Fragrances?

Fragrances?

'It's Your Choice' – Synthetics or Pure and "OR NATURAL"?

‘Flavour and fragrance journal’, a peer reviewed publication, in 2002 published a study on fragrances, its summary was startling.  “in spite of widespread use and exposure, there is little information available on the materials used in fragrance. 

Fragrance formulas are considered trade secrets … fragrances are increasingly cited as triggers in health conditions such as asthma, allergies and migraine headaches.  

In addition, some fragrance materials have been found to accumulate in adipose tissue and are present in breast milk.  Other materials are suspected of being hormone disruptors.  The implications are not fully known as there has been little evaluation of systematic effects.”

What is known since this publication is that the following common fragrances have health implications!

Isoeugenol, a chemical with an attractive sweet, spicy odour is in most perfumes.  Allyl isovalerate has a pleasant cherry or apple smell used in many fragranced skincare products.  Estragole, a chemical with an aniseed smell, is a popular fragrance in skin care products and Synthetic Coumarin has a pleasant new mowed lawn smell, used extensively in aftershave; ... are all carcinogenic!

The good news is that essential oils, which are naturally derived from plants, do not have the same health issues and for many people with severe reactions to “synthetic” fragrances, they easily tolerate and enjoy essential oils.  

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Remember … Natural is Best!

All Natural Soaps, Moisturisers, Nourishment, Exfoliants and more!

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"OR Natural" Skin Care Solutions. Laguna, NSW Australia 2325.
  

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Natural is Best!

Natural is Best!

OR Natural Skin Care Solutions

We live in a world where we are continuously exposed to chemicals and pollutants.  These include car exhaust, chlorine in our water supply and fluoride in our toothpaste, just to name a few.  Our skin is porous and will absorb whatever it comes in contact with!  This is how nicotine and pain management patches work when placed on our bodies.  The substance in a patch is absorbed into the body’s blood stream through the skin!

So, when you purchase your next skin care product be it natural soaps, lotions, creams or balms, it’s always wise to review the ingredients contained within before you purchase. 

Many products contain substances that are not beneficial to the skin and for those with sensitive skins they may be harmful.  These ingredients are often included in commercial skin care products because they are cheap synthetic product stabilizers, fragrances, colors, preservatives and/or foaming agents.  Natural skin care products have ingredients designed by nature and tested by time to cleanse, moisturize and nourish the skin.  

When selecting and applying topical skin products your body it will be absorbing something that should be beneficial to your skin’s health and well-being.  

Vitamins that Benefit the Skin

There are a range of vitamins that benefit the skin and are beneficial to overall good health. These include:

Vitamin A - helps reduce the signs of aging.

Vitamin B3 - helps reduce redness and there is some early evidence it may reduce the incidence of non-melanoma cancers.

Vitamin C - helps reduce discoloration and helps reduce signs of aging.

Vitamin E - moisturizes and bolsters skin UV defense.

Vitamin K - helps to reduce dark circles and improves health.

Zinc - is a mineral that helps to regulate the immune system and improves skin function including attacking cancerous cells.

Many of these vitamins and minerals are available through our diet but for some there may be deficiencies that need to be addressed through a vitamin supplement.  Finding any of these in your natural skin care range is a bonus.

‘The Original Award Winning Olive Oil Soap’

  

Remember … Natural is Best!

All Natural Soaps, Moisturisers, Nourishment, Exfoliants!

http://ORnatural.com.au  61-02-4998-8359

"OR Natural" - "Natural Skin Care Solutions". Laguna, NSW Australia 2325.
  

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Dandruff is a Fungus!

Dandruff is a Fungus!

It may be surprising to know that dandruff is caused by a fungus.  It is an indication the scalp is out of balance.  To restore balance, first take stock of what you have been washing your hair with; check the ingredients.  Rinse hair with apple cider vinegar, depending on the severity of the fungal infection this may require repeated rinsing over a few days.  Many years ago I shared a house with a number of people including a student chiropractor, much to his horror he developed a fungal infection on his skin.  This presented itself as a red rash area.  He was concerned about handling patients in the clinical work and was determined to have the skin problem resolved as soon as possible.  He went to a Doctor who recommended an anti-dandruff shampoo that was also an anti-fungal.  With a few washes the fungal infection cleared up.

This is worth a try with fungal infections on the skin but remember to consult your Doctor or Pharmacist, if symptoms persist.

Years later, when working for a medical company, I was told that dandruff in some cases is a type of fungal infection and the best anti-dandruff shampoos were anti-fungal in nature.  

In researching dandruff and fungal infections, I confirmed that dandruff is not contagious. Many people control the problem with gentle, regular shampooing, others need a medicated shampoo.

The research has shown that the causes of dandruff can vary, these include:

Irritated, oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis).

• Not shampooing often enough. 
• A yeast like fungus (Malassezia). 
• Dry skin. 
• Sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis). 

Dandruff can also be linked to:

• Psoriasis 
• Eczema 
• Stress 
• Weakened immune system

So an anti-fungal shampoo isn’t for everyone.  Coal tar shampoos help to slow skin cell production, this may be an alternative that is worth a try.  Lastly for some it may help if you avoid hairspray and hair gel until your dandruff clears up.

After reading the ingredient list of your shampoo you may want to reconsider its use and opt for an alternative. 

Remedies can be achieved using natural skin care methods and products, such as gentle olive oil soaps.

‘The Original Award Winning Olive Oil Soap’

  

Remember … Natural is Best!

Body Moisturisers 

http://ORnatural.com.au  61-02-4998-8359

"OR Natural" Skin Care Solutions. Laguna, NSW Australia 2325.
  

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10 Toxic Cosmetics Ingredients to Avoid!

10 Toxic Cosmetics Ingredients to Avoid!

Read the fine print - Be aware what you are putting on your skin!

If you thought the FDA does a subpar job in regulating what goes into our food supply, you’ll be equally appalled, if not more, on its regulation of cosmetic and personal-care products.  The same way you look at food labels, you should do the same for your beauty products. 

There are thousands of chemicals in your products, many of which are being absorbed into your body.  These companies have Cart Blanche to use any ingredient or raw material without government review or approval.

This industry is highly unregulated.  There is no pre-product approval before a product hits the market and enters your home.  A minuscule approval process exists, but only for color additives and ingredients classified as over-the-counter drugs.

Many of these synthetic chemicals are skin irritants, skin penetrators, endocrine disruptors and are carcinogenic.  I can’t go through all of these harmful chemicals, but here are 10 you should highly avoid.

Toxic

Parabens.  Parabens are widely used preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast in cosmetic products.  Sounds good, right? Not so fast, they do more than that.  Parabens possess estrogen-mimicking properties that are associated with increased risk of breast cancer.  These chemicals are absorbed through the skin and have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors.  They can be found in makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos and facial cleansers.  You can also find them in food and pharmaceutical products.

Synthetic colors:  If you take a look at your product label and notice FD&C or D&C, they represent artificial colors.  F — representing food and D&C representing drug and cosmetics.  These letters precede a color and number (e.g., D&C Red 27 or FD&C blue 1).  These synthetic colors are derived from petroleum or coal tar sources.  Synthetic colors are suspected to be a human carcinogen, a skin irritant and are linked to ADHD in children.  The European Classification and Labeling considers it a human carcinogen and the European Union has banned it.

Fragrance:  This particular category is pretty scary, because what does “fragrance” mean anyway?  This term was created to protect a company’s “secret formula.”  But as the consumer you could be putting on a concoction that contains tons of chemicals that are hazardous to your health.  According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database, fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.  It can be found in many products such as perfume, cologne, conditioner, shampoo, body wash and moisturizers.

Phthalates:  A group of chemicals used in hundreds of products to increase the flexibility and softness of plastics. The main phthalates in cosmetics and personal care products are dibutyl phthalate in nail polish, diethyl phthalate in perfumes and lotions, and dimethyl phthalate in hair spray. They are known to be endocrine disruptors and have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls, and reproductive birth defects in males and females. Unfortunately, it is not disclosed on every product as it’s added to fragrances (remember the “secret formula” not listed), a major loophole in the law. They can be found in deodorants, perfumes/colognes, hair sprays and moisturizers.

Ingredients to avoid putting on your skin

Triclosan:  Triclosan is widely used antimicrobial chemical that’s a known endocrine disruptor — especially thyroid and reproductive hormones, and a skin irritant.  Studies raise concerns that triclosan contributes to making bacteria antibiotic-resistant.  There also wasn’t enough supporting evidence that washing with antibacterial soaps containing triclosan provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water. Tricolson can be found in toothpastes, antibacterial soaps and deodorants.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES):  This surfactant can be found in more than 90 percent of personal care and cleaning products (think foaming products).  SLS’s are known to be skin, lung, and eye irritants.  A major concern about SLS is its potential to interact and combine with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, a carcinogen.  These combinations can lead to a host of other issues like kidney and respiratory damage.  They can be found in shampoo, body wash/cleanser, mascara and acne treatment.

Formaldehyde:  Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRP’s) preservatives are used in many cosmetic products to help prevent bacteria growth.  This chemical was deemed as a human carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (IARC) and has been linked to occupational related cancers: nasal and nasopharyngeal. It is known to cause allergic skin reactions and it may also be harmful to the immune system.  It can be found in nail polish, body washes, conditioners, shampoos, cleansers, eye shadows, nail polish treatments.

Toluene:  A petrochemical derived from petroleum or coal tar sources.  You may see it on labels listed as benzene, toluol, phenylmethane, methylbenzene.  Toluene is a potent solvent able to dissolve paint and paint thinner.  It can affect your respiratory system, cause nausea and irritate your skin. Expecting mothers should avoid exposure to toluene vapors as it may cause developmental damage in the fetus.  Toluene has also been linked to immune system toxicity.  It can be found in nail polish, nail treatments and hair color/bleaching products.

Propylene glycol:  Propylene glycol is a small organic alcohol commonly used as a skin-conditioning agent.  It’s classified as a skin irritant and penetrator.  It has been associated with causing dermatitis as well as hives in humans — these sensitization effects can be manifested at propylene glycol concentrations as low as 2 percent.  It can be found in moisturizers, sunscreen, makeup products, conditioners, shampoo and hair sprays.

Sunscreen chemicals:  These chemicals function as a sunscreen agent, to absorb ultraviolet light. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors and are believed to be easily absorbed into the body. They may also cause cellular damage and cancer in the body.  Common names are benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate.  They can be found in sunscreen products.  

It’s impossible to avoid every single synthetic chemical, but you can do your part in limiting the amount of toxins your body is exposed to.  Be sure to: eat clean, avoid chemical-laden processed foods, drink plenty of filtered water and look for products that are certified organic if you want to avoid these toxic chemicals.

Educate yourself and do your research before you buy.  Think of something you absolutely love, and the time and energy you apply to it.  Use the same, when it comes to your health.  You have one life to live and one body.  If you don’t take care of yourself, you may pay for it later in sickness.

Be sure to check out the EWG’s Skin Deep Database to research toxic chemicals that could be in your cosmetic and personal care products.

  

Dry Skin Intensive Balm 

‘The Original Award Winning Olive Oil Soap’

  

Remember … Natural is Best!

http://ORnatural.com.au  61-02-4998-8359

"OR Natural" Skin Care Solutions. Laguna, NSW Australia 2325.
    

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Is Your Skin Porous?

Is Your Skin Porous?

Our skin reflects our general health and wellbeing.  It’s not only the largest organ in our body but it is also permeable.  To demonstrate this, rub a clove of garlic on the sole of your foot and within minutes you will taste garlic in your mouth.  The skin absorbs what it comes in contact with and what we apply on it.

While our skin offers protection and is a barrier against potentially harmful substances, it is certainly not impenetrable; our skin can absorb both good and bad substances.  The good news is that the skin is excellent at absorbing nutrients through skin care products.  The bad news is some ingredients in skin care products are harmful to our wellbeing.

This site will inform you of the 5 steps for the care and wellness of your skin in the harsh Australian climate.  The purpose is to assist you in making informed choices when next you purchase your Australian skin care products and ultimately in the care of your skin.

OR Natural is dedicated to the principle of natural skin care using quality natural ingredients.  Our products are vegan friendly as no animal products are used with the exception of fresh goats’ milk in olive oil goats’ milk soap. 
   

Natural Night Cream

  

‘The Original Award Winning Olive Oil Soap’

      

Remember … Natural is Best!

 

http://ORnatural.com.au  61-02-4998-8359

"OR Natural" Skin Care Solutions. Laguna, NSW Australia 2325.
  

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