Fragrances and preservatives are the main ingredients in cosmetics. Fragrances are the most common cause of skin problems. More than 5,000 different kinds are used in products. Products marked “fragrance-free” or “without perfume” means that no fragrances have been added to make the product smell good.

Preservatives in cosmetics are the second most common cause of skin problems. They prevent bacteria and fungus from growing in the product and protect products from damage caused by air or light. But preservatives can also cause the skin to become irritated and infected. Some examples of preservatives are:

• Paraben
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Quaternium-15
• DMDM hydantoin
• Phenoxyethanol
• Formaldehyde

The ingredients below cannot be used, or their use is limited, in cosmetics. They may cause cancer or other serious health problems.

• Bithionol
• Mercury compounds
• Vinyl chloride
• Halogenated salicyanilides
• Zirconium complexes in aerosol sprays
• Chloroform
• Methylene chloride
• Chlorofluorocarbon propellants
• Hexachlorophene

So next time when you shop, read the label and better yet, print out the ingredient above when you shop. If you see them on the label, avoid them. But the truth is, how many cosmetics don’t come with them?

Source: Office on Women’s Health

In ancient times the Edelweiss flower was sought after by men who wished to prove their bravery.  Because the flower grew at such heights and was often on cliff sides and in dangerous areas many people were known to have been injured, or even killed in pursuit of this flower, which led many men to wear it in the lapel as sort of a badge of honor.  Of course, the fact that the Edelweiss flower was the favorite of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife, the Empress Elizabeth also gave it prestige.  The flower became so popular among hikers that the governments of Austria, Germany and Switzerland took steps to protect it in certain parts of the Alps.  Today Edelweiss is grown on many continents and is no longer in the danger it once was.  It became even more popular however the 1960′s when a song called Edelweiss in the popular stage play and film The Sound of Music sang its virtues and beauty.

For centuries Edelweiss extract has been believed to have positive health effects.  Edelweiss teas have been popular as well as use of Edelweiss extract in hot milk, often sweetened with honey.  Diarrhea and dysentery were two ailments that it was believed Edelweiss extract could cure.  People also believed that it could help fight ailments such as diphtheria  and tuberculosis.  Today research by the pharmaceutical industry indicates that there was something to these ancient beliefs.  Used in high quality anti aging and anti wrinkle cosmetics.

Edelweiss extract is an ancient folk lore remedy that modern science is making popular once again.  They have also discovered that the ultra violet light absorbing chemicals this plant has developed from high altitude growth makes it a good additive to sun blocks.  Pharmaceutical researchers also are interested in the way some chemicals in the plant prevent amplification  of oxides, which are tied to the aging process.

The future of research into Edelweiss extract looks as bright as the high Alpine sun, and the popularity of Edelweiss extract as an ingredient in high quality cosmetics means the plant will remain popular for many years to come.

For more information visit: http://www.revitol.com/

Revitol’s moisturizing emollients and natural ingredients help counter moisture loss and other characteristics of under-eye circles. Our soft, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling smooth and supple. Ingredients include:

Niacinamide – A water-soluble Vitamin B complex that helps retain skin moisture.

Bisabolol – An ingredient derived from Chamomile that soothes and calms irritated skin; reduces the appearance of puffiness.

Chrysin – A flavonoid that helps reduce the appearance of excess skin pigmentation caused by breakdown of hemoglobin.

N-Hydroxycicinimide – Reduces the appearance of a pigmentation factor and thus dark circles.

The first step in skin care is cleansing. The product you use to clean your skin will depend on whether your skin is naturally: (1) dry; (2) oily; (3) neither oily nor dry; or (4) sensitive. Dry skin should not be cleansed with harsh products, such as astringents. This will dry the face out even more.

Oily skin, on the other hand, can and should be cleaned with an astringent, which will reduce the oil buildup on the skin. Skin that is neither oily nor dry can be cleansed with whatever product you like best. Sensitive skin should be cleaned with a minimal amount of cleanser, which should be free of dyes, fragrances, harsh chemicals or unnecessary additives.

You should clean your skin in the morning and before bed. Never go to bed wearing makeup; this will clog your pores and can lead to rashes and breakouts.

The second step is moisturizing the skin. If you have sensitive skin, avoid dyes, fragrances and irritants such as alpha hydroxy acids. For oily skin, a very light moisturizer is recommended. For dry skin, daily moisturizer is a must.

The third step could save your life. Always, always wear sunscreen on any part of your body that is not covered by clothing or a hat. If you will be in direct sunlight for a long period of time, be aware that clothing actually lets some sunlight in, and has a very low SPF. To protect your skin from aging and from cancer, which is deadly if not detected early and treated, apply sunscreen to areas that are covered by light clothing such as t-shirts.

Cigarette smoking also contributes to wrinkles. People who smoke tend to have more wrinkles than nonsmokers of the same age, complexion, and history of sun exposure. The reason for this difference is not clear. It may be because smoking also plays a role in damaging elastin. Facial wrinkling increases with the amount of cigarettes and number of years a person has smoked.

Many products currently on the market claim to “revitalize aging skin.” According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over-the-counter “wrinkle” creams and lotions may soothe dry skin, but they do little or nothing to reverse wrinkles. At this time, the only products that have been studied for safety and effectiveness and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat signs of sun-damaged or aging skin are tretinoin cream and carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium (Er:YAG) lasers.

Tretinoin cream (Renova), a vitamin A derivative available by prescription only, is approved for reducing the appearance of fine wrinkles, mottled darkened spots, and roughness in people whose skin doesn’t improve with regular skin care and use of sun protection. However, it doesn’t eliminate wrinkles, repair sun-damaged skin, or restore skin to its healthier, younger structure. It hasn’t been studied in people 50 and older or in people with moderately or darkly pigmented skin.

The CO2 and Er:YAG lasers are approved to treat wrinkles. The doctor uses the laser to remove skin one layer at a time. Laser therapy is performed under anesthesia in an outpatient surgical setting.

The FDA currently is studying the safety of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which are widely promoted to reduce wrinkles, spots, and other signs of aging, sun-damaged skin. Some studies suggest that they may work, but there is concern about adverse reactions and long-term effects of their use. Because people who use AHA products have greater sensitivity to the sun, the FDA advises consumers to protect themselves from sun exposure by using sunscreen, wearing a hat, or avoiding mid-day sun. If you are interested in treatment for wrinkles, you should discuss treatment options with a dermatologist.

Source: http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/skin.asp

“Caution: Contains lead acetate. For external use only. Keep this product out of children’s reach. Do not use on cut or abraded scalp. If skin irritation develops, discontinue use. Do not use to color mustaches, eyelashes, eyebrows, or hair on parts of the body other than the scalp. Do not get in eyes. Follow instructions carefully and wash hands thoroughly after use.”

• Always protect your skin before going out during the day. Use a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Wear a hat with a brim. Cover up with lightweight, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, and pants.
• Buy products with good label information:
• a list of ingredients to see which AHA or other chemical acids are in the product
• the name and address of the maker
• a statement about the product’s AHA and pH levels

The first two have to be on the label. The third is one is by choice. You can call or write the maker to find about a product’s AHA and pH levels.

• Buy only products with an AHA level of 10 percent or less and a pH of 3.5 or more.
• Test a small area of skin to see if it is sensitive to any AHA product before using a lot of it.
• Stop using the product right away if you have a reaction, such as stinging, redness, or bleeding.
• Talk with your doctor or dermatologist (a doctor that treats skin problems) if you have a problem.