BellaSugar

Definition: Menthol

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:00:57 PST

The menthol found in lip gel, balm, and even soap is a crystalline alcohol derived from mint oils thus shares the odor and properties of peppermint. Application stimulates your cold-sensing nerve endings, and the cool feeling is from the activation of those senses. (If you don't believe me, put on a mentholated product outdoors on a crisp day – you'll feel other cold sensations as even colder!)

In addition to soothing dry skin, it's also a common active ingredient in topical anesthetics and anti-itch creams since it relieves pains from burns and stings. Still, some people complain that products including menthol irritate their skin. Find out a couple possible reasons when you

read more. Since menthol's part of the alcohol family, it shares skin-drying properties common with other alcohol-based products. Some people with dry skin are more affected by this dehydration and find the results to be more chapped and irritated than soothed. Another reason is that menthol quickly penetrates the skin's layers and can easily carry other chemical compounds with it. There's a chance that it's actually one of the other ingredients in the product causing the irritation, not the menthol itself. Source

Black Lawmakers Are Not Kool With Menthol Cigarettes

LibertySugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:00:49 PDT

Black lawmakers want menthol flavor included in a bill set to ban cigarettes with a candy, fruit, or spice flavor. The Congressional Black Caucus says the legislation should not specifically exempt menthol cigarettes, the flavor favored in the black community, according to today's New York Times.

Since the 1950s, tobacco companies have targeted menthol cigarette advertising at the black community. Research suggests that menthols increase the risk of addiction and cancer. Reports of a 200-person dust up in Florida, ignited by a pack of stolen cigarettes, makes me think addiction can be pretty dangerous.

The lawmakers want to add an amendment that would increase research and clearly give the FDA authority to ban the flavor. The NY Times article reports that emails from Newport are popping up in smokers' inboxes, urging them to contact their representatives. Regardless of whether menthol makes the banning bill, opposition from President Bush and tobacco state legislators means the entire bill may not pass anyway. Do you think flavors making it easier to smoke should be banned? What do you make of laws targeting specific communities?

Source

3 Easy Tips For Soft, Kissable Lips

Michelle Phan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 PST

We're excited to continue our partnership with YouTube star and beauty guru Michelle Phan! Every other week, we'll be bringing you the best from her website, MichellePhan.com. This week, Michelle has the lowdown on making your lips kissable just in time for that holiday party:

Hi everyone,

Mistletoe is tricky. You can’t really avoid it, since you never know when it will reveal itself. You also can’t run to the bathroom and freshen up when it finally does, because that would ruin the moment, and it’s really more of an on-the-spot kind of thing.

The ultimate bubble bath is within reach

Your best defense is to just be prepared for the possibility at all times. Here are some tips to keep your lips mistletoe-ready all season long, no matter what the weather or circumstance. Check them out now.

Peppermint Soothes Gastric Pain and IBS, Study Says

Heather Dale — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:29:41 PDT

In case you had any doubt about peppermint's ability to ease pain related to gastro issues, researchers from the University of Adelaide in Australia recently found that peppermint activates an "anti-pain" channel in the colon. This is great news for IBS sufferers who experience pain caused by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, because peppermint may help lessen their symptoms.

Because of the menthol within peppermint, peppermint not only eases IBS pain, but many believe it can also help with nausea and vomiting and stress, and early studies indicate it may help control mild asthma because of its expectorant and decongestant abilities. It's important to note that out of all the claims surrounding peppermint, its effect on IBS is the only one that has a substantial amount of evidence backing it up. While peppermint may aid in nausea or headaches, research is still in its preliminary stages.

Medicinally, peppermint is available in many forms: tea, tinctures, capsules, creams, ointments, and essential oil. It is generally considered safe when used properly, but it's always a good idea to consult your doctor before beginning treatment.

The 5 Widespread Beauty Myths No One Tells You About

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 06:00:00 PDT

There are a lot of common beauty myths people are eager to disprove: drinking water makes your skin more moist, popping pimples makes them go away, etc. But there are some misconceptions that are just as pervasive and don't get nearly as much attention. To see if you've been deceived, just keep reading.

New Law Bans Flavored Cigarettes

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:30:35 PDT

The FDA sees flavored cigarettes as a gateway drug, encouraging children and young adults to become regular smokers. So a new federal law enacted this Summer, which bans the production, distribution, or sale of flavored cigarettes goes into effect today. This includes clove and candy- and fruit-flavored cigarettes - anything but minty-fresh menthol. Tobacco companies enhance cigarettes with sweet flavors such as vanilla, berries, or chocolate to make them taste sweeter and more appealing to teens, which results in getting them hooked young.

This new law is an amendment to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The FDA is hoping they can target flavored cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff as well.

Tobacco use causes 438,000 deaths a year, and studies show that smokers live an average of 14 years less than nonsmokers. About 90 percent of adult smokers started in their teens, so hopefully banning kid-friendly cigarettes will discourage the habit and prevent the deadly side effects.

Jo Malone Scent-Sational Surround Sprays

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:20:58 PDT

Jo Malone has just introduced a brand new concept in fragrances called Scent Surround Spray. These versatile scents, which come in Lino nel Vento and Acqua di Limone, are intended for your body, your linens and your home.

You can spray them virtually anywhere that needs a little freshening up and they won't harm delicate fabrics (I always spritz a little in my lingerie, hose, bathing suit and sock drawers).

Now you can have "your scent" that follows you everywhere and will leave people wondering if you are oozing lavender and lime. Each of the fragrances has their own unique lingering and crisp aroma that adds something special to make your house feel more like a home.

Both come in a 3.4 oz bottle and sell for $55. To read more about the specifics of Lino nel Vento and Acqua di Limone,

Lino nel Vento has a distinct calming and relaxing smell of lavender. It is made from armoise, spearmint, ozone, menthol, citrus lemon, lavender, rosemary, thyme, cedarwood, vetiver and musk.
Acqua di Limone is more invigorating than calming. It is a mood stimulator with a strong smell of lime. It is also made from orange, greens, jasmine, amber, muguet, woody and musk.