H2O the Giver of Life and EO's to the Rescue

We all know drinking an adequate amount of water is crucial to good health. Besides aiding in digestion, circulation, and excretion, H2O  is also the key to healthy, glowing radiant skin. 

Dr Imre Nagy was one of the pioneer scientists out there to go deeper in to the study of aging diving into Dr. Harman's Free Radical Theory of Aging (FRTA) (which came out prior) stating that organisms age because cells accumulate free radical damage over time. A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell. Nagy presented his “Membrane Hypothesis of Aging” in 1978. Simply he found that when a cell's water supply is pushed out the cell becomes dehydrated. Cell dehydration = cell oxidation which speeds the aging process causing wrinkles, inflammation, and disease. 

The good new was Nagy found that the cells could be repaired if there was a substance that could penetrate the hardened, cell membrane wall which was designed to not let just anything pass. The cell membrane has a job is to protect the crucial nucleus and our sensitive DNA make up at it's center. Dr. Nagy found that Antioxidants were the key the key to this repair but not just any antioxidants. They had to be a lipid soluble substance to pass through the cell wall. The more free radicals present, the harder the cell wall. 

Vitamin C for example is like a jump starter to our immune system but it is not lipid soluble. Only water soluble. Essential oils, on the the other hand are like magic to our cell because they are both lipid soluble and some of the most powerful antioxidants out there. 

Just to put into perspective how strong the essential oils are as antioxidants check this out. Blueberries and pomegranates are both wonderful fruits known to be highly antioxidant "superfoods" rating around a 5000 score on the ORAC scale which is a measure of radical absorption capacity or antioxidant power. Many of the essential oils rate in the in the one hundred thousands with clove oil being the heaviest hitter rating in at over a million!

Since EO's are so supportive to our cellular health this is my favorite reason I love to use them.  I incorporate essential oils into both my daily skin care routine while using them topically and using carrier oils such as coconut oil to carry them even deeper into my my body since fatty oils are also lipid soluble. Besides drinking lots of water I had a couple of drops of therapeutic grade lemon, lime or wild orange essential oil for extra flushing and detox. I would NEVER take an essential oil internally if sold off the shelf in a store. These smell great and may even say "therapeutic" but they are not for internal use.I would also NEVER buy off of Amazon (since you don't know the true source and people tamper there to extend the quantity. It's not rocket science to reseal at lid.). Not all EO brands are created equal. Many are cut w/ synthetic and toxic compounds or have little to no therapeutic properties due to improper growing, sourcing, and distilling practices. I trust one valid source for internal use (though there may be more out there) because of there strict protocol for ethical sourcing, growing, harvesting, distilling, rigid testing, and supporting of indigenous agriculture communities . Do your own research here at https://sourcetoyou.com

If you would like to also learn more I offer a free 30 min. consultation with samples to introduce you to the many ways essential oils can support your health. Please contact me at kristen@elegantsavage.com

Peptides to the Rescue

Most people laugh and frown up to 15,000 times each day. These movements create skin depressions around the eyes mouth, and forehead because the collagen breaks down. Peptides play a key role in this "aging" process as they diminish and increasing peptides play a integral part of firm, youthful skin.

 Peptides are chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins but they start to diminish with age. Using peptide techology based skin care over time, the skin will start to look more plump, brighter, tighter and smoother, which is a direct result of the increase in collagen. Peptides tell nerves and muscles to perform different functions. Specific peptides may reduce expression lines and wrinkles by disrupting the nerve signals sent to tense muscle, relaxing the muscle and smoothing the skin.

Peptides appear in the body as enzymes, hormones, antibiotics, receptors etc. Peptides are chains of up to 50 amino acids, any more amino acids and they become proteins.  The smaller the chain of peptides in a product, the more impact there is on collagen production because collagen is made of proteins that are bonded together with peptides. Using peptides on the skin makes the skin think it is experiencing a breakdown of collagen internally and therefore prompts the body to make more collagen. Within the skin peptides form a wide variety of structural and hormonal functions and also act as chemical triggers.

Milk is the richest source of peptides. Normal drinking milk contains a group of molecules called cytokines. Cytokines include a diverse family of peptides, which calm inflammation, regulate the immune system, repair tissue and stimulate the growth of collagen and other connective tissues, leading to the restructuring of the skin. Other natural peptide sources are eggs, grains, soybeans, seaweed, and seeds. 

Elegant Savage's skin care goods are plant based, vegan, non-GMO, and soy free so our peptide source is from cold-pressed seeds of many varieties found in our face oils, especially the "Bija Nectar" which is a seed serum. We look forward to also experimenting with seaweed sources in future products. 

The beauty of using naturally sourced peptides is that there are a number of different cytokines, all of which carry out a slightly different role within the skin, some triggering defensive functions to protect the skin, others stimulating the production of collagen and tissue-support functions. The mixture of cytokines and other molecules work together, triggering intricate systems of immune defence and tissue regeneration.

References:

Peterson. R,D., Reinhold. W., Tyborczyk. J. (August 1997) Cytokines in Cosmetology. Cosmetics and Toiletries (Vol. 112, p. 65)

Mystic Mud Mask

Have you ever felt so happy you thought your body was turning into light, or maybe you have always wanted to simply glow like a saint? Well now you can with this DIY Mystic Mud Mask recipe inspired from afar. What a better way to ring in the new year with some tender, loving, self care!

This beauty ritual explores the sourcing of (edible) ingredients from India. Sandalwood essential oil for example is acquired from steam distillation of the wood from the Sandalwood tree. It has a main chemical component, Alpha santalol which gives provides therapeutic qualities that promotes healthy, smooth skin and can reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles and blemishes. Both the wood and the oil have been valued for centuries and documented through history for many helpful applications.

It's a good ideafor safety reasons to really know the ethical practices of your essential oil company by evaluating many factors beyond the label. There are no labeling laws so any essential oil on the shelf can be labeled as "Pure" even when the oil is far from it. Synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or cancer culprits like harsh solvents are commonly used to cut or extend the quantity of oil.

Even from just smelling the aroma we can disrupt hormones affecting the adrenals,  sexual function, mood, neurological, and auto-immune health. On the other hand, working w/ a  Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oil can assist in balancing these functions, supporting the body /mind to greater health. Many of my favorite oil brand's essential oils are even safe for internal use. A drop of Sandalwood on the tongue is pure heaven!

Here is a list of what is needed. Mixing together in a small bowl:

• 1/4 cup garbonzo flour
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 tablespoon of almond oil
• 3 drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil
• 1 drop of Lemongrass Essential Oil 

1-3 tablespoons of water (as needed) to turn mix into a paste.

* (Use turmeric with caution because it is a natural dye that may cause staining)

Apply for 10 min and rinse. Store remainder in fridge, and use the remaining cold mixture for an even more invigorating experience within 3 days.

One of the best parts of the mud mask ritual besides soft, glowing skin is using those ten minutes to do something else to elevate your mind or soul. Meditation or another Indian inspired oral care technique called oil pulling feels great. I like to also chant various matras. Sound Science isn't a religious thing or hippy thing but ancient technology that has been around for thousands of years but kept secret because the effects are so powerful. Through the power of the mind and also sound/or vibration we can create, manifest, and change our reality. Here are a few to start with and the meaning behind them:

OM is the primordial sound that created all of the galaxies.  Life originated from OM.  When you say or think OM, you are at one with all of the universes in space.

AIM is the mantra for consciousness, life and creation

So Happy New Year to all and love yourself more than ever by whipping up a mystic mud mask. Happy chanting!