Cool as a Cucumber!

Ever wonder why spas place cucumber slices on your eyes while relaxing? It may look a bit silly and maybe even cliched, but the spas are onto something. Cucumbers are 95 percent water and have a pH level comparable to that of our own skin. Because they contain ascorbic and caffeic acids, cucumbers are able to significantly reduce water retention and are great to treat swollen eyes, sunburns, and even some cases of dermatitis! Many skin care products use cukes for their hydrating and cooling qualities to soothe irritated and inflamed areas without drying out skin. After a long day at the office or staring at your computer screen, it's the perfect way to relieve stress and get rid of dark bags under your eyes! So slice one up and get relaxing!
And if you decide to munch on a few slices, no worries... Cukes are a great way to keep your insides feeling healthy and fresh, too!

Coconut-ty!

Often treating their ailment with prescription creams, new studies have shown an over-the-counter therapy that is also terrific for helping alleviate the pain of eczema. The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published a study of 52 eczema patients in which coconut oil and olive oil both significantly relieve skin dryness when applied twice for four weeks. Coconut Oil, however, was shown to provide a stronger antibacterial effect, clearing 95 percent of skin infections that involved Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium believed to exacerbate eczema. Coconut Oil is also absorbed into the skin more rapidly than Olive Oil, therefore, leaving skin without as much of an oily or greasy sensation. For best results, test Virgin Organic Coconut Oil (Dr. Bronner's and Garden of Life both offer wonderful coconut oils) on a small patch of skin before starting routine use.

Food for Thought Giveaway: Kiss My Face

Looking to keep your face clean and clear? Look no further than the Break Out Botanical Acne Gel and Pore Shrink Deep Cleansing Mask by Kiss My Face! The gel is great for all skin types and features tea tree oil (an anti-bacterial), mint (great for soothing and stimulating) and lemon balm (it's calming, soothing and balancing).

The mask features bentonite clay (it absorbs oil and toxins), tea tree oil, and lemon grass oil (an anti-inflammatory) and is wonderful for keeping acne-prone skin under control and shrinking pores!

Sound like something you'd like? Enter your name and email address in the comment section of the blog! The winner will be drawn Saturday, May 8!

Health & Beauty: Tamanu Oil!

Tamanu oil is the up-and-coming health & beauty craze that was recently featured on Dr. Oz as an acne and pimple "healer". While that is what it's best known for, tamanu oil's properties and benefits span well beyond that single use! We're falling in love with it and I'm sure you'll see why!

WHAT IS IT? Tamanu is a tree that is indigenous to Tahiti, Madagascar, and a few other tropical islands. The tree blooms twice per year, and the white flowers later yield clusters of yellow-skinned fruit. To derive the oil, the fruit is opened and hulled, and then dried for two months in the sun. It is then cold pressed and a sticky, dark oil is produced. It takes approximately 100 kilos of fruit to yield 5 kilos of oil! Tamanu oil is typically found blended with olive oil. Our Tamanu Oil is USDA certified organic, and is a 50/50 blend of tamanu oil and cold pressed olive oil.

THE BENEFITS Tamanu oil has skin healing, antineuralgic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibiotic and antioxidant properties! Combined with the olive oil, your skin is going to be bright, clear, and moisturized! In case helping you have gorgeous skin wasn't enough of a reason for you to check out this wonder oil, it also works wonders on burns, rashes, insect bites, and cuts. In addition, tamanu oil is reputed to be great for people suffering from psoriasis or eczema. Another suggested use is to massage the oil into sore muscles or areas affected by arthritis.
***If you have a nut allergy, do NOT use tamanu oil***

Come in to the store's beauty department and check it out!