The High Cost of Lavender (and Other Ingredients)
The price of Lavender Essential Oil has gone up again this month – another 12% on average. This huge jump follows similar increases in price each of the last three months. Our suppliers tell us to not expect to see price, or availability, relief until next summer when the new crop is out. This means that […]
Filed in: Business Tips, Essential Oils
Tagged with:lavender
Extracts, Distillates, Hydrosols, and Tinctures – What are they and What’s the Difference?
Extracts, Distillates, Hydrosols, and Tinctures are effective and fun ingredients to use in your skincare. They can add color, scent, and can even replace water to add extra beneficial attributes to your formulations, but you may be asking yourself “What exactly are extracts, hydrosols, distillates and tinctures and what’s the difference between them?” You’re not […]
Food in Skincare – Seasonal & Inspiring Favorites!
Embrace foods not just for holiday meals, but as wonderful ingredients for your skin! This week we’re reviewing some of our favorite foods in skincare from the current season, most of which thrive in the Pacific Northwest as well. Then we’ll jump below the equator and acknowledge some of the other foods in season from […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Pumpkin Seed Oil
During this time of year, you may enjoy delicious fall snacks like roasted pumpkin seeds. These delicious and nutritious seeds also produce a rich oil that makes a fantastic ingredient in hair and skincare–it’s pumpkin seed oil! All the nutrients in pumpkin seeds that make them nutritious also make them a great ingredient in skin care. Improves […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Tagged with:body polish, pumpkin, pumpkin seed oil
Banana for Stunning Skin & Hair
Growing up my parents always kept our kitchen stocked with staples like carrots, celery, apples, and bananas. All of the kids in the neighborhood knew that they could grab a snack at our house, and we usually chose banana. What’s not to love, they come in their own wrapper, they are delicious, and they give […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Skin Soothing Oatmeal
Oatmeal comes from a simple grain and yet this unsung hero of the grain world is bursting with vital nutrients such as manganese, phosphorus, copper, biotin, vitamin B1, magnesium, dietary fiber, chromium, and zinc. Oatmeal is amazingly one of the only foods to retain most of its nutrients through processing. Virtually all oatmeal that is […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Bentonite Clay – Ingredient Highlight
Centuries ago, ancient cultures of people around the world discovered the multitude of benefits natural clays provide skin and hair. Each type of clay has different properties–exploring the different types of clay and their effects on your hair and skin can be a fun adventure. One such clay is bentonite clay, a staple in Native […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Tagged with:Clay
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate – Foaming Face Wash!
Surfactants have a reputation as being harsh and irritating to the skin, but sodium cocoyl isethionate is a completely different type of surfactant! Derived from coconut, this extremely gentle ingredient is fast replacing traditional surfactants in natural hair and skincare formulations. Biodegradable and Gentle Naturally derived from coconut, sodium cocoyl isethionate is readily biodegradable and […]
Filed in: Ingredients, Recipes and formulas
Behentrimonium Methosulfate BTMS
Behentrimonium Methosulfate is an excellent emulsifier. Derived from Colza Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate or BTMS is key when looking to create amazing hair care conditioning products, which is why it is often referred to as the “Conditioning Emulsifier”. Gentle and effective, BTMS helps hair retain a springy bounce, volume, and silky smoothness. Because it’s so mild, it’s […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Carrier Oils – Overview and Substitution Guide
What Are Carrier Oils? We hear the term “carrier oil” a lot, but what exactly is a carrier oil? Carrier oil is a term used to describe a base or vegetable oil that is being used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin. They get this name because they […]
Filed in: Ingredients
Tagged with:Carrier Oils, dilution, viscosity