The roots of current day aromatherapy are often traced to the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who plunged his hand into a bucket of lavender essential oil after accidentally burning himself. He was amazed at the rate of recovery and minimal scarring from the burn. Fascinated by his experience, he began to study the effects of essential oils on the body and used them in hospitals on soldiers during the First World War.
Listed below are the ingredients we use in our natural soap, lotion, and creams, as well as the benefits each is said to have.
Amber:
A warm smooth and sweet fragrance, rich with the undercurrents of fruit, spice and exotic floral overtones.
Argan Oil:
A light oil for dry skin. Argan oil is rich in vitamin E, or tocopherol, a fat-soluble vitamin that serves as a potent antioxidant to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals. May reduce signs of skin aging.
Arnica:
Said to help bruises to heal quicker, soothe inflammation, ease muscle pain, and alleviate stiffness caused by arthritis or other joint injuries.
Avocado Oil:
The beta carotene, protein, lecithin, fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E found in avocado oil help moisturize and protect your skin from damaging UV rays, and increase collagen. Avocado oil may also help heal wounds. The linoleic acid, oleic acid, and other monosaturated fatty acids in avocado oil can speed up wound healing.
Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate):
Great for exfoliating skin. Being antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce the reoccurrence of pimples, acne, and blackheads.
Beeswax:
It hydrates, conditions, soothes, and calms the skin without clogging the pores and preventing the skin from being able to breathe. Known to soothe itchiness and irritation, to nourish, and to soften dry, cracked, broken areas. Anti-inflammatory & antiseptic properties may help with healing.
Bergamot Essential Oil:
Rich in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. In aromatherapy it is a natural mood booster.
Blood Orange Essential Oil:
Great for reducing inflammation and boosting your mood.
Buttermilk:
Helps to lighten blemishes. It is good for cleansing and nourishing the skin, especially combination skin types.
Cupuasu Butter:
Great for smoothing skin, with its rich content of phytosterols to benefit dry, damaged skin, polyphenols to combat free radicals in the tissues, and fatty acids to protect and moisturize. It is rejuvenating, as well as improves the skin’s moisture barrier and offers true hydration for improved elasticity and anti-inflammatory activity. Well known for its ability to absorb damaging UVA / UVB rays for natural sun protection.
Cannabidiol (CBD):
Has the ability to penetrate deep into the skin, reducing pain and inflammation, and helping to heal wounds. CBD is a powerful antioxidant that prevents the drying of the skin, helps the healing process and reduces the amount of time wounds need to heal. CBD strengthens the skin’s natural defense system and its ability to regenerate, providing an excellent means of relieving and/or eliminating various types of skin ailments and medical condition.
Castor Oil:
Rich in ricinoleic acid, a monosaturated fatty acid. These types of fats act as humectants and can be used to moisturize the skin. Castor oil promotes wound healing, and reduces inflammation and pain. Do not consume during pregnancy.
Chamomile:
It helps relieve acne because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties coming from alpha-Bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It evens-out skin tone or brighten the overall complexion.
Citronella:
Invigorating, mental focus. Great for working in the yard, picnicking, and camping trips. Helps to keep mosquitos and ticks at bay.
Cocoa butter:
It melts at body temperature and works to naturally soothe dry, sensitive skin while reducing and preventing the appearance of scars and unwanted marks. Rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants that promote skin health and relieves the itching, chapping, or burning discomfort associated with pregnancy. Creating a protective barrier, cocoa butter’s saturated fats allow skin to retain its required moisture, on the skin for hours despite being easily absorbed. The polyphenols in cocoa butter are known to diminish the appearance of aging by enhancing skin’s moisture content, skin tone, elasticity, and collagen production. By deeply penetrating skin to offer intense hydration, Cocoa Butter boosts dermal circulation while facilitating the reparation of damaged skin as well as the growth of newer, healthier skin that looks and feels younger, softer, and smoother. Serves to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation.
Coconut Oil:
Hydrating and mild anti-bacterial properties, aids in moisturizing and skin cleansing.
Coconut milk/water:
Packed with vitamin C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6 as well as iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Incredible hydrating qualities and highly effective as a cleanser. Helps to control acne & premature aging. Cools the skin when sunburned, helping to reduce pain, swelling, and redness.
Colloidal Oatmeal:
Oatmeal ground to a fine powder. Said to be comforting for many skin issues.
CoQ-10:
Has properties that even the skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Supports ability to produce elastin and collagen. May reduce sun damage. Helps to energize cells to rid them of toxins. Soothes skin.
Dill Seed Extract:
Helps to reinforce skin elasticity and firmness, thus improving the overall appearance of skin. Due to the anti-microbial activity, dill destroys the micro-organism and prevents the destruction of beauty proteins.
Distilled Water:
Free of the minerals and additives found in typical bottled and tap water.
Emulsifying Wax:
Acts as a binding agent for oil and water, so that they can mix and blend together to make toners, lotions, and facial moisturizers. Helps to nourish and protect the skin.
Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate):
Soothes aching muscles, relieves tension, and treats skin conditions like acne. Very high in magnesium, which is an essential mineral for the body.
Fragrance Oil:
Not found in nature, but are created to replicate or expand favorite scents. We do use some fragrance oils because people love the scents. All of our fragrance oils are free of parabens and phthalates.
Phthalates:
A family of industrial chemicals used to soften polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastic and as solvents in cosmetics and other consumer products, can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.
French Green Clay:
For oily skin. Draws oils & toxins away from skin.
Germall Plus:
It is one of the most effective antimicrobials and inhibits the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and molds.
Glycerin:
A very effective moisturizer on skin. Your skin gets soft, supple and hydrated immediately on application. With aging, your skin also gets rough – but using glycerin regularly can make your skin smooth by filling in tiny cracks and prevent other problems associated with dryness. Humectants in glycerin attract water from air and keep water in your skin.
Goats Milk:
The lactic acid in goat milk serves as a very mild and gentle chemical exfoliate to clear away dead skin cells without abrasive contact.
Goat’s Milk Powder:
Goats milk is the only milk powder with all the essential micronutrients with the appropriate amount of concentrations without needing any additives. Some of these micronutrients include vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, D, and E. Goat’s milk contains traces of selenium, zinc, copper, and iron, which keep our skin nourished and healthy. Goat milk is rich in fat molecules (fatty acids), proteins, and it naturally contains glycerin which boosts its moisturizing qualities. It’s a natural emollient, and it gets quickly absorbed by the skin, creating a barrier that keeps it protected and smooth. Goat milk powder contains anti-aging, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties which all help with treating acne. Goat’s milk has high selenium content, which has been proven to protect the skin from UV rays. Selenium also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent cell damage and inflammation caused by UV rays.
Granulated Sugar:
A natural abrasive, sugar granules can help to remove dry, flaky skin cells and brighten tired, dull looking skin to promote smooth, healthy and flawless skin.
Lanolin:
Lanolin comes from the fleece of sheep. In the spring when sheep are sheared the lanolin is removed from the wool before the wool is processed into yarns. Moisturizing properties of lanolin can’t be beat.
Lavender Essential Oil:
Well known for its soothing, calming properties, lavender is wonderful for promoting natural healing time for burns, cuts, stings and other wounds. It’s jam-packed with antioxidant power. Lavender essential oil is analgesic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, decongestant, anticoagulant, deodorant, anti-toxic, diuretic, restorative, sedative, and nervine. Not for use during pregnancy.
Litsea Cubeba (May Chang) Essential Oil:
Energizing and balancing in aromatherapy. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, making it great for preventing acne.
Loofah (Luffa):
Great for gently exfoliating skin by polishing away dirt, pollutants, excess oil, and dead cells to enhance the look of the skin.
Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil:
Well known throughout Australia for its ability to promote natural wound healing, melaleuca also known as tea tree oil has powerful antiseptic properties. As a natural antiseptic, melaleuca oil supports healthy skin and reduces blemishes.
Menthol:
A harmless substance that causes a pleasing sensation that counteracts pain. it creates a pleasant diversion from pain or other irritations.
Olive Oil:
Contains antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin E which support skin elasticity, moisturizing properties.
Optiphen:
Paraben and formaldehyde free preservative used to prevent mold/microbe growth.
Patchouli Essential Oil:
Works as an astringent, making it useful in treating visible signs of aging, sagging skin, enlarged pores, varicose veins, and wrinkles. Patchouli oil stimulates the regeneration of skin cells.
Pumice:
Pumice stone is the end product of a volcano. It is a light-colored, very porous, aerated, frothy-like igneous rock that forms during explosive volcanic eruptions. Pumice can be ground into a mildly abrasive powder and used in soaps and scrubs as a natural exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, clean pores, and restore skin vibrancy.
Rose:
Sweet floral fragrance. May be helpful for dry, mature, or sensitive skin. May also be helpful for depression, helping deal with grief, PMS, nausea, & constipation. Not for use during pregnancy.
Rose Clay:
For dry skin. Cleanses, exfoliates, improves circulation.
Rosemary:
An antidepressant, decongestant, mental clarity that is great for soothing skin.
Sea Salt:
Antiseptic qualities, and when applied to the skin it may help kill bacteria and reduce inflammation along with any itching and pain associated with bacterial-related skin disease.
Shea Butter:
It is said to offer slight UV protection-highly recommended in after-sun care, because of its deeply moisturizing properties.
Sodium hydroxide (lye):
Caustic raw ingredient, lye soaps are perfectly safe to use on skin as long as they have been properly aged. It is a saponifying agent.
Spearmint Essential Oil:
Reduces pain, fights infections, reduces inflammation, cleanses, soothes sore muscles, tightens pores and skin, and alleviates headaches and fever. Stimulates the sebaceous gland to produce more oil making it great for dry skin conditions. Not for use during pregnancy.
Stearic Acid:
Fatty acid used as an emollient and emulsifier. It has been shown to protect skin’s surface against water loss and help shore up skin’s protective barrier.
Sunflower Oil:
The main chemical constituents are linoleic acid, oleic Acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Facilitates wound healing, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, soothes acne and reduces chances of future outbreaks, beneficial for use on acne-prone skin, slows the look of aging by sustaining skin elasticity and softness, maintains the softness, suppleness, and radiance of skin and hair, reduces the appearance of aging, such as premature wrinkles and fine lines, exhibits antioxidant properties, prevent joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain.
Wintergreen essential oil:
Works well as a pain reliever, speeds healing for skin disorders, and is an effective antiseptic. It is widely used in preparations for the relief of muscular or joint related pain, derived from sports injuries and/or arthritis. Not for use during pregnancy.
Ylang-ylang essential oil:
A floral jasmine like scent. Ylang-ylang essential oil is known to reduce stress and induce calmness. The aroma is exotic and rich, penetrating the vicinity and imbuing sensual and aphrodisiac sentiments. Ylang-ylang assists with hypertension, palpitations, rapid breathing, acts as a scalp tonic, acne, and fever, anti-depressant, euphoric.