Posts Tagged ‘soap’

Posted on March 1, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

A Sea of Bodily Love: Sponges & Loofahs

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. In a DIY mood? Harvest your own!

Posted on October 6, 2009 - by Leslie Billera

Hairway to Heaven: Two DIY Recipes

Your hair is the accessory you wear every day. So treat it right.

Forget pricey concoctions that contain chemical-laden fragrance, irritant-inducing parabens and endocrine disrupting octoxynol-9. Opt instead for ingredients you may already have in your kitchen cabinet.

Extra-virgin olive oil is very similar in composition to our sebum, which is our body’s natural oil. It absorbs readily, locking in moisture, and is especially effective for dry skin or hair. Plus, it’s rich in antioxidants.

Here are two DIY recipes: one is super quick, and the other a bit more complex. Use a combination of both and discover the power of your luxurious green locks!

Quick Hot Oil Treatment for Dry Hair

1. Put one-half cup of extra-virgin olive oil in a glass jar.

2. Run the closed jar under hot water for 30-60 seconds to heat the oil.

3. Open the jar and place a little olive oil on your palms and fingers

4. Massage gently through dry hair, paying special attention to your ends and any bristle portions.

5. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap or wear a shower cap for 15-30 minutes (or overnight for a more intense treatment)

6. Rinse out thoroughly in the shower with a gentle shampoo

Source: style, naturally, by Summer Rayne Oakes

Hair Butter Mask

Use daily before shampooing for maximum results. The below will last for one week of daily treatments.

3 tablespoons organic virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons avocado oil

2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoon organic spirulina extract

10,000 IU vitamin E

2 drops lavender essential oil

2 drops bergamot essential oil

2 drops chamomile essential oil

1. Blend all ingredients in a small bowl, making sure the essential oils spread evenly.

2. Massage one tablespoon of the treatment into wet hair and scalp, concentrating on split ends and areas of itchiness. Leave on for ten minutes for intensive conditioning.

3. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo as usual.

Source: The Green Beauty Guide, by Julie Gabriel

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Jargon Alert:Extra Virgin Olive Oil

When olive oil is extra virgin, it means that the olives are only pressed once, oleic acid (a monostaturated fatty acid) content is under .8%, and there are no defects found in the taste of the oil.

Learn more about olive oil from our sister company St. Helena Olive Oil Co.

Posted on May 16, 2008 - by nvbath

Organic Rosemary Soap

An herbaceously scented essential oil, rosemary is known for its ability to purify and cleanse. Coupled with the dark green of barley grass, this bar evokes the gentle healing power of the plant kingdom.

Posted on May 16, 2008 - by nvbath

Pink Grapefruit Organic Soap

The pink grapefruit essential oil gives the bars a light orange tint and a bright citrus scent with floral notes. Combined with the deeper, spicier notes of lemongrass, this soap is both enlivening and centering. The finely ground organic oatmeal acts as a gentle exfoliant for all parts of the body and face, making this bar great for the shower.

Posted on May 16, 2008 - by nvbath

Cinnamon Soap…for the kitchen

The rich aromatic spice of cinnamon combines with the earthy pungency of ginger to create a scent that enlivens and invigorates. These essential oils have strong anti-microbial properties. The ground coffee provides a cleansing action and cuts through odiferous oils like garlic, onion, and fish. These qualities make it a great bar for use at the kitchen sink. The sweet citrus of orange and the spicyness of cinnamon combine in a scent that enlivens and invigorates. The olive mud, ultra-fine particles of olive pumace which settle out of unfiltered organic extra virgin olive oil, is a rich substance which is a source of anti-oxidants and moisturizing superfatting oil.