Your Skin, The Bare Truth
The skin has very important vital functions for keeping the physiological and biochemical conditions of the body in its optimum state. The most important functions of the skin are:
Our skin is our first line of defense.
The skin is only a few millimeters thick yet is by far the largest organ in the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. Amazingly, we replace our skin about every two weeks.
The skin has very important vital functions for keeping the physiological and biochemical conditions of the body in its optimum state. The most important functions of the skin are:
Regulates body temperature.
Prevents loss of essential body fluids, and penetration of toxic substances.
Protection of the body from harmful effects of the sun and radiation.
Excretes toxic substances with sweat.
Mechanical support.
Immunological function mediated by Langerhans cells.
Sensory organ for touch, heat, cold, socio-sexual and emotional sensations.
Vitamin D synthesis from its precursors under the effect of sunlight.
The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold. It stands to reason that we need to keep our skin healthy and that a quick turnover time is beneficial.
Our skin is our first line of defense and often rather than help, we hinder it with toxic chemicals in our cosmetics and personal-care products. We are often the victims of savvy marketers claiming to have a healthy product when in most cases there are thousands of chemicals in these products, many of which are being absorbed into your body. Researchers in the U.S report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors.
The same way you look at food labels, you should do the same for labels on your personal care and beauty products. Putting chemicals on our skin or scalp may be more detrimental than ingesting them. When you eat, enzymes in the saliva and stomach break down what’s ingested and flush it out of the body. However, chemicals on the skin are absorbed into the bloodstream without any filtering or degrading. Imagine what the cumulative effects of long-term use may do.
The top 12 toxic ingredients to avoid include:
- Alcohol
- DEET (diethyltoluamide)
- DMDM (dimethyl-dimethyl) Hydantion
- Ethanolamines
- FD&C Color Pigments
- Mineral Oil
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Toluene
- Triclosan
To limit, or avoid exposure to these chemicals, read labels, avoid heavily scented or colored products and buy certified organic products.
Be Healthy by Choice and not by Chance
author: Gary Lindner, Ph.D.
The Skinny on Organic Skincare
...as I entered my 40's I was still searching for a skincare routine that actually worked. Myself and my contrary, fair, freckled face had not gotten along in a decade.
Let me begin with a small slice of personal skin history as I entered my 40's I was still searching for a skincare routine that actually worked. Myself and my contrary, fair, freckled face had not gotten along in a decade. I had been dealing with rosacea and acne (adult acne) since my early 30's which was about the time in my career I was in front of a lot of crowds either speaking or educating, which only amplified my frustration with my skin.
So I sought professional help and we tried various topical and oral treatments. This worked to treat my conditions but it did not balance my skin. My skin was either too dry or too oily there was never any respite for my skin or my psyche. Therefore, I continued to diligently search for a solution that respected my skin.
My search finally ended earlier this year when I tried the True Elements Marine Organic Skincare line. Our skin is our largest organ and our first line of defense so It is just as important to me what I put on my skin as what I put in my body. I wanted an organic healthy choice but I also needed a complete line that I could afford. What really caught my eye was Marine Organic. my first thought was marine = moisture and my skin needs non-oily moisture. Through research I also learned that organic = tough. A common myth is that organic skincare is to mild to work on tough conditions but the truth is the extra minerals work harder for your skin. While harsh chemicals have your skin fighting in the trenches, organic skincare has you strategizing from the safety of HQ.
The True Elements Marine Organic (TEMO) skincare line contains the seaweed extracts laminaria, chondrus and ulva. These extracts provide trace elements and minerals that boost the radiance of your skin, maintain it's moisture content, aid redness, stimulate cellular metabolism, synthesis of elastin fibers, remineralize and nourish, reenergize and improve skin viscosity. Sea Fennel also helps stimulate cellular exchanges while brown seaweeds and seawater contribute to a toning and remineralizing action. TEMO also includes an A-list of old favorites like; shea butter, sunflower seed oil and aloe.
Hyaluronic acid in the Youth Activ Serum, Nutritional Mask and the Nourishing Face Cream helps your skin to build a moisture reserve that plumps the skin and stimulates collagen synthesis. Guys and gals, who doesn't want younger, firmer, healthier cleaner skin that doesn't involve a needle or harsh chemicals?
The entire TEMO line is organic and certified by Ecocert which makes it good for me and the environment. Two things I love and want to keep looking great for years and years to come.
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Visit our Organic Skincare shop and indulge in the entire True Elements Marine Organic Skincare line.
Written by Heather Abbott, mother of 4, graphic designer, yogi and self care advocate.