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Coconut Oil in Skin Care; The Good and the Bad
Is it ok to use coconut oil in skin care routines? Coconut oil is definitely having its time in the spotlight these days—whether for its lauded nutritional qualities or wellness benefits, you can’t miss its virtues being sung from the top of many rooftops. More in this post. Shop All Apothekari Coconut oil is produced by extracting the oil from the meat of mature coconuts. It has a high saturated fat content and is a darling of the ‘natural world’ whose advocates suggest we embrace it as part of our diet. However, many organizations including the World Health Organization, the United States Food and Drug Administration, American Heart Association and Dietitians of Canada advise that its consumption should be limited or avoided. The concern is that it increases both the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or good)) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad) cholesterol, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. We’ll leave the nutritionists to battle it out about the oil’s benefits and risks when it comes to your health, but when it comes to coconut oil in skin care, there are advantages. Coconut Oil In Skin Care: Bad? When it comes to skin care, many a blogger, model, and online commenter, suggest that coconut oil is an amazing do-it-all ingredient for your skin, capable of moisturizing it, cleansing it, clearing it up and delivering radiant goodness. It’s made up of medium chain fatty acids and contains vitamin E, proteins, lauric, capric and caprylic acids, which deliver anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and can offer skin benefits. Its high saturated fat content makes coconut oil very hydrating so dry skin types benefit quite well and it’s also been shown to soothe mild cases of eczema. Coconut oil is great for some skin types and some uses, but it’s not a cure all and it’s not for everyone. It is highly rated on the comedogenic scale, sitting at 4 on a scale of 0 – 5. This means that coconut oil can clog pores, which is problematic if you have oily or acneic skin. The comedogenic effect varies amongst individuals and it is possible for some individuals to tolerate it without any issues. Others may go for months before experiencing a breakout while it’s also possible to react almost immediately. If you want to give coconut oil a try, go slow and be prepared to drop it out of your routine if your skin doesn’t like it. Is Coconut Oil Good in Skincare Products? It’s probably best to skip coconut oil in skincare products for the face, but when it comes to body care, it’s not a bad idea at all. When applied to the body and scalp, coconut oil can be hydrating. Slather it on rough and dry feet at night and then don a pair of socks to wake up with softer, smoother tootsies by morning. You can find coconut oil in lots of body polishes and scrubs, where it’s often combined with other skin softening ingredients—it can help to elevate your bath-time routine! Are you a fan of coconut oil when it comes to skin care?
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Apothekari Gift Guide 2017
Holiday Gift Guide 2017 We’re into the first week of December already and if you’re anything like me, you may be a bit behind on your gift shopping. To make things easier, we’ve put together a list of gifts that may help relieve some of the stress. While we can’t guarantee that your purchase will arrive in time for Christmas, you can choose to pick up locally in Vancouver at Pure Pharmacy on Oak Street (option and details available at checkout) if that makes sense for you. Come Say Hello at The Bar Method Pop-Up! If you’d like to check out a bar class, shop from Apothekari (we’ll have testers on hand too) and support the Vancouver Food Bank through the Bar’s annual holiday Bar-a-thon food and toy drive, visit us during the Bar’s pop-ups: December 9th: 8:00 am – 12:30 pm West Vancouver, Marine Drive, Suite 250, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1J4 (604) 925-6199 December 16th 8:00 am – 1:30 pm Yaletwon. 837 Beatty Street, Suite 201, Vancouver, BC Phone: (604) 681-6188 We look forward to seeing you! Visit The Bar Method for more information. Now on to that Gift Guide… 1. For Someone Who Loves Bath-time Our range of sumptuous bath products are designed to exfoliate, moisturize and cleanse skin. Consider the following: Lemon Verbena Sugar Body Polish. A new addition to our online store, this sugar polish has a bright, aromatic citrus scent and is ideal for aromatherapeutic body treatments or a little pampering in your bath. Unlike most sugar-based scrubs, our body polish is smooth and never drips excess oil, so it’s easy to apply. Made with a blend of natural butters, this body exfoliator leaves the skin feeling soft and well-moisturized yet not greasy. Vanilla Rose Sugar Body Polish. New, like the Lemon Verbena Sugar Body Polish, Vanilla Rose boasts a modern and subtle scent of rose along with a faint hint of vanilla. It too, is ideal for aromatherapeutic body treatments or a little pampering in your bath. Unlike most sugar-based scrubs, our body polish is smooth and never drips excess oil, so it’s easy to apply. Made with a blend of natural butters, this body exfoliator leaves the skin feeling soft and well-moisturized yet not greasy. Our Shea Body Butter is made with organic shea butter and infused with healing herbs, fresh oils, natural vegetarian waxes and an intoxicating blend of essential oils to heal dry, cracked and callused skin. This extra-rich, protective crème is made with the highest quality organic shea butter from Africa. It penetrates deeply to heal dry, cracked, and callused skin and is also excellent as a daily hand crème, aiding in the health of cuticles and nails. Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Polish. Let our Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Polish revitalize and invigorate your skin and your senses with walnut shell powder, powdered bamboo and a light, refreshing essential oil blend of lemongrass, mimosa, and litsea! This exfoliating polish also comes with some light foaming action, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth and you feeling refreshed! Our body treatments are packaged in gift sets for extra savings! 2. For Someone Serious About Skin Care Consider the gift of great skin for someone who is concerned about keeping it as healthy and youthful as possible. Apothekari A is for Anti-Aging, our top selling serum is everyone’s favorite because it’s formulated with retinaldehyde – a super gentle yet highly effective form of retinoid PLUS niacinamide – soothing, anti-inflammatory and hyperpigmentation busting. This treatment receives rave reviews from our customers and is a must have for anyone who wants skin that glows. Bespoke Vitamin C Serums. Available in both a 10% (for newbies or those with sensitive skin) or 15% concentrations, our hydrating serum contains Vitamin C as L-ascorbic acid plus a host of skin beneficial antioxidants to deliver protection from free radicals that can cause skin damage. Apply every morning for brighter skin. AHA-Mazing Clean Exfoliating Cleansing Gel is ideal for everyday use for all skin types (except sensitive). It will help to improve skin’s overall appearance, with all three major ingredients working together to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, gently exfoliate clogged pores, and promote cellular renewal. Cloud Nine Foaming Cleansing Creme is a new generation of gentle, foaming cleanser, that not only cleans, but also moisturizes and protects skin. Rich with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients, soothes aging and sensitive skin, while delivering a healthy glow to all skin types. Apothekari Antioxidant Firming Eye Gel is formulated with Vitamin C, ferulic acid, sodium hyaluronate and algae extract to prevent signs of aging while correcting existing photodamage. Used daily, this preventive and corrective treatment combats signs of fatigue, improves discoloration and skin tone to restore a fresh, vibrant appearance around the eyes. 3. For Someone Hard To Shop For Can’t decide or not sure? We offer Gift Certificates starting at $25. Let them decide what to get and be rewarded for choosing a thoughtful and usable gift!
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