Organic Skincare Blog

BRAND NEW!! Organic and Advanced facial services from Dawn Lorraine Skincare

New services just uploaded today... All my facials now incorporate my new skincare products into the service for maximum results. Check em out!!!

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A word on preservatives in organic skincare

One of the significant challenges in the natural and organic skincare products industry today is the controversy over the use of preservatives. As I went through the process of learning product formulation the truth about the need for preservatives became more and more apparent. The challenge of educating my purist oriented customers also became more and more apparent.  Here I address just a few of the truths and untruths regarding the NEED for preservatives in skincare products, the misinformation often espoused 
about the topic by well-meaning people and a few of the newer preservatives on the market today that seek to replace parabens. 

Just take a moment to think about what would occur if you mixed berries, fruit juice and natural extracts for use as an at home mask treatment, and then, you left it out on your kitchen counter for a week or two. It would not be very long before there was mold growing in it. In reality, organic/natural skincare products are not that different. Typically they are formulated in a water, herbal infusion or natural juice base, all of which contain large amounts of natural sugars…a favorite medium in which bacteria and mold thrive.

Now you may ask …aren’t there “natural” preservatives? The truth is yes and no. There are some natural substances that offer limited antibacterial protection. Essential Oils of Thyme, Oregano and Tea Tree as well as Vitamin E, Rosemary and Neem are protective against some strains of bacteria and rancidity. Unfortunately though, on their own, they don’t protect from all forms of bacteria and fungi that can occur from sunlight, heat and contact exposure to pathogens that regularly occur in cosmetic use. Additionally they require very high concentrations that can cause significant skin irritation.

As much as we would like to hope and natural products purists would like to believe, unfortunately, the reality is that a 100% natural broad spectrum preservative that provides adequate protection against microbes, yeast, bacteria and fungi is simply not available today. I wish it was, as I would be using it extensively. Before parabens became the subject of controversy they are today, they were the most commonly used preservative as they offer significant protection at very low percentages while at the same time being affordable. The huge outcry from consumers about parabens has sent the industry scurrying to find alternatives that meet the need to protect against contamination while at the same time satisfying the growing consumer demand and trend towards “natural” ingredients. As a result a few ingredients have emerged as the most commonly used in natural and organic product formulations, Phenoxyethanol, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin, and Japanese Honey Suckle Extract (P-hydroxy benzoic acid)  

Phenoxyethanol -  An organic chemical compoundformed of eight carbon, ten hydrogen and two oxygen atoms. It is an alkyl ether, meaning its carbon and hydrogen atoms are arranged into a chain and connected to the oxygen. It is an effective and very stable antimicrobial which has been approved by the UK Soil Association for use as a preservative in organic beauty products and is non formaldehyde forming.In scientific studies it has been shown to be non-sensitizing to the skin and eyes at levels of 2.2% or lower. Typically it is used in skincare formulations at 1% or less.

Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin -  A glyceryl ester, essentially a glycerin alcohol derived from grains and plants. It provides rapid destruction of micro-organisms and broad spectrum antibacterial protection by reducing the interfacial tension on the cellular walls of the micro-organism. As well, it has proven preservative-enhancing ability and is often used in combination with other preservatives instead of parabens for broad spectrum protection against gram negative bacteria.

Japanese Honey Suckle Extract - Contains a potent phytochemical that occurs in many plants, fruits and barks, p-hydroxy benzoic acid (phba). Scientists likely began looking at phba as a preservative in cosmetics because, in nature this chemical naturally protects against bacterial and microbial intrusion. Phba is the chemical that formed the precursor for parabens which were created by synthetically altering the naturally occurring chemical. Although it provides some bacterial protection, the naturally occurring phba is not an adequate broad spectrum preservative on its own.  The solution generated by scientists was to  chemically alter naturally occurring Phba by attaching a methyl free-radical which became the basis for the commonly used methyl, ethyl, and propyl parabens. With the introduction of the new alternatives to parabens, phenoxyethanol and ethyl hexyl glycerin, Japanese Honeysuckle Extract has re-emerged as an effective microbial when combined with other preservatives.

There's Something Happening Here: Brewing Up A Nevada City Renegade Craft Fair!

I just had to share a picture with you from a serious Grrrl Power Lunch that I went to the other day. Seated at the head of the table, in white, is none other than Miss Jesse Locks, one of the true movers and shakers in Nevada County. This lady has like twenty amazing projects going at once in our community at any given time, and I know that she pretty much donates most of her day to these causes out of the goodness of her very, very kind heart. I co-produced our Nevada County Ladyfest with her, and let me tell you, I have never met a more capable human being. We like to call her (with serious optimism) "The Mayor of Nevada City". The other gals are all amazing women as well, and you KNOW some of them already! From Jesse, going clockwise, you have Leora (from Gather Jewelry), Amber (from Violet Folklore), moi, Sara Zahn (she produces and promotes some of the most cutting edge music and arts events in our community, like the Faun Fables and Mariee Sioux show last month!), and Stephanie, who I am just getting to know!

via astralboutique.typepad.com

I just love supporting local handmade talent...you go girls

OPEN HOUSE

Please join me for an Open House

FRIDAY JUNE 4 (4-6)

Come by and see my new space, learn about some of the other businesses here at Miners Village, and sample my new product line... Dawn Lorraine Conscious Skincare 

I will have products for you to try, yummy chocolate treats and hot tea. 

I look forward to seeing you all.

 

206 Sacramento St. Suite 305

Nevada City  

(Downtown Nevada City in the historic Miners Village, sharing the same parking lot as Amigos, and across the street from the old Stonehouse) 

click here to get directions

Not So Sexy: Hidden Chemicals in Perfume and Cologne | Environmental Working Group

A rose may be a rose. But that rose-like fragrance in your perfume may be something else entirely, concocted from any number of the fragrance industry’s 3,100 stock chemical ingredients, the blend of which is almost always kept hidden from the consumer...

READ MORE :Not So Sexy: Hidden Chemicals in Perfume and Cologne | Environmental Working Group

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Dr. Oz's Healthy Tan Plan

Sun-worshippers, wake up. Skin cancer is a scary reality, and excessive sun exposure and tanning is the leading cause of premature aging. Transform...

MAKING CONSCIOUS CHOICES IN SKINCARE Part 3

 
Consider rainforest derived botanicals:

Rainforest harvested ingredients provide an alternative income source from practices which substantially contribute to rainforest depletion for the struggling economies of local inhabitants of these communities. This choice impacts the earth, its peoples and your health. Many of these ingredients are also being found to yield high amounts of essential nutrients that benefit the skin and hair, such as Vitamin C and Fatty acids. Passion flower is native to the Amazon of North and South America is high in vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus and has one of the highest botanical contents of essential fatty acids. Camu camu berry is a native bush to the South American rainforest that produces a fruit containing more vitamin C than any other known botanical source. (I put loads of it in my Botanical Toning Mist It’s estimated that Camu camu berries have 30 times as much vitamin C as oranges. These ingredients aren’t as commonly found, but, but, when you do find them in a product it’s a great clue that the creator of that product has a conscious focus or at the very least is producing a product with a lot of beneficial nutrients.

Fun Skin Segment on Dr Oz. - "Spring Clean Your Skin" with Lemon, Sunscreen & Grapes. Of course Dawn Lorraine Conscious Skincare offers products with all these important ingredients, but I just thought this segment was so fun...I had to post it.

Dawn Lorraine Has a New Space

Pics of my new location:

206 Sacramento St. Suite 305, Nevada City, CA

 ENTRY

WAIT ROOM

RETAIL (In wait room)

FACIAL ROOM

MAKE-UP AREA (in the facial room)

I cant wait to see you all soon!
 
 

New From Dawn Lorraine Conscious Skincare...Radiant Renewal Resurfacer

Reveal fresh, smooth, luminous skin with this age reversing, exfoliating serum formulated with Organic Fruit Acids, skin brightening Orange, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Lime and Acai oils and, healing Green Tea and collagen rebuilding Gotu Kola. 1oz 

Actives:

Organic Multi-Fruit Acid Complex - Derived from fruit sugars, fruit/glycolic acids, anti-aging and antioxidant;  smooths fine lines in older, photo-aged skin; helps clear the pores of acne-prone skin and diminishes age spots. Increases cell renewal by dissolving the intercellular cement responsible for abnormal cell build-up. Improves skin hydration by enhanced moisture uptake as well as increased binding of water to the skin.

Organic White Willow Bark (natural salicylic acid) -From the leaves of Wintergreen and bark of Sweet Birch. Dissolves the top layer of skin cells and thereby improve the look and feel of the skin. Has natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities.

Organic Lemon Oil - Has a mild natural bleaching effect, which enables it to brighten dull skin color and calm redness. Inhibits melanin production

Tangerine/ Orange Oils - Citrus essential oil, refreshing, brightening and clarifying

Acai - a potent antioxidant that received superstar status in the skin doctors book, “The Perricone Promise”.

Organic Lime Oil - antibacterial, anti-infectious, clears up acne, astringent, tones skin and enhances circulation.

Pink Grapefruit Oil - Antiseptic, antifungal, detoxifying, cleansing for oily skin, diminishes stretchmarks

Witch Hazel - Witch Hazel extract has astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and anesthetic properties. Medicinally, Witch Hazel extract is used for bedsores, bruises, eczema, insect bites, hemorrhoids, poison ivy or oak, bruises, sore muscles, swelling, psoriasis, cracked or blistered skin, diaper rash, windburn, and sunburn. Witch Hazel can be applied to blemishes, is used to cleanse oil from the skin, decrease bags under eyes and skin puffiness, and to reduce pore size. It is beneficial for both oily and dry mature skin.  

Organic Green Tea - High in Polyphenols. Anti-aging; anti-inflammatory; anti-irritant. Contains catechins that are potent anti-oxidants.

Organic Gotu Kola - Gotu Kola is a proven collagen stimulant proven to work 120 times more effectively than synthetic collagen replacement therapies. Gotu Kola stimulates the production of collagen in the skin, as well as the manufacture of new skin cells, greatly enhances the integrity and vascularization of connective tissue and skin, hastens wound healing, improves elasticity and rejuvenates blood vessels for improved.

Organic Propolis - This flavonoid rich substance from bee resin has both anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties, and germ resistant properties.

 

Ingredients: Organic Infusion of Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera), Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Organic Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Organic Pelagonium Graveolens (Geranium), Organic Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion),  Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera), Hyaluronic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract. (Glycolic Acids), R Lipoic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, Organic Salix Lucida (Salicylic Acid), Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea), Organic Resina Propoli (Propolis), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

 

Purchase Now - http://www.dawnlorraine.com/catalog/item/5479874/7724342.htm

MAKING CONSCIOUS CHOICES IN SKINCARE PRODUCTS...Part 2

 

STEP 2

Look for whole food sources in the ingredients:

Some ingredients are not yet available in organic form but you can still choose wisely by keeping your preference toward whole food ingredients. Previously thought to be of little value, science is consistently confirming the myriad of health benefits of previously little or unknown micronutrients. These are often what are considered the secondary active components that exist naturally in whole fruits, nuts and vegetables. With the growing emergence of health conscious shoppers we now have substantial scientific emphasis on the study of these compounds in foods and how they may have a synergistic effect beyond what singular isolated ingredients offer. For example; Papaya, which is high in vitamin c as well as providing enzymes for nutrient support, Pomegranate seed oil, which contains high levels of anti-oxidants that fight free radicals and skin aging, and is also a potent source of punicic and ellagic acids, (actives which support healing), are both examples of great whole food choices over a product that just has Vitamin C added to it. Whole foods provide comprehensive nourishment for the skin, hair and body in the form of anti-oxidants, polyphenols and enzymes as well as having the potential to hold nutritional value that we may not yet know about or are just beginning to discover.