Review from EcoKaren

This is a long review…just warning you. Because this Rescue + Relief spray by CVSkinlabs is just so magical and amazing that I have to tell you everything about it! So grab some coffee and read on.

My kids suffer from moderate to severe Eczema, all year around. I accidentally discovered how foods might play a role in exacerbating their symptoms a few years ago but since then, we discovered, through allergy testing, that there are environmental factors that aggravate their symptoms, BIG time. And sometimes their skin flares up for no reason, it seems. I mean, I’m sure there are r.e.a.s.o.n.s – it’s just that, we don’t know what they are sometimes….

Well, their “flare ups” seem almost daily, especially in the winter & spring, and when they play sports. And, unfortunately, the Northesast is the WORST for Eczema. Milder and not too humid temperate areas, like the Southeast, is the best. Stress does cause flare ups too but environmental issues play a bigger role, in my kids. Ask a college kid and a High School Junior. They know s.t.r.e.s.s….but it’s seasonal allergies that wreak havoc on their skin more than the stress.

I am always on the look out for some magical lotions, soaps, shampoos and creams that will either calm their skin when they are inflamed, or prevent flare ups.

So, when I read that Britta Aragon, the author of When Cancer Hits, a book I just reviewed on Monday (there is still time to enter the giveaway!), created this magical potion for inflamed and irritated skin called Rescue+Relief Spray, I was th.rill.ed! I was going to review her book anyway so I asked her about the spray. She was generous enough to send me a bottle try. Yahoo!!

Trying Rescue + Relief

What is “Rescue + Relief” and does it work?

This refreshing, milk-like emulsion coats the skin with moisture while calming and soothing flushed, sensitive skin. The relief is almost immediate when applied to hot inflamed areas. When my kids skin get this red and angry, they are too tender and delicate to touch. The R+R spray brought instant relief from itching and burning skin. I can imagine how it can help soothe skin from sun burns and even from cooking mishaps.

Here are the photos to prove what I mean.

Day 1, Rescue + Relief

Day 2, Rescue + Relief

Day 3, Rescue + Relief

Now, do you believe how magical this spray is? I wondered, “What is in this thing????“, since it worked like a miracle in just two days.

I know what you are thinking. How could all these plant based natural ingredients work so well on something only steroid cream can calm?

My thoughts are exactly but I am NOT surprised. Mother nature has great resources for everything we need. You just have to know the right combination of ingredients to use on the right condition.

Oh, and her spray was featured on April issue of Real Simple magazine! I trust that magazine and I was so happy to see it featured on one of my favorite magazines!

What Do I think or Rescue + Relief?

I LOVE Rescue + Relief spray!! Like I said, it is magical. I couldn’t believe the red and angry inflamed areas started to disappear within hours. The thin milky spray has a pleasant odor and it has a very refreshing natural scent. Not chemically induced or artificial smell. It dries quickly and it seemed to get absorbed rather quickly, without dripping down to a waste. It left the skin very soft and smooth and my kids said it felt cool almost immediately.

When I took my kids to an acupuncturist, he told me to give them foods that are cooling to reduce internal heat. It only makes sense to apply something that will cool their outside too when their skin is inflamed.

Have you tried Rescue + Relief, or any of the other CV Skinlabs products? What did you think?

Contest Giveaway: look below for our last contest—you could win free CV Skinlabs products!

Restorative Skin Balm

This petrolatum-free, nourishing salve helps protect and instantly soften severely dry, rough and chapped skin—including lips, cuticles, cuts, scrapes, IV areas, abrasions, new scars and areas needing extra care.

• Tri-rescue complex soothes and heals
• Rich, thick salve designed to coat skin and create a soothing barrier to trap in moisture.
• Calendula, sea buckthorn oil, and arnica encourage healing, boost immune activity, protect from contaminants and help regenerate skin
• Carnauba and bee’s wax safeguard the moisture barrier
• Vitamin E provides powerful antioxidant activity while aiding in wound healing
• In a blind, independent clinical study with women and men panelists, 70% saw an improvement in the overall condition of their skin after one week of use
• 100% natural content with 15% organic ingredients

Four Unique Products—Easy to Use Together

We’ve now introduced all four premiere products in the CV Skinlabs line. For best results, use them together as follows:

• After cleansing, apply Rescue + Relief Spray to any area that is flushed, dehydrated, or irritated. Also great for use after shaving, waxing or laser treatments.
• Follow with Calming Moisture to the face, neck and scalp, and Body Repair Lotion to the rest of the body.
• Use Rescue + Relief Spray throughout the day to refresh, soothe, and hydrate. This product is especially effective when sunbathing, traveling, or visiting dry climates, or for freshening the scalp under a wig.
• For difficult areas that need extra care, use Restorative Skin Balm, which is perfect for lips, elbows, knees, heels, cuticles, scars, and scrapes. Especially effective when used overnight.

For a quick review, here are the four products:

Calming Moisture for Face, Neck & Scalp: Super-rescue moisturizer helps instantly soothe and hydrate dry, flushed skin suffering from the post-procedural effects of chemotherapy, microdermabrasion, laser and chemical peels­—leaving skin soft and dewy, with an even tone and healthy radiance.

Rescue + Relief Spray: This refreshing, milky emulsion drenches skin in moisture, bringing instant, cooling relief to itching, burning, inflamed skin caused by radiation, sun exposure, laser treatments, chemical peels, shaving, household appliances, or from wearing a wig.

Restorative Skin Balm: This petrolatum-free, nourishing salve helps protect and instantly soften severely dry, rough and chapped skin, including lips, cuticles, cuts, scrapes, IV areas, abrasions, new scars, and areas needing extra care.

Repair Body Lotion: Ultra-soothing, fast-absorbing, deeply hydrating body lotion that replenishes and soothes dry, inflamed skin compromised by chemotherapy, dermatitis, eczema, radiation burns and post-laser hair removal.

Last Chance On Our Launch Giveaways – WIN CV Skinlabs Products!

To win the Restorative Skin Balm this week, take the following steps:

1. Please leave a comment below by midnight (EST) Tuesday, April 2^nd, 2012 and your name will be included in the drawing.
2. If you’d like another chance to win, “like” our CV Skinlabs Facebook page and leave a comment below the post named “CV Skinlabs Skincare—Introducing Restorative Skin Balm and Last Contest Giveaway!”

Introductory Promo Offer

Lasts until March 31^st: 20% off when you purchase a minimum of $125 at www.cvskinlabs.com!

• Use code Launch20 at checkout (case sensitive)
• These prices won’t last—stock up now for yourself and those you love.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Contest Giveaway: look below for this week’s contest—you could win free CV Skinlabs products!

Body Repair Lotion

Soak in the restorative power of this ultra-soothing body lotion. It gently glides on to absorb quickly and provide deep-hydrating and nourishing benefits to fragile skin. It replenishes and soothes inflamed, dry skin. Designed for sensitive, dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, radiation burns and post-laser hair removal.

• Tri-rescue complex soothes and heals
• Gently glides on to absorb quickly and provide deep-hydrating and nourishing benefits to fragile skin
• Beta glucan and St. John’s wort super moisturize, boost collagen production, and encourage wound healing
• Calendula and aloe calm, soothe, and reduce inflammation
• Replenishes and soothes inflamed, dry skin, and relieves dry, itchy skin
• Leaves skin soft, looking luminous and healthy
• In a blind, independent clinical study with women and men panelists, 70%-72% said the overall condition of skin and overall feel/texture of skin was improved after one week of use.
• 99.4% natural content with 58.5% organic ingredients

High Performance Natural and Organic Ingredients

CV Skinlabs is dedicated to choosing only the best natural and organic ingredients for our products—those that have no known links to health hazards or skin irritation. Here are just a few of the ingredients we’re using:

• Aloe Vera and Water Lily: Help cool and heal burns, encourage healing, calm irritated skin and reduce inflammation.
• Jojoba, Olive, and Safflower: Provide superior moisturization, protect from dryness, soothe irritated skin, protect skin’s outer layer and give skin a smoother, softer appearance.
• Oat Kernal Extract and Beta-Glucan: Conditions skin, helps encourage healing, relieves itching and discomfort.
• Calendula and Sea Buckthorn: Reduces inflammation, encourages wound healing, supports skin-cell regeneration, promotes skin recovery, protect from the damaging effects of the sun, soothes skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.
• Ginger and Vitamin E: Provides antioxidant protection, conditions skin, controls oil production, protects from the damaging effects of the sun, helps reduce age spots.
• Fair trade, certified organic shea butter from the Léo region in Burkina Faso provides superior moisturization to help heal cracks and peeling.

Medical Panel

To ensure maximum efficacy and safety of all our products, CV Skinlabs assembled a team of doctors and experts in the field of health and safety to provide objective feedback during research and development. Each professional offered a unique perspective on patient care, skin treatment and topical applications appropriate for all compromised skin.

1. Jennifer Choi, M.D.: Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Yale  Oncodermatology Clinic. Director of clinical research trials investigating the prevention and treatment of cancer-therapy-related side effects. Specializes in treating patients with skin cancers. 
2. Madeline Krauss, M.D.: Board certified in dermatology. Practices general and surgical dermatology with an interest in aesthetic dermatology & laser medicine. Voted “Best Non-surgical Cosmetic Improvement” in the Boston area by the “Improper Bostonian Magazine.”
3. Donald Richey, M.D.: Board certified in dermatology and histopathology. Family practice physician for two years in the U.S. Public Health Service Department of Indian Health. Founded Brighter Days, a skin care program dedicated to patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments where he volunteers his time on a monthly basis.

And the Giveaways Continue…WIN CV Skinlabs Products!

For your chance to win a Body Repair Lotion from CV Skinlabs:

1. Please leave a comment below by midnight (EST) Tuesday, March 27^th, 2012 and your name will be included in the drawing.
2. If you’d like another chance to win, “like” our CV Skinlabs Facebook page and leave a comment below the post named “CV Skinlabs Skincare—Introducing Body Repair Lotion and Third Contest Giveaway!”

Introductory offer (lasts until March 31^st): 20% off when you purchase a minimum of $125

• Use code Launch20 at checkout (case sensitive) at www.cvskinlabs.com
• These prices won’t last—stock up now for yourself and those you love.

Stay Tuned for more FREE products next week!

We’ll have another giveaway  next week, when you can win our last premiere CV Skinlabs product for FREE. Good luck!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

I’m so excited to tell all of you—starting today, you can shop for your new CV Skinlabs products online!

As a special “thank you” to all those in the Cinco Vidas community, and all those who have supported me on this journey, CV Skinlabs is offering a great launch promotion.

Purchase our products anytime between today and March 31^st and receive 20% off your entire order! (When you spend $125 or more.) Simply use the code: LAUNCH20 (case sensitive) at checkout at www.cvskinlabs.com

Take advantage of this special offer to try CV Skinlabs products for yourself, or to stock up on gifts for loved ones.

Enjoy a higher standard of safety—products that are 100% free of potentially toxic ingredients and designed to help nourish and heal all types of compromised skin.

Shop NOW!

CV SKINLABS FEATURED IN REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE!

We are so excited to appear in the April 2012 issue (in newsstands today!) of Real Simple magazine, featuring the Rescue + Relief Spray!

Check out this amazing testimonial from one of our readers:

I did try the R + R Spray and I loved it! I have Psoriasis on my scalp and it extends down onto the back of my neck. I would spray it on and it would soften the tight, dry and itchy area of my neck and scalp. I felt relief soon after I sprayed it on….The R+R Spray was so light and non greasy that I could put my hair up after application and it wouldn’t make me self conscious at all, my hair would dry. Thank you so much for a great product Britta! 

— Helena Elias

This refreshing, milk-like emulsion drenches skin with moisture while calming and soothing flushed, sensitive and irritated skin.

MORE INFO

My new wesbite CVskinlabs.com Launches TODAY!

At CV Skinlabs, we’ve been working hard to bring you the best website resource for everything from product safety to ingredients to avoid, and of course, our solution to an unmet need: A new brand of safe skincare for compromised skin!

On our new CV Skinlabs website, each product page tells you more about the ingredients, the clinical results, and benefits to your skin. Our “Skin Clinic” gives you tips for dealing with conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, rashes, and more. Curious about our Tri-Rescue Complex™? We have more information on our Tri-Rescue page and much more.

The site is live today! Please go look it over, and let us know what you think. We’d be delighted to hear from you! Thanks for your support!

Visit us at www.cvskinlabs.com.

WIN CV Skinlabs Products in next weeks GIVEAWAY!

Win Your FREE product next week as we continue to unveil CV Skinlabs one product at a time! Next week we’ll feature our third product in the line and give readers a chance to win one for free. Look out for our newsletter in your inbox next week or check back on this blog for more.

Meanwhile, I’d love to hear what you think of the products!

Contest Giveaway: look below for this week’s contest—you could win free CV Skinlabs products!

Rescue + Relief Spray

This refreshing, milk-like emulsion drenches skin with moisture while calming and soothing flushed, sensitive skin. It provides immediate rescue to super-inflamed areas that are too tender and delicate to touch while bringing instant comfort to itching, burning skin.

• Excellent to calm and soothe flushed, red skin or rosacea. Can be used over makeup to refresh and soothe skin or while traveling to keep skin hydrated.
• Perfect for anyone suffering from hot, inflamed or reactive skin from over exposure to sun, laser treatments, radiation or chemical burns—just spray on for instant relief.
• Formulated with the unique Tri-Rescue Complex^™, a combination of three natural ingredients (bisabolol, Reishi mushroom and turmeric) that provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihistamine benefits.
• Helps support wound healing so skin recovers more quickly.
• A great on-the-go refresher for itchy, irritated scalp and facial flushing.
• Calms irritation from shaving and from wearing a wig.
• Contains 99.6% natural content and 84% organic ingredients.

Some of the great soothing ingredients in this formula include calming chamomile and cucumber, water lily, valerian, comfrey, and honeysuckle. It also contains a significant amount of aloe—the first ingredient!—to help soothe and heal burned skin.

Our Exclusive Blend: Tri-Rescue Complex^™

I’m particularly excited about the CV Skinlabs “Tri-Rescue Complex,” a combination of three natural ingredients that appears in all CV Skinlabs formulas. Each of these ingredients has been shown to be effective in scientific studies, and helped heal damaged skin in clinical tests.

Three natural ingredients come together to rescue damaged, inflamed, and sensitive skin.

• Bisabolol: main active ingredient from the medicinal plant chamomile; delivers powerful anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Reishi Mushroom: known as the “mushroom of immortality;” increases cellular turnover and hydration.
• Turmeric: an ancient spice; strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Thoughtful Packaging

In creating CV Skinlabs, we wanted to produce not only safe, nourishing, formulas, but deliver them in bottles that would be safe, easy to use, and protective of the key ingredients.

• Keep the product safe from contamination: CV Skinlabs uses no jars, but only one-way evacuation pumps and tubes to reduce the risk of contamination, and to protect the ingredients from the effects of the air around us.
• Customized and ergonomic bottles with an easy-to-hold shape: CV Skinlabs created customized bottles which are easy to use by people with arthritis, neuropathy, or other movement challenges.
• Recyclable, safe & BPA-free packaging: Our bottles and tubes are picked up through most curbside recycling programs as well as not known to leach any chemicals linked to cancer or hormone disruption.
• No glass bottles: They can crack, break, and shatter, creating a safety hazard.
• Reduce our ecological footprint: In an attempt to contribute to earth-saving manufacturing processes, CV Skinlabs included our product brochure on the inside of the packaging where appropriate, and avoided the use of glue wherever possible.

WIN CV Skinlabs Products!

For your chance to win a Rescue + Relief from CV Skinlabs:

1. Please leave a comment below by midnight (EST) Monday, March 12^th, 2012 and your name will be included in the drawing.
2. If you’d like another chance to win, “like” our CV Skinlabs Facebook page and leave a comment below the post named “CV Skinlabs Skincare—Introducing Rescue + Relief Spray and Second Contest Giveaway!”

Stay Tuned!

Win your FREE product next week as we continue to unveil CV Skinlabs one product at a time! Each week until our launch on March 15, we’ll be holding a giveaway, with the winner taking home FREE CV Skinlabs products.

(Note: Products will not be available until the launch of the line and website on March 15, 2012.)

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Contest give away: look below for this week’s contest—you could win free CV Skinlabs products!

Calming Moisture for Face, Neck, & Scalp

This super-rescue moisturizer helps instantly soothe and hydrate dry, flushed skin suffering from the post-procedural effects of chemotherapy, microdermabrasion, laser, and chemical peels, leaving skin soft and dewy, with an even tone and healthy radiance.

• Perfect for anyone who wants softer, smoother skin on their face, neck, and scalp, without potentially harmful chemicals.
• Works great for those who are bald, or who are experiencing hair loss, to soothe and moisturize tender skin on the scalp.
• Formulated with the unique Tri-Rescue Complex (turmeric, Reishi mushroom and bisabolol), a combination of three natural ingredients that provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihistamine benefits.
• Helps promote collagen production, firming and smoothing skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
• Speeds wound healing and reduces redness and itch.
• Cools hot and burned skin, helping to reduce inflammation.
• Contains 99.6% natural content and 57% organic ingredients.

Some of the delicious natural and organic ingredients in this formula include aloe vera, oat extract, jojoba, chamomile, shea butter, vitamin E, and ginger. This lotion is all about calming and soothing dry skin and returning radiance to dull skin!

How is CV SKinlabs Different? A New Standard in Safety

The most important thing for me as I was thinking about this new line of skin care was to create something that people could use without having to worry about reactions, burns, redness, and more—those things that my father suffered from a high-end cream while he was going through cancer treatments. The truth is that a lot of the skin care products out there contain harsh chemicals that can cause reactions—and sometimes even damage—to sensitive skin.

With that in mind, CV Skinlabs has succeeded in developing something unprecedented in the world of skin care—a new standard of safety. Setting the bar extremely high on the safety of the ingredients, the functioning of the packaging, and the thoroughness of the testing has produced products that may be used with full confidence by the general public, and specifically by those with chemical sensitivities, compromised skin, and conditions like eczema and chronic dryness.

• Board certified dermatologist-tested, clinically tested, and hypoallergenic
• Toxicologist-screened for carcinogens, xenoestrogens, and other potentially harmful ingredients
• Extensive micro-challenge, stability, safety, and clinical testing in an independent lab
• Research team of natural formulations chemists and doctors reviewed a multitude of medical journals and used scientific results to exclude ingredients with even remote links to health issues
• Consumer tested on women and men with compromised skin
• Tubes and pumps keep the formulas free of contamination (one way evacuation)
• Proprietary, functional, easy-to-use packaging for anyone suffering from arthritis or neuropathy
• No glass bottles—they can crack, break, and shatter, creating a safety hazard

Who can use these products? Men, women, children, and people who:

• Want to reduce their toxic exposure
• Want skin care free of potentially harmful ingredients like parabens and petroleum products
• Want to nourish their skin with soothing and calming organic and natural ingredients
• Have compromised skin, sensitive skin, or chemical sensitivities
• Have conditions like rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis
• Have skin battered by medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and medications
• Have fragile, thin, or reactive skin that needs serious, tender care
• Have skin that often reacts to other skin care products
• Have skin allergies
• Need something to calm skin after laser treatments, waxing, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and shaving

GIVEAWAY: WIN CV Skinlabs Products!

For your chance to win a Calming Moisture from CV Skinlabs:

1. Please leave a comment below by midnight (EST) Monday, March 5, 2012 and your name will be included in the drawing.
2. If you’d like another chance to win, “like” our CV Skinlabs Facebook page and leave a comment below the post named “CV Skinlabs Skincare—Introducing Calming Moisture and Contest Giveaway!”
3. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday, March 6!

Stay Tuned!

Win your FREE product next week as we continue to unveil CV Skinlabs one product at a time!

Each week until our launch on March 15, we’ll be holding a giveaway, with the winner taking home FREE CV Skinlabs products.

(Note: Products will not be available until the launch of the line and website on March 15, 2012.)

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

I had been working in the beauty industry for over 8 years and hadn’t ever thought to read product labels. No one had ever taught me to do so. This one incident changed everything—I read the label of the product I bought for my dad to find out just what he could have reacted to, and I was shocked to find many potentially harmful chemicals—some even classified as carcinogenic.

Upset and disheartened, I decided right then and there that someday, I was going to create line of skin care products that would be safe for anyone to use, especially people like my father who were going through health challenges that created difficult reactions on their skin, or anyone with compromised skin.

Working on a Dream

After my father passed away, I started work on that dream. I knew I couldn’t do it alone, so I gathered some top experts around me. These included a toxicologist, a chemist specializing in natural formulations, doctors experienced with the ins and outs of skin care, an experienced product developer, and more. For over a year we engaged in extensive research, and for the next two years we worked on putting together just the right natural and organic ingredients into safe, nourishing formulas that are bio-compatible with skin, yet non-irritating and toxin-free. Today, I’m super excited to be revealing the result of all our efforts.

Introducing: CV Skinlabs
A New Sanctuary of Safety

Who’s It For?

Who can use these products? People who:

• want to reduce their toxic exposure
• want to nourish their skin with ingredients from nature, without the risk of potentially harmful chemicals
• have compromised skin, sensitive skin, or chemical sensitivities
• have conditions like rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis
• have skin battered by medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and medications
• have fragile, thin, or reactive skin that needs serious tender care
• have skin that often reacts to other skin care products

100% Free of:

The most important thing to me in creating these products was to avoid all the potentially harmful ingredients that are often present in most brands today. CV Skinlabs products are all 100% free of synthetic dyes, parabens, formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, phthalates, mineral oil/petrolatum, silicones, propylene glycol, SLS/SLES, PEG/PPG, triclosan, hydroquinone, disodium EDTA, talc and MEA-DEA-TEA—all suspect ingredients when considering the health of the skin and body. (Check out my Ingredients to Avoid list.) Synthetic fragrances are also not allowed, as most are made with a combination of hundreds of chemicals.

Finally, only non-hormone-altering plant extracts provide a light scent to each CV Skinlabs product. And since even organic essential oils can irritate sensitive and fragile skin—while some may have a slight potential to mimic the action of estrogen—they were removed from consideration as well.

Natural and Organic Ingredients

On the other hand, what did we decide to put in these formulations? We wanted to find natural ingredients that had the power to really improve the skin’s condition, so again we spent a lot of time going over the current scientific research out there, and I’m very excited with what we came up with. (Stay tuned to this blog as we reveal more about the ingredients over the next few weeks!)

Ergonomic Bottles and One-Way Evacuation Packaging

In addition to taking extra care with the formulations themselves, we only used one-way evacuation packaging (no jars) to minimize contamination and oxidation of our active ingredients. We also designed and created our own bottles with a firm grip and easy-to-hold shape so that people with neuropathy, arthritis, and other challenges can easily open and work with CV Skinlabs products.

Stay Tuned!

Watch this blog over the next 3 weeks, as we’ll be revealing more about each of the products, plus announcing opportunities for you to win some of them for free! Our shopping website officially launches on March 15, 2012. That’s only a few weeks away! Meanwhile, I’ll be revealing more about the line in the coming weeks—the products themselves, the testing behind them, the ingredients, and what our early clinical testers had to say.

Check back—starting next week, we’ll hold a weekly contest, and the winner will receive FREE products!

Don’t forget to like our CV Skinlabs pages on Facebook and Twitter!

Previous studies have shown that psoriasis can be a risk factor for heart attack, mostly for young patients with severe forms of the disease. The connection is the inflammation—psoriasis causes inflammation, and inflammation can cause heart attacks.

“Several hospital-based studies have indicated that psoriasis is associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases,” said Joel M. Galdfand, M.D., lead author of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (October 2006).¹

Just how much psoriasis increased risk, however, has remained unknown. A recent study, however, found that patients with severe psoriasis have a 53 percent increased incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) like heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death compared to the general population.² Researchers recommended more aggressive strategies for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psoriasis.

What does all this mean? If you have severe psoriasis, talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower your risk of cardiovascular problems. A healthy diet and regular exercise will help, but you may also want to check on your cholesterol levels and make sure your blood pressure is within normal levels. If you smoke, try to stop, and limit your intake of alcohol. If you’re overweight, try to lose a few pounds, as even a 5 to 10 percent loss can help reduce your risk.

Finally, take steps to reduce your levels of inflammation, as that’s where the trouble starts. Omega-3 fatty acids are great for this. Increase your intake of fatty fish like salmon and sardines along with flaxseed and nuts, and consider taking a regular fish oil supplement. Avoid inflammatory fatty foods and above all, think heart healthy!

Do you have severe psoriasis? Have you talked to your doctor about your risk of cardiovascular disease? Please share your story.

Source

1. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. “Penn Researchers Find Psoriasis Patients At Increased Risk For Heart Attack.” ScienceDaily, 13 Oct. 2006. Web. 8 Sep. 2011.

2. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. “Severe psoriasis linked to major adverse cardiovascular events.” ScienceDaily, 27 Jun. 2011. Web. 8 Sep. 2011.

Photo courtesy Mamta Motiyani via Flickr.com.

Hillary Peterson and Marie Veronique Nadeau of “Marie Veronique Organics.”

Question: What do you get when you combine a former chemistry teacher with a passion for safe and responsible skin-care products, with a marketing guru and two-time cancer survivor committed to living a healthy lifestyle?

Answer: A company committed to making non-toxic products safe enough for all skin types—and a story that shows we can have beautiful skin without paying for it with our health.

“I had a melanoma ten years ago,” says Hillary Peterson, CEO of Marie Veronique Organics. “I also had thyroid cancer fifteen years ago. With those two occurrences in mind, I was really thinking about how I could live my healthiest life. My focus on that took on a new meaning for me.”

Having already adopted healthy-eating habits and meditation, Hillary was taking steps to make her body more resistant to cancer growth. “Before, I might have had an Oreo cookie every now and then,” she says, “but now there is no way I would eat a partially hydrogenated anything.”

Hillary started buying more local, fair-trade, and organic foods, but it was only later that she started thinking about her personal-care products. “I never imagined the lotion I’d used for years was primarily made with petroleum products, or that my sunscreens were made with harmful chemicals that have been linked with cancer. I never understood that what you put on your skin goes into your body and into your bloodstream. It was a big shift in my learning.”

Hillary describes herself as a “frustrated consumer,” as she was finding it really difficult to purchase truly safe products. “Doing whatever you can to have an optimally functioning immune system makes a lot of sense. Everyone says these products don’t do anything, but no one has tested for the cumulative load. If you use lotions with petroleum products for 30 years, in addition to eating partially hydrogenated oils, how much can the body take?”

Finally, she connected with the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep Database and found that Marie Veronique Organics seemed to be one of the safer brands. “She was in my area, so I called her up.” Marie, having started her company with homemade formulations in her own kitchen, was already making products free of petroleum-based products, nanoparticles, and other toxic ingredients. She and Hillary hit it off immediately. “We had an amazing conversation,” Hillary says. “I talked to her about my experience and my frustration, and she told me about her philosophy—if something isn’t safe, she doesn’t use it—and that’s very rare to find these days.”

Within a short time, Hillary was working with Marie to help grow the company. “We wanted to provide only what would be safe and effective for customers,” Hillary says. “We hung a sign that my daughter made in the office. It says, ‘Is it safe for children?’ In other words, anything we make needs to be safe for even very vulnerable populations.”

Marie’s other passion of aging gracefully meant she was creating products that actually worked. “There’s this perception that in order to get results you need chemicals,” Hillary says, “but we provide another option for people.”

According to Marie, it’s all about increasing your defenses, protecting from the sun, and repairing cellular damage—in other words, giving the body what it needs to naturally produce healthy, young-looking skin. “When you have a product loaded with powerful and fresh antioxidants,” Marie says, “it can make a huge difference. And if you have enough hyaluronic acid in your skin, it gives it that plump look and can counteract aging. When you nourish your face—like when you nourish your body—it really does respond.”

In the end, Marie says, while chemicals often contribute to skin breakdown, natural products support the health of skin, resulting in a more younger-looking appearance. “It’s like the difference between chemicals in your food and natural food. Natural stuff works better—it gives your body the wherewithal to heal itself. The body does wonders as long as it’s got enough to work with.”

Hillary—now in remission for 10 years—is thrilled to be investing her time and energies into a company that cancer fighters and survivors can feel good about. “It means a lot for me as a cancer survivor to go to work everyday and grow a business that helps people live the healthiest possible lifestyle.”

If you’d like to try Marie Veronique Organics, please visit their web site.

“’Brillo pad’ skin arrived on my face within days of starting Tamoxifen,” says fighter Verite Reily Collins. “This was nasty, dry skin that made my face rough, sore, red and wrinkly. Rushing to the hospital, I managed to find the elusive oncology nurse. She peeled strips of skin off my arms, saying, ‘You do have a problem, but I don’t know what you can do.”

Unfortunately, many cancer patients experience this problem. New drugs that are sometimes more effective against tumors can also come with new and more severe skin reactions, like rashes and dermatitis. Some oncologists don’t know what to offer in terms of solutions, so they often refer you to a dermatologist, but again, not all dermatologists are necessarily skilled in handling skin problems caused by cancer treatments. (Unless the individual has training in oncology esthetics.)

What can you do? First, be aware that cancer treatments can cause skin reactions, and ask your doctor ahead of time what to expect. Second, learn to treat your skin differently. Apply moisturizer when your skin is damp to reduce irritation from touch. Find moisturizers that are toxin-free and extra gentle, like Otopia Organic Purity Moisturizing and Soothing Cream for Newborns, or one of the Eminence Organic moisturizers. If your skin breaks out in a rash, do not use harsh, acne products. The reaction is not acne and acne creams will only make the situation worse. See our post for more natural solutions. Finally, choose mild cleansing formulas, like Terressentials Fragrance-Free, or Love to Know Organic. If you’re recommended to a dermatologist, ask for his/her credentials in oncology skin care.

The good news is that oncology nurses are becoming more alert to the problem, and many are getting training on how to better deal with skin side effects. Oncology Nursing News reports that, “The topic of cutaneous reactions to cancer therapy is much on the minds of oncology nurses these days. It was the focus on an instructional session and a satellite symposium at the ONS 33rd Annual Congress.” You may be fortunate with your nurse—ask her about your skin reactions and see if he/she can help.

Did you have an oncologist who couldn’t help with your skin-care side effects? What did you do?

Photo courtesy roidinc via Flickr.com.

So, based on what we know so far, it makes sense for most women to try to reduce their exposure to estrogen. However, just how to do that seems to be getting more complicated. Most of us know that hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause has been discouraged by health organizations because of studies linking it with an increased risk of breast cancer. And the debate continues on birth control pills, as to whether or not today’s low-estrogen formulas do anything to raise risk. (Some studies have shown a slight increased risk, others have shown no change in risk, while multiple studies have shown birth control to decrease risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers.) However, we don’t expect to have to worry about estrogen exposure from food, plastic containers, or skin-care products. Unfortunately, that is the reality of today, and women wanting to reduce their risk will want to become more aware of what they’re putting in and around their bodies.

First, we have the estrogens found in food, or in plants used as foods. These are usually called “phytoestrogens,” and are found in soybeans and tofu (which is why these foods are often recommended for post-menopausal women who are low on natural estrogen), and in some whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. However, unlike synthetic forms of estrogen, these natural forms seem to help reduce the risk of breast cancer, mostly because they act like estrogen in the body, but are less potent, and so are thought to help women avoid estrogen-related disease.

Next, we have the environmental estrogens—synthetic chemicals that can act like human estrogen. Research has found that these estrogens can increase cell division and potentially contribute to breast cancer risk. These types of estrogens are found in pesticides, food preservatives like BHT and BHA, compounds used in plastics like bisphenol A and pthalates, food dye Red #3, and formaldehyde (used in making carpets, plywood, and some nail polishes). Science still isn’t sure of the impact of these estrogens, but theorizes that the more exposure one has, the bigger potential for increased risk of cancer.

Finally, we have estrogens showing up in our personal-care products. We’ve already posted about phthalates, parabens, and other hormone-like chemicals. Here’s something new: a recent report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology warns that rejuvenating skin creams often contain estrogen. In fact, 40 percent of those tested contained what researchers are calling significant amounts (up to 0.61%) of estriol or estrone, two potent forms of estrogen. According to skincarerx.org, estrogen is “used in some facial creams designed for dry and lined skin and permitted in creams by the FDA in low dosages.” Estrogen helps the skin retain water, and may improve skin tone on a limited basis—but at what risk? Dr. Lorne Brandes, writing for CTV MedNews Express, warns women who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer to be especially concerned about any product that could raise the level of blood estrogen through the skin. Healthy women, as well, need to be concerned about their overall exposure to estrogens.

How can you tell if your moisturizer contains estrogenic compounds? First, check out our list of ingredients to avoid, and stay away from products that contain parabens, pthalates, chemical sunscreens, and the like. Next—since estrogens aren’t always listed on the label (those in the previous study were not)—buy from reputable companies producing organic and natural products, like jeune d’age, Burt’s Bees, and Pristine Planet, among others. Check your favorite products against the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database for safety.

Have you found a favorite hormone-free skin-care product? Let us know.

Photo courtesy si-art via Flickr.com.

Following are several homemade remedies you can try. Be sure to test each one on a small area of skin first, to prevent any allergic reactions.

Makeup Remover/Dry Cuticles: Try a little olive, sesame, or jojoba oil on a cotton swab, or use one of these recipes. These oils also work great as a finger soak to soften cuticles. For another option, put a third cup of water in a jar, add 3 Tbsp powdered milk, and shake. (Result should be the consistency of cream—if not, add more water or more powder.) Take a washcloth, wet it with warm water, put some of the makeup remover on the cloth, and gently wipe your face.

Puffy Eyes: Apply egg whites underneath eyes, allow them to dry, and then rinse off. Other options include daisy extract, cold milk, or chrysanthemum tea for allergy-related puffiness.

Facial Moisturizer: Rub the inside of an avocado peel on your face, leave for 15 minutes, and rinse dry. Or smash an avocado in a bowl, add a squeeze of lemon, and leave on your face for 20 minutes. Mashed ripe bananas mixed with honey also help moisturize skin. For more facials and moisturizer recipes, see these homemade solutions.

Very Dry Skin: Many natural oils work to soften skin. Try olive, almond, or sesame oil anywhere on your body. Many aromatherapy shops have great natural massage oils that work perfectly. Choose organic varieties like those from Northern Naturals or Mountain Rose Herbs. Another option: combine 5 grapes, 2 tsp lemon or lime juice, and 1 Tbsp castor oil. This mixture will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Cleanser: For a mild, gentle facial cleanser, try this: combine 2 oz. plain yogurt, 2 tsp honey, ¾ tsp wheat-germ oil, 1 oz finely peeled and sliced apple, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1-1/2 Tbsp instant mashed potatoes, and 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil. Pour into an airtight container and refrigerate, and use as needed. The mixture usually lasts from two to three days.

Moisturizing Face Mask: Touted as the easiest product to make at home, recipes abound for moisturizing masks. One of the most popular is oatmeal—simply blend with a little water, spread over skin, wait, then rinse. You can also try blending a handful of almonds, plain full-fat yogurt, and honey until smooth, and applying the resulting paste on your skin. For a tastier option, try the chocolate mask (amazing antioxidant properties!): mix 1 Tbsp cocoa powder, 1 Tbsp heavy cream, 1 tsp cottage cheese, 4 tsp honey, and 1 tsp oatmeal in a blender. Apply to face and leave on 10 minutes, then rinse. Yummy! Find other mask recipes here.

Discoloration/Hyperpigmentation (usually after chemotherapy is over): Fade age spots by rubbing papaya or pineapple on the skin. Or, try this: chop an onion, squeeze the juice out (with cheese cloth), then take one part apple cider vinegar and one part of the onion juice, mix together, dab a cotton pad into the solution and apply it to the age spots. Repeat once a day for 6 weeks and see if you notice a gradual improvement.

Dry/Chapped Lips: Mix olive oil and sugar together (equal amounts) and rub gently on lips to exfoliate and make them smooth. For soft lips, apply tomato paste and milk cream. To prepare your own balm, mix 2 tsps coconut oil, lemon juice, 3 drops of lemon oil and 1 tsp bee wax. Warm it on a low flame. After melting, pour into a glass jar.

If you have an effective homemade skin-care idea, tell us about it!

Photo courtesy of you can count on me, via Flickr.com.

There’s nothing like a little garlic bread with an Italian meal, but flavoring food is just one of the many talents this little clove possesses. Scientists and nutritionists have long recommended it to detoxify the body, boost immune defenses, fortify the cardiovascular system, and kill fungi. But did you know that garlic is once again in the spotlight because of its ability to benefit the skin?

“The high sulfur content in garlic makes it able to tone up the skin and make hair more lustrous,” states a recent report by Natural News. “Garlic helps make skin smooth and supple, and strengthens nails.”

Actually, garlic has long had a reputation for curing skin ailments. The Herb Society of America reports that World War I military surgeons who lacked antibiotics used garlic to cleanse wounds, combat infections and protect against gangrene. To this day people use chopped garlic to cure common warts, nail fungus, boils, even reduce acne and acne scarring, simply by rubbing the herb onto the skin a few times a day. (A word to the wise—garlic can burn, so try a little first, and don’t use on compromised skin.) Some products have taken advantage of garlic’s anti-bacterial properties—Eminence Organic Skincare Garlic and Tomato Masque uses garlic to support its anti-blemish, clarifying and healing abilities.

Scientists credit “allicin,” garlic’s main biologically active component, for these beneficial effects. It works just as well from the inside out, so if you can’t use it directly on your skin, try adding more to your diet, or taking about 3 capsules a day. It will kill the bad guys inside you, helping your skin stay healthy.

What about fortifying and nurturing hair? (Chemotherapy not only causes hair loss, but once the hair grows back, makes it more thirsty for nourishment.) Garlic has long been used as a hair-loss remedy. Its ability to remove toxins and stimulate circulation is important to the health of the scalp. The Turkish hair-care brand “Nival” has recently released a shampoo for thinning hair that includes garlic, which they say will stimulate growth and prevent breakage.

Even better news: garlic has proven itself over and over again in cancer studies. The Iowa Women’s Health study found that women who regularly consumed garlic had 35% lower risk of developing colon cancer. A study in China found that smokers with high garlic intake had a lower risk of stomach cancer than smokers with low garlic intake. A series of studies by Pennsylvania State University’s J.A. Milner, and colleagues reported that aged garlic extract significantly prevented breast cancer in both the beginning (initiation) and later (promotion) stages. And the list goes on—28 out of 37 studies have been positive.

On top of that, recent studies are also showing some promise that garlic may help kill cancer cells. A report from the Republic of Korea found that an oil-soluble sulfur compound in garlic inhibited cell proliferation. And according to Indian researchers, ingesting garlic has been found to delay the formation and reduce the size of tumors in the skin.

If you want to prevent cancer, have healthier skin and hair, boost your immune system during treatment, or raise your odds of avoiding a recurrence, add a little more garlic in your life. To get the full benefit, doctors suggest you choose raw, and crush it up. (You can also buy crushed garlic in a jar.) Add to pasta sauces, meats, casseroles, stir fry, salads, and of course, as a topping for breads.

Have you upped your intake of garlic? Have any great home remedies? Let us know!

Photo courtesy of Snap Village