As a living, breathing organ, your skin is exposed to all sorts of pollutants called free radicals - from cosmetics, our homes and our external environment.

In our society, we often lather on products containing harsh chemicals without knowing what kind of damage is being done - all in the name of beauty.

The amount of toxins in the majority of cosmetics is alarming and the FDA does not have the authority to regulate the ingredients prior to packaging. Many lipsticks contain lead; formaldehyde can be found in 
nail polish; while fragrances are full of neurotoxins. Considering these products are applied to your skin, which is porous, continued use can have devastating affects on your health.

We are finally beginning to see more and more companies climbing on the "green" bandwagon; however, BEWARE. Labeling and marketing can be deceptive. We have always encouraged our clients to read the labels for all products - be it food, cleaning supports or household products and clothing. Even 1 to 5% toxins can wreak havoc on your body, so always choose products containing 100% pure ingredients.

Ahhhh, how wonderful it is to climb into bed after a long day. It's suppose to be your sanctuary for rest and relaxation, right? But is it?

Our linens can be covered with dust mites, which feed off your dead skin and produce excretions that are unseen by the naked eye,and which cause allergic reactions in most people. If you sleep with your face against your pillow, think about the oils your body and scalp are eliminating that is being rubbed right back onto your skin. What to do? Change your pillowcase every day and your bed linens twice a week - or at least once a week. Also, choose an organic mattress cover and organic linens to avoid synthetics, which may contain toxins (this applies to clothing as well). Be sure to vacuum often and hopefully you are using a bag-less vacuum, because what may be inside those bags is a whole other issue. You may want to read about what's living in your vacuum.

We may have control over products we use in our homes, be it furniture, linens, toys, clothing, cleaning products, or skin care products, but what about the outside environment? If you live in an urban area, you are mostly likely constantly being bombarded by free radicals from car exhaust, gases, fumes and grease from food establishments, etc. You get the picture. What can you do?

Protect your skin from these chemicals. Keep it clean and unclogged. Be sure to cleanse and exfoliate everyday, and apply a natural barrier moisturizer with sunscreen properties. And, of course, that means you should be using natural, organic products. By being proactive and warding off these environment dangers, you are taking care of yourself, and that's a wonderful feeling!

What do you do to protect yourself from these skin gremlins?

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.