Oxygen Facials – are they really good for your skin?

So oxygen facials are really the hype nowadays. Madonna is a big fan of the oxygen facial. I’ve read that she gets it done before all her red carpet moments. It is said to help plump up those wrinkles and fine lines and makes your skin look more radiant. The oxygen facial uses a machine that sprays pressurized oxygen infused with moisturizers/nutrients and or vitamins (every spa or clinic uses different ingredients) onto the skin. The pressurized oxygen helps to push the ingredients deeper into the skin. This of course will hydrate your skin to make it look more supple and youthful. Some say that oxygen is vital to our skin health. And it is due to the lack of oxygen that speeds up the aging process. But this is whats confusing to me. I’ve been learning all this time that oxygen is not necessarily our skin’s best friend. I mean of course, it is needed for not only our skin’s survival, but our bodies as well…we will not be living without oxygen. But I’m just thinking of what we’ve been told all this time about aging. The free radical theory. For those of you who don’t know what that is…I have a link at the bottom to where you can read about it. We’ve all learned or at least heard of in school when we were young about the apple experiment. If you cut an apple in half and just let it sit out, it will turn brown. Why? Because of oxidation. Well oxygen itself is not bad…but it is the unstable form of molecules of oxygen (free radicals) that is bad. So why should we forcefully put oxygen onto our skin? I think that the oxygen we get everyday naturally is enough for our skin. Well this is what scares me into not getting an oxygen facial. Does anyone who have had the oxygen facial have any comments? What I wrote is just what I’m thinking…but I could be totally wrong…let me know!

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Special Ingredient – soy lecithin

Soy lecithin is of course, derived from soy beans. It is a substance present in all living cells. It is an emulsifier, emollient and antioxidant. It is said to help protect and soften the skin. Lecithin contains phospholipids which is a substance that can attract water from air and therefore it can hydrate your skin. It is commonly used in cosmetics/skincare products since it helps to bind water and oil together. It is also used as a thickener. Lecithin has the ability to penetrate deep into your skin, and can also help other ingredients to penetrate better.   I just tried some recipes that I googled up and I have tried to use liquid soy lecithin to make lotion…but umm…maybe I’m not doing it well…but I can’t seem it make it work. Its fine when I mix it together, but after a while…the oil separates from the lecithin…like overnight, the oil would end up sitting on top of the mixture. Maybe I didn’t mix it well to begin with? Also, it can be very sticky and hard to work with. When I apply the mixture on my hands, it does feel a little bit sticky…maybe I used too much? Also, my boyfriend says that it doesn’t smell too good. Does anyone know a good recipe to make a smooth lotion with lecithin? Because I would really like to use it since it has so many benefits. Thanks!