Our Philosophy on skincare and bringing out the beauty from within by cherishing the outside of our inside...

Natural Wisdom's Skin Care Philosophy

Wed, 01 February 2012
There are those, who see their skin as nothing more than an inert outer covering lining the outside of the body. it’s cleaned, polished and treated with highly processed, synthetic products, just as if it were an object, like a machine...

But, this couldn't be further from the truth. Our humble skin is our bodies largest Organ and excreting gland. It helps regulate, detoxify and harmonise all our bodies systems, it’s our first line of defense and an integral part of our immune system, our endocrine system and our digestive system.

Our skin protects us with it's complex 'Acid Mantle' a biodiverse and sophisticated microcosm of friendly micro organisms and fatty acids that hold the line come rain or shine.

Our Skin is truly amazing because it needs to be. Just think for a moment if our skin stopped doing its job, it survives on very little credit and has to tolerate a great many challenges, from increasing environmental pollution and radiation to toxic chemicals in our everyday skincare and our everyday life.

Here at Natural Wisdom, we love to find new ways to protect, nourish and rejuvenate our skin because we don't see our skin as an inert outer covering, we see our skin as the outside of our inside, the reflection of how we live and how we feel, from our emotions to our beliefs... It holds our spirit, the light of life which distinguishes us from others, without which we simply do not exist.

Have you ever noticed that our skin glows brighter when we're happy, it lights up when we smile, it blushes when we're embarrassed and it shows when we're tired, stressed or unwell.... Our skin responds and reacts to a healthy lifestyle & it both absorbs & digests whatever we apply to it.

Our skin cools us and it warms us. It is reactive to our emotions and responsive to our lifestyle. Our skin, literally holds us together. These are just some of the things our skin does for us all day, everyday.

We passionately believe that healthy skincare should be healthy wholesome food, that’s why our products are hand made and cold blended in small fresh batches from certified organic, cold pressed, bio active superfood ingredients, no fillers and blking agents, synthetic silicons, propylene glycol, polymers, parabens or other such toxic and nonsense ingredients. We don't compromise...because what we do to our skin, we do to ourselves...

Feed your skin what it deserves. Cold blended, organic superfood skincare. Inspired by the pure botanical energy of natural wisdom.

(c) Maeve Smith 2012

The Natural Wisdom Of Antioxidants In Preventing Premature Ageing.

Natural Wisdom Organic Skincare is handmade using a cold process that guarantees 100% bioactive potency. Our Rosehip & Pomegranate Organic Facial Collection is designed around a core of 15 of the highest potency natural and organic ingredients and we formulate using therapeutic levels of these to maximise potency and give great resuts.

These fifteen ingredients are our tripple seed oil blend of Rosehip, Raspberry (38%) and Pomegranate (20%) eight CO2 (Supercritical fluid extracts) Calendula, Chamomile, Carrot, Seabuckthorn, Amaranth, Rosehip, Pomegranate and Rosemary. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Hylauronic Acid and Aloe Vera.

I began researching the art and science of skincare in 2006, since then, I have been heavily focused on studying the role that antioxidants have in repairing and protecting the skin. Having spent more than half of my 39 years living south of the Equator I have seen first hand the effects of sun exposure on my own skin. Each and every day, without fail, our skin is bombarded with environmental assailants resulting from exposure to smoke, processed food, alcohol, pollution, and most importantly, ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This is in addition to the free radicals generated by our own metabolism which trigger the release of inflammatory mediators which break down collagen and cause premature ageing.

There are many high quality studies and trials proving that antioxidants applied to the skin’s surface can offer protection from sun damage and stimulate collagen production, reducing the signs of ageing. The most powerful and potent of these topical antioxidants are Vitamin C and cold pressed Seed Oils of Pomegranate, Raspberry & Rosehip. Still relatively unknown I include the new generation of Supercritical herbal and botanical extracts also known as CO2 extraction of which Rosemary Antioxidant is one of the most powerful, with it’s detaphenol profile it is many times more potent than Vitamin E and has the benefit of being able to protect delicate seed oils from oxidation, increasing their shelf life by many times and contributing to their antioxidant action on the skin.

Vitamin C is a unique and very powerful antioxidant for the skin. When applied correctly, It has the ability to help prevent water loss and encourage increased collagen and elastin formation as well as deactivate unstable free radicals, growing evidence shows that Vitamin C has a synergistic relationship when combined with other antioxidants such as vitamin E. Trails have also shown that Vitamin C has an important role in the treatment and prevention of Acne and is healing when correctly applied to skin rashes and eruptions.

However, Vitamin C in its ascorbic acid form is unstable and quickly oxidises when mixed with water and exposed to light and oxygen. The solution to the instability of Ascorbic Acid is a stabilised derivative of Vitamin C known as Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate which has all the benefits of Vitamin C without any of the failings.

It is the rare, essential fatty acids and polyphenols in cold pressed Pomegranate seed oil that give this fruit its antioxidant potency. These bioactive compounds are the subject of many scientific trials, the results of which show some extraordinary findings, such as; cold pressed Pomegranate seed oil boosts the SPF rating of topical sunscreens and that the punicic and  ellagic acid, found in pomegranate seed oil has the strongest age-proofing capabilities to date and is currently being studied for its anti-cancer and healing benefits.

In a recent South Dakota State University study entitled Chemopreventative Effects of Pomegranate Seed Oil on Skin Tumor Development, Pomegranate extract was applied topically to topical skin tumors on mice. After five weeks, the study concluded that topical application of pomegranate oil inhibited papilloma incidence and activity.

Raspberry Seed Oil (cold processed) has been shown in research trials to possesses an exceptionally high proportion of alpha and gamma tocopherols (Vitamin E antioxidant compounds), vitamin A and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In a study done on the properties of Red Raspberry Seed Oil, the oil showed a natural SPF in the UV-A, UV-B and UV-C ranges of 28-50 suggesting that it may be useful as a broad spectrum UV protectant in skin care formulations (Oomah et al, 2000). Red Raspberry Oil is rich in alpha linolenic acid suggesting pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, thus it may be an effective oil to use in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

Rosehip Seed Oil is known to provide a potent source of Trans-Retinoic Acid, a precursor to Vitamin A,  widely recommended by skin care specialists to help prevent premature ageing, heal, rejuvenate, soothe and stimulate healthy skin cell renewal.
It reduces uneven skin pigmentation and provides a very potent source of antioxidants, vitamins A, C & E, minerals & essential fatty acids, Rosehip seed oil is also known to help discourages spots, acne and skin irritations.






Main bibliography sources:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.sciencedirect.c

How I improved my blemishes and patchy skin...

A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND...

From the age of about 21, I started to suffer from really aggressive allergic rhinitis. I had always been allergic to sea food, lobster being the worst. When I was 3 I had my first experience of my seafood allergy when I developed septicemia and boils all over my scalp, I had to have my head shaved. Believing this to be a unique incident my parents gave me sea food another 2 times over the next few years before telling me I should never eat it because it was bad for me....like they needed to tell me that! each time the same thing happened...

I have for some reason been prone to skin eruptions all my life, from bouts of cystic acne along my chin line to the occasional boil. I am prone to spots too and years of struggling with allergic rhinitis and cat allergies gave me a poor skin complexion. I had a patchy skin tone and blemishes. My worst areas were under my eyes where I had a large angioma under my right eye, possibly from damage caused by sneezing all the time and rubbing by eyes. I used to rub my eyes a lot.

In 2001 I began studying to become a homeopath, a couple of years before my homeopath had completly cured my allergic rhinitis. I was thrilled!

My complexion did improve a little, my eyes were no longer swollen and red but my skintone did not. I still had very uneven skin tone, burst blood vessels and blemishes around my cheeks and chin.

NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF.....

In 2006 I started to take making my own skincare more seriously, I began to research it and it became an obsession I still have today. The first product I made for myself was my Rosehip & Pomegranate Antioxidant Treatment Oil. My clients began to comment on how well I looked...and I did. I had noticed my skin tone was improving, my blemishes deminishing. Even my angioma was fading...

In 2007 I began to sell my skincare to family, friends and clients. I noticed that the only time I got a spot now was if I was very stressed instead of before.

In 2009 I was becoming pretty busy with my skincare business and I was lucky enough to join forces with a good friend who became my business partner.

All this time I was using my own brand of skincare. I will never use anything else now.

2011 and my skin looks as flawless as if I was wearing a light foundation. My angioma is gone, my chin and jaw line is clear, my cheeks are clear.

 HOW CAN THIS HELP MY SKIN ?...

I have learned that there is a big difference between middle of the road, diluted skincare ingredients and premium organic high potency ingredients. There is a massive difference between Rosehip seed oil and sunflower seed oil. There is a big difference between Almond oil and Pomegranate seed oil or raspberry seed oil... There is a massive difference between CO2 herbal and botanical extracts and alcohol botanical and herbal extracts...

It really does matter what we put on our skin. If our skincare is based on water, sunflower oil and wax emulsifiers we can't expect any significant results. If our skincare is based on high potency antioxidant ingredients and seed oils with no fillers and no nonsense....then we can expect a very big difference over time. For me I began to notice a difference after 3 months.

FACIAL MASSAGE ...

I also began to realise that MASSAGING our face when we apply our skincare is incredibly important. Don't just slap it on in an unloving way. A good facial massage 2-3 times a day for between 5 - 10 minutes stimulates collagen, blood circulation and skin renewal.

ANTIOXIDANTS IN SKINCARE...

Skincare without antioxidants in my mind is completey pointless...

The right antioxidants are incredibly important. Vitamin C is magic but only if it is a stabilised Vitamin C. We use Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate shown to improve and accelerate Collagen and reduce blemishes while discourageing acne. It is also important to use it in the right quantity. It won't work unless you use enough of it in your formula, but it expensive witch is why profit driven companies use so little in their formula's.

Our skincare formulations are designed to be highly antioxidant. We really pack in the vitamins and nutrients because it is this kind of skincare that is effectively anti ageing. It really works. I tried a great number of skincare products before making my own. My mission then and my mission now is to create the skincare you would like to make for your self...

I hope this has been useful. :-)

What's so special about Raspberry seed oil ?

Rasberry seed oil as long as it is organic and cold pressed is a very powerful nutriceutical gaining in popularity amongst those in the know. Scientists are getting in on the act and beginning to do a lot more research into this incredible seed oil. Why is this? the best way for me to explain is bullet pionts, for those of you who hate this kind of presentation and prefer to read an article, forgive me but I have 3 kids and an incredibly busy life and today this is all the time I could spend. I promise to write it up better another time....okay then, are we seated comfortably? then I shall begin...

• Red Raspberry Seed Oil (Rubus idaeus)
• Properties include extraordinarily high levels of Omega-3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids, 
• Red Rasperry Seed oil is a very powerful anti-oxidant.
• It contains 83% essential fatty acids. 
• It also contains very high levels of Vitamin E.
• Raspberry seed oil has been found to contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties superior to many other oils except Pomegranate seed oil (Punica Granatum).
• Red Raspberry Seed Oil has been shown to act as a broad-spectrum UV-A and UV-B shiel with  an SPF of between 28 and 50 and is a valuable ingredient in natural sunblocks and sunscreens. 
• For more research information >> (Oomah, et al 2000.)
• To summarise then >> Raspberry Seed Oil contains exceptionally high levels of alpha and gamma tocopherols (vit. E), vit. A and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. This provides the skin with significant broad spectrum protecion from damaging UV-A and UV-B rays. SPF of between  28 and 50. Oomah, et al 2000"
  
  
  We use it blended with Rosehip seed oil and Pomegranate seed oil, cold pressed and certified organic of course and without any other weak cheap fillers in our Rosehip & Pomegranate Antioxidant Skincare Collection. We can't wait to hear what you think of our skincare so please look out for us. ;-)
  
  

What has Hyaluronic Acid got to do with it ?

I love Hyaluronic Acid and i have looked far and wide for the right Hyaluronic acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) to put in our Rosehip & Pomegranate Organic Skincare Collection. It had to be free from GMO ( Genetically modified organisms) it had to be animal free and it had to be the highest grade possible. I am happy to say that Natural Wisdom uses the highest quality Hyaluronic Acid available.



Hyaluronic acid is fundamentally a sugar molecule with some very interesting qualities. It has the rare ability to hold up to 1000 X its own weight in water. This molecule we have in our own bodies, especially in the tissues of our skin, joints and organs but as we age we begin to lose it. Putting Hyaluronic Acid in skincare is not a way to turn back the clock but it is a way of holding moisture into the epidermis plumping our skin and helping hydrate and keep our fine lines at bay. We use Hyaluronic Acid throughout our Rosehip & Pomegranate Collection. www.naturalwisdom.co.uk