In doing my research on Egyptian skin care ingredients that were both hydrating and

anti-aging, I read that Cleopatra VII, last of the Ptolemies, was credited with writing a book of beauty secrets. This was considered a major accomplishment in ancient times as the Egyptian's believed that being clean and beautiful was more than about good hygiene and vanity. They believed it brought them closer to the Gods. Both women and men used cosmetics and body oils to protect their skin from Egypt's hot and arid climate. The Egyptian oils were so valued and sought after that they were often used as a form of payment. While Egypt and Colorado may be thousands of miles away, they share a similar issue. The inhabitants of both lands had to come up with ways to deal with the arid dry climate that was so hard on their skin.

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As a Stylist, Beauty Expert and President of Patricia's Big Closet, women were always seeking my advice on skin care products that were affordable, anti-aging and hydrating. Many of my clients were surprised to learn that I was over 60 and wanted to know what I was using on my skin that made me look so much younger then my chronological age. They were having issues with their dry skin and needed advice on products that were effective in dealing with the dry Colorado climate. I understood their concerns as I had dealt with the same issue when I moved to Colorado from Canada. Despite my best efforts, I could not find skin care products that were affordable, hydrating and free of harmful chemicals.

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I began to work with a natural skin care chemist who told me that our skin is our largest organ in the body.  It is living, breathing tissue that covers and protects our body and is capable of absorbing the substances it comes in contact with. Just as prescription drugs can be delivered to the body via a skin patch, cosmetics, skincare products and the chemicals and toxic ingredients contained in them, can also be absorbed through the skin. What it comes down to is this, if an ingredient is listed on the label, it is on your skin and if it is on your skin it will end up in your body. Once I discovered how many of these toxic ingredients were in skin care and cosmetic products in the US, I refused to use them on my skin and could not in good conscience recommend them to my clients. While I did find some natural product lines that were a better alternative, the issue then became one of price as I refused to spend $75 to $100 on a jar of "natural moisturizer", no matter how young the product claimed it could make me look.

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I like saving money and I like the idea of using plant based ingredients that have been around for thousands of years. I also like the idea of creating a line of skin care products that were hand made using ancient methods of processing and free of Parabens, petrochemicals and Sulphates. I especially liked the idea of creating a skin care line in Colorado specifically for the dry climate that was effective, affordable and contained ingredients that were anti-aging and good for the skin.

 

Many of the plant base ingredients used in the Patricia Be Skin Care line have anti-inflammatory and healing properties that combine the essentials of aromatherapy and Herbology. It reminds all of us of the power and importance of protecting our health by using products that are not only safe, effective and affordable but instrumental in our search for a balance of the mind, body and spirit.   And while beauty may be more than skin deep, what we put on our skin and in our bodies, has a direct impact on our health, vitality, physical appearance and the ability to look and feel, younger.