Q: When is ‘skin deep’ not deep enough?
A: When technology worms its way into your personal care products!

Nanoparticles are a hot new technology and all the rage in the beauty industry. But beyond the hype, the picture isn’t so pretty.

One of our skin’s key jobs is to keep harmful substances out;  but it has met its match with nanoparticles.  These ultra fine particles act as ‘penetration enhancers’ that deliver ingredients past the skin to a deep, cellular level – with unintended health consequences.

Nanoparticles enter the bloodstream almost immediately, carrying chemicals to organs. According to the Environmental Working Group, nanoparticles slide up the optic nerve to the brain or burrow inside red blood cells.

Nano No No

Although nanoparticles are found in more than one-third of all products, from sunscreen to moisturizers to foundation – they aren’t easy to spot on ingredient lists!

The following is a list of known nanoparticles to look for on labels – and avoid:

• Nano Zinc Oxide
• Fullersomes
• Nanosomes
• Fullerene (C60 Hydroxide)
• Microspheres
• Ingredients containing the words ‘nano’ or ‘micronized’

Peruse this list of 256 products with nano-scale ingredients from the Environmental Working Group, and read their full report to the FDA on the topic for a more in-depth look.

Natural Know-How

Take control of your beauty and bath routine. Remember…

• Less is More: the more natural the product, the fewer ingredients it’s likely to have
• Herbal Essence: Look for products high in herbal content like lavender and aloe vera
• Plant It: Natural, plant-based options – like pure essential oils – are your best option, especially since we absorb 60% of anything we put on our skin.

Stick to the all-natural basics, and feed your body all the nourishment it needs – and leave the nanoparticles for NASA.

Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of water, steam and ice. For centuries, hydrotherapy has been used to treat injuries and a wide range of illnesses. Whether it’s used for something serious or as a mental stress reliever (which, let’s face it, can also be ‘serious’), hydrotherapy is a wonderful way to unwind.

The three types of hydrotherapy are cold water, hot water and alternating between the two.

In warmer climates, we tapped into the benefits of cold-water therapy. With temps going down, hot water therapy takes center-stage.  Hot water:

• Stimulates the immune system
• Increases circulation
• Calms and relaxes the body
• Soothes nerves

Alternating between hot and cold water treatments have been found to alleviate upper respiratory congestion and stimulate organ function through improved circulation.

That’s a Wrap!

One hydrotherapeutic technique usually reserved for the spa can be easily done at home – with the help of a friend or special someone.  A body wrap can help you lose inches, speed up metabolism, purge toxins from your body and best of all – simply slow you down.

To do a DIY body wrap, you’ll need:

• Sea Salt body scrub: Napa Valley Bath’s Lavender Sea Salt Scrub is a divine choice.
• Essential Oil Moisturizer: Not surprisingly, we think our Lavender Massage Oil does the job best
• 10 wet washcloths rolled up and kept warm in a crock pot nearby
• Plastic wrap
• Heating bag
• Wool blanket
• Candles: Optional but recommended, especially the clean-burning  Organic Soy Massage Candle from NVB…

Follow these steps to hydrotherapeutic bliss:

1. Exfoliate arms, legs and torso in a circular motion. Rinse off in the shower or use washcloths

2. Apply essential oil moisturizing in circular motions. Take your time and enjoy putting it on.

3. Wrap legs and torso in plastic wrap, leaving arms free

4. Lie down on a flat surface. Place wool blanket over your body, and lie heating pad on top of that.

5. Breath deep, sweat, and detoxify for 15 minutes.

6. Cut yourself out of plastic wrap with safe scissors.

You already know that here at Napa Valley Bath, we’re big fans of a scrumptious, sumptuous soak.

Why take a detergent-based bath when you can relax in toxin-free bliss? Alxyl-phenol ethoxylades – an ingredient commonly found in bubble bath – has been shown to reduce sperm count. And the infamous ‘fragrance’ you find on pretty much every conventional bar soap and liquid, shampoo, and bath product label?  That deceptively pleasant-sounding word can actually represent up to 4000 different kinds of chemicals, many of which are suspected or proven carcinogens.

There’s nothing relaxing about that.

Oil in the Family

Opt for all-natural bathing featuring pure vegetable oils and essential oils. The safest essential oils to use in your bath include:

• Lavender
• Sandalwood
• Chamomile
• Spruce
• Rose

Essential oils that contain more potential for irritation include citrus, jasmine, bergamot and sage, so steer clear of them when it comes to your bath. Avoid mineral oil in your bath too: it obstructs your skin’s perspiration.

Here’s another recipe to add to your DIY bathing beauty book. In addition to its aromatherapeutic benefits, this recipe softens hard water too!

Green Tibet Bath Salt

1 cup grape seed oil

1 cup green tea

1 tablespoon baking soda

½ Cup Epsom salt

1 drop lavender essential oil

1 drop frankincense essential oil

How To:

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and store in your favorite jar. Add half-cup of the infusion to the running bathwater. To keep the essential oils from evaporating too quickly, you can add the bath salts just before getting into the tub. Make sure the salts have dissolved well before your soak, or risk and uncomfortable rear (albeit one that’s nicely exfoliated!).

From The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel

We hope by now you’re treating yourself to at least one relaxing, aromatherapeutic bath a week that’s:

• Good for the earth: the non-toxic ingredients in organic bath and beauty products don’t wind up in our water streams.
• Great for your body: by making smart choices about the products you put on your skin, you’re investing your health.

Now it’s time to think about transporting all the nutrient-rich soaps, sea salts, scrubs and more available from Napa Valley Bath in the most eco-conscious way…

Sea and Be Seen

Opt for sea sponges versus synthetic sponges, which are typically made from petrochemicals.

For thousands of years, people have been cleansing themselves with multi-celled sea sponges. Sea sponges live in almost every aquatic environment, filtering nutrients from the water through their pores.

Real sea sponges:

• Are a non-endangered species, so they are greener alternative to synthetic sponges
• Regenerate, so there’s no worries about over-harvesting
• Hold a greater amount of water
• Biodegrade, so there’s no waste

So ditch that pink, plasticized pouf hanging in your shower – your green bath is truly sea sponge-worthy!

Love Your Loofah

Did you know that a loofah is a dried plant related to the squash family?  Loofah sponges can be used every day to:

• Give a boost to your circulatory system
• Cleanse and exfoliate your skin
• Help prevent cellulite build-up

Make sure that any loofah you buy is organically-grown and unbleached.

Removing dead skin cells using exfoliation promises healthier looking skin that feels less congested.

When you use an all-natural exfoliating ingredient like sugar, you protect your skin from the following toxins. These ‘ingredients’ are often used in the products doled out by spas and high-end skin care clinics in deep-cleansing treatments:

• petrochemicals
• synthetic preservatives
• penetration enhancers
• sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates
• artificial fragrances and dyes

Why slough off dead skin cells with toxins when healthy, organic options abound? After all, our skin is our largest organ, a conduit to our circulatory system and our other organs.  In fact, what you put on your body is just as important as what you eat!

Sugar Love

Sugar is super sweet on the skin and a fantastic, all-natural exfoliator.  Sugar is…

• alpha-hydroxy rich, which amounts to a great glow
• safe: no harsh side effects
• great for all skin types
• an effective lymph fluid stimulator and circulator
• a skin hydrator – a natural humectant, sugar scrubs draw moisture to the skin

Healthy How To

To delight in the natural decadence of organic sugar exfoliating, simply follow these steps:

1. Apply sugar scrubs during a shower or warm bath

2. Apply the sugar scrub with small onward and outward movements; roll and press on your skin versus rubbing the scrub into it.

3. Focus on dry and scaly patches – but don’t press too hard!

4. Leave on longer to make your sugar scrub work as a mask

5. Rinse off with tepid water.

Check out all of our Napa Valley Bath products and find the one that appeals to you!