Why Hemp Seed Oil is a Star Ingredient in Skin & Hair Care..

Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp Seed Oil is attracting immense attention across many industries world wide, and this includes the Healthy and Beauty Industries as well!

Hemp is one of the most important industrial crops in the world and the natural fibers of hemp are put to dozens of uses. While they closely resemble Marijuana in their characteristics, it definitely doesn’t cause any psychotropic reactions!

What makes Hemp Seed Oil Healthy & Beneficial?

Hemp Seed Oil is rich in proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, insoluble fibers and Tocopherols. The presence of all-natural Vitamin E and Antioxidants makes it an ideal pick as an emollient or moisturizer in organic beauty products. It is also power packed with minerals such as Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Calcium and Phosphorous. The ‘Omega 3’ and ‘Omega 6’ content in Hemp Seed Oil helps to counteract aging skin and ~60% ‘Gamma Linoleic Acid’ or GLA (hormone like chemicals) content in it makes it an outstanding aid for preventing skin conditions such as Psoriasis, Eczema and Rosacea.

Other important components of Hemp Seed Oil – Vitamin A, Retinol, Alpha and Beta Carotene, Beta Cryptoxanthin, Lycopene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Beta Tocopherol, Gamma Tocopherol, Vitamin K, Riboflavin Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Folic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Pantothenic Acid and Vitamin B12.

What are the Important Beauty Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil?

Regenerating Skin’s Protective Layer – Omega 3 fatty acid rich hemp seed oil has a composition that closely mimics the structure of our skin cell lipids. Infused in our Award Winning Formulation, BioScience Peptide Complex II (with its essential oil blend of Sunflower, Hemp Seed, Jojoba, and Borage etc…), Hemp Seed Oil plays an important anti-aging role and helps bring firmness to the skin.

Fighting Inflammation – Rich in GLA, Hemp Seed Oil is known to boost immunity in our body by promoting the production of prostaglandins that control inflammation. A study done by the ‘Free Radical Biology & Medicine Journal’ by the University of Mississippi, Medical Center found that ‘Cannabidiol’ in hemp seed oil can reduce the impact of inflammation on oxidative stress and thus promote the sustenance of healthy organs. A combination of Hemp Seed Oil with Neem Oil is a powerful organic skincare solution to heal acne faster while preventing scarring.

Regulating Sebum Production – Linoleic Acid is an Adaptogen, which helps it to control/regulate sebum production and is thus an essential aid for people with kapha Ayurvedic dosha (oily skin type), and Vata/Pitta doshas! Lack of GLA can provoke excess sebum production, which can clog pores and give rise to nuisances such as blackheads, whiteheads, acne and other skin lesions. It also helps to relieve your skin from dryness and itchiness, hence reduce the dependence on medications.

Prevents Sunburns – Hemp seed oil has a natural SPF 6 factor and can help you stay protected on mild sunny days. Adding Zinc Oxide and Carrot Seed Oil with it can boost its sun protection rating and help you soothe down. Our SunProtect SPF 30+ is a perfect combination of nature-derived Natural Oils of Sesame Oil (SPF 4), Carrot Seed Oil (SPF 35-40), Almond Oil (SPF 5), Coconut Oil (SPF 2-8), Shea Butter (SPF 3-6), Grapeseed Oil (SPF 4), Jojoba Oil (SPF 4) and Hemp Seed Oil (SPF 6).

Maintaining a Healthy Complexion – Hemp seed oil is known for its moisturizing effect (without being greasy or comedogenic) and also helps to clean, nourish and detoxify our skin – making space for an even skin tone and bringing out a natural glow. Since, it has a similar lipid composition, it helps to deeply moisturize and penetrate into the epidermis and subdermal layers of our skin.

Boosts Hair Growth – The benefits of this oil are not just limited to the skin, but the lipids are also advantageous to promote healthy hair growth, bring shine, strengthen fragile hair strands, and add moisture to your hair. Massaging into the scalp can improve blood circulation and help correct such problems such as scalp psoriasis, itchiness, dryness and dandruff.

The benefit of Hemp Seed Oil is literally countless! Shop our top products with Hemp Seed Oil infusions to see fruitful results for your skincare and haircare goals.

Spring into Summer! Balancing Kapha with Pure Active Botanicals: Organic Haircare

Last week we talked about Season Change – Balancing Kapha for Spring and Summer with Pure Botanicals (Skincare) and hopefully gave you some insights into how you can manage Kapha Dosha skin with Organic Ayurvedic Botanical Actives, and recommended a Kapha Skincare Regimen. This week, we tackle the subject of how to achieve your most beautiful summer hair!

Do You have Kapha Dosha Hair?

Just like our skin, the quality of your hair and scalp is determined by your body’s unique Ayurvedic dosha type. Unlike Pitta and Vata, Kapha hair types have comparatively more manageable hair and are generally not plagued with serious hair problems throughout their life.

People with kapha dosha usually have a hair that is full, lush, thick, mostly wavy hair, but this hair type can also become dull and lifeless, without proper care and nourishment.

Evidently, Kapha Ayurvedic Dosha isn’t completely genetically defined, and can actually happen to anyone due to a Kapha imbalance. People, who use the wrong type of styling products, such as chemically based mousses and gels, may also experience problems with oily hair.

Whatever the causes, an out of sync Kapha balance may cause you to have an overly oily scalp, with all it’s attendant problems.

When the condition is pronounced, there can be excessive oil build along the hair shafts, which can lead to clogged pores and build-up of dirt and pollutants (toxins/ama), leading to potential scalp problems, such as dandruff & seborrheic dermatitis and can even affect hair growth, and cause premature thinning or hair loss!

What does your Kapha hair need?

If you think a Kapha hair type and scalp don’t require moisturizing, you would be incorrect. Kapha hair benefits from regular hot oil massages with Ayurvedic herbal oils. Some of the most effective oils for a kapha hair are: Coconut oil, Castor oil, Olive oil and Jojoba Oil.

Massaging your scalp 3X per week helps to improve circulation, which improve hair growth and helps keep hair follicles healthy. These oils when absorbed into the scalp, help re-balance this dosha.

It is also essential that you thoroughly cleanse your hair with a kapha balancing shampoo to 3-5X per week in order to get rid of clogged pores and help promote healthy hair growth. We recommend you to pick shampoos and conditioners that can deep cleanse and yet restore your natural oils.

Detoxifying an Oily Scalp the Right Way

Concentrate your shampoo at the roots and follow up with a lightweight conditioner on the bottom 2/3rds of your hair. This helps to protect the structure of the hair and works to repel oils. We recommend a Neem wood comb/brush to help distribute oils and detangle naturally.

A formula that has soothing and calming elements (such as Rosemary and Clary Sage) may also help in balancing Kapha Dosha, and thus, help in controlling the production of excess oils.

‘Shielding’ with PuraVeda Organics top Recommended Organic Haircare Essentials for the Kapha Season:

When purchasing Shampoo & Conditioner, it’s essential that your products are labelled as ‘paraben free’ (here’s why), ‘sulphate free’, ‘free of chemicals’ and, preferably ‘vegan’.

For your everyday haircare regimen, here is the best PuraVeda Organic’s natural cleanser and conditioner picks that will help balance your Kapha (oily) hair and scalp this summer season:

Shampoo – PuraVeda Clarifying Shampoo – to remove oil and debris build up without stripping the natural oils. (with jojoba, coconut, grapeseed, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, burdock and other pure organic botanical extracts)
Conditioner – PuraVeda Everyday Conditioner – to moisturize and get salon quality hair without toxic chemicals (with shea butter, coconut, olive, rosemary, Vitamin A, E, B1, B2, B3, Ylang Ylang and other organic botanical actives).
Fragrance & Styling (Optional) – PuraVeda Leave-in Conditioning Styling Gel – a lightweight formula for beautiful control & shine with a lingering and fresh citrus fragrance (with jojoba oil, aloevera gel, grapeseed oil, and evening primrose oil, rosemary and litsea cubeba.

Skin Care

Season Change – Balancing Kapha for Spring and Summers with Pure Botanicals (Skincare)

Do you find it difficult to manage your skin’s fluctuations with the change in season? The winter is (mostly) gone, the spring is headed our way and summer is right behind! Here’s how you can balance your skin health (recommended by our Ayurvedic experts) this ‘Kapha’ season:

Change Indications

With the gradual rise in climate driven temperatures, our oil glands tend to become hyperactive. This happens when the outside weather is hot, and our body attempts to keep our internal temperature lower, and it does this by producing excess oil (sebum) from the sebaceous glands under our skin.

Unlike ‘pitta’ and ‘vata’ Ayurvedic doshas, if you fall into the ‘kapha’ skin type, you are more unlikely to get wrinkles and fine lines, especially in the 30’s and 40’s decades. However, while the production of oil, particularly in the‘T-zone’ which helps to keep your skin supple and moisturized in summers, thus prevening wrinkles, this skin type unfortunately can invite bacterial proliferation, acne and breakouts, along with dead skin cells and blocked pores! This is also the season where your skin is prone innflamation, and it is not uncommon to suffer redness and rashes.

The Key to Kapha Skincare

A kapha skin (Read More) tends to be ‘normal to oily’. An out of sync Kapha skin can lead to accumulation of toxins within your body. For a kapha skin, it’s essential that you detoxify your skin on a regular basis. For complete detoxification, it’s vital that you flush out the toxins both internally and externally to help manage the production of sebum.

What’s the Solution?

The best solution to give a fight back for a balanced dermis is by fine tuning your skin care regimen with the right botanical formula. The following should be your ideal skincare routine for this summer season:

Skincare Routine — Beauty Ritual for Kapha Skin

Cleansing: Always make sure that you use a gentle cleanser so as not to trigger your oil glands. A Clay Cleanser is the best ingredient to remove the oily impurities and cleansing should be the first step to your morning and night skincare ritual.
Exfoliation: Deep cleaning and exfoliation are a must for kapha skin types to prevent the accumulation of shed skin cells, dirt, oil and bacteria, which are all contributors those frustrating breakouts!
Toning: Toning can be an underestimated hero in balancing out your kapha dosha in the summer season. After you have exfoliated your skin properly, you may use a cotton swab dipped in a natural toner to polish your skin and keep it free from toxins.
Moisturizing: Did you think an excessively oily skin doesn’t require to be moisturized? Well, you would not be along, but also incorrect on that score! Overdrying your skin can cause a rebound effect and actually cause you to produce even more oil. After gently cleansing your skin, make sure you use a lightweight and nourishing moisturizer that is infused with some of the invigorating herbs such as rosemary, peppermint, citrus or geranium which helps to balance a kapha skin.

If you are going out in the sun, don’t forget to apply a non- oily sunscreen which is moisturizing and is marked with at least SPF30.

Also, remember that a healthy skin is directly related to a healthy and a balanced diet. Make sure that you stay well hydrated this summer and increase the intake of anti-oxidant rich and fat-free superfoods. Some of the best organic superfoods to enjoy this summer are: cucumber, Aloe Vera, zucchini, oranges, yoghurt, celery, cantaloupe, blackberries, tomatoes, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, figs, peaches, nectarines and apple cider vinegar.

Additionally, cooking your food with herbs and spices such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, chili and black pepper can help to balance your digestive fire and inhibit the accumulation of ama (toxins) within your body.

‘Shielding’ with PuraVeda Organics top Recommended Skincare Essentials for the Kapha Season

We believe that ‘less is more’ for your skincare ritual and here are some of the best, fast acting and pure Ayurvedic recipes to balance your Kapha Dosha:

Cleanser– Pore Perfect Cleanser – Organic Pore Minimizing Facial Cleanser
Exfoliator– Papaya & Honey Exfoliation Mask & Scrub
Toner– Pore Perfect Hydrator/ Toner – Organic Oil Balancing Daily Facial Hydrating Mist
Moisturizer– Collagen Boost Serum – Collagen Building Firming Facial Moisturizer
Sunscreen– SunProtect SPF 30+

Stay tuned with us for release of our next part of this series in our forthcoming newsletter: ‘Season Change – Balancing Kapha for Spring and Summers with Pure Botanicals (Haircare)’

Parabens – Evaluating the Risk of Commonly Used Preservatives in Beauty Products

There’s been lots of buzz in the news lately about beauty products that contain questionably toxic substances like ‘Parabens’ and ‘Phthalates’. But before you commit to eliminating them from your product list completely, we feel it’s essential for you to know the why’s and the how’s on avoiding them.

What are Parabens and why does the Cosmetic Industry use them?

The Paraben family (which includes Methyl Parabens, Ethyl Parabens, Propyl Parabens, Butyl Parabens, and Isobutylparabens) are commonly used as preservatives across many product categories to help protect the product from spoilage and prevent the growth of bacteria, molds and other types of microorganisms.

List of Cosmetic products which contain ‘Parabens’ (or their derivatives):

Makeup
Moisturizers
Shampoos
Conditioners
Shaving Creams
Deodorants and more…

Not only are they used in cosmetics, but they have also found their place on the shelves of grocery items!

What’s wrong with using products containing Parabens?

About 85% of the cosmetic industry use some form of Parabens in their formulation. Its usage (up to safe levels of exposure) is currently approved by the FDA as well. Parabens are undoubtedly a successful commercial ingredient to be used since the 1950s, as they are cheap, easily available and were previously thought to be GRAS (generally recognized as being safe).

According to research, Parabens are classified as ‘Xenoestrogens’: toxic compounds that mimic natural Estrogen in the body. Some of the FDA’s research points to parabens being stored in adipose tissues, where they can potentially cause hormonal disruption due to cumulative effect, and some research has linked such accumulation, especially in breast and axillary tissues, with cancer.

Are there any Organic Alternatives to Parabens?

Are you checking labels for being ‘Parabens Free’? You can find all the answers in the library of ‘Nature’. There are a number of known, naturally available ingredients that work just as well (or better) than Parabens. And.. Unlike Parabens and other toxic compounds, these natural preservatives are quite easily flushed out of our bloodstream. Not only that, these natural preservatives actually have beneficial physical effects as well.

Here’s a list of a few of the best preservatives that are organic, 100% natural and are safe to use in beauty products:

Neem Extract/ Oil – Used in Ayurvedic Medicine since the ancient times, Neem Oil is an amazing preservative that is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal as well as spermicidal qualities. Neem It is the central ingredient in Natural Rosacea treatment, and can also be very beneficial in treating skin allergies, and problems like psoriasis, eczema and dandruff.

Honey – In ancient times, honey was used to treat burns and wounds. When diluted, Honey is known to release Hydrogen Peroxide which is a major contributor to the microbial action. Being low in pH and moisture content, raw honey with its bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, provide some great inhibitory action against the growth of about hundreds of species of bacteria.

Rosemary Extract – Carnosic Acid found in Rosemary helps to fight against free radicals in our body. It is also a versatile herb that is known for its anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-aging qualities.

Grapefruit Seed Oil/ Extract – It is not only known to provide “atypical skin conditioning” (thickening of dermis/collalgen layer and moisture retention), but is also a natural antibiotic, disinfectant, antiseptic and preservative. According to studies, Grapefruit Seed Extract is known to be effective against thousands of bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral strains.

Vitamin E (Naturally Derived) – Naturally, Vitamin E is derived from rice germ, whole wheat and vegetable oils. Using Vitamin E as a preservative prevents products from getting rancid.

Citric Acid/ Lemon – Citric Acid is one of the most versatile ingredients that is abundantly available in citrus fruits (like Lemon and Oranges) and berries. Its highly acidic content, Vitamin C enrichment, chelating power and antioxidant properties, makes it a perfect pick for several beauty formulations.

Final verdict

Using Natural and Plant Based Preservatives is obviously a better solution than questionable and cheap chemicals that are now coming under fire for perhaps not being so safe after all. Natural preservatives are more expensive it is true, but also powerful enough to be equally as effective. It is up to you as a consumer to make companies wake up to this fact and change their product formulations accordingly!

All products at PuraVeda Organics are organic and locally grown so that you can be rest assured that our products are 100% uncontaminated with Parabens or any of their derivatives.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHY ORGANIC IS BETTER.. COME SHOP OUR PRODUCTS FOR THE BEST SKIN & HAIR OF YOUR LIFE!

Switching to Green Beauty: The Healing Potential of Therapeutic Essential Oils

You probably landed on this page in search of alternatives to harsh chemicals, irritating exfoliants and bioaccumulating toxic ingredients used in commercial cosmetics.

If you are planning to switch over to a green beauty regimen, then the restorative powers and the controlled usage of ‘Essential Oils’ is perhaps the best and the natural (botanical) plant based solution to all your skin, hair, beauty problems and overall general health.

Understanding the Penetration Mechanism of Essential Oils

According to a research, 60% of commercially available cosmetics end up entering into your bloodstream, and some of their compounds even get stored in our fatty tissues for years!

Carrier oils (such as olive oil, coconut oil or castor oil) in general do not penetrate more than 2-3 layers of the skin epidermal layer, as they carry a high molecular weight. On the contrary, most essential oils have a molecular weight of less than 500 Dalton and being lipophilic and fairly hydrophilic, they can cross the skin barrier much easily. Since our epidermis is lipophilic, essential oils have a tendency to relatively high transdermal absorption. The rate and the intensity of the absorption depend on the location of the application, exposure time, and rate of evaporation, temperature and the use of an occlusion technique.

Though still under research, it is believed that essential oils do not remain in the circulation for a long time and are eventually excreted via the processes of elimination. Interestingly enough, different constituents of essential oils may be eliminated via exhalation at different time intervals, for instance, while it takes about 40 minutes for bergamot or lemon essential oil, it can take up to 2 hours for oils such as peppermint essential oil to be eliminated via exhalation.

When used in the right concentration, essential oils work much like therapeutic medicines and drugs which work on its site of action, repairs & restore an ailment, before being finally flushed out of the body.

The Best Organic Green Beauty Formulations

100% pure essential oils are best extracted by the process of steam distillation. When applied topically, it’s highly recommended that a precise proportion of the essential oil (such as lavender, rosemary or tea tree essential oil) to the carrier oil is always maintained.

Base Oil

The right balance of the essential oil to the carrier oil ratio will depend upon your Ayurvedic skin type, Ie: Kapha, Pitta or Vata. The ratio can vary from 1- 30 drops of essential oil to 1/4^th cup of carrier oil.

Oils that make the best carriers are: Olive Oil (Anti-oxidant and a general beauty booster), Jojoba Oil (best for oily skin), Avocado Oil (rich in collagen and great for dry skin), Almond Oil (rich in Vitamin A and great for sensitive skin), Grapeseed Oil (non-comedogenic and anti-aging), Sesame Oil (high fatty acid content give anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits) and more.

Our top essential oil picks for skincare are:

Carrot Seed Oil – Bestowed with the property of giving the best natural protection from the sun (SPF 35 -40), Carrot Seed Oil is used in organic sunscreen formulations like SunProtect SPF30+.
Lavender Oil – It’s a great pick for oily skin. Our Pore Perfect Hydrator/ Toner is a perfect infusion of Lavender Oil with other herbal extracts that is known to prevent build-up of excess sebum and is soothing in nature. Lavender essential oil also helps in combatting skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes and dermatitis.
Geranium Oil – Known to balance sebum, cleanse oily skin, revitalize skin tissue and enliven pale skin. Geranium Essence Oil is a powerful essential oil that is even known to minimize stretch marks, acne blemishes and cellulite.
Lemongrass Oil – the fresh and the citrusy aroma of Lemongrass essential oil works great as a skin toner, blackhead remover, and for correction of large pores (the epicenter of acne). It is best used as an astringent. Long term usage helps in skin revitalization and skin repair. Lemongrass oil is also a natural antibiotic and antiviral agent.
Borage Seed Oil – Rich in Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), Borage Seed Oil is best known for accelerating skin repair and as an anti-aging ingredient. The 5 essential properties of borage seed oil are: skin regeneration, firmness, revitalizing, rejuvenation and skin brightening.
Apricot Kernel Oil – Rich in Beta Carotene, Vitamin A, C, E, B17, Catechins and Chlorogenic Acid, Apricot Kernel Oil is essentially anti-inflammatory, anti- bacterial, and anti-Oxidant – in short, an all-rounder for your skincare and haircare regime.

TOXIC TIMEOUT – ARE XENOESTROGENS A CAUSE OF YOUR HEALTH & BEAUTY PROBLEMS?

Are your hormonal problems being caused by Xenoestrogens?

As you probably know from reading the news..From the food we eat to the water we drink, our bodies are getting bombarded by a synthetic form of the predominately female hormone Estrogen, called ‘Xenoestrogens’ by the researchers who discovered these ‘Estrogen Mimicking’ compounds that are capable of wreaking havoc on our own hormone levels.

Xenoestrogens – What’s the Big Deal?

Estrogens are naturally found in both men and women and are responsible for blood clotting, bone health and regulation of the reproductive cycle. When artificially synthesized Xenoestrogens enter our body, our body unintentionally recognizes them as a natural estrogen, and these substances can then enter into our bodies estrogen receptor, blocking our “true” estrogen from reaching them

However the problem here is that when Xenoestrogens enter our body, they can disrupt our hormonal health by interfering with the signaling process that guides our cells and tissues what to do. Xenoestrogens are non-biodegradable, and as a consequence they accumulate in our fat cells, causing ‘estrogen dominance’ which may give rise to some serious complications as we age. Research tells us that in the long run, this can be very detrimental to our hormone sensitive organs such as the uterus, breasts, neurological and immunological systems, as well as to overall growth and development.

What are the important sources of Xenoestrogens?

Xenoestrogens are commonly used to manufacture nail polish, plastic containers for cosmetics, non-organic food produce that is sprayed with pesticides and chemicals, non- organic dairy products, perfumes and scented products, solvents like alcohol and more. Here are some of the most common Xenoestrogens that are used in beauty products:

Parabens – We all use shampoos, soaps, lotions, moisturisers in our daily self-maintenence routines. Methyl Parabens, Ethyl Parabens, Propyl Parabens and other phenoxyethanol chemical compounds are directly absorbed into the skin and do not get the opportunity to get detoxified by the liver. As such, Parabens are one of the most dangerous Xenoestrogens, and are used in the manufacture of almost all inorganic cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
Phtalates – Phthalates are often used in the manufacture of those gorgeous looking high end beauty packaging and bottles, to increase their flexibility and durability. It is rare to see any commercial Cosmetic/Skin Care company using glass bottles or non-toxic plastic variations such as PET plastics as we do here at PuraVeda Organics! A bigger problem is when the ingredients (see below) used in these formulations react with the phthalates, they create a serious source of Xenoestrogens.
Benzophenone – These are often used in Anti-Aging Skincare products, and Nail Polish, as well as Sunscreens and Lip balms to increase SPF value. However, Benzophenones are strongly allergenic and can be highly toxic to your body. According to the WHO, these substances are potent carcinogen as well. 4 Methylbenzylidene Camphor (4MBC) is another such Xenoestrogenic compound that is used in sunscreens.
Stearalkonium Chloride – It is a stearic acid derived chemical that is commonly used as an anti-static agent or a preservative in Hair Conditioners, Detanglers and Moisturizers. Stearalkonium Chloride can cause sensitization (skin and eye irritation) on repeated usage, and can have a negative impact on your nervous system.

The Way Out

If you want your body to be toxin free, and return your hormonal levels back to normal, here are some key lifestyle changes you need to implement:

Stop using creams, lotions and other beauty products that are non- organic or use Xenoestrogens in their formulation.
Apply nail polishes and use removers only for events and parties.
Don’t use products that use artificial fragrances or perfumes. Instead, pick products that are infused with 100% pure, aromatic and steam distilled essential oils.
Even if a product claims it to be organic, you have the right to inquire whether the farming and the production were free from usage of pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and injected hormones.
Use chemical free soaps and toothpastes.
Limit your reliance on plastics, especially for water, beauty products and other reactive substances.

All products at PuraVeda Organics are organic and locally grown so that you can be rest assured that our products are 100% uncontaminated with Xenoestrogens.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHY ORGANIC IS BETTER.. COME SHOP OUR PRODUCTS FOR THE BEST SKIN & HAIR OF YOUR LIFE!

BORAGE OIL FOR MORE BEAUTIFUL SKIN

Can Borage Oil help solve your skin problems?

Also known as ‘Starflower’, Borage Oil is one of the nature’s best kept secrets that effectively flushes out toxins from your skin and locks in the moisture – all thanks to its rich Gamma Linolenic Acid content (GLA).

With so many commercial and organic skincare treatments available on the market, it’s very easy to get confused about which products and formulations will give you the best results for your individual skin conditions. However, if you question an esthetician or dermatologist, they would not deny the well-researched, impressive and the amazing benefits of Borage Oil for your skin.

What makes Borage Oil better than other GLA containing Oils?

Borage Oil is the richest known source of Gamma Linolenic Acid (about 17-25%), which is much higher than other good sources of GLAs like Evening Primrose Oil and Blackcurrant Seed Oil. Borage Oil also has a high Vitamin A and Vitamin C content and micronutrients like niacin, choline, thiamine, riboflavin and more. The presence of proteins, minerals and fatty acids, makes it a perfect pick for skin regeneration and healing. The high Vitamin C content in this oil helps in accelerating skin repair.

The Perks and the Benefits of Borage Oil

1. Fighting Inflammation and Acne

Borage Oil contains GLA and Omega 6 Fatty Acids, which is primarily responsible for fighting inflammation in your body. The oil when applied topically can help in treating skin conditions like acne and skin reddening or, rosacea. According to studies, Borage Oil is a well-known medicinal treatment to kill bacteria Acne Vulgaris, which is primarily responsible for the growth and spread of acne in the oil rich areas of your skin.

2. Skin Moisturizer and Oil Balancer

Besides GLA and Omega 6 Fatty Acids, some of the other chief nutrients found in Borage Seed Oil are Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Icosenoic Acid and Docosenoic Acid. These fatty acids provide excellent and long lasting hydration to your skin. Not only does it work as a great moisturizer, but it is known to balance your skin’s natural oils as well. Therefore, it is a good pick for sensitive skin or, Kapha type of Ayurvedic Dosha, wherein balancing skin sebum production can help in combating various skin related issues.

3. Anti-Aging

The right ingredients CAN make a difference!

Borage oil can fight free radicals from your skin and body and thus, can delay premature aging.

The 5 essential qualities of Borage Oil are:

Skin Regeneration
Firmness’
Revitalizing’
Rejuvenation
Skin brightening

Therefore, applying Borage Oil infused Pore Perfect Hydrator/Toner daily, followed by BioScience Peptide Complex II can help say goodbye to fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet and skin sagging.

4. Supports Healthy Scalp

The anti-inflammatory properties of Borage Oil helps in treating scalp conditions such as dandruff and other fungal infections. If you are a chronic sufferer of folliculitis (an inflammation and damage to the hair follicles) and consequently, experiencing hair thinning due to it, then Borage Oil might be the ultimate Ayurvedic treatment option for you.

5. Treating Other Skin Conditions like Eczema and Psoriasis

According to a study, people who are affected with skin disorders such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, rosacea and psoriasis, show a significant decrease in Gamma Linolenic Acid 3 levels in their body which is due to the reduction in the activities of some ‘lazy enzymes’ that works against these inflammatory conditions. This results in characteristic dry skin and trans-epidermal water loss, leading to skin ailments.

Since Borage Oil is rich in GLA, it acts as a direct source of GLA and thus, triggers the production of these ‘good enzymes’ to restore back your youthful skin.

Borage Oil is also highly recommended for treating skin conditions in babies such as dry scales and crusts of scalp, face and eyelids. Borage Seed Oil effectively gets absorbed into the skin and thus, helps in the alleviation of inflammatory symptoms associated with most skin disorders.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW SOME OF THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF BORAGE OIL, COME SHOP OUR PRODUCTS FOR THE BEST SKIN & HAIR OF YOUR LIFE!

CARROT SEED OIL – Nature’s All Natural Sun Screen & Anti-Aging Superhero

Carrot Seed Oil – An Amazing Ingredient from Nature!

Most commercial sunscreens are loaded with harmful chemicals like PEG, Parabens and Mineral Oil, which can be more harmful than using no sunscreen at all!

If you are looking for a better organic alternative, you’ll be interested to hear about the ‘secret ingredient’ available in nature, that not only protects you from the sun, but is also one of the best botanical ingredients for fighting the signs of aging. This extraordinary ingredient is Carrot Seed Oil.

The Low Down on Carrot Seed Oil

Carrot Seed Essential Oil is cold pressed from the seeds of organic carrots (Daucus Carota), and is extremely rich in antioxidants, Gamma Terpinene, Limonene and other bioflavonoids like luteloin that is known to act as a natural cancer fighting ingredient.

What Makes Carrot Seed Oil a Natural Sunscreen?

Carrot seed oil has an SPF of around 35-40 and thus is a great naturally derived sun protectant. Combined with Shea butter, Coconut Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Jojoba, Borage Oil, Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Sesame Oil, all of which work in a synergystic manner with the Carrot Seed Oil to produce a formula Sun Protect SPF 30+ that is naturally a fairly high SPF, even before we add our 22% Zinc Oxide!

What other Skin & Hair Care benefits does Carrot Seed Oil provide?

Carrot Seed Oil for more Beautiful Skin & Hair

Known to promote cell growth and the elimination of toxins, the earthy, woody, soothing and the fresh essence of carrot seed oil has some amazing beauty benefits such as:

Rejuvenates your skin: The high ‘carotol’ content in this oil has the ability to rejuvenate damaged skin cells.
Powerful Anti-aging agent: As carrot seed oil contains antioxidants, it can help in removal of free radicals, which is primarily responsible for premature aging. It has the ability to help the appearance of visible pores and also is a natural collagen builder, which helps prevent thinning, sagging skin.
Balances excess oil production: Carrot seed oil is also what is called an “Adaptogen” when it comes to sebum regluation, in that it regulates both oil and dry skin.
As a hair conditioner: Carrot seed oil is a great conditioner for your hair due to it’s highly moisturizing properties.
Skin Brightener: If you love your natural look and follow the ‘no makeup’ rule, then carrot seed oil can be a great addition to your regimen. It naturally brightens your skin to make it look awake and fresh.
Reduces Redness: This powerful ingredient helps in the treatment of rosacea, by reducing skin inflammation and redness. This holds true for eczema and psoriasis as well.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW ALL THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF CARROT SEED OIL, COME SHOP OUR PRODUCTS FOR THE BEST SKIN & HAIR OF YOUR LIFE!

LET’S TALK ABOUT MINERAL OIL..

Why are we buying products with Mineral Oil?

Mineral oil, once a common ingredient in beauty products has been increasingly implicated as being a toxin in the past few years, and yet many manufacturers continue to use it…

Why is mineral oil used in cosmetics?

Even though Mineral Oil recently came under fire in the news, many big companies still haven’t discontinued mineral oil in their formula completely. This is because Mineral Oil in cosmetics is not only very inexpensive, it also delivers some crazy moisture locking effects that makes the final product water repellent, possess protective qualities, and above all have excellent compatibility for all skin types.

So…What’s the problem?

They are potent carcinogens

According to a research by the National Toxicology Program, minimally processed mineral oils are known carcinogens with sufficient scientific/empirical evidence showing increased risk of cancers in human beings.

Popular brands like Nivea use highly purified mineral oils which they claim are not linked to cancer. The jury is out on this one, so if you can’t completely give up on your favorite brand, you should at least look for highest quality grades of mineral oil like the ‘pharmacological grade’ or the ‘Mineral Oil USP’ in the final product ingredient list.

However, researchers say there are plenty of reasons for concern even with these higher grades of mineral oil, as the hydrocarbons in mineral oils are one of the greatest contaminants in human beings. Hydrocarbon pollution bombards most of us via the air we breathe, the food we eat, and in the case of mineral oil, via skin barrier penetration.

They can clog pores

Mineral oils are comedogenic or occlusive, that is they can cause pores to clog and give rise to frequent breakouts or acne, whiteheads and blackheads. Since mineral oils act as a skin barrier, they also intensify the chances of acne, by providing an optimum environment for bacterial growth.

Lacking in Skin Nourishment

Unlike natural products, mineral oils don’t provide any benefit for your skin. As far as moisture locking effect, there are much better ingredients and organic products like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Argan Oil.. all of which are loaded with vital skin nutrients, essential fatty acids and antioxidants rich factors.

Isn’t your skin worth the best ingredients?

So, How Does it affects us?

Contamination with Mineral Oils is largely linked to two elements – Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH). Both these cannot be metabolized by our body and once internalized, remain forever (much like pesticides!).

MOAH is suspected to work as a mutagen, carcinogen and an endocrine disruptor (that is, it interferes with normal functioning of your hormones and cellular function). On the other hand, MOSH accumulates in the body tissues, and can cause various physical dysfunctions. Petroleum based products are classified as Xenoestrogens and can cause estrogen balance problems, particularly in women. Poor quality mineral oils consist up to 83% MOSH and 43% MOAH content!

Different factors like storage, temperature, packaging, composition and the cosmetic product architecture play crucial roles in determining the level of toxicity of mineral oils. While mineral oil is not likely to cause immediate reactions or problems, it can be thought of as a slow, cumulative poison.

Now that you know this, ask yourself if shifting to safer, healthier, more nutrient rich ingredient formulas with anti-aging, anti-oxidant benefits is not in your long term best interest? Maybe that giant ‘Economy Sized’ lotion from the drugstore is not such a great bargain after all!

IF NOT CETYL ALCOHOL, THEN WHAT??

Did you know that Cetyl Alcohol is a common green washing ingredient that is not only used in almost all skin and hair care products, but, it’s even used in Industrial Manufacturing to lubricate nuts and bolts?

When it comes to choosing a thickening agent or an emollient for cosmetic products, manufacturers seem to blindly pick this so called “safe” ingredient. Though Cetyl Alcohol may not be the worst ingredient, it’s certainly not beneficial either. Thus, it is rightly called a green washing ingredient in hair care and skincare products, where it acts as a non- ionic surfactant.

Typically a cosmetic formulation consists of various amounts of oil and water. Without an emulsifying agent, this oil/water component will not stay evenly dispersed.

Most Cetyl Alcohol used in ‘organic’ products is derived from Coconut Oil, (Cetyl Alcohol can also be derived from petroleum byproducts). However, after the amount of processing required, the final product retains no benefits of the original coconut oil. We assume that cost is a major manufacturing consideration here, since Cetyl Alcohol’s function is to make the final product slicker and more “buttery”, and a multitude of organic plant based waxes and butters, plant gums, beeswax, clays and mud, can all be used (albeit more expensively) as much safer and more beneficial options than Cetyl alcohol.

The following list of emulsifiers should also be avoided:

Palm Based Derivatives (such a Cetyl Alcohol), PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) and PPG (Polypropylene Glycol) based ingredients, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Dilaureth 7 Citrate, Polyorbates and other synthetically derived products.

Here are some of the best organic and natural substitutes for Cetyl Alcohol:

Shea Butter or Shea Oil – Shea Butter is able to disbursable in water, meaning it does not need chemical processing, and is thus able to maintain its natural properties (quite unlike Cetyl Alcohol). Extracted from the fruit of Shea tree, shea butter is a completely green natural glyceride that beautifully functions as a biodegradable surfactant. It absorbs rapidly on the skin without leaving a greasy film or feel.
Avocado Butter – Obtained from the highly nourishing flesh of the avocado fruit, it possesses the properties of an emollient, moisturizer, natural anti-oxidant and anti-irritant.
Guar Gum -A natural extract of the Cluster or Siam bean, Guar gum is ideal for use in emulsified systems like lotions and creams as a protective colloid, increasing emulsion stability and preventing water loss in skin care, and a natural detangler for hair care.
Essential Oils (Jojoba, Evening Primrose, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Horsetail, Burdock) – These oils are gaining popularity for their amazing beauty and health benefits. Jojoba oil, for instance, is a wax ester that has great nourishing and soothing qualities. On the other hand, Rosemary is not only used a cream stabilizer, but, the herb extract can work as a great preservative as well.
Nut & Seed Oil – (Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sesame Oil, Rapeseed and Sunflower Oil). Always make sure that only extra virgin versions of these oils are used to make beauty formulations.