Are Your Skincare Products Killing You?

The huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is dominating the news, but what if I told you your skincare and makeup had that same crude oil as well as other harmful chemicals and animal by-products in them? Would you still use those products?

Unfortunately, most products that aren't natural or botanically-based do contain these harmful ingredients. In Europe, there are over 1,100 chemicals banned from their skincare products, while the US has banned a mere 9!!! European countries like Switzerland have always enjoyed a much higher standard when it comes to their skincare and food products. And the results can easily be seen in the way the women there carry themselves. Last Wednesday, the New York Times listed 10 Ways to Age Like a Frenchwoman. The article said French women simply take better care of themselves by using lotions and hydrating creams for the face and body and never soap.

Getting back to oil that's put into skincare. An oil is any substance that remains in a liquid state at room temperature and that is insoluble in water. In other words, it floats on top. Skincare and cosmetic products need an oil in their cleansers and moisturizers. The three most popular oils used in the cosmetic industry are: mineral oil, vegetable oil and essential oil.

Mineral oil is a liquid petrolatum (crude black oil from the ground) and is the same oil we use for gasoline in our cars. Mineral oil is a lightweight, inexpensive oil that is odorless and tasteless and is used in almost all skincare and cosmetics. Mineral oil comes in different forms and has many different names. Go look at the ingredient lists on your skincare products and this is most likely one of the top three ingredients even though it is banned in Europe. Mineral oil doesn't add any moisture to the skin. Putting mineral oil on your skin may make it feel moisturized but it blocks the skin from ever receiving moisture, making your skin dry and ages it. In addition, it deprives your skin of the nutrients it needs and blocks your skin from releasing toxins. This can result in toxins remaining in your body.

Crude oil, harmful ingredients and dead animals are in a majority of personal care products.

Arbonne doesn't use petroleum-based oil ingredients like mineral oil. Instead, Arbonne's oils include vegetable (derived from plants and naturally contain vitamins, minerals, nutrients and essential fatty acids) as well as essential oils (oils derived from leaves, bark, roots and other aromatic portions of the plant) in its formulations because of Arbonne's botanical-based heritage and because of the many additional healthy benefits plant oils can bring to the skin.

Everything you put on your skin is absorbed into the blood stream within 30 seconds. Shame on skincare and cosmetic companies for including toxic ingredients in their products to save a few bucks.

Imagine this. It's cold and pouring rain outside. Would you rather be standing under an umbrella in that rain? Or would you rather be in your favorite chair, watching your favorite movie, eating your favorite foods? In each scenario, you are protect from the rain. All good. So do you want to be just protect or would you want to be protected, comfortable and nourished all at the same time. What's your choice?

Hopefully by now you're feeling a bit disappointed and wondering what to do? You can actually start by using something that works better than what you're currently using and is safer. Arbonne has completely blown me away. I sleep better knowing I'm not putting harmful chemicals or animal fat on my skin. All of Arbonne's products are formulated in Switzerland who have much higher standards than the US, but they are made here.

If you want to experience the Arbonne difference, holla at me at jennifer.weitzman15@gmail.com or visit my website, jenniferweitzman.myarbonne.com.

Beautiful Eyes

I officially have two months to go before my landmark 40th birthday and today the panic set it. This morning when I looked in the mirror, all I saw were the fine lines around my eyes. I'm sure they've been there, but now I just want them gone. To address this new reality, I recently bought Cellufirm Drops to fight off the aging process.

I was first introduced to Mario Badescu Skin Care years ago when I was house sitting and got to sample all of the wonderful smelling soaps and moisturizers. I was hooked for years, but left this past year to try out other lines. I decided to go back.

I've been feeling the weight of the winter on my skin - the high heat in the apartment and the blasts of Artic air whenever I go outside - and it leaves my skin feeling a bit dull and tired. I needed to make some changes in my skincare. I brought my 40-year-old skin to Mario Badescu and spoke with skincare specialist Carmine about what I can do to get a glowing, youthful skin complexion again.

She recommended this pretty mint green emulsion to help firm, tighten and smooth the fine lines around my eyes. It contains plumping collagen and elastin, moisture retaining hyaluronic acid, antioxidant Vitamin E and mineral rich Seaweed Extract to help preserve the skin's tone, moisture levels and elasticity. She said to apply it along my bone line under my eyes. This emulsion can also be used sparingly on your face.

The plastic squeeze bottle has a dropper end so I can be sure to easily control the amount needed. About 4-5 drops for your face and neck are all you'll need and only 1 drop for your eye area. Wear this under your face and eye moisturizer.

I love products where a little goes a long way.

The consistency is lightweight, soft and smooth and it smells so fresh and clean. It spread easily under my eyes and it left them feeling more firm and super moisturized, instantly.

I'm ready to face the challenges of better skincare. And with an awesome array of beauty products out there, turning 40 might be the best thing to happen to my skin. What are your favorite beauty products that make you look younger? Share your ideas in the comments.

Cellufirm Drops cost $25 for a 1 oz. tube and can be purchased at Mario Badescu, Nordstrom and Harvey Nichols.

Get Glowing With Mario Badescu for New Year's Eve

For New Year's Eve, I want to shine like the Waterford crystal ball that drops in Times Square.

However this time of year my skin always needs some extra help. I've been feeling a little tired, dehydrated and even bloated from all the holiday festivities. In addition, my skin has been looking a bit haggard from constantly going from the freezing cold outdoors to my overheated apartment. But I still have one more night to look stunning. I need to scrub away all the toxins I've been taking in over the last few weeks.

I went right to the source for New York's best skincare mecca, Mario Badescu, and asked what are some tips for creating that magical brilliant look for this NYE. With these little skin helpers, you can be sure your your face and body will be nothing but radiant all night long. Not only will you feel amazing, but you will head into 2010 fully refreshed and beautified.

Indulge in a Body Treatment

NYE is a night many of us will be reveling in a skin-bearing dress for the first time in many months. However, for many people, the strange weather this time of year can cause dry skin. Now is a good time to pay attention to moisturizing your whole body, including your lips and cuticles. The Raspberry Body Scrub is a full body scrub you can use right in your shower. Not only will it leave you feeling great, it's one of the best treatments you can do when you need to show off a bit more of your skin. The way it works is it gently buffs away dead skin cells.

After the shower, pat dry and immediately apply a moisturizer. I really love Mario Badescu'sVitamin E Body Lotion and Super Rich Olive Body Lotion. Both are super rich and creamy and will leave your skin feeling soft and silky.

Refresh Your Skin With A Facial Mask

For all my special occasions including my wedding, I always use MB's Temporary Lifting Mask. This amazing mask literally will have you feeling like you'll never be able to move your face or smile again, but when you wash it off you will be amazed how radiant and clean your skin looks. It immediately tightens your skin, minimizing your pores to help give you a flawless face. This mask is a perfect quick boost for NYE.

If you feel you have dull, dry skin and want to add instant moisture to your face, you may want to try one of their awesome moisturizing masks like the Ginkgo Mask. Using ginkgo biloba extract to stimulate your skin and ginseng extract to nourish, this gel-based mask is great to sooth red, blotchy skin. This mask is also a great treatment if you are a frequent traveler.

Another great moisturizing mask is the Normalizing Mask With Cotton Milk. Also a gel-based mask, this tube of beauty is ideal for very dry and sensitive skin types. It contains a unique blend of botanicals such as Sweet Clover Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil and Corn Oil along with moisture retaining Hyaluronic Acid and healing Allantoin.

Treat Your Lips Right

If you're lips are anything like mine right now, they are chapped and dry from these bitter cold, dry days. MB's Lip Wax Jar or Lip Wax SPF 15 Stick is a non-greasy formula that literally glides on your lips. It contains hydrating vitamin E, soothing Beeswax and fragrant Rose Extract to leave your lips smooth and soft. If you are going with red lips for New Year's, this is an especially important step to prep those lips for a smooth, beautiful finish.

NYE can be a night of added drama to your normal beauty routine. This night is the night to break out that bold red lipstick you've been wanting to try or create a smoky eye for instant glamour. But before you do, make sure you do all the prep work before. Your fabulous self will thank you right into the new year.