Merz Tea Time is a new webcast by Merz Apothecary in Chicago IL. Merz is a 145-year-old apothecary and online giant based in Chicago. Keys and Merz have had a 12-year relationship that has grown even stronger in these tough times. Merz Tea Time is a new live online webcast created by Merz to inform in a Joe Rogan style interaction with Merz vendors. One of the first guests in this series was Bob Root, Keys founder, formulator, and head engineer. Rogan style, the conversation bounces all over the gamut from skincare to the origin of Keys and why the company exists. It is a funny, educational, and insightful podcast.
If you are offering podcast, webcasts or ZoomCasts to your customers, please contact us to book time with Bob
Smizing – Smiling with your eyes is the secret to business success moving forward. It is the New Normal
by Wendy Steele, Keys CEO, Founder & Melanoma Survivor
Making sure that your staff knows how to Smize can make the difference between profit and loss or making it or not in these times. Here is how I learned to smize and why you should care.
Human ingenuity always amazes me, and I am seeing great things “here and there” now that our society is trying to move forward. Many things have changed and will never return to normal. The new normal is 2 meters of separation, avoiding crowds and wearing masks. Whether you agree or disagree with how things are being handled, change is inevitable, and growth is optional.
Masks are probably one change that will stick with us and make sense in many ways. In Japan, if you have a cold, you wear a mask. In Bejing, if you are exposed to allergens, you wear a mask. In San Francisco, if you ride a bike through the industrial areas, you wear a mask. Now, if you shop at Costco or the grocery store, you should wear a mask. I get that.
Our friends at Jams World have some cool looking masks. Theirs is the one I am wearing. I have also seen some super fashion statement masks that are very cute, and some are very cool. If we have to wear them, we might as well have some FUN. I am taking life’s changes in stride because it is more comfortable.
I have to admit that I have worn buffs and neck gaters for years. I wear them to protect my neck from the sun, and occasionally I would pull it up over my face as a sort of joke for friends. Not much fun these days, but it is a good option as well. People would ask me what I was wearing and why in a sort of judgemental way. I wrote them off as muggles. What I do and what I wear is my business, and people’s insecurities are theirs. Not mine. Yesterday, I went to pick up lunch from my favorite Southwestern restaurant, and when Monica walked out to my car with our lunch, she was wearing a very cute “bandito” neckerchief hiked up over her mouth and nose. It was damned cute, and I knew that I had made the new order transition because I felt like asking her where she bought it. So, I am back to wearing my neck gaters because they are so much more fun than a surgical mask.
IMS – Get Over It.
I have seen some very terrifying masks, which is what inspired this article. Sometimes, it is not the mask that bothers me; it is the eyes of the wearer.
So the topic of this article is a kind of RBF story or to be more specific, IMS. Irritable Mask Syndrome is genuine and seems to be caused by various things. Some have told me that masks are an invasion of identity or uncomfortable. One said having to wear one is unconstitutional. Some feel self-conscious while others seem to like that they can hide behind one.
IMS Revealed
I was out walking, which I do a lot. Most of the time, I don’t see anyone, and sometimes, these days, when I do see people, they have their masks on. One day, just recently, I saw someone who was wearing a mask and stressed at having to wear it. Even though her mask covered most of her face, it was a clear case of IMS. I thought, how is that possible. How can her negative appearance scream out so much that I noticed her temperament wearing a big mask? We passed quite away from each other, and there was no attempt at a gesture or acknowledging of me. In some ways, it reminded me of being in New York City three weeks after 9.11. It stunned me a bit that this ‘no-no’ bothered me so much. Usually, I do not let people annoy me, but she did. I was mad at me for having the feelings, not her. About a mile down the road, I saw another masked woman headed toward me. As she passed, her eyes glistened and sparkled. Her eyes were smiling, and with my eyes, I smiled back and waved to acknowledge her. It suddenly dawned on me that the first woman had terror or anger in her eyes, which affected me, and this second woman made me feel good. All with their eyes only.
Oh No, I thought, do I have IMS? So when I got back home, I kept my mask on and looked into the bathroom mirror. Thankfully, I did not have IMS, but I wondered, “Could I practice smiling with my eyes?” What would that look like, and how hard could it be. Damned hard, I found out.
Smizing – The Duchenne Smile
The second woman started it with her smiling eyes, and I mirrored her. That was easy. It was automatic. What I discovered is that it is both an art and talent to be able to initiate smiling eyes. So, I grabbed my iPad and looked up “how to smile with your eyes” and surprise-surprise; there were many articles with most talking about something called a Duchenne smile.
A Duchenne smile involves contraction of both the zygomatic major muscle (which raises the corners of the mouth) and the orbicularis oculi muscle (which raises the cheeks and forms crow’s feet around the eyes). The Duchenne smile has been described as “smizing,” as in “smiling with the eyes.”
So, I texted an actress friend of mine and asked her if she knew about the Duchenne smile. She laughed at me and told me she spent almost a year in an acting class trying to learn to smile with her eyes, and it was quite hard to master until she stopped trying. She said it comes from the soul, and when you smile naturally, your eyes squint and raise a bit. Little bags form under the eyes, and there you have it. She said it is the opposite of Instagram’s face because you don’t look perfect. You look happy and excited to be alive as opposed to trying to impress. Her best lesson for me was to be comfortable at smiling at everyone all the time. She said you would get better at it.
So, I tried it in the mirror, and it was true. That little squint made my eyes sparkle, and I was even happier feeling. So, I tried it with my mask, and it worked. I just made up that I did not have a mask, and my eyes do all the work since my face was covered.
So try smiling at your cellphone and do a bunch of selfies before and afters. You will be amazed. Now do the same thing with your mask on and notice how you feel. Then go out and practice on everyone you walk by to see what their reaction is.
So if you are like me, you have to believe that the world would be a better place if everyone smiled at each other. Now we have to wear masks, so we have to work a bit harder at it.
by Wendy Steele, Keys CEO Melanoma survivor, and Founder
So, how do the sunscreens you sell to your customers rank on Saftey and Efficacy? Do they actually work and are they safe. The controversy rages on whether sports sunscreen is safe. The FDA says they should be reapplied every 15 minutes in high-stress conditions. Our Solar Rx Moisturizer with sunscreen has the highest and best rating. It can be worn all day as a foundation. How do the ones you sell rate against Keys Solar Rx? The results may surprise you. Every year the Environmental Working Group publishes a sunscreen report. Keys has been at the top of the list since the first report ten years ago. This year the report is better to read in every aspect. It is easy to read and figure out which is best for your customers. They already read the report, it is time you compare what they know to what you sell.
First, there are fundamentally two types of sunscreens. There are “go-to beach” sports screens and daily moisturizers with SPF. Keys Solar RX is a daily sunscreen foundation with anti-aging moisturizing properties. Having both types on your shelves is important and knowing when to recommend one of the other is essential.
Keys has received the highest ranking in the 2020 EWG sunscreen report for safety and efficacy. Keys Solar Rx and Keys KPRO SPF each received a 1 rating in this year’s EWG sunscreen report. The scale of 1 to 10 ranks safety based on ingredients and efficacy based on the type and concentration of sunscreen ingredients; 1 being the highest rating and 10 the worst. As you can see from the chart to the right, there are very few #1 ranked sunscreens with the majority rated 3-6 on the EWG scale.
Keys uses a 20.5% level of its proprietary uncoated zinc oxide blend. The base moisturizer is our Luminos lotion formulation that focuses on avocado oil, black seed oil, carrot seed oil, agave aloe, and Shea butter for maximum hydration.
Spherical Zinc Oxide particles
Keys SPF products use a technique from high technology sputtering to process the particles for maximum UV blocking efficacy. Our zinc oxide blend uses a vapor deposition process to make our particles spherical and, therefore, transparent. The mixture maximizes UVB and UVA properties for perfect UV filtering.
Keys SPF products are the best moisturizers with UV protection. Solar Rx and KPRO SPF are for everyday use in non-sport applications. The products last all day and need not be reapplied, assuming the wearer does not sweat or do physical activity. Keys Solar Rx is perfect under makeup, acting as a clear luminescent foundation. KPRO adds sparkle from our OptiFx particles for special occasions.
How Do The Sunscreens You Are Selling Rate Against Keys
Click Here or the image above to access the Moisturizer with SPF EWG report and scroll down to Keys to read the reviews
Anti-Aging
Keys CEO, Wendy Steele, Melanoma survivor and reason for Solar Rx being developed
Both Solar Rx and KPRO SPF have anti-aging emollient properties because of the ingredient purity and quality. These are the most exquisite oils that money can buy blended into a formulation that hydrates, moisturizes, and effects fine lines. Avocado oil has skin clearing properties and, over time, will reduce dark spots and patches.
Therapeutic
Keys Solar Rx broadens its purpose as a skin ailment and disorder product because the zinc oxide is uncoated. This means that the wearer gains all the benefits of a zinc cream at even higher concentrations than over the counter skin disorder products. Most zinc creams contain 6%-8% uncoated zinc oxide. Solar Rx is at 20.5% uncoated zinc level. One major benefit is as a redness reduction solution. Many dermatologists prescribe zinc oxide cream and ointments. Solar Rx is a universal solution while also providing UVA and UVB blocking.
10 Years
This is the tenth year that Keys Solar Rx has received the highest rating from the EWG. Consumer Union thrust Keys Solar Rx into the limelight when it rated Solar Rx the highest and most effective sunscreen in its class. It has been the choice of Hollywood makeup artists and actors. It was featured two years in a row at Maria Shriver’s California Women’s Conference. Originally developed for Wendy Steele, Keys CEO, melanoma diagnosis, Solar Rx is Keys number one selling product.
There are two things about Keys Solar Rx Sunscreen that separate it from the pack
Cosmetically Transparent Sunscreen
Anti-Inflammatory Uncoated Therapeutic Zinc Oxide
And, May is Melanoma Awareness Month and the beginning of sunscreen season.
Solar Rx is an SPF moisturizer like none other. It is cosmetically transparent using a proprietary zinc oxide vapor deposition technique that uses uncoated zinc oxide with truly therapeutic properties. We know of no other SPF that offers both a broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, natural moisturizer with avocado oil and Shea Butter, and anti-redness anti-inflammatory properties.
FDA SPF30 + Safest Sunscreen by EWG
Solar Rx was one of our first four products developed over 15 years ago for our founder, Wendy Steele, after her Melanoma diagnosis. Her orders were simple. I need a natural sunblock using zinc oxide that does not make me look like a mime. Her boyfriend engineer used a technique from silicon valley to vaporize the zinc oxide and turn the particles into perfect spherical shapes. Solar Rx is optically transparent while still providing industry-leading SPF UVA and UVB protection. An FDA Drug Facts panel and EWG safest rating make Solar Rx an unbeatable combination for those wanting a natural moisturizer with sunscreen.
Not Go To Beach
Solar Rx is not for going to the beach or sunbathing. It is an everyday moisturizer with SPF 30+ UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation blocking. The transparent visible light zinc oxide is opaque to UV light. It works well under makeup and can be worn all day to work or when out and about. Not for sports, swimming or exercise. You will have to wear a sports-based sunscreen for that and look like a mime. Please avoid chemical sunscreens as they are full of very questionable chemicals.
Wash with Island Rx Foaming Cleanser and Apply Solar Rx as your moisturizer foundation for daily use. Apply makeup directly over the top for a flawless pallet and look.
May is Melanoma Month
Visit The Skin Cancer Foundation & Tell Them Keys Sent You. 😎
With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. By raising awareness of the dangers of unprotected exposure and encouraging sun-safe habits, we can change behaviors and save lives.
With the incidence of this disease reaching epidemic levels, we can’t do this work alone. We need your help. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to get involved.
RediCare began just after Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans, Louisianna. We had an excellent therapeutic lotion named MetaCare that contains Ayurvedic Neem and Karanja oil. What happened next was the creation of a new product called RediCare.
We were at a pet trade show outside of Washington, DC. We had a booth there, and early on the first day, a uniformed ranger named Rod came by our booth with his dog, Tye. He had Tye lay down, and his belly was nothing but rashes, open sores, and inflamed. I asked what happened and he told me that he and Tye were in New Orleans on a search & rescue mission along with a bunch of other dogs and handlers. He asked if we had anything. I grabbed a MetaCare lotion, and Rod smeared it all over Tye’s belly. You could see the relief instantly, and it made me tear up. Luckily, I noticed that Rod’s hands were equally inflamed, and I encouraged him to spread it on his hands. They left, and I was busy with a lot of people interested in Natural products for their dogs, so I did not think much of the incident.
About an hour later, Rod showed back up with Tye and flipped him over on the booth carpet. Believe it or not, Tye’s belly was almost healed, and Rod’s hands were much improved. He wanted to buy the lotion, and I told him that because it was a tradeshow, we were not allowed to sell. I asked for his card and called back to the factory to have a bottle of MetaCare sent. My good deed.
What happened afterward was terrific. Remember, at this time, we did not have a pet line and not marketing to dogs. We decided to do the tradeshow because we were toying with the idea and thought it would be an excellent place to get consumer and dealer feedback. Throughout the afternoon, handlers and their dogs started to show up. It was one very young and pretty blonde gal that brought her golden by asking if we had some spray that would work for her long-haired dog that would do the same thing as we had done for Tye. You guessed it, RediCare was born as a sprayable version of MetaCare at that very instant.
The geeky part is that numerous coincidences came together almost to make the product development instantaneous.
The week before, a salesperson showed me a trigger sprayer saying it would spray oil.
I had an original formula for MetCare that was too liquid. It had the same amount of Neem and Karanja as MetaCare, but came out runny.
Mike at our label company called to ask if he could double up one of the labels so they could gang a full run of labels. No, I said, I have a new product to add to the run
I had initially thought of putting MetaCare into a 4-ounce bottle with a lotion pump. So, the label I had in development fit the new RedCare bottle and all I had to do is change the name of the product
We had a bunch of dealers from the show that wanted to get going with us but wanted a unique “Go-To” everything product. Yep, RediCare
So, RediCare came together almost overnight, and the first dozen bottle got shipped to the blonde ranger for her and the other long-haired dogs.
That story spread quickly, but not as soon as RediCare became a super-multipurpose product. It is a sprayable moisturizer and lotion. It repels 200+ insects. Works for horses. People with diabetes use it because it sprays on for sensitive skin. The list goes on. It was so much of an outpouring that we created this fun advertisement here that showed all the uses.
To this day, RediCare remains in our Top 10 products and has as many pet users as people. Its sister product, OmniCare was what we thought would replace RediCare in the dog market, but dealers stick with the tried and true RediCare.
The last bit of anecdotal thought is that our team referred to RediCare as Windex. Why do you say? There was a famous movie called “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” There was an older man in the film that used Windex on everything from scrapes, cut, polish tables, clean mirrors, etc. You get the analogy.
RediCare is our most versatile product and one of the most beloved. Hang a big star on RediCare
Dr. Google at it again. This Time with Apple as a partner.
After all this, there will be no industries untouched in some way or another. Perhaps the most impacted will be the medical industry. We have talked about Dr. Google for many years now and marvel at how over 95% of us consult Google first before going to the doctor. Contrary to some, people consult Google first because it is fast, efficient, and free. Now Google and Apple are taking another leap and may finally be integrating live doctors into the technology shift. Hopefully, as most doctors I know are, frankly, Luddites, I sincerely hope that everyday problems and illnesses will go online first. Cleary, in the next five years, the primary first contact will be an AI consultant the will screen and pass off patients to a live doctor.
Although this article in Apple News may seem to be C-19 focused, it is a wave of the future and one of the positive benefits for us all that will come out of this common disease.
Google starts showing virtual doctor options in Search and Maps
Some medical facilities are discouraging personal visits in response to C-19
As part of efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some medical facilities are currently discouraging visits in person. But pandemic or no pandemic, many ailments won’t merely disappear, and so sometimes we need to get help.
In such a scenario, Google wants to assist. The web giant recently announced it would begin highlighting health facilities that offer consultations over a video connection, enabling you to avoid a potentially busy waiting room, thereby reducing person-to-person contact.
“Over the coming week, we’re beginning to roll out two new features in Search and Maps that make it easier for people to connect to virtual health care options, whether it’s to a doctor’s office down the street, the hospital across town, or a national telehealth platform,” Julie Black, director of product management at Google Health, announced in an online post.
The features have been made possible after Google started allowing health care providers such as hospitals, doctors, and mental health professionals to add information for a virtual care service to their online business profile. It means that if you use Google Search or Maps to look for a local provider, you may see a “get online care” link in the results.
Clicking this link will take you to that provider’s virtual care website where you can find more information and perhaps set up a health care consultation that will take place online.
Black said Google Search will also start showing widely available virtual care platforms, giving people more options when it comes to making virtual visits.
“For example, when people search for ‘immediate care,’ we’ll be able to also present available virtual care options and related information such as the out-of-pocket price charged for a visit (for those without insurance) and an easy way for people to directly connect with the virtual care platform,” the executive said.
The update to Search and Maps is likely to prove popular as Black noted in her post that since the pandemic started, interest in virtual care and telehealth has risen dramatically.
The severity of the pandemic has even prompted a collaboration between Google and Apple, with the two companies planning a new opt-in system using Bluetooth technology on smartphones to track the spread of the coronavirus, officially known as C-19. Data collected through the new system will be shared with local public health authorities to help them make better-informed decisions on how to deal with the outbreak.
Friday, April 10, 2020, 6:00am. My Friday started like all the rest of my days in week four of my sequester. In the high desert of New Mexico, mornings start crisp and cool with a bright sunrise over the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Not a bad way to start the day. So, this Friday, I punched the Nespresso Machine and waited the moments for it to brew. Cat Isabel cruised by, and Jasper dog and Wendy were out an asleep in bed. I sort of like the solitude and rarely look at email until after the first espresso. I know you are saying, “poor baby.”
Today was different, and for some reason, I opened my email on my iPad. I never do that! Maybe it was a mistake or something Freudian.
The first thing I saw was an email from Megan, an old consulting client and long time friend in New York marked “Urgent”- Respond Immediately! She is an executive with a mega-company, and I worried that something was very wrong. So, I popped open the email and began to laugh out loud. Here was the first line. “Bob, holy shit, I need your help now. I am working from home and have to teleconference every day next week, and I look like shit on camera.” “What should I do?”
Before I go on, Megan knows me very well and my misspent youth. I spent many years involved with Hollywood mostly behind the camera in the early days of digital productions. Lots of tall tales, but I do know a few things about making people look good on camera. Keys KPRO line was developed in Hollywood with makeup artists. Today my Beta test team, Wendy calls them “Bob’s Possie,” are makeup artists, actors or makeup specialists. So, Megan is in trouble and needs some image guidance.
First, my days for the last month or so have been turbulent with lots of customer questions, manufacturing issues, and scrambling like most everyone. Most days are 12-14 hours. It may seem to pale in these times, but honestly, I welcomed the Saturday Night Live moment. So as I sipped my Nespresso, I decided to take the request seriously because I know her, and she was in distress over how she looks to her peers.
Megan lives on the water in Connecticut. She has this beautiful porch that overlooks the sound. It is a very old New England style home and a perfect setting for an executive to have a conference call. She is a big dog, so people expect her to have a nice home. She does, and why not show it off.
It is crucial to recognize that Megan is quite pretty, thin, and self-assured. Said, nobody looks good on a cheap webcam in poor lighting. That is why the lighting people get paid whatever they ask for, followed quickly by the makeup artist. Lighting is everything!
Rather then paraphrasing herein is my email to Megan.
Megan, do not ever do that again. Do Not ever use urgent unless you or mark have been hit by a beer truck.
Here is what I want you to do in order:
Move your computer out onto the porch where people can see the water and boats going by. It will distract them from looking at just you with a bare white wall behind you.
Make a couple of reflector flats by taking cardboard and covering it with crinkled aluminum foil. Position these, so the outdoor light fill in so that it is not too bright behind you. A movie screen will do if you have one tucked away from 25 years ago in your basement.
Move your computer toward the back of the table so that you do not fill the screen of your webcam. They know what you look like, so you do not have to hover an inch away from the webcam.
I will FedEx you Our Luminos and KPRO tinted moisturizer. I developed Luminos as a means of tricking digital cameras into softening and diffuse the look on screen without looking like a soft-focus filter. I want you to Google “Strobing” and notice where they suggest to create a brighter area on your face. This is around the eyes and on your cheekbones. This is where you will use the KPRO tinted moisturizer.
I am going to order you a ring light from Amazon that I want you to hang over the camera on your computer. These light fill in your face with no shadows (Here is what I sent her). I hope it will arrive Monday for you, but you can use most any light right above the camera to light your face.
When you get the ring light, practice with it by not looking directly in the camera, but by sitting off angle a bit and looking slightly to the left or right of the camera.
Then when it comes to the teleconference, wear bright jewel tones like reds, blues, and greens. Dress up!
Do not stare at the camera, and do not stay still. You want people to believe you are still alive.
Consider using the stand that holds the ring light that I bought you and your iPhone. The iPhone camera is better than the one on your computer, and you can move it off-angle. You don’t need to see other people on the conference call. You will see what I mean. People on a webcam can be extremely distracting.
So, this is as important as dressing up going to the office for a big meeting. You do not want people to think you are on vacation and doing the frump thing. Get up and walk around once in a while. I know how much you hate sitting still. And do not hold up charts in front of the camera. People cannot see them. Send any presentation ahead of time, even though you like the art of surprise.
Lastly, Smile and keep your hands away from your face!
Bob
So, I heard back from her that the first call went off well, and everyone complimented her on how she looked, that she looked rested (Thank you, Luminos) and that she seemed like a Dover pro doing teleconferences. The ring light did not arrive on time, but she received it later on Monday. It will be an addition to the Tuesday call.
Now some of you might think that this is a sort of quirky subject at a time when there is lots of bad news. To me, there are a lot of people working from home, and the estimates are that video chatting is up 10,000% or an order of magnitude in geek terms. Keeping moving in tough times is not only necessary, but it is also something that can energize and console people. Clearly, there is no replacement for personal energy being with people. A well-lighted video call can be the next best thing.
Lights, Camera, Action!
“It is a serious time, but even in times of war you must laugh when you can.” Churchhill
I only collect one thing. They are Jams World Vintage Hawaiian shirts. Can you imagine my surprise when I got an email saying they were making and selling a mask to ward off viruses?
Before you jump to confusions, these masks are the real deal and look very cool. Let me explain!
Tight Weave and Carbon Fiber
Much of the principle of a good mask to ward off viruses is a tight weave. Jams World uses a rayon that is the tightest weave because they want to have the bright colors set and hold. On top of that, they have developed and inside the filter that includes a tight weave and a carbon layer.
JAMS WORLD FACE MASK WITH A DISPOSABLE FILTER INSERT
Washable/Reusable Face Mask
Includes Two Insert Filters – PM2.5 N95 Made of 5-Layer Activated Carbon Filter, Non-Woven + Melt-Blown Cotton + Activated Carbon.
S – 2 1/2 inches x W 7 1/4 inches, Center Length is 3 3/4 inches (Children up to 12yrs)
M – 3 inches x W 8 inches, Center Length is 4 1/2 inches (Women’s)
L – 3 1/2 inches x W 9 inches, Center Length is 5 inches (Men’s)
100% Spun Crushed Jams World® Rayon
Made in Hawaii
Jams World Filter Construction
Filter Specifications
Set of Two Disposable Insert Filters for Jams World Face Mask – PM2.5 N95 Made of 5-Layer Activated Carbon Filter, Non-Woven + Melt-Blown Cotton + Activated Carbon.
The Jams World Mask is $15.99 with Two Filters. Extra Filters are available.
N95 Protection, But Not 100% Says Science
Jams World is quick to point out like all other mask makers are that no one is 100% sure that masks help. Most are pretty sure and therefore cannot make 100% claims of prevention. I put it in the “can’t hurt & probably helps category.”
It would be irrational if I did not say these are odd times. We are all in a turbulent storm. A world dilemma has brought us lots of questions. Touchwood, our factory is still running, and we have been swamped. One of the busy areas is questions we are getting on our info email, customer service, and social media sites.
We started to notice a pattern, and we know that if we get a question on a topic, there are 100 who have the same issue but did not ask. So, we have created a composite FAQ section below that seems relevant to our times.
I must add that many of the answers may seem to be self-promoting. We don’t want to look tone-deaf, and at the same time, most of the question usual start off with “Which of your products can I use for-” We do try to offer some open suggestion, but we want to make sure that we are upfront in a time when there is lots of self-promotion.
Okay, some of these are very general and some very specific. Please try to keep that in mind as we answer the questions.
Mickey
Keys Customer Service
Here we go:
Question: I have been using hand sanitizers for a few weeks, and my hands are a wreck. What do I use?
Answer: Our Tortuga lotion is the most emollient lotion we make. It is chock full of avocado oil and Shea butter. The alcohol is drying, as is washing hands with detergent. Tortuga solves it right away and has not glycols to irritate further.
Question: I have been washing my hands with dishwashing soap, and they look and feel terrible. Anything I can use that will work.
Answer: Our Galleyon antibacterial soap is designed to reduce bio-mass as antibacterial soap. It is Castile and has avocado and spearmint oil that leaves a monolithic coating of oil on the skin. So, it cleans and lubricates. Our Island Rx, Windsurfer, and MetaClean are equally as good. Galleyon contains spearmint oil, which does affect some types of bacteria and viruses.
Question: My hands are dry with cracking between the fingers. What can I use?
Answer: Guessing that you are washing with a soap that contains sulfates. These have been shown to create eczema and psoriasis type symptoms. Washing with Galleyon may help. If they are really cracked, our MetaCare ayurvedic lotion will help reverse the problems. MetaCare has Neem and Karanja oil. Google the benefits of these two oils.
Question: I have been locked up for three weeks and my diabetic skin has really flared up on my back. Do you have a lotion that will help?
Answer: We have a sprayable lotion called RediCare. It has Neem and Karanja oil and is sprayable. So, it does not have to be rubbed in. For years, diabetic skin suffers have used RediCare. My guess is that because you are3 in one place that seasonal allergies may be bothering you more. It seems like, on top of everything, allergies are more intense this season.
Question: I have heard that alkaline soaps are better for washing than neutral soaps. Are your soaps alkaline? What is their pH?
Answer: Yes, but we are not sure what you heard is true. Covid-19 is a lipid covered hydrophobic virus. The act of breaking down lipids is the main goal. Washing with detergent or our Castile-based soaps works equally as well with no real proof that higher pH helps. To answer your question specifically, our soaps range from alkalinity of 9.2pH to about 10.0pH.
Question: Your soaps talk about being micelle-based. Micelles seem to have a similar structure to some viruses. Do they help?
Answer: Wow, a really astute question! We don’t know, and yet, our scientists are asking the same thing because of the hydrophobic nature of micelles. I suggest you follow Dr. Rhonda Patrick in San Diego. She is involved with Salk Institue there.
Question: What do you recommend as far as a going ot regimen for your products? Do you do the same thing coming home.
Answer: The first obvious answer is to stay at home. I understand the question, and we have a unique reply.
Going out:
Wash your hands with detergent or Galleyon soap
Wear a mask and gloves
Spray sanitizer as needed on gloves and hands
Avoid people
Coming Home:
Strip and wash your clothes
Spray hands with alcohol-based sanitizer
Wash with Galleyon
Use Tortuga lotion to moisturize
Question: Do I have to wash longer with Galleyon soap than if I use a conventional antibacterial soap.
Answer: Not really. Although most people do not wash long enough, most professionals recommend 20 seconds wash time. We recommend surgeons wash time regimen, which is fingertips to elbows for 5 minutes. Yes, 5 minutes. Some surgeons wash for 10 minutes before gowning up. Please wash at least one minute to make ‘me’ feel better.
Question: I love the scent of Island Rx Micelle Facial Cleanser. Can I use it to wash my hands?
Answer: It is not recommended because Island Rx Cleanser is diluted for the face. Use Island Rx liquid soap instead. It has the same scent, but stronger.
Question: What is the difference between your moisturizers/lotions? Not sure which one to buy.
Answer:
Luminos is a light facial moisturizer that adds luminescence to the skin and is great under makeup moisturizer.
Tortuga is our most emollient lotion and is for very dry skin. It can be used on spot areas on the face and all over the body. Perfect hand lotion because it absorbs fast and is not sticky
MetaCare is Tortuga with Neen and Karanja oil added. It is an ayurvedic therapy lotion for skin disorders. Google the benefits of Neem and Karanja for the skin.
AvoJel is an avocado oil-based jelly that seals the skin like petroleum jelly but without the petroleum side effect. It is for the most extremely dry skin or where chafing may occur.
Urban Shield is like AvoJel, but with ingredients designed to solve skin disorders on dehydrated skin and as a protectant trapping environmental issues. It is truly a shield against allergens and some pathogens.
Question: My doctor recommended that I cover my skin in a thin light lotion because I have severe itching, and I live in the desert southwest. What can I do?
Answer: Often, we find that the itching is a direct result of glycols in lotions and soaps. This is especially true of body washes that are designed as a moisturizer. So, there are a couple of tricks.
Mix a base oil like avocado or olive oil in with a Castile soap like our Island Rx or Dr. Bronner’s. These soaps will take about 1% to 3% without separating. When you wash, the oils cling to the skin, and only the soap washed away. You will notice the silky feel quickly and get hooked on the feel.
Our MetaClean soap has about 6% oil level made up of avocado, Neem, and Karanja oils. It has the same effect as the DIY above, but with a medicinal bent.
Question: My doctor gave me a prescription for my dry cracked hands. It seems to have made them worse. What can I use?
Answer: This is a huge problem because most prescriptions contain huge amounts of glycols and parabens. Both are known to cause extreme skin conditions. I honestly do not understand it. I cannot legally tell you to stop, but I will not also tell you that we have anything that will overcome the effects of a paraben bacteriacide or glycols. It is up to you. If it was me, I would wash with our Island Rx or Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile and use lotion like Tortuga. You should feel and see the difference in a few minutes.
Also, please search for the cause. There may be something you are using on your hands that have glycols and parabens in them, which have been shown to cause the symptoms you describe.
Okay, these are just a few of the many questions we are receiving. We will amend them as we hear more unique problems.
A friend of a friend told me that the “Handshake” began in merry old England. It was supposed to show the other person that you were without a weapon. It seems to me that it might not have worked if your enemy was left-handed.
Anyhow, I decided to look this up, thinking it might be right or just another urban myth. Well, it turned out to be partially true and interesting.
The Origin of the Handshake
The history of the handshake dates back to the 5th century B.C. in Greece. It was a symbol of peace, showing that neither person was carrying a weapon. During the Roman era, the handshake was actually more of an arm grab. It involved grabbing each other’s forearms to check that neither man had a knife hidden up his sleeve. Some say that the shaking gesture of the handshake started in Medieval Europe. Knights would shake the hand of others in an attempt to shake loose any hidden weapons.
Well after all these years, the handshake may be dead and gone. Not only does it not help us figure out whether someone is armed, but it also spreads germs and viruses. I can’t say that it bothers me as I am not real fond of touching people I do no know. Now I have an excuse. 😎
Frankly, I much prefer a wave and a smile! Hope this little ditty made you smile.
Having trouble getting products to sell? Stop buying from distribution! Buying Direct is Just Plain Smart
It is time to get wise. Yes, stop buying through distribution because if you are a small business, they don’t want you anyhow. Maybe the writing is on the wall. Scrapping for inventory against Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joes is not a win-win proposition for the small retailer. Pharmacies & Apothecaries learned long ago after Wal-Mart and Groceries got into their business, learning to differentiate and not sell the same things as big-box retailers.
Some Evidence
UNFI CEO, Steven Spiner said,(the) “Top 100 customers represent about 75% of UNFI’s total volume.” ( As reported by Winsight Grocery Research – Read Article Here)
Groceries Flow Where Attention Goes! – The fable of the squeaky wheel.
The entire quote was, “Wholesale sales to our top 100 customers were up 4.3%. For customers two through 100, the increase was 2.2%.” Top 100 customers represent about 75% of UNFI’s total volume.” Even more telling.
The solution? Buy direct and get the products you need. Better yet, they are usually different and better products than those carried by distributors. Differentiated products mean that you are differentiated and unique in the eyes of your once loyal customers.
Change The Game
So, tear down your BOGO signs and replace them with signs about products that help your customers have better lives. Buy direct from small manufactures and became the trusted advisors in your community once again.
How can you expect to succeed in business if you are carrying the same products as everyone else? We know, we know, it is easy to buy through distribution. But why would you want to be just another lemonade stand littering a suburban corner? More than likely, being a commodity retailer is not how you started. How did you end up there?
So, for our sake, and the sake of all the cool little manufacturers out there, change the game and buy direct. It feels good, it helps us, and it helps you. So be the hero and break the distribution habit. Your customers will thank you.
Lastly, I always find it a bit disconcerting that the natural markets that I walk into promote the fact that they buy from local farms, ranches, and bakers, but the center of the store is full of distribution products.
Bob Root
Bob Root, Keys CTO & Founder
Bob Root is a founder of Keys and its Chief Scientist. Bob is a former high tech Fortune 500 CEO and started in the photographic industry at Polaroid. He is the author of four books and is a former member of the Washington Speakers Bureau. This OpED article comes from his perspective, watching the destruction of the photographic industry and the total state change that the computer industry experience in the 90’s. He believes in the traditional grocery model growing up as the grandson of Root’s Grocery founder but admits that mom & pop retailers may not survive and that the industry is heading the wrong way.
The Center for Disease Control, The President and State Health Organizations, are asking us to stay out of the grocery stores for the next two weeks. Why?
The reason we are being asked not to treat grocery shopping as entertainment is that smart people know that we can cap this virus by exposing fewer people to other people. So, where do we typically go when we are being asked to stay at home? Of course, we go grocery shopping. It is allowed, right!
We do not have to elaborate. They are asking us to stay at home for a reason. STAY HOME, and do your part!
When you do shop, shop smart and not often. A least for now, help out by trying to live off of what you have in your stockpile. When you do shop, buy all of what you need quickly and get the hell out of the store. The operative word is to buy all that you need, don’t hoard, and shop wisely.
Grocery shopping is not a family outing. Figure out a way to go it alone. Better yet, have someone shop for you like Instacart.com. Sprouts, Sams, and other grocery chains have Instacart accounts. (www.Instacart.com) It can indeed be as much fun unpacking what an Instacart shopper brought you as buying it in the first place.
It is time for innovation, ingenuity, and sucking it up. The life you save may be your own.
Speed is Life – Time flies fast, but it’s good when you are the pilot. Just control your time well away from hijackers. Save time profitably; Spend time productively!
Helping You Spend Your Time Wisely
Now more than ever, your times is the most valuable commodity that you have. Spending time ordering the old way is a waste of your time.
Our fantastic geeks at Keys have streamlined our online ordering system, which now rivals Amazon and other leading online sites. The difference is that ours is for the wholesale trade only customers.
Here are a few of the many features:
24/7/365 Online Ordering
Orders directly load to fulfillment servers for next day shipping.
Fast loading website with 50 servers located around the US.
Single page “Order Sheet” style fast ordering page.
One-Click “Add All” ordering feature.
Saved Wholesale address book for a quick bill to and ship to information.
Centrally stored credit card information on Wells Fargo site for remembered payment.
Product catalog showing all products by category in Features, Benefits, and Advantages format.
Useful blog articles built into the site.
Automatic discounting for volume purchases.
Automatic promotions when applicable.
Quick “Remember Me” login.
Face recognition & Touch-ID login for Apple devices.
The adaptive format lets you order from a desktop, tablet or smartphone.
Trust Earns Trust
Know that Keys natural solutions are designed to solve problems and make your customers feel good. As Trusted Advisors to your community, you can trust Keys to help you and your customer. Keys products are natural functional medicine solutions with a long list of features, benefits, and advantages.
Some Good News – Nitric Oxide Therapy May Help The Suffering
FDA opens up Bellerophon’s (Nitric Oxide) gas therapy for COVID-19
Bob Root, Keys Chief Scientist & Founder
Bob Root, Keys Scientist: I have a core belief for my life when it comes to health. The only person I hold responsible for my health is me. Yes, me. When I am confronted with a malady or this giant COVID dragon in front of us all, I turn to science to learn what I can. Sometimes I don’t understand and sometimes one article leads to another. When the path turns cold, I back up and take another path until I find what I am looking for. It is just who I am. Sometimes I find something so interesting I share it with my friends. Not to proclaim something, but to entice them to study themselves. Like my books, I try to inform and not convince. In these times, there is so much misinformation. I never want to subtract but add something that may fuel a new way, a new path or some new thinking. So is this bit of news:
There is some interesting and I feel, good news on the horizon that I am reading about in the scientific community about prevention, relief, and vaccines.Please remember that scientists’ comments and findings are revised carefully by peers.Yes, it slows the process but is a positive factor in weeding out BS.
First of all, my compliments to the FDA for opening up the emergency expanded access program for SARS-COVID. “NO” is the chemical acronym for Nitric Oxide.It is made in cells in our body but can be supplemented through nitric oxide mass inhalation.More important is that is is a common therapy in “Blue Baby” syndrome and has been used for years to treat the newborn malady.A doctor at UCLA Medical Center says he can watch blue babies with respiratory distress turn pink in front of his eyes.So now, it seems that “NO” may be a tool, not the solution, but a tool, with SARS COVID-19.Below is published verbatim and not my words.
Bob
FDA opens up Bellerophon’s gas therapy for COVID-19
Using a regulatory pathway that allows patients with life-threatening conditions to use unapproved therapies, the FDA has granted “emergency expanded access” to Bellerophon Therapeutics’ inhaled nitric oxide delivery system for treating the novel coronavirus.
Also known as compassionate use, the agency’s policy is typically administered on a per-patient basis—at times when clinical trials are infeasible, the benefits are seen to outweigh the risks, and there are no available alternatives.
According to Bellerophon, the FDA’s decision now opens up its INOpulse system for use at high-doses in ventilated COVID-19 patients, immediately.
Inhaled nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator, relaxing the lungs’ muscles and blood vessels, and is used in hospitals worldwide. Bellerophon has been researching its use to combat potentially harmful high blood pressure in the lungs among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis.
The compound has also been tested as a potential treatment for the novel coronavirus’ closely related predecessor—the strain behind the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s. Previous studies showed that nitric oxide slowed down the replication of that virus and reduced the need for long-term ventilator support.
According to Bellerophon, the genetic similarities between the two coronaviruses “support the potential for [inhaled nitric oxide] to provide meaningful benefit for patients infected with COVID-19” and inhibit the progression of upper respiratory tract symptoms.
“Based on currently available data and its significant role in the immune response, we believe INOpulse has the potential to be a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19,” said CEO Fabian Tenenbaum. “INOpulse technology utilizes targeted pulsatile delivery of inhaled nitric oxide, providing important antiviral potential, as well as improved arterial oxygenation.”
“Importantly, INOpulse is designed to treat patients in the outpatient setting, which may be critical in helping combat the further spread of the virus and significantly alleviate the mounting impact on hospitals and intensive care units,” Tenenbaum added.
Prior to the outbreak, Bellerophon had been building up inventory of its INOpulse device for a planned, large phase 3 trial in pulmonary fibrosis—which the company is currently looking to divert to hospitals in need, Tenenbaum told FierceMedTech in an interview.
Additionally, about a month ago, Bellerophon completed a safety trial in healthy volunteers showing its high-dose paradigm could be tolerated, at levels similar to those used against the earlier SARS outbreak, he said. The FDA is also currently reviewing a research protocol for a new clinical trial against COVID-19 to explore the device’s next steps in development.
The FDA’s access decision comes less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump pointed to compassionate use as one of the ways the administration is responding to the spread of the virus.
“Disseminating information about promising off-label uses of drugs we already have, investigating their effectiveness, and pursuing other therapeutics will help give American healthcare providers the tools they need to save lives,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in an FDA statement on the agency’s work to facilitate development of investigational treatments such as the malaria drug chloroquine and Gilead’s remdesivir antiviral, which is also available under compassionate use.
“While there are no FDA-approved therapeutics or drugs to treat, cure or prevent COVID-19, there are several FDA-approved treatments that may help ease the symptoms from a supportive care perspective,” the agency said March 19.
The new emergency expanded access pathway allows doctors to request use of the INOpulse for multiple patients at once, without including their names or other personally identifying details, Tenenbaum said.
Inhaled nitric oxide has also been pursued as a COVID-19 therapy by several others, and is currently undergoing clinical trials in China—both as a potential treatment for patients and as a preventive measure for healthcare providers—with studies sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Mallinckrodt, for one, has been exploring its use against the disease in coordination with the FDA, NIH and BARDA, and previously markets the gas as a treatment for neonates suffering from respiratory failure.
Time To Get Wise – Covid Boom or Bust. The grocery business has been around a long time, but there is no need to be arcane.
I have over 35 retailers that I regularly contact to get a feel for what is happening in the market. These are regularly scheduled connections, and I thought that with the Covid virus problem facing us all that I should back off the calls. Truthfully, Keys business has almost doubled in the last month, and I am plenty busy with Keys projects and orders. So I decided not to call and mistakingly forgot to tell my group I was not going to call.
To my surprise, some of them checked-in to make sure I was okay, and they really wanted to chat. So, I quickly got off a note to all that I was okay and busy, but honestly did not want to bother them. I did have a chance to chat with a few, and most are crazy busy finding that their business has almost doubled or tripled. Most have had to alter their grocery business more back to their roots closing off the freshly prepared food and salad bars and spending their days stocking shelves. Many are frustrated and adapting to the use of InstaCart.com and other delivery services.
This is a brief story of one traditionally stable grocer who was at wit’s end. The reason I share is that I can imagine that some simple solutions are staring you in the face that you might not see.
Let’s call my grocer friend Art. He has been in the natural food business for 35 years and inherited his business from his Mom & Dad. Art was very frustrated that his business grew overnight, and he claims he cannot higher qualified people to work in the store, prep packaged food, stock, or cook. He said that his local employment agency and temporary service companies were not of any help. Art pissed me off quite a bit because he was grousing more than doing. Meaning, he was bending my ear instead of thinking. When Art stopped his tirade, I offered him a simple solution that stunned him into silence. Here is what I said.
Art, you are a member of your local Chamber of Commerce. You need people that understand food, customers, and how to be clean. All the restaurants in your community are closed. Their food server, cleaning staff and “back of the house” are all out of work. Call your chamber president and have him or her offer to go to the restaurant owners and offer jobs to their idle people. Simple right?
So, he emailed me this morning to say thanks and let me know that within hours, he had staffed-up with qualified people. Now he said, I need an IT person to figure out this InstaCart thing. My answer, “Don’t make me slap you!” There are furloughed IT people out there as well, and there are freelancers that know this stuff like the back of their hands. Just ask for help and stop being the victim.
So, it is time to get wise and stop the grousing. This will pass and it is your choice of how you will react and respond.
It is important to be effective and know what you are putting on your hands. There are a number of natural commercially available products that work. Right now, they are hard to find in the stores. So, it is time to make your own. It is simple and done right, just as effective as the store-bought sanitizing products.
DIY Sanitizers Formulas
So here is a formula for creating the world’s best hand sanitizers.
Use 98% of 99% Isopropyl alcohol and 1% spearmint essential oil.
Can’t find Isopropyl Alcohol? Turn to white lightening. Yes, Grain Alcohol or 190 proof ethanol. Do not dilute or buy less than 190 proof. This means the alcohol level is 95%. It doesn’t matter the source; ethanol is alcohol. Also, mix it with spearmint essential oil for lubrication and positive microbiome effects.
Wash Hands
Washing your hands with Castile soap is best. Seriously, but when you cannot, alcohol sanitizer helps.
My suggestion is to put it into a spray bottle. A 1 ounce (30ml) size will do for your pocket or purse. Spray it on your hands or surface. Spray on hands liberally and rub until dry: just a moment or two.
Denatured Alcohol, But Be Careful
There is also another choice at Home Depot od Lowes in the paint aisle. It is denatured alcohol altered with Menthol. Warning! Denatured alcohol can have other additives like Methyl Ethyl Ketone (aka MEK). Avoid at all costs, and if it is not marked, do not buy it.
Hand Sanitizers, The Right Way, and the Wrong Way.
Where to begin?
My article, “Just Wash Hands,” has brought a lot of comments. Lots of thank you’s, a few questions and some opinion. Cool, that is what is supposed to happen.
YES
Most comments address a short paragraph I wrote about “Hand Sanitizers.” There is a wrong way and a right way. Most of us do it the wrong way.
So, I cruised into a Wal-Mart to buy a pair of new windshield wiper blades. I noticed two sanitizer stations at the entrance. One was the right kind, and the other the wrong kind. One was an alcohol towelette, and the other a hand dispenser. One was designed to wipe down the cart and the other to disinfect hands. To my surprise, as I watched for a bit, people grabbed the towelette and wiped their hands with it. It seemed like most people were avoiding the dispenser.
Here are my facts. The dispenser, marked as a hand sanitizer, claimed to contain Triclosan and alcohol. Fact, this machine kills all the good and bad bacteria on the skin. I firmly believe, as studies point out, that pathogens populate faster than good colony bacteria. This means that when you indiscriminately kill off your microbiome bacteria, the good guys, the bad guys show up first, giving good bacteria almost no chance to defend. So, please keep this in mind when you enter a store and see a squirt dispenser. Said, I am still amazed that the one I saw said it included Triclosan, which is a banned substance. Perhaps they were refilling the old dispenser.
The towelette dispenser used on the hands is equally wrong. My story about the engineer on the airplane wiping down his seat area wearing Nitrile gloves is the right way. Those towelettes kill the bacteria, good and bad, the same way as the sanitizer dispenser. The difference is that the towelettes are designed to wipe down the cart and not your hands. So, it is perfectly proper to wipe down the things you touch with a bacteria killer and not your hands. Make sense?
NO! NO! NO!
In my trek around Wal-Mart, I saw one woman do it right. She wiped down her cart with the towelette and was wearing Nitrile gloves on her hands. She did not have a mask on, but I suspect that if and when a virus or the flu breaks out in New Mexico, she will be wearing a mask. For now, she was fending off germs the correct way.
So, there is a right and wrong way to keep safe. If you are going into public places, wash your hands, use gloves, and do not under any circumstances, rub your nose or face with your gloved hands. It is common sense that viruses are spread primarily through the nose, so keep your hands and fingers clear of your face.
To overly simplify, liquid hand sanitizers are not good, and sanitizer towelettes are for wiping down carts and things you touch. Disposable gloves are best.
Yes, it is flu season, and traveling is getting to be a more significant concern. It is the time of year to write about not only how to wash your hands, but why doing it the wrong way can hurt.
Many years ago, we researched the University of California Irvine on proper handwashing as a means to stay healthy during flu and virus outbreaks. The study formed our opinion, which I will share here.
The primary purpose of washing your hands is not to spread viruses to your face. The average person touches their face about 50 times a day. When I mentally checked in with how often I touch my face or nose with my hands, I quickly lost count—much more than 50 times a day.
So why wash your hands? The process of washing hands is to reduce the bacterial mass on your hands without harming the Microbiome. Our skin has friendly bacteria. Our Microbiome is occasionally invaded by bad gram-positive and gram-negative rods known as pathogens. These are the disease-carrying bacterial that infect us mostly through our noses and mouths. Was to remove them lowers the risk of infection.
Our Galleyon foaming soap helps to remove the bacterial mass because it is a Castile based soap that uses a high concentration of spearmint essential oil. Galleyon makes an excellent cleanser because Castile soaps are alkaline, and the spearmint aid in the cleaning process to reduce the overall bacterial count.
How to Wash with Galleyon
It is simple, and you might not be washing long enough.
Wet your hands thoroughly with warm water. This will open the pores of the skin to let the soap get deep in.
Apply a few pumps of Galleyon Foam and wash all parts of your hands for at least 30 seconds. More if you like, but not less.
Rinse with cool to warm water under flowing water. Rince longer than you think.
Shake your hands over the sink rapidly to release the water.
Use a paper towel to dry because a cloth towel used more than once is a home for the harmful bacteria to accumulate. Optionally air dry or use one of those clean air dry blowers like the Dyson Blade.
You’re Done!
What Not to Do.
Antibacterial agents
Stop! The term antibacterial has two distinct meanings in the world of science. Reducing the biomass on your hands is the good antibacterial action, and killing the bacterial with bactericides like triclosan is terrible. Killing bactericides like triclosan indiscriminately kill good and bad bacteria at the same time. The grandmothers’ tale is accurate. If you kill all the bacterial, there is no defense for the bad guys to invade harder and faster. I read one article where someone said to use Lysol to sanitize. Nuts!
Hand Sanitizers
Okay, you can make your own hand sanitizer with Galleyon by mixing one part of the liquids soap with five parts water. Spraying it on parts or your hands will help, but not that much. Using most hand sanitizers can hurt because they are mostly ethanol alcohol—usually about 60%. Ethanol is a bacteriacide that also indiscriminately kill good and bad bacteria. I was just on a plane where I watched a guy, who looked like an engineer, put on rubber gloves, take what seemed like an alcohol wipe, and cleaned his entire seat area. Then he carefully captured the wipe by removing his glove in a way to make it into a baggy. This was good because he sanitized the area as opposed to his skin. A+ The message is to sanitize your surroundings and not your hands. Keep that good bacteria working for you.
Gloves?
Wearing gloves is a good thing, but it is hard to do and uncomfortable. Those Nitrile blue or black gloves work, but they can get hot, and your hands can get sweaty wearing them. Bacterial needs oxygen (air) and water to propagate. So, unless you change them out and wash between, they are not that good. Cloth or porous gloves do nothing!
Don’t Touch Your Face.
One of the best deterrents is not to touch public things and not touch your hands/fingers to your face. I recently had a meeting in Las Vegas and had to fly through Phoenix to get there. The areas I was in were very low humidity, and most people were not sick. Said Wendy warned me not to touch anything and never touch my face. That was hard, but I made a conscious effort. I did watch most people as they grabbed handrails, pushed open doors on trash containers, and washing in the bathroom to little and without soap. They were continually touching their faces, and I could quickly see Wendy’s point. Research it if you want, but touching public fixtures and then your face is a disaster.
Okay, that is it. Wash your hands a lot with a Castile soap like Galleyon, and you have a pretty good chance at warding off a bacterial or virus attacks.
It is the tenth anniversary of Bob’s book, “Chemical-Free Skin Health.” That does not mean it is ten years old. It has been remastered a number of times to keep it current. Ironically, our collective amnesia will make much of the book new to first-time readers.
In 2008, Bob announced the beginning of a book focused on skin health over two years ago at the Natural Products Expo West. His book was published in early October 2009 and Bob will officially launch the book at the 2010 California Women’s Conference. Maria Shriver chose Keys Luminos for her California Women’s Conference for the speaker’s gift bag. In 2010, she wanted Keys Solar Rx for the speaker’s gift bag.
The book, titled “Chemical-Free Skin Health” with a subtitle of “Stop • Challenge • Choose,” was published by Orion’s M42 publishing company and was sold on the show floor by Roman’s bookstore next to Dr. Oz. Bob, Mehmet, and others were signing their books. Chemical-Free Skin Health sold out the first day.
Keys exhibited in the newly created section called the “ECO Island,” which features green sustainable products. For those attending, Bob and Wendy were in the Keys booth along with Kathleen Beaton, Hollywood makeup artist, and writer of the Foreword for Bob’s book. Kerry Malouf, motion picture makeup artist and beauty editor for Malibu Magazine, was also in the Keys booth in the ECO Island.
Bob and Wendy opened the ECO Island with a speech on the Mind, Body Soul stage for the conference at the Night at the Village on October 25th. Bob and Wendy also lead what Maria calls the “Kitchen Table” sessions within the ECO Island. These were 25 minute Q&A sessions where each will offer information and answer questions.
Oprah, Jane Fonda, Caroline Kennedy, and over 100 other celebrity women with a few men like Sir Richard Branson talked to over 35,000 women at the Long Beach California Convention Center.
Since then, Chemical-Free Skin Health has been published four times and is on Amazon Kindle. In celebration of the tenth anniversary, Chemical-Free Skin Health is on sale on Amazon Kindle for $4.95. That is a $15.00 savings. Well worth the original $19.95 list price. It makes this timeless book a super-value.
Click Here to go to Amazon Kindle or Click on the book cover image above.
The paperback is available here at 40% off published SRP:
In keeping with the times, we created a new area of Clean Green Cafe blog for quick informational bites. Infograms™ is focused on helping you understand our product applications. Infograms will offer tips and tricks as well as educational information. We will bring you industry news and our perspective on various important subjects. Clean Green Cafe will continue to have in-depth content while Infograms will be quick short bits of information. Often there will be crossover content where Infograms will link to a larger more profound article on the Clean Green Cafe Side.
An InfoGram is a bit like Twitter with a few exceptions.
Like Twitter the messages are short and to the point.
They are quick reads at mostly under one minute and never more than two minutes
Messages are straightforward.
No flowery words our comments that are up in the air.
You can choose to subscribe to Infograms separately from Clean Green Cafe for quick bites.
Infograms a frank and friendly…you know where we stand
Important to note is that the InfoGram blog is independent of Clean Green Cafe. That means that you need to subscribe to Infograms knowing that there will be more, but shorter content coming your way in the form of emails. We invite you to click on the links in emails to get to the main article, but please know that 100% of the content of the Infogram will be in the body of the email you receive. So, it is essential to subscribe so that you do not have to bookmark Inforgram to read the content.
Hope this makes sense, but, you need to subscribe to Infograms on the Infogram site at this link to get more frequent short information content
In the summer virtually, everyone gets a bottle of sunscreen for a long day outside whether it be at a beach, lake or pool etc. It’s important to protect your skin from UV rays. However, applying sunscreen should not be restricted to the summer. The need for shielding your skin from the sun is a necessity all year round. In addition, it’s important to moisturize your skin on a daily basis.
Because of the need to moisturize and protect from the sun on a daily basis, the popularity of products that meet multiple needs has skyrocketed.
With so many products on the market today, it’s hard to know which to buy and how they can benefit us. That’s why we created this article with tips on what to look for and avoid when selecting a daily moisturizer/SPF.
One of the markets top moisturizers is Solar RX Moisturizer SPFdue to its UVA-UVB protection minimizing the chemical burden on the skin. In addition, its lack of additives such as biocides and paraben which kill the microbiome of the skin causing disorders that are chemically driven.
UVA-UVB SPF Protection
The sunlight that reaches has two parts to its rays. These two parts of rays are made up from UVA and UVB rays.
UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis of the skin, which is the skins thickest layer. The dermis, if unprotected, can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkling, even suppression of the immune system.
UVB rays typically burn the superficial layers of your skin. This plays a key role in the development of cancer. The intensity of UVB rays can vary depending on the season of the year. With that said it’s important to wear a moisturizer SPF that block both UVA and UVB rays. Remember that sunburn skin does not just feel awful, it can cause permanent damage to your skin.
Avoid SPF Products with Parabens
Most often products can contain parabens. Parabens are often used in products as preservatives. Parabens have been used since the 50’s and are often used in beauty products. Some of the most commonly found are lotions, lipstick, shampoos, deodorants and more.
Some studies have shown that parabens can mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen, parabens have been found present in breast cancer tumors. Parabens are additives that kill the microbiome of the skin and can lead to disorders that are chemically driven. Solar RXdoes not contain parabens!
Zinc Oxide for SPF
Solar RX contains uncoated zinc oxide. Let’s talk about just a few benefits from zinc oxide.
Helps lower skin inflammation caused by allergies, irritation, and rashes
Keeps moisture locked into dry skin
Treats pigment disorders
Provides broad-spectrum sun protection that prevents burns
Helps prevent aging of the skin.
Why Use a Moisturizer with an SPF in it?
Why would anyone buy a moisturizer that has SPF in it? The list of benefits goes on, but the short answer would be to save time and money. Buying an SPF and moisturizer separately can be costly. Add in the fact that you have to apply them separately, it’s a no-brainer.
Ashley Bio
“Hi! I am Ashley and I love writing about beauty related topics. When I am not writing about skincare and beauty products you will probably find me reading a book. Through work experience, I have been able to craft excellent writing skills in a number of different styles and tones. in addition a deep understanding of consumers and what motivates them online and of course grammar skills.
Ashley Parker is a freelance journalist and writer. She is a non-paid contributor to Clean Green Cafe. Although her opinions and views are her own, we believe they fully align with our philosophies. She runs the SkinStore blog
Galleyon Natural Antibacterial Foaming Soap has been a cornerstone of Keys for near 15 years. Galleyon is an alternative to soaps that contained Triclosan. Unlike antibacterial soaps, it is not a biocide, so it does not kill our skin’s natural Probiome. It reduces the levels of harmful bacteria without harming the natural colonies of bacteria on our skin.
Antibacterial Foaming Soap & More
Over the years, Galleyon has become much more. Surgeons and medical workers have been known to wash with a clinical bacteriacide and then wash with Galleyon to protect their skin from the bactericidal soaps and gloves they have to wear. A car mechanic reports how great Galleyon was at removing automotive grease and grime. Teens like to shower with Galleyon because it tingles, smells good and makes them feel good. Runners and athletes love it as a whole body soap, and even surfers use it to get rid of the crud they surf through. All the interesting stuff.
The secret to Galleyon is the Lakota Sioux Spearmint Essential oil and the blood orange essential oils we use. The spearmint is off the scale for quality and bacteria reducing properties. The blood orange essential oil is cleansing, deep cleaning and very friendly to the skin. Our base Castile soap was designed to be low alkalinity and brags to be the mildest Castile available. Put them together with avocado oil, and you have Galleyon.
So What Is New?
To the naturally cleansing Castile base soap, we add the spearmint blood orange and avocado oil. What is different is that we have figured out how to get more of the spearmint and blood orange into the soap base without separating. More is better, right? The main benefit is that all the benefits of the essential oils are now in higher concentration without affecting the gentleness of the product. Galleyon’s pH is the same as it was, but the intensity and cleansing properties are better now.
What you will notice is a stronger scent of spearmint and a bit of a raspberry scent coming from the California Blood Orange essential oil.
For our cult full body users, you will notice more tingle and a softer feel. All without a price increase!
PurPlay Classic Has Suprised Us! A Very Pleasant Surprise.
We have learned a great deal very quickly after launching PurPlay just a month ago. One thing that is clear is that it is much more. It is also a personal lubricant for dryness.
We began to think about the PurPlay product line nearly five years ago when women would ask what they could use for vagina personal lubricant for dryness, chafing and minor discomfort from the weather, traveling, etc. Our initial answer was Tortuga lotion and then later AvoJel.
We love to hear from our friends and Keys customers are particularly vocal about what they want and what they like. Over the years, we heard lots of suggestions, and one that was lingering along was the area of a personal lubricant for dryness. About two years ago, the low rumble of voices became a loud chorus asking us to do something. Customers complained that personal lubricants were full of chemicals. They complained that some reduced sensitivity because they were too thick. Others complained that water-based lubes only lasted a few minutes. Our customers got louder and louder asking for a Keys style of product that was natural, functional, vegan and gluten-free.
PurPlay Classic
Classic was our first experimental personal lubricant product. We looked for oils that when combined mirrored and mimicked natural sexual lubricant produced by men and women. Viscosity and slip were critical to match while sensitivity was a very close third. It was both easy and hard to figure out the right oils because only a few oils are near-water in viscosity, produce good slip with heightened sensitivity, and that would last without reapplying. We discovered that if we refined coconut oil to remove the aggressive properties and blended in, at temperature, organic avocado oil that it nearly resembled the lubricants we all naturally produce. It worked, and beta testers roared.
You learn a lot in Beta Testing
All Keys products are reviewed a tried by people before we productize them. They testers are called Alpha and Beta. Alpha testers test a product before the ingredients and formulation are complete. Beta testers are a different group that examines the final formulations before the product launches and test for precise questions. Sharing this is important to recognize that during Beta, you learn the answers to your specific questions and can re4fine the product based on that premise. When you launch, you learn about many things that you could not envision from actual customers. Often what you learn are revolutionary and exciting features. The critical thing for a designer, you have to listen carefully.
PurPlay Classic – Personal Lubricant For Dryness
Some of our team predicted that PurPlay Classic would be the top seller right out of the gate. They were right, but not for the reasons they gave. All said that Classic would be first because it was pure, chemical-free and so heightened sensitivity for both men and women that it would be a hit. It was and is a hit, but for other reasons. Yes, it is a world-class personal lubricant, but much more as we are learning. It is truly a world class personal lubricant for dryness.
We harken back to our original customers from nearly five years ago that asked for a personal lubricant that would help with daily vaginal dryness and the associated discomfort that includes chafing. Little did we realize how big a deal this was for many women. So, more than half of the sales of PurPlay Classic seem to be from women seeking a daily lubricant that is comforting. Classic is just that, and you can feel it by spraying a little on your fingers.
Bob and I have a rule in our lives that products that come into our home have to have more than one purpose. PurPlay Classic is probably the best sexual, personal lubricant available. It is also functional in helping women to find daily comfort. Adding to the feelings of safety by being chemical-free, vegan and gluten-free increase the value of PurPlay Classic.
We are just one month into a great and exciting product for us. I am confident I will be hearing and learning more from our customers about how and why they use our PurPlay products. I will be sure to share with you as the list builds.
In the 1950’s virtually every woman owned a jar of Pond’s Cold Cream. They removed makeup, washed their face, moisturized and exfoliated with it. The problem was that it was full of chemicals and today’s natural woman wants something safer and healthier. Keys Tortuga to the rescue!
Tortuga Exfoliates
The petrochemicals in cold creams simply dissolved dead skin. Many women today use salt and sugar scrubs to exfoliate. Yes, they make the skin feel smoother, but like sandpaper, they can damage the alive part of the skin. With Keys Tortuga, the avocado oil we use contains natural retinol’s that will nicely exfoliate the skin, moisturize it and leave it clean and fresh without a sub or harsh soap.
The process is simple. Just wet your face with warm clear water. Take a pea size dollop of Tortuga and begin to massage it into the skin. You can start with the forehead and work down adding more Tortuga creating a light coat. Then start where you began and massage with your fingers. You will notice that the skin begins to slough off. If needed, add more Tortuga. When you have completed the process, since your face with cool clear water and pat dry. You’re done!
Tortuga Removes Makeup
Even stage makeup is no match to Keys Tortuga. For years stage and screen actors have used Tortuga to remove stubborn and waterproof makeup. They spread Tortuga thinly all over their face and use a tissue or washcloth to remove makeup. Using more Tortuga for a hard area, they remove all the makeup and then rinse with cool clear water and pat dry.
Tortuga As A Moisturizer
Like exfoliation, you can wet the face and lightly massage Tortuga into the skin. Keep the face wet and lightly massage Tortuga on the face, neck and décolletage. Let the thin and water air dry. You want a very thin layer and let it dry. Why it is a preferred moisturizing method is because you are trapping moisture from the water in the skin. Also, the natural retinol in avocado oil helps smooth and fade spots and dark patches. Carrot seed oil and black seed oils deep moisturize and have an effect on skin elasticity. The idea is to really dilute the Keys Tortuga using the water.
That’s It!
Last point. In all cases, you can use Keys Tortuga around the eyes and it will not burn or cause tearing. It does everything that cold cream does and better because it has no harsh chemicals and the ingredients are probiomme…meaning good for the skin health.
We get lots of questions on our customer service system. This week the dominant question has to do with thinning Keys lotions in cold weather. We generally get very unique questions which is why we don’t have a FAQ page. We answer each question individually. Sometime we do get a burst of questions that are similar. In the future, as we receive similar questions we will post them here as well.
Over the last couple of weeks we have had a number of questions regarding the viscosity (thinning) of some of our lotions.
We think the question is coming up because of cold weather around the country. So, first thing, Keys does not use glycols in our products. Glycols keep a product viscosity consistent over a wide range of temperatures. Thinning can be done by raising the temperature or adding water.
Most of the question circle around how to go about thinning our lotions. Some request us to make a thinner lotion. Thinning our products in the manufacturing process lessen the quality, so we won’t do that.
There are some tricks that include heating the bottle to around 90 degrees F. Some people place the bottle near a window to catch some sunlight. Add water as you apply to thin the lotion. As the water evaporates on the skin, the lotion will be more even on the skin and deeper in the pores.
The reality is that if we made our lotions by thinning, we would lose some of the emollience.
So here are the tricks:
Heat the lotion to nearly skin temperature which is typically 90 degrees F
Put a drop of a lotion in the palm of your hand and add a few drops of water. Be your own judge of how much water to add.
Apply lotions to a wet face after washing. Again, the lotion will thin and go into the pores. Allow your face to air dry.
Do not use these tricks with Solar Rx Sunscreen/Moisturizer as thinning it will reduce the efficacy on the SPF.
Keys does not use preservatives and all of our lotions are water soluble. Do not dilute the lotion in the bottle as you may expose the contents to airborne bacteria.
Hope this helps!
Mickey
If you would like to purchase our lotions you can go to our store by clicking here.
You Voted With Your Wallets! Natural Products Are Mainstream in Grocery Stores.
In my book, “Chemical-Free Skin Health®” I suggested that the fastest and best way to bring about change in Natural Products was to buy products that were pure and clean. Voting with your wallets. Boycotting the junk also sent a huge message. Well, you did it. The result is that not only have you put natural products front and center on store shelves, but you have convinced major brands to return to their roots by offering natural wholesome and clean products.
I recently read a draft report by a research firm that specializes in retail store trends. They noted in a recent study that many mainline brands like Campbell soup have initiated and brought out new natural brands that are simple and wholesome alternatives. Campbell’s “Well YES” brand was singled out as an example of how many brands have shifted back to simple foods. Same was noted for personal care.
I decided to do something totally out of character. I went to a Kroger Fred Meyers store in Newport Oregon and just walked the aisles. This store has a natural products section, but it was very apparent that all the food aisles were focused on natural products. As a point of reference, when a retailer puts products at eye level and easy to grab, that is what is called “First Position” meaning that it is priority. Walking the soup aisle, Amy’s and Campbell Well Yes were front and center. The jam and peanut butter section was even more noticeable. Traditional brands like Skippy were bottom shelf with Jason’s, Smucker’s Natural and other pure brands were front and center. The rest of the store was the same as was the conventional health and beauty aisles.
So, you did it. You voted with your wallets and sent a message to the manufacturers that you wanted a change and they responded. Good on you and good on them for listening.
I must also say that I hope you have learned a lesson that your voice works, but a voice that speaks directly to those that can make a change. The manufacturers! Stop wasting your money by donating to those that claim to be trying to change the government to protect us all from the evils of bad manufacturers. Keep your dollars in your wallets and spend them on products that are good for you. Trust me, funky questionable products that sit on the shelf get discontinued quickly by retailers that see them gathering dust. Those manufacturers that get their products returned because no one is buying them speaks volumes. Always, always, Vote With Your Wallets. It works every time.
When we started 15 years ago, Keys promoted natural functional products that solved problems and make people feel good. We said, “and by the way, they are natural.” Today we still market the features, benefits and advantages of our natural products. Because of the natural products food movement, we now have a huge following by people wanting to solve their skin disorders with natural products. We are celebrating the turnaround…or really the return to natural.
I guess a simple message is that the P&G’s of the world are really not so bad. They just follow the money. If you ask for junk, that’s what you get. If you ask for good, that’s what you get.
So leave your money in your wallets. Spend it wisely on products that you know what is in the container.
Congrats! You just learned how powerful you and your wallets can be.
In the not so long ago past if you wanted some fast relief from congestion you took the vapors from Smelling Salts. The problem was that you would have been killing your lungs and smell nerve receptors. Keys VaporJel is the updated natural solution!
Be Careful Using Old Remedies
Long long ago, people sought relief from chest and respiratory issues using a small bottle kept in the purse or pocket. They were called smelling salts. Often people would take a snort to clear their heads of the fuzzies as well as helping with the symptoms of colds, the flu and tough to solve bronchitis. Unfortunately these little bottles could kill you because they we made from ammonia.
It seems like all sorts of respiratory ailments are coming year round these days. Keys VaporJel may be the fast fix to recovery. VaporJel is our avocado based jel with menthol, camphor and eucalyptus. Spread a little on your chest at night and a dab under the nose during the day to open up your air passages and release congestion.
My VaporJel Santa Fe Experience
For the holidays, I flew from sea level, 80% humidity and 80º F to Santa Fe which is at 7,000 feet, 20º F and nearly 0% humidity. I think the airplane introduced a bug and a few days into my trip, I thought that I was having altitude sickness. It turned into an obvious bout with bronchitis. Vapor Jel to the rescue. I remember my grandparents and their little smelling salts bottle. So I tried the same thing with VaporJel. I opened the jar and took in a deep breath. I felt instant relief from the burning chest sensation. I decided to put some on a wash cloth soaked with hot water. Better! Then I started to apply it under my nose and the relief was longer lasting. At night, I rubbed it on my chest which helped me sleep. Relief!
Go VaporJel! You Rock!
Now, VaporJel will not cure bronchitis, but it sure helped with my symptoms.
Avocado oil based, natural stimulants that work without petrolatum and chemicals! Providing natural relief.
Triclosan and 18 Other Chemicals Banned In Antibacterial Soaps and Hand Sanitizers
By Bob Root
Keys CTO and Author of Chemical-Free Skin Health®
I must first admit that I have little use for Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), industry consultants and individuals who gain income, notoriety or donations based on creating fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) in the minds of consumers. I believe that the best path to information is data. A point-of-view or opinion that is not based in facts wastes everyone’s time.
What is Triclosan?
Triclosan is a chemical developed by a Swiss group called Ciba. They were acquired by BASF in April 2009. Triclosan is a broad spectrum bactericide that kills all forms of bacteria. This includes the good and the bad. For more background on why our good bacteria being killed off affects our skin’s eco system, please read an article I wrote in February of 2011 titled, “ARE WE KILLING OUR SKIN’S ECOSYSTEM? ”
The FDA Ban of Triclosan!
So, the facts! The US FDA has banned Triclosan and 18 other chemicals being used in soaps and hand sanitizers. They have not stated just their lack of efficacy, they have been banned because of concerns to humans! Banned! Do not take my word for it, read here what the FDA said in the public filing. Evidence shows that not only are they non-affective, they can cause damage to human and animals who have been and continue to be exposed to Triclosan. These include concerns over propagating Staph, hormone disruption, cancer and destruction of the human microbiome.
The good news is that the FDA has stepped in and banned Triclosan’s use. Many leading consumer products companies have already announce removal of the chemicals including Triclosan.
Triclosan – I Told You So in 2010
In my book, Chemical-Free Skin Health®, I dedicated a chapter to Triclosan and other biocides. My original thoughts was to right a few word in a much more all encompassing chapter. As I studied the chemical Triclosan more, it ultimately became an entire chapter because even in 2010, evidence was already huge that Triclosan was detrimental to human life. Below is the chapter from my book for you to read. I ask you to read it because the FDA ruling is just the tip of the iceberg.
Triclosan – EPA, It is Your Turn to Weigh-In
I write this article, not to reinforce what I wrote 6 years ago, it is to make you aware that Triclosan is used in much more than soaps and hand sanitizers. It is in our food, other personal care products, clothing and food preparation products. Again, read the chapter from my book below. As I said, it became a chapter because the threat is broader and it is the EPA’s turn to also ban the use of Triclosan and some parabens being used in food wrap, antibacterial clothing, sporting goods, toys, children’s car seats and many animal products. The same cause and effect the FDA details in their announcement also applies to products that are under the control of the EPA.
Do Better When You Know Better
There is even a bigger message in the Triclosan ban. Become aware so that you do better for yourself and your family by knowing better. The reality is that it has taken some advocates of reform nearly ten years to get the FDA to act. The good news is that they did. The bad news is that their are hundreds of other chemicals in use today that advocates have presented data showing their detrimental effects on humans and animals. Yet their is a very simple solution and it is back to the future.
You have two choices. Burden yourself with self-study to find out what all the chemicals are that could cause potential harm or merely switch to natural products that have simple whole natural ingredients. Whether it is Haagen Daz Five ice cream with only five ingredients, my products and those of others who offer simple man-made chemical-free ingredients, you can simplify your life by embracing trusted brands. Then you will also send a pocketbook message to the big brands that people want to return to the simpler past where everything is natural that we put into and on our bodies. Back to the future? Simply, 60 years ago nearly everything we ate and put in or on our bodies was naturally derived. My hallucination is that in the not too distant future, we will return to natural products that are chemical-free.
Congrats FDA! EPA, your turn! People, it is time to get wise and go natural!
You can also read more by purchasing my book on Amazon It is available in paperback or Kindle. Chemical-Free Skin Health is also available from the Keys Online store by Clicking Here
Excerpt from Chemical-Free Skin Health® by Bob Root
Copyright 2010-2016 by Orion Learning International Inc. M42 Publishing
Just as a note, I have also attached the chapter as a PDF document if you want to send it to your friends. Click the image to download
[bsk-pdf-manager-pdf id=”4″ featuredimage=”yes”]
Chapter 12: My Two Worst Public Enemies! Triclosan and Parabens
Early on I told you about how the skin works. Overly simplifying a particular facet of the skin, the bacteria that exist on it keep our skin in balance. Washing our skin and particularly the face removes the remnants of the bacteria, dirt, pollutants and dead skin. No matter how hard we try to remove the bacteria, it is nearly impossible unless we use germicides or bactericides like parabens and triclosan.
Here is my simple concern. If I can put a paraben in a product to kill off bacteria and germs in the container, what does it do to the good bacteria on my skin? If I wash my hands with a hand sanitizer that contains the broad spectrum bactericide, triclosan, what does it do to my good bacteria?
Search as I might, I have not found any evidence that parabens and triclosan are tuned killers. Meaning that they waste the bad guys and protect the good. Everything that I have read supports the contrary.
I have talked to dermatologists, doctors and scientists asking their concerns about what is going on in personal care and cosmetics that concern them. Over 90% express concern over parabens and triclosan because of the long term health effects. Not from the chemicals, but from the effect it has on killing the probiotics of our skin. All express an even greater concern about these chemicals being used in our food, toothpaste and mouth washes.
You can choose to read this chapter or not. It is somewhat geeky, but necessary to explain my perceptions.
What I believe is that the only thing known to man that kills the good bacteria on our skin are parabens and triclosan. Remove the good bacteria and our balance is disrupted. Disrupt the balance and those bacteria that come at us first are the worst kind and literally attack unprotected skin.
I personally believe that these two chemical types are responsible for many of the skin disorders that doctors see.
Also, it took western medicine a long time to buy into the fact that we need probiotics to help our gut perform. I believe it is also time that we start to explore probiotics for our skin.
Finally, I do believe that the people that have link MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) outbreaks to parabens and triclosan are probably correct. Only time and research will prove them right or wrong. Indications are they are correct and it is probably time to eliminate parabens and triclosan from your life.
So read on if you want!
Triclosan: The Biocide that Creates Super Bugs?
FACT vs FUD is a chapter in this book as well as an article on our blog. In this overly inflammatory news based society of ours, my resistance is to publish anything that is not based in research that is a bit beyond a theory.
Some History:
One of the inspirations for this book and this article was an experience I had while in a store outside of Dayton Ohio. I was not too far from the headquarters of Proctor & Gamble (Cincinnati) delivering a speech about the Dirty Dozen at an annual event the store promotes. Probably 200 in attendance, I went through the Dirty Dozen chemicals created by the Marin County Cancer Project. At the end, I provided some chemicals of concern, so I went back through my “most feared” list. In the book, I describe that some of the Dirty Dozen are much more damaging than others, but tend to be used in only discrete segments and in only some products. Some ingredients like parabens are much more widely used often in multiple doses during the manufacturing process elevating their concentrations in products to well beyond the called for percentages by the chemical maker. During my speech, I invited questions as we went along and there were plenty.
At the end, I voiced my concern that triclosan was perhaps my greatest fear because it is so powerful a biocide. I had explained earlier that triclosan is the main ingredient in hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps. A biocide, by design, kills gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as most all bacteria. My concern all along has been two very important concerns:
If it indiscriminately kills all bacteria, then what does it do to the flora-probiotic on our skin?
Will the destruction of all bacteria on the skin create super-bugs that morph and become resistant to both the biocide and antibiotics?
As I always do when speaking to a group, I try to connect with the eyes of people in my audience. It is my way of trying to figure out if I am connecting with them. In my corporate life, I received training on how to read an audience as well. As I call it, ‘Squirming Around’ is a big flag that I have touched a nerve. As a CEO of a publicly traded company, you better believe that I experienced this at every shareholder meeting. So, this day, I was thrust back to my corporate life by a gentleman that had asked no questions, been very polite and had friendly eyes. When I lumped triclosan in with parabens as my major concern, his hand shot skyward as to immediately interrupt me. I obliged by stopping to acknowledge his question.
He asked, “Why would you add the main ingredient in hand sanitizers with that of preservatives used in almost every product made from personal care, to toothpaste, to food?”
First things first, I knew immediately that this person was from the industry because the question was one I would have expected in a meeting inside a research and development process. Not being ever deterred by confrontation, I answered both technically and emotionally. Here is my initial response.
“I am more concerned with Triclosan than a Methyl Paraben for four primary reasons:
Triclosan has been used in hospital and scientific environments for many years because it is the most effect biocide.
The concentration of Triclosan in a function specific product like antibacterial soaps is much higher and therefore of greater concern to me because it does a much more wide reaching job of killing all bacteria on the skin including the good bugs!
The destruction from Triclosan is so powerful and long lived compare to parabens that I have more than a subtle concern that what bacteria arrive back on the scene will be the worst kind like staph, e. Coli etc.
I also worry that these strains of bacteria will grow back with a vengeance and become resistant to both Triclosan and known antibiotics.”
The man stood straight up as if to confront me. I could also tell that I had just scared the hell out of the rest of the audience. Before I could temper my comments with the fact that this was my personal concern and that I had not gathered all the facts, he spoke.
He said, “I am a scientist that works down the road. First, I am a parent and father. I do not care that we have the best health insurance; I worry about what we expose our kids to. We have had an outbreak of Staph in the middle schools in this area and what you are saying is that because we require our kids to wash with antibacterial soap containing Triclosan that we are exposing them to the potential of transmitted staph infections like the ones we are experiencing now?”
My only answer had to be from the heart and not my corporate training to dodge the question. I said, Yes!”
He shook his head and sat down. Honestly, you could have heard a mouse burp in that room! I tried to interject some humor and my time was up. The people filed out of the room as the other speaker got set up. The man approached as did the sponsors from the store.
The sponsor thanked me for the informative talk and quickly said, can you send me something about this. She offered that she was a Cancer survivor and had a more than passing concern.
The man also echoed by adding that he was privileged to be able to read many documents about uses of chemicals. He said that what he always noticed is that most have warnings of irritation when used in high percentages and that antibacterial soap using Triclosan actually exceeded the minimum percentages. I asked if he could provide me with percentage data and he said; “No! I am not allowed to do that!” I got the message. I walked back to my team that was exhibiting at the health fare and told them of the experience. I shared, that I only wish I had a study to hand to everyone that at least echoed my fears.
Over the last two years, I have shared the story with colleagues. This morning in July of 2010, I received an email with a copy of the Opinion from the EU Scientific Directorate! Being a geek, I read all 56 pages and decided to sit down to finish this chapter of the book.
Remember this is an opinion and I would encourage you to read the entire document. There must be additional testing. We do know that bacteria exposed to destructive agents does morph into “super bugs” in many cases. This opinion echoes much of that concern. In one sense, I am pleased that this concern of mine and others has now taken another step up in the process of science.
My opinion! For what it is worth, science generally follows an orderly path. The Mandelbrot theory says that, if that what we see occurs in a large scale, it will occur in a small scale. If we can kill bacteria…good and bad… with a large dose of a chemical, then small doses delivered more frequently and repeatedly will have the same effect. The other scientific principle that comes to mind here is Occam’s Razor which is the principle that “entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity” or that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. So, to me it makes sense from a logical perspective that using a chemical like Triclosan everyday in large does will have a long term adverse effect on the flora of the skin. Only the test of time and scientific studies will bring the concern to even higher levels.
What I can share is that I personally avoid anything on or in my body designed to kill something like germs, bacteria and microbes. Like all of us, I have had to take antibiotics and we know from the warnings that sustained use can make them ineffective. Following Occam’s Razor, I also believe that is true of these chemicals under various names that are designed to make my life more pure…Purity at the sake of what?
So, my mother may not have been right that eating dirt was all that bad for me ☺
Triclosan: The Biocide that keeps on giving!
Most of the free world including the US requires that Triclosan be listed somewhere on the label if it is used in a product. But how about if it is used in product packaging or molded into materials. Unregulated therefore no requirement for listing. Herein is the fallacy of confusing consequence with sequence.
Have you ever wondered why cheese seems to last longer than it used to? Have you wondered how companies can claim that if you buy their storage products that food will last longer? Have you wondered how a manufacturer could claim that their running socks are antibacterial?
We know that Triclosan is used in sanitizers and toothpaste as well as antibacterial soaps. Did you ever wonder what chemical they use in making utensils, cooking equipment, cutting boards and even sport clothing to make them antibacterial. You guessed it, Triclosan. The white powdery substance can be molded into products to make virtually antibacterial. Many food packages are molded with Triclosan to make them antibacterial to preserve the food longer.
If there was any reason to buy organic and local at the farmers market, this is a darned good one for me.
So, like phthalates, Triclosan is not just in personal care. They found phthalates in children’s toys and car dashboards. Triclosan is in much more than antibacterial soap. So here is a partial list of products that use Triclosan:
Sanitizers
Antibacterial soap (really a detergent)
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Shaving Cream
Mouthwash
Skin Care
Makeup
Acne Products
Antimicrobial Creams
Cleaning Supplies
Kitchen Utensils
Food Storage
Plastic Wrap
Trash Bags
Toys
Bedding (People and Pets)
Socks
Sports Clothing
Child Car Seats
Someone asked me if I could link a direct connection to MRSA (Methicillin Resistent Staphylococcus Aureus) and Triclosan. I said, “Honestly, I do not know!” Do I believe that it is connected? Yes! So you can imagine my surprise when I read an article in a medical journal prescribe sits baths for MRSA suffers in a solution of 2% Tricolsan!
Triclosan is used in many common household products that you would not expect.
OK, I am starting to sound like a radical working at an NGO! Environmental issues are big as well.
Parabens!
Parabens…Good Guys or Bad Guys?
As a part of my ongoing series of looking at the Dirty Dozen Chemicals shown to provide elevated Cancer rates in people and animals, in this article, I outline why we do not use parabens leaving the judgmental diagnosis to the NGO’s attacking them. The Dirty Dozen Chemicals are a list of 12 developed originally by the Marin County Cancer Project which at the time, had the highest Cancer Rates in the US. Followed by Search For The Cause and Teens Turning Green the list is now designated the Dirty Thirty.
So, are parabens good guys or bad guys? Both it seems and there is a reason why we do not use them as well.
Below is a scavenged description of parabens from Wikipedia. On the surface and from a chemical perspective they do their job. Many chemists and companies support their use based on a belief of safety. I believe that they are looking at the wrong reasons for safety.
Our society seems to primarily look at safety as, “will what we put on our skin hurt us directly?” I believe that we should be looking at whether it hurts us based on contact and will it cause something else to hurt us because of it.
So first let’s try to understand what parabens are and why some manufacturers use them. Here is that Wikipedia description:
Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives.
Their efficacy as preservatives, in combination with their low cost, their long history of safe use and the inefficacy of natural alternatives like grapefruit seed extract (GSE), probably explains why parabens are so commonplace. They are becoming increasingly controversial, however, and some organizations which adhere to the precautionary principle object to their everyday use.
Chemistry
Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, from which the name is derived. Common parabens include methylparaben (E number E218), ethylparaben (E214), propylparaben (E216) and butylparaben. Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts.
Occurrence
Some parabens are found naturally in plant sources. For example, methylparaben is found in blueberries, where it acts as an antimicrobial agent. However, when parabens are eaten, they are metabolized and lose the ester group, making them less strongly estrogen-mimicking.
( Bob Comment) Part of the rub here is a number of studies that link parabens to breast Cancer because of these properties, but let’s not get too off track!
Synthesis
All commercially used parabens are synthetically produced, although some are identical to those found in nature. They are produced by the esterification of para-hydroxybenzoic acid with the appropriate alcohol. para-Hydroxybenzoic acid is in turn produced industrially from a modification of the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, using potassium phenoxide and carbon dioxide.
Now that you are an expert on parabens, I think it is fair to talk about the pros and cons of them.
Remember that I believe that it is an indirect result of the parabens that is as important to look at as well as the direct result of their actions.
The pros of parabens or grapefruit seed extract are that they kill bacteria and fungus inside products. It is very difficult to sterilize containers and apparatus without using chemicals. The technique we use is super-heated steam on our equipment, but those parabens do a really good job of killing microbes, gram positive and gram negative rods. The con is that they do a good job of killing bacteria on our skin as well.
You might say that is good, but much research shows that what we want to do is inhibit bacteria growth on our skin while permitting flora bacteria to exist as it does in nature. To me, it is sort of like drinking parabens in hope they will kill diseased bacteria in our gut in hopes that they will leave all that good bacteria we want alone. If science could figure that out, it would be major… just has not happened yet.
Frankly, when I developed our first products, I did not know what parabens were. So it was simple…ignorance was bliss. I did know that I needed a preservative and my aboriginal friends suggested rosemary. Turns out it is also a natural high grade antioxidant, but for me, it minimized bacteria growth in our natural products.
When a contract manufacturer approached me to make our products, I politely listened as the salesperson told me why I had to use parabens. My silence forced him to exasperation and he blurted out, “What would you do if the FDA said you have to use parabens?” My answer? I would mark the products refrigerate after opening! He was not amused and yet that is exactly what I would do.
It turns out that we have traced part of Wendy’s reaction to prescription products after her Melanoma to a paraben reaction. Admittedly rare, I personally believe that it is more common than we think.
I will let our friends at the Breast Cancer Fund fight the paraben battle on their own front. I would encourage you to research that more for yourself.
Why We Do Not Use Parabens
Simply, I have done enough research and read enough that parabens in our personal care, household products and mouth care kill all forms of bacteria on our skin and in our gut. Like studies have shown with triclosan and germicides used in household products, my own studies have shown these same agents kill the natural flora on the skin and in the gut. What I believe happens next is that the really bad bacteria including gram positive rods like e. Coli and Staph (MRSA) have an opportunity to come back with a vengeance and attack our systems freely.
For example, it is common in our microbiology lab to take an agar petri dish and smear a natural ingredient on it to see if colony, gram positive or gram negative rods (bacteria) show up in an accelerated 72 hour test. What is not common, but we have done it, are to take a sample of “bugs” and kill them and then watch what grows back first in an open air environment. More than not, we see some harmless colony bacteria show up first, but then some really nasty bacteria take over and on most occasions we see fungus appear to feed on the bacteria. Can’t prove it, but I have to wonder if all this MRSA staph that has shown up in our middle schools is not a direct link to the triclosan in antibacterial soaps and the parabens in all of our products.
Okay, now that I have you flipped out a bit, I did a test of ten products at one of my labs and measured the cumulative amount of parabens in them. What I mean is that I know that the providers of parabens suggest a range or percentage to use. Let’s say it is 0.5% of the total solution. When I tested the products all showed excessive amounts of parabens well beyond the recommended dose. Knowing that chemists strive for economy, I began to wonder why the levels were so high…high enough to kill anything. I could not figure out why until I was giving a speech on the Dirty Dozen near Dayton Ohio and one chemist from P&G asked how many ingredients were typically in natural products. I answered, “probably 10 to 15.” He laughed and said our average is 45. It suddenly dawned on me how the paraben levels could be so high in the products I tested. The answer, the ingredient/chemical suppliers were also using parabens to preserve their raw material. Think it through! The manufacturer puts 0.5% into the product and each of the suppliers of those 40+ chemicals put 0.5% into the raw materials. Simply, we are being overdosed with parabens and every product we use adds to the equation. Ten products times the 1.6% average we tested is a daily dose of 16% on our skin. I think the most recent statistics I heard from the EWG is that the average woman uses 12 products a day containing parabens and men average 6 products. That means that if I am correct with my average that women are getting ~19.2% paraben contact. We have always joked that “chemists add and engineers subtract, but maybe it is not a joke.
Our Simple View
To overly simplify the reason we do not use parabens is that we believe that what comes out of the bottle designed to kill bacteria in the packaging also kills the flora on our skin and our gut facilitating bad super-bug bacteria to grow in its place that also facilitates fungal growth and imbalance.
Right now, this is a tested theory long from scientific fact. What if I am right!
See, I told my mother eating dirt was good!
BTW, The Mayo Clinic states, “Most MRSA infections occur in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. It’s known as health care-associated MRSA, or HA-MRSA. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at most risk of HA-MRSA. More recently, another type of MRSA has occurred among otherwise healthy people in the wider community. This form, community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, is responsible for serious skin and soft tissue infections and for a serious form of pneumonia.”
I personally believe that people are walking in with the MRSA and when surgery is performed that is when it invades. Maybe hospitals should pretest for MRSA and an incoming inspection….Do you think?
Chapter Quick Notes:
Parabens and Triclosan are bactericides and germicides. That means they kill all bacteria indiscriminately. Good or bad bacteria alike, it they just kill.
Parabens and Triclosan indiscriminately kill the good probiotic bacteria on the skin. My belief is that this permits bad bacteria attacking the undefended skin.
Washing the skin does not remove our probiotic good bacteria from the skin.
Bactericides cause an imbalance on the skin possibly leading to many skin disorders.
Its your choice to buy direct or buy from one of our resellers. We have a large list of retailers that you can buy from at their establishments or online. It is convenient to be able to buy Keys while you are shopping for other products. You can find a dealer near you using our “Dealer Locator.” The reality is that not all dealers stock all of our products all of the time. So, it is important that you call them to make sure they have the products in stock.
Buying Direct
The other reality is that when you buy direct, we always have all of our products in stock. Ordering direct saves you time, fuel, money and no tax.
Discounts & Promotions
There are many ways to save at Keys. We have created a series of ongoing promotions and discounts to help you save. These are consumer programs that are automatic when you fulfill certain requirements.
Below are some of the ongoing promotions and discounts that have no expiration date.
If you are a domestic US customer and buy direct from us spending $75 or more, you will receive free USPS Priority Mail Shipping. When the net amount of your order exceeds $75 and you are shipping into a US address, your shipping is free
Our rewards program gives you points that can be used like money to purchase products on future orders. Every time you buy, you will get 5% of your gross purchase minus shipping charges in the form of usable money that you can apply to future orders or stockpile. At checkout, you can choose to apply the amount available to you. The system automatically keeps a record and calculates the rewards points available for you to use.
For many years we had a “Wendy’s Regime” that required you buy five (5) specific products. You asked to be able to build your own regimen and we listened. Now when you buy five (5) uniquely different products or more, you will receive a 10% discount on those products. Remember they all have to be different and if you buy more then one of a particular product, it will be at the regular price. This build your own DIY kit rewards buying five unique products at a time.
A few years ago, we started to receive requests for volume purchases from some of our Cancer survivors. They had to use a lot of our products like Tortuga and they requested that if they would buy more at one time, would we give them a discount. The answer is yes and we have had this program where you buy three (3) of a product at one time and you will automatically receive a 5% discount.
This program is similar to the one above where you buy 6 of a single product, you will get a 10% discount on those products. You can buy multiples of six of different products and get 10% off on each. This is not a mix and match program. You must buy six each of any product to get the discount.
Lastly
Keys products are very rich and emollient. They go a long way and last a long time. Less is more!
We also believe our products out perform products sold that can cost 5 to 6 times as much because we do not layer in huge margins for marketing and advertising. Our brand is one of the best there is, we solve problems with solutions and we are 100% natural, gluten-free, chemical-free and non-GMO…Nothing synthetic!
When Wendy Steele asked me to develop a sunscreen for her after beating Melanoma, she needed UVA and UVB blocking. What she wanted was a cosmetically clear anti-aging moisturizer that would prevent aging. The product, Solar Rx was heralded as innovative with design awards, product of the year and acknowledgement by the EWG and Consumer Reports Magazine. It is much more then a moisturizer and sun protection. It is a simple and inexpensive anti-aging tool.
“If you are age 10 to 80+, wearing a sunscreen everyday will protect you from skin cancer. What you might not know is that our Solar Rx is the number one anti-aging tool in your arsenal.”, Wendy Steele Keys founder and CEO
Today, you mostly see products that do just one thing. There are sunscreens, anti-aging creams, rosacea treatments, BB creams, foundations, moisturizers and anti-redness products. Keys Solar Rx is all these in one product. If simplicity and saving money is interesting to you, I will explain the what’s, why’s and how Solar Rx does all these things and more.
What, Why & How!
Below is a list of what you can expect from Solar Rx. Important is that Solar Rx is in a special category acknowledged by the US Food & Drug Administration and The Environmental Working Group Skin Deep database and Sunscreen Report. The category is Moisturizer with Sunscreen which fits more into the skincare and beauty market then sunscreens. Still, it has to undergo the same rigors as “go to beach” sunscreens. The simple fundamental difference is that moisturizers with sunscreen are water soluble and not designed to be used in direct sun white exercising, swimming or perspiring. Why make it then….
Solar Rx does much more then sunscreens and often repairs damage from chemical sunscreens. If you understand the features, benefits and advantages of any product, you can make informed decisions. Solar Rx is much more then just a anti-aging moisturizer with sun protection.
So here goes:
Solar Rx the Anti-Aging Moisturizer
The base lotion of Solar Rx is Keys Luminos intense moisturizer. It is made from pure virgin avocado oil, black seed oil and carrot seed oil with Shea butter from Ghana and our own freeze dried aloe vera. There is very little water in the product so it is very concentrated. There is more concentration of oil in one Solar Rx bottle then is a half-gallon of big-box-store lotions. Plus, there are no chemicals like PEG, glycols or parabens. This alone makes Solar Rx more economical because you only need a little to get the moisturizing benefits.
Solar Rx the UV Anti-Aging Protection
There are three forms of measured UV. UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC is rare, so we will not talk about it other then to say, that there are artificial sources of UVC like exotic metal welders experience and they use Solar Rx because it works.
For the rest of us, UVA and UVB rays cause burning and skin cancer. The FDA requires us to use language that talks about this for a reason. It is because the evidence says that skin cancer comes from overexposure to UV radiation with the emphasis on the word radiation.
Solar Rx the Anti-Aging Innovation
Think of UVB rays as the burning rays because that is what happens. UVA are the aging rays because the deep penetrating UVA rays break down the fundamental building block of youthful skin…collagen. These springy components deep in the skin is what makes our young skin look youthful and clear.
UVA radiation takes a lifetime to show its damage, but at about the age of 10, it starts working to destroy our skins collagen and other components. What we notice is that wrinkles start appearing at about age 15 and sooner for sports and athletic people. At about 25, people start to notice that they look tired because of fine lines and some sagging. At 35, we feel older because we look older. Tanning freaks look 45 at 35 because the collagen is almost unrepairable because of UVA damage. It gets worse as we get older and older. Just look around and compare.
UVA is often talked about as the burning and tanning rays. These rays cause the brown spots, discoloration and weird patches that seem to sneak up on us around 40. Weird looking discolored and tired skin come from these UVB rays
Skin Layers
Solar Rx prevents both UVA and UVB damage by blocking these rays using spherical zinc oxide particles. It block them unlike chemical sunscreen that convert UVA and UVB into heat deep in skin tissue. Simplicity is understated because Solar Rx uses just Zinc Oxide where chemical sunscreens have to use multiple types of chemicals to achieve similar protection
Solar Rx the Skin Clearing & Brightener Innovation
Above we are talking about how zinc oxide protects from UVA and UVB damage as an anti-aging secret. Did you know that uncoated zinc oxide like the type used in Solar Rx will help fade sun spots, brown spots, weird patches and discoloration. Further, the natural whole avocado oil that we use has natural fading properties which work with the uncoated zinc oxide to fade these discolorations. Yes, it take time, but it is not harsh like chemical whiteners and you do not have the additional cost of another product. It works slowly everyday to clear the skin. If you are observant, you will see changes in two weeks that become noticeable to friend in just a few months. Anti-aging is not just keeping the skin from getting leathery, it is making sure that it is clear and even. No Spots! Really!
You would pay over $100 for the products that would do just these three things!
Solar Rx the Anti-Redness Innovation
Inflammation equal redness on the skin. Redness often comes from skin treatments that burn and chemically peel the skin…inflammation. Redness comes from exposure to wind and the sun…inflammation. Redness comes from products that contain dirty dozen and the dirty 30 chemicals…inflammation. Redness comes from bacteria that is overpopulated on the skin because of antibacterial agents like parabens and triclosan. parabens are in 95%+ of skincare products. I think you get it. No inflammation is anti-aging. Solar Rx uses uncoated zinc oxide which renowned for reducing inflammation aka redness
Solar Rx the Rosacea Innovation
Rosacea seem to be a big mystery to doctors. Probably because it is cosmetic and not exciting to them. To those that suffer from the redness, blotchiness and irritation caused by rosacea, it is a very real problem. Solar Rx customers have told us for the last ten years that it helps and even eliminates the redness. We suspect that the majority of rosacea is redness caused by overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria affecting the skins’ microbiome. Simplified, most rosacea treatments use uncoated zinc oxide like what we use in Solar Rx. Simple!
Solar Rx the BB Cream
Anti-aging is coverage as much as it is therapeutic. We started working with makeup artist over 14 years ago using Solar Rx as a beauty balm that fills imperfections. Simply, the uncoated zinc oxide is a microfine particle that fill in pores and fine lines. The zinc is a filler and mixed with the Luminos base lotion and moisturizer acts like a beauty balm and filler combined. Solar Rx works better then most of the beauty balms on the market because the particles are spherical instead of jagged and they are uniform size.
Just as a note, BB Creams sell for up to $135 for 1.7 ounces at Sephora. Solar Rx is $26.95 for 3.4 ounces. As a personal note, one of the things I miss about the high tech industry is the magazine shootouts that compare one product against another based on performance. Can you imagine if the skincare and beauty industry had to undergo shootouts. I ready!
Solar Rx the Clear Foundation
Much of how Solar Rx works to help with fine lines is that it is a world-class moisturizer and the zinc oxide particles fill. Imagine that Solar Rx also accomplishes this be the shape of the zinc oxide particle transmitting and diffusing light. A very famous Hollywood makeup artist once told me that our wrinkles and fine lines are not the problem, it is the shadows they create that amplify them. I thought about this from an optical physics standpoint many years ago and realized that the shape of the Solar Rx spherical particles created an optical illusion reducing shadows on the skin. These little lenses help mute variations on the skin and also transmit texture, color and illumination giving the skin a glowing soft focus effect that is not just visible to the high definition cameras, but the naked eye. This is so true that if you apply Solar Rx to just half of your face, you will see the difference in the mirror. Apply it to the neck and it will actually provide fill light for under the chin… a super secret Hollywood lighting technique.
Products from Makeup Forever® and others do a similar job at nearly $100. The effect comes for free with Solar Rx
Solar Rx Instead of $300
All toll, if you were to purchase separate products based on what Solar Rx does, it would cost you somewhere north of $300. If you like the simplicity of one product and the low cost of $26.95, then Solar Rx is the answer.
Beauty cream, sun protection, redness prevention, moisturizer etc. in one product
Try it and if I am wrong, we will refund your purchase.
To buy Solar Rx, click the buy button below
To learn more, you can buy Bob Root’s book, Chemical Free Skin Health by below.
When we designed Avo Jel to be a vegan replacement for petroleum jelly, we quickly realized that it would not only replace petroleum jelly, but would add more things that is could do because it is avocado oil jelly. Yes, you can replace your petroleum jelly with Avo Jel and you can use it for many more uses because it does not have the impurities associated with crude oil based jellies. So, it is better and better for you!
Below are some uses for the sports enthusiast. Runners, bikers, swimmers and surfers have all been telling us how they use Avo Jel. Here are just a few.
So the first main benefit to keep in mind with Avo Jel is that it is made from the highest grade avocado oil available. So, no impurities, no petroleum and all the added benefits of this vegan alternative.
Sports Uses for Avo Jel:
Here are a few uses that our customers have shared with us. Find your own uses and let us know.
Lips
Avo Jel is very effective in quickly reducing chapping. Petroleum jelly is good at coating the lips to prevent windburn, dryness and will not sweat off. Avo Jel does the same, but adds the Omega fatty acids and oil that helps to repair the lips as well. So, it is great before, during and after a race.
Eyes
Avocado Oil is a mild sunscreen and will not sting the eyes like chemical sunscreens. Rub it lightly around the eye lids and you will gain some protection and the softening effect of avocado oil. You can layer Avo Jel over a zinc based sunscreen as well to gain even more protection.
Chaffing
Chafing during an event and afterwards is a huge problem. Layering AvoJel on these areas before going out prevents chafing, but unlike petroleum jelly, Avo Jel is a true moisturizer
Rash Guard
Avo Jel will not harm clothing or melt certain fabrics like petroleum jelly does. So, you can rub it on both the skin and clothing to eliminate rash. Don’t forget areas like the nipples to make sure that rubbing is minimized.
Pollution Protection
Surfers know that there is a lot of bacteria and pollutants in many popular surf spots warranting a dowse of a bleach mixture to prevent disease. Runners in places like New York City come back from a run and when the wipe their face, see black suit on the washcloth. Sorry to say that these are not extreme occurrences or one-off’s. Hydrocarbons and other pollutants are everywhere, so dabbing Avo Jel around the face and soft skin areas will help act as a barrier to pollutants.
Allergies
A high percentage of outdoors enthusiasts have allergies and run with drugs like Zyrtec and Claratin. These are effective, but also raise the question of drowsiness and performance inhibiting. Runners and bikers have told us that they dab a Q-Tip with Avo Jel and gently swab it inside each nostril. The AvoJel collects pollen and other allergens before they enter the upper nose. The theory is maximum performance using a simple concept.
Some people are just plain allergic to petroleum jelly because it is crude oil based. Not true with Avo Jel because is is avocado oil based. Plus, you get the Omega fatty acids benefits as well.
Water Repellent
Avo Jel is as water repellant as petroleum jelly, but without the petroleum.
Goggles – Seal
One great irritation in triathlons are leaking goggles. Petroleum jelly can degrade the soft plastic on some higher end goggles. Layering a thin layer on the soft mantle of the goggles will help prevent leaking without harming the goggles themselves.
The secondary benefit is the irritation that sometimes occurs from the goggle rubbing against the soft tissue around the eyes. Often people complain that their eye tissue becomes inflamed. AvoJel soothes.
Leash Strap
A lot of work goes into the design of a surfers leash strap to hold tight and not chafe. Holding tight is much more important, but by using Avo Jel, it will help to minimize chaffing around the ankle while also acting as a barrier for bacteria and pollutants.
Chemical barrier
Chemical sunscreens work by converting UVB (burning) and UVA (aging) rays into heat. By using Avo Jel over top, we have found empirical evidence that it helps chemical based sunscreens last longer. Conversely, if you are being exposed to chemicals on your equipment, AvoJel will also act as a barrier.
Chap Guard
It is fairly obvious that dryness, the sun, air and other environmental effects will quickly chap your lips. Other areas of soft tissue can also chap. Avo Jel offers superior protection and the Omega fatty acids will help to keep soft tissue youthful looking.
Feet
Runners and bikers tell us that they layer Avo Jel on their feet two days before a race by slipping on socks after a good coating. This make the skin soft and if you have calluses, it will soften them reducing cracking and bleeding.
Deter blisters by rubbing Avo Jel inside shoes or on feet before using compression socks.
Consider Keys Feet & Hands as an alternative to Avo Jel. It contains menthol which is stimulating and has some indications that it effects acupressure points.
Hair
Avocado oil is a natural hair conditioner and styler. In Jel form, it also protects the hair from drying from the sun and cracking from pollutants. Slick your hair back and look fast standing still.
The uses for Avo Jel in the sports world keep adding daily. These are just a few of the uses that we have heard from fans. If you can use petroleum jelly for something, you can use Avo Jel. Plus, it is better for you because it is made from Avocado oil and not petroleum. Avo Jel is just one of six avocado oil based jellies designed to replace drug store petrolatum based products. To learn more about all the Keys Alternative Naturals™ products, Click Here!
Just a few weeks ago we introduced our new line called Alternative Naturals™. Among the inductees was a new product called Urban Shield. Urban Shield has been in development for over five years and is a very close kin to Keys Super Star RediCare. In fact, think of Urban Shield as a gel version of RediCare and you will be more right than you know.
As history goes, RediCare was first developed for the search and rescue teams that were returning from Hurricane Katrina. Both dogs and people were covered with sores and skin disorders from the chemicals in the high waters around New Orleans. It was designed as a sprayable lotion to cover large areas quickly to provide relief without rubbing. It also worked on both long and short hair dogs to get to the skin quickly. Both dogs and handlers quickly realized how fast and effective it was. Bonus! Because of the Neem and Karanja oil as well as other essential oils, it was also an incredibly effective insect repellant. RediCare started its life as a sprayable therapy and quickly became known as a single universal go to product for people and dogs for all of its wonderful properties.
Not long after RediCare was introduced, the diabetic community discovered how quickly it would help with skin issues. Customers reported to us that the itching, pain and disruptions began to disappear.
Not far after the diabetics discovered RediCare, so did those going through radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
Then, moms discovered that RediCare killed head lice. We are still not sure how it does it, but reports continue that it works for lice and bed bugs.
Repelling more than 200 flying and drawling insect was a bonus for us and our customers with strong reports of high efficacy against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes as well as all sorts of a creepy crawlers.
Well, no surprise that Urban Shield contains most of the key ingredients that are contained in RediCare. Those being, Neem, Karanja, Avocado Oil, Black Seed Oil and Carrot Seed Oil. Envision a jelly with all the goodness of RediCare and you now know and understand Urban Shield. Urban Shield has the same properties of RediCare in a gel form that has even more intensity.
If you love RediCare, you will really love Urban Shield.
Click Here to got to Urban Shield on the Keys Online Store
Herein are some of the benefits of the key ingredients in Urban Shield.
Avocado oil – valued for its skin regenerative and moisturizing properties.
Avocado contains oils which are similar to human skin oils – sebum. Avocado offers the skin moisture. Avocado oil has both Vitamin A and a natural form of Retinol. The Vitamin A component helps promote a healthy skin microbiome to reduce skin blemishes (acne). The retinol component is whole and not esthered like synthetic Vitamin A. It provides natural skin lightening, uniformity of texture and color as well as acting as a natural exfoliant without the use of abrasives or salts. Avocado oil is also helpful in treating dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne and dry skin conditions. Keys uses both a virgin expeller pressed avocado oil and a filtered pharmaceutical grade in therapeutic proportions.
Proteins and Fatty Acids. Avocado oil contains a high amount of proteins and unsaturated fats, both of which are strong skin agents. Avocado oil contains omega-3 fatty acids like those found in fish oil
Sterolin. Avocado oil is high in a substance called sterolin, which case studies have shown softening of the skin and reduce the incidence of age spots
Antioxidants. Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, making it useful for healing sun or chemical damaged skin. Antioxidants like vitamins A, D and E in avocado cause the skin to be suppler, and are thus particularly good for dry or aged skin.
Lecithin and Potassium. Avocado oil contains lecithin and potassium, which are all highly beneficial for the skin as well as the hair.
Carrot Seed Oil – is an essential oil for treating dry skin and can provide a good level of protection against wrinkles and aging or liver spots. It has many therapeutic values that are antiseptic, and cytophylactic,(stimulates cellular regeneration).
Carrot seed oil highly valued for skin care. It is used in skin creams to nourish, tighten, revitalize, and rejuvenate skin. It visibly improves skin tone, elasticity, and general skin health. It is claimed to slow the progression of visible wrinkles. Carrot Seed Oil is calming and appropriate for irritated skin. It is a good, essential oil for anyone who spends time outdoors. Carrot seed oil has high activity antioxidant properties.
Carrot seed oil may be found in many formulas dealing with skin conditions ranging from revitalizing and toning to eczema and ageing.
Carrot Oil has chemicals with these properties – analgesic, androgenic, anti-acne, anti-aging and anti-asthmatic activity. Carrot seed oil also assists in removing toxin and water build up in the skin giving it a fresher more firmer appearance. The aroma is earthy with a medium note.
At Keys, carrot seed oil makes up our base triangle of ingredients for the skin. It is used in conjunction with Avocado oil and Black Cumin (black seed) oil
Black Seed Oil aka Black Cumin – Nigella sativa is one the most revered medicinal seeds in history. Black cumin seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. The oil is used externally, for beauty as well as for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. We seek out the finest grade for our products.
Black Seed Oil Benefits for Eczema
Black seed oil has lots of positive benefits for the entire body, but especially for the skin. The vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids are just a few of the advantages. Taking black seed oil can improve skin overall, but it can also do much more than just give skin a healthy glow. For more extreme issues, like eczema, black seed oil can offer much-needed relief. The symptoms of eczema can be uncomfortable and often painful, but there is hope.
Soothing Properties of Black Seed Oil
People who suffer from eczema experience a sore, red rash that can show up all over the body. The rash is often accompanied by swelling and inflammation. Black seed oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties and is known to help with swelling. The fatty acids and Omega-3 in black seed oil help with moisturizing; therefore, rubbing the oil on the affected skin can help immediately lessen the pain and itching caused by the eczema. It also softens skin and helps with the dryness that often accompanies eczema. The benefits from topical use often provide instant relief.
Black Seed Oil Benefits for Your Skin
While ingesting black seed oil can have amazing overall benefits for your health, using black seed oil can also have huge benefits for your skin. Black seed oil promotes overall health, so obviously the skin will get some benefits as well. But for specific skin problems black seed oil could be the right herbal remedy for you. The oil can be used in a product or directly applied onto the skin. Here just a few of the benefits black seed oil has for your skin.
Using Black Seed Oil as a Moisturizer
Essential fatty acids maintain skin nourishment and hydration. Black seed oil can certainly help in this department. The body cannot recreate these fatty acids; they have to be replenished from an outside source. Oils help maintain the lipid barrier that protects the skin from day-to-day oxidation as well as harsher elements such as acne, scarring and overall aging. Black seed oil contains both amino and fatty acids that help shield the skin.
Antioxidants to Prevent Aging
Antioxidants are the number one way to fight aging. Oxidation degrades the skin’s cellular structure which gives the appearance of lines, wrinkles and discoloration. Black seed oil’s major component is thymoquinone, which is filled with antioxidants to prevent this kind of break down. Using the oil on your skin regularly can prevent the long term effects of aging, but can also immediately add a healthy glow to your face.
Other Vitamins and Benefits
The benefits of black seed oil don’t stop there. Black seed oil contains Vitamin A, which is known to reduce wrinkles and also shadows under the eyes. Vitamin A can also make skin sensitive to sunlight, so best to use it in the evenings before bed. Black seed oil also has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. This stops certain skin infections as well as the spreading of acne. The anti-inflammation reduces overall puffiness in the face and skin.
Neem – In India, the tree is variously known as “Divine Tree”, “Heal All”, “Nature’s Drugstore”, “Village Pharmacy” and “Panacea for all diseases”. It is considered a major component in Ayurvedic medicine and is particularly prescribed for skin disease. Neem oil is used for skin care such as acne, and keeping skin elasticity. Neem has many skin healing properties and acts as a broad-spectrum insect repellent.
Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, hair products, body hygiene creams, hand creams) and in Ayurvedic, Unani and folklore traditional medicine, in the treatment of a wide range of afflictions. The most frequently reported indications in ancient Ayurvedic writings are skin diseases, inflammations and fevers, and more recently rheumatic disorders, insect repellent and insecticide effects.
Traditional Ayurvedic uses of neem include the treatment of acne, fever, leprosy, malaria, ophthalmia and tuberculosis. Various folk remedies for neem include use as ananthelmintic, antifeedant, antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, contraceptive, febrifuge, parasiticide, pediculocide and insecticide. It has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of tetanus, urticaria, eczema, scrofula and erysipelas. Traditional routes of administration of neem extracts included oral, vaginal and topical use. Neem oil has an extensive history of human use in India and surrounding regions for a variety of therapeutic purposes. Puri (1999) has given an account of traditional uses and therapeutic indications and pharmacological studies of this oil, in his book on neem.
Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem (Azadirachta indica), an evergreen tree which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics. It is the most important of the commercially available products of neem for organic farming and medicines.
Neem oil varies in color; it can be golden yellow, yellowish brown, reddish brown, dark brown, greenish brown, or bright red. It has a rather strong odor that is said to combine the odours of peanut and garlic. It is composed mainly of triglycerides and contains manytriterpenoid compounds, which are responsible for the bitter taste. It is hydrophobic in nature; in order to emulsify it in water for application purposes, it must be formulated with appropriate surfactants.
Azadirachtin is the most well known and studied triterpenoid in neem oil. The azadirachtin content of neem oil varies from 300ppm to over 2500ppm depending on the extraction technology and quality of the neem seeds crushed. Neem oil also contains steroids(campesterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol).
Average composition of neem oil fatty acids
Common Name
Acid Name
Composition range
Omega-6
Linoleic acid
6-16%
Omega-9
Oleic acid
25-54%
Palmitic acid
Hexadecanoic acid
16-33%
Stearic acid
Octadecanoic acid
9-24%
Omega-3
Alpha-linolenic acid
?%
Palmitoleic acid
9-Hexadecenoic acid
?%
Karanja – Karanja oil is popular in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of biliousness, eye ailments, leucoderma, worms, wounds, sores, scabies, eczema, psoriasis. itches, herpes viral infection, ulcers, and other skin diseases as well as for skin protection, as it is believed to enhance the UV absorbing properties of conventional sunscreens.
Karanja oil, like Neem oil, has been widely tested for its insecticidal, nematicidal, antiseptic, bactericidal, and cleansing properties. The oil has a high content of triglycerides.
According to Hartwell (1967–1971), the fruits and sprouts are used in folk remedies for abdominal tumors in India, the seeds for keloid tumors in Sri Lanka, and a powder derived from the plant for tumors in Vietnam. In sanskritic India, seeds were used for skin ailments. Today the oil is used as a liniment for rheumatism. Leaves are active against Micrococcus; their juice is used for colds, coughs, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gonorrhea, and leprosy. Roots are used for cleaning gums, teeth, and ulcers. Bark is used internally for bleeding piles. Juices from the plant, as well as the oil, are antiseptic. It is said to be an excellent remedy for itch, herpes, and pityriasis versicolor. Powdered seeds are valued as a febrifuge, tonic and in bronchitis and whooping cough. Flowers are used for diabetes. Bark has been used for beriberi. Juice of the root is used for cleansing foul ulcers and closing fistulous sores. Young shoots have been recommended for rheumatism. Ayurvedic medicine described the root and bark as alexipharmic, anthelmintic, and useful in abdominal enlargement, ascites, biliousness, diseases of the eye, skin, and vagina, itch, piles, splenomegaly, tumors, ulcers, and wounds; the sprouts, considered alexeteric, anthelmintic, apertif, and stomachic, for inflammation, piles and skin diseases; the leaves, anthelmintic, digestive, and laxative, for inflammations, piles and wounds; the flowers for biliousness and diabetes; the fruit and seed for keratitis, piles, urinary discharges, and diseases of the brain, eye, head, and skin, the oil for biliousness, eye ailments, itch, leucoderma, rheumatism, skin diseases, worms, and wounds. Yunani use the ash to strengthen the teeth, the seed, carminative and depurative, for chest complaints, chronic fevers, earache, hydrocele, and lumbago; the oil, styptic and vermifuge, for fever, hepatalgia, leprosy, lumbago, piles, scabies, and ulcers.
Chemistry
Reported to contain alkaloids demethoxy-kanugin, gamatay, glabrin, glabrosaponin, kaempferol, kanjone, kanugin, karangin, neoglabrin, pinnatin, pongamol, pongapin, quercitin, saponin, -sitosterol, and tannin. Air-dry kernels have 19.0% moisture, 27.5% fatty oil, 17.4% protein, 6.6% starch, 7.3% crude fiber, and 2.4% ash. Fatty acid composition: palmitic, 3.7–7.9%, stearic 2.4–8.9, arachidic 2.2–4.7, behenic 4.2–5.3, lignoceric 1.1–3.5, oleic, 44.5–71.3, linoleic 10.8–18.3, and eicosenoic 9.5–12.4%. Destructive distillation of the wood yields, on a dry weight basis: charcoal 31.0%, pyroligneous acid 36.69, acid 4.3%, ester 3.4%, acetone 1.9%, methanol 1.1%, tar 9.0%, pitch and losses 4.4%, and gas 0.12 cu m/kg. Manurial values of leaves and twigs are respectively: nitrogen 1.16, 0.71; phosphorus (P2O5), 0.14, 0.11; potash (K2O), 0.49, 0.62; and lime (CaO), 1.54, 1.58%. Such manure reduces the incidence of Meloidogyne javanica.
The Alternative Naturals™ challenge began over 6 years ago. When Keys founder Bob Root learned of significant skin disorders afflicting the astronauts on the US International Space Station, he thought there must be a way. Lotions and liquids just do not work well in zero-gravity. The challenge was to create a jelly, but not from petroleum. Starting with organic pure avocado oil, Bob began experimenting. The end result was a proprietary production process where the oil is altered to form a jelly similar in consistency to petrolatum, but with none of the impurities or petroleum. This is a mechanical and not chemical process where the properties are altered to a higher viscosity and the jelly-like properties of petrolatum. The next challenge was to use the same process to develop jellies from other oils and to be able to add natural ingredients that would make more functional natural vegan products for daily use.
Today marks the point where Keys is pleased to introduce 8 new products into a new functional line called Alternative Naturals™. The line consists of 6 avocado oil based “Jels” and 2 spray botanical products.
These products using a process that jellies oil have No Petroleum, No Petrolatum, No Wax, No preservatives and No Water. Like all Keys products, they are free of man-made chemicals, gluten-free and vegan. The ingredients are the highest quality available and are in full strength proportions. The line is designed to offer individuals wanting to be chemical-free an alternative to household brands using petrolatum. The two spray based products are based on a Keys exclusively designed and extracted botanical extract with essential and special oils added to offer functionality to people.
Take a look!
You can click on the product you are interested in and it will take you to it on the Keys Store
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Our two spray products were developed from a extract we call Botanica™ and are designed to solve problems experienced by people and dogs. The first is a skin aid product designed to mimic store brands using chemicals. The second is a insect repellent that is designed to repel both flying and crawling insect for people and dogs that has many of the same ingredients as our RediCare, but with a botanical extract base that also softens the skin.
There are reports all over the US of a resistant strain of super lice that are not controlled by convention lice treatments. I have been aware of this for a couple of years, but without scientists raising the warning flag, my words have fallen short.
Our customers have reported that our RediCare is not only highly effective at repelling initial lice infestation, but also kills the lice. Customer reports are that RediCare works where other treatments did not. Frankly, we have not been able to find a study group where they are willing to test natural alternatives because most of the research is sponsored by large companies trying to prove their product works. We have not been able to find any research project that is university internally sponsored.
My theory is unique of why RediCare kills lice. Simply, it appears that because RediCare uses various oil types to mimic the skins own sebum that it actually suffocates the lice. I am told and have researched that lice breath through their exoskeleton. It is plausible that RediCare does clog the exoskeleton of lice leading to their extinction.
In short, RediCare works and our customers tell us that it rids lice and repels them.
What is also interesting is that it is not uncommon to hear that a product works with some mutations and not others. So far, in the last three years, we have only heard positive results using RediCare for lice. Important is that the reported states for the super lice are also states that we have heard of success using RediCare.
Below is the article from the Telegraph in the UK. Once the study is released, you should hear more about this in the news.
Bob
Super head lice warning as scientists discover almost all species are resistant to treatments
Scientists report that lice in at least 25 American states have developed resistance to over-the-counter treatments still widely recommended by doctors and schools.
Doctor Kyong Yoon, of Southern Illinois University, said: “We are the first group to collect lice samples from a large number of populations across the United States.
“What we found was that 104 out of the 109 lice populations we tested had high levels of gene mutations, which have been linked to resistance to pyrethroids.”
Pyrethroids are a family of insecticides used widely indoors and outdoors to control mosquitoes and other insects. It includes permethrin, the active ingredient in some of the most common lice treatments sold over the counter.
Dr Yoon said that the momentum toward widespread pyrethroid-resistant lice has been building for years. The first report on the development came from Israel in the late 1990s.
He became one of the first to report the phenomenon in the US in 2000 when he was a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts.
Dr Yoon said: “I was working on insecticide metabolism in a potato beetle when my mentor, John Clark, suggested I look into the resurgence of head lice.
“I asked him in what country and was surprised when he said the US.”
Dr Yoon tested the pests for a trio of genetic mutations known collectively as kdr, which stands for “knock-down resistance” which were first found in house flies in the late 1970s after farmers began using pyrethroids rather than DDT.
He found many of the lice did indeed have kdr mutations, which affect an insect’s nervous system and desensitise them to pyrethroids. Since then, he has expanded his survey.
In the most recent study he gathered lice from 30 states and discovered that samples from 25, including California, Texas, Florida and Maine, had all three genetic mutations associated with kdr making them the most resistant to pyrethroids
Dr Yoon says that lice can still be controlled by using different chemicals, some of which are available only by prescription.Samples from four states – New York, New Jersey, New Mexico and Oregon – had one, two or three mutations. The only state with a population of lice still largely susceptible to the insecticide was Michigan. Dr Yoon said why lice haven’t developed resistance there is still under investigation.
But he added: “If you use a chemical over and over, these little creatures will eventually develop resistance.
“So we have to think before we use a treatment. The good news is head lice don’t carry disease. They’re more a nuisance than anything else.”’
The findings are due to be presented at the 250th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society.
Keys was an early supporter of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. As a Champion Company for the Campaign, we have promoted the Dirty Dozen and later, Dirty 30 chemicals that you should avoid in your skin care and hair care products. Safe Cosmetics has recently done a great job of updating their website and social media efforts. What we are especially pleased with is that they have come up with a great visual reference of what chemicals to avoid based on product function. These icons are easy to read and quickly give an idea of what to watch out for. Below are the icons that you can click to enlarge.
As a natural products company we are not allowed to make claims unless we follow a clinical trial process. We are able to report what our customers tell us.
It was not to far after we began that we started to receive comments and testimonials about how our Island Rx promoted hair growth in both men and women. For the longest time we believed that it was the process of our customers getting off of conventional shampoo and switching to a natural alternative. Made sense to us, but for years, mostly men, claim that their hair grows more using Island Rx Liquid soap as a shampoo. We decided to dig into the formulation and also make some theories of why it works for our customers.
So, here is what we know reading as many papers and studies that I could get my hands on.
Island Rx Liquid Soap
To over simplify, conventional shampoos have a large amount of Sodium Laureth (Lauryl) Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate. These are commonly referred to as SLS or ALS. A number of studies I have read track back these chemicals to causing inflammation of the scalp pores. Hair is a protein extruded through a pore. The theory is that when hair pores become inflamed, the size of the pore is reduced and the hair gets thinner. This made sense to me because hair near a balding spot seems thinner. As the pores close down, the air stops growing
Balding is a form of alopecia. So when you think this way, many of the suggestions of how to treat the disorder also makes sense. It is worth Googling and also reading a article here on Clean Green Cafe titled Kyle to Keys! My Hair is Growing!
So, just about everywhere you read, the articles recommend switching from a sulfate based shampoo. That seems to slow and even stop hair loss for many. But why are our customers claiming hair regrowth.
Under The Hood
I decided to try to break down our Island Rx formulation to see why it might be working to stop and in some cases reverse hair growth. In Kyle’s story above, he used MetaClean and yet, most of our customer testimonials refer to Island Rx. In truth, the base soap we developed for Island Rx is the same as MetaClean. I started my analysis by looking at our base soap recipe.
A true Castile soap is Olive oil saponified using a alkaline substance. Castile soaps came from the Castile region of Spain 500 years ago. They would mix olive oil and the ash from a wood fire to make a soap that cleans. The problem with these soaps and ones made like it today is that they are very alkaline to a point where some are harsh. The quest for soap makers is to use up as much of the alkaline substance to keep the alkalinity lower.
When we started, I experimented with hundreds of recipes, I started to replace the olive oil with other “softer” oils. Eventually I got to the recipe we use today which has olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil and Jojoba oil. Typically the alkalinity is as high as 11.5 pH for Castile soaps and mine is about 8.5pH. Thinking about why this might be important, I realized that it was probably more the type of oils I was using, but I did read that a mild alkaline rinse on the head is recommended for alopecia and therefore for balding. I also read a number of articles exclaiming that the properties of coconut oil do help hair growth.
I also found some articles talking about raw avocado oil containing a natural retinol which aids hair growth. I have known and promoted Island Rx to slow fade sun/age spots because of the retinol in avocado oil, but I really did not know about retinol effecting hair pores. Yes, our Island Rx contains raw avocado oil that is put into the recipe after the soap making process. I originally did this as a conditioner humectant for the hair because Castile like soaps do make hair feel waxy. This is why our Silkin is so popular because it is not a Castile soap and it more resembles conventional sulfate shampoos but without the SLS or ALS. So, that raw avocado oil is an add to the equation.
As I read more, I zeroed in on each component as if it was the only ingredient. Clary sage has tons of articles written about how it is used for hair growth. Blood orange essential oil also has a number of purifying and clarifying articles written about it. Both are listed in ancient Chinese medicine journals as having cleansing and antibacterial properties.
My Conclusion
All of the above! It really appears to me that the reason that Island Rx liquid soap has so many fans is that it just works for them. Each ingredient I looked at has some properties for hair growth. My guess is that by combining them to make our first soap, the recipe just works. Sorry, I hope to be able to figure out why so maybe i could make something even more powerful for hair growth. Nothing stood out, but I am working on a amped version of Island Rx to see if I can speed up the process.
Stop Read!
Slowing, stopping balding and hair regrowth takes time using Island Rx. Customer reports range from noticing less hair on the pillow in a couple of weeks to hair regrowth in a couple of months. It is very important to not use any other products on your hair unless it is natural…completely natural. If you use a pomade, change to raw natural coconut oil as a conditioner and styler. Our Mangrove conditioner works well and will also facilitate regrowth because of the avocado oil. Do not use conditioners or products contain silicone (dimethicone) Go clean! No Junk Please!
Why More Men?
This one eluded me until my wife and boss, Wendy Steele, pointed out the obvious. “Women have log hair as a rule and Castile soaps and Castile-like soaps (Island Rx) are very hard to manage after washing. Men typically have shorter hair and are not bothered with Island Rx. In fact, most men use Island Rx Liquid soap head-to-toe.” A small amount of research bore out the theory as men with long hair do not like Island Rx as a shampoo and women with short hair are not bothered by it either. So, using Island Rx for short balding hair seems to work according to our customers.
There you have it. It Just Works!
I you are interested in trying Island Rx, Click Here to go to the Island Rx Liquid soap page. At checkout there is a box to add a code for a discount. Use RX15 in the box to get a 15% discount as incentive to try it. The Code entry box is just below the Cart Totals on the first page of the checkout. Oh, make sure you hit the little arrow button to apply the discount code or the discount won’t work.
Tortuga Hand and Body Lotion
I have to admit that I have worn buffs and neck gaters for years. I wear them to protect my neck from the sun, and occasionally I would pull it up over my face as a sort of joke for friends. Not much fun these days, but it is a good option as well. People would ask me what I was wearing and why in a sort of judgemental way. I wrote them off as muggles. What I do and what I wear is my business, and people’s insecurities are theirs. Not mine. Yesterday, I went to pick up lunch from my favorite Southwestern restaurant, and when Monica walked out to my car with our lunch, she was wearing a very cute “bandito” neckerchief hiked up over her mouth and nose. It was damned cute, and I knew that I had made the new order transition because I felt like asking her where she bought it. So, I am back to wearing my neck gaters because they are so much more fun than a surgical mask.
I was out walking, which I do a lot. Most of the time, I don’t see anyone, and sometimes, these days, when I do see people, they have their masks on. One day, just recently, I saw someone who was wearing a mask and stressed at having to wear it. Even though her mask covered most of her face, it was a clear case of IMS. I thought, how is that possible. How can her negative appearance scream out so much that I noticed her temperament wearing a big mask? We passed quite away from each other, and there was no attempt at a gesture or acknowledging of me. In some ways, it reminded me of being in New York City three weeks after 9.11. It stunned me a bit that this ‘no-no’ bothered me so much. Usually, I do not let people annoy me, but she did. I was mad at me for having the feelings, not her. About a mile down the road, I saw another masked woman headed toward me. As she passed, her eyes glistened and sparkled. Her eyes were smiling, and with my eyes, I smiled back and waved to acknowledge her. It suddenly dawned on me that the first woman had terror or anger in her eyes, which affected me, and this second woman made me feel good. All with their eyes only.
A 
RediCare began just after Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans, Louisianna. We had an excellent therapeutic lotion named MetaCare that contains Ayurvedic Neem and Karanja oil. What happened next was the creation of a new product called RediCare.
That story spread quickly, but not as soon as RediCare became a super-multipurpose product. It is a sprayable moisturizer and lotion. It repels 200+ insects. Works for horses. People with diabetes use it because it sprays on for sensitive skin. The list goes on. It was so much of an outpouring that we created this fun advertisement here that showed all the uses. 
After all this, there will be no industries untouched in some way or another. Perhaps the most impacted will be the medical industry. We have talked about Dr. Google for many years now and marvel at how over 95% of us consult Google first before going to the doctor. Contrary to some, people consult Google first because it is fast, efficient, and free. Now Google and Apple are taking another leap and may finally be integrating live doctors into the technology shift. Hopefully, as most doctors I know are, frankly, Luddites, I sincerely hope that everyday problems and illnesses will go online first. Cleary, in the next five years, the primary first contact will be an AI consultant the will screen and pass off patients to a live doctor.
Clicking this link will take you to that provider’s virtual care website where you can find more information and perhaps set up a health care consultation that will take place online.
Before I go on, Megan knows me very well and my misspent youth. I spent many years involved with Hollywood mostly behind the camera in the early days of digital productions. Lots of tall tales, but I do know a few things about making people look good on camera. Keys KPRO line was developed in Hollywood with makeup artists. Today my Beta test team, Wendy calls them “Bob’s Possie,” are makeup artists, actors or makeup specialists. So, Megan is in trouble and needs some image guidance.
Here we go:
by Bob Root, Keys CTO
It is simple, and you might not be washing long enough.
Bob and Wendy opened the ECO Island with a speech on the Mind, Body Soul stage for the conference at the Night at the Village on October 25th. Bob and Wendy also lead what Maria calls the “Kitchen Table” sessions within the ECO Island. These were 25 minute Q&A sessions where each will offer information and answer questions.
In the summer virtually, everyone gets a bottle of sunscreen for a long day outside whether it be at a beach, lake or pool etc. It’s important to protect your skin from UV rays. However, applying sunscreen should not be restricted to the summer. The need for shielding your skin from the sun is a necessity all year round. In addition, it’s important to 
Solar RX contains uncoated zinc oxide. Let’s talk about just a few benefits from zinc oxide.
“Hi! I am Ashley and I love writing about beauty related topics. When I am not writing about skincare and beauty products you will probably find me reading a book. Through work experience, I have been able to craft excellent writing skills in a number of different styles and tones. in addition a deep understanding of consumers and what motivates them online and of course grammar skills.
We harken back to our original customers from nearly five years ago that asked for a personal lubricant that would help with daily vaginal dryness and the associated discomfort that includes chafing. Little did we realize how big a deal this was for many women. So, more than half of the sales of PurPlay Classic seem to be from women seeking a daily lubricant that is comforting. Classic is just that, and you can feel it by spraying a little on your fingers.
In the 1950’s virtually every woman owned a jar of Pond’s Cold Cream. They removed makeup, washed their face, moisturized and exfoliated with it. The problem was that it was full of chemicals and today’s natural woman wants something safer and healthier. Keys Tortuga to the rescue!
I recently read a draft report by a research firm that specializes in retail store trends. They noted in a recent study that many mainline brands like Campbell soup have initiated and brought out new natural brands that are simple and wholesome alternatives. Campbell’s “Well YES” brand was singled out as an example of how many brands have shifted back to simple foods. Same was noted for personal care.
I decided to do something totally out of character. I went to a Kroger Fred Meyers store in Newport Oregon and just walked the aisles. This store has a natural products section, but it was very apparent that all the food aisles were focused on natural products. As a point of reference, when a retailer puts products at eye level and easy to grab, that is what is called “First Position” meaning that it is priority. Walking the soup aisle, Amy’s and Campbell Well Yes were front and center. The jam and peanut butter section was even more noticeable. Traditional brands like Skippy were bottom shelf with Jason’s, Smucker’s Natural and other pure brands were front and center. The rest of the store was the same as was the conventional health and beauty aisles.
Think of UVB rays as the burning rays because that is what happens. UVA are the aging rays because the deep penetrating UVA rays break down the fundamental building block of youthful skin…collagen. These springy components deep in the skin is what makes our young skin look youthful and clear.
Inflammation equal redness on the skin. Redness often comes from skin treatments that burn and chemically peel the skin…inflammation. Redness comes from exposure to wind and the sun…inflammation. Redness comes from products that contain dirty dozen and the dirty 30 chemicals…inflammation. Redness comes from bacteria that is overpopulated on the skin because of antibacterial agents like parabens and triclosan. parabens are in 95%+ of skincare products. I think you get it. No inflammation is anti-aging. Solar Rx uses uncoated zinc oxide which renowned for reducing inflammation aka redness
Anti-aging is coverage as much as it is therapeutic. We started working with makeup artist over 14 years ago using Solar Rx as a beauty balm that fills imperfections. Simply, the uncoated zinc oxide is a microfine particle that fill in pores and fine lines. The zinc is a filler and mixed with the Luminos base lotion and moisturizer acts like a beauty balm and filler combined. Solar Rx works better then most of the beauty balms on the market because the particles are spherical instead of jagged and they are uniform size.
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