If I had compiled a list of types of products that I still am not happy with- meaning that I have yet to find the one that is right for me – deodorant would be on the top of the list.

Being a very active person, and living in Florida, often makes me sweat profusely; not just while working out but simply by crossing the parking lot of a shopping mall. Besides the fact that wet underarms completely freak me out anyway; I also am very self-conscious about smelling good – or not… Fragrance-free deodorants never seemed to work for me, and the ones that are scented either smell weird and powdery, or they leave a white residue on my clothes.

At one of my recent trips to Whole Foods, where I always browse the skincare aisle for about an hour (yeah…so what…it takes time reading every ingredient list..!!), I found Alba Botanica’s Clear Enzyme Deodorant Stick in Aloe unscented (also available in Lavender and Tea Tree). The claims on the packaging promise the following:

-          Crystal clear
-          Safe, long-lasting protection
-          No aluminum
-          Preservative and P.G. free

I bought the deodorant with a mix of excited anticipation and the feeling that I just spent $7 on a product that will go right in the garbage after its first use.

I applied the deodorant after my shower the next morning, and I immediately hated the way it smelled. Despite the claim of this product being unscented; the coriander oil listed on the ingredient list should have given it away… I passionately dislike anything that smells (or tastes) like anise or licorice, and there I was – standing in my bathroom with cardamom armpits, and 5 minutes left to get ready for work…

To keep this story short:  When I arrived at the office, at 9:00am and 85 F already, I went straight for the ladies’ room to make a “smell check” without being watched.  To my surprise, the detestable cardamom scent had completely disappeared, and all I could smell was  – well… nothing…! Absolutely, wonderfully, incredibly, nothing…  And this clean, non-residue nothingness lasted ALL day.

Needless to say; I am convinced, won over, swayed, converted… And I think you should give that one a try.  http://www.albabotanica.com/?id=67&pid=125

Love…to you and your skin,
G-gal

If you are anything like me then finding the perfect face cream is like finding the perfect jeans (or even like finding Mr. Right..?). Anyway…it is a major undertaking that is not to be taken lightly.

I hadn’t shopped for face cream for a while, for obvious reasons, and I don’t really find talking to overzealous sales people at the cosmetic counter enjoyable.  So, I started my search on Sephora.com where the selection is huge, and where the ingredients for most of the products are listed.

I was looking for a natural product without fragrance, without alcohol, without parabens, and without dyes (did you ever notice how many pink and baby-blue creams are out there..???!).

Shopping for skincare products with me is my friends’ nightmare as I read the ingredient list of every single face cream in the store, and then bitch about it. When it comes to skincare, I turn into a snobby elitist.

While most people may find this habit rather annoying, it is actually not completely unjustified. Most skincare products on the market today contain at least one or two ingredients that are potentially dangerous for the skin, and I have seen many face creams that contain tons of skin irritants.

When I talk to my customers or to friends about irritating ingredients, most of them put preservatives on top of the list, followed by fragrance, then alcohol. While some creams still contain potentially harmful preservatives, most preservatives used in skincare today are mild and food-grade. (for more in-depth information go to the Skindred Soul preservatives page )

On top of my list are actually ingredients of natural origin (i.e. essential oils). Many plant extracts, herbs and fruits may smell awesome, may taste really good, or may be a heaven-sent cure for internal problems, such as stomach pain; but they have no business being on the ingredient list of a face cream, especially if the product is labeled for sensitive skin.

According to numerous clinical studies, essential oils have been found to contribute to tumor development and other harmful changes in the body. Most essential oils can be damaging to the skin, liver and other organs, even in concentrations as low as 3%. They most often include a mix of alcohols, ketones, phenols, linalool, borneol, terpenes, camphor, pinene, acids, ethers, aldehydes, and sulfur, all of which have extremely irritating and sensitizing effects on skin.

Be very careful with products that contain the following ingredients, especially if they are high up on the ingredient list:

• Essential oil blend
• Natural fragrance
• Rosemary extract
• Thyme extract
• Peppermint/ Menthol/ Spearmint
• Lavender (Research also indicates that components of lavender, specifically linalool, can be cyto-toxic, meaning that topical application causes skin-cell death (Source: Cell Proliferation, June 2004, pages 221-229).
• Lemon oil/ Mandarin/ Sweet orange oil (these oils are usually obtained as by-products of the citrus industry, and are really cheap ingredients.)
• Clove
• Linalool
• Geraniol
• Citronellol
• Cinnamon
• Camphor
• Lemon Balm
• Vetiver
• Eucalyptus
• Ginger
• Basil oil
• Myrrh

This list is not complete but it contains the essential oils and irritating plant extracts most widely used in skincare.

Many face creams are a mix of good and bad ingredients which I find very unfortunate. Too often I start getting excited about a product because it lists really amazing ingredients, such as Evening Primrose oil and White Tea extract; just to become really disappointed when I also find alcohol, essential oils and irritating plant extracts on the label.

On top of my official “Shun List” of face creams for use of irritating ingredients are the following brands:

• Jurlique
• Juice Beauty
• Lancôme
• Dr. Brandt
• Ole Henriksen
• L’Occitane
• Pangea Organics
• Clarins (their Super Restorative Serum is a Super shocker: alcohol, perfume, parabens, essential oils…)

To end this post on a positive note: YES, there are some skincare gems out there; one of them being the Repairwear line from Clinique. Also check out the moisturizers from MD skincare or Aloe Vera Eye Defense from The Body Shop which I used allover my face.

Oh, I almost forgot: Skindred Soul’s Energize & Care and Nourish & Care are chock-full of absolutely amazing ingredients, and they don’t contain ANY of the ingredients I always bitch about… LOL

Be good to your skin.

G-gal

(PS: our reformulated Nourish & Care will available soon!)