Most of the natural ingredients I use in my products aren’t something you already have in your kitchen. Olive oil, however, is a fantastic exception. It’s no secret that this oil is just as beneficial for cosmetic purposes as it is for culinary, but you might be surprised at just how many different ways there are to use this flexible, nourishing oil. Here are a few of my favorites:
If you’re like me, deodorant is probably something you use every day, but not something you think too much about. Take a closer look at the ingredients on your favorite antiperspirant, though, and you’ll notice something that’s definitely worth some thought: aluminum. Aluminum is everywhere in our lives, but if your goal is to protect your health it’s something worth avoiding. Here’s why:
Continue reading Avoid Aluminum While Shopping for Cosmetic Products
I used to think that apricots were only good for snacking, but when I started researching natural beauty ingredients I learned that this little fruit has much more to offer. With a little work apricot seeds can be made into an oil with incredible benefits for the skin and hair. Apricot Seed Oil is lightweight, has a beautiful fragrance, and is rich in nutrients that your body just loves. I never hesitate when I find a space for it in my products. Here’s why:
I’d like to take a minute to pay respect to a part of the body that’s often overlooked: the nose. Scientists estimate that the nose can distinguish between over 1 trillion different odors, making it the most sensitive organ in the body by far. Scent and memory are strongly combined, so with a single sniff your nose can transport you to some of the best times in your life. Your sense of smell is amazing.
So why abuse it with artificial fragrances?
I’m big on reducing waste. I compost my food scraps, I recycle my bottles and cans, and I take quick showers. So you can imagine how happy it makes me to use ingredients that derive from things that might otherwise be discarded. And if that ingredient also has amazing benefits for skin, hair, and overall health? Even better.
Continue reading Why I Love Grapeseed Oil (and Why You Should Too!)
Take a look at any list of dangerous ingredients to watch out for in personal care products and you’ll see parabens near the top…with good reason. Commonly used to prevent bacteria growth, parabens are everywhere and are associated with a number of very troubling side effects. I don’t let them anywhere near my products. Here’s why:
Many of us can remember an older relative or friend who swore by castor oil. While its use isn’t as popular today as it once was, this unique oil still possesses some amazing qualities that make it perfect for healing your skin, nourishing your hair, and supporting your body’s systems. Here are a few of my favorite uses for organic castor bean oil: (try them and you’ll love this oil as much as I do.)
Continue reading Why I Love Castor Bean Oil PLUS How to Make Your Own Feet Softening Butter
When you think of bees, you may think of honey. I know I do, especially when I’m enjoying a cup of tea. However, that’s just the beginning of what these amazing insects give us. Look a little closer and you’ll find beeswax. Not to “wax” poetic, but this amazing natural ingredient is bursting with benefits for the skin. Keep reading to find out what all the “buzz” is about. (No more bee puns, I promise!)
Continue reading 5 Reasons Why I Love Beeswax (and Why You Should Love it Too!)
Here’s a pop quiz: what do industrial cleaning agents, engine degreasers, and the bottle of conventional shampoo in your shower have in common? Answer: they all contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is incredibly common in personal care items, but don’t let that make you think it’s safe: it’s also connected with some incredibly troublesome health issues. I never use SLS in any of my products, and it doesn’t take much to explain why.
Confession time: I love chocolate. The taste, the texture, the health benefits…I love it all. My affection for chocolate may even have something to do with my interest in a certain natural skincare ingredient: cocoa butter.
Continue reading 5 Reasons Why I Love Cocoa Butter (and Why You Should Love it Too)
