Salt for Your Skin Halo Therapy or Dry Salt Therapy, is a practice that started in Eastern Europe salt mines many years ago.  It is now becoming a popular modality for health and wellness in the United States. Why salt? It wasn’t until it was discovered that those miners working with the dry salt inhaling the small particles daily began demonstrating superior health compared to others in their communities that the benefits of salt therapy were recognized. That was in the 1800s. In the 1900s a halo generator (halo means salt) was developed, allowing salt therapy to be available above ground rather than in the mines only.  The therapy is especially useful for those with respiratory restrictions since it absorbs excess mucous and serves antibacterial and anti-inflammatory roles. It wasn’t long before the benefits of dry salt therapy for the skin was recognized.  The tiny particles penetrate deep into the top layers of skin and draw out excess fluid and oils and it kills bacteria while stimulating cell circulation. Halo Therapy helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, a real benefit for those with eczema, psoriasis, and it’s great for acne. Who would have ever thought salt could reduce swelling?

Using Enzymes for Exfoliation

A fact of the aging process, the skin cell shedding process slows down with age.  This can be problematic as it leaves a build-up that can result in irregular patches of dull skin and an uneven complexion. Enzymes work on breaking down the bonds that hold shedding skin cells together in a more gentle way than mechanical exfoliators like AHA. Increased keratinization is prevented around the follicles, which stops blackheads from forming. This type of exfoliation is good for mature and oily skin. The benefits include mild hydration and anti-bacterial effects. The most well-known enzymes are Papain, found in unripe papayas, and bromelain found in pineapple. Fruits have antioxidant vitamins making them valuable for cellular health.  Enzymes, however, should not be used for sensitive skin or for those with broken capillaries since they can burn.

It’s Pumpkin Time for Your Skin

Body Scrubs ¼ cup pureed, cooled pumpkin ¼ cup sugar (organic is recommended) Apply with a damp cloth, scrub in circular motion Or ½ cup of oil (i.e.: sweet almond, grapeseed but not cooking oil) 1 cup sugar Few drops of essential oil of choice: Lavender – relaxing, Ylang-ylang – incites passion, Lemongrass – refreshing, Rosemary – stimulating Facial Scrub ½ cup pureed pumpkin 3 tablespoons sugar (organic is recommended) ½ teaspoon pumpkin seed oil This mixture will be a thick paste.  Rub in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water. Dry Skin Mask ¼ cup fresh pumpkin meat 1 teaspoon pumpkin seed oil Splash of milk or cream Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water Oily Skin Mask ¼ cup fresh pumpkin meat 1 teaspoon pumpkin seed oil 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 egg yolk Blend in a processor. Leave on 20 minutes, rinse with warm water. Sugar scrubs are not as abrasive as salt scrubs, which makes them a good choice for those with sensitive or thin skin. Experiment with different sugars for the texture that feels best for your skin.  Organic sugars are a great choice since they are going on your skin but in a pinch table sugar will work. Airbrush Makeup What is airbrush makeup?  It’s a patented makeup application system using compressed air and very much preferred for digital photography, high definition television, and for weddings. Airbrushing, when done correctly, leaves a velvety texture that goes on the skin in an even, misted pattern. The finish is the most natural looking and is lightweight. The features of airbrushing are:

• Custom blended foundation colors
• Creates a flawless complexion
• Lasts all day and night
• Silicone-based and hypoallergenic
• Alcohol and oil free
• Sweat, smear and tear resistant
• Photographs beautifully

The good news is that airbrushing is suitable for people of all ages and for every skin condition. How Do You Store Your Cosmetics? In a recent study, reported in the journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, one third of cosmetic samples tested positive for bacteria, some even contained staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniea, and staphylococcus epidermidis. This was taken from 19 random samples of cosmetics that were being used regularly or semi-regularly. How you store your cosmetics is vital to your health, especially if you are in an immune-compromised state or have a compromised skin barrier.  Step and staph can lead to infected hair follicles and even cellulitis. When you aren’t using the products they should be properly sealed to protect them from airborne germs.  The older the product is the more time bacteria have to grow in it. Aromatherapy and the Law How aromatherapy products are used determines how they are regulated by the law. They could be a cosmetic or a drug, or both. It also depends on how the product is being marketed.  If you are making products with essential oils or fragrances with the intention of selling them, this information will be useful for marketing purposes. When products are intended to cleanse the body or to make a person more attractive it’s a cosmetic.  The law does not require cosmetics to have FDA approval before they hit the market.  Some products may have dual classification. A baby lotion marketed with claims that it both moisturizes the baby’s skin and relieves colic would have a dual classification. If a product is intended for therapeutic use, like treating or preventing disease, or to affect the structure or function of the body, it’s a drug. Examples would be product claims of pain relief, muscle relaxing, or even those for inducing sleep.  Once a product is determined to be a drug it must then have premarket approval by the FDA. Even though a product is plant based that does not keep it from being considered a drug.  Products containing essential oils or fragrances are often marketed as aromatherapy, yet they may be among those classified as a drug. Labeling aromatherapy products can be complicated. Determining the use or application and the intent of the claims made about the product is what must be considered before a label is applied. Skin Care Quiz

1. When skin is a yellowish color it is said to be what?
2. The forehead, nose and chin region is referred to as what?
3. What is the proper order for cleansing your face?

1. Wash, tone, moisturize
2. Tone, wash, moisturize
3. Wash, moisturize, tone

1. The purpose of a toner is what?
2. Your face only needs to be cleansed once a day.  T or F
3. How long should you keep mascara?

1. 6 months
2. 1 month
3. 3 months

1. What does ephelides (AFEE lid eez) refer to?
2. The SPF in foundation is enough to protect your skin. T or F

Answers: 1) sallow   2) T-zone   3) a   4) balance the skin’s pH   5) F (2 times a day)   6) c   7) freckles   8) F Views:]]>