Open Kitchen
Let the Sun Shine In
We love it when restaurants open their kitchens. Not only is it fun to watch the pros in action, it’s a good sign when a place feels confident enough in their ingredients and practices to let people see the whole process. No shortcuts, no unswept corners, no dirty tricks!
Skin care is not so different. You feed your skin the same way fill your stomach. But when it comes to skin care, the origins of product and package are often mysterious. Putting slick marketing aside, one wonders if all products are made in an industrial vat somewhere, and all packaging is produced in unregulated third world factories.
Being consumers first, we chose to open things up. We couldn’t be prouder of our products, and we’re more than happy to share every last detail. Skin care consumers finally get an open kitchen of their own…
Our Ingredients
Botanicals
Jojoba is a nourishing wax ester from the Southwest. It is filled with broad spectrum fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachodenic) and triglycerides. Jojoba is extremely stable and non-greasy. Because it relates well to natural skin lipids, it is non-clogging and does an excellent job of preventing trans-epidermal water loss.
Sunflower Oil is rich in gamma linoleic acid (GLA), which is good for acne and cell regeneration; it also helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
Olive Oil has very high levels of oleic acid, antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds, all of which are great for radical scavenging. Some research has shown olive oil to be particularly valuable for scavenging radicals caused by exposure to UVB rays. Olive oil is a very mild irritant.
Apricot Seed Oil is a gentle and nourishing non-fragrant botanical oil. Its low molecular weight allows it to permeate the skin’s surface and nourish the lipid lamellar layers.
Soybean Oil is a strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It has high levels of genistein, which studies show to be the most potent anti-oxidant against UVB rays and may provide some defense against symptoms of skin aging. The high polyphenol content also provides powerful antioxidizing punch.
Extracts, Humectants & Antioxidants
Vitamin E is an extremely potent antioxidant. Numerous studies have demonstrated its value in reducing oxidative stress, including stress from sun damage. In other words, it’s a crucial agent for scavenging free radicals from sun exposure, helping to prevent wrinkling and cancer, and aiding otherwise traumatized skin.
Much research has shown Green Tea to possess multi-faceted beneficial properties. Studies indicate it helps skin before, during, and after sun exposure by providing UV protection. It serves as a powerful antioxidant and tumor blocker, and acts as an effective anti-inflammatory, with evidence of reductions in UVB-induced swelling and reddening. Green tea also contains high levels of polyphenols.
Oat Extract serves as an effective anti-irritant against UV- and chemically-induced irritation. In vitro studies show that oat extract can significantly reduce damage associated with UVA/UVB irradiation.
Chamomile has been shown to be a soothing anti-irritant and anti-oxidant. Some studies imply anti-irritant properties similar to those of hydrocortisone. It is filled with flavenoids, apigenin, and glycosides.
Ginkgo Biloba is a skin-preserving superstar. It’s filled with polyphenols, flavenoids and flavonol glycosides, all of which have been clinically shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-free radical properties. There is evidence that Ginkgo can increase collagen and intracellular internectin, making skin more supple, and can increase blood flow, making skin glow.
Raspberry Seed, like all dark berries, is an extremely potent antioxidant. That’s only the beginning: studies have also demonstrated powerful anti-inflammatory qualities and broad spectrum UV protection. It has exceptionally high levels of alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, vitamin A, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Primary fatty acids are linoleic, alpha linolenic acid and oleic acids.
Minerals & Waxes
Zinc Oxide is a natural inert mineral. It is the only ingredient, natural or synthetic, that receives the highest rating for both UVA and UVB protection from the EPA. It has been shown to be very well tolerated.
Titanium Dioxide is one of the only two non-synthetic ingredients the FDA recognizes as an active sunscreen agent (Zinc Oxide is the other). Its an inert mineral shown in studies to be well tolerated. It acts as a physical sun barrier, and, according to the EPA, is one of the only ingredients that is effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays.
Organic Beeswax is cultivated from bees that feast on organic flowers. Beeswax adds structure to products and is an excellent occlusive, which means it is effective in preserving the skin’s natural moisture. In technical terms, it prevents trans-epidermal water loss.
Packaging Facts
Vivesana aluminum tubes are produced in Kentucky. They comply with the European BPA-Free standard, as well as being phthalate-free. They are more efficiently recycled than plastic, or even paper, and have an unlimited number of recycling lives. Read more.
Vivesana outer packaging is fully recyclable and made in Alabama rather than Bejing.
Ingredients we do not use. Processes we avoid.
May 2nd, 2010
The lovely people at Ecofabulous just made us blush. Read what they had to say about the Vivesana approach to sun care. We think they’re doing great work, too!
And read on, to see what scores of other reviewers have had to say…
Posted in Events, Locations, Open Conversation, Open Conversation, Open Kitchen, Organics, Naturals & Synthetics, Our Philosophy, Our Practices, Our Press, Our Story, Solar to Polar Baby, Solar to Polar Ultra | No Comments »
February 6th, 2010
Vivesana announces its newest retail partner, the Hippocrates Health Institute of West Palm Beach.
Standing apart as one of the most prominent wellness centers in the country, the Institute embodies many of ideals Vivesana strives to meet. Live Healthy!
Posted in Gift Page, Open Conversation, Open Kitchen, Organics, Naturals & Synthetics, Our Innovations, Our Philosophy, Our Practices, Our Press, Our Story, Solar to Polar Baby, Solar to Polar Ultra | No Comments »
October 21st, 2009
Basking in Sunny Praise: Where to Begin?
We’re blushing. We’ve received scores – possibly hundreds – of reviews those with the most discerning eyes of all – the bloggers.
Here are just a few notable examples of the blogs and websites that have given their thoughts.
We’ll keep posting the reviews as we find ‘em. Click on any of the links below to see what the experts have to say…
Ideal Bite, The Style Page, Livestrong, Beauty News NYC, The Greenists, Babble, Baby Gadget, Mamaista, Cool Mom Picks, Treehugger, Quiskaeya, Mogul Baby, Nonchalant Mom, Totsnob, Smorgasbite, Beauty Snob, Re-Nest, DKmommyspot, Green Blog, Sustainability Digest, This Full House, Green Goddess Dressing, FindBuzz.com
Posted in Find Us, Gift Page, Locations, Open Conversation, Open Conversation, Open Kitchen, Organics, Naturals & Synthetics, Our Innovations, Our Philosophy, Our Practices, Our Press, Our Story, Solar to Polar Baby, Solar to Polar Ultra | No Comments »
January 8th, 2009
Webster’s dictionary defines “natural” as “being in accordance with or determined by nature.” Ok, pretty straightforward.
Of course, nothing’s ever simple. This is an oxymoronic world we live in, where the Environmental Protection Agency takes the side of corporations and sues states for protecting the environment, and coal calls itself clean. The trick to finding natural products is resisting natural self-descriptions, branding and marketing…even when they put trees and bushes in their logo.
The proof is in the pudding. Just look at the ingredients. Products must list ingredients in descending order by volume and must provide specific terminology. Exceptions include ingredients present in very small amounts and fragrances, which may be described as “fragrances”. Helpful. We simply don’t buy products that say “fragrances”, and opt for those that spell out what that means.
So, if you see octyl dodecanol or dimethicone silicone on there, we suggest that you put that product right back on the shelf. Instead, look for a products with labels that start and finish with ingredients like sunflower, green tea, and avocado. Ingredients you can pronounce. Ingredients you can cook with!
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January 6th, 2009
We love it when restaurants open their kitchens up. Not only is it fun to watch the pros in action, it’s a good sign when a place feels confident enough in their ingredients and practices to pull back the curtain. No corner cutting, no unswept corners, no dirty tricks!
Skin care is not so different. You feed your skin the same way fill your stomach. But when it comes to skin care, as consumers, we always felt like we were flying blind. Who knows what’s inside the pretty packages. Is it all made in an industrial vat somewhere? Maybe we’d read too many scary headlines.So, we pulled back our own curtain. Our products are our babies – we couldn’t be prouder of them, and we’re more than happy to share every last detail! Skin care consumers finally get an open kitchen of their own…What does all this mean? It means we’ll tell you not just what are ingredients are and what they do, we’ll tell where they came from. We’ll tell you where our packaging is made and how. We welcome comments. No more guessing…
Posted in Open Kitchen, Our Story | No Comments »
November 30th, 2008
What’s it mean? In the skin care arena, it generally relates to the accumulation of certain substances in the body over time. In order for something to accumulate, of course, it has to stay in the body and not get flushed out. Many synthetics in skin care, unfortunately, do stick around. While companies get away with trace amounts of toxic synthetics in their products, those trace amounts can add up.
A 2004 EWG study looked at industrial chemicals in babies and umbilical cord blood. It found 287 industrial synthetics. The average baby in the study carried over 200 industrial chemicals. Many of those chemicals likely came from pesticides on the inorganic food we eat. Others came from skin care.
Of the 287 industrial synthetics, over 200 are potentially toxic, carcinogenic or may cause defects. Others have impacts we don’t yet know. We do know that things like low birth weight, type 2 diabetes, low sperm counts, breast cancer, and early onset of female puberty, among other related health issues, are on the rise.
Advice? Eat organic and local if you can. Filter your water, and stay away from fish high on the food chain. Use synthetic-free, organic personal products.
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November 18th, 2008
Is the FDA doing its job? Depends on your view of what its job is, we suppose. If you think it’s analyzing skin care products before they hit the shelves, getting out front on suspect ingredients, or setting up an enforceable system for accurate labeling of naturals, chemicals and organics, then no, they’re not doing their job. You can’t really blame them. IOHO, they’re under-funded and under-authorized.
phthalates and elements of packaging (e.g., BPA) that are widely used in the US that are banned in other industrialized countries. In fact, the Environmental Working Group has found that more than 750 personal care products would violate safety standards in other industrialized countries. There is no pre-approval for cosmetics or even over-the-counter drugs. There is gross non-compliance in the industry on labeling standards, and less than aggressive labeling requirements.
Where does that leave us? It means the consumer has to be particularly vigilant and informed. Fortunately, there are sites out there to help. Sana has taken upon itself to create products that would meet the standards we’d all like to see…standards that put health, safety and the environment above commercial concerns. We’ve also tried to provide as much information as we can about things to look for and things to avoid. Please let us know if you have questions or things to add…
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October 31st, 2008
Sana approached packaging the way it approaches everything: safety, quality, functionality and environmental and social responsibility come first. Price, convenience and conformity come second. Or not at all.
The overwhelming majority of the industry chooses plastic from China for its packaging. Yes, study after study shows that dangerous synthetics (like BPA and phthalates) can leach from the plastics. Yes, Chinese safety regulations are virtually non-existent. Yes, their rivers run red with dyes simply dumped from the backs of factories. Yes, labor standards are unacceptable. Go figure. Then again, Chinese plastic is really cheap. And the consumer has no way of knowing where packaging comes from, so what’s the diff?
Sana chose aluminum produced in the US and Canada for a bunch of reasons. From a safety perspective, sourcing from local producers allowed us to ensure compliance with good manufacturing processes. Avoiding plastic means avoiding aforementioned synthetics. Importantly, the products do not sit in aluminum: our innovative tubes have a non-BPA liner.
Aluminum is also preferable from an environmental perspective. It’s one of the most plentiful substances on the earth’s crust. It is also the most recylable material in the marketplace. Unlike even the most recylable plastic (Polyethylene, or PET), which has only a couple generations before it degrades, aluminum never degrades and is infinitely recyclable. It’s also easy to recycle, requiring a relatively low level of energy. The amount of energy saved by recycling aluminum cans in 2003, for example, was equal to 15 million gallons of crude oil, or America’s entire gas consumption for one day. An aluminum container can be back on shelves 60 days after it’s sent to recycling. And buying local means less transportation, no dumping in rivers and no shortcuts.
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and the Takoma Park Co-op have in common? They don’t share a style or a coast, but they do share an overarching, all-consuming drive to carry the best quality products they can find. As it happens, they also began carrying Vivesana yesterday afternoon. We’re thrilled to be working with both of them, and love what the variety of approach says about Vivesana – stores from across the spectrum meet when it comes to strong, safe, stylish and effective sun care. Hurray!
