A blog dedicated to natural skin care, chemical facts, home made DIY recipes, product information & reviews and other interesting, healthy, good for you, tidbits. Enjoy!
5. SHARE the comp on Facebook to earn extra entry points
Please Note: JOLI only ships nationally - within Australia.
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED. Thank you ALL who took part in this awesome comp. We thank you for your support. A Winner has been randomly chosen and announced on our Facebook pages.
Thanks again xo
If I say words like triclosan, triclocarban and triethanolamine [TEA or TEOA] are you familiar with them? Have you heard of them before? Do you know what they do?
Ttriclosan, triclocarban and triethanolamine are ingredients you'll find in antibacterial products that claim to kill 99% of germs. They are in germ killing liquid soaps, hand sanitizer lotions and the like. Go NOW and check your germ killing products to see if these ingredients are in them!
Aside from being harmful / hazardous chemicals to begin with... these, and other, germ killing agents annihilate your bodies own defense mechanisms.
Each person has their own germ killing agents all over their body and particularly on their hands. What your own natural germ killing agents do is stop things like flu and cold germs (and other viruses) invading your body. They fight invisible battles on your behalf to stop you getting sick. It is the same for your children, babies, husband, wife, mother, son... everyone!
When you use products that kill 99% of germs you are also killing off your bodies own natural defense mechanism (your minature knights in shining armour if you will) which leaves you and your family OPEN to virus invasion. You are more likely to get sick if you use products that kill 99% of germs than you are if you use plain soap and water and allow your body to build up it's own defense mechanisms.
You are unprotected when you kill off 99% of germs ~ image by JOLI
This is where the super-bug stems from. Man has created so many germ killing agents that germs are continually mutating to avoid being killed off. Germs are very adaptable like that. They want to live as so they change and alter themselves so they can live through doses of 99% germ killing agents. The thing is: Your own natural germs die once they come in contact with these ingredients! Leaving you defenseless against the onslaught of germs.
KEEP this in mind when reaching for the Detol, Pine O Cleen, Hand Sanitizer, Palmolive Antibacterial Defence Liquid, other antibacterial hand washes, germ killing wipes and ALL THOSE other products that claim to "Kill 99% of germs".
Subscribe to JOLI's *Indulgence* [Australian Residents]
Usually I don't write a lot about cancer even though it is one of the main reasons behind the creation of JOLI Natural Skin Care (avoiding carcinogenic ingredients). However, three people I know have recently had surgery to remove basal-cell carcinoma (skin cancer).
This got me wondering what is basal-cell carcinoma [BCC]?
Basal-cell carcinoma is one of the most common forms of cancer and most often occurs in fair skinned people with a family history of this type of cancer. Scary for me since both my Aunt and my mum (sisters with fair skin and freckles), have had BCC's removed.
Most experts attribute sun exposure and/or getting sun burnt to be one of the main causes of skin cancer and believe prevention is the best cure. That is: no getting burnt, no spending excess time exposing your skin to the sun and using SPF sun creams [slip, slop, slap].
I, personally tend to be wary of the use of sunscreens since many contain carcinogenic ingredients and nano technology to help those ingredients get deeper into our blood stream. I feel like I'm damned if I do damned if I don't. And what do I do with my children? Use sun block on them and risk them getting cancer or don't use it and risk them getting basal-cell carcinoma? Urgh!
Note some interesting Skin Cancer Facts:
* 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their life time.
* 2-4% of Asians will develop skin cancer.
* 1-2% African Americans will develop skin cancer (note the darker the skin the less likelihood of developing skin cancer)
* While Asians and African's do not develop skin cancer as often as fair skinned people their cancer is more likely to result in death. [This probably has a lot to do with their health care (or lack thereof) in general.]
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Have you or someone you know experienced basal-cell carcinoma? Was fair skin a factor? Was sun worship a factor? Was applying sun cream or lack thereof a factor?
Does your face have lots of smile lines? Serious frown lines? Furrows from your nose down to your mouth? Pursed lines around your mouth? Lines wiggling across your forehead (a trait I share with actor Matt Dillon)? Every face tells a story…
fine lines around the eye area
When I was a teenager I saw an elderly lady who had serious frown lines and looked like she’d been angry and frowning just about all her life (must be a mother... lol). Another elderly lady’s face broke into a web of
happy lines when she smiled.
At the time I was thinking I’d like to end up like the second lady, though it’s far more likely I’ll end up like the first. I am constantly frowning:
when my computer plays up, when I’m vacuuming and the curtains get sucked up
into the vacuum, when my children aren't doing as I ask, when the sun is in my eyes, when I’m concentrating - and I concentrate a LOT! What do my wrinkles say about me??
Whatever story your face tells it is inevitable the story will be written on your face in a network of lines that will become more prominent as you age. The aim of the game is NOT to stop aging altogether, since we all know this is impossible. The aim of the game is to tell the story as gracefully as YOU can.
Gorgeous products such as Rich Cream and Whipped Cream Moisturiser, Skin Serum and Light Moisturiser will help soften the furrows, keep your skin supple and stop your
skin from drying out – one of the MAIN cause of premature ageing. The more hydrated you keep your skin (by drinking plenty of water and applying hydrating creams) the more
likely your skin will continue to spring back. The longer you keep your skin hydrated over the years the longer you ward off those serious wrinkles, you know... the ones that make you look a little older than you really are.
Another thing to do to help, though you might find this a little kooky, is smile when ever you feel yourself frowning. Not a big cheesy grin where all the crows feet come out to play. Just a slight smile on your mouth to help remove the furrow on your brows. You will notice It is almost impossible to smile and frown at the same time. Try it :-)
I've heard of some women going to great lengths never to pull any serious facial expressions and to never show any serious emotions to ward off wrinkles. Though I can't imagine what character building this would show on their faces? I've heard of people sleeping on satin pillows because this reduces creases on our faces while we sleep.
What tactics do you employ to reduce lines on your face (aside from using JOLI’s gorgeous products of course)?
Deluxe Bath Serum - Contemplation ~ 125ml
Soothing, enticing and moisturising while you soak… Naturally.
With a slight bubbling lotion (more so if you have a jet stream or
spa bath) this deluxe serum contains essential oils to promote a relaxed
contemplative mental state. The perfect state of mind when enjoying a
warm bath.
Also moisturising and sensual Deluxe Bath Serum is a must have product for your bathroom.
WIN a gorgeous bottle of JOLI's Deluxe Bath Serum, a seriously divinely decadent bath product you'll simply fall in LOVE with.
Condition of entry: you must be a LIKER of our JOLI page to be eligible to win. Open to Australian residents only.
Share the comp to win extra entry points to increase your chances of winning.
You will need:
* a round piece of cotton fabric (20-30cm diam)
* 10cm+ a length of ribbon
* 2-4 table spoons dried lavender flowers or rock salt
* a jar with lid (an empty JOLI moisturiser container works well)
* 1/4 cup bi-carb soda
* 1 tablespoon corn flour
* essential oils (optional) – such as lavender, cypress or mandarin
Place the lavender flowers in the center of the fabric, bundle up the fabric
ends and tie it up with the ribbon to make a round powder puff (see above
picture). Place the bi-carb and corn flour in the jar with a few drops of
essential oils. Place the lid on the jar and mix gently by giving a shake. If
using essential oils stand for 24hrs and shake again gently before use. Use the lavender flower powder puff to apply
the powder to your underarms and body.
Do not use on babies or small children and do not apply to raw wounds -
powder may sting cuts.
Age Fighting Facial
Mask
2 teaspoons plain yogurt
½ teaspoon honey (or Agave Nectar)
½ teaspoon lemon juice
3 capsules of vitamin E (from health food shop)
Open vitamin E
capsules or pierce with a pin and squeeze contents into a bowl, discard capsule
shells. Combine remainder of ingredients
with vitamin E in a bowl and mix well. Apply
mask to face and leave to sit for 15 minutes before thoroughly cleansing your
face.
Recipe to be made
immediately prior to use. Discard any
leftovers.
Carpet Deodoriser
·½
cup bicarb soda
·2-10 drops scent of choice i.e. lavender,
eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree.
Drip a few drops of oils
into the bicarb soda, using only a few drops at first - you can add more later
if you feel the scent is not strong enough.
Mix the oils into the bicarb with the back of a metal teaspoon making
sure to blend the bicarb and oils thoroughly until there are no clumps of oil
droplets. Find a container with holes in
the top useful for sprinkling your carpet deodorizer onto your carpet. Sprinkle and leave for a few minutes before
vacuuming. Also deodorizes the inside of
your vacuum.
Natural Scented Bath Oil
You
will need
·Vegetable oil
with a low scent, such as caster oil, olive oil (not extra virgin olive oil
which has a strong scent), macadamia oil, sweet almond oil, soya bean oil, avocado oil.
·Natural additives
such as: coffee beans, vanilla pod, scented rose petals, mint geranium leaves,
lemon verbena, mint, orange peel, lavender etc.
·Glass jars,
cleaned and sterilized in boiling water.
Place
your additive(s) in the bottom of a glass jar (you can blend additives if you
like or keep them separate). Pour your
vegetable oil over the top of the additive(s) until just covered. Place the lid on the jar. Attach a sticker to the jar noting your
creation, i.e. coffee beans in olive oil, and date it. Sit the container on a sunny window sill for
2 to 4 weeks.
To
use, drizzle some scented oil into your bath to moisturise your body while you
relax.
Place all ingredients
in a small pot and simmer until sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil and boil for around 5
minutes until liquid gets to soft ball stage (see picture, on the
spoon). Allow to cool then pour into a
100g glass jar.
To use: heat in a
microwave for 10 seconds until liquid is runny but not hot.
Apply to area with a
plastic butter knife (metal knives can be too hot) and use natural cotton
strips to peel off and remove hair.
Sugar is a natural
preservative so this wax should last a good while. Though it will eventually crystallize.
Present all these wonderful DIY gifts in pretty jars with ribbons and tags and you have some wonderful gifts to give your family and friends this Christmas!!
Want to get your legs into tip top shape and looking sexy for summer?
Here's how to do it the JOLI way... naturally.
Step one (1): exfoliate your legs with Enliven Facial & Body Scrub. Lift away the dead skin cells that block hair follicles and cause ingrown hairs before hair removal. This also helps lift up hairs that may be trapped under a thin layer of skin making them easier to remove. Rinse off scrub and dry legs thoroughly.
Exfoliate legs prior to hair removal
Step two (2): remove hair with your most favourable method. I like to epilate my hair, as this pulls the hair out from the root, much the same as waxing without all the mess and fuss. Though any chosen method will work fine.
hair removal epilator
Step three (3): apply Luscious Body Butter to your legs to moisturise, hydrate and have them looking luscious and sexy... ready to take on the world!
apply Luscious Body Butter to legs
The finished result: luscious silky smooth legs ready to show off!!
When it comes to our vaginas (or our 'good bits' as I like to say) we don't really give much thought to taking care of them.
It's just there and we do all the normal things we do to it such as washing it with soap, wiping it down with baby wipes, slathering on the personal lubricant etc. I mean who really knows what people do to their good bits, or what iffy ingredients they put into contact with them???? I'm sure there are all sorts of things people are putting near their good bits that aren't at all good for them.
Did you know that personal lubricants contain propylene glycol and if you've followed this blog you'll know propylene glycol (one of the most widely used man made chemicals in skin care) is so toxic you have to wear PPE (personal protective equipment) to handle it and the only way to dispose of it is to bury it in the ground. Best not to even buy into the production of such a chemical... Anyway, by using personal lubricant we're applying propylene glycol to one of the most sensitive areas of our bodies - not to mention our partner's good bits.
The use of baby wipes holds the same concern.
When it comes to your vagina you should never use soaps to wash it. Most soaps and body washes contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Both of these are detergents that started out as industrial degreaseants and garage floor cleaners.When applied to the human
skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer and irritating and
eroding the skin, leaving it rough and pitted. SLES / SLS corrodes hair follicles and impedes hair growth., penetrates your eyes, brain,
liver and remains there for a long time, and also retards the bodies natural healing process. It is one of the ingredients that causes urinary tract infections to occur after using bubble bath lotions.It also enhances the allergic
response to other toxins and allergens and can react with other toxic
ingredients to form cancer-causing nitrosamines.
Ok so that's the scary stuff... let's get to the good stuff!
Firstly JOLI's Facial & Body Wash does not contain propylene glycol, parabens or SLES/SLS. It does contain organic aloe Vera gel and jojoba oil that moisturise your skin and replenish lost oils while you cleanse. NOTE: it is very important you NEVER clean the inside of your vagina. Both vagina's and penises (under the foreskin) have their own built in cleaning system and stripping them away with soaps and cleansers - especially inside vaginas - in NOT a good thing to do.
If you need to freshen up your vagina use our organic Purifying Cleansing Toner with added vitamin B applied to a cloth instead of using baby wipes. Yes you could use plain old water however there are two things to consider. 1. water strips the body of it's natural oils and dries out skin because it has a different pH level to our skin. 2. anyone who uses a water purifier will tell you water contains iffy things. Plus the toner has a nice light floral scent and essential oils that are good for your skin.
These are our good bits we're talking about, why not use the best on them?
When it comes to personal lubricant our Massage Oil does just as good a job if not better and is also water proof so you can have fun in the shower or bath, as well as in the bedroom, on both his and her good bits. Massage Oil comes custom scented, however, I recommend the Sexual Energy blend when it comes to enjoying intimate moments with your lover. Also Massage Oil doubles as a body perfume, dab some on your good bits for an inviting scent, as well as being moisturising.
Soothing Salve can be applied after hair removal to ease the soreness and redness of the area and also help prevent ingrown hairs. Don't use products that contain iffy ingredients and potentially toxic chemicals on your good bits. It's bad enough people use them on their skin let alone sensitive areas of the body.
If you need to exfoliate prior to any hair removal Enliven Facial & Body Scrub is the perfect product for this. Made for sensitive skin types it also moisturises as it exfoliates.
Skin Serum can also be applied to your good bits if you have a sore down stairs. The rejuvenating and regenerative properties help heal sores quickly without stinging. Skin Serum can also be used a luxury personal lubricant for the ladies and it is good for your skin!
So that is the run down on how to take care of your vagina (and penis) using natural alternatives. Now off you go and use these products on yourself and your partner, have some FUN knowing you're taking care of your good bits safely.
NOTE: To keep your groin muscles in shape and help stop your pelvic floor from prolapsing, stop part way through urination and hold for 3 seconds before continuing. At first you might not be able to do it, however with continuous practice once a day you will strengthen your pelvic floor. This will also aid with incontinence.
pee chart - how to tell if you're dehydrated
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Have a horror story about products being applied to good bits? Feel free to share.
