Insider Picks

Spring is just around the corner, so we decided to ask a few
of our office self confessed “beauty junkies” what their spring “must- have”
recommendations are.

Living Nature Vitalising Exfolliant

“I love this product in the spring!” It’s the perfect tool to
help say goodbye to winter’s dry, dull skin. After just one use my skin looks so
fresh!”

Raw Gaia’s MSM Beauty Cream

“Hands down…this is the best product to rejuvenate and repair
tired winter skin. It will also help combat the incidental sun damage you may
acquire while working on your spring tan.”

Living Nature Daily Defence with SPF 15

“As the days get longer and we spend more time out in the sun,
it’s important to remember sun protection. This product is amazing! If you have
normal to oily skin, it will double as a moisturizer and SPF in-one. However, if
your skin is more on the dry side, you may need to first apply a daily
moisturizer.”

Primavera’s Ginger Lime Body Wash & Body Lotion

“Ahhhh seriously…just
try to use either of these two products and not feel as fresh and energized as a
beautiful spring day. It’s heaven!”

John Masters Rose Foaming Face Wash

“Okay…I realize this isn’t just a spring “must-have”, but I
love this face wash. In the spring and summer when my skin is less dry, I can
actually skip on moisturizer some days because it leaves my skin so soft and
naturally moisturized. The smell is absolutely divine!”

squeeky clean

Do we really need to be squeaky clean? That squeaky clean feeling your skin has after a soapy shower is the result of all your natural oils being stripped from your skin. Not only is it making your skin dry, but it is distressing the natural ph balance of your skin. This process does much more harm than good. Natural oils keep your skin healthy, and prevent premature aging. For some, this stripping process can even upset the natural balance so much that an over production of oil occurs. Your well-intended cleaning routine may be the cause of your dry or even overly oily skin. The best way to know for sure is to trade in your current soaps, and shower gels for a natural, organic alternative.

Step 1:

Stop using all products that contain sodium laureth sulfate(SLS) or sodium larel sulfate and other unnecessary synthetic chemicals and fragrances. SLS is known to alter the skins structure and allows other chemicals to penetrate into the skin. SLS is used to make products foam; unfortunately, it is also a skin irritant and dries the skin.

Step 2: Look for new products with simple, organic ingredients that are fragranced with essential oils. You should be able to recognize most of the ingredients. Any ingredients you don’t recognize research here at Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

Step 3: Okay..now that you are no longer using harsh, abrasive, chemical-laden cleansing products… enjoy your new healthy, natural glow that only nature can provide!

Top Picks:

Body Cleansers:

RELAX Lavender Body Wash by Primavera

Refreshing Body Wash by Living Nature

Manuka Honey Nourishing Body Wash by Living Nature

Living Nature Body Essential - Vitalising

Facial Cleansers:

john masters organics Rose Foaming Face Wash

Raw Gaia’s Living Facial Cleanser

Vitalising Cleanser by Living Nature

Purifying Cleanser by Living Nature

Which Raw Gaia products

are best for your skin & a

recommended skin care routine:

Here you will find our recommendations to help you decide which Raw Gaia products may be
best for your type of skin and condition as well as a suggested skin care routine.
If you need information on how to use any of the skin care products mentioned here, please visit
the relevant product page at posh organix.

SKIN CARE ROUTINE

This is the general skin care routine we would recommend. Feel free to adapt it according to your
type of skin and condition, as described below.

Daily morning care:

· Wash your face with warm water. You can use a soft facial loofah to gently exfoliate your
skin. If you have dry skin, avoid using soap on your face.
· If necessary, apply the Living Facial Cleanser.
· Mist your face with the Floral Face Toner
· Use one of Raw Gaia’s Moisturizers or creams. If you want the moisturizer to sink in more
readily, you can mist your face with the Toner after applying the moisturizer or apply to wet
skin. Use a very small amount of moisturizer if you are going to use make up.

Daily evening care:

· Wash your face with warm water. If your skin is dry, avoid using soap on your face.
· Cleanse using the Living Facial Cleanser (it will remove dirt, makeup, mascara, etc)
· Mist your face with the Floral Face Toner
· Use one of Raw Gaia’s Moisturizers or creams. In the evening, you may want to apply more
moisturizer / cream than in the morning.
· Apply the Revitalising Eye Oil for extra care in the area around the eyes.

To keep your face nicely glowing and cleansed, once a week use the Raw Chocolate Face Pack or the Sun-dried Green Clay Face Pack.

General body care:

After a shower or bath, you can use any of Raw Gaia’s moisturizers and creams as hand and body
creams. The Coconut Butter and Shea Butter are also excellent moisturizers for arms and legs. Shea
Butter is particularly good for very dry skin. Or you can use the Living Beauty Massage Bar or the
Detox Massage Bar, which are particularly nice after a shower or bath.
To wash your body and hands, use any of our Raw Soaps. They are extremely gentle, feel very
nice to use and will not dry out your skin.

PRODUCTS FOR OILY SKIN AND/OR ACNE:

For oily skin and/or acne, we would recommend:
· Raw Chocolate Face Pack or Sun-Dried Green Clay, once a week
· Living Facial Cleanser, applying it once or twice a day
· Witchhazel Floral W ater, which is also very good for oily skin, so can you use it once a day or
whenever it feels appropriate
· As a moisturizer, you can try the MSM Beauty Spray, which is a very light moisturizer. You can
also use the MSM Beauty Cream provided you use it very lightly (it may help to apply it on
your face with wet hands).
· Please note that the Living Facial Cleanser will moisturize your skin, so if your skin is very oily,
you may not need to use a moisturizer / cream separately.
· The Floral Face Toner will help to balance the skin.

PRODUCTS

PRODUCTS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Many adults and babies with extremely sensitive skin or suffering from skin conditions such as
dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, etc. have found our skin care range truly effective. We think that this
is due to the purity and living nature of our products and the use of plant-based ingredients that
have special soothing and healing qualities.
So, in regards to selecting a moisturizer, you can try the Hemp Living Moisturizer or the For Her
Babies Living Cream. The latter does not contain any essential oils and is therefore recommended
for people sensitive to them.
If you are sensitive to essential oils, avoid those products that contain essential oils and use instead
Raw Gaia’s organic, cold-pressed oils and floral waters according to your particular needs.
Other products that are generally suitable for sensitive skin:
· Sun-Dried Green Clay, used once a week
· Floral Face Toner
· As a cleanser, you can use a Floral Water (like Rose) instead of the Living Facial Cleanser.

PRODUCTS FOR COMBINATION SKIN:

For combination skin, we recommend the following:
· Living Facial Cleanser, applying it once or twice a day.
· Use one of Raw Gaia’s moisturizers / creams except in oily areas. (The cleanser will moisturise
your skin, therefore you may not need to use a moisturiser/ cream in the oily parts of your face.

The Raw Gaia Team

Product reviews:
Find out what the Posh Organix review team thinks of a product based on:
a) The manufactures promise versus reality,
b) purity of ingredients,
c) and value, packaging, and smell.

AND, find out what consumers think of a product. When reading consumer reviews please be aware of reading skin type profiles to be sure the product is right for you.
Please leave a review under comments if you have tried the product. Make sure to add your skin type profile ( age, gender, climate, skin type (oily, dry, aging, acne concerns etc..)

Crème Nutri-Functional #1 White lotus & Norwegian Kelp Facial Moisturizer by Mod.skin

The Promise: Taken from manufactures website:
Natural ingredients – 70% Organic
•Hydrate and nourish skin with
essential vitamins, minerals and
amino acids
•Improve tone and resilience
•Prime complexion for the elements
and for your cosmetic routine
•Protect skin from aging effects of
free radicals
•Fortify and oxygenate skin mantle
with collagen-boosting kelp
•Grape seed, Lotus, & Green Tea protect from damage and offer a complete source of vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, amino acids and trace nutrients.

The Reality:
(how it works, value, packaging, smell)
• Skin is noticeably more hydrated in just one use.
• Only use on dry or dehydrated skin.
• Non-greasy feel
• Light earthy smell
• Simple, recyclable packaging.
• Spot test if you have sensitive skin. Can cause irritation in some people.
• When used daily lasts for 4-6 months.
• Price: 2 oz. 48.00 A little pricey; however, the manufacturer does not skimp on high quality ingredients.

Ingredient Review: See list of ingredients here.
Pros: Loaded with whole plant based ingredients.
Cons: Contains phenoxynol which is a controversial ingredient. At, this time nothing has been proven to confirm a reason for concern.

Consumer Reviews:
Name: Kelly
“This product truly lives up to it’s promise of ultimate hydration and an increase in tone. My skin is exposed to very harsh weather on a daily basis, below freezing temperatures, wind, snow, you name it. Since using this product, the near constant flaking I’ve dealt with in winters past is gone. I’ve also noticed a decrease in the appearance of fine lines. The best thing about this moisturizer is the lack of irritating scents and ingredients. It goes on smooth and feels healthy and light on the skin. I recommend this product.”

Skin Profile
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Skin Type: Dry/ combination, occasional breakouts
Climate: Extreme cold

Buy Crème Nutri-Functional #1 White lotus & Norwegian Kelp Facial Moisturizer by Mod.skin at PoshOrganix.com

“Body + Soul” magazine talks about Weightless Lotion and the anti-inflammatory powers of its marshmallow extract.
“New Beauty” magazine raved about the illuminating powers of our quick-fix Alchemist Mask.
“National Geographic Green Guide” extols the antioxidant green tea formula of our Weightless Lotion.

“Pregnancy Magazine” quotes Mod.Skin founder, Raffaele, and plugs the benefits of shea butter-based Chilean Lip Panache.

Hector Bolanos and Lisa Lennon , a husband and wife team, founded Raw Gaia with an inspiring mission. They wanted to create a product with the purest 100% organic, fair-trade, living and vegan ingredients. They wanted products that stood out with ingredients such as cold-pressed butters and oils as well as high-grade essential oils. The end result, intensely nourishing products that maintain the life force of the ingredients and all their antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to heal, & nourish your skin. In addition to creating such fantastic products, Raw Gaia continues to stand out as a company with very high ethical, environmental and fair trade principles.

On a personal note, I have been using the MSM Beauty Cream over the last few months, and I’ve noticed measurable results in my skin’s appearance. I absolutely love the product and am hooked!

Here is what Lisa Lennon had to say about creating Raw Gaia and the inspiration behind it all:

(SR) With so many organic brands out there, what makes Raw Gaia products stand out?

(LL) Our products are raw, vegan, handmade and living as well as organic.

(SR) What was your inspiration for Raw Gaia?

(LL) I suffered with dry skin and eczema and none of the products that I tried worked so I started experimenting in the kitchen and researching. By this time myself and my partner Hector had been following a raw vegan diet so it made sense to continue using this principle with the products. After a lot of perseverance I came up with my first moisturiser (For her Daughters) and I was amazed with the results so I decided to give it to a few friends to try. The response was so wonderful that Hector and I decided we had a winning formula on our hands and decided to start selling the Moisturiser and soon we developed a whole range of living products.

(SR) What is “living skin care” & how important is it?

(LL) Living skin care means that the products are not heated, we use a low temperature process to produce them. Cold-pressed fats and oils, kept at low temperatures, help to beautify the skin, strengthen the cell membranes and restore nutrients to the tissues that your body nourishes from the existing life force of the ingredients. In contrast, subjecting to high temperatures destroy most of this living energy.

(SR) What benefits did you notice in your skin after switching to a “living skincare” regimen?

(LL) I no longer suffered from dry skin.

(SR) What is your most common customer compliment?

(LL) That their skin feels and looks amazing!

(SR) Do you have any favorite products in your line?

(LL) The MSM cream and spray which is a nutritional form of sulphur, it is an essential component in the formation of collagen, elastin, cartilage and keratin. It gives flexibility, tone and strength to muscles, bones, joints, internal membranes and especially the skin, hair and nails.

(SR)What skin types benefit the most from your products?

(LL) Dry skin, eczema, acne or rosacea

(SR)How is Raw Gaia environmentally responsible and why is this important to you?

(LL)

No machinery

No Surplus packaging

Recyclable containers

Vegan

No animal testing

Today is a great time to focus on the big and small ways we can all do our part at home and work and in our communities on a daily basis to nurture our planet and conserve our natural resources. It is important for us to educate ourselves in this way so that our children who inherit the earth from us continue to do so.

(SR) What do you think is the brands biggest achievement?

(LL) Living product with no heating and our anti ageing ethical marketing.

(SR)What do you have planned for Raw Gaia’s future? Are these products the beginning of a much larger line or do you plan on keeping it small?

(LL) The business is growing slowly and gradually, we want it to continue growing but not to the extent that it becomes impersonal.

Shop Raw Gaia’s Living Skincare products here

Biodynamic agriculture is an organic farming concept based on a holistic approach and an understanding that all things in life are interconnected through nature. Biodynamic farming encompasses standard organic farming practices; in addition to, holistic practices aimed at increasing the nutritional quality of the crop and protecting the balance of the ecosystem. Biodynamic farms use an astronomical calendar to determine planting, cultivating and harvesting times.

• Buy products with minimal
  packaging. Minimal packaging can still be chic as evidenced
  by Mod.Skin Care. A few other brands that are using minimal packaging are:
  Afterglow Cosmetics,
  Sevi Oganics,
  Living Nature, &
  Raw Gaia.
  Pangea Organics goes one step further and has created plantable packaging.

• Immediately after use, unplug your curling iron and hair dryer instead of just turning the
  switch off or better yet skip the damaging effects of both a few days a week. Your bathroom counter will also reap the benefits of less clutter which means happy roommates and/or husbands!

• Use low energy light bulbs in your bathroom.
  

• Use organic and natural beauty products. There is an organic and/or natural
  alternative to everything these days. Take advantage of this and support the
  organic boom. You’ll be surprised at how much more you enjoy the products.

• Use a cloth shopping bag or reusable tote when shopping.

• When ordering online, look for companies that share your vision and use eco-friendly shipping/packaging methods. Posh Organix
  re-uses all vendor’s packaging and traded in regular packaging peanuts for
  the cornstarch variety. Pangea Organics is another excellent example; for
  some very enlightening background, view this video of Pangea Organic’s CEO.

• Stay clear of products that contain Parabens. Parabens are petroleum- based which means
  they are made from the same stuff that runs our cars. Not to mention
  parabens are basically plastic and prevent our skin from breathing and
  renewing itself.

• Check to make sure the companies from which you buy products do not test on animals.

• Remove unwanted hair with all-natural wax and reusable strips instead of disposable razors. It is easy and no more time consuming once you get the hang of it and the
  finished product is so much smoother than a disposable razor shave.

• Apply your makeup with your fingers or brushes and avoid using cotton swabs and
  disposable sponges.

• Try to limit your shower time
  to one 3 minute shower a day. It helps if you can reduce the
  amount you wash your hair. Believe it or not, the more you wash your hair
  the more oil is created and the more you’ll need to wash it. If you can
  slowly start washing your hair less and less, you will eventually only need
  to wash it once a week. I practice this and I can honestly say my hair does
  not get even slightly greasy until that 7th day. This also helps your hair
  become stronger, shinier and all around healthier.

• Remember to recycle all old cosmetic containers.

Q. I have sensitive skin and I’m prone to breakouts. Will I be able to wear mineral foundations?

A. PoshOrganix.com only sells mineral foundations that avoid pore clogging, petroleum derived ingredients such as mineral oil and paraffin wax. As a general rule plant oils and waxes are non-comedogenic. Additionally, our mineral foundations are found to be soothing and healing for problem skin as the minerals soothe inflamed skin and have lasting oil control benefits. Since our mineral make-up doesn’t contain irritating ingredients found in conventional cosmetics such as talc, dye, perfume and bismuth oxychloride customers notice a healthy improvement in their skin .

TIPS:

Clean your cosmetic brushes regularly to ensure they are clean and bacteria free.

Use a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week (no more) to keep pores clean.  Here are some great exfoliants:

Mod. Skin’s Samurai Scrub Rice & Enzyme Face Polish

Manuka Honey Vitalising Exfoliant by Living Nature

Pangea Organics Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry Facial Scrub (Coming Soon!)

Wishing you beautiful, healthy skin!

Life Force Energy - Natalia Rose

Natalia rose is a top Manhattan Nutritionist and Author. She has worked with models, actors and media personalities to help them attain their healthiest most beautiful version of themselves. In our conversation, Natalia discusses the importance of a cleansing diet for beauty, and shares the secrets she teaches her clients on attaining beautiful, glowing beauty.

In the foreword for Natalia’s book Raw Food Detox Diet, Steven Pearlman, M.D. , Cosmetic Surgeon, addresses the importance of a cleansing diet to maintain a youthful look. He states, “Not everything can be accomplished by surgery, peels, and injections. Additionally, Frederic Fekkai a celebrity stylist and beauty industry pioneer says, “I believe that natural, healthy living is the secret to inner and outer beauty. There is no question in my mind that health maintenance must be at the core of any beauty regimen.

(SR): What is a cleansing or raw food detox diet?

(NR): A cleansing diet uses raw foods to cleanse and detoxify. This is a lifestyle which is simply bringing us back to a more natural way of eating. We are using foods (primarily raw fruits and vegetables) to remove the waste matter that has accumulated over time from an unfit lifestyle (eating processed foods, smoking, etc..) and removing it from the body. Processed foods deposit unnatural food additives in the form of toxins into our body causing premature aging, and loss of energy and vitality. When our bodies build up these toxins and poisons from food that is not fully eliminated, raw, cleansing foods help to detoxify our systems by flushing out these toxins and setting us on course toward clear, glowing skin, shiny hair, a healthy weight, and vibrant energy.

My clients use green vegetable juices, food combining rules, and lots of raw salads while forgoing heavy dense clogging foods. The principles are easy to follow as you are still eating delicious, convenient and deeply satisfying foods such as a wide variety of seafood, high quality grains, root vegetables like sweet potatoes, avocados, raw goat cheeses and much more!

(SR): Is it possible to change our skin and hair through the foods we eat?

(NR): Absolutely! When we remove the blockages that exist because of the accumulation of unfit food wastes we allow the life force energy of the fresh foods to flow through the body. Perfect weight and a youthful appearance are the result of clean, waste-free cells. Healthy glowing cells produce healthy glowing skin and hair. Dark under eye circles, cellulite, and dead skin all come from a body not receiving the life force of fresh unprocessed foods.

Fruits and vegetables nourish our cells and do not leave residue behind. Adding these fresh, healing fruits and vegetables to our diets awaken the old matter and help release it. However, it is very important that when one begins a cleansing diet they are helping their body eliminate the old waste through colon cleansing, dry skin brushing and sweating. You are cleansing ONLY if the waste is leaving the body.

When the body is clogged the body cannot receive the electro-magnetic current that makes it beautiful, vibrant and healthy. Kids have vibrant skin because they have not accumulated the waste matter that adults have over the years of eating processed foods that are clogging the body.

(SR): How soon can someone expect to start seeing the benefits of a cleansing diet?

(NR): You will see immediate benefits when you start lightening the burden of digestion by following the principles outlined in my books (proper food combining, quick exit foods, green vegetable juices, raw salads). You will notice benefits anywhere from the first meal to the first few days definitely measurable improvements by the first week. Your tissue quality will improve right away. As the cells cleanse the skin tightens. This is the only way for those carrying lots of extra weight to ensure that their skin will be toned and taut when they lose all their excess weight because your skin will actually tighten up as new, healthy cells take the place of old, imbalanced, toxic cells.

(SR): Does someone need to be eating 100 percent raw/cleansing foods to reap the beauty benefits?

(NR): The goal would be to try to eat 75% cleansing food and 25% foods that are not. An example of a daily eating plan would be:

Breakfast - Green vegetable juice

Snack- fresh fruit (amount can be adjusted each day based on desire)

Lunch - a large raw salad with a whole avocado and a baked sweet potato

Dinner - Non-cleansing meal that will support the program like cooked vegetables with fresh fish (ideally starting with a green/raw vegetable salad for best results)

For those eating very few if any cleansing foods now, simply ramping up your intake of raw fruits and vegetables to achieve a 50% cleansing food diet will create visible improvements.

(SR): What kind of transformations have you seen in yourself and clients who’ve adopted this lifestyle?

(NR): I’ve seen incredible transformations. One of the most amazing was a woman whose facial structure actually changed as she cleansed. It’s very common to see dark circles and facial puffiness disappear. All of the typical reasons people visit dermatologist resolve themselves such as dry skin, pimples, eczema, premature aging, and wrinkled skin.

(SR): How would you differentiate a raw food diet from a cleansing diet?

(NR): Raw food insinuates you are eating only raw foods heated below 118 degrees; however, a raw diet typically (not always) includes a lot of dense nuts, seeds & dried foods which are not actually cleansing foods and can be much more clogging in the body than light cooked foods like steamed vegetables and fresh fish. Cleansing implies that you are eating in a way that 1) awakens old waste and 2) are attentive to removing it (through colonics/enemas, body brushing, sweating, etc.). A raw food diet does not ensure that you cleanse (it’s more like a “potential cleanse).   Basically, cleansing is an active method of removing the accumulation from all those years of eating foods that the body could not fully eliminate. Cleansing encourages the use of high vibration fruits and vegetables without excluding high quality cooked foods like fish, steamed veggies, sweet potatoes, and raw cheeses.

(SR): Can we reverse the damage caused by eating unhealthily in the past?

(NR): Yes, when we remove the waste through the dedicated implementation of a cleansing-regenerating diet with the support of skin brushing, sweating, colon elimination, you are able to undo many years and even decades of damage.

(SR): Do you have a favorite recipe that includes lots of beautifying ingredients?

(NR): Lately this has been my favorite salad:

5 ounces of baby romaine lettuce

1 cup of chopped tomatoes

1 clove of diced garlic

3 packets of stevia

1/3 cup of lemon juice

3 oz of raw cheddar style goat cheese, grated

Sea salt to taste ( optional)

Fresh basil (optional)

Fresh rosemary (optional)

Simply place all ingredients in a mixing bowl, toss well and serve! Don’t hesitate to eat the leftovers the next day, it gets better after a night of marinating in the juices!

To learn more about Natalia Rose and purchase her books please visit her website at http://www.therawfooddetoxdiet.com/.

The Raw Food Detox Diet Book