What’s in My Skincare Products?

There seems to be so much in the news about the harmful ingredients “hidden” in our cosmetics and skin care products, that you often wonder how you are really supposed to know what to use. We are advised to avoid parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates and any ingredient from a petroleum source. The list goes on and on. So much of this “news” is truly misinformed, and as we are the keepers of our own health, it is really important that we become educated about what is true and not true.

Since I'm involved with skin care it is frustrating for me to read that skin care companies are basically being blamed for all forms of chronic and deadly illnesses including cancer. And while there are ingredients that should be avoided such as mineral oil, lanolin, formaldehyde donors and FD+C colorants because they may clog pores or irritate skin, for the most part the ingredients found in skin care are relatively harmless given the exposure that we have in the air we breathe, foods we eat and of course beverages that we consume. It is far more important to be concerned about what you are putting into your mouth than what you are using on your skin and hair, since the percentage of the ingredients in topical products is extremely small.

Here is a case in point. Recently, it was my husband Ron's birthday and his favorite cake is angel food with ice cream inside and whipped cream frosting. Now I have never claimed to have any ability to cook, so I thought I would just get the cake mix and make it. Imagine my surprise when I got the mix home and was glancing at the ingredients to find Sodium Lauryl Sulfate as “a whipping aid”. I was appalled. We are now being admonished not to use this soap ingredient in our hair or skin care because it is a possible carcinogen, yet we are supposed to consume it? I immediately got out the cookbook to make it from scratch, but after seeing the time and work involved, decided that this time I would eat the soap!

So now let's take this scenario one step further. Next time when I can't use the mix and I'm not willing to take the time and effort to make it from scratch, I will probably buy a readymade cake. But what ingredients did the baker use? We usually assume ‘good’ ones but who really knows?

So my message to you is simply this: use your common sense in buying anything you put on or in your body.

Use skin care products that have healthy, natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and botanicals and avoid ingredients that may clog pores or irritate skin. Keep your immune system tuned and ready to fight with fresh food (stay away from processed foods containing lots of who knows what), great supplements, lots of water, and appropriate sleep and exercise. And with today's hectic pace, make sure you keep a healthy balance of stress and relaxation in your life. Stress really is a silent killer.

Yours in health,

Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M.

Bye Bye Blemishes

For many of you, fall generally means that it’s time for the kids to go back to school. To make sure they are prepared, you may be getting their school supplies and fall wardrobe in order. During this time, they are also paying close attention to their skin, or blemishes rather, so you may find yourself searching for blemish-fighting products. To make sure they go back to school with the confidence they need to look and feel their best, I would like to share with you why the natural approach really is the best approach when helping your kids achieve clear, healthy skin. 

What you see as a pimple has actually taken days or weeks to create. Deep in the pore, for a variety of reasons, an accumulation of dead skin cells mix with sebum to form a plug and that creates a whitehead. If the plug is in contact with the air, it darkens and a blackhead results. The plug continues to grow until the duct bursts. In combination with bacteria that can cause infection, you then have a red inflamed papule or zit.

To start, choose skincare products for your kids that contain gentle yet effective herbs that have been scientifically proven effective on blemish-prone skin. Tea Tree, one of my favorite natural first-aid remedies, contains powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help clear blemishes and prevent breakouts. Willow Bark, the natural source of salicylic acid, is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter blemish-fighting products. It can help remove dead skin, dirt and toxins, and unclog pores. Rosewood acts as both an antiseptic and an astringent and can help balance both dry and oily skin. Lavender, another one of my favorites, contains astringent and antibacterial properties to help fight breakouts. Lastly, Chamomile has strong anti-inflammatory properties making it ideal for helping reduce redness and calm skin. These herbs work very well together in skincare products to help clear and prevent breakouts.

As for their skincare routine, because blemishes can also be the result of too much bacteria, make sure they cleanse skin 2-3 times a day with a gentle anti-bacterial cleanser. Then, have them follow with a moisturizer that is formulated to balance yet hydrate the skin. Breakouts do not occur because of too much moisture from a facial moisturizer, they result from skin that is not balanced. A spot blemish treatment is also good for those that have specific breakout areas. Exfoliating at least once week will also be beneficial because it prevents build-up of older skin cells and stimulates new cell growth.

Since hormones and nutrition can also cause blemishes, helping your kids make healthy lifestyle choices will also make a difference. To help prevent hormonal fluctuations, any type of exercise such as joining a school sports team or participating in outdoor activities are good. If they are easily stressed, maybe take walks together, or practice stretching and breathing exercises. A good night’s sleep, about 7 to 8 hours is also ideal. Because food can trigger the occurrence of blemishes, help your kids eat a balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables and very few processed foods that can be high in sugar and salt. Drinking plenty of water is also very important. If possible, pack a water bottle in their lunch, or make sure they have one with them at all times so they are less likely to give in to sugar-laden drinks.

While blemishes can zap your kid’s confidence this time of year, hopefully this natural approach will help them look and feel good on the inside and out.

Yours in Health,
Dr. Linda Miles, DOM, LAc