Just as it conditions the soil and enhances the biome within, setting the stage for plants to flourish, seaweed offers a similar boon to our skin. In this blog, we'll explore the remarkable benefits of incorporating seaweed into your skincare routine, unveiling its potential to revolutionize the way you care for your skin.
Deep Nourishment and Hydration: Seaweed is a treasure trove of essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. When applied topically, it delivers a rich blend of nutrients that nourish and hydrate the skin. From vitamins A, C, and E to potassium, calcium, and iron, seaweed infuses the skin with the building blocks it needs to maintain a healthy, radiant complexion.
Anti-Aging Marvel: The natural components of seaweed work harmoniously to combat the signs of aging. Its high concentration of antioxidants helps shield the skin from harmful free radicals, which can accelerate the aging process. Additionally, seaweed promotes collagen production, aiding in maintaining skin elasticity and firmness for a youthful glow.
Detoxification and Cleansing: Seaweed possesses natural detoxifying properties that help draw out impurities, pollutants, and excess oils from the skin's surface. This action helps clarify and leaving your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Soothing Sensation: For those with sensitive or irritated skin, seaweed offers a gentle and calming touch. Its anti-inflammatory compounds help alleviate redness, itchiness, and inflammation, making it a soothing solution for various skin conditions, including eczema and rosacea.
Enhanced Absorption of Skincare Products: Seaweed facilitates better absorption of other skincare ingredients. Its natural polysaccharides create a conducive environment for active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin, maximizing their effectiveness.
Improved Skin Texture and Tone: Regular use of seaweed-infused products can lead to a noticeable improvement in skin texture and tone. Its exfoliating properties help slough off dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, more even complexion.
You'll see our CC Cream SPF15+ includes Vinanza Marine Gel. This seaweed Extract is sustainably sourced in New Zealand's pristine Marlborough Sounds.
Our Anti-Aging Serum, (in its trial phase) along with Resveratrol and Niacinamide, includes Bio-Fermented Sea Kelp. The fermentation process breaks down the cellular tissue of the kelp leaf, thereby increasing the bioavailability of the naturally occurring chemical compounds abundant in kelp. Fermentation and subsequent reduction of the kelp liquor results in the concentration of these vital nutrients.
Conclusion: Much like its transformative effects in gardening, seaweed brings a multitude of benefits to skincare. From nourishing and hydrating the skin to combating signs of aging and providing a soothing touch, this marine marvel deserves a prime spot in your beauty regimen. Embrace the power of seaweed and unlock the potential for a healthier, more radiant complexion. Your skin will thank you for it!
P.s. At the time of publishing this blog, our AASv1 (anti-ageing serum, version 1) trials are underway. If you want to participate in our trial, let Sharon know by sending us an email to: sharon@alix.co.nz
And, we'll send you a bottle of serum. It would be best if you could use Google Drive to complete our questionnaire, which we send after trialling the serum for two weeks, with a few multi-choose questions to complete.
whakawhetai koe me te tiaki
Thank you and take care,
Sharon
]]>Are you looking to alleviate the flaring of skin sensitivity?
You go an alarming red from a simple touch of the face.
Any active materials are now beyond mention. You've had enough scary adverse reactions. Professionals have convinced you it's your unique makeup, a lousy pool of genes and hormones that can't be overcome. You're told there is no medical cure for rosacea, and this is correct.
Can Alix help?
We remind people the scent, dyes and preservatives in leave-on facial products are the main precursors causing sensitive reactions. Scent often results in pigment damage as it is a photosensitive material.
It is important to know the difference between soaps and cleansers; soaps contain harsh detergents, while cleansers hydrate the skin. Having pH-balanced cleansers is a must, and don't use soap anywhere. Two reasons: soap is always alkaline, and its cleansing action strips your natural oils and leaves a fatty residue instead on the skin's surface. Not to mention how it doesn't break-down in nature and contributes to deoxygenating the oceans.
An expert synopsis: the skin's barrier is slightly acidic (4.7pH - 6pH) for a reason: to keep moisture in and bacteria out. If your skin barrier is too alkaline, your skin will be flaky and pitted, dry and red. If it's too acidic, you'll increase your chances of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and acne.
This is why cleansing is the first and most crucial aspect towards your best skin health.
What does Alix offer?
Alix offers a science-based, natural solution; Alix Sensitive Facial Cleanser. Not only does our cleanser adhere to your skins ph-level it is packed with vitamin C, Organic sulphur, Olive leaf extract, Wheat protein and Vitamin B3.
These potent natural active materials are nature's powerhouse of antioxidants, capable of binding and inactivating free radical activity, AKA calming aggravated skin cells.
Each natural active material has an outstanding pedigree in healing the skin. Improving the skin's production of collagen, elasticity, and the skins connectivity towards achieving healthy skin functions. Notably, B3 (Nicotinamide) is a known and powerful aid in treating skin cancer.
You'll discover using these materials in Alix Sensitive Facial Cleanser are calming beyond belief with immediate evident anti-inflammatory action. Your skin will feel more robust, smooth and hydrated after cleansing. It is genuinely ecstatic to use a product this gentle yet powerful. Giving relief for both rosacea and acne sufferers.
Try the Alix Sensitive Facial Cleanser once, and you'll understand why you're on your way to optimal skin health.
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Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs over 60% of what we put on it. This is why mineral makeup is perfect for nourishing the skin while wearing a full face.
The CC Cream is primarily formulated to colour correct. Your skin absorbs the natural pigments to warm and even your skin tone. It helps correct discolouration and uneven and dull skin. Giving you a natural healthy glowing finish. CC Creams have a much lighter consistency than BB creams and focus more on skin health. The CC cream comes in two skin tones, Natural & Dark, but upon application it adjusts to match your exact pigmentation.
Alix CC Cream is loaded with potent natural active materials.
NZ Brown Seaweed (Wakame) is the premium ingredient in our CC cream, with a mineral content of 10X more than any earthbound plant. It is packed full of potassium, iron and calcium, to mention a few. These fight wrinkles, maintain moisture in the skin and boost skin cell regeneration.
You've probably heard of Omega-3 and its variety of benefits for your health, including eczema. Seaweed is the generator of Omega, indicating its powerful abilities.
Our CC cream is light to wear, allowing the skin to breathe, yet packed with natural goodies. Due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are essential in non-chemical sun protection and wound healing. Coco Shea butter is a rich source of vitamins and fatty acids for our skin.
Silicones and other chemicals in traditional makeup can clog and irritate the skin's pores. Thus, our CC cream is ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin. It suits men and women who want to achieve an optimal matt finish, with sun protection and minimum fuss.
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One News recently released a story about how The University of Queensland is currently studying toxins from our Native Ongaonga Nettle, and how it activates pain receptors in a new way compared to other nettles they were familiar with. This could lead to finding cures for chronic pain.
We've been in on the secret for a while, and Nettle is one of the active ingredients we use in our Face, Skin and Hair Body Wash. It is rich in minerals known to reduce inflammation which helps to soothe and reduce redness in dry or acne prone skin. Nettle is also full of protective antioxidants which provide anti-aging benefits.
Evidence also shows that Nettle can help encourage thicker, shinier hair and new hair growth.
We love harnessing the goodness of nature and bring the benefits from some unexpected plants into our products. Our Face, Skin and Hair Body Wash is constantly one of our top sellers - if you haven't tried it already now is a great time to give it a go.
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With so many new, wonderful-sounding products, how do you decide if it is worth a try or not?
Retinol/Vitamin A is hailed as the big thing for anti-aging.
Often the latest 'It' product may sound impressive, but it is worth being cautious. In many cases, isolating the properties of a particular product can be too intense for the skin. You will usually see a warning to do a patch test and watch for irritation before increasing the dosage.
While Retinol or any Vitamin A-heavy product may sound like it will do extraordinary things, it comes with a warning. For an in-depth understanding of the risks Retinol uses should understand, we recommend this article from Business Insider, Mervyn Patterson, a cosmetic doctor at Woodford Medical.
A quick summary of the article for those with limited time:
- Retinol works by encouraging basal cells (in the lowest layer of the skin) to divide, and as a result, you get more new epidermal cells that migrate up to the skin's surface and eventually become the rooftop.
- Patterson told Business Insider that he believes the industry is marketing retinol products to consumers in an irresponsible way.
-Patterson said that one problem with retinol overuse is that these new skin cells don't function well because they have been rapidly produced, and therefore lack the necessary adhesion and lipid production to protect the skin properly.
-"The main function of the top layer of the skin is to protect us, to keep away environmental factors. The more retinol you put on, the poorer the barrier function becomes," he said. "This is why a lot of people feel that their skin is very sensitive and experience peeling, flaking, and irritation."
At Alix, we harness what nature provides, the Avocado Oil in our Ultimate Face Oil is rich with Vitamin A, but at levels your skin can easily absorb and process.
No matter what the latest trend says, our philosophy remains to do less but do it better.
By giving your skin the right oils and delivering them in a way that they can do the most good - as an actual oil and not hidden in a water-heavy moisturizer, it will be more effective.
We certainly aren't saying that the new developments and discoveries aren't worth researching and trying out, make sure you understand how to use them to get the best results.
]]>As the temperature drops, the outside humidity gets lower, plus we normally spend more more time inside, which isn’t always ideal for your skin. Spending time inside, with heaters going, decreases humidity indoors and is a factor for why our skin gets dry.
We are also exposed to less sunlight in the winter which means less vitamin D.
Do you indulge in a super hot shower to fight off the chill? As awesome as it feels, this is another thing that can dry out your skin. Hot water dries the oils out of your skin. The warmer water you use, the drier your skin’s going to be.
But, it's ok! You can easily fix the issues winter brings.
Firstly, as tempting as it is, don't have super hot showers - and make sure you give your skin back the moisture it needs after you are dry (our Alix Nourish & Tone Body Oil is perfect for this). Don't despair though! If you feel the need for a nice hot soak our Bath Bliss Bubble Bath is moisturizing, cleansing and the best way to revitalize and relax when it's cold outside.
Secondly, don't over exfoliate. When you see dry, flaky skin you might want to try and exfoliate it away. While it definitely has its place, exfoliating too much will just end up causing more damage. Once or twice a week max.
Third, use the right products. If you are looking for one product to add in to your skincare routine our winter must-have product (which is just as useful in summer too) is the Ultimate Face Oil. Our facial oil is a blend that covers all the skins needs, where one oil alone - like rose hip oil for example - only offers one or two key ingredients. At a quick count our face oil offers over 18 key ingredients. Plus, it is 100% oils, not diluted with water like a standard moisturizer; which means you need just one product. Putting it on in the morning will help defend your skin against the winter elements.
Hopefully this will help you, and your skin, get through the winter better.
]]>Not sure about your mum, but if we turned up with a fancy diamond she probably would have very quickly taken Dad aside to question his sanity. And as a mum ourselves, we'd absolutely freak out if we received a gift that cost even half of what we spend on weekly groceries. It's the gesture folks, not the actual gift!
Most mums we know are well versed at being last on the list for needs and wants, and experience true joy when that doesn't happen.
The proverb "its the thought that counts" remains as true today as it was first uttered by Henry van Dyke Jr. in 1906 but we want to take it a bit further than surface level thoughts.
We wholeheartedly support and endorse families spoiling the mum-figure in their lives. We love it when mum's are recognised for all the hard work they do day-in-day-out, year after year. But, we don't think a token gesture of Scorched Almonds (or Malteasers) is enough. Nor do we think that ridiculously fancy pieces of bling is necessary.
It's too easy to pick something up from the supermarket or dairy as a last-minute effort. It requires money but very little thought to go to the jewellery store and buy something that sparkles. How about you take a moment to figure out what your mum (or mum-like figure) actually enjoys and do that instead.
A handwritten note. A bunch of wildflowers. A sleep-in. Brunch at a cafe of her choice. A bookshop voucher. A beauty therapy treatment. New leisurewear.
By putting in just a little bit of time and consideration into your Mother's Day gifts, we can guarantee that your mum is going to feel loved and appreciated.
You've got one week, now go!
]]>We've shifted to using the word "could" instead and it instantly makes our advice or counsel feel more positive or like an opportunity to make their own decisions, based on what we've discussed.
Think about it like this; you're having a discussion with someone about an issue you're facing or an event you've been invited to but aren't sure you want to go, and their response is all about what you "should" do. Doesn't that make everything less about what you actually want and more about what that other person wants you to do?
"You're addicted social media! You should watch 'The Social Dilemma' and discover how scary that is."
"Ugh, your colleague is making you do all the work all the time! You should tell your boss how you much work you're actually doing."
"You probably feel tired all the time because you drink too much. You should quit it with the alcohol and try kombucha."
Go back and read those with the word "could" instead of "should". Maybe you'll start feeling like should is a dirty word too.
For people around the world, April is a month of rebirth and renewal. It's yet another time of year when people reflect on times gone by and what is truly important to them. We want to encourage you to make April the month of "could" as opposed to "should" and do things that help renew your zest for life.
You might be surprised how a simple shift in thinking will change everything for you and your nearest and dearest.
]]>We saw a video on our social media recently of two women working in a boutique retail shop (a gift shop, from memory) and upon completion of a sale and the customer leaving the store, the pair crouched down behind the counter and did their happy dances and high-fived each other. Even though the video had no sound, you could feel the joy those hard-working souls were expressing.
When you buy mass-produced items at a big brand store it might be filling a need you have in the short term but by choosing to shop at an independent store that specialises in locally made items, the flow-on positivity that comes from that purchase is hard to deny.
Here's why we reckon supporting local is the best way forward:
As you know, we ourselves are a small family-owned business so we know how much support like this can mean to someone, and we want to say thank you to anyone and everyone who has supported us over the years too; you're our everyday heroes.
Arohanui,
Sharon xoxo
We can't help but feel that we're in the minority with this behaviour though, and we find ourselves simultaneously rolling our eyes and shaking our heads when we see other skincare brands charge ridiculous amounts for products that don't warrant the price tag.
Not that long ago we read an article in a daily newspaper that really got us riled up. We're not going to name and shame anyone, instead we're going to try and educate anyone who cares to know a bit more about what goes on behind-the-scenes of your upmarket designer stores and the products that they sell.
Picture this... a fancy shop with an impressive street address. You're wandering through and see a range of pristine products glittering on their shelves that costs around $100 per product. Did you know that a minimum of 40% of all sales go into the pockets of the store owner? Did you also know that the product manufacturer also has to cover between $5 to $15 for that beautiful box?
Consider this... an advised business model looks like this; list all your costs as though it's a shopping list. Multiply those costs by 2.5 for wholesale and then take that figure and multiply it again by 2.5 for RRP.
We're going to keep this post super short and simple, because we know there's a whole bunch of other things you'd rather be doing, so here's a quick list of tips and tricks of how to ensure you're doing what you can to look after yourself this holiday season.
Okay, that feels like a good place to leave it. We hope you take away at least a little something that helps you survive summer with an inner and outer glow.
We hope you have a glorious holiday season, and we hope to see as many of you as possible in the beautiful Bay of Islands (lockdowns allowing).
Until next time,
Sharon xoxo
The one where they showed a couple of different bars of soap and then put a piece of litmus paper on it to show whether or not the pH (potential hydrogen) of the soap was too high for our skin. Of course, Dove was the only soap that didn't change the litmus paper so we knew that it was the best choice for us going forward.
We've occasionally found ourselves wishing we had a supply of litmus paper just to test for ourselves. We're curious like that.
And we've taken our quest for the ideal pH soap to the next level.
Did you know that your skin has a pH level of about 5.5? Skin, or at least the outermost layer of it is naturally acidic [source: University of California Newsroom]. The acid in that layer helps the rest of your skin retain moisture and keep nasties out.
To help maintain your skin's fatty protective acidic layer, it is recommended to use a cleanser or body wash with a pH level similar to that of the skin itself. If you use a soap that's too alkaline (has a pH level higher than 7), it will break up the acid in your skin and cause dryness. It takes your skin approximately 12-hours to restore its natural sebum levels to the right balance, and in that time your skin is exposed to the elements and at greater risk of long-term damage.
And then you wash your face and body with that same cleanser or wash, and the cycle repeats itself.
The bad news is that most skin cleansers have a pH level that comes in slightly higher than 5.5, which isn't great. A regular bar of soap usually has a pH level that ranges between 9 and 12! A cleanser or body wash with a lower pH level helps your skin by leaving the acidic layer intact [source: Draelos].
The good news is that our products contain no suphates, betaine, parabens or DEA. Our surfactants are ECO certified and EO-free, and we use a plant-derived sugar surfactant that comes from natural and renewable resources. Oh, and our Alix Body Wash has a pH level of 5.7 so it won't dry you out.
Don't you love feeling informed?
Arohanui
Sharon xoxo
Descriptions of Aloe Vera and its efficacy vary due to the number of active compounds present, but Aloe Vera is known to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties with analgesic and immunomodulatory capabilities. The inner gel substance of Aloe Vera suppresses bacterial-induced inflammation and is often used to treat mild to moderate burns, erythema, and dermatitis.
This super succulent contains two hormones: Auxin and Gibberellins, which provide wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it is the Gibberellins that acts as a growth hormone stimulating the growth of new cells and allows skin to heal quickly with minimal scarring. In Ayurvedic medicine, Aloe Vera is used to effectively heal chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne and eczema.
In summary, the healing powers of Aloe Vera simply cannot be denied! It gently but effectively soothes and smooths most skin conditions or ailments.
Aroha nui,
Sharon
While we don't use the flowers themselves, we do harness the power of the Meadowfoam seed oil because of it's unique, long-chain of fatty acids with Tocopherols, like Vitamin E, as antioxidants. The oil is often used in haircare products because it nutrient rich, but is non-greasy so it won't just sit as a layer on top of the hair shaft.
We particularly like Meadowfoam seed oil because it assists with moisture retention and frizz control, while also helps boost shine and volume. Over time, the oil helps ease the process of combing your hair and creates a feeling of smoothness and softness.
But this super seed doesn't only work wonders for hair, we use it in our skincare products too because of its novel chemistry of fatty acids, which contain more carbon atoms than fatty acids. As a result, Meadowfoam seed oil deeply penetrates your skin, helping it to be smooth and soft, without being greasy or oily. As an added bonus, this oil is quickly absorbed and starts working on it healing and regenerating your skin.
Meadowfoam seed oil contains approximately 13% Erucic Acid and approximately 60% Gadoleic Acid, with a decent serving of Oleic Acid too; these are all Omega-9 fatty acids, which is the kind our hair, skin, and body needs to naturally decrease inflammation.
In short, Meadowfoam seed oil moisturizes, regenerates, and heals our hair, skin, and body better than most oils.
Aroha nui
Sharon xoxo
We had a customer tell us recently that she loved our Refined Pumice Spheres Exfoliator because it was quite possibly going to be the only one she'd need for the rest of her life because you use so little of it each time. Our customer felt like we were giving her true value for money.
We love that kind of feedback because that is something we care about; that you feel like our products not only work for you but are worth the money you're spending on them.
As you're probably already aware, our range is good for the environment in a number of ways, and because a little goes a long way it means that our products last longer. It's important to us that when you use our products, you're experiencing quality and not quantity. In fact, if you're having to replenish your stock every couple of weeks, please reach out as it may be a case of incorrect usage and we'd love to help you make the most of your purchase.
And don't forget, if you're experiencing any skin concerns we'd love to help you find a solution that works.
Aroha nui
Sharon xoxo
If you knew that already, well done!
If you didn't, good job learning a new fact for the day.
If you want to know more about the miracle properties of Jojoba oil, read on at your leisure...
Jojoba oil contains microelements and nutrients such as zinc, copper, silicon, iodine, chromium, Vitamins E and B group, and other natural ingredients. It's highly penetrating and closely resembles the natural sebum within our skin. When used in facial blends, Jojoba oil removes excess oils and can help to balance the skin's natural oil levels. Jojoba contains a natural anti-inflammatory called myristic acid and is useful for arthritis and rheumatism.
We use it in a lot of our products because it's a stable oil that also has natural antioxidant properties. It penetrates our skin through the hair folicles and forms a non-occlusive layer without blocking our pores. Once penetrated, Jojoba oil softens the skin and can soothe dry skin (through its octacosanol (C28) - a fatty alcohol).
Short answer: Jojoba oil is both moisturising and soothing, and while it's easily absorbed by our skin and hair, it doesn't leave an unpleasant oily residue.
And that's our easy peasy summary of the wonders of Jojoba oil.
Aroha nui
Sharon
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By using the highest possible concentrations of natural active ingredients, botanicals, aromatherapy and essential oils, we're able to produce solutions that are not only incredibly effective, but smell amazing too! But do you know why we've chosen these particular ingredients?
We're firm believers in the saying, "knowledge is power", so over the coming months we're going to educate you as to why we use what we do, and what these magic ingredients can do for you.
Natural Vitamin E (D Alpha Tocopherol Vitamin E) is a fat soluble vitamin found in many different plant oils and throughout the body, where it acts as an antioxidant to prevent the oxidation of lipids*.
Alpha tocopherals are typically used in the supplement industry for their antioxidant effects. You usually take tocopherals as part of your daily vitamins, but research has shown proven that similar results can also be achieved through topical use, so this is a proven way to counter oxidation in the skin and underlying tissues.
We include Natural Vitamin E in quite a number of our products, as you can see in the list below:
Short answer; it's Mother Nature's most powerful antioxidant AND it preservative, which means it helps to protect our skin and hair from damage.
So there you have it, an easy peasy summary of the wonders of Natural Vitamin E.
Aroha nui
Sharon
*Examples of lipids include fats, oils, waxes, certain vitamins (such as A, D, E and K), hormones and most of the cell membrane that is not made up of protein.
]]>In the end, we couldn't go ahead with the partnership because of geography but it got us thinking about other things that were important to how we run our business. And who knows, maybe because we care about these things we'll find our way to a whole bunch of new clients who care about them too.
There's a bit more to how we conduct our business, but that bite-sized list is a pretty good summary and provides you an insight into who you're dealing with when you shop with us. Maybe this will convince anyone considering joining the Alix whānau that it's worth it.
Ngā mihi nui
Sharon
Creating your own unique perfume is a magical journey filled with precious memories and inspiring moments. When you visit 'My Perfume' blending bar, you become the master and create a unique blend of essential oils that is your own distinctive fragrance.
A fun, enjoyable and sensual experience, a perfect and unique gift for someone special – a reward for yourself, a family member or best friend’s birthday, a distinctive gift to say thank you, or a way to share an exclusive experience with a group of friends.
Rekindle the memories of alluring fragrances that have etched their scent in your life as you explore around 55 different essential oils. Recall a pleasing walk after a shower of rain where you brushed past flowering jasmine, its rich, intense and evocative fragrance saturating your senses and lingering in your memory. Rediscover a special place you visited where the scent of orange blossom, beautiful flowers or earthy woody aromas impregnated your senses and deepened your connection to nature’s beauty and the gifts it has to offer.
Guided by our trained aromatherapists, we offer you the opportunity to become a ‘Perfumer’ and create your own perfume. All our essential oils are therapeutic grade. Learn how to structure your perfume with top notes, middle notes and base notes as you compose a symphony of the scents you love until you discover your unique blended fragrance. We capture your special fragrance in unique biphotonic glass packaging (MIRON Violetglass) designed specifically for natural products.
Come in and visit us at Alix Apothecary or give us a call so you can enjoy the unique and exclusive experience of creating your own perfume. We look forward to meeting you.
See you soon.
Sharon Hansard
Collagen is one of those topics, seemingly a wonder material promising you the fabled fountain of youth. The claims from brands peddling their wares seem convincing. So, does collagen stack up as active material in face cream or as an ingested supplement?
The quick answer is no and for some simple reasons. Here's the low down.
Collagen is a group of fibrous proteins often referred to as the scaffolding of the body. It helps hold body tissue together and is found everywhere from your skin to your tendons to your bones. As a protein, our bodies make collagen from amino acids. If you're a meat-eater, you're probably eating plenty of these amino acids already.
You need to consider where supplements source their collagen from. There's a huge unregulated ick factor. "We're talking about ground-up fish, chicken, pig, and cow parts, and these parts tend to act as sponges for contaminants and heavy metals," says Dr. Mark Moyad the director of preventive and alternative medicine for the University of Michigan Medical Centre.
Meanwhile, dermatologists and consumer groups have also expressed concerns that those hooves, hides, bones, and nerve tissues — particularly if they come from cows — could carry diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease.
In one recent test of 14 popular collagen supplements, by the supplement testing company consumerlab.com, all products contained the levels of collagen they said they did, but one also contained high levels of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal.
Is marine collagen any better? It's like this for your body. Consider throwing all the car parts necessary on a conveyer belt and hoping at the end they come out assembled as a car. When our body digests marine or any collagen supplement there's no guarantee it will end up being used for boosting your skin's epidermis layer. The gut will break it down accordingly and you usually see the result of this in the toilet. Don't get me wrong I'm not always a supplement skeptic and my apologies that's a different topic
Okay, you've probably accepted it's not worth the risk to ingest and is a silly notion it will add to your complexion, but there are so many beautiful people and self-proclaimed experts saying it's in their face cream and they swear it's made them look younger with firmer plumper skin, right?
Well, it turns out the molecular structure of collagen is large and is different in structure to the collagen our bodies produce, even from a poor diet. Our skin has no chance of being able to absorb the collagen as an active material through the skin.
What does plump and protect the skin and cause it to become firmer and more radiant? The short answer is moisture retention. Drink plenty of water and use the best face oil you can get your hands on. Nourishing your skin with Alix Ultimate Face Oil provides your skin with omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 fatty acids; these are the necessary building blocks for ultimate skin health and will prevent moisture loss. This is solid advice.
Happy lockdown everyone, stay well 💚
Author, Sharon Hansard, CEO
Alix Cosmeceuticals Ltd.
Natural New Zealand Made Skincare
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In everyday life our skin undergoes a lot of wear and tear. For example, the chemicals in soap cause daily stress to our skin. Add the environment coupled with our lifestyle and our skin has its work cut out. The good news is — within our skin layers exist our own stash of stem cells; ready to renew and revitalise, and repair itself from this exposure or from an injury. You already are the miracle.
Consequently, what does your skin actually require to maintain optimum healthy functions. The answer is often more simple than we imagine. Where gentle cleansing will lessen the skins stress and complete nourishment will aid in the skin having the available nutrition to support its natural functions.
Therefore, as a knowledgeable consumer, it is wise to ask the question 'how much fuss does my skin really need? and, what is the best regime to support healthy skin. Is all this packaging and marketing necessary for me to make the right choice? Should I simply look for a gentle cleanser and what will offer my skin complete nourishment?
For healthy glowing skin, it is safe to adopt the mantra — less is more — and gentle cleansing is the fundamental principal in supporting healthy skin. I was often reminded of this working as a beauty therapist. What was sometimes glaringly obvious was the impaired skin health of those clients believing they needed a lot of care and would over treat; to those who relied on a few simple tricks. The result of to much care from the ‘daily routine’ might be putting your skin under unnecessary stress. How many pots of this and that are you asking your skin to process? How gorgeous does it smell? Because perfume is the first suspect to cause irritation, photosensitivity, or pigment damage to your skin.
My grandmother had beautiful clear, unlined skin. She would collect rain water in a barrel off her roof top. She kept this solely to wash her hair and face with. Her daily regime was simple and it was successful because she really did have the most beautiful skin and shiny hair. She refused to use soap and instead would sometime use apricot oil smeared over her face, then use a hot flannel, from boiling her rain water to steam and rinse off with. She wouldn’t use a night cream, instead she let her skin breathe, or exhale at night. And she loved oils, especially to clean her makeup off with and to mix together herself, for her daily moisturizer.
It is a smart choice, to buck the trend and do less to your skin — like, throw away your night cream and let your skin have a rest. Ensure you're using a gentle wash and give as much nourishment to your skin, once a day, and in the morning, when it needs it. You'll find the ultimate nourishment is by using natural plant oils and the most proven gentle cleansers come from plant-sugars and this embraces part of our philosophy at Alix Skincare
Another part to our philosophy at Alix is where there are active ingredients included they are present in high concentrations and not just having a smidgen added for a label claim. What is cheap and cheery is often just that. Our point is to keep it gentle, natural, simple and trust in your bodies powerful ability to self renew and your own ability to shine with good health.
]]>Plant Oils — The Skin's Miracle Moisturizers.
They are rich in natural active ingredients and today there is a great amount of buzz and rightly so, as we rediscover why plant oils are the key to healthy, attractive skin.
Here are 11 surprising facts you may not know about plant oils
Alix ultimate face oil includes all the omega essential and non-essential fatty acids 3, 6, 7, and 9. It is beautifully formulated to be deeply penetrating and non-greasy. We have trialled the alix range of oils for 4 years and found it is not comedogenic or pore clogging. Instead stimulating healthy cell responses. Naturally nourishing and maintaining your skins moisture balance to enhance your skin health.
Alix oils are for all skin types. Especially where treatment is required for acne or ageing skin. Your skin will benefit immediately by using the alix natural oils range.
Want some? here's a special coupon — LoveYourSkin — to use with your first purchase .
Remember To Use The Coupon Code: LoveYourSkin for 10% off your entire order. Also, free shipping within New Zealand.
References
Plant Sugars — Are Proven The Most Effective, Gentle Cleansers Available Today
Like a lot of people, at Alix we have a passion for natural products and are wholehearted about what are our best choices to achieve and maintain healthy, attractive skin and hair.
Also, like others, who trend towards holistic health, we are excited about plant sugars —alkyl polyglycosides (APG's) a new generation of cleansing systems that are effective, natural, and from sustainable resources — they also offer additional, surprising health benefits.
Here are 12 facts about these exciting 'plant sugar' cleansers.
APG's are proven the most kindest wash to us and to the environment. Alix Skincare will use nothing else in our formulations.
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It is simple, inexpensive, and safe, and is hence recommended by many professionals to use in your daily skincare routine.
It works too; for three good reasons...
Firstly, cryotherapy, its goal is to decrease cell growth and reproduction. Hence it will stop your acne in its tracts.
Secondly, ice or cold is known to reduce inflammation. By reducing redness and swelling, this is lessening the effect of acne.
Thirdly, studies suggest that cryotherapy improves blood circulation by actually slowing the local circulation of blood in the smallest blood vessels — then allowing the circulation back, and this effect has therapeutic qualities of gaining overall, improved circulation.
Within our household, I witness my teenage daughter who practices skin icing every morning. Her skin is radiant and she is using it effectively to treat any spots that appear.
Her regime is to use a steamy hot face cloth. You do this by coiling up your cloth and placing it under running hot water; then holding the cloth at each end, pulling tight, and stretching all the hot water out. To then unravel your steamy face cloth, to gently place over your face.
Follow this with ‘skin icing’ on any spots. Simply rubbing a cube of ice over your spots or any dry patches of skin and you will immediately see and feel positive results.
My daughter follows up with Alix Face Oil. It has taken a lot of educating her out of the commonly held belief that oils are the villain to young troubled skin. This crucial moisturising step in the morning is vital to maintain the integrity of healthy, nourished, radiant skin. She tops of with MAC mineral powder and voila, she looks fantastic.
I have used ‘skin icing’ on my extreme dry lips and enjoyed immediate relief. It is reported in other articles, skin icing is an effective treatment for those first tingling signs of a cold sore coming — I will certainly, in future, put this to the test.
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