For a while, I've wanted to write a post about the best regime for rosacea, the skin condition characterized by a flushed, ruddy face with visible blood vessels, bumps and/or pimples. (Bill Clinton is a celebrity example.) I don't have it, but a recent move to Chicago, which might as well be Antarctica during the winter—quickly prompted me to research non-comedogenic, moisturizing skin soothers. The recommendation: Evan Healy's Blue Face Kit.
The kit includes Evan Healy's gorgeous Blue Lavender Cleansing Milk, Rosehip Treatment Facial Oil, and Blue Chamomile Day Moisturizer. They contain steam-distilled blue chamomile and lavender essential oils to impressively calm redness and help regenerate damaged tissue and broken capillary veins (and smell exactly like freshly plucked chamomile and lavender flowers).
Ideal for: People with rosacea or ruddy, wind-burned or irritated skin.
Eco factor: Evan Healy products are beautifully pure—they don't contain a single synthetic ingredient, including parabens, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, filler/thickeners, sulfates, or fake colors and fragrances.
December 15, 2008
Soothing Winter Skin and Rosacea: Evan Healy Blue Face Kit
July 1, 2008
The Body Deli Skincare: Raw, Fresh and Food-Based
Many natural beauty companies boast that their products are "so pure you can eat them." I recently discovered a line in which that is almost the case.
The Body Deli, based in Palm Springs, uses so many fresh food ingredients that some of their goods actually ship with an ice pack and require fridge storage. Equally cool: The brand's fans include Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson and Alicia Silverstone.
I’ve been using the best-selling Cucumber Juice Elixir daily for the past month. Kept in the frig, it's perfect for summer—an anti-inflammatory cocktail of organic aloe vera, cucumber juice and chamomile soothe the skin while barley grass and spirulina feed it a wealth of nutrients.
Another delectable top seller: the Blueberry Fusion Scrub, which
Eco factor: Body Deli products contain fresh, organic plant, fruit and veggie extracts. No sulfates, parabens, silicones, petrochemicals, or synthetic colors and fragrances
January 25, 2008
John Masters Organics Pomegranate Facial Nourishing Oil
Gals with oily or acneic skin like me face a frustrating wintertime challenge: hydrating and protecting our faces against the elements without clogging the holy heck out of them. Many heavy-duty moisturizers—both natural and traditional—contain potentially comedogenic ingredients in the form of emollients and thickeners. After a lengthy search, I have a surprising recommendation: John Masters Pomegranate Nourishing Facial Oil. (Don't be scared by the word "oil," we'll get to that in a minute.)
Pretty factor: The main plant oils in this serum—organic sunflower seed, evening primrose and pomegranate seed oils—are lightweight and un-problematic for pores. In fact, the natural moisture they provide can actually calms your sebaceous glands. Sunflower seed is packed with skin-plumping essential fatty acids and repairing vitamin E. Evening primrose has long been used to regenerate the skin, and pomegranate seed oil is a potent source of antioxidants and a proven cell regenerator.
If you're still leery, know this: The serum also contains lavender and ylang-ylang essential oils, which kill surface bacteria and balance oil production, warding off pimples.
To buy: $30 at Whole Foods and skinbotanica.com
Ingredients
November 7, 2007
Ren JoJoba Micro-Bead Purifying Facial Scrub
Okay, I'll admit: In a small percentage of cases not every natural cosmetic is the better choice. I’ve found this fact to be most true with facial scrubs. Many natural exfoliators contain ground walnut or apricot shell, whose jagged edges can micro-tear the skin, becoming a welcome mat for bacteria. No thanks. Ren’s Micro-Bead Purifying Facial Scrub employs perfectly round jojoba beads to exfoliate without aggravation. And it smells so refreshing.
Pretty factor: Non-abrasive jojoba spheres gently remove dead skin cells and refine the face without irritation. Jojoba oil, which is similar to our skin’s natural sebum, regulates oil production and cleans out pores. Organic juniper and peppermint oils help detoxify and will make your face feel and smell as fresh as an Oregon evergreen forest.
For: All skin types. Use 2 or 3 times weekly after cleansing.
Eco factor: No petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance or colors, T.E.A., D.E.A., propylene glycol, silicones, PEGS, animal ingredients or animal testing. U.K.-based Ren donates 2.5% of its profits to environmental organizations.
To buy: $35 at Sephora stores, sephora.com and renskincare.com
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