Make your own DIY Face Masks with everyday household ingredients. Here's a list of the 10 most common and how you can use them.
DIY Spa Night at Home
Skin Care, Gift Guides, Self Care, Healthy Habits1 CommentSkin Care During Cancer Treatment
Skin Care, CancerCommentWhen a cancer diagnosis is handed down, there are so many things to think about – and skin care can seem like one of the least important to consider. However, the same treatments that kill off cancer cells also affect the growth of your skin cells. Cancer and cancer treatment can affect a person’s skin, hair, and nails. While these reactions are rarely severe, they can cause major discomfort. Patients may even want to stop cancer treatment because of these reactions.
What types of cancer treatments cause skin changes?
All cancer treatments have side effects, but patients are sometimes surprised by the skin changes they see when receiving treatment.
Radiation therapy-related skin problems.
When radiation therapy is used on cancer cells, it can also affect healthy skin cells. During each treatment, radiation passes through the skin located in the treatment field. Skin may become red, irritated, peeling, tanned, or appear to be sunburned. This can cause the skin to peel, itch or hurt. Most often it gets better a few weeks after treatment ends.
Chemotherapy-related skin problems.
When chemotherapy is used to treat cancer, it can cause changes to the texture, color, or health of the skin. Chemotherapy drugs stop cancerous cells from growing and multiplying, but healthy cells are affected too. When on chemo, skin cells don’t replace themselves like they normally would. Skin can become fragile, dry, rough, itchy, and red. Patients can experience peeling, cracks, sores, or rashes. Chemo may make skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn.
Immunotherapy-related skin problems.
When immunotherapy is used to treat cancer, skin redness, blistering, and dryness are common reactions. Skin on the fingertips may crack. Skin may also become more sensitive to sunlight. A lot of scratching can break the skin, making it prone to infections. Inflammation around the nails can make grooming, dressing, and other activities painful or difficult.
What skin changes could be experienced?
Dry Skin.
Skin can be rough, flaky, red, and sometimes painful. It’s often caused by not having enough oil and water in the layers of the skin. Common causes of dry skin include dehydration, heat, cold, poor nutrition, and side effects of treatment.
Itchy Skin.
Itching can cause restlessness, anxiety, skin sores, and infection. Common causes of itching in people with cancer include dry skin, allergies, side effects of medicines, and cancer treatment.
![AdobeStock_256126873 [Converted]-05.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/557cbd7be4b00198d215d2b0/1602610662361-9ZU1D7RRLUK02I2O2LW2/AdobeStock_256126873+%5BConverted%5D-05.png)
Skin Rash.
A skin rash is a common side effect of certain types of cancer treatments. Rashes usually develop within a few weeks of receiving the treatment but can develop at any time. Patients may experience a rash that looks like acne or measles.
![AdobeStock_256126873 [Converted]-06.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/557cbd7be4b00198d215d2b0/1602610686733-RYFEFDIK2K74KEKZER0T/AdobeStock_256126873+%5BConverted%5D-06.png)
Changes in Skin Color.
Changes in the skin can be due to tumor growth, sun exposure, or the side effects of treatment. A person may look yellow because of liver problems, blue because of breathing problems, bruised because of blood disorders, or red because of skin problems.
Nail Changes
Some cancer treatments can cause nails to lift, break, or develop light or dark streaks or grooves. The cuticle surrounding nails may also swell and become painful and red.
How to protect & soothe skin during cancer treatment.
Because the skin is our largest organ and essential for protecting us from external risks such as infection, it is especially important to properly care for it during cancer treatment.
Use skin care products developed for sensitive skin. The rules that apply to sensitive skin are true for those going through cancer treatment. Choose products that are gentle, hydrating, and fragrance free. Avoid products with unnecessary chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, EDTAs, PEGs, synthetic dyes, and propylene glycol. Also avoid essential oils, which can be irritating to sensitive skin.
Here are some care guidelines to help protect and soothe skin during cancer treatment.
Keep skin clean
Bathe or shower daily using warm (not hot) water and a mild unscented soap. Rinse skin well and pat it dry with a soft towel.
When washing, be gentle with your skin. Don’t exfoliate or use a washcloth, loofah, or brush.
Moisturize often
Start using a gentle moisturizer when treatment begins. This can help minimize any skin reaction. Use an over-the-counter moisturizer that does not have any fragrances or lanolin, which can irritate skin.
Apply moisturizer at least two times a day.
Apply oils or creams around nails and cuticles to help keep them soft.
Avoid Irritating Skin
Avoid products that can irritate sensitive skin including soaps, detergents, and creams with irritating chemicals like sulfates, PEGs, propylene glycol, synthetic dyes and high levels of fragrance.
Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing because it’s less likely to rub against skin and cause irritation. Wash clothes in a mild, dye-free, fragrance-free detergent.
Don’t use makeup, perfumes, powders, or aftershave in the area being treated.
Don’t use hot water bottles, ice bags, heating pads, or heat lights in the area being treated.
When in the sun, use a PABA-free sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Natural Inspirations’ Fragrance Free skin care products are gentle on skin that’s sensitive due to cancer treatment.
Gently nourish skin with rich, botanical ingredients and no harsh toxins. Hydrate, soften and soothe sensitive skin with lotions and crèmes loaded with skin-conditioning coconut oil and healing antioxidants.
Leaves skin feeling soft, calm and hydrated.
Helps soothe and restore suppleness.
Helps smooth skin and improve elasticity.
100% vegan and gluten free.
Looking for a special gift for someone that you love?
Try our Fragrance Free Gift Set! This includes some of our most-loved products; Nourishing Hand & Body Lotion, Ultra-Hydrating Mini Hand Crème and Ultra-Moisturizing Body Butter.
Other Great Reads
Hand Sanitizer Facts You Need to Know
Comment“Natural Inspirations’ Hand Sanitizer contains 62% ethyl alcohol, which is the recommended percentage by the CDC & approved by the FDA.”
What are the different types of hand sanitizer?
There are two DIFFERENT types of Hand Sanitizer:
Alcohol-based – the CDC requires Hand Sanitizer to contain greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol alcohol. This level of alcohol kills most germs & many types of bacteria & viruses including coronavirus.
Alcohol-free – usually contains Benzalkonium Chloride, instead of alcohol. The CDC says these can reduce microbes but may not work as well for many types of germs; or may merely reduce the growth of germs rather than killing them. The CDC website last updated May 17 does not actively recommend alcohol-free hand sanitizers because “Benzalkonium chloride has less reliable activity against certain bacteria & viruses than either of the alcohols”.
SHOP OUR SANITIZER AND GET 20% OFF THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2020 Use code: SANITIZE2020 at checkout.
Lavender Ylang 4 oz Hand Sanitizer
Sale Price:$4.00 Original Price:$8.00
How do Alcohol-Based Sanitizers Work?
Alcohol-based sanitizers attack and destroy the cell wall and membranes of bacteria cells; and the envelope protein that surrounds some viruses (including coronavirus). This protein is vital for a virus’s survival and multiplication.
BUT a hand sanitizer MUST be at least 60% alcohol to kill most viruses. More info is listed on the CDC website.
Non-alcohol-based sanitizers also kill bacteria but are less effective against viruses.
How do I Properly Use an Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer?
1. Make sure hands are clean. Hand washing with soap & water is recommended.
2. Put enough sanitizer on your hands to cover all surfaces.
3. Rub your hands together until they feel dry (this should take around 20 seconds).
4. Do NOT rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer before its dry.
What's all the recent press about "Bad" Sanitizers with Methanol?
Methanol (also known as wood or methyl alcohol) is a type of alcohol that has been found in Hand Sanitizers imported from Mexico. It is mostly used to creat fuel, solvents, and antifreeze.
Methanol cannot be used in Hand Sanitizer because:
“1. It has not been approved by the FDA or recommended by the CDC or WHO because it has a weak ability to kill viruses when compared to other approved alcohols.”
“2. Methanol can be toxic & cause bodily harm when it comes in contact with skin, is swallowed, or is inhaled. It breaks down to produce formaldehyde or formic acid in the body which may cause serious harm including skin irritation, blindness, brain damage & death. If someone experiences symptoms of methanol poisoning, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.”
A FINAL NOTE
Using hand sanitizer frequently can make your hands very dry. Natural Inspirations Hand Sanitizer contains moisturizers to help combat dryness, including glycerin, aloe vera oil, aloe vera gel & Vitamin E.
Hand washing remains the most highly recommended method of warding off germs & viruses helping to prevent their transmission. Hand sanitizers with alcohol are an effective alternative, but only if used properly. That means rubbing the sanitizer on both hands completely & letting them dry.
SHOP OUR SANITIZER AND GET 20% OFF THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2020
Use code: SANITIZE2020 at checkout.
Lavender Ylang 4 oz Hand Sanitizer
Sale Price:$4.00 Original Price:$8.00
Mother's Day Gift Guide 2020
Gift Guides1 CommentBEST GIFTS FOR MOM 2020.
Mother’s Day will be here before you know it (Sunday, May 10th), which means it’s time to search for a perfect gift for that amazing woman in your life. Your “perfect gift” doesn’t have to be over-the-top, or expensive, it just needs to hint at how much you truly appreciate them.
Let’s be honest though, we all know that they deserve the world.
FOR MOMS WHO LOVE CUTE GIFT COMBOS!
The following are our roundup of products that make for great Mother’s Day gifts.
Looking for a specific price point? We have ideas for $20 gifts, $30 gifts, $40 gifts and even $50.
$20 Gift: Mani/Pedi Combo
Mom deserves HAPPY HANDS & HEELS
Includes Mini Hand Crème & Foot Balm in all available fragrances.
(Grapefruit Bergamot, Eucalyptus Rosemary Mint, Coconut Ambre Vanille, Lavender Ylang & Agave Pear)
Eucalyptus Rosemary Mint 2 oz Hand Crème
Quantity:
Eucalyptus Rosemary Mint Foot Balm
Quantity:
Add this combo to your cart for a fun Mani/Pedi for Mom.
$30 Gift: Relaxing Spa Combo
Mom deserves a spa-tacular day! 😉
Includes a soothing Eye Pillow, Bath Bomb & 100% Soy Candle in all available fragrances.
(Grapefruit Bergamot, Eucalyptus Rosemary Mint, Coconut Ambre Vanille, Lavender Ylang & Agave Pear)
$40 Gift: A Mini Hand Crème Variety Pack
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE 😉
Includes all five fragrances of Mini Hand Crèmes.
(Grapefruit Bergamot, Eucalyptus Rosemary Mint, Coconut Ambre Vanille, Lavender Ylang & Agave Pear)
Add all of these products to your cart & use code MOM2020 at checkout for 20% off your entire purchase.
Grapefruit Bergamot Mini Hand Crème
Quantity:
Agave Pear Mini Hand Crème
Quantity:
Eucalyptus Rosemary Mint 2 oz Hand Crème
Quantity:
Lavender Ylang Mini Hand Crème
Quantity:
Coconut Ambre Vanille Mini Hand Creme
Quantity:
Add all 5 to your cart for a fun Variety Pack for Mom.
Enter code:
MOM2020 for 20% off your entire purchase!
$50 Gift: Bubble Bath Spa Combo
Mom deserves THE GIFT OF TOTAL RELAXATION 🛁
Includes Bath & Shower Gel, Scrub & Body Lotion in all 5 fragrances, if available (Grapefruit Bergamot, Eucalyptus Rosemary Mint, Coconut Ambre Vanille, Lavender Ylang & Agave Pear). Add all of these products (in your fragrance of choice) to your cart and use code MOM2020 at checkout for 20% off your entire purchase.
Lavender Ylang Bath + Shower Gel
Quantity:
Lavender Ylang Face + Body Scrub
Quantity:
Lavender Ylang Hand + Body Lotion
Quantity:
!FLOWERS! !FLOWERS! !FLOWERS! !FLOWERS! !FLOWERS! !FLOWERS!
FOR MOMS WHO LOVE FLOWERS.
Our favorite brands:
H.BLOOM
Show mom how much you care! Send luxury flowers today, all designs are florist arranged & hand-delivered right to her door anywhere in the U.S.
BLOOMSYBOX
We do things different... in a good way! Instead of the traditional bouquet, we’re sending simple, chic single-variety bunches, straight from the source.
FLOOM
We're open & delivering same-day orders to your Mom for the 10th. Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to show your mother your love & appreciation.
Even more wonderful flower delivery brands:
The Boqus Co. · Pro Flowers · The Sill · 1-800-Flowers · Urban Stems · Gift Tree · Terrain · Harry & David · Teleflora · From You Flowers · Venus Fleur · Lula’s Garden · Fleurs de Paris · Olive & Cocoa · Farm Girl Flowers · Florists · FTD · FlowerBX · Bloomscape · Calyx Flowers · Global Rose · Lovingly · Ava’s Flowers
FOR MOMS WHO NEED TO KICK BACK & RELAX.
Our favorite ideas:
GIVE MOM THE FULL SPA TREATMENT.
Our faves:
Book of the Month Club - A book to read (one per month) while soaking in the tub.
Comfort Spa Flip Flops - Keep those toes warm & cozy for when you’re getting in & out of the bathtub.
Bathtub Tray: Must have for all spa baths. It includes a slot for your phone, support for books & an (essential) wine holder.
FOR MOMS WHO CARE ABOUT WHAT GOES ON THEIR SKIN.
Our faves:
FOR MOMS WHO ARE HEALTH + ECO-CONSCIOUS.
Our faves:
Double linen masks with an inner pocket for a filter to be inserted.
Buy on Etsy
FOR MOMS WHO WOULD APPRECIATE "A LITTLE SOMETHING."
Our faves:
FOR MOMS WHO LOVE TO NEST.
Our faves:
STAK Foster Phone Dock Planter, Gloss Speckle: The Phone Dock & Planter will brighten your home with a touch of color & life.
Hair Care Holder: This handmade metal art is an elegant way to organize hair styling tools.
Don’t Forget! Enter code MOM2020 for 20% off your entire purchase!
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Safe Cleaning Solution Combinations
Healthy Habits, Home Care, Cleaning1 CommentMIXING CERTAIN CLEANING SOLUTIONS CAN BE DANGEROUS.
Due to increased public concern for COVID-19, cleaning supplies have been flying off the shelves left & right. It’s incredibly important to keep your environment clean. We want to make sure you do this safely.
HERE ARE PRODUCTS THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER COMBINE.
Isopropyl Alcohol + Bleach
It’s literally … chloroform.
Risks include damage to the nervous system, eyes, skin, lungs, kidneys & liver. High levels of these chemicals may result in death.
Vinegar + Bleach
This combination creates toxic chorine & chloramine vapors.
Risks include chemical burns & irritation to the eyes & lungs.
Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar
Creates parecetic acid.
High concentrations of these two chemicals may irritate skin, eyes, nose, throat & lungs. It also has the potential to become a corrosive substance.
Ammonia + Bleach
Creates toxic chloramine vapors.
Risks include respiratory damage & eyes, nose & throat burns. Has the potential to form hydrazine (an explosive chemical compound).
Do not to mix drain cleaners
As some are alkaline & others are acidic. The combination of the two creates a lot of heat which can result in damage to PVC pipes or extremely high pressures that can burst pipes.
Baking Soda + Vinegar
No real risks in combining these two, other than the potential mess… But Baking soda & Vinegar essentially neutralize each other. Resulting in an ineffective cleaning formula.
If you are unable to find cleaning supplies at your grocery stores, we urge you to try some holistic, home-made cleaning solutions. While it may not be the most convenient, they are great temporary alternatives. You probably even have some of the necessary ingredients in your pantry!
Step 1.
Combine One part White Vinegar, One part Water, Lemon Rind and Rosemary Sprigs.
Step 2.
Once done, you can use the natural solution to remove hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges & whatever else your heart desires.
Step 3.
Besides a fresh scent, the lemon rind may actually help boost cleaning power.
Caution: Do not use acidic cleaners on granite, as they will etch the stone.
The original recipe and article can be found here.
How-to: Bee-Friendly Garden
Home Care, GardeningCommentBENEFIT THE BEES!
Planting a bee garden allows you to help the bees by adding a flower-rich habitat in your area. In return, the bees will pollinate your flowers, providing a beautiful harvest of fruits, seeds & vegetables.
Honey bees are far more important to people’s everyday lives than most of us know. Aside from their obvious products of honey & beeswax it’s also said that one in three bites of food we eat exists due to their work as pollinators. The list of their culinary accomplishments include strawberries, coffee, almonds, apples and lemons to name a few.
While these fruits may be the product of their direct pollination work, it’s also through their indirect work of pollinating vegetable flowers to create seed that we can be thankful for food such as carrots, cabbages and onions.
Yet, honey bees around the world are disappearing from their hives at a worrying rate. The phenomena blamed for their demise has been called Colony Collapse Disorder but having a name for the it doesn’t mean that we know the exact cause. Fingers have been pointed at various factors including lack of forage, inbreeding, commercial pesticides, climate change, parasites, and disease.
PLANNING YOUR GARDEN.
🐝RETHINK YOUR LAWN 🐝
Replace some of your front lawn grass with flowering plants. This provides food & habitat for honey bees, bumble bees, solitary bees, butterflies & other pollinators.
SELECT SINGLE FLOWER TOPS FOR YOUR BEE GARDEN 🌸🌼🌺
...such as daisies and marigolds, rather than double flower tops such as double impatiens. Double headed flowers look showy but produce much less nectar and make it much more difficult for bees to access pollen.
Keep reading for a variety of plants & flowers to choose from.
SKIP THE HIGHLY HYBRIDIZED PLANTS
...which have been bred not to seed and thus produce very little pollen for bees.
WHAT PLANTS & FLOWERS ARE BEST FOR THE BEES?
NECTAR PLANTS
Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries.
POLLEN PLANTS
Pollen is a fine powder made up of microspores produced by male plants. It is also called flower sperm. Pollen carries the male gametes (reproductive cells) of seed plants. Seed plants include both conifers (plants whose seeds grow inside cones) & flowering plants.
EARLY SPRING
Hazel, Crocus, Tansy, Daphne, Witch Hazel, Anemone, Willow, Dandelion, Ivy (Hedera helix), Gooseberry, Bluebell, Elm, Gorse, tulip-tree, Mahonia japonica, Hellebore, Forget-me-nots, Barberry, Bee plant, Blue Pea, Borage, Chinese Houses, Horehound, Lavender, Sage, Salvia, Scented Geranium, Wisteria, old species Tulips (modern varieties have pollen grains that are too large), Bush Anemone, California Poppy, Yarrow, Bidens, Blanket Flower, Blazing Star, Daisy, Marigold, Tansy
LATE SPRING
Raspberry, Blackberry, Tulip-tree, Oil-seed Rape, White Clover, Flowering Quince, Sweet Chestnut, Apple, Cherry, Black currant, Red currant, Autumn-sown Broad bean, Hawthorn, Sycamore, Comfrey, Kale, Crab apple, Rosemary
SUMMER
Viper’s Bugloss, Globe Thistle, Willowherb (Fireweed), Melissa Balm, Thyme, Heather, Sunflowers, Borage, Poppy, Rudbeckia, Lavender, Catnip, Mint, Sage, Coriander (Cilantro), Squash, Pot Marigolds, Foxglove, Geranium, Hollyhock, Clematis, Milkweed, Wild Rose, Spring-sown Broad bean, Oak (for Honeydew), Blackberry, Marjoram, White Byrony, Cornflower, Linden, Medicinal Valerian, Lacy Phacelia, Germander Speedwell, Gladiolus, Angelica, Single Dalias, Fennel, Delphinium
AUTUMN
Aster, Goldenrod, Blackberry, Alliums (both garden varieties such as onion and garlic as well as ornamentals), Anemone, Chrysanthemum, Cosmos, Anise Hyssop, Viper’s Bugloss, Mahonia Japonica, Hemp Agrimony, Lemon Verbena, Verbena Bonariensis, Ivy (Hedera helix), Hebe, Sedum Spectabile, Delphinium, Heather
WINTER
Ivy (Hedera helix), Winter Heathers, Snowdrops, Crocus, Cyclamen, Primroses, Strawberry tree, Mahonia, Fatsia japonica, Winter-flowering honeysuckle
OTHER TIPS & TRICKS.
🌼Wildflowers are the best for bees 🌼
🛁CREATE A BEE BATH 🛁
Bees need a place to get fresh, clean water. Fill a shallow container of water with twigs for the bees to land on while drinking.
ONLY USE NATURAL PESTICIDES & FERTILIZERS
🏡BUILD HOMES FOR SOLITARY BEES 🏡
Solitary bees:
Consider leaving a sunny part of your garden uncultivated with soil surface exposed.
Wood & stem-nesting bees:
Benefit from untended hedgerows, or hollow reeds & nesting blocks made of untreated wood.
Mason bees:
Need a source of water & mud.
Create diverse plantings 🌸🌼🌿🌺🌱
Leave the dead plant stems alone
PLAN FOR BLOOMS SEASON-ROUND
Choose blue, purple & yellow FLOWERS
Steer clear of invasive plant species
What are some of your favorite bee-friendly plants that you utilize in your garden?
Social Distancing 101
Healthy Habits, COVID-19CommentWHAT IN THE HECK IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?
WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?
Put simply, the idea is to maintain a distance between you and other people — in this case, at least six feet.
That also means minimizing contact with people. Avoid public transportation whenever possible, limit nonessential travel, work from home and skip social gatherings — and definitely do not go to crowded bars and sporting arenas.
Other measures include working from home if possible, organizing meetings via video calls rather than doing them in person and avoiding unnecessary use of public transport.
It is also recommended that you avoid physical contact with others in social situations, including handshakes, hugs & kisses.
THE BASICS.
SHUT OFF THE NEWS
If you've been glued to your screens for the latest COVID-19 updates, this is for you. Taking a break from the stream of negative reports can help reduce stress and anxiety and give your brain room to for positive thoughts and ideas.
FOR EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHILD: This adult coloring book
DO HOME PROJECTS
There always seems to be something to do around the house. Kick those ideas and plans into gear with some time at home! Home projects can be anything from remodeling, to building some new furniture. No matter what plans you have, now is the perfect time to get a jumpstart!
BINGE ON FAVORITE SHOWS
Now is the perfect time to get caught up on your favorite shows.
Some of our favorites:
Grey’s Anatomy (Netflix & Hulu)
Parks and Recreation (Netflix)
Breaking Bad (Netflix)
Westworld (HBO Go/Now)
Supernatural (Netflix)
This is Us (Hulu)
Weeds (Netflix)
Unbreakable Kimmi Schmidt (Netflix)
Bates Motel (Netflix)
The Good Place (Netflix)
MOVE AROUND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Self-isolating doesn't mean sitting around on the couch all day. Thanks to YouTube, Pinterest, and other sites, you can get a thorough workout from home. (Health also has plenty of free, no-equipment fitness videos, too.) Just 30 minutes of any kind of heart-pumping workout can significantly reduce stress and it'll also make you feel busy and accomplished.
SPRING CLEANING
Thursday is the official start to spring, which means some spring cleaning is never a bad option! Clean out the garage, closet attic or whatever else needs a little refresh!
CATCH UP ON SLEEP
You read that right! Trying to get those recommended 8 hours of sleep can be difficult between work, school , kids and whatever else life throws at you. Being home allows you to take those guilt-free and much needed naps to get get yourself feeling your best!
FOR WHEN YOU’RE FEELING NOSTALGIC:
A stunning photo book
KNOCK OUT SOME TO-DOS ON YOUR LIST
Sitting in front of the TV for days and binging on HBO will probably make you stir-crazy. A better way to stay active and focused? Get on that to-do list you've been putting off forever.
GET SOME FRESH AIR
Get outside and enjoy some fresh air! It is important to keep a safe distance of 6 feet if you are walking with a buddy, but don’t let that stop you from getting your blood circulating and enjoying the outdoors.
There is plenty of opportunity to walk or even take a hike.
FOR TAKING SELFIES WITH YOUR PUP: This Shark Tank product
Back to baking
Grab that mixer and take your mind into the kitchen to bake up some delicious cookies, cupcakes and more! Now is the perfect time to try out those recipes you haven’t had time to get to.
Arts and Crafts
Not just for the kiddos. Stocking up on supplies for some DIY crafting is a great at-home plan! Creating a space for you to get creative and let your imagination flow can be a great way to keep busy.
GOT KIDS? HERE'S SOME FUN WAYS TO KEEP THEM BUSY.
Go for a walk or a hike.
Go for a bike ride.
Go outside, no matter what the weather. If it's nice outside, play catch or hide-and-seek.
Movie theaters are limiting the number of tickets they sell in order to practice good social distancing, but with DisneyPlus, Netflix and Amazon, you have plenty of options at home. Make it even more fun by making some special treats to share.
Speaking of special treats, get your kids in the kitchen. You'll be making lots of meals while at home, so why not let the kids share in the "fun?" Give them the run of the pantry and fridge. Do give a few limits though. Like they have to have at least one healthy item.
For the past decade, the Racine Art Museum has invited artists to make their best creations out of marshmallow Peeps. Check out the photos for inspiration, and make your own.
Hand over your phone to let the kids take photos of the signs of spring they see popping up around the neighborhood.
Let the kids collect a few of those signs of spring they see — dandelions, blades of grass, flowers if they're on your property — and make a nature scrapbook out of them.
Fly a kite.
Set up a tent in the backyard.
Dig into those toys, puzzles and games that have gotten buried under beds, in basements and at the bottom of toy boxes. You might find some treasures that will fill up some of those hours. If not, set them aside to donate.
Bubbles are fun for all ages. You can go old-school and just blow some bubbles in the backyard. You can get a hula hoop and a wading pool and make some giant ones.
Grab blankets, chairs and pillows and build a fort.
Make a homemade pinata out of papier mache, fill it with candy and break that thing open.
Start cleaning up your yard and planning any gardening projects. If you have seeds on hand, start planting when the weather cooperates.
Kids love acting, singing and putting on shows, especially if they have an audience. Be that audience; karma will reward your sacrifice.
Comic books and graphic novels are mainstream nowadays. And they're a great way to encourage your kids to read. When they've gotten some inspiration through reading some of their favorites, encourage them to make their own.
You may not be able to visit your favorite paint-your-own pottery place, but you can find some old mugs or bowls to have the kids paint at home.
Clean out your closet. But hold off on the donations. Let your kids play dress-up for a few weeks. If they lose interest, that's cool. That's the time to donate. Otherwise, let them keep a few favorites for their dress-up collection.
STAY CALM.
Stay calm, stay sane. Hopefully we will get through this soon.
Keep your hands clean, moisturized & off your beautiful face!
Hand Care, Healthy Habits, COVID-19Comment
WASH OFTEN TO STAY HEALTHY.
You can help you & your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often (and washing them well), especially during these key times when you are more likely to spread germs.
These key times include:
Before, during & after preparing food
Before eating food
Before & after caring for someone at home who is sick
Before & after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed or animal poo
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
WASH YOUR HANDS THE RIGHT WAY.
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another & throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities & hospitals.
Follow these five steps every time.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap & apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers & under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
CDC recommendation:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
USE HAND SANITIZER WHEN YOU CANT USE SOAP & WATER
(GOOD LUCK FINDING IT).
Washing hands with soap & water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap & water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Check if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs in many situations. However,
Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals like pesticides & heavy metals.
How to use hand sanitizer
Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand.
Rub your hands together.
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands & fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
How to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
If you can’t purchase hand sanitizer because it’s all sold out, you can make your own at home. It will also require a trip to the drug store (or your favorite online marketplace) to pick up a few ingredients. “Recipes” for your own hand sanitizer may vary slightly. The most important thing to remember is you need to create a mixture that’s at least 60% alcohol.
INGREDIENTS
91% or higher isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or ethanol alcohol
Aloe vera gel or glycerin
Essential oils (optional)
Bowl and spoon
Storage bottle or container
Funnel (optional)
Step 1.
Combine ⅔ cup of 91% or higher alcohol with ⅓ cup of aloe vera gel or glycerin in a bowl and stir until blended.
Getting your ratios right in this step is critical. By combining two parts of 91% or higher alcohol with one part softening agent, you’ll land at about 60% alcohol content in the final product. Hand sanitizer that’s less than 60% alcohol will not be effective.
You can also increase the alcohol content to about 68% by combining ¾ cup of 91% or higher alcohol with ¼ cup of aloe or glycerin. Aloe or glycerin helps prevent the alcohol from drying out your skin.
Step 2.
Optional: Add 5-10 drops of essential oils to reduce the smell of alcohol.
If you’re sensitive to the strong smell of alcohol, you can add several drops of essential oils to your hand sanitizer. Do not add too much essential oil or you will dilute the alcohol content of your sanitizer below the 60% alcohol threshold. It’s important to note the active ingredient here is the alcohol, not the essential oils.
Step 3.
Bottle your hand sanitizer mixture.
Once your hand sanitizer is mixed and complete, pour the mixture into a container or bottle for use. You can purchase an empty bottle with a squirt top or pump from your local drug store or recycle a washed-out hand sanitizer bottle. If you have a funnel on hand, it can make it easier to pour the hand sanitizer into your storage containers. Once it’s bottled, your hand sanitizer is ready to use!
The original recipe and article can be found here.
DON'T FORGET TO KEEP MOISTURIZING.
Healthy Skin Month: The Rest of your Glowing Body
CommentEVERYDAY TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN.
✨ What’s on the inside counts too ✨
Eat watermelon.
🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨
AVOID SUGAR!
Rethink dairy for glowing skin. 🥛
HYDRATE. HYDRATE. HYDRATE!
Eat organic foods.
Own a plant. 🌿
Snack on mixed nuts for glowing skin. 🥜
Get enough vitamin C.
Have a rainbow-colored plate of food.
M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are the best resources your body has to fight disease & aging by reducing damage & inflammation. Inflammation is a leading cause of wrinkle formation. SOME OF THE BEST SOURCES OF ANTIOXIDANTS INCLUDE:
Blueberries
Pomegranates
Acai Berries
Goji Berries
Carrots
Purple Grapes
Organic Green Tea
Seeds
Spinach
Raspberries
Dark Chocolate
Cranberries
✌🏼 General Advice (probably the most common). ✌🏼
APPLY SPF EVERYDAY, NO MATTER WHAT.
Sunscreen is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth. It really can slow down skin aging. It can also help prevent skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 & water resistance.
Don't smoke. Smoking speeds up how quickly your skin ages. If you smoke, your wounds will also take longer to heal. Smoking can also make some skin diseases worse.
Check your skin for skin cancer.
Skin self-exams can help you find skin cancer early when it's potentially treatable. If you notice a spot that differs from the others, or one that changes/itches or bleeds, make an appointment to see a dermatologist ASAP!
Stress less. Some skin diseases often appear for the first time when someone feels really stressed. Stress can also cause flare-ups of many common skin conditions.
Protect your skin from pollution 🚛💨
Keep your phone clean & keep your skin clear. Wipe your phone down at least once a day to keep the screen free of dirt, debris & makeup that could potentially clog your precious pores.
Stop touching your face.
Clean your makeup brushes 🖌
Go to bed early 😴
✌🏼 Not-So-Common Advice. ✌🏼
Turn down YOUR heat to stop skin redness.
Use non-toxic cleaning products.
CONSIDER YOUR WATER…
… and tailor your skin-care products accordingly. Soft water doesn’t remove soap well, so it can leave a residue on your skin.
Hard water, on the other hand, doesn’t allow washes to lather easily, prompting you to use even more cleanser, which can cause dryness.
Switch to Plain Toothpaste
Those with tartar-control ingredients or added flavors, like cinnamon, may contribute to a common skin condition called perioral dermatitis. It looks like pimples, redness & scaling around the mouth.
Our personal favorite is Truth Paste.
Improve Your Air Quality
Indoor pollutants can adversely affect skin, too. Change the air filter in your furnace regularly &, if you cook with oil, use the fan over your range. Also keep in mind that dry indoor air can dehydrate skin & make fine lines more noticeable. Run a humidifier in your bedroom to minimize these problems.
Check Your Medicine.
Some contraceptives, antibiotics, fertility drugs, & anti-seizure meds can cause breakouts. Diuretics & Antihistamines can cause dry skin. And certain antibiotics, diuretics & diabetes treatments can make you vulnerable to sun damage. If you find your skin is reacting while you’re taking a particular drug, talk to your physician.
Have any suggestions? Leave your advice in the comment section below!
Healthy Skin Month: Sexy Hands & Feet
CommentEVERYDAY TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN.
E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E !
🤚 Don’t Forget the Tops of Your Hands! 🤚
Wash with a moisturizing hand soap.
It’s important to keep your hands clean, but using an antibacterial hand soap can dry out your skin. Instead, wash your hands with a moisturizing soap that contains hydrating ingredients, such as shea butter, olive oil, or aloe vera, to avoid stripping the natural oils from your skin.
Avoid using hot water!
This can also dry out your skin. Wash with lukewarm water instead.
Don't worry about washing your hands too much–it's important to wash regularly to keep your hands as free of germs as possible. At the very least, you should wash your hand before you eat & after you use the restroom. You should also wash after changing a diaper, when you are ill, interacting with animals, or anytime that your hands appear dirty.
Exfoliate your hands weekly.
Use a scrub once a week to buff away the dry, rough skin & keep your hands soft & healthy. Wet your hands with warm water & massage scrub over your hands. Rinse it off with warm water & apply a hand cream.
M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E
Apply a hand crème regularly. To ensure that your hands stay soft, you should use a hand crème several times a day. Look for a formula that contains emollient ingredients, such as glycerin, shea butter & natural oils. Massage the crème in after you wash your hands in the morning & before you go to bed at night. If your hands start to feel dry during the day, reapply then as well.
If you’re worried about your hands being greasy, try one of our hand crèmes. It will sink into your skin without leaving any greasy residue behind.
Treat your hands with a mask weekly.
USE SUNSCREEN ON YOUR HANDS.
Treat cracks on your hands with ointment.
🧤 WEAR GLOVES WHEN DOING CHORES 🧤
Whether you’re washing dishes, doing yard work, or working with tools, always put on a pair of protective gloves first. That will keep your hands from getting dry, cracked, and callused.
For chores that require submerging your hands in water … plastic or rubber gloves are the best option.
For light yard work & gardening, cloth gloves are usually effective in protecting your hands from dirt & grime.
Looking for something environmentally friendly? Here are some great Sustainable Gardening Gloves from West Country Gardner. Made from recycled plastic bottles!
! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T !
You should also wear gloves or mittens to protect your hands from cold weather, which can dry out your hands too. Knit & leather gloves can both work well, but look for a pair with an insulated lining in material such as fleece to provide the most warmth & protection.
🦶🏽 For those dainty feet of yours 🦶🏽
Besides kicking back & giving your feet a rest, here are some tips that can help ease the ache & rejuvenate tired feet.
Employ moist heat!
Sometimes achy feet are the result of overstressed muscles & connective tissue due to excess activity.. One of the absolute best remedies for relaxing sore muscles is a foot bath. Soak your feet in a basin of warm water or a store-bought foot spa for 5 - 10 min.
Stretch ‘EM OUT!
Overstressed muscles will tend to contract or spasm. To counteract this tightness, stretch your feet. A good time to stretch is after a warm soak when your muscles will be relaxed. Sit in a comfortable position and stretch the ankle and toe joints using your hands or a strap. To also target the calf muscles, try a runner's stretch while leaning against a wall. Hold each motion comfortably for 10 to 20 seconds for maximum benefit.
WORK ‘EM out!
Exercises for your ankles, feet, and toes will help stretch, strengthen, and relax them. Try these moves:
While standing, rise up on your toes, lifting your heels off the ground.
Do ankle pumps, moving your foot up and down.
Pick up objects with your toes & move them from one pile to another.
Toe raise, point, and curl
Make circles with your ankles.
Roll the bottom of your foot on a frozen water bottle💧 tennis ball🎾 or ON A TUBE OF NATURAL INSPIRATIONS FOOT BALM 🦶🏽
Wash THOSE STINKY feet!
Make a point to wash your feet (don’t forget to scrub between your toes!) with a washcloth. Yes, that absolutely means bending over in the shower to soap them up. Be sure to dry feet completely, including between the toes. This process lessens problems such as athlete's foot, odor, bacteria & yucky fungus. Look for foot products that have natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial ingredients like arnica, calendula or tea tree oils to help your tootsies feel fresh and fabulous.
Sea Salt Citrus Foot Balm
$20.00
Moisturize your feet after washing.
During dry-skin winter months, you may want to moisturize several times a day. Look for ingredients like Coconut Oil, Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter to nourish cracked heels and rough calluses.
ALL about Shoes …
Flip-flops and completely flat shoes don't provide arch support.
Neither does walking barefoot. Women are especially prone to developing flat feet, which can lead to other foot problems. To keep feet strong and healthy, minimize the amount of time you wear shoes that lack supportive arches.
SWITCH UP the shoes you wear.
That may mean having two pairs of your favorite everyday style, but shoes need time to air out to avoid triggering foot odor or infections. Change socks or stockings more than once a day. If you have a problem with smelly feet, soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water.
Your feet should not hurt—ever.
Tight shoes can worsen bunions, distort toe shape and cause painful foot growths. If you wear high heels, choose heels that are wide, stable and no higher than two inches. Toe boxes should be wide; pointed toes shouldn't begin their narrowing shape until well past the ball of the foot. To protect your Achilles tendon from shortening, alternate heel heights regularly.
Wear the right sized shoes!
Overuse: Increased walking or standing, especially when combined with other contributing factors, can cause even the healthiest feet to become sore. Also, walking or standing on hard surfaces, such as concrete, can stress your feet. This can be a problem for those who stand all day at work or are generally on their feet for long periods of time.
Buy arch supports!
Try a pair of over-the-counter arch supports for your shoes. Arch supports will help decrease the shock that your feet experience with every step. The heel & ball of the foot are especially prone to soreness & full-length arch supports will help cushion these areas. If your problem still bothers you, see a podiatrist & discuss custom-made orthotics.
Consider acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that can be of benefit for foot pain.
Acupuncture has very few side effects, so it may be worth a try if you're having trouble controlling pain with traditional methods.
Have any suggestions?
Leave your advice in the comment section below!
Healthy Skin Month: For your Lovely Neck & Chest
1 CommentEVERYDAY TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN.
🌟 For Your Lovely Neck & Chest 🌟
Don't neglect your neck if you want to stay looking youthful.
Most of us are guilty of stopping our skincare routine as soon as we hit our chin, which may not seem like an issue if you're in your 20s, 30s & 40s. But as you age you will begin to see aging on your neck & chest and wish you'd paid those areas the same attention as you do your face. You can use the same products that you use on your face.
Be vigilant about moisturizing.
Did you know that your neck has fewer glands than the skin on your face? Because of this, the neck is more susceptible dryness & irritation (& more prone to scarring). Use a moisturizer to keep dryness at bay.
Choose the right products & understand their ingredients.
It’s important to remember that there are not “blind controlled studies” backing the products, but only the brand’s research. We research based on what’s good for your skin to absorb, not what benefits us. Check out our ingredient philosophy page to learn more.
THE PROBLEMS WITH TECH NECK
Limit your screen time! It is the biggest cause of “tech neck.”
Tech neck refers to skin laxity & lines that occur from looking down at your computer or your phone for long periods of time. Any repetitive movement or contraction of underlying muscles has the potential to cause skin lines & wrinkles over time.
S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F !
☀️SPF is your best friend—the premature lines caused by hunching over your IG feed are only made worse by sun damage. Using daily SPF will also help protect the skin from sun damage, which causes collagen breakdown & eventually lines & laxity.
In this day & age when sunscreen is in basically everything, you really have no excuse, my dear. Protect your neck.
M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E
Have any suggestions? Leave your advice in the comment section below!
Healthy Skin Month: Tips for that Beautiful Face & Scrumptious Lips
Healthy Habits, Lip Care, Face Care1 CommentEVERYDAY TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN.
👩 For That Beautiful Face 👩
Wash your face when waking, before bed & after sweating.
Washing when you wake up in the morning removes the dirt & bacteria that settle on your face while sleeping. Before bed, you want to remove all makeup & grime, such as smog, smoke, or dirt. Need we explain why washing your face is good to do after sweating?
IMPORTANT! Gently wash your face.
Gentle cleansing helps skin look its absolute best. We’re serious!
To gently cleanse your face, wet it with lukewarm water. Then apply your cleanser of choice, applying the cleanser in a circular motion with your fingers. Complete your routine by rinsing off the cleanser & patting your skin dry with your favorite soft, clean towel.
Wear sunnies to stop under-eye wrinkles. 😎
Use a jade roller for your under eye bags.
Sweat it out! 🚴♀️🧘♀️
GET CAFFEINATED TO LOOK WIDE AWAKE.
Your best bet when it comes to getting rid of puffiness? Try a shot of caffeine – and we don’t mean the one in your morning latte. Caffeine constricts the vessels beneath the eye, which are responsible for causing the darker appearance.
Look for an eye cream with caffeine near the top of the ingredient list – that way you know it plays a starring role in the formula.
Massage your face for circulation.
A Face massage can boost circulation & help tone the muscles in your face & neck. Spending even just
5 minutes a night will help improve skin’s elasticity.
Just like your body, the muscles in your face can become lazy with age. Adding this simple step to your routine will hugely improve the firmness of your skin.
E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E !
Exfoliate for smaller pores. Enlarged pores are actually one of the most common skin complaints for men & women.
Pores appear larger when they're filled with dirt, oil, dead skin cells & keratin (a protein that lives on the surface of skin). Remove that yucky build-up so your pores have the ability to shrink.
To clear out the gunk, exfoliate 2-3x a week. Reach for a gentle exfoliator–like our Coconut Ambre Vanille Body & Face Scrub with activated charcoal. The charcoal will help you suck out the yuck. Hello, glowing skin!
👄 For Those Scrumptious Lips 👄
Coat Your Lips With a Lip Butter Before Applying Lipstick.
This will ensure you that your lips are moisturized in spite of the Lipstick. Apply a Lip Butter for a moisturizing pout or even one of our Moisturizing Lip Tints. If you choose to wear Lipstick, avoid Matte (as they tend to dry out lips). Try a Crème or Satin finish.
Or TRY one of our delicious Lip Tints!
S C R U B - A - D U B ! S C R U B - A - D U B D U B ! S C R U B - A - D U B D U B ! S C R U B - A - D U B D U B !
EXFOLIATE FOR soft, smoochable lips
Lip scrubbing helps you to get rid of dead skin cells and leftover makeup. It helps your lip balm penetrate and re-balances that lipid layer. There are two steps to effectively exfoliate your lips:
Using a damp cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush, gently rub off any leftover makeup residue, dead or dry skin. This technique will also boost circulation to your lips.
2. Once you’re done sloughing your lips, smooth on a hydrating lip butter or conditioner to lock in moisture. When going outdoors, make sure to apply a lip butter that has an SPF to protect your lips from the harmful sun (we recommend ours)!
Moisturize with Aloe Vera …
You can purchase pure aloe vera gel or even crack a leaf from an aloe plant in your home for this remedy. Aloe vera has soothing & healing properties, helping lips to look their best.
OR with Vitamin E!
If you have vitamin E capsules, you can simply cut one open & apply the product right to your lips. Vitamin E boosts circulation & may help generate new skin cells, making your lips softer.
Quit LICKING your lips WHEN THEY FEEL DRY.
apply A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF lip butter before bed.
🍋 Wake up lips with citrus 🍋
Using a few drops of lemon juice, you can make your lips appear brighter and slough off dead skin. Just rub the lemon juice on to your skin and watch your skin brighten up before your eyes. You can also try using our SPF 30 Grapefruit, Citrus or Key Lime Lip Butter for this purpose as well 🥰
Have any suggestions? Leave your advice in the comment section below!
Healthy Skin Month: Why Your Skin Microbiome is Essential for a Beautiful, Healthy Glow
Healthy Habits, Face Care, Skin CareCommentWHAT IS SKIN MICROBIOME?
Just like your gut, your skin is home to an eco-system of billions of beneficial living microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) which live in and on your skin. This eco-system is our skin microbiome. A well-balanced microbiome works to keep your skin healthy and in good condition.
How does your microbiome affect your skin?
Your skin microbiome impacts what your skin looks and feels like day-to-day. A diverse microbiome is associated with skin health and can lead to more glowing, radiant and healthy-looking skin. The skin microbiome can assist in wound healing, limits allergen and UV radiation exposure, minimizes oxidative damage and helps keep the skin barrier intact and well hydrated. It also fights off threats by external factors such as bacterial transfer from external surfaces, certain cosmetic products, detergents and antimicrobials such as hand sanitizers. Keeping these microorganisms in balance may help to protect skin from certain conditions.
What happens if your microbiome is out of balance?
Inflammation can arise as the result of an imbalance or lack of diversity of the microbiome and manifest as acne, eczema or rosacea. When the balance shifts towards the bad bacteria, skin irritation or blemishes can develop.
How to nurture your skin biome for glowing, healthy skin
Nurturing your microbiome starts with being gentle to your skin. Here are some hints:
1. Stop using harsh soaps. Our growing soap usage may overly strip the skin which leads to redness, sensitivity and dryness. Avoid antibacterial soaps and eliminate harsh synthetic chemicals like sulfates (SLS/SLES). Sulfates are harsh detergents used for their foam-building properties and can cause skin irritation. Choose natural soaps for a kinder, gentler cleansing. Natural Inspirations has two gentle soap options that you might like — a bar soap and a liquid soap. They are sulfate free and still deliver a beautiful, moisturizing, skin-loving lather.
2. Don’t wash too often. Our obsession with cleanliness may be doing more harm than good for our skin microbiome. Clean only when you really need to – before bed to remove makeup, after a workout or an especially sweaty day -- to help maintain the skin’s natural oils and microbial balance.
3. Don’t use hot water in your shower or bath. Hot water washes away skin’s protective oils and can damage your skin cells which can cause broken capillaries and rashes. Rather, aim for lukewarm water and limiting your time to 10-15 minutes.
4. Hydrate – inside and out. Regular underhydrating can negatively affect your skin’s microbiome. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day and use a microbiome-pampering moisturizer with humectants like glycerin. We have wonderful moisturizers that will LOVE your skin!
5. Sweat often. There is evidence that sweat may contribute to healthy skin bacteria.
6. Go natural. Wear natural clothing fibers like cotton, linen, hemp and bamboo to keep the skin flora in balance with other parts of your body including the armpits and groin area. Man-made synthetic fibers like polyester provide a welcoming environment for odor-causing bacteria and may harbor bacteria that are out of balance with the normal skin ecosystem.
Our skin is the largest organ of our body.
Most of us don’t give it enough credit for the incredibly efficient, exceedingly complex protective job it does for us. Anything we can do to create a healthy environment for our skin microbiome will help us to look our positively glowing best!
Have any suggestions? Leave your advice in the comment section below!
100 Self Improvement Tips to Better Yourself
2 Comments
#SelfImprovementMonth
Healthy Body, Healthy Life ✌🏼
Create some sort of meal plan. Planning out your meals ahead of time will help you spend less money and make healthier food choices.
Stop eating fried food. Fried food makes you feel absolutely terrible for at least 24 hours … definitely not worth it.
Don’t go more than 3 days without exercise. Exercising gives you life, helps relieve all that nasty stress, and helps you get fit. We know sometimes it’s “too hard to squeeze it in every day,” but don’t go more than 3 days without it.
Eat less dairy. If you have a sensitive tummy, try cutting out dairy. I know it’s hard. But for some people this can eliminate digestive problems. Try some vegan cheese! We’re big fans of Daiya.
Cut out one, more or all of the following: pop, coffee, alcohol, or sugar. Not sure if we can cut coffee out, but we’re starting with eliminating alcohol for a while!
Get enough good sleep. Is 5.5 hours enough for you or is it 8 hours? Whatever it is for you, make sure you get it. The quality matters just as much as the time spent sleeping. Good sleep allows your body to regenerate and allows for better concentration. Not to mention, better skin!
Focus on being physically strong more than on being thin. This will create positive goals that are attainable and healthy for you. All shapes and sizes are beautiful 💪🏼
Make sure you get enough Vitamin C, D and all the others you may be missing. Essential vitamins like these can impact your health in a positive way if you get enough (and can have negative effects if they’re low). Try an at home test like LetsGetChecked or go see an Integrated Medicine Specialist.
Drink more than enough water every day. A good trick to figure how much to drink is to divide your body weight by 2 and that’s how many ounces you should consume. It’s tough, we know.
Stay on top of your annual, routine appointments and stop putting them off! Put a recurring reminder on your calendar for things like dental checkups, mole checks and physicals so you don’t miss any. Take your preventative care seriously. We mean it.
Take a new group fitness class or hire a personal trainer. If you struggle to stay active, classes or a trainer are great ways to get going. Just make sure you can fit it in that monthly budget of yours.
Subscribe to a health blog, or three. Learn about healthy living as a lifestyle practice little by little every day. Here’s a list of the best of 2019.
Smile. It releases endorphins 😁
Work on the relationships you want to last. 👯♀️
Be your own best friend. Learning to love yourself will create a feeling of being centered. Something that everyone deserves to experience. You’ll be happier in all areas of your life.
Set #relationshipgoals. How do you want your friendships to be maintained? Start small and come up with goals together.
Put as much effort into your relationships as you do into your everyday work. This is absolutely necessary. People matter the most in this world. Prioritize your people.
Give people the benefit of the doubt. If you make this an everyday practice, trust us … you’ll be happier. You won’t question others as much and you’ll find that you’ll become less judgmental.
Have “family” meetings. Whether it’s with your roommate or your partner. Discuss how things are going, including your personal goals, financial goals and anything else. It’s good to have a scheduled time to check-in with each other.
Call one friend or family member once a day. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the need to stay in touch, simply call one person you care about every day. Do it when you’re walking the dogs, while you’re on your way to work, or even on your lunch break. This way, over time, you’ll stay in touch with everyone.
Stop being a victim. Whatever your circumstances are, take ownership of every single one of them. Then, take action.
Learn to argue productively. Arguing is part of any healthy relationship. Learn how to do it constructively and respectfully. Don’t just argue for arguing’s sake.
Say sorry the right way. Don’t use “ifs” in your apologies (ex: “I’m sorry if I upset you). Address your apology head-on and take responsibility for your actions. Try “I understand how you feel and I’m sorry that I upset you.” Validation is also key.
Don’t put your partner down in public. This is one of the worst things you can do. It’s disrespectful and harms the relationship. How do you want to live and be perceived by others?
Stop negative thoughts about other people when you begin to think them. This practice can become an easy habit, and when it does, you’ll get out of a negative mindset. You’ll be happier overall and less judgmental in the long run.
Commit to playing with your kids and/or pets regularly. It’s not enough to provide for them financially. They need your time (and quality time at that). 🐶🐱
Prioritize your kids and/or over your work. This is hard for the workaholic of the family, but it’s worth it. Your regrets at the end of your life will be about the individuals in your life – not work. Prioritize your people and your pets.
A compliment a day … Makes people very happy! You never know when someone is feeling down or needs a little pick-me-up. Who knows, it could even open up a new relationship.
Money doesn’t make you happier, but it makes your life a little easier. 💰
Check your bank accounts daily. This habit will keep you informed on the reality of your financial situation. It will keep you aware of what you’re spending each day. It’s a simple action that can pay off in the long run.
Spend less than you make. This rule is super simple, but so hard to follow. If you live by this rule, you have a shot at building a stable (and even dreamy) financial future. Learn how to set a budget and then how to follow it.
Save a 3-6 month emergency fund. Because emergencies happen to everyone and having cash will lessen the stress. Layoffs happen. Emergencies happen. Life happens.
Get out of debt. Debt holds you back from doing a lot. It requires you to be a “slave to the lender” as they say. Get out and stay out.
Pay off your credit cards in full every month. If you don’t, you’ll be paying interest that compounds over time. Spend only what you can pay off.
Make more money. If you have an income problem (meaning you don’t make enough money to reach your financial goals), then find ways to make more money.
Pay yourself first. You’re always going to find ways to spend your money, even with pay increases. To make sure you’re saving, auto-deposit money into a savings account immediately when you’re paid. Increase the amount when you get a pay raise. Weekly transfers are a good choice.
Put more financial margin in your budget. Find ways to cut spending and make more money so you have more money left at the end of the month as a buffer. All those subscription boxes you have? Get rid of ones that aren’t fulfilling your life. Social media sites and streaming services? Cancel the ones you use the least.
Spend money on experiences. Research shows spending on experiences results in living a happier, healthier life. You will remember the experiences you had, not the stuff you bought.
Save for retirement. If you want to retire one day, you need to plan for it. The earlier you start, the more you benefit.
Commit to a career you love, but doesn’t consume you. 👩🏽🔬
Do work that fulfills you. This will make every day fly by. Not that you want it to fly by … but you won’t be bored. You’ll be happier and more content with your life. Don’t give up until you find your (career) happy place. And don’t forget, culture has a big part to play.
Quit your job if you hate it. Life is too short to spend it doing something you dislike.
Find ways to work from home. There are so many ways you can make money from home. If you can with your full time job, that’s great. Dog sitting? Driving services? Sell personal art on Etsy? You decide.
Get a mentor. A mentor is a coach of sorts. Having someone you trust who is helping you figure out what you want to be doing with your life can pay off big time.
Dress for the job you want. It pays to be well dressed for the job you want. Co-workers will see you in that role. This advice is super worth it if you actually do it. It’s too easy to get comfortable and “let yourself go.”
Remember that like-ability totally matters at work. There are studies that show like-ability is one of the most significant factors in getting hired and even promoted. Again, make sure the culture is right for you.
Take constructive feedback in a positive way. This can help you grow and become even better at your job. Constructive feedback is never personal, so don’t take it personally.
Give praise to people you work with. Doing this publicly will make people feel appreciated, and they’ll like you more for it, too. Again, validation is key.
Develop leadership skills. Learning how to be a good leader will prepare you for your career and for life. Meet with your manager on how to create goals to become a better leader. There is no goal too big or too small.
Read books, take classes, watch tutorials! Keep working on that career development. Enhance your skills by reading, watching or experiencing things related to career development. This will help you excel faster because you will grow faster. Use sources like Lynda, Skillshare, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning … there’s enough resources out there for everyone.
Spiritual growth is important too. 🙏🏾
Find a way to express gratitude daily. Tell someone why you appreciate them. Write down what you’re thankful for each day before bed. Get it out of your system, it will make you feel more fulfilled.
Stop trying to be a perfectionist. It gets in the way of your happiness, your success, your everyday life (and it annoys other people)!
Get comfortable saying “no”. Say “no” to what you don’t want to do, so you can have room for what you do want to do. You’ll be happier in the long run.
Talk with a therapist. If you have past issues to work on, take care of them now. If you have current issues to work on, take care of those now too.
Forgive regularly. When you forgive, you set yourself free from resentment and pain. It’s not about the other person. It’s about you. Don’t forget to forgive yourself too.
See the world with a glass half full mentality. You can learn to train yourself how to be happier and have a positive attitude. Others will enjoy your company more too.
Listen to podcasts during your commute. One great way to learn while you’re wasting time is during your commute.
Evaluate your experiences. You don’t learn from your experiences. You learn from evaluating your experiences. So, evaluate yours to change and learn from them.
Start a blog about something you love. Blogging is a great way to focus on personal development. Too scary? Start with writing down thoughts. Write short blogs. Eventually you’ll get better at it, and you’ll enjoy it too.
Stay motivated. Enough said. Try new things
Implement supportive habits. It’s not enough to rely on motivation. You need to implement habits into your life. Learn how to implement better habits into your life.
Limit your TV to less than 30 minutes / day on average. TV is such a time suck and it’s completely passive.
Start meditating. Meditation can be one of the most useful ways to relieve stress and find inner-contentment. It also helps with anxiety. Feeling stressed? Try a meditation app to get started. We like the one called Pause.
Get out of your comfort zone. Personal development means growing as a person. And the only way you’ll grow is from new experiences, which often require you to get out of your comfort zone. The more you get use to this, the easier it becomes.
Have faith in something bigger than you. Believing in God or another higher power can make your life more meaningful. Decide what you believe in and commit to that.
Know what you want from your life. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll wander somewhere you may not like. To avoid this, set visions in each life category (more on visions here) so you know where you’re headed.
Set goals. Goals will help you create a roadmap of how to get where you want to go.
Create a mission statement for your life (or one area of your life). Using a mission statement can help you focus on your number one priority. This helps make decision-making easier.
Have a go-to activity to get you out of a funk. Whatever works for you – do that. Whether it’s going for a run, taking a nap, painting, etc. Find an activity you do that helps you clear your mind. 🎨
At the end of the year reflect on the prior year by going through your calendar. Something I learned from 15 Invaluable Laws Of Growth by John Maxwell and have been doing for years. It helps you prioritize your time and money by looking at what you did the year before.
Journal regularly. Journaling is a way to express your thoughts in writing. It will bring you clarity in various ways. A side effect of journaling is documenting life events, too (which is almost never a bad thing).
Read at least one book a month. Reading will help you grow and develop. This month, our obsessions are Jodi Picoult and Lisa Scottoline.
Wake up early. You can seriously benefit from starting an everyday morning routine. Push your alarm clock time back one minute every day until you’re waking up early enough to do your planned morning routine. ⏰
Create a morning routine that you do before work. If you prioritize going what’s important to you (personally) before you start work, the day won’t escape you and you’ll actually do these things (and hopefully get them done too).
Keep notes in a digital folder. Notes of everything you want to remember for the future. Podcasts, reminders, grocery lists, movies to see. It’ll help remind you to do these things later on.
Unplug from technology. People are looking down at their phones so much that they often miss what’s happening in the world around them. Keep your head up. We live in a beautiful place.
Identify and quit a bad habit. We all have that one thing that we want to do less of.
Make time for the fun stuffs. 🥳
Make time for fun if you’re an overachiever. Fun is absolutely necessary to your health and happiness. For the type-A, the overachiever, put fun in your schedule. You’ll enjoy life more. And people will enjoy you more.
Cut back on fun if you’re an underachiever. The opposite is true if you tend to spend all your free time having fun. If you are disorganized, haven’t cleaned in a while, or have no idea what your goals are – cut back on the fun (don’t get rid of it completely though) and spend time thinking and working on personal development.
Pursue a hobby that you love – just for fun. This will give you ownership of something you do just for you. Try some new ones while you’re at it 😜
Find creative ways to have fun without spending loads of money. Getting creative with your fun on the cheap will push you outside your comfort zone and into new experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have.
Laugh, be silly, and find your inner child. Play (anything for the joy of doing) has the power to significantly improve everything from your brain power to mental and physical health to relationships to your ability to be creative. Remember those days when we’d call our friends to see if they wanted to come over and play? Yeah, just like that.
Get outside and play. The outdoors allows you to explore and take adventures in a way you can’t get otherwise.
Laugh as much as possible. Laughter is good for the soul. Laughter gives you a jolt of happiness instantly. If you can increase how much you laugh, you can increase your overall happiness.
Feel good in the space around you. 🏡
Create a vision board for motivation and inspiration. Having your visions and goals in front of you is a great way to stay on track with where you’re headed in life. It helps to keep you motivated day-to-day.
Stay organized. Keep as much as you can organized; including your home (every room and closet), your office, and anywhere else you spend time. An organized space will help you clear your mind.
Plan your weeks and weekends ahead of time. Use a calendar (digital or manual) and keep it in the “month view”. This will give you an overarching view of the month so you can plan your week and upcoming weeks ahead of time. We like printed calendars for our personal schedule and online calendars for our work schedule. There is no wrong way to do it.
Keep a to-do list. Alongside your calendar, keep a list of actions you want to complete. Check or cross off each item as you complete it and add to it as you have more things to get done. Knowing what your priorities are will help you accomplish your goals without getting distracted.
Purge anything you haven’t used or worn in over a year. Go through every item in your closet that you haven’t worn in over a year and yourself if you love that item. If you don’t love it, get rid of it. 👚Try donating to ThredUp - that’s our favorite.
Do your most important task first every day. Make a list of things you want to get done for the day. Start with the most important tasks. This will help you feel accomplished right away and help to set you up for a day of success.
Commit to one cleaning or organizational task per day. Small tasks compounded over time lead to great results. This will keep your house nice, clean and tidy!
Read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. This book can change the way you organize forever.
It feels good to give back. 💸
Practice generosity. Instilling generosity as a way of life can impact the world in a huge way. And as a side effect, you’ll be happier, too.
Appreciate where you are in life. When you are thankful for your circumstances, you are stronger because you’re not a victim.
Practice mindfulness. Learn to be present and mindful of the moment. While planning ahead is good, don’t let that detract from being present and centered.
Create a gratitude jar that you put one note into every week. Expressing thankfulness on a weekly basis will help you be aware of how lucky you are in addition to give you something at the end of the year to look back on. I’m doing this now and it’s really fun!
Practice gratitude. The more you express how grateful you are, the happier you’ll be. You’ll also attract more positive things into your life.
Be a mentor. This is a rewarding way to give back to the younger generations whether it’s through career mentoring, school mentoring or life mentoring. Take your pick!
Volunteer and give your time. Giving your time (your most precious resource) is the most profound way to give back.
Commit to donating a specific percent of your income every year. This is the best way I know how to practice consistent financial generosity.
Say thank you.
Go forth and improve yo-self!
7 Bedtime Rituals for a Better Night's Sleep
Healthy Habits, Lavender Ylang1 CommentWhy you Need Antioxidants in your Skincare Regimen
CommentToday, the word “antioxidant” is a hot buzzword. From skincare products to natural health foods, someone is always raving about their products and the antioxidants within. Antioxidants are generally important for our overall health, and are especially beneficial to our skin as they help to combat free radicals.
4 Skin Loving Benefits of Coconut Oil
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Coconut oil is one of Mother Nature’s best kept beauty secrets. It has long been touted as being one of the healthiest foods on the planet helping with weight loss, heart disease and the immune system. What you may not know is this tropical trooper is also a miracle ingredient for natural beauty treatments. The coconut tree is considered the “tree of life” in much of Southeast Asia, India, the Philippines and other tropical locations. There are over 1500 studies proving the health and beauty benefits of coconut oil.
Here are 4 ways coconut oil can leave your skin baby soft and beautiful!
1. As a Natural Moisturizer for Dry Skin
No one likes dry skin and that’s where coconut oil comes in! Medium chain fatty acids (MCTs) provide humectant properties for the skin. What does this mean? MCTs in coconut oil help to hydrate while preventing moisture loss through the skin, since coconut oil helps to provide a protective barrier on the skin's surface. Once you’ve tried a lotion with coconut oil and see what it does for your skin, it’s pretty hard to ever look back!
2. As a Natural Moisturizer for Problem Skin
Coconut oil may provide intense hydration to very dry skin, but it can even be used on acne prone skin without causing further breakouts. This may seem confusing as we’re often led to believe that oil will only cause more oil! The fact is, though, that coconut oil contains Capric acid, Caprylic acid and Lauric acid, all of which offer powerful antimicrobial properties. This simply means they help to heal wounds quickly as well as keep the skin clean and disinfected which is very important when dealing with an inflammatory skin condition such as acne.
3. To Naturally Fade Scars and Stretchmarks
Let’s be honest, scars and stretch-marks can make any woman feel self-conscious! The truth is that all of us have them, even though some are more visible than others. They can be hard to prevent and may seem even harder to treat. What’s your best defense? Vitamin E! This powerful antioxidant rich vitamin is essential for tissue repair and will help to both prevent and fade scars and stretch-marks so that they are hardly noticeable. Coconut oil is a great source of Vitamin E and the best part is that it’s completely natural! Thank you Mother Nature!
4. To Keep Your Skin Young and Radiant
Model, Miranda Kerr, swears by consuming a tablespoon of coconut oil every day for a keeping her skin youthful...and it’s easy to see why! Antioxidants in coconut oil help to fight off free radicals, which are the main cause of aging. Free radicals come from many sources, most notably unhealthy food and environmental pollution. Vitamin E helps to fight off those free radicals by repairing skin and restoring collagen which keeps your skin plump and glowing. Coconut oil is the consistent ingredient in all our hand and body lotions at Natural Inspirations, alongside Shea butter for an intense moisturizing boost! We do not believe in chemicals or synthetic ingredients, but rather providing you with natural ingredients compliments of Mother Nature. Coconut oil and Shea butter form the perfect hydrating base that will leave your skin deeply hydrated and silky to the touch.
Our lotions come in 4 unique, fresh essential oil-based fragrances with a fragrance free option for sensitive noses.
Eucalyptus Rosemary Mint is perfect for waking up the senses and leaving you feeling super refreshed!
Apply our Lavender Ylang Ylang lotion at night and say goodbye to a stressful day as you drift off into dreamland!
Fragrance free option for those with sensitive skin. The moisture you want without the irritating scent.
Feeling a bit low? One whiff of our Grapefruit Bergamot lotion will instantly lift your spirits.
Our Orange Ginger lotion is perfect to start your day as it stimulates the senses and gets you ready to go!
These are a few of the wonderful ways coconut oil can make your skin simply gorgeous. Beautiful skin makes us feel more confident, and that confidence will shine through!
Linking Breast Cancer & Hormones
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HORMONES INFLUENCE
breast cancer
THEY DON'T CAUSE IT.
If you’ve watched any of the NFL games lately, then you know from the pink shoes, pink socks and pink ribbons that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Some people are tired of all the pink. I’m not. For me, it’s a reminder to be diligent in choosing a healthy lifestyle, and an opportunity to continue my ongoing discovery on how to do that. So, during this month of Pink, I’ll share with you some of the things that I’ve learned about how to reduce our risk of breast cancer.
Is there a link between hormones and breast cancer?
Yes, there’s a link between hormones and breast cancer. High amounts of estrogen in the blood may increase a woman’s breast cancer risk*1. The hormone estrogen is created naturally in a woman’s body and is essential to the development of the female reproductive system. From our first menstrual period until menopause, estrogen stimulates normal breast cells. It has many non-reproductive functions as well. For example, it helps lower cholesterol, regulate mood, and keep our bones and heart strong. Most estrogen is produced in the ovaries, but smaller amounts are produced in the liver, the adrenal glands, and the breasts. After menopause, estrogen is produced mainly in fat tissue. According to the National Cancer, elevated estrogen levels are a risk factor for breast cancer.*2
How do hormones contribute to breast cancer?
Many of the cells throughout our body – both healthy cells and potentially cancerous ones – contain hormone receptors. These receptors stimulate cell growth when they come in contact with certain hormones. For instance, as estrogen circulates through our bloodstream, it attaches to the estrogen receptors in cancerous cells, causing the cancerous cells to divide and accumulate in our body. In the absence of estrogen, these same cells would stop growing and eventually die. That’s why we need to limit our exposure to hormones. The amount of time our body is exposed to these hormones may increase our risk of breast cancer, as the increased hormones can help cancer cells grow. Circumstances that raise our estrogen levels may include:
Early menstruation – before age 12.
Taking oral contraceptives in the past 10 years.
Giving birth to your first child after 35, or not having children at all; because pregnancy suppresses estrogen levels.
Not breastfeeding, since breastfeeding, like pregnancy, suppresses estrogen levels.
Late menopause – after age 55.
Taking hormone replacement therapy in menopause.
Being overweight, especially after menopause. The body makes some of its estrogen in fat tissue, so higher weight means more fat tissue and higher estrogen levels. In fact, some studies suggest that being overweight in menopause can increase your risk by 30-60%.
Environmental or artificial estrogens – synthetic substances that behave like the hormone estrogen when they’re absorbed by your body. You may be exposed to these environmental estrogens in some plastics, certain skin creams, some cleaning products, pesticides and weed killers. It’s not yet clear what role these artificial estrogens play in the development of breast cancer, but there is evidence that it is a negative effect.
What can I do to limit my exposure to excessive hormones?
Think Twice
Consider how your non-medical choices can also enhance your overall health—and your personal risk of breast cancer. Every time you eat, drink, or use products, you have an opportunity to make healthy changes in your life.
AVOID TAKING EXTRA HORMONES
It’s best to avoid exposing your body to extra hormones, such as estrogen, which are contained in medications such as birth control pills and menopausal hormone replacement therapy. Consider non-hormonal solutions, such as an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception, lubrication for vaginal dryness, and meditation and acupuncture for hot flashes. If you feel that you require hormonal medication to improve or maintain your quality of life, talk to your doctor. You can limit your risk by taking the lowest dose for the shortest time possible.
Choose Safe Personal Care Products
It’s best to buy products that are made without toxic chemicals. What goes on us can go in us. Ingredients including hormone extracts can be absorbed into the body. Avoid parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrochemicals and artificial dyes. Some of these chemicals have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. Instead of a moisturizer with ingredients you can’t pronounce, choose products that have natural ingredients, such as coconut oil or shea butter and botanical extracts. For information on safer ingredients and product options, visit http://www.naturalinspirations.com/ingredient-philosophy/
Change is a journey. You have to start somewhere. Whether it’s making the choice to avoid unnecessary hormones or rethinking your personal care product choices, roll up your sleeves and get busy. Some changes may be easy to make. Some may feel out of reach. You can only do the best you can—and you should feel good about your efforts. Whatever first step you take is one in the right direction. One step leads to two steps and then more. Small changes can make a big difference!
Exfoliating the Facts About Body Care Products
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Why Should I Use Natural Body Care Products?
As a co-founder of Natural Inspirations, I'm asked this question all the time. In fact, it was the question I first asked when a friend's cancer diagnosis made me acutely aware of what we put in and on our bodies. It prompted an appreciation for the shift in body care products to natural. From her diagnosis to treatment to recovery, I learned many eye-opening things, including that up to 65% of what we put on our skin can be absorbed into our bodies. Yikes!
Now, think of how many body care products you use a day -- everything from cleanser, moisturizer, body wash, to lotion, deodorant and toothpaste. Mine totals up to 11 products; how about you? Well, research shows that the average woman uses nine personal care products a day, with 126 chemicals.* Think about using these products every day. For years. The toxins can build up in our body and can have a negative effect. So the chemicals in our products matter and can make a difference in our health!
My friend's cancer diagnosis served as a catalyst for trying a whole range of natural products. While I felt better about what I was putting on my body, the products themselves weren't as pampering as my then go-tos. The body washes didn't lather, the lotions were runny, the body crèmes didn't sink into my skin, and everything was sticky! I wanted products that had the "good" ingredients with an equally good (read: luxurious and indulgent) experience. It seemed like eliminating the "bad" ingredients in my body care products was going to force me to use products that I didn't like as well. Instead, I put my skin in the game, so to speak, and devoted my days to creating what I couldn't find: natural body care products that pamper.
How Can I Find the Best-For-Me Natural Body Care Products?
Through our Natural Inspirations blog, we'll help you wade through the pros and cons of the choices we have when choosing body care products. Hopefully the information shared will help you begin to make healthier choices!
Our mantra at Natural Inspirations is "Indulge in the good...Eliminate the bad." What exactly does that mean? It's pretty simple. Use products that contain the fabulous botanical ingredients that nature has to offer, and eliminate the harsh toxins. Here is a list of the top ingredients to avoid in your body care products, and why:
EDTAs
A stabilizer used in cosmetics to prevent ingredients from binding with other ingredients to cause unwanted changes to a product's texture, odor and consistency. Though clinical data indicates that disodium EDTA is not well absorbed by the skin, it has been shown to enhance the dermal penetration of other ingredients contained in the product making it easier for undesirable ingredients to enter your body.
PARABENS
Often shown on an ingredient list as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, or butylparaben, parabens are a common synthetic preservative in beauty products. Continued use of parabens as preservatives has been linked to hormone-disruptive activities, breast cancer, and skin irritation and there are studies that suggest possible carcinogenicity.
PEGs
The abbreviation of polyethylene glycol is a mixture of compounds. They function in three ways: as emollients, emulsifiers, and as vehicles that help deliver other ingredients deeper into the skin. Because of this penetration enhancing effect, PEGs make it easier for undesirable ingredients to enter your body.
PETROCHEMICALS
Petroleum based substances covering a wide array of chemicals. Some of these chemicals can cause photosensitivity and skin problems by creating a chemical barrier that prevents skin from "breathing." This leads to chapping and dry skin.
PHTHALATES
These chemical plasticizers that soften plastics are also found in beauty products (shown on the ingredient list as diethylphthalate (DEP)) where they stabilize the fragrance, increase spreadability and enhance absorption of skin care products.There may be a relationship between phthalates and adverse effects on human reproduction or development as well as cancer.
SULFATES
Also known as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), these chemicals dissolve the oils on your skin which can cause a drying effect. Used for their foam-building abilities, they cause eye irritation, skin rashes, and allergic reactions.
SYNTHETIC DYES
Labeled FD&C or D&C, they are used to make a cosmetic “pretty”, synthetic dyes are linked to skin allergies and sensitivities.
To learn more about body care ingredients, check out our Ingredient Glossary.
Every week, I hear a new story from a friend, customer or retailer who has chosen to make the change to natural ingredients by trying Natural Inspirations. I'm amazed at the positive impact the right ingredients can make in how our skin reacts. Small changes can make a big difference! To see for yourself and inspire others, be one of the first 10 people to share this post on Facebook and I'll give you a sample to experience the Natural Inspirations difference!
*2009 Environmental Working Group Study
Make your own DIY Face Masks with everyday household ingredients. Here's a list of the 10 most common and how you can use them.