Pomegranate Oil - Have you heard?

The benefits of pomegranate juice have been getting a lot of press in recent years, and the extract of this juice has been finding its way into many new skin care products. Less well known, but perhaps even more significant, are the benefits of pomegranate seed oil.  Similar to pomegranate juice and extract, the oil from the seeds of the pomegranate provides a powerful anti-oxidant benefit, fighting free radicals that damage and age the skin. But pomegranate oil is also contains Omega 5 which is the only known botanical form of Conjugated Linolenic Acid (CLnA), also known as Punicic Acid, and one of the most potent antioxidants known.

Pomegranate Oil is great for sensitive skin!  Because it does have healing properties, it's great for people with eczema (like me) who suffer from breakouts from time to time. 

Actually Desert Sierra Naturals will be featuring this amazingly powerful oil in upcoming products.  So look for it soon!

Aloe Vera - Mother's Miracle Plant

Hey Everyone,

If you are like me, your mother had the infamous Aloe Vera Plant sitting somewhere in the house. As soon as I got a burn or a "boo-boo", first thing my mother did was cut one open one of the leaves and apply the gel inside. I generally liked this method as opposed to the alcohol that burned like crazy! The Aloe Gel felt cool and soothing. My mother would make sure everyday for about a week she would put the gel on that spot, and in a relatively short period of time, the area was healed. No stinging & no medicinal smell. It wasn't until I got older that I realized why it worked the way it did.

Aloe Vera Gel (or Juice) has inflammation and/or swelling reduction properties which would explain why it works so well on burns; and is a great topical application for skin with chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as it is soothing and helps to eliminate itchiness.

 

As always...  Mama did know best!

 

 

Parabens -- What are they and are they dangerous?

Parabens -- What are they and are they dangerous?

Hey Everyone!

Parabens? What the heck is that? Why is everyone freaking out about them? Well, I am going to let you know what they are, what to look for on your skin care labels and some of the effects. As always, I am going to let you come to your own conclusion at the end.

Ok... Parabens are preservatives used to keep products from spoiling; allowing it to stay on the shelf in your local drug store for what seems like forever. Many of your favorite skin care companies use these in their products. It can be found in everything from Shampoo & Bath Gel (remember... the skin absorbs everything...) to toothpaste. Most common forms of these are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben or butylparaben. So what does that mean to you??

A study conducted by Dr. Phillipa Darbre and colleagues at the University of Reading, United Kingdom, published in 2004, showed that there was substantial amount of paraben compounds in breast cancer tumors (18 traces of parabens found out of 20 tumor samples). It was suggested that parabens found in underarm deodorants migrated to the breast cells and eventually caused the growth of tumors cells in the breast of both women & MEN (yes... men have breast tissue also!)

Many people were also found to develop allergic reactions due to use of products containing parabens. Parabens may trigger various types of dermatitis (eczema) and other skin conditions. When absorbed by the body, it is suggested that parabens cause estrogenic effects. They mimic and behave like estrogen, leading to various interferences with the endocrine system.

Admittedly, there are no hard scientific studies that categorically point out parabens as bad and harmful to the body. So far, studies, such as the 2004 University of Reading research conducted, only indicate correlation between paraben intake and certain diseases. In other words, there are no very conclusive report that is widely accepted in the scientific community. In fact, the American Cancer Society has concluded that there is no good scientific evidence to support a claim that use of cosmetics such as antiperspirants increase an individual's risk of developing breast cancer.

So... Are parabens bad??? Well, if we listen to the American Cancer Society, there is nothing to support these claims, but I haven't seen anything to completely discredit the claims either (and I've looked!) ... So, I feel, that if you are really serious about your health and well-being, you may want to eliminate placing any product on your body that is linked to studies which suggest it causes cancer. But as always... The choice is yours. Protect your skin... Protect your body...

Avocado Butter - One of Mother Nature's Best Moisturizers

 

 

Hey Everyone!

 

First let me start by saying HAPPY EARTH DAY!  I wanted to talk about something that keeps being brought up when I speak about having sensitive skin.  Whenever I say I have eczema or sensitive skin, the first words out of most people is Shea Butter.  Unfortunately, as I'm sure many of you who have extremely sensitive skin like myself have discovered, I can't use shea butter.   It STILL irritates my skin!  For the longest time, tried different companies that offer shea butter -- including the quite expensive one in the Silver Tube, and still my skin would tingle and itch.

 

Well, if you are like me and can't use Shea Butter, I wanted to let you in on what is my personal preference in skin moisturizing. Avocado Butter!!  I love this so much!

Avocado Butter comes from the flesh of the avocado fruit. It is is rich in vitamins E, A and D, unsaturated fatty acids and lecithin, all of which are beneficial to your general health and especially to that of your skin. Its a little heavy, but eczema suffers like myself generally have very dry skin so it works for us.  And it also aids in the restoration of discolored skin due to eczema breakouts (which can make our skin look HORRIBLE!)

Now you know if it's amazing for skin like mine, it's great for any other skin type!

 

Want to see how great it is? Right before bed, rub pure avocado butter on your hands and then place them in cotton gloves. I guarantee in the morning, your hands will be "baby's bottom" smooth.

Give it a try.  But I warn you... You will get hooked!

 

Chat Soon,

Shermaine

Insanity - An Introduction

Hey everyone,

Insanity is defined by Einstein as (paraphrased) - When you continue to do the same thing over and over, but expect a different result.

How many of us do this?  Many of us are taught that if we keep trying it, we will eventually get us.  But did you know that successful people are taught, keep trying, but do something a little DIFFERENT until you find what works.  So how many of us are spinning our wheels doing the same thing, the exact same way and wondering why we can't get ahead.

I started a business in 2008 called The Body Patisserie.  It was a line of natural and organic bath and body products in pastry scents.  Well... First I didn't listen when it was first brought to my attention that maybe I should use a different name (when I couldn't get a trademark that should have been another indication).  then when I was told that the packaging was a little too juvenile - and the writing too difficult to read, I still didn't listen.  And when I was told that maybe just pastry scents may not be the way to go... Guess?  Nope!  Didn't listen.  I kept plugging away only on social media sites and trying to get in blogs and such.  And I did this for 2 years.  I gave away product like you would not believe and after 2 years, I conducted a survey of those who had subscribed to our site and learned that they only saw the products as cute and more of a novelty or as great for kids.  2 years of doing it the same way, and getting no results at all. 

So I had to take a hard look at what I wanted to do.  I created a new line.  Still using natural and organic ingredients, but geared directly for sensitive skin (like mine) and in a variety of scents.  I took it off line and started hitting the fairs and markets.  And guess what?   A good starting result.

I kept the concept (natural skin care), but I became more focused and opened up more avenues for sales.  A little something DIFFERENT.

So give it a try...  If you've been spinning your wheels, shift gears a little.  See if that makes the different.

I'll be with you to give you information on skin care -- especially for sensitive skin like mine - I'm a lifelong eczema sufferer -- as well as info on overall health.  Also, I'll take you on my journey for better wellbeing.  If you all have any suggestions or hear of anything, I hope you will let me know.

New products?  I will definitely shout them out as well as feature products from my line Desert Sierra Naturals (hey... a girl's got a business to run... LOL!)

I hope you will follow me... Also, check out our FB Page (Desert Sierra Naturals) and "like" us!

Chat Soon!
Shermaine