Neonicotinoids are among the most widely used class of pesticides in the world, and are known to be a potent neurotoxin. Though they are considered more of a harm to insects (rather than vertebrates) in the short-term, the effects of chronic exposure have not been extensively studied. A few projects have tied some neonicotinoids to development and neurological concerns, as well as inflammation of the liver and central nervous system, but there have been no attempts to curtail use. Some of the most incriminating evidence against neonicotinoids is their speculated role in declining pollinator populations; other research has also accused neonicotinoids of harming non-target species in aquatic ecosystems.

As evidenced by the harmful consequences for ecosystems and environment, part of the problem with neonicotinoids is their prevalence (they are especially common in surface waters), and their persistence in the environment. According to the USGS study, “at least one neonicotinoid compound was detected in 63% of the 48 streams measured.”

Moreover, as the USGS study demonstrated, treatment systems do not have the means of effectively removing neonicotinoids from water. The USGS reported “conventional water treatment results in no measurable removal” of two specific types of neonicotinoids.

While the USGS study was limited to the area surrounding the University of Iowa, the scientists noted that neonicotinoids were “likely present in other drinking water systems across the United States,” due to their widespread use. The researchers also cautioned that their XX did not even produce the full picture; one type of neonicotinoids has been show to react with chlorine and “may undergo at least partial transformation during chlorination”– meaning the neonicotinoids may, during water treatment, be transformed into other toxic compounds, or may produce toxic byproducts.

Fortunately, the researchers did have good news to buffer their alarming results. Their study measured the efficacy of granular activated carbon (GAC) and found it “rapidly and nearly completely removed all three neonicotinoids” they were studying. The presence of  pesticides is mostly a concern in highly agricultural areas, like the Midwest, and the scientists recommended investing in GAC filtration in those areas, as GAC is far more economical than reverse osmosis or advanced oxidation processes filtration systems.

Concerned for your own home? Check out Minnesota Department of Health’s guide to at-home GAC filtration.

Looking for more ways to cut down on harsh chemicals in the home and garden? Check out our all-natural lavender sage cleaner or bee-friendly pesticides.

The post Pesticides in Water Are More Widespread Than You Think appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

But regardless of this longstanding debate, what about method of delivery? If much of the debate surrounding supplements has to do with bioavailability, shouldn’t more companies be emphasizing the innovations that can help boost absorption?

LivOn Labs‘ liposomal supplements aim to do just that; the company provides a range of dietary supplements like Vitamin C, B Complex, and Glutathione that are delivered using liposomal encapsulation technology, which maximizes bioavailability through their trademark smart lyposomal nano-spheres.

Sold in single-serve packets whose contents are more efficiently absorbed than pills or powders, LivOn’s liquid supplements are also easier on the digestive system and more comfortable and affordable than IV injections.

The packets are meant to be taken 1 or 2 times per day in 1 to 3 oz of liquid, ideally on an empty stomach to maximize absorption. (After 15 minutes, food can be introduced.)

“Lypo-Spheric” products use lyposomes made from phospholipids, which the company notes is “the same material that makes up your cells.” These phospholipids encapsulate the nutrient being supplemented to protect it through the digestive process, which serves the twin purpose of maximizing absorption and satisfying the body’s need for phospholipids.

The company offers a variety of nutrients in their lyposomal supplements, which are all non-GMO, sugar free, gluten free, and 100% vegan. Their glutathione supplement is great for protecting cells from the onslaught of damage caused by free radicals, promoting optimum cellular health, and supporting a health immune system– but we love it most for its capacity to restore our energy levels.

The Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C (which is unsurprisingly a best seller) boosts immunity and supports healthy skin, joints, and muscles– and we love how portable it is, as the small packets are perfect for flights and other on-the-go moments when the body needs Vitamin C the most. (A feature in the New York Times that called this product “the hot new neutraceutical on the block” points out that Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C “is almost as good as a C drip.”)

LivOn’s B Complex Plus, meanwhile, delivers safe and natural energy support that helps the body burn fuel more efficiently. There’s no added sugar and no caffeine– and B vitamins also help support healthy blood sugar levels in those already within the normal range.

Ultimately, the effectiveness and much of the messaging surrounding it comes down to the patented technology that delivers the vitamin– rather than a discuss of the vitamins themselves (though they are obviously a big part of the equation). With innovations in the method of delivery advancing beyond the realm of pressed pills and powders, we might begin to image a future where people who hate taking pills can still take supplements if they want to– and when they do, their bodies will make it count.

To order your own set of lyposomal supplements, visit LivOn Labs.

* This post was sponsored by LivOn Labs. The opinions are completely based on the product experience of our editors. For more information, visit our Terms and Conditions.

The post When it Comes to Supplements, The Method of Delivery Matters appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

In an attempt to unify these twin obsessions, Patchology, a U.S.-based skincare company, has emerged as a popular choice among millennials, as many of the brand’s all-natural ingredients are sourced from Korea.

Two of Patchology’s products– the Restoring Night Eye Gels and Lip Service Gloss-to-Balm Treatment— caught our editors’ attention for their capacity to deliver Eastern-inspired ingredients that can be delivered at the pace of an American lifestyle– which is to say, quickly.

In an article written for American Spa, Kristin Vukovic explains:

“In April, the company launched a SmartMud No-Mess Mud Masque infused with the detoxifying benefits of volcanic mud, sourced from Jeju, a South Korean island. ‘Our innovation was to put mineral-rich volcanic mud right into a sheet mask, so the mud is easy to apply, comfortable to wear for 10 minutes, and virtually mess-free to remove,'” CEO Chris Hobson told Vukovic at the time.

“‘You get all the benefits of mud, but without the mess.’ Last spring, Patchology launched its FlashMasque sheet masks featuring HydraSurge5, which delivers hydration in five minutes versus 15– a perfect adaptation for the impatient American consumer. The innovative mask material virtually disappears when applied to the skin, and the shape and serum levels are customized for the U.S. market.”

Lip Service is a lip balm and treatment that nourishes, conditions, and protects lips’ delicate skin with a physical barrier and an antioxidant-rich barrier. Goji fruit extract (lycium barbarum) is a powerful anti-aging antioxidant that slows cellular degeneration. The gloss has a nice shine and fresh, almost minty tingle (so you know its working).

The Restoring Night Eye Gels— known as “flashpatches”– contain arnica extract, peptides, retinol, and evergreen bark extract to counteract dark circles and wrinkles– beautifying, synergistic ingredients that we love because they can be worn so many different ways: under the eyes during makeup application, over the eyes to counteract upper eyelid puff, over makeup for a mid-day refresh, or even skinny-side-in to target crows feet specifically. (They are the consummate multitasking treatment that can be worn for extended periods, when you have the time, for a deeper treatment.)

Patchology recommends each of these styles of wear with cute, sassy names: The Dollface; The Scarecrow; The Minotaur, etc.

It’s one of the many reasons we like the brand: Patchology is keyed into the trendy, millennial-friendly branding that is necessary to secure a following in the natural beauty world of 2018. The packaging is on point, as is the branding, but most of all, the ingredients are forged from plants that consumers already recognize for their health benefits. What’s not to love?

Can’t get enough beauty? Read our articles on the best all natural toners, moisturizers, and sunscreens. 

The post Evergreen Bark and Goji Go Glam in Patchology’s Latest Offerings appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Lily Diamond of the lovely Kale & Caramel blog has a new book out that celebrates farm fresh ingredients like herbs and flowers, and the many ways they can be used in the context of dining and beauty. While the idea of farm-to-table eating has been popular for years, few foodies in the space have managed to eloquent relay the multiplicity of uses that many of the world’s most popular herbs and flowers can provide– lavender and rose, for example, can both be used to make skin-softening beauty treatments, but they also add finesse and intrigue to desserts.

Why not combine both ideas into a single, easy-to-reference book?

With the publication of Kale & Caramel, a collection of 80 vegan and vegetarian recipes for sweet and savory foods, Diamond accomplishes just that.

Each chapter of the new book celebrates a single aromatic herb or flower and organizes it’s uses into recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert… and plant-based infusions, face and body masks, exfoliation, and moisturizers. (Think: lavender oat milk baths, blackberry basil healing masks, brightening citrus scrubs, and the like. Ingredients you can pronounce, in combinations that nourish the body, mind, and spirit.)

With beautiful photos and easy-to-follow instructions, the book is must for anyone looking to (literally and metaphorically) get back to the roots of eating well and prioritizing self-care– without too much fuss or time expenditure.

We love Diamond’s recipe for Fig & Honeyed Thyme Ricotta Galette (above) just as much as we love her recipe for the endearingly-named two ingredient “Night Night Oil” (captured in the gallery below), which is so simple and satisfying to make that you’ll never spend money on expensive aromatherapy oils again.

Check out more images from inside the book, below.

Kale & Caramel is available for purchase now. To get your copy of the book, go here.

The post Kale & Caramel Highlights Beautiful, Practical Uses for Herbs and Flowers appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

In speaking with dermatologists about the necessity of wearing sunscreen every day, we’ve come to view Vitamin C serums as a necessary ally of sunscreen– and also as a great topical ingredient for anyone looking to shake up a skin care routine that isn’t yielding results. Whether you’re after a youthful glow or just looking to preserve the glow you already have, topical Vitamin C has benefits for everyone. Below, we spotlight a few of our favorite skin care formulations that are taking the market by storm.

One Love Organics Vitamin C Line

One Love Organics’ fabulous set of Vitamin C body polish, body oil, and facial serum are the perfect post-shower triumvirate of products for tired, aging, or dull skill. We love this line because Vitamin C is beneficial not just for the face, but for the entire body (i.e., anywhere you have skin). We also love that these are all Eco-Cert verified organic cosmetics (one of the highest designations a “natural” skin care brand can achieve).

The body polish is particularly effective on heels, knees, and elbows, as it’s formulated with Vitamin C ester– a potent, stable form of Vitamin C that boosts radiance and counteracts that dreaded “ash-y knee” look. Follow with One Love’s Vitamin C body oil, which is made with the same compound of Vitamin C and papaya enzymes, which help nourish and soften. For face, apply a small pump of Vitamin C Serum underneath sunscreen for maximum radiance and protection– and, when in doubt, drop One Love’s Skin Savior multi-tasking wonder balm into your bag, for concentrated moisture on-the-go.

Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum

When it comes to getting a quick fix for tired, dull skin, look no further than Joanna Vargas’ Rescue Serum, which is our absolutely favorite corrective Vitamin C serum for travel. Formulated with Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, a gentle form of vitamin C that is suitable for all skin types, JV’s rescue serum brightens skin, boosts radiance, mitigates hyperpigmentation and protects against oxidative damage from harmful UV rays.

We love using it as a mid-flight skin refresher and detoxifying agent. The gentle, skin-softening formula deeply hydrates the skin’s lipid layer while protecting against the negative effects of pollution and sun. Skin is left with a fresh, dewy glow that we love— and the subtle fragrance is divine.

ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampoules

We first became aware of ISDIN’s cute little antioxidant rich moisturizing ampoules when researching their sunscreen, and have since fallen in love with them. Formulated with 5% L-ascorbic acid, this antioxidant serum helps combat the effects of UV ray exposure, enhance firmness, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brighten the skin’s complexion.

The formula comes pre-packed in tiny glass ampoules whose cap is broken off to access the serum; each box of ISDIN ampoules comes with a special tool to do this safely, as well as a bespoke cap to seal off the remaining serum to minimize oxidation. (Each ampoule contains about two “servings” of serum, which is best used within 24 hours of opening.)

The small size of each ampoule makes them ideal for travel, and we love the beautiful glow we get from the signature “ultraglicans” in this formula, which are a combination of dermatologically formulated proteogylcans that increase hyaluronic acid production and stimulate cell growth to boost moisture from within.

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum

One of the most trusted serums in the industry that’s often recommended by dermatologists, Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is sort of the Rolls Royce of protective Vitamin C serums. While we much prefer the fragrance of say, Joanna Vargas’ Rescue Serum (above), Skinceuticals’ critically acclaimed serum has a lot of evidence demonstrating its protective qualities, as it works synergistically with sunscreen to prevent UV damage from the sun. (Which means: fewer nagging age spots and more data to support its efficacy!)

This is our go-to serum for layering underneath sunscreen before a day spent at the beach, hiking, or anywhere where we plan to have a lot of sun exposure. Because of the strength of this formulation, you’ll only need to use a few drops– otherwise, sensitive skin might experience an “itchy” or tingling sensation, which just means you’ll need to use less of it next time around.

The post Our Favorite Vitamin C Products for Skin Protection and Renewal appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Rosh Hashanah, which means “the head of the year” in Hebrew, is also frequently associated (at least to those who are only vaguely familiar) with apples and honey.

What is the significant of apples and honey during Rosh Hashanah, you ask?

Well, the tradition of dipping an apple in honey and consuming it as part of a meal is to welcome the beginning of the year with “sweetness” and to wish that the rest of it will be the same. According to Chabad, honey, which is also sweet, is nevertheless produced by bees that can sting– an ample metaphor for the ups and downs of life (e.g. sweetness and pain). The recognition of “bittersweet” realities and the premonition that the start of a “sweet” new year bodes well for the year to come is symbolized by the arrival of apples (and to a lesser extent, honey) at local farmers markets, as apples are a Fall crop.

Like Persian New Year, many of the foods served during Rosh Hashanah have a symbolic meaning. Round challah bread symbolizes the circle of life, while the head of a fish, according to USA Today, may symbolize the “‘head’ of the year and reflect the prayer ‘let us be the head and not the tail.'”

Depending on local customs, pomegranates may also be served during Rosh Hashanah to symbolize a fruitful and abundant year (as pomegranates are rich with many seeds). So, now you know!

The post During Rosh Hashanah, Apples and Honey are a Beautiful Metaphor appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Presale tickets are $30 or $45 per day for a pass that gains the visitor access to event lectures, film screenings, sound baths, meditations, children’s workshops, vintage finds, ethical products, local food, and a wellness marketplace designed to “speak to a higher consciousness, and a more beautiful, insightful, deliberate way of living”.

This year’s Mercado Sagrado will feature music curated by Zebulon, food, and lectures and workshops from nutritionists, herbalists, apothecaries, astrologists, and other mindfulness experts who will travel from all over the country to attend the event.

Artists and brands featured will include Hollow Bone, Sam Roberts LA, Woodworker West of Noble, homewares by Hanna Quinn, and dozens of others. Bring your sunscreen, don your hat, and head out to the canyon!

Watch a video from a previous year’s annual fair, below.

For more information on this year’s Mercado Sagrado, visit the fair’s website.

The post Events We Love: Mercado Sagrado, a Celebration of the Canyon Spirit appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Opened in September of 2017, What The Flower (cheekily abbreviated as WTF) combines botany and beauty like never before. Founder Justine Jeannin was a hairdresser in some of Paris’ best salons and fashion studios for 15 years before she became concerned with the toxicity of the hair care products she was surrounding herself with on a daily basis.

When she made the decision to dramatically change her methods and adopt a more biophilic lifestyle, the concept of What The Flower was born.

The first step was to convert her hair care arsenal to include products that were more earth-friendly, working with Belgian color tinctures by Hairborist, who offer 100% plant- and vegetable-based hair color, shampoos, masks, and styling products. At the same time, she become deeply devoted to plants– collecting, them, caring for them, and surrounding herself by them when not in the salon.

In 2015, she launched the Instagram account @SweetyOxalis (and the blog sweetyoxalis.com) to share her passion for being a #PlantMom, writing about everything from gardening tips to home decor and offering hot tips on where plant lovers could find the best specimens in Paris.

What The Flower is now located at 35 rue du Chemin Vert, 75011 Paris.

To find more information about the salon and their new space, visit What The Flower’s website. 

The post At This Eco-Chic Salon in Paris, Botany and Beauty Collide appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Given the concurrent mental health and opioid epidemics that continue to ravage America, our magazine has been reporting on easy, less invasive ways to improve quality of sleep naturally ever since we started publishing, but nothing has impressed us as much in the realm of natural sleep care as the Gravity Blanket— a new science-backed blanket designed to help users fall asleep naturally, without the use of supplements or prescription medications.

As the brand’s website explains of their science-backed technology: “Weighted blankets are engineered to be 7-12% of your body weight to relax the nervous system by simulating the feeling of being held or hugged. More specifically, Gravity uses the power of proprioceptive input (more commonly known as ‘deep touch pressure stimulation’), a well regarded therapeutic method that stimulates pressure points on the body linked to improved sleep, mood, and relaxation.”

Weighted blankets have been used in niche medical communities for years now, but science has only recently emerged to demonstrate their effectiveness at helping people fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply without a prescription or therapeutic training. According to research published by The Journal of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health (research whose findings informed the design of the Gravity Blanket), deep touch pressure stimulation can increase the production of serotonin and melatonin– also known as “the sleep hormone”– while decreasing the production of cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone”.

This natural, physiological approach “decreases heart rate, blood pressure, and more, improving mood and promoting restful sleep and relaxation,” Gravity explains.

Currently, the blanket is designed for one person’s use at a time (so it can’t be used as a full comforter on a queen bed, but rather as an intimate, supplemental tool for a single person). The blanket’s 72″ x 48″ size is specifically engineered to distribute weight evenly over one person, which has a grounding effect.

Currently, the blankets come in three colors (Space Grey, Galaxy Blue, and Moon Ivory) and three different weights (15 lb, 20 lb, and 25 lb) which latter should ideally be chosen based off of what best approximates 10% of the user’s body weight. Gravity also now offers a new cooling blanket for those who get hot at night, and all blankets have a soft, velvet-like finish that is cool and gentle to the touch.

While the heft of the blanket might feel a bit unusual at first, we’ve found sleeping with a properly weighted blanket to be mystifyingly relaxing. It’s amazing! The weight on your body seemingly has an inverse effect on the mind: after a few minutes of laying under the covers and “feeling held”, racing thoughts and other heavy burdens seem to lift and evaporate.

This, in turn, leads to a state of equanimity and relaxation that makes falling asleep easy and immediate. That’s always been the goal, right?

Garden Collage Magazine readers can get 15% their purchase of a Gravity Blanket by using the code GARDENCOLLAGE at checkout (valid for 1 use per costumer). 

The post Could a Weighted Blanket Help You Sleep Better? appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

New research suggests that pollution and particulate matter in major cities like New York, London, and Beijing may increase premature aging in skin, leading to increased incidents of hyper pigmentation, age spots, and wrinkles.

Research reported in Dermatology Times has shown that the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) that are bound to nanoparticles that enter air from pollution are converted to quinones. According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, these quinones are the “redox cycle chemicals” that produce “reactive oxygen species (ROS)”, which result in the same type of skin aging that is seen with chronic exposure to UV light.

As Draelos explains to the Times, “Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are inadvertently delivered to the skin via nanoparticles resultant from different forms of air pollution,” she says. “Washing the skin is one effective way of reducing the nanoparticle content on the skin surface. More information is needed in topical formulation development to combat this newly recognized skin aging mechanism.”

In the meantime, check out the below products, which are designed to help. And remember to always thoroughly wash your face at the end of each day!

Clarins Multi-Protection SPF 50

Clarins Multi-Potection SPF 50 is an oil-free translucent sunscreen that shields skin from UVA/UVB rays as well as pollution and the consequent free radical damage that can stem from it, specifically the appearance of dark spots.

For those who have used this sunscreen for a while now, keep in mind that this is no longer an exclusively mineral-based sunscreen, though it is still broad spectrum. (The formula has been updated to include a mix of chemical and mineral sunscreens that offer more dimensional protection.)

Shiseido’s Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector

When we recommended [easyazon_link identifier=”B009DHNZ6C” locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Shiseido’s Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector (SPF 42)[/easyazon_link] in our guide to wintertime sunscreens, we did so in part because we like the added pollution protection. This light, smooth-applying sunscreen is gentle enough for everyday use and acts as a barrier to block pollution particles from penetrating the skin. Use it year round, and if spending extensive time in the sun (more than 2+ hours per outing) be sure to reapply often.

Luzern’s La Defense Urban Protect Micellar Cleansing Water

We all know that micellar water can work miracles when it comes to removing oil, makeup, and bacteria– so having a formula that can also lift away pollution particles at the end of the day is an absolute must. Like the rest of Luzern’s results-driven, toxin-free skincare, the La Defense Urban Protect Micellar Cleansing Water is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, and the rest of the Toxic 12 ingredients that natural skincare junkies try to avoid.

Gluconolactone helps neutralize heavy metals that can adhere to the surface of the skin while pumpkin enzyme ferment removes dead skin cells and elderflower extract from the Swiss Alps acts as a gentle astringent. The formula also includes zinc, copper, and magnesium coenzymes that lift away pollution particles like a magnet. As Luzern’s La Defense line is specifically formulated to combat pollution, the brand also offers an Urban Protect Detox Masque, a mineral sunscreen, and a mineral bb cream with SPF 20.

Dr. Sebagh’s Supreme Day Cream

Pricey as it is, [easyazon_link identifier=”B01NASM30C” locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Dr. Sebagh’s Supreme Day Cream[/easyazon_link] contains fractionated melanin compound that helps shield the skin against harmful High Energy Visible Light, also known as Photo Light, which can be just as damaging as UVA and UVB light. (The twist here is that HEV light is also admitted in small quantities by screens– yikes!)

The Supreme Day Cream also contains a powerful blend of antioxidants that help shield skin from daily environmental aggressors that dull complexion and age skin. It lifts, hydrates, and protects before you even apply your sunscreen.

Are you a skin junkie like us? Read our articles on the best all natural toners, oils, moisturizers, and sunscreens. (Pro Tip: You should apply those products in that order.)

The post How Pollution Impacts Your Skin appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.