Welcome! I grew up in Northern California in a small community where living 'naturally' was the way of life. From a very young age, I learned how to grow vegetables and flowers, build things, paint; how to earn money selling figs from my tree outside a local toy store. I was taught to use my imagination, entertain myself, play outside, and create whatever I wanted. I was taught to never say "I can't" and that "where there is a will, there is a way." In 2006, I could no longer watch my husband suffer with the misery of psoriasis. So, 'naturally' I started creating my own concoctions in my kitchen. I drew from my 20 years in the cosmetic business and began researching, ordering, and mixing every natural, earth-grown, ingredient I could find that had ever been thought to soothe skin conditions. I already knew that the thousands of petroleum derived ingredients in the products we had tried would never help and that the 'natural' options that were available were too basic. 7 years and Hundreds of experiments later, I am the proud maker of a completely natural skin care line that is healing, soothing, richly nourishing, elegantly packaged, and lovely to use... which is what I call..."naturally luxurious."

Thursday, January 15, 2015

What You Don't Know About Your Skin Could Be Making You Look Old

Today it occurred to me that, NEVER, in the last 20 years of working in the “luxury” cosmetic industry, have any of the 1000’s of women I have worked with ever told me that she “loves her skin and thinks it is beautiful just the way it is.”  NEVER!  The conversation is always about what is wrong with her skin, how it doesn’t look good enough, feel smooth enough, tight enough, lifted enough, radiant enough, young enough, etc.  These customers have then poked, pulled, stretched, lifted, and even tucked their skin, to physically show me how their skin has failed. 

Well ladies, truth be told…it is not our Skin that has failed, it is our collective understanding of what Skin IS, what Skin DOES, and what Skin NEEDS. Albert Einstein said “Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.”  Well, that is what we are going to do. 

Your Skin IS Your Immune System

Did you know that your Skin is actually a huge part of your Immune System?  Your Skin’s job is to protect your body from disease and prevent water loss.  It was never supposed to “look pretty.”   Your Skin is alive and constantly hunts down any harmful Pathogen (chemical, particle, bacteria, microbe, or unidentifiable substance) and attempts to destroy 
it. 

Your Skin is the ONLY physical barrier between your internal organs and the environment – your Skin takes the first hit in any battle and is your first line of defense against any infection and disease causing pathogen.  If any disease causing invader is able to penetrate the Skin, your Skin then secretes Anti-Microbial Peptides to fight it.  If the Barrier and Anti-Microbial defenses don’t do the trick, your Skin then employs its own Special Forces (think Navy Seals) to literally engulf and metabolize the pathogens before they can reach the blood stream and travel throughout the body. 

Another amazing fact is that your Skin supports its own ecosystem of over 1 trillion micro-organisms from over 1000 species of bacteria (known as Skin Flora) that live on the skin at any given moment!  And, no matter how much washing, cleansing, or clari-sonic-ing you do they will still be there!  What is even more remarkable is that your Skin must correctly determine when there is a pathogen among those 1 trillion little guys and dispose of it properly so it cannot harm you internally.

Cell-Care vs. Skin-Care

Skin is alive and is made up of millions of Cells.  Therefore, Cells must be the focus of Skin-Care.  Cells are the very building blocks of all human life.  It is the health of the Cells that is truly important for healthy, well-functioning Skin, yet we rarely talk about what our cells need.  Cells are basically a microscopic energy factory that holds multiple different mini-energy factories.  Each Cell has its own function and nutritional needs and each mini-factory has its own function and needs as well. 

If Cells are healthy and strong, they are more likely to prevent disease, if they are weak and permeable, they are less likely to prevent disease.  For Cells to be healthy and fight disease, they need Vitamins A, C, D, & E, Lipids, Proteins, Water, and other botanical elements found in Nature.  “Beautiful” Skin must be thought of as all Cells are healthy, functioning on all-cylinders, and winning the battle against pathogens with the least amount of energy.  As a Human, it is your job to make sure that all of those factories get the resources they need to do their jobs.

Changing Our Mindsets

Let’s be honest…have you previously considered your Skin as part of your Immune System, as your first line of defense against disease, or considered the health of your Cells when buying your Skin-“Care” products?  Probably not, and it’s not your fault.  We have not been taught to care for our Skin as part of our overall health and well-being. We have been trained to purchase products that reduce pore size, minimize fine lines and wrinkles; tone, tighten, lift, and firm our “aging” Skin.  We are taunted by the idea of reversing “aging” and become “more” beautiful.  Our Skin is categorized into “Types” – Aging, Oily, Normal, Combination, Dry, etc. and then we buy the prescribed products.   When these product options don’t satisfy us, we seek out more aggressive and invasive options.  This selling strategy is the main reason why we are not happy with our Skin. 

Mainstream Skin-“Care” is Doing More Harm Than Good 

Your Skin is alive.  You are alive.  Imagine you are given the choice to eat a Peach or a Bouncy ball.  You know that you can digest the peach and it will benefit your health, whereas the bouncy ball would be toxic.  This is the same situation with a Skin Cell and the choice between Peach Kernel Oil or Petrolatum.  The Skin Cell knows how to metabolize the Peach Kernel Oil and benefit from it, whereas Petrolatum is a foreign, non-biological, toxic intruder.  Now, Petrolatum may seem benign enough, but what about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer?  What is a Skin Cell supposed to do with THAT?  Constantly fighting these types of chemicals exhausts Cell resources and provides nothing of benefit for it to convert into energy.

Why I detest the idea of a Skin-“Type”

There once was a time, in the not so distant past, when the concept of a “skin-type” didn’t exist.  The concept was created by a marketing team to sell more products.  It is true that skin functions differently for different people (due mainly to overall Cell health), but that has nothing to do with Skin-“type.”  Consider that Skin is an Organ just like the Heart, Liver, Pancreas, etc. and we don’t go to the Doctor and talk about Heart-type, or Liver-type, or Pancreas-type!

It’s Time to Flip the Script

When choosing products to put on our Skin, instead of saying “my skin is oily, what can I buy to stop the oil?” We must think, “My Skin is telling me it needs more oil, maybe I need to supply additional lipids to fight an invasion!” Or, instead of saying “my skin looks old.” We must think “My Skin may be overworked and burning out? I may need to supply it with a power boost of anti-oxidants that can aid in the fight against invasion!” This type of thinking is what will lead us to better overall health and “beauty.”


Sunday, April 6, 2014

What do Fancy Words really mean?

During a recent trip to ‘the Mall’ to purchase a cosmetic product from what I consider to be one of the ‘best of the worst’ mainstream brands, I was given a sample of a new skin ‘care’ product to try.  The claim on the packet is “clinically-demonstrated to noticeably decrease the appearance of Marionette Lines, Crows Feet, and Sub-orbital Wrinkles, while Improving Skin Texture and Radiance – with continuous delivery of 105% Pure Vitamin C.”  This is a tall order, so of course I was dying to know what miracle ingredients were in this product!  I flipped the sample packet over and found:

Ingredients:  Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Acrylates Copolymer, Adenosine Fmla 685275/21 Code F.I.L.:D39705/1.

Hmmmmm….Really? I just can’t wrap my brain around how these ingredients could possibly accomplish all these claims!  If you are a person who cares about what you eat, it is time to start caring about what is being absorbed into your system via your skin.  Below are the descriptions provided by the www.ewg.org/skindeep about each of the ingredients listed on the sample packet.  Take a moment to learn about them and see what you think!   Also, search any of these ingredients in google images to see what products contain them.  Click here to see an example.

1.      Propylene Glycol :  Propylene glycol is a small organic alcohol commonly used as a skin conditioning agent. It has been associated with irritant and allergic contact dermatitis as well as contact urticarial in humans; these sensitization effects can be manifested at propylene glycol concentrations as low as 2%. HIGH concerns: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs); MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive); Other LOW concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Data gaps.  Propylene Glycol Fragrance Ingredient; Humectant; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Humectant; Skin-ConditioningAgent - Miscellaneous; Solvent; Viscosity Decreasing Agent; SKIN CONDITIONING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
2.      Cyclopentasiloxane: Cyclopentasiloxane (cyclomethicone) is a silicon-based cyclic compound; may be associated with environmental toxicity.  HIGH concerns: Persistence and bioaccumulation MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)Other LOW concerns: Ecotoxicology, Endocrine disruption, NeurotoxicityFunction(s): Hair Conditioning Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Emollient; Solvent; SKIN CONDITIONING *This ingredient is also found in WaterBabies Sunscreen! 
3.      Ascorbic Acid: Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is a naturally occurring antioxidants. Function(s): Antioxidant; Fragrance Ingredient; pH Adjuster; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Miscellaneous; BUFFERING; MASKING; SKIN CONDITIONING
4.      Glycerin:  Glycerin (also called glycerol) is a naturally occurring alcohol compound and a component of many lipids. Glycerin may be of animal or vegetable origin. This ingredient is listed in the PETA's Caring Consumer Guide as a byproduct of soap manufacture which typically uses animal fat.  This ingredient may be derived from animals. From PETA's Caring Consumer: A byproduct of soap manufacture (normally uses animal fat). In cosmetics, foods, mouthwashes, chewing gum, toothpastes, soaps, ointments, medicines, lubricants, transmission and brake fluid, and plastics. Derivatives: Glycerides, Glyceryls, Glycreth-26, Polyglycerol. Alternatives: vegetable glycerin—a byproduct of vegetable oil soap. Derivatives of seaweed, petroleum.  *Lacey Haegen products only use organic glycerin derived from plant sources.  Function(s): Denaturant; Fragrance Ingredient; Hair Conditioning Agent; Humectant; Oral Care Agent; Oral Health Care Drug; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Humectant; Skin Protectant; Viscosity Decreasing Agent; PERFUMING; SOLVENT.
5.      Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1:   CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE: This skin conditioning agent is a synthetic chemical consisting of dimethicone, a silicon-based polymer and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-polypropylene glycol (PPG) polymer. May be contaminated with potentially toxic manufacturing impurities such as 1,4-dioxane.  Function(s): Skin-Conditioning Agent - Miscellaneous; Surfactant - Emulsifying Agent; SKIN CONDITIONING
6.      Dimethicone Dimethicone (also called polymethylsiloxane) is a silicon-based polymer used as a lubricant and conditioning agent.  MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive); LOW concerns: Data gaps, Ecotoxicology.  Function(s): Antifoaming Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Occlusive; Skin Protectant; EMOLLIENT; SKIN CONDITIONING; SKIN PROTECTING
7.      Dimethicone Crosspolymer: This ingredient is a silicon-based polymer (dimethicone) modified with hydrocarbon side chains in the C3-C20 size range.  Function(s): Emulsion Stabilizer; Hair Fixative; Suspending Agent - Nonsurfactant; Viscosity IncreasingAgent - Nonaqueous; EMULSION STABILISING; HAIR FIXING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
8.      Lauroyl Lysine: Lauroyl lysine is a derivative of lauric acid and lysine, a naturally occurring amino acid.  Function(s): Hair Conditioning Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Miscellaneous; SKIN CONDITIONING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING.
9.      Acrylates Copolymer: Acrylates copolymer is composed of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid building blocks. HIGH concerns: Contamination concerns; LOW concerns: Data gaps.  Function(s): Adhesive; Artificial Nail Builder; Binder; Film Former; Hair Fixative; Suspending Agent -Nonsurfactant; ANTISTATIC; BINDING; FILM FORMING

10. Adenosine Fmla 685275/21 Code F.I.L.:D39705/1: Adenosine is a heterocyclic organic compound (is a compound) has atoms of at least two different elements as members of its ring(s) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterocyclic_compound) .  Function(s): Skin-Conditioning Agent - Miscellaneous; SKIN CONDITIONING

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Do you know what Beavers and Vanilla Extract have in common?

The scent of Vanilla is a classic for many of us...one whiff from the bottle of Vanilla Extract and we are soon swooning in memories of baking, family, holidays, etc.  Vanilla is one of the most popular flavors no matter the occasion or time of year.  Currently, my line of Naturally Luxurious Skin Care uses Bourbon Vanilla Extract as the base scent for 4 Sugar Scrubs and 4 Shower Souffles, so "Naturally" I am interested in where my Vanilla comes from and how it is made.  I must be honest that I do not make the Vanilla Extract that I use in my products, but I do make my own Vanilla Extract for all of my cooking, and I use a very high grade, expensive Vanilla Extract that I carefully have sourced in my products.  I have given my home-made Vanilla Extract as holiday gifts for many years, and this year I decided to make a batch available for sale.  Vanilla Extract can be a very simple product to make - I purchase Tahitian Vanilla Beans and Bourbon Vanilla Beans from Madagascar, and then age them in a proprietary blend of Spiced and Dark Caribbean Rums (looking carefully at the Rums to avoid brands that include "natural flavors" in their ingredients). The alcohol in the Rum, coaxes the flavor out of the 'caviar' that is in the center of the Vanilla Beans (see the beans in the bottle?). The coolest part about this vanilla is that since the beans are still in the bottle, as you use the extract you can add more rum to create more extract!  Also, the longer it ages, the more aromatic and flavorful it becomes.


"Caviar" from inside Vanilla Beans
So, what about the title of this post?  What do Beavers and Vanilla Extract have in common? Vanilla Beans are basically a seed pod of an Orchid Species.  Alcohol is a 'carrier' of the aroma and flavor. Simple right?  Wrong.  This traditional form of making Vanilla Extract can be incredibly expensive (1 pound of Tahitian Vanilla Beans costs $175), so "naturally" big manufacturers have found more 'cost effective' ways of producing Vanilla Extract.

Other than Vanilla made from Vanilla Beans there are two categories of Vanilla Flavoring:  "Artifical" and "Natural."  "Artificial Flavor" is considered "Plant-Based" and "most artificial vanilla products contain 'Vanillin,' which can be produced synthetically from lignin, a natural polymer found in wood.  Most synthetic Vanillin is a byproduct from the pulp used in papermaking, in which the lignin is broken down using sulfites or sulfates" (http://www.ask.com/wiki/Vanilla#Production ). 
 courtesy of:
"Natural Flavoring" is considered "Non-Plant" flavoring approved by the FDA to be used in food.  "In the US, "Castoreum," or the exudate from the castor sacs of mature Beavers is commonly used in both food and beverages, especially as Vanilla and Raspberry flavoring.  It is also used to flavor some cigarettes and in perfume-making" (http://www.ask.com/wiki/Vanilla#Production ). What is Castoreum?  Well, it is a pungent, brownish, oily substance secreted by the glands in the groin of the beaver used in medicine and in perfumery  (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/castoreum).


If you are looking for a wonderful handmade gift idea for this holiday season, consider making your own home-made Vanilla Extract.  Go to www.beanilla.com for a great selection of beans.  There are many places to order bottles or simply use mason jars.  Or, go to www.laceyhaegen.com to purchase my hand-made Vanilla Extract in an 8oz bottle (a little bigger than the size of your iphone) for $25 per bottle...no mess, no fuss, and already aged for 4 months!  It is simply divine and there are only 15 bottles left!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

My Love of Local Bees Wax and Honey

Bees wax is an ingredient that is used in every one of my products.  I originally chose this ingredient simply because of chemistry - it 'emulsifies' (or combines) solid and liquid oils.  But along the way, I have noticed that there was something really special about bees wax.  On a gorgeous hot day last summer, I put some bees wax on the stove to melt.  While it was melting the smell of the bees wax was intoxicating, so I opened all of the windows and the doors to let in a breeze.  I sat by the window daydreaming while waiting for the wax to melt.  Thank goodness I was looking out the window because all of a sudden a HUGE swarm of honey bees was right there trying to get in!  It was like the 'call of the wild'! They smelled the bees wax and thought it was home I guess. It was incredible!

Lori Dekker - Bee Keeper www.californiabeeworks.net
email lori@californiabeeworks.net
Whenever possible, I try to source ingredients locally, so I was thrilled to have recently had the pleasure of being introduced to Lori Dekker, a Bee Keeper in Escondido, Ca.  (www.californiabeeworks.net). She educated me on the benefits of using local bees wax and the positive effects that bees have on the global and local environments.  Some interesting facts: 1.burning bees wax emits negative ions - kind of like Prozac in the air (this makes people happy!), 2. bees wax is renewable and burns brighter, cleaner, longer, and soot-free than cheaper paraffin candles that are made from methane emitting petroleum bi-products, 3. buying local

Lavender Infused Honey
honey and bees wax products keeps money in our own communities instead of sending it to other countries like China (who produce most all of the paraffin candles), and 4. supporting independent Bee Keepers helps to keep the Bee population alive and thriving.  Not to mention bees wax smells incredible!

From now on, Lori's bees wax will be the only bees wax used in Naturally Luxurious Skin Care by Lacey Haegen!  PS:  Not only are Lori's candles amazing, if you like Honey, try her Lavender Infused Local Honey - it will blow your mind!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Ultimate in Natural Luxury - Creme au Naturel Face Cream

Creme Au Naturel Face Cream for Dry & Delicate Skin is an ultra luxe, lushly whipped cream made from purely plant-based ingredients.  It is rich and creamy and just melts into the skin.  It is ideal for the face, eyes, neck, and decollete and can be used morning and or night. If your skin is dry, sensitive, delicate, and/or you are looking for rich, natural nourishment and revitalization of your skin...Creme au Natural is the perfect choice for you! A tiny bit of this cream goes a long way because it is made from 100% nutritious ingredients:  no water, no binders, no fillers, no 'cosmeceuticals', and no preservatives.  Instead of water, extracts of Chamomile flower, Comfrey flower, Hibiscus flower, Burdock Root, Olive leaf, Green Tea leaf, Rosemary, and Neem Seed provide an anti-oxidant rich infusion of hydration.  Instead of synthetic binders, Shea Butter, Kokum Butter, Babassu Oil, and Bees wax provide a creamy, nutrient base to the cream.  Instead of synthetic fillers, Black Currant Seed oil, Meadowfoam oil, Rosehip Seed oil, Kukui Nut oil, Evening Primrose oil, Camelia Flower oil, Seabuckthorn Berry oil, Argan Oil, Baobab oil, Grape Seed oil, and Apricot Kernel oil provide Vitamins, Minerals, Essential Fatty Acids, Phytonutrients, Anti-Oxidants, Anti-Inflammatories, Polyphenols, and many other nutrients that are necessary for optimum skin health.  Instead of 'Cosmeceuticals' created in a laboratory, naturally occurring, biologically active extracts such as Allantoin, MSM, Camu Camu Fruit powder, and Acerola Berry Powder provide intensive doses of skin-feeding nutrients. Essential oils of Palmarosa, Rosewood, Helichrysum, Elemi, Seabuckthorn, and Roman Chamomile have been chosen for their incredible anti-aging, revitalizing, and rejuvenating powers.  Instead of synthetic preservatives, Essential oils are natural preservatives, and the ingredients in chosen for this cream are 'stable,' meaning they naturally stay fresh for at least 2 years, and many lend freshness to other less stable ingredients.

Friday, September 13, 2013

"Natural" Weightloss

My Mom called me this morning to tell me she has finally figured out the key to losing weight.  I must admit, I think this is the most brilliant and 'natural' plan I have ever heard of.  She said that all you have to do is go to any department store and start trying on clothes.  She said to make sure that you get into a dressing room with a 3-way mirror and really bad lighting.  Then she said to take a goooood, harrrrd, look at yourself from every angle.  Apparently she employed this tactic on Monday and lost 5 pounds by Friday!  If anyone tries this, please keep me updated on the results - it seems easy enough