Skin Care

August 12, 2014 By Kelly 1 Comment

Are You Making These 4 Summer Skin Care Mistakes?

Summer brings the usual issues that overwhelm the skin like peeling sunburns, bug bites, or oily and sweaty skin. It’s a tricky balance to care for the skin during the summer and we’re probably not aware of the mistakes we make.

1. Over-exfoliating and washing the face Since the summer heat and humidity can makes us sweat more, it makes the skin feel oilier. This can be so unsettling for some people that they tend to over-cleanse the face and increase the number of times the exfoliation is done. This essentially strips the skin of its natural oils which causes the skin to overproduce oil exacerbating the problem.

Solution: Keep your cleansing routine the same — wash in the morning and cleanse at night. Limit exfoliation to twice a week. Continue to moisturize because without adequate hydration, skin may over produce oil. If necessary, blot wipe it with a clean cloth.

2. Foregoing Sunscreen Despite its popularity, some people are still not in the habit of applying sunscreen. It’s important to do this even if you don’t have any plans of spending the day at the beach. While some people are not applying sunscreen, others are applying it incorrectly.

Solution: Don’t skip this at all. If you go swimming or spend the day outdoors, bring a bottle with you and reapply as needed. Lather a generous amount on skin that’s exposed. Choose a sunscreen with non-nanoparticle zinc oxide. Look for one on the Environmental Working Group’s list of safe and effective sunscreens. Ava Anderson Non Toxic tops their list.

3. Failing to stay hydrated While refreshments, such as a cold glass of juice, quench the thirst and relieves our body from the heat, our skin also needs the same kind of treatment inside and out. It’s not enough that you drink lots of water, especially during this season.

Solution: Eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in water content to supplement what you may lack with drinking just water. Put on lotion and moisturizers so that the skin absorbs this, preventing flakes and dryness that commonly happens during summer.

4. Disregarding care of the feet Feet are exposed to a lot of free radicals and irritants during the summer because people wear sandals and flip-flops a lot, or walk barefoot in the sand. With so many activities, care for the feet is often overlooked, when it should be given attention, as this is when cracks and dryness often occur.

Solution: Don’t ever forget to moisturize and exfoliate the feet. Make this part of your skin care routine. One other thing you can do is apply moisturizer, such as extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil at night and then wear socks. This may be a bit too warm to do in the summer, but try at least three times a week.

What is your summer skin care routine? Share your tips in the comments below.

The summer season can also trigger a yeast infection. Know what factors cause this and what you can do to prevent or treat yeast infections using natural ingredients by visiting YeastInfectionsAdviser.com.

June 5, 2014 By Kelly 1 Comment

8 Tips For Your Non Toxic Bridal Beauty Regime

Every bride wants to look beautiful on her wedding day, but makeup should be the end of your routine – not the start. To obtain perfect wedding skin you have to start months before the big day and stick to natural, non-toxic ingredients.

This week on Green Bride Guide I offer my top 8 Tips For Your Non Toxic Bridal Beauty Regime. Head over and check out my article so you can be a natural beauty on your wedding and every day!

March 6, 2014 By Kelly 8 Comments

Review: Oh My DeVita Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

I’m a big fan of Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30 by DeVita so I was happy to check out their baby products. I’m always interested in products that are truly pure.

There’s a lot to like about Oh My Devita Baby Shampoo & Baby Wash: It’s vegan, tear free, gentle on sensitive skin, packaging is recyclable and most importantly, it is certified organic, paraben free and it does not contain artificial fragrance, sodium lauryl sulphate or nanoparticles. What are nanoparticles? Nanoparticles are very hazardous because they cross the cell barrier and drive into organs, including the brain. I’ll be talking about it in a future post. Suffice it to say, you want to stay away from any products made with nanotechnology.

The true test? Does my son like Oh My Devita Baby Shampoo & Baby Wash? Drum roll please… He loves it! He just turned 8 so this stuff isn’t just for babies, mamas! Jackson told me he loves the smell. And I love the way the he smells after bathing with the Calming Calendula. I even tried it and liked it! It’s not a typical ‘baby wash’ smell, just a nice fresh scent. It also comes fragrance free. There is nothing cuter than a little boy fresh out of the bath, cozy in his jammies! Good snuggle time.

The nice thing is, you can feel safe bathing your child with this because it doesn’t have toxic chemicals that are found in most baby products. Our children’s systems are quite delicate so, over time, harmful chemicals really affect them adversely. I am writing a series of posts that will include the ingredients you want to steer clear of so stay tuned.

The Oh My Devita Baby line includes, Hey Sunshine Solar Protection, Flutterby Baby Brulee Lotion, Bubbly Babies Shampoo & Body Wash, Powder Puff Baby Powder and Butter Cheeks Baby Balm. Be sure to follow Oh my DeVita Baby on Twitter and Facebook.

*Savvy Suburban received product to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 6, 2013 By Kelly 1 Comment

Hot Holiday Gift Ideas

This elegant Convertible Chrystal Lariat by Lexi Lu Jewelry on Open Sky can be worn long or traditional lariat style. I want.

Let your guy travel in style with this personalized dopp kit in cotton canvas or leather from Sivani Designs.

Give the gift of beauty and wellness for the holidays with Ava Anderson Non Toxic. Their candles smell sublime and they have many luxurious yet affordable skin care & body care items for the whole family. The entire line is 100% FREE of harmful chemicals.

Basil infused olive oil & Gourmet Truffle & Sicilian Salt from Sabatino & Co. make dishes delicious & come in bottles that will look nice on any cooks counter. They make a great hostess gifts too, btw.

Let her sparkle & shine. Choose something pretty from the fabulous items from Stella & Dot like the Ainsley Bracelet or the Palladian necklace. They’ll go perfectly with her New Year’s Eve outfit.

Any guy will love the BassBoomz portable speaker. After borrowing mine on separate occasions, my neighbor & my 18 year old nephew each said how cool it was & that they wanted one! No brainer.

Fearless, free-spirited girls of every age will love Tomboy Vintage. You’ll find adorable retro-inspired Ts & hats for all the women & girls all your list.

Also at Open Sky (they have tons of great stuff) is this Filigree Cut Out large clutch by Lily Wang in neon pink. Will it go perfectly with your holiday party outfit? Buy it for yourself!

“… To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect” ~Oren Arnold

November 25, 2013 By Kelly 1 Comment

Rethink Your Regimen: 4 Ways To Prepare Your Skin for Fall and Winter

Guest post by Emily Pope

On average, a face will withstand the elements of approximately 320 seasons in a lifetime. That’s a lot of sun, wind, whipping rain and freezing snow! Fortunately, modern science and Mother Nature have provided us with many wonderful ways to prepare
for what the weather can throw our way. With colder weather closing in, it’s time for a change to your skin-care regimen.

Sunblock: Unfortunately, many people sustain sun damage in fall and winter, due to the simple fact that they don’t consider sunblock a necessity. This could not be more incorrect; sunblock is important all year long and your cold-weather skin care regimen needs to reflect this. Try incorporating sunblock without toxic chemicals like Ava Anderson into your daily beauty routine.

Rich creams and lotions: Since frigid winter temperatures penetrate skin deep, the lotions you apply to heal and protect must be rich and concentrated, to counteract the cold. Enjoy liberal applications of your favorite skin softeners in their thickest forms. If you want to get fancy, try La Mer Moisturizing Cream. Despite costing around $275 a pop, this cream has won many prestigious accolades and praise from Sally Singer, renowned Vogue
editor.

Add more of your regular facial moisturizer under foundation, or opt for something specifically geared toward protection against colder conditions. If you are prone to breakouts and concerned the excess lotions will wreak havoc on your face, consider gentle microdermabrasion treatments to keep pores picture-perfect.

Intensive hand and lip treatments: Extra protection is necessary for the overexposed and most sensitive areas of skin, and no place exemplifies this more than your lips and hands. Avoid chapped and cracked skin with repeated applications of intensive lip balm and frequent use of hand creams. Use heavy-duty hand lotion often, protective gloves when outdoors and extra gentle hand-sanitizer whenever possible. Ava Anderson Non Toxic offers all of these products without harmful chemicals.

Exfoliating dull skin: At no time of the year is exfoliation more important than when it’s coldest; at home microdermabrasion can be very beneficial. Microdermabrasion works to gently exfoliate your skin, while increasing cell regeneration. Dry skin is often composed of layers upon layers of old cells, s microdermabrasion will remove winter’s damage and rejuvenate your complexion. Follow up exfoliation with a healthy hydration product that will pamper your face and keep you glowing.

The effort you put into your cold-weather skincare routine surely pays off in the form of a healthy and beautiful complexion. With a little time and extra effort, skin is nourished and protected from the elements, and you can put your best face forward!

October 28, 2013 By Kelly Leave a Comment

Can Microdermabrasion Ruin Your Skin?

Guest Post by Igor Marcikic

We`ve all heard of microdermabrasion, a mild, non-invasive method of removing dead skin cells found in the surface layer of the skin. It was introduced in Italy, almost 30 years ago. Today, it`s one of the most popular methods for dealing with acne, mild scarring and wrinkles, skin exfoliation and rejuvenation.

Can it ruin your skin? Not if it’s done properly. Microdermabrasion boosts skin circulation and helps rid skin of toxins and impurities. However, as with any procedure, there are dangers and hazards to be aware of.

Aluminum Oxide Crystals

Although this technology is outdated, you have to be aware, especially if you are looking for a machine for microdermabrasion at home. Some older machines use aluminum oxide crystals to blast the dead skin cells off your skin. Research shows that aluminum in personal care products is linked to Alzheimer`s disease, breast and prostate cancer.

These crystals can:

Cause skin irritation and inflammation
Scatter into your lashes, hair and ears, causing discomfort and possible health problems
Irritate your eyes, causing corneal scratches and abrasions
Cause the powder from the crystals to get into the lungs and lead to health problems, especially with asthma sufferers

The solution to this problem was found in the use of a new technology – diamond tip exfoliation without the use of crystals. It is less irritating and far more gentle on the skin so it can be used even on more sensitive areas.

So, before you schedule a microdermabrasion procedure (or order a machine for home usage), make sure they use a machine with a diamond tip!

Sensitive Skin

“Is microdermabrasion safe for sensitive skin?” Since sensitive skin often goes hand in hand with acne breakout, this question is incredibly difficult to answer. If your skin is already affected by severe acne inflammation, rosacea or if you spot broken capillaries, you should steer clear of this procedure.

Those with sensitive skin should get a professional do to the job properly with a diamond tip since it will allow better pressure control depending on the skin`s reaction. After the treatment, moisturize and hydrate your skin with pure non-toxic products since it will be very dry. The second treatment should be scheduled at least 2-3 weeks after the first one, to give your skin enough time to fully recover.

Microdermabrasion And Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a challenging time, as far as the skin is concerned. You may be faced with new breakouts, rashes and all sorts of skin problems, but pregnancy is definitely not the best time for microdermabrasion.

The skin will be far too sensitive and the normal post-procedure changes (dryness, redness and itching) may greatly intensify. Not only that, your skin will take more time to recover, opening a doorway to various bacterial skin infections. I advise waiting until after the baby is born. Everyone, particularly expectant mothers, should avoid skincare products containing harmful chemicals.

Post-Procedure Problems

Redness and dryness is normal, to a certain degree, it usually feels like a mild sunburn. This usually goes away after two days. If they are still present after 48 hours, you should consult a medical professional. It is also advised not to expose treated skin to direct sunlight for a couple days.

At the end of the day, skin type and sensitivity vary from person to person, so there are no ultimate rules and regulations. Arm yourself with knowledge and always ask questions if there are some parts of the procedure you are not 100% on board with.

Igor Marcikic is a beauty & skincare writer, for more info & tips visit his blog, Skincare Panda.

September 10, 2013 By Kelly Leave a Comment

2 Natural Ways To Combat Lice

Guest Post by Tammy Mahan

Natural ways to combat lice are just as successful as the toxic chemicals sold in stores without being harmful! Here are two of the best all-natural treatments for combating those pesky bugs that feed off your scalp and lay their eggs in your hair shafts

If you are not fond of the idea of putting poisonous chemicals on your head let alone your child’s head, then you will like these natural non-toxic methods of getting rid of those nasty suckers! Almost everything you will need to kill the lice and eggs with can be found in your local grocery store or even your kitchen cupboards. You will need a lice comb or a long very fine tooth comb, plastic wrapm gloves and two old towels.

OLIVE OIL & MAYO

Ingredients

Olive oil
Mayonnaise
Essential oils (a few drops of tea tree oil, peppermint, or eucalyptus)
One to two ounces of regular shampoo
White vinegar

Directions

Combine ingredients in a small bowl, mix well, put gloves on
Cover head with the mixture
Wrap hair up in a bun on top of the head
Wrap tightly with plastic wrap twisting a rubber band around the top of the plastic wrap to hold it in place
Let the mixture set on the head for one to one and a half hours
Rinse with hot water three or four times (not so hot that it burns the scalp)
Pour half the bottle of vinegar over the clean hair and rinse with hot water and repeat until the vinegar is gone.
Place a towel around the child’s neck area so it covers the front and back of them
Place another towel on the floor under them
Use the fine tooth comb to comb the hair, be sure to start at the scalp and comb small sections of hair at a time
As you comb the hair the dead lice, nits and eggs should fall out (editors note: gross!)
Throw the towels away
Check your child’s head the next day and make sure all the lice and eggs are gone – they should be
In the unlikely event that a few survived, repeat the process above

CONDITIONER & OLIVE OIL

Ingredients

One to two ounces of a heavy duty non-toxic conditioner
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
High-grade essential lavender oil (optional)
Shampoo

Directions

Mix the conditioner and olive oil together add a few drops of lavender, put on the gloves
Wet hair with hot water (do not burn the scalp)
Apply the mixture and let it set on the head for 15 to 20 minutes
Separate the hair into small sections and comb through. The lice, nits, and eggs should all slide right out
Rinse the hair with hot water until the mixture is all out
Check the hair to make sure all the lice, nits, and eggs are gone
If there are still some lice, nits or eggs left repeat – once all the lice, nits and eggs are gone, wash the hair with shampoo and conditioner

Re-check hair for the next 10 days – nits can lay eggs up to 10 days and then you have to start all over again.

Tammy Mahan is a certified natural health consultant and contributor for Healthline.com on natural health and medical related topics.

September 5, 2013 By Kelly Leave a Comment

10 Beautiful Benefits Of Argan Oil

The New York Times hails it as ‘one of the latest miracle ingredients in the beauty industry.’ I discovered it a couple of years ago, no doubt you’ve seen it popping up in beauty products like Josie Maran’s cosmetic line. This wonder oil comes from the nut of the argan tree, organically grown in Morocco. I don’t have dry skin, but this still penetrates and absorbs nicely without leaving an oily film.

Argan oil…

Softens skin and smoothes wrinkles

Rich in vitamin E, omega-9 & vitamin A unsaturated fatty acids

It’s incredibly hydrating so it’s effective at helping heal dry skin, psoriasis & eczema

Although it sounds counterintuitive, it can help clear acne

Reduces inflammation with its PH balancing & antimicrobial properties

It hydrates & nourishes hair & tames the frizzies

Increases the elasticity of the skin

Nourishes cuticles

My beautiful friend Ali says it even helps with hyperpigmentation

I love that it’s completely pure, no toxins or chemicals!

It’s important to use 100% pure argan oil (I of course prefer organic:)). A little goes a long way so use it sparingly and pat on gently before applying moisturizer. It’s not cheap but it’s worth it. I found wallet friendly organic argan oil at Swanson’s Vitamins, a 2 ounce bottle is only $19.99.

Whatever you do, just make sure it’s pure, don’t buy some toxic moisturizer containing argan oil, it defeats the purpose. Know a beauty junky? Send this her way and if you’ve tried it, let me know what you think.

August 19, 2013 By Kelly 1 Comment

How To Find Safer Sunscreen Protection

I love the smell of Coppertone… brings back fond memories of my childhood. Oooh and baby oil… I’d slather that stuff all over my body in hopes of achieving that deep dark tan. If we only knew! Not only were we damaging our skin but that pleasant smell of Coppertone is a highly toxic synthetic fragrance.

In my post, You Know The Sunscreen You’re Using Is Toxic, Isn’t Time To Make A Healthier Choice? I detailed the harmful chemicals that most sunscreen brands contain. Because the FDA does not conduct any safety testing on sunscreen, we consumers have to be savvy about what we use. It’s infuriating, we’re trying to protect ourselves from skin cancer but the damn sunscreen itself contains carcinogens. So what the hell are we supposed to do?!

Don’t worry, there are alternatives. There are brands that offer quality sunscreen without the harmful chemicals that get a good rating on the Environmental Working Group sunscreen report. Look for products that have zinc oxide made without nanotechnology. Zinc is a physical barrier against the sun’s rays that does not get absorbed by the skin. The sun’s rays break down chemical sunscreens and you have to reapply them frequently. The physical sunscreens do not break down so they protect your skin from the sun longer.

SPF 15 & 30, sunscreen stick and lip balm with SPF 15

California Baby and Badger are good but they do leave a white film on the skin (which my 11 year old won’t tolerate!) , UV Natural is good but a bit greasy.

I like Solar Protective MoisturizerSPF 30 by Devita Skin Care. It’s good for us gals because it contains hyaluronic acid which gives a little anti-aging boost.

I know sunscreen sprays are convenient and easy to use but they are especially harmful because we inhale the ingredients as well as absorb them.

Protect Your Health, Protect The Environment

Avoiding sunscreen with toxic ingredients is not only important for our health, it’s important for the environment. After we slather ourselves with it, it washes off into the ocean harming sea life. According to a study conducted by Environmental Health Perspectives in 2008, these chemicals are killing the coral reef.

Research shows that octinoxate, oxybenzone, parabens and camphor derivatives kill hard corals which could have a negative impact on biodiversity and reef ecosystems. Help inform your friends – tweet this, share it on Facebook & send it to friends, especially those with kids. No one should use sunscreen with harmful chemicals and with all the safe alternatives, they don’t have to.

June 26, 2013 By Kelly 2 Comments

Is Your Beauty Routine Toxic? Part II

As I mentioned in part I of this series, up to 60% of what we put on our skin gets absorbed which leads to our bodies absorbing up to 5 pounds of chemicals through our skin every year. If something isn’t pure enough to eat we really should not put in on our body, should we?

It’s inauspicious that manufacturers of personal care products are not regulated and therefore not required to disclose ingredients, toxic or not. Fortunately, many organizations are on top of it and bringing awareness to the issue. Some of these watchdog groups may have a political agenda, but not all of them do.

Agenda or no agenda, much of the information they share is based in science and they do have an important message: do not use products containing harmful ingredients that will compromise your health and threaten the environment.

There are many brands out there claiming to be pure and while they may not contain carcinogens, they do have synthetic fragrances, irritants, endocrine disruptors and other unfavorable ingredients. So what can we do? How do we find products that won’t harm us? We have to be cautious but there are some fabulous lines on the market which I will talk about in upcoming posts and videos.

You can also check the ingredients of your products in EWG’s cosmetic data base. It’s not a complete list of every personal care item out there but it is a helpful resource. I’ll be writing about ingredients to avoid in the near future as well so stay tuned.

Did you read the article I posted on my Facebook page the other day? They tested over 400 lipsticks for lead content, check to see if yours is on the list.

It’s not always easy to find suitable alternatives and many of the organic and truly pure, clean cosmetics are way over priced. But there are companies that offer good, safe products such as Pure Haven. I’ll write about of my finds in upcoming posts. Another one of my favorite lines is 100% Pure.

Mascara has been a tough one for me. Do I really want to spend $25 on mascara that flakes off and leaves a smattering of black dust under my eyes when I can spend $7 on Lash Exact by Covergirl that really does give my lashes great volume and length?!

What’s an eco savvy gal to do?! I’m giving Ava and Organic Wear mascara a try, I’ll let you know how they measure up. If you like an earth friendly mascara that works well and doesn’t break the bank I’d love to hear about it.