I don’t know if you are as confused as I was before about why sea salt began appearing in skincare and beauty products all around me— all of a sudden. The first image that popped into my mind was companies adding table salt into my skincare products—a selling point for me. Wasn’t too much salt supposed to be bad for you? It is supposed to cause bloating, water retention, high blood pressure and other health problems.  How it is supposed to be good for for your skin?

Table Salt

After some research, I realized that I was confusing table salt (refined salt) with sea salt (unrefined salt). In simple terms, the two salts are made up of sodium chloride; the major difference between sea salt and table salt is that table salt is made up of 99.9% of sodium chloride, while sea salt is 98% sodium chloride. In sea salt, the remaining 2% is made of other important minerals like iron, sulfur, magnesium and other trace elements. Basically, table salt is chemically treated and sea salt is natural.

Sea Salt

So what does this mean?

According to Buzzle.com, it means that the sea salt extracted from sea water contains minerals that are needed by our bodies in order to function optimally and maintain a balance in mineral content. There are many benefits to the natural potassium, calcium, and magnesium that sea salt contains.

Potassium helps regulate and balance the moisture level of the skin, and also provides energy to the body. It also helps relax muscles and relieve stiffness. Calcium not only strengthens bones, but also prevents the retention of water and increases circulation. Magnesium fights the retention of fluids and also helps to fight stress. Moreover, it has a calming effect on the nervous system and helps in slowing down the aging of skin.

Earlier this year, back when it was cooler in San Francisco in the spring, Marie Louise launched exclusively at the soft opening of Coco Spa.  It was an exclusive and intimate party full of the close friends, family, and clients of Coco Pai.  But on this rainy evening, anyone could see how professional and successful of an esthetician Coco is from the amount of people who showed up on that wet evening at the new swanky spa located in the penthouse loft of Union Square.  It’s a one-stop shop, with full facial, waxing, massage, laser removal services and more services all located within the same beautiful penthouse suite.

With over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, head esthetician of one of the most renown spas in a 5-star hotel in San Francisco, Coco Pai has just recently launched Coco Spa, and is offering free personal in-depth skin consultation services, facials, waxing, at reasonable prices.  She is also exclusively providing Marie Louise facials, using its products exclusively to give her clients a gentle, soothing, yet effective treatment.

For more information, please visit www.cocospasf.com or call 650.576.7222, and mention that you heard about her spa from Beauty Essentials.

Well, amidst the blockbuster movies that came out this weekend like Inception and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice was a small, quiet one called To Age or Not To Age. Sure it didn’t have huge special effects and an amazing soundtrack (seriously loving “Secrets” by One Republic from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) but it brought up the #1 beauty issue for women –  aging.

The documentary film features various scientists in the field of anti-aging research at Harvard, MIT, Cambridge and other research centers who are looking into the possibility of living forever using current scientific experiments.  Here are some of the film highlights:

• Some of these scientists claim the genes that control aging can be altered to give us more time
• In the future, we may see FDA-approved drugs that can actually slow aging itself
• Scientists have been experimenting with a natural extract found in the skin of red grapes called “Resveratrol” can be used to retain a youthful complexion since it appears to stimulate the skin’s “repair mechanisms”

The fascinating theme of the movie isn’t whether it’s scientifically possible but what the ramifications are for living forever. Questions like who would benefit from this medical breakthrough? And moral questions like just because we could prevent aging, does that mean we should?

I wish I could look like I was 19 again (that was a FANTASTIC age for me) but I wonder if I’m happier now that I’m in my 30’s and finally comfortable in my own skin (pun totally intended).

What do you think? Would you want to reverse the aging process? Or are you happy with the way you look now?

Beauty World, Japan

From being in Asia, speaking with estheticians and makeup artists there, as well as looking around at the trade show, shops and simply people-watching, we wanted to share some of the makeup tips and beauty trends that we found– some we can use in our daily lives, some are just… interesting.

The Power of Brown. Globally, women are becoming stronger, more independent professionals, successful in their respective careers.  But despite our ‘strong’ capabilities, we don’t necessary want to look like women who will eat men alive all the time.  In Asia especially, I was advised to ’soften’ my look by swapping out the black eyebrow pencil, black eyeliner, and black mascara I use, to only brown.  Since then, I have actually gotten several compliments– give it a try.

BB = Blemish Balm. BB = Blemish Balm. If you are ‘in the know’ of Asian trends, you have probably heard of the new fad of “bb creams” by now.  For those who are not familiar, become familiar!  Varying from brand to brand, this cream will be your new BBF since it generally moisturizes, has SPF protection, brightening/ whitening benefits, and sometimes anti-aging properties as a bonus– all the while it covers up all your–surprise surprise– blemishes.  Slightly thicker than a tinted moisturizer, if you should the right shade, this goes on much more naturally, giving you a finished look without looking like you caked on makeup.  While I have been using BB creams since a couple years back, I had never known that this cream originated in Korea, with Korean celebrities who needed to cover their scars from the ever-so-common plastic surgery and invasive procedures.

“Doey” Eyes. This is not a new concept—if anything, in Social Psych 101, we learn that it is people are generally attracted to facial features that resemble that of a baby.  Eyes are no different; it seems the bigger the eyes, the more attractive.  This is no different in Asia, despite the infamous stereotype of “Asian” eyes.  If anything, it’s all the more impressive out there.  It’s no longer just about one layer of double eye-lid tape, or even fake eyelashes; girls out there have perfected techniques using even THREE layers of fake eyelashes to complete their look or using the power of colored contacts or pupil-enlarging contacts.

The 'after' make up half of this girls' face (the other side is the 'before')...

Check out this video of a variety show in Taiwan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3ImaaS2-MY&feature=player_embedded.  The show is in Chinese, but trust me, you won’t need to understand what is said to be able to appreciate the comparison of half of a made up face compared to their ‘natural’ look.  To skip the intro, scroll to about 3 min 18 seconds… and prepare to be amazed.

Stay tuned for more Asian beauty trends!

A 10% increase in indoor tanning prices has now gone into effect this month as part of President Obama’s new health care plan in helping to reduce skin cancer. Data from the Centers for Disease Control show that for every 10% price increase, cigarette consumption drops by 3-4% among adults and 6-8% among young people.

According to the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC), indoor tanners are 74% more likely to develop melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) from the tanning bed’s UV rays than non-tanners. The IARC along with the World Health Organization (WHO) moved tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category, labeling them “carcinogenic to humans.” Nearly 30 million Americans hit the tanning beds each year and about 2.3 million of these people are teenagers.

So what do you think of this new tax?

Do you think it’s fair?

Do you think it’ll actually decrease/prevent indoor tanners or is the tax too minimal an amount to make a difference?

We’d love to know your thoughts so let us know by posting a comment below and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win one (1) Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel, our dual-purpose makeup remover/facial cleanser (approximate retail value $57).

Enter to win by submitting a comment below (please answer the contest questions above or submit your own comments) and make sure to leave a valid first and last name and e-mail address so we can properly contact you if you’re a winner.

Contest STARTS on Monday, July 5^th @ 12:01am Eastern Time (“ET”) and ENDS on Wednesday, July 7th @ 11:59 PM ET.

No purchase necessary. One entry per person/e-mail address. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (void in Puerto Rico, Guam, and other U.S Commonwealth & Territories) who are 18 years of age at the date of entry.
Click here for official contest rules

In a new joint study released by Allure and GQ magazines, 1000 men and 1000 women ages 18-64 were surveyed on their beauty and grooming habits.

The results are pretty surprising:

• 93% of men say the term “metrosexual’ is offensive and dated
• Compared to 10 years ago, 72% of men felt more pressure to care more about their appearance while 78% of women agreed
• Men spent $121 on grooming products while women spent an average of $194 on beauty products
• Men used an average of 11 grooming products in their daily routine while women used 16 beauty products
• Men spend 22 minutes on their grooming regiment  while women spend 29 minutes on their beauty regiment

So there you have it ladies…as much as your man nags you on why you take forever getting ready, you now know that he takes as much time trying to look good as you. Seems like nowadays men are realizing the importance of making an effort to look good and are taking a greater interest in beauty and grooming.

Not that we’re complaining – it’s nice to know that guys are taking an equal stance with us on the importance of looking good.

Just don’t call them metrosexuals…

But when does tanning become an addiction where you are obsessed with tanning ALL the time?

According to a recent NY Times article, 70% of indoor tanners are addicted to tanning. The University of Texas in Galveston conducted a study in which 2 tests of substance abuse were administered to 145 tanners on Galveston Island Beach. One test used was the CAGE test often used to identify alcohol addiction. CAGE  is an acronym for four questions: Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your tanning? Have people annoyed you by criticizing your tanning? Have you ever felt guilty about tanning? Have you ever felt you needed to tan first thing in the morning — as an eye opener? The test results found that 26% of beachgoers met the CAGE criteria for addiction.

The second test was a modified version of the psychiatric profession’s official diagnostic criteria for a substance abuse disorder where 53% of the respondents scored positive.

In another report in The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, motivational factors for tanning addiction include:

• Positive appearance from tanning
• Mood enhancement (pleasure-giving endorphins released from the sun)
• Relaxation
• Socialization

The study also asserts that frequent tanners showed signs of both physiological and psychological dependence, which are linked to cigarette smoking and heavy drinking.

So just a heads up to all you indoor tanners and beach-goers this summer, please remember to not only use sunscreen at all times but to also curb your tanning sessions. As much as you think how fabulous you look tanned, melanoma is not a cute look.

For a quick visual on the importance of preservatives in cosmetics, check this short video, compliments of the Council (The Personal Care Products Council).

Notice the rapid mold contamination on the beauty product on the right vs. the one on the left which has preservatives! Ewwww…..

Here’s a quick glance at Preservatives 101:

What are Preservatives?

A preservative is a natural or synthetic ingredient that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals and personal care products to prevent spoilage, whether from microbial growth or undesirable chemical changes.

How do Preservatives work?

Antimicrobials (ingredients that protects products from the growth of microorganisms) prevents the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria and keeps products from becoming rancid and developing black spots (remember the video?).

Why are Preservatives important in cosmetics/beauty products?

Preservatives are needed to prevent product damage caused by microorganisms and to protect the product from further contamination. Without preservatives, cosmetic products (like food) can become contaminated, leading to product spoilage and can cause irritation or infections for the consumer.

So there you have it, ladies…preservatives are essential to all your beauty products so don’t be fooled by the urban legend about preservatives being “bad” for your skin.

To learn more about safety in your cosmetics, check out: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/

Skin types are one thing. Skin conditions are something else entirely…

Moisturizing is essential to keeping skin looking young and healthy

Skin conditions are the things that create wrinkles, produce age spots and change skin texture. There’s a lot to think about—so much, in fact, that over the next several weeks we’ll be writing up explanations on each skin condition, what triggers it and what you can do to prevent or minimize it.

Sensitive versus Sensitized
People are born with sensitive skin. A variety of factors cause sensitized skin, including using products that are too harsh or extreme weather conditions (such as high winds, extreme dryness or extreme cold), among others.

Dry versus Dehydrated
Dry skin needs more oil. Dehydrated skin needs more water. Either way, it’s a balancing act. Too much of one throws skin into a flaky, itchy state or triggers too much oil production which can lead to breakouts.

Oily versus Acne
Oily skin produces too much oil. It can be caused by hormonal changes, using products that are too harsh or aggressive exfoliation. Acne is a medical condition that requires a doctor’s attention. If you experience monthly or semi-frequent breakouts and treat it like acne, you can cause sensitized skin, even more oil production or even lay the foundation for fine lines and wrinkles.

Get the skinny on your skin
Only an esthetician or dermatologist can tell you what’s really going on with your skin. If you want healthy, younger looking skin, see a skin professional such as a dermatologist or esthetician. Doing it your self in the drug store or having a sales person do it in a department store can lead to unpleasant results.

Moisturizing is essential to keeping skin looking young and healthy

Skin needs to maintain an even moisture-balance to be healthy. It’s simple: Not enough water and skin gets dehydrated. Not enough oil and skin becomes dry, flaky and itchy.

Dehydration—a lack of moisture—can be due to age, weather, environmental conditions, diet and nutrition. It’s also a leading cause of fine lines and other signs of skin aging. Dryness, on the other hand, is a lack of oil. When skin’s dry, it wants to create more oil, which can then lead to breakouts.

Here’s how you can make sure you’re moisturizing properly:

Use a moisturizing toner.
Most people think toner is just another excuse for someone to sell you something you don’t need. Actually, toner is a really important step in proper hydration. It creates a layer of hydration that’s sealed into the skin by the moisturizer.

Use products with hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Hyaluronic acid holds 1000 times its molecular weight in water. Ceramides reduce water loss by creating a barrier that protects against evaporation.

Seek out products that use nanotechnology.
Yes, products using nanotechnology may be more expensive, but it’s worth the investment. Nanotechnology makes a product molecule small enough to penetrate the skin, instead of sitting on top of it. This means ingredients get to where skin needs it most and give you the best possible result.

Use products with nanotechnology to get ingredients where they can give the best possible result.

Know which type of moisturizer your skin needs.
Most consumers use moisturizers that don’t offer enough hydration. That’s what happens when we try to figure out which moisturizer is ‘right’ for our own skin.

Ask a skin care professional for a recommendation on which type of moisturizer is best suited for your skin

Only a trained skin care professional can tell you whether your skin is dry, dehydrated or a combination of both. They can recommend products and treatments to help rebalance skin and minimize the appearance of skin aging.

Drink lots of water.
Seriously. Drink at least 64 ounces of water each day. You’ll feel better, and your skin’s appearance will improve.