Safe Cosmetics ~ Healthy Faces by Eve Organics

Neem Oil

ORIGIN

Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of the Neem (Azadirachta indica) evergreen tree. Neem was originally found in India, but has since been introduced to many other tropical areas.

Neem oil is generally light to dark brown, bitter and has a rather strong odor, said to smell like a combination of peanut and garlic.

Neem oil is not used for cooking purposes.  In Indiaand Bangladeshcold-pressed neem oil is used in skin care and cosmetics (known as the skin care secret and the key to flawless skin) and in Ayurvedicin the treatment of a wide range of afflictions, including skin diseases, inflammation, fever, rheumaticdisorders, insect repellentand pesticides.  Traditional Ayurvedic uses neem in a variety of other ways, including treatment of: acne, fever, leprosy, malaria, tuberculosis, tetanus, psoriasis, and eczema.

SKIN CARE USES

Neem oil is an excellent moisturizer, high in Vitamin E, rich in emollients and fatty acids, soothing dry, cracked or otherwise stressed and damaged skin. Unlike petroleum based moisturizers, neem oil actually restores the skin's natural elasticity.

Used in combination with the medicinal properties of aloe vera and tea tree and you have a perfect skin care formula ~ antibacterial properties combat blemishes/acne, anti-inflammatory properties reduce the swelling and redness of conditions like acne and rosacea, and the general support for the immune system promotes healthy skin and an even skin tone.

Eve Organics uses neem oil in many of our products.  Pretty cool stuff hugh?

Eve Organics Makeover at Gluten Free Gateway

Do you have an intolerance to gluten?  Do you have celiac's disease or IBS?  Many consumers who have been diagnosed with any of these problems or are just living a gluten/wheat-free lifestyle have found that personal care products that are FREE of all synthetic chemicals and are also gluten-free fit their holistic outlook.

Loretta Mirabella, founder of the Gluten Free Gateway, has all of the information on a gluten-free lifestyle.  She has a great new blog and website with helpful ideas and current articles.

She recently did a makeover with Eve Organics makeup and posted it on her website.  Check it out here:  http://glutenfreegateway.com/articles/20091002_1

Thanks Loretta!  Keep up the good work. 

Keep Those Lips Kissable in the Chapping Weather

Now that the weather is changing, it is almost a given that your lips will start drying and chapping.

A great way to keep your kissers soft and supple all year long, is to exfoliate the dry stuff off on a semi-regular basis, so you never get to get too dry.

This is what you'll need: 

1 tsp honey

1 tsp sugar (brown or granulated

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp castor oil

Just mix together honey, sugar, lemon juice and castor oil to make a thick paste.  Take a small portion with your finger and rub with moderate pressure over your lips. 

You'll start getting addicted to how soft your lips will actually feel.  Keep the left over in a small container to use every few days.

Simple, but powerful!  Then, of course, you need to use a safe, hydrating lip balm during the day.  Your lips will love you for it!

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.

Make Your Own Skin Smoothing Scrub

During the autumn months, as the seasons change, so does our skin, especially the delicate facial skin.  The furnace turns on and dries out our skin; the blustery wind kicks up and dries out the skin; and we tend to drink less water which . . you got it . . . dries out our skin.

Here is a great make-at-home mask that is perfect for exfoliating and smoothing the skin (and it's not expensive to make).  The oatmeal helps breaks down impurities and the bran gently lifts them from the skin.

Bran and Oatmeal Scrub (Make Fresh for Each Use)

1/2 c. bran

1/2 c. oatmeal

2 Tblsp. whole milk (maybe more)

2 drops frankincense (optional)

Mix together the dry ingredients.  Add frankincense to milk and add little by little to the bran and oatmeal mixture until you get a looser consistency than a thick bowl of breakfast oatmeal so that it is easy to handle.  If you need a little more milk, add it a drop or so at a time.

Apply handfuls of mixture to face and massage into the skin.  Use leftovers on thighs or buttocks!  Rinse with luke warm water. 

Pumpkin ~ 3 Reasons to Rub It All Over Your Skin

While the pumpkins are a plenty this fall and you are carving those Halloween jack-o-lanterns, keep the pulp and give your face a good rub!  Your body will thank you for it.  Why?  Read on. 

1.  Anti-Aging:  Pumpkin is more than a veggie for Halloween carving . . . it contains more than 100 beneficial nutrients, which are used in skin care to help reverse the signs of aging.  Pumpkin is a rich source of anti-oxidants, vitamins and enzymes that act like alpha hydroxy acids (which have been proven to promote younger looking skin by increasing the rate of cell renewal and hydration in the windy, cooler autumn and winter months.

2.  Skin Nourishment:  Fresh and cooked pumpkin is loaded with Vitamin A, C, E and beta carotene.  These essential nutrients absorb quickly and deeply into the skin for top notch nourishment.  When used as a facial masque or peel, followed by a safe toner and moisturizer, skin gets an instant boost of vitamins, promoting a healthy, glowing appearance - without the extra calories!

3.  Anti-Inflammatory:  Pumpkin masques help acne prone skin.  Inherent nutrients are naturally soothing and anti-inflammatory, helping skin recover from acne related damage.

Look for do-it-yourself pumpkin masque recipe here on our blog in the weeks to come. 

Do you have any other ideas on how to use some of the over-abundance of pumpkins this fall?  Let us know.  Comment below.

Jojoba Oil ~ For All Things Beauty

What is jojoba oil?  Jojoba oil is a multi-use miracle product that everyone should have it her bathroom.  Jojoba is not technically an oil; jojoba is scientifically considered as a naturally occurring wax pressed from the seeds (or beans) of the jojoba plant.  The jojoba plant itself is native to very dry climates, such as southwestern American (Arizona & California) and Mexican deserts; and like a succulent or cactus, can hold moisture for long periods of time.  Native Americans use jojoba for many purposes, including cooking, healing and beautification of the skin and body.

Jojoba oil is virtually odorless and chemically very similar to sebum, the naturally occurring oil in the skin.  For this reason, jojoba is wonderful for head to toe skin care and is absorbed without clogging pores.  Because of the wax-like properties, jojoba also protects the skin from further damage.

Jojoba oils is considered a "dry oil".  When applied to the skin it is readily absorbed, leaving no greasy feel.  It virtually never goes rancid (3-5 year shelf life), is a humectant (pulls in moisture and keeps skin moist), emollient (softens).  Jojoba soothes and nourishes.  It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal.

Most people can use jojoba without adverse reactions. It can be used for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin types (such as eczema and rosacea). 

Other Great Uses for Jojoba Oil:

Makeup Remover - Just apply a small amount of jojoba to a cotton ball and wipe over eye makeup.  Not only will it be gently removed, but your eyelashes will be conditioned as well!

Natural Personal Lubricant- Are you in those pre- to post- menopausal "dry times"?  Use a little dab of jojoba as a personal lubricant; it works wonders and I guarantee you'll love the results!

We use jojoba oil in almost all of our skin care products and will be adding a fantastic organic jojoba oil, formulated with therapeutic grade essential oils for these and other uses within the next month or two.  Keep an eye out!

Do you have any tips or uses for jojoba oil?  Let us know!

3 Quick Steps to Perking Up Your Face The Morning After

Another tip from that fantastic tip book:  FAST BEAUTY:  1,000 Quick Fixes . . . Have you ever awoke the morning after a late night or a really long flight wondering how to "wake up" your face to look "presentable" for the day's scheduled appointments?

1.  Wash your face with a gentle exfoliating scrub.

2.  Now, alternate splashing your face with cool then warm water, about 3 times.

3.  Apply a moisturizer that contains mint or rosemary. (Cool! All of our moisturizers contain rosemary).  Dab a bit in front of your ears and on your wrists for an instant pick-me-up.

*BONUS TIP:  Use a little Peppermint Lip Balm to wake up your senses and soften up the smoocher too! 

Skin Care 101 - Cleansing

Some women are under the misconception that, if they don't scrub their faces with a nice soapy lather, it won't be clean.  In reality, this is part of the cause of problem skin.

The sebaceous glands of the skin produce oil that moves up the hair shaft to the suface of the skin.  This oil provides a protective barrier by holding in moisture to keep the skin soft.  By stripping the face of these oils, we are in turn asking for problems.  Skin becomes dry and flaky and unprotected.

When cleansing the face, a gentle creamy cleanser (sulfate-free) or glycerin based soap made for the face should be used.  Sulfates strip the skin of its oils and create a drying environment, resulting in tight, flaky skin.

Exfoliating cleansers with beads or grains that loosen dead skin cells should be used in place of a daily cleanser to speed cell turnover for a healthy glow.

Something as simple as changing your face wash can make a huge difference in the health and appearance of your skin's complexion.