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Posts tagged ‘paleo diet’

Redefining Beauty…

Hey Beautiful,

 

I remember a day a few years back when I didn’t feel so beautiful…

I was 39 years old and my forehead had a forest of acne… yes, tiny bumps that took up residency there in my teens and never really left. I was frustrated. Angry. Sad. Embarrassed. Lonely (because I felt like no one understood what it was like to live with acne). But most of all, I was afraid!

I lived in fear that my acne would never go away.

I remember spending so much money on products that never worked. Not only did I suffer from acne, but my skin was dull, lifeless, blotchy and saggy. Definitely not beautiful… but don’t feel sorry for me…. there is a happy ending!

We live in a culture that promotes impossible standards of beauty…

Except that men, and most women, think it is possible. Be honest, when you see a picture of a beautiful woman… you perceive it to be real and it sets a standard in your subconscious.

Like it or not, our brains perceive beauty as a standard we need to achieve. Every magazine contains countless airbrushed images of beautiful models.

My question is this: If beautiful models can cause otherwise rational women to crumble in their presence, exactly how powerful is beauty?

Powerful. Very powerful. So powerful, most women have spent hundreds, even thousand of dollars trying to achieve the impossible standard of beauty. We set the bar so high, we no longer care about what is inside the bottle, just the promises it makes.

By the way, reverse engineer your thoughts… beauty is possible, but it has to be real in your life, not in your mind. My desire for beauty is no different than yours. I want beauty. I want lasting beauty. I want eternal beauty. While I know that age happens, I want to slow the rate I see it…

Why do I call myself a skincare biohacker? Because I have hacked a better way to preserve beauty. I know that my cells are real. Artificial has no place inside my body. Artificial ingredients, by nature, cannot nourish real cells- in fact, artificial causes premature cell death and mutation (not exactly the picture of natural beauty). My acne mysteriously disappeared when I ditched Big Cosmo. Suddenly, after feeding my skin food made products, acne became a memory and my skin came alive in color and tone.

I achieved beauty. Today, at the age of 48, my skin is radiant. Gone are the dull days… hello to beauty! I feel like the air brushed models I once envied.

If you want real beauty, it begins with food… skin food. That is the secret that I have found to lasting youth and preserving beauty. I raise the standards of beauty… for real.

I created a way to quickly heal acne… reduce redness, inflammation and heal zits almost overnight.  If food heals our insides… why wouldn’t it do the same for our largest organ?  Check out Banished and Beyond made to help treat acne!

Want to know more… check me out here!

C-Ex Q&A with Liz Wolfe and Trina Felber

100% Natural Solution For Whiter, Cleaner, Stronger Teeth With Fresh Breath

7 Reasons to Use Apple Cider Vinegar as Your Multipurpose Beauty Breakthrough.

When it comes to multipurpose beauty products, Primal Life Organics (PLO) is delighted to offer a natural alternative to the potentially toxic ingredients the mainstream skincare industry pedals without conscience. Our own tried and true recipe for success, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a nectar direct from Mother Earth, and comes with a vast array of health and beauty benefits. We’re going to share the top seven with you in today’s blog.

Simply because we want you to know, PLO has the answers to your toxic woes, right from your hair to the tips of your toes…. Are YOU ready to get up and glow?

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An after shampoo shine for your luscious locks

Did you know you can revitalize your hair with dramatic results, using Apple Cider Vinegar as an after shampoo rinse? Simply fill an empty shampoo bottle with ½ tbsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar and then dilute it with ½ cup of cool water. Pour the solution through your hair after shampooing. For best results, repeat several times per week. You’ll be amazed at the extra body and shine!

Banish dandruff for good

It’s time to stop being so flaky! Did you know if you rinse your roots and strands with Apple Cider Vinegar, you can stop dandruff in its tracks? By balancing the pH of your scalp, you simultaneously halt the growth of yeast. Positive side effects include getting rid of itchiness, greasiness and irritation. Simply combine a ¼ cup of Apple Cider Vinegar with ¼ cup of water and pour into a spray bottle. Apply this mixture to your scalp, then leave it on for an hour before rinsing. Your flake-free future awaits!

Achieve complexion perfection

Fact: perfect skin is always in. That can be a real bummer, though if you happen to battle acne. But take my heart, my friends, and utilize the natural weapon at your disposal. Apple Cider Vinegar can kill the harmful bacteria that lives on the surface of your face. Diluted, you can apply it as an astringent, and utilize it as a spot treatment to target blemishes. Holistic health experts also suggest taking it orally. In addition, pour some Apple Cider Vinegar into an Epsom-salt bath to help draw out toxins and impurities from the precious skin you live in!

Take the sting out of your sunburn.

We’ve all overdone it in the sun once or twice, and there are few things worse than that burning, peeling, red hot feeling! Thankfully, you now know that Apple Cider Vinegar can come to your rescue. If you dilute a cupful in your bathwater, it will soothe the burning sensation. That’s a tip you’ll later thank me for (if you keep it up your sleeve for a sunny day).

Pearly whites, plus breath as fresh as winter nights!

Need more reasons to smile? Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural tooth whitener and breath freshener. So, in the case that your pearly whites need a brightening boost, Apple Cider Vinegar is your sparkling solution. If you work some into your teeth and then rinse, your grin will dazzle. You can also use it as a mouth wash! Dentists suggest combining two parts water and one part apple cider vinegar, then swishing it around in your mouth for up to a minute. Apple Cider Vinegar even beats the bacteria that causes odor. Sip or gargle a teaspoon to reap the best of the fresh-breath benefits. Dragon breath, be-gone!

Help undo ugly and unsightly bruises

Their arrival is often a mystery (as in, where the heck did that come from?) or really strongly announced (ouch- that’ll leave a mark). Bruises hit us hard, and once they do, they linger. The solution? Fade those purplish-bluish hues by smoothing on some Apple Cider Vinegar. Its anti-inflammatory properties will help to lighten them up. Like a bewitching beauty eraser for life’s little whoopsies!

Beat stinky feet

Due to Apple Cider Vinegar’s amazing ability to balance the pH of your skin, it can help you stomp out stinky feet (as well as battle body odor). Simply splash ACV onto a paper towel or baby-wipes and pat down your toes to eradicate the pungent smell arising from bacteria. Feel the benefits of freeing up those fresh feet without fear of taking your shoes off and offending those around you.

We hope you’re enjoyed these handy hints on ways YOU can benefit from Apple Cider Vinegar as a daily part of your beauty routine.

Follow my 30-Day Apple Cider Vinegar challenge, just click the link!  Get healthy in just 10 seconds a day!

In the meantime… Sing it with me—
One, two, three…. It’s an easy little recipe,
For your skins TLC, ACV!

That’s it from me.

Trina

How Charcoal Whitens Teeth

Charcoal has many benefits including the ability to pull toxins from the body.

Charcoal is very effective at detoxifying the body.  It is the agent used in the Emergency Room for overdoses caused by drugs and alcohol.  It can be used to help rid the GI system of unwanted toxins as well as pull toxins from the tissues.

Did you know it is also very effective at whitening the teeth?  The same properties that make it effective at detoxifying the body make it effective at whitening the teeth.

Dave Asprey, Bulletproof Biohacker lists numerous ways to take advantage of the black porous surface to rid the body of toxins.  He states:

How to Use It to Detox Your Body and Feel Noticeably Better

Because activated coconut charcoal is mainly used to remove toxins from the body, it is great to use for the following purposes:

  • Take it when you eat out at restaurants or eat low quality foods like processed junk foods
  • Take it with bad coffee – it won’t fix the problem, but it helps
  • It is particularly helpful to take when drinking alcohol
  • Take it if you suddenly feel moody or tired
  • Opening a capsule on your toothbrush does amazing things for stained teeth
  • Use during pregnancy to bind toxins
  • Helpful for jet lag

It’s 100% natural and safe for use to whiten the teeth…. but just how does charcoal whiten your teeth?

Trina Felber, CEO of Primal Life Organics and Skincare Biohacker demonstrates how charcoal works and why it is so effective in the detoxification process and to whiten the teeth. Watch this video to understand HOW!

Dirty Mouth Toothpowder BLACK Peppermint and BLACK Spearmint both contain charcoal to help whiten your teeth.  When charcoal is combined with clay, it is the perfect formulation for cleaning, remineralizing and whitening the teeth.

Dirty Mouth Toothpowder contains three different clays (bentonite, white kaolin and french green) because these clays contain the minerals your teeth need to remineralize and stay strong. For the Black formula, charcoal is added to whiten the teeth- but does not contain minerals therefore will not improve the structural integrity of your enamel.

Natural Skincare Questions Answered!

Trina Felber, CEO of Primal Life Organics and Expert in DSC_0316natural skincare, answers questions about natural skincare

Questions answered:
How long do items (all skincare) last when opened? If you have a serum, moisturizer and vitamin C it seems they will last a while?

Can I use the banished serum twice a day on almost my whole face for acne?

Should I be using anything other than the banished and beyond package along with the mask and fire and ice to clear up my current acne, scars old and new and dark spots?

What do u use for (natural) sunblock on the face?

Post your questions below!

Infiniti and Beyond for aging skin File Jun 22, 9 47 37 AM
Banished and Beyond for acne

Banished Blemish Serum for acne
Sun Up (natural sun protection)

Striving To Be Super Human!

becoming-superhuman-logo3Do you think of yourself as a Super-Human?? To some degree, we all strive to be superhuman.  Taking on more roles and projects than we can “humanly” handle, never saying “no” to anything and adding just “one more thing to my plate” sound at all like you?

I believe all of us have some degree of superpowers- as a mom, multi-tasking is a necessity and often feels superhuman when things go right!

I was recently a guest on Becoming A Super Human Podcast, hosted by Jonathon Levi.

THE MISSION OF THE BECOMING SUPERHUMAN BLOG AND PODCAST IS TO CREATE INFORMATIVE AND HIGH-QUALITY CONTENT THAT HELPS PEOPLE OVERCOME COMMONLY ACCEPTED LIMITATIONS. THE CONTENT WILL HELP READERS AND LISTENERS DEVELOP THEMSELVES PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND PRODUCTIVELY, AND SHOULD BE AS FUN TO CONSUME AS IT IS TO CREATE.

Today’s guest has, as many guests do, a pretty unusual story. Trina Felber started her career by spending 22 years as a nurse – starting out in a Burn Intensive Care Unit. Her experience in that world caused her to understand the vital role of our body’s largest organ – our skin – in protecting us and promoting health.

Since then, she has gone on to found Primal Life Organics, a skincare company that produces and promotes natural and healing products for the skin.

At this point, especially if you’re a guy, you might be thinking, “How’s this superhuman? I guess I’ll skip this one and tune in next week.” But don’t.

As Trina is going to explain to us, there are hundreds if not thousands of chemicals in your shower and in your medicine cabinet that are dramatically affecting your ability to thrive at peak health. In this episode, we’re going to go into some of these chemicals, and begin understanding what they do in the body. We’re going to talk about alternative ways to deal with hygiene and maintenance of your skin, and what roles the skin plays in your overall health. In fact, there are a ton of very surprising revelations in this episode that I think you guys will love.

Particularly if you share my interest and passion for testosterone and endocrine optimization, you’re going to learn a lot in this episode. Plus, there’s a 50% discount on Trina’s products if you listen in

Also, as a fun fact, my guest is actually married to a past guest of the show, Josh Felber, showing that superhuman couples do in fact exist!

superhuman podcast

Work-In Yoga: Chair Yoga

Join us as we take yoga to a new place... the workplace! At Primal Life Organics, we are lucky to have Yogi Heather Baur on our team... and she helps us stay focused and charged with mid-day 15 minute yoga sessions! Join us every Wednesday at 12 noon EST on Facebook (CaveGirlSkincare- friend me) for our live broadcast! We will have a different focus every week!

Chair Yoga (15 min) to improve your clarity!

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Winter Running Guide! Get Your (Winter) Gear On! Bonus: & Tips For Keeping Skin Hydrated

Are you a runner? Do you live with one?

Do you love to run in the winter but the chill keeps you inside on a treadmill??

NOT ME! I run outside (in OHIO) all year round..

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Want more energy? Want to get more done and stay active?

Need a trick to get out of bed, motivated to workout? Maybe it's all in your head...

Read more

Water In Skincare: TRUST OR TRASH?

A very common ingredient in commercial skincare products is water. Humans require water, so what could possibly be wrong with it being a main ingredient in your skincare product? In fact, many commercial skincare products, even the natural ones, list water as the first ingredient. So who cares if your product is mostly water?

Water_drop_collision

Water may be the perfect liquid for your insides, but your outsides feel differently. It might just be where all destructive effects truly begin.

Don’t get me wrong; hydrating the skin is a good thing. However, most of the water in your skincare (lotion, cream, balm) evaporates before the skin absorbs it. As water evaporates, it takes with it many of the skin’s natural oils. This actually makes your skin lose moisture and contributes to dryness.

If water is listed first on your product: I say TRASH it!  Here’s why!

If water is the first ingredient on the label, it is likely that 75–95 percent of what’s in your product is simply water. Please notice… most water that is added to skincare is tap water.  Polluted tap water.  Not filtered or purified.  Also note: “herbal infusion” is a fancy term to disguise the word “water”.  Furthermore, if the product contains any oils (and most natural products do), an emulsifier is necessary to make the water and oil mix and not separate. Most common emulsifiers in skincare include cetyl alcohol and sorbitan oleate, stearyl alcohol, stearic acid and triethanolamine.

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) is a common emulsifier used in products that foam (shampoo, detergents, bubble bath, etc.) as well as in toothpaste.  SLS promotes the formation of a group of carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines. SLS also damages the epidermis and causes skin irritation. Children who soak in a tub of bubble bath, for instance, are especially vulnerable to urinary infections caused by SLS.

If an emulsifier is present, preservatives are always included to keep the product from spoiling, and parabens are the most common preservative. Parabens promote the production of estrogen and are increasingly linked to early puberty in girls. Naturally occurring parabens are found in some foods that are metabolized in the body (by the liver), lessening their estrogen-production effects.

One of the most common preservatives is the group of synthetic parabens. Unfortunately, synthetic parabens cannot be metabolized like naturally occurring ones. They increase estrogen production, disrupt hormone functions, and cause DNA damage.

Parabens are directly linked to breast cancer and cause negative reproductive effects in both females and males. Because of the vast array of cosmetics women use, it is estimated that women absorb about 50mg of synthetic parabens every day. And here’s a dose of irony: parabens in skincare products promote skin aging.

Here are some examples of personal skincare products, which consist primarily of water:

  • Mascara
  • Mouthwash
  • Nail polishes (some)
  • Self-tanning lotion
  • Shampoo
  • Shaving foam or lotion
  • Toothpaste
  • Bath foam
  • Conditioner
  • Creams, moisturizers
  • Foundation
  • Hair gel
  • Hair spray
  • Liquid eyeliner Make-up remover

Not every product included here will list water as the first or second ingredient, but the majority of commercial products will. Many expensive anti-aging serums are 70 percent water, and shampoos can be as much as 90 percent.

So, if water, emulsifier, and preservatives are part of the product, that means that the rest of the ingredients are the active ingredients—the reason you bought the product in the first place. For most commercial products, if you take out the water, emulsifier, and fillers, the active ingredients will only be between 2 to 25 percent! Clearly, what you are buying is filler, not active ingredients.

The chemicals in Big Cosmo products (fragrance, emulsifiers, alcohol) also dry the skin.  As a result, the skin overproduces sebum to compensate- and you may end up with very oily skin.  When you remove the chemicals and put oil on the skin, your skin no longer needs to compensate and can decongest and function normally.  If the skin couldn’t decongest while under the “chemical influence,” acne may have been the result.  Ditch the chemicals, normalize and decongest the skin and acne may resolve on its own.

Primal Life Organics does not “water down” our skincare.  Our concentrated mixture adds nutrients, moisture and and protection against aging and the elements.   Because we do not add water- our products come in tiny bottles- but you only need a VERY small amount.  All of our facial skincare products are designed to last 2 months, but many get then to last up to 3 months used twice a day.

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Vitamin C word on white background. Fresh fruits and vegetables

Natural Sun Protection With A Paleo Twist: Sun-Up Before Sun Protector

What you’re up against: We all know how difficult it can be to find products that match a Paleo lifestyle. Some products, we just decide to live without. But who really wants to go without sunscreen? Here’s what you need to know to make a game plan for summer fun.

Disclosure: The secret behind my Sun-Protector is the ingredients.  Red raspberry seed oil is the number one ingredient in my Sun-Up Before Sun Protector– and you will not find it in any commercial sunscreen, or any sunscreen product available to buy.  Why?  Red raspberry seed oil has a natural SPF of 28-50 AND, because it is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids, it not only protects your skin from harmful rays, but it actually nourishes, fights aging and heals the skin.  However, it is extremely expensive and therefore, an effective ingredient that Big Cosmo avoids. 

Well, NOT ME!  Those that know me and my skin-food, know that I am willing to take the risk.  I will only provide the BEST options for the skin and the body.  You may gasp at the price tag associated with this risk, however, please note that not only will you only find 100% natural ingredients; you will NOT find any water in my products.  Full strength, Sun-Up Balms are designed to stay on the skin and repel water, all while protecting your skin and your internal body.  Sun-Up has been tested and has remained on the skin for hours after application and water activity.  A VERY little bit goes a VERY long way.

sunscreen, natural sunscreen

Sun-Up Before Sun Protector

I openly oppose commercial skincare because of all of the added, unnecessary chemicals and toxins that penetrate through your skin and pollute your entire body- ultimately altering how your organs function.  Sun-care is no different- in fact, commercial sunscreens may actually be more harmful to your organs than the damage inflicted by the sun itself.  I have always felt it was safer to minimize the time in the sun, use shade to its full potential and dress in sun protectant clothing (sun shirts worn over swim suits and hats).  Having three young children that adore the sun more than I do has brought this topic to the forefront.  I do not want my children to have to sit out of sun-time activities, yet I want to protect them from the harmful rays.  I also cherish their health more than anything and need a sunscreen that will not only be effective, but not contaminate their delicate organs, tissues and cells. Children, especially very young children, are more susceptible to damage from chemicals and toxins (just as the elderly are more susceptible).

Children are still developing mature neurologic and immune systems, and chemicals and toxins can cause more potent damage much more rapidly to them than to adults.  Secondly, young children have a higher body fat percentage- meaning they can store these fat-loving, absorbed chemicals much faster and longer than adults.  Chemicals stored in the tissue can be responsible for long-term health conditions because they are slowly released into the bloodstream.  More discerning is the fact that these chemicals that are absorbed through the skin DO NOT pass through the liver first.  Unlike foods that are ingested and first pass through the liver and are metabolized into water soluble form to be excreted in the urine, feces, via the skin and respiratory system, fat-soluble chemicals that are absorbed by the skin enter the blood as it travels to the organs, before it goes to the liver for detoxification.  These chemicals travel to the organs, pass through the blood brain barrier and cross the placenta in full strength.  THIS IS WHY CHEMICAL FREE SKINCARE IS SO IMPORTANT!

When these chemicals are absorbed through the skin, they are delivered in full strength to all of your organs- including the brain.  They love fatty tissue and migrate into fatty tissue very easily.  Unnecessary evils (chemicals) are fat soluble, and our cell membranes are permeable to fat soluble substances; they can easily pass into the cells and cause DNA mutation and damage.  This is true for all skincare products- not just sunscreens. Our body contains fat tissue as a protective mechanism in two forms: adipose fat lies under our skin, visceral fat is found surrounding our organs.  Both are storage places for fat-soluble chemicals such as those toxins found in commercial skincare.  Once stored in the fat, they can feed nearby structures and organs.  The brain is made up of fatty tissue as well.  Chemicals absorbed through the skin pass through the brain via the bloodstream on the way to the liver and can be absorbed and stored in the fatty tissue of the brain.  In fact, recent research has found a link between the aluminum in commercial deodorant with neurological diseases, including dementia, autism, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s because of the levels of aluminum found in the brain tissue.

The cold, hard truth is this: chemicals that are fat-soluble easily pass thru the blood-brain barrier and do cross the placenta into the developing fetus.  Since most of these chemicals are neurotoxic, limiting exposure greatly reduces your and your children’s risk of neurological damage- including ADHD, mental confusion, sluggishness and anxiety.

Let’s Explore the Common Ingredients in Commercial Skincare

Zinc oxide, what you might remember seeing on your lifeguard’s nose, was the original sunscreen. Made in the 1940s, it sort of sat on the top of your skin to protect it from sun and worked similarly to wearing a white shirt (about SPF 15).

Modern day sunscreens can have chemicals that sink into your skin and blood stream to avoid having this residue – but at what cost? Some of the generic sunscreens on the market have parabens, oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate– each of which have been linked to harmful effects.   These added and unnecessary chemicals are endocrine disruptors, cause DNA damage, are mutagens, can interfere with reproductive organs and may affect fertility, can cause developmental defects, cause neurological damage, are suspected carcinogens, promote aging, damage the immune system, inhibit cell growth and can cause skin irritations such as contact dermatitis, rashes, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea.  The list goes on- that is just a brief synopsis of some of the internal damage these chemicals can cause.

Titanium dioxide actually absorbs the sunlight (about 70%), which can produce free radicals in the skin (specifically the hydroxl radical, which we don’t want). Zinc oxide deflects and scatters sunlight and does not produce free radicals. According to the Environmental Working Group, the FDA doesn’t currently regulate at the nanoparticle level; they consider both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (which the International Agency for Research on Carcinogens called a ‘possible carcinogen) are safe for use in sunscreens. Despite some concerns, EWG considers zinc oxide and titanium dioxide safer than other products on the market – specifically for lotion sunscreens and not necessarily for sprays. Several other skin care companies reference non-nano as better because it doesn’t enter the blood stream, as nanoparticles will.  The gist? Non-nano may be better for you than nanoparticles, which can enter the blood stream.

Plenty of Paleo sources recommend diet as another natural sunscreen. Mark Sisson, of Mark’s Daily Apple, cites research and shares several alternative methods to boost sun protection, such as eating foods high in lycopene (found in tomatoes), supplementing vitamin D, eating saturated fats, drinking antioxidant-rich teas and more. But what if you need a little extra help? Every person’s skin and situation for sun exposure is unique.

What you need to know: A commonly cited study from 2000 found that red raspberry seed oil has a natural SPF of 25-50, which is equal to the titanium dioxide used in many sunscreens, and it blocks against the broad spectrum of both UV-A and UV-B rays (UV-B penetrate just the surface of the skin, and can cause aging or wrinkling; while UV-A can harm the dermis, or second layer of the skin and cause mutations that might lead to cancer).

Raspberry seed oil has the essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, healing oils and antioxidants that are great for your skin. It’s anti-inflammatory characteristics make it useful in treating eczema and psoriasis.

Relatively new labeling from the FDA requires manufacturers to test sunscreens based on their effectiveness and label them with more recommendations, including whether the product is “Broad Spectrum,” or able to protect you against UV-A and UV-B rays; as well as the amount of time consumers can expect it to work. For raspberry seed oil to be tested by the FDA and proven to be an active ingredient or sun repellant, a manufacturer would have to financially back the process, and then produce enough of the seed oil sunscreen to regain profits. There may not be enough supply of raspberry seeds internationally to do this, which wouldn’t justify the cost.

My Solution for Responsible, Body-Safe and Protective Sun Care

I am a minimalist when it comes to ingredients- I am also a perfectionist when it comes to a recipe. As usual, I look to nature to provide the ingredients I need.  Thankfully, many plants have developed their own UVR protection and can provide us with the same natural protection.  Not only are they safe for the environment, but they protect us as well.

I used to use red raspberry seed oil exclusively as a sun protectant.  It has a SPF of 25-50 and contains vitamins, nutrients and antioxidant protection.   Antioxidants protect against free radical damage. Free radicals in the body can cause a plethora of health issues- including cancer, immune suppression and signs of aging. Commercial skincare contains chemicals that promote free radical damage- add that to sun exposure, which also causes free radical damage- and the sun becomes your foe- not your friend!

Make friends with the sun!  The sun not only feels great and creates a healthy glow- the sun is great for our mental health too!  It also aids in vitamin D synthesis in the body.

“Activated vitamin D is one of the most potent inhibitors of cancer cell growth,” says Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, who heads the Vitamin D, Skin, and Bone Research Laboratory at Boston University School of Medicine. “It also stimulates your pancreas to make insulin. It regulates your immune system.”

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin in a family of compounds that includes vitamins D1, D2, and D3. and can affect as many as 2,000 genes in the body.  Vitamin D also regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, and supports a normal functioning immune system. Adequate Vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases.

My simple solution of red raspberry seed oil works great- but I knew it needed some help to be more effective- after all, most things in life are better when they are not standing alone but used in conjunction with other beneficial ingredients. The only problem I noticed with using straight Red Raspberry Seed oil was that it absorbed too quickly, thereby reducing the effectiveness of providing UV protection- so I created a solution.

I created Sun-Up Before Sun Protector using a base of Red Raspberry Seed oil and added additional oils and essential oils that offer additional UV protection, skin healing and cell regenerating properties.  When combined with red raspberry seed oil , they make an effective sun protectant that not only blocks damaging UV rays, but provides a blend of nutrients for the skin in case even a small amount of damage occurs. Secondly, these added ingredients resist water and sweat offering longer lasting protections during water and other activities.

Red Raspberry Seed Oil

Red Raspberry Seed oil is the primary oil in Sun-Up because of it offers the skin “broad spectrum” protection from damaging UV-A and UV-B rays and has an SPF of 25-50.  It also is a highly moisturizing and emollient oil. It naturally contains an exceptionally high proportion of alpha and gamma tocopherols (Vitamin E), polyphenols and other antioxidants. It is also rich in Vitamin A and contains up to 83% omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Red Raspberry Seed oil also has pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. Red Raspberry Seed Oil also has high levels of antioxidants.  Antioxidants like vitamin C and E are nature’s own sunscreen, designed to protect living organisms like plants from sun damage, oxidation and disease. The high presence of these vitamins may explain the SPF factor of vegetable oils like red raspberry seed oil, carrot seed, and olive oil.

What protection does Sun-Up Before Sun Protector provide? Sun-Up contains the following oils, and listed are the SPF for each oil.  Combined, this offers great UV protection as well as a plethora of nutrients in the form of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids.  Not only will you protect your skin, but you will actually provide nutrition for the cells of you body.

Sun-Up Before Sun Protector

Sun-Up Before Sun Protector SPF
Red Raspberry Seed Oil 25-50 Organic Red Raspberry Seed Oil is highly moisturizing and emollient. It possesses an exceptionally high proportion of alpha and gamma tocopherols (Vitamin E), polyphenols and other antioxidants. It is also rich in Vitamin A and contains up to 83% omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Organic Red Raspberry Seed Oil  also has anti-inflammatory properties and offers the skin broad-spectrum protection from damaging UV-A and UV-B rays.
Beeswax* 15 Makes Sun-Up water resistant and allows better protection during water sports and while sweating.
Avocado oil* 15 Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, B, D and E, fatty acids and lecithin. Avocado oil has quick-acting capacity to be absorbed by the skin tissue and provides the skin with emollients that can hydrate, nourish and regenerate the epidermis or the outer skin layer.
Zinc Oxide (non-nano sized) 8 A non-toxic, and typically non-irritating, effective broad-spectrum sunblock. The particles sit on the outermost layer of your skin, scattering and absorbing UVA and UVB rays, protecting the skin below.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil* 2-8 Olive oil works to repair damaged skin and protect against skin cancer.
Virgin Coconut Oil* 8 Coconut oil has an amazing ability to heal the skin and block the damaging effects of UV radiation from the sun. One of the reasons why it is so effective in protecting the skin is its antioxidant properties, which helps prevent burning and oxidative damage that promotes skin cancer.
Vitamin E* Is readily absorbed by the epidermis layer of the skin, and can heal damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. It can also provide protection to the skin from sun damage. Vitamin E also prevents water loss from the skin, and helps it to retain its natural moisture.
Carrot Seed Essential Oil* 40 Has antiseptic properties which helps prevent and heal infection. Carrot Seed EO also helps with skin irritation, is rich in antioxidants and helps to rejuvenate the skin.
Lavender Essential Oil* 6 Has natural anti-inflammatory and sun blocking properties; also great for soothing and repairing skin.
Myrrh Essential Oil* 20 Has natural anti-inflammatory and sun blocking properties and is a powerful antioxidant.
Sandalwood Essential Oil* 30 Helps soften skin by increasing and restoring its ability to retain moisture.

*Certified Organic

My Take on Zinc Oxide

Let’s talk zinc oxide for a moment. Nano-sized zinc oxide (in most commercial sunscreens) means that the particle size is small enough to potentially pass thru the skin/cells and enter the body. Most times, they hitch a ride on the oil or chemicals that are contained within the sunscreen. A nano-particle is a particle smaller than 100 nanometers, or 100 billionths of a meter.

Non-nano sized zinc oxide means the zinc oxide particles are larger, and should be unable to penetrate the protective mechanism of the skin- even if they try to hitch a ride on carrier oil. In essence, they just sit on the skin and deflect the sun.

I personally have a love-hate relationship with non-nano zinc oxide (NNZO). While I don’t feel 100% safe using it all of the time- because I am not exactly sure that a small amount is not absorbed as it soaks in the oil medium- I do feel that it does have it’s place in the sun.  I feel that I am very well protected during everyday sun with my blend of oils and essential oils in Sun-Up; but there are times I feel the need for extra protection. For example, the first few days of sun season, a sun vacation in the middle of winter, or any vacation nearing the equator!  I also feel children are more sensitive to the sun and it’s damaging effects- so if I feel it will be a long day in the sun, I reach for Sun-Up Ultra with NNZO.

Words about SPF- don’t EVER let it give you a false sense of security!!  ALL SUNSCREEN FAILS – primarily because it is either sweat off, removed while swimming, or fully absorbed. Any product with an SPF higher than 20 is appealing to your sense of “more is best”.

ALL commercial sunscreen should be reapplied at least every 2 hours to remain effective- no matter the SPF.   Most contain water and are either removed with sweat or water, or absorb quickly into the body.

In testing our Sun-Up Balm, we have found that it does stay on the skin and offer protection for at least 2 hours (and up to 4 hours), even while swimming.  I still recommend applying a “touch up” every 2 hours.

As mentioned earlier, following a diet rich in fresh vegetables, nuts, fruits and meats will help arm your body with the antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids to help prevent free-radical damage caused by sun exposure.  However, diet alone will not prevent sunburn.  With the proper nutrition, you can help prevent the damage caused by the sun.  Arm yourself with a Paleo diet AND Sun-Up Before Sun Protector, and you can enjoy the sun from the outside.  

To protect yourself from UV and free radical damage, eat plenty of:

Egg yolks

Green and black tea

Nuts

Kale

Cabbage

Broccoli

Mustard greens

Collard greens

Yams

Salmon

Tomatoes

Blueberries

Blackberries

Goji berries

Grapes Yellow, red or green peppers

Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO). FCLO is a natural anti-inflammatory rich in omega-3 acids. These are the fatty acids that your skin needs to protect itself from the sun. FCLO is also an excellent source of vitamin D itself

 Disclaimers:

Primal Life Organics cannot make claims about SPF for this product, as it has not been tested. We do not call this sunscreen and do not claim it to be sunscreen. We can, however, provide you with the information about each ingredient (from legitimate sources that have tested these ingredients) and allow you to make an informed decision as to whether this product is right for you. If we provide the education, you take control of your own destiny- instead of relying on Big Cosmo to make these decisions for you.
Sun-Up is a “protector” because the research indicates each ingredient does provide some sort of skin protection.

Primal Life Organics cannot, and does not make claims that this is a sunscreen. We simply compile the ingredient information in one place and ask you to form your own, informed decision of whether this is the correct product for you. In order to make claims of this product being a sunscreen with a specific SPF, we would need to have this product tested, which would be very costly and drive the price up. Also, it would provide little additional information that you can already conclude given the facts I provide you with. Remember, an SPF ABOVE 25 is not needed- as most need to be reapplied frequently to remain effective. Buying a high SPF product because of the number is appealing to your sense of “more is better” and provides you with a false sense of security- not sun protection.

We invite you to use this product alone, or in conjunction with a sunscreen you trust- just be informed and make your decision based on the facts.

Please understand, the information we provide you about each ingredient is documented from legitimate Internet sources. Please be responsible and know that you can verify all this information by performing a Google search for each ingredient and then make your own educated decision if this product is right for you.

The more you educate yourself about natural alternatives to commercial products and the more you experiment with plant based products, the more you trust what nature has to give you. Un-tampered nature. Pure nature. Only nature based.

Try Sun Up Before Sun Protector TODAY and get 20% off with coupon code CGSUSBSP

Feel free to contact us at support@PrimalLifeOrganics.com with any questions or comments.