Winter weather can wreak havoc on your skin and leave you feeling dull, itchy and flaky. These skin care tips can help you discover some new hydrating product combinations to implement into your next treatment!

Tip #1 – Take shorter showers
Long, hot temperature showers wash away the skin’s natural protective oils. Choose a gentle, non-soap based body wash like our Pear & Green Apple Body Wash to help soften and re-hydrate your skin.

Tip #3 - Go for something more hydrating
The products you select for yourself in the summer may not be the best suited for a cooler climate. Select a moisturizer or masque with a medium to dewy finish such as our Eight Greens Whip Moisturizer or Guava & Bamboo Age-Defying Moisturizer. For an added boost of hydration, add a few drops of the Tomato Seed Oil to the moisturizer before applying it to your face.

Tip #4 - Don’t forget the SPF!
SPF is very important and is often forgotten during the cold winter months. Even if we don’t seethe sunshine every day, we are still exposed to harmful UV rays. Traditional foundation can leave your skin feeling tight; Try our Tinted moisturizers with SPF 25 as a natural alternative to your foundation or BB Cream.

We hope this helped you with some great new information and tips to keeping your winter skin fresh, natural and beautiful.

Tags: dry skin, Eminence, skin, skincare, winter, winter skin

You’ve already taken the first step to making your bathroom green by choosing sustainable skincare. Well, now it’s time to think outside the cabinet! Going green is easy, especially when we take it one room of the house at a time. Bathrooms are where we use the most water, so here are some ideas for how to save this precious resource (and some precious money!):

1. Turn down the water when washing your hands. It may sound petty, but if your whole family has the water on full-blast every time they wash their hands, that’s a huge amount of water that is literally just going down the drain.

2. Install a low-flow shower head. Some cities will actually give these away, so check with your city hall to see if you can get a bargain!

3. If you’re in the market for a new toilet, try one with a dual flush fixture, to save water.

Aside from saving water, there are other opportunities to make your bathroom a more eco-friendly part of the house. Many shower curtains contain PVC or vinyl, which can release toxic chemicals into the air. Try a PEVA, hemp, cotton or linen shower curtain to avoid this.

A beautiful, sustainable bathroom!

Summer is the time of sun, swimming and–let’s be honest–sweat. The odds are good that you will be exposed to one or all of these things during this season. Here are some tips for how to keep your skin looking its best during the hot summer months:

1. Exfoliate! Sun exposure can cause dead skin cells to build up on the skin, leaving little room for cell regeneration. By sloughing this layer off, you encourage new cells and thus, younger looking skin! Don’t forget about your legs, body and feet, either!

2. Moisturize! Sun, cocktails, saltwater and chlorine can all deplete the skin’s moisture levels. Drinking plenty of water, and using a moisturizer with a moisturizing serum will help keep your face looking fresh. And, let’s not forget your body! There are many options for body lotions, to keep your skin soft & supple.

3. Shield! Your skin is precious, and while Vitamin D is good for you, overexposure to the sun’s rays is not. Make sure you are using an adequate amount of SPF to protect your youthful skin!

4. Highlight a summer glow with the Apricot Body Oil or the Blueberry Shimmer Body Lotion.

5. Indulge in a margarita for the face! Mix a dollop of the Lime Cleansing Masque with a sprinkle of the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant for a 3-in-1 treatment.

On your $50+ order between now and July 8th, mention, “Margaritaville” to receive samples of products mentioned in this blog post!

Aside from making your dinner table look festive, eating a rainbow has amazing health perks! Here are some of our favorite foods of every color, and the health benefits they offer:

Red: Raspberries, cherries, pomegranate, strawberries

Lycopene and anthocyanins provide fruits & vegetables with their red hue, and also may help prevent certain cancers, in addition to being rich sources of antioxidants. Tip: Lycopene mixed with a little fat (i.e. in a tomato-based spaghetti sauce) may actually absorb into the body better than lycopene from raw tomatoes.

Orange: Pumpkins, apricots, carrots, mangoes, papaya

Caretonoids are the natural color source for orange fruits and vegetables, and are converted to Vitamin A by your body. Citrus fruits, however, are usually rich sources of Vitamin C and pholate, rather than caretonoids.

Yellow: Lemons, squash, pineapple, grapefruit

Many yellow fruits have similar properties to the orange fruits. When picking foods to eat, consider both yellow and orange to be your sources of caretonoids.

Green: Cucumber, lime, pears, green apples, zucchini

Chlorophyll and lutein are both sources of the green coloration, and provide nutrients to keep the eyes healthy. Green vegetables also include cruciferus vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, that may also help prevent cancer. Finally, many green vegetables are a rich source of folate.

Blue/purple: Eggplant, blackberries, blueberries

Like red foods, blue & purple foods contain anthocyanins, a nutrient that has been linked to prevention of strokes, cancer and heart disease.

These foods are fabulous in your belly, but can also be beneficial for your skin! Order before June 30th to receive a rainbow sampler pack. Mention, “Eat a rainbow” in the comments of your order over $30.

For more information on this topic, please visit North Dakota State University’s webpage.

If you’re using Eminence Organic skincare, the odds are good that you have given some thought to the dangers of toxins and chemicals in your body. But, have you remembered to address the toxicity of cleaning supplies in your home? Here are some ideas for homemade, environmentally friendly cleaning supplies:

1. Vinegar: Plain, old white distilled vinegar is very versatile throughout the home. When washing clothes, throw 1/2 cup of white vinegar in during the rinse cycle of your machine and skip the fabric softener. Replace your Windex with vinegar! Clean your toilet, bathtub and shower with vinegar, too. One warning: Dilute vinegar so that it will not corrode tile grout, and do not use vinegar on marble surfaces.

2. Olive oil & lemon juice: Combine these two ingredients to make a homemade furniture polish. One cup of olive juice, and 1/2 cup of lemon juice will leave all wood in the house looking spic & span.

3. Orange peels & spices: Boiling a combination of orange peels & spices can take the place of air fresheners, and will not pollute your home the way aerosol air fresheners tend to.

4. Herbs: Choose from lavender, tea tree, rosemary, sage, thyme, juniper or eucalyptus. Simmer the stems and leaves of the herb for thirty minutes. Pour into spray bottle and use anywhere that needs disinfecting. Tip: The less water you use, the stronger the solution.

5. Baking soda: This is the perfect deodorizer, but many people don’t think to use it in their carpet. Sprinkle around a room, then vacuum. Tip: Combine with a crushed herb to add a natural scent.

Are you familiar with fair trade products? The term “fair trade” has become much more prevalent recently. Many products tout this label, but many consumers seem unclear on what exactly this means, and why a fair trade label can make a product more expensive. I’ve done the research for you and am pleased with what I’ve found.

Essentially, fair trade means that products and commodities have a determined, standardized price. This price takes labor costs, production costs and the costs of shelter, food, clothing, education and healthcare for the producers into account, meaning that an adequate portion of the money you spend on a good will go into the pockets of the individuals who produced it.  Products that are created in non-fair trade ways do not have this guarantee. This means that the price you pay for a bag of coffee, a skin care product or bottle of wine may be high, but that your money will not go to the people who produced the good–nor towards their well-being.

In today’s global economy, it can be hard to remember that many of our products are made far away, in places we may never visit, by people we may never meet. Because of this, it is easy to pay a low price for a good without thinking of the repercussions for the people who made it. Buying fair trade can be more expensive, but you can rest assured that your money will go into the right hands–the hands of the people who made the product.

Remember, Organic Male OM4 and Eminence Organics of Hungary value fair trade, and obtain ingredients in fair trade manners and produce products under fair trade standards. By being a consumer of these brands, you are supporting something much larger than these companies: justice and fairness.

What are some of your favorite fair trade products?

Simply put, the pH scale is a guide for measuring how acidic or basic a substance is, on  a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, and 14 being the most basic. As an example, battery acid and hydrochloric (or stomach) acid fall at the low end of the scale, while lye and ammonia are in the higher range. Water, a neutral substance, falls right in the middle, at number 7.

Our skin, naturally, has a range that stays between 4 and 6.5. Specific levels vary between individuals and between body parts, but the important part to remember is that our skin is naturally acidic, and is protected by something called the acid mantle. This is a thin film made up of lactic acid, amino acids, and fatty acids. It’s one of our body’s main defenses against infection and disease, but many skincare products on the market threaten to harm the acid mantle and even strip it away completely. Keep in mind that most soaps are basic, and bases neutralize acids–effectively disarming our defenses.

A common ingredient that does this is sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS. SLS is a very common lathering agent and can be found in everything from baby washes to hair shampoos. Consider this your warning, and take it to heart: Steer clear of sodium lauryl sulfate, at all costs.

To keep our pH balanced and normalized, it’s important that we not use harsh agents like SLS in cleansing our skin. Eminence Organics and Organic Male both bring us pH-friendly cleansers and washes. Yogurt based body washes from Eminence are my favorite alternative to foaming soaps, and are even safe to use on infants (though, please, check with your physician for children under 6 months). Organic Male’s Soothing Herbal Shaving Emulsion contains coltsfoot, an ingredient high in amino acids to help restore the acid mantle, which can be severely damaged through manual shaving and alcohol-based shaving creams. Follow this up with one of the pH balancers, and you’re on the fast track to having a strong, healthy acid mantle and a hearty defense against disease and infections.

Please share your skin questions with us! At OrganicFaceBar.com, our mission is to do the research for you, and bring you the information you need.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Self-confidence removes the consent you’ve given others to make you feel inferior. While no one wants to be arrogant, stuck-up or conceited, I find that many people undervalue the importance of being confident. Being proud of yourself, your capabilities and your appearance will not only improve your life, but doing so just might inspire others to take after you and be confident in who they are. Confidence may not always be something that comes naturally, but I’ve found that my mother was correct: If you fake it, eventually you will make it. Here are some of my favorite tips to improve self-confidence:

1. Give yourself a pep talk. Every day, before leaving the house, think of three (or more!) things that you love about yourself. Whether it’s the fact that you are having a fabulous hair day, or a task at work that you did exceptionally well, every day has the capacity to be the best day ever. Remind yourself of this.

2. Wear clothes that suit you. No pun intended, since many trends simply don’t suit all body types or even personalities. What looks great on the pages of a magazine does not have to look great on you. Dress in ways that make you feel comfortable, attractive and desirable. Before you know it, you will be all of these things.

3. Take a risk. We all have things that we think we will never be able to do. Do something you never thought you could–and see that you can! Conquer a fear and the whole world will feel conquerable.

4. Share your skills. In sharing our skills, we are reminded that we have them. When we teach things to others, it reaffirms our feeling that we are able, talented and useful. Do this regularly.

5. Embrace your differences. I have spent a lot of time comparing myself to others. One day, I realized it wasn’t what made me similar that was important, but what makes me different. In enjoying these differences, I am able to accept who I am and enjoy that. Think of things that make you unique and celebrate them.

[Spam?] Customer Survey from Buynaturalskincare.com X Surveys – BNSC – Google X Reply | Laura Black to service show details May 18 (2 days ago) Below is the result of your feedback form.  It was submitted by Laura Black (lauralee625@yahoo.com) on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 22:42:37 ————————————————————————— HowHeardAboutUs: From a Friend HowHeardAboutUsInternet: Google Search Results KeywordsUsed: Eminence UsedProductsBefore: Yes, I have used Eminence skincare products before. WhyChoseBuyNaturalSkincare: A friend of mine that is the director of a cosmeotology program suggested the products.  I have adult acne that surfaced after all of the hormonal changes after my daughter was born.  She is now 7 and I have used products from prescriptions prescribed by dermatologists to Neutrogena, Mary Kay, Arbonne, and various other products found in beauty supply stores and department stores in attempts to get it under control.  Once I would find something that worked – after a few weeks I had something new going on.  What I like with Eminence is that I can purchase the small travel and sample sizes until I find something that works.  I am finding there are times that I change my products with the seasons – or even maybe need to change based on the weather when our area temps go from dry and cool to hot and humid.  While I purchase the larger quantities for my main “staples”, it is nice to be able to purchase small quantities of the treatment or “big guns” that I may need with an unexpected breakout.  I also like having the specials where you can get samples of other products when you place an order.  I would have never tried some of the products – simply because I might not have thought I needed that particular product – if they had not arrived in my box. ProductsWouldLikeToSee: The dropdown menu under “Face”, “Samples”, “Gift Sets”, etc. sometimes doesn’t work.  I can get a few of them to highlight but often end up running a search when I need to go past the first 2 or 3 options.  Maybe listing the categories on the homepage could be an alternative. Phone: 469-235-6035 ————————————————————————— Reply Reply to all Forward

[Spam?] Customer Survey from Buynaturalskincare.com X Surveys – BNSC – Google X Reply | Laura Black to service show details May 18 (2 days ago) Below is the result of your feedback form.  It was submitted by Laura Black (lauralee625@yahoo.com) on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 22:42:37 ————————————————————————— HowHeardAboutUs: From a Friend HowHeardAboutUsInternet: Google Search Results KeywordsUsed: Eminence UsedProductsBefore: Yes, I have used Eminence skincare products before. WhyChoseBuyNaturalSkincare: A friend of mine that is the director of a cosmeotology program suggested the products.  I have adult acne that surfaced after all of the hormonal changes after my daughter was born.  She is now 7 and I have used products from prescriptions prescribed by dermatologists to Neutrogena, Mary Kay, Arbonne, and various other products found in beauty supply stores and department stores in attempts to get it under control.  Once I would find something that worked – after a few weeks I had something new going on.  What I like with Eminence is that I can purchase the small travel and sample sizes until I find something that works.  I am finding there are times that I change my products with the seasons – or even maybe need to change based on the weather when our area temps go from dry and cool to hot and humid.  While I purchase the larger quantities for my main “staples”, it is nice to be able to purchase small quantities of the treatment or “big guns” that I may need with an unexpected breakout.  I also like having the specials where you can get samples of other products when you place an order.  I would have never tried some of the products – simply because I might not have thought I needed that particular product – if they had not arrived in my box. ProductsWouldLikeToSee: The dropdown menu under “Face”, “Samples”, “Gift Sets”, etc. sometimes doesn’t work.  I can get a few of them to highlight but often end up running a search when I need to go past the first 2 or 3 options.  Maybe listing the categories on the homepage could be an alternative. Phone: 469-235-6035 ————————————————————————— Reply Reply to all Forward

Tags: Lifestyle

Alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, are naturally occurring acids, usually found in fruit, with proven, significant benefits for skin. Commonly recognized AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid and citric acid. Typically, such acids are used in chemical peels that can be performed by a doctor, in a spa, or at home, depending on the concentration of the acids. Benefits of AHAs include deep exfoliation, lightening of pigmentation, refining of fine lines and wrinkles, and a reduction of blemishes and acne scarring. Here are some of my personal favorite Eminence products that contain alpha hydroxy acids:

Blueberry Soy Exfoliating Cleanser: This cleanser is a non-granular, exfoliating cleanser that contains lactic acid. Pineapple is also a key ingredient in this cleanser, as well as an organic source of alpha hydroxy acids. If you are a person with normal to dry skin, seeking to refine fine lines and gently exfoliate, this is a great choice for you. Tip: Let this cleanser sit for about 3 minutes, and then massage and remove, to maximize the removal of dead skin cells

Naseberry Treatment Cream: One of Eminence’s “quick-fixes”, this moisturizer has 3% Natural Fruit Acids, which are derived from the naseberry itself. This cream also contains naseberry, an organic source of glycolic acid. Individuals looking for quick, visible results should definitely turn to this moisturizer. Remember, naseberry is also available in the Naseberry Eye Exfoliant and Naseberry Body Lotion, both of which contain AHAs, as well! Tip: The Naseberry Treatment Cream can also be used as a masque!

Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel: Like the Blueberry Soy Exfoliating Cleanser, this peel is a non-granular exfoliation. Expect to find some pumpkin pulp, but no real granules. Glycolic acid is a key ingredient in this peel, which also contains pineapple, yam and pumpkin pulp, all of which contain natural fruit acids that help to exfoliate and refine the epidermis. Tip: Applying this with the Fan Applicator Brush will make application more easy, even and smooth.

As a special treat, order on May 18, 19 and 20 and mention, “Blog”, to receive samples of all these fabulous products!

Did you know that you can take many of the items in your kitchen and incorporate them into your beauty regimen? Eminence brings us all kinds of delectable ingredients, but the options do not end there! Here are some of our favorite homemade treatments to use with your favorite Eminence products:

Avocado & Mayonnaise: For a deep conditioning treatment to nourish hair and restore moisture, combine one small jar of real mayonnaise with 1/2 of an avocado in a bowl. Mix until it is a smooth texture. Apply to hair from roots to ends, much the way you would apply a traditional conditioner. Let sit for 20 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Tip: Keep the mixture from reaching your face by using a Microfiber Velcro Headband.

Milk & Honey Bath: Combine 1/3 cup of honey with 1/3 cup whole, organic milk. Pour under running water, sit back and relax. Tip: Apply your favorite Eminence masque while soaking.

Chamomile Hair Rinse: To bring out natural highlights and clarify hair, prepare 4 cups of chamomile tea. Steep and then rinse hair after allowing tea to cool. Tip: For ultimate relaxation, finish the treatment with a spritz of Soothing Chamomile Tonique over the face.

Lemon Foot Soak: Combine the juice of one lemon with a large basin of warm water. Soak feet for 20 minutes, then scrub with the Pear & Green Apple Sugar Scrub. Tip: Finish the treat for your feet with one of Eminence’s creamy body washes and the Shea Butter & Mint Moisture Balm.

Vitalizing Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is world-renowned for its antioxidant properties, as well as its ability to draw toxins out of the skin. As you fill a bath with hot water, add a cup or more of organic apple cider vinegar. Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes. Expect to sweat and flush, but also to feel renewed and light upon leaving the bath. Tip: Finish the detox process by cleansing your face with the Stone Crop Gel Wash.

These are my favorite complements to the Eminence line. How do you spice up your Eminence products?