Press Clips
Keep up with Bella Avani in the local media.
Entrepreneur creates natural creams, cleansers
Elizabeth is profiled in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Deciphering Cosmetic and Skin Care Labels
Written by Elizabeth to help consumers decipher common skin care ingredients
Pittsford Library branches out: Feng shui to herb use
Elizabeth's workshops are offered by the Pittsford Community Library.
A profile featured in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Entrepreneur creates natural creams, cleansers in Henrietta kitchen
When Elizabeth Hornak's children got a winter rash from dry skin six years ago, she didn't realize that the solution for it would eventually launch into a business.
Hornak, a Henrietta resident, said many commercial products irritated her children's skin, so she started to research ingredients and whipped up a topical salve right in her kitchen using mango butter, shea butter and beeswax.
"The difficulty was getting the right consistency," said Hornak.
Over time, she said, her children's skin became healthy and restored with the application of her homemade salve. So Hornak decided to further explore. She learned how to make soap from a local soap maker. After that, she experimented with creams and lotions. Her husband, Joseph, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, helped. When I made things, I started making 25 jars of formulation and just gave them away," said Hornak, 41. Family and friends wanted to pay for the products and Hornak thought she had a good business model - there were takers for natural skin care products.
"It made sense to create her own line," said Elise Vandermeer, 38, of Atlanta, Ga., who studied with Hornak in graduate school. Vandermeer said she uses Hornak's rosemary mint soap for her vacation rental business. "It makes our guests feel a little pampered."
Hornak's company, Bella Avani, was born in 2008. Since then, Hornak said, her product line has expanded from soaps, lotions and lip balms to facial cleansers, moisturizers and spa products.
"I spend a lot of time researching the structure of skin," said Hornak. She uses ingredients such as sunflower oil to rejuvenate cells and unrefined shea butter to combat signs of aging and stretch marks.
Hornak, who has a master's degree in fine arts from Rochester Institute of Technology, completed her certification in aromatherapy earlier this year. She's now studying chemistry and therapeutic uses of essential oils as part of an advanced program for aromatherapists. But creating the line itself isn't as challenging as the sales and marketing that go along with it, according to Hornak.
"I have to use my creativity," she said, adding that she accepts credit cards online for her products and maintains a Facebook page. Hornak also blogs on topics such as the five synthetic cosmetic ingredients to avoid, and offers beauty recipes.
"I encourage people to do research to find out what they're using," said Hornak.
SGOTTIPATI@DemocratandChronicle.com
Published on December 28, 2010
What's In Those Products Anyway?
Deciphering Cosmetic and Skin Care Labels
by Elizabeth Hornak
Did you know that close to 60% of the topical skin care products put on the skin is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. With ingredient names such as methylparaben, propylparaben, diethanolamine (DEA), imidazolidinyl urea, sodium lauryl / laureth sulfate and petrolatum and 1,4-dioxane, how can you decode the ingredients and choose the safest skin care products for yourself and your family?
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cosmetics fall under a different standard than drugs, medical devices or biologics, and are not subject to pre-market approval. The only exceptions are color additives, which must be approved by the FDA. Companies are responsible for determining the safety of their ingredients and products before going to market. Companies are also allowed to use any ingredient they choose in the formulation of cosmetic products as long as the "ingredient and the finished cosmetic are safe, the product is properly labeled, and the use of the ingredient does not otherwise cause the cosmetic to be adulterated or misbranded under the laws that FDA enforces." The question becomes, what is safe? An ingredient that may cause a reaction in one person may not cause a reaction in another.
The best course of action is to be an educated consumer and avoid ingredients that are known skin irritants.
Ingredients to Avoid
For example, the parabens (methyl and propyl) are the most widely used preservatives in the United States, but are believed to mimic estrogen, and in high levels, estrogen can cause some women to develop breast cancer. Parabens can also cause allergic reactions and skin rashes. Diethanolamine (DEA) and DEA related ingredients such as oleamide DEA, lauramide DEA and cocamide DEA are widely used as emulsifiers or foaming agents and can be irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Imidazolidinyl Urea is also a widely used cosmetic preservative found in baby shampoos, lotions, eye shadows, creams and fragrances, and is known to cause contact dermatitis. Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLES) are widely used in shampoos, soaps, detergents and toothpastes as foaming agents. These ingredients can also be found in hand lotions, bubble baths and creams, and can cause dry skin because of their degreasing abilities, they may also cause skin irritation, and have been linked to eczema. Petrolatum, also known as Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly, is used in cosmetic products because it is very inexpensive. It is used in eye make-up, baby creams, emollient creams and cold creams. Even though petrolatum is marketed for dry skin, it can have the opposite effect of adding moisture to the skin because it can interfere with the body's natural moisturizing mechanism. People who have hypersensitive skin can have allergic reactions to petrolatum. 1,4-dioxane is a by-product of a process called ethylene oxide which makes harsh ingredients milder. 1,4 dioxane is considered a contaminant and will not be listed on a label as such, but products containing myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth, PEG, polyethylene, polyoxyethylene, polyethylene glycol or oxynol may be indicators of a 1,4 dioxane by-product. The State of California considers 1,4 dioxane to be carcinogenic under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
What About Organic?
Companies may also "green wash" their products by advertising them as organic or natural even though they do not use ingredients that meet a specified organic standard such as US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic. Look for the USDA Organic seal, which indicates that the product is certified under the USDA National Organic Program.
Do It Yourself
You can make some natural, gentle and effective cosmetic products at home. For example, green tea is an excellent natural toner for the skin because it contains Vitamin C and E. Grinding oatmeal to a fine powder and combining it with warm water makes a soothing and gentle cleanser and exfoliator. Natural vegetable oils such as hazelnut oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil or sweet almond oil are excellent moisturizers that help to calm and soothe the skin.
There are many books and internet resources available for you to check the ingredients of the products you use. By knowing the ingredients used in personal care products as well as household products you can help protect your family from potentially irritating and harmful ingredients.
Published in the Genesee Valley Parent magazine
April 2010
Pittsford Library branches out: Feng shui to herb use
Institution offers more than just book learning
Trips to the library these days are definitely more about than checking out a novel or video, or using the computer to surf the internet.
At the Pittsford Community Library this month, patrons can choose from a diverese programming list; They can learn how to invest wisely for retirement, use feng shui to unclutter their living spaces, offer their children craft clases and more.
Oh yeah, you can still borrow books too.
The library believes its programs should be as eclectic as the literature found on the shelves, said Ichin Zinn, program and special projects coordinator. Programs are typically scheduled four to six months in advance – some even a year ahead – by the Pittsford Library Foundation and the Friends of the Pittsford Library.
“Our programming is there to provide information as well as entertainment,” said Zinn.
Pittsford community members can also talk abut current events here and abroad. Upcoming discussion topics include the slaying of Pakistani activist Benazir Bhutto, and political and societal transitions occuring in Iran.
Unless inclement weather makes it too difficult to travel, Zinn said, music concerts and other activities held at the library are well-attended. And it’s not uncommon for out-of-towners to drop in for programs as well.
In August, Elizabeth Hornak hosted an aromatherapy class that was so popular she was asked to lead another workshop. This time, Hornak, of Henrietta, will educate participants on the cooking and health benefits of herbs. Participants will also create a take-home infusion of St. John’s Wort and extra virgin olive oil.
Hornak was introduced to cooking with fresh herbs in 2001 while living in Naples, Italy.
Now, she uses sea salt – not olive oil – when cooking pastal she used fresh thyme and sage to prepare turkey for Christmas dinner; and fresh basil is found in her spring rolls.
A garden of lavender, chamomile and other herbs grows at the Hornak home.
“The whole staple of Italian cooking is using the freshest ingredients possible – that also includes fresh herbs,” Hornak said. “It imparts just a different flavor on the food.”
Dr. Les Moore, director of Integrative Medicine at Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic in Clifton Springs, Ontario County, said herbs have many benefits, can boost the immune system and have been used in medicine for at least 6,000 years. Integrative medicine uses both conventional and complementary alternative medicine in treatment.
However, Moorse advised those unfamiliar with the effects of herbs to first talk with a licensed physician, pharmacist or herbalist.
“Saftey is always first, (but) there’s a lot of information in using plants for food and medicine,” he said. “Our research continues to grow.”
Hornak sells products made from herbal infusions via her Web-based company Bella Avani, and her homemade soap and lotion at the Moonflower Handcrafted Gallery on West Commercial Street in East Rochester.
It can be quite a juggling act for the Pittsford Library to devise yearlong programming. Zinn said, but the positive response from the community makes it the work worth it.
“Every program takes a lot of preparation, but it is a lot of fun,” she said. “People really like the stuff we offer here.”
Published in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
January 13, 2009
Entrepreneur creates natural creams, cleansers
Elizabeth is profiled in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Deciphering Cosmetic and Skin Care Labels
Written by Elizabeth to help consumers decipher common skin care ingredients
Pittsford Library branches out: Feng shui to herb use
Elizabeth's workshops are offered by the Pittsford Community Library.
A profile featured in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Entrepreneur creates natural creams, cleansers in Henrietta kitchen
When Elizabeth Hornak's children got a winter rash from dry skin six years ago, she didn't realize that the solution for it would eventually launch into a business.
Hornak, a Henrietta resident, said many commercial products irritated her children's skin, so she started to research ingredients and whipped up a topical salve right in her kitchen using mango butter, shea butter and beeswax."The difficulty was getting the right consistency," said Hornak.
Over time, she said, her children's skin became healthy and restored with the application of her homemade salve. So Hornak decided to further explore. She learned how to make soap from a local soap maker. After that, she experimented with creams and lotions. Her husband, Joseph, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, helped. When I made things, I started making 25 jars of formulation and just gave them away," said Hornak, 41. Family and friends wanted to pay for the products and Hornak thought she had a good business model - there were takers for natural skin care products.
"It made sense to create her own line," said Elise Vandermeer, 38, of Atlanta, Ga., who studied with Hornak in graduate school. Vandermeer said she uses Hornak's rosemary mint soap for her vacation rental business. "It makes our guests feel a little pampered."Hornak's company, Bella Avani, was born in 2008. Since then, Hornak said, her product line has expanded from soaps, lotions and lip balms to facial cleansers, moisturizers and spa products.
"I spend a lot of time researching the structure of skin," said Hornak. She uses ingredients such as sunflower oil to rejuvenate cells and unrefined shea butter to combat signs of aging and stretch marks.
Hornak, who has a master's degree in fine arts from Rochester Institute of Technology, completed her certification in aromatherapy earlier this year. She's now studying chemistry and therapeutic uses of essential oils as part of an advanced program for aromatherapists. But creating the line itself isn't as challenging as the sales and marketing that go along with it, according to Hornak.
"I have to use my creativity," she said, adding that she accepts credit cards online for her products and maintains a Facebook page. Hornak also blogs on topics such as the five synthetic cosmetic ingredients to avoid, and offers beauty recipes.
"I encourage people to do research to find out what they're using," said Hornak.
SGOTTIPATI@DemocratandChronicle.com
Published on December 28, 2010
What's In Those Products Anyway?
Deciphering Cosmetic and Skin Care Labels
by Elizabeth Hornak
Did you know that close to 60% of the topical skin care products put on the skin is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. With ingredient names such as methylparaben, propylparaben, diethanolamine (DEA), imidazolidinyl urea, sodium lauryl / laureth sulfate and petrolatum and 1,4-dioxane, how can you decode the ingredients and choose the safest skin care products for yourself and your family?
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cosmetics fall under a different standard than drugs, medical devices or biologics, and are not subject to pre-market approval. The only exceptions are color additives, which must be approved by the FDA. Companies are responsible for determining the safety of their ingredients and products before going to market. Companies are also allowed to use any ingredient they choose in the formulation of cosmetic products as long as the "ingredient and the finished cosmetic are safe, the product is properly labeled, and the use of the ingredient does not otherwise cause the cosmetic to be adulterated or misbranded under the laws that FDA enforces." The question becomes, what is safe? An ingredient that may cause a reaction in one person may not cause a reaction in another.
The best course of action is to be an educated consumer and avoid ingredients that are known skin irritants.
Ingredients to Avoid
For example, the parabens (methyl and propyl) are the most widely used preservatives in the United States, but are believed to mimic estrogen, and in high levels, estrogen can cause some women to develop breast cancer. Parabens can also cause allergic reactions and skin rashes. Diethanolamine (DEA) and DEA related ingredients such as oleamide DEA, lauramide DEA and cocamide DEA are widely used as emulsifiers or foaming agents and can be irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Imidazolidinyl Urea is also a widely used cosmetic preservative found in baby shampoos, lotions, eye shadows, creams and fragrances, and is known to cause contact dermatitis. Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLES) are widely used in shampoos, soaps, detergents and toothpastes as foaming agents. These ingredients can also be found in hand lotions, bubble baths and creams, and can cause dry skin because of their degreasing abilities, they may also cause skin irritation, and have been linked to eczema. Petrolatum, also known as Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly, is used in cosmetic products because it is very inexpensive. It is used in eye make-up, baby creams, emollient creams and cold creams. Even though petrolatum is marketed for dry skin, it can have the opposite effect of adding moisture to the skin because it can interfere with the body's natural moisturizing mechanism. People who have hypersensitive skin can have allergic reactions to petrolatum. 1,4-dioxane is a by-product of a process called ethylene oxide which makes harsh ingredients milder. 1,4 dioxane is considered a contaminant and will not be listed on a label as such, but products containing myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth, PEG, polyethylene, polyoxyethylene, polyethylene glycol or oxynol may be indicators of a 1,4 dioxane by-product. The State of California considers 1,4 dioxane to be carcinogenic under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
What About Organic?
Companies may also "green wash" their products by advertising them as organic or natural even though they do not use ingredients that meet a specified organic standard such as US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic. Look for the USDA Organic seal, which indicates that the product is certified under the USDA National Organic Program.
Do It Yourself
You can make some natural, gentle and effective cosmetic products at home. For example, green tea is an excellent natural toner for the skin because it contains Vitamin C and E. Grinding oatmeal to a fine powder and combining it with warm water makes a soothing and gentle cleanser and exfoliator. Natural vegetable oils such as hazelnut oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil or sweet almond oil are excellent moisturizers that help to calm and soothe the skin.
There are many books and internet resources available for you to check the ingredients of the products you use. By knowing the ingredients used in personal care products as well as household products you can help protect your family from potentially irritating and harmful ingredients.
Published in the Genesee Valley Parent magazine
April 2010
Pittsford Library branches out: Feng shui to herb use
Institution offers more than just book learning
Trips to the library these days are definitely more about than checking out a novel or video, or using the computer to surf the internet.
At the Pittsford Community Library this month, patrons can choose from a diverese programming list; They can learn how to invest wisely for retirement, use feng shui to unclutter their living spaces, offer their children craft clases and more.
Oh yeah, you can still borrow books too.
The library believes its programs should be as eclectic as the literature found on the shelves, said Ichin Zinn, program and special projects coordinator. Programs are typically scheduled four to six months in advance – some even a year ahead – by the Pittsford Library Foundation and the Friends of the Pittsford Library.
“Our programming is there to provide information as well as entertainment,” said Zinn.
Pittsford community members can also talk abut current events here and abroad. Upcoming discussion topics include the slaying of Pakistani activist Benazir Bhutto, and political and societal transitions occuring in Iran.
Unless inclement weather makes it too difficult to travel, Zinn said, music concerts and other activities held at the library are well-attended. And it’s not uncommon for out-of-towners to drop in for programs as well.
In August, Elizabeth Hornak hosted an aromatherapy class that was so popular she was asked to lead another workshop. This time, Hornak, of Henrietta, will educate participants on the cooking and health benefits of herbs. Participants will also create a take-home infusion of St. John’s Wort and extra virgin olive oil.
Hornak was introduced to cooking with fresh herbs in 2001 while living in Naples, Italy.
Now, she uses sea salt – not olive oil – when cooking pastal she used fresh thyme and sage to prepare turkey for Christmas dinner; and fresh basil is found in her spring rolls.
A garden of lavender, chamomile and other herbs grows at the Hornak home.
“The whole staple of Italian cooking is using the freshest ingredients possible – that also includes fresh herbs,” Hornak said. “It imparts just a different flavor on the food.”
Dr. Les Moore, director of Integrative Medicine at Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic in Clifton Springs, Ontario County, said herbs have many benefits, can boost the immune system and have been used in medicine for at least 6,000 years. Integrative medicine uses both conventional and complementary alternative medicine in treatment.
However, Moorse advised those unfamiliar with the effects of herbs to first talk with a licensed physician, pharmacist or herbalist.
“Saftey is always first, (but) there’s a lot of information in using plants for food and medicine,” he said. “Our research continues to grow.”
Hornak sells products made from herbal infusions via her Web-based company Bella Avani, and her homemade soap and lotion at the Moonflower Handcrafted Gallery on West Commercial Street in East Rochester.
It can be quite a juggling act for the Pittsford Library to devise yearlong programming. Zinn said, but the positive response from the community makes it the work worth it.
“Every program takes a lot of preparation, but it is a lot of fun,” she said. “People really like the stuff we offer here.”
Published in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
January 13, 2009
Copyright 2012 Bella Avani, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
FDA Disclaimer: Bella Avani products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are for skin care use only.
Statements on our website or in our literature are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness, disease, or condition.
FDA Disclaimer: Bella Avani products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are for skin care use only.
Statements on our website or in our literature are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness, disease, or condition.
