Tag Archive for: anti-inflammatory

Dr. G Does Your Lips a Service

In anticipation of our biggest launch yet, Lip Therapy, we sat down with Dr. Goldfaden to learn all about the lips and why we need to protect them. 

Please explain the anatomy of the lips and why they are more delicate and more easily dried out than the rest of the skin?

The lips are almost continuous with the internal parts of our body – that is to say, the lips are the transition area between the skin and the mucosa (the inner lining of the mouth). The skin overlying the lips is extremely thin and frail covering large amounts of blood vessels. The lip tissue’s cell turnover is much quicker than our facial skin. The stratum corneum, the dry scaly part of the skin and what we exfoliate off, do not really form and is almost nonexistent on the lip. The lips have no oil glands and no real protective barrier and so they dry out quickly. Many people who breathe more heavily through their mouths (mouth breathers) have the constant movement of air which can lead to dehydration.

What are some common ways we dry and damage our lips?

Since the lips have no protective barrier, climate and weather can affect the health of the lips. Wind, temperature and ultraviolet light can damage and dry out the lips. The Sun can damage the outer layer of the lips and cause them to not function properly.

Constant inflammation of the lips, which comes from external sources such as foods, spices, smoking/cigarettes, eating hot food, makeup and artificial coloring found in glosses or lipsticks are all considered ‘irritants. Excessive licking and biting the lips can also cause damage. 

Since we may be wearing them for a while, are masks good or bad for the lips?

Wearing a mask is actually more protective than not. Masks stop water loss from the lips, protect against the sun, wind, extreme temperatures and keep humidity in. Negative side effects could be artificial dyes in the mask’s material. Look for masks free of artificial dyes and made from natural fibers.

“The best protection for lips is prevention. Once you find a lip balm or chapstick you like, buy a bunch and keep one in each bag, night table and coat!”

Which Ingredients should we look for in a lip treatment?

Understand which ingredients are helpful, as some products actually dry the lips out! Optimal ingredients to use are Sea buckhorn oil (promotes hydration and elasticity), Borage oil (anti-inflammatory, calming, anti-oxidant) and Vitamin E (helps protect against free radical damage).

What to stay away from if your lips are chapped?

  • Citrus
  • Matte lipsticks
  • Menthol, Camphor or Eucalyptus products – as they may sting
  • Lip plumping products
  • The elements (wind, sun, etc.) – Cover your face with a scarf when outdoors
  • Biting or picking
  • Salty food
  • Spicy food
  • Acid-based skincare products

 

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Plant Powered: The Power of Florals

Over the next few months, we will share Dr. G’s thought process and choices for ingredients and formulating. This week we sat down with him to learn about the ‘Power of the Flower’, and why something as ordinary as a floral arrangement on your table, could save your skin.

“The integrity and purity in plant and botanically derived ingredients is one of the forefronts of our brand. We use high levels of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes, plant stem cells and floral extracts to provide a vital spectrum of benefits for the skin without being compromised by fillers and inactive ingredients.” Dr. Goldfaden

Every product in our collection has a reason for being and represents a solution to a skin problem. On the heels of our two newest launches, Detox Hydrating Gel, and Skin Balancing Mask, you may have noticed a plethora of floral extracts and plant/floral stem cells as ingredients. Here is Dr. G’s dictionary on ‘The Power of the Flower’.

Found in our proprietary DETOX ComplexTM (Detox Gel + Detox Cleanser)

*Cowslip Primrose which helps bruising, may help eliminates toxins

*Veronica Officinalis: anti-inflammatory benefits, astringent properties, soothing and rich in tannins

*Mallow: soothing and anti-inflammatory properties

Found in The Skin Balancing Mask

*Elderflower: promotes blood flow, loaded with vitamins A, B, C, E

*Calendula/Marigold: good for moisturizing, soothing, pain relief, anti-inflammatory properties

*Geranium Extract: calming, anti-bacterial, astringent

Found in Bright Eyes

*Arnica- helps with bruising and the darkness involved and contains flavonoids, polysaccharides, and sesquiterpene lactones. Also contains the beneficial oil, thymol, clinically shown to cause the smooth muscles in your blood vessel walls to contract, thereby dilating them and increasing blood flow and circulation. Bye-bye bruising and swelling!

Found in Fleuressence Botanical Oil

*Milk thistle: Fatty acids, including linoleic acid, Vitamin E (antioxidant/environmental stressors, Silymarin, which is actually a group of three flavonoids (anti-aging, antioxidant purposes from environmental stressors).

*Rosehip seed oil: Brightening properties due to Vitamins A + C, hydrating and antioxidant benefits.

*Chickweed: A super food, good for inflammation, referred to as ‘skin healer’, full of fatty acids.

Found in Facial Detox Mask

*Japonica flower: one of the most important medicinal herbs in history, may provide extraordinary levels of calming properties. Loaded with key benefits to improve the appearance of flaws.

*Comfrey leaf extract: wound healing

*Camellia leaf extract: moisturizing, the transdermal carrier of cell rebuilding nutrients, helps restore the bounce to skin.

Found in The Plant Profusion Collection

*Japonica Flower extract: One of the most important medicinal herbs in history, it may provide extraordinary levels of calming properties. Loaded with key benefits it works to improve the appearance of flaws.

*Comfrey Stem Cell: Used since ancient times for its extensive properties, these stem cells to make skin feel firmer and appear smoother, resulting in a smoother and plumper complexion.

*Birds of Paradise: Derived from White Bird of Paradise, this multi-functional ingredient works to restore skin’s youthful glow by improving the appearance of skin color and tone.

So the next time you’re applying your serum or mask you can feel like you’re actually putting a bouquet of flowers on your face.  Stay tuned for next time when we will discuss the use and importance of plant stem cells.

 

 

 

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