Friday, November 13, 2020

Ingredient Spotlight: Benefits of Pearl Powder for Skin Care Routine

Beyond jewelry

Pearls are said to symbolize wisdom gained through experience. As the birthstone for June, this organic stone is the subject of many myths and legends. Pearls are thought to attract wealth and luck as well as protection.

The pearl also is believed to symbolize the purity, generosity, integrity, and loyalty of its wearer. Said to radiate a calming effect, balance your karma, and strengthen relationships the magic beliefs of this iridescent bead are fascinating and wide reaching.

Pearls have primarily been known as jewels to be worn as adornments. Made into rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces these spheres of wonder come in a variety of colors and are prized possessions.

But did you know that these magical beads have also been utilized as a health tonic, as well as applied directly to the skin with amazing beauty results, for centuries? Yes, centuries!

Read on to know more about the benefits of pearl powder, why the pearl has been a beauty and wellness staple for centuries, and what you might expect if you incorporate pearl into your home care rituals.

Where Does a Pearl Come From?

Pearls are formed underwater, hidden within the shell of an oyster (or other shelled mollusks). Within the shell, a luminescent bead is formed around an irritant, such as a kernel of sand, and the bead continues to build in size over months and up to many years depending on the species of mollusk.

It is seemingly created from magic but the iridescent material found inside of the shells wall is the substance that is duplicated to create a protective layer after layer around the irritant. The bead continues to grow layer by layer around the irritant within the shell and eventually, the layers meld together and form what we call a pearl.

Where to Find Pearls?

Pearls are found within shelled mollusks like oysters and mussels. These can be found in freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes or in saltwater oceans and bays. Oysters and mussels do not move around and are highly dependent on the purity of the water they live in.

Look for Cleanly Soured Pearls

When they are bred in polluted waters, heavy metals and pollutants seep into their layers, and end up in the powder you would use, undoing the benefits pearl is said to offer.

Therefore, it is recommended that if you want to topically apply or ingest pearl, it’s important to make sure the powder you choose is sourced from clean water pearls.

How to Use Pearl Powder

The pearl bead is ground into a fine powder and this powder is how you gain access to the numerous benefits of pearl powder. Pearl powder is versatile and easily absorbable into the skin.

It mixes well with almost all powders, oils and other common cosmetics. You can use it in many different ways by mixing it with your cleanser, moisturizer, liquid or other powders. It can be used as a hydrating and brightening pearl mask or subtle, wellness-focused mineral makeup.

There are many ways you can apply pearl powder into the skin.
There are many ways you can apply pearl powder into the skin.

Ingesting Pearl Powder

In addition to topical uses, pearl powder can be ingested because it is said to dissolve easily in liquid and have a mild flavor. It could make the perfect addition to your recipe of choice. You can add pearl powder to your morning smoothie, tea, in soups or anywhere else you’d like. The list is as long as you are creative!

An Ancient Beauty Technique

These reflective beads date back centuries and are most widely used throughout Asia for a range of amazing health benefits. Applied by royals including Wu Zetian, the only female empress in Chinese history, and Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, many royalties are documented as having used pearl for its revered beauty benefits.

Skin health was very important in traditional Chinese culture, and pearl was the elite natural medicine to promote radiant youth.

Benefits of Pearl Powder for Skin Care

Pearl powder’s numerous benefits come from its abundance of minerals. Pearl powder has at least 14 amino acids (including 8 that cannot be synthesized by the human body) and 30 trace minerals, including calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, silica, and selenium which are needed for healthy hormones, a strong immune system, and appearance of youthful skin.

The extensive mineral content in pearl powder has been found to promote bouncier skin, reduce the appearance of pore size, brighten the appearance of skin tone and improve texture.

Pearl powder contains a lot of benefits for your health.
Pearl powder contains a lot of benefits for your health.

Adaptogenic Properties

In addition, pearl powder is known to be an adaptogen. Adaptogens greatly improve your body’s ability to adapt to stress. Adaptogenic skin care is all the rage these days, and combined with the trace minerals in pearl, make this wonder ingredient definitely worth trying out! You can learn more about adaptogen and its benefits to your skin.

Brightening Properties

At the core of brightening the appearance of skin is a complex protein within pearl powder called Conchiolin. This ingredient has been shown to reduce the appearance of skin’s pigmentation by inhibiting an enzyme (called Tyrosinase) which is responsible for melanin production.

Struggles with Brightening The Appearance of Skin

Brightening the appearance of skin is one of the most, if not the most, challenging skin issues because it is never really “cured.” To show a considerable change in the appearance of pigmented skin, it requires consistency in effective home care treatments and diligent SPF protection.

You constantly are battling daily exposure to factors that can decrease the appearance of bright skin, such as the Sun Rays (UVA, UVB), HEV Light (on your laptop, T.V. and phone screen), your hormones and stress. With that being said, another ingredient that has the potential to brighten the appearance of skin is truly exciting news!

Treat Your Skin Like Royalty

Pearl is an incredible new ingredient, that much to my surprise has a long historical reign as a beauty and wellness staple among royalty.

Whether it is ingested or topically applied this powerful powder might just create changes in your skin that leave you looking like royalty yourself.

About The Author

Bokhara Lashi is an Esthetician and Wellness Specialist at Embody Zen and artist at Moss Art Studio.

Have you tried Pearl Powder? What effects did you notice?

Sources:
Pearl Powder Is The Secret Of People With Plump, Glowing Skin. Here’s How To Add It To Your Diet
Pearl Powder for Skin Care: Facts, Benefits and How to Use
Pearl Powder Is The Secret To Radiant, Clear Skin. Here’s Exactly How To Use It
Pearl powder for skin: How to use for maximum benefit
This Is the #1 Trending Skincare Ingredient in Korea Right Now
The Use of Pearls in Cosmetics
Comparison of hydration, tyrosinase resistance, and antioxidant activation in three kinds of pearl powders.
Fresh water vs Marine Mussels
Tips for Lightening Skin Pigmentation

The following post Ingredient Spotlight: Benefits of Pearl Powder for Skin Care Routine was first published on Annmarie Skin Care.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

What Are Adaptogens and How Do They Work?

You may not think you know what adaptogens are, but it’s likely that you’ve already used them in some form. Did you ever soothe a wicked sunburn with aloe vera? Bingo! You’ve got some experience—but we’ll take a deeper dive into exactly what adaptogens and how they work.

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a group of safe, non-toxic plants, herbs, and mushrooms that are used to help the body reduce fatigue and ward off stress. The name is connected to the fact that these substances adapt to what the body needs in its current state of being. Despite being used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, it wasn’t until 1947 that Soviet pharmacologist N.V. Lazarev made the term official.

Aside from managing the body’s reaction to stress, Lazarev believed that adaptogens should also be non-toxic, safe for long-term use, and favorable to the body as a whole.

Adaptogen usage today

Today, such research is being used by current pharmacologists to explore the connection between wild plants and treating a variety of illnesses, but adaptogens are also having a renaissance in the mainstream health and beauty world, too—like skin care, for example.

Here’s a more detailed look on how these are used and the benefits of adaptogens to your skin.

What are adaptogenic in skin care?

The premise of topical versus internal use of adaptogens is the same: to create harmony while  adapting to the current needs of your body/skin. It’s also interesting to note that unlike any other organ of the body (and the skin is the largest), you apply adaptogens directly to your flesh.

When applied topically, these natural ingredients can balance natural oils, remove impurities, care for your skin with natural defenses, create a calming sensation, and rejuvenate your complexion.

Stress and your skin

Also, consider this: Stress can have an unfavorable impact on your skin, to include redness or discomfort, premature aging, and hormone imbalance, so adaptogens can help regulate these issues. This action is similar to the role antioxidants play if you’ve spent too much time in the sun, live in a polluted city, had one too many cocktails, or live a stressful lifestyle.

The power of adaptogen skincare

As discussed, adaptogens aren’t a new breakthrough discovery, so why are we seeing such a resurgence lately? One good theory is stress.

Recent Stress in America reports suggest that Generation Z (those between the age of 15 and 21) are stressed about safety due to  regular mass shootings in schools, headline issues ranging from sexual assault to immigration, money and work issues, and the overall fate of our nation. This is not to say that other generations don’t have the same concerns. Uncertainty about health care and not having enough money to retire are additional burdens older generations have.

Regardless of the reason, when the body is stressed, it causes a chemical response that makes the skin more reactive and more apt to produce stress hormones such as cortisol. This in turn can cause a myriad of issues such as imbalanced oil production, clogged pores, and increased symptoms/flare ups with skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.

Aloe vera is an adaptogen ingredient that provides protective moisture while creating a calming sensation.
Aloe vera is an adaptogen ingredient that provides protective moisture while creating a calming sensation.

Common adaptogens in skin care

While each ingredient is known to aid the skin in a specific manner, as a whole, all topical adaptogens bring balance back to the skin.

Aloe vera

Naturally provides protective moisture while creating a calming sensation.

Ashwagandha

A strong antioxidant that can possibly help prevent stress-related clogged pores while creating a brighter, smoother complexion.

Holy basil

Purifies the skin, decongests pores, and helps to protect from environmental stressors.

Licorice root

Brightens and lightens your look while providing powerful antioxidant activity to help promote beautiful skin.

Moringa

Works to defy your age by guarding against natural elements and prolonging a more youthful appearance by nurturing and moisturizing the skin.

Phellinus Linteus

A mushroom extract that has been known to alleviate temporary redness or discomfort while shielding against environmental stressors.

Prickly pear cactus extract

A great adaptogen for warding off environmental stressors and outdoor elements while promoting an even skin tone at the same time.

Rhodiola Rosea

This herb may help renew the look of beautiful skin, give a boost of hydration,  and temporarily alleviate redness or discomfort.

Rooibos

Natural skin protection that makes skin appear luminous.

Turmeric

Like it’s Ayurvedic sister Ashwagandha, Tumeric has a calming sensation and renews the look of beautiful skin.

Pearl powder

Pearl powder is a skin care superfood that can brighten the skin’s appearance while protecting against environmental stressors (that’s why we love this ingredient in our Illuminating Pearl Mask!)

Natural skin protection that makes skin appear luminous.
Natural skin protection that makes skin appear luminous.

Do adaptogens really work?

So, by now you may be asking yourself: “do adaptogens really work?”. The short answer is yes—but note that while they are powerful, they are also slow to act, so patience is a virtue if you want to see results.

Keep quality in mind

Also, keep in mind that regardless of taking them orally or topically, be mindful of purchasing a quality-controlled product with a proven ability to penetrate the skin and reach the target layer. This can be a tough nut to crack since adaptogens have yet to be approved by the FDA, but this does not erase the history of adaptogenic use throughout time, so bear that in mind.

It starts within

Lastly—if not most importantly—there’s no miracle solution for stress and how it affects your body inside and out. If your life is chaotic, your skin and body will reflect it.

There’s no replacement for a poor lifestyle, so you will have to eat/drink well, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and manage your stress levels in order to look and feel your best.

Do you use adaptogenic skin care? Share with us in the comments below!

Sources
“The Russian Pharmacopoeia Comes To Life,” Medium Science, November 2018, https://medium.com/@larissa_23632/the-russian-pharmacopoeia-comes-to-life-69fb09ebab33
“Stress In America Pressroom” American Physiological Association, October, 2018, https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/
“Claims On Pathogens Might Overreach, But The Herbs Are Really Powerhouses, Experts Say, Nutran-March 2017, https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2017/03/29/Claims-on-adaptogens-might-overreach-but-the-herbs-really-are-powerhouses-experts-say

The following post What Are Adaptogens and How Do They Work? was first published on Annmarie Skin Care.

Sunday, November 8, 2020

A Guide to Gifting Annmarie Skin Care

What makes a good gift? Something they need, something they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves, something decadent.

The holidays are a great time to remind your loved ones to pamper themselves. If you have friends who haven’t yet discovered the beauty of organic skin care, what better time to nudge them in that direction? You can give them something useful, something aromatheraputic, and something luxurious, all in one.

Though you might know that they’d love natural skin care products, how do you know which products to choose? What if it makes them break out? What if they won’t use it?

Here’s our guide for which of our products make the best gifts for the different people on your list:

For: someone new to skin care

When it comes to picking skin care, the process can be difficult for someone who’s new to the skin care world. This person is usually someone who has been using the same cleanser or moisturizer for years because they aren’t familiar with picking out new skin care products or is just used to keeping it simple!

If you’re looking to get someone acquainted with a few basics or introducing someone to Annmarie Skin Care, start with our Basics Bundle! It’s complete with three classic formulas to cleanse, nourish, and hydrate skin. It includes our Aloe Herb Cleanser, Anti-Aging Serum, and Herbal Facial Oil for Normal & Combination Skin. This bundle also includes a free 100% organic tote.

Gift Idea: Pick any of our Seasonal Bundles from our Bestsellers Bundle, Basics Bundle, or Teen Deluxe Bundle. They’re all a great introduction to Annmarie Skin Care, plus they come with a free 100% organic tote!

A Guide to Gifting Annmarie Skin Care 3

For: the athlete

They’re always at hot zumba, cardio, yoga, or boxing, they’re always signed up for the next “Turkey Trot” or “Muddy Marathon,” and they pretty much always wake up earlier than you.

For someone who is regularly working up a sweat, preventing post workout breakouts and oiliness is often a main skin concern. When we sweat, our pores open up and can get clogged with whatever’s nearby — dirt, oil, or makeup.

Our Body Bundle is the perfect thing to throw in a gym bag for a post-workout shower to remember. The Rosemary Body Wash is naturally cleansing, and can be used all over to prevent breakouts that emerge when you let sweat dry on your skin. The Coconut Body Oil and Radiant Skin Silk go on after you shower, for head to toe moisture that leaves you smelling amazing.

Gift idea: Gift a Citrus Mint Cleanser and a Rosemary Toning Mist (a perfect refreshing duo) paired with a comfy yoga pants or a yoga mat.

For: sensitive skin

Many people are drawn to our line because their sensitive skin reacts to chemicals in the skin care products they’ve tried. Because our products are plant-based and free of synthetic preservatives, they can be a breath of fresh air for those who have struggled with chemical brands in the past.

We have a few products in particular that we recommend to those with sensitive skin that needs extra love.

The Anti-Aging Serum does more than just keep the skin looking plump and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles—it’s also incredibly soothing. With healing aloe vera and rose distillate, it even helps calm sensitive and oily skin — making it a safe bet for most everyone. The Coconut Honey Mask is another very soothing product. It’s one of our most simple formulas: honey, coconut oil, beeswax, and vanilla extract. The only person this might not work for is someone with very skin.

Gift Idea: Gift these two products together with other soothing things like a body massage brush or face brush, calming chamomile tea, or a pair of slippers.

A Guide to Gifting Annmarie Skin Care 4

For: someone who loves to pamper

They are known by name at the nail salon, they make sure to make time for a monthly massage, and their toiletry cabinet is bursting at the seams. This friend knows how to take care of themselves!

Our Self Care Bundle helps to immerse yourself in a wellness routine like no other, from decadent skin care to gorgeous aromatherapy. This bundle is perfect for giving your skin the TLC it deserves. It has everything anyone needs to help elevate their self-care routine from facial care to body care.

It includes our lavish Coconut Body Oil, ultra-beautifying Anti-Aging Eye Cream, and soothing Illuminating Pearl Mask. We’ve also included the Gua Sha Lifting Tool, Beauty Blend Tea (with our signature Tumbler!) , along with a tallow-based candle from Summer Solace Tallow.

If you’re looking for smaller stocking stuffers, Gift them the Antioxidant Lip Balm or and the Charcoal Cacao Mask. Alone, these products shine in their own right. Together, they’re like a mini spa day.

This activated treatment mask infuses your skin with potent antioxidants, gentle clays and cooling botanicals to reveal a smooth and clear complexion. Hydrating aloe vera works to lock in moisture, while coconut charcoal draws out deep impurities. Turmeric’s bioactive compounds leave your skin feeling calm, making this mask ideal for sensitivities. Cacao delivers complex nutrients for healthy skin, visibly improving texture, tone and radiance.

Gift Idea: Along with the mask and the lip balm, you could get them an organic cotton face towel or a face brush.

For: the herb lover

Their tea cabinet is more stocked than their refrigerator. They know the natural remedy for virtually anything. They own many flowy garments.

All of our skin care products are herb-infused (that’s the magic), but some are more herbacious than others.

Our Ayurvedic Facial Scrub comes as a dry powder, because if it was packaged wet it would have too short of shelf life. That’s how fresh it is! Made up 100% of herbs, this product is a gentle exfoliator, so it works for even sensitive skin types. The smell is savory—fenugreek is one that stands out. You can mix it with your cleanser or water to use as a scrub, or leave it on for 15-20 minutes to experience it as a mask.

Our Beauty Blend Tea is a soul sister to our herb-obsessed skin care, and they both agree that beauty is fleshed out by the nutrition and nourishment of nature’s medicine.

Once brewed, it is a liquid ode to Earth’s bounty, starting with organic, hand-selected yerba mate, nettle, and horsetail. They can all stimulate and support a healthy glow from within due to their rich quantities of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and bioflavonoids.

Gift Idea: Give them herbs for the inside and out! You can pair our Beauty Blend Tea with Beekeeper’s Naturals – B Powered Superfood Honey. It’s the perfect way to fuel the mind and body.

For: the product junkie

They’ve tried everything. They know the latest anti-aging technology, the best brands, the miracle creams. Maybe they haven’t converted to organic skin care yet, because they don’t think it works.

When we see reviews from customers who are blown away that a chemical-free product could be so effective, we get a little warm and fuzzy inside. One product that seems to wow people again and again is our Citrus Stem Cell Serum, a treatment made to lighten your look and give an even tone.

For people who need a little extra care, the Citrus Stem Cell Serum can help them feel great about their complexion again. One of our most active products, the Citrus Stem Cell Serum contains orange-derived stem cells that reveal an even look to your skin tone. Aloe vera juice is the base for the product (rather than a water base, which is oh too common in even expensive skin care products), which also helps the skin.

Skin lightening products can often be harsh and permanently damaging to the skin, so we consider the Citrus Stem Cell Serum kind of a natural alternative.

If you’re looking for something more luxurious, try our Phytonutrient Cleanser for an elevating cleansing experience or our Botanical Hydration Mist with Immortelle to awaken your skin with instant hydration.

Gift Idea: Along with the Citrus Stem Cell Serum, give them our Signature Serum Trio, so they can try more of our best selling serums

The following post A Guide to Gifting Annmarie Skin Care was first published on Annmarie Skin Care.

Saturday, November 7, 2020

Banish Chapped Lips This Winter—4 Natural Solutions

When the snow falls and the wind blows, it seems near impossible to prevent chapped lips. We slather on the lip balm, but often within only minutes we’re back to dry, flaky skin. Sometimes it gets so bad we have cracking and bleeding, making our lips anything but inviting.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can take simple steps to protect and heal your lips throughout the winter months, so they remain kissably soft and luscious! We’ll discuss what causes the damage and show you how to naturally prevent chapped lips.

What can make your lips chapped?

The lips have only three layers of skin—as opposed to about 16 layers of cells on the rest of your face. That means they are much more vulnerable to dryness, environmental pollutants, stressors and more. Though cold weather naturally leads to dry skin, some of us do things that can worsen the effects on our lips. Try to avoid the following to prevent chapped lips:

  1. Licking your lips. You may not even know you’re doing it, but try to be aware, as saliva is bad for your lips. Not only does it dry the skin as it evaporates, but it contains natural digestive enzymes that can break down skin, creating even dryer, more fragile lips.
  2. Biting or picking your lips. You may not even be aware of this habit, but if you’re finding stray pieces of dried skin on your lips, you may have been picking or biting at them. This removes the protective covering on the skin, which makes drying worse and leaves lips vulnerable to cracking and bleeding. Learn to stop yourself whenever the temptation strikes!
  3. Not drinking enough water. We tend to drink less water in the winter, but that’s bad for the skin. All skin—including the lips—hydrate from the inside out, and your body needs water to maintain proper moisture. As you drink, the cells in the skin rehydrate, which can help prevent excess dryness.
  4. Sleeping without a humidifier. Cold air is dry air. The dryer the air, the dryer your skin. You can easily rehydrate the air in your home with a humidifier. Using one in your room is especially important, as then you can protect your skin as you sleep overnight.
  5. Using lip balms that are bad for your lips. Many lip balms contain petroleum products. These ingredients create a sort of seal over your lips, which can feel moisturizing and may help prevent further moisture loss, but over time, can also prevent the lips from absorbing any hydrating ingredients you may apply to it. If you feel like you’re “addicted” to your lip balm, it may be because your product isn’t properly hydrating your lips. Look for natural balms that contain real moisturizers like vitamin E, shea butter, honey, coconut oil, propolis, beeswax, and the like, or try our homemade options listed below.
    Many daily habits can be the source of chapping lips.
    Many daily habits can be the source of chapping lips.
  6. Using lip products that could be making the problem worse. Some people are allergic to lipstick dyes or to other synthetic ingredients in lipsticks, glosses, and stains. Even if you’re not allergic, your lips could be suffering from constant exposure to drying, irritating color products. Try changing to more natural and organic formulas that are nourishing to the skin. Look for ingredients like vitamin E, shea butter, honey, and natural oils.
  7. Ignoring your diet. Skin needs essential fatty acids and B vitamins to be healthy, so be sure you’re getting enough from foods like flaxseed, fish, walnuts, olive oil, avocadoes, squash, and dark, green leafy vegetables.
  8. Breathing through your mouth. The cold, dry air wafting over your lips contributes to dryness. Try to breathe through your nose!
  9. Using a harsh cleanser. Cleansers with harsh sulfates, preservatives, and alcohols can be drying to your skin and your lips. Read more about how cleansers can be aging your skin, and choose a more natural, hydrating option (like our must try Aloe-Herb Cleanser!), then apply a nourishing lip balm immediately after washing your face. Watch out for your toothpaste, as well. Many contain harsh sulfates, synthetic flavorings, and dyes that can dry out your lips. Choose more natural options.
  10. Failing to protect. The sun may be hiding behind the clouds, but your skin is still vulnerable to penetrating UVA rays, which are actually more likely to increase risk of skin cancer. Your lips are most vulnerable to sun damage, so be sure to protect them with a safe sunscreen. Scarves and facemasks are also good for protecting from the sun, wind, and cold air.

What are natural remedies for chapped lips?

Despite our best efforts, we can all end up with chapped lips during the long, cold winter months. Here are some great natural ways to prevent chapped lips to bring back that luscious, smooth appearance for your lips.

  1. Gently exfoliate. You know it’s good to exfoliate your face, but you may not have thought about doing it to your lips. This is especially important in the winter when you have dry, flaky skin. It’s extremely important to be gentle, however. Try mixing a bit of regular sugar with olive or jojoba oil, then massage gently over the lips and rinse off. You can add a little honey for healing, hydrating power, or try mashed, ripe papaya—simply apply directly to lips and rinse off after about 10 minutes. The natural enzymes in the fruit gently help. Apply a moisturizer immediately after for smoother, more hydrated lips.
  2. Moisturize. Your lips need more moisture in winter than at any other time. Find a natural, petroleum-free balm that contains some of the nourishing ingredients we’ve listed here, or use homemade options like aloe gel, vitamin E, natural oils (almond, olive, coconut, and others), and honey. Some other options: rose petal extract mixed with raw milk, thinly sliced cucumbers (apply directly to lips), or butters like coconut butter, cocoa butter, and mango butter. Want a more convenient option? Try our Coconut Honey Mask, which already includes many of the ingredients listed here!
  3. Opt for the ointment. Lips that are in bad shape may need a more potent solution. Try combining a few drops of nutmeg essential oils, mandarin essential oil, and vitamin E oil, and apply as often as needed. Another option is neem—grind a few neem leaves, take out the juice, and apply the juice on the lips. Calendula also helps to soften.
  4. Treat overnight. Likely, you use a night cream to help rejuvenate your face overnight. You can do the same with your lips. Gently exfoliate before bed, then apply your most hydrating balm or homemade moisturizer, turn on the humidifier, and go to sleep. You’ll wake up with smoother, softer lips.

The following post Banish Chapped Lips This Winter—4 Natural Solutions was first published on Annmarie Skin Care.