A Man's World of Body Care

Men and women often feel they need their own personal, body care products and the paths of those products shall not cross. Actually that is a marketing ploy and clutters up your cabinets. Many personal and hygiene items can easily be shared by both men and women and you don't need a separate type item for every little purpose.

The attempts to get away from the hype of slick advertisements trying to have you believe you need this and this and this can be a challenge. In today's day and age men are taking better care of themselves and more conscious of what they put onto and into their bodies. Awareness is the first step to educating ourselves on just what is in our hygiene and body care products. Read labels, do your research on just what are those ingredients you cannot pronounce,  be aware of potential harm from synthetics and chemical ingredients, be aware of the use of animal testing, and finally, understand just what that term "natural" is saying or isn't saying.

It may be very surprising to learn just how vague the labeling laws are in the perfume and cosmetics industry. Unlike the food industry, there are no legal standards for organic or natural personal care products sold in the United States.

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to you and your family's health. The skin is our body's largest organ, and anything we apply to ourselves enters through the layers of skin into the bloodstream. Yes, the old saying about "anything in moderation" is true with most things, but...The cosmetic industry claims the amount of these ingredients are not high enough to pose a threat, but the problem lies in the fact that we use these products day in and day out.  Our kidneys and liver do their best to eliminate toxins but what about those that over time have been stored within the fatty tissues of the skin. The long term effects are a concern. The body reacts by way of allergic and inflammatory reactions, the havoc played on the the endocrine system is not always fully understood and the source of the problems are often hard to pinpoint.

There are several items within the Meadow Muffin Gardens shop that are geared for men, but there are also many items such as these below that can easily be swapped for more than one method of use and by both men, women and even the kids.

A body wash certainly isn't limited to the shower. Containing Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, Aloe Vera Gel, Jojoba oil and various essential oils, this blend can easily be used as a face wash, a shampoo and even a shaving gel. Put into a foaming pump bottle, application is less wasteful without losing some between your fingers and down the drain.

Body Wash, Shaving Cream

A conditioning hair oil isn't just for women! Men can have dry, brittle hair as well, whether they wear their hair long or short. This Jojoba oil blend does make an excellent dry hair treatment, but it's use certainly doesn't have to stop there. Hair isn't limited to our heads alone!
Bearded men need to take care of their facial hair and the delicate skin beneath. Jojoba oil is unique in that it is very similar to the sebum of our own skin, therefore it makes a great hair and skin conditioner.

Hair Oil, Beard Oil

Men may or may not use an after shave balm to moisturize the skin and help with razor irritation. This Shea butter and Coconut oil blend is listed as a body butter, but it can be used for so much more. Whipped to a fluff consistency, this moisturizer can be used anywhere you need it, be on the face, hair or even on that balding head. Some use such a blend as a shaving cream, but if you do so, realize that you are washing fats down the drain. I don't know how good doing that on a regular basis is for the drain pipes.

Face, Body Moisturizer, After Shave Balm

Concerns over the safety of sun screens has people looking into alternatives. The choice we have is between "chemical" sunscreens which contain questionable, potentially hormone disrupting ingredients, and "mineral" sunscreens which contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. This lotion is listed as a sun block, not a sun screen. It hasn't been evaluated by the FDA, therefore there hasn't been testing done to establish an actual SPF factor. However, the ingredients used all contain their own natural properties to help block the harmful rays of the sun.

Balding men or those who choose to shave their heads need to protect their scalps from sun damage. The purpose of our hair is to protect the scalp and without hair, the skin can easily burn. This sunblock is good for anywhere on the body but using a bit on the scalp before heading out without a baseball cap is a wise idea.

Sunblock Lotion, Bald Head Care

Personal care items make great gift ideas for Father's Day, Holidays and Birthdays. You can easily custom create your own gift basket or make substitutions for one or more items already part of a listing such as those shown below.

Basket idea for those who love the outdoors, gardening, sports, hunting, fishing

Basket idea for the needs of men


Come visit!
Meadow Muffin Gardens
Website
Etsy shop

SPF Protection....Any Time

Just because it is the middle of winter doesn't mean you don't need sun protection on days you know you'll be outside for an extended period of time. Creams made with added protection against the sun's glare off the snow also offer protection from wind-whipped skin.

Any of our facial creams can be made with added zinc oxide which acts as a physical block and deflects the sun's rays like a mirror. The micronized particles of this mineral sit on the outermost layer of the skin, scattering and absorbing UVA and UVB rays. These creams have not been tested by the FDA, therefore cannot be called sunscreens, but they can be called sunblocks. The amount of zinc oxide added is said to be enough to offer about a 15-20 SPF rating.

The SPF creams are a bit richer than their original versions. They can be used every day if desired, or they can be used occasionally when there is a need for more protection, depending on the weather and what activity you plan on doing. Certainly ideal this time of year for snow boarding and skiing.

What gives these creams that extra touch against the harsh elements is that they consist of a number of rich oils and butters which not only hydrate but help retain and hold in that moisture. These ingredients are also special in that they have their own natural, though low, SPF factors.

Coconut oil is a 4
Shea butter is a 6
Avocado oil is an 8
Wheat germ oil is a whopping 20
These are in all the creams.

All the creams are a little different to add variety, so these oils are in some but not all:
Hazelnut oil is a 10
Almond oil is a 5

Then all of them have Aloe, Beeswax, Vitamin E and Carrot essential oil.
Aloe Vera gel which is very cooling offers anti-inflammatory relief should the skin be out a little too long.

So what is so wrong with the typical store bought sunscreen?
The average sunscreens are what is called "chemical" sunscreens. They contain ingredients that may be absorbed and have the potential to disrupt the body's hormone systems.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the FDA are in disagreement as to the safety with the use of retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A) and oxybenzone. So while the debate continues, perhaps it is best to use what are called "mineral" sunblocks, those with added zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

A very good article to better understand the terminology behind SPF, UVA and UVB was written by Marie Be

Body Lotion Sunblock

Visit any of these sites:
Etsy Shop

Website

Wrinkle Wrath Includes the Sun

frecklescalifornia

Be it Spring Break or that winter get-a-way to a warm place, by February or March people tend to crave the warmth of the sun's rays. Opportunities to spend more time outdoors are wonderful for our physical and emotional well-being, but do your skin a favor and prepare for exposure to the sun.

During one of my used book store jaunts, I picked up a very informative book about skin care called, "The Wrinkle Cure" by Nicholas Perricone, M.D.

An interesting question from the book was "Does the skin on the face age faster than the skin on the rest of the body?"
Apparently, it is the way we treat our skin, not the aging process, that ages facial skin the most. Dr. Perricone explains that there are two types of aging, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic or internal aging is the rate of aging that occurs with the passage of time. Extrinsic aging or external aging is intrinsic aging compounded by external factors such as sunlight, air pollution, cigarettes and inflammation caused by harsh detergents, cosmetics and illness.

The prime culprit of extrinsic aging is sun exposure. Compare the skin on your body that has been exposed over the years to sun and the areas such as the torso that have protected by clothing. Exposed skin eventually looks more discolored and less taut.

While young, the body has the ability to repair itself very quickly, but as we age that ability diminishes. Free radical damage is a universally excepted explanation. Free radicals are oxygen molecules that have lost an electron in interactions with other molecules. These molecules become very unstable and thus steal electrons from other healthy molecules. Therefore, every time free radicals seek to stabilize themselves, they damage healthy cells. Our cells use oxygen to produce energy and resulting free radicals are a natural by-product of normal bodily processes.

The body has its own defense system for fighting free radicals. This system is the power of antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent free-radical damage by giving these out of control molecules the electron partner they seek, thereby making the free radical harmless. The problem lies with balance. Free radicals are also unleashed by external factors like sunlight, cigarette smoke and other air pollutants. Unless we can replenish antioxidants by way of proper diet and/or supplements the body's antioxidant system gets overwhelmed and the free radicals become unchecked, creating havoc. The  superstars recommended by Dr. Perricone are vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha lipoic acid and alpha and beta hydroxy acids. Foods to include are: avocado, bell peppers, berries, melons, dark green leafy vegetables, orange vegetables, pineapple, tomatoes and salmon.

One of the substances that gives our skin its youthful suppleness and tautness is a protein called collagen. Collagen is the strong connective tissue that holds us together. This protein holds our skeletons together, attaches our muscles to our bones, and keeps the organs and skin in place. Normally, collagen molecules slide over one another, but once they've been damaged, they become inflexible, resulting in skin that starts to look "old".

Time does march on and even if we do manage to avoid cigarettes and the sun, our bodies still proceed with the aging process.

After the age of about 30, the skin's oil glands reduce their production and the loss contributes to dry skin. Both sexes experience a drop in hormonal levels as they age, but in women the decline is more dramatic. With a decrease in estrogen levels the skin's fat layer begins to thin, resulting in the skin becoming drier, less firm and more fragile. Being men produce testosterone, their skin tends to be thicker than that of women, therefore women tend to show signs of aging sooner then men.

Melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, begin to diminish as we reach the age of forty. Melanin determines skin tone, and as the skin loses its ability to fight sun damage, the result can be uneven pigmentation.

Even with the unavoidable passage of time and its effects, we should  do all we can to properly care for our health and appearance inside and out.

Wrinkle Wrath
Wrinkle Wrath with SPF

Be sure to moisturize your skin and drink plenty of water for good hydration. The Meadow Muffin Gardens shop offers a selection of facial moisturizing creams, lotions and butters. Our Wrinkle Wrath cream is not only a great moisturizer but contains various essential oils known for their anti-aging qualities.

The use of a sunscreen of at least SPF-15 and wearing a sun hat with at least a 4 inch brim can do wonders to protect your skin and delay the onset of those dreaded wrinkles. The above picture is just one of the beautiful sunhats handmade by a California based business called Freckles California. Below are two great companies that offer not only sunhats but sun protective clothing and accessories such as sunglasses.

Vacations, lawn work, gardening, outdoor events and hobbies, all add to the excitement of the anticipation of warmer weather. Enjoy every opportunity to get the most out of every day. Just prepare, and remember, everything in moderation.

Sunday Afternoons

Sun Precautions

The Sun Friend or Foe?

There is nothing like the warm lure of the sun to draw a person outside or out of a grumpy mood. However, as we enjoy 12 - 15 hour days of sunlight this time of year, we have to be careful of the amount of unprotected exposure we allow ourselves.

It may seem like a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation when it comes to sunscreens. As a society, we have been taught to avoid the sun out of the fear of skin cancer. But we are now being told that little is really known about the safety of what is in most commercial sunscreens. Yet to avoid the sun, we may become vitamin D deficient, which in itself can lead to a host of health issues.

To naturally absorb the required amount of daily vitamin D, we have to expose our skin to the sun's rays at least 15 minutes. For those of us who need a sunhat and the protection of sun screen, getting enough vitamin D seems impossible without supplements.
It has been found that vitamin D is so very important for bone health and a healthy heart that most people should be taking extra supplements in addition to getting enough outside time.

The best you can do is to use a common sense approach. Studies are showing that chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that are absorbed into your system and may possibly tamper with your endocrine system. Do your research about the ingredients in your sunscreen and don't let sunscreens give you a false sense of security and think if you wear sunscreen you can stay out all day. Remember, the SPF may keep you from burning, which is good,  but the UVA radiation still penetrates deep into the skin, which we know accelerates skin aging and an increased risk for skin cancer.  Take a look at another informative post about skin health and skin aging.

Though not waterproof and needs to be reapplied frequently homemade mineral sunblocks are much safer for you and your children.
Natural sunblock

The choice we have when choosing a sunscreen is between "chemical" sunscreens, which contain ingredients which may be absorbed and could disrupt the body's hormone systems, and "mineral" sunscreens, which contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

Oxybenzone is the most common active ingredient in sunscreen and according to the EWG, there is concern about its use in children because it can penetrate the skin and attribute to allergic reactions and potential hormone disruption

Zinc oxide is safe; the micronized particles of this mineral form a physical blocker in sunblocks and deflects the suns rays like a mirror. Often paired with titanium dioxide, which reflects light, titanium dioxide is not included in this lotion because it has the potential to be irritating to the skin.

What you want in a sunblock is broad spectrum protection, which means protection against both UVA (sun's ultraviolet long-wave) and UVB (sun's ultraviolet short-wave) rays. UVA is what causes aging and wrinkles ( blocked by zinc oxide) and UVB (blocked by zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) is what causes burning. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply which is why our skin tans but also contributes to aging skin. UVB rays damage the skins epidermal layers resulting in sunburn and a risk in skin cancer.

It is better to have a lower SPF (sun protection factor) and have a UVA blocking ingredient than have a high SPF but only be blocking UVB. Zinc oxide blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
SPF refers only to the risk of burning (UVB) and should be at the minimum 15. The amount of zinc oxide used in this sun lotion is 12% which is sufficient but since it is not tested by the FDA I cannot make any claims as to the actual SPF.
.
This sunblock lotion consists of skin loving nourishing oils which in themselves contain a low SPF factor.
Avocado Oil - SPF 6- 8
Avocado oil is a heavier oil full of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, and is great for repairing body tissue and maintenance of healthy skin.

Sesame Oil - SPF 4
Sesame oil is a stable oil and helps increase the shelf life of the lotion. Long used in skin care, it soothes, softens and helps reduce skin aging.

Shea Butter - SPF 4 - 6
Shea butter is another heavy butter that once it penetrates is very therapeutic for dry damaged skin. High in fatty acids needed to retain moisture and elasticity, a favorite for serious skin care.

Hazelnut oil - SPF 10
Hazelnut oil is a lighter oil which is slightly astringent, nourishing and quickly absorbed into the skin.

Wheatgerm oil - SPF 20
Wheatgerm oil is one of the best sources of natural vitamin E and when applied to the skin acts as an antioxidant to prevent free radical damage.

Coconut oil - SPF 4
Coconut oil is known for its ability to help skin retain moisture. This wonderful hydrator feels so cool on parched skin.

Aloe vera is used in many formulas for reparative skin preparations, soothing astringents and sun products. Its gel is extremely cooling and refreshing.

Carrot seed essential oil has significant antioxidant value, high levels of vitamin A and provides natural sun protection.

This sunblock comes in a 4 oz. plastic flip top bottle.

When not in use store in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life.
Since sunscreen bottles are often within a beach bag, car or pool gear, they are exposed to heat and sun, which may accelerate spoilage.
If you want a larger than 4 oz. size it would be best to purchase multiple bottles and use one at a time.

Shake the bottle to reblend the ingredients if necessary. Without synthetic emulsifers and stabilizers there is a chance the oil and water content will separate. Just give it shake before using.
Apply 30 minutes before sun exposure.
Reapply hourly and after getting wet.

Add the extra protection of a t-shirt or sun protective clothing.
Try to seek shade during the midday hours.
So get outside, just be safe!