Chella Insight

ACNE ABC's

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

June is Acne Awareness Month (although, I’m pretty sure most of us are plenty aware of acne more often than just in June!), so here are a few Chellá acne fighting ideas.

Angst, Bacteria and Clogged pores are just a few of the ABC causes of acne in both adults and teen-agers.

Angst: While stress doesn’t directly cause acne break-outs, it can trigger the release of certain hormones that can cause break-outs. Severe hormonally driven acne may require the attention of a medical professional. Making an appointment for personalized skincare is usually your best bet to fight overwhelming acne.

Bacteria: The number one culprit in causing occasional acne breakouts is bacteria. There are a plethora of opportunities for bacteria to infect our skin pores, ranging from contaminated skin care and cosmetics to environmental exposure to soot, smog and car exhaust. While it is important to keep your skin clean, over cleansing may cause overly dry and irritated skin. Our skin produces a natural oil called sebum which moisturizes and protects delicate skin cells, but excess sebum can provide a cozy home for bacteria.

While our skin is designed to fight bacteria on its own, extreme bacterial attacks require additional help. Salicylic acid is the number one prescribed topical acne remedy, but can often cause drying and irritation which in turn can cause more breaks-outs. Natural Willowbark extract has been found to kill as much as 99% of the bacteria that salicylic acid kills but does it gently and does not irritate the skin. Chella’s Micro Exfoliating Cleanser with Willowbark extract keeps the bacterial level in your skin at a minimum and is so gentle you can use it twice a day!

Clogged Pores: Our facial skin pores are a delicate bunch and can easily become clogged by make-up, dead skin cells and excess sebum (naturally produced oil). Chella’s Micro Exfoliating Cleanser with Willowbark ‘s gentle jojoba beads acts as a gentle exfoliating ingredient, lovingly whisking excess sebum, dirt dead skin cells and other pore blocking material away from your skin.

Washing your face is an important step in preventing pore blockage, but on occasion, further steps need to be taken to unclog those pores. There are many facial masks on the market that can assist in unclogging and deep cleaning your pores, but be certain to only use them as directed so you, again, don’t run the risk of over stripping the essential oils that protect your skin or cause your skin to become irritated by harsh and aggressive over-use. Chella’s Exfoliation and Detoxification Mask Combo is the perfect 1-2 punch to unclogging your pores gently and thoroughly.

Chella’s Enzyme Formula Exfoliating Crema Mask with Lactic Acid & Sugar Cane is a creamy, gentle mask that combines enzymes that exfoliate dead cells and excess sebum from the skin and encourage cell turnover for more radiant, even toned and younger looking skin. This mask is gentle enough for use on sensitive skin or skin with acne or rosacea.
Chella’s Balancing Clay Mask with Hectorite Clay & Copper is a non-drying clay mask that combines calming and hydrating minerals that work synergistically to draw out toxins and impurities, refine pores and leave skin clean, balanced and younger looking. This clay mask is an excellent spot treatment on blemishes.

So, even though the calendar says “June” , you now have the tools you need to fight acne every day of the year!

SPF 101

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

It’s that time of year again. It seems like every beauty blog, news article and co-worker starts talking about sunscreens and sun protection as soon as the weather starts warming up, but smart Chellá Bellas know that sunscreen is a year ‘round beauty must-have!

Here are a couple of sunscreen facts that you really need to know:

Sunscreen Myth #1: One plus one equals two~

Layering SPF products does not give you more protection. Simply layering foundation with SPF 10 over a moisturizer with SPF 15 does not equal a total SPF of 25. You will only receive the higher level of protection applied, so in this case, you would only be receiving a SPF 15 protection.

Sunscreen Myth #2: Booth is Better~

Getting your glow on in the booth is definitely not a safe alternative to broiling at the beach! Indoor tanning booths utilize UVB and UVA radiation which is just as harmful as being exposed to the bright sun outdoors. You can get serious UVA carcinogenic damage in a tanning booth upping your exposure to cancerous results! Ten minutes in a tanning bed is equal to getting a full day of unprotected sun exposure and there are some awesome self tanners on the market right now!

We are exposed to the sun all day long and starting with a Chellá Morning Crema with SPF 15 or SPF 25 is the essential first step in your beauty routine. Depending on your exposure to the sun (say a trip to the beach or a morning in the garden), you may find you will need additional SPF to fully protect all your exposed skin.

Check out an earlier post on sunscreen info at http://chella.com/blog/post/the_sunscreen_myth

Chella is Officially "A Little More Beautiful"

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PDT

We all strive to be "a little more beautiful" whether in our thoughts, words, deeds... or appearance, so it was so much fun to read how the editor at A Little More Beautiful noticed a "major difference" in her skin after using Chella's Balancing Clay Mask with Hectorite Clay & Copper! Read her review of Chella's Balancing Clay Mask with Hectorite Clay & Copper and to sign up for a fabulous beauty blog filled with articles, reviews and beauty tips!

The Chella Balancing Clay Mask with Hectorite Clay & Copper is a non-drying mask formulated with a combination of calming and hydrating ingredients that work synergistically to draw out toxins and impurities, refine pores and leave skin clean, balanced and younger looking. In addition, this clay mask is perfect when used as a spot treatment on blemishes.

The Chella Balancing Clay Mask with Hectorite Clay & Copper and The Chella Enzyme Formula Exfoliating Crema Mask with Lactic Acid & Sugar Cane are the ultimate one-two punch against dry, lifeless skin. Click here (insert link to mask combo product site) to read how these masks offer outstanding results when used in tandem!

BEAUTY JUNKIES UNITE is "Currently Loving" Chella Anti-Aging Formula SPF 25 Morning Crema

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PDT

In the world of Beauty Blogs, BEAUTY JUNKIES UNITE is one of the most popular and respected blogs out there. In a fabulous article on the importance of the daily use of sunscreen, BEAUTY JUNKIES UNITE wrote ...

"I am absolutely loving Chella's Anti-Aging Formula SPF 25 Morning Crema right now. This is a matte-finish moisturizer that still provides superior hydration...I have experienced absolutely nothing but positive effects from the SPF 25 Morning Crema"

To read more about how much BEAUTY JUNKIES UNITE is loving Chella's Morning Crema SPF 25, go to http://www.beautyjunkiesunite.com/WP/2009/04/09/currently-loving-chella-anti-aging-formula-spf-25-morning-crema/ and sign up for their awesome Beauty Blog while you're there.

Peptides and Their Immense Potential in Skin Care

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PDT

We're never one to say "We told you so", but at Chellá, we do like to pass on verification of the claims we make about our wonderful skin care line!

From our very beginning, we formulated Chellá Cremas and Serum with cutting edge peptides. At the time, very few skin care companies used peptides in their formulations, but we had the scientific proof that peptides worked wonders to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen and elastin . In fancy schmancy scientific terms, peptides are amino chains which signal for or modulate the majority of natural processes in the body.

A current article in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology says peptides also have the ability act as an assistor in the delivery process of rejuvenating and anti-aging properties. In essence, peptides increase the penetration of the Cremas into your skin allowing for better absorption of the anti-aging ingredients in our formulations. The article closes by saying, "Looking to the future, in addition to improving the bioavailability of such ingredients and widening their actions, the study authors predict formulators will start combining more than one peptide in the same product." ..Oh yeah, by the way, we're doing that already!

At Chellá, we will continue to stay right on the cutting edge of technology to bring you the best and most effective anti-aging products! And we can back that claim up!

A Smart New Year's Resolution? Sloughing Off The Old

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

By Kimberly Kolodziejski

At this time of year, most of us think about getting rid of all that was forgettable or downright awful about last year. A quick poll of those around me says that the purge list will be longer this year than last, but sloughing off those upsetting things are sometimes easier said than done.

Are you ready for some sloughing that will make you look fabulous? Say hello to beautiful skin.

No matter where you live, winter has its way of drying out our skin. Flaky, dull skin is a result of drying heating systems in our homes, offices, retail therapy centers and modes of transportation. We can’t seem to get away from those insidious incinerators that seem to suck every last drop of moisture from our skin, leaving behind flaky, dry skin that can’t just be moisturized away.

To revitalize and hydrate your winter plagued skin, you need to start by eliminating the dry, dead skin cells that are just sitting on the top of your skin. Chella’s Micro Exfoliating Cleanser with jojoba micro-beads and willow bark extract is the perfect solution for gentle yet effective daily cleansing and exfoliating. Used daily in the morning and before bed, the jojoba micro-beads in Chella’s Micro Exfoliating Cleanser gently clear away dry, dead skin cells and leaves your skin radiant and healthy looking. And, because it doesn’t contain harsh detergents, it won’t end up drying your skin out (wasn’t that what we were trying to avoid in the first place?).

In addition, Chella’s Micro Exfoliating Cleanser contains a variety of botanicals such as sugar cane, apple extract and meadowsweet extract to feed and nourish your skin back to a healthy radiance while the willow bark extract works as nature’s salicylic acid that kills acne causing bacteria on your skin.

Elle Magazine - Skin Firming Serum, Eye Crema and neuLash

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Elle Magazine - Skin Firming Serum, Eye Crema and neuLash. Click the image for a closeup.

neuLash featured in Skylights Magazine

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

neuLash was recently featured in Spirit Airline's "Skylights Magazine". Click the image for a closeup.

neuLash featured in Hawaii Bride & Groom

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

neuLash was recently featured on Hawaii Bride & Groom. Click the image for a closeup.

neuLash featured on L.A. Splash Magazine Online

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

neuLash was recently featured on LA Splash Magazine. Click the image for a closeup.

Runway To Retail blogs about neuLash

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

neuLash was recently featured on the popular retailing blog - Runway to Retail. Click the image for a closeup.

TwinCities features neuLash

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Popular luxury and fashion magazine - TwinCities - features neuLash. Click the image for a closeup.

Chella is a Star

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

The Ventura County Star started the New Year by highlighting Chellá Professional Skin Care in their business section. We thought you’d enjoy reading about how Chellá was conceived by ex-Steeler Chris Kolodziejski. Share the enthusiasm that over a hundred readers felt when they rushed to our website and placed an order for Chellá products. How about you … New Year, New You with Chellá Professional Skin Care?

Read the full article here.

A Show of Hands, Skin Care for Your Hands

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT

by Kimberly Kolodzizejski

Wrinkles on your face aren’t the only way nature gives away your age. Your hands can be a more obvious age tattle than you think. Wrinkles, saggy skin and brown spots are all signs that even though the skin on your face looks young and radiant, your hands may be screaming “neglect!”

Sun damage can affect the skin of your hands even more quickly than protected facial skin. While our facial moisturizers should, and most often do, contain the minimum SPF 15 sunscreen, most hand lotions do not. It is essential to apply a lotion with sunblock to your hands if you want to avoid the very same results of sun damage that occurs on your face.

Don’t be afraid to use the same moisturizer you use on your face on your hands when moisturizing your face. Using a mild exfoliating cleanser daily will slough off dead skin cells leaving your hands looking more radiant and feeling smoother and using your weekly lactic acid exfoliator will have the same affect on your hands as it does on your face. Using antioxidant serums and retinol creams can repair much of the damage caused by the sun.

So don’t sit on your hands when it comes to younger looking skin, daily skin care is essential to beautiful skin ~ hands down!

Gotu Kola In Skin Care Products

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT

In our continuing series of ingredients used in our anti-aging skin care products, we explore the misunderstood Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica). Containing no caffeine as its name might suggest, it has been used as skin anti-inflammatory in the East for thousands of years. Gotu Kola contains many nutrients that support the body’s vitality with its vitamins A, B, E and K, and as well as magnesium.

Gotu Koloa also is a source of triterpenoids. Triterpenoida are compounds that have been shown to aid in wound healing and studies show that triterpenoids strengthen the skin, increase the concentration of antioxidants in wounds, and restore inflamed tissues by increasing blood supply. In this regard, Gotu Kola is an excellent ingredient in skin care formulations as an aid in cell reconstruction. With its effect on connective tissue, the synthesis of collagen is enhanced resulting in the thickening of the skin which we know is imperative to combat wrinkles created from thinning skin.

Vitamin D and the Sunscreen Paradox

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT

by Kimberly Kolodziejski (revised 4/30/2009)

To D or not to D … that is the important question surrounding those who avoid the sun like the plague and yet understand Vitamin D’s importance in staving off diseases like bone loss, colon cancer, asthma and multiple sclerosis. The need for Vitamin D is especially important during menopause which puts many women at risk for bone loss.

While much of our body’s absorption of Vitamin D has historically been derived from sun exposure, most people work indoors and have increased the use of sunscreens and their overall avoidance of sun exposure. While sunscreens are a very important preventative measure for many types of skin cancers, the combination of sunscreen use and avoiding the sun has reduced a large portion of our bodies’ essential Vitamin D intake.

So how does this relate to skin care?

Skin cancer is on the rise. The American Academy of Dermatology says the rising skin cancer rates mean Americans need to boost their “D” through diet (with food like Vitamin fortified milk, fish and eggs) and as well as vitamin D supplements rather than through extended exposure to the sun.

The amount of vitamin D which should be assimilated daily should be in the range of 400 to 1000 International Units per day, although for some groups like the elderly or those with darker skin the level may need to be even higher if they are going to get real health benefits. For example, one glass of Vitamin D enriched milk provides 100 IU of Vitamin D and just one tablespoon of cod liver oil povides 1360 IU of vitamin D!

So continue to use sunscreens and moisturizers that contain a minimum of SPF 15, remember that a glass (or two) of milk a day will keep the bone loss away and that a tablespoon of cod live oil helps the Vitamin D go down (apologies to Julie Andrews)!

Sticking Your Neck Out? Skin Care Tips for a More Beautiful Neck

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT

by Kimberly Kolodzizejski

At a particular age, you may notice some very alarming changes to the skin on your neck and upper chest. Often neglected, the skin of our necks becomes noticeably wrinkled and flabby resulting in the not so beautiful descriptions such as “Turkey Neck” or “Crepe Skin”. Reconstruction to the neck is extraordinarily painful as well as costly, so it becomes ever so important to address the problem before it occurs.

Regular exfoliation is imperative to the renewal of skin cells on the neck and face. Exfoliation can be as simple as using a mild daily exfoliating cleanser and using a more intensive exfoliating mask once a week. Follow this exfoliating with a generous application of a daily and nightly deep moisturizer. Sun damage is also a major contributor to wrinkly skin and unwanted dark spots on the neck and face, so your daily moisturizer should contain a minimum SPF 15. Remember that while the skin on your neck is not as sensitive as the skin on your face, you will always want to massage your moisturizer in an upwards motion to avoid further damage to your skin. You may also want to consider applying a sunscreen if you are expecting to be revealing your neck and chest to long periods of sun exposure.

Throw away those scarves and turtlenecks and say hello to a beautiful “Swan Neck” and “Rose Petal” skin with just a little preventative skin care.

Butcher's Broom In Skin Care Products

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT

In this Chella skin care tip, we will look at the natural ingredient Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus), which we use in many of our skin care products as an anti-inflammatory and soothing agent.

Butcher’s Broom got its name when its branches were bundled together and used as a broom. Its medicinal use began some two thousand years ago in Europe when it was utilized mainly as a laxative and diuretic agent as well as for treating urinary, gastrointestinal, and reproductive disorders. Today it is often used in treating cellulite and varicose veins.

When applied topically to the face, Butcher’s Broom acts a powerful strengthening agent in veins and capillaries which in turn relieves puffiness under the delicate skin surrounding the eyes by assisting in the removal of waste material and excess external cellular fluids from the tissue surrounding the eyes. The application of Butcher’s Broom also helps to stimulate circulation in the skin and thereby increasing the firmness and tone of the skin.

Willow Bark Extract In Skin Care Products

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT

In a continuing effort to explain the uses and results of the ingredients used in Chellá products, Willow Bark extract stands out as one of nature’s most effective skin care ingredients.

Known in nature as Salicylic Acid, Willow Bark (Salix Alba) has been used since 500 BC by the Chinese to relieve pain and is frequently used as a natural pain reliever today. Converted to a topical ingredient, Willow Bark has the ability to eliminate as much bacteria as over the counter acne solutions using synthetic salicylic acid. By adding Willow Bark extract to Chellá’s exfoliating cleanser, we have provided a natural and gentle way to eliminate bacteria causing acne and other skin irritations. Willow Bark also acts as an astringent, gently toning skin during the cleansing process.

In addition to its astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, Willow Bark also contains antipyretic properties and is also used to stimulate circulation in the skin bringing rejuvenating anti-aging qualities to the skin’s surface.

Medical Treatments Don't Belong In Malls

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT

by Kimberly Kolodzizejski

For those who have been on the fence about branching out into the world of anti-aging facial procedures, it has become very easy to find inexpensive sources for BOTOX®*, laser and chemical peel treatments … maybe too easy. With the prolific sprouting of day spas and medi-spas, it is important to know the difference in the two and what regulations are required for the procedures they offer.

A Medi-Spa is a facility that operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional. The facility operates within the scope of practice of its staff, and offers traditional, complementary, and alternative health practices and treatments in a spa-like setting. Practitioners working within a medical spa will be governed by their appropriate licensing board, if a license is required.

Day spas, on the other hand, may be stand-alone facilities, in a hotel, connected to a health club, allied with a one-stop wellness center or an adjunct to medical facilities.

In an article entitled When lasers misfire: Unregulated spa treatments hazardous to public health by Laura Crimaldi in the Boston Herald this week-end, countless stories of permanent damage were recorded as a result of treatments received at the hands of unregulated or untrained “specialists”.

However, just because a “specialist” has a Training Certification on their wall, you should know that there are many websites that will provide these certificates without requiring any hands on experience with the lasers or chemicals involved.

“These are medical treatments. Medical treatments don’t belong in malls,” said Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a Cambridge dermatologist and chairwoman of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). “It shouldn’t be, ‘OK, I’m shoe shopping. Maybe I should go get some BOTOX®*.’ ”

Because each state has its own regulation requirements for these potentially damaging treatments, it is as important to do your research and get referrals as you would with any other medical procedure you were considering. You may also want to consult with your own State Medical Board for information on licensing regulations.

* BOTOX®* is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.