New Product Just in Time for Summer

We’ve taken our Tahitian body oil and added some sun glow shimmer just in time for summer.  We’ve had many requests for a product like this by didn’t want to get rid of the original so we kept it.  You can now get both the original without any color and the new Tahitian Body oil with a hint of gold/bronze shimmer.  We’ll be using both in our massages as well (This was my sisters idea).  Find out more about our Tahitian Body Oil

Our New Organic Spa

We are opening up an organic spa here in Schertz, Tx  and have been remodeling and decorating the new spa as fast as we can.  Since we are a small family run business, we have done all the painting, decorating,  repairing and building ourselves but have to admit the spa is looking really cute.

Our grand opening date will be June 2nd @11am.  We will be providing complimentary facials that day so please call us to make a reservation.  Call us at 2106597992 or visit our spa website at www.gbtorganicspa.com. We will be posting some pictures of our new spa very soon here on our blog and on our site so you can take a quick peak at the spa.

The Gourmet Body Treats Family wants to thank you all, for allowing us to do what we love doing the most.  Making great smelling, skin loving, eco friendly products for all of you to enjoy.

Treating Acne Naturally

Acne is caused by the production of excess sebum.  This sebum builds up and blocks pores.  A variety of factors can lead to over-production of sebum including: fluctuating hormones, stress, medications, tight fitting clothing and genetics. Over the counter and prescription products can treat acne. But those products may also come with a list of warnings and side effects. You can treat acne naturally with significant results. Natural remedies are usually much safer for your health and the environment.

Zinc. People with acne tend to be zinc deficient. Eating foods naturally rich in zinc, such as beef, chicken, yogurt, many nuts and beans will boost your zinc level. You can also try zinc supplements.

Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids give the skin healing power. Omega-3 helps to clear up acne by thinning the sebum that clogs the pores. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include fish and fish oils and vegetable oils. Salmon and flaxseed oils are known for boosting Omega-3.

Chasteberry Tea. For women who have acne flares up during their menstrual cycle, chasteberry tea is the recommended treatment. It has been shown, in studies, that chasteberry tea helps regulate female hormones. One cup per day should do the trick. It is important that you don’t over-do this remedy. Drinking excessive amounts of the tea may worsen your acne.

Sugar. Cut the sugar out of your diet. I used to have monthly flare-ups of blemishes. The remedy that worked best for me was to give up sugar. I replaced the sugar in my diet with honey or molasses. Believe it or not, refined sugar is processed to remove the nutrients. The byproduct is molasses, which retains all the nutrition lost in the processing. If you must eat sugar, eat brown unrefined sugar and cut back when your acne flares up. Artificial sweeteners come with a variety of warnings and health risks. Splenda does not currently contain warning labels, but it is highly processed and refined and simply not what nature intended.

Vinegar, Lemon Juice and Aloe. Each of these may be used with positive results on acne. The vinegar and lemon juice work to clean your pours. The aloe works to heal skin damage. Studies have shown that treating the sores with aloe will reduce scars and speed healing.

Our New Retail Location

Our store front is all finished and ready for visitors so come by and say hello!

Gourmet Body Treats

537 Main

Schertz, Tx  78154

www.gourmetbodytreats.com

2009 Winter Cosmetic Trends

As the weather becomes cooler, it’s only natural that the sheer makeup colors so popular during the hot weather will give way to more dramatic shades. Drama is the name of the game when it comes to cosmetic trends for 2009. Eyes and lips that were subtly accented during the summer months will sport high impact colors to play up the popular, more vivid fall and winter colors. Here are some cosmetic trends to watch for during winter of 2009:

Cosmetic trends: Dramatic eyes

One of the most important colors for winter 2009 will be rich gradations of purple. To go along with this new emphasis on purple, look for smoky, mysterious shades of this regal shade to play up the eyes and add intense drama. Purples will be accented with touches of burnished gold and copper which can be worn alone for a fashionable winter look Eyeliner will be dark and more dramatic to balance the heavy emphasis on the eyelids. Look for the return of black eyeliner along with dark shades of brown, purple, and smoky grey. These combinations make eye color pop and enhance the look of almost any eyes creating a strong statement for winter 2009. To frame dramatic eyes, eyebrows will be heavier so put away your tweezers and opt for a more natural eyebrow look.

Cosmetic trends: High impact lips

To balance the emphasis on eyes, lips will take on a new color story of their own. Red lip color will retain its popularity and will be joined by rich berry shades to compliment the purples of fall and winter. If you’re dramatic with the lips, tone down the eyes a notch or two to avoid makeup overkill. Despite the emphasis on drama, a trend towards sweetly natural lips will also prevail where just a touch of clear or pale pink color is used to give a naked lip look. This is the perfect look if you don’t like heavy lip coloring. Winter 2009 is all about choices.

Cosmetic trends: Sheer and natural

When it comes to foundation, sheer and natural is in. Mineral makeup will continue to be hot and skin that’s been gently exfoliated and moisturized to give a healthy glow will add to the look for winter. Take care of your skin and exfoliate on a regular basis to get the flawlessly natural look that will be so popular for winter.

Enjoy the new winter cosmetic trends!

Skin Benefits of Retinol

It seems we’re constantly being bombarded with skin ads and claims that a product will reduce the appearance of wrinkles and rejuvenate aging skin. It can be difficult to sort through the hype and determine what really does work for improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. One skin care product that’s frequently touted as a treatment for aging skin is retinol. Retinol is a purified form of Vitamin A which purportedly has a rejuvenating effect on tired, sun damaged skin. Are the benefits of retinol for the skin real?

Retinol when applied to the skin is thought to work both by stimulating new collagen formation as well as preventing the breakdown of existing collagen. It appears to have a stimulatory effect on the fibroblasts that produce collagen as well as an inhibitory effect on enzymes that break down the collagen support structure. What makes retinol unique is that its molecular structure is small enough to allow it to penetrate the skin which is a limiting factor for some skin care ingredients. If a substance can’t penetrate the epidermis and gain access to the dermis, it’s not going to have any real effect on skin aging. Thus, one major benefit of retinol that distinguishes it from other skin care ingredients is its ability to reach the areas of the skin where it can actually have an effect on collagen production and breakdown.

Another benefit of retinol is it has the ability to increase the thickness of the outer surface of the skin, the epidermis. The result is a smoother, finer texture to the skin as well as an improvement in the appearance of superficial creases and wrinkles. Retinol also appears to have the ability to counteract some of the solar damage inflicted by the sun, although retinol shouldn’t be used if you spend time in the sun since it can increase sun sensitivity.

A study done on thirty-subjects where 0.4% retinol was applied to their arm and a placebo to the other showed improvement in fine wrinkling on the treated area of the arm as well as a reduction in skin roughness. Skin biopsies performed after using retinol showed an increase in the precursors of collagen synthesis. This would seem to support the benefit of retinol for skin rejuvenation.

Although retinol is available in a prescription form which has a higher concentration of the active ingredient, this stronger concentration of retinol may be too irritating for some skin types. If you have sensitive skin, it may be best to try a lower strength nonprescription formulation first and if benefits aren’t seen within several months, visit your dermatologist and discuss the possibility of using prescription strength retinol.

The good news is that it appears that the benefits of retinol are real. For some people, they may be the key to younger looking skin. Why not give them a try?

10 Mascara Tips and Tricks

One of the best-selling cosmetic products available, mascara makes wimpy lashes look thicker, longer, and more voluminous.  When used correctly, mascara can dramatically improve the appearance of eyes, making them look larger, brighter, and more noticeable.  Here are ten easy tips for flawless, clump-free mascara each and every time.

Tip #1:  Find the right mascara
Mascaras come in two formulas:  water-soluble and waterproof.  Water-soluble mascaras are lighter and easier to remove, but won’t hold up to extreme humidity.  If you are an athlete, live in a humid climate, or are prone to watery eyes, opt for the waterproof alternative.

Tip #2:  Choose a color to compliment your complexion.
Black mascara isn’t for everyone.  If your skin is fair or has yellow undertones, or if you have light hair-such as blonde or red-you may want to try brown mascara for a more natural look.

Tip #3:  Apply powder under the eye
Heavy creams and oils, such as those found in moisturizers and concealers, will attract the pigment in mascaras, causing them to smear.  To avoid unsightly under-eye circles, dust a thin layer of loose or pressed powder under the eye to absorb any excess moisture.

Tip #4:  Line your eyes
Using a coordinating shade of eyeliner, line the eyelid at the lash base.  This will open the eye and define its shape, as well as give the appearance of fuller lashes.

Tip #5:  Curl your lashes
To give straight lashes more volume, curl them using an eyelash curler.  How to do it:  clamp the lashes near the root, and hold for 20-30 seconds.  If you’re curling your lashes after applying mascara, wait until they are dry.  Wet lashes will stick to the trough pads, leading to follicle damage or loss.

Tip #6:  Clean the brush
Using a clean tissue, wipe any excess mascara from the wand.  This will rid the brush of any dried-on clumps, resulting in a smooth, even coat.

Tip #7:  Coat the full lash
Applying mascara only to the bottom of your eyelashes will make them heavy, causing them to droop.  Instead, apply an even coat to both the tops and bottoms of your lashes, starting at the base and wiggling the brush from side to side as you move to the tip, coating the full lash.

Tip #8:  Mix and Match
For a dramatic look, apply a coat of volumizing mascara followed by a coat of lengthening mascara on the tips.  For best results, apply the second coat while lashes are still wet.  Applying wet mascara to dry mascara will coat the lashes unevenly, causing clumps.

Tip #9:  Choose the right brush
Mascara brushes come in an array of shapes and sizes, and are often as unique as their respective product formulas.  Thick brushes with several narrowly-spaced bristles are best for full-coverage or thickening mascaras, while longer brushes with bristles set farther apart are best to lengthen and separate. Brushes with tapered ends are best to paint the lashes at the corner of the eye.

Tip #10:  Removing mascara
Whatever your choice of mascara, removing it shouldn’t be difficult.  Apply a small amount of eye-makeup remover to each eye, and gently wipe away using a warm, damp cloth until the product is dissolved.  Avoid rubbing the eye, which can cause the sensitive skin around it to stretch and sag.  If you’re in a pinch, baby oil will also break down the wax in mascaras, but because it doesn’t contain cosmeceutical ingredients (like natural plant extracts or Antioxidants), won’t provide any additional benefits.

Once you’ve found a mascara that is right for you, be sure to make note of the brand and color.  (Hint:  There’s a sticker on the bottom of the tube.)  To keep mascara free of bacteria and contaminants, it is recommended you replace your tube every three months.

Sweet Tooth

Here’s a few sweet weekend treats to look forward to after a long week at work (without affecting your waistline).

Check-out of reality for an hour as you relax in a warm bath. Add a Chocolate Bath Truffle ($15 for four) to overindulge. You can pick from of plain chocolate or chocolate mint, or mix it up with a combo of the two.

Rid yourself of those dead skin cells left over from work. Use the Brown Sugar & Coffee Scrub ($17), which contains 100% organic brown sugar and coffee beans for superior exfoliation.

Re-hydrate your skin with the Cranberry & Pomegranate Soufflé ($30). The cranberry oil and cocoa butter heals and protects the skin under the harshest of conditions.

Whatever your sweet tooth, you can find a flavor here to satisfy it.

People’s Choice

2008 Co-Op America People’s Choice Award

Attention Responsible Shoppers!
Nominate your favorite green businesses.

Show your appreciation to the green business you just couldn’t live without by submitting a nomination for the 2008 People’s Choice Award.

VOTE NOW!

An apple a day…

All profits from our candied apple scrub will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

Buy it now!