CANNABINOID (CBD) OIL: Allergen, or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen CBD Oil While research on the efficacy and safety of cannabinoid (CBD for short) oil is still lacking, interest is high and growing for this impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Some studies are even looking at it as a possible management option for allergic contact dermatitis! Other pilot studies and and anecdotal reports imply a potential […]
ALOE VERA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Aloe Vera This vitamin-, antioxidant-, and moisture-rich wonder substance is an old, soothing favorite. It’s a staple as an anti-inflammatory for sunburn and eczema. Product manufacturers do not generally use the leaf’s outside but just the leaf centers, which might explain the low reaction rates to it. Do make sure to patch test it […]
HAIR DYE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Hair Dye “Hair dye” is not on published allergen lists, but most hair dyes contain PPD or para-phenylenediamine, which is a staple in published allergen lists — — so much so that it was the American Contact Dermatitis Society‘s Allergen of the Year in 2006. Reactions occur where you’d expect them (on the scalp, for example, […]
GARLIC: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen…and a Photo-Allergen! Garlic Might explain why vampires avoid it (and have such smooth complexions)! While garlic is delicious and has a long history of being used as a natural remedy, it contains allicin and diallydisulphide, which are both allergens. Garlic poultice (garlic made into a moist mass that is spread on cloth or skin) […]
On Contact Dermatitis, Sensitive Skin, and Patch Testing: Interview with an Expert
Is a rash a skin allergy or an irritation? What is a patch test and why would I need one? How can I prevent rashes? To get clarity, we spoke to Jenny Murase, Chair of the CAMP Optimization Task Force of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF, and Director of the Patch Test Clinic at the Palo Alto Foundation […]
Spiced Coconut Cups
Happy-Happy-Joy-Joy in a Bowl Thanks to all my mom’s research into this drupe, we’re loco for coconuts. Almost every part of the coconut is tremendously healthy. Virgin coconut oil’s fatty acids are native to skin, it’s excellent at helping to repair the skin’s barrier layer and for replacing lost lipids — making it an unrivaled moisturizer. It’s […]
Gifting Ideas To Put Smiles On Faces Even Before The Unwrapping Starts!
Save time (and trees!) by creatively “upcycling” materials you may already have at home…and make each present give more! Here are a few above-and-beyond gift and customizable wrapping ideas for everyone on your nice list. 1. Map Wrap! TELL A STORY This (free!) Manhattan subway map is environmentally-friendly, clever and personal. Highlight the cross streets […]
Saving Your Skin — All Year Round & No Matter Your Age, Race, or Gender — Could Save Your Life
Just because you don’t bake in the sun for hours — or are young, or are brown — doesn’t mean your skin is as safe as it could be. Read on for ways that you might be getting more sun exposure than you think, and why daily sunscreen, indoors and out, and all year round, […]
Do Cosmetics Expire?
by Laura Verallo de Bertotto One of the most frequent questions I get from friends is: can I still use a product if it’s past its expiration date? Do cosmetics really expire? The short answer is…very often, yes! In our home, we frequently, and happily, use “expired” stock for a few reasons, some of which you might find […]