Chemical-Free, Nano-Free Sunscreen Recommendations

If you prefer to use a natural sunscreen this summer, but hate the chalky white coating many of the mineral-based ones leave on your skin, you'll be relieved to know that Natural Solutions did the research and came up with a list of safe, effective, non-Casperish (as in Casper the ghost) sunscreens.

Additionally, the seven chemical-free sunscreens that made the list do not contain questionable nanoparticles, according to their manufacturers. Currently, there are no regulations concerning nanoparticles, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in sunscreens and other skincare products. At the same time, there is growing concern about whether nanoized ingredients can penetrate the skin and cause damage.

So if you are heading to the beach, below are your best options for healthy sunscreen. They are listed from most absorbable to least.

UV Natural Sunscreen (5.29 oz, $33.50; uvnaturalusa.com). It has a 30+ SPF and it's active ingredient is zinc oxide. It was found to be highly absorbable, but a bit oily.

Lavera Family Sun Spray (6.6 oz., $26.50; lavera.com). This one was the editor's pick. It has an SPF of 15 and it also received the highest absorbability rating. It's active ingredient is titanium dioxide.

Lotus Moon Sage Sun Protective Creme (2 oz, $32; lotusmoon.biz). Made with both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It has an SPF of 25 and is easy to apply. It is pretty absorbable, but not as much as the two listed above.

Erbaviva Sunscreen (4 oz., $28; erbaviva.com). Has an SPF of 15 and is made with titanium dioxide. It is noted to have a fresh herbal scent. Ranked in the middle for absorbability.

Alba Botanica Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen(4 oz., $9.95; albabotanica.com). This one has an 18 SPF and is made with titanium dioxide. It's also middle of the road for absorbability.

Nature's Gate Mineral Sunblock (4 oz, $9.49; natures-gate.com). With an SPF of 20 this titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sunscreen is one of the least absorbable on the least.

Jason SunBrellas Mineral Based Physical Sunblock (4 oz, $14; jason-natural.com). It has a higher SPF of 30 and contains both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Like Nature's Gate Mineral Sunblock, this one also has a poorer absorbability rating.

New Seals on Natural & Organic Bodycare Products

Ever wonder how pure, natural or organic your soap, shampoo and deodorant are? Sure their labels might proclaim in big, bold lettering natural, but then you read the ingredient lists and you can't pronounce half of what you read or have a clue if those chemicals are really safe.

Well, starting this summer, things are going to get a little easier for those in search of healthier personal care products.

If you shop at Whole Foods Market, you've already seen their Premium Body Care seal on 1,200 items sold in their stores. To qualify for the label, a product must contain "ingredients as close to nature and as minimally processed as possible" as well as have minor environmental impact. See wholefoodsmarket.com/wholebody.pbc for more information.

If you've been confused about what products are truly organic, the OASIS label is debuting this August to give some clarity on the claim. OASIS--which stands for Organic and Sustainable Industry Standards--is the first organic standard for the U.S. beauty and personal care market. It has the support of 30 founding members, including: Perfect Organics, Hain Celestial, Aveda, Juice Beauty, Buddha Nose, Origins, L'Oreal, Head Organics, Trillium Organics and Suki.

In order to qualify for the OASIS seal, a product must contain 85 percent certified organic ingredients (not including water and salt). For more information, visit: oasisseal.org

The Natural Products Association also has rolled out a seal, which covers products containing at least 95 percent natural ingredients. Additionally, in order to bear this seal, a product cannot contain any synthetic ingredients linked with any suspected health risks.

Companies participating in this certification, include: Burt's Bees, Aubry Organics, Badger, California Baby, Farmaesthetics, Trilogy and Weleda. Visit thenaturalseal.com for more information.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Raising the Bar Again

If you're a regular reader of Vibrant Glow, you know that I'm a big fan of MyChelle Dermaceuticals and that's why it's the only skincare line that's in VG's Amazon store. It's free of toxic chemicals, but it's so effective (see review).

Recently, MyChelle has taken their products a step further by incorporating more organic ingredients into them and making their ingredients compliant with the European Union Cosmetic Directive (EUCD)--which has extremely stringent guidelines. While skincare products here in the United States are allowed to contain parabens and phthlates, which have been linked to cancer, as well as other dangerous substances, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, the EUCD has banned them and all ingredients classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction.

The EUCD also requires that every ingredient be listed on a label. Unfortunately, U.S. manufacturers aren't required to be as transparent and often omit listing ingredients.

Going the extra mile when they don't have to and raising their already high standards even to greater heights, makes me love MyChelle Dermaceutical even more. It tells me that they truly care about their customers.

With all the upgrades made to already great products, I have to admit that I do miss the pineapple smell in the Fruit Enzyme Cleanser and Toner, which now has a grapefruit scent. One VG reader who was smitten with the smell of the Revitalizing Night Cream wrote to me expressing her dismay when she recently purchased the reformulated product to find it lost its heavenly scent. It is one of several products that is now unscented. I could empathize with her. However, the results from using MyChelle products are so amazing and the ingredients are by far the purest and most effective on the market, I still won't put anything else on my skin no matter how enticing the smell.

Related Articles: MyChelle Dermaceuticals: Real Hope in a Bottle

Your Natural/Organic Personal Care Products May Contain Toxins

If you buy personal care products touted as natural or organic from the better-known brands found at health food stores, you'll be disappointed to learn that many of them contain residues of the chemical 1,4-dioxane, according to recent testing commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association.

The petroleum-derived contaminant is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is a known animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. Because 1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of the manufacturing process and not an ingredient, it does not have to be listed on labels.

The study found that shampoos and lotions from Jason Pure Natural & Organic, Giovanni Organic Cosmetics, Kiss My Face and Nature's Gate Organics were among those found to contain this contaminant.

The only way to ensure that a product does not contain 1,4-dioxane or any other possible toxin is to look for products that have the USDA organic seal on them. Brands that tested free of 1,4- dioxane included Dr. Bronner's, Terressentials, Aubrey Organics and Dr. Hauschka.

For a complete listing of the test results, visit OrganicConsumers.org.

Related Articles:
Beauty Products Going Paraben-Free
Body Absorbs 5 lbs of Cosmetic Chemicals a Year

Beautify Skin with Mesmorizing Minerals

I was first introduced to mineral makeup from an esthetician almost 5 years years ago and was thrilled with the results. At the time I was suffering from terrible acne, and I was amazed at how well it camouflaged my breakouts. Then I began to notice how nourishing it was for my skin. The redness began to disappear. It was truly an answer to my prayers! That's when I started telling everyone I know about it.

Mineral makeup, once only promoted by estheticians and plastic surgeons, has finally gone mainstream and for good reason. Not only do the ingredients come from the earth instead of a lab, but it supports the skin with anti-inflammatory benefits, allows it to breath, and naturally contains UVA/UVB protection. In addition, the minerals don't support bacteria, and therefore don't require any irritating preservatives. Best of all, it makes skin appear shear, flawless and glowing throughout the day without needing a touch up.

While conventional makeup contains coal-tar colors, petrochemicals and perfumes, mineral makeup uses earth mined ingredients such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica and ultramarine pigments. Some of the mineral makeup formulas incorporate antioxidants and other nutrients to enhance cellular immunity.

My long-time favorite brand is Jane Iredale, which sells foundation containing antioxidants from pine bark extract and pomegranate extract. It's also the favorite among dermatologist and plastic surgeons. It costs a little more than other brands. However, I will let you in a little secret of where to find it for the best price. A friend of mine introduced me to http://www.skinwest.com/ several years ago and it's now my regular supplier. Skin West's Web site doesn't show their lower prices on Jane Iredale's products until you check out. Once you get on their mailing list they'll send you an email about every month with a discount code for another 20% off. Until June 18 they are having a sale, so if you want to take advantage of the great discount here is the current coupon code: UCGPC2DM.

Fortunately, mineral makeup's rising popularity has allowed it to branch out into liquid form in addition to powder. It is now available in base, eye shadow, blush, lipstick, mascara and concealer. And if you think of all the colors on the earth, there are that many colors available to enhance your facial features.

Here is a list of the many companies offering mineral makeup:

Afterglow Cosmetics - http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com/
Bare Escentuals - http://www.bareescentuals.com/
Colorescience - http://www.colorescience.com/
Dr. Hauschka - http://www.drhauschka.com/
Ecco Bella - http://www.eccobella.com/
GloMinerals - www.glominerals.com
Dechant - http://www.dechantsheerminerals.com/
Jane Iredale - www.janeiredale.com
Larénim - www.larenim.com
Zia Natural -www.zianatural.com

New Beauty Gadget Stimulates Skin's Natural Anti-Aging Capabilities

For my recent birthday, I told my husband that the only gift I wanted was to enjoy my favorite spa treatment -- an ultrasound and vitamin C facial. It works wonders on my skin because the ultrasound therapy penetrates the antioxidant deeply into the skin to renew the cells and reverse environmental damage. It also kills the bacteria that causes acne.

But just before I made my facial appointment, I decided to buy my own ultrasonic massager. That way I can give myself a skin rejuvenating facial at home any time.

So I did a lot of research before purchasing my birthday gift. It seems these new beauty gadgets are the biggest craze in Asia right now. After using mine for a couple of months, I can see why. Even my husband has commented on how great my skin looks.

OK, maybe it's also because I started using MyChelle Dermaceuticals around that time too, but between my facial massager and MyChelle's products it really is looking smoother and clearer. Believe me ... it's been a long road to get here.

In the end I bought more than an ultrasonic facial massager. I went for all the bells and whistles. I purchased the FaceMate 330 Ultrasonic Face and Skin Massager, which has two ultrasonic vibrations settings of 1MHz and 3MHz. However, from my online research I found that using the 1 MHz on the face can penetrate too deeply and may effect the facial bones. Many of the older ultrasonic models seem to only have the 1 MHz setting so choose one carefully.

My new little beauty tool also has a negative ion function to soften skin and increase blood circulation. It also has a mixed wave microcurrent feature that helps to firm the skin and tone the muscle by increasing blood circulation, collagen production and elastin. While using the ultrasonic feature, I also turn on the high energetic light, which works synergistically with the ultrasound to accelerate collagen production and remove dead cells.

I try to use my FaceMate about 3 times a week while reading or watching TV before bed. I start by applying MyChelle's Perfect C Serum and then use the ultrasound feature on 3 MHz along with the high energetic light for about 10 minutes and follow it with 5 minutes of the negative ions. I finish up with the mixed wave microcurrent for 10 minutes. A conductor gel will increase penetration of the ultrasound and microcurrent, however, I do not use one and still have great results.

While many stores charge more than $200 for the FaceMate, the best deal I've found is at Amazon for $119.

My new FaceMate is one of the best birthday presents a woman could get. Good thing I picked it out.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals: Real Hope in a Bottle

In my twenties I thought the perfect skin would magically occur somewhere between the acne years and when wrinkles creep in. My fantasy dissipated when I approached my 37th birthday with a bad break out, dull skin and fine lines. Fortunately, a couple of months ago I discovered MyChelle Dermaceuticals. It has transformed my face to clear and glowing. Ok, I still may get a minor pimple, but nothing like before.

MyChelle's products are as pure and natural as those from Aubrey Organics, but more effective than high-end products from Cellex-C. They contain quality ingredients from antioxidants and natural antimicrobial extracts without toxins and estrogen-mimicking chemicals.

I love the Perfect C Serum because it has enough vitamin C to be effective and combines with other antioxidants like CoQ10 for a synergistic effect. The serum works double duty, clearing and preventing breakouts and stimulating collagen production. I can even use MyChelle's Supreme Polypeptide Cream to minimize wrinkling without my skin breaking out. Amazing! And the Incredible Pumpkin Peel smells so delicious and leaves my skin silky smooth.

MyChelle has a great website with great details about their products. However, Vibrant Glow's Store (through Amazon) offers the best deal, selling most MyChelle products for about 30% less.