturally occurring wax. This will limit your wax choices to soy, beeswax, and palm wax. Conversely, if you are using an oil that has been chemically produced to smell good like the ones they use in the big factories, then paraffin may be the most suitable and economical base.

And this highlights the next point about candle making fragrance and candle production in general. Before you begin any venture, you must decide what the end product will be. Candle making fragrance, wax, and dye work together. If you don’t plan ahead, you can marry together 2 or more materials that are not intended to interact with one another and your candle will not be a success. In the same way that you must learn the science of how candles work before you produce one, you must also learn what material works best with what product. If you want to make a pretty candle that smells pleasant, it may not be necessary to go the more expensive route of using all natural products. On the other hand, if you intend to use the candle as therapy, you should begin with the fragrance oil and build to the right type of wax.

Another thing to consider when discussing how wax and candle making fragrance coincide is the “throw”. The throw is the distance you can smell a candle based on how far away it is. The perfect throw is aroma that is even and smells equally as strong 10 feet away as it does when you are standing next to it. Remember, when you burn a candle you are releasing wax, smoke and fragrance oil. The wax acts as a sort of carrier for the aroma. This is why you can pick up a candle, smell it, and scent is apparent, even in the solid wax. While obviously some candle making fragrance is stronger than others, wax again becomes the catalyst for a successful scented candle. This is because the weight of the wax as a carrier determines how far the scent will be carried. Imagine pressing scented mist spray. Candles work the same way at a much slower pace. Choosing a plan and the right wax and candle making fragrance makes all the difference to your end product.

Well, let me tell you, Brand, Price, Name etc have nothing to do with quality. The key to select the best cosmetic product lies in its ingredients list. Read on to find out.

1 – Stay away from harmful products

It is of paramount importance that you protect your skin as well as body from the harmful ingredients present in cosmetic products. Because you use the cosmetic products topically, there is a big chance that these harmful chemicals percolate down through the skin pores, and interact with the blood stream and therefore, affect the whole body.

Watch out for ingredients like Alcohol, Parabens, Mineral Oil, and Fragrances. All these are harmful ingredients and can harm you. The best cosmetic products do not have any one of such ingredients.

2 – Use natural products

It is very important to use only natural products on the skin. These products are made of natural ingredients, which are derived from natural sources like Fruits, Natural Oil, algae etc. These ingredients are safe and attack the root cause of the problems of the skin. Therefore, they are more effective.

For instance, loss of collagen causes wrinkles on the skin. An ingredient called CynergyTK is very effective in fixing the problem of wrinkles because it is a rich source of Keratin, Peptides, and Amino Acids. It helps in boosting the collagen content of the skin cells and assists in production of new healthier skin cells.

3 – Look for third party associations

A high-quality product company also has third party associations to boast. These independent organizations are capable of analyzing the product and publishing an unbiased report of the product. Look for association like “Safe Cosmetics” on the website of the company. This speaks volumes about the quality of the products.

So there you have it – 3 salient features to select the best face wrinkle cream. Just to refresh your memory there are only three things that you need to keep in mind.

1 – Avoid harmful ingredients

2 – Use natural ingredients

3 – Look for Third party associations

Trust me; these are the only keys you need to lay your hands upon the best face wrinkle cream available in the market. So what are you waiting for, get into action and start using natural products.

Formulating your very own household cleansers isn’t complicated at all. In fact, it can be an enjoyable undertaking and a money-saving one at that, especially if you mix your solutions in bulk.

Label your homemade cleansers and fresheners properly, the way you would your regular chemicals. Store them beyond the reach of children and pets. Even non-toxic substances can cause sickness when ingested in large quantities.

Make your own air freshener by putting drops of your favorite scent in a pot full of water. Let the mixture boil on the stove for several hours without putting the lid on. The scent of citrus rind will invigorate the members of your household as it wafts across the rooms in your house. Try other essential oils beside citrus.

Freshen up your bathroom by placing a few drops of essential oil on the cardboard that holds the toilet paper in bathroom. Smell the oil’s fragrance as it is released with each pull on the paper.

Use your old chemical cleansers without leaving a harsh smell by making a rinse. Mix your favorite essential oil with plain water. Pine, lemon, wintergreen, eucalyptus, lavender and other scents make good fresheners. Use a ratio of four drops of oil to a pint of water. For your final rinse, squirt your mixture from a spray bottle. Keep it in a dark place if your bottle is clear.

A few drops of tea tree oil and lavender essential oil mixed with water make a good countertop cleanser with anti-bacterial action. Spray on kitchen tops and other surfaces you want cleaned and disinfected. For the more major operation of stamping out mold and mildew, add 50 drops of oil into a bucket of water.

Use this recipe to make a homemade carpet freshener:

4 cups cornstarch or baking soda

25 drops rosewood essential oil

35 drops eucalyptus essential oil

30 drops lavender essential oil

Procedure: Mix these ingredients in a bowl, breaking apart clumps as you stir thoroughly. Sprinkle your freshener from a shaker bottle on carpets approximately 15 minutes before vacuuming. You can create your own set of oils to mix in place of the ones listed above.

Use the following mixture for cleaning floors:

15 drops orange essential oil

8 drops lemon essential oil

1 gallon hot water

2 tbsp liquid soap

This concoction is effective on tough cleaning jobs and is fresh-smelling besides.

A towel with a smidgen of essential oil is as good as the dryer sheet you purchase from the supermarket. Use this towel as you normally would a regular dryer sheet, adding it in the dryer together with newly washed clothes.

For a night of sound sleep, spritz lavender essential oil onto your bedsheets a few moments before you retire.