Are you a vibrant 35+ year old women? Help us with our project and tell us what you need! We are listening!

Are you a vibrant 35+ year old woman, like we are here at La Isha?

Did you know that our staff and formulators are all women just like you?

We figured out a long time ago that when we look good, we feel good, and that affects everything in our lives including self-esteem, our ability to have satisfying relationships, and how financially secure and successful we can ultimately be in the job market.

Want to take control of your life? Then help us!

We are humbled and delighted to announce the formation of an advisory board for the La Isha Foundation: a philanthropic organization dedicated to uniting women and assisting those of us who need help in rediscovering and pursuing our full potential. We are asking women across the globe to share their biggest challenges, fears and concerns.

Your feedback will enable us to target the specific issues you want help with, and help us figure out how to address the universal needs of women who are entering the potentially most powerful and liberating phase of our lives.

La Isha is dedicated to empowering you, so won't you please help us help you, and tell us what you need? We are listening!

We can be reached on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LaIshaSkinCare, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/LaIshaSkincare or by email at JustBetweenUsGirls@La-Isha.com.

Wishing you the blessings of good health and timeless beauty,

Sharon Gnatt Epel

Founder/CEO

This blog is brought to you by La Isha Natural Skin Care!

Which Works Better: Oils or Lotions?

If you are an American woman, chances are that you grew up watching your mama apply lotion to her face and body, but if you hail from Europe or Asia, you are more likely to be familiar with using oils to hydrate and nourish your skin.

There are many pros and cons to using each of these, but the main physical difference between them comes down to percentage of water content.

Lotions need water to emulsify (combine oils and liquids that normally resist being mixed together) and generally require heat to bind the ingredients so that they won’t separate. The downside of this process is that exposure to high temperatures can destroy whatever therapeutic properties are contained within the natural oils. Lotions are also looser in consistency, giving them a lighter, less-greasy feel on the skin. If you tend to have an oily complexion this may not be a concern, but a lighter weight also means that the lotion’s moisturizing effects may not last very long.

If you have dry skin, live in a cold or arid climate, or spend most of your time working indoors in an artificially heated or air-conditioned office, you probably want to use a moisturizer that will last all day. Creams tend to be thicker than lotions, usually contain a higher percentage of oil, and their moisturizing effects last longer. A cream that contains a well-balanced combination of carrier (oily) and essential oils (dry oils) can not only moisturize skin and alleviate dry flaky patches: it can also offer significant antioxidant and health benefits while creating a gentle moisture barrier between your skin and the elements.

Whether you prefer to use a lotion, cream or oil, another important consideration is permeability: whether or not the moisturizer will just sit on top of the skin, or be easily absorbed within a short period of time. In order for a moisturizing agent to do any good, it must be able to penetrate the top layer of skin. Oils in general have a good history of doing this but can be a bit too oily for some people’s personal tastes. Lotions, on the other hand, usually won’t leave behind an oily residue, but their moisturizing benefits seem to evaporate within ten to fifteen minutes, leaving your skin as bone dry as it was before you applied the lotion.

If you are concerned about oils being comedogenic (causing acne or breakouts), you may be surprised to learn that many natural oils can actually be helpful to acne prone skin and will not cause clogged pores. It is the type of oil that determines the likelihood of breaking out, so it is a good idea to read product labels very carefully and research any ingredients that you are not familiar with. Even when a product is labeled non-comedogenic, it is not a guarantee that it is free of all comedogenic ingredients.  Retin-A cream contains Isopropyl Myristate, a highly comedogenic and occlusive substance, yet in spite of this, many dermatologists prescribe it for acne-prone skin.

(By the way - if you tend to break out on your neck and back, the true culprit might be residue from your shampoo or conditioner. Make sure to rinse all hair products off your body to reduce the likelihood of irritating skin and clogging your pores).

Ultimately, the best way to figure out what will work for your individual needs is to buy small trial sizes or – preferably – samples of the products you are considering. Be sure to use them one at a time until you find the brand that suits you best. This method of trial and error takes a little time and patience, but is the most sure-fire way to discover which type of moisturizer and brand name will ultimately help protect your skin and keep it young-looking and healthy. Looking beautiful requires dedication and consistency, but when you consider that you have only one body to last an entire lifetime, it is a labor of love that is well worth the effort!

This blog is brought to you by La Isha Natural Skin Care!

Do You Have Cleavage Wrinkles?

Cleavage wrinkles are those pesky vertical lines on your chest that make you think twice before putting on a low cut blouse, a revealing nightgown or wearing a sexy bustier.

Usually a result of sleeping on one’s side, cleavage wrinkles form when gravity forces the top breast to extend past the body’s midline while you sleep. These wrinkles can also be caused by wearing tight sports bras and push-up beauties, both of which tend to squoosh the breasts together and reinforce creases in the cleavage.

Lest you start blaming yourself for your "evil" side-sleeping tendencies, you should know that sun exposure and aging both contribute to this phenomenon by expediting the breakdown of collagen in the skin. The reduction in collagen levels causes wrinkles to run deeper and linger longer after you wake up in the morning and assume an upright position. There are various physical devices on the market that are designed to create a buffer between the breasts while you sleep, but in addition to looking silly (especially if you are not sleeping alone), they are often uncomfortable and can fall out during the night.

Our favorite solution to the cleavage wrinkle problem is a topical serum called Breast SOS. You simply massage it into your chest and breasts before bedtime, and wake up with better looking skin and a noticeable reduction in cleavage wrinkles. In addition to smelling divine, Breast SOS is a spa-quality at-home treatment that helps tone and firm the skin, fade sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and restores a tighter, springy resilience to the "girls" that many of us may not have seen in years.

But don’t take our word for it: here is a testimonial from a very happy client:

“La Isha Breast SOS is simply the single best remedy on the market for vertical (cleavage) breast wrinkles that happen in the night. It gives immediate results, couldn't be simpler to use and delivers on its promise. I highly recommend this product to all the ladies who read my blogs and follow my conversation with older women through my website, [...]. I would also recommend it to younger women, none of whom are free from those pesky chest wrinkles. I use it nightly, it works!"
~ Judy Steinberg, Palm Desert, CA. TV producer, author of Fabulous After Fifty and Sexy At Sixty, former President of the Palm Springs Women's Press Club, Public Speaker. Judy holds the Ms. Senior America 2010 title for San Diego County.

Be sure to check out additional testimonials for Breast SOS at https://la-isha.com/products/breast-sos-64ml

This blog is brought to you by La Isha Natural Skin Care!

La Isha Launches New Website!

Yay! We are launching our new improved website today! Please bear with us as we get the kinks out. If you have trouble placing an order online in the interim, just call us and we will take care of everything! :)

Thanks for your patience!

Starting Over: How a Teenager's Potentially Disfiguring Accident Became the Inspiration for a Natural Anti-Aging Skincare Line

Reported by Jennifer Ryan, 9News Denver Colorado

Sharon Gnatt Epel never imagined herself as an entrepreneur. She was a concert pianist with her own plans for success. But when tragedy struck her family a few years ago, her new path became crystal clear.

"It was an interesting series of events that happened," Epel said.

It began with her son's trip to Costa Rica when he was 17 years old. He was rafting on a river when officials said he had an allergic reaction to sunscreen.
But his mother knew better.

"It was very scary," said Epel. "Luckily my son had the presence of mind to take pictures."

It turns out it was not an allergic reaction, it was a chemical burn caused by a plantation that allowed dangerous chemicals to seep into nearby rivers.

"Within two hours he had small blisters on both hands and knees," Epel said. "Then, six hours later, the blisters were so huge that they hung over the side of his hands."

When her son arrived back in the states she began treating his burns with essential oils, a move that changed both their lives.

"The injury just started to disappear," Epel said.

Within one month her son's hands transformed leaving Sharon and doctors shocked and amazed.
"I'm thinking OK 'how can I use this?' I had just moved to Colorado, my skin was dry and I was aging badly here," Epel said.

Epel came up with a business plan to use those essential oils that helped her son and create a skin care line to help aging women.

"We are currently the only natural and organic anti-aging skin care company for women over 35," Epel said.

It is a story of success for Epel and her two sons.

"All of a sudden it just clicked, and then something like this happens and you realize 'Oh my god everything I've done has brought me here to do something like this' and it's humbling," Epel said.

To learn more about La Isha skin care go to www.La-Isha.com.

This blog is brought to you by La Isha Natural Skin Care!

How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo

Taking good care of your tattoo while it is healing can make the difference between it lasting a lifetime, or quickly fading into oblivion. Preventative care can also keep it from becoming infected and threatening your overall health.

Here are the basics:

1.     Keep the bandage on for up to 24 hours unless your tattoo artist instructs you otherwise.

2.     After you remove the bandage, apply a thin coat of antibiotic ointment to the area. Be careful not to apply too much or use plain petroleum jelly as both of these may cause the tattoo to fade. Using alcohol or peroxide can dry out tattoos, so steer clear of these too.

3.     Keep the tattooed area clean by washing it gently with mild soap and water, and patting it dry with a soft towel. (Do not rub!). When showering, do not subject your skin to direct streams of water that could potentially dislodge the scabs prematurely.

4.     Resist the urge to touch or pick at scabs as they form. They are a normal part of the healing process and will fall in approximately two weeks when they are ready. Removing them too early can result in infection and permanent scarring.

5.     In case of redness or swelling, gently apply an ice pack to the area. This will help reduce inflammation.

6.     Choose your clothing carefully. Avoid fabrics and clothing that could stick to the tattoo, or fit too tightly.

7.     Steer clear of hot baths, soaking in hot tubs, and going swimming until your tattoo is fully healed.  Same goes for sun bathing and exposing it to direct sunlight.

If you are experiencing pain, excessive oozing, drainage, pus, swelling or itching, please contact your doctor immediately. Allergic reactions to certain dyes are not uncommon, as are infections, so be vigilant. It is always better to err on the side of caution than to endanger your health.

Following these guidelines will help you heal quickly, protect your investment and allow your tattoo to look fresh and vibrant for many years to come. 

Copyright 2013 Sharon Gnatt Epel

This blog is brought to you by La Isha Natural Skin Care!

Looking for Gluten-free Skincare?

Check out this new post by Kit Kat plus Celiac! March 11-2013

La Isha Skincare -Review-

Always on the lookout for a gluten free beauty product I was more than happy to be able to review the La Isha line.  What makes this line so attractive on paper?  How about

• Made without synthetic preservatives, artificial colors or fragrances
• Free of all-known potential cancer-causing agents including parabens, phthalates, sulfates and petroleum derivatives
• Made with organic, cold-pressed therapeutic grade oils of maximum potency
• Never tested on animals
• Gluten-free
• Earth-friendly: packaged in recyclable containers
• Made fresh to order, one small batch at a time

It looks great, and sounds great but I had to test the products to know how well they really work.  I was sent a sample of most everything they sell and a full sized bottle of the breast SOS.  

Let us start at the beginning of the beauty routine

Gentle Aromatherapy Face wash:  This stuff smells fantastic, I loved using it.  Not only was it effective but it left a subtle smell on my skin.  I almost didn't want to moisturize my face because I didn't want to lose that smell.   It was effective in cleaning my face and it left my skin feeling soft.  

Orange Coconut Skin Polish:  This smells like its name.  Also it does a genital exfoliation; since the crystals melt, you know when you are done.  It was easy to use and smelled fantastic.  This left my skin feeling a little oily.  However, I tend to have oily skin.  It did make my skin glow, and did exactly what it was designed to do.

Nutrient Rich Face Crème: This was a light moisturizing face cream that didn't have much of a smell but it worked well.  My skin absorbed it quickly and it didn't feel heavy to me.  

Age Spot Eraser:  I don't currently have any age spots but I used this on a darker spot where a dentist had burst the blood vessels and it never healed fully.  While it didn't make that spot go away (it isn't intended to) it did make it less noticeable.  That is a great plus for me.

Dark Circle Relief:  This made my eyes brighter and toned down the dark circles under my eyes.  I looked more youthful.  This stuff was like gold it did what it was intended to do and took so little to accomplish it.  I still have almost a full sample size and I used it for over a week.  

Pomegranate moisture booster:  You add a drop of this to your moisturizer and it boosts the performance.  I did this and my moisturizer felt a little heaver for a while.  However, it absorbed quickly and left a nice looking glow afterwards.  

Now to my favorite product:  The breast SOS, this acted not only as a skin reviver for the breasts and chest area, it also smelled amazing enough to be a perfume.  When I finally got my breasts I went from a B cup to a D cup in just under two weeks.  Not only was the experience painful, but it also left stretch marks.  Those have dramatically faded after using the product.  The skin on my chest and breast area has never looked better and I cannot say enough about how it smells.  I adore this product, my husband likes it too since he spends much more time sniffing me.  I have also noted a lack of blemishes to my chest and breast area (this used to be an issue) I really do have to say that this product is worth every penny and more.  According to the claims the Breast SOS is supposed to...

"This patent-pending formula helps fade age spots and hyperpigmentation, minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and the skin-creases caused by sleeping on one's side, and can restore a tighter, sexier, springy resilience to the chest that many women may not have seen in years." It follows through on everything they advertise and more.  This product really does deserve every award it has been given.  

The only downside to any of these products is that they can feel a little greasy to me at times.  However, like I said my skin tends to that anyway.  If I were buy myself more of these products I would get the Breast SOS, the Face wash and the Dark Circle relief.  These products worked really well on me.  

For more information please feel free to visit La Isha, Natural Skin Care, La Isha Facebook, or La Isha Twitter