Stephanie L. Tourles - Pure Skin Care: Nourishing Recipes for Vibrant Skin & Natural Beauty

The mission of Storey Publishing is to serve our customers by publishing practical information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment.

Edited by Deborah Balmuth and Michal Lumsden

Art direction and book design by Michaela Jebb

Text production by Jennifer Jepson Smith

Indexed by Christine R. Lindemer, Boston Road Communications

Cover and interior photography by Michael Piazza Photography

Photo styling by Darcy Hammer

Hair and makeup styling by Liz Washer/Ennis Inc.

Illustrations by Babeth Lafon/@babethlafon/Illustration Division

2018 by Stephanie L. Tourles

Ebook production by Kristy L. MacWilliams

Ebook version 1.0

September 18, 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages or reproduce illustrations in a review with appropriate credits; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other without written permission from the publisher.

The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author or Storey Publishing. The author and publisher disclaim any liability in connection with the use of this information.

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This publication is intended to provide educational information for the reader on the covered subject. This book is not intended to replace professional medical advice or treatment. Read the instructions carefully and follow the safety precautions completely when making recipes.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Tourles, Stephanie L., 1962 author.

Title: Pure skin care : nourishing recipes for vibrant skin & natural beauty / Stephanie L. Tourles.

Description: North Adams, MA : Storey Publishing, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018012689 (print) | LCCN 2018014771 (ebook) | ISBN 9781635860511 (ebook) | ISBN 9781635860504 (hardcover with concealed wire-o : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: SkinCare and hygiene. | Herbal cosmetics. | Beauty, Personal.

Classification: LCC RL87 (ebook) | LCC RL87 .T69 2018 (print) | DDC 646.7/2dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018012689

To my mother, Brenda Anchors

You taught me from a young age that following a good skin care regimen and using high-quality products would promote a complexion beaming with radiance. Now, in my late fifties, my skin positively glows with good health. Thanks, Mom!

Did you know that women use an average of 12 personal care products daily? And men arent far behind, with about seven in their daily routine. Every day we use products such as soap, body scrub, lotion, face cleanser, toner, shaving cream, sunscreen, makeup, deodorant, and more. Our skin eats or, more accurately, absorbs up to 60 percent of whatever we put on it, so its important to know what is in these products we are slathering on ourselves.

The official term for the process of absorption of substances via the skin is transdermal penetration. The degree to which a substance applied topically can penetrate the skin depends on the particular substance, the molecular size of its ingredients, the temperature, and the condition of the skin at the time of contact. If youre having a hard time believing that your skin can actually absorb some of the ingredients from your favorite body care product, then you have only to think of four popular drugs that are transported into the bloodstream via a topical patch: nicotine used for cessation of smoking, hormones for birth control, scopolamine for motion sickness, and nitroglycerin for angina pectoris.

As a licensed esthetician and holistic skin care specialist, my focus is on educating individuals so that they can realize their highest health and beauty potential through the use of natural skin and body care products and vitalizing lifestyle habits. I want my clients and readers to become active participants in their own well-being.

Over the years, I have worked with a wide range of commercial products, including high-end and natural products from health food stores and wellness spas. Many of these body care preparations, even the so-called natural ones, contain potentially toxic and irritating ingredients. Ive heard from both clients and readers who endured allergic reactions or other skin sensitivities resulting from their use of these often costly and often synthetic-blend products.

On the flip side, if potentially irritating or harmful chemicals and artificial colorants and fragrances can be absorbed by your skin, then so can highly beneficial natural ingredients, which can promote beautiful, healthy skin.

In this rapidly advancing technological age of skin and body care, a dizzying array of youthifiers are available. While some of these technological advancements such as acid-based skin peels, pharmaceutically enhanced cosmetics, microdermabrasion, and surgical face and body reconstruction do have their place, they shouldnt prevent us from taking control of our own bodies. These quick fixes do not come without some pain, risk, or expense. Nor do they offer an everlasting cure-all to our perceived physical shortcomings.

The time is ripe for getting back to the basics. Many of us have lost sight of our true selves in an effort to become synthetically enhanced, smoothed, or physically augmented. Its important to remember, however, that Hollywood hype is not reality nor should it be.

Holistic herbal skin and body care comprises an ancient tradition that promotes mutual respect between individuals and generations, harmony and balance within, gentle coexistence with the earth, and a visible physical radiance in the individuals who practice it. Herbs and other natural ingredients cleanse, protect, and pamper the skin; smell wonderful; and nourish both body and soul. They produce in us a profound sense of authentic beauty, contentment, and well-being.