As you probably all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is to honor all of those who have survived breast cancer, died from breast cancer, and are currently fighting breast cancer. This is for the mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers who have dealt with breast cancer in some way in their lives. This is the month that amplifies the stories, that brings awareness not just to the disease, but to the people.
One of the most important aspects about this month is reminders of ways to try to prevent the risks of breast cancer– to stay ahead of it, and practice good health. We at Earth’s Enrichments want to promote the idea of healthy living and that doesn’t just mean taking good care of your skin. It means keeping up with your doctor’s appointments and mammograms so that you’re ready for whatever may come your way.
Remember, be careful with the products you use, especially products that use chemicals that may be connected to cancers. It is better to be safe now than sorry later.
The EE 411: The Preemptive Strike against Breast Cancer
Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself healthy and stay ahead of breast cancer risks:
Eat healthy foods and be physically active; these things help you to prevent obesity and being overweight, which can be risk factors for breast cancer. Avoid drinking too much alcohol and smoking; these could also increase the risk of breast cancer. Be careful with hormones and hormone therapies that may be used to treat symptoms of menopause, for example. If misused over the course of three years or more, these treatments could also increase the risk of breast cancer. Last, but certainly not least, try to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure, and environmental pesticides and pollutants.
Lip care?! I know what you are thinking, what about lip care? What is there to know other than moisturize by using chap stick? Well, what you may not know is how important it is to moisturize your lips properly. Just like the other fleshy parts of your body, your lips can be sensitive and may need special treatment.
Have you ever heard of lip allergies? It can happen when the skin on your lips reacts negatively to certain lip products. The symptoms may include burning, itching, or even chapping. These symptoms can also occur if your lips are not moisturized properly. But most importantly, allergic reactions to lip products can be triggered by some ingredients in the products themselves, such as propyl gallate. This ingredient is found in a number of lipsticks. Also, look out for phenyl salicylate which can cause lip irritation as well.
Most folks forget that their lips are also exposed to the harshness of the elements. Cold weather, wind, and even the sun can affect your lips. So, wear lip products that can comfort your skin but also protect it from the elements. They make chap sticks, and lip balms for a variety of occasions. For instance, if it is freezing and the wind’s blowing fiercely, unless you like minty cool feeling, try to avoid it. Use something more soothing and warming like coconut or aloe vera based lip products. Also, it is important to use chap sticks and lip balms with sunblock in them. It helps protect your lips against the sun’s rays.
When selecting and buying lip products that suit your needs, make sure you read the directions along with the ingredients. Believe it or not, some chap sticks are strictly made for medical usage and should only be used in certain dosages. If used incorrectly, you could potentially damage you lips.
The EE 411:
Your lips aren’t just there to complement your smile. Their primary purpose is to help you fulfill your nourishment requirements meaning they’re there to help you eat. They come in contact with everything you eat and drink!
When drinking or eating foods or beverages that are high in acid (citrus, etc.) it could potentially dry out your lips and irritate them. Also, if you’re eating greasy or oily foods, be sure to wipe your lips and around your mouth so that they don’t break out or become irritated.
Do not use wipes (like the ones they give you in restaurants for your hands) to wipe your mouth. They were not designed for facial usage. If you have baby wipes (for facial usage) or any wipe that is designed for facial skin, use those.
One of the other most frequent things that come in contact with your lips is toothpaste. For some of us it touches our lips about two or three times a day. Toothpaste can contain chemicals called guaiazulene, and sodium lauryl sulfate which can cause chapped lips and skin irritations. So always read the toothpaste labels so that you know what is coming in contact with your lips.
Try to avoid alcohol, parabens, fragrances, menthol, camphor and phenol cool. These can produce lip irritations as well.
Last but certainly not least, don’t lick your lips too often. No matter how attractive you think it is, it can irritate you lips as well. Keep your hands and any foreign objects (metal objects) away from your mouth.
Share with Us:What are some of the things that you do or use to prevent irritated & chapped lips?
Hey everyone, this week’s about hair care. Let’s start with the basics: Wash, Rinse, and Repeat …simple right? I am afraid it takes a little more than that, especially in terms of hair type. There are a lot of things to be careful of when taking care of your hair. Here’s the hair care trinity—most sacred for all hair care—Shampoo, Condition, and Moisturize.
What is your hair status? Is it oily or does it always need a little hydrating? It’s always important to figure out your hair status. This would also include the type of hair you have whether it is straight or has a curl pattern. The shampoos and conditioners are designed for different hair types and status. For dry hair you may want to look for shampoos that don’t contain sulfates, which will strip your hair of its moisture. Even if your hair is oily, try to avoid sulfates; you don’t want dry out your scalp.
Always accompany shampooing with conditioning. It helps replace and maintain the moisture in your hair. Especially if your style is all-natural, it is recommended to deep condition your hair once every month to maintain your hair’s shine and to prevent it from getting dried out. The most important part of hair care is moisturizing.
Moisturizing keeps your hair from breaking off, prevents itchy-dry scalp, and keeps your hair healthy. Usually after you wash and condition your hair, the next step is to decide which products you need for your hair style. It’s helpful to use oil to make sure your scalp is well hydrated. It is easier to disperse in your hair, especially if you have a really thick curl pattern. Grease can sometimes be a little too much depending on how well your hair can hold its moisture. Also, leave in conditioners are great for locking in moisturizer without leaving an oily feeling.
The EE 411:
Do you know why it is important to clean and moisturize during your hair care process? Sometimes people forget that under the hair is skin– your scalp. It is probably the most ignored portion of skin on your body. It needs to be cleaned by products that will look after its well-being and will not dry it out or leave it oily. Also, like other parts of your skin, it needs to be moisturized properly. So find oils that are not just good for hair but also for skin like coconut oil, argon oil, and oils made from nuts, avocado, or olives. In taking care of the skin, you can actually help your hair stay healthy.
Share with Us:What’s your hair care regiment? Use anything special?
So far we have touched on all the main skincare steps from cleansing to exfoliating. Now, we’ve arrived at one of the last but most important steps to skincare maintenance, and that is moisturizing. Moisturizing should occur all throughout your skincare process. In other words, when picking all of your selected skin products, make sure that they have some moisturizing properties them. That way when you bathe and exfoliate you are not stripping or drying out your skin.
Moisturizing is one of the most essential steps in skincare because it keeps your skin from dehydrating and becoming easily damaged. It protects your skin and prevents it from being split, cut, or torn. Take for example the feeling of putting on silk right out of the dryer when it is full of static. Your clothes and sheets will irritate your skin if it’s dry. It will feel as if pieces of your skin are getting caught and pulled by the materials. Your skin could end up feeling drier and irritated. This is not a good feeling.
In contrast, moisturizing your skin regularly, let’s say once a day or every time you wash your hands, will keep your skin hydrated and conditioned. Keeping your skin hydrated makes the healing process easier for your skin. Also, it increases the soft, smooth feeling of your skin (Isn’t that the best compliment?). It also keeps your skin looking fresh and younger. When you neglect to moisturize your skin, wrinkles, blemishes, and other signs of aging tend to be more prevalent.
The best time to moisturize is right out of the shower (you know after exfoliating). This way it locks in the hydration and effectively replenishes your skin. Also, routinely moisturizing can help with some types of dry skin conditions. So, make sure that you moisturize frequently and that you chose the right moisturizer for your skin.
When it comes to your face, moisturizing is still important after cleansing. Your skin can become flaky and just as irritated if not cleansed then moisturized properly. Still, keep in mind that you must look for products that are right for your skin type. Also, look for facial moisturizers that are oil-free so you don’t clog your pores.
The EE 411:
There is a difference between lotion moisturizers and creams. Lotions are much lighter and can contain less oil than creams. Creams on the other hand are a lot thicker and contain more oil.
In choosing which to use for your skin, the key determinant should be your skin type. If your skin is naturally oily and doesn’t always need to be moisturized, it is better to use lotions than creams. However, if your skin is not naturally oily and you have cases of extreme dryness, you should be more inclined to use creams.
Remember, you can always overdo it. Overdoing moisturizers could lead to clogged pores. To avoid this, first find out what your skin type is and chose a lotion or cream that best suits you.
Share with Us:What are some compliments that you have received about your skin?
Keeping in mind that regular bathing helps to get rid of dead skin cells, the best way to do so is through frequent exfoliation. Exfoliation is the essence of skincare and spa treatments! It is something that you can do in or out of the shower. Its primary purpose is to remove dead skin cells which make your washing and cleansing easier and more effective.
To exfoliate properly, all you need is a loofah, exfoliating gloves, pumice stone or anything with effective scrubbing properties. This would also include an exfoliating body wash for in the shower or a body brush which can be used outside the shower. (For a “how to” on exfoliating, check out the EE 411 at the bottom of this blog!)
One great thing about exfoliation is that it leaves you with breathable skin! Have you ever gotten out of a nice shower or bath and still didn’t feel as if you were completely clean? You felt like something was missing and you didn’t quite know what it was. It is probably because you did not exfoliate. Next time try exfoliating and see if you can feel the difference!
Exfoliating, if not done regularly, could make it more difficult to get that clean skin feeling. What often happens when you bathe without removing dead skin cells is that they build up. This build-up can make you feel icky and sticky and requires intensive scrubbing. In some cases, the dead skin cells that build up can alter the way your skin looks and feel. When skin is exfoliated properly, it radiates with its natural vivacity. It is also baby smooth because you are allowing the new skin cells to strut their stuff!
Now remember, everything can be overdone. Keep in mind that exfoliation is only generally only need 2-3 times a week. If you overdo it, you could hurt yourself. People with oily skin should exfoliate more than people with dry skin. If done to frequently, it could irritate your skin and make it painful to touch, sort of like sunburn. So please, don’t be excessive.
The EE 411: How to Exfoliate Effectively
Warning: Do not exfoliate if you are sunburned—it’s a bad idea! Also, do not exfoliate if you have some other skin conditions that require you to be gentle on your skin.
Tools and products:
Look for an exfoliating product you like and trust. Believe it or not, salt, oatmeal and sugar are natural exfoliates. Be careful when using chemical options for exfoliates such as alpha-hydroxy acids and salicylic acid. They may be too harsh for your skin.
To exfoliate properly, all you need is a loofah, scrub brush, exfoliating gloves, pumice stone or anything with good scrubbing abilities.
Before the shower:
Before you hop in the shower, be sure to brush your skin. This helps remove lose dead skin cells and blood circulation. Also, don’t forget to brush is your feet too, no matter how much it tickles!
In the shower:
Use your exfoliating product and a loofah (or whatever trusty tool you choose) to scrub your skin. This will help demolish any left-over dead skin that you didn’t get with your first sweep.
Out of the shower:
Now, step out of the shower and moisturize (which is next week’s topic)! Your skin will come alive and feel refreshed!
Earth’s Enrichers- Let’s have “the talk”, you know, the talk about cleansing your skin. Your skin is the most important organ on your body because it protects your most vital organs in your body form outside contamination. This means that your skin has the job of encountering and defending your body from all of the harshest aspects of our environment which include germs and bacteria.
As you know, your skin produces its own natural oils and excretes toxins to maintain a healthy balance. These toxins are found in sweat, cold sores and acne. The best way to maintain the natural oils in your body is through cleansing. If this is not properly done, your skin could produce acne, cold sores, wring worms, etc.
One of the best ways to cleanse is in the shower. Showering removes more than germs, dirt, and bacteria. It also removes dead skin cells. Yes, I said it, dead skin cells. Your skin sheds every day, and it is important to remove it when washing so that it will not build up and clog your pores. As a rule of thumb, it is also important to wash and change your sheets regularly for this same reason.
Cleansing is also very important for make-up wearers. Leaving make-up on your skin can clog your pores and cause your skin to breakout. When your skin is oily or you leave water proof make-up on, you suffocate your skin. Always wash your makeup off once your day is complete and never go to sleep in it!
By cleansing your skin, you are helping it do its job without overworking it. Your skin can’t do it all by itself, it needs a little assistance. Remember, your skin is the first organ that meets bacteria and toxins. It is your body’s first step to defending your immune system so take very good care of it.
The EE 411
The flip side to cleansing- Look out when it comes to cleansing because there is such a thing as too much of a good thing and cleansing the wrong way. The fact that your skin produces natural oils is a good thing. However, drying out your skin to try to reduce the natural oils is not a good thing. The key is finding a balance and making sure that you do not over clean. The natural oils are in your skin to protect your skin. To keep them balanced chose a cleanser that works best with your skin’s needs. For example, if your body doesn’t produce a lot of natural oils, look for products that will not dry out your skin. Look for products which will moisturize and enrich your skin. This means try to avoid products with sulfates or high alcohol content.
The same goes for cleansing the wrong way. Your make-up needs to be removed properly. If it is water proof, it will be hard removing it without a special cleanser. In selecting one, keep in mind your skin’s needs. Maintaining your facial skin’s health is important because it gets a lot of action: make-up, kissing, sweating, hands and hair touching, etc. If you don’t take care of your facial skin, it can end up greasy and potentially break out from all of its interactions. It is quite sensitive at times, but never fear, there is always a perfect cleanser for you near!
Tell Us: What’s your skin’s story? Is it sensitive or naturally too oily? How do you maintain your skin’s health?
Welcome Back Earth’s Enrichers! The school year has officially started and it’s time for some fun and beneficial skincare education. Don’t worry, we won’t lecture you, but let’s look at why we do what we do to our skin. So, let’s begin, why is skincare important? Seriously! Let’s think about it.
There are certain regiments that we practice as our signature skincare routine. Although it’s not always in the same order, we cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, apply sunscreen, use shaving cream when shaving, and wash our hair. Have you ever thought about what happened if we didn’t do some of these things?
If we didn’t perform healthy skincare practices, we would weaken our most prominent protection against the environment (not to mention we’d be quite smelly as well). Proper skin care helps strengthen our body’s largest organ. For instance, if we don’t clean our skin we leave it exposed to germs, infections, and bacteria that could break our skin out. This could also cause long term damage.
During the course of the next few weeks, we will talk more in depth with you about the importance of the following skin rituals: cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, applying sunscreen, the pros and cons of using shaving cream while shaving, and washing our hair.
The EE 411
Although skincare is quite important, it can be too much of a good thing. Say you love peanut butter and you eat it every day, sooner or later you will begin to rethink your desire. The same goes for over cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, applying sunscreen, shaving and even washing your hair in some cases. By overdoing even one of these things you could irritate or damage your skin. The key is knowing your skin and how to balance your regiment.
Tell Us:What are some of your skincare routines that you can’t live without? For instance, moisturizing your hands before you go to bed.
Yes we are—USDA organic, all-natural, handcrafted, cruelty- free, non-GMO, vegan*, and gluten- free* (*Except for Honey Granola which is in the process of a makeover. It will become gluten- free soon!)
Last week we talked about skincare ingredients that have harmful effects to your skin. This week we will talk about the aspects of our soaps that care for and nurture your skin. Remember, we know what it’s like to have sensitive skin and have some elements in the average soap break you out. We know what it’s like to have skin irritation and can’t find skin care products that won’t irritate your skin further. We also know what it’s like to use an organic soap and have it not meet your expectation. So, we have used our experiences and homework to make our soaps with you and your skin in mind.
The EE 411
We at EE offer USDA certified organic soaps that do not contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petroleum, artificial coloring, artificial fragrances, or artificial preservatives. Instead our products are handcrafted, USDA organic certified, all-natural, cruelty- free, vegan* and gluten-free* (*except Honey Granola).
USDA Organic Certified
First, what does it mean to be organic? It means that the product does not contain any genetically modified organisms, synthetic ingredients, chemicals, pesticides, etc. In other words, everything is grown in a natural, un-tampered environment.
Second, how does the USDA National Organic Program recognize products that are USDA organic certified? In order for products to be recognized as USDA organic certified they must contain 95% certified organic ingredients or greater. To obtain the ‘USDA Organic’ title, a Government certified agency must check and make sure that the manufacturer fulfills all of the requirements of the USDA organic standard.
Third, how do you know if a product is USDA Organic certified? Simply look for the USDA organic seal on the product. This is a circular seal that contains the words USDA organic. Check out the picture at the top of this blog.
All- Natural
All-natural means that the product doesn’t contain any chemicals or lab made preservatives such as parabens, sulfates, artificial preservatives, phthalates, artificial coloring, etc. At Earth’s Enrichments we have found natural ingredients to these unhealthy choices. Mother Nature equips us with natural ingredients to be used as preservatives and repellants. The trick is finding out her secrets—for instance, some herbs can be used as a bug repellent. Likewise, salt can be used as a natural preservative. Check it out! You’d be amazed at what some of the things in your fridge and cabinets can do for you.
Handcrafted
Handcrafted or handmade means skillfully made by hand. Like our products, when your favorite products say ‘handcrafted’ it means made by people and not machines. In other words, each product is specially fashioned with you in mind. With us, each bar has its own personality and is uniquely designed.
Vegan
A vegan product means that none of its ingredients or products were taken from any insects or animals. Just in case you have forgotten, this would include bugs, critters, and creepy crawlers. This would even include the bees that make your honey.
Cruelty- Free
Cruelty free means no animals or any living creatures were harmed in the making of a product. When we say our products are cruelty free, we mean it! No lipstick on dogs or sulfate ridden shampoo on kittens. In our case, no bees were harmed during the making of our Honey Granola bar soap. We do not condone any testing of products on animals.
Gluten- Free
Gluten is a type of protein that produces elasticity in dough. It can be found in cereal, grain, and wheat. Although it is naturally found in grain and wheat, it is also a popular allergen. It can affect people with allergies to grain, wheat, or those who suffer from Coeliac Disease (unable to digest gliadin, which is in Gluten).
Therefore, when a product says it is gluten free, it contains no traces of gluten.
Non GMO
GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. It refers to products that are scientifically tampered with in anyway to make them last longer, taste better, or look more appealing. This often includes fruits, vegetables, meats.
Share with Us: What other positive benefits would you like your skincare to have?
At Earth’s Enrichments we felt that it was time to give you detailed insight into why our body bars are made the way that they are. We did lots of homework and studied the best ingredients for your skin. In doing so, we have avoided using some harmful compounds and chemicals in our soaps. Here’s what we have excluded– our body bars have absolutely no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petroleum, artificial coloring, artificial fragrances, nor any preservatives.
These above ingredients have been known to produce harmful effects to the skin and can result in discomfort. We know what it’s like to have sensitive skin and have some elements in the average soap break you out. We know what it’s like to have skin irritation and can’t find skin care products that won’t irritate your skin further. We also know what it’s like to use an organic soap and have it not meet your expectation. So, we have used our experiences and homework to make our soap with you and your skin in mind.
The EE 411
We at EE offer an all-natural and USDA certified organic soap that does not include parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petroleum, artificial coloring, artificial fragrances, or preservatives. Below are brief descriptions for each chemical and the possible effects that they can have on your body. We encourage you to do your own homework and look more into them. You will find it quite interesting!
Parabens
Parabens are a compound that is made to chemically preserve cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. They were made chemically as a cheaper alternative to natural fungicides and bactericides such as grapefruit seed extract (GSE).
Although they may be a cheaper alternative, with constant usage they can have some, both minor and major, health risks. Parabens have been found in breast cancer tumors and are known to mimic estrogen. Although there is not a correlation between cancer and parabens, the ability to mimic estrogen could be responsible for early puberty in girls.
Sulfates
Sulfates are mineral salts that contain sulfur. It is used in food, beverages, hair and skin care products. It has been known to dry out the skin and scalp causing it to become itchy. Also, if it gets into your eyes, it can irritate them (remember what happens when you shampoo). Substantial exposure to sulfates can cause diarrhea, intestinal pain, and a bit of a decrease normal stomach acidity.
Phthalates
Phthalates are actually plasticizers which gives substances it is added to flexibility, longevity, and durability. This means phthalates add plastic to whatever it is in. This includes deodorants, nail polish, hair spray, perfumes, lotions, creams, and powders), and baby products. Its main function in lotion is to help penetrate the skin and soften it. It also helps maintain the fragrance.
When used in skincare products it can be absorbed through the skin, entered into the bloodstream and traces can be found in urine. It can even be found in the urine of infants whose mothers used skincare products with phthalates during pregnancy. Substantial amounts of phthalates are known to cause hormone imbalances and birth defects.
Petroleum
Petroleum is a highly flammable liquid that contains hydrocarbons, some molecular weights, crude oils, and other liquid organic compounds. When we say organic compounds we mean fossil fuels (the main ingredient in this are dead organisms).
Short term effects of crude petroleum hydrocarbons can be respiratory problems, depression, anxiety disorder, and other mental disorders.
Artificial Coloring
Artificial coloring can be found in lotions, shampoos, soaps, and other such products and can contain certain amounts of metal allotments. Some of those metal allotments could consist of arsenic, lead, and mercury. These metals are known to cause gastrointestinal (orally taken), and could contaminate the skin.
Artificial Preservatives
Artificial preservatives come in many forms like nitrates, sulphur dioxide, sulfites, and parabens. They are highly allergenic, toxic, and are known to cause tumors. Some of these artificial preservatives can also contain small amounts of formaldehyde. This can irritate the skin, cause cancer, and could even damage the nervous system.
Artificial Fragrances
Artificial fragrances are often made using petrochemicals (natural scents mixed with petroleum). They can irritate the skin, aggravate asthma, and cause nausea, mood change, depression, lethargy, restlessness, irritability, memory lapses, and the inability to concentrate.
Tell Us: Can you feel the difference in your skin when you use products that do not contain any chemicals? Give it a try!
Exercising or practicing new healthy habits– the summer of fitness! After all your running around and working out, you deserve a soap that keeps up with your rigorous routine. As you feel the burn while training, you will feel the tingle of revitalization while you shower. Introducing Chai La Tea the ruling body bar of that get up and go feeling that we call life.
Chai La Tea is a burst of calm with a dash of sizzle. As this bath and body bar cleanses, it nourishes and revitalizes the skin. With the robust combination of chai and cinnamon, it will leave your skin feeling young and vibrant.
Our organic coconut oil based body bars give you the best skincare that soap can provide. Made with natural nutrients, these bars will revitalize your skin and keep it healthy, moisturized and smooth. Our USDA certified collection leaves you with no questions of how serious we are about enriching your life with the finest organic skin care products available.
The EE 411:
In carrying theUSDA Organic Seal it is guaranteed that this soap contains at least 95% organic ingredients and meets the highest processing standards as defined by the USDA. This bar contains NO Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Petroleum, or Artificial Coloring! It is Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Cruelty-Free.
Why Chai Tea is the chosen one? – Substantial antioxidant nutrients which are great for the skin
Why cinnamon makes you sizzle? – Brings oxygen and various nutrients to the skin’s surface – Assists in drying out acne – Exfoliates skin
Tell us: If you could drink your favorite tea anywhere in the world with anyone, where would it be and who would it be with?
Hey Earth’s Enrichers!
