Gums, Thickeners, and Natural Polymers in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Thickeners and Natural Polymers add texture and help stabilize lotions and creams, and also create a wide variety of different gels. Although they all perform the same function in a lotion, cream, or gel, they each have unique properties and can change the look and feel of your final product. Selecting the right one […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Tagged with:gums, hyaluronic acid, serum, thickeners
Decyl Glucoside – Ingredient Highlight
Surfactants are one of the most versatile ingredients used in hair and skincare products. They perform an important function in reducing the surface tension of water allowing all kinds of wonderful products to be made. Most of us think big foam and bubbles when we hear the word “surfactant” but the definition is much more. […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Tagged with:Surfactant
Grapeseed Oil: Amazing Antioxidant & Carrier Oil
Grapeseed Oil is a beautiful carrier oil that comes from the seeds of grapes, also known as the Vitis vinifera botanical. This oil has been shown to have strong antioxidant, emollient, and moisturizing properties making it a perfect ingredient for use in cosmetics and skincare products. This super lightweight, finely textured oil has a wonderful […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Tagged with:carrier oil, grapeseed oil
DMAE: What it is & How to Use it
DMAE is one of our favorite ingredients at Essential, and it’s ended up in many of our bestselling products. But like so much of the cosmetics industry, it’s an ingredient many people don’t fully understand. Here we’ll talk about what it is, how to use it, and why (we think) you’ll love it too. What […]
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Tagged with:DMAE
Switching to Natural Colors, and the DMAE & Kaolin Clay Powder Mask
One of the major challenges in ‘natural’ skincare or clean chemistry as a whole is finding ways to color products that not only look beautiful but impart benefits of their own. The real jackpot is finding a plant-based solution that creates lasting and stable color. Happily, we have found a great solution and are pleased […]
Filed in: Ingredients, Product Spotlight
Tagged with:natural color
Why Some Products Can Never Be Organic–We’re looking at you, Water
When it comes time to find organic ingredients and products, you’ll quickly see that there are a few things that are never (and won’t ever) be classified as organic. This can be frustrating when you’re trying to certify your product, but there’s no getting around the scientific reasons that prevent things from being classed as […]
Filed in: Business Tips, Compliance, Ingredients, Organic Family & Lifestyle
Tagged with:ingredients, organic
The Perfect Facial Exfoliator
Have you been looking for the perfect facial exfoliator? We think we’ve found it! Bamboo Exfoliator ticks all the boxes for us: Sustainable, renewable and biodegradable Vegan GMO-free No gluten, palm or parabens No plastic beads to pollute our oceans and rivers Gentle enough for delicate facial skin Powerful enough for even rough elbows, feet […]
Filed in: Ingredients
African-Sourced Carrier Oils For Amazing Skin and Hair Care
Exploring some of our favorite African Carrier Oils There are so many amazing carrier oils in the world, it’s hard to keep track. Today we’ve decided to highlight 3 carrier oils from Africa that each has multiple uses and excellent attributes. Argan Oil This popular oil, like so many other carrier oils, can be used […]
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Tagged with:Carrier Oils
Easy to Use Additives – How to Customize Your Beauty Routine and Brand
One of the most exciting things in learning about skincare is personalizing products to suit your own specific skincare needs. Adding “boosters” of actives or additives is a growing trend as well, so to tap into it and make customization more attainable, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite easy-to-use additives. In particular, […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Superfoods in Skin Care
Superfoods not only help your body from the inside, but they also make great skin care products. Superfoods tend to be high in antioxidants, fatty acids, and a healthy dose of nutrients. Happily, for us, these foods work well topically, delivering benefits directly to the surface of the skin. A greater understanding of that process […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Tagged with:fatty acids, Superfoods