Why I love Sea Buckthorn Oil

There are so many powerful botanical ingredients I use in my products for the benefits they provide in the skin. One of my all time favorites is Sea Buckthorn Oil.

Sea Buckthorn Oil: Extraction Method: CO2 Extraction
Sea Buckthorn oil is associated with its ability to  regenerate the skin. An unsurpassed natural source of vitamins A, rich in vitamins B1, B2, K and P as well as a remarkably high content of essential fatty acids and phytosterols. The EFA content in the Sea Buckthorn oil is 80 - 95%. It is reputed to be one of the best sources of natural antioxidants due to the high content of Vitamin C. Sea Buckthorn Oil effectively helps combat wrinkles, dryness, and other symptoms of aging skin.

        

Addicted to Tanning?

We've all heard about it. It made headlines last week: "CDC says Indoor Tanning Causes Skin Cancer." Whether skin cancer has touched your life through media, or perhaps even a personal experience, we all now know that tanning beds and tanning in general isn't a good idea. But we continue to lay out.

So let's go a little deeper than the tanning bed. Studies are now showing a chemical addition to tanning. It is being called 'the new form of substance abuse.' Some of the reported benefits of frequent tanning — mood enhancement and relaxation — are also consistent with addiction. Furthermore, many frequent tanners report difficulty quitting. 

Frequent tanners exhibit signs of both physical and psychological dependence.

When a substance causes physical dependency, repeated use of that substance causes symptoms of increased tolerance, craving, and withdrawal. UV light has been shown to increase release of opioid- like endorphins, feel-good chemicals that relieve pain and generate feelings of well-being, potentially leading to dependency. Sounds like the deck is stacked against us, right? Plus, we are always hearing that vitamin D is best when received from the sun (just no more than 15 minutes a day).

 Psychological dependence refers to the effect of a substance on the brain’s reward system and its memory of rewards. The production of sensations of pleasure or well-being encourages repeated use. When we receive the suns golden rays or the rays from a tanning bed, we essentially feel good. Who wouldn't want to give that up?

Part of catching this preventable disease early is fairly easy. When’s the last time you had a professional head to toe skin care exam?  Here are the ABCDE’s warning signs of melanoma that you can look for:

Asymmetry- One half of a mole doesn't match the other half

Border: The border is irregular, notched, blurred or ragged.

Color: The mole or lesion has a variety of colors, including shades of brown, tan or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white or blue.

Diameter: The suspicious area is new or at least a quarter-inch in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser).

Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape or color.

 By keeping an eye on your skin and a routinely scheduled skin checkup in your planner, you have the power to completely avoid this disease. Here are some things you can do right away:

-Apply SPF 15 or higher sunscreen everyday (yes, even in winter.)

-Don’t burn!

-Seek shade between 10 am and 4 pm when sun is the strongest 

http://www.benaturalorganics.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=sunscreen&Submit=Go

Why Go Vegetarian?

Just in case you need even MORE information on why a plant based diet is better for your health and the health of our planet...

A new study reveals that vegetarian diets not only improve longevity, but also help reduce greenhouse emissions.

The study was conducted by Loma Linda University Health researchers. The team compared dietary patterns of vegetarians, semi-vegetarians and non-vegetarians to find which diet helped cut early death risk as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
Data for the study came from 96,000 Seventh-day Adventists throughout the United States and Canada enrolled in the Adventist Health Study. "The study sample is heterogeneous and our data is rich. We analyzed more than 73,000 participants. The level of detail we have on food consumption and health outcomes at the individual level makes these findings unprecedented," said Sam Soret, Ph.D., MPH, associate dean at Loma Linda University School of Public Health and co-author of the study.

Researchers found that the mortality rate of non-vegetarians was 20 percent higher than the mortality rate of vegetarians and semi-vegetarians. The team also found that vegetarian diets were linked to lower greenhouse gas emissions than non-vegetarian diets. According to researchers, modifying diet to reduce meat intake could help decrease emissions.
"The takeaway message is that relatively small reductions in the consumption of animal products result in non-trivial environmental benefits and health benefits," said Soret, according to a news release.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, meat production, both traditional and industrial releases greenhouse gases. The agency recommends a more balanced, sustainable diet.
An article accompanying the present study states that the research provides evidence that humans should consider switching to large scale production of plant-based diets. Reducing meat in diet will increase food security and sustainability.

Eat These For Better Skin!

8 Foods for Better Skin

When it comes to your health, the outside reflects the inside. A dull, dry complexion is a blinking neon sign that you’re not eating right.

Lucky for you, you can put your best face forward with a better diet. Here’s how:

Skin Food #1: AvocadosThis creamy, green fruit is abundant in essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin, inside and out.

Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important for healthy skin, and avocados contain lots of it. Niacin, an anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. One avocado has 3.8 mg niacin – 27% of your daily need.

Skin Food #2: Mangoes
Mangoes have more than 80% of your daily requirements for vitamin A, which is why they’re such a great face food. Vitamin A maintains and repairs skin cells; a deficiency will result in a dry, flaky complexion.

As an antioxidant, vitamin A also fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin. And with fewer than 70 calories per serving, this succulent fruit is the perfect pick for your figure, not just your face.

Skin Food #3: Almonds
Not only is it a gorgeous shape for your eyes, almonds are also great for your complexion. With 150% of your daily need for vitamin E, it’s no wonder that getting a bit nutty is good for you.

Vitamin E's rich oils moisturize dry skin, and its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging. Reach for a small handful of almonds every day

Skin Food #5: Acerola Cherries
Your average cherry doesn’t supply a lot of vitamin C, but that’s not true for Acerolas. One of these cherries supplies 100% of your daily allowance for vitamin C, which is great news for your skin.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights skin damage and wrinkles. It also plays a central role in the production of collagen, the structural protein in your skin.

Skin Food #7: Baked Potatoes

Set aside the greasy French fries. A plump, steaming baked potato is good for your skin. Eat one baked potato (with the skin) to get 75% of your daily copper need. This essential mineral works with vitamin C and zinc to produce the elastin fibers that support skin structure. Too little copper in your diet can reduce your skin’s ability to heal and cause it to become rigid and lifeless.

Skin Food #8: Mushrooms
This fungus isn’t just for soup; it’s rich in riboflavin, a B vitamin that’s vital to your skin. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is involved in tissue maintenance and repair, and improves skin blemishes caused by rosacea. This vitamin is so important for skin repair that the body uses large amounts after sustaining a burn or wound, or undergoing surgery.

Skin Food #9: Flaxseed Oil

It’s no secret that omega 3s are great for your skin, but did you know that flaxseed oil is one of the best sources of this essential fatty acid? That’s great news if you’re not a fish-lover. Just one teaspoon of flaxseed oil per day provides 2.5 grams of omega 3s, which, in turn, hydrate the skin. Essential fatty acids also dilute sebum and unclog pores that otherwise leads to acne.

Skin Food #10: Wheat Germ
Don’t let the “germ” scare you – it’s actually just the embryo within a grain of wheat, and it’s nutritious. Wheat germ is a good source of biotin, a B vitamin that's crucial to skin health. A mild biotin deficiency can cause dermatitis, a condition characterized by itchy, scaly skin. Sprinkle wheat germ on yogurt for a tasty way to get more biotin in your diet.

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Three Things To Get You Through Summer

Warmer temperatures are FINALLY upon us! Now that we can ditch the snow boots for sandals, it's time to take a look at your skin care arsenal for this upcoming summer. I  have carefully used and reviewed three key products that are a must have for your warm summer days that turn into long summer nights! 

1.) Sunscreen. This may be a bit redundant and annoying but...LATHER UP! Skin cancer still affects millions in this country-don't become another statistic! BNO's Organic sunscreen uses 100& nano-free  Zinc Oxide (this protects your skin against those harmful UV rays.) With ingredients like Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Shea Butter, this sunscreen won't leave your skin feeling greasy and slimy. Not to mention, it won't clog your pores and make you break out (something almost every sunscreen does to my face.) 

2.) Aloe Leaf Lotion- After those long days in the sun, you skin will be thirsty and dry. Don't forget to lather up with lotion after a day on the beach! The combination of Grapeseed oil and distilled water make this a truly awesome lotion for all skin types. There is nothing worse then putting on lotion in the summer and starting to sweat...only realizing the lotion won't let your skin breathe. This lotion does the opposite-it lubricates your skin while letting it breathe..truly amazing! 

3.) Shimmer Oil- So after a long day at the beach or laying poolside, nothing feels better then showing off your healthy obtained tan. Whether you are out for dinner or hitting the club, this Illuminating Dry Oil is a MUST HAVE. I like to put it on my chest and arms-just to give a little extra glow and shimmer. The art of cold pressing macadamia nuts, raspberry seeds and almonds make this nourishing, sheer tint that is irresistible. I can honestly say this is one of my favorite BNO products! 

So there you have it-your list of 'must haves' to survive this summer. Now get out there and enjoy the sun! (With protection, of course.) 

The Danger Lurking In Your Lotion

Think over the counter lotions are really there to help moisturize & protect your skin? Think again! When put to the test, four commonly used moisturizers failed miserably. 

(WebMD)  Four commonly used moisturizers promoted skin cancers in mouse studies. The moisturizers tested in the study were Eucerin, Dermabase, Dermovan and Vanicream.

"In a mouse model of sun-related skin cancer, frequent application of each product resulted in more skin tumors and faster tumor growth," says study leader Allan H. Conney, PhD, director of the Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research and professor in the school of pharmacy at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J.

"This was unexpected. We really did not expect to see the tumor-promoting activity of these creams," Conney tells WebMD.

For these new animal studies, the researchers used hairless mice irradiated with ultraviolet light twice a week for 20 weeks. With no further irradiation, such mice eventually develop skin cancer -- very much like humans overexposed to sunlight early in life.

Five days a week, for 17 weeks, the researchers rubbed moisturizer into the animals' skin. The result:

• Dermabase increased the total number of tumors by 69%.
• Dermovan increased the total number of tumors by 95%.
• Eucerin increased the total number of tumors by 24%.
• Vanicream increased the total number of tumors by 58%.

The two ingredients linked to skin irritation (sodium lauryl sulfate) and tumor promotion (mineral oil).

While we also don't condone animal testing, without this knowledge, thousands of people would still be harming their delicate skin with these harsh chemicals. Just because something smells nice and has good advertising, DOESN'T mean its safe! 

Is Sunscreen REALLY That Important??

Research Suggests daily sunscreen use can reduce signs of aging by 24 percent

Article: by Simon Pitman from www.cosmeticsdesign.com

A team of international scientists have released research results that is said to prove that using sunscreen regularly can reduce the signs of skin aging significantly. The research, which was funded by the National Health and Medical research Council of Australia, focused on a group of 903 randomly chosen adults that were all aged under 55. The purpose of the study was to determine to what extent regular use of sunscreen slowed skin aging measured by degree of photoaging, compared with discretionary use of sunscreen in combination with β-carotene antioxidant supplements and a placebo The study was assigned to 4 groups: daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen and 30mg of β-carotene, daily use of sunscreen and placebo, discretionary use of sunscreen and 30mg of β-carotene, and discretionary use of sunscreen and placebo. The groups that used sunscreen daily were asked to apply SPF 15+ to their head, neck, arms and hands each morning and after bathing, as well as during sun exposure and after heavy sweating. The assessments were made over a four and a half year period using microscopic impressions of the subject’s hands to determine how much damage was visible. The images showed that the group using sunscreen on a daily basis showed no detectable signs of skin aging, while skin aging from the baseline to the end of the trail was 24 percent less in the daily sunscreen group, compared to the discretionary group. Like us on Faceboook! https://www.facebook.com/bnorganics?ref=hl Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/bnorganics