Whew!! 2011 has been an incredibly busy year at Pure Skin by Maggie! We have had so many exciting things happen - learning new things about skin, adding new services, being featured on OC16 TV, Edge Magazine, CRAVE Hawaii, and others. But most importantly, you have been a part of our success! Our passion is to help our friends & clients be their most beautiful, natural selves from the inside out and seeing the results on their skin.

After such a hectic year, though, it is time for our vacation! Pure Skin by Maggie will be closed from December 27, 2011, through January 31, 2012, while we rest, rejuvenate, and take a little time to travel. While we are away, plan to come see us in February 2012 and send an email to pureskinbymaggie@gmail.com to schedule your appointment. For those of you who love our Pure Skin by Maggie skin care products, please place your orders early or stop by and pick up your favorite products.

We still have appointments available through December 26^th, so book now so we can help you see that fresh glow on your face for New Years and start the year out looking and feeling your best! We hope you all have a wonderful, happy holiday season and we will see you in 2012!:)

Did you know that just because skin looks & feels oily does not mean it is well hydrated? Your skin can actually be dehydrated even though it is oily - all skin types need a combination of oil & water - even oily skin. We often meet clients that say "No!" when asked if they use moisturizer - mistakenly believing that their skin does not need it.

If you don't use moisturizer, your skin will let you know that it needs it - sometimes by creating even more oil. And sometimes your skin will break out because it needs more oil & water.

Winter is coming soon - even for those of us in Hawaii. Protect your skin with a good moisturizer. To make sure your skin is well hydrated, follow all of the steps in a good skin care routine: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen and a once a week hydrating mask. Using high quality products will make sure that your pores are not clogged & your skin will have the youthful, vibrant glow you desire!

The lymphatic system of the body is not one we hear about often, despite the fact that it plays an important role in the health of our body. Previously categorized as a simple drainage network, we now know that it is far more complex and involved in many conditions from cancer to asthma.

A little about it…
To understand its importance, let’s start with a simple overview. The lymphatic system is an offshoot of our circulation system and is comprised of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymph (the fluid), and immune cells or lymphocites. It is a part of the body’s defense system. The lymph nodes remove microorganisms and other foreign substances, acting as a filtration system that keeps particulate matter, such as bacteria, from entering the bloodstream. Its primary functions are related to our immune, circulatory, and waste removal (the functions below are an excerpt from http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/151/).


• The lymphatic system aids the immune system in destroying pathogens and filtering waste so that the lymph can be safely returned to the circulatory system.
• To remove excess fluid, waste, debris, dead blood cells, pathogens, cancer cells and toxins from these cells and the tissue spaces between them.
• The lymphatic system works with the circulatory system to deliver nutrients, oxygen, and hormones from the blood to the cells that make up the tissues of the body.

So, why is this important if I’m not sick?
Detoxification is an ongoing process in our body. Common symptoms of a body overburdened with toxins include skin and hair problems, along with general deterioration of health. Our bodies are constantly exposed to environmental toxins…think about all of the pollution, pesticides, inorganic fertilizers, cleaning solutions, chemicals, and even water and food you are exposed to every day.

The lymphatic system plays a major role in removing waste products, beginning at a cellular level. Toxic buildup is inevitable if the lymphatic system is not working properly. Just as a drain in your house gets clogged, so can this very important part of your body. Acne and cellulite are often symptoms of inadequate lymphatic drainage.

What can I do to help my lymphatic system?
Manual lymphatic drainage is a form of massage that gently stimulates the lymphatic system. The light rhythmical massage strokes promote the elimination of metabolic waste products, excess fluid and bacteria. Stimulating the lymphatic system through massage activates the natural detoxifying functions as well as encouraging fluid circulation and cell regeneration.

This type of massage promotes deep relaxation and relief from chronic conditions such as sinusitis and arthritis. The results can also be seen in the clearing of certain types of acne, clearing areas of congestion such as swollen ankles / legs and puffy eyes, and even the promotion of scar tissue healing, torn ligaments and sprains.

At Pure Skin by Maggie, lymphatic drainage massage is an integral part of our Detox Facial and the Detox Facial with Microcurrent Face Lift. We begin each session with a complimentary consultation to evaluate your skin and your unique needs in order to customize the treatment. The facial itself, includes cleansing, exfoliation, and extraction followed by a 30 minute microcurrent non-surgical face lift targeted to the area of the face that concerns you most (eye area, forehead, around the mouth or nose, etc.). The gentle electric stimulation provides a firming and lifting effect to the muscles and skin. Some of the side benefits of microcurrent technology include increased blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. We follow the microcurrent treatment with a lymphatic drainage massage (Chinese and Japanese style) with pure essential oils and pure mineral oil that has been selected based on the your skin – sensitive, oily, combination, dry, acne, age, etc. When microcurrent is combined with the 50 minute Detox Facial, the results are incredible.

If you would like to find out if your acne is caused by a lack of lymphatic drainage, call us today to book a complimentary consultation. Beauty begins from the inside out and we are committed to helping our clients see the clear, radian skin they dream of.

Everywhere we turn the word “organic” flashes from labels, signs, products, services, speeches, commercials… The Organic Revolution is here. But why do some say “Organic” and some say “Certified Organic” and some say “NOP Certified Organic” and “USDA Organic”? What does it all mean, anyway?
Organic
Quite simply, organic ingredients and produce are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. This means that no antibiotics or growth hormones are given to the animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products.

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic this way:
“Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”

Anyone growing and selling organic ingredients whose annual sales are less than $5,000 can advertise their products as ‘organic’ as long as their record keeping is up to date (in case of an audit) and they do not use the “certified” statement or USDA seal.

Still, not all “organic” is created equal!
The USDA has defined three categories for labeling organic products.

100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients

Organic: Made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients

Made with Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients and including
a strict regulation that the remaining 30% can contain no genetically modified organisms
(GMOs)

Any product that contains less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side or back panel of the packaging; however, they cannot make any claims of being organic on the front of the packaging or product name.

Certified Organic = USDA Organic = NOP (National Organic Program) Certified Organic
The USDA has put in place a set of national standards that must be met – both for food grown in the US or imported. An item is considered “certified organic” when it has been grown according to strict standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. This includes annual inspections of fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure compliance with set standards.

The use of the USDA Organic seal is voluntary; however, anyone using the seal on products that do not meet the specific restrictions for certified organic ingredients can be fined up to $10,000.
Under the current USDA standards, only edible ingredients are eligible for the USDA Organic seal. Progress is being made for standards for the cosmetic industry. While this is not in place yet, during the development of our new line of organic skin care products, we have followed the current USDA standards.

Pure Skin by Maggie is committed to bringing you the most pure skin care available. When we say that our new line of products is NOP Certified Organic – we mean it!

A little history…

The clear liquid extract of witch hazel that we are familiar with is produced from the leaves and bark of the North American witch hazel shrub, or Hamamelis virginiana. This extract has astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and anesthetic properties that make it indispensible in various medicinal and cosmetic applications.
While some “home remedies” or “folk medicine” have become known as ‘old wives tales’, witch hazel, if used properly, is truly effective. It is one of the few natural remedies that have obtained US FDA approval for sale specifically for medicinal use.

The amazing witch hazel herb has been used throughout history for its medicinal purposes, both topical and internal. The Native Americans applied poultices of leaves and bark to treat hemorrhoids, wounds, painful tumors, insect bites and skin ulcers. In addition, they used witch hazel infusions for cuts, colds, heavy menstruation, tumors, and eye inflammation. Folk medicine has used it for everything from backache to itchy and dry skin, nosebleed, diarrhea, nervousness, and vaginitis.

Cosmetic Use
The bark, twigs, and leaves of the witch hazel shrub are all high in tannins, which give this plant its natural astringent properties. Astringents are used topically to dry and tighten tissues. Used on the face, witch hazel tightens pores and removes excess oil, which is why it is an excellent ingredient in natural skin toner. Cosmetics manufacturers also use it in various cleansers, masks and lotions.

Witch hazel is a key ingredient in Pure Skin by Maggie Herbal Balancing Toner for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to acne prone skin. Witch hazel is typically extracted from the plant with alcohol into a tincture form, the most common type seen at pharmacies. However, we are committed to bringing out clients the gentlest, high-quality products possible and the witch hazel we use is alcohol-free.

Other Uses
Witch hazel is an important botanical to control bleeding, whether applied to a wound topically or taken internally for bleeding gums or ulcers. A compress of witch hazel extract is an effective treatment and can be applied to bedsores, bruises, poison ivy or oak, sore muscles, swelling, diaper rash, and hemorrhoids. For sore muscles, it can be used in either a cream or compress, or added to bath water. Athletes apply witch hazel extract to their muscles prior to vigorous workouts to help prevent muscle strain, or after a workout to relieve soreness.
To read more about internal uses of witch hazel and the proper way to prepare them (do not take the extract available at the pharmacy internally), see this article from Discover Health. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/witch-hazel-herbal-remedies.htm


Please note: External use can cause minor skin irritation for some people. Do not use on serious cuts, burns, or other wounds. Witch hazel extract from the pharmacy is intended for external use and should not be used close to the membranes of the eyes, as it does contain alcohol.