http://media.belliskincare.com/Safe Skincare SpotlightCopyright 2010, BelliPRESSfeed Co. http://www.press-feed.comSat, 13 Mar 2010 05:24:32 GMTen-ushttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssThe average human hand has anywhere from 10 thousand to 10 million bacteria sitting on the surface. The number jumps even higher after coming into contact with dirty diapers. For new moms, regular hand washing and scrubbing is important, but you're not always near a sink with soap and running water. For those times, hand sanitizers are an excellent way to keep your hands clean and hygienic. Most hand sanitizers use ethyl alcohol as the active ingredient, which is very drying to the skin. They tend to leave behind a sticky residue with a medicinal smell. During pregnancy and directly after having a child, a new mom can experience very dry skin. Typical dryness can be minimized with the correct skin care routine. It is important to avoid drying products and also to moisturize regularly. Because of this, it is recommended that you avoid drying products such as hand sanitizer products that use ethyl alcohol as the active ingredient.http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141690Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141690You can address pregnancy acne safely with lactic acid-- an ingredient that is naturally found in the body. Lactic acid works by cleaning out the dead skin cells and oil (sebum) that clog the facial pores and result in bacterial overgrowth. With unclogged pores the bacteria are less likely to flourish, preventing the start of pregnancy acne.http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141660Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141660Expecting moms will hear from their OB-GYNs that pregnancy for every woman is unique, including how it impacts their skin. Not all women suffer from the same pregnancy-related skin care issues. For example, many women suffer from pregnancy acne due to increased hormone levels in the body. This can be a sensitive issue because often pregnant women have self-esteem issues due to their bodies are undergoing so much change during pregnancy. A case of pregnancy acne definitely does not help matters. Some pregnant moms consider chemical peels to treat their pregnancy acne. Chemical peels come in several varieties and contain one or more keratolytics chemicals that soften the epidermis, unclog pores, and remove layers of dead skin cells. Many of the commonly available keratolytics (such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid) have questionable links to birth defects in published medical studies. Over-the-counter spot treatments (like Benzoyl Peroxide) can be helpful in treating occasional acne but many mothers question if they're safe to use during pregnancy. http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141631Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141631If you read the back of shampoo and conditioner bottles, you will realize that most hair care brands have parabens. Though parabens are quite commonly found in beauty and skincare products, it is recommended that pregnant women avoid products containing parabens during their pregnancy. It is best to check if the product you are using during pregnancy is teratology screened. Teratology screening helps ensure you are using the safest known ingredients during pregnancy, from any source. It eliminates ingredients with links to birth defects in published medical studies, and replaces them with safer choices instead.http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141591Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141591In a previous article, we talk about natural vs. unnatural ingredients, and about the fact that many are mislead into thinking that because something is natural, it is "safe". On the other hand, an equal amount of consumers see a long, complicated and "unnatural" sounding ingredient and wrongly believe that it might be unsafe. This is not true. In fact, when creating safe pregnancy skin care products, certain amounts of "unnatural ingredients" can be added (as say a preservative), and that ingredient poses no risk to a mother or her baby. This article covers: Ceteareth-20 and PEG-100 Stearate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Phenoxyethanol, and Tocopheryl Acetate.http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141553Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141553This week the CDC announced that there could be another way of H1N1 i.e., the swine flu, to hit. As a preventative measure, many OB-GYN’s are suggesting that expectant moms get the vaccine, especially since it is now more available than it was when the outbreak first hit. Moms-to-be have weakened immune systems and are therefore naturally more susceptible to H1N1 and seasonal influenza.http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141517Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141517While most pregnant moms have been concerned about what they eat and consumers as a whole are becoming more educated about reading their food labels, there is still a lot of misinformation around skincare and those products that contain safe ingredients during pregnancy even though ingredients in your skincare products can pass through the skin into the bloodstream. So why aren't new and expecting moms thinking about safe ingredients during pregnancy when they're shopping the beauty aisle? Many new moms and moms-to-be are also under the impression that "All Natural' means safe, when it doesn't. And, actually, when it comes to pregnancy skin care, "organic" doesn't necessarily mean safe either. New and expecting moms should be aware that a natural/organic label, does not guarantee safety. In fact, some of the strongest allergens and poisons in the world come from plants. And, many natural, organically grown ingredients have been proven in research studies to be harmful during pregnancy. http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141481Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141481For new moms, one of the biggest challenges is getting their pre-pregnancy body and skin back. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but it definitely takes its toll on a woman’s skin. From stretch marks to sagging skin, new moms face many skincare challenges. This article covers some skincare tips to getting your body back on track, in addition to a healthy diet and exercise regime.http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141439Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141439Record breaking cold temperatures coupled with typical pregnancy-related skin issues can create very dehydrated and an itchy skin pregnancy for moms-to-be. Most women will experience dry, itchy skin at some point during their pregnancy. Itching caused by dry skin (xerosis) tends to be worse in the winter months. The itching is more common over tightly stretched areas of skin, such as the abdomen, in the later trimesters. It is vital for women to exfoliate and moisturize frequently to eliminate the itchy skin pregnancy irritation and dehydration. http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141408Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=141408While many women love the natural “glow” they have during pregnancy, others may not be so lucky. Pregnancy is known to come along with vast hormonal changes which can often wreak havoc on the skin. From acne to chloasma â€" otherwise known as the “pregnancy mask” â€" pregnant women often find themselves in need of skincare products that can tackle these concerns safely and effectively. http://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=140755Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMThttp://media.belliskincare.com/spotlight.php?include=140755