MOZZIE MAGNETS & ME

One of the scariest sounds for me is when I’m just about to fall asleep and I hear the buzz of a mosquito like a vulture patiently circling for his prey to finally surrender.  How can the noise of such a tiny insect in the dead of the night be able to create such panic in my life?

I happen to be one of the lucky (?) ones to get all the mozzie bites while everyone else is wondering ‘what mosquitoes?’ I’m actually still suffering from bites received 3 years ago.  Usually within a week they’ve disappeared, 3 years does seem extreme and I’ve never had such a reaction prior or since that time.  I’ll just put it down to being the lucky one again and of course no one else got bitten that night either.   

So summer is not far away for those in the southern hemisphere and we all need to prepare ourselves for the feast that is about to take place.  Avoiding places near still waters and staying indoors around dusk is a head start and of course insect repellents can be a great help.  There are a variety of insect repellents on the market and a quite a few that are still using the repellent DEET also known as N,N-diethyl-metatoluamide. This ingredient is primarily used as a pesticide for crops.  I am not one for scaremongering and we have to acknowledge that the percentage of DEET used for crops is considerably higher than used in insect repellents sold in retail outlets.  We must also keep in mind that many manufacturers advise as a precaution that the products with DEET should not be used under clothing or on damaged skin and that it should be washed off between and after applications as it can be an irritating to the skin or cause reactions

The DEET type insect repellents do not kill the insect; they are repelled by the smell of the chemical.  Insects are also repelled by Geranium, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Cedar wood & Rosemary which are much nicer ingredients to put on your skin.

For more information on the Carla Riva Insect Repellent please go to: http://www.carlariva.com.au/cr-shop-baby-insectrepellent.htm

Some comments from mothers about
Carla Riva Insect Repellent

"The Insect repellent works an absolute TREAT! My son is very susceptible to mosquito bites... Easily applied and doesn't have a nasty strong smell to it, would purchase this on a continual basis."

"With a gorgeous scent like this you will want to use this repellent every day. It’s fresh, lovely and seems to work to keep away the insects and best of all we all use it. Love the easy to use packaging."

"Both my boys are absolute mosquito magnets and I have thoroughly enjoyed lathering them in the beautifully fragrant Insect Repellent to find that they have not received a single bite. It is not at all greasy and leaves such a fresh fragrance. This will definitely be replacing our other greasy, 

petro-chemical repellents."

"The first product we tried was the Baby Insect repellent as everyone was suffering from mossie bites. I can't recommend this product enough. Not only did it stop the mosquitoes biting but it also relieved the constant itching of the bites received before the spray. When it's sprayed on it also leaves a gorgeous smell and it worked on everyone, babies to really old adults."

"The first thing I noticed it didn't leave any stickiness, and the fragrance was beautiful, but didn't linger on the skin like other sprays ... & it was comforting to read that it contains no DEET or any other synthetic insecticides and uses all natural ingredients."

MOISTURISING SKIN IN WINTER MONTHS

The colder months are drying on the skin, exposure to the elements and lower humidity are the main attributes until you get indoors and turn on the heat. Additional dehydrating occurs due to people not keeping up their liquid intake as they would in summer.

As dryness occurs our skin starts to shrink and dry. This causes itchiness and in more severe cases will cause the skin to crack. For many this can inflame their eczema.

Adding a moisturiser to your daily regime will aid in rejuvenating. Lotions used in summer will not be as effective in winter; a heavier crème is more suitable to combat dryness in the colder months.

Bathe in lukewarm water and avoid long hot showers, as this will dry skin even more by washing away natural oils.

Use gentle sponges so as not to aggravate the skin or cause itching. After bathing, gently pat dry your skin with a soft towel, do not rub.

Apply a moisturiser within 3 minutes of drying to ensure you ‘lock in’ the moisture. Reapplying moisturiser after washing your hands and before bed will get you through the night.

Avoid wearing wool or other materials that tend to itch; natural fabrics like cotton are gentler on the skin.

Do not avoid going outside, staying indoors in unnatural heat will only add to your dehydration. Fresh air never hurt anyone, just remember to moisturise before you head outside.

Available in 100ml

As always natural is always better so avoid harsh ingredients such as Artificial/Synthetic Perfume, Colouring, SLS, SLES and Sulphates, Parabens and other Harsh Preservative.

Carla Riva Baby Soothing Crème was designed specifically for the colder months. Containing shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, calendula and mandarin for their soothing and healing properties, it will give you and your baby’s delicate and sensitive skin extra protection from the extreme elements.

As an alternative Carla Riva Organics Baby Nourishing Crème is the certified organic version. Containing 87.5% certified organic ingredients this crème is a special blend of gentle and aroma therapeutic ingredients that aids in the repair of damaged skin and generates new skin growth.

The high moisturising properties with added richness for extreme climates gently glide on baby’s delicate skin creating a perfect moment in time to bond with baby.

For more information please go to http://www.carlariva.com.au/

Printed with the permission of the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc (see below), they have recommended the following ways to manage eczema.

There are a number of ways in which you can cut down the possibility of triggering or aggravating the eczema for both children and adults. Following is a quick checklist:

• Wear cotton next to the skin - this helps to reduce sweating which can be an irritant. Cut tags off clothing and wash before wearing. Synthetic or woollen clothes and bedding can cause over-heating.
• Bathe or shower in lukewarm water using soap-substitutes and mild shampoos.
• After bathing or showering, pat skin dry and apply a suitable moisturising cream or ointment.
• Use hypoallergenic products and avoid anything perfumed.
• Keep fingernails short to prevent scratching from breaking the skin and wear cotton mitts or gloves at night.
• People with atopic eczema may be allergic to wool, dust, dust mites, grass seeds, pollens, feathers, animal fur and dander - keep pets outside and remove wool carpets.
• Use non-biological soap powders and detergents.
• Take antihistamines at night to aid in reducing the itchiness and help with sleep.
• Do not embark on a diet without consultation with your doctor or dietician. Food additives are the most likely to cause problems, particularly artificial colourings and preservatives.
• Over-heating, frosty weather, low humidity, dry air, central heating, air conditioning and car heaters can all aggravate a dry skin and eczema. Use a humidifier in dry or heated rooms to keep the air moist.
• Get to know your own or your child's triggers. What sparks off one person's eczema doesn't necessarily trigger another's.
• The byword with eczema treatment is to act promptly. If it suddenly flares up, don't ignore it. Remember that eczema can become infected.
• Develop and maintain a skin routine, which takes into account triggers and the best way of coping with flare-ups. Your Health professional can assist with this. 
• Children and adults, experience emotional stress which can play a large role in triggering a flare-up of eczema or aggravating the current condition. No one can get rid of stress in their lives, but we can learn how to handle it more effectively.

Printed with the permission of the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc
For more information about this article please contact:
ECZEMA ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALASIA INC
PO Box 1784 DC CLEVELAND QLD 4163
P:1300 300 182 or 07 3206 3633
F: 07 3206 3666
E: help@eczema.org.au
http://www.eczema.org.au/

BONDING WITH BABY AT MASSAGE TIME

CARLA RIVA BABY

Massage is one of the oldest forms of alternative medical treatments dating back to 3000 BC where the practice travelled from India to Egypt and onto various countries over thousands of years. Each country added their techniques, herbs and essential oils differentiating the therapy and its purposes. It was the Chinese who blended acupuncture with massage focusing on pressure points whereas the Romans added a massage after their bathing regime.

It has only been in the last 40 years that massage has been reignited in the Western world making it more mainstream than ever. Today massage is used in sport, spiritual healing and for relaxation in day spas and salons.



CARLA RIVA BABY ORGANICS

Massaging baby is not a new technique in places like India with the therapy being passed down from generation to generation. Daily massages are given to babies soon after they are born and this continues into their childhood. Of course for many of us we have not had the privilege of learning from a family member but it is comforting to know there are many courses now available to learn the technique which offers guidance in the amount of pressure you can safely apply without at the same time being too light which will only tickle the baby.

Massage time with baby is a time for both of parents to unwind for the day and relax. It is important for you to focus on the baby and not on all the things that have to be done after you've finished. It is a joyous time that will bring you closer together and aid in understanding your baby’s needs and what makes them happy.

Your baby will recognise your voice, your scent and your touch. The mother’s voice, scent and touch will be different to that of the father’s so a massage from either parent will always complement the other. A mother will always have closeness with their baby through breastfeeding. The father can also create closeness with their baby through massage.

Massaging baby will calm and relax baby, getting them ready for sleep time. Adding this to their sleep time routine after bath time will calm them knowing they’ll soon be in bed. At the same time it will calm you too.

Make sure your hands are warm before applying and always rub the oil on your hands so they glide easy, you don’t want to pour the oil straight onto your baby as this may surprise them reversing the calming effect. You can always add more oil if it’s not enough, keeping in mind a little goes a long way and the last thing you want is a slippery baby.

Gently talk or sing to your baby in a calming loving way as the sound of your voice will bring them happiness. This is also a time for you to listen to your baby as well as noticing their movements, so you can learn their reactions and needs as they grow.

Carla Riva has both natural and certified organic massage oils in their range, giving you the choice knowing we stand by both quality products. Carla Riva Baby Massage Oil 125ml has a gentle mandarin aroma, it glides beautifully on the skin and can be used safely by the whole family.

Carla Riva Organics Baby Massage Oil 60ml containing 98.8% certified organic ingredients, a gentle formula specifically for new born babies or babies with sensitive skin.

Massages are great all year round; they can be cooling and refreshing in summer time and warms the body in the winter. Once you have massaged baby be sure to use the massage oil on yourself keeping you calm for the rest of the night.

COSMETICS CONTINUUM

History of Cosmetics

Women and men wearing cosmetics date back to Egyptian times where they were used for spiritual reasons, to ward off evil spirits along with making them more attractive to each other and their gods. Using a combination of copper, lead ore and malachite would give them beautiful range of colours and defined their eyes.

The Greeks and Romans a few centuries later were not as romantic with their needs for cosmetics but adapted the Egyptian ways while adding their own ingredients and processes. The Romans particularly were more concerned with vanity and aphrodisiacs than spiritual needs.

From the Egyptian days up until 1920s, pale faces were always considered to be a sign of status. People labouring out in the fields would always have darker rougher skin, while the leisurely elite remained indoors. Trying to look the part, white lead and arsenic were powdered over many women and men’s faces causing headaches, vomiting, paralysis and many deaths. Fortunately in the 19th century zinc oxide was found to be a much safer alternative and is still used today.

Surprisingly the pale face trend ended with Coco Chanel accidently getting to much sun on a vacation. Her suntan was inadvertently interpreted as a fashion statement by many and has continued on today irrelevant of the known dangers of skin cancer.

It’s no wonder regulations were introduced

With many people dying to be beautiful it’s no wonder regulations are now in place.  Each country has regulations to abide by prior to putting your product on their shelf.  Every product imported into the country needs to go through a process ensuring all ingredients are safe and that they are used at safe levels before allowing to be sold.  Restricted ingredients vary from country to country so it is up to the manufacturer to be aware of these rules but also to be responsible that the final product will not cause harm to the consumer’s skin or health.

Packaging standards also need to be followed. Again these can vary per country and can include such things as product claims, font sizes, company information and most importantly the ingredient list.

How to Read Ingredients

Having worked in this industry for quite some time I always took it for granted people knew how to read an ingredient label but have found this is not necessarily the case.

There are a few things to look out for:

Ingredients should be listed in INCI format. INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) is an international system for cosmetic labelling. This system ensures consistency across all cosmetic type products by using a combination of scientific, Latin and English words.

E.g.: Lavender Oil would read as Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil

The order of ingredients is always from highest to lowest. Anything under 1% can be printed in any order followed by colours. By law the company does not need to declare the percentages of each ingredient and so it will be unlikely you will know where the ingredients at 1% starts.

(As a side note, keep in mind there are similar regulations in food, so if sugar is one of the first ingredients you have a fair idea of what you will be eating, no matter how fat free they claim to be) .

A TGA (Therapeutics Goods Administration) product has gone through a rigid testing process. Once approved the product is allocated an Australian License No which must be displayed on the front of the packaging. The only ingredients that need to be displayed are the active ingredients and the %; all other ingredients do not need to be displayed.

When looking at certified organic products always check for the regulator’s stamp on the packaging but also know your regulators. If you find a very cheap certified organic product you may want to read the packaging a bit closer to find out why.

Many manufacturers avoid certification by saying contains certified organic ingredients and if water is the first ingredient it is more than likely they will not meet the 70%+ certified organic ingredient requirement, although they may highlight the certified organic ingredient with an * or similar.

Buyer Beware

Marketers’ true aim is to inform the consumer with the aim that the consumer will buy their product over another. It is up to the consumer to do the research as you would when buying any item be it an electrical compliance or a cosmetic item. Understandably there is a plethora of information out there making it difficult to make a decision even after all the research is done.

False claims will be met by the law and although there is consumer protection from any company making unsubstantiated claims, the consumer also needs to be careful of items particularly if placed on the skin. No manufacturer can be aware of everyone’s’ allergy or intolerance so testing a product prior to full application is always a way of protecting your skin from any adverse reaction.

BABY SCENTS AND THE MEMORIES THEY CREATE

Perfume dates back to the birth of Jesus Christ and beyond when he was given Gold and the fragrances Frankincense and Myrrh from the Kings of the East. At a time when perfumes and oils were used as commodities their prime uses were for personal, religious and medicinal. East Asia used fragrances for incense; but it was the Arabs and the Romans who refined the art of making perfume centuries ago .

Today perfume is a fashionable accessory and is more accessible to the masses while still having the power to evoke great memories and at the same time create a mood for the day. Available now through a wide variety of products, fragrance is now a big part of our lifestyle through soaps, lotion & creams, candles, diffusers and oils burners. It is something that will always be a part of our lives.

Starting from the day we are born, the sense of smell is one of the first senses to be developed. The baby’s recognition of their mother’s scent instils safety and calmness. Our sense of smell grows to a memory of over 10000 smells, much stronger than our sense of taste where we group our tastes into sweet, sour bitter, salt while all the other tastes are detected by our sense of smell.

From the first smell a scent is stored in our memory and can be associated with events and times in our lives of both good and bad.

For me the memory of coconut brings me back to a time when I was given a coconut flavoured medicine. Today I cannot smell coconut without feeling nausea. For many others however, coconut evokes happy memories of times at the beach and sunny days.

My mother often made me chamomile tea as a child, so today the smell of chamomile reminds me of home, love, calmness and well being.

When Carla Riva was first developed, the fragrance of the product was paramount. It was discovered that Mandarin was a simple aroma that kept babies happy & alert and calming to the baby at the same time.

Complemented with Chamomile, Lavender and Geranium, the essential oils were introduced for their healing and soothing properties but also for their gentle fragrance.

It was important for Carla Riva to be a part of their happy memories and it is with this intent that the next time they smell Mandarin or Chamomile it will bring them back to a happy childhood time, a time when they were carefree and didn’t have the pressures and worries that they may find when they become adults.

Fashion Baby Pregnant-Infant-Children Product Expo in Shanghai

Carla Riva was displayed at Fashion Baby Pregnant-Infant-Children Product Expo in Shanghai, China July 17-19, 2008. Pictures below show our fabulous representatives from Shanghai who did such a fantastic job putting this show together with the Australian Koala mascot, chatting with visitors as well as being interviewed by a journalist that was televised on CCTV-2.

Carla Riva at a Baby Fair in Seoul, Korea

Carla Riva has been in Korea for a few years now and sold through department stores through out the country. We’ve had great support from our agents in Seoul, their hard work has made Carla Riva a success and it has been an honour to be a part of their mother’s daily regime.