You Put What on Your Skin

It is far too often that we simply walk into our local has everything store and buy whatever item is suggested or labeled as being best for our skin condition or ailment. We don't usually think twice about this item other than it's price and size. Most of us don't even read the ingredient list. That's a good habbit that you pick up when using Perfectly Posh products. They encourage you to read their ingredient list. The more I do this the more I compare it to other similar items in my house. Perfectly Posh more or less spells it out for you. You can understand what is going onto your skin. Other products are not the case. When I read these products ingredient list  I often have to Google ingredients that I can't even pronounce. And these items are often a little alarming.

Take Petrolatum for instance. Otherwise known as petroleum jelly. Safety regulation officials will be quick to say that petrolatum, which is a hydrocarbon derrived from the distillation of oil, is strictly tested for cosmetic grade use. They claim that their is little to no traces of PAH's (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which have been found by Columbia University to be present in breast cancer tumors. Scary right? Now rather it is organic hippie hype that petrolatum is bad for you or if it is a scientificly tested safe to use component of oil, I'm choosing to be cautious just in case.

So what got me on the petrolatum worry kick in the first place? I, like many people today love tattoos. I have nine at the moment and will certainly get more. I have been told what to put on a tattoo by each artst and what they prescribe varies. One artist said to use unscented lotion. Another says to use A & D ointment. And yet another swore on the use of Bag Balm. I have used all three of these suggested items and they vary in my opinion of them. All three items have either petroluem, lanolin, or a combination of the two. Now you might be thinking well what's wrong with Lanolin. Lanolin is a fatty substance that is extracted from lambs wool. It is used in oinmtnets, cosmetics, and as a waterproofing agent. Okay so you want me to put lamb skin oil and fat on my skin. Gross. Then I looked further into it and cheaper manufacturers may not be doing all that is necessary to remove all of the dirt and bacteria from lanolin before it is added to ointments, lotions, etc. Super gross. I want to save money on products, but not put myself in harms way.

So when I was told about The Healer Skin Stick from Perfectly Posh I went right to the ingredients list. Here is what I found: no lanolin, no petroleum.  I did find beeswax, orange oil, pink grapefruit oil, vanilla oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. That's it. And none of those ingredients raise a red flag or make me cringe. And I discovered that beeswax is a good source of vitamin A which reduces the itching associated with dry skin. It is also a moisturizer, humectant, and occlusive. So it draws and retains moisture in and on the skin. Beeswax is also antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory.  So when I get my next tattoo I will be using the skin stick to provide protection and moisturizing benefits. If you are interested in The Healer use this link to learn more www.perfectlyposh.com/christenemakin/healer-skin-stick

Banish Those Dreaded Eye Bags

Perhaps you were out late the night before at a party and you wake up the next day and Bam! There they are under eye bags making you appear just as tired as you likely are from your night out. Or it may also be that you are starting to show some signs of aging. A few small lines around the eyes and oh look at those lovely eye puffs and maybe some darkening underneath. Dark circles and eye bags are the pits. I know, because in the last few years I have noticed I am much more puffy under the eye than ever before. And that's with a fair nights rest. I also have a blue hue starting to appear. So what causes under eye bags/puffiness and how do you get rid of it?

The tissue under the eyes can retain fluid and become puffy and swollen for a variety of reasons. Allergies, weather changes (humidity), hormone levels, lack of sleep, alcohol and salt consumption, age, and heredity. Allergy medicine, drinking plenty of water, and getting good sleep can help reduce puffiness. However, if it is age related or a hereditary skin condition you may require a bit more assistance. You see as we age the tissue structure under the eye changes. The skin becomes thinner, the muscles that support the eyelids weaken, fat and fluid can begin to accumulate under the eye.
These can cause a puffy, swollen appearance. Quite often this is just a cosmetic concern and can be reduced or eliminated with home and lifestyle treatments.

As mentioned above hydration is important. Dry skin can appear sallow. There may be acne breakouts, under eye bags, wrinkles appearance is more defined, and the skin may look and feel dry. So drinking water can certainly help the skin to appear healthier and more youthful. Moisturizing can also replenish the skin tissue with hydration and reduce puffiness. Apply a moisturizer gently under the eyes moving from nose to outer eye corner using the ring finger. Gently tap and glide over this area. This can help the body to begin removing fluid from this area. A cool compress can also help soothe and reduce puffiness.

There are also wonderful products available today to help banish under eye bags by incorporating beneficial natural ingredients that soothe, hydrate, tighten and brighten skin. One such product is Perfectly Posh Impish Eyes De-puffing eye serum. It contains caffeine, cucumber, CoQ10, and white tea. These ingredients effectively depuff and improve the appearance of dark under eye circles and bags. The serum is applied with a gentle eye roller, which is simply rolled under the eye and applying the beneficial ingredients. The price is reasonable and the product actually works. It's safe and gentle. So say good bye to those eye bags and hello to a fresher, awakened face. https://christenemakin.po.sh/impish-eyes-de-puffing-eye-serum

Aloe Vera: More Than Just a Moisturizer

I am sure most of you have seen the commercials and magazine ads for modern medication. It treats one concern but leads to a variety of unpleasant and sometimes alarming side effects. So you get rid of your heart burn with a little pill, but you get a rash as a side effect. So you treat the rash with an ointment that gives you headaches, so you take a pill for that. This sounds just awful, right? It also concerns me that in some lab somewhere chemicals are being mixed and altered to provide a desired effect, when you could easily be growing a food, herb, or plant that can heal right outside your door.

I am always happy to hear news about natural medicine and research. For centuries people relied on herbs and plants to treat illnesses and injuries. So when I hear that natural ingredients are being studied and used to treat modern day ailments I feel like we are leaning in the right direction. I recently read an article on livestrong.com that spoke of some interesting research using aloe vera. Most of us have used aloe vera gel to sooth a sunburn or perhaps place on a burn from the kitchen. Several institutes are taking a look at aloe vera and how it can help more than just a weekend sunburn.

Studies in how aloe vera juice can be used to heal the oral cavity after dental procedures shows a healing benefit. It is being considered as a treatment for multiple dental and oral issues. Those who drink aloe vera juice are told to swish it around in the mouth before swallowing for this benefit.

Researchers are also studying the effects of aloe vera in treating heart conditions and diabetes. Patients suffering from heart disease or diabetes were given aloe vera juice and psyllium, which resulted in a reduction of serum triglycerides, lipids, and total cholesterol levels, while good cholesterol levels increased. Blood sugar levels also improved and patients were able to decrease the use of medications. Studies are also being done with interest in how aloe vera juice effects psoriasis and other skin ailments, and digestive issues, such as constipation.

Aloe vera is used as a topical treatment using the gel as well as in a juice form that is ingested. It has been used as a laxative and digestive aid. It is used as a multipurpose skin treatments. It is used in traditional herbal medicine around the globe and in Ayurveda medicine. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that help calm itchy, irritated skin. It provides a cooling, calming benefit. It also has antibacterial properties and antioxidants. It contains vitamins A, C, and E, which are known to improve skin tone and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. It contain minerals, enzymes, sugars, and amino acids that repair lipids in the skin. It moisturizes with no greasy after feel.

These amazing properties and skin benefits are why Perfectly Posh uses aloe vera in so many of their products. A few of these include: big fat yummy hand cremes, body butters, look natural product line (BFF exfoliating face wash, night & day moisturizer, never grow up serum and anti age creme), the strippers, and our many face masks. Perfectly Posh uses the best natural ingredients in their products to ensure you are treating your skin to a nourishing, soothing, hydrating, experience. Simply because they believe that that is what you deserve. This is true. We deserve to treat ourselves with the best. Healthy food, beneficial natural ingredients for our skin and hair. We deserve personal time to relax our mind and refresh our spirit. Taking time for one's self is not selfish. It is necessary. Let aloe vera be a moisturizer and skin soother in your personal care routine.