Body
February 5, 2010
Posted by Reader
Reviewed by Marika
IQ Derma Firmaceuticals Firming Body Gel is marketed as a firming body gel which is a “highly concentrated body-contouring gel formulated to targetmcellulite to help smooth and firm the appearance of skin.” Here are the ingredients:
Water, Propanidol, Glycerin, Cocoglucoside, Caprylyl glycol, Alcohol, Glaucine, Butylene glycol, Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract, Caffeine, Sodium Saucylate, Lysolecithin, Hydrogneated lecithin, Aspartame, Soybean (Glycine soja), Germ extract, Silica, Coleus forshohui, Acrylates/C10-30, Alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Cluconolactone, Sodium benzoate
One of the ingredients seemed very intriguing – Nelumbo nucifera, or lotus plant. On the website Natural Standard, I found the following information: Nelumbo nucifera has been used throughout Egypt, the Middle East, India and China since ancient times, primarily as a food. The flowers, seeds, leaves, and rhizomes of the lotus are all edible. The petals of the flower are used as a wrap for foods in Asia and the rhizome is a common ingredient in soups and stir-fried foods. Read more...
January 20, 2010
Posted by marta
When I first saw the Borba Firming Fiber Knit Diamond Shimmer Body Contour ($30), I broke out into a broad (or perhaps devilish) grin. After all, Borba brought us $100 vitamin water, a bag of gummi bears for $25 and a bizarre cream called Plasma “inspired by HDTV”. The Fiber Knit thingy comes with “Hydrolyzed Spandex Complex”. Splendid. I was about to have fun.
But no. It turns out that, although the Borba marketing people are wont to get carried away, this body cream doesn’t look at all bad. Obviously, there is no such thing as hydrolized spandex (thank the Lord), but this potion does have some interesting and potent botanicals. Read more...
November 23, 2009
Posted by copley
Ever think that people may have been murdered in the making of your cosmetics? According to recent news reports, a gang in Peru has been killing people and draining fat from their corpses to sell on the black market to cosmetics companies. Police involved in the investigation have traced the fat to intermediaries in Peru’s capital, Lima, and believe that it was destined for cosmetics laboratories in Europe. Like us, you are probably thinking, what the fat?
As outrageous as this scenario sounds, three suspects have openly confessed to killing five missing persons in the Peruvian jungle in order to extract their fat. Two were arrested while carrying bottles of amber fluid, which was confirmed by a lab to be liquid fat. The suspects told police that this practice has been going on for three decades and that the fat is worth $60,000 a gallon. Could a bizarre tale of foreign kidnapping, murder, and human fat trafficking really be interwoven with your cosmetics? Read more...
October 6, 2009
Posted by copley
No activity epitomizes fall for me more than a brisk hike through the browning woods. A getaway to North Carolina last week provided me with the perfect opportunity to hit some spectacular hiking trails for both mental and physical exercise. Promising to enhance the latter, a new fitness companion- Banglz Bracelets- came along for the journey. As I layered on SPF and a fleece vest, I also strapped a set of colorful 1-pound weights to each wrist. With my Banglz velcroed tight, I figured that I could firm up on the fly by pumping my arms while I walked. A few hours later, I sorely regretted this decision. Read more...
September 9, 2009
Posted by marta
Cellulite isn’t about being overweight, nor is it the uneven distribution of fat. Britney has been known to have it even on slim days. So what is it? I once had a co-worker who announced that toxins in coffee, meat and alcohol were responsible for cellulite and that she was giving them all up for good. I think I looked at her with a mixture of pity and disgust, ordered another glass of wine and promised to increase the number of leg squats in my workout. It turns out that we were both a little bit right.
Cellulite is an accumulation of toxins and waste in our cells. It occurs when circulation is sluggish, which can be caused by a number of things including sitting on your bum all day and not doing your leg squats. Because very few men get cellulite, hormones are thought to have something to do with it. There are four stages: Read more...
