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Neal's Yard Remedies Independent Consultant Sue Kaup

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Archives for March 2017

March 28, 2017 by Sue Leave a Comment

THE 5 BEST WAYS TO AVOID “GREENWASHING”

Tree, Greenwashing

Greenwashing. It’s becoming a bigger and bigger problem as companies realize consumers are looking for safe, organic products, manufactured and packaged in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. The companies cash in by looking “green” without really changing anything. They present an image of caring about product safety and the environment, while caring only about the bottom line. A company can claim a product is organic with as little as 1% organic ingredients in it. The ugly truth is marketing, public relations and advertisers are jumping on the greenwashing band wagon when it comes to the cosmetics and beauty industry.

Imagine you were a cereal company and used a honey bee in your logo. Everyone is concerned about honey bees and the collapse of so many colonies, so you decide to capitalize on that and create an ad campaign to make it look like you are doing something to benefit the bees, without changing any of the practices your company is involved in that are damaging the bee’s environment. That’s greenwashing.

How do you avoid being “greenwashed” when it comes to health and beauty products? It isn’t easy today, when terms like organic, biodegradable, natural, non-toxic, pure, eco-friendly, fragrance-free and botanical are totally unregulated for use in beauty and personal care products.

Products can claim to be non-toxic, yet not be required to list all the ingredients. Of the 100,000 synthetic chemicals found in everyday cosmetics, less than 10% have been tested for safety. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA) has not been amended significantly since it was enacted more than 75 years ago, and provides virtually no power to ensure consumer safety.

Ingredients are not tested for the accumulation effect of consumers using 12-20 products daily, creating the possibility of “synergistic toxicity.” An example of this would be a small dose of mercury might kill 1 in 100 rats, and aluminum might do the same. But if the rats are exposed to both substances, 100% may die. Since skin is more sponge than barrier, and 60% of what is applied to the skin ends up in the bloodstream and possibly stored in organs and fat, way more testing needs to happen.

How to avoid being Greenwashed

  1. Look for transparency in labeling. There shouldn’t be vague items listed like “fragrance” or “parfum,” or claims of being “free” of a particular ingredient.
  2. Look for 3rd party certification like USDA Organic or the Soil Association, and beware of seals that just “look” like 3rd party certification. Neal’s Yard Remedies products are certified organic by the Soil Association, the UK’s leading organic certification body.
  3. Read the list of ingredients. They should indicate whether an ingredient is certified organic, and be listed in order from most to least.
  4. Check ingredients for toxicity on the Think Dirty App or by going to EWG.org. This bar code scanner for your phone lets you know if a cosmetic or personal care product has potentially toxic ingredients.
  5. Don’t be mislead by pretty labeling. Visuals and graphics of trees, herbs, bees and flowers are designed to make you think products are safe, organic and environmentally friendly.

Greenwashing

If we educate ourselves and vote with our wallets, companies will realize consumers cannot be fooled into buying their “greenwashed” goods.


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Filed Under: Organic Beauty, Organic Health & Beauty Tagged With: green beauty, greenwashing, natural

March 23, 2017 by Sue Leave a Comment

8 REASONS TO AVOID MINERAL OIL AND OTHER PETROLEUM BY-PRODUCTS

mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin

How do you feel about using personal care products with mineral oil and other petrochemical ingredients? One of the first red flags that lead me to Neal’s Yard Remedies was a warning on a well known “healing ointment.” This ointment is often recommended by doctors and pediatricians and it claims to be advanced therapy for dry, cracked, irritated skin. I was using it on my granddaughter’s chapped lips and hands. There was a warning “for external use only,” yet it was recommended for dry, cracked skin and lips. It certainly isn’t going to stay external with those recommended uses, as what you apply to your skin ends up in your bloodstream. I much prefer something safer for applying on lips. I’m guessing that sore, chapped skin allows even more of the product to end up in your bloodstream than healthy skin would. The main active ingredient in the ointment? Petrolatum.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil products go by many names, so it’s important to know what to look for on your beauty product labels. Many of the names sound pretty harmless. Here’s some of the ingredients to watch out for:
mineral oil
paraffin oil
liquid petroleum
liquid paraffin
baby oil
petroleum jelly
mineral paraffins
petrolatum
paraffinum liquidum

All of these are by-products of petroleum distillation in oil refining and making gasoline. They are cheap, abundant ingredients and you will find them in face creams, body lotions, make-up, hair care, deodorants and even baby products.

For every article you find that claims petrochemicals are dangerous in your personal care products, you will find another that says the opposite. I always say when in doubt, do your own research, and “follow the money.”

Dangers of Mineral Oil

Mineral oil and other petroleum by-products may be carcinogens. Petrolatum and petroleum by-products can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. (PAHs) The European Union considers it a carcinogen and restricts the use.
Mineral oil clogs pores. Skin needs to breathe to rid the body of toxins, and mineral oil coats the skin like a layer of plastic wrap and can seal in dirt. It aggravates acne and rosacea.

There are no benefits to your skin.

Mineral oil cannot be metabolized and builds up in your body.

Mineral oil readily penetrates your skin.

Petroleum-based products are classified as xenoestrogens, even the refined varieties, and may disrupt the endocrine system and disturb hormonal balance.

Petroleum by-products are possible neurotoxins.

It’s not eco-friendly, and is derived from crude oil.

You can trust Neal’s Yard Remedies to use the safest possible ingredients. They choose ingredients that will nourish the skin. You can count on Neal’s Yard Remedies to fully disclose ingredient information on the packaging where space allows and on the website.


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Filed Under: Neal's Yard Remedies, NYR Organic, Organic Beauty, Organic Health & Beauty Tagged With: baby oil, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, petroleum jelly

March 18, 2017 by Sue Leave a Comment

NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES SKINCARE OR COCONUT OIL?

Frankincense

So maybe you’re an organic girl, and you’re using coconut oil for beauty and skincare. That’s great! You can do a lot worse than using coconut oil! Coconut oil is amazing for so many things! Rub it on your hands like hand cream, remove makeup, and condition your hair. Coconut oil is moisturizing and nourishing, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is so much better than mineral oil for lips, skin and hair. Be sure to get the organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil rather than refined.

So why can’t we just add some essential oils, like frankincense, to coconut oil and save a whole bunch of money? There is a whole lot more going on with Neal’s Yard Remedies products than just “organic.” Each and every product is handmade in the eco-factory in Dorset smells amazing, nurtures your skin and delivers results.

Neal's Yard Remedies Skncare

Ancient Tradition Meets Innovative Green Technology

Serums are designed to work deeper in the skin. Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Concentrate uses innovative green technology to combine ancient traditional frankincense with a 3-peptide complex, sodium hyaluronate and gardenia stem cells. Now I could get all technical and describe the effect of each of these, but it is so much easier to just say it’s clinically proven to instantly smooth and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and to boost skin’s plumpness & firmness in just 7 days. Eye creams are specially designed for the thinner skin prone to lines surrounding the eyes.

If you are young and have perfect skin, coconut oil may be all you need. But if you have dry, oily, combination, sensitive or aging skin, you want the latest technology to help your skin look young and perfect! If you want pesticide and pollution free, non GMO products that use sustainable ingredients and don’t harm people or the environment, you’ve found them. That’s beyond organic! Check out Neal’s Yard Remedies amazing skincare collections here.


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Filed Under: Neal's Yard Remedies, NYR Organic, Organic Beauty Tagged With: Coconut Oil, Skincare

March 12, 2017 by Sue 2 Comments

WILD ROSE BEAUTY BALM – HEAVEN IN A LITTLE BLUE JAR

Wild Rose Beauty Balm, Roses, skin care treatment

Some days I’m in the mood to cleanse, exfoliate, tone, apply serum, facial oil, eye cream and moisturize. Some days not so much. Especially when I’m traveling. That’s when Wild Rose Beauty Balm is the answer to a minimalist’s skin care needs.Wild Rose Beauty BalmWhat’s your skin care routine? Are you happy with how your skin looks and feels? Is your face radiant, smooth, and well hydrated? If you have been getting by with soap and water alone, perhaps it’s time to think about whether your skin is looking as great as possible. Wild Rose Beauty Balm is 99% organic, contains anti-oxidants, and gives your face freshness, radiance, and moisture. A light layer gives your face that beautiful gleam. Can one product really do all that? The answer is yes, and more!

Some of the many uses for Wild Rose Beauty Balm

  • Cleanser
  • Moisturizer
  • Face mask, apply all over your face, leave on for 30 minutes, then wash off with the included organic muslin cloth
  • Lip balm
  • Makeup primer
  • Cuticle and nail balm
  • Heel and elbow softener
  • In flight repair
  • Eye brow tamer
  • After sun care
  • Insect bite ointment

Wild Rose Beauty Balm is perfect for repairing, strengthening, and balancing pretty much everything.

It is perfect for travel. It comes with an organic muslin cloth, to gently exfoliate as you wash it off with warm water. It’s full of rich ingredients to pamper your skin, including Wild rose seed oil, Jojoba seed oil, Beeswax, Shea butter, Hemp seed oil, Starflower seed oil, Geranium flower oil, Rosemary leaf oil, Frankincense oil, Palmarosa herb oil, and Patchouli leaf oil. Just a little goes a long way. A jar could last a year, so I recommend using a spatula, rather than dipping your fingers in the jar to keep it fresh. You can find Wild Rose Beauty Balm here. Don’t forget to pack it on your next trip!


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Filed Under: Neal's Yard Remedies, NYR Organic, Organic Beauty Tagged With: Skin care

March 5, 2017 by Sue Leave a Comment

BOOK REVIEW: ESSENTIAL OILS BY SUSAN CURTIS

Book Review, library

Essential Oils by Susan Curtis was originally published in 1996, and was fully revised and updated in 2014. It is a wonderful sturdy paperback reference book describing 42 essential oils, how they work, how to use them safely and to benefit wellbeing.

The book begins describing what essential oils are, how they work, how to store, safety information and dilutions, different methods of use and how they work in the body. It includes cautions for pregnancy, high blood pressure and use around babies and children.

Each essential oil listed contains the top reasons for use, methods of use, key actions, what they combine well with, descriptions, the therapeutic properties, method of extraction, history, main constituents and safety information. The key actions can be things like relaxing, uplifting, calming, antiseptic, stimulating, and many more. One of my favorite parts of the book is the psychological profiles of who will benefit from using this oil. For example, orange essential oil is recommended for those who have trouble getting things done. (Hello, I think I better get the diffuser going!) Also helpful for those with many obstacles and who have become frustrated. It goes on to describe how this oil can help you overcome challenges. I’ve enjoyed paging through and reading all the psychological profiles.

This book is perfect for both the beginner and experienced in aromatherapy. It lists suggested carrier oils for diluting, and extensive index of common situations that essential oils my help, and a detailed table of uses including everything from acne to worry and everything in between. It’s the kind of book where you may just look for some specific information, or you can sit down and read from cover to cover. It’s a book you will refer to over and over.

This book will make a wonderful gift either by itself, or with the addition of a few essential oils. It sells for $17.50 and is item number 7861. You can order Essential Oils by Susan Curtis here.


Be sure to join my VIP group to keep up with all the Neal’s Yard Remedies news and specials.

Filed Under: Aromatherapy, Book Review

March 3, 2017 by Sue 2 Comments

PIONEERS OF ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils were among the items sold when the first Neal’s Yard Remedies store opened in London way back in 1981. Now it seems like every other direct sales company is adding essential oils to their line of products. So how do you really know what you are getting when you purchase essential oils?

Essential Oils

When I joined Neal’s Yard Remedies back in November of 2014, I wasn’t really sure what an essential oil was. Through my training I learned that products can be scented with synthetic fragrance, which can negatively impact health by disrupting hormones, causing cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders. Natural fragrances including essential oils, can positively impact health when used properly by increasing feelings of well-being, reducing stress, cleansing the air of impurities, balancing hormones, increasing focus and energy and more.

Unfortunately universal independent standards for quality do not exist in the US. Descriptions such as “certified therapeutic grade” can lead you to believe they have been approved by an outside agency, such as the FDA, when it can simply be a company trademark.

What you can look for on the bottle is the common and latin name, country of origin, part of the plant used, whether it was organically or wild harvested, how it was extracted and the batch number. Whenever possible, Neal’s Yard Remedies essential oils are certified organic by the UK’s Soil Association, a well respected independent organization certifying the strict conditions a crop is grown under. Wherever possible they’re wild-crafted and grown in their natural habitat. In addition to this, NYR actively supports fair trade and the ethical, sustainable sourcing of ingredients.  In the coming months you can look forward to additional essential oils being added to the current list. Neal’s Yard Remedies has been in the essential oil business for over 35 years, long before the current fascination. They have strong relationships with suppliers, and buy the entire crop from many of them. Not many companies have the experience in the essential oil business that Neal’s Yard Remedies has. You can check out the line of essential oils Neal’s Yard Remedies offers here.


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Filed Under: Aromatherapy, Neal's Yard Remedies, NYR Organic

March 1, 2017 by Sue 1 Comment

SLEEP BEAUTIFULLY ORGANICALLY

Sleep | bedroom | Beauty Sleep Concentrate | Neal's Yard Remedies | NYR Organic | Insomnia

Today’s lifestyle can make getting a good night’s sleep a challenge. It seems rather ironic that one of our most basic needs, sleep, can be so difficult to achieve at times in our lives. Sleep difficulties can be an ongoing problem, or an occasional sleepless night. Lack of sleep can cause premature aging, lower your immunity and energy, make focusing difficult, and affect your mood. Everyone can benefit from taking steps to sleep beautifully.

Neal's Yard Remedies | NYR Organic | Beauty Sleep Concentrate | Sleep aids | Insomnia | Sleep | Goodnight Pillow Mist | Beauty Sleep Body Butter

 

During the Day

Getting some exercise, even a simple 20 minute walk outdoors, is one of the best things you can do. There’s nothing like morning sunshine to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle by suppressing melatonin production in the morning, and increasing it at night. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, cigarettes and eating late at night. Practice relaxation techniques throughout the day. Relaxation and Night Time  Remedies to Roll on your pulse points can begin to calm and quiet your thoughts and mind. Take time for meditation. Go to bed at the same time each day, even on the weekends.

Evening Ritual

Create your own bed time ceremony, even if it’s just once a week. Begin by turning off electronics an hour before bed. A cup of soothing caffeine-free tea can begin your evening routine, and help you relax before bed. Certain essential oils have been shown to improve sleep quality. Start your diffuser with some Aromatherapy Blend Night Time or other relaxing essential oil to help quiet your thoughts.

Treat yourself to a bath before bed. Nothing beats a good soak in Aromatic Foaming Bath for relaxing and unwinding. Grab a book or a magazine and soak until the water cools off. Moisturize after towel drying off with Beauty Sleep Body Butter to nourish your skin and breathe in the organic ylang yang and other restful essential oils. Don’t forget your complexion. Two pumps of Beauty Sleep Concentrate supports the skin’s natural night-time regeneration and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while the calming essential oils may help you sleep better!

Make Your Bedroom Your Sanctuary

Turn your bedroom into your sanctuary. Are your sheets and pillows ‘tired?’ Update with the best quality you can afford. Has your nightstand turned into a catchall? Clear the excess stuff from your room. Remove electronics from your bedroom. Lower the temperature in your bedroom, preferably below 70 degrees. Keep the room dark. Spritz 1-3 pumps of Goodnight Pillow Mist on your pillow and sheets before crawling and in and drifting off to a beautiful night’s sleep.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality. Any commission I receive from your purchases will offset the expense of this blog. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.


Be sure to join my VIP Group for all the latest Neal’s Yard Remedies news and specials!

 

Filed Under: Aromatherapy, Neal's Yard Remedies, NYR Organic, Organic Health & Beauty Tagged With: Beauty Sleep Concentrate, insomnia, sleep

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