Tudo começou em Bordéus, no coração das vinhas do Château Smith Haut Lafitte, propriedade dos pais de Mathilde. Caudalie é, antes de mais, uma bonita história de amor, de viticultura, de paixão, de encontros e de ousadia
Foi durante as vindimas no Château Smith Haut Lafitte em 1993 que conhecemos o professor Joseph Vercauteren, diretor do laboratório da faculdade de farmácia de Bordéus. Ele disse-nos então que as grainhas de uva continham os mais poderosos antioxidantes do mundo vegetal. Desde aí continuamos a trabalhar com ele.
Dois anos após esse encontro, lançámos os nossos 3 primeiros produtos (que ainda existem!) com polifenóis de grainhas de uva. Com as nossas mochilas às costas e os nossos 23 anos, partimos ao encontro dos farmacêuticos. Eles testaram os nossos produtos, foram conquistados e deram-nos a nossa oportunidade. Foi assim que nasceu a Caudalie.
Em 1997 aparece a Eau de beauté A sua fórmula foi inspirada no elixir de juventude da rainha da Hungria.
É um produto único no seu género que rapidamente foi adotado por celebridades e make-up artists. Um dia, Victoria Beckham twittou que adorava este produto. Desde então, as vendas dispararam e tornou-se um dos nossos produtos de culto
Em 1999, Sempre sonhámos em criar um lugar único de bem-estar, com as vinhas a perder de vista. Ao explorar esta propriedade, descobrimos uma fonte de água quente no subsolo a 500 metros. Foi assim que criámos o nosso primeiro Spa Vinothérapie.
Demos atenção aos mais pequenos detalhes para que este lugar fosse fora do comum e para que aí se pudesse calmamente tirar partido dos nossos tratamentos únicos no mundo, praticados pelas nossas incomparáveis vinoterapeutas.
Bem-vindos ao Sources de Caudalie.
Brown spots and Brightening
All You Need to Know About Brown Spots
Dark spots, also known as age spots, although not directly related to age, sunspots, or lentigines, are small, variable-sized skin spots that appear in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, or arms and are linked to an excess production of melanin.
The dark spots typically appear in individuals over 40 years old, after years of sun exposure. However, they can also occur in younger individuals due to intense or prolonged sun exposure.
They are generally not harmful to health, but vigilance is necessary because a melanoma can mimic a lentigo, and only a dermatologist can distinguish between the two. While they do not require treatment, it's possible to make them less visible for aesthetic reasons.
Dark spots differ from moles that develop throughout the body, seborrheic keratoses, which are skin lesions resembling dark warts, or melanoma, especially in the form of Dubreuilh, also called malignant lentigo, which can develop on the face and neck in particular. Diagnosis is only made through a biopsy.
Causes: Why Do We Have Skin Spots?
Dark spots are mainly caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
After years of exposure, melanin can concentrate in certain areas of the skin, causing pigmentation. Brown spots often appear in individuals over 40 years old.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made through a simple observation of the skin by a dermatologist. They may use a painless instrument called a dermoscope, a kind of magnifying glass that allows them to refine their diagnostic impression. A biopsy, involving a skin sample analyzed under a microscope, may be necessary if the doctor has the slightest doubt about the origin of the spots. Monitoring dark spots is necessary. If they seem to evolve (increase in size, change in color, bleeding, enlargement, etc.), it is important to consult a specialist, as these may be symptoms of melanoma development.
Melanocytes and Melanin
Melanin (from Greek melanos = black) is a pigment of dark skin produced by melanocytes. It is mainly genetic, but sun exposure also determines the amount of melanin in the skin, defining its color. This pigment is present in the epidermis, the upper layer of the skin.
The main characteristics of skin spots
• Flat, oval, or round brown spots that appear in sun-exposed areas.
• Brown spots usually appear on the backs of hands, face, or shoulders, i.e., in all areas regularly exposed to the sun.
People at Risk
Some people develop more dark spots than others. Genes play a role in their appearance. These people usually have white skin, although dark spots can also appear on darker skin.
Risk Factors
Prolonged and regular sun exposure significantly increases the risk of developing dark spots. The same goes for sunburns, which are the main factors in the appearance of dark spots, especially on the shoulders. Therefore, it is common to observe the appearance of many brown spots on the shoulders after a severe sunburn.
Prevention
Preventing dark spots requires reasonable sun exposure. It is advisable:
• Avoiding the sun between noon and 4 p.m.
• Seeking shade
• Wearing a hat and clothes
• Applying appropriate sunscreen on unprotected areas every two hours.
Medical Treatments
The choice of technique is made in consultation with the dermatologist and depends on the skin type.
Treatment is not mandatory as dark spots have no health consequences. However, it is necessary to ensure, by consulting a dermatologist, that any spot appearing on the skin is indeed a harmless spot. Some people may find them unsightly; in these cases, treatments can be an option to make them less visible.
There are creams to lighten dark spots.
• Cosmetic creams containing plant extracts are sold over the counter, but it is still unclear whether they are genuinely effective.
• Other prescribed creams are usually based on hydroquinone, a depigmenting agent. This treatment requires the imperative use of full protection every time you are exposed to the sun. It can also cause itching, irritation, or dry skin. This cream, however, provides only modest results. This treatment may also combine with a tretinoin cream and a mild topical steroid like hydrocortisone.
Laser or IPL (intense pulsed light) can be a solution as the photon beam released into the skin destroys melanocytes and melanin, which gradually disappear from the spots. Do not expose yourself to the sun after a laser or IPL session, as the sessions cause redness and crusts that can cause other pigmented spots if exposed to the sun.
Cryotherapy, the same technique used for wart removal, involves applying liquid nitrogen to brown spots to depigment them. This technique is not recommended for dark skin. Sun exposure immediately after treatment is strongly discouraged for the same reason as laser or IPL.
Peeling is also often offered. This technique involves applying an acid to the skin to exfoliate it and remove dark spots.
Facial Care
Types of Women's Facial Cosmetics: Importance of Skin Care
Caring for the skin on the face is an essential part of any woman's beauty routine. With a wide variety of cosmetics available in the market, it's important to understand the different types of products for the face and how they can benefit the health and appearance of the skin. In this article, we will explore the various types of facial cosmetics for women and highlight the importance of proper skin care.
1. Facial Cleansing:
The first step in an effective facial care routine is proper skin cleansing. Facial cleansing products, such as soaps, gels, and foams, gently remove impurities, excess oil, and dead cells. This helps keep pores clean, preventing acne and allowing the skin to breathe.
2. Toners and Astringents:
Toners and astringents complement facial cleansing by removing any remaining residue and balancing the skin's pH. They help minimize the appearance of pores, reduce excess oil, and prepare the skin for subsequent treatments.
3. Moisturizers:
Moisturizers are essential for keeping the skin on the face hydrated and healthy. There are different types of moisturizers, such as creams, lotions, and gels, formulated to meet the specific needs of each skin type. They provide moisture, restore the skin's protective barrier, and help prevent dehydration and premature aging.
4. Sunscreen:
Sunscreen is one of the most important cosmetics for women's faces. It protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, preventing damage, spots, premature aging, and reducing the risk of skin cancer. It is essential to choose a sunscreen suitable for the skin type and apply it daily, even on cloudy days or during indoor activities.
5. Specific Treatments:
There are various specific treatments for the face that address individual concerns such as acne, wrinkles, spots, sagging, or sensitivity. These treatments may include serums, facial masks, gentle exfoliants, anti-aging creams, brighteners, and more. It's important to choose products suitable for the skin type and follow the usage instructions.
The Importance of Caring for the Skin:
Caring for the skin on the face is fundamental to maintaining a healthy and radiant appearance. In addition to improving self-confidence and self-esteem, proper facial care helps prevent issues such as acne, premature aging, spots, sensitivity, and other unwanted conditions. Here are some points that highlight the importance of caring for the skin on the face:
1. Skin Health: A consistent facial care routine helps maintain skin health by strengthening its protective barrier and promoting cell renewal. This contributes to skin that is more resistant to damage, infections, and irritations.
2. Prevention of Sun Damage: Excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage, such as sunburn, dark spots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Regular use of sunscreen helps protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, preserving its health and beauty.
3. Hydration and Nutrition: The skin on the face needs adequate hydration to maintain its elasticity, smoothness, and glow. Moisturizers provide the necessary moisture to the skin, preventing dryness and peeling. Additionally, many facial products contain nourishing ingredients that help nourish and revitalize the skin.
4. Prevention of Premature Aging: Signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging, can be minimized with a proper facial care routine. The use of anti-aging products, such as creams and serums, helps keep the skin firm, smooth, and youthful-looking for a longer time.
5. Self-Esteem and Well-Being: Caring for the skin on the face goes beyond physical benefits. Healthy and well-cared-for skin can boost a woman's self-esteem and confidence. Feeling good about one's appearance contributes to emotional and mental well-being.
Conclusion:
The different types of cosmetics for the face offer a variety of benefits for women's skin. From proper cleansing to sunscreen and specific treatments, each product plays an important role in maintaining the health and beauty of the skin. Caring for the skin on the face is not just a matter of aesthetics but also of health and well-being. Therefore, it is essential to develop a consistent facial care routine and choose products suitable for your skin type. This way, you will be investing in healthy, radiant skin with a rejuvenated appearance for many years.
Cosmetics for Women
What is natural or not in cosmetics?
There seems to be confusion between petrochemical synthesis products and toxicity, especially when it comes to cosmetics. Here are some keys to better understand.
In recent years, there has been an awareness of the composition and impact of what we consume every day, also around the cosmetics industry and the substances used.
Chemical or natural?
Often, this tension arises from a dichotomy between "chemical products" and "natural products," with the latter being presented as better.
However, there is a nuance to be observed because saying "chemical" does not necessarily mean harmful, toxic, or controversial!
"Chemical Products" What exactly is a chemical product in cosmetics?
It is a generic term that does not mean much from a scientific point of view. This expression is often used by the general public to designate a synthetic product or, in a broader sense, something that has undergone a transformation by humans. However, chemical reactions also occur in contact with various natural products that are not processed. For example, by mixing lemon and chalk (which is limestone), you can get CO2!
What is a synthetic product? Chemical synthesis involves creating molecules by assembling already existing products, usually derived from petrochemicals. The creation processes can vary from heating to extracting molecules to alter their biological characteristics, assembling them differently.
However, we have synthetic compounds that do not use petrochemicals, such as silicones, which are created quite differently.
Why use synthetic substances in cosmetics?
Use of synthetic substances to diversify the sensory experience
Synthetic substances are used to obtain a variety of textures, fragrances, colors, and detergents (cleaning action) in cosmetic products. It is also necessary to preserve the products. Indeed, until now, chemists do not have natural preservatives as effective as synthetic preservatives. A natural preservative can prevent the proliferation of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts for only 1 to 2 months at most, especially if the cosmetic product is solid. It is much more complicated for creams and liquids.
Use of synthetic substances in an economic and ecological approach
There is also an economic and ecological imperative because cultivating natural actives is expensive and can lead to waste, such as cultivating entire fields of avocados to extract oil. It will consume a lot of water, while an avocado-based active will consume less energy and be easily reproducible. It is also for this reason that chemists strive to isolate molecules responsible for benefits and reproduce them to achieve maximum efficiency. For example, the flavonoids found in the Ginkgo Biloba tree drain and activate microcirculation, and that's what we consumers find in eye creams! And that, without cultivating entire forests.
Synthetic compounds that cannot be replaced by natural compounds
By unanimity, young people answered "no": certain products cannot be reproduced by natural active ingredients. I quote, for example, emulsification - that's why natural shampoo does not foam. Similarly, the touch brought by silicone does not exist naturally. Otherwise, that's why organic labels Ecocert and Cosmebio currently tolerate 5 synthetic preservatives. A large part of synthetic ingredients are derived from natural ones that have been used. Therefore, you can find equivalent products, but they will necessarily be less potent than the concentrated version and more expensive.
Is it not possible to go 100% natural on a large scale?
Admitting that 100% natural includes natural and naturally derived ingredients, it is possible, but these products will not keep well, and this is a concern when offering them to consumers. Certified natural or organic products can advertise compositions with 97 or 99% natural because the only synthetic compounds are preservatives. On the other hand, for certain products like oils, chemists add vitamin E (tocopherol)! Conclusion: the natural way to make your own product at home does not cause problems, but on an industrial scale, it is more complicated.
"Ingredients of natural origin" and organic ingredients
What does "ingredients of natural origin" mean?
An ingredient of natural origin has undergone a modification and is not in the same state as it came out of the plant or mineral from which it comes. This is the case, for example, for ingredients obtained by fermentation, such as hyaluronic acid, obtained from yeasts to which chemists add chemicals.
The same goes for soap, obtained through a saponification process.
Are certain ingredients not of natural origin?
Yes, some ingredients are not of natural origin: their origin is purely petrochemical. This is the case for vaseline and mineral oils.
Are organic ingredients really better?
Currently available studies show that untreated plants that had to defend themselves against the environment to grow are more loaded with nutrients, so they are considered good. Organic production also respects the environment more, as you can imagine.
When we add to this an organic certification in the final product, it is a guarantee of rigor with controls throughout the production chain.
In the certification process of an organic product, we audit the entire chain of products, i.e., we start from the farmer who grows his olives to the brand that sells the product to the consumer.
With all these players, we will check whether the regulations (in organic farming for olives and oil) and standards (Ecocert or Cosmos since 2017 for the cosmetics part) are well respected.
For example: no environmentally toxic cleaning product is used to clean manufacturing tanks, etc.
These labels ensure the absence of controversial substances.
Note that some certifications work differently; therefore, discover the specifications of those that interest you!
Toxic and controversial substances
What is a controversial substance?
Ah, finally, we address the subject of the famous controversial substances. These ingredients have been the subject of studies that seem to indicate they may pose a risk to consumer health. The problem is that there is no consensus in the scientific community; therefore, some advocate not using them while others call for more studies. Meanwhile, these ingredients are sometimes replaced by others, compared to which science really does not move away because they were recently invented. An example is paraben. Parabens (there are several types) have been disapproved because a study links the presence of certain parabens to breast cancer in rats.
As no one else bought products with parabens, laboratories decided to replace it with MIT (MethylIsoThiazolinone), another very powerful preservative.
And unlucky, MIT is not really good, as evidenced, it is now banned. However, no one knew among consumers.
This example is one of the reasons that explain why compositions are not systematically changed in case of unproven suspicion.
How to recognize dangerous substances in the composition of a cosmetic?
This question remains complex.
First, there is European regulation as the first filter; this legislation prohibits ingredients when health risks are demonstrated. If products from non-EU countries contain a prohibited ingredient, it will be the first warning sign.
Moreover, the same study conducted by an independent laboratory is often interpreted differently.
The goal of consuming as much natural products as possible is just the first step because not everything is available in a natural state, and natural is not synonymous with safety.
Natural often means "inert to health" for people, and that is not true. On the contrary, there are cancer drugs developed from plant active ingredients, proving, if necessary, that nature is very potent.
All this to say that zero risk does not exist, and it is not due to laboratories' bad intentions, but also because we move very quickly and do not always have perspective on everything.
Cosmetics
Introduction to Cosmetics
Cosmetics are non-medicinal substances and preparations intended to come into contact with different surface parts of the human body (e.g., epidermis, teeth, nails, hair, lips, etc.) with the goal of minimal risk. They do not act in depth and are not essential for the proper functioning of the body. Instead, they are reserved for body care, beauty, and cleanliness, with their sole purpose being to cleanse, beautify, protect, and perfume the body.
It's important not to confuse cosmetics with cosmetic: cosmetics refer to the world of skincare, all techniques, processes, and products used for beautification, while cosmetic is the product itself.
To Use or Not to Use Cosmetics?
Cosmetics come in various forms (gels, creams, emulsions, lotions, etc.) and serve the purpose of well-being without acting as medicines. All cosmetics have a roughly similar composition, consisting of excipients, active substances, and additives.
- Excipient: It allows the active substance to act where it should. Common excipients include water, oils, and alcohol, with natural alternatives like sweet almond, avocado, or shea butter. Silicones, on the other hand, are synthetic excipients.
- Active Substance: Gives the cosmetic "care" properties and is not the most significant substance in terms of product quantity. Examples include zinc, vitamins, clay, and various fruits and vegetables.
- Additive: Enhances and stimulates the cosmetic's action. Cosmetic additives include preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, and adjuvants for coloring, perfuming, foaming, etc.
Cosmetics include:
- Hygiene products for the body, such as toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, deodorant.
- Skin products, often in cream form, like anti-wrinkle cream, day and night cream, lip balm, face mask, etc.
- Hair products, directly applied to the hair, such as conditioner, hair spray, gel, dyes.
- Makeup products, predominantly used by women, including mascara, eyeliner, gloss, foundation, blush, lipstick, nail polish, self-tanner.
- Perfume, cologne, and toilet water.
- Sunscreen products to protect the skin from UV rays, like sunscreens, post-exposure lotions, and creams.
- Shaving and depilatory products, such as shaving foam, post-shave foam, and depilatory cream.
- Bath and shower preparations, such as bath salts, foaming bath, and bath oil.
Not considered cosmetics:
- Food products, as cosmetics cannot be consumed.
- Medicines or drugs, as cosmetics do not have curative properties.
Cosmetics and Their History:
The earliest use of cosmetics dates back almost as far as humanity. Prehistoric people produced body paints from mineral sources mixed with fatty substances.
In ancient times, civilizations like the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Hebrews used cosmetics for magical, medical, and ritualistic purposes, including body and face paints, oils, perfumes, and ointments.
During the Middle Ages, cosmetics were primarily used to represent the Western feminine ideal of pale skin and rosy cheeks, but these products were only available to the wealthy.
In the 18th century, cosmetics became more accessible to all social classes, and the consumption of perfumes increased during the Renaissance. However, awareness grew about certain cosmetic ingredients like lead, which could harm the skin or even lead to death.
Since the 20th century, with industrialization, cosmetics have become more diverse and affordable, often made with synthetic or petroleum-derived ingredients.
Today, cosmetics are used for personal satisfaction, to feel beautiful and confident. Men are increasingly using cosmetics, and they are used across all generations for various purposes, from baby care to anti-aging creams for the elderly.
