Here’s my theory – if we have to deal with wrinkles, shouldn’t we be done with pimples? I mean really – isn’t one of those enough? Sadly, however, breakouts are a fact of life at ALL ages.  Like it or not. But we don’t have to sit back and take it, right? Here are the Garden Girl natural skin care tips for keeping skin clear – without using harsh chemicals or expensive “seen on TV”, celebrity-endorsed systems.

The best defense is a good offense. Heard that before? Well it actually applies here pretty nicely – a good daily skincare regimen will do wonders for keeping you clear from breakouts.  Our recommended system includes 3 daily steps plus another you do 1x to 3x per week. We recommend washing morning and evening, but if you can only do it once a day, then definitely pick evening. Why? Because you don’t want to go to bed and leave icky junk on your face for those extra hours. In the morning you can just skip straight to the toner step! (And as always – look for natural skin care products that are paraben-free, sulfate-free, petroleum-free and phthalate-free for best results)

1. Wash using a sulfate-free, paraben-free face wash with either Tea Tree Oil or Glycolic Acid.  This will clear out pores and remove irritating oil, grease and other environmental elements your skin is exposed to each day. Garden Girl picks: You’re Fresh with Tea Tree Oil for normal/combination skin and At Long Last with glycolic acid for oily/acne prone skin.
2. Tone with a revitalizing and cleansing toner that will leave your skin fresh and primed for your moisturizer. For oily skin, you’ll want to look for a toner that acts like an astringent as well – such as one with amazing witch hazel. Toner is an often overlooked step that is vital for keeping skin clear. It not only removes the last traces of makeup but it also clears out pores which helps them to close back up and shrink back down. Clear pores obviously means less of a chance for breakouts. And the toner prepares your skin by balancing its pH so that it will maximize the effects of the moisturizer. After you cleanse your skin, the pH naturally gets altered so if you cleanse and then immediately moisturize your skin won’t take that moisture in as effectively.  Garden Girl pick for normal/oily skin: Even Ste(pH)en with witch hazel, skin-clearing herbal extracts, and skin-firming DMAE.
   • As a side note, toner can make a great “pick me up” on hot summer days. A quick spritz can cool off your face without ruining your make-up. As a matter of fact, it even works great to set mineral make-up. For added “ahhhh” store one in the fridge.
3. Moisturize using a face cream that yes, even has some oils in it. I know, if you have oily skin the word “moisturizer” can make you a little, um, anxious. So you tend to avoid it like the plague, right? Well, fear not, because here’s the thing: if you don’t moisturize your skin properly your skin will actually start to think that it isn’t producing enough oil. Uh oh. Because that means that it will start to overproduce oils. And that is where you can get additional breakouts. So yes – embrace your moisturizer – just find one that doesn’t irritate your skin.
   • Look for one with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid which is a humectant which means it draws moisture in and traps it in the skin. It works best in combination with other emolients so provides balanced moisture and hydration. Another great ingredient to look for is Zinc PCA which can naturally help to keep skin clear.
   • Alternatively, a moisturizer with Alpha Hydroxy Acids can help to get rid of dead skin cells which in turn keeps pores unclogged and skin smooth. And I know this may seem obvious, but choose one for faces. Don’t use a body moisturizer on your face, please.
   • Garden Girl face cream picks: No Worries (for sensitive skin, with Zinc PCA) or Nature Nurture (for normal/oily/combination skin, with AHAs).
4. Exfoliate one to three times each week. If you have sensitive skin, stick to once per week, but if it is normal to oily and not sensitive, then you should be able to handle 2-3 times per week. Exfoliating is a very key step. This is where you can really see a difference. Not only will your skin look smoother, with fewer lines and wrinkles, faded/fewer age spots and acne scars (yea!) but it will keep your pores clearer and your skin less hospitable to pimples and breakouts. Nice, huh? It’s really an amazing tool – but it has to be used correctly.
   • First and foremost – exfoliating exposes “newer” skin so your skin is highly susceptible to sun damage after any exfoliation. Be very diligent about using sunscreen that day and the next day (well really, you should be wearing it every day anyway…). The other is that it can irritate skin if it is overdone or done too harshly.There are 2 types of exfoliators – chemical (by that we mean anything from harsh chemicals to natural “chemicals” like fruit acid) and physical (anything with scrubbing pieces in it – microderm crystals, crushed dried fruit pits or beans, plastic beads  etc.). Clearly Garden Girl recommends natural choices. But they should also be safe for your skin. Crushed fruit pits (think apricot scrubs etc) or similar things can be very rough on skin causing micro-tears that can damage skin. And plastic beads? Just plain bad – especially for the environment as those things go right down your drain and into the water system. Blech.
   • Both physical and chemical systems basically do the same thing – they remove the dead skin cells and smooth skin. But a physical exfoliant is something that you scrub on your face (in a gentle, circular motion), while a chemical product is something that you put on your skin and leave on, as it does the work for you. Both are great choices – it’s just up to you how you’d prefer to do it. And if you are really struggling with breakouts, the chemical peels can be a better option as depending on the product, it can be a bit stronger and more effective.
   • For example, Garden Girl’s Break Free gel and G for Men’s smooth, are both 7.5% fruit acid (glycolic, lactic,  and pyruvic acids) and it is “unbuffered” which means it is faster acting and more effective  than most fruit acid peels you will find for home use – yet it is still safe for non-professional use. Typically you will find “buffered” peels which are somewhat less effective.If you’re interested in the physical exfoliator, then opt for Garden Girl’s Starting Over microderm scrub – which has a creamy base and natural micro crystals (the same ones used by dermatologists for their microdermabrasion treatments).
5. Fight a pimple naturally. Sometimes you just can’t avoid it, no matter how well you stick to a good skin care system, once in awhile a little “spot” pops up. Don’t panic! Here’s what we recommend – and it really works! Tea Tree Oil. But be careful when you use it – it shouldn’t be used at full strength on your skin. What we suggest is to dip a Qtip into the bottle of Tea Tree Oil and dampen the tip with the oil. Then run that Qtip under a trickle of water just enough to dilute it a bit. You’ll be amazed at how strong it still is! Then dab the Qtip on your pimple. Do this after you have washed and toned but before the moisturizer. Do it morning and evening. Usually after the first 1 or 2 treatments the pimple will start to disappear. You can find Tea Tree Oil online or at Trader Joe’s (it’s the cheapest there) if you have one near you. Tea Tree Oil is a great thing to have on hand. I have written about it in the past in a post on this blog.

So that’s it. This system will work incredibly well for most people – even those that have done the whole dermatologist thing. Save yourself some trips to the doctor’s office and try this instead. You just might be amazed at the results!

One thing I learned very quickly after launching Garden Girl is that there are TONS of women out there who are challenged by sensitive skin.

Did you know that more than 60% of women believe that they have sensitive skin? But the interesting thing is that it’s estimated that scientifically speaking, really only about 20% of women technically do have sensitive skin, and of this, only 2 to 5 percent can attribute the sensitivies to cosmetic ingredients. (Source: Milady’s Skin Care + Cosmetics Ingredients Dictionary – Second Edition, by Natalia Michalun) Interesting isn’t it?

The way skin becomes irritated is when the stratum corneum (top layer of skin) is damaged and products can penetrate deeper into the epidermis and/or dermis. Also – your own skin’s bacterial content can react with chemical components of a product and cause a reaction. The irritation typically appears as redness, burning, itching and/or some type of a rash.

The most common ingredients in products that cause reactions are fragrances (which, as I have mentioned before, can have hundreds of ingredients but are simply listed as “fragrance” or “parfum” or “perfume”), preservatives, and some of the chemical sunscreens. Other common irritants are sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. But every person is different and what bothers some, may not bother others.

If your skin becomes irritated, be sure to think about whether you have tried any new products – these could be skin care, bath care, laundry, dishwashing soap etc. Also – check ingredients and see if you can narrow down any commonalities that could be causing problems. To be safe, it is always a great idea to avoid products with any chemical fragrances as this is often the cause. Here is a link to a great list of the most common fragrances that can cause allergies. And of course, have any irritations checked out by a doctor to be safe!

The reality of that all is that there are many many women out there who are afraid of trying new products for fear of getting a terrible reaction. So as you can imagine, people with sensitive skin are incredibly happy to find products that work for them! This is why Garden Girl has focused on providing products that work for sensitive skin – and why we exclude parabens, sulfates, petroleum products and phthalates. Nearly all of our products are designed to work well for sensitive skin, and we have some products that are specifically formulated for even the most sensitive skin – like like Oasis for Faces face wash and No Worries face cream.

In a giving mood today! So I figure it’s high time for another product giveaway. This month it is for a FREE bottle of Break Free fruit acid gel. This product can be used safely on all skin types and it is a fantastic “at home peel”. Break Free is comprised of glycolic, pyruvic and lactic acids which basically eat away at the glue that is hanging on to the dead skin cells on your face. Sounds a little icky I know, but the results are amazing. Your skin looks fresh and renewed.

The best part about Break Free is that it is a serious product – it’s far superior to many of the typical glycolic or other chemical peels you’ll find in a store. Break Free has a 7.5% concentration, with a pH between 1 and 2 it is unbuffered. Why does all of this matter? Well most of the products you’ll find are buffered and have higher pH levels which means they are less effective. Break Free is the perfect combination of having just the right levels so that it is incredibly effective, but also safe to use at home.

So you can use Break Free and save zillions of dollars (ok that might be a slight exaggeration) over dermatologist peel treatments, and get fantastic results right at home. Peels not only help your skin look smoother and younger but with continued use they also help to even skin tone, unclog pores and reduce any pigmentation issues you might have. And if you suffer from breakouts? It’s one of the best solutions for maintaining clear skin.

We typically suggest that if you have normal to oily skin you should use Break Free 1 to 3 times per week and leave it on for 1 to 3 minutes each time (depending on your tolerance). If your skin is dry or sensitive you can start by using it once per week or once every other week and build up from there.

It is vital to remember, however, if you use any kind of exfoliator, that you are extra careful with your sun exposure. You need to be fully protected because you are exposing the more sensitive layers of skin to the sun. So just be sure to be deligent with your sun screen!

Now for the good part - one lucky winner will get a full sized 4 oz bottle of Break Free for FREE. HURRY – the contest ends Tuesday, August 4th.

Here’s what you need to do to enter:

Go to www.gardengirlskincare.com an answer these questions, then email the answers to contest@gardengirlskincare.com:

1) What is the name of the customer who said “I want to tell you how much I love your products. I do have very sensitive skin and many “natural” products, like Aveda tend to irritate. I have been using my Oasis for Faces, plus toner since I received them and my skin looks and feels wonderful.”

2) What is Garden Girl’s mission? (you can cut/paste)

3) Name 2 beauty blogs or magazines that have featured Garden Girl reviews

Have FUN!!! And don’t forget to submit your entry by Tuesday August 4th!

What a pleasant surprise to see another great review on one of my favorite beauty blogs – Bionic Beauty! They had reviewed Garden Girl back in January but I didn’t realize they were going to do “Part Deux” as they call it. Bonus!

In this review, Jami checks out Garden Girl’s Starting Over microderm scrub, No Worries face cream and Break Free fruit acid gel. Best part? She loved them all! It’s always a little nerve wracking to read reviews – you never know where they are going to go. The reputable beauty bloggers (like Bionic Beauty and Mythbuster Beauty) give their honest opinion. That is why they are good – you know you’re getting the real scoop – rather than just random reviews you might see posted elsewhere on the web (like in beauty chat rooms). So I was thrilled to see that she loved them. And with Bionic Beauty’s highly sensitive skin, it speaks to the fact that both Starting Over and Break Free can be used very effectively on sensitive skin.

And don’t forget – this week you can save an incredible 15% on ALL ORDERS (no minimum). Just use coupon code July7 – anytime before Saturday at midnight. If you haven’t tried Starting Over, No Worries or Break Free – now is the perfect time! And don’t forget, our products are always free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum products and phthalates!

Your face has to take so much! On any given day it can be exposed to sun, wind, rain or snow – not to mention pollution. Oh – and don’t forget just the regular old aging process (ugh). This is why it is so vital to give it some love and pay a little attention to it. The rewards are amazing – you’ll be so glad you did!

So this week’s sale is all about keeping your face hydrated. As I always say, there are just a few simple steps that you should take each morning before you put on makeup and each evening before you go to bed to take good care of your skin: 1) Wash 2) Exfoliate (1-3x per week) 3) Tone and 4) Moisturize. (Please see the previous blog post about SPF products)

Moisturizing is the last step – and some might argue it’s the most vital. So this week we are offering our 3 face creams at drastic savings! This means you can get any of these 3 products for HALF OFF!!!!

NatureNurture face cream for normal to oily skin. NatureNurture is packed with fruit (alpha hydroxy) acids from lemon, apple, sugar cane, and orange to reduce fine lines and leave skin fresh and new. A healthy dose of hyaluronic acid helps replenish moisture deep in the skin, while organic aloe and jojoba and shea butter deeply hydrate and keep skin soft and smooth. Last but not least, Nature Nurture has tons of antioxidants from vitamins A, C and E plus green tea. You show those free radicals who is boss! This is the perfect cream for day and night use. This offer is valid on Refills as well!!

No Worries face cream for dry, sensitive or mature skin – and also for acne-prone skin. No Worries has developed an almost cult-like following among people with sensitive skin. Garden Girl understands how hard it is to find products that don’t cause redness or reactions, and we developed this product with you in mind. No Worries has the same deep moisturizers as Nature Nurture but stays away from any ingredients that might be a challenge for sensitive skin like alpha hydroxy acids. So we still have the benefits of the gentle but incredibly effective organic aloe and jojoba, plus the shea butter and hyaluronic acid. Then, we added a fabulous ingredient called Zinc PCA (a derivative of zinc) which has natural properties that help keep skin clear and free of bacteria and irritations. Oh – and don’t think we left you high and dry without antioxidants! Those are packed in there too! Not bad, eh? Give it a try and see what all the fuss is about. The Refills for this product are also eligible for the discount!

Bright Idea skin brightening cream. I get asked about this product all of the time. People wonder – is it a bleach cream? What will it do? This is what I tell them – Bright Idea is a gentle brightening cream. Using a blend of extracts from plants like mallow, cowslip, lady’s mantle, speedwell, lemon balm and yarrow this cream gently brightens skin, bringing back a glow that young skin has but that we lose as we age. This is especially effective for “mature” skin. These extracts are then blended with a highly effective combination of organic aloe, organic jojoba, shea butter and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and trap the moisture so you are left with soft, super hydrated skin. And because we are such big fans of antioxidants, they are in there as well! Because it is not a harsh bleach, the skin brightening occurs over time. Watch for a gradual improvement over 3 weeks or so. It has become an incredibly popular product as people try it for the first time, then are hooked!

As always – this is a great opportunity to stock up on your favorite – or try something new! To get the discount simply go to:

www.gardengirlskincare.com/facecare

then place at least one of the products above into your cart and then when you are done shopping, use coupon code

APR20

You have until SATURDAY APRIL 25th at MIDNIGHT (I’m a day late this week!)

Have a great week! And if you are in the northeast let’s do a big dance to the warm weather gods. PLEASE! This is getting ridiculous. Watching our kids sporting events (and the Boston Marathon today) in winter parkas and leather gloves is just plain wrong! C’mon sun – warm us up!

The fabulous Bionic Beauty blog just wrote a wonderful review of Garden Girl products. Their unbiased (but happily very positive!) review appeared today. They tried our Pucker Up sugar scrub, You’re Fresh face wash, Even Ste(pH)en toner, Hugs body butter and Hand it to You hand cream.

Check it out what they had to say: http://bionic-beauty.com/garden-girl-skincare-reviewed/

And while you’re there, take a peek at their other posts – it’s a great blog. Now – what would be so fantastic would be if every customer told 10 friends, and they told 10 friends, and so on, and so on….

Keep an eye out for another customer referral bonus soon!

I’m posting this early or late – depending on how you look at it. I missed last Monday’s posting – I was coming off of a week’s vacation at fantastic beach house on Cape Cod (thanks again Karen!!). It was amazing – unbelievable weather and the most amazing house on the water. We all had a blast. Now back to the real world!

But I do have great news. Inspired to always find better ways to reduce/reuse/recycle – I have figured out a new way that is a huge win for everyone – including our planet! Garden Girl will now be offering “refill” packages for some key products – Nature Nurture, No Worries, Cookies + Cream and Starting Over.

The deal is that you order the Refill package (right under the regular jar on the website) – and we’ll send you a small, heavy-duty zip-top bag with 2 oz. of that product. You save a whopping $10 on the product (!!) and you help to reduce excess packaging. Not bad, eh?

So to entice you to try this fantastic deal, I will offer $5 off your order if you order any one of those products. That means you actually end up saving a whopping total of $15 when you add in the $10 you save by ordering the refill. This offer is good through JULY 25th!

The catch, is that you have to have ordered the jar version first – so you can reuse the jar. This is not meant for use in whatever jar you might have lying around – as the risk of additional bacteria is too great. Also – you will need to wash and sterilize your original jar and lid (easiest way is using your dishwasher – or you can boil them for a couple of minutes).

To take advantage of this great deal – simply go online to
www.gardengirlskincare.com/facecare
and add which ever refills you would like to order to your cart. And of course, keep shopping and stock up on other items while you’re at it

Then when you check out, use coupon code:
JULY18

Happy shopping – especially knowing that you are doing something good for this planet!
Have a great weekend!