Neal's Yard Remedies Archives - Blue Bottle Passion

February 10, 2021 by Sue Leave a Comment

Introducing Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence

How do you want your skin to feel? Adding Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence can enhance your skincare routine!

What if there was a product that was designed to instantly hydrate and prep your skin enabling your skincare regime to be super-charged for maximum effectiveness? It’s here… our NEW Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence will complement your routine. Sadly, as we age, our skin’s natural oils and moisture decreases, reducing its ability to easily absorb products. Fine lines appear deeper and skin appears dull.

Proof Organic Works

With a moisture-boosting blend of hyaluronic acid, purified pomegranate extract and organic argan oil, over time with use your skin looks healthier, brighter, and more refined.

Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence is clinically proven to hydrate for 24 hours. *After one week, 80% of participants agreed their skin appeared smoother, and 75% agree their natural glow was restored. After two weeks, 80% of participants agreed the appearance of their skin was improved, and looked brighter, and 71% agreed their complexion was more refined. *Based on consumer trial with 100 women.

Improves performance

Add Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence to your beauty routine and improve the performance of your Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying or Lift Serum. It’s the perfect partner to enhance your Frankincense Intense™ routine.

Purified pomegranate extract helps to restore the natural flow of water in the skin, prepping it perfectly to better absorb serums, facial oils and moisturizers, improving their performance. A skin-conditioning combination of hydrating hyaluronic acid and organic argan oil plumps, nourishes and helps to strengthen skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth and radiant.

First, cleanse your skin with Frankincense Intense Cleansing Melt and tone with Rejuvenation Frankincense Toner before using Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence. Glide the light weight lotion over your face and lightly pat, enjoying the therapeutic aroma. Follow up with your eye cream, serum or facial oil, and moisturizer. Frankincense Intense Hydration Essence is not a substitute for your serum, oil and moisturizer, rather it preps the skin in order to maximize the benefits of your facial products. When used twice a day, a bottle of Frankincense Intense Hydration Essence will last a couple of months or longer. A little goes a long way! In fact, all your products last longer when you are layering multiple products, and they work better as well. I highly recommend the Frankincense Intense and the Frankincense Intense Lift range of products for aging well.

Enhances wellbeing

Inhaling the therapeutic aroma of frankincense, bergamot, mandarin and myrrh calms and centers while soothing your senses with our Boswellia sacra (frankincense) essential oil, treasured for centuries for its deeply relaxing aroma. Pamper yourself with a lovely facial experience using your Neal’s Yard Remedies skincare. Light a candle, or diffuse some relaxing essential oils, and turn your skincare into an experience that will leave you relaxed, calm and peaceful, and loving your skin!

Read about why you need a special eye cream!

October 8, 2020 by Sue Leave a Comment

Neal’s Yard Remedies 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

The Neal’s Yard Remedies 2020 Holiday Gifts are arriving in the United States. Here is your guide to finding perfect organic gifts for everyone on your list!

The first thing you will notice about this year’s holiday gifts is the stunning packaging. I have no idea how each year they are able to surpass the beautiful packaging from the year before. This year each package showcases a beautiful slice of tree rings in a gorgeous, artistic pattern. So, who’s on your list?

Holiday Gifts for Your Crunchy Friends

Whether your crunchy friends are familiar with Neal’s Yard products, or this is their introduction, they will love the Radiance Wild Rose Duo. This gift includes a .50 fl. oz. Wild Rose Hand Cream, and a .53 oz. mini of our hero product, Wild Rose Beauty Balm. The packaging is a bio-degradable plant pot, made from recycled wood fibre. These can be filled with soil and a seed or two and planted directly in your garden or window box. The Radiance Wild Rose Duo sells for $19.50.

Gifts for Your Grandma

Grandma will thank you for this beautiful hand serum! Specifically formulated to target the visible signs of aging on the hands, Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum ($45) is clinically proven to firm and hydrate skin and reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots. Enriched with restoring ribose, reviving narcissus extract and provitamin A-rich organic rosehip seed oil, this lightweight serum will leave Grandma’s hands feeling smoother, with a more even skin tone.

Gifts for the Kid’s Teachers

My next gift suggestion actually is a pair of new products, from the regular line. Defend and Protect Hand Wash ($9.50) is certified organic. It is delicately scented with a purifying blend of organic niaouli, lemongrass and witch hazel, and your hands will feel clean, fresh and protected. Gently foaming and with a non-drying formula, it’s the perfect hand wash for the entire family. Pair it with Defend & Protect Hand Lotion. ($10.50) Teachers will appreciate a lotion enriched with skin-conditioning sunflower oil, protective beeswax to help lock in moisture, and a purifying blend of organic essential oils. It’s the perfect post-cleanse treat for hardworking hands. Pick up a cute tray, gift bag or basket at the Dollar Store you have a gift that will be appreciated by all your kids’ favorite teachers.

Gifts for Your Favorite Neighbor or Co-Worker

The Balancing Aromatherapy Candle ($44) will bring a sense of harmony into your favorite neighbor’s or co-Worker’s home. Beautifully scented with grounding bergamot and relaxing patchouli organic essential oils, Neal’s Yard Remedies candles are made from an organic beeswax and plant-oil blend and are hand-poured around a textile wick.

Holiday Gifts for your BFF

One of the best ways to enhance your radiance, is with the Radiance Wild Rose Collection. Includes smaller sizes of the Wild Rose Body Polish, (2.53 fl. oz.), Wild Rose Shower Oil, (3.38 fl. oz.), Wild Rose Body Lotion, (3.38 fl. oz.), and Wild Rose Beauty Serum, (0.27 fl. oz.). Also available in our full size versions separately is the Wild Rose Body Polish (5.29 oz) at $29.50 and Wild Rose Body Lotion (6.76 fl. oz.) at $29.50. Loaded with Certified Organic Rosehip seed oil that is cold pressed to preserve the radiance-boosting goodness of provitamin A.

Gifts for Mom or a Special Lady

When you are looking for a gift to impress, you can’t go wrong with the Frankincense Intense™ Lift Collection. This beautifully packaged gift targets the loss of firmness, elasticity and definition that are the second signs of aging. Scientifically formulated with lifting technology, it also helps your favorite lady relax, as she inhales the therapeutic frankincense aroma while applying. Includes Frankincense Intense™ Cleansing Melt, (1.01 fl. oz.) Frankincense Intense™ Lift Serum, (1.01 fl. oz.) Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream, (0.53 fl. oz.) and my personal favorite, Frankincense Intense™ Lift Cream. (1.76 oz.) Read about what makes it so special HERE.

These are just a few of the awesome Neal’s Yard Remedies Holiday Gifts for 2020. Who else is on your list this year? I would love to help you choose the perfect gift for that hard to buy for person. I have a limited number of mini gift guides that I will pop in the mail to help you with your shopping. Fill out the form below to request your copy of the 2020 Holiday Gifts mini catalog!

Join Neal’s Yard Remedies!

You can join the Neal’s Yard Remedies family for $60 through Nov. 5th, 2020! Be the first to hear when all the Holiday Gifts arrive, and shop with a consultant discount! Learn more HERE, and reach out to me with any questions.

January 18, 2020 by Sue 1 Comment

The Sensitive Skin Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Finally effective skincare that is kind to sensitive skin!

And at this time of year, isn’t everyone’s skin is sensitive?!

The second biggest skincare concern after aging well, is sensitive skin. Neal’s Yard Remedies new Sensitive Collection is dermatologist tested and approved, fragrance free, alcohol free and certified organic. If you have ever experienced redness, irritation or excessive dryness and sensitivity, read on!

Many women with sensitive skin experience dryness, however products aimed at dry or atopic skin are frequently formulated to reduce water loss by acting as a barrier which locks in moisture. This is not always appropriate for sensitive skin as that can cause itching and irritation. The Sensitive Collection is formulated to encourage a healthier skin barrier while allowing skin to ‘breathe’.

Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser

A perfect morning and evening routine begins with cleansing. Sensitive Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser cleanses, hydrates, refreshes and soothes for 12 hours. Skin soothing oat extract moisturizes and plumps and hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water molecules, helping to plump the top layers of the skin.

Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum

Just two drops of Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum after cleansing provides a restoring blend of sodium hyaluronate, helichrysum and sea water extracts, and hydrating hyaluronic acid and smoothing oat extract, reducing the appearance of redness over time, and fine lines and wrinkles appear visibly plumped.

Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser

Finish your routine with Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser. A combination of skin-conditioning fatty acids, antioxidant-rich oat oil and helichrysum extract soothes, comforts and nourishes skin. Massage onto face and neck following cleansing and serum with gentle upward strokes until fully absorbed.

What’s left out?

What you won’t find in the Sensitive Collection is every bit as important as what is in it. Fragrance and alcohol are frequent irritants for many, and they are left out of the Sensitive Collection. Neal’s Yard Remedies has a list of 10 ingredients that could cause you or the planet harm, that you will never find in their products. Among them are ingredients derived from petroleum, an irritant for many.

Pamper your sensitive skin and protect it from harsh weather, dry air and the stress of hectic living with the clinically proven Sensitive Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies! As with all Neal’s Yard Remedies products, you are protected with a 45 day guarantee. And if you hurry, you can save $40 when you try the trio while supplies last before February 9th, 2020!

Read about easing facial redness here!

October 15, 2019 by Sue Leave a Comment

2019 Holiday Gift Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Every year I look forward to the organic Holiday Gift Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies. Once again this year they have surpassed all expectations! The 2019 holiday gift collection was inspired by this quote: “This year, our holiday theme is inspired by Nicholas Culpeper, a British Herbalist in the 17th century. Culpeper is credited with being the leading astrological botanist of his time. He popularized the concept of being able to harness the true power of botanicals if planted and harvested when certain planets and celestial bodies were aligned. We bring together the magical elements from the masters of apothecary and modern day remedies to help you radiate inner health and outer beauty!” Isn’t that what it’s all about and what you wish for everyone on your list?

FOR THE SPECIAL WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE

Let’s start with the special woman in your life, and it definitely could be yourself, your mother, your grandma, best friend, or whoever is on the top of your list! Neal’s Yard Remedies created the perfect luxury gift of Frankincense. After all, frankincense was one of the top three gifts for Baby Jesus, so why not gift it to someone special? The Frankincense Intense Lift Collection contains my favorite skincare products for aging well and stressing less, making it the ultimate beauty and wellbeing gift!

STOCKING STUFFERS AND TEACHER GIFTS

Budget is important when it comes to gifts for all those people you want to thank during the holidays. Mail carriers, teachers, hair stylists, secret Santa gifts, everyone will appreciate these budget friendly gifts. The Prepare For Bed – Night Time Gift will ensure a restful night with the Relaxation Remedies to Roll and a travel sized Goodnight Pillow Mist. Priced right at $16, it’s a great gift to keep in your stash for last minute gift giving needs. The Refine & Revitalise Melissa Handcare Collection will pamper your gift recipient, leaving their hardworking hands feeling silky soft and delicately scented. Contains Melissa Hand Cream and Melissa Hand Polish for $16.

THE PERFECT HOSTESS GIFT

Whether you are hosting or you need a gift for a favorite hostess the Warm Your Soul Handcare Collection will treat family and guests to the yummy fragrance of mandarin and clove. One bottle each of Mandarin & Clove Hand Wash and Lotion in an attractive caddy for $36.

FOR THE BEGINNING ESSENTIAL OIL ENTHUSIAST

The Aromatherapy Bespoke Blending Kit will have your recipient creating their own essential oil blends in no time at all. Included is organic orange, palmarosa and lavender essential oils as well as the Little Book of Essential Oils, base oil and a mixing bottle for $41.50.

CUSTOM GIFTS FOR EVERYONE

Neal’s Yard Remedies truly has something for everyone on your list. Check out the Energise Your Senses Men’s Collection for the special guys in your life. Give stocking stuffers that provide a moment of calm and mindfulness with the Meditation Remedies To Roll and restore balance and emotional harmony with Women’s Balance Remedies To Roll. If the 2019 Holiday Gift Collection doesn’t have exactly what you are looking for, choose a Neal’s Yard Remedies gift box or tote bag and fill it with personally chosen items for your special loved ones.

Getting ready for the holidays is hard work. Frankincense Intense Hand Treatment Serum smooths, firms and evens skin tone, while enhancing well-being with frankincense essential oil. A special gift for yourself or others in gorgeous holiday packaging! Read more about Frankincense Intense Hand Treatment Serum!

I would love to help you choose ethically sourced gifts, made with natural and organic ingredients that will nourish your loved ones inside and out. Contact me if you need any help with gift-giving this holiday season!

July 30, 2019 by Sue 2 Comments

NYR Organic’s Hand Treatment Serum Is Not For Everyone

Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum visibly smooths, firms and evens skin tone on your hands
to help you age well!

If you are a woman of a certain age, you know two things will give away your age besides your face. Your neck and your hands. Are you beginning to notice lines, wrinkles and age spots, also known as liver spots-ugh! or hyperpigmentation on your hands? My fair skin is more prone to aging, and I can tell you I’ve wished white gloves would come back in style more than once. Well, maybe there’s a better solution! I can’t promise your hands will look 10 years younger, but you may stop thinking about wearing white gloves. Neal’s Yard Remedies new Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum is the Rolls Royce of hand treatments and is clinically proven to firm and hydrate skin, and reduce the appearance of age spots! And like the Rolls Royce, it may not be for everyone.

Smooths

You will notice a visibly smoother appearance of lines and wrinkles after the first use! Restoring ribose reduces lines and wrinkles, while sodium hyaluronate acts as a moisture magnet.

Firms

Reviving narcissus extract visibly increases skins firmness.

Evens Skin Tone

Rosehip oil, rich in provitamin A, and antioxidant turmeric extract is clinically proven to even skin tone and target age spots.

Enhances Wellbeing

Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) is traditionally used for its deeply relaxing, therapeutic aroma. Combined with a blend of mandarin, bergamot, neroli and myrrh essential oils, this aroma will have you slowing down and breathing deeper for a moment of pampering. Used twice a day it will enhance your wellbeing and soothe your senses.

Hand Treatment Serum Pro Tips

Exfoliate the skin on your hands once or twice a week with Nourishing Melissa Hand Polish to smooth and nourish dull, dry hands before applying Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum. Simply wet your hands and massage the polish into the skin gently. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a small amount of hand treatment serum. For extra dry hands, follow the serum with your favorite Neal’s Yard Remedies hand cream.

So why do I say isn’t Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum for everyone? Of course if you are under 40, your hands are probably baby-soft and smooth. Not everyone is prepared to splurge on improving the appearance of their hands. I just got my bottle of hand serum, so I can’t tell you how long it will last, but you only use a small amount, twice a day. I was hooked after the first treatment. Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum is worth the price and will make an amazing gift for your mom!

Check out this post for more Age Well tips!

June 30, 2019 by Sue 3 Comments

7 Simple Tips for Aging Well

We can agree we all want to age well. Aging well doesn’t have to involve drastic measures like plastic surgery or liposuction. Aging well can be small, simple steps taken for big results.

1. Be Aware of the Sun

The first step is the most obvious. I personally don’t believe the sun is my enemy, but with my fair and easily burned skin, I do wear a hat and use sunscreen when I’m outdoors for an extended period during the middle of the day. Don’t choose just any sunscreen, however. Some contain questionable ingredients. Check out the sunscreens at Made Safe™

2. Use a Moisturizer

It’s a fact. As you age, your skin produces less oil. Dry skin looks older. Dry skin doesn’t cause wrinkles, but aging skin becomes more dry. My favorite moisturizer protects, firms, lifts and recontours. Neal’s Yard Remedies has many wonderful moisturizers for different skin types, but I’m in love with Frankincense Intense™ Lift Cream

3. Exfoliate

As you age, skin renewal slows down, leaving your face with dulling, dead skin cells on the surface. Exfoliating speeds up the process of renewing your skin, helping your skin retain its youthful glow. Rehydrating Rose Facial Polish gently exfoliates and enriches normal to dehydrated skin with wild rose seed powder, milk thistle and aloe vera.

4. Avoid Bar Soap to Cleanse the Face

I get it. I never felt my face was clean unless I washed it with Ivory soap and water. When you are young you can get by with it, but soap is too harsh for aging skin. My recommendation is Frankincense Refining Cleanser.

5. Use an Eye Cream

The skin around the eyes is different from the rest of your face. Using your facial moisturizer in the eye area can cause puffiness or irritation. Eye cream is formulated for the thinner, more sensitive area around the eyes. Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is scientifically formulated to target skin that’s starting to show a lack of firmness, elasticity and definition, including deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Check out my post on why you need eye cream.

6. Remove Makeup Before Bed

Going to bed without removing your makeup is a big fat no-no. Your makeup and the oils and dirt that build up over the day can settle in your pores, clogging them and causing breakouts. Your moisturizer should be applied to clean skin to work properly, especially if it has anti-aging ingredients. Eye makeup can damage your lashes. Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Eye Makeup Remover is Dermatologically and Opthamologically tested, conditions lashes and removes even water-proof eye makeup.

7. Give Up the Products You’ve Used Since You Were a Teenager

My go to product in my teenage years was Noxzema. Great for oily teenage skin, but would not help with my lines and wrinkles. Are you using the same products you used as a teenager? Maybe it’s time to try an age-defying option. I’d love to help you choose the perfect Neal’s Yard Remedies products for your skin type. Continue the age well discussion over on Facebook.

Heads up: My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

May 7, 2019 by Sue Leave a Comment

5 Simple Tips for Soothing Facial Redness

Facial redness is a common concern among women, and has many causes. Hormones, stress, broken capillaries, too much sun, wind, heat, cold, as well as rosacea can contribute to excessively red skin. A significant cause can also be sensitivity to synthetic fragrance or perfume. Neal’s Yard Remedies has many products to alleviate excessive facial redness, and help your skin look its best, even without makeup.

A red or ruddy complexion can simply be red, irritated skin, or redness with oily tendencies and pimples. Different types of products can be tried depending on which type of redness is occurring.

Soothing Starflower

The Soothing Starflower Collection, also known as borage, range of products is blended with calming aloe vera, licorice and alpine flower. This dermatologist-tested, alcohol and fragrance free collection soothes and calms sensitive skin.

White Tea has antioxidant properties and can calm and rehydrate all skin types. White Tea Facial Mist is perfect for sensitive skin. It contains soothing aloe vera and a quick spritz will instantly refresh and rehydrate, even over makeup.

Ease Redness With Roses

Rehydrating Rose Facial Oil soothes and balances while it locks in precious moisture and restores radiance. Many women find Wild Rose Beauty Elixir calms red, sensitive skin with wild rosehip oil. Though it may not benefit all with facial redness, some have also found relief with Wild Rose Beauty Balm, containing wild rose seed oil and starflower seed oil. Apply Wild Rose Beauty Balm as a thin, protective layer before venturing out in the cold, or even before a hot yoga class.

Clarifying Mahonia Skin Gel balances blemished skin, and is perfect to throw in your purse for on-the-spot treatment. It contains soothing calendula and aloe vera.

Beauty From Within

Supporting your skin with Frankincense Intense Beauty Boost is a great addition to your “age well” routine and supports your skin’s radiance and collagen production from within. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation. Biotin and zinc help maintain healthy skin, and copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.

Many of us are struggling with excessive facial redness. Keeping a diary about what’s going on when flare-ups occur can be beneficial in pinpointing triggers. Watch to see if hot, cold or windy weather is a factor. Diet, including hot beverages and spicy foods could worsen the condition. Read the labels on your skin care products to make sure they are free of synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals.

Neal’s Yard Remedies products have a forty-five (45) day, 100% money-back, satisfaction guarantee so you can shop with confidence. Consult with your medical provider for treatment of any medical condition.

Read about the Sensitive Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies HERE!

Let’s connect in the Perfectly Organic VIP Group and get better acquainted!

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March 12, 2019 by Sue 2 Comments

Why You Need Eye Cream

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the area around them is a billboard announcing your age. On the one hand, we women just want to age well. On the other, age discrimination in the work place is real, and no matter what age you are, you want to be taken seriously. This is the world we live in.

The skin around your eyes ages faster

I know. Cleanse, tone, moisturize. Why a separate product around the eyes? The skin around your eyes is different than the rest of your face. It’s thinner, more delicate, and less elastic. It’s prone to dryness, puffiness and dark circles, and shows signs of aging faster than other areas of your face. Regular moisturizer applied too close to your eyes can increase puffiness, and cause makeup to settle in the fine lines.

Less is more

Start with a small amount of eye cream on your ring finger, about the size of a piece of rice, then share that small amount between both of your ring fingers. Dot gently to the orbital bone area around your eyes until fully absorbed. The product will be drawn in to the areas that need it. For best results apply morning and night. Depending on the time of year and your particular skin type, you may find one product works better than another, or that once a day is all you need. If you are using a product in a jar, use a spatula. It helps prevent product contamination, and with getting the correct amount. A little goes a long way with all these products.

Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream

Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is scientifically formulated to target skin that is starting to show a lack of firmness, elasticity and definition, including deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes, which are some of the second signs of aging. 71% of women agreed their eye area was visibly lifted based on consumer trials on more than 100 women after 6 weeks. This cream comes in a small jar, has a lightweight texture, and is ophthalmologist tested. Ribose, linseed extract and micro algae help to lift the eye area. Hyaluronic acid helps to plump and hydrate to smooth deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes. A blend of green tea caffeine, turmeric extract, and organic green coffee seed oil, helps to revive the eye area. The Frankincense Active Phyto Complex helps to protect against environmental factors that accelerate skin aging, as well as supporting Neal’s Yard Remedies sustainability mission towards creating zero-waste products. And…it’s one of nine awards Neal’s Yard Remedies won in the 2019 Beauty Shortlist Awards for BEST FIRMING EYE CREAM!

Frankincense Intense™ Eye Cream

A 3-Peptide Complex in Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense™ Eye Cream increases skin’s suppleness and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, which are the first signs of aging. Gardenia stem cells and sodium hyaluronate help protect and enhance skin plumpness and hydration. Green tea caffeine extract revitalizes skin and antioxidant-rich argan oil helps keep skin looking healthy, reducing puffiness around the eyes.

Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum

Neal’s Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum hydrates the skin around the eye and lip area and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, with frankincense; baobab oil, marine algae and smoothing tripeptides. This serum is suitable for all skin types.

Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream

Neal’s Yard Remedies Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream is a light silky and easily absorbed cream suitable for all skin types. It nourishes and hydrates the delicate eye area to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkle.

White Tea Toning Eye Gel

If you prefer the texture of a gel-type product, Neal’s Yard Remedies White Tea Toning Eye Gel is for you. Soothing and cooling witch hazel, glycerin and aloe refresh even sensitive skin. Anti-oxidant white tea limits the production of free radicals, which can damage the skin. And guys, you may want to consider giving this one a try!

So how do you know which product is best for you? You definitely want a product made with natural and non-toxic ingredients when you are dealing with a sensitive area like around the eyes. Either Frankincense Intense™ product is the way to go if you are looking for an age-defying eye cream. (My personal favorites!) White Tea Toning Eye Gel is perfect for those with sensitive skin and who prefer a gel texture. If you prefer a pump dispenser over a jar, Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream and Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum are the way to go. Whatever skin care products you use, now is the time to add an eye cream to your skin care routine!

Let’s continue the discussion over on Facebook! Join me there for a limited time special offer…

February 23, 2019 by Sue 2 Comments

Simple Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

It’s been a long winter this year. Here in Minnesota, winter can arrive in October and hang around until early May. And I’m so tired of February with its record setting snowfall. Seriously the shortest month? 28 days feels like about 4 months, and I was gone for one week of it!

No wonder we get the winter blues. In fact the further north of the equator, the more likely you are to feel the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder. Women are four times more likely to have the winter blues than men.

Turn Up the Lights

One way to combat the winter blues is to increase your light. Open the curtains and sit by a bright window. Turn on more lights in your home. Consider a light box for 15-60 minutes a day. You can get a light box without a prescription, but it’s a good idea to consult a health practitioner before using one.

Check Your Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiencies are linked to depression and other health issues. Most of us simply aren’t getting enough Vitamin D. Getting out in the sun isn’t easy in the winter, so choosing a quality supplement may be the best option.

Get Moving

Getting outside to shovel snow is one way to get some exercise and sunlight all in one. I know it can really be a challenge when it’s 50 below zero windchills, and the streets are coated with ice. Even a short walk outside is beneficial. Yoga may be helpful.

Try Some Essential Oils

The chemicals in essential oils can trigger physiological responses enhancing mood. There are many essential oils to choose from that can be helpful with the winter blues. Fragrance an entire room by using a cool mist diffuser, or simply open a bottle and breathe in the fragrance for several inhalations.

Jasmine: The warm floral aroma of jasmine is powerfully uplifting and relaxing.
Bergamot: Bergamot is relaxing, uplifting and invigorating.
Frankincense: Frankincense calms and uplifts the mood while increasing energy.
Patchouli: Patchouli is stimulating and strengthening.
Ylang-ylang: Ylang-ylang has a relaxing, sedating and calming effect on the nervous system, creating a sense of wellbeing and relaxation.

Consider Your Diet

When I’m feeling down, I could eat half a loaf of toast. Processed carbs and sugars may give a temporary lift, but the let down feeling quickly follows as your blood sugar takes a nose dive, so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible. Try working cold-water fish like salmon and tuna into your menu a couple of times a week. If you don’t like fish, a high-quality fish oil supplement may help. Increasing your veggie intake is always a good idea. A healthy diet most definitely improves mental health.

See a mental health professional if you are feeling seriously depressed or have suicidal feelings.

Have you tried essential oils for the winter blues? Which essential oils have helped you the most? Comment below or continue the discussion on Facebook.

January 28, 2019 by Sue Leave a Comment

Meditation Aromatherapy Blend from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Can a meditation aromatherapy blend of essential oils help with focusing on the present and encourage mindfulness? We live such chaotic lives filled with multi-tasking. We all operate on auto-pilot way too often. When we finally have a moment to ourselves, we tend to reach for our phones, iPads or the television to relax.

Benefits of Meditation

There is evidence that meditation has been around since pre-historic times. Archeologists believe meditation practice began 5000 years ago in India. Researchers have found many benefits to meditation.

happiness; increases in feelings of positivity
stress and cortisol reduction, which is linked to cellular aging
emotional balance improvements, ability to put life in perspective
productivity; increases in focus, creativity and multitasking
reductions in pain perception
improved relaxation and a more peaceful mind
improved immune health

Tips for Beginning Meditation

An easy way to begin to meditate is through mindful breathing. Start your diffuser in a quiet place with a few drops of Meditation Aromatherapy Blend Set a timer for 5 minutes. Sit in a chair, on a bench or on a cushion. Relax, close your eyes or not, and focus on your breathing. If your mind begins to wander, gently bring it back to breathing in and out. Meditation music can be helpful, whether you are a beginner or not. The Space Between is piano meditation music. Gradually increase your meditation time.

Meditation Aromatherapy Blend

Certain essential oils are known to aid a harmonious link between mind, body and spirit that is key to meditation. The Meditation Aromatherapy Blend helps you to relax when you’re busy, which encourages slower, deeper breathing. It creates a wonderfully restful yet uplifting aroma, that can be diffused to help promote a sense of calm and focus for meditation.

Key Ingredients in Meditation Aromatherapy Blend

Frankincense: promotes deep breathing, sustainably sourced from Oman and certified organic
Vetiver: promotes relaxation, from Madagascar, Sri Lanka or Haiti
Sandalwood: promotes feelings of wellbeing, sustainably sourced from Australia
Balsam Fir: balancing and uplifting from Canada
Black Pepper: tones and stimulates from Sri Lanka
Balsam Copaiba: calming, balancing, grounding, certified organic from Brazil
Mandarin: calming, soothing, certified organic, from Brazil
Orange: uplifting, certified organic and sourced from Italy
Palmarosa: eases restlessness, balancing, certified organic from Uganda
Cedarwood: reduces stress and tension, certified organic from France

Now is the time to begin a regular meditation practice. It’s exciting to think something so simple can deliver so many benefits. With practice, you can meditate while on the go, while walking, or in a bath. Just focus on your breathing or a phrase, or a repetitive prayer. Find what works best for you, and enjoy a moment of zen each day.

Meditation Aromatherapy Blend | Neal's Yard Remedies | NYR Organic | Meditation | Essential Oils | Mindfulness | NYR Organic US

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