  
shelf life, specks, ingredient separation...
Anna Bellina organic products are extremely concentrated with professional strength formulas and cost a bit more than diluted OTC products... "you get what you pay for". Only small amounts are needed for maximum effectiveness, allowing each product to last much longer than traditional OTC products. Typically, the bottles will take you through 6 weeks or more of use. This results in a much better value for you and a better product for your skin!
95% of our raw ingredients are certified organic
Our inclusion of Dr. Nicolas Perricone's anti-aging ingredients bring state-of-the-art cosmeceuticals to the formulas. This added boost makes "all natural" much more effective for aging skins: DMAE, peptides, alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q-10, retinol, Vitamin C ester, and lactic acid.
We do not waste your precious money on expensive advertising and high end packaging. Advertising Budget - 0, Word-of-Mouth - 100. My investment is in the formulas. Products are not available in stores but sold online only. Organic ingredients may cloud or separate and even have specks of botanicals which is normal, this does not affect the quality or effectiveness of the product. Formulas change at the beginning of each season to keep skin responding.
I don't always blend for "pretty" smells but create a therapeutic synergy of ingredients that will correct, normalize, firm skin. These products are stronger than any you've used before and may not smell like a rose garden ;) but they work!
...the Anna Bellina edge
ABCOBB Broth™, AB Repair Complex™, AB Sea Complex™,
AB Sacred Seven™, AB Jelly™, AB Extend™
charged and fermented containing Live Plant Energy!
Our exclusive patent pending proprietary formulas help balance the oil content of skin and improve moisture retention so it can be useful for dry skin as well as oily skin. Twenty subjects with a high content of sebaceous matter in the skin (oily) and twenty subjects deficient in subaceious content (dry) were selected and treated twice a day for 45 days with an AB cream containing our proprietary blend of essential oils. Dry skin became more moisturized but the biggest change was the 50% reduction in oil content in oily skin. In addition, the essential oil synergy is credited with improving the mechanical properties (elasticity and plasticity) by increasing the tonicity of the tissue, as well as improving the appearance of tired looking skin. It is soothing to the skin and activates the renewal of the epidermal cells and the regenerative processes.
Formulations are not thick, which can tug the skin, but have more of a lotion viscocity. Most include: Linden Extract to encourage proficient circulation, Chlorella Extract to stimulate the synthesis of Collagen and Elastin, Ginseng Extract to increase epidermal elasticity, Chamomile Extract to restore and repair damaged skin, Lavender Extract to regenerate skin cells, Aloe Vera to rehabilitate the epidermis, Vitamin A to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and Vitamin C as an anti-oxidant agent to build Collagen.
Sunlight and oxygen are the deteriorating factors. Fingers are the contaminating factor.
Hand Blending
Each small 32 oz batch is hand blended by myself and Christi, meaning you are receiving the absolute freshest skin care possible. Sine we do not use chemical preservatives, we must package in small containers to ensure the Live Plant Energy remains active. Small frequent purchases will also assure this.
Shelf Life
Once opened, the shelf life is approximately 8+ months if sanitary measures are used. Refrigeration will extend shelf life to a year or so but is not necessary. Refrigerate any unused product after 3 months. The actual healing properties and plant constituents can last much longer than 8 months. If a product smells or looks off, please discard immediately. My (DermaClear) O Serum is a year and a half old and still removes the rare blemish I get.
Storage and Use
Store in a cool, dry location out of sunlight, without humidity or fluctuating temperatures, lids kept tightly capped, fingers never used to remove product from jars or dispensing tips touched to reduce cross contamination. Use cotton swabs to remove product from jars. Refrigeration is not necessary but will extend the shelf life to a year or more. Storing in heat will effect ingredients.
Appearance
Since our products are made fresh and by hand, they do not use artificail fillers-binders-emulsifiers, ingredients may separate, change color-viscocity-aroma, contain specks and bits of botanicals, all of which are normal in hand made all natural skin care products.
Liposome Delivery System ~ bio-compatible:
Certain plant phospholipids are compatible with the skin's phospholipids, thus are allowed passage through the cell membrane. Our products utilize high-quality pure phospholipids. The resultant liposomes, similar to the skin's barrier membrane, are allowed to pass through the membrane, safely deliver rich nutrients essential for skin healing and health to the basal skin layer.
Charged Particles ~ bio-active:
Our exclusive bio-energized factor uses a healing charge which increases the potency and absorption several fold. Edgar Cayce advocated this technology back in the early 1900s!
Compatibility
All our products are compatible with one another and with other brands.
Usage
Please introduce only one product at a time, especially if you have sensitive skin. It is fine to mix different products and product lines, even other brands, in your skin care regimen as all products are compatible with one another. All of our Serums are compatible with AHA and Retin-A and one another. As with all natural skin care products, since we do not use artifial binders and emulsifiers, please shake gently before each use.
Sensations
The stronger the product (my signature line is strongest) the more skin may tingle and warm, perhaps even turn momentarily pink. This all depends on which product you use, how sensitive your skin is, which skin care line you chose, these are all normal reactions.
Allergic Reaction
If your skin turns very red, develops small bumps, and especially if itching begins, then this is an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients. Stop using the product immediately. This is precisely why we offer samples.
Seasonal Changes
Each batch will differ in color, texture, thickness, aroma, feel, separation, specks, grains due to: seasonal formula changes, availability of ingredients, no artificial fillers or binders or emulsifiers, tinctures contain bits of botanicals, hand blending verses large machines, no heating to melt ingredients... all of which are normal. Aromas, appearance, cloudiness, granules, textures may change as product "ages". Shake before each use. I also intuitively blend formulas so this is the main reason for variations.
Your Order
Once your order is placed, only then is it blended in the lab, freshest skin care possible for optimum results.
Packaging ~ Clear PET Plastic
Containers are high quality CLEAR plastic made out of PET (polyethylene terephtalate) plastic which protects essential oils best. Containers are deliberately kept small so there is far less chance of spoilage since we do not use chemical preservatives. If a pump or spray top happens to malfunction, simply email me for a quick replacement. Use cotton swabs or a spatula to remove product from jars, never use your fingers. We no longer use glass due to the weight and resulting higher shipping costs. And, too many customers complained of breakage and said they preferred plastic over glass. For more information on PET, please see below.
Labels
Our AB logo generic labels are professionally printed by a label company and are oil and water proof. The few hand printed labels are not oil and water proof but resistant, handle with care. Anna Bellina labels must stay on our products. (Wholesale Customers ~ Do not remove our product label and replace with your own product label.) Your first order includs a Product Directions and Ingredients sheet, please keep this sheet for future reference.
Warm Weather Shipping
We may delay shipping in hot weather to Monday -
Wednesday. If your product liquifies or separates during shipping in hot weather, simply stir well and chill for at least 24 hours to firm. Your product is still good and potent. This is one of the reasons we sell in smaller sizes. Remember, some of these herbs see desert heat and New Zealand freezes. It's sunlight, oxygen, and fingers that do damage to ingredients! A good rule of thumb: over a week stored at temperatures in excess of 85 degrees will spend three months of most products shelf life. If this still concerns you, then please use Express Mail for overnight mailing.
Our natural thickening agents are seaweed or potato starch and aloe vera, derived from the legendary and nutritious powers of the potato that have been used topically in Ireland and the United Kingdom for centuries. Our organic lines feature potato pulp, potato skin, potato starch and potato juice in a pure, topical application. The pulp of the potato has potent anti-aging characteristics. Potato skin provides a powerful anti-oxidant infusion to improve your skin's resilience and quality. Potato starch is a natural anti-inflammatory to combat puffiness and swelling, and potato juice acts as a strong skin-healing antiseptic and reparative.
Our natural preservative system uses vegetable-based ingredients from natural resources. No parabens. This synthetic-free preservative system mimics a naturally occurring antimicrobial-antioxidant protection system. As mild as tears, saliva and milk that have evolved with an ingenious defense mechanism that helps to protect susceptible parts of the body from infection. Lactoperoxidase and Glucose Oxidase work by using a metabolic process that inhibits and eventually kills the invading microbes. Again, small containers protect your product better. Whilst this is a safer and healthier preservative system, it is not as strong as the harmful synthetic preservers. Do NOT use fingers to remove product from jars and do not allow fingers to touch the tip of a pump top; this avoids contamination of contetns.
Please feel free to experiment with other Anna Bellina products as this will keep your skin from acclimating to regularly used products, resulting in a more vibrant skin!
GENERAL DIRECTIONS
* twice daily use cleanser in the am and pm
* immediately follow with toner on cotton pads
* apply eye serum
* then correcting serums
* layer with hydrator
* then moisturizer
* last is the sunscreen
* thrice weekly exfoliate then mask
NON-INGREDIENTS
We do not add any of the following dangerous ingredients to any of our natural Anna Bellina Organic products:
Acrylamide, Alkylphenol Ethoxylates, Aluminum, Anionic Surfactants, Artificial Synthetic Fragrances, Benzoic, Benzyl, Benzalkonium Chloride, BHA (Butylated Hudroxyanisole), BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), Cationic Surfactants, Cocomide DEA, Collagen, Cyclomethicone, DEA (Diethanolamine), Diazolidinyl Urea, Dioxane, Dioxins, Dimethicone, DMDM Hydantoin, Ethoxylated Surfactants, FD&C Color Pigments, Formaldehyde, Glycerin, Glycol Stearate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Isopropyl Alcohol, Lanolin, MEA (Monoethanolamine), Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Mineral Oil, Nano-particle technology, Nitrosating agents, Nonylphenol, Parabans (Methylparaban-Ethylparaban-Propylparaban-Butylparaban-Isobutyl Paraban) also known as Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates, Parrafin, PEG (Polyethylene Glycol), PEG-60 (Hydrogenated Castor Oil), Petrolatum, Phthalates, Propylene/Butylene Glycol, PVP/VA Copolymer, Silicone Derived Emollients, SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), Sodium PCA, Stearalkonium Chloride, Talc, TEA (Triethanolamine), Toluene, Triclosan, Urea (Imidazolidinyl), Quaternium-15.
More About Glass vs. Plastic
One criterion that we considered when we selected PET plastic that is used for some of our products is the fact that the FDA considers this plastic to be one of the most inert. This is why it is the only plastic approved for packaging beverages containing alcohol (a powerful solvent). This is particularly important when one is bottling products with essential oils and/or herbal extracts, which have the potential to "react" with lower grades (higher numbers) of plastic and can cause the plastic to degrade into the product. Furthermore, our products are handcrafted in small batches and do not sit in the packaging for long periods of time, unlike just about all other companies' products that might be available in the distribution chain. In addition, PET plastic is economically responsible and very recyclable.
Packaging is always a difficult issue that requires considerable research and evaluation and, because of our personal experience with cancer, we do not take our packaging decisions lightly. Unfortunately, even glass has serious drawbacks - for one, the obvious possibility of breaking into shards. The other downside to glass is its extreme impact on the environment and cancer risks due to the large amounts of fossil fuels used to generate the very high temperatures needed to form glass, and the increase in fuel oils needed to transport the significantly heavier glass packaging. Burning such amounts of fossil fuels creates much in the way of air pollution and degradation of the ozone, both of which have been linked to increased cancer risk.
Alternatively, you could transfer our other freshly-made products into glass containers at your home for your own use. Unless you make products yourself, our products are still among the cleanest and freshest that you'll find anywhere.
Recycling Sense with PET
Approximately 31% of plastic bottles produced in the United States are made from a material called PolyEthylene Terephtalate, "PET" or "PETE." Usually clear or green, the plastic is mostly used for consumer goods such as soda bottles and food jars. According to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), in 2005 United States manufacturers produced 5.075 billion pounds of PET products. Such a high production rate makes finding uses for post-consumer plastics imperative. If the current rate of manufacturing and consumer recycling remains, 40 billion pounds of PET waste will be added to our landfills within only a decade.
Background
In the late 1970s, only a few years after PET entered the United States marketplace, forward-thinking companies found the means to transform recycled PET into many useful products – the most common being packaging (such as new bottles) and fiber (carpet and other textile) applications. Other companies followed suit, and by the late 1990s were finding uses for over 1/2 billion pounds of recycled PET per year. Products made of Recycled PET include blankets, belts, shoes, insulation, and even car parts.
What's Next
Most Recycled PET has been used for non-food and non-beverage related products, but some companies are pushing for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to more readily approve the use of post-consumer PET for food packaging.
Even if other manufacturers aren't socially and environmentally motivated to reduce their own impact on the environment, consumer sentiment may sway them in the right direction. As demand increases, and as new applications for Recycled PET are discovered, the marketplace will foster more incentives for consumers to recycle PET. As of 2005, 23.1% of the 5.075 billion tons of PET produced in the U.S. were collected for recycling. This percentage will likely grow as consumers become more educated and more countries adopt legislation to use the SPI's easily recognizable "chasing arrows" symbol for PET bottles so that consumers find it easier to know how to recycle them.
The European Union has been more aggressive in PET recycling legislation. In 2001, all EU countries were required to meet a 15% plastic packaging recycling target, and in 2008 it will increase to 22.5%.
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