Artec Soap Bar
Artec Soap Bar
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 Artec Soap Bar 4 String Bass Pickup Chrome  US $16.99
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 Artec Soap Bar 6 String Bass Pickup Black US $17.99
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 Artec Soap Bar 4 String Bass Pickup Black US $14.99
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 Artec Alnico 5 P90 Soap Bar Arched Pickup set Chrome US $39.99
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 Artec Alnico 5 Soap Bar Dog Ear Pickup set Black US $41.99
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 Artec Alnico 5 P90 Soap Bar Arch Bottom Pickup set Gold US $49.99
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There's nothing worse than the being excited to get home with a new product, feeling the anticipation of a transformation not short of commercial-worthy, and then whoa...a red irritated face. Before you resort to mixing Great Aunt Beatrice's miracle poultice, here's some ingrediants that may be contributing to this "situation".
"Gee, your hair smells.." like a sun-drenched field of flowers in the South of France, but the fragrance that is in it is likely to contain VOC's (volatile organic compounds) which The American Academy of Dermatology says is the #1 cause of cosmetic reactions. But why would that irritate your skin if you used it on your hair? If you wash your hair in the shower, the soap residue rinses down the entire body. Think about how many of your products contain fragrance. From your soap to lotion, we are very smell oriented.
Fear not though, you can still smell like night blooming jasmine, just look for products that are phthalate free. This requires actively reading labels and searching for companies committed to phthalate free products, but the trade-off is worth it.
Another contributor to chaos can be petrochemicals. These crude oil derivitaves are foreign to our skin and uncharacteristic of our natural sebum. Products such as petroleum jelly make great barriers to the elements, especially for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts, but I recommend removing them immediately following these activities as they rob skin of "natural" hydration. Look for lotions that contain ingrediants that moisturize with natural oils such as grapeseed or evening primrose oil, which has long been considered to have anti-inflammitory properties.
Don't be fooled by claims that because a product is natural or organic it is automatically suited for sensitive skin. Remember, poison ivy is natural too! Lavender in too great a concentration can be cause for irritation, though chamomile and comfrey make soothing choices.
Start off by making one change at a time, and give yourself a few days with each change to recognize if you are feeling a relief. You CAN have luminous skin that glows like a school girl instead of a stop light!
Elle Gemma is the founder of Spell Cosmetics. Her 18 year career in beauty/cosmetics has been a 360 degree perspective of this exciting industry. Elle's clients have included models, actors, writers and tv personalities.