Ingredient Inventory: Rose

Rose is one of the most luxurious and iconic ingredients in the world. With such an elegant form and recognizable fragrance, the rose dominates floral arrangements, skincare concoctions, and aromatherapy products. Not to mention, there's nothing more classically romantic than a bouquet of roses!

It takes approximately 60,000 roses to produce just an ounce of rose oil! Roses smell different throughout the day, so they're often harvested before sunrise when these precious posies are at their sweetest. They're then quickly steam distilled to capture their purest essence. Because a tremendous amount of work goes into its production, rose oil isn't cheap! It's also quite hard to find in its purest form, but can typically be found diluted in an oil base or as an absolute produced via solvent extraction. 

The uplifting aroma of rose oil is believed to help invoke positive thoughts and boost self esteem, confidence, and mental strength. In a similar way, the comfort of its scent may help a person dealing with fear or stress.

Roses are coveted for their beauty and therapeutic benefits, but their skincare benefits are just as immense. Rose extract is amazing for dry, mature, and sensitive skin in particular. It also has intensive hydrating properties and provides a calming, astringent effect that helps diminish redness and irritation.

Rose petals are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. Vitamin C boosts collagen production and strengthens skin cells, encouraging blemishes and acne scars to heal quickly.

The rose hip, the fruit of the flower, contains Vitamins A, B3, C, D and E, as well as essential fatty acids that quickly absorb into the skin and aid with tissue regeneration. Rose hip oil contains trans-retinoic acid which assists skin regeneration and helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

If you’re concerned by a dull, uneven skin tone, then add rose hip oil into your routine. It's also a great way to counteract the damage caused by UV rays, something that we often neglect in the colder months. Guilty!

Here are five of my favorite products featuring rose:

Odacité Acai Rose Serum Concentrate (Ac+R)

Agent Nateur N°4 Holi(Rose) Deodorant

Osmia Organics Linden Rose Hand Cream

Henné Organics Rose Diamonds Lip Exfoliator

Josh Rosebrook Enrich Hair Mask

Do you have a beloved rose product?

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Baobab

Have you heard of the Adansonia (baobab) tree? This beautiful tree is often referred to as "The Tree of Life" because its huge trunk can hold up to 100,000 liters of water, allowing it to produce nutrient-packed fruit throughout the driest of seasons. Due to its spidery, root-like arms, the baobab has also been dubbed the "upside down tree" and can grow close to 100 feet and live for more than 1,000 years.

Almost every part of the massive baobab tree can be utilized. The baobab's coconut-sized fruit are high in several vitamins and antioxidants, as well as Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids. Baobab seeds are rich in oil, calcium, phosphates and proteins; the pollen can be used for making glue; the fibers from the trunk can be made into paper and rope mats; the tender leaves are high in calcium and can be eaten like spinach; and tea and beer can be made from the bark. 

BAOBAB is a company that crafts organic products that protect, hydrate, and pamper the skin using baobab oil and other natural, plant-based ingredients. By choosing BAOBAB, you also become a part of the Happy Hands movement, which brings soap and hygiene education to schools in need.

BAOBAB Organic Tea Tree & Mint Body Wash with Baobab Oil

Baobob oil is believed to improve skin's elasticity and help heal damaged skin. Since this oil is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and F, it beautifully restores the complexion and combats the early signs of aging. Because baobab oil is so easily absorbed into the skin, it doesn't clog pores or leave a greasy residue. Not to mention, tea tree oil eliminates fungus and bacteria, treats acne, and rejuvenates the skin.

Made with organic essential oils, this body wash smells so pure and invigorating! Its delicious, mint aroma makes you feel refreshed and super clean! The texture of this wash is smooth and silky, and it takes no time to develop a rich, luxe lather. I can't get enough of this viscous, moisturizing soap and neither can my husband! If you have had a difficult time finding unisex green alternatives, I highly recommend this emollient, buttery body wash! 

BAOBAB Organic Lip Balm with Baobab Oil – Açai Berry or Double Mint

I am so smitten with these balms!! They are luxuriously creamy, moisturizing, organic, and smell divine! They leave my lips feeling hydrated and protected from the elements. I've also noticed that these balms help heal my dry, cracked lips incredibly well!

The Açai Berry balm has a sweet, fruity scent and the Double Mint is tingly and fresh!

With such amazing ingredients, don't be afraid to use these balms on your cuticles or other dry, irritated areas of skin that are also in need of some love and attention.

Code blush20 saves you 20% at BAOBAB until January 31, 2017!

*The BAOBAB products featured in this post are affiliate samples. As always, however, I have presented my 100% honest opinion. I cannot, nor will I ever, accept compensation in exchange for a positive review.

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Ingredient Inventory: Honey

September is national honey month!

This sticky bee vomit is so much more than a just smooth, deliciously sweet pantry staple! It would be impossible for me to highlight all of honey's amazing benefits, so I've summed up some key points below.

Honey as an Humectant

Honey attracts and retains moisture by forming hydrogen bonds with molecules of water. This is a fancy way of saying that honey actively absorbs water from the air and can then use that moisture to hydrate your skin. Incorporating skincare products with honey into your daily routine will plump and soften your skin, ultimately improving elasticity and providing you with a gorgeous glow! Not to mention, honey is a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids, which help break the bonds holding old, dead cells to the surface of the skin, encouraging exfoliation. 

Honey as an Antibacterial Agent

The healing properties of honey are due in part to its antibacterial activity, as well as its rich, viscous texture that helps to provide a protective barrier to prevent infection. In many honeys, the antimicrobial effects are from the enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide. However, in non-peroxide honey, such as manuka honey, there are significant antibacterial properties that are believed to be related to its low pH level and high sugar content. These attributes also give honey the power to heal existing acne and prevent new breakouts from occurring.

Honey as a Probiotic Source

Raw honey was recently found to contain the probiotic Lactobacillus kunkeei. Probiotics are often referred to as ‘good bacteria’ because they are believed to aid in digestion and gut health.

Honey as an Antioxidant Source

The natural antioxidants in honey help the body fight off free radicals and combat other oxidative stresses that can lead to disease. The antioxidants in honey also make it a powerful anti-aging ingredient that will leave skin soft and supple!

This is a bumblebee, not a honeybee, but it flew right onto my husband's finger and didn't want to leave! So cool!

Here are some of my favorite products that contain honey!

May Lindstrom The Honey Mud

Laurel Honey Berry Enzyme Facial Mask

100% Pure Honey Cream Wash


Resources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jam.12889/abstract

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Ingredient Inventory: Carrot Seed Oil

While you may immediately think of carrots as sweet, nutritious vegetables that are packed with eyesight friendly vitamin A, carrot seed oil is slowly emerging as a coveted skincare ingredient.

Carrot seed oil has a viscous consistency, yellowish brown color, and an earthy, root-like, somewhat woody scent. This essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from the seed of the wild carrot plant (Daucus carota), also known as Queen Anne’s Lace. This plant is an annual or biennial herb with lacy, dull white flower that are clustered into umbels.

One of the main chemical components of carrot seed oil is carotol. This organic alcohol is acclaimed for its ability to rejuvenate the skin. Carrot seed oil also contains moisturizing vitamin E and protective vitamin C, which work together to encourage healing and to clear the skin by accelerating cellular turnover.

Because nourishing and tightening the skin's appearance is key to a youthful appearance, carrot seed oil is considered a potent anti-aging ingredient. The high carotol content also makes this oil beneficial for treating wounds and skin infections.

Odacite Wild Carrot Serum Concentrate

As an engineer, Odacite's alchemy-based marketing and Table of Pure Elements is absolute genius! At the top of the anti-aging category, the Wild Carrot Serum Concentrate is designed to restore skin's youthful glow. In addition to revitalizing dull, lifeless skin, I find that this serum is quite balancing. It gives my skin just the right amount of hydration without clogging my pores. I like to add two drops of this precious, antioxidant-packed potion to my morning moisturizer or by itself on the days that my skin needs an extra boost of radiance! 

            

It should be noted that although carrot seed oil produces few side effects when used properly, its parent plant, the wild carrot, was found to increase the risk of sun sensitivity due to its high furanocoumarin content, which has photosensitizing effects.

Do you use carrot seed oil?

Have you tried any of Odacite's Serum Concentrates?

Reference: Chemical composition of carrot seeds (Daucus carota L.) cultivated in Turkey:characterization of the seed oil and essential oil

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Turmeric

Although it has been used for thousands of years, turmeric's popularity is exploding! Commonly associated with Indian cuisine, there is much more to this warm, earthy spice than meets the eye!

As part of the ginger family, this root is not only a fabulous flavor enhancer, but it is also believed to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. As a Biomedical Engineer, my studies have led me to the realization that inflammation and disease are intimately intermingled. In an effort to protect itself, the body triggers the inflammatory response to orchestrate a defense against infection and to coordinate tissue repair and regeneration. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, things can start to go haywire! For instance, the inflammatory process can be initiated even when there is no injury and then doesn't end when it should. 

Curcumin, the chemical in turmeric that gives it its bright yellow hue, is also thought to be responsible for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Everything from cancer to Alzheimer's disease to joint pain and even headaches have been linked to inflammation. Therefore, the potential to decrease chronic inflammation has made turmeric and other natural anti-inflammatories seriously buzzworthy!

While the amount of curcumin in the turmeric that you add to your favorite curry is minimal, there are also potent supplements available. 

If you are looking for ways to incorporate more turmeric into your diet, here are some of my favorite turmeric treats!

• Iced Turmeric Latte (I enjoy adding a little bit of vanilla bean to this drink too!)

• Chickpea, Quinoa, and Turmeric Curry

• Balsamic Almond and Turmeric Salad Dressing (I sub out the yogurt with coconut cream)

• Orange Cream Turmeric Cake

• Try adding some turmeric to your most loved smoothie!

What are your favorite recipes that incorporate turmeric?

Reference: Yale J Biol Med. 2006 Dec; 79(3-4): 123–130. Why Cancer and Inflammation?

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