Meet Marie Kapetanakis, CEO of Kosmea Australia

Marie Kapetanakis is CEO of the Kosmea Australia skin care company, whose products are underpinned by the healing properties of certified organic rose hip oil. Founded in the year 1993 by Marie, the company has grown from a home-based business in Adelaide, Australia, to an international success story. Kosmea products are now sold around the globe in fine department stores, pharmacies, and beauty shops.

1. What is rose hip oil, and why is it good for your skin?

Rose hip oil comes from wild rose hips and is naturally rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that are essential for skin health. These are vital for our general health and the health of our skin, but our bodies are unable to produce them. Essential fatty acids help to regenerate skin cells and to repair damaged skin tissue, and it is the essential fatty acids in rose hip oil that quench dry, sun damaged skin and help to improve the appearance of burns, scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Rose hip oil is rich in a natural source of vitamin A, known as trans-retinoic acid. Research shows that topical trans-retinoic acid is effective in helping to prevent premature aging caused by sun exposure. When skin is exposed to the sun, it can increase levels of enzymes that lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. The trans-retinoic acid in rose hip oil reduces the activity of these skin-damaging enzymes, reducing damage caused by the sun. Rose hip oil is a natural source of antioxidants that protect tissues in the body. Rose hip oil is rich in a range of antioxidants, including beta-carotene and lycopene, which help to protect and repair skin from premature aging caused by modern living.

2. What is rose hip oil used for?

Rose hip oil can be used by any skin type, including oily skin and the most sensitive skin types. It is suitable for all ages from newborn babies to seniors. It can be used during and after pregnancy to promote smooth elastic skin and help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. In general, rose hip oil will relieve and improve the appearance of: scars, burns, wrinkles, stretch marks, acne, dry skin, sun damage, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, oily skin, rashes, age spots, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, diaper rash, and cradle cap.

3. Why is Kosmea Rose Hip Oil the best?

Our oil is produced in Australia by a family-owned and operated company that is dedicated to ethically sourcing hand-picked, wild grown rose hips. Our 100% certified organic rose hips are sourced from the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho in southern Africa, where rose hips grow wild and are not commercially farmed. The region is 10,000 feet above sea level, resulting in high rainfall, clean air, and plump, juicy rose hips. The area is certified organic, which means no artificial fertilizers or pesticides are used. Kosmea uses the entire fruit, skin, and seed of the rose hip to extract the oil. The seed is rich in many of the essential nutrients that make rose hip oil so good for the skin and is responsible for giving Kosmea Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil its rich amber color. Oil is extracted from the oil hips without heat or solvent in a process using CO2 supercritical extraction. Heat, air, water, and light can all affect the quality of rose hip oil, and so these are avoided as much as possible during the manufacturing process.

4. Do all of your products use contain rose hip oil?

Our signature product, Kosmea Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil is pure rose hip oil and guaranteed to contain a minimum of 80% essential fatty acids! Our other all-natural skin care products are formulated around organic rose hip oil along with the finest herbal, plant, and flower extracts from Australia and around the world. We offer cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers, and healing balms and oils.

5. Where can I find Kosmea Rose Hip Oil in the United States?

We recently intensified our efforts to add traditional retail outlets in the USA. But you can always find all of our wonderful products online at www.kosmea-usa.com with free shipping to any location in the country.

Thanks, Marie!

Meet Paul Scherer, CEO at Devirex Ltd, Maker of Lipivir®

Paul Scherer is the CEO of Devirex Ltd, a company in Switzerland which has recently released a product called Lipivir, which helps treat and prevent cold sores.

1. How long has Lipivir® been on the market?

A sampling campaign took place in December of 2014. But the real launch in UK started in May of 2015.

2. What distinguishes it from other cold sore medications?

Lipivir® is the only product which can prevent cold sores from occurring. People who suffer regularly (every month or so) use it twice daily (i.e. after brushing the teeth for being safe not to forget). Others will use it a few days before a special event (birthday, wedding, going out with friends) to be safe. And some people will use it when they feel the first signs (tingling).

We'd better not call it a medication because the transparent gel preserves the beauty of your lips. There are no side effects known (except if someone uses much to big amounts for each application; in this case it can dry out the skin). And the usual daily skin care routine can be continued after applying Lipivir®. Also lipstick is fine after Lipivir®'s application. We'd better call it a beauty product. It's an extension of your daily cosmetics (for cold sore sufferers)!

3. Is Lipivir® available over the counter to consumers worldwide, or in selected countries?

Lipivir® is available online (www.lipivir.com) and is delivered to your home 3 to 4 days after you order. It is delivered to the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria so far. Further EU countries will follow soon.

4. Why are cold sores so common?

Cold sores is the symptom of a viral infection (herpes virus). 85% of the population carry the herpes virus. But most of the people who carry it even don't know it. 33% of the population suffer from cold sores every year. 10% of the population suffer from cold sores several times every year (up to twice every month). 50% of the population who carry the virus don't know it.

5. Is there anything people can do to prevent cold sores from occurring?

As mentioned above Lipivir® is the only product preventing cold sores that is generally applicable. If someone is exposed to heavy sunlight (UV light, also sun studio) I would combine Lipivir® with a sun-protecting lipstick.

Thanks, Paul!

A Perspective on Beverly Hills MD Lift and Firm Sculpting Cream

As you know if you're a regular reader of this blog, I generally don't write product reviews but instead do posts that introduce different products, services, companies, etc. There are a lot of other websites out there that review products--and the beauty industry is a great example of an area where you really do want to surf around and check out some reviews before making a purchase, especially since many products are pretty pricey.

This Beverly Hills MD lift and firm sculpting cream review is a great example of a thorough, point-by-point review of a beauty product. I love that the author of the review is 68 years old and is reviewing a product intended for helping you to repair, improve, and protect your skin--it's great to find a reviewer who really is the intended market for a product (and hey, we're not all 22 years old any more!).

The review gives you a lot of detailed information about the product and has a friendly, personal tone. Really it was more like reading about someone's personal experiences and ups and downs with dermatology rather than reading a review. The personal touch definitely makes a difference when it comes to keeping me reading. She found the cream to be helpful and effective, but she also doesn't make miraculous claims for it. She says that it makes her look like she's in her 50s rather than her 60s, and I appreciate the realism in her approach.

The other nice thing about the review was that the author included two different links for purchasing the product: one direct from the manufacturer and another with discounted prices from affiliates who contract with the manufacturer. If you're in the market for a lifting and firming cream, why not check this one out?

Introducing Hammam Secrets, a Natural and Organic Cosmetic Company

I first learned about argan oil a little over a year ago as part of an interview I did with a rancher. Recently I found out about another company which sells natural products which use cold-pressed argan oils from trees raised through organic farming. This company is called Hammam Secrets.

On their website, the company emphasizes their use of environmentally friendly methods and healthy ingredients. They don't use artificial additives, paraffin, dyes, or other such components in their products. They also say no to animal testing. And they promote fair trade practices to support the rural Moroccan women who help to harvest and naturally process the argan fruit, creating the healthful oil, known for being a source of vitamin E and fatty acids.

Hammam Secrets sells a variety of products including oils for skin and hair, soaps, flower waters, and gift products like aromatic candles. If you or a friend likes organic skin care and cosmetic products and/or unique gift items, it's a website worth checking out. When you first reach the site, look in the upper right hand corner and click the American flag if you want to visit the English-language version of the site.

Morocco is the only place where the argan tree grows. So if you're interested in argan oil, a Morocco-based company like Hammam Secrets which exports the product all over the world is a great place to start. By the way, they sell other products, too, such as those which use natural aloe.

Introducing Minerals By Bee

Minerals By Bee is an up-and-coming beauty company which creates and sells unique, handmade bath and body care products alongside alcohol-free fragrances and mineral makeup.

With a goal of helping you discover the beauty of well-being, Minerals By Bee offers earth-friendly natural skin care, and natural beauty and personal care products. Minerals By Bee uses quality essential oils or flavor oils in all of their body care products. No artificial fragrances will ever be found in any of their natural products.

Most importantly, Minerals By Bee products are never tested on animals, and they help protect both people and the earth by being sulfate-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free. In fact, the products are free from all synthetic ingredients and are all tested on very willing friends and family.

To keep up with the latest product offerings and additional information about botanical skin care, follow Minerals By Bee on Facebook.

Also, anyone who creates an account on the Minerals By Bee website can receive a free sample kit!