Organic and Gluten Free Beauty Products

Article by Bee Lindquist

Photo Courtesy of http://gladysspeaks.blogspot.com/

What is the meaning of Organic and Gluten Free beauty products? Often times we can get confused by labels. It seems as if everything today is labeled Organic or Natural. The other confusing name is “Gluten Free”? What do these labels mean and do I need to worry about them in my beauty products?
Let’s take these items one at a time.

OrganicAccording to the Organic Trade Association “Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.”Organic hair products are composed without any kind of integration. All these products are made without pesticides, chemical compounds, fertilizers, synthetic preservatives, fungicides, colors and things consisting of irradiated products. So there is no chance of any side effects from use of such products

Organic products can do wonders to your hair because they provide the necessary nutrients to the hair. As these products are free from any kind of superficial preservatives these are valuable for your hair and they also do not have any kind of side effects. Many conventional hair dye formulas contain chemicals like ammonia, which irritates the skin and lungs, and p-Phenylenediamine (PPD).

There are a number of high quality products on the market that you can find at your organic hair salon. Many of these brands aren’t only organic, but they are vegan friendly as well. This means no animals were tested or used in any way when it comes to the products themselves. The Beauty Studio carries several organic brands including Onesta, which is a part of the “sustainable manufacturing” movement. We also carry the Davines line of hair products which uses “green” containers, meaning they are fully recyclable.
Another item you might want to consider is whether the salon you are patronizing provides gluten free products. There seems to be an ever increasing population with gluten sensitivities. Your skin and hair absorb the products introduced to them which could be a problem for those with sensitivities.









Gluten FreeThe FDA does not have a clear definition of Gluten Free yet but the FDA proposes to define the term "gluten-free" to mean that a product bearing this claim in its labeling does not contain any one of the following:
An ingredient that is a prohibited grain
An ingredient that is derived from a prohibited grain and that has not been processed to remove gluten
An ingredient that is derived from a prohibited grain and that has been processed to remove gluten, if the use of that ingredient results in the presence of 20 parts per million (ppm) or more gluten in the food or
20 ppm or more gluten According to Dr. Kenneth Fine, M.D. of EnteroLab.com, Gluten sensitivity is a systemic immune reaction to gluten anywhere in the body, not just that entering the body via the gut. Therefore, topically applied lotions, creams, shampoos, etc. containing gluten would indeed provide a source of gluten to the body, and we therefore recommend all such products be discontinued for optimal health
Since the cosmetic industry is self-regulated, it is more important than ever to carefully read labels, and use natural or organic products whenever possible. If you find yourself reacting to a cosmetic, it is possible that you may have an increased sensitivity to gluten, an allergy, or even Dermatitis Herpetiformis
The Beauty Studio carries Glo-Minerals which is not only organic but Gluten Free as well as the Eminence product line which is from Hungary.
The Beauty Studio is concerned about what is applied to your skin and hair as well as what goes into the environment. So if you have chemical or gluten sensitivities or if you just want to do your part to help the environment we can assist you in finding a product and a treatment. There really is no need for you to have to sacrifice quality and service just because you want to be able to do your part in helping the world and to the things that live within it.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes!

By Bee Lindquist:

Photo courtesy of http://farm4.static.flickr.com/

We love our shoes and as such we want them to look fantastic forever. Years ago there was a saying if you want to know a man’s status look at the condition of his shoes. I believe that still holds true today. Your hair maybe perfectly coifed and your outfit may look like a million dollars but if your shoes are beat-up and dirty you will too.

Picture Courtesy of http://www.lifein2suitcases.com/

Here are some simple tips to keeping even that $9.99 flip flops looking fantastic

• Neaten up the frayed ends of shoelaces (and make it easier to lace them) by dipping them in clear nail polish.
• Store shoes that aren’t worn often by stuffing the toe box with tissue paper and place in a pillow case as a shoe cover.
• Remove scuff marks on shoes by rubbing with a baking-soda paste.
• Use petroleum jelly to shine leather shoes. Apply with a soft cloth, wipe off the excess, and buff with a clean cloth.
• You should keep waterproofing solution on hand for your new shoes, to be applied before exposing them to the elements.
• Use a light coating of spray starch or Scotch Guard on new fabric tennis shoes before wearing them -- dirt can't become embedded in the canvas, and the shoes will always be easy to clean.
• Clean the rubber on athletic shoes with baking soda sprinkled on a sponge or washcloth.
• Use lemon juice to clean and shine black or tan leathers. Apply with a soft cloth. 
• Clean the salt residue common on winter boots with a cloth dipped in a solution of 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon vinegar. This will work on leather and vinyl.
• Use a soft cloth dipped in vinegar to shine a pair of patent-leather shoes or any patent-leather item.
• Shoes that are starting to smell can be helped by sprinkling with a little salt. Let sit overnight. The salt will help control moisture, which contributes to odors.
• Put shoes in freezer to kill the odor causing bacteria.
• Keep odor at bay by sprinkling baking soda into shoes to control odor and moisture.
• Cobblers may strenghten the soles of more delicate dress shoes with a specially cut half-sole of leather or thin plastic. These extra layers for the bottom of the shoe provide extra traction and extend the life of the shoe. You can also have the Cobbler replace zippers, buttons, clasps and straps on pumps, along with replacing or shortening the heels and replacing the heel tips.

Remember­ Bill Connelly said “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares?... He's a mile away and you've got his shoes.”

Vitamin Sun



Picture Courtesy of pictureshunt.com

 By Bee Lindquist

Lately there has been a lot of hub-bub in the news regarding Vitamin D. Remember in elementary school when you learned the major food groups and what their benefits were? We learned that Vitamin D was key to absorbing calcium and therefore was added to to the milk we buy at the local supermarket. But what is it really and what are the benefits but more importantly are we getting enough?

 It is crucial for the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous, which have various functions, especially the maintenance of healthy bones. It is an immune system regulator.

It may be an important way to boost the immune system against disorders like the common cold, say scientists from the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Children's Hospital Boston.

It may reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is much less common the nearer you get to the tropics, where there is much more sunlight, according to Dennis Bourdette, chairman of the Department of Neurology and director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center at Oregon Health and Science University, USA.
Vitamin D may have a key role in helping the brain to keep working well in later life, according to a study of 3000 European men between the ages of 40 and 79.
Vitamin D is probably linked to maintaining a healthy body weight, according to research carried out at the Medical College of Georgia, USA.
It can reduce the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms, and also the likelihood of hospitalizations due to asthma, researchers from Harvard Medical School found after monitoring 616 children in Costa Rica.
It has been shown to reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women.

Various studies have shown that people with adequate levels of vitamin D have a significantly lower risk of developing cancer, compared to people with lower levels. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be prevalent in cancer patients regardless of nutritional status, in a study carried out by Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, which results in muscular weakness in addition to weak bones. Populations who may be at a high risk for vitamin D deficiencies include the elderly, obese individuals, exclusively breastfed infants, and those who have limited sun exposure. Also, individuals who have fat malabsorption syndromes (e.g., cystic fibrosis) or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease) are at risk.

It is easy to determine if you are getting enough Vitamin D. Next time you have your regular check up ask if they can include it on your Complete Blood Count Test. They will determine if you are lacking in Vitamin D. Talk to your physician about adding a Vitamin D supplement to your routine. While Multi-Vitamins are good they often do not contain enough of the recommended daily dosage to make a difference in your Vitamin D absorption. Make sure when purchasing any supplement that you read the label to make sure it does not interact with medications already prescribed and only buy tested products.

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids (A secosteroid is a molecule similar to a steroid but with a "broken" ring). In humans Vitamin D is unique both because it functions as a prohormone and because when sun exposure is adequate the body can synthesize it (as Vitamin D₃). While we are all very conscious about the amount of sun we are exposed to because of cancer risk, it is important to get at least 15 minutes of sun light per day in order to synthesize Vitamin D.

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.

Data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), USA found that 9% (7.6 million) of children across the USA, was vitamin D deficient (defined as less than 15 ng/mL of blood), while another 61 percent, or 50.8 million, was vitamin D insufficient (15 to 29 ng/mL).
The other benefits of Vitamin D according to the Mayo Clinic are:

Vino-Therapy

Sipping a glass of wine is one of life's most relaxing rituals. Associated with leisure and pleasure, vino-therapy now claims a wide range of proven health and beauty benefits.

Vino-Therapy, the use of wine and grapes in ritual skin and healthcare, dates back to the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome and the Middle East. Early healers and philosophers recognized that drinking wine was not only pleasurable but also healthful in moderation. They explored its topical uses as well. Hippocrates prescribed wine to disinfect wounds and purge fevers and folk healers of Europe were credited with having cured epidermal diseases with an ointment made from grapevine sap. Today's wellness-oriented guests turn to spas for vino-therapeutic treatments to improve their skin and for the sensation of relaxation and escape.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.dphclub.com/

Joseph Vercauteren, Ph.D., a professor at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Bordeaux, discovered that the grape seeds are rich in polyphenols, which have positive effects on human skin. Polyphenols are stronger and more effective than Vitamin E. They reduce exposure to environment stressors that are responsible for wrinkles and skin aging. They can improve circulation by strengthening blood vessels. They also have anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. This polyphenols found in red wine acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Eminence Organic Skin Care recently began utilizing Tokay, a sweet Hungarian wine, rich in antioxidants and nutrients in its products. Its components are effective in contracting hyper-pigmentation and improving skin texture. When applied topically and given ample time to settle into the skin, as afforded by a mask, compounds in wine will reduce signs of aging and refine the dermis, restoring vitality. Key ingredients include antioxidant-rich grape seed, polyphenols, anti-aging and firming resveratrol from the stalks, brightening viniferine from the sap, hydrating vinolevure from the walls of wine yeast, and a naturally exfoliating grape acid.

Temecula Wine Country attracts visitors from all over the world and The Beauty Studio welcomes guests who wish to relax after a day of vineyard touring and tasting. Agnes Freeman, our Skin Care Professional, has created a 60 minute treatment. It begins with a tasting, your choice of white or red wine. For the skin, she mixes raw honey, cinnamon and grape seeds, and soaks the client in red wine to dissolve unwanted skin cells. A Tokay Hungarian wine mask, with essential oils, is freshly prepared for each client's skin and warmed before application. This is thoroughly massaged into the skin, creating a feast for the senses. Her creation is anti-aging magic that promotes relaxation and rejuvenation.