Welcome Fall, Welcome Autumn, Welcome Cool Weather! As Fall rolls around, I am reminded of how the seasons bring about so much change. Some get to see the leaves turn colors, the cool crisp air is a constant and the days are shorter. If you garden, you put your garden to bed, and you put in your fall bulbs. If you live in a warm weather climate location, you have milder changes but can still be reminded of this transition.

Some people tend to think that warm weather is the culprit of acne. When we sweat and our faces have dirt caked in with that sweat, it can clog up our pores. We don’t think about acne as a cold weather problem, but think again! We need to practice our cleansing routine daily, during the warm and cold months. Neglecting it can bring about more blemishes. During these cold months, we need to cleanse and moisturize, really moisturize!

Our 2 in 1 Face Cleanser is perfect for any skin type. It is very gentle without compromising its cleaning efficiency. Yosep’s 2 in 1 Face Cleanser has 5 active ingredients:

1. C13-15 Alkane: Powerful makeup cleaning properties, especially for makeup that is waterproof. Provides a soft and silky finish without an oily residue.

2. Babassu Oil Glycereth-8: Rich in lauric acid and one of the all time favorite skin care ingredients because it is perfect for all skin types.

3. Maris Sal: Salt derived from the Dead Sea of Jordan, rich in minerals that are essential for our skin. Stimulates cell growth and regeneration, acts as a firming agent and counters effects of free radicals in the skin.

4. Olive Oil Peg-7 Esters: Derived from the fatty acids of olive oil, it is known for its softness and dermatological compatibility. Excellent cleansing properties. Proven to reduce irritation in the skin.

5. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate: Natural fatty acid with foaming qualities that are less intense than similar ingredients used in skin care products. Provides antibacterial properties.

This 2 in 1 Face Cleanser is also an important part of your daily routine given that most of us are wearing face masks when we go out now. The pandemic has brought about changes and with the usage of face masks, we have seen an increase in skin problems. Here is a great article by the American Academy of Dermatology Association that walks you through the steps to keep your skin healthier while mask wearing. They also include tips on what to look at when using a mask to ensure you minimize problems. 

“Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.”

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Any person, whether they know it or not, has probably come in contact with at least one woman who has had breast cancer.

 “Every year, breast cancer kills more than 500,000 women around the world.” 

World Health Organization

And, although it is not as common, some of you may even know men who have had breast cancer. As I write this, I remember a young neighbor we had a little over 10 years ago. It was the first time I had ever heard of breast cancer in men. I must confess I didn’t know what to think of it at first. How can that happen? We always seem to associate that kind of cancer with women right? This man was young, in his late 20s / early 30s. He had already been through it once before and a few months after we met, he had a recurrence, which is the term for when a cancer that has been in remission comes back. Although it had been years since we had moved from that house, I ended up ‘googling’ him last year and sadly found out he had passed away. It was so shocking that it made me really think of how important early detection and immediate treatment is. Cancer does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, socio-economic status or geographical location. 

So, what can you do? You can remember to listen to your body! Remember to have a yearly physical and have your breast checked for abnormalities. Sometimes it’s easy for you to detect it because you know your body best. Other times we’re not quite sure what we’re looking for. Here are a couple of resources to help out: 

This site has several sections for breast cancer education including a free E-book: Breast Problems That Aren’t Breast Cancer. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/educational-guides/

In this section of the Susan G. Komen website, you can read about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. 

https://komencolorado.org/about-breast-cancer/screening/signs-symptoms/

This page in the Susan G. Komen website has some information about breast cancer risks for men.

https://komencolorado.org/about-breast-cancer/screening/risk-for-men/

Remember: Stay active, stay healthy, be proactive about your care!

September is a month full of wonderful celebrations, Fall Equinox being one of them. We are now ¾ of the way through this year! To some it has seemed like time has gone by too slow, to others it seems the year has flown by. Fall brings with it a change in weather, in colors, and in our way of thinking of things as well. We are nearing the end of a year and we try to tie up loose ends before Winter rolls around and we say goodbye to another year. Shorter days means less sunlight and colder weather usually brings about more dryness. 

With this in mind, remember to:

1. Keep up with your sunscreen. Just because there is less daylight, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t protect our skin while we are outside. 

2. Remind yourself to moisturize daily in order to avoid the cold, dry weather from taking a toll on your skin. Treat your whole body to moisture. Sometimes we forget to pay attention to our arms, hands, legs, etc. when it is dry out and you can end up with dry, ashy skin.

3. This month, make sure to add a tube of chapstick to your bag and use it often. Our lips are one thing we sometimes forget to moisturize. We recommend sticking to organic products because your skin absorbs everything it comes in contact with. Keep it clean and your body will thank you.

September is also when we celebrate World Heart Day. In our articles we try to provide you with healthy recipes and healthy exercises for our physical health as well as Mindfulness exercises for your emotional health. September 29 is World Heart Day and we encourage you to do something good for your heart, physically and emotionally. Here’s a fun activity that focuses on heart health. Give yourself some ‘adulting points’ for a full Bingo!

These past few weeks we have focused on taking a look at each of the ampoules included in the Enchanted 15 Day Treatment. The last one we will take a look at is the 3D Express Lift Ampoule which is used on the last day of this 15 Day Treatment. This ampoule is the one that seals the treatment. It has three main active ingredients: Corn Extract, Cassava Extract, and Schizophyllan. 

Each one of these ingredients provide a particular function that ‘seals’ the deal: 

1. Stimulates cellular breathing

2. Produces immediate stretching and smoothing effects

3. Activates the synthesis of collagen in fibroblasts

The other ampoules in this treatment repair, hydrate, and replenish your skin. This final ampoule provides a firming and lifting effect after the other ampoules have prepared your skin for these ingredients to maximize its effects. Remember that skincare is not a ‘quick fix’. Anything that provides immediate solutions is temporary - easy come, easy go. These ampoules provide an amazing base for your skincare routine. The same way we take care of our bodies by exercising, we must take care of our skin by cleansing, moisturizing, and providing whatever nutrients our skin needs which depend on your skin type, age, amount of sun exposure, etc. 

Now that you have a more in-depth look at each ampoule, stay tuned for some exciting news about our Enchanted 15 Day Treatment!

Although we are near the end of the month, we wanted to include this calendar that has self-care ideas for every day of the month. Feel free to double up and do more than one using the ones listed on days prior to today. 

Source: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/

Who likes tension? It depends. What kind of tension are we talking about? Lately there’s a lot of tension, meaning stress, due to the ongoing state of health in the world, this pandemic, global warming, etc. That kind of tension is the one that negatively affects our body, inside and out. But, did you know there is a good kind of tension? Yosep’s Enchanted 15 Day Treatment has a Tension Ampoule, used on days 6 and 12 of the treatment, that helps your skin combat the bad kind of tension.

This ampoule has two active ingredients:

• Oat Grain Extract: Generates a film with an immediate lifting effect and long-lasting anti-wrinkle effect. It is recommended for all makeup and skin care products for its immediate aesthetic benefits.

• Orange Extract: Antioxidant.

These two ingredients help your skin become tighter - which is the good kind of tension. When you have a lot of stress, your body responds by producing cortisol and destroying collagen. The first, cortisol, produced in excess can result in oily skin, extra weight, and several other unpleasant body changes. The second, collagen, is needed by your skin to stay healthy and beautiful, so when it is depleted due to stress, your skin will not look as young, radiant, or wrinkle-free.

We believe our skin products are amazing, otherwise we wouldn’t use them ourselves! We know that your skin will see a complete transformation after using Yosep’s line of carefully crafted skincare products. That said, we also believe that a sound body and sound mind, are crucial in maintaining the health of your entire body, skin included. This is why we love Mindfulness exercises. Tension, the bad kind, can be reduced through Mindfulness exercises. Try the exercise below once a day and see if you feel less stressed!

Source: https://www.waterford.org/resources/mindfulness-activities-for-kids/

The ingredients in all of Yosep’s products are carefully curated to make sure you have everything you need and nothing that you don’t. One of the ampoules we want to present today, the Protective Ampoule, has only two active ingredients. You don’t need a million ingredients to achieve a positive result and this is what Yosep is all about. All the goodness of natural ingredients without nonessentials. Days 2 & 8 and days 3 & 9 of the Enchanted 15 Day Treatment use the Nutrient and Protective Ampoules.

Nutrient Ampoule (Days 2 & 8):

• Sodium Hyaluronate: Hydraulic acid is a polysaccharide, a natural component of the dermis, whose main function is to collect water, thus regulating the level of hydration and maintaining the skin structure.

• Hydrolyzed Collagen: Improves the elasticity of the skin. Increases moisture retention. Provides a silky smooth appearance to the skin and reduces irritation and cracking caused by soaps.

• Sodium PCA: Naturally moisturizes the epidermis, helping to provide softness and smoothness to dry, wrinkled or cracked skin.

• Biosaccharide Gum-1: Polysaccharide with a high content of fucose, galactose and galacturonic acid that provide powerful hydration even to the most sensitive skin. It has restructuring and anti-aging properties, since it increases cell longevity thanks to the stimulation of sirtuins-1.

Protective Ampoule (Days 3 & 9):

• Hydrolyzed Collagen: Provides smoothness and firmness to the skin. Improves the elasticity of the skin. Increases moisture retention and strengthens tissues. Provides a smooth and silky appearance to the skin.

• Albumin: Tensor effect and filmogenic capacity, which prevents transepidermal water loss.

The Nutrient Ampoule’s ingredients focus on hydration, moisture and moisture retention while the Protective Ampoule’s ingredients also focus on hydration and moisture retention. These ingredients, which focus on your body’s water intake, lead us into our Mindfulness idea for the week - Mindfulness Through Art! Here are two printable mindfulness coloring pages with images of waves. Get as creative as you want - water is not always blue - it is whatever color you mind and soul perceive it is right now. Remember to clear your mind and think of your body hydrating and being at peace while you work on your art. Click on the image to download a PDF.

Source for Coloring Page: https://lonerwolf.com/free-coloring-pages-for-adults/

Our bodies are in constant need of nutrients. Vitamins and minerals are constantly consumed by our body to help maintain this magnificent machine working. Some people diligently take a vitamin supplement while others rely on a cautiously laid out balanced diet to provide all the vitamins they need. Sometimes people do both.

Our skin also benefits from vitamin boosts. Yosep’s Vitamin Ampoule not only has our blend of Hydrating Plants Extract and Desensitizing Plants Extracts, it also has some very important vitamins that our skin needs to retain moisture, regenerate, and protect itself from environmental factors. 

Our Vitamin Ampoule has Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. These vitamins, applied directly to the skin, through this ampoule, provide a very important and usually much needed supplement.

• Vitamin B12: Reduces inflammation. Improves balance, texture and moisture retention in the skin.

• Vitamin A: Can regenerate UV damaged skin to some degree. It improves the natural functions of the skin and is especially suitable for the care of aging.

• Vitamin E: Contains antioxidant properties and protects against oxidative stress.

It is not the same to eat foods high in these vitamins than to apply skin products specifically made with these vitamins. That said, because we are focusing on these ingredients, we want to make sure you can include these in your diet as well, here are some helpful images that have foods high in Vitamins B12, A, and E. Because Vitamin B12 is usually found in meat proteins, we have also included an image with foods high in B12 specifically made for a vegetarian diet. Incorporating vitamins through food is a great way to stay healthy. As always, please consult your primary care physician before making any big changes to your diet.

Hydration is the key to staying healthy. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day helps maintain your body well hydrated and improves your overall health. Sometimes it’s hard to remember to drink enough water. A good way to make sure you get enough H2O is to carry a bottle of water. We love the environment so we suggest a reusable bottle. You can get a fancy one for very little that will keep your water nice and cool for hours!

Our face, like the rest of our body, needs moisture. One of the ampoules in Yosep’s Enchanted 15 Day Treatment is a Hydrating Ampoule used on days 1 and 7 of the 15 day treatment. The four active ingredients in this ampoule are:

• Witch Hazel Extract: Contains antioxidant properties and helps with the treatment of aging and wrinkles.

• Hydrating Plants Extract: Combination of English Ivy, Arnica Montana, Elderberry, Mallow, Largeleaf Linden, Cucumber, and Lichwort. Helps regulate transepidermal water loss. Hydrates, decongests and has anti-aging properties.

• Desensitizing Plants Extract: Combination of St. John’s Wort, Chamomile, Calendula, Largeleaf Linden, and Cornflower. It improves the comfort of the skin and regulates the hydric balance of the skin.

• Amniotic Fluid: Contains moisturizing and emollient properties due to its high protein and amino acid content. It has a biostimulant and trophic effect. Helps to repair the stratum corneum.

Starting the Enchanted 15 Day Treatment with the Hydrating Ampoule allows your skin to get some great moisture to begin its transformation. The plants used in both the Hydrating Plants Extract and the Desensitizing Plants Extract are known for their amazing healing properties.

To practice mindfulness this week, find a good water bottle and try to hydrate daily. It is a simple thing we can do to improve our health. If you need to keep track of your daily water consumption, here’s a nice chart.  

Tracker Source: https://www.101planners.com/water-intake-tracker/#page-part-3

As the summer months start to wind down, and we get ready to welcome cooler weather, this week seemed like a good time to introduce the Regenerating Ampoule from Yosep’s Enchanted 15 Day Treatment. 

The Regenerating Ampoule only has two main active ingredients: Glycolic Acid and Ammonium Glycolate. They both act as chemical scrubs. Sometimes we need to scrub the dead skin cells a bit more in order to make a base for other ingredients that allow the skin to heal. This is what the Regenerating Ampoule does. It scrubs in order to allow for the regeneration of healthy skin cells. It’s important to note that the Regenerating Ampoule is used the day before the Vitamin Infusion Ampoule. This allows for better absorption of all these amazing vitamins. The Regenerating Ampoule is used after three other ampoules have prepared your skin for this scrub. 

Although we have been focusing on highlighting our Ampoules this month, we do want to make sure we make some time to remind you to be mindful and allow the rest of your body to be pampered and heal - both physically and emotionally. It’s because of that, that this anecdote and recipe come to mind. Back in elementary school, a teacher once mentioned that our feet never receive as much praise and attention as they should. Those who have two feet that take them all over, rarely stop to think of how grateful we should be for those two feet. Every so often, a foot scrub and a moment of gratitude for this body part that works so hard, seems like an easy and much needed moment of mindfulness. Here are two simple recipes for a foot scrub that you can use while you remember to thank your feet for all the hard work they do!

Soybeans

This healthy snack’s main ingredient is well known as a skin care agent. Read on to see how Hydrolyzed Soybean Protein is used in our Skindrops Serum Bio Age Ampoule. As a bonus, there’s a recipe for a tasty snack!

Last week we started introducing you to individual ampoules in Yosep’s Enchanted 15 Day Treatment. Each week we will introduce another ampoule and allow you to dig deeper into one or more of its ingredients. This 15 day treatment provides you with an amazing baseline for your skincare routine. It can also be used whenever you feel the need to give your face that perfect boost. 

Yosep’s Skindrops Serum Bio Age Ampoule is used on the 14th day of the Enchanted 15 Day Treatment. It’s active ingredients include Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Hydrolyzed Soybean Protein. Bio Age is definitely the right name for this ampoule. If you’re not familiar with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, which is a mouthful, here is what you need to know: it is sometimes referred to as ‘Botox in a jar’. It is a huge deal in the skin care industry because it provides a quick firming and plumping of the skin. What better way to get a boost without all the pins and needles? Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 works with brain transmitters sending signals to relax your facial muscles reducing the depth of those fine lines and wrinkles we are not so fond of.

What about Hydrolyzed Soybean Protein? What’s the big deal about that? Hydrolyzed Soybean Proteins come from the soybean plant. ‘Hydrolyzed proteins are proteins that have been broken down into smaller chains of amino acids by reaction with water.’ Yosep is committed to bringing you natural, organic solutions to your skincare challenges. Using plant derived ingredients that have been proven to be safe for your skin allows us to give you the tools to provide your skin the best natural way to heal. 

Both ingredients in this ampoule focus on relaxing your skin and softening the lines and wrinkles on your face. We use it towards the end of the 15 day treatment because the other ampoules have provided a good base on your skin for the more targeting ingredients to maximize their effects. 

And just because we’re talking about soy… Here's a fun and easy recipe for a healthy snack!

Research Sources:

https://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/hydrolyzed-soy-protein

Recipe Source:

https://www.verywellfit.com/crispy-baked-edamame-snackable-roasted-soybeans-4122488?print