With clever wording and actual  ingredients being some of the last things listed on packaging it’s easy to believe that what you’re getting may be more pure than it actually is. Let’s cover some of the hot button ingredients, how they work, and why some companies choose not to include them;

Sulfates – Sulfate free seems to be all the rage lately especially in hair care. Sulfates are foaming agents that give you that luxurious lather we all love in anything from shampoo to bubble bath and detergent. Unfortunately some can also strip skin and hair, of essential lipids and hair color.

The Bad Guys: Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and Sodium Laureth Sulfates (SLS). These guys have been shown in studies to penetrate through the skin into tissues of the liver and brain. The verdict is still out on how harmful these ingredients can be but there are natural alternatives to use such as willow bark and yucca.

Preservatives and Parabens: Preservative has become a dirty word in the food and personal care industry in the last decade however, when formulated properly,  preservatives are what keep food and products fresh and bacteria free. Parabens have been shown in studies to be found in cancerous tissue and while we’re still not sure if it is linked to causing cancer it is often the case that the human body deposits synthetics in places like vital organs  since it cannot process them as easily and organic molecules.

Not all preservatives are synthetic- Tocopherol is a common preservative which is simply vitamin E, Glycerin which is derived from vegetable or animal fat is also a very effective preservative found in many organic formulations. Methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben are the controversial ingredients to look for if you’d like to stay on the side of caution, although the FDA believes that in low levels they are safe to use.

S.P.F. Mineral vs Chemical- Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate are some popular chemical sunscreens that interact with skin cells that work by absorbing the sun’s rays. Some chemical filters can scatter sun rays, but still mostly just absorb them. Chemical sunscreen often mimic estrogen, and have larger global impact as well. Some sensitive skin types can be sensitive to chemical S.P.F.s but that of course depends on the user.

Mineral sunscreens are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, these mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin and deflect sun rays like a shield on the skin. Remember the the white nose block surfers used to wear- mineral sunscreens have come a long way since then now they are refined, often tinted like a light foundation and are available in most mineral powders.

Ultimately we don’t fully understand the impact of these synthetic ingredients on our bodies and the environment, we encourage you to get out and do your own research and empower yourself by reading ingredient listings and identifying these questionable items so you can make your own decision. Indigo offers a range of products including our newest organic, cold pressed, raw line called Ilike (pronounced ee/lee/ka). Remember your skin is your body’s largest organ and absorbs everything you put on it, don’t you think your worth the research?

TEWL wreaks havoc on healthy cells but fear not, Indigo has an arsenal of products and treatments to help you battle winter damage!

Drop your winter baggage with a gentle non-acid boost from PCA’s Oxygenating facial. This gentle treatment corrects and prevents free radical damage with regenerating oxygen leaving skin renewed and red carpet ready. We recommend this treatment 3-4 days prior to any holiday soirees so you’ll be glowing in all your photos.

Dermalogica’s Super Rich Repair delivers a powerful trio of vitamins A, C and E to deeply hydrate and protect skin from the elements with Evening Primrose to restore barrier functions and soothe irritation.

PCA’s hydrator Plus guards skin against damaging UV Rays with both physical and chemical SPF and an extra boost of moisture perfect for Southern California winter days.

Fight the signs of ageing while you sleep with Dermalogica’s newest member of the Age Smart family. The new Overnight Repair Serum is not only silky and hydrating but utilizes a natural form of retinoic acid (from the retinol family) to dramatically resurface skin in a safe and gentle delivery system of essential oils.

This ancient therapeutic art is surrounded by misconceptions and disbelief by some Western medical practitioners reasoning that there’s no anatomical or histological basis for energy points in the body. However experiments prove that acupuncture is definitely effective for a number of illnesses and often times can be effective where traditional western medicine has failed.

Since introducing acupuncture into our spa, we’ve discovered some enlightening studies about this often misunderstood and ancient art including A 2004 study in the “Annals of Internal Medicine” that found acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved function in people with osteoarthritis of the knee that couldn’t be helped by medicine. The study included 294 patients with chronic osteoarthritis. After eight weeks, participants who received acupuncture reported far less pain in their affected knee than those who didn’t receive the treatment. We also came across A 2006 Mayo Clinic study of 50 patients that found acupuncture significantly improved the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a condition that causes muscle pain, fatigue, and joint stiffness.

Ultimately, the testimonials of people whose lives have been improved with ongoing acupuncture therapy are far too vast to include within this blog post. We are very excited to host such a talented and truly dedicated practitioner as Holly. We invite you to come in for a consult and a quick discussion with her to see if her practice can help with any pain or imbalance.

Contact Indigo Today to schedule your appointment with Holly