Vitamin Deficiency and Your Skin

Although taking your vitamins doesn't mean you'll never need to wash your face or exfoliate again, making sure you're not deficiency in particular vitamins & minerals can definitely go a long way in helping your skin care routine. Combined with the good old basics of skin care, proper nutrition could give your skin the boost it needs!

Here are some common symptoms of mineral and vitamin deficiency:

• Acne: Acne lesions can be triggered by deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, biotin, and zinc.

• Dry Skin: Focus on the proper intake of vitamins A and C, which will replenish and rejuvenate your skin from the inside out.

• Oily Skin: This is a similar symptom to acne breakouts and lesions, but if your skin is excessively oily, it is best to focus on your vitamin B2 intake. This is a common deficiency that can cause oiliness in the complexion, often creating painful acne lesions or making it difficult for your makeup to stay on all day long.

• Rosacea: Rosacea is exacerbated by a vitamin B2 deficiency. Having a proper vitamin B2 intake will work to balance complexion and prevent the redness and swelling that is so common with a rosacea flareup.

• Stretch Marks: If you want to minimize stretch marks in your skin, focus on vitamins E and B6, as well as an ample intake of zinc.

Dead Sea Salt: Is it really better?

Today we take a look at one of the ingredients I use in my B&B products: Dead Sea salt!

Dead Sea Salt refers to salt extracted or taken from the Dead Sea. It is a popular ingredient of many common bath products including bath salts, salt scrubs, foot scrubs, body wraps, bath bombs, soaps, and a wide variety of other cosmetic products, including makeup.... but is it all it's cracked up to be? It appears so!

Dead Sea salts have been reported to have the following benefits:

• Rheumatologic Conditions – Dead Sea salts can be effective in balneotherapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Osteoarthritis. The minerals are absorbed while soaking, stimulating blood circulation.
• Common Skin Ailments – Research has demonstrated that skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis are relieved by regular soaking in water with added Dead Sea salt. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends Dead Sea and Dead Sea salts as effective treatments for psoriasis. One study concluded that the high concentration of magnesium in Dead Sea salt was instrumental in improving skin hydration and reducing inflammation. Another study conducted at the University of Negev, Israel also looked into the claims of Dead Sea Salt and found that although common salt provides benefits to psoriasis suffers, Dead Sea Salt does a slightly better job at reducing it's symptoms (when soaking it salt baths regularly).
• Allergies - The high concentration of bromide and magnesium in the Dead Sea salt can relieve allergic reactions by cleansing and detoxifying.
• Skin Aging – Further research into Dead Sea salt benefits has shown a 40% reduction in the depth of wrinkling.

Easy Green & Natural Polisher You Can Do at Home!

Although I've never tried it myself, I've read that pineapple is natural skin polisher that comes with a clinical proof of efficiency! Apparently, just rubbing your skin with a slice of pineapple works magic on dilated pores and minor skin flakiness.

So what is it about pineapple that makes it so special? Bromelain! Pineapples have an abundance of this enzyme that is clinically used as a skin debrider (dead tissue remover) when treating burns.

Additionally, I found out that in a study done by the University of Honolulu, the researchers found that bromelain interferes with growth of malignant cells (essentially slowing down the growth of these malignant cells ) while also decreasing inflammation! Now that's some sweet stuff :)

How to Video: Using Batty's Dry Clay Mask PLUS how to get full coverage from Batty's mineral makeup concealing powder

Batty's Bath Natural Hair Care Line

Batty's Bath Natural Hair Care Line:

Hair Therapy Shampoo Bar

Hair Therapy Serum

How to Guide: Facial Rescue Kit

I've got a lot of requests for a How to Guide for the Facial Rescue Kit so here it is!

Click here to download the full PDF version.

If you haven't gotten your facial rescue kit yet, you can

purchase it on Etsy here or on BattysBath.com here.

The Wonderful Weezi: A vintage inspired fashion designer from London, ON

Some of you already know the wonderful Weezi but it occurred to me that many of my international readers probably have never had the chance to meet this lovely lady! Today that all changes because if you're even slightly interested in fashion, especially vintage inspired threads, then you're going to love Weezi! Heck, if you're even the slightest bit girly you're going to fall in love with her.. and if you're like me and love vintage inspired clothing (I'm a sucker for the dresses), handmade goods, and delightful designers then brace yourself! I'm about to rock your world by sharing just a little peak into the world of Weezi! This first picture is one of her lovely designs (picture by Adam Gaverluk). The lovely girl is our gal pal Geisha (isn't she beautiful!? she's super sweet and fun too)!

So what's Weezi and her designs all about? I'll let her tell you in her own words:

"Weezi was started in 1989 with a love of vintage and retro clothing. I have always been inspired by the looks of the 40's, 50's & 60's. I enjoy the silouettes & femininity of the those times. My designs are influenced by these looks and images that really embrace the female form. I like to mix and match vintage patterns with my own designs and create modern garments for gals who like to have a vintage flare. Many Weezi pieces are one of kind or in limited editions to ensure your Weezi item is unique unto you. All Weezi items are handmade in Canada."

Besides creating awesome dresses, skirts, shirts, bags, journals, and all kinds of other goodies, Weezi is a huge help in the community! She helps to foster creativity in the handmade community by participating in events and opening up her studio to help out when she can. She also carries my full line of bath & body products! Oh, and did I mention she's a HUGE animal lover? Just ask her about Stella, her pretty kitty, or Matilda her giant gold fish! I really can't say enough good things about this gal! She keeps me laughing, working ;) and well dressed! What more could a girl ask for in a friend? :)

Below is some of the places you can find her around the web:

Weezi.com

Etsy

Blog

Tumblr

Facebook

Twitter

Flickr

If you're a local Londoner or are ever in London, Ontario, be sure to swing by her vintage inspired retro haven at the corner of Albert & Richmond St! You definitely wont regret it because she's got the coolest studio EVER! There's always something new to see or a finding that you missed on your previous visit (there's so much eye candy you wont know where to look first!). Plus, Weezi is almost always in the studio so you'll be able to meet her in person!

P.s. She also dubbed me the queen of Halloween and made this AMAZING "Batty" dress!! I definitely wear it all year round :) Check out her Etsy shop or Official site to snag your own Weezi creation!!

New Release: Hair Therapy Serum - Natural hair repair treatment

If your hair needs some serious TLC, it needs Batty's Hair Therapy Serum! This sprayable serum is formulated to repair damage, add moisture, smooth, de-frizz, and restore your hair to lovely, luscious locks!

You'll be amazed how well this serum works in just one application! It's made with ingredients that are proven to be beneficial to the hair by actually being absorbed and put to use. Did you know that coconut oil is one of the few oils that your hair will actually absorb and use to repair itself? It's true and this formula is LOADED with coconut oil (it's actually the main ingredient!).

Batty is known for changing her hair color often (whether that's a few layers or her whole head) and she wouldn't dare bleach her hair without her own handmade uniquely formulated hair repair Hair Therapy Serum! Whether you're putting your hair through some serious stress (like dying or bleaching it), or just subjecting it to daily styling damage, one thing is for sure - it could use some help to keep looking great! That last thing you need is dried out, frizzing, damage hair (not to mention fly-aways from breakage!)

Do your hair some good and pamper it the handmade way! Full directions for use are included on the bottle so you'll have a complete guide of how to resort your hair no matter what stage of damage it is in. You're also going to love fresh peppermint scent this 100% all natural hair treatment has!

This TLC treatment for your hair is now available in the Batty's Bath Etsy Shop and at BattysBath.com. Happy hair everyone :) hehe.

Why Your Eyes Get Puffy

Awakening to puffy, swollen eyes is frustrating, especially when you know there’s no simple 10-minute solution that will get you out the door looking brand new. Puffiness or bags under the eyes can be caused by several factors: fluid retention, irritation causing inflammation, loss of skin firmness and elasticity as we age, allergies, eye disorders secondary to medical disorders, fat deposits, and fatigue. Several of these triggers come from poor sleep.

Excess fluid (edema) under the eye is one of the major causes of eye “puffiness,” and an increase in blood pressure is the likely culprit for many as a direct consequence to sleep deprivation. An elevated blood pressure causes vessels to constrict and invite fluid retention. Many of the known sleep disorders can also cause excess fluid or edema to occur not only in the eye area but in several parts of the body.

Is it possible for a person with retained fluid to reduce that baggage and puffiness under the eyes with getting a good night’s sleep over time? Certainly. And if you can reduce the fluid retention, you’ll also change the surrounding tissues for the better, especially since the accumulated excess fluid in the under-eye area may cause additional inflammation and swelling.

Medical conditions can also change the appearance of the eye, particularly thyroid problems like hypothyroidism (which can also be linked to sleep apnea). For most, however, getting enough sleep is all that’s necessary. Avoiding excess alcohol will also alleviate eye bags (as well as disrupted sleep!).

Attention allergy sufferers : Those with allergies typically have issues with puffy, inflamed eyes. They also face the challenge of getting quality sleep when bothered by allergies during the night. Sometimes taking anti-histamines can help to reduce baggy eyes, but this can come with a hefty price-tag because these medications can cause daytime sleepiness. What’s worse, the act of coughing and sneezing itself can cause forced air to escape through the sinuses. This, in turn, pushes air behind the fat pockets under the eyes, which then causes those fat pockets to protrude forward. Ask your doctor how best to manage your allergies so they don’t interfere with sleep, and neither does your medication.

{from Dr. Michael Breus, PhD, author of the book Good Night: The Sleep Doctor’s 4-Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health.}

Beauty in the 1950's

"Real glamor, it's based on femininity. I think that sexuality is only attractive when it's natural and spontaneous . . . We are all born sexual creatures, thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift. Art, real art, comes from it- everything . . . Marilyn Monroe

Cosmetic companies certainly did not shy away from using good, old fashion fear as a motivator to purchase their products. Should you not buy Dorothy Gray Salon face cream, your husband will leave you for another woman and you will die alone. This tragedy is compounded by the fact that nothing they had back then actually worked! Come to think of it, not much has changed with the advertising of big cosmetic companies has it? Except for maybe not being quiet so obvious.

The only thing that prevented millions of wrinkly women from being abandoned in favor of their smooth-skinned counterparts was the fact that divorce was more than frowned upon and not quite so easy as it is today.

Rosacea Skin Care

Wondering if You have Rosacea?
Rosacea is a frustrating skin condition that begins subtly, with the intermittent appearance of redness along the cheeks and nose. If left untreated, rosacea almost always worsens. Read More

Here are the signs to look for:

• Red flushing over the cheeks and nose
• Consistent, though random, and often extreme skin sensitivity
• Acne-like bumps (but the bumps are not acne)
• Flakey skin, sometimes accompanied by oily skin
• Visible tiny blood vessels that may become more noticeable over time
• Other concerns, which can still be present: dry skin, wrinkles, sun damage, and skin discolorations
• Almost anyone can get rosacea, but those affected most often are lighter skinned women. Men are less likely to have rosacea, but when they do, they have more noticeable problems, including swollen bumps along the nose called rhinophyma.

What causes rosacea?
Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, various theories about the disorder's origin have evolved over the years. Facial blood vessels dilate too easily, and the increased blood near the skin surface makes the skin appear red and flushed. Various things -- called trigger factors -- can increase this redness response. Acne-like bumps appear, often in the redder area of the central face. This may be due to factors related to blood flow, skin bacteria, microscopic skin mites (Demodex), irritation of follicles, sun damage of the connective tissue under the skin, an abnormal immune or inflammatory response, or psychological factors. None of these possibilities has been proven, although potential inflammatory pathways have been identified in recent ongoing research -- including an immune response triggered by a type of antimicrobial protein known as cathelicidin. A recent study also found that certain bacteria present on otherwise harmless Demodex mites could prompt an inflammatory response in rosacea patients.



What You Should Eliminate from Your Skin-Care Routine:
If you have rosacea, it is critical that you eliminate the parts of your normal skin-care routine that increase inflammation, and make skin redder, such as the following:

• Harsh cleansers such as "beauty bars" that contain detergents
• Drying liquid or lotion cleansers (again, that contain detergents)
• Toners with alcohol and fragrance
• Abrasive scrubs
• Rough washcloths
• At-home facial peels
• Using too many products at the same time.

What to Eliminate: Specific Ingredients
Skin-care ingredients that make rosacea worse include the following, and, shockingly, they often show up in skin-care products whose labels claim they are specifically for those with rosacea:

• Fragrant plant extracts such as cinnamon, rosemary, lavender, and rose
• Some Synthetic fragrances
• Lemon, lime, menthol, peppermint, pine, and cedar
• Alcohol
• Witch hazel

Pore Clogging Ingredients

"Noncomedogenic" basically means "non pore clogging". You've probably seen "won't clog pores" or noncomedogenic on products before but how can you be sure? We've all learned by now that it's hard to trust advertising and packaging claims, especially when they are products of a big faceless company. Handmade, approachable, small time sellers are usually more trust worthy as they are often up front about their ingredients - including why they include them in their formulas - but it's alway best to educate yourself first - it's your best line of defense about false or uneducated claims. Today I wanted to share with you a few ingredients to look out for when it comes to facial skin care. The last thing you want to do is use something that's supposed to clean or hydrate your skin that actually ends up clogging pores and causing breakouts. Although there are some exceptions to using comedogenic ingredients in your skin care routine, today I'll just stick with the general comedogenic ingredients that shouldn't be part of a daily routine.

Some of the most common ones are:

• Isopropyl myristate
• Cetyl alcohol
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
• Laureth-4
• Cocoa butter
• D & C red dyes.

Even the prescription acne medication Retin-A (in the cream form) has one of the worst offenders - isopropyl myristate. If that doesn't make you paranoid about who to trust with your skin, I don't know what would! Be your own advocate for your skin and check the ingredients.

If you have acne on your body and/or near your hairline, be sure and check your hair products, especially hair rinses that leave a residue on the hair. These could be contributing to body acne - beware of every product you put on your body and hair that might come into contact with places you find particularly prone to acne. Moreover, get rid of any products that are stripping your skin of it's natural oils! I know I've said this many times before, but I'll continue to say it because it's so important when it comes to combating skin problems! As soon as you use these types of products (think commercially made body wash, "beauty bars", and the like) that include detergents in them, your skin's natural oil balance becomes out of whack which results in overly dry skin or an over production of oil (both of which can cause breakouts)!

Under Eye Dark Circles: Why & What to do about them

Dark circles are caused by several factors, and each one needs to be dealt with differently. Unfortunately, there aren’t any skin-care products in the world that can tackle all or even most of the causes of dark circles.

Hundreds of eye creams are being sold, all making claims they get rid of dark circles among other problems around the eye area, and yet none of these products actually seem to work. While there are definitely things you can do to improve dark circles, your solution won’t be found in a specialty product labeled with miraculous claims or a miracle ingredient.

What Causes Dark Eye Circles?
Sun damage
Veins and capillaries that show through thin skin
Irritation
Allergies
Genetic trait for having darker color around or under the eye area (inherited)
Natural shadows resulting from having deep-set eyes or sagging skin
Buildup of dry, damaged skin cells

What to Do About Dark Eye Circles?
Although the solutions below are worth exploring, keep in mind that for some people, eliminating dark circles entirely just isn’t possible. That’s where a great concealer and highlighter come into play, not to mention the incremental improvements you’ll notice from taking good care of your skin.

1. Use a well formulated moisturizer under the eye area every day. Remember, your under eye moisturizer doesn’t have to be labeled “eye cream.” There is NO research showing there are special ingredients needed for the eye area. NONE! Brilliant ingredients that fight dry skin, wrinkles, and environmental damage for the face work for the eye area, too. (Batty Bonus: Our primer and patchouli moisturizing cream both work great to keep skin well moisturized including the area under the eyes!)

2. Protect from sun damage with only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. Sunscreen ingredients other than zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can cause irritation around the eye and that can make dark circles worse. Defend against wrinkles or the overproduction of melanin that can make dark circles worse by protecting the under eye area. (Batty Bonus: If you're using my mineral makeup concealing powder, you have the sun blocking power of titanium dioxide on your side as TD is one of the main ingredients!)

3. Always wear sunglasses outdoors. Sun damage increases melanin production (the brown coloring cells in skin) and that will absolutely make dark circles worse. Sunglasses rated with UV400 and using a well-formulated sunscreen is the perfect combination to prevent dark circles, wrinkles, and sagging!

4. Consider using an antihistamine. If you have allergies they can be a major cause of dark circles and puffy eyes. Talk to your doctor about over-the-counter and prescription options.

5. Practice the perfect under eye makeup routine. Start with a good primer, next use a mineral makeup concealer. Mineral makeup concealer is best because it has with a matte finish. Follow up with your favorite foundation to add some color. Finish off with a light highlighter (can be as simple as a light mineral makeup eye shadow) right beside your eyes (the side of your nose directly beside your eye). See a video example below.

Acne: Adult Acne and Smoking

Most people assume that only teenagers and young adults should be concerned with acne. But that might not be so if you smoke.

In a recently published study in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, acne was found to be more prevalent among women who smoke than among women who do not smoke. Smokers comprised 66.3 percent of the total group that was studied. Two types of acne were observed: comedonal post-adolescent acne (CPAA) and papulopustular post- adolescent acne (PPAA).

CPAA acne is a type of acne that consists of non-inflammatory issues like whiteheads and blackheads that mostly affect areas of the forehead, along the jaw-line, and chin. Of the smokers in the group studied, nearly 73 percent suffered from comedonal acne.

PPAA acne is acne that consists of inflammatory issues like pustules (zits that appear as red circles with white or yellow centers) and papules (small, red, and tender bumps with no head). Only 29.4 percent of the group actually suffered from papulopustular post-adolescent acne. Being a smoker seemed to increase comedonal acne (CPAA), while it had little effect on papulopustular acne (PPAA).

Another study published by the Dermato-Endocrinology Journal in 2009 found similar results. Out of 1000 women studied, 277 (27.7 percent) were smokers. Of those women who smoked, an astounding 42 percent had acne! Less than 10 percent of nonsmokers in the study suffered from acne.

Acne may be more prevalent in women who smoke due to an increase in sebum (oil) excretion and a decrease in vitamin E. Vitamin E is beneficial for skin health and overall complete health, so obviously a decrease in this vitamin can be bad news.

Girls Night In!

It's time to warm up the winter with some serious tub time! There's no need to worry about having a valentine! No no no, tonight it's all about you! If you don't pamper yourself, who will? Bring on the bubbles!

A New Splash of Hair Color

A New Splash of Hair Color, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

... to brighten up the dull winter days!

DIY Hair Removal Recipe

For the brave blog readers out there that would rather endure some pain rather than the pain-in-the-butt constant need to shave, this recipe is for you! I for one have enough pain in my life (due to fibro & AS), so I gave up doing this years ago, BUT when I was younger and cared more about my legs (ha!), this quick recipe got a lot of use (especially in the summer!)



Here's what you'll need:

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup lemon or lime juice

1/4 cup water



How to make it:

Combine all ingredients and bring just to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes until mixture has turned a rich amber color. Lift the saucepan off the heat occasionally so that the bubbles will calm down and you can keep an eye on the color. It gives off a nice cooked lemon sort of aroma when it's finished. Move off the heat and allow the mixture to partially cool in the pot until it begins to thicken (about 15 minutes). It's important that the mixture is heated long enough. Otherwise you'll have problems with the final product being too sticky and not solidifying enough to use. Pour the mixture into an air-tight container and allow to cool fully before handling. There you go! You just made your own, at home, quick and easy hair removal potion!



How to use it:

Once completely cooled, this sugaring paste can be applied directly onto the hair and pulled off. Just grab a big chunk out of the container (put a bit of muscle into it to get it out) then flatten the paste out in your hands. Try not to work with it too much as it'll get sticky from the heat of your hands. Make sure that your piece of sugaring paste stays at least 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick so that it'll pull off easily. When you've got it flattened and pressed into the skin, flick up the end of your piece to remove enough to be able to grab it. Pull the skin taut and yank the sugaring paste off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth.The sugaring paste can be warmed and used with muslin strips, just like wax, if you prefer. I like the simplicity of using it cold. The paste will adhere best to hair that is at least 1/4 inch long, so you may want to grow it out just a bit (if you can stand it) for best results. Hair that is longer than an inch should be trimmed down a bit. Fold the piece in half until it's the size you need it for the next area and press it on again. Repeat until the piece becomes too sticky to work with from the heat of your skin. Then discard that piece and grab another and continue if necessary. When you're finished in an area, simply wipe it down with a warm, wet washcloth. The sugaring paste is water soluble, so it cleans up quick and easy.

Saturday Afternoon Video & Beauty Tip

Quick Trick for Dry Hair & Skin

If your hair and skin are dry and in need some TLC, I've got a great trick to share with you! You don't even need to do anything besides soak in the tub with an olive oil bath bomb!

That's right, that's it.. well besides relaxing in the tub! Here's the full run down... Run a warm bath, throw in an olive oil bath bomb (make sure it's a bath bomb made with olive oil, like the ones from Batty's Bath, otherwise this wont work!). Now carefully climb into the tub and soak your bones! Make sure to lay back in the tub, letting your hair soak in the water as well. If you have short hair, tip your head back and soak it that way. Make sure you get all your hair wet so all your hair is treated. Let the ends float in the water most of the time if possible. You don't need to soak your hair as long as your skin; just soak your hair on and off throughout your bath time. Try to stay in the tub for 20 minutes. With a great magazine, or podcast, this shouldn't be hard :)

Happy soaking!

Want Extra Lather From Your Shampoo?

With many people switching to sulfate free shampoos, there has been some concern over the amount of lather they produce. Sulfates are added to dozen of products to great lather - many of you have probably heard me explaining to someone that SLS is a "booster" meaning it's what makes the bubbles.

Although all my shampoos are sulfate free, there's no need to worry about not getting a great lather. Yes, they will lather less than shampoos with sulfates, but I've picked out the best natural ingredients that are known to lather up nicely. But with that being said, did you know that you can get a lot more lather if you wash your hair twice? If you've worked in the food industry and come home with hair smelling like a deep fryer, you know about lathering up twice! The reason that shampoos lather up better the second time is that the first wash cleans away any "anti-foamers" like dirt and excess oil that stop the shampoo from lathering up as much. So, when you shampoo again, you get a lot more lather than the first time because there's nothing in your hair to stop the lather from foaming up!

But is shampooing twice bad for your hair? It depends. It depends on the type of shampoo you're using. If you're using a shampoo that's damaging your hair by drying it out with harsh detergents, than yes, shampooing twice would be bad for your hair (as would the first time!). But if you're using a mild formula, there's no reason why you can't lather up twice. Just be aware that you might need more conditioner :)