kalaya cares

The sun is one of the most damaging environmental factors. While healthy in small doses, by aiding the body in naturally producing Vitamin D which supports calcium absorption to form and maintain strong bones, too much exposure can have permanent negative impact on the human body. Premature aging, skin discolouration and melanoma are just some of the complications associated with excessive sun exposure.

It’s common knowledge that sun protection in the form of sunscreen is a necessity; however, it’s also a common misconception that the need for sunscreen is limited to those who are spending large amounts of time in the sun. In fact, sun damage occurs every day even with the smallest amount of exposure. It’s important to apply sunscreen on a daily basis, all year round. In particular, to those area’s like the face, neck and hands, which are more likely to be exposed to the sun-no matter the season.

The question is: what level of SPF is adequate to protect the skin from sun damage? SPFs range from a level of 2 – 70, with 15 being the minimum recommended level. There is scepticism from certain industry professionals as to whether an SPF of 70 offers any more benefit than an SPF of 45. The general consensus, however, is that sun protection of SPF 30 – 45 is sufficient daily protection. Because sunscreen provides a surface barrier against UVA/UVB rays, it is necessary to reapply after swimming or perspiring heavily.

There are many creams available that offer added SPF, which provides an easy way to incorporate sun protection into your daily skin care routine; however it is recommended that a ‘stand alone’ SPF is more effective due to the fact that it isn’t diluted by other ingredients. New advancements in SPF formulation offer products that are non-greasy, oil free, fragrance free, and dry touch. This means that in terms of anti aging and visible age prevention, you can now use stand alone SPF’s prior to a day cream and even make-up application. This has been one of the last barriers in terms of SPF formulations for woman, a stand alone, effective SPF that can be used not only as a barrier to harmful UVA/UVB rays, but also as an everyday integral part of a cosmetic routine. As well-always look for “paraben free” formulations....

From a cosmetic perspective, by maximizing your sun protection, your skin will stay softer and younger for longer. Sun exposure is something we’re faced with every single day, and is essential to staying active and healthy. Applying sun protection is your best defence in keeping you and your family safe and looking great.

We all age...that is an unfortunate fact of life, and there’s nothing we can do to prevent it.  But is there a way to affect how we grow older? The answer is YES! There is a top secret method available to eliminate the common effects of aging on our skin: PREVENTION.

First, let’s examine why our skin ages. It all has to do with destructive, unbalanced molecules known as “Free Radicals”. Free radicals are oxygen molecules located in our bodies that have unpaired electrons, due to metabolic processes, pollution, sun exposure or smoking, thus rendering them unbalanced. To rebalance themselves, they steal electrons from other molecules, creating more free radicals. This process over time can cause damage to DNA and protein cross-linking, factors which can lead to accelerated skin aging.

The key to slowing down the aging process is to protect your skin from free radicals with anti oxidants. Anti oxidants soak up free radicals like sponges, and can be attained through consuming plants, supplements and using anti oxidant creams. Your body is in a constant state of either repair or renewal; every night as you sleep your cells either repair the daily oxidative damage or renew into more youthful skin. The renewal process, however, cannot happen if the cells continuously need to repair. Anti oxidants protect the cells, thus eliminating the daily state of repair, and allowing the cells to continue into the state of renewal, which ultimately creates younger looking skin.

In your anti aging products, look for anti oxidant ingredients like EUK 134. This is one of the best, proven Nature Mimetic Free Radical Scavenger ingredients available. AND...it works with your body’s own natural chemistry!

From the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we go to bed, our skin is literally bombarded with damaging elements that dry it out. From the indoor heating and cooling systems in our houses to airborne pollution and harsh weather conditions, our skin is in constant need of repair, rejuvenation and renewal. Unprotected, the skin may dry out, become irritated and even age prematurely.

Typically, we pay close attention to the protection qualities of our facial creams, to ward off age related issues such as fine lines and wrinkles, yet neglect to pay that same attention to our body lotions. The skin covering the rest of our body is also in desperate need of protection. Creams and lotions are a necessity in providing that required all over body protection, but for complete satisfaction you will need more than your average moisturizer.  For maximum benefit, seek out products that contain the following 4 types of ingredients:

Occlusive:

Provide a protective barrier on the skin’s surface that prevents moisture loss when skin is exposed to wind or dry air.

Natural Occlusives:

·         Safflower oil

Humectant:

Attract water into the skin cells, causing the surface of the skin to expand, temporarily creating the appearance of less wrinkles and smoother skin.

Natural Humectants:

·         Glycerine

Emollient:

Fill the spaces between rough skin cells, smoothing the surface of the skin.

Natural Emollients:

·         Sea buckthorn Oil

·         Emu Oil

Anti Oxidant:

Reduce oxidative damage caused by free radicals

Natural Anti Oxidants:

·         Argan Oil

Body lotions containing these ingredients, in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle, will promote an increase in the skin’s softness, elasticity and hydration, making it seem brighter, firmer and more radiant.  

We as consumers have a tendency of placing a great deal of faith in the brands we use in our daily lives. From the food we eat to the cars we drive to the solutions we clean our homes with, we have our favourite, most trusted products that we turn to. But what makes us choose one brand over another? Is it because we saw that certain brand on television? Read about it online? Seen it advertised in stores? Was referred to by a close friend? Usually it’s one or all of the above.

As a naturally curious species, if we continually see and hear about something, namely a brand, or see and hear about other people using that brand, we are often inclined to investigate and try for ourselves. If that certain brand meets or exceeds our expectations, we usually will seek out that brand again, and so a certain trust is formed. The majority of consumers, however, never take the added step of fully understanding exactly what these products are made of, to see if they are safe for themselves or their family.

This also goes for our skin care brands. Products that we physically expose ourselves to on a daily basis to preserve the health and vitality of our skin can actually contain harsh ingredients that pose serious health concerns. Here is a shortlist of 5 potentially dangerous ingredients inside certain skin care products that you may find in your medicine cabinet:

1    Methylparabens – preservative; often found in skin care creams, shampoos, and other personal care products. 
Possible Threats:

·   Cancer – in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results (RTECS^®- Mutation Research 1979)

·   Non-reproductive organ system toxicity – within the cardiovascular, stomach, digestive and respiratory systems (EU Banned and Restricted Fragrances)

·   Allergies or immunotoxicity – causing adverse effects on the functioning of the immune system (Nagel JE, Fuscaldo JT, Fireman P, 1977)

·   Strong supporting evidence of endocrine disruption. The endocrine is a system of glands that secrete hormones, acting as an information signal system much like the nervous system (European Commission on Endocrine Disruption)

2  Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate – absorbent, anti-caking agent, viscosity control; often found in shampoos, skin care creams, sunscreens.
Possible Threats:

·   Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity, altering the normal activity of the nervous system (Chemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans)

·   Contamination concerns – lead, arsenic

·   Potential reproductive toxicity (Chemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans)

3  Triclosan – Cosmetic Biocide, Deodorant Agent, Preservative; often found in cosmetics/makeup, skin care creams & deodorants.
Possible Threats:

·    Expected to be toxic to certain non-reproductive organ systems (Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List)

·   Potential endocrine disruption at low doses (Veldhoen N, Skirrow RC, Osachoff H, Wigmore H, Clapson DJ, Gunderson MP, Van Aggelen G, Helbing CC, 2006)

·   Classified as an irritant (European Union – Classification & Labelling)

4   PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid) – Sunscreen Agent, UV Absorber, UV Filter; often found in shampoos, body washes and moisturizing creams.
Possible Threats:

·   Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signalling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease (Allen 1996)

5   Silica (aerosol form) – Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying Agent, Suspending Agent, Non-surfactant; often found in sunscreens, bath oils, moisturizing cream & other personal care product.
Possible Threats:

·   Strong evidence that it’s linked to cancer (Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens)

·   Strong evidence – human immune system toxicant (CHE toxicant and disease database)

·   Known human respiratory toxicant (CHE toxicant and disease database)

·   Known human musculoskeletal toxicant (CHE toxicant and disease database)

Now, should you find any of these chemicals in your skin care products ingredients lists, don’t panic! Certain chemicals are safe to use in very low doses. But it is important to be aware of what exactly makes up our creams and potions, because despite a product’s effectiveness in diminishing those fine lines and wrinkles, or hydrating that dry skin, it may not be conducive to our overall health and well being. There are ingredients available to manufacturers that may cost more, but can achieve the same results in a safe way.

Knowledge is power. Education is the key.

Keep your family safe from those unknown harmful chemicals through knowledge and education. For more information on skin care ingredients visit http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/.