According to a recent study published in the prominent scientific journal Biogerontology, human skin is particularly sensitive to urban pollution (what scientists refer to as “environmental stress”). Major environmental factors have been shown to cause modifications of the structure and biophysical properties of the skin.

Atmospheric pollution has a role in increasing the accumulation rate of molecular modifications and has thus been termed a “factor of aging.” What does that mean in plain English? Pollution produces free radicals, free radicals accelerate aging, and that’s why city life is particularly hard on your skin.

This is just another reason to use a sunblock that contains ingredients that are physical barriers as opposed to chemical ones. Chemical barriers are not only extremely toxic, but they only protect against the sun and not the particulates in the air from air pollution. So by using physical barrier sun block you are actually doing a double service to your skin, avoiding toxins and creating protection from the aging effects of pollution.

RECIPES

Hand Sugar Exfoliant
Mix two tablespoons of oil (vegetable, olive, baby or safflower oil) with three tablespoons of sugar (using coarse sugar will be better) and form a paste. Gently rub the paste on your hands and continue doing so for 2-3 minutes. Wash off with warm water and dry thoroughly.

Hand Softener
For coarse and dry hands, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with a teaspoon of sugar and a little water. Apply this mixture on your hands and let it sit for 5 minutes. Wash off with warm water and dry thoroughly.

Below are the standards that had to be met in order to receive the highest status of Champion.

*Comply with the European Union’s Cosmetics Directive, widely considered the global gold standard of cosmetics safety regulation.

*Disclose all ingredients, including ingredients in “fragrance,” which in the United States can be claimed as “trade secrets,” even when they contain hormone disruptors, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.

*Publish and regularly update product information in EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetics database.

*Comply with any additional ingredient prohibitions and restrictions under the Compact and substitute ingredients of concern with safer alternatives.

*Participate in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Meetings these standards was actually quite easy for Healing Anthropology because we have always made 100% natural, safe skincare. It does feel good to be recognized though. And the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics not only gives accolades to companies who are making safe products, but they also urge other companies to remove harmful chemicals from their products.

Our skin is made of cells and collagen is one of the primary components of the cell membranes. It is also what determines the skin’s strength, elasticity and smoothness. Collagen is manufactured with Vitamin C and the absorption of Vitamin C is increased by the presence of bioflavinoids. Grape seed oil contains a unique type of bioflavinoid. Thus, for anti-aging, using a face cream that contains grape seed oil as an ingredient and as a replacement for propylene glycol you will get rid of the harmful effects of one and reap the benefits of the other.

Another great benefit to grape seed oil is that it has positive effects on acne. Most people equate oils with increased acne, but in many cases, the opposite can happen. Grape seed oil helps battle acne partially due to its content of polyphenols, which have anti inflammatory properties, and partially due to the fact that grape seed oil helps to clear out the pores.

And as with most seed oils, grape seed oil is rich in fatty acids, which are vital and nourishing to cells. Grape seed oil is rich in linolenic acid, which apart from being essential to skin, is also a precursor to many other important chemicals like Gamma Linolenic Acid, or GLA, which further benefits the skin. GLA helps to produce hormone-like chemicals called prostaglandins, which help to regulate and maintain healthy skin. In fact, studies are currently being conducted surrounding GLA, due to the fact that GLA seems to be one of the key fatty acids that is deficient in people suffering from skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. So using a body cream with grape seed oil is an excellent way to maintain the overall health of your skin.

Summer Produce
First of all, to eat in season means choosing fruits and vegetables at their natural peak growing times. When produce is grown in conditions that require minimal care, they’re in season; think of how berries grow fat and ripen in the hot steamy months of July and August. Here is a list of commonly known produce best eaten in the summer months:

basil
green beans
beets
all kinds of berries
bok choy
broccoli
cabbage
carrots
celery
chicories
collard greens
cucumbers
fennel
arugula
all kinds of herbs
lettuce
mustard greens
onions
peas
peppers
radicchio
spinach
summer squash
tomatillos
tomatoes

Full article at http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/832093/skin-benefits-of-green-tea

Luckily there are a variety of options available. Deodorant stones are large, smooth crystals of potassium aluminum sulfate that must be wetted and applied like a regular deodorant stick. The difference between potassium alum and aluminum chlorohydrate is that potassium alum is a much larger molecule that’s not thought to be absorbable through skin. However, if you want to completely eliminate aluminum from your armpits, there are many natural deodorants on the market. Burt’s Bees, JASON, Trader Joe’s, Kiss My Face and several other companies all offer aluminum-free deodorant sticks.

DO’s
>> Find The Label:
I know it sounds ridiculous, but have you tried to look at makeup ingredients in the store before? It’s all but impossible to locate and identify the ingredients in your favorite lipstick. Sometimes the ingredients are clearly stated on the back of the packaging, and other times you have to peel back a label to reveal it’s true colors.
>> MICA:
This razor-thin rock gives powders a shimmery glow that helps reflect light and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It’s also why mineral foundations are buildable, the thin layers provide customizable coverage.
>> ZINC OXIDE:
Not only a natural sunscreen, zinc oxide also kills bacteria and
works as an anti-inflammatory, making it a good acne-fighter.
>> SILK POWDER:
Crushed silk cocoons give powder foundations a light-on-the-skin
feel and provide healing amino acids.
>> LAUROYL LYSINE:
This amino acid is derived from coconuts and used in mineral
makeup to provide a silky finish.
>> VEGETABLE OILS:
These natural alternatives replace the traditional polymers used
to keep makeup colors on your skin, and also help the pigments in mascara stick to lashes. For example, sweet almond and sunflower oils nourish your lips and keep them well-hydrated without the scary side effects.
>> NATURAL WAXES:
These include—but are not limited to—waxes derived from
bees and plants. They act just like the vegetable oils and work like a polymer to keep your makeup on your skin and lips.
>> ULTRAMARINE:
In it’s natural form, this ingredient is a mineral-derived (think
lapis lazuli) pigment that is used as a color additive in cosmetics. The Enviornmental
Working Group (EWG) has also given this ingredient a “thumbs up.”

DONT’S
>> DITCH THE FD&C AND/OR D&C COLORS:
Commonly made from coal-tar derivatives, evidence suggests that some of the colors damage the nervous system and cause cell mutations. Also, those who eschew animal cruelty should know these colors often get tested for their carcinogenic properties on animals first, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
>> FLUS H THE FRAGRANCE:
Phthalates are commonly used in makeups to add
fragrance. Instead look for essential oils or phthalates-free labeling.
>> LEAVE THE LEAD:
A recent test by the EWG found detectable amounts of lead
in more than 60 percent of the lipsticks it tested. Whether introduced during the
manufacturing process or in the mining of iron oxides, lead doesn’t appear on any
lipstick labels, so buyer beware.
>> SCRAP THE MINERAL OIL:
This petroleum-derived ingredient gives you the
shine you want, but it also clogs pores and doesn’t allow the skin to breathe. Recent
studies have also linked mineral oil to an increase in skin cancer–related tumors.
>> NO TO NANO:
Some companies believe that nano-sized dioxides and oxides are
more easily absorbed into the skin than the micronized versions. Some critics suggest
that the nanoparticles may actually produce free radicals that can damage the DNA of skin cells, but so far no studies have shown any evidence of that. Several mineral makeup companies, however, have opted not to adopt the technology until more evidence of its safety is proven.
>> PUL THE PARABENS:
Parabens like to rear their nasty little heads in just about
every beauty and bath product known to man. These shelf-life extenders and hormone disrupters are showing up in human tissue and urine, and are best avoided in all of your makeup choices.
>> TOSS THE TALC:
When you’re looking for mineral foundations or powders (or even eyeshadow), watch out for Talc. Many companies add this toxic substance
as a filler, and—like it or not—talc is considered a mineral.

USE YOUR JUDGEMENT
>> Bismuth oxychloride:
Some women react adversely to this otherwise safe mineral salt, so those with special skin concerns should avoid this ingredient. If you use a mineral foundation with this ingredient and find your skin gets itchy, it’s probably due to this ingredient. Dermatologists warn that bismuth oxychloride can aggravate acne, rosacea, and eczema.
>> Titanium dioxide:
Experts have raised a red flag regarding loose titanium dioxide:
The microscopic mineral can be easily inhaled and may potentially damage the lungs. Liquid and pressed minerals minimize that potential (and still provide titanium dioxide’s natural sun-shielding ability), but you can also find titanium dioxide–free makeup lines.

Top Picks:
Mineral makeup companies
Afterglow Cosmetics- afterglowcosmetics.com
Aubrey Organics- aubrey-organics.com
Cowgirl Dirt- cowgirldirt.com
Dechant- dechantsheerminerals.com
Dr. Hauschka- drhauschka.com
Everyday Minerals- everydayminerals.com
jane iredale- www.janeiredale.com
Larénim- www.larenim.com

Skin care in Arizona is a must. The largest organ of our body’s, our skin, is often over-exposed to the harsh summer AZ sun, resulting in premature aging, uncomfortable sunburns and worst, skin cancer. To protect yourself, you must feed your face, from both the inside and out, with quality products and nutrients. With my sensitive skin, I am a product junkie – trying anything to hydrate, protect, de-wrinkle and soothe. Here’s a list of those that I love…

FACE: My absolute favorite natural skin-care line for my face is Healing Anthropology. The creams are rich and healing, as the name implies, and include only the finest, 100% natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Olive Oil, Rosemary, Essential Oils of Almond, Ylang Ylang and more. It’s yummy food for your face. And the products smell amazing too! I am particularly fond of the Rejuvenating Day Cream with SPF 30+. My skin glows with its daily use and of course, my face is protected naturally from the sun. Many wonderful products for your entire family. Check it out, www.healinganthropology.com. GREAT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT!!

BODY: I love True Harmony’s Botanical Baby Lotion and Belly Balm. I use both as lotion and to heal dry areas like feet. The smell of the Cocoa Butter in both products, with its chocolate-scent, is amazing – almost edible. And most products, I noticed, have very few ingredients. I am a big fan of the less-is-more concepts found in these house-made products. True Harmony’s line is found at Center for True Harmony in Mesa.www.centerfortrueharmony.com.

LIPS: To keep your lips smooth and smoochable, I just discovered the most amazing little line of gloss from another Mesa-based company, What’s Your Virtue. Each gloss has a specific virtue and flavor in a sleek little package. I picked up a little “Wisdom” recently, hopefully a self-fulfilling prophecy for speaking only as such. Love it. For more flavors and to order, visit www.whatsyourvirtue.com.

TREATMENT: The month of May has brought a delectable treat for feeding your skin exclusive to The Spa at Gainey Village. The Spa is now offering Organic Super Food Body Treatments until May 31st. The completely edible body treatments feed your body and nourish your skin with food-grade love including Pomegranate, Mangosteen, Seaweed, Carrots, Spirulina and more. The 60-minute treatment includes a scrub, mask, wrap and lotion that will leave you feeling completely nourished and refreshed. Pricing for members is $90 and for non-members $115. www.villageclubs.com. GREAT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT!

Here are a few tips for skin care from the inside…

* Drink Aloe Vera juice. Often the inflammation of acne is an eruption of inflammation of the digestive tract.
* Soak your feet in warm garlic water. Sounds gross, but Dr. Oz swears by its detoxification, so do I. Your feet, according to reflexologists, are representative of your entire body. I do it. It works for me, especially when getting sick. I recently started adding ginger to improve low blood circulation. Helps too.
* Try eating whole, raw and organic foods and avoid junk and processed foods. Whole foods provide whole nutrients to feed your cells. Especially during our hot Arizona summers, try to keep it uncooked as possible to cool to the internal systems.
* Foods like Salmon, Coconut Oil mixed in a health shake, Avocados and Fish Oil supplements provide essential fatty acids for proper cell regeneration.
* Water, water, water. Hydrate. I LOVE Glaceau SmartWater and Vitamin Water Glow. Balanced and nourishing with vitamins and electrolytes, especially fabulous, again, during scorching Arizona summers.
* Just Breathe. Deeply. Oxygenate your cells and body with air. I find myself holding my breath during the day, especially during stressful times. When the opposite should be happening, right?! Air feeds all your cells. Yoga and meditation are great ways to learn to breathe deeply.
* Apple Cider Vinegar is an amazing cure for acne and scars. Dilute with water and use as a toner. And you can drink a little bit each day for overall health. It is pungent, but dries odorless quickly. Promise – it’s amazing.

Recommended books:
- Feed Your Body, Energize Your Life – by Dr. Jane Hendricks
- Natural to Super Natural Health – By David Herzog