Why You Need Clean Beauty Products!

Think of beauty products like food for your skin. Natural and organic beauty products work better simply because they are made with superior ingredients.

WHY CLEAN BEAUTY?
Natural skin care uses topical creams and lotions made of ingredients available in nature. Chemical skin care actually stresses the skin causing it to age much faster. They can also be very harmful to your skin, hormones and organs.

HOW CAN I PREVENT AGING SKIN?
As your skin loses elasticity and collagen, it can naturally begin to appear more wrinkled and a bit saggy. By caring for your skin and focusing on prevention, you can minimize these issues. Using natural products to protect the skin like natural SPF, natural retinols, botanical hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and eating live, fresh food and good oils will help improve the skin’s texture, buoyancy, fine lines and wrinkles.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE CLEAN BEAUTY?
Clean beauty includes products that are made without ingredients linked to harmful health effects, which can range from hormone disruption and cancer to basic skin irritation and inflammation. To name a few of the chemical ingredients we should avoid: parabens, phthalates, PEGs, ethanolamines, chemical sunscreens, synthetic fragrance, BHT, and BHA. Not compromising my health by using synthetic ingredients.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL SKINCARE PRODUCTS AND CONVENTIONAL ONES?
The difference between natural skincare products and conventional ones is very simple and straightforward. Natural products comes from nature and are closest to their whole food, God given form as possible. Conventional products are synthetically made through laboratory manipulation and the ingredients are not found in nature, though it is possible to create synthetic versions of natural ingredients (such as Vitamin E).

ARE NATURAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS LESS EFFECTIVE THAN REGULAR BRANDS?
Not at all! The skin loves natural, balanced ingredients that are without toxic side effects! You will actually get better results quicker with natural and balanced products like Dr. Lucy's.

ARE NATURAL AND ORGANIC SKIN CARE PRODUCTS MORE EXPENSIVE?
The fact that natural products have a significant concentration of active components means that they have lasting performance when compared to other products. In simple terms -- it means that you will need less product to achieve the results, hence it will last longer, and save your money.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF USING NATURAL SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
Less inflammation with calmer more plump skin that is functioning at its optimal level! Plus, a longer and healthier life! Meaning more energy, more thought clarity, stronger resistance to disease, better organ function, less toxicity, no skin irritations, lowering your risk of cancer, hormone imbalance, and immune compromise.”

So, don’t hesitate to switch to natural products because they really are worth the cost. Let’s not forget that it will bring you better results when it comes to your health, and in the end, what is the real price of that?

THE BENEFITS OF USING ORGANIC AND NATURAL PRODUCTS:

FREE FROM CHEMICALS
PURE PRODUCTS
BIO-DEGRADABLE
PREVENTS THE SIGNS OF SKIN AGING.
BEAUTIFUL SMELL. WHEN THE PRODUCTS ARE NATURAL, THE SMELL WILL BE NATURAL.
MAKES YOUR SKIN SOFTER, CALMER AND MORE PLUMP.
OFFERS COMPLETE SKIN NOURISHMENT.

What is "Clean Beauty" and the "French Way?"

Can you believe March is here? This means a new season is just around the corner. Even the cherry blossoms are peeking out!

I was thinking now would be a good time to revisit the importance of "Clean Beauty" and the "French Way".

What Exactly Does "Clean Beauty" Mean to You?...

Here at Dr. Lucy "Clean Beauty" means ingredients and proprietary formulations that meet the highest industry standards, which are safe and non-toxic. If you are using other products than Dr. Lucy's on your skin, do they meet these standards? There is a difference!

Ingredients That Are "Not Clean" and Very Toxic to You and Your Skin. Well Worth the Read.:

Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen and irritant found in nail products, hair dye, fake-eyelash adhesives and some shampoos. It has been banned in other countries.

Fragrance: Has hormone-disrupting effects. Fragrance is also connected to headaches, dizziness, asthma and allergies. Instead, use products with natural fragrances only.

Lead: A known carcinogen and hormone disruptor found in certain eyeliners, hair dye and lipsticks.

Mercury: A known irritant and allergen that, with body accumulation over time, can impair the brain and nervous system.

Parabens (Propyl-, Isopropyl-, Butyl- and Isobutyl-): Used as preservatives in many products. A study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology in 2004 detected parabens in breast tumors and discussed their estrogen-like properties. While this doesn’t create a direct connection with cancer, I recommend avoiding these ingredients.

Oxybenzone: An active ingredient in chemical sunscreens that accumulates in fatty tissues and is linked to allergies, hormone disruption and cellular damage. I recommend wearing skin-protective clothing and using natural minerals or zinc products.

DEA/TEA/MEA (Ethanolamines): Used as emulsifiers and foaming agents for shampoos, body washes, soaps and topical application. It’s been associated with cancer in animal studies.
Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate (SLS, SLES): A former industrial degreaser now used to make soap foamy, it’s absorbed into the body.

Diethylene glycol (or DEG): A central nervous system depressant and potent kidney and liver toxin. Sometimes found in fragrances. Glycerin and propylene glycol are sometimes contaminated with D.

*We use only ingredients in our Dr. Lucy products that are natural, organic, eco-cert, cruelty-free and fair trade. All from top of the line, exclusive companies in the U.S. and England.

What is the "French Way" Anyway?

Taking special care of your skin with a consistent natural routine, using gentle yet therapeutic products everyday for the rest of your life.

A French Woman’s Daily Skin Care Routine: 5 Major Steps...

1. Cleansing the skin with a natural, hydrating crème cleanser.

2. A natural toner is without question a must right after cleansing.

3. French women always use the best natural face serums, moisturizers and face oils like Dr. Lucy's to nourish their skin.

4. Nightly regimens always and forever include, never going to bed without removing your makeup. Plus, a natural anti-aging serum is a must.

5. Weekly to monthly facials which can be done in your own home, or in a natural, botanical product salon if you prefer.

A Very Strong Side Note on Using a Natural Toner...

I know of sooo many skin care companies that will tell you a toner is not necessary. In fact, some dermatologist (not all) will tell you this also! Sorry and respectfully speaking try not to listen to them about this. I know you are thinking, "Wow! That was kind of a bold statement you just made!" Yes, I know, but hear me out and please read on...

Let's Listen to Dermatologist Arielle Kauvar Talk with Allure on Why Using a Toner Is So Important!

"To put it simply, toner looks like water and acts like water. But I swear it's not water. It's packed with so much more than hydrogen and oxygen. Depending on the toner, it also can contain acids, glycerin, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories.

Plus, on a makeup-related note, toner is like a primer for the rest of your skin-care routine like serums and moisturizer, New York-based dermatologist Arielle Kauvar tells Allure".

French Skin Care and Makeup vs. U.S. Skin Care and Makeup...There is a Difference!

Women in France value having beautiful skin. Emphasizing on quality, natural skin care products are very important to them. The abundance of many facial salons, not only in the big city of Paris, but also in small villages around the country shows how important skin care is. There are about as many skin care salons in France as there are nail salons in the United States. Monthly facials are a regular part of a woman’s life in France. In the U.S. we are so busy with our lives and always have excuses to not taking the time to relax and care for ourselves. A pampering facial can be just what the Doctor ordered!

Remember, “Skin care lasts a lifetime, makeup lasts a day!”

P.S. Makeup (when used) should be as natural and as toxic free as possible. Think of makeup as an enhancement to your own beautiful face.

What Does All of This Information Mean to You?

In a nutshell, healthy skin means happier and more contented you!

A little trivia!
Why does Dr. Lucy use organic Aloe leaf juice in some of the products?
Aloe leaf juice speeds up skin cell reproduction by as much as eight times and penetrates the epidermis (outer skin layer) four times faster than water. According to Dr. Danhof of North Texas Research Laboratories.

With love and blessings,
Rebecca

"Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away." -Elvis Presley

True Story!

The other day someone said to me, “I don’t like French skincare”. When I asked, “why don’t you like French skincare?” They said they had never tried it and weren’t sure. This immediately gave me a flash back to when my kids were little and I was introducing a new vegetable into their world. They would usually start out by saying, “I don’t like that”, and I would say, “just try one bite, this tastes really good and you just might like it!”

Moral of the story?

Most people agree, a fresh, natural and botanical skin care routine is preferred over a rancid, chemical skin care routine. Just saying.

The French philosophy on beauty is simply to make looking great and aging well a part of your daily life…naturally!