Desert Essence
Wavy, straight, short, coarse—no one hair type is exactly the same. Luckily, with natural hair care products you’re never short on abundance or variety. Nature’s ingredients are plentiful, each so unique that you’re bound to find one that works for your type and needs. With many being so tempting (how to choose between apples and coconuts?!) the options can seem endless.
Our best advice? Pick a scent you love with the ingredients most beneficial for your hair type. Take into account your hair’s texture, whether or not it’s color-treated, and your everyday routine as you browse your natural hair care options.
For dry or damaged hair, try a shampoo and conditioner combo rich in coconut extracts or shea butter. Coconut oil is known for its rehydrating properties, and it also restores shine to dry or dull hair without weighing it down. If you’re most concerned about breakage and split ends, give shea butter a whirl. Packed full of vitamins that deliver moisture to the hair and scalp, it helps repair hair while preventing further damage.
If your hair is very fine, think strength and volume. Just like our bodies, hair is fortified by a healthy amount of vitamins and minerals. Organic kelp and nettle extract, which are rich in iron, calcium and potassium, strengthen each hair strand as they’re absorbed. Look for these extracts in products like our Red Raspberry Conditioner or Green Apple and Ginger Shampoo.
If you lead an active lifestyle and need to wash your hair daily, try a shampoo that’s jojoba-based. The combination of this essential oil with keratin in our Jojoba Shampoo strengthens the inner layers of the hair shaft while gently cleaning and retaining moisture, even with daily use.
Finally, if your hair is color-treated, we’re guessing you’ll want that salon-perfect hue to last as long as possible. If that’s the case, antioxidants are your friend—they act as UV filters to aid in protecting your hair and color, while helping correct any damage or stress from treatment. We’d recommend the Italian Red Grape Shampoo/Conditioner duo (they even contain red wine extracts for an extra antioxidant boost).
And, because nature’s wonders never cease to amaze, keep this little trick in mind in the unfortunate event of a too-dark dye job: Tea tree oil and lemon help lighten hair. That’s not-so-great news if you love your color, but it can be a real life-saver if it’s just a couple of shades off!
What’s your hair type? What do you look for in a natural hair product?
You probably know what your favorite scent is, but do you know why? It may have more to do with emotions and memories than simple preference. Because our olfactory bulb—the part of the brain that processes scents—is so closely linked to where memories and emotions are stored, it’s not uncommon for a whiff of something to come loaded with vivid feelings. And naturally, we end up favoring scents that bring back the best memories, whether we do it consciously or not.
Take your favorite shampoo, for example. Do you love the Coconut because it reminds you of childhood summers on the beach? Or the Green Apple & Ginger because grandma made a delicious pie?
Even if the origins of your favorite scents are cloaked in mystery, one thing’s for sure—we all perceive fragrance differently. We’ve had fans swoon over the smell of Tea Tree Oil while others say its many benefits make up for its scent, and our Fragrance-Free Hair Care is a big hit with those who’d rather smell nothing at all!
Take a Deep Breath
Personal feelings aside, scents take on a whole new meaning when used in aromatherapy. The use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes is an ancient practice adopted by the Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans thousands of years ago. Some oils, like tea tree and jojoba, are known for their physical benefits of helping deal with problem skin and soothe dry skin, while others, like lavender oil, are popular for their calming, anti-stress effects.
The beauty of aromatherapy is its diversity, not just in the oils but in how you can enjoy their benefits. Breathe in the soothing effects of eucalyptus oil mixed with jojoba as you get it massaged into your skin for an ultra-relaxing experience, or try peppermint or tea tree for an energy boost on a long day.
Whatever you choose, remember it’s never a bad idea to slow things down and stop to smell the roses!
Your turn: What’s your favorite DE scent? Why do you think that is?
Each of our faces tell a story, not just about who we are, but the choices we make. As we’ve gotten to know the Desert Essence community, it’s become clear that you all choose natural products for reasons special and unique
to you.
But there are threads that tie these stories together. Health, wellness, and happiness are always at the core.
This month, join us in spreading this message even further. Share why you choose natural with family and friends on Facebook and help us put a picture to the stories. We’ll compile all the images—a virtual mural of health and beauty—and send three lucky winners a customized Desert Essence gift basket. Each will include:
- Skin care regimen of your choice (a combination of 3 products especially for your skin type)
- Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner
- Sweet Almond Body Wash
- A bottle of our Organic Lavender Tea Tree Oil
Upload a picture that captures the face of natural beauty. You can even include your favorite Desert Essence product in the shot.
Add this caption and fill in the blank: “I choose natural skin care products because _____. These are the faces of natural beauty.”
Don’t forget to tag Desert Essence so we can see the picture!
Winners will be selected randomly from the images at the end of the month. Open to U.S. residents only. Please allow up to 3 weeks for delivery.
Getting into the spirit of things this season? The holidays are a wonderful time to indulge in seasonal favorites like eggnog and comfort foods, but just like with twinkling lights and garland, moderation is a must. But don’t worry—there’s still plenty of holiday cheer to go around! Rather than stress about calories, shopping lists, or how quickly the year’s flown by, take a moment to simplify and enjoy harmony from within.
This year, we propose a toast celebrating health, happiness and wellness. With these simple tips and adjustments
to holiday traditions, you can indulge in your favorite foods and savor time with loved ones for a truly feel-good
holiday season.
Find Comfort in the Right Foods
Holiday favorites at the dinner table—like dark turkey meat, green beans with fried onions, mashed potatoes or Mom’s classic pecan pie—are extremely high in trans fats, carbs and sugar.
For a healthier holiday meal, focus on getting lots of proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. Whenever possible, choose a more wholesome alternative to traditional foods, like whole-wheat rolls instead of white bread rolls, light meat instead of dark meat, sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes, and apple pie instead of pecan. Seek out nutritious versions of traditional recipes online, like these Green Beans with Shallots and Almonds, which are low-fat, gluten-free, and vegan, from the Whole Foods recipe collection.
Sip and Savor
Raise a glass of red wine and sip in its rich antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory benefits and protect skin from free radicals and signs of aging. If you simply can’t resist a little eggnog to ring in the holidays, opt for making it with low-fat or skim milk to reduce the calories. Regardless of what’s in your glass, make sure you’re drinking enough water.
Warming up by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa or apple cider is a delicious treat. For a real feel-good beverage, choose a hot cocoa that uses dark chocolate, or make your own with a bar that contains at least 70% cocoa and low-fat milk. For a healthier hot apple cider, forgo the rum and make your own at home to avoid the excess sugar in many store-bought ciders. Bonus points if you add cinnamon; studies have shown it can help reduce cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels.
Feeling Warm on the Inside
Simplifying not only your menu but also your schedule is a great way to find balance and cherish peaceful moments during an otherwise busy time of year. During the holidays, let time slow down and spend it enjoying family and friends. Curl up on a sofa with a cup of tea or coffee and catch up, or take a brisk walk with your sister, your mom, or a favorite aunt. In this way, you get some exercise and also some one-on-one with a cherished loved one.
Make sure to take some for yourself, too. Even if your home is bursting with joy from out-of-town guests, spend a few minutes alone with your thoughts in the morning. A peaceful start to your day can set the tone for a truly enjoyable holiday season that nurtures your health and spirit.
Combine serious beauty know-how with a serious love for animals and you get My Beauty Bunny, an award-winning,
Top 20 beauty blog devoted to the very best in cruelty-free skin, hair and body care products.
And this month, Desert Essence is excited to partner with My Beauty Bunny for an exclusive giveaway! Our limited
edition Pamper Me Gift Set is a soothing package of NSF-certified body care, featuring vitamin-rich essential oils
and extracts that cleanse, moisturize and leave your skin deliciously soft. And like all Desert Essence products, it’s
completely free of animal testing and cruelty.
Hop on over to My Beauty Bunny for details on how to enter!
Whether you’re looking to buy the latest in natural beauty and personal care products, or simply seeking to
maintain a healthy diet, it’s likely you’ve come across the mention of antioxidants. For the green consumer,
antioxidants are everywhere. But what exactly are antioxidants? And in what sources do you find them most?
To understand the benefits of antioxidants, it’s best to start first with understanding the nature of free radicals in
your body. Free radicals are the molecular byproducts of normal bodily processes like respiration and metabolism,
or from environmental exposures to pollution, sunlight, cigarette smoke, etc. Within each of your cells, free
radicals are molecules that become unstable with the loss of an even pairing of electrons. These free radicals
then try to bond with other molecules, which in turn also become destabilized, and the chain reaction may continue.
At their simplest level, antioxidants are nutrients that may help our body neutralize free radicals. By providing free
radicals with a stabilizing electron, antioxidants neutralize them from going after other molecules. The chain
reaction is stopped and cell damage resulting from free radicals is minimized.
- Flavonoids/Polyphenols
Look for them in tannin-rich fruits like red grapes, pomegranates, and cranberries, as well as in wines and certain teas. - Lycopene
Also known as a cartenoid, this antioxidant compound is what gives a tomatoes its color. - Lutein
You’ll find it primarily in broccoli, squash and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. - Lignan
These are found in flax seeds.
Fall weather means comfy cable knits, warm apple cider and switching up your beauty regimen. We’ve hand
picked a few of our favorite fall products and are giving away a product bundle each week in October. Enter as
many times as you like for more chances to win!
HOW TO ENTER:
- Comment below on this blog post.
Any comment will do! - Like Desert Essence on Facebook
Our fan page is 2700+ strong! We’d love to have you join our Facebook community, too! - Follow Desert Essence on Twitter and tweet the following message:
I entered to win natural beauty products from @DesertEssence in the #BundleUp #giveaway!
http://ow.ly/6KTxS
Winners will be selected randomly each Friday in October. Open to U.S. residents only. Please allow up to 3
weeks for delivery.
As the single largest organ in the human body, our skin protects us from
the elements, and when it’s healthy and glowing, it can make us look and
feel beautiful. The care of our skin is vitally important to our general
health, and it only stands to reason that the products we use in our daily
skin care regimens are worth some equally careful thought.
A certain percentage of ingredients in any product you apply to your skin
will be absorbed internally, which leaves your body susceptible to whatever
chemical element that may be included in the product’s formula. In
fact, experts agree that absorption through the skin is more dangerous
than eating through the mouth, since when eaten, substances pass
through the kidneys and the liver where any would-be toxins are filtered
and broken down and rendered harmless to your system. On the other
hand, a chemical or toxin absorbed through the skin can go directly into the blood steam. That’s why recent research shows that many ingredients including parabens, petrochemicals and phthalates are particularly problematic in skin care products; once absorbed, these ingredients can mimic the effects of body hormones, and many worry that a buildup of these chemicals can potentially lead to an increased risk of cancer. Other non-natural ingredients can also cause skin irritations such as hives and rashes, and are of special concern in the case of babies and small children, since their skin is thinner and more sensitive than an adult's.
There is another added benefit to using natural skin care. Studies done on chemical ingredients are done on one product. How many of us actually use one product? Most women use an average of 13 products a day. If you think that's high, look at an average day for Desert Essence General Manager, Wendy Cockayne Lucas. She uses shower gel, body lotion, body or face scrub, shampoo, conditioner, styling product, face moisturizer, eye cream, foundation, powder, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush, lipstick, lip balm, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, hand soap, and hand cream. That’s 22 products! Who has studied the effect of 22 chemical-filled products
over time?
If there were ever a better time in life to discover the benefits of natural skincare products, it would have to be
the teenage years. The oiliness, blemishes, dry patches and other general skin issues that result from hormonal
changes, late nights, and crammed schedules are a challenge to any teen. But skincare products with harsh
chemicals are not the only option for dealing with these challenges. Especially when nature already provides a
bounty of essential oils and botanical extracts that deliver the gentle, effective care young skin needs.
One great option is 100% pure Australian tea tree oil, an essential oil that helps reduce blemishes and oil, and
maintain the clear, glowing skin every teen wants. Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads are not only effective on
skin, but also ultra-convenient to use and ultra-easy to carry in any daypack or messenger bag.
Lavender is another essential oil known for its soothing effect, while jojoba oil, argan oil and a host of plant
extracts provide necessary moisturizing and conditioning even for oily/combination skin. It’s best to look for
cleansers or lotions that include any of these incredible natural ingredients. And do a little research. Ask friends.
Chances are there’s a natural alternative out there that will work for you. You’ll look and feel better for it
CLEAR SKIN TIPS FOR TEENS:
Eat Right, Sleep Right.
Eating properly, drinking lots of water and getting a decent night’s sleep directly impacts the health of your
skin, so try keeping to a schedule that helps you handle all three—even with a full class load.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize.
Even if you have oily/combination skin it is absolutely important to keep your face properly moisturized. Look for
an oil-free or oil-control lotion. Thoroughly Clean Oil Control Lotion doesn’t clog pores and moisturizes without
leaving behind a shiny finish.
The Future Is Now.
The skincare choices you make now can have a lasting, positive effect on the health and appearance of
your skin ten years from now. So protect your face. Use sunblock daily and choose products that are gentle on
your skin.
For most of us, summer is the season when we finally take some time off to relax and renew, with visits to
the pool or vacations to the beach, with country picnics or backyard barbecues. But for all that time spent
outdoors—as rejuvenating as it can be—it is important to remember what so much exposure to the elements
can do for the health of our skin and hair.
Exposure to ultraviolet rays can damage exposed skin, resulting in minor burns or—over an extended period of
time—wrinkles, age spots, and blotchiness. And swimming in a chlorinated pool or in salt water at the beach
can dry and damage hair, particularly if it is color-treated.
So before you head for the great outdoors—or the patio—here are a few simple tips to help you keep your skin
and hair healthy and nourished all summer long.
Tips for Summer Skin Care:
- Know your SPF. According to the American Dermatological Association, an SPF of 15 is sufficient to block
93% of sun-burning rays, while a 30 SPF blocks 97%.* Always make sure your sunscreen has at least one or the other. And if you’re planning on spending significant time outdoors, you should use an SPF of 30 or higher and re-apply at least every 2 hours. - Wear a lip balm that features SPF protection.
- Always keep your skin hydrated, preferably with a moisturizer that is either oil-free or controls oil levels, so as
not to clog your pores. - Hydrate your body by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water.
Tips for Summer Hair Care
- Select a gentle, nourishing shampoo and conditioner that infuses moisture into strands and scalp.
Chlorine and saltwater strip hair of moisture and nutrients. - Use products that provide some level of UV protection, such as Desert Essence Organics Italian Red Grape
Shampoo which provides high levels of antioxidants that act as UV filters. - Massage lukewarm jojoba oil into your hair and scalp until fully absorbed for a natural conditioning boost
and then follow with a gentle shampoo, such as Desert Essence Jojoba Shampoo.
*Source: Dr. Dulce Zamora, WebMD
