Why This and Not That?
When I had the concept of going into the bath and body product business, I had to choose what products I wanted to use. I looked at the reviews of the various products I wanted to use. Sometimes the reviews are good and sometimes the reviews are bad. I went with the items that had the best reviews. Reviews are just that, everyone’s experience is different. Therefore, sometimes you will just have to try it for yourself and see what works best for you. You may get a bad batch here and there and it is out of your control. I have pretty much stuck with the same manufacturer since I began, why? Because they’ve been proven! You can try and go the cheaper route if you want to, but you are trying to make the best presentation you can for your business. You don’t have to buy the most expensive items, but you should get the best for your clients.
Speaking of expensive, essential oils can be expensive! There are popular brands out there that are really high. When I learned my customer base didn’t really care about the benefits of essential oils, I didn’t feel so bad about not going with the top 3 essential oil manufacturers. I didn’t go with a random brand either, I make sure my essential oils are of good quality. In case you didn’t know it, essential oils do have benefits.
For instance, did you know that most essential oils have healing properties? That’s why they are suddenly popping up in your favorite stores. Remember all manufacturers of essential oils are not created equal. The very first essential oils I bought I used in the Christmas gifts I made, I wondered why it took almost the entire bottle to get a little bit of scent out of them. It was because they weren’t pure essential oils, they were mixed with other “stuff”.
Thankfully, nobody in my family broke out or anything. I never used them after that and that was a clue to look closely at the ingredients on every product I bought. For instance, Lavender, we’ve seen the popular baby products with this fragrance and it is known to promote relaxation and sleep, sleep baby sleep. However, it is also listed to have antibacterial benefits, who doesn’t want to get rid of bacteria? We are all using hand sanitizer nowadays, aren’t we.
Some essential oils can be used directly on the skin, others require carrier oils. Apricot Oil is a carrier oil I use. It is known to soften fine lines and also has restorative properties. We all need restoration sometimes and so does our skin. Our skin is exposed to so much during the course of the day, after washing whatever it we’ve been exposed to off, it is nice to have something that will promote healthy skin due to its richness in fatty acids. I also use Hemp Seed Oil, don’t get excited, this oil will not get you high! It is known however to be an analgesic, has anti-inflammatory capabilities and it also is an anti-bacterial. I use a host of other carrier oils and they are all beneficial to the skin.
What else is beneficial to the skin? Good old fashion Cocoa Butter! You remember whenever you had a flesh wound your mother would put cocoa butter on it to keep the scab from leaving a scar. If she put it on anything other than a scar, you would be the most shiny kid in the neighborhood and everyone could smell you coming! We didn’t know it then but Mommy was onto something. Cocoa Butter is said to be highly concentrated in natural fats and helps dry skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema. My son has eczema and when he has flare ups, I use my Herbal Hemp cream, he has flare ups because he refuses to put lotion on consistently, he’s a teenager!
Mango butter was a new discovery for me, I never even heard of it. I’ll be honest I bought it because I liked mangos. While it didn’t smell like mangos, I still fell in love with it. It too is affiliated with all-natural vegetable fat. It is extracted from the de-shelled fruit kernels of the mango tree. Benefit! It is also said to have natural softening properties, full of antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E. I love it because it makes my products smooth and creamy! We all know Shea Butter has become the hype all of a sudden. I’ve run into a lot of men who use shea butter for their bald heads and people are always asking, “does it have shea butter in it?” I can say yes it does! Why the hype of shea butter? I’ve read that it is extracted from the seed of the West African Karite Tree. It contains fatty acid content that is said to be rejuvenating and moisturizing. It is also known to stimulate cells that do a variety of things our skin can appreciate.
Coconut Oil. It’s not just for cooking anymore! Once again, a common denominator, said to be rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, that also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Coconut oil is used for a lot of things today, with benefits like that, why not use it for my products too!
Why Beeswax? Beeswax is used for a variety of things we enjoy, skin care, cosmetics, lip balm, candles, etc. and it’s all natural! It also gives me the textures I want for my creams. That’s it, not much else to it, I just like it.
Now the men are getting the best of the best with the oils used in my beard balms and beard oils. Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Vitamin E! These oils are phenomenal! A variety of these products are known to strengthen and unclog hair follicles, add sheen and are said to soothe itchiness, inflammation, help with dandruff, treat acne, etc. Sounds like a winner to me gentlemen, you deserve to treat yourself too! My husband does and his beard always looks well maintained because it actually is! Now what happens when you put all of these beneficial items together! Whether cold pressed, cold filtered, unrefined, organic, or 100% all natural, it makes for a wonderful TREAT for your skin!
When I created my first sugar scrub, I couldn’t wait to get into the shower and use it. It made my skin feel so wonderful! True story. Then when I put my body cream or body butter on? Whew! I felt good! My skin felt good! Literally! I truly felt refreshed and restored and I’m sure my skin did too. I couldn’t wait to take my next shower, I’m not exaggerating, I really felt that way. I want my clients to experience the same thing. You’ve tried that, now try this! Treat yourself! Your skin will thank you and I will too!