ROSACEA

Rosacea

Rosacea (ro-zay-sha) is a common, acne-like benign inflammatory skin disease of adults, with a worldwide distribution.  Rosacea is estimated to affect approximately 45 million worldwide.

The main symptoms and signs of rosacea include red or pink facial skin, small dilated blood vessels, small red bumps sometimes containing pus, cysts, and pink or irritated eyes.  Many people who have rosacea may just assume they have very sensitive skin that blushes or flushes easily.

Rosacea is considered an incurable auto-inflammatory skin condition.  The symptoms and signs of rosacea tend to come and go.  The skin may be clear for weeks, months, or years and then erupt again.

Rosacea is not contagious or infectious!

Symptoms

Rosacea risk factors include fair skin, English, Irish, or Scottish heredity, easy blushing, and having other family members with rosacea (called "positive family history").  Additional risk factors include female gender, menopause, and being 30-50 years of age.

Typical signs and symptoms of rosacea include:

• facial flushing
• blushing
• skin redness (erythema)
• burning
• red bumps and pustules
• small cysts, and 
• thickening of the facial tissue, especially the nose.

Some of the triggers:

• dairy, including yogurt, sour cream, cheese (except cottage cheese)
• alcohol, including red wine, beer, vodka, gin, bourbon, and champagne
• chocolate
• soy sauce
• yeast extract
• eggplants, avocados, spinach
• some beans and pods, including lima, navy or peas
• citrus fruits, including tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins, or figs; and
• spicy and temperature hot foods. 

Treatment

There are many treatment choices for rosacea depending on the severity and extent of symptoms.  Available medical treatments include antibacterial washes, topical creams, antibiotic pills, lasers, pulsed-light therapies and photodynamic therapy.

Mild rosacea may not necessarily require treatment if the individual is not bothered by the condition.  More resistant situations may require a combination approach, using several of the treatments at the same time.  Eg.prescription sulfa facial wash twice a day, applying an antibacterial cream morning and night, and taking an oral antibiotic for flares.

Rosacea skin tends to be fairly sensitive and may easily flare with self-treatment or common acne therapies.  Any home treatment or attempts for natural remedies should be approached with some caution.  As with any rosacea therapy, some people may experience sensitivity or irritation with treatment.  Several possible natural remedies, including dilute vinegar cleansing and green tea applications, may be useful in rosacea.

Gentle daily facial massage may help reduce swelling and inflammation.  Use a circular motion with your fingers starting on the central part of the face and work toward the ears.

Many other alternative therapies — including colloidal silver, emu oil, laurelwood and oregano oil — have been touted as possible ways to treat rosacea.  But at this stage no evidence supports the idea that any of these substances are effective.

When researching natural remedies we recommend you use reputable medical sites.

Natural Remedies

Avoid triggers. Know what tends to cause flare-ups for you and avoid those triggers.  Keep a diary to help track your rosacea.

Protect your face. Apply sunscreen daily. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.  Take other steps to protect your skin, such as wearing hats and avoiding midday sun. In cold, windy weather, wear a scarf or ski mask.

Treat your skin gently. Don't rub or touch your face too much.  Use a gentle cleanser and moisturize frequently.  Avoid products that contain alcohol or other skin irritants.

Apply makeup. Some makeup products and techniques may help reduce the appearance of skin redness.  For example, apply green-tinted makeup before a light liquid foundation.  Or try a light dusting of green-tinted facial powder.

Diet

A sensible diet is important.  Foods with polyphenols have been shown to help improve general health and skin health. Polyphenols improve the gut flora and fauna which impact the skin.  Foods with polyphenols can be researched on the web but some for example are:

• Blueberries
• Crab Apple
• Strawberries
• Whole grain rye breads
• Celery seed
• Capers
• Note. Amino acid supplements have been suggested on some other sites.

Reference Sites: Medicine Net,

Mayo Clinic, Nutrition Advance

Disclaimer: OR Natural researches reputable sites to source information on skin conditions. The material is prepared to assist our customers understanding of the condition and we encourage people to seek medical advice where a condition persists and to research for themselves information about their condition. While OR Natural strives to maintain current and relevant information to the best of our ability, this should not be construed as medical advice as the relevance and accuracy of medical information changes significantly over time as new treatments become available.

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Dermatitis

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a relatively common condition that can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.

It is a term that describes inflammation of the skin and covers a range of conditions that have many causes and many forms.  

Dermatitis typically presents itself as an itchy rash on red or swollen skin.  Examples of dermatitis include atopic dermatitis (eczema), dandruff and rashes caused by contact with any of a number of substances, such as chlorinated water, harsh soaps or frequent hand washing due to occupation e.g. nurses and hair dressers often have issues with dermatitis on their hands.  

Jewellery with nickel in it can also cause irritation, there are many possible causes and sometimes sadly it is just genetic.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly affects the scalp.  It causes scaly patches, red skin and dandruff.  It can also affect oily areas of the body and face.  In infants this is known as cradle cap.

While it is always sensible to seek medical advice, there are also many alternative therapies, which have helped some people manage their dermatitis.

These include:

·    Dietary supplements, such as vitamin D and probiotics, for atopic dermatitis

·    Rice bran broth (applied to the skin) for atopic dermatitis

·    Tea tree oil, either alone or added to your shampoo, for seborrheic dermatitis

·    Fish oil supplements for seborrheic dermatitis

·    Aloe Vera for seborrheic dermatitis

An essential for any dermatitis sufferer is to find a very gentle soap that firstly, does not aggravate their condition, and secondly ideally will help bring the skin into normal balance. 

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

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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.

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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

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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.

  

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