When evaluating organic skin care products, does water count as an organic skin care ingredient? Considering that some skin care products contain as much as 70% water, (and I've never heard of an organic water - have you?) you may be paying for more than what you're getting.

In a previous post I discussed my struggle with organic skin care  And while the industry is moving forward in the right direction ? organic products are often formulated with less synthetic and/or harmful ingredients, I'm still not convinced that slapping an organic label on a skin care product makes it necessarily any better. This becomes even more important when the product contains an ingredient (such as water) that can't be certified as organic by any organization.

Organic Skin Care Certification  

There are a number organic skin care certification labels that a manufacturer may use when marketing a product as being organic. Of course some manufacturers don't bother with certification as the labeling for organic skin care products isn't yet governed by any regulatory body. Some of the more well known organic certifications for personal care products include:

USDA Organic: Applies to food as well as cosmetics. Product must contain 70% organic content. Water cannot be counted as organic. This is perhaps the most stringent organic certification exists, although it was developed for the food and not the personal care industry.  

NSF ? Applies to cosmetic manufacturers. NSF requires a minimum of 70% of all ingredients (excluding water) to be organic.  

BDIH - Though called a natural body care standard, BDIH requires manufacturers to use organic content wherever possible. It defines "where possible" as being available in sufficient quantity and quality, and defines which plants fall into this category by default. It is possible for a product to have 0% organic content and still be BDIH certified so this isn't a good certification to look for.  

Eco Cert - Requires 95% of all agricultural ingredients to be organic. 10% of total product by weight (including the weight of water) must be organic. Allows up to 5% synthetic content.  

Note when reviewing standards that water is excluded from the ingredient list so please don't be fooled by a product claiming to be organic when it contains a lot of water. Water cannot be an organic skin care ingredient and you shouldn't be paying for it.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com  

For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

Selenium sulfide, found in a number of over the counter medicated shampoos, lotions and suspensions, is a medication used on the scalp to help control the symptoms of dandruff  and seborrheic dermatitis. It works by treating the excess shedding and irritation that occurs with scalp fungus and also controls the rate of shedding of dead skin cells.

In addition to controlling the symptoms of dandruff, a 2.5% concentration of selenium sulfide, as found in Versel Lotion may be used on the body to treat tinea versicolor  a type of fungal infection of the skin.

How To Use Selenium Sulfide

Whether using a 1% or 2.5% concentration, use only as directed. Follow label directions and don't use more often than recommended unless advised by your healthcare professional. Whether treating dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or tinea versicolor, best results are obtained with regular use, generally at least twice weekly.

Selenium Sulfide Precautions and Side Effects

This treatment should not be used if skin or scalp are blistered, raw, or oozing, unless otherwise advised by your doctor. Avoid contact with eyes. Flush eyes thoroughly with water if contact occurs.

If you are pregnant, check with your physician first before using.

Although selenium sulfide tends to be well tolerated, check with your physician if you experience irritation of the skin or scalp. Some side effects that may occur include:

Unusual oiliness or dryness of hair or scalp
Increase in normal hair loss
Hair discolouration
Check with your physician if the side effects are severe or do not go away.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

The topical administration of oats has long been recommended for its skin benefits and it is partially due to one of its constituents; oat beta glucan. While beta glucan is a component found in oats, it is also found in yeasts and other cereals.

What Is Beta Glucan?

Beta glucan is a group of glucose molecules that are linked together in a certain way. In addition to being a useful moisturizing ingredient - it is particularly beneficial to individuals suffering with dry and itchy skin - beta glucan has demonstrated efficacy in healing skin abrasions, wounds and some burns. Though its exact mechanism of action is not clear, it's thought to work by stimulating the wound healing process involving fibroblasts and collagen.

A study published in 2005 recently uncovered evidence of beta glucan's anti wrinkle effects. An experiment found that beta glucan not only was able to penetrate skin, but that beta-glucan treated areas fared significantly better than placebo, with wrinkles and roughness diminishing more than the non-treated areas. Skin firmness was also shown to increase.

The availability of skin care products containing oat beta glucan is still limited, but we do know that it has a long history of safe and effective use in skin care, particularly as a moisturizing agent. More research would be welcome, but in the meantime it is exciting to have another ingredient to add to the anti aging arsenal.

If the idea of beta glucan appeals to you, consider Reversa Antioxidant Booster Serum which contains not only beta glucan, but also green tea  and Vitamin E. The combination is effective in fighting free radical damage, strengthening the skin's barrier system and protecting skin cells.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

Folliculitis is a skin infection that occurs when hair follicles become infected, most typically with Staphylococcus aureus or another type of bacteria or fungus. Folliculitis tends to develop in areas such as the neck, axilla (armpit) or groin area. Depending on the type of infection, the signs and symptoms may vary and include:

- A rash
- Pimples or pustules around one or more hair follicles
- Itchiness
- Pain  

What Causes Folliculitis?  

Follicles are found everywhere on the body except for the palms, soles and mucous membranes, such as your lips. Damaged follicles are susceptible to infection and while anyone can develop folliculitis, individuals with a reduced ability to fight infection (diabetes, for example) may be more susceptible. Acne, dermatitis, topical steroid therapy, being overweight and exposure to hot water, such as a hot tub or a heated swimming pool may increase your risk of developing folliculitis.

Folliculitis may also result from:

- Friction caused by shaving or tight clothing
- Excessive perspiration
- Skin injuries due to abrasions or surgical wounds  

Folliculitis Treatment  

A mild case of folliculitis will often clear up on its own. However, if an infection is involved and doesn't improve you may need to seek medical attention. Antibiotics or antifungal medication may be necessary. If you have a recurring case of folliculitis, you should also seek medical attention.

Here are some thing you can do at home for mild cases:

- Warm, moist compresses can help to relieve discomfort
- Soothe itchy skin with hydrocortisone cream, pramoxine ( Sarna P or an oatmeal bath or lotion
- Keep washcloths and towels away from other individuals and change them regularly to prevent reinfection.
- Don't shave irritated skin.  

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

The arsenal of skin care products sitting on both our bathroom counter and beside my bed never ceases to amuse and astound my husband.

You have to understand my skin care obsession, which I admit, does go beyond the ordinary. In addition to those skin care products that I can't live without, there are those that I can't resist (I'm a girl, after all). And then the nature of my work - the countless samples that I'm always evaluating to determine if they might be a good addition to our store.

So last night, when everyone else was abed, I decided to count. Here's what I found:

4 facial moisturizers
5 body moisturizers/treatments
2 eye treatments
7 sunscreens (yes, 7!)
9 cleansers (I'm in evaluation mode right now)
3 toners
2 facial masks
7 active treatments (including products like Active C and Green Cream  

Too much? This count doesn't include what's lurking in my drawers, beside my desk at work and in our car's glove box. Oh, and I can't forget my purse either.  

But, it's all for the common good. Look for new products under my own label launching as early as next spring.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

Shea butter or shea nut butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), is a natural fat extracted from the seed of the shea or karite tree by crushing and boiling. The shea tree grows naturally in West Africa.

Shea butter's main use is as moisturizer in skin care preparations. But you may be surprised to hear that shea butter is also edible and can be used in food preparation where it is sometimes substituted for cocoa butter in making chocolate.

Shea Butter Uses  

Shea butter is known most for its inclusion in skin care preparations as a moisturizing ingredient, although claims have been made that it also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Products containing shea butter are marketed as being effective in treating a range of conditions including fading scars, eczema, dry skin, blemishes, skin discolorations, stretchmarks and wrinkles. It is high in vitamins A and E and catchins (antioxidants). In addition, shea butter contains cinnamic acid, which is a natural UV filter.

One of the reasons that shea butter is so popular as a moisturizing ingredient is because it is rapidly absorbed into the skin without greasiness. It may be incorporated into soaps and body washes in small concentrations to deliver oil, which can help to seal in moisture after washing. In addition to skin care preparations, shea butter is also used in hair conditioners to to manage dry, brittle hair.

I'm a huge fan of shea butter, not only for its moisturizing ability, but also because it is a naturally derived ingredient free of chemicals. It's ideal for managing dry and hair conditions. You can find shea butter in a range of skin care preparations including:

La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume ? 20% shea butter and other emollients provide soothing relief for dry and irritated skin
La Roche Posay Lipikar Surgras Bar ? shea butter enriched to cleanse without harshness
Keys Solar Rx ? infused with shea butter, this natural, chemical free sunscreen delivers UVA/UVB protection and is tolerated by the most sensitive of skin types
Dr Hauschka Regenerating Day Cream  - antioxidants, essential fatty acids and shea butter provide an arsenal of ingredients to strengthen and refine mature skin.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.