natural skincare Archives

Posted on March 11, 2014August 7, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Ear Health

Your senses are all very important: seeing, tasting, touching, smelling, and hearing! But for now, we’re going to focus on your ears which help you enjoy music, pay attention to your surroundings, consume information at work, and aid in many other aspects of life. Lots of things happen to your ears in a day. They are sometimes ignored, scratched, and get headphones shoved into them. Ears are sometimes so unappreciated. So, here’s to your ears and how to take care of them!

Let’s start with answering one of the biggest questions about ears: cotton swabs or no cotton swabs? It is important to understand that (say this out loud) ear wax is good! Ear wax is the ear’s way of protecting itself. To clean it all out is actually contributing to possible injury to your ear.

Ear wax acts as a natural antibiotic and water proofing agent. It keeps the water and germs out and away from your ear drum. Clearing out too much of it heightens the chances for an ear infection. Another thing you should know before we answer the big question is where exactly your ear drum is.

Objects are closer than they appear; your ear drum is close to the outside of your ear. This makes puncturing of necessary parts of your ear more likely than you think. Lastly, the ear canal, if cleaned improperly, can actually back up with ear wax and cause damage or impair hearing. Gives a whole new meaning to folks telling you to clean your ears when you couldn’t hear, remember that?

So here’s the moment you have all been waiting for! Evidence shows that cleaning your ears with a cotton swab may not be the best idea after all. Cotton swabs make the chance of accidentally puncturing your ear drum greater since it’s difficult to know how far you are reaching in.

When cleaning with cotton swabs there is a chance you could end up pushing the ear wax into the ear canals. This could lead to impacting them and then it would require professional help to de-compact them.

What is recommended to clean, when it comes to ears, is the excess ear wax. Excess ear wax, or overflow, can cause infections. Nothing smaller than a finger should generally go in your ear, and you shouldn’t need anything larger than that to clean off the excess wax. For more information on how to clean your ears, ask your doctor or medical professional; that way she or he can give you a method that best works for your ears.

The EE 411: Things to Know about Ears

Avoid cotton swabs
Generally nothing smaller than your finger should enter your ear
Itching inside the ear can mean over cleaning; consult an expert before irritation worsens
Ear wax is good! It helps keep your ears safe.
Excess ear wax could cause infection.

Here’s a fun fact: when you eat something sour or something extremely sweet there is a sensation that travels through the jaw and ends toward the ear, have you ever felt it? It happens because there is a branch of nerves that travels from your taste buds to mid-ear called the Chorda Tympani.

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments. Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog. More information about our company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!)

Posted on March 5, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Organic Health – GMO Behind the Scenes

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

One day you’re casually perusing around your usual market and you stumble across a product that says No-GMO. You think to yourself what is that? GMO? Does it have something to do with the military? Is it poisonous or toxic? Why No-GMO? To be able to answer these questions that this strange notation produces, you must first realize GMO is an acronym for genetically modified organism. How many of you knew that?

Genetically modified organisms are animals or plants that have been biotechnically altered for “better” appearance, taste, and/or longevity. This way, they combine aspects of different species and create something that cannot be created naturally. Whether GMO is natural or not is currently up for debate– it’s really quite a controversial topic in the industry.

GMOs are becoming increasingly popular due to the lack or over usage of some resources like plants. They were also deemed necessary to grow because of the need for successful crops.

Pests and the survival of crops have been problems for years, and GMO’s were a resolution to those problems—in other words, GMO products have been around, used, and eaten for years. It seems that research now has shown some concerns with ingesting or using GMOs.

GMOs have been connected to increases in weight, kidney problems, and liver problems. Also, in larger quantities of GMO foods, herbicides have been detected. Yet, all of this information is inconclusive since there hasn’t been any definitive research showing a direct connection between GMOs and these problems. Nor has the government actually ruled whether or not GMO’s are safe.

As far as effects on the skin, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has declared that there isn’t any evidence that GMOs negatively affect the skin. Some researchers have found inconclusive connections to Morgollens disease. As we say at EE, know your skin. Pay attention to the products you use and listen to your skin. If irritations begin to happen, notify your doctor or a specialist.

You should also learn your products. Research what may be GMO and what is not because many companies do not label it. Be aware that some products that say “all-natural” or even some products containing organic ingredients can also contain GMOs.

The EE 411:

Some companies do not label whether their product have or do not have GMOs. Here are a few ingredients that can be genetically modified:

Canola
Corn
Corn oil
Corn flour
Soy bean
Lecithin
Proteins that can come from yeast
Flax
Rice
Cotton
Wheat
Vitamin C
Citric Acid
Corn Syrup
Flavorings that are natural or artificial

There are many more products that can be GMO. The best way to make sure your food or skin care product doesn’t contain GMOs is to look for the USDA Certified Organic Seal or a specific “non-GMO” designation; those products cannot contain GMOs. To be careful, just to be on the safe side, some companies are cutting out GMOs, joining GMO- free companies such as EE.

When you have some free time, do a little research on your own. That way you can discover all the answers to your questions.

Share with Us: Anything on the list that surprised you? Or is there anything you’d like to add? What do you think about GMOs?

Posted on February 26, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Organic v. All-Natural Skin Care

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

As you begin or continue your quest to a healthier living, you will or have already come across the products with the labels “all-natural” and “organic.” These labels, although they are both products that are meant for healthy living, are very different. It is important to know the differences between them. This is for many reasons:

Lifestyle
Beliefs
Necessity or need

Also, for those of you that are new to the world of natural and organic skin care, the information can help you decide whether you’re team all-natural or team organic—there will be some of you who cheer for both teams.

Skin care products that are “all-natural” use ingredients that comes from natural resources. Basically, any resource that comes from nature, itself. They are minimally processed and do not contain any synthetic chemicals, yet some natural ingredients can be synthesized.

An example of this would be putting additional vitamins into a product that does naturally contain those vitamins. Let’s say for example vitamin E is synthetically created, and placed within a product. This product will have the benefits of vitamin E, but not the actual thing.

However, ingredients that are “organic” do not use natural synthetic replacements for natural products. They use the real natural deal derived from living organisms, water, and sea salt are not considered organic material because although it comes from natured it was not derived from a living organism. They also cannot be genetically modified (GMO’s) do not contain any chemical preservatives. This would include artificial flavors, etc.

There are carrying levels of organic products made with organic ingredients. A USDA certified product must contain at least 95% organic content; the company must also have its facilities, ingredients manufacturing procedures and packaging certified to make sure the process matches with the USDA requirements. A product can still be considered organic or contain organic materials, but basically without that USDA certification seal you are taking the company’s word for it. So, pay close attention to the labels and ingredients because it makes a difference.

A less restrictive level of “Organic Products” are those containing at least 70% organic content. These products can be described as being “made with organic ingredients” may and can contain synthetic chemicals, preservatives, or GMO. So, be careful and read what you use. You’ll be surprised at what you find sometimes.

As for lifestyle, beliefs, and necessity or need, these reasons contribute to helping you decide which team you’re on. If you don’t believe in the creation or use of genetically modified organism (like plants and/or food), then you may want to go the route of organic. If your skin does not “agree” with chemicals or synthetic ingredients and you don’t want to risk it with “all-natural,” you may want to go organic as well.

Lifestyle plays a big role in what you chose because this not only incorporates your needs/necessities but incorporates your accessibility or the amount of funds you are willing to extend towards all-natural and or organic skin care.

In some cases, you may find that organic skin care may be more expensive than all-natural skin care at the moment. Or that all-natural or organic skin care may still be too much. This is okay and understandable.

As we mentioned last week, companies are starting to realize that all-natural and organic skin care is what it needed. The rise of all-natural and organic skin care products has made accessibility to both worlds much easier. Now-a-days it’s becoming easier to not have to choose between the two. You can have both all-natural and organic, while looking out for the benefits you need for your skin.

The EE 411:

Organic Ingredients:

Defined as coming from living biological matter like plants.
Government regulated and certified
Contains no artificial or chemical anything
No GMO
No synthetic natural replacements like synthetic vitamins
Can be USDA certified

All- Natural Ingredients:

Not regulated in skin care
Cannot be USDA certified
Can be altered and contain preservatives
Can also contain perfumes and some chemical ingredients
May be more affordable and offer more product options

There are other healthy living skin care categories out there, did you know? Although, they are sometimes incorporated into organic and all-natural skin care they are not always recognized as their own categories. Mostly because the products can’t always satisfy all the requirements of each group. Other skin care categories are Vegan and Cruelty-free.

Some products may be all-natural and/or organic but still test their products on animals which violates the cruelty-free rules. Cruelty-free means not testing their products on animals, or causing harm to animals in the development of the product.

Then, in the cases of vegan, some all-natural and organic skin care products use ingredients that come from animals and other living creatures. This means that the product may be totally organic, drawing from natural resources that come from living creatures. This violates the rules of being a vegan product. Vegan products contain no ingredients that come from living creatures.

EE’s products are an example of the new found access to all-natural, organic, non-gmo, cruelty-free, gluten-free (except Honey Granola), and vegan (except Honey Granola). Try some body bars that can give the experience of all these traits and see how it makes your skin feel.

Share with Us: Are you team all-natural, team organic, or team both? Why?

Posted on February 19, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Organic Skin Care on the Rise?

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Over the years products, like skin care, have been made with the idea of efficiency and effectiveness. It had to work properly, which meant actually cleaning or moisturizing the hair or the skin, for example. To do this, some companies used chemically made substances that fulfilled the product’s primary purposes.

These products were also made to have a powerful, yet delightful smell of the customer’s choosing. Usually these scents were made from affordable and easily acquired materials like artificial scents which can be chemically based as well. The sort of ingredients that these companies turned to can have latent and sometimes extreme effects on the skin. Also, the customers could be allergic to these chemicals without knowing it.

To test the safety of these products for human beings, some companies turned to animal testing. That meant if the product was not safe for humans, then, well, you know what would happen. Over the years, research and discovery have linked certain skin care problems/health risks to certain chemicals in skin care like parabens, sulfates, etc.

Individuals also began to become concerned about their skin health. Noticing that some products they used seemed to only further worsen some conditions like eczema or create extremely dry skin. Thus, a need for products that contained better solutions for getting the job done became apparent.

Organic and all-natural skin care became a better solution for cleanliness and other needs, offering products that not only aid your skin with some irritants, but also keep and maintain its healthiness. For instance, oatmeal can help relieve the irritation of eczema.

So if you’re wondering why organic skin care is important and how it became so popular, think about the secure feeling you have washing your child in all-natural, organic, and safe ingredients that support your child’s skin and help keep it healthy. Or imagine the peace of mind you may have knowing that you don’t have to worry about the possible adverse effects of sulfates when you’re bathing with rosemary mint or chai tea. It’s a wonderful feeling, isn’t it?

The EE 411:

There are a whole lot of options now-a-days to find products that are all-natural or organic. There are blogs, websites, and whole companies dedicated to putting your needs first, like here at EE. There are also options and information out there that can give you alternatives in relaxation, hair care and skin care.

The best alternatives to helping maintain your health are eating well and exercising. Eating well pertains to taking in foods that will benefit your skin, hair, and internal health. Exercising helps regulate your body and keeps your body active. This maintains weight and emotional/mental health as well.

Take care of your body inside and out. Listen to your body and discover its likes and dislikes. Doing this could help you maintain/achieve great health. Of course, regularity is important too—no matter how much you may hate it.

Share with Us: Describe your stories and experiences with organic or all-natural skin care products.

Posted on February 13, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Organic Tea – Floral Tea Bouquet

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

On Valentine’s Day a bouquet of flowers is another nice gift to give to your loved ones, but did you know that some of those very same lovely flowers can come in a delicious, floral variety of teas? If you want to try something new and innovative this year, especially if your loved one fancies teas, we think a floral tea bouquet would make a perfect way to say “I love you.” This way you incorporate something into your gift that not only stimulates his or her senses, but also provides a healthy alternative to sugar filled treats.

There are many kinds of floral teas from lavender to rose bud. They provide assistance with many aspects of health including but not limited to aromatherapy. Imagine sitting in your favorite chair, surrounded by warmth, after a long day of work with a fresh batch of your favorite tea brewing.

The aroma wafting around you as it brews, and you indulging yourself in its welcoming fragrance. As you inhale, the long day is pushed aside and all troubling thoughts seem to evaporate. All of this and you haven’t even taken a sip yet.

Floral tea has a wonderful scent when brewed and some kinds have been recommended for stress relief like lavender, chamomile, and white chrysanthemum. Others are known for their empowering and robust fragrances like rose or rosehip.

Some floral teas have been prescribed by TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioners. For example, chrysanthemum tea is recommended as a natural coolant. It has also been used to help with sore throats, and some respiratory problems. It’s also naturally caffeine free.

In some instances, floral teas can be categorized as herbal teas. They also have a tendency to be mixed with other teas like green, oolong, or black. Also, as we always say, know your body. If you are allergic to pollen or a certain type of flower don’t try them or ask your doctor is it is okay to drink.

The EE 411: Floral Tea Benefits

Below are a few examples of floral teas and some of the health benefits they are known to possess. Remember, some of these health benefits being effective depends on varying circumstances and may not always provide you with the intended outcome. We encourage you to research more if you are interested and want to better understand the floral teas.

White Chrysanthemum– can contain Vitamin C, helps reduce some discomfort in colds (antiviral and antispirochetal), caffeine free, natural coolant, can help detoxify the liver, eases digestion, and helps relieve sore throats and respiratory problems.

Chamomile– a natural relaxant, helps achieve better sleep, helps ease stomach or intestinal problems, helps ease migraines (headaches), helps with stomach and menstrual cramps.

Hibiscus– helps reduce blood pressure, moderates cholesterol, helps with coughing, can relax muscles and upset stomach.

Rosehip– Contains Vitamin C, helps with colds, helps with stomach irritations, helps with weight loss, high blood pressure, constipation, and could help with some symptoms of arthritis.

Rose Bud– sometimes caffeinated, contains vitamin C, soothes nerves, and eases constipation.

Lavender– helps relieve indigestion and insomnia, can help with migraines, also can help relieve anxiety.

Be careful when trying new things, and remember there can always be too much of a good thing.

Also, just for your info check out our website for great Valentine’s Day sales. Save 15% on your entire order (placed between 2/1/14-2/15/14) plus get free shipping on orders over $49. Use the promo code: LOVE.

Share with Us: Do you have a favorite floral tea?

Posted on February 6, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Fruits for Your Valentine

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Love is in the air! It’s Valentine’s Day, are you planning anything special? Whether you’re sharing gifts or actually spending time with one another, Valentine’s Day is the perfect moment to do so! Aside from red boxes of chocolates, EE would like to share other red goodies that could symbolize romance as well as good health.

To keep your Valentine’s Day healthy and unforgettable, looking at other culture’s means of romance is a great way to discover riveting romantic tales and find tasty treats that are beneficial to your health. That way your treat for Valentine’s Day won’t be a guilty pleasure. One of the fruits that is represented as a positive symbol is an apple. The apple does more than keep the doctor away! In the Greek culture the apple can symbolize love and passion. A ticket to romantic happiness, if you will. In other cultures like the Chinese culture, it is a symbol of peace and is eaten around their New Year. So, this Valentine’s Day you could feed each other apples to set a peaceful, romantic mood.

Another fruit that represents multiple romantic notions and is quite perplexing in itself is the pomegranate. The pomegranate symbolizes passion. In some Indian cultures, it symbolizes prosperity and fertility. This is a great fruit to decorate the plate with and while you wait for the meal, snack on. Also, if you are not into wine, pomegranate juice is a great substitute for wine with a similar color and sweeter flavor.

Grapes and wine. Both interchangeably romantic as they symbolize a transformation from one good thing to another. In Greek culture, grapes symbolized fertility, which could mean abundance in many things. Then after feasting on grapes you and your loved one can move on to the wine. Although, this is about red things of amore (love), white wine is better for your teeth, but red wine also has great health benefits as well as a rich flavor. It is recommended to drink it through a straw. A perfect excuse to share a special moment with your loved one.

Last but certainly not least, the popular aphrodisiac the strawberry. It’s an aphrodisiac in Rome, France, and Greece. It goes great with champagne and even better with sugar, chocolate or sweet cream. This delicious treat would be great to share as an after dinner snack… a romantic end to a lovely evening.

The EE 411: Health Benefits

Here are few listings of health benefits to romantic red fruits:

Strawberry– Vitamin C, antioxidants, boosts immunities, promotes great eye health, helps fight cancer, helps fight wrinkles, reduces inflammation, helps regulate blood pressure, and boosts fiber.

Apple– helps whiten and make teeth healthier, helps protect against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, decreases risk of diabetes, reduces cholesterol, helps prevent hemorrhoids, irritable bowl, constipation, and diarrhea, and helps control weight.

Pomegranate– antioxidants, benefits the heart and blood vessels, lowers cholesterol.

Grapes– about 100 calories a serving, vitamins K and C, and full of antioxidants.

Wine– promotes longevity, reduces heart-attack risk, risk of heart disease, risk of type 2 diabetes, lowers risk of stroke, reduces the risks of cataracts, and cuts risk of colon cancer.

Share with Us: Do you have any red healthy treats for Valentine’s Day that you recommend?

Posted on January 29, 2014August 21, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Natural Skin Care – Remedies

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Time for a skin care trip to the past! Ever wonder how they came about? Skin care remedies have been passed down over the years. Remember all those stories that your mom and grandmom used to tell you about home remedies to help with your skin care? The truth is that there are a lot of similar remedies shared by many cultures with their children and their children’s children.

If you look at many organic or all-natural skin care products, you will notice that some of those ingredients that your loved ones told you about can be found in them. Some examples are honey, oatmeal, avocado, milk, and so on. Their benefits tend to vary and some can have multiple benefits.

Imagine way, way back then, having just finished a bath with your skin beginning to dry and become ashy; what do you think they would use? They might also have to worry about skin ailments like eczema, callouses, acne, and stretch marks/injuries on their skin. For most moisturizing situations, coconut oil would be very useful. For aliments that would need aid in healing or to ease the discomfort, aloe vera would be useful. Both are included in many organic skin care products today.

There are many other remedies used by people all over the world that help them maintain healthy skin. This would even include the way you eat. A healthy balance of both food and hygiene makes for a remedy of healthy living!

In some countries like China, they still practice their old remedies that have been passed on from generation to generation. Traditional Chinese Medicine or, as coined, TCM uses herbs and food for certain ailments. A specialist or YiSheng, would conduct a physical to assess your ailments then give you the proper dosage of herbs and a proper diet to aid in good health. This approach focuses around the concept of Yin and Yang, that healthy eating and hygiene (in the sense of taking care of yourself) helps balance out your health.

Really, if you think about it—good skin health should equal all around good health. Switching to organic or all-natural skin care should be the first step to better healthier decisions. So if you’ve already moved on to organic, all-natural products start thinking about incorporating healthier foods into your diet like fruits and vegetables. Remember, organic all-natural skin care products cannot fix everything on their own. However, they can be helpful in aiding in better, healthier skin by avoiding ingredients that could cause harm to your health.

The EE 411: Highlights on Remedies

There is no guarantee that these remedies will work or even be effective to any extent. As always, know your skin and body to protect your health. These are some highlights of old and new remedies:

Toothpaste- The mint in toothpaste is used to ease the pain of zits that have reached a painful point. Also, mint could be an anti-inflammatory.
Aloe Vera– Used on dry patches, and skin ailments like burns.
Honey, milk, avocado, or almond oil could be used as moisturizers.
Baking soda, lemons, or oatmeal could be used on irritated and itchy skin.
Black tea is used to clot blood (some dentist prescribe it to create blood clots after Wisdom Teeth surgeries).
Crème de Menthe could be used to help stomach nausea.
Apple cider vinegar could be used for acne (dry it out) and with honey may be used to help arthritis.
Sugar or brown sugar- with vinegar or honey was used as an exfoliant.
Ginger- used for colds and to soothe coughing and sore throats.
Alfalfa tea- used to help with arthritis.
Juniper- used by Native Americans on the surface of skin for irritating ailments.

If you are interested in more home remedies that go beyond skin care, check out Pioneer Thinking, where people share their own remedies and suggestions. Just remember though, that people suggest or share what works for them, and this may not be necessarily true for you. Like with Chinese herbal medicine, those specialist prescribe what’s best for you based on your needs, not everyone else’s. Take care!

Share with Us: What are some of your family’s remedies for skincare?

Posted on January 22, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Flammable Skin Care – Products on Fire

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Ladies and gentlemen if you look to your left you will see a product of beauty vastly known for containing alcohol and if you look to your right you will see another containing Ethyl Acetate– both of them are products on fire! Well known products such as deodorants, perfumes, nail polish removers, and especially hair sprays can contain high amounts of flammable ingredients. So much so, that if you- don’t try this at home; it is extremely dangerous—sprayed it on a candle it would produce a flame thrower.

The flammable nature of these products is not the only concern. Not only should you use extra precaution when using them, but they are also not very healthy for some types or skin. Flammable products can irritate the skin or dry it out (alcohol). When using perfumes and other products with these ingredients that are sprayable, try to avoid applying them directly on your skin. And of course, do not spray anywhere near a flame.

It is also important to realize, such as with hair spray, that once applied on your body or hair, these products can still put your body at risk. If you wear your hair down and you smoke or are head level to a flame, keep them far out of reach from your hair. The same goes with clothes. Especially for those that like to spray perfume and cologne generously on their clothing —you know who you are—take precautions not to get too close to the flame when cooking or when using a lighter.

When it comes to products that are used directly on skin like deodorant or even sunscreen (ironically), pay close attention to your skin. If you start to notice a change in your skin’s quality or health, you may need to study your products and select something else much more beneficial. What if you have been using these products the whole time? Challenge yourself! Try using organic, all-natural products and see if you feel a difference in your skin. It couldn’t hurt to give it a try.

The EE 411:

Here is a list of products that can contain flammable and/or hazardous chemicals:

Lotions
Hand soap
Make up
Hair spray
Deodorant
Nail polish
Nail polish remover
Fragrances
Hair color

Pay close attention to your products and as we always say, know your skin. If your skin is having difficulty with certain products, first, if it is breaking out or irritated you should consult a professional; second, you should make a switch to products that help benefit and nourish your skin properly.

Tell Us: What has been your experience with organic products that don’t contain flammable ingredients?

Posted on January 15, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Bathing Tools

Earth’s Enrichers

You know all those strange bathing tools like the sponge, the loofah or luffa, bath scrunchies, washcloths, brushes—have you ever wondered where they came from or their uses? There are so many bathing tools for so many different reasons like accessibility, specific skin care needs, and to cater to different skin types. Just like the different steps in skin care like exfoliating, cleansing, and moisturizing there are different tools to help you achieve these goals.

For exfoliating, there are the tools like the scrub brushes, hand gloves with the built in scrubbing materials, also the loofah (luffa). The designed purpose of the exfoliating tools is to help remove dead skin and dirt off of your body as you bathe. The scrub brushes can be used all over the body because of the different brush types that can be chosen to benefit particular types of skin. Unlike the loofah or hand/bathing gloves, you can find scrub brushes with varying types of bristle strength from soft to something a bit more bristly.

Loofahs have a rough, sand paper like texture and consistency when bought, but over time they tend to wear. Their original texture will begin to soften when used over and over. While fresh, they do get the job done, though.

For those of you that are more “hands-on”, the bathing gloves also come in different varieties. Some have scrub-like abilities and then others are just like washcloths. They are easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about dropping them while bathing. However, they do tend to snag and tear so if you wear jewelry when you shower or have long nails, this may not be the best option. Some of the bathing gloves are like mittens and others are like ordinary five-fingered gloves.

It is important, as we always say, to know your skin. So if you have sensitive skin, try using exfoliating tools with softer surfaces, and if you have less sensitive skin or need deeper exfoliation, try those with coarser surfaces.

There are other bathing tools for cleansing and moisturizing such as sponges, bath scrunchies, and washcloths. Sponge tools can come in dual sides (exfoliating and bathing sides) and then others like sea sponges are consistent in texture all around. This tool, like the scrunchie, is a relaxing bathing tool. It lathers up your choice of soap and gently massages it into your skin. This helps your cleanser do its job whether it is lavender, which helps relaxation or oatmeal which helps your skin regain its health and eases irritated skin.

Softer tools are usually used on sensitive areas that may have sores, sunburn, irritations, eczema, and so on but they are also for the delicate skin on your face. Washcloths are ideal for facial cleansing. They are soft and fold perfectly on the hands to allow easy wiping of the face. Also, soft brushes can be used to exfoliate the dead skin off of the face.

Using hard brushes to exfoliate the face or any sensitive area is not recommended because it could cause redness and irritation. Also, be careful not to over wash or exfoliate without properly moisturizing afterwards, especially in cold weather. Exfoliating can dry out your skin and moisturizing helps your skin protect itself. Another tool to help you achieve healthy, moisturized skin is the lotion applicator which help you moisturize your skin in hard to reach places like your back. You’d be amazed at some of the bath tools out there. They were made to help you achieve a perfect bathing experience.

The EE 411: Did you know that was once alive?

There are two bath tools that we mentioned previously that were once living. Don’t freak out, but can you guess which ones?

The loofah or luffa was once a seed pod of a plant native to Asia that was dried out and sold as body scrubbers. Talk about organic!

The sea sponge was an actual living creature. It was an underwater creature with pores that allowed water to travel through it. Ehaha, who knew, right?

Share with Us: What is your favorite bathing tool?

Posted on January 8, 2014August 9, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Organic Skin Care – Winter Routine

Good Winter Earth’s Enrichers!

This is the coldest part of the year. Do you have what it takes to complete the winter routine challenge? Each day during the harsh cold of the winter season, there is a routine to keep your skin healthy and give it what it needs to protect itself from the cold atmosphere. The goal of this winter routine is to keep your skin moisturized– that way it won’t become chapped or blistered.

Believe it or not, during the cold winter season your skin is introduced from one extreme climate to the next. When you’re outside it’s pure cold, maybe a harsh wind or two, and sometimes without enough moisture to help your skin. Then when you go inside to warm up, it can be too hot for your skin reducing the amount of its moisture.

There are routines that you can do to keep your skin hydrated and protected. The most important area of focus is the skin on your face. In the winter you are more than likely covered neck to toe in warmer clothes that shield your arms, legs, and sometimes hands from the harsher weather. Your face has to endure the whipping wind and extreme cold—so it should be your priority before you leave the house to have it properly moisturized.

To moisturize properly, look for moisturizers especially for your face that protect from the cold and also the sun! Even though it is freezing and it feels like the sun is on vacation, it is really still emitting rays that could negatively affect your skin, depending on the sensitivity. Look for moisturizers that contain sunblock. That way you add another layer of protection to your facial skin.

The usual morning routine consists of washing your face. During cold weather, it’s best to take extra precaution in your facial cleansing. Since the cold weather already has the capability of drying out your skin, try not to use cleansers that will aid in this. Instead, try looking for cleansers that do not contain sulfates or alcohol, which tend to dry out and chap skin.

Remember, your lips are a part of your face and they need their own special kind of care. When it’s cold it can be even more difficult to keep your lips from falling apart, so be sure to look for moisturizing lip balms or chapsticks that contain sunblock. That way your entire face is happy and you can show it through your lips with a perfectly comfortable smile.

Your hands are very important you, so it makes sense to keep them moisturized as well, especially if you don’t have gloves. That way you give your hands a fighting chance against winter’s scorn. Keeping them moisturized helps prevent abrasions (such as splitting of the skin due to dryness) and uncomfortable things like hangnails. Since your hands are one of the most busiest parts of your body, you might want to use creams to help keep them moisturized longer.

Outer beauty isn’t always all that counts; it’s inner beauty as well. Eating and drinking properly can keep your skin nourished. Other than moisturizing properly, you should drink lots of water. It helps keep your skin moisturized. It’s almost like your body’s back up plan against dryness. So keeping it fueled with enough hydration helps keep you looking young and refreshed, instead of dry and ashy.

Even though we highlighted a few areas that need the most care in this weather, it is important to moisturize all of your skin on a daily basis. That way your entire body is protected. So we challenge you to take up these routines in 2014 to shield your skin from the harsh elements of the outdoors.

The EE 411: General Steps

For keeping your face moisturized and ready for the day:

Wash your face using alcohol-free (sulfate-free, etc.) cleansers.
Use moisturizers that are beneficial for your skin type and contain sun protection
Avoid exfoliating when skin is dry or chapped; it could cause blistering. (If this happens, you should see a medical professional.)
Apply lip moisturizer (balm, chapstick, etc.) that is beneficial for your lips and also contains sun protection.

What not to leave the house without:

Lip balm (or chapstick, etc.)
Water bottle
Hand sanitizer
Hand cream
Gloves

Give your hands a hand! Moisturize them before you leave the house and after washing your hands when going outside. That way they can help you do the activities you do every day. Stay warm!

Share with Us: What are your winter routines to keep your skin protected?