One of the main reasons I turned to organic skincare was because I did not want harmful chemicals and preservatives penetrating my skin.  Sense products have discovered a new cutting edge self preserving technology.  No parabens and no phenoxyethanol, instead they use a patented blend of botanicals, antioxidants and active ingredients.  With the help of world class scientists, Sense have created a unique topical blend which has been proven in dermatological studies to take care of your cells deeper layers.

Night Renewal Creme - Overnight Intensifying Moisturizer 

Dermatologist/allergy/clinically tested, this night creme is a luscious and luxurious creme to smooth into your skin before bed.  As someone who has oily skin, sometimes I tend to stay away from night cremes because they are quite heavy, but this creme is very light and delicate, it doesn’t need to be heavy because the active ingredients work so well in penetrating the skin without being harsh.   

Containing rich shea butter to help soften skin.   I actually ended up using this twice a day, as it was also the perfect light consistency to apply under make-up.   Don't forget to apply to your decollatage!

This night creme contains Regenisomes, an anti-aging oceanic enzyme complex that helps speed the skin's recovery from environmental damage. It also offers 24 hour cellular protection.    

Botanicals included are - Algae extract, Echinacea Angustifolia Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, MalvaSylvestris (Mallow), Shea butter, Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil.




I am very happy with the results the Sense products have given to my skin. I have oily/combination skin and also want to protect against ageing, it's not always easy to find products which can do both.    I found that the products lasted a long time as only small amounts are needed and a tiny application of each product spreads evenly and smoothly.   The research behind this line is very impressive and the plant botanicals chosen have helped to keep my skin looking bright, clear and fresh (and I hope looking younger!)  The entire range is also very affordable for such high quality products. 

​You can purchase Sense at Usana.

  
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Organic. Natural. Cruelty-free. Whatever you call it, many people are working hard to eliminate needless chemicals from their life and beauty routine.

Of course, everything is made of chemicals—even water is a chemical—and companies can slap the "organic" label on just about any product. That leaves consumers facing a dizzying array of products, unsure whether it's worth paying extra for something that claims to be natural.

Many people with allergies or sensitive skin truly need natural beauty products to reduce their risk of an ugly reaction. No one wants to turn their skin into a real-world experiment.

So how can you choose? Here are five organic beauty products that really won't irritate your skin.

Sulphate-Free Shampoos

Think you need a rich lather to get clean? That type of thinking might be damaging your hair and skin.

Sulphates are the harsh detergents that create foam in shampoos and soaps. The dirty truth is that lather is unnecessary; your hair can get clean without a single bubble.

In fact, sulphate-free shampoos may actually be better for your hair, since they don't strip your scalp of its natural oils. This means your scalp won't overreact by producing excess oil, and your hair will likely be more manageable.

Natural Skin Oils 
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Skin oils have gotten a bad reputation, since excessively oily products can cause breakouts in acne-prone people. The problem isn't the oils themselves but too many oils in a single product.

You can circumvent this problem by using a single natural oil. Argan oil is unlikely to irritate your skin, moisturises better than any lotion, smells great, and won't cause breakouts. You can try pure argan oil or a product that's rich in this super emollient.

Oatmeal-Based Products
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Oatmeal is a virtual panacea for skin woes, especially severe dryness, allergic reactions, and eczema. Dermatologists routinely recommend oatmeal baths to people who struggle with skin conditions.

Try mixing oatmeal with your lotion or pouring some oatmeal into your next bath for a skin-softening soak. Not ready to adopt a do-it-yourself approach? Try oatmeal-based First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream for soothing moisture.

Perfume Oils 
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Gone are the days of perfumes with strong "sillage" (pronounced "see-YAHZH")—the industry term for the trail of fragrance left by a perfume. We now know that heavy perfumes can irritate innocent bystanders, cause migraines, and even produce allergic reactions.

This doesn't mean you have to give up fragrance altogether. Instead, try a simpler approach by embracing perfume oils.

From lemongrass to lilac, peppermint to patchouli, you're sure to find a fragrance you love. Mix some in your favourite lotion, or try pairing two or more oils together for a unique perfume made from the earth's most luscious ingredients.

Natural Cleansers
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Unlike a public toilet or hospital floor, your skin can get clean without being scrubbed into oblivion. However, the ingredients in many skin cleansers suggest otherwise.

Even for oily skin, gentle cleansing is all you need—no harsh suds or detergents, and certainly not an aggressive approach with your hands or washcloth.

Try a natural cleanser; you might be surprised by how quickly your skin improves. 
​Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser won't destroy your skin's natural balance of oil and works well for all complexions.

With summer finally here, the health of our skin is an important topic.  With so many planned activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and running, it’s easy to forget to take care of our skin.  Although the sun’s rays give us plenty of Vitamin D, it can also cause a lot of damage.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the most common form of cancer is to the skin. More than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the U.S. — more than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined!

The good thing is, skin cancer can be prevented by taking proper precautions to protect our skin against damaging UV rays.  Even if you tried desperately last summer to work on your tan (and didn’t protect your skin), skin cancer is easily treated if found early. 

Here’s some tips on how to protect our skin during the summer months:

Cover Up

​Wearing a long-sleeved, light shirt will help protect your back and arms, and a hat will help protect your face.  Wear sunglasses as well to keep your eyes safe and healthy! 

Avoid The Tanning Bed

​Tanning does some serious damage to your skin over time.  If you’re going to opt for a sun-kissed tan, try natural spray tanning as a healthier alternative.  You’ll thank yourself later. 
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Take it from Women’s Health Magazine – “Oncologists now believe [tanning beds] are to blame for the alarming spike among young women in lethal melanoma cases – the second most common cancer in adults under 30.” 

Stay Out of the Sun

​It’s hard to stay out of the sun when it’s summer, but there are a few things you can do to help make it so the UV Rays aren’t as damaging. Try to be in a shaded area where you can take breaks when needed from your activities.  Peak sun hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so you should also plan trips or activities at a time where that’s avoided.  Bringing an umbrella with you to sit under at the beach is also a great way to keep the sun off of you. 

Use Sunscreen

​Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. 
If you’re outside for extended periods of time, it’s recommended to use a natural SPF 30 sunscreen.  As someone with fair skin who burns easily, it’s important to stay on top of my sunscreen game!  I use SPF 45 or more.  Remember – if you’re swimming or sweating excessively, sunscreen needs to be reapplied afterwards.  It should also be reapplied about every two hours for maximum coverage and protection. ​

Check Your Skin

Grab a mirror and check your skin!  The majority of skin cancers are found by the patient themselves or their partner.  It’s important to be familiar with how your skin looks so you can notice any changes that happen.  Not sure what to look for?  Check out this article by the Skin Cancer Foundation on the ABCDE’s of melanoma.

See Your Doctor Every Year

I know – going to the doctor sounds awful.  The wait times are long, and the appointments never last long enough to discuss everything.   Regardless, if you make it a habit to visit your physician at least once a year, they’ll be able to keep track of multiple factors of your health.  This is important because they’ll be able to see any changes that may have happened over the years.  Get your skin checked every year by your doctor. 

Stay Hydrated 

​It’s important to get enough water every day – especially in hotter months.  It’s easy to want to drink a cold lemonade or a margarita, but these drinks tend to make you more dehydrated.  Try drinking water spruced up with fruits like raspberries, lemons, limes, or oranges.  You’ll feel better and your skin will look better as well! It’s recommended to drink 8 glasses a day, but it wouldn’t hurt to get extra if you’re out in the sun! 


This post was contributed by Samantha Thayer, CHES.  Samantha is the online outreach and education specialist for USANA Health Sciences.  For more information on how you can love life and live it, visit us at our blog What’s Up, USANA? Or find us on Twitter @USANAInc. ​