Carrier Oils: choosing one for your skin type

Carrier oils, some times called base oils, are oils derived from seeds, nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables.  They are called base oils as other ingredients are usually added to them, although they can be used alone or in combination with other base oils.    They are used to make salves, lotions and creams, massage and body oils and even lathering agents for soaps. Essential oils may be diluted in base oils so they are safe to use.  Most essential oils are too concentrated to be used directly on the skin.

When choosing carrier oils, it's important to note a couple of things.  You will need to know your skin type.  Each carrier oil has different properties and may not be beneficial for all skin types.  It's also important to choose a minimally processed oil.  The best oils will be organic, extracted naturally and not exposed to extreme heat during extraction.  If an oil is not organic it may be from a GMO (genetically modified organism) and may have been exposed to pesticides.

Understanding basic processing and refining terms will help you choose the freshest oils.  Unfortunately though, in the US, these terms aren't regulated so if in doubt, call the company and ask about the processing.

Cold pressed- Low heat mechanical extraction where temperatures are controlled between 80-90°F.  These oils can be cold pressed:  avocado, olive, pumpkin, flaxseed, sunflower, and peanut oils.

Expeller pressed- Oils are produced using mechanical pressure on a press where the frictional heat is kept between 120-125°F.

If the oil doesn't say cold or expeller pressed, it is probably processed in a very unhealthy way using chemical extraction which produces higher yields and is quicker and cheaper. The most common solvent is petroleum derived hexane gas.  

Unrefined- The oil is mechanical screen filtered.  There is no additional refining.  The oil has a rich color and a strong flavor.

Partially refined-  Used for oils that go rancid quickly or to remove heavy odors or deep colors. 

Refined- Oils are exposed to all levels of temperatures from 450°F to -30°F.

Now that you know what to look for on the label, how do you choose the right oil for your skin?  Each oil has a different make up of antioxidant properties, vitamins and minerals.  Some oils are heavy and take a while to absorb.  These may be great for the body but not the face.  Others are thin and absorb more quickly making them perfect for the face but not desirable as massage oils.  Some oils are comedogenic (they clog pores more easily) and others are fine for all skin types.

Here is a breakdown of some of the most common oils and which skin types they benefit.

Oil	Skin Type	Viscosity	Penetration	Other
Almond	all	Light to medium weight	fast
Apricot Kernel	All, especially sensitive	Light weight	fast	Slightly astringent
Avocado	Dry, eczema	Heavy	slow	Use a 10% dilution
Borage	Eczema, sensitive	Light weight	fast	Goes rancid quickly. Use a 10% dilution.
Coconut Oil	Normal, Dry	Light weight	Fast	Comedogenic- may clog pores
Evening Primrose	Eczema, psoriasis	Light weight	fast	Use a 10% dilution. Very expensive.
Grape seed	All	Light weight	Fast	Astringent qualities make it great for oily skin.
Jojoba	All, especially inflamed skin	Medium weight	Fast	This is actually a wax not an oil.
Macadamia	Sensitive, damaged, mature	Light to Medium weight	Moderate	Similar to jojoba and sunflower oils
Olive	Normal, dry	Moderately heavy	Moderate	Moderately comedogenic
Sesame	Normal to dry	Heavy	Moderate	Long shelf life and low natural spf
Soybean	All	Light	Fast	Use organic.  Natural insect repelling qualities.
Sunflower	All	Light to Medium	Moderate	High vitamin E content makes it very healing.

 Hope this helps you choose the right oil for your skin! 

Thanks for reading and
NOURISH YOUR SKIN SAFELY®!
Karen
begreenbathandbody.com

The Wonders of Shea Butter

With all of the snow and freezing cold weather here in Massachusetts this winter, my go to ingredient has been shea butter.  I've come to love it so much that I always carry a tin of raw shea butter in my bag so I can moisture my hands, lips and cuticles anytime they need it.  I love how it instantly moisturizes and leaves my skin feeling soft for a good while, even after hand washing.

Shea butter actually comes from the karate tree which grows in the wild in west and central Africa.  The tree takes 50 years to mature and can live to 300 years!  To extract the butter, the tree nuts are cracked open and roasted.  The butter is then scooped out and kneaded.  Pure unrefined shea butter has a distinct nutty smell and is either cream or yellow in color.  I don't find the smell unpleasant and it dissipates quickly after putting it on your skin.

Shea butter is great because it's such a multi-tasker.  For one it improves wrinkles due to it's natural vitamin A content when used regularly over 4 to 6 weeks.  It treats and protects as it promotes cell regeneration and circulation with vitamin F and it moisturizes due to the high fatty acid content (oleic, stearic and linoleic).  It also has a decent vitamin E content and contains cinnamic acid which helps protect skin from UV rays in conjunction with other ingredients.  Shea butter shouldn't be used on its own as a sunscreen, however.

I find that shea butter is useful for so many skin conditions!  Here are some of the many:

- dry skin anywhere on your body (I especially love it on my hands.)
- rough skin (especially of feet and elbows but also on the face)
- itchy skin (from rashes, insect bites and even poison ivy)
- sunburned skin
- cracked skin and peeling skin
- eczema and dermatitis
- scars and stretch marks
- scalp conditioner
- dry, brittle hair
- cuticles and nails
- lips

One of the great things about shea butter is that not only is it non-toxic (it's rated a "0" on the EWG skin deep cosmetics database, meaning it's thought to be very safe) but it's also non-comedogenic.   This means that it won't clog your pores.  It's rated a 0 on a scale of 0 to 5 on the comedogenic index.  Shea butter is solid but pliable in cold weather but melts at skin temperature and is absorbed quickly as it penetrates the skin.  Shea butter is not recommended for those with nut and latex allergies.

If you're suffering from crazy dry skin like me, please check out Be Green Bath and Body's products that contain pure, unrefined organic shea butter.  It can be found in these products:  Shea Butter Tin, Shea Butter Hand Cream, Herbal Miracle Balm, Baby Balm and Organic Beautiful Skin Butter.

Thanks for reading and "Nourish your skin safely"!
Karen
begreenbathandbody.com

Choosing a Safe Deodorant

How to Choose a Safe Deodorant

We are supposed to sweat!  Sweating is our bodies natural way to cool us down and bring our body temperature as close to 98.6 degrees as possible.  Even if it's not hot out or you didn't just finish a workout, your body should still sweat as it burns food and creates heat.  I know this is all well and good but in our culture, none of us want to run around with smelly, wet arm pits!  What a girl (or guy) to do?

The sweat that the body produces in the under arm area is made up of fats, water, and salt.  It has an odor of it's own which is made even more unpleasant as it breaks down and is attacked by bacteria naturally present on the skin.  Over the years, in our quest to smell fresh, antiperspirants and deodorants were created with a host of chemicals to block or mask this natural function.  Some of those chemicals may be downright dangerous:

1.  Aluminum:  Antiperspirants rely on aluminum salts (mainly aluminum chloride and  aluminum zirconium) to stop sweat.  What actually happens is that the aluminum is absorbed into the cells that line the sweat ducts.  According to dermatologist Dr. Eric Hanson of the University of North Carolina's Department of Dermatology, "the aluminum ions are taken into the cells that line the eccrine-gland ducts at the opening of the epidermis, the top layer of the skin,  when the aluminum ions are drawn into the cells, water passes in with them. As more water flows in, the cells begin to swell, squeezing the ducts closed so that sweat can't get out."  Aluminum, one of the most common elements on earth, is a known neurotoxin.  Deodorants containing aluminum may get into the blood stream and then into the brain.  Although more research is needed, there is a suspected link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease.  There is also a suspected link between breast cancer and aluminum because these compounds can mimic estrogen hormones.

2. Triclosan:  Triclosan is an antimicrobial that is present in many deodorants to kill the bacteria that causes odor.   The problems with this ingredient are that it's a suspected endocrine disruptor and carcinogen that accumulates in the body over time.  It's also a hazard in the environment as it forms new carcinogenic compounds (including  chlorinated dioxins and chloroform) when it gets together with chlorine found in treated water and waste water.  The concerns over triclosan have caused the EPA to register it as a pesticide.

3.  TEA, DEA and BHT:  TEA and DEA adjust PH and BHT is a synthetic antioxidant.  They are known hormone disruptors, estrogen mimickers and are either known to cause cancer or create free radicals when the body metabolizes them.  TEA and DEA are restricted in Europe because of their cancer-causing effects. The EWG database gives TEA and BHT are a "5" and DEA a "7" for a safety score (with 0 being the lowest risk and 10 being the highest risk).

Other chemicals that should be avoided are talc, propylene glycol, SD alcohol 40 and FD&C colors.

So back to what to look for in a safe deodorant.  I think that the best source is to take a look at the deodorants listed on the Environmental Working Groups website.  http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/antiperspirant;;deodorant/  Here you can look up your current brand and search for ones with a lower hazard score.  It's helpful to look for natural and organic brands but beware because even Tom's of Maine has propylene glycol as a main ingredient.  Look for these ingredients in safer products:  cornstarch, arrowroot, coconut oil, pure essential oils, vodka and baking soda.  For a homemade concoction, try swapping apple cider vinegar in your pits to prevent odor.  If you do decide to buy a new deodorant I recommend buying the smallest size to make sure it works for you.  Deodorants react differently with different body chemistry and one size definitely does not fit all.  I've been using Be Green Bath and Body Natural Deodorant for 2 years and it works great for me.  It comes in a stick and in warmer weather is more like a putty as some of the ingredients soften.  It can be used softened or refrigerated to maintain the harder consistency.  You can purchase it at www.begreenbathandbody.com.

Happy odor -free summer!
"Nourish your skin safely." ™

Reducing Eczema Flare-ups

Olive oil is an effective moisturizer for
skin with eczema.

Cold, dry winter weather always seems to cause eczema to flare-up more often.   Also called atopic dermatitis, it seems to affect children and young adults more frequently and it is thought to be hereditary in families with a history of allergies. Although the exact reason why people develop allergies is unknown, there are many things that are known to contribute to triggering allergies.  The hard part is figuring out what the allergy trigger is that may be causing the eczema.  For children, it may be food related:  beef products, dairy products, wheat, preservatives or dyes.  It could also be caused by environmental factors:  pollen, dust, pets, cold/dry winter weather, perfumes and physical and emotional stress.

Aside from avoiding the triggers here are some ideas to help prevent flare-ups:

1.  Keep your skin hydrated- Using moisturizers (even when you’re not experiencing a flare-up) will help keep your skins barrier intact and healthy. It is especially important to moisturize immediately after a bath or shower.  Dry skin is prone to cracking, allowing irritants to penetrate your skin.  It’s important to use moisturizers that are as natural as possible.  Most creams on the market contain a slew of harsh chemicals that may actually make your condition worse.  Steer clear of creams with propylene glycol and PEG’s.   These chemicals are used as penetration enhancers and humectants because they rupture the skin’s membrane.  As a result, they are known to aggravate eczema (and acne).   See below for ingredients I recommend you look for in natural moisturizers.
2. Clean your skin carefully- Use mild, natural soaps that are free of harsh detergents and fragrances.  Don’t use loofahs, poufs, shower brushes or products with rough exfoliants.  Bathe and shower in warm not hot water.  For baths, try adding ¼ cup of ground up oatmeal (coffee grinder works great for this) or 1 tbsp of olive oil to the water.
3. Keep your diet in check- Drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables to keep your body hydrated.  Try keeping a food journal to see if you can determine the cause of a flare-up.  Avoid junk food and soda and keep alcohol and coffee to a minimum. (I know that one is hard!)  Also make sure you get enough essential fatty acids in your diet and vitamins A and E to help keep your skin moisturized from within. 
4. Reduce your stress levels- If you’re managing a job or 2, school, and/or kids this can be so difficult to accomplish.  If you work in a high stress environment, try to take breaks and find an activity that will take your mind away from these cares.  You might try reading, meditation or exercise. (Kickboxing is my favorite stress reliever!)

A request I get a lot from customers of Be Green Bath and Body (www.begreenbathandbody.com) is what do I recommend they use on their children as a moisturizer to relieve eczema.  Since Be Green Bath and Body uses only natural and organic ingredients that are pure and simple, my customers already know to avoid these ingredients that may contribute to eczema flare-ups:

-          Synthetic dyes (FD&C)
-          Synthetic fragrances and perfume
-          Petroleum products (mineral oil, baby oil, petrolatum)
-          Propylene glycol and PEG’s
-          Preservatives with known health concerns (parabens, imidazolidinyl and diazolidinyl urea)

Eczema sufferers are best served with simple, highly moisturizing products that contain as few ingredients as possible.  Even though the ingredients I recommend are natural, some people are also allergic to these.  The fewer the ingredients, the easier it is to determine the allergy culprit.  Look for these ingredients in your eczema treatments:

-          Olive oil- an emollient with excellent antioxidants that has wonderful skin softening properties.
-          Coconut oil- helps skin retain moisture.  High in lauric acid.
-          Evening primrose oil- high in essential fatty acids like gamma linolenic acid.
-          Calendula- the common marigold that has calming, anti-inflammatory and skin healing  properties.
-          Chamomile- flower that is a softening agent known for calming and healing.
-          Colloidal oatmeal- oatmeal ground to a specific particle size that is a natural cleanser and soothing to skin irritations.
-          Vegetable glycerin- a natural humectant to help draw water to the skin.
-          Aloe- relieves irritation and helps to restore skin to its natural PH.
-          Essential oils of lavender, carrot, German chamomile, geranium
-          Neem oil- made from the leaves and bark of the neem tree that is native to India, this  oil helps skin to retain moisture.

At Be Green Bath and Body, I have created a thick, rich calendula cream to help keep the skin of eczema sufferers moisturized.  This and evening primrose oil infused with organic chamomile and calendula will be available soon.  The oil is especially useful when applied immediately after a bath or shower.  In the mean time, please try some of these other natural remedies:

1.  A mixture of honey and cinnamon.  Honey is like a miracle ingredient and I have heard that a past of cinnamon and honey works well.
2.  A mixture of baking soda and water.
3.  Oatmeal added to a bath.
4.  A mixture of 50% apple cider vinegar and 50% water sponged on your body or put in a bath.
5.  Lavender essential oil- calming and soothing to the skin and safe for use during pregnancy.  This is one of only a few essential oils that can be used undiluted on the skin.  I love to use this in the summer on mosquito bites as I find it very effective in taking away the itch. 

You can read about these and other wonderful, natural skin ingredients in our ingredient dictionary here http://verscostores.com/begreenbathandbody/index.php?main_page=page_3.  Questions or comments can be directly to Karen at begreenbathandbody@yahoo.com.  Thank you for letting us help you "Nourish your skin safely." ™

3 Tips For Healthy Skin

10/2010

If you're short on time, don't cut out out these important steps to keep your skin looking young.

The three golden rules I follow for healthy skin are:

1. Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse,

2. Always wear sunscreen

3. Drink plenty of water.

These three steps will go a long way in helping you achieve clear and younger looking skin.

Cleansing your skin at least once daily (preferably at night) will remove potentially pore clogging dirt that builds up during the day. While it's tempting to skip this at the end of the day after you've worked a gazillion hours, cooked dinner and run your kids to endless after school activities, don't do it. Take the 30 seconds to spend some time on yourself and take

care of your skin.

Experts say that the key to keeping your skin young looking is not to slather on the latest and greatest expensive anti-aging products from the mall department store but rather to slather on creams that contain sunscreen that block both UVA and UVB rays. Look for creams that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are the 2 highest rated sunscreen ingredients according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Lastly, to promote both clear and younger looking skin, drink as much water as you can. Drinking water hydrates your skin making it appear plumper. It flushes toxins from your system that might otherwise be flushed out through your skin causing blemishes.

So you follow the golden rules and are ready to commit to a skin care program! Watch for my next blog post on cleansing your skin with Be Green Bath and Body products. I'll talk about the types of products we offer and how you should use them.

"Nourish your skin safely” ™Karen

Cleansing And Toning Your Skin

1/2011

Cleansing your facial skin daily is the most important part of your basic skincare routine. Don't skip this,even if you're low on time. Cleansing your skin not only removes dirt and makeup, but it improves skin circulation, removes dead skin cells and prepares skin to receive moisturizer.

Here are the steps I recommend to my customers using Be Green Bath and Body products:

1. Remove eye makeup. Be Green Bath and Body's Facial Makeup Remover can help you do that.  Our Facial Makeup Remover is oil-based (organic olive and castor oils and grapeseed oil) but it won't leave your skin oily. It contains organic mandarin and lavender essential oils known for their skin healing and calming qualities. Place a small amount on a cotton ball or pad, close your eye, and gently rub across your eye to remove the makeup. Our forumula will remove mineral makeup and waterproof mascara. Remember to keep your eye closed! If you get cloudiness in your eye you may have gotten a bit of oil in your eye. Not to worry, it will clear momentarily. Facial Makeup Remover can also be used to remove foundation on your face. This product is great for contact lens wearers (I am one!) and people of all ages: my mom uses it, I use it and my 15 year old daughter uses it.

2. Remove facial makeup. Splash warm water (hot water will dry out your skin and cold water won't' remove the grime as well) on your face to wet it. Shake the Daily Facial Cleanser and pour a quarter sized amount into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together to form a small amount of lather.  Using your finger tips, apply the cleanser to your skin using a gentle circular motion for 30 seconds.  Don't scrub too hard as this can irritate the skin. Rinse with plenty of warm water to remove the cleanser residue making sure to cover neck and hairline areas. Blot skin dry with a soft towel.  Daily Facial Cleanser works for all skin types and is especially great for those with sensitive skin or rosacea due to the gentle but effective ingredients. Be Green Bath and Body's facial cleanser will clean your skin without drying it out and the gentle exfoliants will remove dead skin cells revealing the new skin underneath. Organic castile soap for lather is combined with apricot kernel oil, organic jojoba oil, vegetable glycerin and organic honey for moisture. The reason we use a base of apricot kernel oil is because it is a light weight oil that is rich in essential fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acids. It penetrates the skin easily and is known for it's revitalizing and soothing qualities. It is appropriate for all skin times, especially inflammed skin. Other ingredients in the Daily Facial Cleanser are colloidal oatmeal, both soothing and calming, and the mild exfoliators of milk powder, fine sea salt and apricot kernel meal. As a bonus, kaolin clay effectively rids excess oil, detoxifies and slightly exfoliates skin.

3. Exfoliate using Be Green Bath and Body Cleansing Grains as often as you would like. Cleansing Grains are a mixture of organic herbs, clay, oatmeal and apricot kernel meal. They are mild and nourishing and can be used for any skin type. What's more they gently cleanse, remove dead skin cells and improve circulation. I use them about 3 times per week. I mix about 1/2 tsp of grains with 1/8 tsp of water (you can also use honey) in a tiny bowl to form a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your skin for 10 seconds or so and rinse off thoroughly with warm water then pat dry. When using cleansing grains, I usually let the grains dry on my face for about 5 minutes. You will feel the clay drying and your face feel a little tight. The clay is working to draw the toxins out of your skin. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Your skin will feel remarkably smooth! Dry skin may also feel tight. I recommend using the grains as a mask only 1 time per week if you have dry skin.

4. Apply Toner to your skin using the formula that most closely matches your skin type. Be Green Bath and Body's Toners are alcohol-free tonics made with a good amount of organic ingredients that will remove any remaining cleanser residue and oils. They leave your skin fresh and vibrant unlike most toners on the market that are loaded with alcohol that is drying and contain synthetic petrochemicals, fragrances and dyes. These are definitely not healthy for your skin! The real question, though, is do you need a toner? This question is the subject of much debate and one that you really have to answer for yourself. Honestly, if you have to skip one step this would be the one. Toners will not "close your pores" or "reduce the size of your pores". Personally, I love to use Toner. It assures me that I have removed all the dirt and grime and I haven't missed any spots during rinsing. I love the way my skin feels refreshed and smooth after I put it on and I love that the natural essential oils are doing their job balancing and soothing my skin. The smell of the essential oils is so calming so I never want to skip this step. Bottom line: try Toner for yourself and see how it makes your skin and mind feel then decide if you want to continue. 

If you do decide to use Toner (and I hope you do!), apply it after your skin is dry from cleansing. Shake the toner bottle to disperse the essential oils throughout the mixture. Squeeze a small amount onto a cotton ball and massage into your skin with a gentle motion. Follow with Facial Serum or Regenerative Night Cream.

All of Be Green Bath and Body's Toners contain alcohol free wild harvested witch hazel hydrosol and organic rose hydrosol.

Witch hazel hydrosol is a soothing and refreshing distilled water that comes from a blend of bark and leaves of the witch hazel shrub. It is antiseptic and possesses strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Rose hydrosol stimulates the skin, restores PH and controls and balances sebum production so it's helpful for all skin types.

Calming Carrot Seed Toner also contains glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin and carrot seed essential oil, containing carotene and vitamin A and known to treat dry and damaged skin by softening and rejuvenating it.

Healthy Skin Balancing Toner also contains glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin and essentials oils of palma rosa, lavender and benzoin. Palma rosa oil balances skin hydration levels and encourages cell regeneration. Lavender oil is anti inflammatory, anti viral and anti bacterial. It also helps balance the skin and encourage cell regeneration. Benzoin aids in healing chapped skin and, like lavender, is very calming.

Refreshing Rose Toner also contains cider vinegar to remove dull, dry skin and organic rose hip seed oil that is high in essential fatty acids, vitamins A, C and E. It has been shown to help prevent premature skin aging. Carrot seed essential oil contains carotene and vitamin A and is known to treat dry and damaged skin by softening and rejuvenating it. Geranium essential oil balances the skin and improves elasticity and myrrh oil balances skin hydration and tones the skin.

Ylang Ylang Soothing Toner also contains glycerin,a humectant that draws moisture to the skin and cider vinegar, a natural astringent that will kill bacteria and balance oil. Ylang ylang oil regulates sebum production, frankincense oil accelerates healing of inflammed skin and palma rosa oil balances skin hydration levels and encourages cell regeneration.

Now you've got clean skin! It's exfoliated and toned and ready for moisturizer!

"Nourish your skin safely” ™
Karen

Moisturizing Your Skin

9/2011

Morning Moisturizing

You wake up in the morning and the day is already crazy. Either your rushing to get ready for work, rushing to get the kids out the door for school or (YIKES) both! Who has the time to properly take care of their skin amid the chaos? Good news! With Be Green Bath and Body moisturizers you can "Nourish Your Skin Safely" (TM) and be on your way quickly.

There is no need to cleanse your skin in the morning. You did this last night and unless your skin is oily, it's still clean. In fact, you want your skin to have some oils and over washing it will wash away the acid mantle that protects your skin from the environment and bacteria which can lead to breakouts.

My first beauty step after showering and roughly towel drying is to apply a small amount of Healthy Skin Body Oil on my arms and legs while my skin is still damp. This keeps in the moisture that you already have on your skin. In the winter months I follow this up with Body Lotion (Coriander & Citrus is my favorite) to lock in the moisture. I find that the Body Oil and Body Lotion combination takes about 1 minute to penetrate my skin. During this time, I move on to my face.

If you use toner, I recommend a quick swipe of a cotton ball with Toner all over your face. This will remove any remaining impurities from the night before and prepare your skin for moisturizer. Remember Be Green Bath and Body toners are alcohol free so they won't strip your skin of any natural oils.  Next, follow up with the moisturizer that best suits your skin.

Those with dry, mature or environmentally damaged skin should use Day Face & Hand Cream. Normal skin can use this cream or the Light Weight Moisturizer (see below). The Day Face & Hand Cream is thick and rich and provides some protection from the suns harmful rays as it contains zinc oxide. Grapeseed oil, a quick absorbing oil that is excellent for all skin types, is the base of the cream. Moisturizing coconut oil and cocoa butter act as emollients and will soften your skin. These ingredients also lend a thick consistency to the cream, especially in colder temperatures. When temperatures are hot, the cream will be less firm. This is because coconut oil is solid at temperatures below 76 degrees but melts at temperatures above 76 degrees. At Be Green Bath and Body, we don't agree with adding any synthetic ingredients to maintain the consistency of the cream. The cream is just as effective whatever the consistency. When using the cream on your face, using clean hands, scoop out a pea-sized amount and dab on each check, forehead, nose and neck. Massage the cream in with a gentle circular motion and let penetrate for 1 minute before applying makeup. Don't forget to use it to protect your hands too.

For those with oily, combination, sensitive or normal skin, the Light Weight Moisturizer is recommended. This cream is a blend of nut free, low or non-comedogenic oils that are deeply moisturizing and nourishing for the skin. While still firm, it has a lighter consistency, goes on lighter and absorbs more quickly than the Day Face & Hand Cream. Using clean hands, scoop out a pea-sized amount and gently massage into your skin. Allow to penetrate 1 minute before applying makeup.

Night Moisturizing

After cleansing and toning your skin at night, I recommend using one of our hydrating Serums in the formula appropriate for your skin type. Our facial serums contain a special combination of high quality carrier oils and essential oils designed to pentrate deep into your skin. Made from cold-pressed vegetables, seeds and nuts, the oils are selected for their nourishing and protecting capabilities. They contain natural vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that will help you nourish your skin safely. Serums are useful for all skin types, even oily skin. It is a myth that oily or combination skin should not use oils.  Stripping the skin of oils, as many harsh astringents do, actually causes the skin to overproduce, thus causing the skin to be more oily. The Serums are bottles with glass droppers for easy application, just place a few drops of oil on your finger and massage into skin on face and neck. Allow the serum to penetrate for 2-3 minutes then follow up with Night Cream. Those with oily skin may choose to use either the serum or the Night Cream with the serum being the less heavy of the 2 options. I recommend that those with oily skin rotate between the serum and the Night Cream for Combination Skin, using one one night and the other the next night.

Using Regenerative Night Cream is the next step for all skin types except oily, combination and sensitive. This cream is thick and hydrating and will replenish your skin's moisture as you sleep. It's made with olive, sweet almond, evening primrose and macadamia nut oils that are high in fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Apply a small amount to your face and neck with a gentle circular motion. This cream will take 2 minutes to penetrate your skin.

Those prone to breakouts and with oily, combination or sensitive skin will prefer the Regenerative Night Cream for Combination Skin. This cream is made with non-comedogenic oils that will not irritate skin or cause breakouts in sensitive skin.  It contains sunflower and jojoba oils in place of olive and sweet almond oils. Sunflower oil is high in vitamins A, C, D and especially E. It can provide the skin with a natural barrier of protection against bacteria and others irritants which are the cause of many blemish issues.

One of my favorite uses of either Regenerative Night Cream is as an under eye cream. Eye creams sold in department stores tend to come in tiny jars at a hefty price and if you check the ingredients, they are probably the same as the face cream! We have been marketed to death and we believe we should pay twice the price for half the cream! It's outrageous really. It is true that the skin around the eyes is a little different than the skin on the face. The pores are smaller and the skin is definitely thinner around the eyes. This however, doesn't mean you need a special cream. A cream like Regenerative Night Cream that contains no mineral oil, parabens, synthetic fragrances or petroleum based silicones is fine. Do be careful when applying a cream near your eyes, however. The cream should be applied at least 1/4 inch away from your eye lashes.

Even though the Day Face & Hand Cream and the Regenerative Night Creams make great hand creams, we also make a luxurious cream specfically formulated as a hand cream. Shea Butter Hand Cream is a thick, rich cream made with moisturizing shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and beeswax. The ingredients not only moisturize but provide a water resistant barrier that locks in the moisture and softens dry hands. A small amount goes a long way so a 4 oz jar should last a whole season. This cream is unscented but does have a pleasant chocolate nut smell from the organic shea and cocoa butters.

You will find that using Be Green Bath and Body toxin-free moisturizers will leave your skin feeling hydrated, protected and softer than ever. I hope you enjoy using them as much as I enjoy creating them!

"Nourish your skin safely” ™

Karen