Holistic Review S: skin & hair supplements for natural health. Last revised May 20, 2008. (Minor changes Wednesday, July 2, 2008.)

    1. Avoid chemicals and soaps, while using natural oils or moisturizers twice daily. 

Ancient books, including The Odyssey and The Holy Bible, mention the practice of "anointing" the skin from head to toe. We believe this is the way to maintain healthful skin. Olive oil, raw coconut oil, and many natural oils are effective moisturizers. However, clear oils will intensify the sun. Natural moisture creams contain these oils, but their white color is less likely to intensify the sun. Meanwhile, keep chemicals off of your skin and avoid typical soaps such as Lux(R), Dove(R) or Palmolive(R). Use natural skin cleansers, mild exfoliants, or often just water may do. The ingredients of anything on your skin should be mostly safe to eat. Your skin is not a plastic bag.

    2. Consider taking some supplements through your skin. 

Vitamin E and CoQ10 are available in liquids and skin tonics, or you can bite open a capsule. This reduces the work on digestion, helps to distribute these nutrients evenly, more directly feeds muscles and eyes, and promotes ultra-healthy skin. Sublingual sprays also sometimes work as skin tonics. For more suggestions see http://HolisticReview.com/s/2.php or click here: Convert cheap moisturizers into custom skin tonics.

    3. Use only "natural" SPF sunblock cream, and only on exposed skin. 

Arguments against SPF creams.
a. Sunlight is essential for physical and emotional health.
b. "Conventional" SPF creams may contain unsafe chemicals.
c. SPF skin lotions, or sunblocks, do not offer much protection. It is more important simply to keep out of strong sun, using hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas.

Arguments in favor of SPF creams:
a. Sunlight is the biggest factor for skin aging. The Japanese Geisha, as well as modern fashion models, maintain youthful faces by keeping out of the sun.
b. The face and hands are constantly exposed.
c. The face and hands do not offer enough surface area for the positive benefits of the sun.
d. "Natural" SPF creams sold in natural health stores use safer ingredients.

Everyone needs natural sunlight every day. Sit, work or walk in early morning or early evening sun, or in partial shade, such as under trees, or near a sunny window. However, a slight tan may indicate that you are getting enough sun. In tropical countries, even dark-skinned people often have large moles or growths on the face. This convinces us that "natural" SPF cream is a good idea.

Product guide s1: the most basic natural skin supplements.

    *   Best values in natural skin cleansers: Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser by Alba, and facial and body cleansers by Jason. 

The Tea Tree Body Wash by Jason, in a large 30 oz. bottle with a pump, is an excellent value as an all-purpose skin cleanser for baths, as a hand cleaner, and even as a shaving cream. (Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic.) The following are labeled as facial cleansers, but are also excellent values for a premium all-body wash, if bought in the 8 oz. sizes. Only a small amount is enough to clean, as well as to nourish and exfoliate gently. If left on for a minute before rinsing, this is like an all-body "masque" or "mud bath" from a health spa. We suggest alternating between them: 8 oz. Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser by Alba, 8 oz. D-Clog Balancing Cleanser by Jason, 8 oz. Apricot Scrubble Face Wash by Jason.

    *   Best non-SPF moisturizers: 16 oz. Body Lotions by Jason, 4 oz. Aoe Vera 84% Moisture Cream by Jason, 4 oz. Aloe & 7 Oils Moisture Cream by Orjene. 

The best relatively inexpensive non-SPF moisturizers. Note: Jason and other brands also sell pure Aloe Gel, which we do not recommend. Aloe Vera is an important ingredient, but by itself does not seem to work as well.

    *   Best values in SPF-15 moisturizers: SPF-18 Lavender Lotion by Avalon, SPF-15 Sun Aging Defense by Avalon, SPF-20 Facial Sunblock by Jason. 

Three medium strength SPF and anti-aging creams which are good quality and relatively inexpensive. Again we suggest to alternate between them.

    *   Best sunblock: SPF-30 Light Tint Moisturizer by Juice Organics. Second best: SPF-30 Chemical Free Sunblock by Jason, SPF-30 Daily Sunblock by Jason.  

The Light Tint Moisturizer by Juice Organics is the ideal sunblock. It is chemical-free, moisturizing and tinted so it will not show. Also contains immune-enhancing pomegranate. This is the perfect SPF formula. However it is expensive. The Daily Sunblock by Jason is not tinted and technically not chemical-free. However it is safe for most people, reasonably priced, a good moisturizer, and rubs in to be almost invisible. The Chemical Free Sunblock by Jason is labeled as safe even for babies and people with allergies. However it leaves a slightly powdered appearance and is not a moisturizer.

Product guide s2: advanced interest for hair, skin and first aid

    *   Keeping your hair young: Fo-Ti, L-Cysteine, Thyroid Energy, saw palmetto.
    *   Natural first aid: Proseed Ouch & Itch Herbal Cleansing Spray and Proseed Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE).
    *   Ultra-effective skin antioxidants: DMAE & ALA serum by Derma E and CoQ10 Serum by Now Foods.
    *   Anti-aging skin support: HA Serum by Now Foods and NaPCA with Aloe Vera by Twinlab
    *   Expensive non-antioxidant natural face creams by various brands.
    *   Yogurt cream, preferably organic.
    *   Convert cheap moisturizers into custom skin tonics.

For details on the benefits and suggestions for use of these supplements please visit:
http://HolisticReview.com/s/2.php or click here:
Holistic Review health product guide s2: advanced interest supplements for hair, skin and first aid.

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