Natural v Synthetic Fragrance

With natural cosmetics, fragrance is an issue all its own. There is synthetic fragrance = bad for your health, gives you a headache... And there is natural fragrance = healthy, aromatherapy benefits… But finding out whether your products are made with synthetic or natural fragrance is not always as simple as reading the ingredient listing.

The article I wrote last week on Primavera Life products spurred some reader questions on fragrance -- their's is listed as "fragrance (parfum)". We have been conditioned to believe that fragrance or parfum are all and always synthetic. Not true. Manufacturers of nontoxic cosmetics can also label their fragrance (from essential oils) as fragrance or parfum.

Why would they do this rather than listing out the healthy essential oils they use in their products? To protect their signature scent.

A trade secret loophole allows cosmetics makers to work around disclosure laws and keep their fragrance blends a secret by using fragrance, parfum or perfume on their ingredient listings, synthetic or natural. Many nontoxic brands will add a footnote clarifying their use of essential oils for fragrance, but not all. And don’t be fooled by a product claiming to be unscented or fragrance-free. Many synthetic fragrances can mask other fragrance. The product may have no noticeable odor but can still be packed with a bunch of nasty chemicals.

Obviously, this makes it much more complicated to determine whether or not the products you plan to use are made with chemical fragrance or pure essential oils. If you can not find any information on a product label or brand website regarding their use of fragrance ingredients, do not be afraid to contact the company and ask what ingredients they use for fragrance.  I did so with Primavera Life and was told that they use all natural fragrance ingredients in their products.

Let’s cover some of the facts on fragrance…

What are synthethetic fragrance ingredients? Synthetic fragrance is usually a combination of many different ingredients. These ingredient cocktails can cause allergic reactions; including headache, dizziness, and rash, and have also been linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and cancer. Children tend to be particularly sensitive to them.

What are natural fragrance ingredients? Pure essential oils, plant and flower extracts, and floral hydrosols are all used to lend scent to cosmetic products. These are much safer than synthetic fragrance ingredients and, depending on which oils and extracts are used, can even provide health benefits like soothing stressed skin and mind, invigorating mind and body, or working as a preservative.

INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) Labeling: This cosmetic ingredient labeling standard is used in Europe and Canada, and requires full ingredient disclosure. Cosmetic ingredients are listed by scientific names, ie Jojoba oil (Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil). INCI requires essential oils used as scent ingredients be listed as “fragrance” or “parfum”.

CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) Labeling: The US cosmetic ingredient labeling standard is comprised of over 600 personal care companies, and is therefore self-policing. Ingredients are listed using common English names.

Image:  Picture Wendy at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Read the helpful comments I got on this article on raw food...http://feelgoodstyle.com/2012/02/02/raw-food-diet-yes-or-no/#comments

Organic Cosmetic Review: Primavera Life

Alrighty, today let's review some products!

These are from the lovely Primavera Life, one of the first companies on my radar when I started out in the organic cosmetics biz a long time ago.  Primavera is the epitome of pure and natural.  After 25 years of making organic skin care and personal care products, they have it down. 

Here is my report on the company and their products, reposted from Feelgood Style ~

When it comes to nontoxic skin care, Primavera is the cream of the crop. High-quality, super-effective, pleasant-to-use products. You can practically feel the purity when you use them.

Well, Primavera does not stop with making fabulous organic skin care. No, this company is also fair trade and carbon-neutral.

For the past 25 years the German Primavera Life has been dedicated to creating pure, plant-based skin care and partnering with independent fair trade growers around the world. And last year they opened their new innovative, carbon-neutral headquarters.

Primavera Life is “Germany’s first administrative and production facility of its size to systematically use sustainable building practices, while also considering feng shui and energy flows to foster productivity. When all sustainability initiatives are in full swing, the entire facility is set-up to be carbon neutral.”

Cool, huh?

The entire Primavera range is certified as natural and organic by NaTrue, a stringent certifying body of organic and natural cosmetics. Primavera products use the highest percentage of certified organic ingredients available, are never tested on animals, and packed in enviro-friendly packaging.

Primavera skin care consists of three product lines; Moisturizing, Revitalizing and Balancing. I sampled the Sage Grape Seed Gel Cleanser from the Balancing line, and Neroli Cassis Protective Lotion from the Moisturizing line. The Gel Cleanser is very light and not at all irritating, even on my sensitive skin. The Protective Lotion is lightly hydrating and leaves skin soft and smooth as a baby’s bottom.

The range also includes Body Care (body wash, body lotion and body oils), Wellness mists made with essential oils, and Air Sprays and essential oil blends for Home.

Image: Primavera Life.com

Jammie Time

This weekend I was quoted in our local paper. The story was not on organic beauty or cosmetic ingredients. Nope, this story was on another subject I know a lot about...working in your pjs.

You know how the growing trend amongst high school and college age girls is to wear their pajamas to school, class, the store with mom, the mall...? Well, the reporter was considering whether or not more non-teens were picking up the habit.

I guess some people feel slouchy or unproductive or fat (really?!) when they are in their comfy clothes, but I consider it a perk of working from home. I admit to switching from pajama pants to workout clothes before taking my kids to school, but love being able to avoid the morning shower rush, work out at a reasonable time of morning and shower whenever I want.

Which means that yes, I spend slot of time working in my comfy clothes but try to spend as little time out in public in them as possible. I break out my well-worn-in jeans for that. Again, a perk of doing pretty much all of my business correspondence by email or phone. I love to look cute but am glad I don't have to get all "ready" every day, especially in the morning, and it never makes me feel fat or unproductive.

I realize that some have to go in to work, no choice.  And that others would go crazy spending most days on their own, pjs or not.

How about you? Do you feel like a schlep unless you get up and get ready? Or do you work in the equivalent of jammies?

PS -- I took my son with me to grab a paper so I could see how that article turned out. He had to go into the store and buy it for me because I was wearing (ahem) my pajamas...

Image:  Liz Thompson

Green Smoothies Contd...

First, thank you to everyone who commented on my green smoothie post the other day. You guys are the bomb! I tried your suggestions and my smoothies are soooooo much yummier now.

Apples help big time, as does vanilla-unsweetened almond milk. I also cut down on the amount of kale I was using (I was putting in ALOT) and that made it less grassy and less chewy. Both good things.

Here is my Green Smoothie Recipe now:

1/2 cup (or so) unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 small organic apple
1 banana
1 large kale leaf
A few berries

A surprise bonus with these green smoothies is that they are not only filling but really stick with you. I have had one 3 mornings this week and they got me through my morning run each time. Amazing!

To anyone out there who is reading, or has read, or is thinking about reading The Beauty Detox Solution:  I would love to share notes with you along the way.  Leave a comment below or email me at liz(at)organicbeautysource(dot)com so we can compare notes and I will write about it as we go. Promise not to share any personal info, okay?  We can do this together.

I will say that yesterday, even though my smoothie got me through most of the morning (run and all), I really felt unsatisfied in the afternoon on only fruits and veg. Craved bread or a cookie badly! We will see how today goes...

Image:  The Truth About at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

New Natural Anti Aging Product -- True Natural Advanced Lift & Firm Serum

Let's start this week off right -- with a new organic anti aging product (that really works!) and a giveaway. Woo hoo!

True Natural has come up with a couple of new products to add to their ever-growing organic beauty line. These two are anti aging products and they are seriously fabulous. This is not something I say lightly. I have tried many, many anti aging products (nontoxic and not) and these work the best of any. No kidding!

While there are some truly great anti agers out there, my experience is that they mostly offer really deep moisturization. This is good because dry skin looks older. It's the truth. But, I have never noticed as big a difference in the way my skin looks as with the True Natural Advanced Lift & Firm Serum.

The timing was perfect as I have begun to notice more sagginess in my skin, especially around my mouth and neck area. The serum really seems to plump, smooth and brighten the skin. Like, immediately. I use it every day and this is how: First I apply my regular daily moisturizer, Lavera Calendula Balancing Cream. Next, I pat on Advanced Lift & Firm Serum. I have found that patting product on is not only gentler on skin, but kind of keeps the product in place. In my case, around my mouth and neck. After the serum has had a few minutes to soak in, I pat on (yes, more patting) the thick and rich Skincando Luxe Miracle Cream. If your skin is not as dry you can skip the last step, mine just needs the extra moisture boost.

My skin is also on the sensitive side and Advanced Lift & Firm does not irritate.  You could definitely apply this serum on clean skin prior to using any moisturizer if you would rather.

True Natural has also come out with a new product for eyes, Eye Bright Peptide Serum.  This product is very light, moisturizes without being greasy.  Smooths the eye area and adds a slight brightness to the skin.  I really like it and I am usually a thick eye cream kinda gal.

So, what makes these products work so well?  True Natural uses powerful natural anti aging ingredients (like Bio-hyaluronic acid, Ferulic acid and fruit extracts) in a concentrated formula that delivers the good stuff without a lot of unnecessary ingredients.  I really think this is what makes these products so effective.  The anti aging ingredients do their thing without a lot of moisturizing ingredients washing them away.  Simply let the serum dry and you can add more moisture if you need it.

As with all True Natural products, this one is free from nasty ingredients.

I wish I could send all of you a bottle of this awesome stuff. The good news is that one OBS reader will win a True Natural Advanced Lift & Firm Serum.  All you have to do is "like" the Love True Natural Facebook page and subscribe to their newsletter (you get a 15% off first purchase coupon for subscribing :) ).  Then come back here and leave a comment telling us your favorite youthful beauty trick.  I will announce a winner in 30 days.

We will also be giving away the Eye Bright down the road, so check back!

Image:  True Nature Group

Green Smoothies

In my last post I mentioned that I am reading Kimberly Snyder's The Beauty Detox Solution. One main component of the plan is a green smoothie. I mixed one up today for lunch, not following Kimberly's recipe. A banana or pear definitely would have helped.

Mine was made from kale, spinach, two clementines and a little cranberry juice for liquid. It is not bad, but I don't know if I look forward to drinking it every day. It tastes kind of grassy and is a little chewy. But definitely green.

Do you make green smoothies? If so, tell us what you put in them that yummiest it up.