Cracked Heel

With the majority of us working and living in air-conditioned environments, it is no wonder we find the skin on our heels dry and cracked.

The crack lines are known as heel fissures. While some cases are mild with the fissures affecting just the epidermis (uppermost layer of the skin), more severe cases have fissures deeper, into the dermis layer. This could result in bleeding and infections.

Apart from those with naturally dry thick skin (callus), those who are constantly on their feet will experience cracked heels as well. This is because of pressure being placed on the heels, causing them to expand sideways. If the skin in the area is not elastic enough, it splits and cracks. This also means those who are heavier will have more pressure placed on their heels.

Simple measures can be taken to prevent the condition from exacerbating. One way is to wear closed heel footwear, so as to reduce the sideway expansion of the heel, and therefore the chances of the skin on the heel to tear. Making an effort to moisturise the heels increases the skin's elasticity and lowers the extent of heels being cracked. Soaking the feet in water prior to applying moisturiser would be excellent. You could also try scrubbing your feet periodically to remove the dead skin. This enables the new skin to surface, ensuring better skin elasticity.

Cést Naturel offers several remedies for cracked heels:
1. Salt Foot Scrub
2. Foot Nourisher with Jojoba Seed Extract
3. Customised Bath Salt Therapy with essential oils for quicker results

Dandruff

For those who find white flakes constantly on your shoulders and are tired of sweeping them off you, you might be interested in a few natural remedies to ease the "flake-fall".

Dandruff is a result of skin renewal where new skin replaces old skin by pushing it out. The old skin is then left to dry. Everyone has dandruff as this skin renewal process repeats itself monthly. However, for most people, these dry flakes are too small to be seen. For others, this shedding of skin takes only a week which results in large white clumps of flakes.

One reason why the cycle takes only a week is the amount of oil secretion on the scalp. Also, the presence of certain fungi on the scalp causes dandruff. Certain skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis could also occur on the scalp, causing flaking.

Some natural remedies to alleviate the condition are massaging your scalp with natural base oils. You could try sweet almond, coconut, kernel, jojoba and apricot oils. A small portion of rosemary, tea tree, lemon or thyme essential oils (please note that several essential oils are not suitable for certain conditions, including pregnancy and epilepsy) can be added into the base oil as well to make it more effective.

While shampooing your hair, a little lime juice may be added to your shampoo. Cider vinegar can be diluted in water and dabbed onto the scalp while bathing. You may also want to try massaging aloe vera gel onto the scalp before shampooing. Certain essential oils work not only for dandruff, but regulates oil production and eases itchiness.


Some say diet and constipation are reasons for dandruff and advocate going on a fruit diet. You might want to try cutting down on processed foods too.

Cést Naturel customises all natural remedies for curbing dandruff with our Scalp Tonics and Mud Scalp Treatments. Conditions such as hair loss, scalp breakouts and fragile hair can be improved as well with different combinations of natural ingredients.



If you are unsure about your condition and which oils will work best for you, please drop us an email at enquiries@cestnaturel.com.

(Picture sources: wikipedia)

Contest

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**Closing date: 31 October 2009
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Dry Skin

If you reside in a country which experiences winter, or if you spend a lot of your time in air-conditioned places, you would probably notice that your skin is dry. The low humidity leads to moisture loss. Dry skin lacks oils and moisture, is usually thin with few or no visible pores and may appear scaly. Dry skin also lacks suppleness and may also feel tight after washing. Signs of ageing appear early for those with dry skin as well.

The first signs of premature ageing are dry and sagging skin, lines and wrinkles. The most common factors that cause premature ageing are exposure to the sun, insufficient water intake, poor diet and improper skin care.

Bathing with very strong soaps or going under the sun too often can also dry up the skin. If your skin condition is serious, it would be advisable to consult a doctor. If not, try changing some of your bathing habits. To protect the skin, bathe in warm water. However, taking too many baths a day to keep the skin moisturised will only worsen dry skin conditions. Instead, drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated. Use milder or less soap when bathing.

Another way would be to apply oils, moisturisers or lotions to soothe and hydrate the skin by reducing evaporation. The best time to apply would be after a bath when skin is damp.

Try some of these C'est Naturel products for healthier skin:

1. Customised body oil (all natural) - This includes a blend of 2 or 3 essential oils in either sweet almond, grapeseed or jojoba oil.

Some essential oils that benefit dry skin: bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, lavender, myrrh, patchouli, rosemary, rosewood.

2. Body Whip with Shea Butter

3. Brightening Body Lotion

4. Lavish Body Balm

5. The Ultimate Body Lotion

Ylang Ylang

(Picture source: Wikipedia)

Ylang ylang (pronounced ee-lang ee-lang) is obtained from the greenish yellow flowers of the canaga tree. The process of steam distillation extracts the essential oil from the flower. Because of its delicate and fresh floral fragrance, ylang ylang is an ingredient used in many cosmetic items.

For aromatherapy, ylang ylang is widely used to combat stress related symptoms such as migraine. It can also be used to alleviate high blood pressure. When blended with carrier oils and applied on the skin, ylang ylang regulates sebum (oil) production and is thus suitable for both oil and dry skin. When used on the scalp, it promotes fuller hair.

C’est Naturel offers customization of various hair, face and body treatments with ylang ylang. Please refer to http://www.cestnaturel.com/Customisation.html for a list of customizable items, or email us your condition at enquiries@cestnaturel.com.

Jojoba oil

(Picture source: Wikipedia)
When you think of the word ‘oil’, a greasy feeling probably comes to mind. You would not even think of applying it onto your skin – even more so if you have oily skin. It is only after testing out and understanding the properties of this multipurpose oil that many change their perception of it.

Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) oil is odourless, golden yellow in colour and penetrates the skin rapidly to nourish it. The oil is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant. It is used as a carrier oil and in many cosmetic products as its texture is close to sebum - the oil your body secretes. Jojoba oil has an indefinite shelf life even when stored at room temperature.

By itself, it is an excellent moisturiser. Instead of leaving the skin oily, it softens and moisturises mature, sensitive and dry skin. C'est Naturel always recommends jojoba oil to those with inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis as it has healing properties. It also helps control acne and oily skin.

As jojoba oil balances oil production, it is helpful for both skin and hair. It conditions, renews and protects the hair. It is even known to have the ability to stimulate hair growth! C’est Naturel uses jojoba oil in its customisation of facial oils, scalp tonics, salt scrubs and massage oils. Jojoba oil is also found in a number of our ready made products:

1. Body glows
2. Hydrating Face Cream
3. Hair Detangler
4. Lavish Body Balm
5. Comfort Hand & Nail Cream
6. Foot Nourisher

Shea Butter

(Picture source: Wikipedia)
Shea butter is obtained from the Karite tree. The dry savannah areas in Africa are home to the Karite tree, which produces the shea nut as its fruit. The trees begin to bear fruit when it reaches about 20 years of age, and continues to do for another 250 years. The seed of the nut is extracted and then sun dried, before they are crushed to draw its oils - shea butter.

Shea butter is widely used in cosmetics for its moisturizing properties. It is known for its capabilities to heal scars and wounds. Skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis can be relieved as well. Shea butter not only moisturizes, it is able to combat wrinkles by regenerating cells with the presence of vitamins A and E. Another component in shea butter, cinnamic acid, naturally acts as a defense against ultraviolet rays.

C'est Naturel carries several items containing shea butter:
1. Body whips
2. Ultimate Body Lotion
3. Lavish Body Balm