Nourish Your Skin - Intelligent Nutrients · Nourish Your Skin W ... Purifying Clay Mask, and...
Transcript of Nourish Your Skin - Intelligent Nutrients · Nourish Your Skin W ... Purifying Clay Mask, and...
54 Spirituality & HealtH / May~June 2012 / SpiritualityHealth.com
Nourish Your SkinNourish Your Skin
We all know that our skin is our largest organ, and we also understand that nicotine
patches and the like feed drugs directly into our bodies and bloodstream — and yet we
still continue to pay little if any attention to what we rub onto our skin. We eat organically,
we drink organically, we clean our homes and feed our pets organically — and then we
carelessly coat ourselves with chemicals, as if they don’t seep in. They do!
I’ve tested thousands of products over the years and have judged numerous beauty
awards, and I cannot stress enough the importance of reading your labels. If you’re
curious and serious about learning what goes into your products, check out Skin Deep, a
comprehensive cosmetic database created by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the
Environmental Working Group (safecosmetics.org). You’ll find nearly 70,000 products
that have been analyzed for safety. In the meantime, here are 21 natural product companies
that put botanicals to good use.
The Best Natural Products, Herbs, and At-Home Recipes for Radiant Glow
By Mary Bemis
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Alba BotanicaAlthough you’ll find everything from hair care to sun care at this natural
products company, we like the Rainforest Collection (try the Foaming Cream
Cleanser), with its exhilarating tropical ingredients like copaiba, derived from
the ocotea tree. Bonus: the company donates a portion of each product sold
from this collection to the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and
Research. (albabotanica.com)
AmalaWe’re partial to the facial masks (Rejuvenating Collagen
Mask, Purifying Clay Mask, and Hydrating Yogurt Mask) of
this NATRUE-certified line that formulates its products with
the highest possible concentration of certified organic and
wild-crafted plant ingredients. Founder Ute Leube recently
was nominated for the 2012 Veuve Clicquot Business
Woman of the Year award. Nice touch: the company gives
back 5 percent of its annual operating profits to the global
Fair Trade farm network. (amalabeauty.com)
Angelina Organic SkincareOwner Angelina Swanson wild harvests herbs and makes her own infusions for
her nourishing products using local, organic, and Fair Trade ingredients. The top
seller is the Youth in Bloom Phyto-Active anti-aging facial line that includes a
Chinese mushroom extract and goji berries to help hydrate and firm naturally.
Try the Extra Firming Eye Gel, a customer favorite. (angelinaskincare.com)
AromafloriaFounder Sharon Christie is an unusual blend of scientist, earth mother, and
aromatherapist, launching the company in the mid-1980s. Today, all of the
products are created in a USDA Certified Organic manufacturing facility and
formulated with organic essential oils, medicinal herbs, exotic botanicals, and
Fair Trade ingredients. This is an extensive brand with many lines. We’re fans
of both the Sensory Fusion line and the Organics line (we recommend the
Lavender and Chamomile Mineral Bath Salts). (aromafloria.com)
Dr. Bronner’sThis family-run company has been making soap since 1858 (regularly giving
back to worthy causes and charities worldwide), and introduced Dr. Bronner’s
Magic Soap to the United States in 1948. The all-in-one castile soap became
a cult favorite in the 1960s, and today the brand is a leader in the organic and
Fair Trade worlds, having launched the Truth in Body Care campaign, among
other good works. Products are Fair Trade and USDA Certified Organic and
offer a variety of almond, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender-infused bath
and body products. The Lavender Hand Sanitizing Spray comes in a handy
2-ounce bottle, perfect for travel. (drbronner.com)
Dr. HauschkaDr. Rudolph Hauschka,
whose mission was to “heal
humanity and the earth,” founded this line in 1967. The brand has made a name
for itself by using natural botanicals that come from the WALA biodynamic
gardens in Germany and that are obtained through a unique holistic concept.
The products are BDIH and NATRUE certified. Two best-sellers: Rose Day
Cream and Rosemary Bath. (drhauschka.com)
Eminence Organic Skin Care“Our mission is to provide the most results-oriented skin care
using the finest ingredients Mother Nature has to offer,” attests
Boldijarre Koronczay, president and founder of Eminence. A
popular spa brand, the company has set itself apart from its
competition by working closely with Demeter, the only global
certifying body for biodynamic agriculture and products
(see sidebar). Of note is the Beyond Organic Collection of
biodynamic products, which includes two products — the Herbal
Recovery Gel and the Cornflower Recovery Serum — that bear
the Demeter-certified seal, making them the first and only Demeter-certified
biodynamic skin-care products in the United States. (eminenceorganics.com)
Essence of ValiLaunched in 1994, out of a charming townhouse in New York City’s West Village,
this line includes ten essential oil blends that address a variety of concerns,
including Balance, Fortify, and Passion. The first product, named “Sleep,”
created by founder Valerie Bennis, continues to be the most popular. It’s a
synergistic concentrate of essential oils of lavender, marjoram, cedarwood,
and ylang-ylang. “One drop on the pillowcase is all it takes to ease into a
peaceful sleep,” shares Bennis. Choose from mists, balms, and massage and
bath oils. (essenceofvali.com)
Violet Syrup “This is a great syrup for spasmodic coughs or to lift the spirits,” says its creator, Jane Hawley Stevens of Four Elements Organic Herbals, who also warns, “Violets can cause apoplexy, although some use the flower for this reason!”
In a small pan over medium heat, mix 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water. Simmer to dissolve, turn off heat, and immediately add 1 cup fresh-picked violets; let sit for 1 hour to overnight. Strain violets, then bottle, and label and date.
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Farmhouse FreshThis Texas-based company offers a number of
hand-assembled, natural skin-care products with
an emphasis on bath and body. We’re fans of the
One Fine Day Flawless Face Polish with good-for-you
ingredients that include sugar grains, shea butter,
sunflower seed oil, and grapefruit, lemon, lime, and
tangerine oils that contribute to its uplifting scent.
(farmhousefreshgoods.com)
Four Elements Organic HerbalsLocated in the pristine Baraboo Bluffs of central Wisconsin, this line of herbal
wellness products is handmade by local women on a 130-acre certified
organic farm. We met founder Jane Hawley Stevens at the Integrative Health
Symposium in New York City four years ago and have been enamored of her
violet-based products ever since. She shares one of her recipes with us here.
(fourelementsherbals.com) Violet Syrup recipe on opposite page.
HollyBeth’s Natural LuxuryThis is a lovely line of USDA Certified Organic products that are made with
love and passion in HollyBeth Anderson’s studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Stand-
out products include the Rose Geranium Face Moisturizer, Lavender Hand
Cream, one of the best eye creams we’ve tested, and a collection of lovely
aromatic candles. (hollybeth.net)
Intelligent NutrientsWe’ve had our eye on this brand since its founder, Horst Rechelbacher,
renowned environmentalist and founder of Aveda, first started playing around
with it, slowly introducing products in the 1990s. Now, it’s a full-blown USDA
Certified Organic health and beauty brand that’s making innovative leaps
in the organic beauty category. Many of the plants used as ingredients are
grown on Rechelbacher’s solar-, wind-, and geothermal-powered organic
farm in Wisconsin. A few of the results-oriented products we admire: Plant
Stem Cell Renewal Complex, featuring ingredients from a proprietary blend
of antioxidant-rich plant cells from edelweiss, coneflower, and pennywort, as
well as Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss. (intelligentnutrients.com)
Jurlique This leading Australian skin-care company launched in 1985 and operates
a 153-acre farm that’s certified organic and biodynamic by the National
Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA). Its mission is to
produce the most effective natural skin care, using the most potent organic,
biodynamic, and natural ingredients available. Cult favorites include the
Rosewater Balancing Mist and the Calendula Cream. (jurlique.com)
Marie Veronique OrganicsWe fell in love with this small company after a facial we had at Solage Resort
and Spa in Calistoga, California. Developed by Marie Veronique Nadeau, a
former chemistry teacher, and her daughter, physicist Dr. Jay Nadeau, the
goal was to create a skin-care line that would allow women to age not only
gracefully but naturally. Ingredients are Fair Trade, organic, and locally grown,
Herbs for At-Home Beauty TreatmentsWe asked Trisha Shirey, the director of Flora and Fauna at Lake Austin
Spa Resort in Texas, to share a bouquet of her favorite herbs for
homemade spa treatments. Here is her fragrant pick.
Bay leaves are stimulating and soothing.
Calendula flowers are soothing for dry skin.
Chamomile flowers contain a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient called azulene. it calms and soothes itchy, irritated skin. a good addition for a child’s bath.
Ginger root may be grated using a Microplane grater and added to baths to stimulate skin, increase blood flow, and energize the body. it also can be added to coconut oil for a stimulating and mildly exfoliating skin scrub. Ginger tones and softens the skin.
Horsetail or Equisetum is a mineral-rich astringent. Good for skin toning and improving hair and nails.
Lavender is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and healing for the skin. it relaxes you, calms nerves, and aids in getting a good night’s sleep.
Lemon balm is cleansing and sedating.
Marjoram is a decongestant and is invigorating. it aids with muscle pain and strains.
Rosemary is stimulating and refreshing to add to baths and hair rinses. a good choice for baths for sore muscles.
Rose petals from your organically grown roses add a nice fragrance to any bath or body treatment.
Sage is antiseptic and astringent and deeply cleansing for the skin. it is especially good for oily skin.
Spearmint and peppermint are cooling, anti-inflammatory, and very refreshing. they contain menthol, which stimulates blood flow. Peppermint is stimulating and invigorating.
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Make-at-Home Recipes, Fresh from the Garden into your BathPick your own herbs right out of your garden, or purchase them at your local co-op or grocery store and start experimenting! There are numerous ways to enjoy
the healing power of herbs in your everyday health and beauty rituals. We’ve gathered a handful of easy at-home recipes from the pros to inspire you, beginning
with these four wonderful bath recipes created by Trisha Shirey, director of Flora and Fauna at Lake Austin Spa.
Basic Bath Infusion4 cups fresh herbs, or2 cups dried herbs of choice1 quart boiling water
Add herbs to boiling water. Stir, cover, and remove from heat. Allow to steep for 10 minutes, strain, and add to bath.
Sore Muscle Bath Blend2 cups fresh rosemary½ cup fresh sage ½ cup fresh eucalyptus leaves½ cup fresh bay leaves2 TBL allspice berries 1 cup fresh peppermint1 cup fresh comfrey, chopped 1 TBL whole clovesOne 4-inch piece of ginger root, cut to
¼-inch slicesPrepare according to Basic Bath Infusion directions. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt, 1 cup cider vinegar, and ½ cup of bentonite clay to the bath water when adding the herb tea. Stir well and soak for at least 20 minutes. Rinse skin with clear water after the bath.
Sample Bath Bag Blend¼ cup powdered milk ¼ cup Epsom salt½ cup dried herbs of choice ¼ cup of sugar10 drops of essential oils of choice
Stir together and place in a muslin bag (four-by-six-inch muslin bath bags are available from Elements Bath and Body, elementsbathandbody.com), or in several layers of cheesecloth secured with a rubber band. Add to the tub, and add hot water to steep the bath tea bag for several minutes before enjoying your bath. Use the softened herb bag to gently exfoliate the body. The entire bag may be added to your compost pile after use. Seal unused bath bags in a glass jar for up to several months, if desired.
Skin Softening Bath BlendGrind these ingredients in a food processor until coarsely processed:
¼ cup oatmeal (rolled or minute type) ¼ cup milk powder ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ cup herbs of choice
Add:10–15 drops essential oils of choice
2 TBL honey 2 tsp body oil of choice
Combine and add to a bath bag. Steep for a few minutes, covered in hot water in the tub. Add remaining water to bath and enjoy. Use cold tea bags (green tea or chamomile) over your eyes as you enjoy your bath. (Do not store bath bags if using oils or honey in them.)
Strawberry Seed Body Scrub This delicious natural scrub comes from Yael Alkalay, creator of Red Flower. Mix:
½ cup baking soda ¼ cup distilled water
Stir until blended. Add:1 cup brown sugar 5 well-mashed strawberries1/3 cup olive oil.
Stir until smooth. To thicken, add raw oatmeal until texture is rich and firm.
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whenever possible, and the company donates 10 percent of profits to organizations
dedicated to helping women and children in Third World countries. Of the many
products, Every Day Sheer Coverage is favored by many for its anti-aging and sun
protection qualities. (mvorganics.com)
Nature GirlA fun and quirky skin-care line
founded by Nanette Pallrand,
who developed a special
appreciation for nature
during her extensive travels,
spending several years in Brazil.
The country, she says, “Truly gave me
an appreciation for nature because of its sheer beauty and the overwhelming
diversity of plants and flowers.” Nature Girl uses natural, organic, and wild-
crafted ingredients that are cultivated on small family-run organic farms. A few
of our favorites: She Dreams in Green organic bath salts and I Am Plant oatmeal
exfoliating face mask. (nature-girl.com)
Naturopathica Holistic HealthFounder Barbara Close is a Renaissance woman — aromatherapist, herbalist,
esthetician, and product formulator, she founded a healing arts center 15 years
ago. Her results-driven product line soon followed and is certified natural and
organic by EcoCert. Ingredients are carefully sourced from local farmers and
herbalists, and best-selling products include the Aloe Cleansing Gel and the
Carrot Seed Soothing Serum. (naturopathica.com)
OseaThis line is rich in essential oils and USDA Certified Organic algae and seaweed and
was lovingly created by Jenefer Palmer. A former massage therapist specializing
in energy work such as polarity and cranial sacral, she also was a spa director.
During this time, she became disenchanted with the products she was putting
on guests’ bodies, learning that what you see in a bottle all too often is not what
you get! She took matters into her own hands, founding Osea after 11 years of
development. Cult favorites include Salts of the Earth body scrub and Ocean
Cleansing Mudd. (oseamalibu.com)
Pevonia BotanicaOne of the first brands to cater to the spa market, Pevonia
was founded in 1991 by Sylvie Hennessy, a serious skin-care
educator who also established the Academy of Esthetics
and Spa Therapy. This is a huge brand that includes a
number of lines for all ages and skin types and prides
itself on its focus on science and nature. Product to try:
the Aromatherapy Face Oils. (pevonia.com)
PrimaveraAlthough this German-based company (headquartered out of a carbon-neutral
facility) turns 25 this year, it was introduced to the United States only in 2011.
Products are all natural and certified by EcoCert and NATRUE. Cult products
include the Intensive Seed Oil Capsules (we don’t board a plane without them!)
and the Moisturizing Lip Balm, rich in neroli cassis. (primaveralife.com)
Red Flower NatureYou may recognize the name Red Flower, a company that launched in 1999,
for its delicate signature petal-topped candles, but it’s come a long way since
then. Founder Yael Alkalay, who shares some recipes here, created the brand
to inspire a sense of living fully and celebrating life through the purity and
freshness of flowers. Nature is the name of the natural skin-care line made
up of six products that are just as good for the face as they are for the body
and are meant to consolidate skin-care regimens. Made with certified organic
ingredients sourced from Finland, they include waters that are pure flower
distillations and whole essential oils that are cold-press extractions. We love the
Organic Birch Mineral Hydrotherapy Soaking Plunge. (redflower.com)
See Strawberry Seed Body Scrub recipe left.
Weleda“Cultivators of beauty” is how this 91-year-
old company refers to itself. With 135
acres of biodynamic gardens in Germany
(and more spread from Switzerland to
New Zealand), it collectively grows more
than 300 healing herbs and flowers.
Named after the Celtic goddess of
wisdom and beauty, Weleda is NATRUE
and BDIH certified. Bestsellers: Rosemary
Hair Oil and Weleda Lavender Relaxing
Body Oil. (usa.weleda.com)
Wild BeautyFelecia Scott, whose family is a blend of African American and Chickasaw Indian,
founded this aromatherapy company using recipes passed down from her
grandmother. Since childhood, Felecia has been making ointment, balms, and
body oils with her grandmother, who taught her how to infuse flowers, roots,
tea leaves, and herbs into nutrient-rich oils. There are a number of delicious
handmade elixirs for the skin and hair from which to choose. The latest offering
is Oh My Aching and includes eucalyptus and rosemary to help ease minor aches
and pains. (wildbeautycreations.com)
Mary Bemis is the lifestyle editor of Spirituality & Health. She is passionate about healing spas and is a major voice for natural products and sustainability. She was founder and editor-in-chief of both American
Spa and Organic Spa magazines and has tested thousands of personal-care products over the years.
See our website www.spiritualityhealth.com for a listing of 50 more botanically based companies.