the conscious decision blog
Why to Avoid "Fragrance" in Products
One way to keep your home healthy and happy is to use organic ingredients for the home and body. if a product has synthetic fragrance listed in skincare ingredients, we recommend thinking twice before bringing it into your holistic home. The Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act established in 1973 requires cosmetics to publicly list ingredients on their product labels. However, fragrance is seen as a trade secret and the word has since been used as an umbrella for thousands of chemicals that do not have to be listed or disclosed, many of which are toxic for the body. These ingredients include BHT, Oxybenzone and Phthalates, to name a few. there are a variety of ways that the chemicals inside synthetic fragrance can negatively affect the body. The most well known effect is related to the endocrine system. This system is a collection of glands, including the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, and more, that secrete hormones into the circulatory system. When certain synthetic chemicals are absorbed in to the body they can act like hormones which disturb natural hormone production. Even a slight disruption in hormone levels can create a significant issues in the system. The result can be very broad and may affect a person’s weight, metabolism, reproductive system, and more. Synthetic chemicals have also been linked to chronic allergies, skin conditions, respiratory issues, and eye irritation. Not knowing exactly what is in a product can also make it hard for those who have sensitive skin to figure out exactly what is causing an allergic reaction. This is why we recommend that you always read the product label before making a purchase. Of course staying chemical-free does not mean that you cannot smell great and partake in aromatic adventures. essential oils are truly naturally occurring aromatic compounds derived from flowers, roots, resins and other parts of the plant. we recommend using products with naturally derived fragrances and/or are organic that are free of chemicals like our Embrace Spray or Relax Spray. Both of these products offer a nice, light scent without any toxins. with so many companies using synthetic fragrance in their skincare ingredients, certain precautions must be taken to make sure you’re purchasing healthy products for your family. Unfortunately, the United States doesn’t force companies to list the specific ingredients inside of fragrance so that means as a consumer, you have to be extra careful. We recommend reading the ingredients in everything you buy. Don’t trust what the front of the product says because many items will say it's natural or fragrance-free or unscented but will still include toxic chemicals in their products. We hope this little bit of information helps you make healthier choices for your family.
Learn more
Rose Benefits For The Body
Rose Essential Oil is used in many products at Erbaviva because of the enchanting scent and all of the benefits that these beautiful blooms offer the body and soul. We source the highest-quality rose essential oil and use it throughout our line such as in our Awaken Collection and Stretch Mark Oil to promote beauty and wellness for the entire family. here is a list of our top 3 rose essential oil properties that make it a great addition to your daily beauty rituals: Aromatherapy Benefits - Rose essential oil has been used for its therapeutic aromatic properties for centuries. Its warm, creamy, floral, deep aroma is known to support and nurture the human spirit. It is feminine, empowering, and helps strengthen the link between the heart and the mind. The sweet, warm aroma helps create a tranquil atmosphere that can reduce anxiety and calm the body. Rose blends well with Lavender and Clary Sage. Anti-inflammatory - Rose essential oil's anti-inflammatory properties are known to reduce skin redness and blotchiness, as well as alleviate skin irritations making it great for the entire body. Add a few drops to an organic carrier oil to use as a skin soothing oil for face or body. Skin Hydration - Rose offers moisture retention properties to keep skin smooth and supple. Dry skin can be delicate but rose is gentle enough for even those with persistent skin sensitivity. Add a few drops to an unscented body oil or cream for deep hydration. There are so many other ways that rose can benefit the body but these are just some of our favorites. Rose oil skincare is amazingly versatile, it’s no wonder it's one of our staple ingredients. Remember, a little goes a long way - check out our pure essential rose oil and add it to any products that you use or make your own rosewater. et us know what your favorite rose oil uses are by leaving a comment below!
Learn more
Importance of Non-Toxic Bath Products
It’s always important to use non-toxic bath products not only when you clean the house but when you clean yourself. When you shower or bathe with warm water, it opens up your pores and changes the temperature of the room, which make the bath products you use especially crucial. Here are a few things to be mindful of when bathing. First, hopefully you have access to clean water, because our skin is our largest organ and will absorb any toxins that touch the body. If you don’t have access to clean water, you can research a whole-house purification system or shower head filter. Next, as steam starts to form on your mirror, everything inside your bathroom, and especially the products that are close to the shower head, will start to vaporize as the temperature rises, which means you’re breathing in all of those chemicals. Additionally, your lungs become more absorbent in a warm/moist environment, giving the bathroom air a fast-track to your respiratory system. Your skin cells also open up when warmed, raising the absorption capability for your body, which provides easier access to anything you put on topically. It’s also important to read labels as many foaming products contain detergents and other ingredients that can be harmful. As a general rule, the less ingredients the better, and the easier they are to pronounce, the higher the chance that they are safe. Finally, chemicals can be toxic if ingested or if they get in your eyes. We know too well how washing a rowdy toddler can be so it’s very important to use clean ingredients for your entire family. We make an entire line of organic baby sincare products and have personal care items for adults. All of the products we make at Erbaviva are free of toxins and infused with organic essential oils, to add healing benefits. We hope you’ll pop over and peruse our offerings and happy bathing! Did we miss anything? Can you think of any additional ways that we should be mindful of what bath products we use? Tell us in the comments below.
Learn more
Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen
Here in sunny California, the sun is usually out and shining. Even on cloudy and cold days, UV rays can penetrate the skin so we should always take precaution and protect ourselves from the harmful rays. Too much sun exposure can cause premature skin aging, sunburn, and even cancer and using sunscreen can help in preventing these effects. There are two different types of sunscreen on the market, mineral and chemical. Mineral or physical sunscreen works by blocking the sun out and deflects, while the chemical counterpart turns the sun into heat and absorbs. Both types will assist in sun-protection but it’s important to read the ingredients to make sure your sunscreen doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. Mineral based sunscreens use mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide. This type of sunscreen is usually healthier for the body and does a better job and keeping the sun out of the skin. One of the biggest issues with mineral sunscreen is that it doesn’t break down as easily as chemical sunscreen and can result in the sunscreen being streaky, but that is the product doing its job. It stays on thicker to offer better protection for you skin. Chemical Sunscreens also work to protect against the sun but if they contain oxybenzone, stay away! This chemical is known to be hazardous because of skin penetration, hormone disruption, and allergy problems. Additionally, chemical sunscreens can cause an increase in dark spots on your skin, are also more likely to irritate sensitive skin, and can increase the chance of redness for rosacea-prone skin types. There is a huge debate about what sunscreen is better for your body but we think natural is always the choice to make, and organic is even better. If you’re still looking for an organic skin screen for your family, we would love for you to try the sunscreen we make at Erbaviva. It’s a natural and mineral based sunscreen that is gentle enough for babies and strong enough for adults. Remember to apply generously 15 - 30 minutes before going out so that the sunscreen can absorb into your skin. Sunscreen should be stored in a cool, dry place and do not use sunscreen that is expired as it can become unstable and will not offer any sun protection. Sunscreen should also be reapplied if you'll be in the sun for several hours and especially if you are exposed to water. If you do happen to get sunburned, aloe vera helps to cool and soothe the skin. Another remedy is using essential oils. You can mix essential oils like lavender with water and spritz on the skin or apply with a cloth for skin relief. Using body oil instead of moisturizer also keeps the skin extra moisturized so it can heal more quickly. You should make it a habit of applying sunscreen daily and not only on a beach or hike day. If you have kids, make sure you get them started early on applying sunscreen as they will benefit from it as they get older. We hope you found this sunscreen comparison helpful.
Learn more
Beauty From The Inside Out
True, lasting beauty radiates from within and helps to learn to love your body. A daily beauty ritual of self-care can help us stay in touch with our inner power, femininity and brilliance. When we are able to see that beauty stems from the joy inside of us, we can start to truly appreciate and celebrate our bodies. We should embrace every curve and pamper every inch to exude confidence from the inside out. Shaping/Firming Photo Shoot When we decided to do a photo shoot for our Shaping and Firming products we wanted to embody this concept of empowerment. The human body is beautiful and we all have the freedom to embrace sensuality, strength and radiance. Los Angeles photographer, mom and blogger Jamie Arrigo, and Yogi, blogger and model Jackie Smyth, came together to bring us these amazing photos that fully encompass real, honest beauty. Being Mindful Part of daily self-care is being mindful about what we put in and on our bodies. In addition to maintaining a balanced diet of nutrients and drinking plenty of water, we have to be aware of what products we apply onto our skin. Skin care products and cosmetics can contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed by the skin. We should consciously choose natural and organic products to consume and to use. Those living the organic life have experienced the human body's amazing ability to heal itself. When we utilize the power of nature, the body works its own magic and we simply inspire positive results. Shaping/Firming Line The shaping and firming line is full of purposeful botanical ingredients and essential oils that are known to enliven and rejuvenate skin. These products feed the skin nutrients that inspire the body's natural ability to detoxify, shape and firm. Therapeutic grade pink pepper, ginger and sandalwood in the shaping formula stimulate circulation and tone while frankincense and helichrysum contained in the firming line encourage cell regeneration and promote skin elasticity. The USDA organic certification also means that these products are over 95% organic, so pure that they are edible. The oils can be used for massage or a moisturizer, created with a base of hydrating and beneficial avocado and olive oils. Add the salts to a bath to open up pores and soak up the benefits or combine with the oils to create an exfoliating scrub. Visit our Personal Care | Spa tab to read more about each individual product. We would love to hear how you inspire your body's natural ability to rejuvenate! Feel free to comment below!
Learn more
4 Natural Beauty Rituals for Holistic Health
Life can feel like a juggling act, but this is no reason to ignore the need for self-care. Nurturing our body and spirit is an essential part of life. Without self-care our energy becomes imbalanced and our ability to perform daily tasks with health and happiness wavers. Fortunately, taking a bit of time for holistic health and beauty can be easy. Try these simple ideas for natural beauty rituals to enhance your daily care inside and out.Soothing Self-MassageThe physical body holds much of our emotional tension. After your daily shower show the body love by giving yourself a soothing self-massage. Use an essential oil infused lotion or body oil to moisturize your body while massaging. Start with the neck and shoulders working your way down to the hips, legs, thighs and feet. Breathe in the aromatic benefits while your body releases tension. This is the perfect way to start or end every day. Weekly Soft SoakA warm bath does wonders for holistic health. Laying down surrounded by warm water is an incredibly soothing natural beauty ritual. Baths also detoxify skin and relax muscles. Make a weekly ritual of preparing a special soft soak to enhance bath time. Light a clean burning candle near the tub. Dilute 5 drops of rose or lavender essential oil to 1 tablespoon almond or jojoba oil, and add the mixture to your bath water. You can also add a hand full of fresh rose petals. Detoxifying ExfoliationThe skin is the body’s largest organ so it is important to keep it healthy and toxin-free. Weekly exfoliation helps increase circulation, releases toxins, and encourages cell regeneration. For a simple body scrub blend finely ground sea salt, jojoba or almond oil, and a few drops of lavender essential oil, and scrub. Sea salt contains trace minerals that rejuvenate skin. Post-scrub make sure to drink a lot of water to flush out toxins. 10 Minute Meditative MaskFor an ultimate natural skin care ritual, combine your beauty routine and meditation practice. Choose to be mindful while waiting for your nails to dry, using a deep hair treatment, or wearing a face mask. Keep it simple. Try a manuka honey mask. Use a tablespoon of manuka honey, warm it up in the palm of your hand, and spread it on your face. Set your timer for 10-15 minutes, call attention to your breathing, and observe any thoughts that arise. Return to your breathing and continue to observe. When your timer goes off gently rinse with warm water. Enjoy these natural beauty rituals for holistic health. We would love to hear the ways you beautify inside and out.
Learn more
The Four Best Essential Oils for Weight Loss
Summer is just around the corner and we can’t wait to head to the beach, plan outdoor workouts and have a few poolside cocktails (organic, of course). It is time to leave the sweatpants and hoodies behind and get ready for trail running and rooftop yoga. But before you get overwhelmed by the pressure to slim down and tone up for Summer try a few tips from nature help boost your transformation. Essential oils have been used in traditional medicine for mind/body wellness for thousands of years and they are fun and easy to use. Here are the four best essential oils that help with weight loss. Grapefruit Essential Oil:Zesty, bright and citrusy the aroma of grapefruit essential oil is said to work as an appetite suppressant, increase energy and inspire endurance. How to use it?Diffuse grapefruit essential oil in a steam diffuser during your morning workout for an extra boost. You can also add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to your favorite carrier oil and massage onto troubled spots, while inhaling the benefits. Peppermint Essential Oil:Another essential oil that helps lose weight is peppermint. The aroma is super fresh, herbaceous and of course, minty! Simultaneously energizing and soothing the aromatic benefits are said to reduce appetite and heighten alertness. It is also known to calm and elevate moods. How to use it? Diffuse in the morning while getting ready for work, or before a weekend hike to inspire focus and a balanced mood. Try diffusing in a low temp USB diffuser in the car or at work to distract the senses and avoid over-snacking! Cinnamon Essential Oil:Cinnamon is wonderfully familiar aroma with its earthy, spicy attributes. In aromatherapy it is said to encourage self-confidence and emotional balance. Cinnamon has also been shown to suppress appetite.How to use it?Dilute use 2-3 drops of essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil and add to bath, relax and breathe in the benefits. Or diffuse in a steam diffuser throughout the day to distract the senses. Bergamot Essential Oil:Bergamot essential oil is similar to zesty grapefruit with more warm, floral notes. In aromatherapy it is known to have a deep grounding and centering effect. The aroma is also known to have an invigorating and motivating effect. How to use it? Dilute with carrier oil and add to bath, or use as a massage oil. For the aromatic benefits diffuse at home or work to support mood and balance. The deep grounding effect makes it perfect for meditation, or yoga. We hope you enjoy these tips from nature. Let us know if you have any weight loss tips to share and how these tips work for you!
Learn more
5 Natural Ways to Rescue Dry Skin
Fall weather is in full force and Winter is just around the corner. The brisk wind chill may be a welcomed change but keeping skin hydrated and rejuvenated may be a challenge. When skin becomes dry the epidermis is unable to maintain normal moisture levels resulting in dull complexions, but a few simple tweaks in our daily routines can help keep skin bright and balanced. Here are five natural ways to care for dry skin in the fall.
Learn more
Erbaviva on Elle ~ Best Sunscreen for Face & Body
Summer is officially here along with beautiful warm weather and strong sun rays. Elle.com gives beauty lovers a few tips on eco-friendly sunscreens that will keep you protected all Summer long in the article, “15 Sunscreens for Every Skin Type and Every Occasion”. We are excited that Erbaviva Sunscreen was featured as “Best Sunscreen for Face and Body”. Elle.com says, “If you don’t want to buy a separate cream for your face and body, this one is for you. It’s naturally crafted, ultra-light, chemical-free formula is infused with chamomile and lavender essential oils and won’t leave any residue on your skin.” Read the full article on Elle.com. Erbaviva Sunscreen is crafted with zinc oxide (a naturally occurring mineral), along with soothing aloe, and moisturizing sunflower, olive and jojoba oils. As Elle.com mentioned our sunscreen is infused with organic essential oils of chamomile and lavender for a light and refreshing aroma. It also effectively provides UVA and UVB full spectrum sunscreen protection for the entire family. The texture is light and silky and does not leave an unsightly white residue while being water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Go to the Essentials tab for exceptional all natural sun protection or Buy Now!
Learn more
