Clean Up the Environment with a Lunge, a Squat while Running!

Source: EPA - West Virginia

Do you like to lunge?  How about squats?  Oh my, I am a work in progress on both of those exercises.  Running is alright as long as I can keep going and not stop.  Needless to say, I need to definitely improve on both my lunges and squats in order to build up certain yoga poses.  At least, that is what my wife says.  Maybe I should try what is happening in Europe to see if my opinion toward lunges and squats will change with incorporating a little clean up of the local surroundings?



Instead of turning a blind eye or my head when I encounter litter while walking, maybe I could squat and pick some up?  How about running and stopping to pick up a few pieces of litter?  That is what one running group is doing in Europe and seems to be having a positive impact to say the least.  In the video below - just under 2 minutes, a group's routine is highlighted for their positive impact on the environment while exercising:

I love it.  What are you doing to improve your health and the environment?  I usually separate these activities.  Until I saw this video.  Now, I feel inspired to try to do the same.  Maybe you can too?  incorporating alternative activities into your workout just might spice up the routine to make the process that much more easier (and fun).  It is very easy.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a painful skin condition that runs in my family. Women between ages 30 and 50 with fair skin can suffer from rosacea that is aggravated by sunlight, diet soda, stress and heat. I contacted my friend Sepi from CT Organics in 2016 when my skin was in such a bad state that I was at my wit's end.

I've been using Clinique "Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser With Probiotic Technology" since around 2007. I also use Clinique "Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Cream" and more recently Clinique "SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid For Face." They say the mineral sunscreen is virtually invisible, which is to say that it is like wearing clown white makeup. But for days when I'm out in the sun all day, I feel it provides better protection than the face cream.

To treat the skin irritation, Sepi first gave me a sample of pure borage oil to make sure that wouldn't aggrevate the condition. Then she gave me a sample of Borage Pearl Powder cream to try. I've been applying it only to the areas of extreme redness. It's definitely working. The redness in my cheeks is less but I still get irritation on my chin that I'm trying to tame. I think maybe the chin is something that still gets sun even when the rest of my face is covered by a hat. Also, I was using only SPF 30 for awhile but I've gone back up to SPF 50.

Oct 2016

Nov 2016

March 2017

April 2018

I can't say enough wonderful things about the Borage Pearl Powder cream. The only thing I need to do is make sure I have a travel size. Last month, when I went to New Orleans (on a plane) I was limiting myself in terms of how many ounces I brought in my carry-on luggage. 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. The thing is that I brought a bunch of hair products which left less room for skin care in the 1 quart bag. Priorities~!

March 2018, New Orleans

Every day on top of the Borage Pearl Powder cream, I put Clinique "Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+" and I use that to cover areas outside of the T-zone where my rosacea isn't. I sometimes use Clinique "All About Eyes" but not every day. Especially since I hardly go anywhere without my glasses these days, and then on top of that I wear goggles in lab 5 days a week. So nobody is really looking at my crow's feet. Then I put "Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Cream" on top of all that. Or SPF 50 if I'm planning to be outside for more than 20 minutes at a time.

When I've got TOO much sun or TOO much wind or if I've done TOO much gardening and my skin has been hit with dirt, I use Clinique "Moisture Surge™ Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator" together with Clinique "Repairwear Laser Focus™ Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream." I keep this on overnight or all weekend (plus staying indoors) to let the skin heal itself.

But I will say that this entire regimen WITHOUT the Borage Pearl Powder cream didn't work.

Hello spring 🌼 #SLOLA #seeds #flowers #pollinatorfriendly #borage #edible #bloom #spring #bees

A post shared by Seed Library of Los Angeles (@seedlibraryofla) on Apr 16, 2018 at 7:24am PDT

According to CT Organics website, borage seed oil contains high amount of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) fatty acids that help reduce inflammation naturally.

Introducing 🌼Borage Pearl Powder Cream🌼 absorbs quickly and hydrates deeply giving you silky firm skin. 🌱Borage oil contains Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) 🌱Pearl Powder contains 20 amino acids that help with collagen production 🌱Turmeric Oil (CO2 extract) helps with acne and healthy skin production. Now available on our website. #ctorganics #naturalskincare #organicskincare #organicskincare #borageoil #turmericoil #pearlpowder #naturalprimer #primerbeforefoundation

A post shared by CT Organics Natural Skincare (@ctorganics) on Jun 3, 2017 at 2:42pm PDT

I could say more about a BUNCH of other CT Organics products that I love, but that's all the time I have for today AND this product has been a game changer for me.

Anti-Aging Skin Series 14: You Can Dew It by XoM3

Happy New Year to everyone!!!!  Sorry for the delay in response, I have been busy with other projects.  I have been thinking about the direction of the 'Anti-Aging Skin Series' quite a bit over the break.  Up until now, the products which I have chosen to deconstruct have been off the store shelf.  A few months ago, I met Mandy of XoM3 products.  My last blog post was on her and how this year I would incorporate her products into the 'Anti-Aging Skin Series'.  Why?



Specifically, because in addition to deconstructing the ingredient list on the bottle of a given product, we can find out exclusive information not yet known to the public about the formulator's (creators) intention in designing the skin care product.  Which makes us the consumers feel even a step closer to the process and the product.  Without further ado, lets dive into the first product from XoM3 product line: "You Can Dew It" as shown below:

Source: XoM3 Product Line

Remember, if you are interested in reading any previous posts contained in the 'Anti-Aging Skin Series' please either choose the hyperlink "Aging" on the cover page (in the right hand corner) or click here.

"You Can Dew It"

First, to put the product into context from her website, Mandy has a product description which I directly quoted below from her website:

Seasonal and dry weather, time, or biology can do a number on delicate facial skin. Handcrafted You Can Dew It Demulcent Oil can help. Lush with organic and ethical ingredients, precious jojoba, rosehip seed, argon and evening primrose oils are infused with skin loving botanicals and essential oils of frankincense and ylang ylang to deliver a velvety, dew kissed finish for glowing results. 

Upon asking Mandy for a complete ingredient list, she was super kind to be open with her products.  She is interested in bringing awareness to the community of consumers in the skin care industry that she stands by her products and has nothing to hide.  She is very knowledgeable regarding the exact reason why a given ingredient is used in one of her products.  Which makes her product line even more attractive.



To start with, I will list each ingredient and list the function as I have done in past blog posts.  If the ingredients are 'highlighted or hyperlinked' then the reference page is from 'Environmental Working Group'.  Otherwise, the ingredient information reference number will be given along with the corresponding reference listed at the end of the blog post in the bibliography.  Below is a list of ingredients in "You Can Dew It":


1) Jojoba Oil:

About SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL: Jojoba oil is extracted from seeds of the desert shrub, Simmondsia chinensis, native to California, Arizona and Mexico.

Function(s): Hair Conditioning Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Occlusive; EMOLLIENT; SKIN CONDITIONING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING


2) Yarrow:

A strong-scented, spicy, wild herb used in astringents and shampoos. (Ref.2)

Note: Astringent:  a substance that causes the contraction of body tissues, typically used to protect the skin and to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions. (Ref.3)


3) Argan Oil:

The oil is high in lipids, including the omega-9 oleic acid and the omega-6 linoleic acid as well as vitamin E.  Argan oil has anti-inflammatory properties. (Ref.3)


4) Calendula Officinalis (POT MARIGOLD) Flower Oil:

About CALENDULA OFFICINALIS (POT MARIGOLD) FLOWER OIL: Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil is an oil derived from the flowers of Calendula officinalis.

Function(s): Fragrance Ingredient; MASKING; SKIN CONDITIONING


5) Comfrey Extract:

The leaf and root contain allantoin, mucilage, tannins, starch, inulin, steroidal saponins, and pyrrolizine alkaloids. (Ref. 2)


6) Fankincense Oil:

Fragrant component used in skincare products; it can be a skin sensitizer, but is not considered a potent one. There is no research showing frankincense has any benefit for skin. (Ref.4)


7) Ylang Ylang:

About CANANGA ODORATA (YLANG YLANG) OIL: Oil obtained from the flowers of the ylang-ylang tree Cananga odorata.

Function(s): Fragrance Ingredient; MASKING


8) Primrose Oil:

About OENOTHERA BIENNIS (EVENING PRIMROSE) OIL: Evening Primrose oil is extracted from Oenothera biennis, a plant native to North America.

Function(s): Skin-Conditioning Agent - Miscellaneous; EMOLLIENT


That completes the ingredient list for the product "You Can Dew It" by XoM3 Botanical Solutions. On the bottom of the front of the bottle is the label -- "Demulcent Oil" which means -- "(of a substance) relieving inflammation or irritation."

Conclusion...

In the next post, I will provide a little background into the benefits of natural oils based on science.  I recently stumbled upon an article which I would like to work through to see the evidence of the benefits aside or along with those listed in the ingredients (functions) list above.


I also promised at the beginning of the series (this year) to include Mandy (the producer, formulator) opinion on the product.  I have to rescind that for the present time.  We are both looking into the Food & Drug Regulations guidelines on 'interviews' and 'product discussions.'  I will hopefully have more on that topic in the near future.


For the time being, I will move onto a new product after I discuss some benefits of natural oils in the next post.  Until next time, have a wonderful day.





Reference Bibliography:

1) Environmental Working Group

2) Cosmetic Dictionary

3) Google Dictionary

4) Paula's Choice