I don’t think I truly understood beauty until I was in my thirties, and it took bridging into my forties (yes, I’ll be forty-one next month) to begin to focus on the health of my skin and how it affects my body. Last year, I began to take a closer look at the chemicals that are in so many of our day-to-day beauty treatments (see my Sulfate-free shampoo post on TCL) and took a stronger interest in not just what my dermatologist was sharing with me, but also what others could help me to learn.
Filled with questions, I was introduced to Alison Warner, a local Arbonne Consultant, one day at our pool. Alison and I have not only become friends, but she’s now advising me on a wealth of information about skin and body health. She’s so much more than a sales rep. I’m inspired by her interest in learning about skin and body health and how much she has -and wants- to share. I asked Alison to take over my TCL #CentsibleBeauty post this week to share her knowledge with our Centsible Readers.
Julie: Why should we invest in healthier skincare products? Why is what we put on our skin so important to our overall health?
Alison: Do you know that what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your bloodstream within 26 seconds?! The average woman puts 515 chemicals on her skin in a day and everything she puts on her skin is mixing into her blood stream.
Julie: During the cold winter months, which Arbonne products are best for keeping skin fresh and comfortable?
Alison: For adults there are 4 facial skin care lines for every skin type, all of which are dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic. For babies, kids and adults with severely sensitive skin, the ABC line is a gentle and soothing collection that includes hair and body wash, body lotion and diaper rash cream. I also recommend Awaken Sea Salt Scrub for your body, it scrubs off dry skin and leaves your body feeling ultra-soft. Finally, Shea Butter Hand & Body Care Duo is a hand/body wash and lotion set that are in pump bottles and come with a stainless steel caddy and the FC5 Ultra-Hydrating Hand Creme is a non-greasy formula that instantly absorbs into your skin. It’s a favorite with doctors, nurses and day care providers who are constantly washing their hands.
Julie: As an Arbonne representative, you know there are so many products to recommend. But to someone who is just getting started in changing their regime and wants to break into healthier products slowly, what are your top recommendations for newbies?
Alison: Where do I start?! As a consultant, I first figure out what’s of interest to a client. For example, I don’t want to talk about nutrition to someone who’s interested in makeup. So here are some of my “must haves.”
- Daily Power Packs for Women/Men (20 essential vitamins & minerals) - This was the product that got me hooked on the company;
- RE9 Advanced Anti-Aging Skin Care (men & women) - beats out every single line it’s tested against and keeps me looking younger… seriously;
- Genius Nightly Resurfacing Pads - botanical based retinoid that’s safe enough for anyone 12 and older of any skin type (reduces fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots plus it helps prevent acne breakouts) - #2 best selling product!
- Makeup Primer - glides on weightlessly to instantly create a smooth surface - allows you to use 30% less makeup by priming your skin with polypeptides & botanicals;
- “It’s a Long Story” mascara - polypeptides, pea extract & bamboo extract instantly lengthen & strengthen your lashes;
- Protein Shakes - 20 g of plant-based protein with no gluten, soy, whey, artificial flavors or sweeteners - Wouldn’t dream of starting my day without one!
- Energy Fizz Sticks - natural boost of green tea, B vitamins, ginseng, & guara.
Julie: What makes Arbonne unique, and why should we choose Arbonne when there are less expensive options available at the pharmacy?
Alison: For 35 years, Arbonne has been providing “pure, safe & beneficial” products that are good for us and kind to the earth. With over 400 vegan-certified, botanically based products in more than 10 different categories (health, wellness, nutrition, weight management, anti-aging skin care, beauty, baby care, etc), Arbonne literally has something for every person at every age.
Arbonne formulates WITHOUT:
- animal testing
- animal products or by-products (no whey/dairy)
- gluten, soy, GMOs
- artificial dyes & sweeteners
- chemical dyes &r fragrances
- mineral oil & petroleum based ingredients
- parabens & formaldehyde-donating preservatives
- phthalates, sulfates & triclosan
- fluoride
Formulated in Europe but made in the US, Arbonne follows European standards which ban more than 1,300 harmful chemicals from being added to personal care products. Sadly, the US only bans 10 harmful ingredients and the cosmetic industry was granted self-regulation in 1938. To keep prices low, they use the cheapest ingredients they can find. Yes, there are less expensive products in the marketplace, but imagine the quality of ingredients they contain to keep prices low. A product isn’t a bargain if it’s going to compromise your well-being. Because Arbonne’s products are free of cheap fillers, their products last you much longer as you need less to get great results.
Rather than a traditional retail store front, Arbonne is sold online. Independent Consultants educate consumers on how to redirect their spending to get a safer, premium alternative to most items they are already buying somewhere else! Everyone can get a discount from 20-50%, products have a 45-day money back guarantee & are delivered directly to consumers from the manufacturer, saving them time and money… two precious commodities. There are no retail expenses of advertising, rent & utilities for brick and mortar stores, salaries for employees to run the stores, distribution to stores, etc. Arbonne instead uses this money for extensive testing on all products, including screening for GMO’s, under the guidance of an impressive Scientific Advisory Board. Always striving to be better for us and the earth, it’s easy to see why Arbonne is “green and growing.”
To learn more about Arbonne, including where you should start and what beauty products are best for you, I invite you to contact Alison through her webpage and keep up-to-date with news and announcements on her Facebook page.
image from Arbonne.
Julie
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