Posts
I just finished writing an article about the benefits of carrot juice in juice cleansing. Of course that article was about consuming the juice and the effects of beta-carotene and the other vitamins to your health, specifically your immune system. The article is not live yet, but when it is, I'll post the link here. (The article is now live. Here's the link The Benefits of Juicing Carrots).
What I didn't address in that article is how the nutrients in carrots are also good for your skin. First of all, if you're consuming carrots in your diet, you're improving your immune system which makes all systems function better including the skin. But carrots can also reduce the photosensitivity of the skin to UV rays and help protect against sun damage.
The most popular use of carrots in skin care is in the form of carrot seed oil. This is the essential oil produced from steam distillation of the seeds or the root. It can benefit many skin conditions, but is best known for mature skin. Carrot oil promotes skin regeneration (for mature skin, damaged skin) and it also stimulates the production of sebum (natural skin oil) making this oil great for dry skin as well.
Look for products containing carrot seed oil, beta-carotene extract, or even carrot seed hydrosol. Or if you're like most people you've got carrots in your fridge. Try adding a carrot to your daily diet.
February 11, 2009
February 06, 2009
Featured Shop
Chalice Hill Herbals
Since this is the first featured shop post, I'm featuring my own shop, Chalice Hill Herbals. I create lotions, soaps, sachets, herbal teas, aromatherapy products and more using natural ingredients. Herbs fascinate me because they are nature's medicine cabinet. There is something aesthetically pleasing and satisfying about discovering and using the power of herbs in a world that can be so artificial and disconnected.
Behind the Name
The name Chalice Hill Herbals refers to a hill in England. As the legend goes, Joseph of Arimathea took the holy grail after Jesus' death and buried it in this hill. At the bottom of the hill emerged a spring of healing waters that collected in a well called Chalice Well. Today many tourists travel to the well to experience its holiness. To me this story symbolizes the importance of connecting with nature to heal the body, mind, and spirit.
The Products
Before I make a product, I research all the ingredients. I try to use natural ingredients before synthetic ones because they have a life force in them that I believe works synergistically with our bodies. Nothing is added for filler. All ingredients are in there for a reason! Quality is rule one for me.
I love making herbal teas because they I can make so many different combinations of teas which taste so good and actually have an effect on my body (calming, uplifting, fortifying etc.) How cool is that?
If you would like to have your natural shop featured on Health and Beauty Naturally, visit Feature My Shop
Feature My Shop
If you have a handmade shop on Etsy, Artfire, or other online market, it could be featured on this blog. To be considered, your business must use natural ingredients to produce goods that enhance health and/or beauty. If your shop is featured you will be contacted by email. You may submit an entry once per month. I'll *try* to feature a shop every week ;)
Please send an email to carey @ chalice hill herbals. com (without the spaces) with the following information:
YOUR NAME
EMAIL ADDRESS
BUSINESS OR SHOP NAME
WEB ADDRESS OF SHOP
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND PRODUCTS
HOW/WHY YOU USE NATURAL INGREDIENTS
SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOU OR YOUR SHOP
Please send an email to carey @ chalice hill herbals. com (without the spaces) with the following information:
YOUR NAME
EMAIL ADDRESS
BUSINESS OR SHOP NAME
WEB ADDRESS OF SHOP
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND PRODUCTS
HOW/WHY YOU USE NATURAL INGREDIENTS
SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOU OR YOUR SHOP
February 05, 2009
Characteristics of Dry Skin
Conditions of Dry Skin
Dry skin produces low amounts of sebum (natural skin oils) and has a hard time retaining moisture. This condition could be due to heredity, the aging process, or dehydration. The pores are usually small and the skin may feel tight. External factors such as wind and cold temperatures with low humidity may amplify the dry feeling. Other symptoms of dry skin include fine lines and dry flakes or patches on the surface.
Care of Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, especially on your face, pay close attention to the ways in which you cleanse. Have you noticed that after washing with soap your skin feels immediately tight? Most commercial soaps contain harsh ingredients. Try a natural handmade soap with added glycerin or moisturizing and softening ingredients such as milk, honey, oats and vitamin e. Also avoid commercial detergents (surfactants) such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Instead try a cleansing cream with natural oils such as macadamia nut oil or avocado oil.
Advanced Ingredients in Dry Skin Care
The ingredients in your skin care products may either diminish or contribute to dry skin conditions. Look for ingredients with natural moisturizing factors that bind with water to help keep the skin cells stable and help your skin to retain moisture and feel soft. At the top of this list are glycerin, honey, lecithin, and proteins such as milk and oats. Film forming ingredients help protect the skin from water loss. These include collagen, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. These can be found in both natural and synthetic forms. A natural extract that performs similar to hyaluronic acid is tamarind seed extract. Some herbs that provide benefit to dry, sensitive skin are chamomile, calendula, aloe vera, dandelion, and licorice root.
Remember that proper nutrition and drinking adequate amounts of water not only keeps you healthy on the inside, it keeps your skin healthy too.
Dry skin produces low amounts of sebum (natural skin oils) and has a hard time retaining moisture. This condition could be due to heredity, the aging process, or dehydration. The pores are usually small and the skin may feel tight. External factors such as wind and cold temperatures with low humidity may amplify the dry feeling. Other symptoms of dry skin include fine lines and dry flakes or patches on the surface.
Care of Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, especially on your face, pay close attention to the ways in which you cleanse. Have you noticed that after washing with soap your skin feels immediately tight? Most commercial soaps contain harsh ingredients. Try a natural handmade soap with added glycerin or moisturizing and softening ingredients such as milk, honey, oats and vitamin e. Also avoid commercial detergents (surfactants) such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Instead try a cleansing cream with natural oils such as macadamia nut oil or avocado oil.
Advanced Ingredients in Dry Skin Care
The ingredients in your skin care products may either diminish or contribute to dry skin conditions. Look for ingredients with natural moisturizing factors that bind with water to help keep the skin cells stable and help your skin to retain moisture and feel soft. At the top of this list are glycerin, honey, lecithin, and proteins such as milk and oats. Film forming ingredients help protect the skin from water loss. These include collagen, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. These can be found in both natural and synthetic forms. A natural extract that performs similar to hyaluronic acid is tamarind seed extract. Some herbs that provide benefit to dry, sensitive skin are chamomile, calendula, aloe vera, dandelion, and licorice root.
Remember that proper nutrition and drinking adequate amounts of water not only keeps you healthy on the inside, it keeps your skin healthy too.
February 02, 2009
About
A bit about myself:
In broad terms, I am an artist, one who creates, and I try to infuse a visual and spiritual aesthetic into all areas of my life. My best tools are my eyes, my heart, my hands and my natural Sagittarian optimism which begs me to reach for the stars. Today I paint, work with herbs, and I've begun Reiki training for energy healing.
My interest in herbs and natural products began in early 2000 when I learned about harmful ingredients in mainstream personal care products. From there I boldly set out to make my own healthier alternatives: lotions, soaps, cleansers, and toners. My first attempts were great fun, but not all great successes.
It was time to hit the books. My research for ingredients led me to discover the natural healing powers of herbs which previously I thought were only for garnishes and exotic flavorings. With a desire to learn more, I enrolled in a Master Herbalist Course and learned heaps more than I could ever have imagined. I started creating herbal salves and teas in addition to the lotions and soaps and my family and friends started asking me to create more.
Almost four years later, with an ever-expanding product line enjoyed by family and friends, I decided to take the leap into business and Chalice Hill Herbals was born. The journey continues…
Product Links
Esty shop
Artfire studio
Chalice Hill Herbals
My Other Blog
My Juice Cleanse
My Artwork
T.C. Stuart
Social Sites
Twitter
Squidoo
Give it to Me Raw Community
In broad terms, I am an artist, one who creates, and I try to infuse a visual and spiritual aesthetic into all areas of my life. My best tools are my eyes, my heart, my hands and my natural Sagittarian optimism which begs me to reach for the stars. Today I paint, work with herbs, and I've begun Reiki training for energy healing.
My interest in herbs and natural products began in early 2000 when I learned about harmful ingredients in mainstream personal care products. From there I boldly set out to make my own healthier alternatives: lotions, soaps, cleansers, and toners. My first attempts were great fun, but not all great successes.
It was time to hit the books. My research for ingredients led me to discover the natural healing powers of herbs which previously I thought were only for garnishes and exotic flavorings. With a desire to learn more, I enrolled in a Master Herbalist Course and learned heaps more than I could ever have imagined. I started creating herbal salves and teas in addition to the lotions and soaps and my family and friends started asking me to create more.
Almost four years later, with an ever-expanding product line enjoyed by family and friends, I decided to take the leap into business and Chalice Hill Herbals was born. The journey continues…
Product Links
Esty shop
Artfire studio
Chalice Hill Herbals
My Other Blog
My Juice Cleanse
My Artwork
T.C. Stuart
Social Sites
Squidoo
Give it to Me Raw Community
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