LN Skincare Q&A
Here are
specific questions regarding what we can use Living Nature
products for such as wrinkles, pores, acne; etc. They
are not regarding specific ingredients such as 'What is in
the vegetable glycerin" or other questions such as that.
Please see our Information Library for those questions.
HOW CAN I
REFINE MY PORES?
Think about using a mixture of Hydrating & Vitalising Toning
Gel plus Clarifying & Hydrating Enzyme Peel every 3 - 4
nights of the week, as a thin layer on the face left
overnight. You should see a difference
HOW DO I
AVOID WRINKLES?
To be honest, no one can. We can treat our skin better
so that we don't get the heavy grooves in our skin, and use
products that fill in the tiny lines we have better to
minimize appearance. Be sure you have lots of
essential fatty acids and drink sufficient amounts of water,
ensuring your skin gets the nutrients it needs, from the
outside and in. You don't have any oil glands around the eye
area which is why wrinkles appear there first. In the day
time use the Firming Flax Cream, that helps support the skin
tissue preventing bagginess and wrinkles. Using products
like Rose Hip around the eye at night provides all the
necessary nutrients and helps it stay soft and supple. Rose
Hip is a plant oil. The more you massage fine oils into the
skin, the more nutrients it has to stay supported and firm
with fewer wrinkles. We have a nice selection of face oils
on our skin oils page.
WHAT
CAUSES ACNE?
Acne occurs when the sebaceous glands - the oil secreting
glands that lubricate the skin - secrete too much sebum, or
oil. Normally, sebum flows from the sebaceous glands to the
surface of the skin. But if dead skin cells accumulate
inside the pores, they can clog the pores and prevent the
normal flow of sebum. As a result, otherwise harmless
bacteria that live beneath the surface of the skin and in
the pores can multiply. This overgrowth of bacteria,
together with the blocked sebum, causes pimples to form. The
skin mirrors internal health, and blemishes or acne can
indicate internal problems. Acne sometimes signals a general
toxic condition within the body. When the kidneys, lungs,
and intestines become overloaded with more wastes than they
can eliminate, the skin may be called upon to filter out
wastes. Other factors can make the skin more prone to
develop pimples such as allergies; diets high in fat,
preservatives, sugar, pesticide and herbicide residues;
dehydration; emotional problems; environmental pollution;
too much exposure to the sun; heredity; hormones; oral
contraceptives; poor hygiene; weakened immunity; and stress.
WHAT CAN I DO
FOR ACNE?
A nutritious diet rich in fresh vegetables and whole grains,
adequate water intake and regular exercise is a good way to
start. But don't forget a good skin care routine. Resist
picking or squeezing blemishes. Cleanse your skin twice a
day. Use a scrub several times a week and spot treat
blemishes with essential oils to help control breakouts. In
addition, apply a facial mask one or more times a week. This
will help minimize oiliness and clear plugged pores.
I BREAK OUT
OFTEN, WHAT PRODUCT WOULD HELP REDUCE IT?
If pimples are present you can still use the Manuka Oil &
Honey Gel as a treatment after cleansing and underneath the
moisturizer. Also available is our Caribbean Tea Tree
Ice, an alternative for those who have troubles with acne
breakout! Deep Cleansing is also important. It helps sloth
off the dead skin that can get trapped from dirt and oil.
Sluggish skin will certainly make acne worse.
HOW DO I
TREAT DILATED CAPILARIES/RED
VEINS?
Living Nature recommends using the Hydrating & Vitalising
Toning Gel because it forms a protective layer of moisture
on the skin, keeping the skin hydrated. The extra layer also
helps the body maintain its temperature more readily so
you're not getting such a dramatic change in temperature on
the surface of the skin. This way the capillaries don't
saffuse with blood and stops the tendency to come to the
surface. The Rich Hydrating Gel Mask is also good as it has
the plant Kopata as an active ingredient, which helps work
on surface capillaries. As a visual effect the Wild Pansy &
Coffee Sunfilter Day Lotion gives a whitening aspect which
helps make the skin look like its got an even colour.
Permanent
treatment needs to be done by a thermologist or an
appearance doctor who will quarterise the pigmentation with
a thermolysis probe. Normally a 15 mins treatment (which is
quite uncomfortable) is not a bad treatment to have as it
permanently reduces the capillaries (redveins, tulantutesia,
spider nevi), depending on the severity. You'd want to
consult your doctor for details.
SHOULD I USE
A SEPARATE MOISTURIZER UNDER MY
SUNFILTER?
The sunscreen works as quite a good moisturizer on its own.
Depending on the oiliness or dryness of your skin though,
some may prefer to have another moisturizer underneath. It's
a matter of preference.
I HAVE
PUFFINESS ABOVE THE EYES. WILL THE
ANTI-WRINKLE GEL TREAT THIS?
Living Nature says the best product around the eye area for
puffiness is the Firming Flax Cream. You can apply this
above and below the eye, but please ensure you do not apply
too closely to the eye. This is because when you blink, the
orbicularis oculi (the muscle surrounding your eyes) creates
a vibration which will draw product up towards the eye.
Having the product too close will draw it into the eye. If
you do get the cream into the eye, remove by rinsing out
with water.
WHAT IS A
SUITABLE NIGHT CREAM FOR OILY
SKIN?
Soothing Evening Primrose & Honey Gel is good used as a
night cream for oily skin, though if you are prone to
pimples we recommend Manuka Oil & Honey Gel.
HOW DO YOU
TREAT SKIN SPOTS CAUSED BY THE SUN?
Living Nature has this advice: You can have dark
pigmentation spots which can be treated at night by leaving
on the Clarifying & Hydrating Honey Enzyme Peel but you can
also have solar keratoses, flaking skin on top of
pigmentation. Usually you only start getting these sorts of
sun spots at around 50 years of age. This type of sun spot
needs to be kept permanently oiled. We recommend Evening
Primrose, Jojoba or Macadamia Oil to be applied constantly
to these areas. Please ensure you always cover them with a
sunblock when venturing outdoors. Some suggest taking
Evening Primrose Oil internally to help reduce your
pigmentation.
I have had some
eczema for quite a while on my hips, my face and my
scalp. It is mildly annoying really because I have never
really been able to find the cause of it, or anything to
treat it with properly. I have had some cream prescribed
from the doctor called Diprolene, but it has not really done
the trick. What can you recommend?
Living Nature has this advice: The first thing that you need
to understand is that you do not have enough Prostaglandin
being produced in your body. This can be caused by not
having enough Essential Fatty Acids in your diet or you have
a blockage in the manufacturing of Prostaglandin from the
essential fatty acids you've eaten. Eczema is normally an
indication of this blockage. The first step you need to take
is internal by taking Evening Primrose Oil. If you have mild
eczema take one teaspoon daily, for severe eczema take two
daily. You need to drink a lot of water, together with an
antioxidant, to ensure you have enough Zinc, Silica and
Selenium. Externally applying the Evening Primrose Oil
directly onto the eczema areas is beneficial. Also apply the
Soothing Evening Primrose & Honey Gel and the Manuka Honey
Hand & Body Cream, which was developed for people with
eczema. You may need to apply all three products to find
what is best suitable for you.
The internal
remedies we recommended may take from two, three, to four
weeks before the eczema condition will start to improve,
depending on your metabolism and the rest of your diet. For
itchy, irritated skin we recommend the Calendula Oil applied
directly. We have an Eczema Relief Pack containing the
listed products above (apart from the Calendula Oil). Also
included is an information sheet on how the body creates
prostaglandin and more facts about eczema.
Regarding the
treatment of cold sores, how often
should you apply the Manuka and Honey Antiseptic Gel to the
sore and how quick will the lip return to normal?
Living Nature has this advice: It depends on the person
whether they get cold sores really quickly and severely or
just the odd one on their lip. I would apply the Manuka Oil
& Honey Gel at least four or five times a day and carry a
little pot around with me, applying as necessary. Some
people also apply the Pure Manuka Oil with great benefits
when they feel a cold sore coming on, applying at the same
rates.
Can you apply the
Deep Cleansing & Vitalising
Clay Friction Peel before removing makeup?
Living Nature has this advice: The peel would remove your
makeup anyway but it would be best to cleanse your face
first. This way you've removed the skin's surface debris and
softened the skin. The friction peel will then work more
effectively.
HOW DO I KNOW
THE PRODUCT WORKS?
Living Nature has written this regarding the question:
There are lots of different ways to test products at various
levels.
- customer testimonials (anecdotal)
- monitored customer trials and case studies
- Laboratory testing of raw materials eg. hydration
- Laboratory testing of finished products.
Testing of Raw Materials
" Example of batch analysis certificate, which confirms
which active ingredients are present.
" Example of hydration test on olive oil extract:
" Example of Rose Otto gas chromatograph. The graph is
basically the signature of an oil. It identifies which
molecules are present so if an oil has been contaminated or
adulterated, it will show on here:
Testing On Finished Products
" Flow Cytometry - leading technology for studying plant and
human cells
Flow cytometry is a unique, experimental cell measurement
technology for analysing and sorting plant and mammalian
cells. It is invaluable, for example, in finding out how
various products will affect human cells.
Some applications:
We are using flow cytometry:
- To study the effects of plant extracts on human cell
lines. With the flow cytometer we can measure DNA damage and
repair, oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential,
intracellular pH and the immune response.
- To measure the efficacy of human health products.
" Example of bacteria/yeast/fungus analysis on finished
product - Rose and herb radiance oil.
ROSE HIP
APPLICATION ON AGED SKIN?
Changes produced on skin by the action of the sun i.e.
photoaging (dermatoheliosis) are very common in all
countries of warm climate.
Exposure to sun causes important morphological changes in
skin.
Dermatoheliosis appears in different ways and varying
intensity ranging from surface wrinkles, active keratosis
and variation in the distribution in the melanin granules.
For this test volunteers were selected among people who
usually spend the 3 months of summer in resorts by the sea
or who go to the beach every day. The tests were carried out
of 20 women aged between 25 and 35 who were controlled and
assessed during the summer of 1988. The most noted cancerous
sign were surface wrinkles, brown spots, eyelids and in some
cases only an intense tan. Applied All rosehip oil on the
face during four months (May to August, Autumn 1988.)
Observations
were made every eight days. Significant changes were noted
starting on the third week. Firstly, surface wrinkles
started to disappear, spots started to fade until at the end
of the fourth month the disappearance was complete. Skin
presented a smooth and fresh aspect and the spots had almost
disappeared.
ROSE HIP
APPLICATION ON SURGICAL SCARS?
For this test Living Nature used scars that had equal
features. Ten women, aged between 45 and 68 were selected
who had suffered unilateral or bilateral mastectomy. After
washing the area with tepid water and soap and careful
drying, the oil was applied by soft massage.
After three months of applying twice daily (morning and
evening) it was noted that the scars were less apparent,
without lumps and that skin elasticity had improved and the
colour of the area had improved significantly. They carried
out these observations until four the treating doctors
indicated that the skin conditions were improving
considerably allowing implantation of prosthesis or plastic
surgery in far better conditions than with patients who had
not been treated.
NOTE: Living Nature has heard reports of Rosehip oil being
slightly photo toxic. While this has not yet been proved, we
do not recommend the use of Rosehip oil during the day.
ROSE HIP OIL AND ITS SKIN CARE
PROPERTIES?
Several teams of plastic surgeons are presently using Rose
Hip Oil to complement the treatment of scars. The oil of
Rose Hip seeds (Rosa Rubiginosa Aff. originally known as
Rosa Eglanteria) has helped in the recovery of thousands of
people who have suffered burns. Dr Leonardo Rusowsky,
surgeon at Enrique Deformes hospital in Santiago, Chile, is
acting president of the Corporation For Aid to Burnt
Children which is home based at the said hospital. Dr
Rusowsky believes that Rose Hip Oil is and important
complement to treating burns ands scars.
Research with Rose Hip Oil is currently being carried out at
the Enrique Deformes hospital Rose Hip Oil is being applied
to burnt children in the way of compresses and massotherapy
(massages carried out by kinesiologists to loosen up scars).
Dr Rusowsky says that while it will not be possible to
obtain scientific conclusions before one year, it is
possible to state the following:
1. Rose Hip Oil improves the texture and quality of skin by
increasing its elasticity.
2. Rose Hip Oil helps people who have suffered burns. Its
effect more than to flatten out hypertophic and hyperplasic
scars (raised and bulky scars), is to improve the colour of
the scars and of the scars and of the skin in the affected
area.
Researchers in Chile have found a natural oil that provides
beneficial effects to skin. It is the oil extracted from the
seeds of a rose bush that grows wild in the south of Chile,
a cool and very rainy mountain region. The oil pressed off
the Rosehip seed contains an amazing 77% of fatty acids (linoleic
and linolenic). Fatty acids have very important functions in
the regeneration of skin cells and repairing of damaged
tissue.
Over the years Rose Hip Oil has been shown to retard the
signs of premature ageing and provide excellent results in
the treatment of burns, scars and unsightly spots on skin.
If applied consistently during two or three months Rose Hip
Oil was found to:
1. Reduce wrinkles and signs of premature ageing. It will
also help counter the drying effects of the sun which are
usually first noticed in fine wrinkles or 'crows feet'
around the eyes and mouth.
2. Attenuate scars (surgical and accidental) and improves
the colour of same (i.e. reduces the redness or
hyperpigmentation). It also avoids the formation of the
keloid type of scar (lump) which may appear after surgical
procedures.
3. Provides excellent results in treatment of skin that has
been burnt or exposed to radiotherapy.
Rose Hip Oil is massaged into the affected area with
fingertips and completely absorbed. It is supplied 100%
pure, has no added chemicals and involves no testing on
animals.
ROSE HIP OIL
ASSISTS MEDICAL TREATMENT?
Doctor Hans Harbst, surgeon and radiotherapist presently
practising in Chile, graduated in radio oncology, radiology
and nuclear medicine at the Nuclear Research Institute of
the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Dr Harbsr heads the
Department of Radio oncology of the Indian clinic of
Santiago and is also the head of the Department of Radiology
of the Chilean Air Force Hospital in Santiago.
Dr Harbst has extensive experience in the application of
Rose Hip Oil for healing skin alterations, especially
secondary dermatitis, which takes place as a result of
radiotherapy.
Dr Harbst explains about the use of products containing Rose
Hip Oil "As a radiotherapist I work with several patients
that have been operated upon and , there fore, have scars.
Also, the radiation to which they are exposed may produce
secondary effects on the skin such as inflammations,
darkening and actinic dermatitis. These effects are in most
cases unavoidable because in the same way that a surgeon
leaves a scar when he or she operates, a radiotherapist
leaves a mark on the radiated areas, which are not injuries
as such but skin reaction. This means a problem for the
patient, especially when he or she are left with marks in
areas exposed to view like the face, head or neck. "I have
applied Rose hip Oil on all types of skin. Rose Hip Oil acts
on scars reducing hyperpigmentation, flattening hypertrophia
(bulky scars) and loosening up fibrous chords. All these
effects end up in a near complete attenuation of scars.
DOES EATING
CHOCOLATE OR JUNK FOODS CAUSE ACNE
OR MAKE IT WORSE?
According to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, a noteworthy doctor with
Parade magazine, acne is a hormonal problem. No food,
including chocolate, can cause it. But because your
mother warned you to keep away from chocolate back when you
were a pimply teenager, you reflexively continue to pass
that same advice along to your children.
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