Argan Oil

October 24, 2012
by Alia 1 Comment

Pink Thinkin’ Hard at Work

It’s no secret that I take issue with companies that engage in pinkwashing. That is, using the pink ribbon campaign to their advantage while continuing to support practices that contribute to breast cancer. There are many examples of pinkwashing, especially in October.

Fortunately, there are lots of examples of great applications of the Pink Ribbon campaign and I’ve been lucky enough to find a couple.

Clean Campaigns

Jane Iredale contributes to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The Jane Iredale line appears to me to use only natural products and avoids ingredients that have been linked to cancer. The only make-up I use these days is from Jane Iredale and I love it. For that reason, I would feel comfortable supporting the Jane Iredale cosmetic company in their Pink Ribbon efforts.

I recently saw an advertisement for a free online summit that is dedicated to healing cancer. It’s the 2nd Annual Healing Cancer World Summit. What I liked about the ad was that it touted all kinds of remedies, including some more natural treatments. Now, I don’t know how effective those would be. I DO like the fact that there are folks out there who are willing to spend their time spreading their knowledge without charging.

Bright Pink

Just yesterday, Tianna at Story Book Apothecary told me about Acure Organics. This company is dedicated to using the, “purest, most effective fair trade, natural and organic ingredients available”. Not only do they use great ingredients in their products, they also provide a list of ingredients to avoid that are found in other skin care products. Acure partners with Bright Pink to support the search for a cure for cancer. For example, Acure Organics donates $1.00 to Bright Pink for each Argan Oil and Oil Control Day Cream they sell. Bright Pink is a national non-profit organization that focuses on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer. This is a great example of a partnership between a company that walks the talk and also financially supports an organization dedicated to the search for a cure for cancer.

What cancer or breast cancer campaigns do you support?

April 10, 2012
by Alia 22 Comments

My Day and Night Oil

What do you use to moisturize your face? Do you use a serum, a cream, or oil? Or, are you someone with naturally oily skin who would never contemplate using any kind of moisturizer on your face?

I’ve always had dry skin…

I`ve always had dry skin, so I’ve always used some kind of moisturizer. For the most part, I have used a light cream, both in the morning or the night. If I didn’t, I could feel my skin tighten within minutes of being washed.

I was able to help myself a few months ago when I stopped using strong cleansers on my face. Once I went to a milder soap, I thought I might be able to get away without using a moisturizer. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Even with a mild cleanser, my face still needed some help to stay moisturized.

How about straight oil?

As I learned more about the unnecessary and toxic chemicals hiding in most skin care products, including the ones I was using at the time, I started looking for a healthy alternative for moisturizing my skin. Around the same time, I learned how to make a Night Oil at a workshop at Soap & More. I never thought that I would actually use straight oil on my face. Surely it would be too much and cause me to break out instantly (or, at the very least, overnight!). I was so convinced that I didn`t touch the oil that I made in the workshop for several weeks.

And then one night, I ran out of my moisturizer. Out of desperation, I turned to the little bottle of night oil. I just used a little drop and massaged into my face and neck. It actually felt pretty good and my skin didn`t seem oily. Still skeptical, I went to sleep, fearing the worst for the morning.

Miraculously, I woke up in the morning with my same clear skin. I used a dab of the oil again that morning, and again that night. In fact, I have continued that for several months now and I have yet to break out! I’m convinced that this Face Oil, combined with my other serums, will keep the wrinkles away!

What goes into a Face Oil?

I’ve had to mix up batches of this Oil a couple of times since I first started using it. Each time, I’ve tried something a bit different. I’ve used combinations of argan oil, rosehip seed oil, carrot seed oil, wheatgerm oil, and avocado oil. I`m sure there are many, many different combinations out there. Fortunately, all of the combinations that I have tried have worked great so far!

Have you ever tried using Oil on your face and neck? If not, after reading my personal triumph with it, would you give it a try?

January 31, 2012
by Alia 2 Comments

You may have heard of Argan Oil. Its use in cosmetics has been growing in popularity in North America recently. I love to use Argan oil in my lotions and creams. When I can, I also include a little bit in my soap. On its own, Argan oil works as a great moisturizer for my hair and nails. Here’s a little bit of background on Argan Oil.

Background

Argan oil comes from the kernels of the Moroccan Argan tree. The Argan tree is an endangered tree and is now protected by UNESCO. All of the oil that is produced today comes from a women’s cooperative that shares the profits among the local women of the Berber tribe. The cooperative has established an ecosystem reforestation project to ensure that the supply of Argan oil is sustainable. The money earned has been used to fund health care and education to the local women and the community as a whole.

Common Day Use for Argan Oil

Argan oil is being used more in cosmetics today. It is rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants. It is a lightweight oil that is absorbed quickly is not greasy. It’s also rich in essential fatty acids. These qualities make it ideal for cosmetics as it quickly softens skin without clogging pores. It works well on its own or in other formulations.