photo: Maria Brzostowska

Here at Vintage Body Spa we are keenly aware of the ingredients we use in the personal care products that go on our skin (the body’s largest organ) every day. We love to educate our readers and customers about the natural ingredients we use so that they too can be comfortable with and proud of the fact that Vintage Body Spa products truly are gentle and safe.

Today’s ingredient highlight is honey. Not only is this a yummy food (mmm…I’m craving vanilla ice cream with warm honey drizzled on top right now!) it has amazingly beneficial properties when used in skin care. Honey, as you know, is created by honey bees using nectar from flowers. Honey has antioxidant (protects from the sun’s damaging UV rays and helps fight the signs of aging) and anti-microbial (destroys or inhibits the growth of disease causing bacterium) properties. My favorite property of honey is that it is a humectant – it absorbs and retains moisture, so it draws moisture from the air and helps to lock it into your skin, keeping skin hydrated and supple.

If you’d like to try some of our products that contain honey, I recommend our Cleopatra’s Luxurious Milk Bath (in Oats & Honey) or the Daily Moisturizing Lotion. We’ve also got bars of goat’s milk, oatmeal and honey soap that are curing right now that are absolutely divine! Look for them on the site soon.

Image via Wikipedia

Latin Name: Mentha Spicata

Description: Spearmint is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region that grows approximately three feet high. The leaves are bright green, are sharply serrated and have pink or light purple colored flowers. The oil is steam distilled from the flowering tops of the herb.

Countries of origin: Although native to the Mediterranean region, it is now common throughout Europe, western Asia and the Middle East. The oil is produced in Europe (Hungary, Spain, and Russia), China and America (Midwest).

Scent: Spearmint has a fresh, minty, aroma.

Properties: Refreshing and comforting, Spearmint oil has been used to promote relaxation and relieve mental fatigue. The oil is also slightly antiseptic. Spearmint oil has also been used for respiratory issues as well as for the digestive system.

Precautions: Spearmint oil is non-toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritating.

Vintage Body Spa products containing Spearmint Oil: Salt Soak in Eucalyptus Spearmint, Daily Moisturizing Lotion in Eucalyptus Spearmint or Mojito (Spearmint & Lime essential oil blend), Butter Bar in Double Mint and Mojito Soap.

What is your favorite use for spearmint oil? What other essential oils do you like to blend with spearmint oil?

Image by John Steven Fernandez

Latin Name: Citrus paradisi

Family: Rutaceae

Description: Grapefruit comes from big trees with glossy leaves that produce large fruit. The oil is expressed from the peel of the ripe fruit and is a byproduct of the juicing process.

Countries of origin: America (California and Florida), Brazil, Israel

Scent: Grapefruit has sweet, fresh and sharp top notes.

Properties: Refreshing and stimulating, this oil is often used to alleviate depression, tension, stress and mental exhaustion. The bright scent promotes optimism. Grapefruit oil has also been used to boost memory and concentration.

Precautions: Grapefruit oil is non-toxic and non-sensitizing.

Phototoxicity: There has been some controversy regarding whether or not grapefruit oil is phototoxic, meaning it makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight or tanning beds after using products containing phototoxic ingredients can lead to irritation. It is best to err on the side of caution and avoid exposure to direct sunlight or tanning bed rays for 12 hours after using products containing this essential oil.

Essential oils aren’t truly oils, but they’re the essence of plants that have usually been steam distilled. They are 100% pure and natural, and very concentrated. Because of their purity and concentration, essential oils are typically more expensive than fragrance oils.

Often essential oils are used by themselves to scent products, but combining essential oils can create wonderful blends as well. Essential oils have been used for centuries to treat a variety of mental, emotional and physical ailments. They are completely safe when used properly. For instance, lavender essential oil in distilled water can make a refreshing spray that serves to relax and encourage restful slumber. Though they are completely natural, care must always be taken and each essential oil should be researched thoroughly prior to its use, as the use of some are explicitly discouraged with certain medical conditions or pregnancy.

On the other hand, fragrance oils (also called aromatic oils) are synthetic. They are man-made in a laboratory. They are used to create scents that either cannot come from plants or to create scent blends that are less expensive than essential oils. Fragrance oils cannot be used as natural remedies, and some people may have allergic reactions to fragrance oils.

While we want to offer a wide variety of scents for our customers to choose from, we also want to continue evolving as an eco-friendly company. So we have decided that any new scents that are released in the future will be made only from essential oils. We are confident that you’ll continue to be happy with our scent offerings and we’ll be happy knowing that we’re offering the most natural products for you to enjoy.

We love feedback and answering questions, so feel free to post your thoughts and questions on fragrance and/or essential oils and we’ll be happy to answer them.

Avocado - Credit: chris27

Avocado Oil
INCI Name: Persea Gratissima
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed

Although traditionally classified as a vegetable oil, the avocado is really a fruit (it has a pit/stone). Regardless, the oil pressed from the fleshy pulp surrounding the pit is nutrient-rich, containing many vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, D and E, lecithin, potassium and numerous fatty acids.

*Vitamin A helps skin to retain moisture and eliminates dry patches while fighting the signs of aging.

* Vitamin D is sometimes called the ‘sunlight vitamin’, as the body naturally produces it when the suns’ ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit the skin. Vitamin D plays a role in skin cell metabolism and growth, and has been used to treat the itching and flaking associated with psoriasis.

* Vitamin E, well-known for its antioxidant properties helps to protect skin cells from damaging free radicals. Products containing vitamin E are often used to help reduce the appearance of scars.

* Lecithin helps to repair and protect the skin as it allows the oil to penetrate deep into the skin tissue.

* Potassium has been called the ‘youth mineral’ because it helps the body maintain smooth, tight skin.

Avocado oil is also high in phytosterols, which are suggested to heal sun damage and scars as well as reducing age spots. Studies have also shown that avocado oil significantly increases the amount of collagen in the skin. As we age, the amount of collagen naturally decreases and leads to wrinkles and lines in the skin. Since avocado oil is easily absorbed into deep tissue, it is a wonderful option for those with mature skin looking for a softer, regenerated appearance.

While avocado is good for all skin types, it is particularly beneficial to dry, sun damaged or mature skin. It is also known to be especially helpful in relieving the itching and dryness of psoriasis and eczema.

You can find this wonderful oil in the following Vintage Body Spa products:
Massage / Bath Oil
Wake Up Sugar Scrub
Whipped Sugar Scrub

Stay tuned for even more products to be released that incorporate this beneficial oil!