All too often we see people using a moisturizer on their face that comes from the same aisle as toilet paper and clogged drain remedies. It's fine though, because all you really need is moisture, right? Well, not exactly. Sure, moisture and hydration are key elements of good skin care but the biggest problem is the wrong ingredients and, worse, unnecessary and toxic ingredients. So how do we avoid all these wrongs and find something that's right? Read your labels! Chances are you have no idea what half of the ingredients are or what they do, good or bad.
Petroleum, parabens, and mineral oil, oh my! I’d be willing to bet you’ve got products laying around that contain one or all of these ingredients. Besides being potentially carcinogenic, these ingredients are all around not good for your skin. Studies have shown that the skin sucks these things in but the body can’t metabolize them. So what happens? They stick around. One study concluded that levels of mineral oil were found in breastmilk, petroleum was found in fat specimens and all the source of entry was purely through the skin.
Enough of the bad, let’s talk about the good! We have taken the guess work out of what you need to give your skin to keep it feeling fabulous. While we can’t make medical claims that your wrinkles will diminish, your acne will cease to exist, or your eczema will heal up we can tell you what our serum contains and why each of those ingredients are being used. You may notice reoccurring themes with many of the oils but each one has its own purpose and individual properties.
And yes, I did say oils! Oil isn’t the enemy even for those with oily skin. It sounds extremely counterintuitive to put oil on an already oily face but for the most part the oily skin is due to overactive sebaceous glands caused by an imbalance or harsh products that strip off all the oil causing a chain reaction of the body to overproduce. Giving your skin the right moisture will give you the results you’re looking for. So let’s talk about the oils in our serum and what they do for your skin!
Grapeseed Oil
This is a super light oil (in color and feel) that is considered a dry oil. This means it doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on the skin. It won’t clog pores which is beneficial to acne sufferers and helps to fight the aging process by firming up skin, restoring collagen, and minimizing scarring.
Olive Oil
No we aren’t making salad dressing! But knowing that what we put on our skin gets absorbed into the body, why wouldn’t we use things that we know are healthy for our insides too? Like grapeseed oil, olive oil won’t clog pores but in a super helpful twist olive oil actually cleanses the skin as it hydrates it removing stubborn dirt from those pores.
Argan Oil
Used for generations, argan oil has been a staple in Moroccan culture as a wound healer for all things from bug bites and scratches to rashes and infections. It is packed with fatty acids and anti-oxidants as well as vitamins A and E that make this super oil wonderful for skin elasticity, inflammation, and acne.
Apricot Kernel Oil
Let’s just call this the ‘anti- oil’ as it is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antiseptic, and anti-oxidant. Whew! This super light oil penetrates deep into skin and leaves it feeling hydrated as opposed to oily.
Jojoba Oil
Not actually an oil but a wax, jojoba oil is liquid at room temperature and makes a great barrier to seal in moisture. Unlike petroleum, which also creates a barrier, jojoba allows the skin to breathe and helps it to regulate oil production. It’s antibacterial and antifungal properties in addition to anti-inflammatory make it wonderful for helping with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin eruptions.
Sweet Almond Oil
In my opinion, this is another super oil. Unless you have an allergy to almonds, this hypoallergenic oil is very mild and light on the skin. Sweet almond oil is also great for helping UV damage by preventing oxidative stress which is responsible for breaking down collagen leading to fine lines and wrinkles among other things. And because of its anti-inflammatory properties it is wonderful for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
Avocado Oil
This super moisturizing oil is as good for your skin as it is for cooking. Its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties make it a wonderful addition to help various skin ailments. Avocado oil is also a fighter of free radicals keeping your skin healthy on a molecular level.
Kukui Nut Oil
A Hawaiian staple for centuries, kukui nut oil is very high in essential fatty acids, helps to even out skin tone, prevents acne breakouts, minimize scarring and fight free radicals.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Made from a specific rose native to Chile this amazing oil is full of anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids which help with dark spots, wrinkles, and scars. High in various components of an alphabet of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and F, rosehip seed oil is a key factor in cell and tissue regeneration, collagen production, and fighting free radicals.
Red Raspberry Seed Oil
This unique oil is incredibly helpful in skin care due to its ability to absorb UV-B rays which keeps the skin from burning as well as its high levels of phytosterols that work on repairing skin that has already been damaged by the sun. Red raspberry seed oil also contains high levels of elegiac acid which helps avoid collagen destruction and alpha linolenic acid which helps the inflammatory response aiding in eczema and psoriasis.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil, or tocopherol, is known to be helpful in reducing and preventing wrinkles and other age related conditions but is widely used as a type of natural preservative in oil preparations. While not actually recognized as a preservative, vitamin E is a very powerful anti-oxidant which will extend the shelf life of the other oils in contact with oxygen.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Also known as seaberry oil, this delightful oil is not actually from the sea. It has been used since as long ago as 5000 BC in Ayurvedic medicine both internally and topically. Used for various skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, and skin ulcers, sea buckthorn oil is high in anti-oxidants and among the highest in carotenoids. Carotenoids are key in staving off infection or bacteria.
Tamanu Oil
Used for centuries, this all but forgotten oil is a powerful wound healer and promotes tissue regeneration. The oil is so powerful in its abilities to heal one case showed a woman who’s leg had a gangrenous ulcer and was about to be amputated. Out of desperation, the woman tried dressings with tamanu oil and was healed. Because of the quick regeneration properties, tamanu is vital in the anti-aging and wrinkle reduction process.
Carrot Seed Oil
Technically an essential oil, a little of this woodsy oil goes a long way. Containing anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-oxidant properties, a small amount of carrot seed oil packs a big punch in the skin care world helping with aging, wrinkling, purifying and detoxifying the skin.
Finding a good balance of these wonderful oils to create a serum that is not greasy or heavy was the key. We wanted to utilize all the benefits of the oils without being overwhelmed by one or another. Our serum is a unique blend containing all these different oils maximizing their anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and rejuvenating properties. And because there is no filler, only 4-5 drops of our concentrated blend twice a day are necessary.