Desert Essence
Great gifts make a person feel good, so what could be more perfect than natural skin and body products? This holiday season, show you care with these tried and tested favorites that are equal parts healthy and indulgent. Whether you’re shopping for a natural newbie or a true greenie, we’ve got you covered.
For your friend who's new to natural products: Introduce them to a world of beauty with our top-rated customer favorites like the Coconut Hand and Body Lotion and Thoroughly Clean Face Wash. These popular products leave skin feeling so smooth and pampered, your friend will soon be wanting more!
For the natural beauty expert in your life: What do you get someone who has everything? More of the stuff they love. For those already into green beauty, bottles of Organic Jojoba Oil and Organic Tea Tree Oil make a fantastic gift. They’ll probably already know plenty of uses for both (and you’ll be helping replenish their supply)!
For the friend who's always on-the-go: A tour through our travel-friendly natural products is in order! Pack some lavender and tea tree oil Cleansing Wipes in their travel bag and help them arrive to their destination fresh-faced with our Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads.
For the men: Who says beauty is for women only? Our male customers rave about how Jojoba Oil leaves their skin feeling soft and refreshed after they shave, and our all-natural stick deodorants are long-lasting and available in five fresh scents. If your guy prefers to go sans-fragrance, try our Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, and Body Lotion—all available fragrance-free.
For the moms, dads, and babies in your life: Give the gift of peace of mind and safe, all-natural ingredients with our baby care products. Minimally-formulated and pediatrician-tested, our skin care products for baby are either USDA or NSF-Certified, and our air freshener and surface cleanser for the nursery are made with gentle, naturally-effective ingredients like Lavender and Tea Tree Oil.
Who are you shopping for this holiday season? And what DE products are on your wish list?
Leave the flakes to the snow this winter and keep dry skin at bay by adding exfoliation to your beauty routine. Cold, dry air can be harsh to skin cells, leaving even normal or oily skin types lacking moisture. Add strong winds and sunrays to the mix, and it’s no wonder our skin might change with the season.
A common skin care mistake in the battle against winter elements is to simply apply heavy creams and moisturizers for added moisture. This approach misses one crucial step: removing the layer of dry, dead skin cells to make way for a new, glowing complexion.
First, Exfoliate: Choose a facial scrub that’s gentle enough to use two to three times a week—that’s how often you’ll want to exfoliate during the colder months. Natural exfoliators like jojoba seed, almond, and oat found in the Gentle Stimulating Facial Scrub gently buff the skin to remove flaky cells while stimulating the new ones. Start by moistening your face and massaging a small amount of the scrub in circular motions onto the face and neck. Rinse with cool water.
Add Moisturizer: Now that you’ve uncovered a new, fresh layer of skin cells that are ready to absorb moisture, apply a hydrating lotion that’s formulated for your skin type. Whether you need a light moisturizer with SPF protection or a gentle night cream that’ll hydrate skin as you sleep, you’ll find our selection of natural, nutrient-rich formulas fit a variety of skin care needs.
Find Your Warmth: We believe beauty in all its forms starts with inner peace. If the winter temps are challenging for your moods as well as your complexion, try discovering new ways to Winter-Proof Your Soul through simple ways like exercising, spending time with loved ones, indulging in a hot cup of herbal tea, and more.
Ending world hunger seems like a monumental task, but the truth is each one of us can make a difference. Today, thousands of people are taking action for World Food Day, and this year’s event is shining light on agriculture cooperatives in particular. All our food and nourishment starts in one place: in the Earth and in the farmlands that cultivate it.
Join us in this effort to help feed the world, and spread the word! Here are just a few of the many ways you can make a difference today:
Donate Your Harvest: If your garden is sprouting in abundance, don’t let those beautiful crops go to waste. Organizations like Ample Harvest let you search for a local food pantry that will accept your garden surplus to help feed those in need.
Start a Food Drive: Get your neighborhood, schools, and community involved by collecting canned goods and donating them to your local food bank. Don’t forget to include some gluten-free or vegan options, too!
Host a World Food Day Dinner: Meaningful actions start with conversation, and what better way to discuss the importance of food than over dinner with loved ones? Start a guest list and sign up to host a World Food Day meal. You’ll receive free materials, like placemats and discussion guides, to help foster a conversation about where our food comes from, who cultivates it, and what actions you can take to make our system more sustainable for everyone.
Share & Tell: Awareness is half the battle. Follow World Food Day on Facebook, learn about the issues at hand, and help spread the facts on hunger. Did you know that nearly one in seven people suffers from undernourishment? Did you know that the world has the resources to feed them all? Imagine what we could do if everyone knew about this!
What other actions are you planning for World Food Day?
The secret to waking up fresh-faced every morning is to treat your skin right at night. Skin cells repair themselves more effectively at night, and skin absorbs ingredients better as you sleep because they’re not exposed to sunlight.
Tired after a long day? Setting aside just five minutes every evening can help skin renew itself as you sleep with this simple 4-Step Beauty Routine:
1. Remove All Makeup
An absolute must. Sleeping with makeup on can clog your pores and cause acne, and eye makeup like mascara can dry out lashes, or (even worse) cause them to fall out over time. We suggest wetting a cotton ball with a few drops of jojoba oil and wiping it over eyes and face. This not only removes makeup naturally, it also gives skin a boost of moisture.
2. Gently Cleanse
Rinse off excess oil and build-up from environmental pollutants with a cleanser formulated for your skin type like our Gentle Nourishing Organic Cleanser for Dry/Sensitive skin or Thoroughly Clean Face Wash for Oily/Combination skin. This keeps dirt and oil from settling into your pores while your sleep, and gives each day a fresh start.
3. Moisturize
Keeping skin hydrated is one of the best ways to prevent signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Pay extra special attention to the skin around the eyes, which is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the face, and don’t forget your décolletage! Moisturize your neck and face area with a nutrient-rich cream like our Gentle Nourishing Night Cream, and lightly dab the eyes with some Gentle Nourishing Eye Cream.
4. Hit the Pillow
Now comes the best part—hit the sack and enjoy your beauty sleep. But before you get too comfortable, avoid sleeping on the same side each night. Pressing your face against the pillow can cause wrinkles over time, and doesn’t let the skin breathe as it should. Try sleeping on your back as much as possible, or at least opt for a clean, silk pillowcase. Its smooth, soft surface can help prevent sleep creases.
Jump start your beauty routine:
Enter to win a Gentle Nourishing Night Cream! Just follow us on Twitter and RT when it’s time for your beauty sleep! #SweetDreamsDE
Hands, hair, and face often get lots of special care, but your feet carry you throughout the day. For that, we think they deserve some extra attention. Next time your feet are throbbing or you simply need an energizing pick-me-up, try this simple DIY Natural Pedicure at home:
You’ll need:
- Cleansing Bar Tea Tree Therapy
- Exfolitating Shea Butter Body Scrub
- Nourishing Body Oil – Desert Lime
- Perfect Pistachio Foot Cream
Step 1: Prep and cleanse feet in a foot soak or shower with the Cleansing Bar Tea Tree Therapy. Not only do the inherently antiseptic properties of our Eco-Harvest ® Tea Tree Oil leave feet fresh and clean, but the jojoba oil moisturizes while aloe vera helps soothe away stress and tension.
Step 2: Pat dry your feet and give them a scrub. Rid skin of dead cells with our Exfoliating Shea Butter Body Scrub, which is specially formulated with 10 restorative natural extracts that help soften and renew the skin.
Step 3: No pedicure would be complete without a foot rub! For the perfect combination of massage and aromatherapy, try the Nourishing Body Oil in Desert Lime, which is rich in fatty acids and vitamins. Pour a small amount onto the palms of your hands, rub together, and begin stroking the feet in long, slow motions with your thumbs. Start at the toes and work your way towards the ankle. Repeat as necessary—or as desired!
Step 4: Who wouldn’t be ready for bed after such a relaxing foot rub? Top off your natural pedicure with our Perfect Pistachio Foot Repair Cream. Organic Pistachio Nut Oil is quickly absorbed into the skin, while Organic Macadamia Seed Oil helps rejuvenate cracked heels. To really seal in moisture, apply the lotion and wear socks as you sleep for softer, refreshed feet in the morning!
To celebrate our first foray into the exciting world of Pinterest, we asked fans and Pinners to create a Pinterest board inspired by their favorite Desert Essence product. We weren’t sure exactly what to expect—maybe photos of products, images of ingredients, visual metaphors for how a product makes you feel?
The response was overwhelming and invigorating. Seeing our products through the eyes of our customers was inspiring beyond words!
It wasn’t easy, but after many hours of combing through the boards and entries, we chose a winner. Inspired by our 100% Pure Jojoba Oil, this board caught our eye because it truly captured the essence of what we hope our products mean to you. Congratulations, Lynsey Xenakis! You’re the winner of a year’s worth of 100% Pure Jojoba Oil!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated! Still feeling inspired? Follow us on Pinterest and create a board for your favorite product—we’d love to see what you come up with!
You may soon notice that many sunscreens are sporting new labels, with new terms, facts, and instructions to comply with the Food and Drug Administration’s new SPF regulations. Last summer, the FDA announced new requirements for over-the-counter sunscreens, specifically in how they’re marketed and what can and cannot be claimed on a label and packaging.
Although the original deadline for compliance from most major brands has been pushed back from June to December 2012, many companies, including Desert Essence, have already begun implementing the new requirements. We’re excited about helping customers better understand the sunscreen options available to them. More information leads to better sun protection and healthier skin for all.
Here’s what you can expect from the FDA’s new SPF regulations, and why it’s important:
Clearer UVA/UVB labeling: Traditionally, most sunscreens’ SPF only indicated protection strength against UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, but not UVA rays, which go deeper into the skin to cause aging (both types can also cause skin cancer). The new FDA measures require a standard test to measure effectiveness against both types of rays, and only sunscreens that protect against UVA and UVB rays will have the designation of “Broad Spectrum SPF.”
No more “waterproof,” “sweatproof,” or “sunblock”: These terms are no longer allowed on labels because they overstate the effectiveness of sunscreens. Claims of “water-resistance” must also indicate whether the product is effective for 40 or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. To play it safe, always reapply after swimming or sweating, and every two hours otherwise.
Use as directed: You’ll also find new language for use claims on sunscreen labels. Only those with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early aging (those with less can only claim to prevent sunburn). For the best possible protection, use these products as directed with additional measures, such as limiting time in the sun during peak hours or wearing long sleeved shirts, pants, and sunglasses.
Drug Facts on every bottle: The back of your sunscreen products may start looking a lot like the backs of medicine or pill packages. You’ll now find a list of Active and Inactive ingredients, Uses, Warnings, and Directions on each sunscreen label, intended to help you better understand how each product protects your body.
How will these new guidelines affect Desert Essence products? Only for the better, with more information and clearer labels for you. We’re happy to make the switch, starting with the latest addition to our sun protection products, our reformulated Mineral Sunscreen, now with Broad Spectrum SPF35 and certified under the NSF “Contains Organic Ingredients” standard.
The earth is a place of beauty and nourishment, full of nature’s finest elements for health and wellness. The ingredients and essential oils we’re known for come from places near and far, like Australia where we source our Tea Tree Oil; West Africa, which provides us with Shea Butter; South Africa, which is rich in Aloe Vera; and even the Sonoran desert of the Southwest, which has given us the nourishment of Jojoba Oil. Connecting with nature and all its wonders is one of the best parts of what we do.
In the spirit of bon voyages and adventure, we thought we’d help you prepare for your summer travels, whether you’re hopping on a plane or retreating to your own private oasis.
Tell us what your ideal summer destination is and you could win our Summer Travel Guide, an assortment of 8 hair, body, and skin care products that make great traveler’s companions.
5 Winners will receive:
- Daily Essential Defense Lotion SPF 15
- Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads
- Fragrance-Free Body Wash
- Natural Tea Tree Oil & Neem Toothpaste
- Dry by Nature Deodorant
- Tea Tree Oil Relief Spray
- Ultra Hydrating Lip Rescue lip balm
- Cleansing Towelettes
Leave your answer in the comments below to enter!*
*Comments must be posted by 06/12/12. Five winners will be randomly selected. Winners will be notified by 06/15/12. Open to U.S. residents only. All federal, state, and local laws apply. No purchase necessary. Please allow up to 3 weeks for delivery.
Nurturing, healing, loving, and giving…few words embody these qualities quite like “Mother.” It’s no wonder the essence of the earth has been affectionately called Mother Nature for centuries and across cultures. Moms and nature feed us body and soul, tenderly nourishing us so we can live healthily and happily.
This month, as we celebrate Moms and all they’ve given us, we invite you to give back. Choose a gift for your mother from our nourishing hair and body products Fresh From Nature and you could win one too!
HOW TO ENTER:
What is the greatest gift your mother ever gave you? What is the greatest gift you’ve received from Mother Nature? Answer in one of the following ways to enter!
- Tell us in the comments below.
- Like Desert Essence on Facebook and post your answer on our wall. (Feel free to tag mom, too. It’s sure to make her smile!)
- Follow Desert Essence on Twitter and Tweet your answer using #NaturallyNurturing.
We’ll pick 10 lucky winners at random on 5/11/12. Each entrant will receive two sets of their preferred product from our Fresh From Nature hair and body products. Keep one for you and give the other one to Mom!
*Open to U.S. residents only. Please allow up to 3 weeks for delivery. All products will be shipped to winner’s address only.
Every oil has a story and a journey, and our tea tree oil is no different. Its story goes back hundreds of years and to the southern depths of the earth, where tea tree oil was first discovered and where ours originates from to this day.
A Natural Discovery
Distilled from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia shrub, tea tree oil has long been used by Aborigines and natives to help treat cuts and wounds. It was so effective and its healing properties so powerful, that it was believed to be magical. Locals had also long bathed in waters where tea tree oil leaves had fallen and noticed its powerful properties. When Captain James Cook, the first European explorer to chart Australian’s eastern coast, landed down under in 1770, locals showed him and his crew the uses and benefits of tea tree oil.
But its natural cleansing properties wouldn’t be known to the world until the 1920s, when the Australian chemist Arthur Penfold tested and published his findings on the oil. His discovery that tea tree oil’s antiseptic properties were about 12 times stronger than carbolic acid put it in the spotlight of medicinal research for years to come. Scientific journals reported on its effectiveness, so much so that by the 1940s, Australian soldiers were given tea tree oils in their first aid kits during WWII.
From Australia to the US
Soon after Desert Essence was founded in 1978, we introduced Tea Tree Oil to the US market. We not only strived to provide consumers with a natural, equally effective antiseptic, we also set out to provide the highest quality oil possible. Our oil comes exclusively from plantations in Australia with whom we have long-standing relationships. Known for their environmentally-friendly practices, these growers and suppliers of our oils are pioneers in the development of sustainable practices and leaders in their field of research. Desert Essence receives first pick of the crop, ensuring that the highest quality leaves are used and that each bottle measures up to our strict standards of quality and sustainability.
For example, the most important chemical compounds found in tea tree oil are Terpinen-4, which is responsible for antiseptic action, and Cineole, which can cause skin irritation. Our tea tree oils have Terpinen-4 levels of 38% or more, well above industry average, and cineole levels of less than 3%, which is well below industry average. Low cineole levels mean there is a lower chance of skin irritation.
The result is clear to the eye: the purity and quality of a batch of tea tree oil can be measured by its clarity, and ours is water-white and bottled in clear glass bottles so you can see the difference.
Our standards go beyond the bottle. No chemicals are used in the processing of our oils. Our growers operate environmentally sustainable, ecologically responsible plantations. Our 100% Organic Tea Tree Oils are grown in USDA certified facilities, where all harvesting is done by hand and wood fired burners using waste wood distill the oil. Solar energy and a state-of-the-art irrigation system are used to harvest the 100% Australian Oil, and the lands where our Eco-Harvest® oils stem from are protected by two alpacas and a sheep dog, who control weeds and grass.
