Does wearing scent ever give you a whopper of a headache? Do even short elevator rides with perfume laden passengers leave you sneezing and teary-eyed? You could be allergic to very common ingredients in popular fragrances. And even if you aren't overly sensitive to phthalates, synthetic dyes or various petrochemicals, you'll probably love the more subtle effect you'll get from a scent that's primarily plant-based. Aubrey Organics eau de parfums are produced with organic essential oils and can be worn by those sensitive to other scents. (Even their powders are made from rice and tapioca starch rather than talc.) Caudalie offers an energizing fragrance overflowing with grape water, blackcurrant bud and bergaptene-free bergamot. A big plus — it's non-photosensitizing, so you can wear it under the sun without a reaction. Korres Body Water adds a bunch of vitamins to the mix (B5, magnesium and zinc) and leaves out silicone. Lavanila is also extraordinary — they've eliminated anything that could possibly irritate, and suffused their olfactory treats with active botanicals, antioxidants and magnificent Madagascar vanilla.
Scents & Sensibility — Fragrance
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Plant a Kiss — Lips
Your skin can absorb up to 60% of the products you put on it, and since your lips are much thinner than the rest of your epidermis, you should seriously consider pampering that pucker. Look for balms, sticks and salves with a high concentration of botanical smoothing ingredients like plant oils, fruit essences, nut butters and mineral tints. Kiss My Face makes an irresistible lip balm infused with chamomile, goldenseal and peppermint oil. Avoid preservatives and petroleum byproducts. Beeswax and jojoba oil — both found in Boscia's Salve Stick — do just as good a job sans the synthetics. If you have a sensitive mouth steer clear of essential oils, which may be slightly harsh. Dr. Bronner's all-organic "Naked" balm is free of irritants. And for the ultimate in "green" beauty, Cargo's PlantLove lipstick is entirely biodegradable. The tube is made of corn and the carton is embedded with wildflower seeds that sprout when you plant it.
Feel Like a Natural Woman — Body
Let's start with the basics. If you're serious about product purity in any cosmetic or skin care offering, look for the USDA Organic seal. This ensures that the ingredients are at least 95% organic. ("Made with organic ingredients" on the label indicates at least 70% organic components.) Of course, you may simply be interested in products packed with a goodly amount of botanicals, or concocted without harsh chemicals. When preservatives are shunned and natural colors and fragrances used, I think the result is more vivid and fragrant than anything artificial. John Masters body milks and washes burst with certified organic essential oils and are sulfate-free for a decadent and healthy treat. Jason Natural packs 85% aloe vera into their soothing lotion, and Dr. Hauschka uses botanicals like almond and apricot kernal oils and bentonite clay to power-up their potions. And one of the pioneers of socially-conscious and environmentally-friendly skincare, The Body Shop, brings us shower gels, soaps, moisturizers and scrubs that invigorate and inspire with unbelievably luscious scents.
Eat To Stay Young
Did you know that yams have a natural estrogen that helps keep skin firm, and that green tea is not only high in the powerful antioxidant EGCG, but those who drink it on a consistent basis have less sun-related skin damage? Turn back the clock with these supermarket finds to keep you feeling and looking younger.
Protect Your Heart Like The Mediterraneans
Just three months of Mediterranean-style eating in one recent study improved blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in people at high risk of heart disease. Olive Oil, leafy greens, nuts, tomatoes and red wine are just a few common ingredients in Mediterranean food that are rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals and vitamins that keep you looking good from the inside out.
