Question: I noticed that you included Petrolatum as an ingredient to avoid in cosmetics. I’ve actually been using Aquaphor (which is petrolatum based) for the past few years as a balm for dry lips, and although I’ve thought of discontinuing use, I’ve never really been able to find suitable substitute. Even going for more than a few hours without Aquaphor usually leaves my lips dry. Could you make any recommendations, or perhaps suggest a way to “wean” myself off Aquaphor?
Answer:
I am so glad you shared about the Aquaphor. We unintentionally consume over 5lbs a year of substances we put on our lips. So, not only could this be damaging your skin, but is getting into your system. Research has shown that cancer tumors contain over 70% petroleum in them. Makes you wonder…..
Okay, my product called
Natural Healing Salve is a favorite lip salve for many. We even have a number of triathletes using this product because it helps them when other products have not.
September 25th, 2008
Question: I am having the hardest time finding that “right” shampoo for my scalp. I have a severe case of adult dermatitis. I was advised to go all natural and stay away from Laureth Sulfate, which is in practically every shampoo and skin products out there. I was wondering what you would have to help with my condition.
Answer: I know how troublesome scalp dermatitis can be. The exact cause is not known but recent findings show the condition might be a nutritional deficiency in Vitamin B’s, Biotin, Vitamin A and essential fatty acids. The effects of a yeast organism called Pityrosporum ovale which normally live in the hair follicle can also play a role in this condition which can be helped with the right shampoo.
I hope the following information is helpful:
1. Kopec Naturals makes a product called
SLS Free Body Wash
A number of our customers use it as an all in one for body and hair, especially those that need a more therapeutic shampoo. In your case, I would recommend adding undiluted tea tree oil directly to the SLS Free Body Wash to upgrade the therapeutic value for your scalp. When you put the Body Wash in your hand, add a couple of drops of tea tree oil, make into a lather and use on your scalp.
Or if you prefer, Aubrey organics makes an excellent shampoo that is SLS free Again, I would think about adding tea tree oil to this too.
2. Seborrheic dermatitis has recently been linked to a gluten intolerance. Gluten is a substance found in wheat flour, white flour (pasta, cookies, crackers, and breads). Switching to rice crackers, rice cakes and rice pasta until your scalp is under control can help even if you do not have a gluten allergy.
3. Supplements such as B-Complex, Biotin, Flax Oil, Evening Primrose, Acidopholus, Beta Carotene, and Vitamin E together can address the common deficiencies in individuals with this condition.
September 25th, 2008
Question: I have bad restless leg syndrome and wanted some information.
Answer: There are two kinds of RLS: 1. mixed sensorimotor form with pain, numbness, and lightning stabs of pain relieved by movement or massage, and 2. myoclinic form which does not involve any sensory component. The following information can help with both kinds of RLS.
1. RLS can be a symptom of relative hypoglycemia. A sugar-free, high protein diet with snacking troughout the day and drinking at least a half gallon of water a day, avoiding caffeine has proven in clinical studies to help relieve symptoms.
2. The following supplements can address deficiencies that most individuals with RLS have and there have been significant results in clinical studies of treating RLS with vitamins such as: Folic acid, Vitamin E (take with Vitamin C and a healthy fatty food to ensure absorbtion), Iron, and the amino acid L-Tryptophan (taken before bed).
3. Kopec Naturals has two products that can help with RLS. If you use massage to help with your symptoms (even self massage) one of our medicinal massage oils to consider is
Anti-Anxiety. The other product, which I highly recommend is called
Sleep with Ease. Sleep with Ease is a transdermal remedy to relieve tension and anxiety that can interfere in a sound sleep. Rub on your chest and throat before bed and it passes through the skin into the bloodstream. We sample both the Anti-Anxiety and Sleep with Ease if you send me your mailing address.
The best approach for addressing your RLS can be a combination of the three: a good diet, good vitamins and a good sleep aid such as Sleep with Ease or massage oil on the legs before bed.
September 25th, 2008
Question: Dear Laura, I have heard one of your ingredients, witch hazel (in your Rosacea Relief) can be an irritant that should be avoided by rosacea patients. Can you please comment? Also, I understand you recommend Rosacea Relief not be used along with other products to avoid an adverse reaction. Is SLS the only ingredient of concern?
Answer: To answer your questions……..yes, alone witch hazel can be irritating and I would never recommend using it alone on sensitive skin, including on Rosacea. But, in our formula, the witch hazel is blended with the other ingredients giving the entire formula a very different set of characteristics than witch hazel alone. In addition we use a steam distilled witch hazel that does not contain Benzoic Acid or Ethanol in the processing. I would dare to say that witch hazel that contains these chemical solvents would be very irritating on Rosacea.
So far, there have been no indication from anyone that they have had an adverse reaction from the witch hazel……even our customers that experience a “worsening” of symptoms have come back to say how very happy they are that they stuck with it because their skin went on to clear very nicely.
The Rosacea Relief will work on the skin at a very deep level that so many different ingredients can react adversely with the Rosacea Relief, but the Lauryl Sulfates is one of the main culprits. But, what I have found is that if a skin care company is conscious enough to avoid the Lauryl Sulfates than chances are greatly improved for their gentleness on sensitive skin. Our Skin Luxury facial wash is of course the one I recommend the most, or I can recommend Dr. Bonner’s 18 in 1 Hemp Almond for a facial wash.
July 8th, 2008
Question: Dear Laura, I am having a hard time trying to find a store that sells cradle cap combs. Can you lead me in the right direction for stores that sell them?
Answer: I had never heard of cradle cap combs, I have heard of lice combs, but I did find one place called Beauty Needs and their Little Sprout Cradle Cap Comb. You would not want to use the comb to comb the cradle cap per say—”combing” on the scalp can be too abrasive and therefore irritating and possibly cause a secondary infection to set in. Best care for baby’s cradle cap is to gently use a soft, very soft bristle baby brush in combination with a product such as our Cradle Cap Comfort healing salve. Giving a gentle massage to the scalp once it is soft from the salve is okay, either with the soft bristle brush or even a soft washcloth. Once the scalp congestion has loosened you may be able to use your fingers to brush the flakey skin away or use your comb such as the Little Sprout. Take careful selection when it comes to shampoo and avoid products containing sodium lauryl (or laureth) sulfate and avoid mineral oils/petroleum jelly since all of that can be incredibly irritating to the infection and possible delay healing. You may even consider not using shampoo until the infection clears.
June 26th, 2008
Question: Dear Laura, Is there any explanation to flushing to help me understand more of what goes on when I have one?
Answer: Flushing occurs when the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. When the sympathetic postganglionic efferent nerves are activated it causes a vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and in cases of Rosacea this vasodilatation can be severe. What can trigger the sympathetic nervous system is stress, lack of sleep, anxiety, increase in body temperature, and food triggers including acidic food and drink.
Flushing can be directly related to lack of sleep, a direct reaction to high intake of sugar or refined carbohydrates which can cause a sudden rise in glucose which can cause the vasodilatation. A high fiber diet can slow digestion and keep the glucose from getting into the bloodstream so quickly. Additional flushing triggers are adrenaline and elevated hormones in the body, strenuous exercise, and alcohol and cigarettes. Keeping stress to a minimum, exercise in even and moderate routines, and eliminating cigarettes and alcohol from the diet can all improve and reduce vasodilatation.Reduction of the blood vessels can also occur when the parasympathetic relaxes the body and the brain. The parasympathetic nervous system can be engaged through restful sleep, alkaline food and drink and proper stress management.
June 18th, 2008
Question: Dear Laura, Do you think really low energy during the first trimester is normal?
Answer: Foods that can cause fatigue and should be avoided are:
Processed foods (anything made with white flour and/or containing six or more ingredients). Meals should be simple fare with a variety of the food groups present, not only to make sure you are getting the proper nutrition but also that your body assimilates the food you do eat). Foods high in starch Foods high in sugar (Sugar is very taxing on the body, and comes in so many forms it is almost impossible to avoid. Shopping at a Whole Foods allows you to have a variety of choices without feeling deprived. Taking sugar out of the diet can cause cravings and these cravings can be suppressed with foods like carrot juice, and avocadoes). Foods high in saturated fats
Skipping Meals (Develop an eating schedule for yourself that includes a consistent regular interval of eating. Skipping meals, even when you are not hungry can cause fatigue) Not getting enough water to drink (Minimum of water intake for average person is consuming half your body weight in fluid ounces. Set aside the proper amount (divide your weight in half and this is the number of ounces at minimum to drink) set aside in a gallon jug and drink from this throughout the day, by the end of the day you can see if you are consuming enough). And this number will change as weight changes in pregnancy. Floradix Iron+Herbs is a great supplement in addition to a prenatal vitamin. A lack of absorbable iron can cause fatigue. Floradix is a great brand that does not overdue the iron content. http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/usa/products/r64771.asp
Natural Factors is a top brand of vitamins. Here is the link for the prenatal vitamin they offer http://www.affordable-natural-factors.com/1577.html Traditional Medicinal Raspberry Leaf tea is a great way to tone the uterus during pregnancy and warm up the digestive system first thing in the morning before eating http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/?id=30&pid=15 Their Pregnancy Tea contains raspberry leaf and is another choice to take a look at http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/?id=30&pid=17 Foods that can cause fatigue in Blood Type O can be wheat, Type B can be corn, wheat, and peanuts. While B’s can have same gluten issue, it may not be as bad as O’s, but definitely a consideration as is the corn. Due to the issue Type B has with corn, High Fructose Corn Syrup which is corn and sugar may be a huge contributor to fatigue and should be avoided. Blood Type A may have more difficulty with red meats, due to the difficulty in digesting some of these foods for different blood types the body spends more time digesting and this can increase fatigue.
June 18th, 2008
Question: Dear Laura, I am sure you hear this often, but I am pregnant and constipated and have no idea what to do.
Answer: First, understanding what may be causing your constipation can be helpful information toward resolving the situation. There are many things that contribute to constipation during pregnancy. Lack of water, certain foods, even your prenatal vitamin may cause constipation. Not getting enough water is such a common mistake, and we are quick to say “I’m getting enough” when most people do not get even close to the correct amount for their body weight. At minimum you should be drinking half your weight in fluid ounces every 24 hours. Your doctor/midwife may have even given you a recommended water intake which you can monitor by pouring from a pitcher to start. This way you are not relying on pregnancy memory to get you there. Foods that could cause constipation during pregnancy: diary, sugar (in all forms), white rice, white flour (pasta, bread, cookies). Anything causing mucus build-up can block the intestinal path. Whole grains provide better fiber for better intestinal health. Sometimes the added iron in a prenatal is difficult on the body, and you can talk to your doctor/midwife about a more easily absorbed prenatal vitamin that your body will like more. To help get the body over the worst of it…..A number of women find prune juice to be affective, aloe vera juice is another good source and is found in the laxative section of most drugstores, and check with your doctor/midwife about whether or not you are getting enough magnesium.
June 10th, 2008
Question: Dear Laura, I recently purchased your products Rosacea Relief and Skin Luxury facial wash. So far, I am happy with both products and my skin seems to be going through some positive changes since I began using these items. But, I’ve encountered one problem, my skin has become pretty dry. Any suggestions for added moisture?
Answer: Thank you for the question. As your skin begins to function properly again (the skin being the largest organ on the body) and your pH begins to balance, it is not uncommon to experience changes in your skin. I am glad you are happy with the products and are sticking with the regime. I have a formula called Adult Dermatitis Relief. It is for really dry areas that are common with Rosacea, but it is a very potent formula, more like a healing ointment for those really dry areas, to be used as needed on those key spots.
Using Skin Luxury once a day in the evening appears to be best for most. Some customers even find using Skin Luxury twice can be too much moisture or as in your case maybe too drying because you are overtaxing the skin. For most people washing the skin once a day is all that is needed otherwise it is possible to strip the skin of its natural moisture. And night time cleansing is far more beneficial because the skin will rejuvenate while sleeping and then you are not washing off that “new skin” so to speak.
If you decide to use the
Adult Dermatitis Relief, you will need to use your own judgement on how often to use it, because as your skin improves you will find you can back off using it. I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions.
June 2nd, 2008
Question: Laura, What makeup do you suggest?
Answer: For most of our customers I recommend Bare Escentuals mineral makeup. Bare Escentuals is made of natural minerals, contains naturally occuring sunscreens and is the only makeup to be given the approval of the American Cancer Society. Other mineral makeups are imitations or contain only a trace of minerals. Recently I found out that some of our Rosacea customers are sensitive to the ingredient bismuth oxychloride, which is found in both Bare Escentuals and Pur Minerals (which I am not sold on). Bismuth Oxychloride will make the mineral makeup adhere to the skin and give your skin a healthy glow. Unfortunately it is used in place of the mineral Mica, because the Bismuth is cheaper than Mica. It was brought to my attention by one of our customers with a sensitivity to bismuth oxychloride that you could consider Beauty Bliss Cosmetics, Mineral Makeup that is Bismuth Free and truly natural. I looked into their products, and was very impressed with their apparent quality and ingredients. I have ordered a sample, so I will let you know. Another brand that was recommended to me is Jane Iredale. I have not had feedback from someone with Rosacea and Jane Iredale, but I did get rave reviews from one of our customers with sensitive skin and large pores.
May 24th, 2008
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