In the cosmetics industry, a moisturizer is a topical cream, lotion, serum, or an oil designed to maintain optimal levels of oils and water in the skin.

Among the thousands of various moisturizing products on the market some are tailored for morning or evening use; some are for a particular skin type, such as dry skin, combination skin, or oily skin; others are for skin prone to redness or rosacea, etc.

If formulated properly, each moisturizer is a balance of three types of ingredients: humectants, emollients, and occlusive agents. The concentration of these three elements determines the moisturizer's characteristics and use.

Let's break this down to understand how a moisturizer works, using ONLY natural, organic ingredients.

HUMECTANTS

A humectant is an ingredient that helps retain moisture. A moisturizer with a humectant ingredient will draw water from the dermis below, helping to re-hydrate the skin’s surface, but can cause some irritation to the skin in high concentrations.

The classic humectant is glycerin. (You might see it listed as glycerol, which is its alcohol form, on a product's ingredients list.) We do not use glycerin for a couple reasons. It can draw too much moisture, causing irritation and can produce a sticky or tacky feel. We opt for better humectants, such as shea butter, avocado oil, olive oil, castor oil, borage oil, lecithin, aloe vera or honey.

EMOLLIENTS

An emollient is an ingredient that fills in cracks between skin cells, helping to soften and smooth the skin’s surface and making it more flexible. They work by increasing the ability of the skin to hold water, providing the skin with a layer of oil to prevent water loss, and lubricating the skin to prevent dryness.They also contribute to the creamy texture of a moisturizer. 

There are many emollients used in natural cosmetics, most of which are oils like jojoba oil, sunflower oil and rice bran oil.

OCCLUSIVE AGENTS

Occlusive agents are the ingredients in skincare that form a film or barrier on the skin and prevent water loss through the skin. They can be very effective, but if too much is included in a product it can feel waxy or greasy on the skin.

The classic cosmetic occlusive agent is petrolatum, or petroleum jelly, which, of course, is never used in natural, organic products. Natural occlusive agents include zinc oxide, waxes, and some oils, like castor and jojoba oil. In the case of jojoba oil, it is most like our natural sebum and is a humectant, emollient and occlusive ingredient.

All of our moisturizers, be they creams, serums, body oils or body butters, are carefully formulated to give you the perfect balance of humectants, emollients and occlusive agents. Check them out HERE.


Here's hoping our explanation gives you some food for thought. Questions?

Today, February 28th, is my daughter's birthday. Eden was the inspiration for the company name, EdenSong, because she is a Song in my heart. When I became pregnant with her over 40 years ago, I did a turnabout and became completely immersed in all things natural and organic - be it food, gardening, skin care, clothing, or cleaning products . . . and the journey began.

Happy Birthday, dear Eden . . .

To learn more about us, check out our "about" page here: 
http://www.edensongskincare.com/about-us.html#axzz2uYjfHkTJ

What a great way to end the year . . . and start the New Year off with a bang!!!

We are extremely excited to introduce our new sister line, RawSum Organics, which has been in the works for quite a long time. We are starting off with 3-ingredient vegan, food-grade, organic products, available in a kit or they may be purchased individually in 1 oz and 4 oz, all in glass containers. The reusable organic cotton Eco-Pads come in a natural laundry/soap bag.

At RawSum Organics, all products are made from scratch using only pure, food-grade, highly effective ingredients. More is not always better, so for this product line, less IS more. The RawSum 3Sum Basics work fantastic and are more potent with just the absolute essentials. You won’t find any synthetics or fillers, and never any toxins. That’s why they are safe for even the most troubled or sensitive skin. Our Back to Basics Kit has only 3 ingredients in each product and, of course, they smell awesome from the natural infusions or have no scent at all, which is also awesome! The packaging is eco-friendly, too!

How do you use the products? Oh, that’s simple! Here are the directions for each product that are included in our kit.

Exfoliant: Mix a spoonful with your favorite liquid to make a paste (cream for dry skin, milk for normal skin, water for oily skin, yogurt for all skin types or your favorite oil). Massage into skin and rinse off with warm water, then cool water to close pores. Use this at least a couple times a week to remove dead skin. (Ingredients: Organic Rose Petals, Organic Almond Flour, Organic Sea Salt)

Cleanser: Massage a spoonful onto damp skin and rinse with warm water, removing daily grime. (Ingredients: Organic Carrot-Infused Sunflower Oil, Organic Grapeseed Oil, Organic Castor Oil)

Toner: After cleansing, use our Eco-Pads to apply to your face. This evens skin tone and balances pH. (Ingredients: Organic Rose Hydrosol, Organic Witch Hazel, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar)

Cream: Apply to fingertips to warm up, then to damp skin for better absorption to moisturize and nourish. Works great for face and all over your body! (Ingredients: Organic Kokum Butter, Organic Babassu Oil, Organic Meadowfoam Oil)

ALL DONE! Now, wasn't that easy??

The Mini Kit in our organic cotton canvas bag is a wonderful way to be introduced to our food-grade "back to basics" organic skin care.

You'll find out quickly how awesomely effective the products are with only 3 ingredients in each product! Did we mention that they work marvelously,too? 

Going on a trip? The grab-n-go Mini Kit is the perfect travel companion.

Kit includes 1-oz sizes of our Exfoliant, Cleanser, Toner, Cream, some Eco-Pads, and the eco-friendly organic cotton canvas bag.  (See individual products for more details.)

Makes a perfect gift for your favorite guy or gal, too!

Have you already tried RawSum Organics products? Tell us how you liked them. If you haven't tried them, what are you waiting for?

Do you detest the toxic chemicals of the commercial cleaners on the market? Have you switched to green cleaning products? Or perhaps you're thinking about making the switch, but you're confused and don't know where to start.

Green cleaning DIY to the rescue! It's not complicated either. All you need are a few basic ingredients for all your household cleaning to transform your cleaning supplies.

The basic supplies you need are:
• Baking Soda
• White Vinegar
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Essential oils, like tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, or lemongrass oil
• Castile Soap (like Dr. Bronner's)
• Fresh Herbs, citrus, or citrus peels
• Vegetable Oil
• Salt

These are inexpensive, easy-to-use, and environmentally safe alternatives, which can safely be used in place of commercial household products. They can be used alone or in combination for a wealth of household applications.

Here's what you can do with these products.
Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Hydrogen Peroxide - removes laundry stains, whitens clothes, cleans fruits and veggies, sanitizes, de-germs.
Essential Oils - effective against most household bacteria.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
Fresh Herbs, Citrus, or Citrus Peels - cleans, deodorizes, effective against bacteria.
Vegetable Oil - polishes wood
Salt - abrasive

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc. 

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 2 cups water, 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Store and keep. You can use this cleaner for everything from streak-free mirrors to wiping out the cat litter box.

You'll find a list of simple green cleaning recipes at Earth Easy. 

What's are your favorite natural cleaning alternatives?

At the beginning of the new year, we promised you new products and we are getting ready to roll them out!  It takes a lot of work to make sure our products are ready for you through proper formulation and testing, so thanks for your patience.

Take a peek at what we have in store for you.  We're sure you'll be as pleased with them as we are!

Jagged Defense Shaving Cream 3 oz $25

Our natural shaving cream is ideal for both men and women. It is excellent for a man's bristly beard, as well as for the softer feminine hair on legs, underarms, bikini and Brazilian.  It soothes the skin and helps with razor nicks. Jagged Defense moisturizes, provides a smoother, irritation-free shave, creates slip with superior lubrication and prevents razor drag.  Helps eliminate razor burn and rashes, while protecting against the harsh environment.  You can expect smoother and suppler skin. Works great in combination with our Razor Glide Shaving Oil.

To use:  Massage cream into clean, wet skin to soften skin, uplift hair follicles, and provide slick razor surface.  Shave with the grain to prevent nicks.  Can be used solo or combined with our Razor Glide Shaving Oil for turbocharged results.

Edible Organic Ingredients
Garcinia Indica (Kokum) Seed Butter, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Peel Extract, Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil

Razor Glide Shaving Oil 1 oz $25

Works wonders for both men and women on even the most sensitive skin. Razor Glide provides greater protection, smooth glide-enabling and superb moisturizing properties, giving you a closer, consistently smooth and irritation-free shave.  The organic ingredients help eliminate razor burn due to its protecting ability and moisturizing effect without clogging pores, leaving your skin conditioned and moisturized, not oily.  It applies clear, so you can actually see where you are shaving with no mess! Say goodbye to cuts and nicks!

Our shaving oil is a blend of vegetable oils or silicone oils and essential oils that can be used as a stand-alone shaving lubricant or as pre-shave underneath shaving cream, soap or gel, to facilitate shaving facial and other body hair. If a pre-shave is your preferred method, we highly recommend using it in combination with our Jagged Defense Shaving Cream. Often these products would work best by wetting the area before the razor being used.

The concentrated formula delivers a comparable number of shaves as commercial brands, up to 100 shaves.

To use: Massage a few drops of oil into clean, wet skin to soften skin, uplift hair follicles, and provide slick razor surface.  Shave with the grain to prevent nicks.  Can be used solo or combined with our Jagged Defense Shaving Cream for turbocharged results. Razor Glide moisturizes, provides a smoother, irritation-free shave, creates slip and prevents razor drag.  Helps eliminate razor burn and rashes. Works great for men and women.

Edible Organic Ingredients
Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera (Babassu) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Oil

Calming Comfort Balm 2.5 oz $50

Potent cell regeneration and repair capabilities help to alleviate irritated skin, bumps, bruises, wounds and burns. Treat ouchies organically with our special blend that promotes skin recovery, reduces redness and inflammation of the skin, while helping to relieve pain.  It assists in soothing and calming skin, and aids in reducing discomfort, as it helps restore and protect dry or damaged skin.  It is powerfully antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal, with natural relaxant, anti-depressant properties.

To use: Apply to affected skin and gently massage in, as often as needed. Safe for all ages, including infants.

Edible Organic Ingredients
Dromaius Novaehollandiae (Emu) Oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Pentadesma Butyracea (Kpangnan) Seed Butter, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Infused Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil

We are also working on a honey facial scrub that gently exfoliates, tones with anti-aging and anti-acne properties. Sweeeet!

We expect to roll out these new products within the next month, so be sure to check back soon.

What products would you like to see in our store that we don't already offer?

Summer brings sun and fun . . . as well as those pesky insects. Staying bite-free without having an unpleasant odor or using chemical-based repellents is easy to do with natural plant-based ingredients.  They can be as effect as the chemical DEET, or diethyltoluamide, which is an oily chemical fluid that repels biting bugs; however, DEET can be harmful to your health, especially with overuse.  Why take that chance?

In a 2011 study on plant-based insect repellents conducted at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, plant-based insect repellents may not have undergone the safety testing that DEET-based repellents have, yet they are deemed safe because they’ve been around a long time.  Jeffrey Band, M.D., an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and chief of infectious diseases at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, and director of the hospital’s Interhealth: Health Care for International Travelers, states that natural insect repellents are based plant ingredients, such as oil of lemon eucalyptus, citronella, Neem [tree] oil and even wild tomatoes.

Here are some suggestions on what you can use, instead of DEET.

Lemon Eucalyptus
Comes from leaves and twigs of an Australian tree, repels mosquitoes, ticks and flies, and is recommended for use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you are traveling to an area where malaria and yellow fever are primary concerns.  This oil masks 340 different scents our skin gives off that are target locators for insects, according to the Agricultural Research Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific research agency. 

Note: It’s easy to confuse lemon eucalyptus oil with the essential oil of lemon eucalyptus, which isn’t approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an insect repellent. The essential oil does provide protection, though it is not recommended for use in disease-endemic countries.  Mixed with a fixed oil, such as jojoba or sesame (natural sunscreen), the essential oil is safe for wearing in the backyard swimming pool or to a local park.

Citronella
This is perhaps one of the oldest and most widely used plant-based insect repellents. It is derived from dried cultivate grasses, and its strong smell repels mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks, midges and flies by masking the smell of human skin.  The strong odor may be offensive to some, so it is best mixed together with other essential oils, such as geranium, in a fixed oil like jojoba or sesame. 

It’s as effective as DEET, has a 50-year safety record, according to the CDC and is EPA-approved.

Neem
Extracted from the seeds of the Indian Neem tree, this is a well documented repellent that can actually disrupt the reproductive and molting cycles of mosquitoes, head lice and fleas. Insects can’t feed or reproduce off from it, so they leave.  It can offer up to eight (8) hours protection from mosquitoes, based up a 2003 study performed at Venezuela’s Instituto de Salud Publica, which recommended its use in countries with malaria and yellow fever. 

Neem oil is often used in skin moisturizers and soaps, and is supported as such by the EPA, so as a skin lubricant, it need not be washed off after use, as other chemical repellents should.

Wild Tomato
Cornell University and North Carolina State University researchers have discovered that tomato plants carry a compound, which is an effective repellent against mosquitoes and other biting insects, including ticks.  Tomatoes have alkaloids in their leaves, which act as a natural insect repellent and mimic DEET but without the potential health hazards.  This compound was approved by the EPA in 2007. 

Tomato leaves are not known to be toxic to humans but always use caution in of allergies; however, they are toxic to pets.Leaves soaked overnight make an effective solution in the garden on plants and as an insect repellent.  Soak 1 to 2 cups of chopped or mashed tomato leaves in 2 cups of water overnight. Strain through cheesecloth or fine mesh, add about 2 more cups of water to the strained liquid.  Be sure to keep this spray and the leaves away from your pet.  

Other oils to consider for repelling insects include  thyme,  rose, palmarosa, peppermint, cedar, patchouli and clove, according to a recent 2011 London study, as well as cinnamon, rosemary, lemongrass, peppermint, geranium, verbena, pennyroyal, lemon, lavender, pine, cajeput, basil, and castor oil. 

Clove oil provides 100% protection for two (2) to four (4) hours, based on a 2005 study by Mahidol University in Bangkok.  For maximum protection, it is advisable to mix clove oil with other oils.

Carolyn Dean, M.D, N.D., of Hawaii is a naturopath and physician specializing in alternative medicine, and she suggests a combination of cedar, rose, geranium and clove by combining 10 to 25 drops of essential oils with two (2) tablespoons of oil, such as olive, sunflower or other vegetable oil.

Be aware that some may find the scents too strong or offensive, however, if mixed with other oils, you can create a pleasant effective combination. 

Though they may last longer, it is advisable to reapply natural insect repellents every two (2) hours and more often if skin becomes wet, as they are not waterproof and must be reapplied after swimming, rigorous exercise and sweating.

Other application tips:
· Apply repellent only to exposed skin and never under clothing because it increases the risk of skin irritation. Instead, tuck pant legs into socks and wear long sleeves, Lea advises.

· Don’t put on cuts, wounds or rashes, because bug sprays can worsen the irritation.

· Don’t apply near eyes or mouth and use sparingly around ears.

· Don’t spray directly on the face. Instead, apply on hands first and then rub on your face.

· Wash hands after application to avoid accidental exposure to eyes.

· Never let children apply insect repellent themselves. Instead, put some on your hands first and then gently spread on exposed skin, avoiding their hands, which often go into mouths.

· Use just a thin layer of repellent to cover exposed skin. More isn’t necessarily better. If the insects are still biting you, apply more repellent.

· After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.

· Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.

· If you experience a rash, itching, swelling or other side effects, wash off repellent with mild soap and water and discontinue use.

We have found a great combination that is quite pleasurable and works effectively against mosquitoes with essential oils of lemongrass, peppermint, lemon and lavender, mixed with oils, butter and waxes.  We are currently in the testing stages for this product and expect it to be available on our website very soon.

Quality skin care is a process of feeding our body and our skin the superior nutrients needed over time and keeping the toxin levels within the body as low as possible. When you use high quality, natural organic products, all the ingredients are active. They’re all beneficial and they all feed the skin.

Exactly what is a natural active?  First we must define natural.  ‘Natural’ skin care is not always natural. There are two definitions of the word natural. The dictionary defines it as: “Existing in or, formed by, nature”.  We adhere to the dictionary definition to determine the ingredients we use in our products and only use ingredients existing in or, formed by, nature.

Unfortunately, many manufacturers in the cosmetic industry have strayed from that definition and consider natural to be: “Any ingredient derived from a natural substance”. Manufacturers commonly use the word ‘natural’ on labels, when the products are full of synthetic ingredients.  We’re not saying that all synthetic ingredients are bad for you.  In fact, there are natural ingredients, which may harm you as well.  Poison ivy is natural, but would you want to put it on your skin??  Of course not.  We place an emphasis on natural and organic ingredients that have a history of being good for your skin.  Why use synthetics when natural and organic ingredients are truly effective?

Consider coconut oil.  For example, Cocamide-DEA is “derived from” coconut oil”. It may well be from coconut oil, but a synthetic chemical called diethanolamine is used in the extraction process. It is known to cause cancer. An ingredient is not really natural if it has been processed in this way.  However, extra virgin coconut oil is a wonderful and truly natural ingredient pressed from fresh coconut meat (not dried copra like commercial grade coconut oil, which is not edible until refined).  Other ingredients like CoQ10 or B12 are truly natural and can be also be used, because they are created through a natural fermentation process.

Now that we understand what ‘natural’ means, we need to define ‘actives’.  Active ingredients are those ingredients in nature that react with your skin to produce a positive effect.  Ingredients that come directly from or exist in nature have more nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants and other beneficial properties – and are, therefore, more ‘active’.  You find them in whole plant (and some animal) ingredients or plant extracted ingredients (such as herbs, essential oils, herbal tinctures/extracts, hydrosols, plant waxes, and unrefined carrier oils) . . . and they’re edible!

Take a look at our Ingredient List to read detailed descriptions of the natural actives we use in our skin care products.

Why is it still so hard to find truly pure skin care products?

I'm taking about products that are free from parabens, fillers, petroleum, chemical preservatives, and who knows what else that may contain toxins?  One would think with the movement towards green and clean, organic and natural, that more and more of the major companies would meet the demands of the public, but unfortunately, the majority do not.  They continue to produce products with known ingredients, which are considered detrimental to our health.  Why?  Because it's cheaper and because they can.

Let's face it -- not everyone chooses to go organic and natural, green or even cares what's in their skin care products.  For those that do wish to use purer, greener ingredients, and are having trouble finding them or may not quite understand how to decipher the labels, rest assured there are formulators that care.  We, at EdenSong Essentials, are among the latter group and our goal is to provide you the best and purest edible 100% natural organic skin care.

We urge you, as the reader, to ask questions, get informed and educated about everything you are putting on your body, because we are what eat.

What is your skin eating?

We will be covering skin care ingredients in future blog posts, along with simple recipes you can make at home, as well as other relevant skin care topics - and some random subjects now and again.