Beauty Blog

Skin feeling more like sandpaper? Got the itchies? Cold weather, heavy clothing, and dry heating can take a toll on more than just your face. All of your skin can feel it. Doing a full-body exfoliation each week will leave your skin with a much more youthful glow and help eliminate those dry patches and ugly little skin bumps. Below are step-by-step instructions to get the most benefit from your efforts. Apply oil to skin. Cover all skin lightly with oil like Earthly Body Hemp Seed Glow Oil which is a spray so it's easy to cover hard to reach places. Moroccanoil's Dry Body Oil is also a good one. Take a dry brush to skin from the feet up, brushing in short, light strokes. Yes, that long-handled, soft-bristled brush that comes with bath sets and hangs in your shower actually has a function. Just don't hang it in the shower...use it dry. Step in the shower and, using a body scrub, start at the feet again and massage the skin in a circular motion on up the body. Rinse off using lukewarm water, then apply a salicylic acid body wash to skin paying more attention to heels, elbows, and knees. If you have a tendency towards back and butt acne, make sure to apply there as well. Pat skin dry and apply your favorite moisturizer while skin is slightly damp.

Eucalyptus oil is oil distilled from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus globulus). The tree is known for its fast growth, making eucalyptus oil a sustainable ingredient. The leaves are dried, crushed, and distilled to release the essential oil. After the oil has been extracted, it must be diluted before it can be used in products. The Eucalyptus tree is native to Australia; it is now grown all around the world! Eucalyptus oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, and herbicidal properties. It is also said that Eucalyptus oil can improve the overall health of your hair by stimulating the hair follicles promoting hair growth. It also relieves itchy scalp and treat head lice! Eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory properties. Although not proven by clinical research, advocates of eucalyptus oil for hair believe that the oil can help reduce scalp inflammation to create an ideal environment for hair growth. Eucalyptus also helps dry up blemishes and acne outbreaks, reducing inflammation and pain. The oil's anti-bacterial properties also help reduce the chance of future outbreaks, who doesn't love that! Eucalyptus is believed to have a number of medicinal properties, although not all of them have been confirmed yet by research. In the late 19th century, eucalyptus oil was used in most hospitals in England to clean urinary catheters. It is also believed to help with colds and respiratory symptoms. Herbal remedies recommend using fresh leaves in a gargle to relieve a sore throat, sinusitis, and bronchitis. Also, eucalyptus oil vapor can be used as a decongestant when inhaled. Do you suffer from muscle and joint pain? Eucalyptus may help! Pure eucalyptus extract may act as a pain reliever, and research indicates that the oil may have analgesic (pain relieving) properties. It is a common ingredient in a lot of CBD products because of this. Other conditions that eucalyptus may help with include: Arthritis - potentially due to its anti-inflammatory properties. A blocked nose. Wounds and burns. Ulcers. Cold sores - perhaps due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Bladder diseases. Diabetes - eucalyptus might help lower blood sugar. Fever and Flu symptoms Eucalyptus products can generally be used safely on the skin, as long as the oil is diluted. It should not be applied directly onto the skin until it is diluted with a carrier oil, such as olive oil. The dilution should be between 1 percent and 5 percent eucalyptus oil to between 95 percent and 99 percent carrier oil; this equates to roughly one to five drops of essential oil in an ounce of carrier oil. Eucalyptus can produce irritation and a burning sensation. If you have sensitive skin, we suggest trying a patch test before use. Still with all of these wonderful (and sustainable) benefits we highly recommend looking for eucalyptus globulus leaf oil in your ingredient list! .

If you are looking for a haircare brand that is 100% vegan, then you will love Abba. In fact, their shampoo products are so gentle you could use them as a body wash. Abba products are also free of gluten, paraben, DEA, Phthalates, synthetic color additive, sulfates, and sodium chlorides. Abba is also cruelty-free. Not just in their products, but also with the raw materials they use to formulate them. Any supplier they use must sign a commitment stating what they are selling to Abba has never been testing on animals. Abba has formulas for every hair and style. Choose from: Moisture. Volume. Color Protection. Gentle. Detox. Plus styling products that perform without harsh chemicals or additives and protect your hair. What's in their products that make them so effective. It's their ProQuinoa Complex - a blend of three powerful proteins. ABBA Ingredients Quinoa QUINOA: Eight essential amino acids make this a complete protein that adds moisture and strength to each strand of hair. ABBA Ingredients Barley BARLEY: Infuses hair with a food-grade protein that brings lasting moisture to your hair. ABBA Ingredients Soy SOY: You get body and control with this special protein plus added control for even the most unruly hair. It contains no gluten either. .

Snail Essence remains a hot ingredient in skincare because it is full of good nutrients and leaves skin with a dewy glow. But don't go out after a rain and start wiping up those snail trails. It needs to be processed and companies that sell snail essence keep their procedures proprietary. You can go collect a couple of snails and let them crawl across your face, but...eeeew! So, what exactly is it? It's that mucin emitted by the snail as it moves along the ground as a way to protect itself. The common garden snail (Cryptomphalus Aspera) is most often used. Snail farmers put snails over a mesh in a darkroom. They are left there for 30-40 minutes to roam around excreting their slime, then put back in their usual home. The mucin from the mesh is then collected. There are many ways of then processing the mucin to make it stable for skincare. Why is it so popular? Snail essence has been used in various parts of the world for centuries. In ancient Greece, through the middle ages, it was used as a skin inflammation treatment. More recently, it was popularized by Korean skincare products as it is purported to be hydrating, helps prevent aging skin and improves wrinkles and scars. The ingredients in the slime are hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, and peptides. These ingredients are also found in many other personal care products.

In the 7th century, Japanese monks visiting China (to study Zen Buddhism) returned home with their new discovery of green tea's wonderful healing properties. In the following centuries, drinking green tea Matcha (Matcha is a high-grade green tea ground into powdered form. The green tea powder is whisked into hot water, instead of steeped, to form a frothy drink.) became a staple for Japanese monks. The drink imbued them with energy and mental focus that enhanced their meditation. Today green tea extract, and its ground powder form Matcha, are used in many beauty products, including masks, creams & lotions. Research has established that topical application of green tea leaves or extracts have many benefits for skin, including anti-aging properties. The polyphenols in green tea possess potent antioxidant and skin-soothing properties. They show significant promise for improving the appearance of sun-damaged skin. Green tea's strong antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties show promise of slowing down the process of aging, quickening the process of repairing or improving the appearance of sun-damaged skin. Green tea is full of Vitamin B2 and Vitamin E, both essential for skin health maintenance. B2 plays an essential role in maintaining collagen levels for youthful skin structure and firmness. Vitamin E supports new skin cell growth and also acts as an intense hydrator for soft and nourished skin. Caffeine and tannins in green tea help shrink blood vessels around the eyes, making it a miracle for treating puffy eyes and dark circles. Green tea leaf fibers are proven to stimulate hair growth, thanks to catechins and polyphenols stimulating cell turnover in hair follicles. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its high content of polyphenols called catechins. The catechins in green tea reduce irritation, redness, and swelling. Green tea is powerful antibacterial agent for treating acne and unclogging pores. Polyphenols in green tea damage bacterial membranes and fight against infection, meaning that it's a useful tool for treating bacterial growth that causes acne. It helps kill systemic bacterial inflammation for smoother, toned skin. If you're looking for green tea in your personal care products it may be listed by its Latin name, camellia sinesis. It is a gentle antioxidant that is among the most well researched and impressive in terms of its many benefits.

Cetyl alcohol is very different from "regular" alcohols, like ethanol. It's a white, waxy substance found in animals and plants, like coconut and palm oil. It can also be made in a laboratory. The chemical makeup of Cetearyl alcohol is different from more commonly known alcohols. In Cetearyl alcohol, the alcohol group (-OH) is attached to a very long chain of hydrocarbons (fats). This feature allows fatty alcohols to trap water and provides a soothing feel to the skin. In personal care products like skin lotions and creams, cetyl alcohol serves as a thickening agent and emulsifier (an emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible - unmixable or unblendable), to help keep product ingredients from separating. Because cetyl alcohol melts at temperatures higher than the average human body temperature, it is useful in cosmetic products like lipsticks, helping lip color adhere to the skin. For nearly 30 years, a Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) expert scientific panel has stated that cetyl alcohol is safe for use as cosmetic ingredients. In 2005, CIR considered available new data and reaffirmed its original safety conclusion.

RECOVER Actiiv's Recover is a 2-step, shampoo-based system for men and women experiencing hair loss or wanting to target and combat hair loss before it is visible. Using natural, plant-based compounds, our Recover products are able to target hair loss and thinning at the source. Recover line is a simple shampoo and conditioning process that only needs to be used every other day for 5 minutes in the shower! It cleanses and targets production of DHT (causes 95% of hair loss in men and women) Unlike competitors using harsh alcohols to reach the follicle, Actiiv uses a patented, green tea delivery system. During the 5-minute shampoo treatment, the delivery system temporarily widens the follicle channel to deliver our natural ingredients at the deepest level where they cleanse and defend against DHT, the leading cause of hair loss. RENEW Actiiv Renew is a two-step shampoo-based system designed to target damaged and lifeless hair & increase hair growth. Natural, plant-based ingredients help deliver optimal results while providing you with a safe, luxurious hair care experience. Actiiv isn't just for hair loss. Use Actiiv Renew to increase growth by up to 40% and repair damaged and over-processed hair.

Water can actually be drying for the skin. This is because when water evaporates off the skin, it can remove surface lipids from your skin which causes your skin to lose moisture. So, increased exposure to water alone really isn't great for the skin, especially if you struggle with dry skin. You may already know that the first five ingredients on the label make up at least 80 percent of the product, which means that in many cases you are paying for mostly water. There are many reasons why skincare products contain water. Water allows more ingredient options within a formulation. Some ingredients are oil-soluble, but many beneficial botanical extracts are water-soluble, and can't be used in an anhydrous formulation. Water also improves product consistency and spreadability for some products. Not everyone likes the consistency of heavier balms and butters. Sometimes adding even a small amount of water gives the product a more desirable feel without compromising the overall efficacy of the product. But…too often, water is included in a product as a cheap filler that may not serve a purpose related to your skin. When using a daily lotion you apply all over, this may not be such an issue. But when paying for a skincare product that has active ingredients for anti-acne or anti-aging, the higher concentration ingredients vs. water may defeat their purpose. Consider a facial cleanser, of course, you use water when washing & rinsing your face, so why do you need more water in your cleanser. Water-based products require preservatives. Commonly used preservatives can include parabens and DMDM Hydantoin, which may present additional health risks. Companies aren't required to divulge the source of the water in their formulas. Depending on the source of the water used (such as tap water) adding water to a formula may introduce unwanted contaminants such as fluoride and chlorine as well as microbes and fungi which further encourage microbial growth within the product. Adding water may ultimately lead to drier skin if there are no emollients in the formulation. Water quickly evaporates, so a water-based moisturizer may only provide temporary relief from dryness. Adding water to a product that also contains oil creates the need for an emulsifier. Common emulsifiers include sodium lauryl sulfate or polyethylene glycols which may cause irritation and disrupt the skin barrier.

Salt scrubs are typically made with some type of sea salt (Dead Sea or European Spa salts) or Epsom salts and a combination of oils. While normal table salt does exfoliate as well, sea salts and Epsom salts have the added benefit of minerals like magnesium and potassium that are great for your skin. They can also help reduce inflammation, which relieves sore muscles, arthritis, and tension. All of this contributes to a healthier, more relaxing scrub that has benefits beyond just exfoliation. The other main difference between salt and sugar in a scrub is that salt is naturally more abrasive, making it a stronger exfoliant. Even fine salt tends to have sharper edges than sugar granules, which makes it great for dry areas with lots of dead skin like your feet and elbows. Some people may find that salt irritates their skin, and you'll want to avoid rubbing your salt scrub on any cuts because it definitely stings! Even so, when you need strong exfoliation, salt is the best choice. You can prevent irritation by using a finer grade salt and using your salt scrubs about once a week instead of 2-3 times a week. Sugar Scrubs Unlike salt, most sugar has small granules with relatively smooth edges, so while it offers exfoliation, it won't be quite as strong. This is perfect for people with sensitive skin, though, and it's great if you want to use your scrub a few times a week. Sugar scrubs are great for use on your face and other more sensitive areas. Unlike salt scrubs, however, sugar doesn't offer the same minerals and benefits. It exfoliates and leaves your skin feeling great but without the added relief from sore muscles and inflammation. Many people still love sugar scrubs and prefer them over salt scrubs. Just be sure to take all the aspects of each one into consideration before making your choice! Shop for Scrubs We have them for face to feet and everything in between!

Want to add a little pizazz to your hair without a big commitment or expensive maintenance? Temporary or Semi-Permanent Hair Colors are your solution. You can just enhance your actual color, create a little peek-a-boo fun or go wild. See below to decide what type of formula you need: Ready? Go! Temporary Hair Color: These products are truly temporary and are usually sold as color rinses. They're used most often to cover or mask gray hair, or to add a subtle (or even a bold) tone to your natural color. Temporary color sits on the outside of the cuticle and adds color to the surface of the hair. Temporary hair color won't take you from a darker shade to a lighter shade, but it can add some depth and richness to lighter hair. Temporary colors rarely last beyond your next shampoo . Temporary hair color can be found in a variety of products: rinses which add color to the hair and are styled dry, color mousses which add subtle color tones, hair mascara for dramatic effects, spray-on colors for controlled application, and even color-tinted shampoos and conditioners to add depth and longevity to colored hair. Semi-Permanent Hair Color: Semi-permanent color is designed to deposit color onto the hair only and has no lightening effect. The formula includes an activator that develops the color and helps to raise the cuticle of the hair shaft so that the color can be deposited there. Semi-permanent color doesn't penetrate into the cortex of the hair, but it will usually last from six to eight weeks (4-12 shampoos) , gradually washing out with each shampoo. Semi-permanent hair color can be used to deposit color over blonde or lightened hair; to blend (but not cover) grey; to refresh faded hair color; to correct hair color that has gone off-tone (turned brassy or ashy, for example) and to blend highlights with base hair color. A clear semi-permanent can also add shine and restore the luster of dull, damaged hair. Semi-permanent color may also be found in shampoos, conditioners, and masks that can be used to maintain the tone of hair between salon visits.