Why Organic Skin care and how can it benefit the skin?
By guest writer Kristen Leigh, Aesthetics and Cosmetology

With " Organic" being a trending word, often times we get confused on what does Organic actually mean.

If I buy Organic Skin Care, how do I know if the products are Organic and why would it be better for my skin? These are great questions that come up often. Let us talk about Organic for your skin and how to know what you are buying is really Organic.

Growing up in a small town, my family was fortunate enough to grow many of the wonderful vegetables and fruits we loved. This truly is a great thing to have access to fresh, whole food. Now a days, farming has changed so it is no surprise that you hear about Organic Farming more and more due to the growing amount of pesticides and synthetic seeds that have made their way into our food source.

In simple terms, Organic means grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. With the Genetically Modified Seeds being a controversial issue many are also looking for the NON GMO certified label as their are currently no requirements for food to state if they were grown from GMO seeds. For skin care products the ingredients should show they are grown from Organic and Biodynamic Farms and the best way to ensure your products are Organic it is best to look for certifications such as USDA Organic, NON GMO verified, Demeter and Biokontroll.

When using Organic Skin care, it is similar to that of eating healthy Organic foods, the high content of nutrients, minerals, enzymes and fatty acids help to correct skin conditions while promoting overall skin health. With no water added to the products, you are able to gain quicker results with instant skin recognition of the vitamins from organic all grown plants and herbs. All Organic skin care should be free of chemicals, parabens, Phthalates, SLS, Propelyne Glycol and never tested on Animals.

With skin care products not being regulated by the FDA , the consumer must be their own advocate in choosing healthy skin care and cosmetics. I believe in avoiding harsh chemicals & synthetics that are not beneficial to the skin while also being toxic to our body and endocrine system. When treating skin conditions with Organic based skin care products you are not only correcting skin ailments, you will be preventing aging and onset of further conditions. Correction is not enough when you are trying to improve skin issues as you must also be targeting the root cause.

Stay tuned in our next blog for more information on specific Organic Ingredients and how they relate to certain skin conditions. One of my favorite ingredients to use in my skin care practice is topical Probiotic Care for protecting the skin barrier, acne correction and calming inflammation.

Detox Bath Recipes

Nothing is more relaxing than a warm bath… except perhaps a relaxing warm detox bath that also helps cleanse the body. Some of you may already have the epsom salt bath recipe from me that one of my patients shared with me but here are two other ones I would like to share with you as well! These detox baths will help remove toxins from the body and they also tend to make you tired so I suggest doing them before bed!

If you are detoxing, have a weak immune system or have skin issues these natural recipes are a simple and easy way to boost health! I’m always up for a warm bath, and these natural add-ons help improve health while you relax!

Before starting any bath dry brushing is recommended for it will help stimulate the lymphatic system and open up the pores for a deeper detox.

DEAD SEA SALT BATH

Dead Sea salt is rich in magnesium, bromide, sulfur, zinc, and sodium, which, when absorbed, all reap many health and beauty benefits.  While both magnesium and sulfur can be poorly absorbed through the stomach, studies show increased magnesium levels from soaking in a bath enriched with Dead Sea salt! Magnesium and sulfur are both easily absorbed through the skin. Sulfur plays an important role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. They stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help detoxify the body of medicines and environmental toxins and is great as an after-workout treat for it helps with sore muscles.

Directions:

Warm to hot bath (the hotter the water, the more intense the detox)
3-4 cups Dead Sea Salt
1 cup baking soda
Then pour 32 oz Hydrogen Peroxide right as you get into the water
Soak for about 20-30 minutes. Ideal to do at night, but any time of day will work!

You can also put grated fresh ginger (wrapped in cheese cloth or old nylon stocking) into the bath so it warms the skin and opens the pores for more oxygen to get into the system.


APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (ACV) BATH

This bath is a great overall detoxifier. It is also the best detox bath choice for those with candida issues that affect the skin as it returns the skin to an optimal, slightly acidic ph which is a difficult environment for candida to thrive. An ACV bath also draws excess uric acid out of the body. Uric acid is created when the body breaks down substances called purines in certain foods and drinks. Most uric acid is eliminated via the kidneys in the urine, but some folks such as those with gout can have issues with excess levels. An ACV cleansing bath can provide welcome relief for those with joint problems, arthritis, gout, bursitis, or tendonitis. It also is very helpful for those with excessive body odor problems.

Add 2 cups of pure apple cider vinegar (ACV) to a regular sized tub of water as hot as tolerated. Stay in the bath until the water has cooled which will be about 45 minutes. Towel dry and don’t shower for at least 8 hours.


CLAY DETOX BATH

This bath is great for removing a lot of toxins as the clay binds to heavy metals and the epsom salts help pull a variety of toxins from the body while replenishing magnesium levels.

1/2 cup bentonite clay
1/2 cup epsom salts
essential oils if desired

Dissolve the epsom salts in a warm/hot bath and add essential oils if desired. For the clay there are two options:

1) Vigorously mix the clay in to a small amount of water until the clumps are mostly dissolved. Do not use metal for this! I mix with a wooden spoon in a glass jar. Add the clay mix to the bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.

2) Mix that clay with a small amount of water to make a paste. Stand in the tub full of water and rub the clay mix all over your body to create a skin mask and let dry for 5 minutes before sitting down. This provides direct contact with the skin and effectively pulls toxins from the skin. Soak in bath at least 20 minutes or as long as desired. While soaking, use a wash cloth to scrub any remaining clay off the skin.