SeriesBeauty and the Green.

After long months of cold temperatures, low humidity, and heated air blasting our skins, we can be left with a dull, dry, scaly anti-sheen complete with rough patches on our knees, elbows and feet. It’s time for a good spring cleaning on our skin, and we’ve got the products to do it.

Juice Beauty Organic Face Wash ($22.00)
The last thing your stressed-out winter skin needs is a bath in chemicals and fragrance. So consider treating it to a gentle, organic cleanser such as this USDA certified organic soap-free wash. Great for all skin types, this cleanser contains natural antioxidants such as apple juice and soothing extracts of carrot seed. Honey and primrose extracts provide natural emollients and soothing anti-inflammatory agents to calm skin. Want to read more on more green cleansers? Check out our list of great green cleansers.

Kimberly Sayer Ultra-Light Facial Moisturizer ($32.00)
For all but the driest skin, a heavy moisturizer can feel too oily or slick. So what happens? We end up skipping the daily moisturizer and missing a key step in our daily beauty regime. This lightweight moisturizer from Kimberly Sayer is noncomedogenic and easy on the skin. It contains organic ingredients and utilizes a mineral sun block to protect from the sun. Want more? Check out this list of gentle, green moisturizers.

Mychelle Dermaceuticals Fruit Enzyme Scrub ($17.19)
Exfoliation is key to reviving dull skin, but harsh chemical scrubs can do more damage than good. Not so with this scrub. Vegan and gluten-free, this gentle scrub helps dissolve dead skin cells through natural fruit enzymes while clearing clogged pores and polishing skin. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, this scrub leaves a smooth and soft finish. Or, make your own healthy, exfoliating scrub.

John Masters Organics Vitamin C Anti-Aging Serum ($30.00)
A great solution to dull, dehydrated skin is to revitalize with a deep concentration of product. In terms of balancing skin tone and promoting collagen, vitamin C is heralded as perhaps one of the best natural tools to do so. This serum, made with certified organic ingredients, yields an intense serving of antioxidants and moisture that can soften fine lines and balance skin tone. While you’re at it,  read more on how serums work.

Antipodes Natural Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream ($52.00)
Bring your skin back to your life with this rich botanical night cream. This vegan product is full of certified organic ingredients to battle free radical damage and stimulate collagen production. It’s a must-have for any face wanting to fight damaging free radicals and wrinkles in a natural, non-toxic way. This rich and smooth botanical night cream promises to stimulate collagen production by 92% and it does not disappoint. Morning skin feels hydrated and plump and happy.

EO Lemon Verbena Body Lotion ($8.99)
Moisturizing from head to toe is important to get ship-shape for shorts and sandals. And with our wintry parts concealed for months at a time, it’s easy to forget about our more neglected parts. Free of synthetic fragrances and containing pure essential oils, this nourishing moisturizer is quickly absorbed into skin. With a crisp scent, it restores skin’s smoothness with organic oils and botanicals.

Anthology Organic Foot Scrub ($13.95)
Fearful of feet that haven’t seen the sun since September? Treat your toots to an invigorating scrub to remove calluses, rough spots and more caused by your winter boots. This product, comprised of 99% USDA certified-organic ingredients is detergent, and preservative free. It is made of Dead Sea Salt to slough away dry skin while countering germs and odors with antibacterial essential oils like rosemary.

FTC Compliant

behind-the-lense

Want a centuries-old beauty trick? Tie on your sunbonnets and lean in. (Yes, now I am whispering.) Honey is the secret to everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but it comes pretty darn close. It’s the multi-tasker of natural beauty. Cleopatra made milk and honey baths infamous. Poppea, wife of Rome’s Emperor Nero, used milk and honey to maintain a youthful appearance. And best of all? It is everywhere and it is relatively cheap.

From your farmer’s market to local grocer, almost everyone carries a stock of honey. Naturally, you want to try to use organic honey. But beware of green washing – while many claim their honey is organic, it is nearly impossible to discern where the bees which created it foraged. They could have easily been exposed to pesticides, fertilizers and more. Some recommend buying farmer’s market honey, where you can talk to the grower about how his or her bees were cultivated and how the honey was bottled.

So just why is honey so awesome?

It’s a fantastic moisturizer.
Honey is a natural humectant. This means it draws in and maintains moisture, making it an excellent albeit sticky solution for dry skin. Want a great homemade moisturizer? Mix two tablespoons of warm honey with two tablespoons of organic yogurt. Whisk the mixture together and apply to your face for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. And try not to annoy any neighboring bees in the process.

It can work as an anti-ager and acne treatment.
Honey helps slough away dead skin cells, renewing skin. It is also packed with antioxidants, which can help combat the signs of skin damage. It also has antimicrobial properties, which makes it an excellent treatment for acne. This means honey can help clear blockage in pores as well as fight bacteria causing pimples. It is much easier on the skin than many of the harsh chemical acne treatments on the market.

It can help heal scars.
As we have already reported, honey is a superstar for scar treatment. Because of its antimicrobial properties, it has been used for centuries to treat wounds. And because it is also a fantastic moisturizer, it can help skin along on the road to recovery. You can place honey on your recovering scar and cover it with a layer of gauze to help along treatment.

It’s good for your hair.
For the same reason it’s a good moisturizer for your skin, honey works great on your hair. Some use it as a deep conditioner. Mix half a cup of honey with one tablespoon of olive oil. Work into your hair and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse like you’ve never rinsed before! Your hair will be soft, silky, and hopefully not too sticky.

It gives you fresh breath.
Worried about your breath? Consider gargling with antimicrobial honey. Mix one tablespoon with a half cup of water. Some suggest throwing in a dash of cinnamon or a squeeze of lemon. Gargle away. And don’t forget to throw a little honey in your tea for sweet, fresh breath.

Image: vickyb

Some people think “eyes are the windows of the soul,” but I would argue that it is the skin. Think about it. If you sneak junk food that may or may not have originated from Golden Arches (no judgment, my fry-loving friend), it is likely to show up on your skin. And it’s not just bad food that can make an appearance on your epidermis. If you stress yourself, your skin will show the signs. If you’re hormonal or pregnant, your skin may show it before your mid-section.

Don’t believe me? Recently, in a moment of stress-induced weakness, I picked up a bag of frozen tater tots at the store. I generally eat very well – fruits, veggies, lean proteins galore. But I wanted tots, and for the love of Pete Campbell I had to have them. That night, blinds drawn, I ate the tots and was happy. The next day? Breakout city.

Morale of the story? Your body rids itself of toxins through the skin via sweating. So if there’s a build-up of bad things in your body, you may see it in acne, skin blotches and more. So treat your skin to a healthy diet and resist the siren call of the tots. Drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated. Cut out sugary foods, trans-fats and fried foods. As one expert suggests, “smooth, soft, clear skin depends on fresh fruits and vegetables.” Make friends with your local farmers’ market.

Product wise, there’s a slew of detoxifying masks on the market that can help speed up the process. Recently, I had the chance to check out Anthology’s Complete Skin Detox Face Mask ($13.95). Anthology only uses USDA certified organic ingredients and packages their bath and body works in recyclable glass bottles. Their line is vegan, cruelty-free, and void of chemicals.

And how is the Complete Skin Detox Face Mask? In two words: bloody cool. Just in time for Halloween, this mask paints your face with a red liquid hue that makes you look like you just got back from Carrie’s prom. Which is AWESOME, naturally. But you might want to warn anyone in your vicinity. Unless you want to watch them freak out, which has its advantages as well.

A word of caution. While using the product, just mix one teaspoon and a little bit of water. I made the mistake of mixing it will too much water and ended up wasting quite a bit of it. Also, the mask is really quite messy, so try to keep the wetness to a minimum. And keep some cloths on hand to wipe up afterwards.

The mask’s main ingredients are hibiscus flowers, clay, and cranberries. The hibiscus is said to have “anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, detoxifying, peeling and anti-oxidant effects” on the skin. The cranberries have antioxidants to fight free-radicals on the skin.

How does it work? I applied the mixture with a cotton ball and left it on for about 25 minutes, or as long as it took to dry. It was a little tingly and smelled like berry herbal tea. It left my skin feeling tight, smooth, and looking a little pink. It can leave your skin feeling a bit dry, so be sure to follow up with a moisturizer.

FTC Compliance

We’ve all heard the saying “smooth as a baby’s bottom” – and it has meaning because infancy was probably the last time most of us completely lacked cellulite. Why? Because it’s everywhere. Its omnipotence has led to several myths and mysteries surrounded its existence. And we are here to dispel them.

Cellulite is really unusual. Wrong! Think of it this way – cellulite is the norm for people who breathe air and have DNA. Though carrying excessive weight can certainly exacerbate its appearance, cellulite is found in people of all sizes. It is caused by fat tissues which distort the connective tissues beneath skin, making the appearance of the skin look dimpled. It is much more common in women than men, as women have thinner skin. And according to one study, 70 percent of women have it.

Anti-cellulite creams will save you. Cellulite creams often claim to break down fat stores in the skin. However, no cream can deliver enough chemicals into your skin to accomplish this. Studies show that some creams might make skin look temporarily tighter, but there is no know lasting effect.

Diet and dietary supplements do the trick. As one resource explains, “ginkgo biloba, sweet clover, grape-seed bioflavinoids, bladder wrack extract, oil of evening primrose, fish oil, and soy lecithin” all claim to sooth cellulite. However, studies show that they have no effect on the appearance of cellulite. Further, as dietary supplements are out of the jurisdiction of the FDA, there is no one forcing companies to back up their claims.

You get it from being fat. Yes, eating a healthy diet and exercising to stay toned might reduce the appearance of cellulite in some people. But cellulite can be caused by gender, hereditary, and the way your body carries fat. Oh, and your age.

Caffeine is the cure all. Many cellulite creams contain caffeine, as it is supposed to permanently smooth fat. It simply does not work in any permanent capacity. Further, consuming large amounts of caffeine is just going to leave you jittery.

Massage treatment will make it go away forever. Massage treatment can roll your skin, muscle and fat around. Endermologie is a spa treatment in France that has been used since the 1990s to “treat” cellulite. Studies have shown that it might reduce the look temporarily. But in the end, your skin will redistribute to its natural state.

You get cellulite from lack of exercise. Again, if you carry extra weight, your cellulite might be enhanced. A good cardio exercise routine combined with strength training may reduce the appearance of cellulite, but it is not going to rid your body of it. Is it discouraging to realize that you’re still going to have it to some extent? Perhaps – but at least you’ll be and feel healthier as you embrace the dimples.

Image: diongillard

I never put my laptop on my lap. It really functions as a desktop computer, or rather a coffee table-top computer, and the only physical harm it brings me is a sore back, which is more my fault than its. (I tend to slam away at the thing while hunched over said coffee table.) So the following problem isn’t an issue for me, though it apparently deserves mentioning. At least according to a friend, who often uses her laptop in the manner for which it was named. Just a moment ago, after hearing me read the lead of this AP article, she cries out, “Oh my God, yeah! I’m way scared of that!”

“That” is the dreaded Toasted Skin Syndrome.

Toasted Skin Syndrome is a mottled skin condition caused by long-term heat exposure. It kind of looks like a red cobweb beneath the surface of the skin (fair warning: that link is to The Dermatology Blog and is, by definition, not something you want to look at if you and I have anything in common) and is also less well-known by its other name – Erythema ab igne. (As if Toasted Skin Syndrome needed an even stranger name.)

Evidently, anything hot and prolonged can cause the condition, from overuse of heating pads to sitting too long and too often by the fireplace to, yes, dumbly getting too much touch time with your 125-degreeish laptop. There has been some links to skin cancer, but that’s rare, and this unflattering toasting is pretty much harmless. The skin discoloration can be permanent, though, so unless you’re into spidery body art, you might want to make sure to get some chill time in between laptop sessions.

The article notes two recent cases of the syndrome. One involved a 12-year-old boy who toasted his left thigh after over-enjoying computer games for hours a day for many a month. The other involved a law-school student who spent about six hours a day working with her laptop on her laptop. All told, there have been 10 reported cases in medical journals in the last six years.

Had these folks read their users manuals, they might have avoided the syndrome, as it seems Apple, Hewlett Packard and Dell all have verbiage warning about exposing their laptops directly to skin for long periods. I wonder if they also warn dudes about “elevated scrotum temperatures,” which can lead to infertility. Hmm.

Anyway, my friend here says she’s taken to putting an oversized pillow in between her and her beloved Macbook (“MacBook Pro, bitch,” I’ve just been informed). I’m not sure what that means for her have-laptop-will-travel approach, but it sounds comfy enough. Sure beats a bizarro new tattoo.

Image: Daquella manera

Recently, I took a gander at the world of teen tanning when a “Teens determined to tan, no matter what” headline screamed at me from Msnbc.com. I learned that one in nine teenagers uses sunless tanning products. Cause for “yay, they’re out of the sun,” right? Nope, said teenagers are also using these products alongside tanning beds and bad sun burns.

And dermatologists are noticing. Some report seeing patients in their early 20s with skin more akin to what you get in your mid-30s. This includes the beginning of wrinkles and age spot. Age spots, also known as sun or liver spots, are flat black-brown spots that occur on areas of the skin most exposed to sun. They may be more noticeable on lighter-skinned folk, though all races have them. They like to show up on faces and hands and can also be the result of hormones and acne scarring.

The good news? Age spots are not cancerous. The bad news? If you don’t like them, they can be difficult to rid yourself of them. Some dermatologists use cryotherapy (freezing,) laser therapy, and topical creams. Sun spots are relatively preventable if you start young and are meticulous about wearing sunscreen. But – who was really good about slathering on sunscreen when we were ten years old splashing away in an outdoor swimming pool? If you’re raising your hand alongside me right now, odds are you may be dealing with them.

And yes, sun spots are all part of the natural process of aging. So embrace your age spots – and then, if you choose, send them on their merry way to oblivion. You can consult a dermatologist who will provide you with all sorts of medical options to restore your face to a more even tone – many of which ask you to turn into a chemical receptacle and fork over wheelbarrows full of cash. And so, we’ve already looked at cheaper, homemade remedies to fight dark spots. But this got us thinking – is there a natural product out there that does that trick?

Happily, there seems to be one that helps in La Isha’s Natural Age Spot Eraser ($45.00). La Isha skin care is based on clinical essential oil therapy, inspired when owner Sharon Gnatt Epel’s young son suffered severe chemical burns after a white water river expedition in Panama. (The river was filled with illegal toxic chemicals used by a nearby plantation.) Epel’s son was entirely healed by using medical-grade essentials oil, and she has used the experience to develop a complete line of skin care based on natural essential oils.

But does her Natural Age Spot Eraser work? After using a tiny sample of it for two weeks straight on my most nefarious age spot, I can report that said age spot is, in fact, lighter. Is it gone completely? No, though, to be fair, this product does claim to only gradually fade spots and discolorations. Further, we are instructed to allow a full 90 days for extra stubborn spots.

Containing organic essential oils like “Frankincense, German chamomile, Roman chamomile,” the smell rocks. It feels a bit like aromatherapy when I leave it on my face. And it does not contain hydroquinone or any other harsh artificial chemical-based lighteners. It is pricey at $45, but a little does goes a long way.

FTC Compliance

Image: Jason Anfinsen

Stretch marks. Friend and new mom Erin Fox speaks of them in hushed, angry tones, calling them, “Something so evil they must be destroyed. Evilly.” Yes, Erin, stretch marks are bad. What’s more, they are complicated. No, I’m not talking complicated like understanding the appeal of putting crazy people on reality television. Stretch marks are complicated because a vigorous debate exists as to whether they can actually be prevented.

And the debate over stretch marks is fierce. It pits doctors against mothers against physical trainers against beauty technicians. And sure, there are those who argue that stretch marks are natural, we must embrace our bodies, and these marks just accentuate perfection. All good and true points – click here, my positive-thinking friends!

For the rest of us still reading, let’s talk options.

The cosmetics industry has produced tons of creams, oils, and salves that they swear will decimate stretch marks like a nuclear bomb takes care of tree. Meanwhile, other skin experts shake their heads, check their offices for hidden microphones, and admit that nothing can be done to prevent them. They are, in fact, a result of the genetic makeup of your skin.

And it does seem that stretch marks are unavoidable for some people. I have friends who cocoa buttered themselves ceaselessly during pregnancy – only to end up with stretch marks best described as Freddy Kruger-esque. Then I know others who sailed through pregnancy without a mark to be had. And nary a cream or oil did they touch.

So what’s the deal? Firstly, stretch marks aren’t just due to pregnancy. They come from weight loss or weight gain – basically, from anything that will stretch the skin. Men and women get them all over their bodies. They arise in the elastic middle layer of skin called the dermis. Experts point out that when the dermis is constantly stretched, it can break down. Voila, stretch marks. They start off red or purple and can end up silvery white on the skin.

So what can you do to fight them naturally? Yes, I know that some say they are unavoidable. But experts suggest keeping the skin as hydrated as possible – and that sure can’t hurt the situation. Use Vitamin E lotions and oils on the skin, and get as much Vitamin E as you can in your diet. Nuts, spinach and tomatoes all contain a lot of it.

Finally, Narine Nikogosian of Return to Beauty details a natural recipe for stretch mark care in her book. She suggests combing 3 Vitamin E capsules with 2 tablespoons of cocoa butter, covering your affected areas every night before bed. She also offers up a similar recipe combining 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil, and ½ teaspoon of honey. You can purchase Narine’s book here.

Have any of your own homemade recipes or tips to fight stretch marks that you’d like to share? Let us know!

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Do you ever wish you could go back and dress your 18-year-old self? If I were allowed a personal wormhole through which to traverse a decade or two, I’d head straight to my freshman year of college. I’d immediately take myself out of the amorphous six-sizes-too-big floral dresses of the time (thank you, Winona Ryder of Reality Bites), and immediately put myself in shorty shorts and heels. Why? Because I had great gams and didn’t know it.

What do I have now? Yeah, I’m still kicking around with the same old legs. But about eight years ago, I noticed something was off. I had (closing the blinds and dropping my typing to a whisper) the beginnings of small spider veins. This did not please me. So I hiked off to my dermatologist and begged her for answers. She offered saline injections that would “kill” the veins and eventually cause them to fade. I went for it. My karma for this decision? The injections didn’t work at all and I was left with an expensive bill and the egg of “duh” all over my face.

So years later, I’ve come to embrace my spider veins and all the fun imperfections that come with wisdom and age. Just kidding – I still totally hate them and would love them gone, but like I would believe any doctor after the saline fiasco. So now, I’ve settled into a relationship of utter denial with my spider veins. I know they are there, but when I look at them the world just goes fuzzy. And luckily, they really aren’t that bad for spider veins. Considering what I just saw when I Googled varicose veins, I should probably clam the heck up.

Nonetheless, I recently decided to take a gander at what the natural world has to offer on varicose veins. Considering saline injections didn’t do squat to destroy them, I was a bit skeptical. But apparently there are things you can do to rid yourself of the wee red beasties. Spider and varicose veins are caused by smoking, pregnancy, and obesity. Some also say you can get them from sitting, standing, and crossing your legs at the knees. (And if you have bad varicose veins, see a doctor. There could be larger issues like blood clots and more.)

Once you’re cleared by a medical professional, consider these tips. When you sit down, elevate your legs to improve circulation. Losing any extra pounds will also help. Some nutritionists suggest eating a tomato a day, as they aid blood circulation. Others suggest “cherries, rose hips, blackberries, apricots, buckwheat, bell peppers, onions, asparagus, brussel sprouts, apples, pears, and the thin inner layer of citrus rinds.” These are all rich in flavonoids, which are circulation enhancers. And the more your blood circulates, the better your spider veins.

Or so “they” say.

Image: Dia

There has been much ado about everything lately in the world of sunscreens. First, you have to stay out of the sun. Then you have to stay in the sun for at least a few minutes of the day. Then you have to be careful what kind of sunscreen you buy, how much you use it, and how well you use it. Because if you don’t, clearly the media is going to come after you waving sticks tipped with cancer. Or so it seems.

We’ve already learned about the dangers of sunscreen. As we recently reported, the Environmental Working Group has put the world on notice that the excessive amount of chemicals in sunscreens may be doing damage on a cellular level. As we discussed “Common sunscreens contain cinnamates, benzophenones and amino benzoic acid, which counteract sunlight when it is absorbed by the skin, thus causing genetic-material to damage.” Further, experts point out that sunscreen can create a false sense of security amongst its users. You still need to cover up and watch your time in the sun, regardless of what sunscreen you may or may not have put on your body.

But news out of the health world shows that doctors are starting to take notice about these chemicals. Harvard Health Publications reports that the FDA is requiring new rules for sunscreens, which are set to take effect in October of 2010. According to the experts, “UVB is the main cause of sunburn and the more carcinogenic of the two, although both contribute to skin cancer. UVA, which moves at a longer wavelength and is more penetrating, is responsible for tanning and contributes to skin aging.” Companies would be required to test and rank UVA protection claims, and not just UVB. And UVA and UVB will get “equal billing.”

Further, the FDA would make sure reapplication is emphasized while discouraging claims that sunscreens reduce aging and skin cancer risks. SPF ratings would also top off at 50+. Want to know more? You can read in detail about these requirements here.

But what does this mean for the chemicals in sunscreen? At present, not much – though Congress has just introduced the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, which will give the FDA authority to make sure dangerous chemicals are not present in our beauty products. (Because right now they don’t have that right. Seriously.)

In the meantime, keep your eye on the prize when it comes to reading your labels. Look for eco-friendly packaging, titanium oxide over zinc oxide, (which Skin Deep rates as less hazardous) and less chemicals in the labels, especially cinnamates, benzophenones and amino benzoic acid.

Image: unconstructive_bry

Sunburn is a scourge, a pox, and blight on humanity. Yeah, sure, it’s not Ebola or bubonic plague annoying, but many of us are familiar with that sinking 5 p.m feeling of “Oh man I knew I should have reapplied the sun block” when looking at our shoulders reddening up before our eyes. And then you berate yourself up for forgetting the hat/sun block/umbrella the size of Yankee Stadium that would have properly shielded you.

I haven’t officially “laid out” for 20 years. But I’ll still tend to forget the sunscreen somewhere on my body, which is genetically designed to handle as much sunlight as a moss-covered English rock. Sunburns still happen, even under the best laid plans of sunscreen. Don’t beat yourself up. You’re already sunburned! Just check out our five tips on how to treat your crispy skin.

Your first instinct is to reach for the moisturizer, right? Heck to the no. Do not use heavy moisturizers after getting a sunburn. It’s like putting more olive oil into the frying pan. Heavy moisturizers will trap in the heat of your skin. They may also contain alcohol and fragrances that don’t let your skin breath. Once your skin has cooled off and started to heal (but not blister,) considering adding moisturizer. And keep it natural and/or organic to keep the chemicals off and out of your already sensitive skin.

Now for what you should do! Cold compresses covered in chilled aloe vera is a great idea. Aloe isn’t drying, and chilled aloe will bring down the heat quickly. Pick up some organic aloe vera gel and consider using a hemp washcloth. Rinse a cold compress with the gel and leave it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. (Or better yet, introduce your bottle of aloe to the refrigerator and just keep it there.) Then place the chilled wash cloth on your parts. You can also do the same with chilled used tea bags. Tea has tannins that help the healing process – and they are great for burnt eyelids.

You also want to cool down the skin as quickly as possible. Take a cool shower. After you’re out – let yourself air dry. Or you can simply run ice cubes over your skin. Seeing how fast they melt on your burned skin shows you how much heat you are still radiating. And on the hottest, most humid days, who doesn’t like a little ice bath?

Or you could take a bath in baking soda. Baking soda is cooling and will help the skin retain moisture. It also can take the sting out of a burn. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a tepid bath and soak for at least 15 minutes. Instead of drying the burned area with a towel, let it air dry.

And finally, spritz yourself in organic vinegar. I know, it sounds insane, but people swear by this home remedy. (Throw a Google on it and see!) Apparently, the acetic acid in the vinegar sooths and moisturizes sunburn skin. Put it in a spray bottle and spray as needed. Others also swear by witch hazel. Sunburn is partially due to skin inflammation, and witch hazel is long known to be a great treatment for inflammation. Use a cotton ball or similar and cover the burned area. Witch hazel has a cooling affect and takes the sting away.

Image: missrogue