Safe Cosmetics ~ Healthy Faces by Eve Organics

Epsom Salt and Lavender - A Beautiful Combination

Guest Blogger:  Pam Koskinen

The next time you're at the store pick up some Epsom Salt. You can find it near the health/beauty or pharmacy area.  For about $5 you can start reaping the benefits of this quietly kept little gem. Our family has been using it for years and have found it to be very versatile. 

Have sore feet?

Take some very warm water and pour some (2 cups per gallon roughly) epsom salt along with 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil into it.  Sit back and enjoy.  

Child feeling under the weather?

If so, put some epsom salt in the bath and let them soak in it.  You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil as well.  Epsom Salt has magnesium sulfate in it, which naturally acts as a drawing agent.  So, it will work hard to rid toxins from your body.  Adding lavender creates a calming and relaxing fragrance. 

Have a splinter? 

Try using an Epsom Salt paste and apply it to the skin.  The drawing action will help bring the splinter to the surface!

Any tidbits on Epsom Salt you'd like to add?  Post a comment below.

Introducing Eve Organics Eau De Parfum

It's finally here!  Eve Organics all natural eau de parfum (perfume).   Our perfumes come in a wonderfully moisturizing base of organic jojoba oil and fractionated coconut oil with artfully blended organic and therapeutic grade essential oils.

As with all of Eve Organics products, our perfumes have:

NO phthalates

NO artificial fragrance

NO sulfates

NO synthetic chemicals

NO glycols

NO alcohols

NO petrochemicals

We have six blends ~ 4 for women, 1 unisex and 1 for men.  Click to find out more about each one:  Earthy Girl, Flower Power, Sweet Love, Spicy, Androgeny, Chivalry

5 Ways to Use Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon* (citrus limon) essential oil has antiseptic properties and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function.  is inexpensive and can be used for a wide variety of applications!  WARNING:  Be careful with direct contact to the skin as it can be photosensitizing.  Don't expose skin to the sun if it has had lemon applied to it in the past 72 hours.

Make sure you are using therapeutic grade essential oils!  Any oil stating only for external use are not therapeutic grade and should not be used on the body.  The following tips that have to do with body application are only for people using therapeutic grade oils.  The household tips are ok to follow using other grades of lemon.

Following are 5 ways to use Lemon* essential oil:

1.  To sanitize counters, add 2-3 drops of lemon oil* to water in a spray bottle.  Shake well and spray over countertop and wipe (it smells great too!).

2.  A few drops mixed into a Tablespoon of olive oil and rubbed on cellulite improves circulation and helps to eliminate wates from cells.

3.  2 drops lemon oil*, 2 Tablespoons honey and 2 cups pure water mixed well makes a wonderful glass of lemonade.  (Adjust honey to taste)

4.  Add a drop of lemon oil* to the dishwasher wash cycle for extra squeaky clean dishes.

5.  1 drop lemon oil* on a q-tip is great for blemishes.

*As mentioned on the website and elsewhere in the blog, if you use essential oils, always use therapeutic grade essential oils.  Other oils can be contaminated with solvents used to express the plant oils.  These chemicals taint the essential oils and are absorbed into your body when the oil is applied.  To get the desired results without putting the body at risk with undesired toxins, use therapeutic grade essential oils (these oils are pure enough to ingest).  There should be not be a warning on the bottle saying "for external use only", except for the few oils that should never be ingested.

Reach for the Citrus Cologne!

 

 

 

Aromatherapy Trivia:

Did you know that according to Jackie Silver, author of Aging Backwards, research shows that men think that women that smell like pink grapefruit appear to be six years younger than their actual age?

Bring on the Citrus . . .

Breathe Better This Cold and Flu Season ~ Make Your Own Vapor Rub

This year's cold and flu season is upon us.  That said, it is inevitable that someone close to you (maybe even you) will have some form of a cold or flu in the near future.

By blending therapeutic grade essential oils and either inhaling them through a vapor rub (recipe below) or massaging them into the skin through a carrier oil, cold, flu and minor respiratory infection symptoms can be lessened.

Use approximately 10 drops total of essential oils per 4 Tablespoons of carrier oil (such as grapeseed, sesame, jojoba or olive).  If you are making this mixture for a child, only use 1 drop per 4 Tablespoons carrier oil.

3 Reasons Why Eve Organics Products Contain Essential Oils

If you've been following our blog and have read some of the information on the Eve Organics website, you can see a common thread to our posts and products . . . essential oils. 

I truly believe in the healing properties of essential oils.  The essential oils in our products are therapeutic grade (or hospital grade), the highest quality available.  Except for the few essential oils, such as jasmine, rose, and neroli, which are never safe for ingestion, therapeutic grade essential oils are always extracted by steam distillation or cold pressing, depending on the plant.  This grade of oil is pure enough to ingest.

I love to use this forum to give you all ideas on how to use these wonderful oils at home for other purposes, such as natural remedies, make-at-home skin care and other aspects of well-being, because after all, although Eve Organics provides skin care and makeup, we are not only made of skin and faces. 

I will continue posting periodically about ways you can use essential oils in every day life, because it works . . . that's how Eve Organics evolved.  It started with essential oils.

Eve Organics uses essential oils in our products because:

1.  For thousands of years, essential oils have been known to assist the body in healing itself. Different essential oils effect the body in different ways.  We use specialized blends in our skin care to promote skin health.  Each skin care line is formulated with essential oils to correct a specific skin condition: 

• Balance is for hormonal balance, formulated to keep the combination skin's balance between dry and oily and help with periodic hormonal breakouts.
• Clarity is for acne prone or oily skin, formulated to to keep the skin clear by killing bacteria and calming breakouts.
• Renewal is for dry/mature skin, to promote skin regeneration, help fine lines and wrinkles and lighten dark spots.

2.  Essential oils are natural preservatives.  Most are antibacterial, antifungal and/or antimicrobial.  This is how we are able to preserve our products naturally and safely, without chemicals, which are the culprit of many sensitivities and allergies. 

3.  We believe in bringing ourselves back to the basics.  Our bodies are so bombarded with environmental, household, and other types of toxins, that we believe that simplifying our routines and the products we use everyday may help our bodies fight off the irritants, pollution, chemicals and pesticides that we cannot control coming in contact with.

What do you want to learn about essential oils or what types of remedies would you like to try?  Comment here and we'll do our best to post about your interests!

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Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile is an essential oil used widely for skin care purposes. 

ORIGIN

Chamomile oil is distilled from the flowers of the chamomile plant, but the flowers are so small, stems are usually included in the process. 

Chamomile's countries of origin are Bulgaria, Spain, England and Hungary.

German chamomile produces azulene, a green-blue constituent produced from the distillation process and a potent anti-inflammatory.  This gives german chamomile its blue color.  If you find a german chamomile on the green side, the oil is no longer fresh; it's best to pass on it. 

German chamomile is best known for it's anti-inflammatory properties.  It's other specific therapeutic properties are:  anti-allergenic, anti-viral, and digestive.

Roman chamomile does not produce much azulene, resulting in a pale yellow color.  Its fragrance has the essence of apples, which is where the Spanish coined the name for roman chamomile "manzanita" or "little apple".

Roman chamomile is best known for it's help with dull, persistent pain.  It is gentle and effective for infants and small children.  Roman chamomile is also a fantastic skin care oil known for its calming, restorative qualities.  Other specific therapeutic properties are: analgesic (relieves pain), carminative (relieves flatulence), febrifuge (reduces fever) and stomachic (stimulates digestion).

All chamomile oils are known for these therapeutic qualities:  antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue (stimulates menstrual flow), hepatic (works on the liver), nervine (heals nerves) and sedative.

SKIN CARE USES

Chamomile is ideal on all complexion types.  The sedative and anti-allergenic properties of german chamomile help to heal and calm eczema and rashes on the skin.  All varieties of chamomile are great for eczema, puffy and inflamed skin, broken capillaries and skin irritations.

Blend with Melissa, Rose, Lavender, Cedarwood or citrus

TRY THIS

Roman chamomile is one of the best oils to use for PMS symptoms.  Make a compress with a washcloth dampened with warm water.  Add a couple of drops of chamomile and lay over abdomen when experiencing menstrual cramping.

A few drops of roman chamomile in a teaspoon of olive oil rubbed on the back of the neck can help with mood swings and weepiness associated with menstruation.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

 

It's been a while since I've posted on an essential oil and it's properties.  Sandalwood is one of my favorite oils.

ORIGIN  

Sandalwood has been used for perfumes and cosmetics since ancient times in China, India & Egypt.  It's beautiful wood has been prized by furniture makers; many temples in India are built from it.  Worshippers covered their bodies with a combination of sandalwood, rose, jasmine and narcissus.

The sandalwood evergreen grows in South East Asia, Indonesia and East India.  The syrupy oil is extracted from the chipped wood by steam distillation.  It has a rich woody odor and is used as a "grounding" fixative and lasting base notes in many expensive perfumes.

USES

Sandalwood has sedative properties, which work well for treating tension and depression.  It is an expectorant and anti-spasmodic; used for bronchitis, cough and nausea.  It has also been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for skin revitalization , yoga and meditation.  Sandalwood is considered an aphrodisiac. 

Blends well with cypress, frankincense, lemon, myrrh, patchouli, spruce, ylang ylang, neroli and rose.

TRY THIS

Make a compress with a washcloth, dampened with warm water and a few drops of sandalwood.  The sandalwood will regenerate cells and is wonderful for dehydrated or dry skin.

5 Reasons to Use Peppermint

Peppermint

Peppermint would be the second most versatile essential oil to own for everyday use.  Peppermint's qualities are the opposite of lavender.  Peppermint is invigorating and healing for the digestive system.  All essential oils have a variety of uses and one essential oil may effect individual people differently.  That's why it is important to kind of test oils on yourself to see which oil works best for your ailments.  Following are five ways to use Peppermint essential oil around the house:

1. Soothes.  Although most people don't realize there is a reason for their stomach remedies to be flavored with peppermint, there is.  Peppermint has been known for thousands of years to help settle an upset stomach, nausea and calm indigestion.  Just add a couple drops of peppermint into tea/hot water or directly on the tongue.  Just make sure you have therapeutic grade essential oils if you are to ingest them .
   
2. Energizes.  Peppermint has also been known for it's stimulating properties.  It wakes up the mouth in toothpaste and energizes tired feet in a foot bath.  By adding to water in a squirt bottle or atomizer and spraying the air, followed by inhaling it, you have an instant "pick me up".
   
3. Cools.  We all, if not now, eventually will experience uncomfortable hot flashes.  We cannot rid ourselves of them completely, but there are ways to help make them a little more bearable.  One of these ways is to use the ring finger to apply a drop onto the back of the neck, below the hairline.  Rub into the skin and you will experience an instant cooling sensation.
   
4. Eases Headache.  A quick way to stave off headache:  Go into a quiet place, mix a drop or two of Peppermint oil with a Tablespoon of clean carrier oil, such as sweet almond, apricot or fractionated coconut oil.  Using your middle and ring fingers on both hands, rub oil into temples and try to breathe slowly and deeply.
   
5. Ant Repellent.  Peppermint in a 1:1 mixture with water is a fantastic ant repellent.  Pour into a spray bottle and spray wherever you see the ants marching from.  It smells good and will keep ants at bay for almost a month before another application is needed.

Although there are countless ways to use peppermint, the five mentioned above encompass every day uses and is a must in the natural first aid kit.

*As mentioned on the website and elsewhere in the blog, if you use essential oils, always use therapeutic grade essential oils.  Other oils can be contaminated with solvents used to express the plant oils.  These chemicals taint the essential oils and are absorbed into your body when the oil is applied.  To get the desired results without putting the body at risk with undesired toxins, use therapeutic grade essential oils (these oils are pure enough to ingest).  There should be not be a warning on the bottle saying "for external use only", except for the few oils that should never be ingested.

 

5 Ways Lavender Heals

Lavender  

If aromatherapy interests you and you don't know where to begin, go no further than Lavender.  Lavender has always been the "go to" essential oil for aromatherapists, beginners and experts alike.  Lavender is mild, can be used undiluted on everyone, including babies, with no worries.  Although there are too many uses for Lavender to mention, following are five ways to use Lavender for common problems or ailments:

1. Relaxes.  Lavender best known characteristic is its calming properties.  It's well recognized sweet smell with woody undertone eases tension and anxiety, and assists the body to fall asleep.  Dab a little lavender into your temples, add a few drops to a warm running bath or humidifier for a restful sleep.
   
2. Soothes.  Lavender's also great at healing burns (whether they be sunburns or heat burns), cuts and scrapes.  Applied directly to a burn, lavender soothes the sting of the burn, while helping the body heal the burn, cut or scrape itself.  The antibacterial and antiviral qualities of the herb help keep the area clean, assisting in fast healing and prevents scarring.
   
3. Balances Oil Production.  Lavender is wonderful for the skin in that it helps balance oil production in a variety of ways.  A few drops added to shampoo helps with dandruff, OR a drop applied to an pimple kills bacteria/viruses and helps balance oil in the face.
   
4. Relieves Muscle Pain.  The esters and ketones in lavender give it anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve muscle tension.  Lavender added to massage oil helps relieve tired and sore muscles.  A few drops on a warm compress or massaged into the lower back assists in easing menstrual cramps.  Apply lavender to swollen or muscle spasms for pain relief.
   
5. Mood Regulator.  The ester compounds in lavender also help regulate the mood.  When inhaled, lavender, along with roman chamomile and others, helps regulate the hormonal system.  If used prior to the beginning of your period, these oils should help lessen or avoid PMS symptoms.
   

Although there are countless ways to use lavender, the five mentioned above encompass every day uses and give you a reason why I say, "I don't go anywhere without my lavender."

As mentioned on the website and elsewhere in the blog, if you use essential oils, always use therapeutic grade essential oils.  Other oils can be contaminated with solvents used to express the plant oils.  These chemicals taint the essential oils and are absorbed into your body when the oil is applied.  To get the desired results without putting the body at risk with undesired toxins, use therapeutic grade essential oils (these oils are pure enough to ingest).  There should be not be a warning on the bottle saying "for external use only", except for the few oils that should never be ingested.