Helen Keller is my inspiration for overcoming obstacles

I woke up in the middle of the night earlier this week (trust me at my age, I’m waking up alot-but that’s another story) and had what you could say was an epiphany.  For some reason I started thinking about what a miracle it was that Helen Keller could learn to speak and read and yet she was both blind and profoundly deaf.  What an amazing story and what incredible challenges she overcame to go onto have an amazing life.

In todays world, I know we all get bogged down feeling sorry for ourselves and the whole “whoa is me” mentality with this economy.  I don’t know about you but I’m ready for this recession to be over.  I’m tired of feeling tired with the over abundance of bad news we hear and read every day.  I’m tired of hearing my friend lost his or her job and they are getting behind on their bills.  I choose not to watch the news at all (sorry about that guys and gals-I’m doing fine without anymore doom and gloom updates) but you can hardly avoid the conversations that swirl around you.  You’d have to live under a rock to not be aware of the mess this country is in and how many lives are affected.  I know some people that are just ready to give up.

Which leads me back to Helen Keller.  Imagine your life without vision or sound and how isolated you would feel.  Imagine for a moment the obstacles that little girl had to overcome to be able to function in a world that was so different from hers.  Not only did she overcome obstacles with the help of an equally amazing teacher, Annie Sullivan,  but she truly became an inspiration for others that you can achieve anything you want with determination and perseverance.

I personally support Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  It’s my favorite charity.  I think this organization is wonderful.  The people and animals are amazing,  It’s wonderful to give the gift of freedom and mobility when one of these guide dogs is placed in a home with its new owner.  It really makes me feel humble that I have the gifts of sight and hearing that many of these folks don’t have and yet truly lead some of the happiest lives despite the obstacles that have to overcome on a daily basis just to exist in the main stream world.  When I think about how lucky I am to not have these basic challenges to overcome, I start to feel guilty I could whine about anything.

So I’m going to take the lead of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan and remind myself that any challenge no matter how little or big can be overcome with determination and perseverance.  I’m going back to the basics:  the harder I work, the luckier I get.  Thanks Helen and Annie for reminding me how lucky I already am.  Truly, the choice is yours:  you can live in fear and self pity or you can immerse yourself with energy and actions that can make a difference starting today.

Peace and health-

Pam Tirado, President & Product Developer, Luminoso Studios® Illustre Essenza®

Remembering Farrah Fawcett

I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, (sparkling city by the sea) same home town as Farrah Fawcett and even went to school with her younger cousin Liz.  Boy, I’m dating myself now.   We were all 10 years younger than Farrah.  Sharing the same home town was big news for us back in the 70’s and of course, what girl didn’t want to have that Farrah Fawcett layered haircut.  Farrah was beautiful and we all longed to have her signature style and luminous looking skin.  She was cool!

That’s a long time ago and today, I’m sitting in my LUMINOSO STUDIOS® Salon & Spa thinking of days past.  Farrah had a lot of controversy in her life (hey, who doesn’t after 62 years) but she also brought cancer to the forefront and made us realize you can’t hide, run away or escape cancer.  It crosses every barrier economic, race, country, gender and humbles us all.

Skin cancer is high on the list of cancers that with early detection can generally be treated with successful outcomes.  And you can help protect yourself with the daily application of sun protection.   There are a lot of things in life we can’t control, but exposing our bodies to the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays is one thing we do have control over. 

The most common type of cancer on the list is non-melanoma skin cancer, with more than 1,000,000 new cases expected in the United States in 2009. Arizona, my current state, is high on the list for skin cancer.  Non-melanoma skin cancers represent about half of all cancers diagnosed in this country. (1)  For more information on cancer statistics including colon and rectal cancers (which affected Farrah) and ways you can help with early detection and preventive measures,  visit the National Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health at www.cancer.gov.

So lather that sun protection factor on, (SPF of at least 30) avoid sun exposure during peak sunlight hours and reapply frequently when in and out of water for best protection.  Early detection is always the best form of preventative medicine.  Don’t ignore warning signs and talk to a medical professional as soon as possible.   Take control of what we do have control over and live a healthier and hopefully longer life.

Farrah you will be missed.  May you rest in peace sweetheart.

To your health-

Pam Tirado, President, Product Developer ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® 

 

References

1. American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2009. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 2009. Also available online. Last accessed May 7, 2009.

Shea butter benefits with 0 calories for your skin

 I love shea butter (and no it’s not a dairy product-technically Shea Butter is a nut fat) and we incorporate Shea Butter into our Illustre Essenza® Eye Revitalizer and our Brightening Wash for the emollient and moisturizing properties.  Just what are the benefits and the difference between Shea Butters that are available and does it matter if you are buying them for personal use?  The answer is “Yes”.

Shea Butter, latin name,  Butyrospermum Parkii, is from the shea or karate tree grown in Africa.  These trees live for hundreds of years growing wild in the African Savannah, an area about the size of America consisting of more than a dozen different countries. The shea fruit consists of a thin, tart, nutritious pulp that surrounds a relatively large, oil-rich seed from which is extracted  shea butter.  The tree produces nuts that the butter is harvested from.  It takes approximately 20-30 hours to produce just 1 kilogram of handcrafted shea butter.  Woman are primarily employed in the manufacturing process – and it’s been sometimes known as “ African Gold” as it helps sustain the lives of so many.  Shea provides many nutritional benefits as well as cosmetic.  Ghana or Burkina Faso are two of the largest exporting countries of shea butter.  Shea is well known  for its many benefits by those living in Africa as they have used it for thousands of years.  It  is used  to massage on skin and hair;  cook with and to help accelerate healing of minor cuts, burns, stretch marks, sores, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff and scrapes.  

Here is the West we are just starting to recognize the many health and beauty benefits of shea butter.  Shea butter  contains cinnamic acid, a substance that helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays and also Vitamins A and E which are both antimicrobial and provide anti-inflammatory properties,  Shea butter is a very effective moisturizer because it contains so many fatty acids which help skin retain moisture and elasticity,  promotes cell renewal and can help increase circulation-remember where there’s oxygen there’s life!  Because shea butter is so high in fatty acid, it is frequently used as an additive to soap, shampoos, anti-aging cream, lotions, massage oils and other cosmetics. Those who try natural shea butter on their skin for the first time are amazed to discover that shea butter provides a protective barrier which not only helps retain moisture but also melts on contact and  it’s non greasy.

There are 3 different types of shea butter:

• Raw or unrefined- extracted using water.  The color ranges from like cream (similar to whipped butter) to grayish yellow.  This is the original form of Shea Butter and is the superior form in that it retains all its natural vitamins, however the natural smell of shea butter is overpowering with a pungent aroma some may find not so pleasant.    Raw or unrefined shea butters natural smell will dissipate after it has been applied to the skin within minutes.  So if you can get over the initial whiff, it’s definitely worth the small disadvantage.
• Refined-is more highly processed. Has many of its natural components still intact and a much more pleasing scent, color and consistency.
• Highly refined or processed-solvents are used to increase the yield (hexane is an example).  The color is pure white and the refining process may diminish the vitamin potency.  Kind of  like cooking all of the nutrients out when you overcook your veggies with heat-what’s left isn’t that nutritious for your skin or body.  

You can purchase shea butter from health food stores and through on-line distributors. Make sure you are buying 100% shea butter as not all shea butter is created equal as we have learned. Try to stay away from the shea products that contain additives that can be potentially irritating to skin and may contain very little actual shea butter.  Also, remember, if you have nut or latex allergies, you may want to avoid all products that contain shea butter.  Shea butter is a very handy product to have around the house and can be used in many different ways-as an all natural hair conditioner, moisturizer, makeup remover, to treat burns, cuts, scrapes, and sunburn.   There are many recipes that can be found for homemade moisturizers and skin care treatments that use shea butter.  As a matter of fact, we have a recipe for shea butter we will be featuring in this months INSIDER Newsletter at www.differenceisreal.com site.   My sister makes a whipped shea butter moisturizer she uses right after she steps out of the shower and swears it’s the best product she’s ever used-plus she’s feeling pretty proud for making it herself.  She said it allows her to have a creative outlet.   In these challenging economic times, a homemade treat may be just the thing to perk you up while you are doing something very good for your skin and your wallet.  These recipes are generally easy to follow and you may find you already have many of the ingredients  you need in your kitchen.  There have been some reported relief from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriases with products that contain shea butter.  Always consult your physician or dermatologist about any serious or persistent skin problems.

Experiment and have fun with shea butter, because when you look good, you start feeling good!

Honey and skin care

Honey is one of my favorite ingredients.  It’s truly a worker bee in the world of skin care and cooking.   I love to sip hot lemon water with a tablespoon of organic honey.   Honey can be used as an alternative to sugar in many recipes.  Unlike most sweetners, honey also contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.  The other day, a client asked me why I like honey as a skin care ingredient. 

I incorporate honey into our ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Brightening & Soothing Toner for its natural “humectant”, antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  Honey has a hygroscopic nature, which means when exposed to air, it naturally absorbs moisture in from the air.  When used in skin treatments, honey traps and seals in the moisture leaving skin soft and supple.  Honey has an interesting story to tell.

There are more than 25,000 different species of honey bees in the world.  We have over 3500 in the US.  While there are 3 types of bees that make up a honey bee colony, workers (females) account for 99%, drones (males) and the queen bee make up the balance.  The average worker bee only lives 45 days during the summer months.  I always wondered where the term, “worker bee”  came from.   I guess it literally means you don’t have alot of time to get the job done!

Honey comes in over 300 varieties just in the United States alone!  Honey can differ greatly in antimicrobial potency-sometimes as much as 100%!   Honey is “manufactured” in one of the world’s most efficient factories, the beehive.   Believe it or not -bees may travel as far as 55,000 miles and visit more than two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just a pound of honey.  (And you thought your workload and commute was bad!)  It is reported that honey from the Manuka bush, which grown in New Zealand, has some of the highest potency for anti-microbial properties.

Honey also provides antibacterial properties.  Researchers began to document the healing properties of honey in the early part of the 20th century.  Research all but stopped with the development of antibiotics, however recently the development of resistance to antibiotics has led to a new interest into the healing properties of honey.   The antimicrobial agents in honey help prevent the growth of certain bacteria.  Honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide which is thought to be the primary reason for the antimicrobial properties of honey.  Honey can also be utilized as a natural treatment for wounds like cuts and abrasions and has been been used to cover scalds so that bacteria is less likely to enter the wound and  honey can help promote wound healing.  

Honey has also been shown to help manage acne by attacking the bacteria that cause the outbreaks P. acnes  ( Propionibacterium acnes) and help keep the skin moisturized which aids in  rejuvenation and healing.  Another reason  we use honey in our  ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Brightenng  & Soothing Toner.

Honey is also a powerful antioxidant containing natural properties.  Antioxidants counter the degenerating activity process whereby fats in food react with oxygen and cause the development of free radicals that are harmful to the body.  Darker colored honeys seem to possess more antioxidants that light-color varieties.   The darker honeys also seem to have a more pronouced flavor.  Honey helps to eliminate free radicals in the body, and also assist nutritionally in the growth of new tissue.  Honey is becoming more popular as a vital ingredient  used in skin care products which can help protect, rejuvenate and restore a younger looking skin.

Of course, there are many individuals with allergies to the stings of Apis Mellifera (Honey Bees).  These social insects do not normally attack people, but will sting them only in self defense if disturbed (the African honey bee is however rather aggressive). Once stung, if the stinger remains in the skin, a Honey bee is responsible, while if no stinger is present, a Wasp is likely to be the culprit. The female worker honey bee carries the stinger and dies soon after discharging a sting.  If you are allergic and know it, (less than 1 out of 100 are allergic) carry a bee sting kit prescribed by your doctor.  A website I found that has some useful tips for dealing with bee stings is the Texas A & M University, Department of Entomology at http://honeybee.tamu.edu/bees_in_society/stings.html

For more information about the sweet magical qualities of  honey, benefits, recipes or sources to purchase visit www.honey.com  Next time you see a bee hovering in your garden, you might have a renewed respect for another hard working commuter-who is truly one of the smallest and most productive members of society!

To your health-

Pam Tirado, President, Product Developer ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® 

Source:  Three Key Valuable Honey Properties-www.benefits of honey.com; National Honey Board-www.nationalhoneyboard.co;www.honeybee.tamu.edu

Erasing sun damage-simple solutions

I’ll have one “Re-Do” please.  Don’t you wish life offered “redos” on things you wished you hadn’t done?  I’d like to roll through the drive through fast change window and ask for the “Re-Do lunch special”.  The little squawk box says, “No problem-we can offer you a redo to erase that segment and if you’d like to add a mineral water that will be just $XYZ and please drive forward to the next window”.  I bet it would be a hit, alas, that’s not the way life works!

I spent a lot of time in the sun when I was younger.  Growing up in South Texas living within biking distance of the beautiful and famous Gulf coast water shore was a wonderful thing.  I had great summers, falls, winters and springs.  Hey-we get nice weather in South Texas.  Unfortunately, we might not have been as smart about making sure we had sunscreen protection. I  know for sure I didn’t.   Of course, now that I know about how important it is to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UVA/UVB rays, exposing my skin to sun without using a powerful sunscreen would be unthinkable.  I’m an avid user of SPF everyday – no matter what the weather outside looks like.  I know that UVA ,(AKA-you will age) rays are even more damaging than the UVB (AKA-you will burn) rays.  UVA penetrates through glass and even clothing!  These are the rays you can’t see but cause big problems down the line with accelerated aging to the skin.  Bummer!

Fortunately, the news is not all bad!  You can improve the signs of previous sun damage and help to prevent new damage with a few simple daily steps. Sun damage accounts for the majority of premature aging to our skin like brown spots, uneven texture, and contributes a whole bunch to those unattractive wrinkles and sagging skin.  Look at it this way, you’re already brushing and flossing – so a couple of more minutes in the morning or evening is a small price to pay for healthy skin.  Like a friend of mine says, “Hey-do you feel any better when you eat your broccoli? No but you do it anyway because it’s good for you.”  Maintenance is a part of life my friend!

1. Topical application of antioxidants like Vitamin C & E can help erase previous sun damage, lighten brown spots and even out your skin tone.  This is not an overnight fix so daily use is required.  We can’t make antioxidants so we need to consume them in our diet and apply antioxidants to the areas of skin exposed to UVA and UVB rays for optimum results.
2. For more stubborn discoloration, look for products that are specifically formulated with natural lightening and brightening ingredients like arbutin, daisy flower, bearberry, lemon and licorice roots extracts, vitamin A, azeleic, lactic, kojic or salicylic acids (I use our ILLUSTRE ESSENZA hydroquinone free Super Face & Body Brightening Serum on mine) . These are generally available OTC (over the counter) without a prescription. For really tough discoloration caused by sun and or hormonal imbalances, see your physician or dermatologist for more powerful options that are only offered by prescription and with MD supervision.  And remember, your skin won’t know the difference between a dark spot or a clear spot so paint within the lines when using your brightening and lightening topical products.  As in all things – less sometimes is really best plus you’ll save on your product consumption.
3. Hydroquinone – it’s been around for decades, however, recent studies suggest long term topical application  may lead to undesirable affects.  The use of hydroquinone is controversial at best!  The literature search on hydroquinone as a skin lightening agent suggests that possible long-term effects like carcinogenesis may be expected.  For many years Hydroquinone was the “gold standard” for topical skin lightening properties however, with modern advances in science and a trend towards more natural less toxic ingredients for their lightening and brightening properties, there are still many viable options worth considering with less side effects.
4. Avoid sun exposure and use your SPF 30 daily.   No amount of topically applied  brightening and lightening ingredients can stop new sun damage from occurring.  If you have brown spots from sun damage or melasma (medical terminology for darkening of the facial skin, most commonly affecting the apples of the cheeks, the mid forehead, jaw line and areas around the mouth) you have to avoid sun  exposure!  The causes of melasma  are quite simply overachieving/overactive  melanocytes.  These pigment producing cells become stimulated to produce extra unwanted melanin resulting in patchy discoloration. Triggers include estrogen supplements, birth control pills, pregnancy, cellular hypersensitivity to normal estrogen levels and sun exposure.

So about that “Re-Do”, well, I might not be able to completely erase the previous stuff  I wished I’d known not to do, however, memories of riding my bike on a clear summer day with my good friend Jayne in South Texas back in my high school days with nary a cloud in the sky are pretty high on my list of  good times!  So now I know better (and hopefully you do too) so I put on my ILLUSTRE ESSENZA SPF 30, my big sun glasses and still go out and enjoy the day - so I don’t have to worry about that ‘re-do” drive through window!

Pam Tirado, President, Product Developer,  Luminoso Studios ILLUSTRE ESSENZA

Organic cleaning in the home with Tea Tree Oil or Melaleuca alternifolia, an alternative to toxic synthetic ingredients

I’ve decided to give up the Mr. Clean and Pine Sol for good.  I ran out of the last bit of remaining cleansers and have gone organic and green to keep my home clean. Did you know there are amazing recipes for cleaning your home that cost just a few pennies?  It’s good for your home, pets and the environment.  For instance, I recently completed a course for an introduction to aromatherapy and we actually covered an amazing amount of material including the even more amazing uses of essential oils for cleaning and disinfecting purposes.  So I put the toxic prepackaged cleaning ingredients away and have embraced the organic method.  It truly is amazing what a little water and Tea Tree Oil can accomplish. 

Latin name, Melaleuca alternifolia, common name, Tea Tree Oil, is quite effective as a household disinfectant.  It takes as little as 1/2 t of oil to wash a full load of clothes.  Can also be used for diapers-for of you out there with those precious little ones.  Tea Tree Oil has long been used as a flavoring and antiseptic agent for mouthwashes and last, if you are ever in a bind, it can even be used to purify drinking water.  I used less than 1/4 t added to regular tap water to clean my whole home and it smelled wonderful!  Plus I realized I was really doing something good for the environment by not contributing to more toxic chemicals in the water supply.  Good quality essential oils are packaged in amber colored bottles to protect them from light and can be recyled as well when empty. 

Tea Tree Oil is harvested from the Medicinal tea tree or Australian tea tree. There are many other varieties including the Manuka and New Zealand Tea Tree.  These have different botanical names and actually smell quite different.  Most of the Melaleuca Oil is still harvested in New South Wells, Australia.  Makes me want to definitely plan a trip “down under” so I can stock up on my cleaning supplies.

The medicinal properties of Tea Tree Oil was actually discovered in the 1920’s and research continued for 20 more years.  A little more history – the tree was supposedly name by none other than Joseph Banks, the famous botanists that sailed with “The” Captain Cook.

There are 3 major constituents of Australian Tea Tree oil and they are:

1. Terpinen - which has antibacterial, antifungal, vasocontrictive, tonic and stimulating properties
2. Gamma – terpinene  and alpha-terpinene and they both are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral and bactericidal
3. Cineole – which provides an expectorant action.  It can help reduce the swelling of mucous membranes, loosen mucas and even help with breathing.  You have to be careful though, because too much of a good thing can be bad.  Excessive use of cineole can actually contribute to liver damage.  Also, Cineole is toxic to insects – but that is actually good news!  Next time you are reading an insect repellant label, check to see if it contains Cineole.

So here’s a free tip in these interesting economic times – you can still have a clean home and save big bucks on disinfectants that are probably not good for you and your loved ones anyway.   Save your cash and buy yourself a small bottle of Tea Tree Essential Oil (I paid about $4.50 for 5 ml of oil) and you’ll have enough cleaning supplies to last for months!  

Keep your Tea Tree Oil away from direct sunlight and the bottle tightly closed to prevent evaporation and loss of your oil.  Also, keep your oils out of the reach of children and pets.   Never use Tea Tree Oil direct on skin or on animals as inappropriate high doses can cause fatal complications.

Going organic and green is fun and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.   Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Pam Tirado, President, Product Developer, Luminoso Studios ILLUSTRE ESSENZA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skin care reviews – exposed!

I recently have been asked to comment on the abundance of websites that pose as unbiased informational reviews for skin care products only to find out that they are actually promoting their own products while desperately doing their best to discredit everyone else’s.  While I wish there was a way to police these bogus sites, at this point, I’m not sure how that is possible.  For the educated reader, if you follow the links, in the reviews, you will always find that they lead directly to another skin care product -the one they want you to buy that is better than any of the other products they have reviewed.  Further more, it’s easy to see  that many of the negative comments they claim  about the other products they review are just that – negative to make their products look superior and the information they report is inaccurate. Some of these sites are blogging sites as well intend to mislead the un-informed consumer.  I know it’s frustrating when you are trying to gather information as you tend to get overloaded fast with so much to sort through.

As always, I recommend you do your own homework. Look up the definitions of ingredients you don’t understand.  For instance, you can read about the  definitions of the ingredients in ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® by visiting  http://luminosostudios.com/science.html science page.  If you have a question about a product, one of the first things I look for is the complete listing of the ingredients.  If the ingredients are not posted on their website, or they only post “active ingredients” that is your first clue they are trying to hide some important information. Another clue is auto-ship.  Any company that offers a free product but also requires you to sign up for auto-ship is definitely a company you may want to be careful about doing business with.  They make it easy to get a free product but very difficult to get out of the contracts for monthly shipping.  I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about auto-ship and how impossible it is to get through to their customer service department to cancel your contract, sometimes holding for over one hour only to be disconnected when a live person answers.  In fact, I’ve been a victim myself of auto-ship!  They make virtually impossible to reach customer service to cancel your order.  Typically, month after month of auto-ship charges continue to accumulate-which is really what they are banking on.  If you don’t have the time to deal with it, they company wins!

Customer service is alive and well at ILLUSTRE ESSENZA®.  We don’t promote auto-ship and we don’t operate a separate website  promoting “unbiased reviews” of other skin care products while we try to push you back to our website.  You can sample any of our products without long term commitments or auto-ship.  After all, your skin is unique and so should your skin care products.  We hope you’ll like ours and we make it easy to get started with no obligation.  Give us a try and you’ll see for yourself, with ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® the Difference is Real®

Sincerely,

Pam Tirado, Product Developer, ILLUSTRE ESSENZA

Organic definitions for labels – get the facts!

Green tea fields

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed when trying to decipher whether a product is organic, green, or natural?  Well, don’t feel alone.  Organic, green and natural all sound like good things – but are not necessarily represented truthfully when it comes to marketing so it pays once again to read the label and understand the certifications.

There are standards that have been set to help the consumer (that’s you and me) make sense of the information and ultimately-informed educated decisions about the products we choose to consume and apply to our skin.

In 2002, the US Federal Government established the first official definition of “organic” followed by the “USDA Organic” seal.  This seal is to give consumers a way to identify by a label whether or not the product is “100% Organic”, “Organic”  or “Made With Organic ingredients”. 

For our protection, these very strict standards have been implemented to create a system that can identity and track the specific practices that are used to produce and process organic agricultural ingredients used for food and non-food purposes. 

I found the following definition that is helpful in understanding how organic is defined in terms of qualifying criteria:

“National organic standards set out the methods, practices and substances used in producing and handling crops, livestock and processed agricultural products. The standards include a national list of approved synthetic and prohibited non-synthetic substances for organic production. See http://www.ota.com/listbackground05.html for more details.

 

Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organically produced foods also must be produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering and other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation. Cloning animals or using their products would be considered inconsistent with organic practices.  Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food.

 

National organic standards require that organic growers and handlers be certified by third-party state or private agencies or other organizations that are accredited by USDA. Although farmers and handlers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic agricultural products and retailers that do not process these products are exempt from certification, they must meet all certified organic grower and handler requirements to maintain the organic integrity of the organic products they sell. Anyone who knowingly sells or mislabels as organic a product that was not produced and handled in accordance with the regulations can be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. 

 

• Consumers can look for the “USDA Organic” seal or other approved labeling, and for the name of the certifier on the label of the products they consider for purchase.
• Products labeled “100% Organic” and carrying the “USDA Organic” seal are just that – they contain all organically produced ingredients. 
• Products that are made from at least 95% organic ingredients, and have remaining ingredients that are approved for use in organic products may also carry the “USDA Organic” seal. 
• In addition, products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients may label those on the ingredient listing. Producers and processors voluntarily use these labels, and may use organic ingredients without being required to label them.”

For more information from USDA on labeling and other issues go to:  http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/brochure.html

So next time you are tempted to spend your hard earned dollars on a product that says it’s “organic, natural or green”, take a minute to review the facts and you’ll be able to tell the difference between good marketing and accurate labeling!

 

Cheers – stay happy and healthy,

 

Pam Tirado, President and Product Developer for ILLUSTRE ESSENZA®

 

 

Source: The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Organic Trade Association’s 2007 Manufacturer Survey

Rosemary – not just another herb

The real story behind Carmine

Is Carmine bad for you? Well that depends on if you like bugs! Carmine is approved for use by the FDA in not only food products that we consume but also cosmetics we apply to our skin. Carmine, may also be labeled as Crimson Lake, Cochineal, Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470, or E120. Carmine is a pigment of a bright red color obtained from the carminic acid produced by some scale insects, such as the cochineal and the Polish cochineal. Camine is used as a general term for a particularly deep red color.  It serves as an insect based food coloring and it used extensively in cosmetics. Consumers like products that have rich vibrant color and the cosmetic and food manufacturers use Carmine to add color to make the products we consume look better. 

 

 

I was reading an ingredient label a while back and saw the word “Carmine” and being the naturally curious person that I am, I started to do a little research on my own. Oh my!  Was I in for a surprise.  The more I read the more I felt nauseated.

 

Well, my dear readers, Carmine is actually made from dried ground up red beetles. And it takes alot of these little bugs to make carmine.  About 70,000 of them to be exact to equal just one pound of extract.  In fact, the part of the insect that contains the most carmine is the abdomen. This is where the fertilized eggs of the Cochineal are stored.. Thru the manufacturing process, the abdomens and eggs are separated from the rest of the body. They are in turn ground into a powder, then cooked, filtered and what is left is pure carmine- a very pretty deep red color. 

 

Although you’ve probably been eating these little bugs for years, without any harm, there have been reported cases of Anaphylactic shock. There was a proposed rule in 2006, which would require that manufacturers “flag the presence of cochineal extract in their products.”  The suggestion comes after more than 35 reports of severe allergic reactions to the dye surfaced.  Presently, cochineal extract in products is listed as E120 or under the umbrella term “color added” on nutrition labels.

The FDA declined to ban the use of extract since it found no evidence of a “significant hazard” to the overall population. Sorry I guess 35 is an ok number when you are talking about the masses – unless you happen to be one of the 35.

 

So is Carmine appetizing – well, not necessarily on the top of most menus. You can rest assured, Illustre Essenza does not use any Carmine or other artificial color or fragrance in any of our skin care or mineral makeup products. 

 

You will find Carmine though in everything from yogurt to ice cream, juice drinks, rouge, cosmetics, paint, artificial flowers, and crimson ink.  In fact, there are a few big name brands out there that you might want to check before you buy next time as in yogurt and orange juice.

 

Ironically, there are alternatives to carmine that are non insect based like grape skins which definitely have less “gross” factor for consumption or use in cosmetics we apply to our skin.  Personally, I really don’t care if the FDA has approved Carmine for human consumption, I don’t want it in my food or on my face!  

 

Bottom line, read your label and make your own decision.  Bon apetite!

Happy New Year to all,

Pam Tirado, President, Luminoso Studios, Inc.