Turkey Day Foods Your Skin Is Thankful For

Once again, it’s the time of year when we sit down to a meal with family and friends to celebrate the things for which we’re thankful. As you make your shopping list for Thanksgiving goodies, consider this: many of the foods you love on Turkey Day are just as good for your skin as they are for your belly!

Cranberry. Whether your taste buds prefer your turkey with cranberry or without, your skin can’t get enough of them—they’re a great source of antioxidants, which can prevent redness and inflammation, and slow the signs of aging. The powerful berry is a favorite in natural skin care, from Pangea’s Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean and Cranberry Facial Scrub, which also has rosemary frankincense, and almond, to Melvita’s Extraordinary Day Cream for Dry Skin and Red Flower Essential Omega Fresh Berry Oil Serum, which also includes raspberry, strawberry, juniper berry, fir, rosemary and lavender.

 

 

Apple. We love fresh apples in the fall, and try to sneak them into our stuffing (and our pies!) every November. But there are other ways to sneak antioxidant-rich apples into your daily routine: Try Juice Beauty Organic Facial Wash, which also has honey, grape juice, olive oil, and carrot or John Masters Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier & Color Sealer.

 

 

 

 

Corn. No cornucopia is complete without corn in some form (you’ll definitely find cornbread on our table!). Corn is great for your skin, too. You can find it in John Masters Blood Orange and Vanilla Body Wash and Mandarin Maximum Moisturizer, and fructose made from corn is even in Afterglow’s Pure Soul Mascara, along with beeswax and rosemary.

 

 

 

Honey. We douse our cornbread in nature’s best sweetener, honey. But honey is also great for your skin—it has antibacterial properties, making it a great option for acne-prone or delicate skin, and it’s super moisturizing. No wonder it’s a favorite addition to natural skin care products, like Nature’s Bioactive Berry White Peat Exfoliant and Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner.

 

 

 

Root vegetables. Iron-rich root veggies like carrots and beets are at their best in the fall. Red Flower’s French Lavender Purifying Body Wash includes sugar beets, and Cattier Beauty Concentrate is packed with organic carrot oil, naturally rich in Vitamin A.

 

 

 

Herbs. No turkey is complete without seasoning, and some Thanksgiving favorites are sage and rosemary. You can find both in Dr. Hauschka’s Rosemary Foot Balm, and rosemary is added to a number of products for its ability to tone and tighten skin.

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin. Our favorite way to end the Thanksgiving meal is with a big slice of pumpkin pie (and another slice for breakfast the next morning!). Packed with Vitamins A and C, pumpkin boosts the skin’s collagen supply and makes for a clear, bright complexion. Add them to your daily routine with Cattier’s Elixir Vegetal, Pangea Egyptian Calendula and Blood Orange Facial Cleanser, and Juice Beauty’s USDA Organic Facial Moisture Concentrate.

 

 

 

And don’t forget—once your Turkey Day meal is done, relax with a nice, long nap. Beauty sleep is great for your skin, too!

-Aleigh Acerni

Spotlight: Marina Cosmetics

It’s all about the pout for Marina Cosmetics. One of the most vulnerable areas of the face, your lips have no oil glands, and no natural defense against dryness, which means they’re one of the first places to show signs of aging. Enter Marina Cosmetics, which founder Kristen Null-Croner created out of a desire for natural, hydrating, anti-aging care for lips.

Behind the brand: The sea is restorative not just for its soothing sights and sounds; its waters are full of natural minerals and plants with a variety of benefits for your skin. Marina Cosmetics honed in on two specific marine-based ingredients: Antileukine and Organic Sea Kelp, which work together to keep your pout looking youthful while protecting your lips from things that can speed up the aging process, like UV rays, sunburn, and chafing.

The products: Hydrating Lip Gloss and Sea Perfected Lipstick, both in a variety of shades that work well with any skin tone. The entire line is dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free.

The benefits: Marina Cosmetics’ two marine-based ingredients are in every formula. Antileukine aids in decreasing wrinkle depth, prevents sun damage, stimulates collagen production, blocks inflammation, boosts hydration, and promotes both firmness and smoothness, while Organic Sea Kelp is high in silicon, essential vitamins and minerals to prevent wrinkles.

Bonus: Both the Hydrating Lip Gloss and Sea Perfected Lipstick are water-resistant, so they’re just as perfect for a wintertime getaway to your favorite tropical hot spot as they are for everyday wear.

-Aleigh Acerni

Parabens, Phthalates, and Breast Cancer, Oh My!

Yes, the pink-washed month of breast cancer awareness is over, but that doesn’t mean breast cancer just goes away. Every day of every month there are new women diagnosed and beginning the fight against breast cancer. So why not start today, right now, learning about how you can increase your odds of avoiding that nasty enemy? One important step you can take is to do your best to steer clear of the synthetics and chemicals that emerging science has linked to breast cancer. We’ve got the details on two of the main guilty parties for you.

Why aren’t these ingredients banned?

In the United States, testing of cosmetics is voluntary—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers the cosmetics industry to be a self-regulating industry. According to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database, 89% of ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by any publicly accountable institution. That means the burden is put on you as a consumer to take responsibility for protecting yourself—and often, that’s not an easy task.

Public Enemy No. 1: Phthalates. According to Breast Cancer Action, phthalates “have been known to cause a broad range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive problems in laboratory animals exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy and after birth.” They’re used as solvents in many cosmetics, but you can also find them in food packaging, building materials, and children’s products, and in cosmetics items including deodorants, nail polish, and fragrances. This substance can mimic natural hormones, disrupting the normal hormone process—possibly even causing early puberty in girls. In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on the Environment reported that phthalates are carcinogenic.

Public Enemy No. 2: Parabens. Breast Cancer Action characterizes parabens, like phthalates, as “chemical preservatives that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function.” Exposure to external estrogens has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. The Skin Deep database considers parabens a high hazard, rating it a 7 on a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 corresponds to the highest concern. Traces of parabens have been discovered in breast cancer cells.

We’ve discussed safety as a reason to incorporate organic products into your beauty routine before, and that logic still stands. After all, more than 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body. If you have a family history of breast cancer, or feel that you’re especially sensitive to synthetic ingredients, swapping out some or all of your daily products for organic ones could give you peace of mind—and leave your skin just as lovely.

-Aleigh Acerni

6 Tips for Winter Skin Care

Even if taking care of your skin is a top priority, as the winter months approach, your delicate skin can get pretty roughed up. Colder temps mean less efficient blood circulation, which can leave your face feeling dry and looking dull. Here are some tips for small changes you can make in your every day routine that will leave your skin supple and looking fresh.

Hydrate. Hydration is important year round, but especially so during the wintertime, when the constant temperature changes from the outside chill to the warmth of indoors wreak havoc on your skin.

Lip service. Don’t forget about your lips—winter weather can quickly make lips feel dry and chapped. Re-apply your favorite gloss or moisturizing lipstick regularly to provide a protective barrier. Of course we have some favorites, like Dr. Hauschka Lip Balm and Suki Lip Repair Butter, which both protect against rough, dry lips. If you’re looking for a pop of color, try Afterglow’s Lip Love, which comes in six shades and is an ultra-moist lipstick.

Scrub. Exfoliation is great for winter skin—it removes dead, dull skin cells and allows your skin to absorb extra moisture. You don’t want to exfoliate too often, however; once to twice a week should do the trick without over-drying your skin. We love Exuberance Evolution and Trilogy Gentle Facial Exfoliant for your face, and Juice Beauty Green Apple Mousse for your bod.

Moisturize. Moisturizing is an important piece of your skin care routine all year, but in the wintertime, switch to a moisturizer with a rich oil (like avocado or olive oils), for an extra moisture boost. There are some great moisturizers in Beautorium’s Think Pink, Go Green program that are great for winter: Red Flower Icelandic Moonflower Moisturizing Body Lotion and Saaf Organic Super Hydrating Body Balm both have great moisturizing oils.

Temperature. Hot showers feel great when it’s cold, but they also do a great job at drying out your skin. Try knocking the temperature of your showers or baths down a few notches, and don’t soak or shower for too long.

Hands. It’s harder to keep hands moisturized; your skin is thinner there than on other parts of your body. Keep hands from getting dried and itchy with regular applications of your favorite moisturizer. To try: Dr. Hauschka Hand Cream, Trilogy Rose Hand Cream.

-Aleigh Acerni

Spotlight: Revolution Organics

Take just one look at Revolution Organics and you’ll never be able to think of organic makeup as ho-hum. From the chic, sleek packaging to the rich, bright colors, this isn’t your grandmother’s makeup—but we’re pretty sure she’ll love it as much as you will.

What we tried: Revolution Organics Beauty Balm (in blushed and bronzed), Revolution Organics All-Over Skin Crème, Revolution Organics Lip Gloss.

First impressions: There’s no compromise with Revolution products. This is makeup with personality: the packaging is beautiful, the makeup feels luxurious, and each product has all of the feel-good ingredients you expect in organic makeup. Their skin care line is USDA certified organic, which means they are at least 95% certified organic.

What caught us by surprise: These products are true multi-taskers. We used the Beauty Balm on cheeks and lips (the bronzed shade in particular is great for a little flush that doesn’t look like it came from a tanning bed); the All-Over Skin Crème was popped straight into our purse and was handy for mornings when we forgot to put moisturizer on our legs and perfect for midday dryness in our hands; and the Lip Gloss easily doubles as blush in a pinch. Plus, they all left our skin feeling smooth, moisturized, and healthy.

Bonus: We love the Lip Gloss in every shade. We‘ve been wearing the deep red Liberty shade almost every day and every single time we wear it, we get compliments—from the cashier at the grocery store, to co-workers, to random people we don’t even know. When a lip gloss is fantastic enough to make people stop you on the street, you know you’ve found something amazing.

-Aleigh Acerni

Supporting Survivors: Gifts for Chemo Patients

It’s difficult to know what to do when a friend is diagnosed with breast cancer, but a thoughtful gift is always a great option. Chemotherapy patients suffer many difficult reactions and sensitivities while they’re undergoing treatment—here are some natural products from Beautorium’s Think Pink, Go Green collection that are safe and gentle enough to help your favorite survivor deal with the uncomfortable side effects of chemo.

Side effect: Photosensitivity, dull skin. To combat dull, sensitive skin, we like Juice Beauty SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer. With full-spectrum sun protection, vitamin antioxidants and essential nurtrients, it will help soothe and protect chemo-treated skin.

Side effect: Irritated, dry, sensitive skin. We’ve got a great line-up of moisturizers to ease the drying effects of chemotherapy, including Saaf Organic Eraser Body Oil, Saaf Organic Super Hydrating Body Balm, and Trilogy Nourishing Body Lotion, all recommended for damaged, sensitive, dry skin.

Side effect: Cracked lips. Our favorite multi-tasker, Trilogy Everything Balm, is a great healing option for cracked lips, but you can also use it all over for multi-purpose moisture.

Side effect: Radiation burns. With soothing calendula, both Exuberance She’s So Lovely Daily Moisturizer and Trilogy Aromatic Body Treatment Oil will help skin heal.

The Scoop: Beautorium Thinks Pink…and Green!

And it’s not just for the month of October. Beginning today, and for the next three months, we’re uniting breast cancer research fundraising with education about the health benefits of natural and organic beauty products. From now until January 15, 25% of the proceeds from products under Beautorium’s Think Pink, Go Green cosmetics collection will go directly to Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Jersey.

We’ve got several brands involved, including Exuberance Beauty, Juice Beauty, Marina Cosmetics, Revolution Organics, Saaf, Sophyto, and Trilogy—a lineup of 35 natural and organic products that have been hand-picked from Beautorium’s top sellers. (If you’ve been meaning to try some of the great products we’ve mentioned lately, you’re in luck. Both Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil and Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer are on the list.)

Beautorium’s partnership with Susan G. Komen North Jersey highlights the organizations’ mutual interest in promoting health awareness and education for women, and help generate awareness of the many ways natural and organic products contribute to a woman’s best health. In Beautorium’s products, you won’t find the many ingredients commonly found in commercial beauty products that are linked to cancer or other health issues—something breast cancer survivors often become uniquely aware of during their battles with the disease.

“I would like to thank Beautorium for raising awareness and funds for our organization from their Think Pink, Go Green Collection. Their support will help us to one day realize our goal and vision of a world without breast cancer,” said Deborah Q. Belfatto, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Susan G. Komen North Jersey.

“We are passionate about the fight against breast cancer and thank Susan G. Komen North Jersey for the opportunity to support their work,” said Beautorium founder Ann Francke. “We are hoping that our benefit campaign will be highly successful and enjoyed by all!”

-Aleigh Acerni

5 Trends for Fall Makeup

This week, we’ve got the scoop on what’s hot in makeup for fall. Summer’s glowing, sun-kissed shades are being replace with edgy, stark looks with a bright pop of color, including pale faces with heavily accented eyes or fire engine red lips—think statement makeup. There’s no room for hesitation this season!

The eyes have it. Fall is all about dramatic eyes, with pale skin and neutral color on the lips and cheeks. Enhance your eyes with these beautiful eyeliner pencils from Dr. Hauschka, and read on for more great ways to play up your peepers.

Metallics. A great option for your lids this season, metallics are showing up everywhere, especially in bronze and gold, but also in colors like green and brown. They’re great for a dramatic evening look, although we’d stay away from dark shades during the workday. Afterglow has a beautiful silver shade, Lyric. Metallics also work well as highlighters for cheeks and lips.

Earth tones. They were all over the runway this fall, and for good reason—earthy colors are universally flattering and create a natural look. Go for eyeshadows in browns, greens, and beiges. We like Afterglow’s Ultra Matte shadow in cream, khaki and bark and the Dr. Hauschka Eye Shadow Palette in four shades of brown and grey.

Berry shades. This one works for both eyes and lips—berry shades are a fall favorite, and this year is no exception. The spotlight is on purple this year, and you’ll be right on trend with Afterglow’s Mineral Eye Shadow in breathless or endless, two ultra-flattering shades of purple. For your lips, try Marina Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Gloss in seaberry, island wine or sandbar.

Ruby lips. The other look we’re seeing everywhere from the runway to workday is a bold rep lip. We’re talking bright red, can’t-look-away lips, paired with pale skin and a very basic eye (think thin black eyeliner and mascara—that’s it). You really can’t go wrong with any of the bold shades from Dr. Hauschka, but our favorite shades are amoroso and mezzoforte.

-Aleigh Acerni

Organic Beauty Base-ics

When it comes to makeup and skin care products, there are three typical types of ingredients that serve as the foundation (or “base”) of each formula: water, oil, and minerals. We’ve broken it down for you here, so that you can choose type that is the perfect match for your complexion—or mix and match!

Water-Based Cosmetics

Water-based products are typically thinner formulas, most often used in mascaras and liquid eyeliners, but also common for liquid foundations, eyeshadow, and more. Since water is inexpensive, products with a base of water are often less expensive—but are often filled with synthetic ingredients and preservatives, since on its own, water doesn’t have added benefits for the skin. We like Suki Rich Pigment Mascara, which starts with a base of purified water, but then adds all kinds of goodness, like organic sunflower seed oil, beeswax, and evening primrose oil.

Mineral-Based Cosmetics

The least common of the three, mineral-based cosmetics are growing in popularity. Minerals are great for the skin, and can offer a tint or color (for eyeshadow, mineral foundation and concealer, etc.), as well as being a good base to mix with other ingredients. Many mineral-based cosmetics use only natural ingredients, making them a good choice for allergic, acne-prone or sensitive skin—and because of the purity of these minerals, the cosmetics are often a little more expensive than their water-based counterparts. We think they’re worth the price for the natural, glowing look they give your skin. In fact, we raved about one of our favorites, Afterglow Cosmetics, not long ago.

Oil-Based Cosmetics

Oil is the most ancient natural skin care: Ancient Egyptians pressed olives and used the oil as a way to soothe sunburned skin, and legend has it that the Queen of Sheba had an almond plantation just so she could use almond oil for her skin. Unlike water-based products, oil-based cosmetics lock in moisture and provide a barrier between your skin and the rest of the world. As an added benefit, oil-based cosmetics typically have fewer preservatives than water-based products—synthetic or otherwise, and are more gentle on your skin.

Some oil-based products we can’t get enough of: Trilogy Rosehip Oil is practically perfect in every way, for every skin type (and it’s found it almost every item in the entire Trilogy line), and Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream has 30 rose flowers in each tube. We also love Saaf Organic Complexion Boosting Serum—it’s packed with a variety of natural oils. (And if your complexion tends to be oily, never fear: oil attracts oil, which means the oil in a skin care product bonds with and dissolves the oil on your face…leaving your skin clear whether it’s dry, oily, or combination.)

Other Base-ics

An alternative to an oil, water, or mineral base is something that Juice Beauty has based their entire skin care line on—fruit juice! The company uses certified organic juice concentrates, which are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, hydroxy acids and phytonutrients, which are pH balanced to use on even the most sensitive skin. We adore the Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer, which has organic apple, grape, pomegranate, aloe and cucumber juices; it makes our skin look delish.

-Aleigh Acerni

DIY Luxury: The at-home spa

Fall is here, and so is your hectic schedule: the kids have a different after-school activity every day of the week, the workday seems to extend as daylight hours get shorter, and the holidays are just around the corner. This time of year, we turn to comfort food, cozy sweaters—and maybe some extra pampering at our favorite spa. But you don’t have to spend the time (or the cash) to get some body and soul rejuvenation: here are some tips on how to get that spa glow at home.

Relax. Set the mood—get in a relaxing frame of mind with some candles and soft music for ambiance. Oh, and make sure the kids are in bed (or otherwise occupied), so you won’t be disturbed!

Soak. A few drops of bath oil can go a long way to soothe—just choose a scent that appeals to you. Dr. Hauschka Lavender Bath is a great choice for relaxation and stress relief, or try the Organic Sage Bath for a more clarifying, purifying soak. (Or try the entire line with the sampler.)

Scrub. A bath is the perfect time or some extra exfoliation. Use a loofah or body sponge to gently scrub your skin with your favorite shower gel (Pangea Organic makes several great ones to try), or try an exfoliating formula like Cattier’s Exfoliating Shower Gel.

Beauty treatments. While you soak, give your face and hair a little added attention. It’s the perfect time to pamper your tresses with some extra conditioning. We love the Suki Hair & Scalp Conditioning Oil—with 100% organic pressed fruit oils, it treats dry scale, dandruff, or eczema issues while stimulating hair growth and added shine and strength. It’s also a great time to try out a mask to give your face a clarifying and toning treatment. If you’re looking to brighten your complexion, try Suki Skin Care Intensive Brightening Masque, which is ideal for a variety of skin types, including uneven skin tone, sun damage, rosacea, and mature skin. With pharmaceutical grade antioxidants and vitamin C glucoside, it will help restore a more radiant complexion. If you’re battling an outbreak, try Dr. Hauschka’s Cleansing Clay Mask, which is formulated to refine pores, absorb excess oil and stimulate circulation. We’re also big fans of Pangea’s award-winning Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai and Goji Berry Facial Mask; it does everything from detoxify and deep-cleanse to prevent wrinkles, tone, and hydrate your skin.

Moisturize. When it’s time to get out of the tub, wrap yourself in a warm towel or robe, and smooth on a rich lotion or body oil while your skin is still slightly damp. We love Suki Delicate Hydrating Oil (you can also use it as massage oil or put a few drops in your bath), and Pangea’s Lavendar with Cardamom Rejuvenating Massage & Body Oil is another soothing option. Spend a little extra time on any spots that need added moisture, like elbows, knees and feet—you might even try a different formula, like Dr. Hauschka Rosemary Foot Balm or Suki Butter Cream Healing Salve to help seal in moisture.

With a little extra time and preparation, you’ll be ready to crawl into bed and sleep like a baby, or energized to take on the day—all of that relaxing will go a long way to easing your transition to the shorter days ahead. Now if you could just get started on your early holiday shopping…

-Aleigh Acerni