Quick Fix to an Over Indulgent New Year

   We all know that over indulgence of any kind isn’t good for us. The holidays include many social situations that entice us to eat, drink and be merry with a feeling of regret the morning after. Here are some simple tips to alleviate the “painâ€?:
 

• Purge tensions and health-depleting impurities with a bath using ANOGI’s Hydrotherapia Detoxifying Bath Soak. Its unique blend stimulates elimination to speed recovery after a night of indulgence. Dead Sea Salts (which re-mineralize depleted cells) are combined with nourishing Seaweed extracts, Echinacea, Dandelion, Burdock and Red Clover — known for their blood purifying properties (to regenerate and boost immune functions). Essential Oils of Cedarwood, Lemon, Sage, Calendula and Lavender help purge the body of toxins, calm nausea and relax tight muscles.
• Take Evening Primrose Oil. These oral supplements provide GLA found only in a few plants and mother’s milk and work to restore cellular functions and offer rapid relief for hangovers.
• Drink plenty of water. Alcohol, caffeine and rich food can leave your body severely dehydrated which leads to headaches, muscle aches, nausea and more.
• As soon as you’re up to it, get out and take a walk. The fresh air and increase in circulation will energize you and help you to feel normal again.

 

Moisture’s A Must

To counteract stressed out skin you must apply an effective moisturizer formulated to attract water to the skin as well as prevent water loss. Both ANOGI Daily Moisturizing Toning Therapia Lotion and ANOGI Daily Moisturizing Warming Therapia Lotion trap the existing moisture on the surface and deeper layers of your skin. Enriched with lipids such as Evening Primrose Oil, Shea Butter and Olive Squalane that work to seal in moisture — combine with Hyaluronic Acid which draws moisture deep into the skin and nourishing Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein to help cell turnover.
 

Read INGREDIENTS

• Avoid non-comedogenic ingredients such as petroleum or mineral oil which can clog pores and lead to break-outs.
• Synthetic fragrance, artificial colorants, alcohol and lanolin can all lead to allergic reactions and irritations.
• Steer clear of alkaline or bar soaps, and cleansers or shampoos which lather over abundantly. Avoid ingredients such as Sodium Laurel or Sodium Laureth Sulfate which are too drying and strip the skin of its natural moisture barrier. ANOGI Foaming Milk All Over Cleanser is a gentle formula which effectively removes dirt, pollutants, oil and make-up and is safe for everyone in the family — even the baby.

 

Nourishment Inside and Out

   We all know that feeding your body with nutrients is necessary for good health. But did you know that it’s just as important to feed your skin and your body with topical nutrients as well as oral ones? Topical nourishment can help restore depleted and environmentally stressed skin as well as help to eliminate toxins.
   Your skin is your body’s largest organ and is under assault constantly from pollution, sun exposure, synthetic and toxic chemicals, smoking, caffeine and alcohol. These environmental stressors make it difficult for your skin to perform its primary functions:

• Respiration
• Excretion
• Blood and lymph flow
• Immune and defense barrier

 Ignoring your skin and its important functions commonly lead to underlying conditions such as hormone fluctuations, eczema and psoriasis, a congested and toxic lymph system, acne and premature aging.
   Products that are laden with chemical preservatives and sit on a shelf for years can become invalid as topical nourishment. ANOGI formulates beneficial nutrients using a natural preservative system and produces all their products frequently and in small batches to ensure effectiveness and quality.

External Vitamins
   Free-radicals trigger the release of inflammatory mediators in the skin which show up as premature aging or the break down of collagen and elastin. Inflammation causes moisture loss and must be protected with topical formulas enriched with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, vitamins and minerals. ANOGI combines external vitamins with botanical and seaweed extracts — as in our Skin Renewal Exfoliating Therapia Gel — to provide the skin with all the nutrients necessary to maintain healthy skin.

Nutrition and Oral Supplements
   Supplements taken internally compliment our topical body care and will help treat all body functions, not just the skin’s functions. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those loaded with sodium and MSG and fill up on plenty of fruits and vegetables with high water content. These foods will not only give you more energy but provide you with the same necessary vitamins, minerals and antioxidants required for more radiant skin.

When to avoid the ap-peel of Alpha Hydroxy Acids

   If you’re one of the millions drawn to the promise of AHAs, BHAs, micro-dermabrasion, lactic and glycolic acids, then you’re probably unknowingly wearing down the lipid barrier you need for your skin’s protective function. Even though your skin has the ability to constantly regenerate cells, over-exfoliation can thin and damage the surface structure making it more vulnerable to environmental irritants such as sun exposure, low humidity, pollution and topical application of chemicals such as cosmetics and skin care products. Youthful skin is dewy and supple, not dry and flaky.
   Your initial response is to “peel offâ€? this layer, which defeats the whole purpose, to have smoother and more radiant skin. Problems occur when you overuse exfoliation products and techniques and compromise your skin’s barrier. When humidity is low these products are too irritating on the skin. Unless humidity is 70% or higher these products over-dry skin and strip the skin making it extremely sensitive to harsher weather conditions.
   Most experts agree that exfoliation is more effective when applied in the following manner:

• Use AHA exfoliation for the first 10 weeks- following this cycle, glycolic and lactic acids lose their potency by 30% to 40% and after 20 weeks of use they lose their effectiveness by 65%.
• Take a break from your peel maintenance for a minimum of one week and preferably four weeks, then resume your routine.
• If you already suffer from over-exfoliation then discontinue use of any peel treatment or products and use a gentle cleanser like ANOGI Foaming Milk All Over Cleanser that won’t further irritate your compromised skin. Repair your skin’s barrier with Soothing Ointment All Over Healing Therapia to provide a soothing protective layer for your skin as it heals itself.
• Resume exfoliation treatments as advised above, once skin has recovered from irritation. A 28-day cycle is recommended for cell renewal.

 

Flake-Out: Eliminate Dry, Itchy Scalp

   If you have a dry, itchy scalp with or without flakes, try a daily scalp massage with ANOGI Bath and Massage Toning Therapia Oil. Conditioning oils will help condition the scalp while stimulating circulation. This uplifting treatment leaves you feeling pampered and renewed and offers these extra benefits.

• Improved blood flow nourishes and hydrates the scalp
• Increased circulation can stimulate hair growth and promote healthier hair
• Stimulate oil glands to reduce flaking
• Relieves tension while energizing essential oils renew your senses

Here’s How:

1. Perform scalp massage prior to shampooing hair.
2. Brush hair thoroughly and then pre-massage scalp with pads of your fingertips. Gentle pressure is recommended, taking care not to scratch your scalp. Include your neck and shoulders for even more relaxation benefit.
3. Apply a few drops of Bath and Massage Toning Therapia Oil to fingertips and work into scalp. Massage for 3 to 5 minutes to loosen skin and stimulate circulation.
4. Never massage close to eye area with essential oils. Massage oil inside the hairline to avoid irritation.
5. Rinse hair and scalp and proceed with a mild shampoo (see tip on Read Ingredients in the women’s archived life enhancements)

 

Improve Your Skin's Health

   Body Brushing is a self-care practice
that has been used since ancient times to
eliminate impurities and improve circulation
— two major concerns when it comes to your
skin’s overall health. Brushing skin before a
shower or bath delivers a multitude of benefits:

• Exfoliates dulling, dead skin cells.
• Encourages lymph flow to nourish cells and speed tissue repair.
• Stimulates skins essential elimination and immune functions.
• Nourishes and oxygenates cells to promote moist, supple skin.
• Decongests trapped wastes that lead to the formation of cellulite and water retention.

Here’s How:
   Maximum benefits to the lymph system are achieved by using featherlight, brisk strokes.

1. Using the ANOGI Body Brush (available where ANOGI products are sold - see our where to buy page) begin at hands, using light, sweeping strokes, up the arms and across shoulder and collarbone to the heart region. Complete both arms and move to armpit region. Brush just below armpits, not directly over, clockwise then counterclockwise. Brush chest area from heart to armpit, never brush breast tissue, on both sides.
2. Move to abdomen using moderate pressure, brush in a clockwise circular motion. Brush upper back from center to the shoulders: continue to neck and throat regions toward the heart.
3. Next, brush the buttocks and lower back using upward and outward strokes.
4. Lastly, brush from feet and work up the legs, both front to back, toward the torso. For maximum benefits, follow with ANOGI Hydrotherapia Detoxifying Bath Soak, Foaming Milk All Over Body Cleanser or Skin Renewal Exfoliating Therapia Gel.

NOTE: Body Brushing can be performed daily. Never perform treatment on broken, irritated or inflamed skin.

Stress Proofed Beauty

   Anxiety is at an all time high in today’s world. With a never ending to-do list many of us feel like we are on a constant adrenaline rush. This continuous pace is not only likely to take its toll on our health but quickly shows up in the appearance of our skin, hair and body. Stress, hormone fluctuations, high blood pressure and blood sugar can all lead to a variety of beauty dilemmas such as:

   In order to overcome the challenge of finding time for yourself you must schedule a routine just like you schedule everything else in your life. Get out your day runner and write in the following steps:

1. Get up and go
      Exercise and movement causes physiological changes that overcome the effects of stress. It releases hormones that help you recover from the fight or flight response we experience everyday to survive in our stressful world. Mark out 20 to 30 minutes a day on your schedule to walk the dog, shoot hoops with your kids in the driveway, or bring a healthy meal to work so that you’ll have time for a brisk walk during your lunch break.
    
2. Breathe Easy
      Schedule 5 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes in the afternoon and 5 minutes at night to simply focus only on your breathing. A frantic pace often causes us to take only shallow breaths and creates tense muscles as well as tense emotions. Keep your scheduled breathing break by finding a quiet place and sitting in a comfortable position. Relax each muscle group in your body one at a time beginning at your feet and focus on releasing tension all the way up to your head. Breathe in slowly through your nose, directing the air to fill your belly. Breathe out slowly through your mouth. Continue this practice for a full 5 minutes.
    
3. Scents and Sensibility
      Aromatherapy is a powerful and efficient method to trigger a relaxation response.  Using various fragrances enables us to change our mood and energy levels. For an instant pick-me-up try a spritz of ANOGI Body Mist Cooling Therapia Tonic on a stiff neck, tired feet and heavy legs - also available in a convenient 2 ounce size perfect for traveling, gym bag or your desk drawer. Take a bath with a couple of pumps of ANOGI Bath and Massage Toning Therapia Oil. Its uplifting synergy combines pure essential oils of Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Calendula to energize your senses. To relax tense muscles and a racing mind, soak in ANOGI Detoxifying Bath Soak with purifying essential oils of Cedarwood, Lavender, Sage, Lemon and Calendula.
    
4. Hybernate — Twice a Year
      Schedule a weekend off to spend the entire time at home alone (or with your significant other). Tell everyone you’re going out of town and if you have children make arrangements for them to stay elsewhere. This is your time to discover your natural rhythm. Take off your watch — or better yet, hide it. Turn off the television and radio and cover all the clocks in the house.  Spend the entire weekend celebrating idleness and focusing on how you feel. Make sure to eat whenever you really feel hungry not because its time to. Wake up when your body says its had enough rest not because its time to. Don’t listen to the news, don’t read the paper just enjoy this time to tune into you. Read books you love, listen to music you love, talk to the person you love and listen.
    
5. See a Pro
      ANOGI offers many wellness treatments that address a multitude of beauty concerns. Our Marine Essence Scalp Therapy exfoliates a dry, flaky scalp and stimulates circulation while providing vitamins and minerals necessary to strengthen hair and restore vitality. Our De-stressing Scalp Massage relaxes tension in the head, neck and shoulders while stimulating circulation to the scalp for maximum hair wellness. The ANOGI De-stressing Back Rescue combines relaxing massage with a thorough deep pore cleansing of the neglected back area to remove impurities and leave skin free of blemishes often caused by stress. Note: See where to buy for a list of professional salons and spas who offer the latest in ANOGI skin care services - like those mentioned in this article and throughout our web site.

 

Chemoprevention and Photo-aging

   The fresh days of Spring entice us to spend more time outdoors and even though most people know that the sun’s rays are dangerous they don’t always take protective actions. It’s alarming how many people still ignore the warnings of sun exposure and fail to take the danger seriously. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than one million new cases are diagnosed every year and approximately 7,800 deaths were attributed to malignant melanoma in 2001. Follow these basic sun protection tips to achieve total skin and body wellness:

• Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day with a SPF of at least 15. Even if you aren’t planning on spending the day participating in a typical outdoor activity, the accumulated exposure of just driving in your car and walking across parking lots can cause damage.
• Apply sunscreen to dry skin 30 minutes prior to going outdoors. It takes that amount of time for them to be effective.
• Most people don’t use the recommended amount of sunscreen to achieve its full protection. One ounce of sunscreen — enough to fill a shot glass — is considered the amount needed to cover your exposure areas completely. Note: You’re more likely to use the recommended amount if you are not purchasing a high dollar sunscreen.
• Re-apply sunscreen every two hours or if you are perspiring or have gone swimming.
• Limit exposure time during peak hours (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daylight savings time)
• Avoid using chemical sunscreens on children that contain Avobenzone or worse a sunscreen designed for children that doesn’t contain adequate protection from UVA damage at all. Instead, use a sunscreen containing an organic ingredient as the active agent such as pure Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide which does not penetrate through the skin’s surface and is much less irritating than inorganic substances. See SPF Explained below.
• Wear protective clothing such has a hat and long sleeves when planning to be outdoors for long periods of time.

You Can Do More

There are extensive studies showing potential for chemopreventative agents that show promise of inhibiting the photoaging process. 

• Diet is also being considered in chemoprevention.  Foods that are rich in polyphenolic antioxidants have been shown to prevent free radicals from damaging DNA, hindering cancer from developing. Loading up on fresh fruits and vegetables is a good strategy for receiving these beneficial antioxidants. In addition, two promising agents containing these polyphenolic antioxidants are plant derived and can be consumed orally, used as supplements found at health food stores, or applied topically in natural skin care preparations such as ANOGI’s Daily Moisturizing Warming Lotion, Daily Moisturizing Toning Therapia Lotion and Body Mist Cooling Therapia Tonic.
• Research suggests that grape seed extract can be useful as an anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-cancer agent. It acts as a powerful antioxidant and offers protection against tissue and cell damage. Grape seed extract is approximately 50 to 200 times more powerful than Vitamins C and E. Studies have shown they also contain procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs) which may be effective in treating varicose veins and capillary fragility.
• Green tea extract and its derivatives have been shown to inhibit the growth of human melanoma cell lines in tissue and to inhibit UV-induced skin cancer formation topically or given orally. Although more conclusive research needs to be done for pharmalogic use, green tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world and makes a great replacement for coffee during warm weather months. It can be drank hot or iced and provides a multitude of skin and body benefits.  You can also get your daily topical dose of green tea and grape seed extract by using one of ANOGI’s Daily Moisturizing Lotions or Body Mist Cooling Therapia Tonic. 

SPF Explained

   When the sun is shining it’s hard to resist the warm feeling on our skin. It provides us with that lift we need from spending too much time working or cooped up indoors.  However, the damage on our skin is ever-present and cannot be ignored. UVB radiation is what causes the skin damage we see right away in the form of sunburn. UVA radiation is what causes skin cancer and photo-aging or wrinkling. Glass does not filter UVA rays, so even just driving around in your car or sitting by a window, you are receiving the damage from UVA radiation.

   There are two types of sunscreen agents that provide protection against both UVA and UVB:

1. chemical agents, which are inorganic and;
2. mineral agents which are organic and are physical blocks that provide a cover over the skin to block the sun’s damaging rays without penetrating through the skin’s surface as do chemical agents.  

   Avobenzone offers protection from about 80 to 90% of UVA radiation, while other chemical formulations only offer about 20%. Chemical sunscreens are more likely to irritate skin’s pores than mineral sunscreens. Look for pure Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide for maximum protection. These formulations are definitely the more natural choice and much better for children or people with sensitive skin.

Cellulite Solutions - Part 1

   Cellulite affects 85% of all women at some point in their lives. If you’re amongst this majority then you may be dreading dimple revealing clothing that accompanies the warm weather months.
   To combat this common condition you must first have a clear understanding of what cellulite is and you must be willing to make a firm commitment to consistent body care.
   Cellulite is a tissue condition that causes the elastin fibers to become bound just beneath the dermis. This creates pockets of toxins, fluid and fat beneath the skins surface causing a dimpled appearance. Some explain this condition as being caused by fatty foods, sedentary lifestyles and an over-toxic system. Many doctors however, tend to explain cellulite as a normal condition of the skin either from heredity or which accompanies aging and hormonal fluctuations.

There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

   What about liposuction? This procedure cannot physically remove cellulite because it’s located on the top ½ centimeter of skin. Physicians cannot liposuction into this area because they would risk destroying the blood supply to the skin’s surface. There is no way to permanently remove cellulite from women who have this condition. This is because you cannot change something that is normal. You can temporarily treat the cellulite you currently have. However, if you are prone to cellulite, as soon as the conditions return which initially triggered the dimpling in the first place, your body will produce more. Achieving a smoother appearance is within reach by using a complete system which gives you healthier skin and body function and improves your ability to respond to treatment therapies. Achieving success is accomplished by:

• Having realistic expectations;
• Commitment  to a consistent regime;
• Willingness to make lifestyle changes.

   ANOGI’s cellulite management program can significantly improve the appearance of cellulite if maintained on a consistent basis. The focus is on:

Lifestyle

   Your lifestyle may be the major contributor to the formation of cellulite.  Factors include:

• poor eating habits
• inadequate water intake
• stress
• lack of or insufficient sleep
• sedentary living
• insufficient exercise
• poor breathing habits

   Trying to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits can seem overwhelming. Today’s busy lifestyles leave little time to shop and prepare for nutritious meals let alone squeezing in a workout three times a week. Crash or Trendy Diets usually can’t deliver the results you’re looking for. This type of eating can actually be another contributor to cellulite due to rapid loss and regaining of weight which causes skin tissue to lose it’s firmness and elasticity.
   Among the best nutrition tips we have found offers a simple approach to improving your diet. Warm weather months are the ideal time to start eating smart as fresh fruits and vegetables are at their peek.

First
   Try filling up on plenty of antioxidant-rich foods and beverages which can slow the formation of free radicals and protect the body by repairing the damage to cells and tissues. Antioxidants are crucial to healthier skin and organ functioning. One of the easiest ways to choose the fruits and vegetables richest in antioxidants is through color. Diversity is important, as no one food contains all the nutrients we need. Once we cook our foods they are biologically degraded with little nutritional value. Try preparing as many foods from the list below ahead of time by cleaning, chopping, slicing, steaming (only if necessary) and storing them in air-tight and see-through containers. You’ll always have a healthy snack or quick meal on hand.

• Fruits- Apricots, Oranges, Peaches, Prunes, Pink or Yellow Grapefruit, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Strawberries, Papaya, Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Red or Green Grapes and Pomegranates (when not in season drink juice). Also include dried, un-sulfured raisins, prunes, cherries, figs and apricots.
• Vegetables - All green leafy vegetables, Beets and Beet greens, Broccoli, Carrots, Green Beans, Edamame (soy beans),Collard greens, Pumpkin, Red and Green Bell Pepper, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Kale, Turnip and Mustard greens, Garlic, Onions, Chives and Leeks, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage and Cauliflower.
• Legumes, Wheat, and Nuts -Avoid foods made with white flour, including pasta, breads, crackers, tortillas, etc. as they convert to sugar quickly and affect your body’s absorption of nutrients as well as the hormonal balance that can lead to the production of even more cellulite. Instead, choose whole grain pasta, wheat bran cereals, breads and crackers in moderation and alternatives such as miso, soy beans, tofu, lentils, black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, raw and unsalted almonds, hazelnuts, etc. and unsalted sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
• Beverages -Avoid caffeine and alcohol which can cause your body to retain even more fluids and amplify the appearance of cellulite. Instead, drink plenty of anti-oxidant Green Tea, Soy Milk, and Water. Drink one 8 ounce glass of water for every 10 pounds that you are. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds you should drink 14 glasses of water a day. It may sound like a lot, but even a small water bottle is actually 16 ounces which counts for 2 glasses. This practice will actually help improve kidney and liver function to burn more fat and calories as well as flush out toxins and excess fluids. If you feel the need to drink an alcoholic beverage, your best option is one glass of red wine which is high in beneficial, antioxidant polyphenols.

Second
   Lack of blood flow to an area caused by sedentary lifestyle and poor diet (too many fatty foods) is only worsened by lack of exercise. Cellulite usually forms in areas with poor circulation due to inhibited blood flow to the connective tissues. One way to avoid feeling discouraged is to break up your activities into manageable time increments. Three 10-minute walks a day are just as good as a full thirty minutes of exercise. Also try incorporating some toning activities into your day whenever possible. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and try taking two steps at time. Park a little farther from the entrance to the grocery store or mall than you normally do. Parents can take a few minutes for activity of their own while waiting at soccer practice or piano lessons. Make a conscience effort to get up and move every couple of hours to keep circulation flowing and you’ll not only feel better but you’ll see a significant improvement in those dimpled areas.

Read Part 2 here

Sleep — the Best-Kept Beauty Secret

   A sleep poll of American adults found that in the last five years they work more and sleep less. Sixty-three percent get less than 8 hours of sleep a night and 31% get less than 7 hours. Sleep deprivation has become very common due to workaholic lifestyles that cause stress and has turned America into a nation that’s nodding off on the job or worse, behind the wheel. Statistics show that people who average 8 hours of sleep a night have lower mortality rates than people who get 6 or 7 hours of sleep. Some other consequences of inadequate sleep are:

• Lack of concentration, alertness and memory
• Reduced energy level
• Reduced resistance to infection
• Can make you more emotionally volatile
• Skin becomes sallow, dull and sagging
• Visual puffiness, dark circles and bags below the eyes

Sweet Dreams — Natural remedies for more restful sleep
   A recent scientific study found that a drop in body temperature can help ease the body into a deeper and more relaxing sleep. Try soaking in hot water for about 15 minutes prior to bedtime with ANOGI Hydrotherapia Detoxifying Bath Soak. This will cause your internal thermostat to lower your body temperature and induce a more restful sleep. Also, the pure essential oils and Dead Sea salts combine to relax tense muscles and calm a racing mind. Try some other tips to make the most of your bath:

• Make a conscience effort to relax by closing your eyes and focus on relaxing each muscle one at a time, beginning at your toes and working up your body to your head
• Remember to take deep breaths. Breathe in as slow as possible from the nose to expand your belly and then slowly expel breath out through the mouth
• Play some relaxing music to tune out distracting noises and set the mood
• Light some candles which are much more soothing than electric light.

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