Organic Vanilla Beans benefit for beauty

One of my online shops provides Organic Vanilla Beans.
My partner wrote this interesting articles in Bahasa, and I decided to translate it and post it here.

Get beautiful by using Vanilla? Is it possible? The answer is why not! Just imagine if perfume products we often use is tasteless, odorless or just plain, certainly would be very boring, isn't it? Vanilla is one of the many types of herbs that can be used as fragnance natural materials for beauty products. It's found that around 300 natural ingredients contained in the vanilla bean can provide many benefits to women's beauty treatments, ranging from skin care types (natural skin care), hair care (natural hair care) and oral care (natural oral care).

Trend of natural herbs for beauty products application started in France and Germany. The awareness of the dangers of synthetic fragnance which has been the dominant use in beauty products arose. An interesting data obtained from a consumer research organization based in Germany the Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung (GfK) in 2009, the market potential for sales of beauty products made from natural herbs with no artificial or synthetic chemicals in the German Panzers were to grow significantly by 7% each year , recorded in 2009 when the associated value of sales of beauty products made from natural herbs in this country which is around 717 million Euros.
Likewise, a study conducted by an international research institute that is Kline Group, predicted up to year 2014 when there will be a significant market growth of demand for beauty products made from natural herbs good for the Asian market (13%), Europe (9%) and USA (8%). So what exactly is to be excellence in beauty products that use these raw natural herbs? As written by De Anna Nelson in his article 5 Different Natural Cosmetic Trend:
a. Going Organic, Environmentally Friendly & Equipment Caring for Nature.
b. Natural Colors, No Artificial Dyes presence in the creation of a Creative Product
c. Natural Ingredients, Natural Herbs Materials that do not cause side effects
d. Eliminating toxins, Reduces Risk of Chemicals as Toxic Body
e. Reduce allergens, Reduce Allergies normally generated Effects Cosmetic Products


Ever heard of Vanilla Bean Facial Scrub? Vanilla Bean Lip Scrub? Or Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub? Massage Oil with Vanilla Beans? Homemade Vanilla Bean Bath Syrup? The use of vanilla bean as a raw material for natural beauty treatments in practice is already common for people in Europe where even become a kind of home-based or Homemade recipe Recipes, including has become a business opportunity as well as commercial products traded with attractive packaging. Just be cautious in buying beauty products made from raw natural vanilla on the market, the label is not yet pure vanilla can be a guarantee that such products using 100% natural vanilla bean, because the manufacturer could have used a synthetic vanilla in order to make profits.

A Natural Cosmetics Conference event held in the city of Nuremberg Germany about 2 years ago emphasized the importance of supervision and standardization for all products made from raw natural beauty on the market so that the beauty products are made from synthetic materials can not be expressed naturally. None other than this considering its market potential and opportunities that will continue to grow about 1 billion U.S. dollars per year. The standardization is also expected to create a better distribution channels and orderly for beauty products made from natural herbs that have the potential to increase its sales from year to year.

Flavor Infused French Vanilla Lip Balm

$3.50 from The All Natural Face

Vanilla bean is a powerful antioxidant that can counteract the free radicals thus slowing the aging process in skin, vanilla bean, too, is anti-allergenic so widely used as raw material for spice beauty for sensitive skin, vanilla bean has a carcinogenic effect in which based on research results when the vanilla bean to inhibit the development of abnormal cells in breast cancer. So for women who are living in big cities with high air pollution levels, it never hurts to start to learn more about homemade recipes made from raw natural vanilla was also beneficial for health and beauty secret.


Translated from Organic Indonesian Vanilla

Sale at The All Natural Face

Hi Beauties......!

The All Natural Face is having sale from November 1 to December 31, 2010.
Great chance to buy some gifts for your loved ones :)

20 % OFF THE WHOLE SITE FROM 11/1- 12/31 MIDNIGHT EST.
ENTER THE CODE WORD holiday INTO THE DISCOUNT CODE BOX AT CHECKOUT. SALE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY CALCULATED AT CHECKOUT.



International visitors can order the lovely products here: The All Natural Face

New products from The All Natural Face: Oil make up remover and Foundation primer

While I was placing an order for my beauty shop customer at The All Natural Face,  I also purchased some new stuffs available for myself :)

Here they are:

1. Natural Oil Make Up Remover
Note: After I re-checked, this item is a free item of October Sale.....
This probably my first oil make up remover.

Why do we use oil to remove and clean our make up?
The counter facial wash will strip all the natural oils out of our face skin. Most of these are made from water SLSs ( think dishsoap) and alcohol. We are brainwashed into thinking that if it squeaks it is clean...not true with your face. If it squeaks it is crying out.
This becomes more important as we age because the skin losing its ability to remain elastic and we start to get wrinkles. By keeping your skin hydrated in oils that mimic the skins natural sebum...you will have healthier... less wrinkly skin. Nothing reverses the aging process. there is no magic pill. All we can do is take care of the vessel we are given to the best of our ability. Oil will remove any makeup...yes including waterproof mascara...

Natural Oil Make Up Remover

What Crystal writes about the product:
How does oil clean you ask? For the same reason soap works:) The oil in the soap naturally attracts the dirt particles. By rinsing your face with a warm washcloth after applying the oil you are removing the dirt:) A little oil left on your face is a good thing:) My Oil Makeup Remover is chock full of skin lovin oils:)
The process is as simple as can be:
1. Apply oil to face to remove makeup and dirt.
2. Have a warm washcloth and gently remove the oil from your face:)
Repeat the rinsing as often as needed or desired:) It does take a few days to get used to this. You may experience a pimple or two. If you stick with it with will see glorious results. Everyone I have recommended this to has had nothing but success. If you do not have success...stop...but please give it a little while before you reject it completely:) your face might just thank me for it:)...I know your future wrinkles will:)

How to use oil make up remover

2. Vegan Foundation Primer

What Crystal writes about the product:

This is the perfect base for your powder or mousse foundation. It gives a silky smooth finish to your skin that will keep your oil at bay and help your foundation to stay put. You can also set your foundation with a hydration mist if you like but this alone is fine too:) The best thing about this primer is the silky smooth feeling. You do not feel like you are wearing makeup and your skin feels softer and better than it does without makeup. You are going to love this:)

Ingredients: Purified Water, Mica, Boron Nitride, Magnesium Myristate, Glycerin, Cosmocil CQ ( preservative used in contact lens solution and baby wipes), Potassium Sorbate ( food grade preservative)

Note: I haven't used this yet, haven't got a time to experiment with other stuffs too.

International visitors can order the lovely products here: The All Natural Face

New products from The All Natural Face: Fruit Facial Wash, Face Toner, Lip Plumper

While I've been ordering products for my beautyshop customers at The All Natural Face, Crystal always includes some sample of her products.
She has sent me samples of the new products, here they are:

1. Fruit Facial Wash

Made from pure dried fruits and seeds. You just add little amount of water to the powder, make a paste out of it and apply to the face. Make circular motion when you apply it. You can rinse it off right away, or leave it on face for awhile while you are showering.

Fruit Facial Wash

Since this is made from fruit, there's no detergent in it. You may feel your skin is not clean because you can feel the oil on your face, but the dirt has been washed off :)


Many varieties you can choose from:
Strawberries and Cream
Mango and Cream
Papaya and Cream
Pomegaranate and Cream
Orange and Cream
Lemon and Cream
Peaches and Cream
Strawberries, Banana, and Cream
Banana
Pineapple
Avocado and Cucumber


Available sizes : 1 oz, 2 oz, and 4 oz.

2. Non-Alcohol Yummy Herbal Toner for Normal Skin

Alcohol will strip off the natural oil from your skin. This toner is mild and gentle to you skin.
Check out the ingredients:
Rose Petal, Lavender Blossoms, Romsemary Leaves, Sage Leaves, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Peppermint Leaves, Tinosan Sdc ( silver based preservative), Potassium Sorbate (food grade preservative).

Non alcohol toner for normal skin

3. Lip Plumper PURE NATURAL INGREDIENTS

This contains cinnamon and ginger, and essential oils.
DO NOT buy this is you have sensitive lips...
You can custom make your own gloss! Apply the plumper then dip a cotton swab in a mineral powder and apply to lips, just make sure that you are using a lip safe color.
The real container is 13ml vial ( .43 oz.)

Lip plumper

International visitors can order the lovely products here: The All Natural Face

Haul from Singapore, Part 2 (Sephora)

Part two of my shopping in Singapore.
This part is the Sephora haul

What I bought:

All items

Burt's Bees Exfoliating Body Wash

Burt's Bees Exfoliating Body Wash - Label

Benefit's The Porefessional

Benefit's The Porefessional - Side Label

Benefit's The Porefessional - Instruction for use

The Porefessional

Sephora bath cubes

Hauls from Malaysia

I was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Nov 23 to Nov 28, 2009.

Since I was staying in Boulevard hotel near Megamall in Midvalley, it was an opportunity to roam the mall for make up and skin care brand available.
I read Connie's blog for my reference.

It was a big haul for me, and quite damaging my credit card. LOL.
So here it is:

From Watson's, I purchased these:


Rimmel London:
1. Sexy Curves Full Volume & Curve Mascara, price RM 39.90
2. Moisture renew lipstick in Electric Plum, price RM 26.90

Majolica Majorca:
3. Lash Expander Frame Plus, price RM 39.90
How to use: apply first coat using the upper brush (see picture) then use lower brush for second coat.
4. Rouge Majex in PK 313, price RM 26.90
5. Jeweling Pencil (eyeliner) in BE208 (light brown) has glitter, price RM 20.90

Other products:
6. Bio Oil (www.bio-oil.com), 125 ml, price RM 54.80
This product helps to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone, also good for ageing skin and dehydrated skin. It contains calendula, lavender, rosemary, and chamomile oil, and Purcellin Oil.
For treating the scar and stretch mark, we need to use it at least for 3 months.
I bought this because Fifi asked me to buy this for her and when I read the function, I thought I can use it too for my uneven face skin color.

- St. Ives Cucumber eye gel, RM 21.30 (not shown in the picture)
It's a big one, I think I won't need eye gel for a long time.



In other beauty store, I got these:
7. Dr. Young 2p Pearl Brightening Balm (BB) with SPF 35 PA ++, 30ml, price RM 49

8. Solegio Coenzyme Q10 hand cream, normal price was RM 22.90, but since I spent more than RM 50, the price reduced to RM 5. What a deal! If it's not that cheap, I won't considered buying it. The product is from Korea.


- Sunplay Watery Cool RM 26.90 for sun protection during my swim lesson (not shown in the picture)



ELIANTO's corner

Elianto is local brand, but the products are made in Korea.



On my first day of shopping, I bought these:
A. Green Tea lip & eye make up remover for all skin types. I almost run out of remover, so this will be my stock. It has other variants though, but I couldn't remember.
Price RM 18

B. Shimmer stick in light yellow. Plan to use this for eyeshadow base. Price RM 18

And on the last day in KL, I purchased:
C. Facial Cream Soap, contains green tea, price RM 29.
In the box, there's a small spatula to scoop the soap.

D. Pearl eye cream, for all skin types, to brighten the skin in eye area.price RM 20
There's ginseng eye cream for wrinkles. I didn't know which one to choose, but the beauty consultant suggested me to buy Pearl as she said I don't have wrinkles (awww.....)

E. Touch on Blush in Mocha Brownie, price RM 32
I like the applicator, it's cute.... How to apply: just swipe on cheek, not pat.




MAC Store

The most expensive stuffs I bought. MAC Paint Pot, RM 70 each, and I bought two!
The colors I picked were Bare Study and Fresco Rose. The pink color is pretty and Bare Study sure does can be used for all color base as it's in neutral color.
And definitely it's smudge proof. Difficult to wipe it clean. Can't compare it with Elianto's Shimmer Stick.




Well, those are the make up hauls, while other stuff I bought were Charles & Keith red Roman Sandal (normal price RM 99.90, disc. 40% RM 59.95), see picture here, and varieties of candies in KLIA for RM 74.70

Special offer from BLISSWORLD!

Receive a free full sized blood orange+white pepper body butter ($35.00 value) with your order of $75 or more at BlissWorld.com! Offer ends 3.31.09.

Beware of these BAD & UGLY stuffs in your personal care products

Source: The Green Guide

Here are the ingredients to be most wary of on labels, and why.

Coal-tar colors

So-called coal-tar chemicals are found in many "FD&C" or "D&C" colors used in makeup and hair dye.

Health Problem: Allergens and irritants, possible carcinogens

Safer Alternatives: Annatto, beta carotene, carmine, hematite, henna, iron oxides, titanium dioxide (nontoxic, but can cause lung irritation if inhaled as powder)

Lead

A brain- and nervous-system toxin as well as a known carcinogen and hormone disruptor, lead accumulates in the bones. It is found in lead acetate in hair dyes and makeup.

Phthalates

Used widely in fragrances, deodorants, nail polishes, hair products and lotions, the oily texture of phthalates acts like a moisturizer and helps lotions penetrate skin.

Health Problems: Various members of this family of chemical plasticizers have been found to produce cancer of the liver and birth defects in lab animals.

Dibutylphthalate (DBP) is of particular concern because documented exposures are high and its health effects are potentially very serious. In nail polish and mascara, DBP helps thin films stay flexible, reducing brittleness and cracking. Animal studies show that DBP causes birth defects and harm to male reproductive organs. Timing of exposure was critical: Harm was done to animals exposed in the womb or shortly after birth.

A 2002 Environmental Working Group (EWG) report found DBP in 37 nail products from 22 different companies. Their 2002 report, "Not Too Pretty" (produced with Health Care Without Harm and Coming Clean), found phthalates in 52 of 72 different personal-care products.

Other commonly used phthalates include dimethylphthalate (DMP) and diethylphthalate (DEP).

Alternatives: Phthalates often "hide" behind the term "fragrance;" choose products labeled "fragrance-free" or that are scented exclusively with pure botanical or essential oils. Phthalates are also present in, and can evaporate from, soft vinyl (PVC) toys, flooring and other products, which should be avoided. For more information, search for "phthalates" at www.thegreenguide.com.

Preservatives

Bronopol, often listed as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, can contribute to the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, according to the FDA. It can also break down to produce formaldehyde (see below).

Formaldehyde, found in eye shadows, mascaras and other cosmetics, is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen," according to the National Toxicology Program's "Ninth Report on Carcinogens" (January 2001)**. The EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen.

In its liquid state, formaldehyde, present in the ingredients DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium-15, can be absorbed through the skin and nails. As a volatile organic compound, or VOC, formaldehyde evaporates when the product is wet; levels drop sharply once it's dry. Consumer concern has led many manufacturers to remove it from their nail polishes.

Health Problems: Breathing formaldehyde fumes has been associated with many types of cancers, including those of the nose and throat. Levels of formaldehyde in air as low as 0.1 ppm (parts per million) can cause burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat; nausea, coughing and wheezing.

Imidazolidinyl urea can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Mercury: a tiny amount of this potent nervous-system toxin, which accumulates in the body, is allowed as a preservative in eye-area cosmetics.

The parabens: Methyl-, propyl-, ethyl- and butylparaben are the most common preservatives used in cosmetics.

Health Problems: Common allergens. Some recent research shows that parabens can mimic estrogen in rodents, making them potential hormone disruptors.

Quaternary ammonium compounds can irritate the skin and eyes. Quaternium-15 causes more dermatitis complaints than any other preservative, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Healthier Preservatives: Vitamins A (retinoic acid), C (ascorbic acid), E (tocopherol), citric acid, pycnogenol.

Surfactants -- Sudsing/Foaming Agents

Suds-making detergents, known as surfactants, in shampoos also promote absorption of the product by the skin.

Diethanolamine (DEA), widely used in shampoos, is a suspected carcinogen, and its compounds and derivatives include triethanolamine (TEA), which can be contaminated with nitrosamines -- compounds shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Contamination is more likely if the product also contains Bronopol (see above).

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are both irritants, says the Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR), a panel of cosmetics-industry experts established to safety-test ingredients (cir-safety.org). But the CIR reported that SLS also causes "severe epidermal changes" to mouse skin, a finding that "indicates a need for tumor-enhancing activity assays." This year, after review of over 250 existing SLS studies, the CIR concluded that SLS is not cancer-causing. However, Samuel Epstein, M.D., says he is not convinced and recommends avoiding SLS.

Other Ingredients to Avoid

Aluminum chlorohydrate, a wetness retardant used in antiperspirants, can cause allergic reactions.

Ammonia, used in hair dyes and bleaches, can irritate the eyes and skin and can be toxic when inhaled.

Mineral oil, found in many moisturizers, comes from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource.

Peroxide, used in hair-coloring products, can irritate the skin of hands and scalp and damage hair and eyes.

Phenylenediamine (PPD), found in many hair dyes, is linked with skin irritations, respiratory disorders and cancers, and is banned in Europe.

Polyethylene and polyethylene glycol (PEG ingredients), found in hair straighteners, antiperspirants and baby-care products, are safe in themselves but can be contaminated with 1,4- dioxane, which produced liver cancer in rodents in National Cancer Institute (NCI) studies.

Polysorbate compounds 60 and 80 are emulsifiers, used in lotions and creams, that can also become contaminated with the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), widely used in hair-care products, especially sprays, has been found to stay in the body for months. In rats it contributed to tumor development.

Propylene glycol, a humectant, or moisture-attracting ingredient, found in mascara, lotions, creams and other cosmetics, can irritate skin in sensitive individuals.

Talc, a mineral found in many face and body powders, has a structure similar to that of asbestos, which has been linked to lung and ovarian cancers. Healthier alternative: cornstarch (but, like any powder, can cause breathing problems)

Toluene, a solvent, is found in some nail polishes. It is a nervous-system toxin.

Triclosan, an antibacterial agent found in deodorants and other products, is overused and is linked to antibiotic-resistant disease, says the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (www.apua.org).

Choosing your beauty products

Yes, this is important as we have already been surrounded by pollution, so we need to choose our beauty products carefully, especially when you have skin allergy or sensitive skin. Don't forget, it also helps us reduce damage to environment.

If you want to go green with your beauty products, The Green Machine has tips for you:

1. Avoid products with artificial fragrances
For the past 50 years, 80-90% of fragrances found in beauty products have been synthesized from petroleum—not from natural sources, as some labels might lead you to believe. Beauty product labels can be confusing—or worse, misleading—because the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate how companies use words like "fragrance-free," "unscented," "natural" and "hypoallergenic." Look for products that include natural fragrances in their ingredients, or no fragrance at all. Your best bet is to choose products from trusted cosmetic and body-care companies that use only natural, certified organic, non-toxic and non-synthetic ingredients.

2. Knows what in your potions and lotions
Be on the lookout for hazardous ingredients in your medicine cabinet and makeup bag. Cosmetic ingredients are not regulated by the FDA or any other government agency and often contain harmful ingredients that have not been adequately tested. For example, parabens are synthetic preservatives that can disrupt hormones but can still be found in many of our beauty products. Check the ingredient lists on your moisturizers, soaps, bath products, makeup, sunscreen, toothpaste and deodorant, and replace anything that includes any of the following ingredients:

· mercury
· parabens
· thimerosol
· lead acetate
· formaldehyde
· toluene
· petroleum distillates
· ethylacrylate
· coal tar
· dibutyl phthalate
· potassium dichromate

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group are two non-profit groups working to monitor the beauty industry. You can even check your beauty products online at http://www.safecosmetics.org to see how they rate!

3. Use natural oil to moisturize
Olive and jojoba oils are great natural moisturizing alternatives for skin care, hair conditioner and even massage. Oils transfer through your skin very easily, so be sure to use only natural oils that were produced organically.

4. Bring your own non-toxic nail products to the spa
Most conventional nail polish brands include harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates, which have been linked to problems ranging from skin irritation in people to birth defects in animals. Purchase safer alternatives at your local health food store; Brands to look for include No Miss Nail Polish, Sante Nail Polish, L'Oreal Paris Jet-Set Quick Dry Nail Enamel, Provida Organic Nail Care and WaterColors Nail Enamel.

Most hair dyes use ammonia, which can transfer into the blood stream via the scalp. As an alternative, you can use herb- or vegetable-based hair dyes that are free of ammonia. Coloring products to "dye" for include Born Again henna, Changes henna, Giovanni, HerbaVita, Light Mountain, Logona henna, Naturtint, Rainbow Research, Surya henna, Tints of Nature, Jason Natural, Nature’s Gate, Mill Creek and Aveda. You should feel free to bring your own ammonia-free hair color to your stylist if she doesn't provide these products—it's your hair, and your health.