Body Care - Page 2 of 2 - Jessica's Apothecary & Spa

Jessica’s Vacation Essentials

After a family vacation to Alabama and Florida, I have compiled a list of what I now covet as my VACATION ESSENTIALS!

1. Eminence Organics Tropical Vanilla Body SPF 32
This product is easily my number 1 pick! My whole family loved it. I was prepared with my California Baby Sunscreen that I have used for the past 5 years but I ended up using this one exclusively. It rubs in really well and Simon loves the vanilla scent. I used it on my kids face and body. My husband and I used it on our whole body (see face product next). I kept one in the beach bag and one in the car and applied it as hand and body lotion the entire trip.

2. Eminence Organics Bright Skin Moisturizer with SPF 30
Both my husband and I used this product on our faces every day. It is the perfect moisturizer for normal to combination skin even in the humid southern climate. The stone crop plant in the product lightens pigmentation naturally.

3. Apivita Exfoliating Face Cream with Olive and Lavender
When vacation includes camping, hiking, or beaching nothing makes the skin feel fresher than this product. The combination of olive seeds, salicylic acid, lavender and grape seed oil deep cleanse and cool the skin. It eliminates “summer bumps” that sometimes occur on my skin when I am traveling. I recommend using this every morning while on vacation.

4. Glymed Plus Mega-Purifying Cleanser
Skin always needs balance and this creamy cleanser is my staple. Use every night to break down dirt and oil that builds up on your skin, without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. The lavender is cooling for sun exposed skin.

5. Jessica’s Apothecary Coconut Lime Whip

After every shower applying Jessica’s own Coconut Lime Whip is vacation in itself. With organic, unrefined coconut oil and essential oils of lime, bergamot and grapefruit this whip smells like key lime pie! Coconut is the most cooling oil available, and rich in essential fatty acids. Your skin needs it!

6. Eminence Organics Aloe Mint Hydrating Cream Gel-Body
For the record I did not get burned on my vacation. I reapplied diligently and am proud of it! There was a member of my family that did not reapply. I won’t mention names. Playing in the ocean got the best of him. Applying this aloe gel cooled the skin and prevented peeling.6. There are 3 night time moisturizers that all make the list. I used all 3. Take your pick:

Eminence Organics Lavender Age Corrective Night Concentrate
This is the night moisturizer I ended up using most of the vacation. The Argan Oil was just the right amount of nourishment for the skin without being too oily. And again, Lavender is the best ingredient for after sun.

Eminence Organics Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer
I always have this product on hand in the event of breakouts or “summer bumps”. For acne or oily skin this is essential.

Glymed Plus Intense Peptide Skin Recovery Complex
Addressing fine lines and wrinkles is still a priority while I am on vacation! I used this as a serum under my sunscreen but you can also use it as a night time moisturizer. In addition to 5 Peptides that reduce wrinkle depth, this product contains sea whip to help reduce inflammation, licorice and bearberry to lighten pigmentation, ceramides to improve hydration, and vitamin E to fight free radicals. Last on the list but probably the most potent, comprehensive skin care product in our Apothecary.

I hope you find this information helpful. As always let us know if you have any questions.

Coconut Oil & Coconut Water for Summer Skin

This summer your skin will not forgive you if you don’t add at least 1 coconut product to your regimen. These warm, sunny spring days are just the beginning. Coconut is the queen of cooling, and its oil, water, and “milk” provide a plethora of benefits. Coconuts are high in free-radical fighting antioxidants so the damage caused by the sun (and harsh chemical sunscreens) can start to be mended with coconut.

Coconut Oil (the result of the crushed and pressed fruit) provides nourishing fatty acids to the skin that protect it from moisture loss. It contains 3 fatty acids- Capric, Caprylic, Lauric- that provide antimicrobial and disinfectant properties. It is also high in skin healing Vitamin E.

Coconut Oil can be found in: Eminence Coconut Milk Cleanser, Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer, Coconut Cream Masque, Bamboo Firming Fluid.

Coconut Water (the juice on the inside of the coconut shell) is high in Vitamin C, toning to oily skin, hydrating to dry skin, and rich in plant hormones called Cytokinins, which strengthen connective tissue and keep the skin elastic. Coconut Water is also an aide in combating acne because it is anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and may promote scar healing.

Coconut Water can be found in: Eminence Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer, Bamboo Firming Fluid, Neroli Age Corrective Hydrating Mist, Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum, and Coconut Firming Body Lotion.

Coconut Milk (the liquid that comes out of the grated meat of the fruit) is high is fatty acids that can soothe the symptoms of many skin issues, includes eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Coconut Milk moisturizes the skin and cools it after sun exposure.

Coconut Milk can be found in: Eminence Coconut Milk Cleanser, Neroli Age Corrective Hydrating Mist, Coconut Cream Masque, and Coconut Firming Body Lotion.

The skin experts at Jessica’s Skin & Body specialize in matching the right level of fats and water in a product to the needs of your skin. No matter how dry or oily your skin, there is a coconut product that is right for you.

Carrier Oil vs. Essential Oil

In the past, I wrote about my summer and winter body oils in which I mention carrier and essential oils. Today, I thought it would be helpful to establish the difference between carrier oils and essential oils and the benefits of each one.

Carrier Oil

Carrier oils come from the oils of seeds, nuts, and kernels. They are rich in two main groups of essential fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6. In skin care, these acids are known for their abilities to nourish the skin.

Extraction:

While there are a few different ways to extract carrier oils from seeds, nuts, and kernels, cold-pressed is the best method for extraction. Cold-Pressed extracts oils from seeds, nuts, and kernels through the use of hydraulic press machines. These specialized machines crush the seeds, nuts, and kernels; thus, releasing the oils.

What it Does for Your Skin:

Carrier oils dilute and carry essential oils to the skin for absorption. Each carrier oil offers different beneficial properties such as the promotion of cell regeneration, calming inflammation, providing vitamins and minerals, and moisturizing the skin. Depending on the mixture, textures of these oils can be luxuriously rich or charmingly light.

Essential Oil

Naturally occurring aromas come from plants containing special oils known as essences. Certain cells and glands of these plants produce these essences to protect themselves against bacteria, fungi, and herbivores. After distillation humans can use these concentrated substances for similar purposes: to protect against disease and affect our skin and nervous system.

Distillation Processes:

The two most common distillation processes to extract essential oils from plants are steam distillation and solvent extraction. At Jessica’s Apothecary, we only source steam distilled essential oils. (In a couple instances a CO2 method of distillation comes into play but let’s keep things simple here).

Steam distillation uses only heat and water to transform essences into essential oils. Plants are placed inside a still (a container) with pressurized steam. This steam circulates through plant material to open up the cells and glands to release essences. When the essences release from the plants they follow the steam to the condensation chamber to cool down. During cool down, the oil and water (from the steam) condense and separate themselves from each other.

Solvent Extraction involves pouring a solvent compound (a chemical called Hexane) over the buds and petals of delicate flowers. The essences then dissolve themselves into the solvent. Many essential oils on the market use this type of process. Again, we don’t advocate the use of chemically extracted oils.

Quality of Essential Oils:

It is common to hear that an oil is “Therapeutic Grade” in a manufacturer’s attempt to express that their oils are more “pure” than another companies, but there are no established regulations on defining a “grade” of essential oil. The purity of an essential oil is based on how they are grown, distilled, and packaged. Jessica’s Apothecary only sources Certified Organic and Wildcrafted essential oils. The plants will have the highest level of therapeutic effect when they are carefully handled. We make sure that we only source oils that have been tested with Gas Chromatography (GC). This quantifiable process tests for purity and identifies the constituents that make up an essential oil. The oils then need to be protected against extreme heat and light as to not damage its therapeutic benefits.

We are proud to offer the highest standard: Certified Organic, Cold-processed Carrier Oils and Certified Organic and Wildcrafted, Steam-distilled Essential Oils that have all been GC tested and packaged in amber glass bottles. To see the blends we make visit our products page.

Citations:

Natural Medicine Suite 101. The Extraction of Carrier Oils <http://sharonfalsetto.suite101.com/the-extraction-of-carrier-oils-a181163>
Describes the extraction methods used for carrier oils.

Aroma Web. <http://www.aromaweb.com/vegetableoils/essentialfattyacids.asp>
Contains information about fatty acids found in carrier oils.

Aroma Web. <http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatcarr.asp>
Defines carrier oils and how they can be used.

Aroma Web. <http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatare.asp>
Describes essential oils.

Aromahead. Free Introduction to Essential Oils,
<http://www.aromahead.com/>
Defines essential oils and how they are distilled.

Tisserand, Robert. Essential Oils
<http://roberttisserand.com/about/essential-oils/>
Why plants produce essential oils.

Young Living Essential Oils. Young Living Therapeutic Grade (YLTG). <http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/company/therapeutic-grade.html>
Describes the importance of therapeutic grade oils.

Amrita Aromatheraphy. Essential Oils.
<http://amrita.net/essential-oils.aspx>
Description of therapeutic oils.

Aroma Web. http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/essentialoilqualitypurity06.asp
Describes the gas chromatography process.

Jessica’s Scrubs, Hydrosols, & Specialty Body Oils

We have been busy! There are 5 new products to introduce to you!

First off, I have created beautiful body scrubs from (mineral rich) Pink Himalayan Salt and Organic Sunflower Oil. Directions for use: Use once per week in the shower on body after cleansing. Scrub in circular motion and rinse well. For best results, follow with one of my body oils after bathing. The results are silky smooth skin like you have never experienced before!

The Ginger Lemon is inspired by my favorite tea from back when I worked at Sweetwaters Cafe. The Ginger stimulates the circulation in the skin while Lemon naturally exfoliates.

The Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub is the same blend of Salt and Sunflower oil. It has no essential oils added to it so we can customize it for you! Consider a Lavender Rosemary blend, Orange Lime, or Eucalyptus.

Next, we have HYDROSOLS!

What is a hydrosol? From Andrea Butje, owner of Aromahead Institute, a hydrosol is created when a plant goes through a steam distillation process. Steam breaks open the structure of the plant that contains its essential oils and its fluids. The oil and water are separated as the steam cools, leaving us with a hydrosol.

One of the ways I recommend using my hydrosols is simply in place of a toner (after cleansing and before applying a moisturizer). For other uses see the guest article I wrote for the Aromatics International blog.

Lastly, but the 1st in my Specialty Body Oil line, is the Dancing Without Inhibition Body Oil. Probably the most sublime product I have made yet, this body oil uses Certified Organic Neroli to lift the spirits and hydrate the skin.

Visit our newly updated Products Page for details on all the products we make!

Jessica’s Winter Body Oils

Don’t let this beautiful spring-like day fool you. It’s only mid-March and our skin still needs love. During winter, it is important to use richer oils to nourish your skin. The winter body oils that I created are blends of deeply enriching oils to protect the skin against the dry winter air. They alleviate dry, cracked skin, and leave the skin supple. As in my Summer Body Oil Post, body oils should be applied to moist skin, just minutes after drying off from a bath or shower. This will seal in the moisture and give the skin nutrients that it does not get from lotion. Lotion can be applied during the day if the skin still needs it, but you may find that you will not have to use as much lotion when you start your day with a body oil. The body oil will absorb and will not transfer to clothes or sheets. Avoid applying oil to bone-dry skin. An additional benefit to using my oil is the luxurious feel it gives to the skin, while giving yourself a mini-massage every morning.

Choosing an oil for your skin type

For Very Dry Skin: Nourishing Winter Body Oil, Nourishing Winter Body Oil with Enriching Essential Oils (Sandalwood and Frankincense)

For Normal to Dry Skin: Balancing Winter Body Oil

For Normal to Oily Skin: Balancing Winter Body Oil with Warming Essential Oils (Rosemary and Lavender)

Certified Organic Carrier Oils

Pumpkin Seed Oil: rich in vitamins A, B, D & E and fatty acids.

Almond Oil: high in Linoleic Acid and Vitamin D.

Sunflower Oil: high in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and lecithin.

Sesame Oil: a warming and grounding oil commonly used in Ayurveda.

Jojoba: highly penetrating, resembles our skin’s natural sebum (oil), moisturizing and anti-inflammatory.

Avocado Oil: strong UV absorption properties, a high degree of epidermal penetration, the ability to promote cellular regeneration, and a high sterol content, which is beneficial in arthritic conditions.

Here’s what people are saying about my body oils:

“Jessica’s organic, made to order body oils are amazing. She has incredible knowledge of essential oils and how to mix them just right to create something that is unique. My skin feels great every day!” -Ana, owner of A2 Yoga

“I am so very pleased with the Winter Sandalwood oil. I had two seborrheic keratoses spots on my face. These are non-cancerous, dry scaly (and ugly) spots that often appear with age. Since insurance will not cover the removal (approx $300 per spot), I decided to try your oil on my face, with particular attention to these two spots. Well, after a few weeks, I noticed the spots were fading. I am happy to say that the spots have completely disappeared. I can’t thank you enough. I am so thrilled!” -Judy

Jessica’s Summer Body Oils

My Body Oil Line is launched! I have been using body oil after every shower for 15 years. I started with Sweet Almond Oil and then Jojoba. After a while, Jojoba just didn’t feel rich enough for my dry skin (though great in a blend and for oily skin). I started learning about different kinds of plant oils and this summer I started mixing them. Some are fragrance-free and some contain a beautiful blend of essential oils. The essential oils are added to benefit the skin and not just for their aroma.

Body Oils should be applied to moist skin, just minutes after drying off from a bath or shower. This will seal in the moisture and give the skin nutrients that it does not get from lotion. Lotion can be applied during the day if the skin still needs it, but you may find that you will not have to use as much lotion when you start your day with a body oil. The body oil will absorb and will not transfer to clothes or sheets. Avoid applying oil to dry skin.

4 Body Oils are now available:

Nourishing Summer Body Oil

Nourishing Summer Body Oil with Cooling Essential Oils

Balancing Summer Body Oil

Balancing Summer Body Oil with Cooling Essential Oils

The carrier oils used in my blends are:

Pumpkin Seed Oil– rich in vitamins A, B, D & E and fatty acids.

Almond oil– high in Linoleic Acid and Vitamin D.

Sunflower oil– high in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and lecithin.

Avocado oil– incredibly beneficial in many ways including strong UV absorption properties, a high degree of epidermal penetration, the ability to promote cellular regeneration, and a high sterol content which is beneficial in arthritic conditions.

Marula oil- a light, nourishing oil that is included in the summer oil because of its ability to heal sunburns. It also relieves Dermatitis, Eczema & Psoriasis.

Jojoba– (really a wax and not an oil) is highly regarded because of its ability to penetrate the skin and its resemblance to our skin’s natural sebum, or oil. It is very moisturizing and anti-inflammatory.

One more thing… my “Summer” body oils are not just for summer. They are just lighter versions of what is to come. Winter blends coming soon…

Calendula- Anti-inflammatory Flower

Last week I was working in the garden with my new garden friend, Kristy. She has graciously agreed to work in trade for facials! My garden was in need of some love as 2 children under the age of 3 do not allow me to give it much attention. We were pulling out the Sumac tree that was taking over a bed and Kristy pointed out some people are sensitive to the plant oils in Sumac. Minutes later, without washing my hands (an Esthetician “no-no”), I applied sunscreen to Julia’s face and arms. Shortly after, she broke out in a rash. My first instinct was to make sure was had Children’s Benadryl in case it started to swell to the point of impeding on her eye sight. Then I remembered the anti-inflammatory properties of the lovely Calendula, or Marigold, flower. I use Weleda Calendula products on my children every day without much thought and now was the chance to see what Calendula could really do. I washed her face with the Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash and then applied the Calendula oil. The rash was gone in 10 minutes! I am amazed at how our first instinct will often be to seek relief first from the drugs that are overly accepted in our culture, with only little thought of the natural remedies that gave birth to modern medicine. There is a place for both of course but it is my hope that more people make a place for the natural remedies in their lives.