Do you have Winter Face?

In the Pacific Northwest, we experience harsh cold weather on a random basis and not for very long.  BUT, one thing that winter does for most of us is dry out our skin.  Why would that happen in the PNW where we aren't getting the snow and wind like the frigid mid West?  Well.......most all of us are using our heating system which naturally dries out the air in your home.  For those of you living in the other parts of the country where Old Man Winter is making it miserable, your skin is even drier.

Dry skin just looks dull.  Have you ever noticed that?  It just craves a little moisture!  So, let's help it out with a couple of things!  First let's talk about a DIY toner.

This DIY toner works great to restore the skin’s pH, reduce the appearance of pores, and refreshes tried Winter skin. Plus, it feels amazing on the skin and is free from toxic chemicals!! So that is a win-win!

DIY Toner  Special thanks to Leslie White of The Mix for sharing.

Ingredients:
💦4 oz spray bottle
💦Witch hazel (alcohol-free)
💦Apple cider vinegar or ACV
💦Distilled water
💦15 drops Young Living Frankincense Essential OIl
💦15 drops Young Living Lavender Essential OIl
💦5-10 drops Young Living Tea Tree Essential Oil or other skin loving Young Living oils like Manuka or Kunzea
💦5 drops Young Living Patchouli Essential Oil

Directions:
▪️Add oils and swirl to combine
▪️Fill 1/4 up with witch hazel
▪️Fill 1/4 up with ACV
▪️Fill rest with water
▪️Swirl to combine before use

How To use:
After cleansing face, spray directly on skin or onto cotton round and apply to skin. Let soak in before moisturizing, and enjoy!

Super Easy Moisturizer

One of my favorite ways to moisturize my face is to use Jojoba carrier oil and Young Living Frankincense Essential Oil.  Why Jojoba?  If you look at the Comedogenic chart about carrier oils, it rates them from 1 to 5 with 1 being the best.  Jojoba is a 2 so I know that it shouldn't clog my pores on my face.  

So, every morning I use three to four drops of Jojoba oil and add a drop of the Frankincense.  I know what you next question will be!  Why Frankincense?  Because Frank (my favorite) is superior for your skin support and is wonderful in evening out skin tone.  

To get any of the oils listed in this post, please contact us using the contact form to the right!  We'll get you taken care of!

Analyzing the Lavender/Tea Tree studies

Lots of buzz has been going around about Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils causing young boys to have swollen breast tissue.  You should really do some study of these studies before you throw out the baby with the bath water.  Here are several videos that can give you more information.  THEN after listening about whether researchers really did their do-diligence you can make your own decision.  My decision.......Not an issue.  The big takeaway.  Use personal care products that are free of phalates, endocrine disruptors, parabans and other bad toxins.  You should also remember that essential oils have been used by millions of people without this problem.

You can read more about the person in this video.
Dr. Scott A. Johnson is the bestselling author of 13 books and a leading expert on the evidence-based clinical use of essential oils.http://authorscott.com/

THEN....the information below is from Lindsey Elmore, pharmacist who has talked about this study numerous times.  Here is her recent information about the new study.  I like her last statement which says:  Let's shut off the panic mode and be reasonable people.  EXACTLY!
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When you review the new data that claims that lavender essential oil causes breast swelling in young boys. . . 😵
 
There are several things that I take issue with on this new information. 

1. To the best of my knowledge, this study is NOT out yet; it is just an announcement of the study from the authors at a conference. I scoured PubMed and Google Scholar looking for it. If you have it, please send it over to me. Since the study isn't out yet, I have no way to assess the dose that was used. It is possible that the dose is massively larger than what humans use on a regular basis. This is exceptionally common in cell and animal research.

2. The study used essential oil constituents, not a true essential oil. The study did NOT look at a complete oil, only extracts of eucalyptol, 4-terpineol, dipentene/limonene and alpha-terpineol, linalyl acetate, linalool, alpha-terpinene and gamma-terpinene. In my practical experience with oils, I have never applied a fraction by itself.

3. The authors then applied the oil fractions to human cancer cells, NOT healthy cells. Interestingly, some of the authors from the 2007 NEJM article are also on this study and in both instances cancer cells were used to test estrogenic activity. I have already posted on my blog that cell cultures are not the gold standard test for estrogenic activity. My guess is that this new article will take similar criticism to the 2007 article because they still failed to include a uterotrophic assay as part of the study methods. Cancer cells, especially breast cancer cells used in the 2007 study, respond differently to estrogen than normal cells do. Therefore, this is not an accurate presentation of the average human use.

4. This panic that is going around was NOT prompted by any child actually getting gynecomastia. The authors of the new study state that the hormonal changes they observed were "consistent with endogenous, or bodily, hormonal conditions that stimulate gynecomastia in prepubescent boys." But the fact still remains. . . no child actually suffered from gynecomastia. . . this is ALL theoretical evidence. Yes, there are some case reports of children acquiring breasts from lavender oil, but I am skeptical of this evidence too, and cover it here: https://lindseyelmore.com/lavender-oil-and-breast-swelling…/

From a practical standpoint, I still do not consider lavender oil of high risk for causing breast swelling in young boys. And can vouch that it definitely doesn't work for grown women. While we may have some high profile case reports and articles, the overall number of children who acquire gynecomastia from products containing essential oils pales in comparison to the number of children who actually use essential oils.

Let's shut off the panic mode and be reasonable people.

Ticks!

Spring is here in the Pacific Northwest and the lovely spring flowers are blooming all around us. Here is one of my favorite species plants in our garden called R. ririei.

With Spring here, there are more things coming your way.

Fleas and ticks!  Along with ticks there may be Lyme disease.

In the Pacific Northwest, our winter was so mild that the fleas and ticks are going to be abundant.  Protecting yourself and your pets will be important as you ward off these little buggers.

Did you know that you can use Essential Oils on your pets*?  Here are two interesting websites that talk about what you can do for your pets!!  The first is the Young Living's Blog that talk about essential oils and animals in general. Click Here to read that article.   The second article talks a little more about ticks and the essential oils that you can use to repel them as well as essential oils that you can use to help with the symptom of Lyme disease.   Click Here to read that article.  

My Sweet Standard, Gabby

Here is a list of essential oils that you can use for your dog to repel fleas.  You can put them directly on your dog's collar or even on a shoelace if you don't want to put it on the collar.  Some people even drop the oil on their hands, rub their hands together and then rub the dog's body and legs with their hands.

• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Cedarwood
• Citronella
• Lavender
• Basil
• Tea Tree
• Clove
• Lemon

Whenever you are ready to get essential oils, remember that Young Living Essential Oils are very pure which will make them very effective!!

* Cats process things differently than dogs.  Do not use Citrus oils on cats.  Avoid Oregano and Thyme oils on any animals.

Top 5 oils to have - Oil #4

Melaleuca Alternifolia - Also known as Tea Tree oil- can be used Topically or Aromatically.  It is not to be used as a Dietary oil.

Primary Benefit

• Helps maintain healthy-looking hair and scalp
• Reduces the appearance of blemishes
• Apply to feet and toenails when needed
• Includes naturally occurring constituents terpinene-4-ol, gamma terpinene and alpha-terpinene
• Included in Purification® and Melrose™ essential oil blends, Animal Scents® and Rose Ointment™ and ClaraDerm™.

It has a fresh, crisp aroma.

This is an oil that is gentle on the body and good for cleansing the home.  Mix in a bottle with vinegar and water.  Use on Stainless steel, floors and counters.  

Did you know that purchased hand sanitizer's main ingredient is linked to liver and kidney issues? I think you can agree that most of us are overly clean using these at the drop of a hat.  

Try this instead!  

3 Tablespoons of Aloe Vera Gel
1 Tablespoon of filtered water
5 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
1 Teaspoon Vit E

Combine all together and mix well.  Transfer ingredients into a squeeze bottle (you know, like the ones you can get for liquids for traveling.  

Carry with you to use for that clean feeling!