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Category Archives: Skin Care

What Organic Products Can Do for Your Skin

   Skin Care  Nov 20, 2022  Comments Off on What Organic Products Can Do for Your Skin
What Organic Products Can Do for Your Skin

These days, the term “organic” is used a lot when talking about skincare products.

Don’t be misled by labels and claims. While some skincare products claim to be “natural” or “non-toxic,” they aren’t organic.

Find out what organic really means and what organic products can do for your skin.

Organic Defined

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for a skincare product to be labeled with an organic seal, it must contain at least 95% organic ingredients.

Organic ingredients are defined as those organically farm-grown, adhering to agricultural practices promoting:

  • Ecological balance (biodiversity)
  • Maintenance of soil, air and water quality
  • Elimination of synthetic substances or chemicals, including fertilizers or pesticides

Organic products must also promote sustainability and resource cycling.

Organic products not only use environmentally friendly farming processes but natural ingredients which may include resins, essential oils and especially plant-based derivatives like plant oils or extracts (e.g., aloe).

Vague product labels such as “all natural,” “non-toxic,” or “clean” don’t guarantee that eco-friendly processes are used to create the products. There’s the possibility that the products were produced using chemical pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or non-sustainable packaging.

Other synthetic substances used in the production of skincare products may include:

  • GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) such as antibiotics or growth hormones
  • Sulfates
  • Parabens

Organic ingredients eliminate the worry about toxic synthetics which may alter hormones and increase certain cancer risks. Always read product labels carefully.

Skincare Benefits of Organic Products

Organic products may not always out-perform chemically produced counterparts in the short-term, but they perform every bit as well and, in most cases, are far less harsh on your skin for long-term results.

Organic Skincare Benefits:

Non-Allergenic

Unless allergic to a specific ingredient, organic products produce less skin irritations such as rashes, breakouts, inflammation, and other skin irritations.

Antioxidants

Organic products are free from toxic chemicals and also contain crazy high levels of antioxidants and vitamins.

Skin loving vitamins such as A, C and E are known to heal and restore skin to reduce scarring, balance an uneven skin tone, clear blemishes, and calm inflammation.

Healthier Ingredients

Since organic products must contain 95% active ingredients, they give you more active ingredients powerfully working to refresh your skin.

Feeding skin antioxidant-rich nutrients such as sweet almond oil, aloe and honey naturally soothe and nourish for the long haul.

The effects of organic products over time give you smoother, clearer, firmer, and hydrated skin.

Exfoliating with organic products or treating yourself to a professional facial strips away the dead skin cells at the surface level allowing organic serums and creams the ability to penetrate into deeper layers of the skin.

More Benefits of Choosing Organic Skincare

U.S. Government Regulated

Regulated by the USDA and Federal Drug Administration (FDA) when the product makes claims to reduce lines, wrinkles or increase collagen production. Manufacturers of organic products must adhere to government regulations for labeling and product claims.

Supports Biodiversity

Biodiversity is important because it considers the health and well-being of all living organisms on the planet. This includes everything from soil bacteria to animals and plants. Every effort is made for minimal disruption to the delicate balance of the eco-cycle.

Biodegradable

Packaging made from eco-friendly materials breaks down and doesn’t accumulate in landfills or produce excessive waste.

Cruelty free

Discourages product testing on animals.

Wrap Up

When it comes to skincare, it’s important to do your research in order to make smart, healthy choices for both you and the environment.

When looking for high quality organic skincare sourced and administered by professionals, look no further than Laura Skincare. Let our experts answer your questions about the organic products we use to give you the best, healthiest skin possible.

November 7th is National Retinol Day

   Skin Care  Nov 07, 2022  Comments Off on November 7th is National Retinol Day
November 7th is National Retinol Day

Join us in celebrating National Retinol Day!

In the spirit of celebrating the benefits of retinol on November 7th, let’s take a look at why it’s one of the most powerful and dermatologist recommended skincare products today.

What Retinol Is

Retinol is a retinoid, or in other words, a topical derivative of vitamin A.

Vitamin A delivers an antioxidant-packed punch when it comes to promoting healthy cell development and encouraging faster cell turnover.

Vitamin A also stimulates fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen in the dermis layer of your skin.

Vitamin A also supports a healthy immune system.

What Retinol Does

Hands down, retinol is one of the most tested and recommended ingredients in effective skincare products.

Here are some of the amazing benefits of using retinol on your skin:

  • Boosts cell turnover and the skin renewal process resulting in brighter, smoother skin
  • Diminishes signs of aging including lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin
  • Combats hyperpigmentation, giving you a more even skin tone
  • Improves skin texture
  • Stabilizes oil production which helps to control breakouts and acne
  • Promotes the production of collagen and elastin, the two key components of youthful, firm skin
  • Expedites healing of skin conditions or inflammation
  • Naturally moisturizes skin, keeping it plumper and more hydrated
  • Works on the dermis and epidermis, or top two layers of skin, to combat signs of aging and acne

Retinol Cautions

Because higher concentrations of retinol are very strong, skin may become irritated, inflamed or extremely dry and flaky.

Using a lower concentration of retinol, such as .05 percent, is a good starting point for most skin types and sensitivity levels.

For the first couple of weeks, use only a small, pea-size amount of retinol no more than three times per week. You need to find out how your skin reacts to and tolerates retinol.

After a couple of weeks, you can increase the number of nightly applications to every other night. If you have no adverse reactions, you can apply retinol every night if tolerated.

Don’t use other acids or acne treatments on the nights you use retinol.

To reduce potential irritation, apply a thin layer of moisturizer before the retinol, then another thin layer of moisturizer after retinol application.

Retinol should be used primarily at night because it makes your skin highly sensitive to UV sunlight. Use extra sunscreen if exposed to sunlight after applying retinol.

Retinol Alternatives

If your skin cannot tolerate retinol, try bakuchiol.

Bakuchiol is a gentle, plant-based alternative. Bakuchiol not only works well, but also keeps your skin well hydrated.

Wrap Up

Retinol is one of the few scientifically proven, tried and true skincare products that helps you keep that firm, fresh and young-looking skin.

Celebrate National Retinol Day by scheduling a beauty treatment or luxurious facial with the retinol and skincare experts at Laura Skincare in Petaluma.

The Psychological Benefits of Skin Care

   Skin Care  Oct 06, 2022  Comments Off on The Psychological Benefits of Skin Care
The Psychological Benefits of Skin Care

There have been numerous articles written on the benefits of a good skincare routine. Most of these focus on the benefits of having a perfectly hydrated dermis, or what the benefits are for the rest of your day for having a morning routine. Much of the information that’s published is focused on individual products.

There has also been quite a bit of industry-funded research that attempts to show, scientifically, that those individual skin care products do in fact work. Much of this is just overhyped paid advertising spots disguised as academic insight. There is an interesting way to think about skincare from psychology though.

One line of thinking focuses on the psychology of a skincare routine as part of the identity of a person. Like any other ritual a person might be involved in, a skincare routine has benefits far above and beyond those that are tangible, like reduced depth and frequency of wrinkles. Instead, intangible benefits include the warm and fuzzy feeling a person gets from feeling their best. There is something to be said about the benefits something gives us in the form of self-image and confidence.

In this context, a skincare routine has value and benefits by virtue of its very existence. Ancient Greek philosophers argued that those things providing us happiness are also those things worthy of pursuit. If those things that bring us happiness in this sense are good things worthy of pursuit, a skincare routine is easy to validate and justify, morally speaking. At least from the perspective of Greek philosophy.

But the broader message here isn’t that an appointment with Laura Skin Care will have psychological or philosophical value above and beyond the personal care and attention (of course they do), but that as people we all can find value in things that make us feel better about ourselves. From this perspective, a skincare routine has an obvious and clear psychological benefit: it provides a level of confidence we wouldn’t have otherwise.

Ultimately this is just a long-winded way to say that it’s important for us all to take some time for self-care. We like to look at our work as helping people take time for self-care. Donate to your psychological well-being today and schedule a visit with Laura Skin Care at 707-295-8905.