Caren's Blog

What’s In Your Hydrosol?

2012-04-20T14:43:00.000-05:00

You may have come across the word “hydrosol” while shopping for skincare. But what is a hydrosol, and why do you need it? Hydrosols – also called floral waters, hydroflorates, flower waters, and distillates – are obtained from plants through the process of steam distillation. The steam distillation releases the fragrant oil from the plant, and the oil and water then separate. The resulting

Let's Talk Sunscreen!

2012-04-15T15:15:00.003-05:00

It’s only April but it’s been unseasonably warm and sunny here in the Midwest; which means that it’s that time of year again when we need to be thinking about protecting our skin from too much sun exposure. Did you notice how I said from “too much” sun exposure? Doctors, cosmetic companies and well meaning people would have us believe that all sun exposure is bad, but I’m here to tell you, the

What the Heck is a Toner Anyway?

2012-03-27T20:24:00.001-05:00

We have all probably used it at one time or another and we’re pretty sure we know what it’s for. But, do we really? Let’s explore exactly what toner is and the purpose of it’s use. Even though many of us often skip this step, using a toner is very beneficial and is actually important to include in a healthy skincare regimen. The What... Toner is most commonly used as an astringent.

Getting to the Root of Adult Acne

2011-09-18T15:13:00.001-05:00

Itʼs frustrating, isnʼt it: having acne as a grown woman when you thought you shouldʼve “been there, done that” as a teenager.Treating acne topically helps to deal with what is going on on the surface, but the root cause is usually much deeper. Even antibiotics have side effects that can cause other imbalances in your body over time, and may even backfire in the long term when it comes to acne.

Does This "Official" Nutrition Advice Make Your Hiney Look Fat?

2011-04-30T16:31:00.000-05:00

The “official” USDA dietary guidelines, released as a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and the Department of Health and Human Services, make a splash every five years when they are updated based on the most recent research. This past month was no exception.The new USDA dietary guidelines offer a great starting point to talk about how you can become wiser with your

Beauty is NOT Only Skin Deep

2011-04-15T23:09:00.000-05:00

“Beauty is only skin deep...”: Whoever said that was a bit misinformed.Beauty bubbles up from the inside out and gets impacted from the outside in as well.Itʼs easy to forget that skin is our largest organ. It breathes, protects, and adorns us. Its condition reflects the total exposure we have to both the internal and external elements of our lives.Letʼs start with the external. The sun, wind,

Natural Anti-Cellulite Ingredients

2011-02-23T09:46:00.001-06:00

As the weather begins to warm and we begin to show a bit more skin, one thing we hate to display cellulite. That’s right, the dimply skin (or orange peel) commonly found on our hips and thighs. And while approximately 90% of adult women have it no matter what their weight, none of us wants it.So what is it and why are women mainly affected? Cellulite is fat deposits and fluid retained in the

Boot Camp, Yoga, Meditation? How Do You Get Fit?

2011-02-11T10:51:00.001-06:00

This is the time of year when, even thought completely covered most of the time, we begin to put some thought into our bodies. And for most of us this is from a more aesthetic point of view, than health conscious.The holidays are long gone, but our eating and exercise habits may be stuck in the same old rut. And with that brings thicker middles, sagging (ahem) areas, and an overall lack of energy

Help for Keratosis Pilaris

2011-01-30T09:37:00.001-06:00

Chicken skin? Nope, keratosis pilaris. Either you, or someone you know, likely battles this common skin condition. Kp shows up as patches of rough, bumpy, sometimes red skin usually on upper arms, thighs, buttocks and cheeks. A buildup of keratin -- a hard protein found in skin, hair, and nails that protects from harmful substances and infection – forms a plug, blocking the opening of the hair

Coffee or Tea?

2011-01-24T14:49:00.001-06:00

You may love both, but most of us have pledged our allegiance to one or the other. Whether you are a coffee-lover or a tea-drinker, they both have their shining attributes where beauty and health are concerned. Let’s take a look.Coffee, aside from its obvious attributes of inducing alertness and energy, also appears to give your brain a boost. Of course, we are talking coffee WITH caffeine here,

Nail It! Naturally Beautiful Nails

2010-11-15T11:54:00.000-06:00

We treat our skin and hair differently during dry weather months. Nails too need extra hydration and care when it gets cooler outside. When nails dry out they are more prone to breakage, splitting, and torn cuticles. Here are some easy steps to beautiful nails all fall/winter long.As with skin, hydrating from the inside out is a great starting point for keeping nails healthy. Drinking plenty of

Natural Anxiety Management

2010-10-16T14:36:00.001-05:00

Just when I think I have everything under control, here it comes…ANXIETY!Yes, it happens to all of us, some more than others. It may be something specific (public speaking, heights) that cause our palms to sweat, our mouths to get dry, and our heart to thump a bit harder. Or it may be seemingly nothing at all.Anxiety IS caused by something. It doesn’t just happen. But it does not have to be a

Thriving and Surviving the Fall Season

2010-10-07T18:43:00.001-05:00

Summer is officially over; fall is here. I love the cool breezes, sweaters and jeans, and hot coffee instead of iced. I just love this time of year!But I've discovered that I'm feeling a little out of whack lately. Is the change of season to blame?Even though the cooler weather has just begun. I have already noticed that my skin is more dry, including my hands, and I feel more absent-minded and

Ghee, That’s Delicious

2010-09-30T12:36:00.000-05:00

It is time to get some ghee in your diet, and if you like butter you will love it. Ghee (comes from the Sanskrit ghrta meaning “sprinkled”) is a class of clarified butter that originated in South Asia, and is widely used in Indian and Asian cuisine for its health benefits. But aren’t we supposed to avoid butter for a healthy diet? A small amount of healthy fat is important in daily diet for

The Green Shows

2010-09-21T09:44:00.000-05:00

The Answer for Skin products had a great time at last week’s Green Shows during New York Fashion Week. Just wish they would have taken us along. This week let’s recap the Green Shows, in case you didn’t get to see them. There were some pretty amazing designers there, showing off their eco-friendly creations. Auralis Herrero-Lugo. We told you about this incredible eco-designer last week – our

The Answer Goes to NYFW

2010-09-14T15:08:00.000-05:00

Exciting news here at Caren Online – The Answer Goes to New York Fashion Week.That’s right The Answer for Skin products were wrapped up and sent to New York as an addition to the swag bags as part of the Auralis Herrero-Lugo show. Auralis is a sustainable designer who creates eco garments made from organic bamboo, soy, and cotton. Beautiful pieces with a definite Puerto Rico meets The Big Apple

Jojoba Oil for Healthy Skin

2010-09-10T09:14:00.001-05:00

Take a look in your bathroom cupboard and you will likely find several items with Jojoba oil (aka Simmondsia chinensis) listed in the label. This is because Jojoba oil is excellent at providing light, easily absorbed moisture that matches most skin types.Jojoba (pronounced "hō-hō'-bə") oil is extracted from the bean found inside the olive-shaped fruit from the jojoba plant. This shrub-like plant

Help for Summer Colds

2010-09-01T18:11:00.001-05:00

Is it a long-running allergy season, or a cold? It seems once school starts up in the fall, the kid’s allergies kick up in full force. But is it really allergies, or have they already picked up a virus at school?We are already seeing sore throat, ear aches, and stuffy noses and the usual allergy remedies are not touching the stuff. Must be an end of summer cold.Somehow a cold in summer-style

Lovely Lavender

2010-08-21T09:15:00.001-05:00

Who doesn’t love lavender? Its light, flowery fragrance just never gets old. While skin care manufacturers have over-done the use of lavender as a means of creating a “natural-smelling” product, truly pure lavender oil is always an aromatic and effective treatment.The lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia) is a member of the mint family and includes 39 species. The purple flowering plant is

Supplements, Good or Bad?

2010-08-06T18:44:00.001-05:00

The more studies done on vitamin and mineral supplements the more questions raised. Do calcium supplements really increase a woman’s risk of heart attack? Should we all be taking Vitamin D supplements to make up for the deficiency sunscreens have caused?Of course, people with specific health concerns should be careful what supplements they take. But how good are they for the rest of us?Of course

Beat the Summer Heat

2010-07-29T12:34:00.001-05:00

It has been hot all over, and summer heat can do more than raise your temperature. Higher temps can cause dehydration, dry skin and hair, irritability and even digestive issues.In Ayurveda they call summer the Pitta season, meaning it is associated with the same elements as a Pitta dosha – fire and water. This is why those of us with a predominant Pitta dosha sometimes feel more exasperated in

Happy Foods!

2010-07-05T10:16:00.001-05:00

I know what you are thinking, foods that cause happiness surely have to be cake, cookies, donuts, and caffeinated beverages. And this may be true temporarily, but the after effect is usually the opposite – tired and cranky. And eating these not-so-healthy snacks actually cause us to crave, you guessed it, more of the same. Indulging regularly can cause such negative effects on health as obesity,

Ingredient Focus: Elemi

2010-07-01T08:11:00.001-05:00

Though the name may not sound familiar, you may have already used a product containing this essential oil. Elemi (EL-uh-mee) may not be a common household name for most of us, but this essential oil has a long history of use in skincare and other medicinal treatments and is considered one of the most overlooked natural anti-aging ingredients.Elemi essential oil (Canarium luzonicum, or C. commune)

Extracts Blast Breast Cancer Cells

2010-06-27T14:54:00.000-05:00

Check out this peachy keen news on breast cancer! Recent studies conducted by AgriLife Research, part of Texas A&M University, on breast cancer cells using a new form of treatment had some very interesting results. This trial therapy killed even the most aggressive cancer cells. What is this miracle treatment? Peaches and plums.That’s right, the fruits. Breast cancer cells died after being

Summer Hair Care Guide

2010-06-17T08:08:00.001-05:00

We protect our skin with sunscreen, hats, or clothing – but what about our hair? The summer sun, pool water and sea salt can all damage our locks.Stiff, dry, straw-like hair does not have to be an essential element of summer. We have gathered a few tips, tricks, and natural remedies to keep your mane soft, healthy, and gorgeous for summer and beyond.Less is More Washing can dry hair out. If hair