We regard nature as a vital part of our ecosystem and existence. But do you see yourself as part of that same system? Do you see yourself as much an integral cog in this chain as a woodlice scuttling around the undergrowth of a degenerating tree stump?
An Alan Watts statement goes.. We talk about being born ‘into this world’, but is it not wiser to say ‘we are born out of this world. Like a leaf comes from a tree or a flower from a plant?
Maybe the reason that we instinctively know what’s best for our forests, is because they are as much a part of us as the organs in our body. Trees are without doubt an extension of our respiratory system, without them we would cease to exist.
Forests are a natural mass of integrated biological systems with complex interdependencies working together in harmony for the benefit of the whole being, the forest itself and the planet.
Trees feed from sunlight and disperse its energy to the smaller saplings who are too shaded to perform photosynthesis adequately. The trees use the network of mycelium in the ground to transfer energy, water, nitrogen, carbon and other minerals which the smaller trees need. This network of mycelium and roots is called the mycorrhizal network, dubbed the ‘Woodwide Web’ 😆 by German forester Peter Wohlleben as it is through the mycelium that trees communicate.
The ocean has a microbiome, the earth has a microbiome, forests have a microbiome, our skin has a microbiome and so does our gut. Humans have trillions and trillions of microbes living in and on us. Our skin has more microbes per square centimeter than there are people on earth and our gut has a thousand times more! Everything in nature does. All these microbiome systems are related to each other and are part of a larger ecosystem. These are all vital for the planet, our health and vitality.
The human microbiome is so important that it’s like another organ. It is a part of our body that serves necessary functions, just as the skin and kidneys do. Some scientists think that babies who do not have much contact with microbes get more allergies, asthma, eczema, and other health problems. Studies also suggest that the microbiome plays a role in obesity and depression.
Ancient forest cultures intuitively had/have a holistic understanding of their environment, it’s complexity and how to live in harmony with it. They showed their environment the respect it deserved so that it could provide them with a sustainable and abundant home.
Our body is also made up of multiple complex systems that function in balance as a self-sustaining organism. The 11 main systems of the human body are the; integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. And of course, there's also the various microbiomes of the body which make up the human microbiome.
In the same way ‘the powers that be’ in modern society are messing with nature and chopping down forests. We seem happy for them to manipulate us into messing with our human ecosystems, all in the name of capitalist growth and shareholder wealth. We can think of the modern day skincare industry similar to the modern industrial food complex. They have both migrated in the same direction. I think you know where I'm going with this, right!?
To quote from my favourite skincare researcher and journalist Jessica DeFino…
“My skin wants for nothing. It is lavished daily with all the buzziest beauty ingredients: ceramides and peptides, antioxidants and antimicrobials. Exfoliating enzymes, epidermal growth factor, stem cells, and squalene oil. Pre-, pro-, and post-biotics, plus a pore-clearing cleanser that balances my pH level. Collagen, of course, and hydrating humectants: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid. Finally, a face oil—one that’s biocompatible and full of essential fatty acids.
You may scan that list and think: in this economy? But let me assure you, no plastic bottles were squeezed in the making of this skin care routine. I haven’t used an essence or eye cream in years. I don’t need to. You don’t need to. The human body produces all the aforementioned chemicals on its own. It uses them to self-moisturize, self-exfoliate, self-protect, self-heal, and even self-cleanse.”
Check out the full article here
Forests and humans (and other animals) are self-sustaining ecosystems that make up part of an even greater ecosystem. So what can we learn from each other? Thinking about ourselves as a forest and as part of nature can help us understand ourselves better and help us realise how we may take good care of ourselves.
Your Body is a Forest.. Treat it Kindly..
And with this philosophy in mind, we will continue to develop our product range. Keeping our skincare natural, simple and sustainable. And working with nature's bounty to offer a bit of luxury, self-love and wellbeing routines for your busy lives.
The numero uno reason for using beard oil is to keep your beard soft and conditioned. (remember what we said about keeping the kissing partner happy!) There are two main reasons why beard hair is coarser and dryer than the stuff that grows on our head:
Using a good beard oil will promote healthy growth of facial hair. Oils can help to stimulate blood flow to hair follicles, encouraging new growth and preventing hair loss. Jojoba oil, a main ingredient in all our beard oils, along with Rosemary essential oil, found in our Cedar + Neroli Beard Oil have been scientifically proven to stimulate hair growth. Cedarwood essential oil also strengthens hair growth and helps with dandruff. Additionally, all the nourishing properties of the oils can help to strengthen your beard, making it less prone to breakage.
Growing a beard can be an itchy and uncomfortable experience, but beard oil can help to reduce this irritation. Oils soothe and mositurise the skin as well as the beard, preventing itching caused by dryness or ingrown hairs. Jojoba oil in particular, penetrates and dissolves any build-up of sebum clogging hair follicles which could lead to problems.
A good quality beard oil formulated with high performance ingredients will add nourishment and moisture to your beard whilst making it easier to style and look good. A good beard oil should never leave your beard looking oily but will help give it a healthy shine and tame those flyaway hairs. The overall appearance of your beard will look richer, softer and healthier.
Beard oils can smell fantastic too. Beard oils and balms, especially naturally formulated ones, can provide a therapeutic and sensual daily routine for their users. Although the scents will not be strong like a perfume or cologne, they are not meant to be, this would not be good for your beard nor your face, believe me! They can still provide a pleasurable experience for the user and for those who get close enough 😉 We have created 3 scents in our beard oil range; Warm/woody/uplifting, Musky/woody/rich and Fresh/citrus/floral
So all in all.. using beard oil is a simple yet effective way to improve the health and appearance of your facial hair. It can help to moisturise, condition, and promote healthy growth of your beard, reduce irritation and itching, and improve overall appearance. With so many benefits, it's no wonder why more and more men are incorporating beard oil into their grooming routine. So, if you want to achieve a healthier and more polished look, be sure to check out our beard oil range
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There's is much greenwashing going on, with many meaningless virtue signalling 'stamps' to bolster up this misguided and egocentric corporate culture. I think one of the main reasons for this is many beauty / skincare businesses don't actually make their own products and have little input into how they are created above the very superficial, such as.. I want it to smell like Y, appeal to X market sector, and we have to have ingredient Z in there as it's currently trending 🙄
Most skincare/beauty companies outsource the creating and making of their 'miraculous' products and just market their stuff at you. Like most corporate entities do these days.
And look, they may not even know, because they don't make the products and it seems they have no interest in learning about what really goes into them. As well as contracting out the main part of their business they also contract out their ethics, values, integrity, honesty and knowledge around these issues. Like the high profile clothing and tech brands which have been highlighted for this in years gone by.
It often comes down to one element.. not knowing how many different guises palm oil comes under on ingredient lists. When palm oil is used in industry, hidden in the supply chain network and turns up in weird sounding ingredient listings on skincare products.. It probably ain't gonna be from a sustainably managed forest.
Anything with ‘palm’ in the name is highly likely a derivative such as the Palmitoyl and Palmitic ingredients.
When you see a single fatty acid in an ingredient list or it’s saponified equivalent (some examples listed below) these could well be derived from palm oils.
- Palmitic acid
- Hexadecanoic acid
- Myristate acid
- Caprylic acid
- Capric acid
- Lauric acid
- Stearic acid
- Oleic acid
- Sodium palmate
- Sodium myristate
- Sodium decanoate
- Sodium caprylate
- Sodium octanoate
- Sodium laurate
- Sodium Stearate
- Sodium oleate
Some of the ‘coco’ ingredients which generally come from coconut oil can also be palm derived.
All the SLS’s are often derived from palm oil.
The popular skincare ingredient Capric/caprylic Triglyceride is either made from coconut or palm oil.
Glycerine or Glycerol - is often derived from palm oil.
Vegetable Oil - You are not going to see this much in skincare ingredient lists but surprisingly, palm oil can be described as just plain vegetable oil. it’s the most widely used and consumed vegetable oil in the World.
Click here for a comprehensive list of potential palm oil products and ingredients.
I hope this information has helped you to be a little more aware of the controversy around palm oil and helped you to understand some ingredient listings a little more. Please feel free to leave any comments and open the discussion further.
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Further to my post “Why Use Oils To Wash Your Face” I thought I would write a short article outlining a few different ways you can use an Oil Cleanser. I will start with my favourite way of oil cleansing, I call it the 'Steam Clean'. I think this one works best at deep cleaning the face, lifting dirt, debris and excess oil.
]]>Further to my post “Why Use Oils To Wash Your Face” I thought I would write a short article outlining a few different ways you can use an Oil Cleanser..
I will start with my favourite way of oil cleansing, I call it the 'Steam Clean'. I think this one works best at deep cleaning the face, lifting dirt, debris and excess oil.
You will need a thick, large cotton flannel for this, not a muslin or bamboo cloth. We need the bulk of the cloth to hold the heat in to create the steam clean.
If you are rushing in the morning and were too lazy to wash your face the night before, this is the one for you..
You can also use an oil cleanser on wet skin and use hands and running water to rinse. You may feel the oil and water form a light emulsion on your face when done this way. However, it will be more difficult to properly remove the oil from your face, so I wouldn't use this method often. Some oil cleansers are actually formulated with glycerin or an emulsifier so they can be used this way. The emulsifier helps the oil rinse off more easily making the process a little quicker and simpler. These are usually called an ‘Oil to Milk’ cleanser.
So there you have it, these are my tips on how to Oil Cleanse. But I always encourage people to experiment with their skincare products, don’t be afraid to use them the way you feel works best for you.
It seems counter-intuitive doesn’t it, especially for those new to understanding their skin and how skincare products work. But there’s a number of reasons why you should try washing your face with an oil cleanser rather than the more conventional product types.
Producing sebum is our body’s natural way of moisturising and caring for our skin. Not only does it moisturise and hydrate our skin but it is integral to the health of our acid mantle, feeds the healthy micro-bacteria in our skin’s microbiome. (In case you didn’t know, we have trillions of micro-bacteria with over 300 different varieties living in our skin), is essential to the skin's wound-healing response and acts as a natural sun protector. Sebum is one of the best skincare products in existence and it comes out of our own pores. Pretty cool hey!
And this is exactly the reason why cleansing with oils, especially with a well made oil cleanser that has a good balance of fatty acids, can be an excellent investment into your skin health.
Most cleansers are made with surfactants which are really effective at removing dirt and grease from our skin, a little too effective! They strip away our awesome natural sebum along with other beneficial components such as; proteins, amino acids and hyaluronic acid.
Surfactants in cleansers also carry on causing damage after we wash as not all of them rinse away. Some cling on to proteins causing them to denature (change shape) and swell, causing irritation. All this leads to unhappy and out of balance dry skin. Ironically, this process is what often creates oily skin. Our skin, like the rest of our body, is an incredibly sophisticated and intelligent machine, so it over produces sebum to take care of the damage we have done while cleansing.
A true old faithful, oil cleansing dates back to the Roman times.. After a hard day building baths and aqueducts the wealthy Roman would cover themselves with olive oil, which was removed by a slave using a strigil (blunt bladed knife) along with any dead skin and dirt. She or he would then go into a steam room to open up the pores, before finishing off with a dip in the pool. All sounds a bit decadent but this approach to cleaning our faces is quite simple and beneficial in the modern day.
Oil dissolves oil and it will pick up all the dirt and stuff you don’t want hanging around on your face. It will do this without damaging the microbiome or acid mantle. It helps to balance your natural sebum production and can condition and moisturise your skin at the same time. Everybody’s skin is different and some people's skin does not agree with natural oil products, this could be for a number of reasons including the other products they use on their skin. But if you still haven't tried oil cleansers or serums don’t be worried about them causing spots and outbreaks, many things can cause this and oil makes up a small part of these.
If you are wondering about how to best use an Oil Cleanser read our How To Oil Cleanse Post
Our Reunion Cleanser is made from a blend of five organic oils; Jojoba, Castor, Camellia, Olive and Apricot. And a gentle blend of essential oils where the star ingredient is Geranium Bourbon from the Isle of Réunion. It has many fans and receives excellent feedback, especially from people who suffer from outbreaks 🙂
Cleansing with oils also gives you the option to incorporate facial massage into your skincare routine. This is a nice way to relax in the evening before bed whilst helping to improve circulation and reducing any tension or inflammation.
We really hope you are liking the new look Old Faithful! The rebranding of Old Faithful was carried out to better represent our values, ethics and offering..
]]>We really hope you are liking the new look Old Faithful! The rebranding was carried out to better represent our values, ethics and offering..
We make natural skincare and wellbeing products using responsibly farmed or wild harvested ingredients that work in harmony with and bring balance to your skin and system as a whole.
Working in harmony with nature, both our external natural environment and ourselves is the basis on which we operate. We believe that humans are as much a product of nature as the plants we gain our ingredients from. As the scholar and philosopher 'Alan Watts' said.. "We are born out of nature like a flower from a plant or a leaf from a tree". So this harmony is crucial in maintaining the balance of all things.
Packaging skincare products is a tricky game, it's difficult to find the right balance of quality, cost, volume and sustainability. But we really wanted to display our commitment to our values through our packaging even though it is significantly more expensive and more difficult to achieve as a small business. We now have corrugated cardboard outer packaging for all our bottled products (this will protect them from the external environment on retail displays and better preserve the quality of the products) and Biodegradable labels 🙌
Skincare labels need to be waterproof and resistant to liquids such as oils, especially natural skincare products which are mainly made from plant oils such as Jojoba and Argan. Most skincare/cosmetic labels are made from polypropylene or vinyl. There are very few labels on the market that are not made from plastic, are waterproof and look good. We decided to go for the Bagasse and hemp labels from The Green Label Company. Bagasse is a dry pulpy fibrous material that is a waste product from crushing sugarcane and is used as a biofuel to produce energy.
These biodegradable labels are on all our skincare and Ceremonial Cacao products. The outer cardboard box labels on the skincare and the herb labels do not need a varnish so are fully biodegradable and will compost within six months if you were to bury them in your garden. Our bottle and jar labels which need to be fully waterproof require an application of a light varnish to protect the labels. The varnish used on these labels is just microns thick (a micron is millionth of a metre) and is the only material on our labels that will not biodegrade. From our research this seems like the best option out there for us at this time.
We just wanted to explain the situation with our labels and our ongoing efforts to live by our beliefs (and yours!) to become as planet friendly as possible.
We would love to hear your thoughts on new branding, labels and our business in general. Please feel free to leave a comment below.
]]>Botanical name: Eleutherococcus senticosus or Acanthopanax senticosus
I was going to write an article introducing the three main types of Ginseng, highlighting their differences and commonalities and explaining their therapeutic benefits. But there’s so much information, nuances between them and experiments conducted that they warrant a post all of their own. So here we have a quick introduction to Ginseng and then a focus on Siberian Ginseng, the only variety we currently offer as a herbal product.
Ginseng is a perennial herb of the Araliaceae family and a highly valued medicinal plant in the Far East that has gained popularity in the West. The name ginseng comes from the Chinese words “Jen Sheng”, literally meaning “man-root”, due to the shape of its root looking like a man with two legs. The root is the part of the plant commonly consumed.
Ginseng is sometimes described as the “Grandfather of Medicinal Plants” or the “King of Herbs”.
All Ginseng varieties are found to be a promising agent to improve general well-being, help fight against disease, improve energy and enhance sexual function. All types of Ginseng are classified as adaptogens, a substance that helps the body adapt and cope to mental, biological and physical stress.
The main varieties of ginseng to consume as a beneficial herb are..
Both Siberian and Asian Ginseng have been used in traditional chinese medicine for centuries but there is a distinct difference between Siberian Ginseng and the other two. They all belong to the Araliaceae family but Siberian Ginseng is of a different genus to the Panax Ginseng and American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Therefore Siberian Ginseng is not a true ginseng and some people refer to it as Eleuthero.
The active components in the Panax varieties are ginsenosides while the Eleutherococcus senticosus plant (Siberian Ginseng) active components are eleutherosides and certain polysaccharides. Although these compounds exhibit different physiological effects in humans, they share some similarities as an adaptogen and immune tonic.
In Thomas Bartram’s infamous book, Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, he states that “Siberian Ginseng is believed to be stronger and more stimulating than Panax Ginseng”
Siberian ginseng is indigenous to southeastern Russia, and northern parts of China, Japan, and Korea. In traditional Chinese medicine the herb is used to invigorate Qi, strengthen the spleen, tonify the kidneys, provide energy and vitality and to calm the spirit. It is used for treating; high blood pressure, inflammation, respiratory tract infections, ischemic heart disease, spasms, hepatitis, weak body and poor energy, poor appetite, low back and knee pain, insomnia, and excess dreams.
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Properties: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-stress, anti-ulcer, anti-radiation, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective (prevents damage to the liver) and cardioprotective.
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While the Chinese have been using Siberian Ginseng for a reported 2000 years, the Russians started their studies on this plant in the late 1950’s, trials were conducted to assess its value in combating stress, exhaustion, infections, colds and other illnesses in military personnel. The word “adaptogen” was actually coined by the russian scientist Israel I. Brekhman during the Soviet experiments in the 1950’s.
Due to its multitude of tonifying and protective actions, Siberian Ginseng is considered one of the most important “adaptogenic” herbs for supporting immunity and improving resistance to stress and fatigue.
Stress has many effects on the human body; mentally, emotionally and physically, stress can lead to many forms of illness and fatigue. Adaptogens help us respond better to stress. Siberian Ginseng helps regulate the manufacture and secretions of our adrenal hormones, strengthens the adrenal glands and supports our nervous system.
The adrenal glands are small glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones that we can't live without, including sex hormones and cortisol. Cortisol helps you respond to stress and has many other important functions.
Siberian Ginseng was used by the former Soviet Union to help their Olympians, soldiers and astronauts perform better. Some studies have shown improved endurance performance and shortened the recovery time from physical activity. It was also given to people affected by the Chernobyl disaster to counteract the effects of radiation.
A number of studies have shown Siberian Ginseng to help with concentration, focus, cognitive function and mental performance. It has also been shown to improve short-term memory (note to self, I really need to drink more!)
Siberian ginseng has been found to increase white blood cell counts particularly T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. These cells work to engulf bacteria and viruses and are therefore important to protect the body against infection
Has been traditionally used to boost fertility in both men and women. Supports healthy menstruation and uterine tone in women. Shown to significantly raise free testosterone levels in men resulting in a higher sperm count and motility.
Siberian ginseng has been shown to lower blood sugar levels which makes it a useful herb for those with Type II diabetes and this herb can also be used alongside most medications for sugar control however you should always monitor your blood sugar levels using testing strips.
Siberian Ginseng has been shown to display immune-stimulant and anti-cancer properties. These may affect tumour growth and provide an anti-fatigue effect for cancer patients, in particular for those suffering from lung cancer. There is some evidence that a carbohydrate in Siberian ginseng may possess immune stimulatory and anti-tumour effects amongst other anti-cancer properties. It is reported to make cancer-related chemotherapy more effective and has been used to treat chemotherapy induced bone marrow suppression.
Consumption of all Ginsengs should be checked with a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. All ginseng are unsuitable for people with high blood pressure. Because it lowers blood-glucose levels, the herb should not be used by diabetics without medical consultation.
Since Siberian ginseng has an impact on the immune system, it should not be used by anyone suffering from an autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s and rheumatoid arthritis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2752963/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6567205/
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2002/jan/24/medicalscience.healthandwellbeing
https://www.victoriahealth.com/editorial/the-benefits-of-siberian-ginseng-1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26107240/
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Chamomile is one of the most popular therapeutic herbs in use today, especially as a herbal tea. The essential oil is widely used by aromatherapists to treat a number of conditions including skin issues, menstrual problems and urinary tract inflammations.
There are several varieties of chamomile that can be used by aromatherapists and herbalists. These are:
By far the most popular and the two we will be talking about today are Roman Chamomile and German Chamomile. The properties of these are largely interchangeable although there is one significant difference in the essential oil which is produced from German Chamomile.
The chamomile plant is native to Europe and the mediterranean. German Chamomile grows more widely in northern and central Europe while Roman Chamomile grows more in western Europe and is now cultivated in England.
The name ‘chamomile’ is derived from the Greek words kamai and melon, meaning ‘ground-apple’. The Spanish word for chamomile, manzanilla, also means ‘little apple’. The Chamomile flower has a strong, sweet, apple like scent.
Roman Chamomile has been used for over 2000 years in Europe as a medicine and was an important plant in Ancient Egypt. Hippocrates used Chamomile to help reduce fevers, and it was one of the Saxons ‘nine sacred herbs’. It is also known as the ‘plant’s physician’ as it promotes the health of plants growing nearby.
The essential oil is made up mainly of Bisabolol, farnesene and chamazulene. Chamazulene is not found in the plant but formed from the ‘matricarin’ present in the plant during the steam distillation process (making of the essential oil). The Chamazulene gives the essential oil it’s deep blue colour and is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. It is also rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.
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German Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, antiseptic (mild), analgesic, calmative, carminative, cholagogic, choleretic, digestive stimulant, stomachic, mild sedative.
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The essential oil is composed mainly of esters. Angelic and tigilic ester account for over 80% of its composition with isobutyl angelate, pinocarvone, chamazulene and other minor constituents.
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Roman Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, calmative, analgesic, anti-allergen, anti-convulsant, antiemetic, carminative, digestive stimulant, stomachic, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, anti-bacterial.
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Chamomile has been recognised in both folk medicine and official pharmacopoeia. Chamomile tea is one of the most widespread herbal remedies for stomach upsets, cystitis, children’s ailments or just as a refreshing and relaxing drink. Drinking chamomile can enhance the benefits of being treated with the essential oil.
German Chamomile oil is especially beneficial for internal inflammatory conditions, particularly of the digestive and urinary tracts. For infections such as cystitis, colitis, gastritis, diarrhoea and dyspepsia it acts as a disinfectant. Lots of chamomile tea will help if you suffer with these as well as using a compress or massage applied to the area. Chamomile essential oil stimulates the liver and gallbladder and is recommended for poor appetite and slow painful digestion.
Chamomile is great for skin care especially where there is an issue with inflammation such as rosacea, eczema and dermatitis. Due to it’s high chamazulene content German chamomile essential oil has better anti-inflammatory properties although both are calming and soothing to the skin. Chamomile oil is active against staphylococcus aureus and candida albicans.
The essential oil can be used in base oils or creams and balms and the hydrolat (floral water) can also be used in creams or as a facial toner for sensitive skin. Steaming the face with hot chamomile tea can also aid skin issues.
German chamomile acts as a local vasoconstrictor and can reduce redness of cheeks due to enlarged capillaries. Inflamed skin conditions can be a result of nervous system issues, therefore drinking chamomile tea is highly recommended whilst carrying out topical treatment. Bisabolol, one of the main constituents of chamomile essential oil is often extracted from the plant by large beauty companies as it can help the skin to absorb other active ingredients more effectively.
Chamomile essential oil is a key ingredient in our Mañana Shave Oil due it's soothing, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Chamomile is soothing and calming to the emotions and mind as well as the rest of our body. Sipping Chamomile tea or the sweet, fruity scent of Roman chamomile essential oil drifting through the air can help to relieve stress and anxiety and induce relaxation. It is used to alleviate migraines, headaches and insomnia.
Chamomile has an energetic influence on the solar plexus - the major nerve located in the stomach area. The solar plexus is regarded as the vital centre of our psychological needs and wants, chamomile is especially effective at relieving nervous stress associated with a build up of tension in this area.
Drinking chamomile tea, applying a compress, massage and baths with chamomile oil can help issues such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and PMS. Chamomile's diuretic properties will reduce fluid retention while it’s gentle antidepressant action will help with the feelings of stress, depression and irritability that many women can suffer from at this time.
Chamomile hydrolat is excellent for treating inflamed skin conditions of babies and infants. Sometimes a hydrolat is all that is required but we can also use in conjunction with healing oils such as rosehip seed and calendula. Chamomile essential oil may be used to relieve pain in teething infants. Burning the oil and drinking the tea will also help to calm hyperactive children.
Chamomile tea acts as an antihistamine, so drinking a few cups a day will help during bouts of hayfever. It can also be used cold in a compress and placed on sore itchy eyes.
Calming & soothing chamomile will help ease inflammatory conditions whether on your body or in your body. After researching the herb it’s quite clear that most of us would benefit from sipping the tea from time to time, even if it’s just to help us unwind at the end of the day and get a good night’s sleep.
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Our Makers (hand) Balm is one of our best selling products which regularly receives excellent feedback and great comments from our customers.
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“Makers Balm is the most amazing hand cream ever!”
- Katie Robbins (@ceramicmagpie) www.ktrobbinsceramics.com
“Makers balm is my absolute favourite, it smells incredible and has been a lifesaver whilst I've been renovating my new house. Had my jar over a year now, it lasts forever!”
- Charlotte Knott (PR Manager Liberty)
“I find this hand balm excellent. I have tried many hand creams and balms in the past and this one is the best. I like gardening and wash my hands a lot and I find the balm very soothing and it heals minor sores very quickly. A very good product.”
- Rosina D
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Customers often tell me that it only needs to be applied to their hands once to twice a day unlike many other creams that require application throughout the day to remain effective. Which means a 60ml jar usually lasts a year or longer.
I originally made the hand balm to help a ceramicist friend who was suffering badly with her hands, they were dry and cut and really sore. Karen was wearing rubber gloves to carry out many daily chores. After using the balm for about three weeks her hands were well enough to stop wearing the gloves. Two weeks later they were back to normal. After a few tweaks to the formula and some more feedback from users I launched the hand balm as an Old Faithful product.
Many of you love the scent of Makers’ Balm and these reviews just keep on coming. So why is this? Let’s take a look at the product to help explain..
The scent is created entirely from therapeutic essential oils and it falls mainly within the description of earthy. The Patchouli and Vetiver combination create it’s earthy base with a hint of smokiness. Then there's the citrus element from the Bergamot and uplifting sprightliness from the wood, Elemi.
Now let’s look into the therapeutic actions of the essential oils..
Patchouli with it’s strong, sweet and earthy aroma is best known in skincare for it’s regenerating, disinfecting, moistening and cooling properties. It has traditionally been used to treat insect bites including poisonous insects and snake bites in Eastern medicine. It is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic which makes it effective for wounds, cuts and sores. It is also anti-fungal so good for those unpleasant nail infections.
Vetiver is an Indian grass, extracted from the root and known as ‘The Oil of Tranquility’. It has a deep, earthy and slightly smoky aroma. Vetiver is antiseptic, it assists in strengthening the body’s connective tissue, helps cuts & wounds heal and is used for arthritis, rheumatoid and muscular pain.
Bergamot famous for its presence in Earl Grey tea, is named after the Italian city of Bergamo in Lombardy, where the oil was first sold. Bergamot is a firm favourite with aromatherapists as it has so many uses and has an uplifting and calming aroma. It’s cicatrisant and antiseptic properties make it great for treating acne, wounds, sores and various skin conditions.
Elemi is a tropical tree native to the Philippines and neighbouring islands and has a long history of being used in skincare, it has many of the properties of frankincense, to which it is related. Excellent for mature skin due to its rejuvenating (cicatrisant) and anti-aging qualities, it will help thinning skin. Elemi is also antiseptic and will help heal cuts, sores and chapped skin.
As you can see.. all these essential oils have many beneficial properties and they all have the capacity to help skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. I find Bergamot is especially good for such uses. Skincare is just one of their many therapeutic uses which include respiratory conditions, emotional wellbeing and hormonal health.
The essential oils only make up a very small percentage of the Makers’ Balm formula but these steam distilled plant extracts have a very powerful effect.
Plant butters are highly saturated oils, their high saturation gives them their firm butter form. Butters are highly moisturising and protective so excellent for really dry, troublesome skin. We include 3 butters in our Makers’ Balm. Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Mango Butter..
Shea Butter is a beautiful rich butter that protects the skin and eases skin conditions such as eczema. Shea is anti-inflammatory and aids rheumatism and arthritis, it helps cell regeneration and helps ease burns, rashes, scrapes and small wounds.
Cocoa Butter is a product of the esteemed Cacao plant which has many therapeutic properties. The Butter is hard saturated fat that is high in antioxidants and highly protective. It is popular as a treatment to prevent stretch marks on pregnant women.
Mango Butter is a lovely hard and astringent butter, helping our Makers’ Balm to absorb into the skin quickly. It is antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. It also may contain vitamin C (the jury is still out on whether any oils can contain Vitamin C).
Calendula oil is a macerated oil from the marigold flower. It is highly anti-inflammatory and famous for healing skin conditions, dry chapped skin and wounds. If you are purchasing some for yourself look for one that is more orange than yellow. This means it has a higher concentration of the extracted marigold properties.
Macadamia Nut oil has high levels of palmitoleic acid (20%) which is a building block lipid of the skin that reduces with age. It is an antimicrobial agent, protecting against cellular breakdown in wounds & abrasions. It contains antioxidants and can help to reduce scars. Find out more about Macadamia oil here
Red Carrot Root oil is another macerated oil, rich in carotenoids and provitamin A (retinol) compounds and vitamin B, C, D, E & F. High in antioxidants it is wound healing & assists in the formation of scar tissue, soothes itching & inflamed skin and claimed to be helpful for psoriasis & eczema.
Beeswax is hard and helps protect our hands and retain moisture. Beeswax carries antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that help chapped skin and bacterial infections.
As you can see, Makers’ Balm is full of therapeutic unrefined botanical ingredients that are chosen to treat dry, chapped skin and help heal wounds, cuts and sores. This is what makes it excellent for hard working hands that are exposed to harsh environments. The balm also absorbs quickly, as long as you don’t use too much. Only a very small amount is required.
Please feel free to ask any questions about our Makers’ Balm or any other skincare or aromatherapy queries you have.
If you are interested in trying our hand balm for the first time why not subscribe to our newsletter and receive 10% off your first purchase.
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From time to time, I get requests for help with a specific skin conditions and I love being able to respond with specific advice as well as any product recommendations when they’re relevant.
This one comes from a long time customer who is a woman in her early 30s looking for some help with dry skin on her forehead.
I’m sharing this with you today so that you too can hopefully benefit from the response I sent H.
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Gareth,
I’m just about to order some more Hammam but just wanted to ask you a question.
I’ve got this persistent itchy patch on my forehead of dry flakey skin. Not sure what has caused it but wondered if you could recommend something to clear it.
Thanks for any help you can give. I just wouldn’t buy skin care anywhere else!
Thanks,
H
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Dry skin is really common. It comes and goes for most people, often becoming especially bad during winter months.
Before jumping into what you should do, we thought it would be a good idea to explain why dry skin happens.
Sebum (sea-bum) is the oil that is found naturally in your skin. It’s the body’s natural way of protecting and maintaining your skin. Your skin is your first level of defence for your body against all external dangers like the weather and the environment you live in.
The sebaceous glands (there’s a whole load of them) are found in the dermis, which is the second layer of skin. When your skin is in balance and working properly, the glands will produce the correct amount of sebum to keep your skin healthy and feeling fresh.
However, this is affected by many things. In women’s skin in particular, modern makeup and other beauty products (including synthetic ingredients, surfactants and more) causes issues because it clogs pores, contains lots of toxins and creates an ‘alien’ environment for the skin.
This can cause the sebaceous glands to overact, leading to oily skin conditions. Alternatively, the skin can just ‘give up’ and not produce enough oil which means that the skin becomes dry.
So what should you do next time your skin gets dry like H’s?
Generally, oils are great when they work together and play to their strengths. We produce two products that go together really well for this: Réunion cleanser and Hammam moisturising serum.
Réunion has a great balance of monosaturated oils – monosaturated oils are fantastic moisturisers. These are excellent for face skin because they’re not overly saturated (which would make them sit on the surface) and they’re also not too light.
Sarah C. left a review of Réunion saying: “This product makes my skin feel amazing!!!!! Love it and will continue to use ALL the time.”
And here’s what Emma L. had to say about it: “I couldn't have received this cleanser at a better time...right in the middle of a hormonal breakout. Not only does it smell DIVINE but it's also massively reduced the intensity of the breakout and any if not all of the skin inflammation too. It's like a little bit of face magic!”
We love hearing these reviews.
Hammam is good for balancing the level of sebum in the skin because it contains neroli and cedarwood essential oils which are great at this.
Jojoba is the oil which is the most similar to our natural sebum – Hammam contains a good ratio of jojoba, so this moisturises, hydrates and balances your skin.
Neroli and bergamot are cicatrisant – this means that it has cell regenerative properties to help heal and restore your skin’s natural qualities. Again, these are some of the main ingredients in Hammam.
Helen H. is already feeling the benefits of using it nightly: “This serum is so lovely to use. It smells amazing and makes my skin feel fabulous. I use it every night."
Good news: Hammam and Réunion are both available in in our Cleanse & Moisturise bundle..
Having the right skin care products is obviously really important. That’s why we’ve recommended a couple for you above. If you’re not into those, check out the ones we’ve listed below for a more DIY approach.
But the other part of the puzzle is making sure you’ve got the right skin care regime. So here’s the steps for making sure that you’re taking care of that dry skin.
Directions:
Once you’ve done the cleanse as detailed above, take a small amount of Hammam in your hands
Apply it as you usually would any skin care product
Hint: You’ll find that you need a smaller amount of Hammam after using Réunion.
Hammam is the ideal product to use to make sure skin is balanced in the morning.
Apply a little before you start the day – no need to cleanse before you use Hammam in the morning, just refresh your face with warm water.
Keep doing this daily and it’ll take somewhere between a week and a month for the dryness to clear up. That being said, we frequently get testimonials from customers who use it once or twice and see results right away.
It depends on what your skincare has been like to date and how healthy the skin is already.
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Coconut oil is highly comedogenic which means that it can block your pores and possibly cause outbreaks.
It doesn’t always happen but coconut oil used on its own (not in a blend with other ingredients) has been known to dry skin out rather than moisturise and hydrate.
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If you’ve ever wondered what oils and other ingredients are good for dry skin and you prefer a DIY approach to your skin care, you could give one or a few of these a try..
Just spray a bit to the affected area. Apply this before using any other oil or moisturiser.
If you have bought and applied Aloe Vera gel to your skin before, you may have found it to be quite astringent (skin tightening). This will be because of the preservatives required in the gel to prevent it oxidising. Aloe vera oxidises very quickly and the preservatives change the nature of aloe vera, making it more astringent. We like to use fresh aloe vera instead as it only has a light astringent effect and feels nicer and more moisturising.
So instead, cut one of the leaves from an aloe vera plant, clip off the top so the gel is showing. Roll the leaf lightly between your fingers to tease the gel out. Or you can cut the leaf down the middle to extract the natural aloe vera (simple to do – it looks like transparent glue but trust us!). Rub into hands and apply to face like any moisturiser. You won't need much!
This again should be used before applying oil or cream. Hydrolat, aloe vera then oil serum is a good sequence.
Avocado oil is an easy one to get hold of. If you’re not into that, I like to make a mixture of Calendula and Rosehip.
We also offer bespoke skincare solutions where Gareth will make products especially suited for your skin type or condition. We often treat skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis etc this way.
Just fill out our Skincare Consultation form online and Gareth will respond with suitable solutions.
We’re always happy to help with your skin care questions. If you’ve got questions, drop us a line on gareth@oldfaithful.co
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We particularly like using fresh aloe vera in conjunction with our Réunion Cleanser, Hammam Moisturising Serum and Mańana Shave Oil products.
The outer thick green layer
A middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap - has been found to have toxic properties and can cause skin irritation. Stay clear of this if using at home.
The inner clear gel. This clear gel is where the action is for skincare and health benefits. The gel consists of 99% water and the rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins.
Mucopolysaccharides help in binding moisture into the skin
Aloe stimulates fibroblast which produces collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled
Has cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin
The amino acids soften hardened skin
Zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores
Anti-acne effect - works best on superficial surface acne rather than cystic or deeper acne
All these properties help Aloe vera gel to be effective against cases of dermatitis, psoriasis and other dry skin conditions as well as soothing when we experience the effects of too much sun.
There are a few ways to use fresh aloe vera and there are plenty of videos online demonstrating how to dissect a large aloe leaf to fillet the gel. But this is the way we like to use it..
Cut a leaf or a few leaves from a plant you have in the house
Run a little cold water shallowly into a glass beaker
Place the aloe leaves in the beaker, they will keep fresh here for some time
Keep these in your bathroom where you go about your skincare routine
Remove the top from the leaf so the clear gel is showing
Squeeze a small amount of aloe gel from the leaf, rub into hands and apply to face as required. It’s useful to roll the leaf between your fingers to help the gel release.
Make sure to avoid any of the yellow latex part of the plant
Have a go yourself at home and report back.. We would love to hear about your experiences using this plant!
Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine - Thomas Bartram
Indian Journal of Dermatology - Aloe Vera a Short Review by Amar Surjushe, Resham Vasani, and D G Saple
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
Formula Botanica - Formulator’s Guide to Aloe Vera in Skincare
https://formulabotanica.com/aloe-vera-in-skincare-formulation/
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During the early 1980’s, Japan introduced a national health programme of Shinrin-yoku which means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or more commonly known as “Forest Bathing”. It has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.
Backed by scientific research, the act of spending time in the forest is known to have a plethora of benefits for our health. A Balm for our wellbeing as such.
The trees emit organic compounds called phytoncides (their essential oils) which protect them against disease and insects. The tree’s essential oils help..
Spending time in the forest seems to significantly mitigate the root cause of a multitude of ailments - Stress. Excess stress is associated with greater risk of depression, heart disease, infectious diseases, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, and arthritis, among many other ailments. An estimated 75% to 90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related issues.
These tree essential oils (phytoncides) are high in Monoterpenes and Sesquiterpenes such as a-pinene and limonene that significantly enhance human ‘natural killer (NK) cell activity. Thes NK cells are a type of lymphocyte (a white blood cell) and a component of the innate immune system. NK cells play a major role in the rejection of both tumours and virally infected cells.
Our founder Gareth is currently in the midst of developing a bath & body range based around the Shinrin-yoku concept. We want you to feel enveloped by the forest atmosphere and bathed in the benefits of it's essential oils. The forest feeling and therapeutic benefits will be created with an abundance of woody notes, resting upon a base of earthy elements with hints of green and touches of citrus. Hope this sounds good to you too!
The new range will initially include a bath oil, body oil, essential oil blend and possibly a candle. We are really excited about this new range which will hopefully be available soon.
https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/about/science
http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
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The Atlas Mountain range stretches around 1,600 miles through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The range highest peak is Toubkal, standing at 4,167 metres. The Atlas Mountains are mainly inhabited by the Berber people. A destination well worth exploring and is definitely on my list!
This is also the home of one of our favourite essential oils - Cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus atlantica). ‘Cedrus’ originates from the Arabic word kedron meaning ‘power’ and according to the song of Solomon was used to build Solomon’s temple. Used by the the Nordic peoples to invoke the spirit of Wotan, the one-eyed god of storm, magic and harvest. The Ancient Egyptians used it to entomb their dead and employed the oil in the mummification process, as ritual incense, for cosmetics and perfume.
The essential oil has a beautiful woody sweet aroma which is grounding & calming and a little uplifting making it good for relaxation blends and dealing with stress. We find it mixes well with a number of scents but especially good with other woods, florals, earthy tones and some citruses.
The best quality essential oil is obtained from distilling wood chips from trees between 20 and 30 years old. In my experience, the better quality oil has a more rounded scent, is more balsamic, less sweet and has more depth.
The essential oil is really high in sesquiterpenes, a class of terpene that consist of three isoprene units. These chemicals provide much of it's useful benefits.. Cedarwood acts as an anti-inflammatory and is a powerful antiseptic, used particularly for bronchial and urinary tract infections. It is effective against coughs and hayfever as it helps to break down mucus and It has also been used in cases of alopecia. Like many wood essential oils it has insecticide properties.
For skincare it's astringent and antiseptic properties make it good for oily & combination skin and Acne. We find it particularly good for hair as it helps with oiliness, dandruff and strengthens hair growth. These are some of the reasons we use it in our Beard Oils, Réunion Cleanser, Hammam Moisturising Serum and Mańana Shave Oil.
I hope you have enjoyed learning about one of favourite ingredients today. If you have any questions or would like to add your own comments, please feel free.
Hope you enjoy! Would love to hear your views on this.
Botanical name: (Elaeis guineensis)
Family: Arecaceae (same as coconut, babassu and açai all of which are palms)
Palm oil in and of itself surely can not be a bad thing right? It’s just an oil, pressed from plant material like any other. It’s the unethical commercial practices that gives the product a bad name. The Elaeis guineensis tree produces two types of palm oil, both are versatile oils that have quite different chemical compositions and physical characteristics..
Palm Oil, pressed from the pulp of the fruit, is orange-red in colour due to its beta-carotene (vitamin A) content, it consists of 50% saturated fat and has high antioxidant activity due to its significant amount of vitamin E. If the oil is boiled, the carotenoid content is destroyed and the oil becomes colourless, this refined version is mainly used in industry. It is used in cooking oil, margarine, and rich-tasting processed foods. The commercial alternative in the food industry is hydrogenated oil which we know to be unhealthier for us.
Palm Kernel Oil, pressed from the fruit kernels, has a higher saturated fat content of around 85%. This oil is high in medium chain fatty acids (MCT) at over 50%, Coconut oil has over 60%. MCT’s are broken down quickly by the body and burned easily as energy instead of being stored as fats. Like coconut oil, palm kernel oil is solid at room temperature and resembles the same constituents, properties and applications. Palm kernel oil is used more for making soaps, detergents and cosmetics than in food based products.
We have two good oils from the one plant and if you are a fan of coconut oil there is no reason why you shouldn’t be a fan of palm kernel oil. The unethical deforestation, especially where there is an abundance of wildlife like Orangutan's is what gives palm oil’s their bad name.
Palm oil is the most efficient oil bearing crop in the World. The plant produces about 35% of global vegetable oils on less than 10% of the total land under oil crops. With 18.7 million hectares of industrial-scale oil palm plantations in 2017, it is ranked 3rd in terms of planted area for an oil crop, behind soy and rapeseed (4th if maize is considered an oil crop).
Agriculture is the leading cause of global deforestation, with 24% of the land used for livestock and 29% for crops. Soy farming is responsible for more than double the amount of deforestation than palm oil production and livestock and beef production has led to more than five times the amount of deforestation. Palm produces at least six times more oil per hectare than its closest rivals: rapeseed and soy. Switching to other types of oil will require even more land and deforestation than the cultivation of palm oil.
Palm oil crops take up less than 0.5% of global deforestation, but surpasses 50% in specific regions such as Malaysian Borneo. And here is where the problems lie. Global production of palm oil is dominated by Indonesia and Malaysia, which together account for 85% of the World's supply. This huge concentration of palm oil production means that it is responsible for deforestation in a relatively small geographical area. An area with a stunning array of wildlife including the Orangutans of Borneo and Sumatra.
When properly developed and managed, palm oil plantations can play an important role in improving livelihoods and eradicating poverty in the tropics' rural areas. As well as producing two excellent oils with high yields and less deforestation than other oils produce. South America, most notably Columbia and Ecuador are now farming more and more palm oil so hopefully this will help keep the pressure of the South East Asian countries. There are reportedly some great sustainability programmes going on in this area too.
Boycotting palm oil with all it’s bad publicity is a heartfelt conscious consumer action to carry out, however, as usual it takes a bit of digging to uncover the real scenario. Boycotting this industry punishes the unscrupulous industrialists as well as the independent farmers and local communities. The unethical commercial practices are the problem and they will take place no matter what ingredient is being farmed. Standards across the industry must be heightened in the areas of environment, wildlife, community and economy.
Sustainable palm oil is available and there are a number of organisations working on this..
RSPO - Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (founded in 2004 by Unilever in cooperation with World Wildlife Fund) is the largest organisation attempting to solve the problems of palm oil production. Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from local community members prior to oil palm development is a requirement for palm oil certification under the RSPO scheme. Only about 19% of globally traded palm oil is RSPO-certified, however, Over 74% is produced by companies that have committed to No Deforestation. RSPO have come under much criticism for being lenient in the policing of their regulations and their standards are perceived as lax. There have also been similar initiatives led by national governments such as the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standard, the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standard (MSPO), and Brazil's Sustainable Palm Oil Production Program (SPOPP)
Undoubtedly the RSPO and other such initiatives are on the right track but much improvement is required. The forms of ethical and environmental injustices we see in the production of palm oil will no doubt be continued across to whatever other is oil is chosen to replace it. And much more deforestation will be required for this.
Interesting Links on this..
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
If you would still like to buy palm oil free products the main certification board is the Orangutan Alliance. So look out for their certification mark on products. It is estimated that palm oil is in roughly 50% of all products sold in supermarkets.
Vegetable Oil - Palm oil can be described as just plain vegetable oil. it’s the most widely used and consumed vegetable oil in the World.
Fats are extensively used within industry and commerce for lots of reasons. Coconut and palm oils have become increasingly popular in recent years especially since hydrogenated oils have grown out of fashion within food products. Because palm kernel and coconut oils are highly saturated the hydrogenation process is not required.
Both these fats commonly go through processes of steam hydrolysis, which breaks apart the fatty acid structure. And esterification, re-combining fatty acids to the glycerol component. The esterification of fatty acids with glycerol produces the common cosmetic ingredient Capric/caprylic Triglyceride which is either coconut or palm oil derived.
Whenever you see a single fatty acid in an ingredient list or it’s saponified equivalent (some examples listed below) these could well be derived from palm oils. Glycerine or glycerol is also often derived from palm oil.
Fatty Acids
- Palmitic acid
- Hexadecanoic acid
- Myristate acid
- Caprylic acid
- Capric acid
- Lauric acid
- Stearic acid
- Oleic acid
Saponified Fatty Acids
- Sodium palmate
- Sodium myristate
- Sodium decanoate
- Sodium caprylate
- Sodium octanoate
- Sodium laurate
- Sodium Stearate
- Sodium oleate
All the SLS’s are often derived from palm oil, anything with ‘palm’ in the name is highly likely a derivative and also some of the ‘coco’ ingredients which generally come from coconut oil can also be palm derived. Watch out for any ingredient with a mixture of the words mentioned above
Click here for a comprehensive list of potential palm oil products and ingredients.
I hope this information has helped you to be a little more aware of the controversy around palm oil and helped you to understand some ingredient listings a little more. Please feel free to leave any comments and open the discussion further.
Sources
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2019.00022/full
https://phys.org/news/2017-06-palm-oil-responsible-global-deforestation.html
http://thegreenvegans.com/why-palm-oil-is-bad-but-boycotting-it-even-worse/
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Everywhere I look people are extolling the miraculous anti-ageing, wrinkle fighting benefits of retinol. However, retinol or retinoids can have quite unpleasant side effects.. They increase skin sensitivity so extra care must be taken in the sun. Can cause excessive dry skin, peeling, burning, stinging and redness. It's also not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women as high amounts of retinol can cause liver damage and birth defects. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) scores retinol at a 9 due to known reproductive toxicity concerns.
Retinol products also tend to contain fillers and preservatives, a no-no for those who prefer plant-based and natural products.
Retinol and retinoids are forms of Vitamin A that are either artificially synthesised in a lab or derived from milk or egg enzymes. If you want vegan skincare this is something you should check before buying.
Retinol is the weaker ‘over the counter version’ of the prescribed retinoids which the doctor may offer for conditions such as acne.
When absorbed into our skin, retinol is broken down and converted into retinoic acid, this then purges old skin cells and helps new, healthy cells to form. It also stimulates collagen, which gives your skin that firm plumpness, smoothes out fine lines and corrects pigmentation.
If it's vitamin A you are after in your skincare, a natural, plant based version which does not need preserving is Beta-carotene. Rosehip oil and macerated carrot-root oil is abundant in Beta-carotene. Apricot kernel oil also contains Vitamin A and has been recently recommended by Elle Magazine as an alternative to retinol. All these oils actually help your skin prepare for the sun.
Rosehip oil in-particular is famous for aiding the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles and is used to treat scar tissue. That’s right, it helps to make scars vanish! This is because it helps rebuild healthier skin cells. And when formulated with Cicatrisant (cell regenerative) essential oils like Neroli, Bergamot, Geranium or Frankincense this increases these benefits even more. Our highly rated Hammam Moisturising Serum is made with Rosehip & Apricot oils and cicatrisant essential oils of Neroli and Bergamot.
These natural oils also have a host of other useful properties; Rich in omega 3’s and other fatty acids, obvious moisturising benefits, collagen boosting, minerals and other vitamins, and good for general skin disorders. They have no side-effects!
Good quality unrefined Rosehip seed oil definitely helps with wrinkles and fine lines. It has been clinically tested and proven by research carried out in Chile in the early 1980's by Dr. Fabiola Carbajal Montiel. The results were found to be incredible. Even scars that were over 20 years old showed marked improvement after using rosehip oil. Rosehip oil was found to regenerate the skin, reduce scars and wrinkles, prevent the advancement of wrinkles and ageing, and help skin to regain its natural colour and tone. Check out my friend Lorraine, CEO of Formula Botanica talk about this study here.. http://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/best-oil-for-wrinkles-scars/
Synthetic ingredients are not broken down by the body the same as natural materials are. Studies into how they react with our biological system are usually way behind the consumer trends in the sales of these products.
Take margarine for example.. sold to us as a healthy alternative to butter for about 30 years before it became widely known that the hydrogenated fats in margarine turn into trans-fats in our bodies. This is because they are not recognised natural materials due to the commercial hydrogenation process the oil goes through. After all this time of being told that margarine is better for us and our hearts it is actually a lot worse for us.
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So I suppose the question is... Do you want margarine (retinol) or full fat butter (rosehip)..?
Natural Rosehip oil or Synthetic Retinol..?
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Our founder Gareth has been using rosehip seed oil on his face everyday for years and we are sure he's looking younger these days. But seriously, one thing you are sure to find from using Rosehip oil on your skin regularly, is more colour in your cheeks and a younger looking complexion. Our top rated Hammam Moisturising Serum contains a good amount along with Argan, Macadamia and Jojoba and a lovely blend of essential oils.
Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies and part of a holistic, biological system which works together to keep us in-tact and healthy. Generally, our bodies can maintain their own health and mend themselves but sometimes we require some help.
Most modern-day skincare comprises of synthetic ingredients that work against & counteract the natural processes of our skin, hair & nail system.
We believe that working with natural products, which are easily recognised and accepted by the body, is the best way to work in harmony with our skin and our system as a whole.
There is NO Vitamin C in rosehip oil or any other oil for that matter. There is lots in the fruit but vitamin C is water soluble not oil soluble. So there is none in the oil right! Just thought I’d cover this as there are plenty of articles saying otherwise. Don’t you just love the internet for well-informed mis-information!
Also.. When purchasing pure rosehip seed oil you want to be looking for something which is unrefined and has a beautiful pinky-orange to red colour. It's the Beta-carotene which gives it this colour as it does with carrots. Refined oils kill off much of the good stuff including the Beta-carotene. So don't accept lame yellow rosehip oils.
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Macadamia ternifolia is a tree in the flowering plant family Proteaceae, native to Queensland, Australia. The tree was given it's name by the German-Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1857 in honour of the Scottish-Australian chemist, medical teacher, and politician John Macadam.
The tree is evergreen and lives for about 80 years, producing nuts in the seventh year. Australia accounts for around 40% of the World's production of macadamia nuts although the tree also grows in Brazil, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Kenya and S. Africa. The current global production of macadamia nuts is not enough to fulfil our demand for them.
Macadamia oil is a lovely skin oil, especially for the face as it is really light and absorbs quickly. It acts as a microbial agent, protecting against cellular breakdown in wounds & abrasions. It is also rich in antioxidants and helps with the ageing effects of the sun.
Rich in vitamin B; Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2) and Niacin (B3). And the minerals; Potassium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron and Zinc. These aid towards Macadamia oil's skin healing properties and make it such an important addition of our Makers' Balm.
A monosaturated fat composing of around 60% oleic acid making it a good emollient like olive oil but with the added benefit of absorbing into the skin quickly with a light feel.
The best bit about Macadamia oil is its high levels of palmitoleic acid (20%), a saturated fatty acid that is not found in many plant oils at higher than trace quantities. Palmitoleic acid is found in human sebum, especially in the young and is a building block lipid of the skin. As ageing takes place the concentration of palmitoleic acid falls. Adding a little macadamia oil every day helps to slow the signs of ageing and with fine lines & wrinkles. An important reason to why it is included in our Hammam Moisturising Serum.
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Neroli oh Neroli.. a beautiful essential oil that has an exceptionally rich, bittersweet aroma with a peppery undertone. The essential oil is extracted from the fragrant flowers of the bitter orange tree, also known as the sour or seville orange tree.
“Cool elegant & intense, it imparts a freshness to floral blends along with a great tenacity. Used in heavy Oriental blends as well as in citrus colognes, chypres and florals. It’s suave strength and understated Sexuality make it a wonderful heart note for a man’s fragrance.”
- Mandy Aftel
Neroli is thought to have been named after Anne-Marie de la Tremoille, Princess of Neroli, near Rome. Who in the 17th Century introduced the oil to Italian society. The Princess used the oil wherever possible - to scent her hair, bathwater and even on her gloves & stationary.
Once employed as a scent by the prostitutes of Madrid so they would be recognised by its aroma. On the other hand, the blossoms were worn as bridal headdress and carried as a bouquet, symbolising purity & virginity.
In 1709, the Italian perfumer J.M. Farina launched his blend of neroli, bergamot, lavender, lemon, petitgrain and rosemary onto an unsuspecting world, naming it ‘Eau de Cologne’. The rest, as they say, is history.
For both the emotions and the skin neroli has a great balancing & calming quality. Before applying our Hammam Moisturising Serum or Original Beard Oil we advise to cup the oil in your hands and take a deep breath in. This will help to keep you calm and uplifted throughout the day. Neroli is infamous for helping to keep stress at bay.
For skincare Neroli is sebum balancing, so is good for oily, dry or combination skin. It is calming and skin nourishing. The main benefit is that it is Cicatrisant, which means it is skin-healing, wound healing and cell regenerative. It will help rebuild healthier skin cells.
And if this isn’t enough to interest you in Neroli, it’s also well known for its subtle aphrodisiac qualities. For a night of romance & seduction it blends well with Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Cedarwood or Frankincense.
Neroli is an expensive essential oil but well worth the investment. Use sparingly and enjoy!
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I first met Charlotte (unknowingly) at The Good Life Experience in 2017. But it wasn’t until September 2018 when I stumbled across a comment on Instagram about our Makers’ Balm, that I discovered she was such a fan of Old Faithful skincare..
]]>But it wasn’t until September 2018 when I stumbled across a comment left on The Hendersons Instagram post about our Makers’ Balm, that I discovered she was such a fan of Old Faithful skincare. A glowing testimonial which went..
“Makers balm is my absolute favourite, it smells incredible and has been a lifesaver whilst I've been renovating my new house. Had my jar over a year now, it lasts forever!”
Charlotte, a PR Manager for a London department store, lives with her husband Rik and Margot the dachshund. Rik is a Property Manager for a Sussex heritage site. They are renovating and living in a Victorian property in Brighton, a stone’s throw away from the beach and independent shops and restaurants.
We get to know Charlotte a little, learn how the Victorian renovation is taking shape and talk about her preference for natural skincare..
PR Manager for a department store sounds like an interesting role. What you enjoy most about your job?
The people I work with are amazing and inspiring. It makes such a difference to work with a great team! I love the variety in projects from month to month and get to do unusual things like being able to get inside the Christmas windows!
What you enjoy doing most in your spare time?
For me there's nothing I enjoy more than a long dog walk either on Brighton seafront or out at a national trust property, ending with a coffee and a slice of cake, of course.
What are your main interests/hobbies?
I love photography and moving image. I did a videography course with Xanthe Berkeley a few years ago and have tried to keep up making short films of friends, family and places I visit. I film every day, even if it's just for a few seconds, and it's a great way of looking back on different events and day to day life in more detail than you would remember.
What is taking up most of your time at the moment?
Probably a combination of commuting to work from Brighton - London (feel like I'm always either on a train or a platform) and renovating the house!
What are you favourite types of cuisine?
Dim sum and proper American smokehouse BBQ.
Both me and Rik were born and grew up in Brighton, so our families and lots of friends were there already. The majority of our London friends have moved away over the past few years and we wanted more space and a garden, so it seemed like the right time to move back. There’s no way we could’ve afforded to buy in London, so as many people do, it was time to move further afield.
Where did you move from?
We lived in London for about 13 years, most recently in Notting Hill for 10 years, where my grandad was born.
What type of house is it?
It's an 1840s Victorian terrace.
What is important to you in the renovation process?
That we do as much as we can ourselves. Anything I’m able to do myself without paying someone to come in and do the better. It’s so much more satisfying, especially when you see the difference from start to finish, and you’d be surprised at how easy lots of things are to DIY.
What style are you doing this in?
Currently, we’re doing room by room, stripping it back to basics, fixing any snags (some bigger than others!) and painting most of it white. Just to give you an idea, when we moved in every single room was painted various shades green, lots were covered in textured wallpaper, the whole hallway and staircase was covered in artex. I don’t think the house had been touched for decades, so it’s needed a lot of elbow grease and hard work to make it liveable again, so lots of filling, sanding, stripping paint and basic repairs. Painting each room white isn’t so much of a style choice but it’s all we can really afford currently, and we wanted to live in each room, look at the natural light etc, before deciding to paint them a specific colour.
Any tips or recommendations for renovating a house?
If you have the luxury of taking time off to decorate then definitely do so. Likewise if you don’t need to move in straight away, and can tackle refurbishments over a period of time before moving your belongings in, that’s even better. We know a few people who have been able to do this and it’s a lot easier rather than working around furniture and ‘stuff’. We took a week off work to try and plough through as much as we could before moving in. With the help of our parents, we managed to get the living room and bedroom up to a liveable state within a week, as well as tackling the jungle that was the garden and dog-proofing it. Decorating is much more fun when you have two of you working at the same time. A large room can seem never ending if you tackle it alone! Prep takes the longest, but is really key, as is the right equipment and materials. Taking short cuts will only add time in the long run!
When should it all be complete?
The million dollar question! Who knows, I’m hoping we’ll have most rooms looking half decent by the end of this year, bearing in mind we’re working with a 70s time-warp currently! But we do have longer term plans to knock through walls and make the living / dining space larger, but that will involve us moving radiators and replastering, so it wasn’t practical to tackle when we first moved in. I think when you buy a ‘do-er upper’ that you intend to live in for a decent length of time (we’re hoping to be here for at least 10 years) then you never really stop making changes and improvements.
What has been your favourite part of renovating the house?
Ripping up the horrible green carpet in the master bedroom to find original floorboards was great. It was the first room that we tackled and was actually really useful knowing we were getting rid of the carpet so we didn’t need to put down dust sheets whilst sanding and painting. It also made for a really satisfying before and after to go from a dingy wallpapered room with green carpet, to white washed walls and wooden floors within a matter of days so it felt like a real transformation. Things often take weeks or sometimes months before there’s a noticeable difference, so when something happens quickly it’s a happy feeling!
Have you had to make any compromises due to difference in style/opinion with you and your partner?
Not yet as we haven’t really got down to the nitty gritty of décor choices and we lived together for 10 years previously so furniture wise we’ve just moved it all down. The only minor debate we had was over the hallway wall colour.
The Good Life Experience was a great opportunity to discover new independent brands and makers. I was drawn to the simple, monochromatic logo of Old Faithful as I’m a sucker for a good logo! I also really love more typically masculine scents which Old Faithful use so well.
Which Old Faithful Products Do you use?
I bought the Maker’s Balm at the Good Life which I’ve been using ever since. A little goes such a long way so I’m only just coming to the end of my first jar even though I’ve had it for over a year. I also really want to try the Hammam moisturising serum.
Do you have any favourites?
Obviously the Maker’s Balm!
What is it you like most about Old Faithful products?
The combination of the quality and function of the product with the scent. The moisturising butters combined with the vetiver and bergamot oils make for such a luxurious product that is truly a pleasure to use.
What are the main benefits you get from our Makers’ Balm?
I mainly use the balm on my hands at night before going to sleep, but it’s been a real lifesaver after a day painting, especially when using oil based paints as you generally have to use harsh chemicals to get the paint off! It’s the only thing that lasts, that my hands don’t just soak up immediately after application.
Is using natural as opposed to conventional skincare important to you and why?
Over the past year I’ve been making a conscious effort to switch out products for natural alternatives, like using natural oils in place of moisturisers and night creams. I’ve also been actively looking for products with less packaging, such as shampoo bars. I’ve found that natural products generally last a lot longer than mass produced, chemical filled alternatives.
What brands do you normally use?
In terms of skincare and I use a lot of products from Lush, I also have a few products I use from Aesop. I like the scents they use, the glass packaging and the fact they last a long time.
How does your skincare purchase decisions relate to your overall World view/values?
Having worked in retail in one capacity or another since the age of 15, consumerism and purchasing attitudes have always been an interest of mine. Over the past 10 years there’s definitely been a shift in consumer interest towards finding out where products come from, the ethics behind them, and a greater interest in taking responsibility for where our money goes. Supporting independent businesses is really important to me, where possible, for everything I purchase. I would much rather buy something either that someone has made themselves, put passion and research into, or in real life at an independent shop or fair, talk to the shopkeeper / owner, learn about the product, hear the story of the brand or product and carry it away with me, rather than a one click purchase on Amazon to save a few £££. Most of the gifts me and my husband bought for friends and family this Christmas were from independents around Brighton. There’s no good complaining when the sweet little boutiques that give our towns personality close down, if you don’t support them.
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The couple have 2 delightful daughters aged 7 & 2, the family enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, including mountain hiking and days at the beach. Richard & Amy have both adopted a vegan lifestyle.
I first met Amy when she bought some Old Faithful products from me at a Christmas market in Cardiff. We've bumped into each other a few times since and they seem a very pleasant couple of humans.
So, on with the interview..
How did you first come across Old Faithful?
- At the Etsy local winter market in Cardiff in 2017.
What was the main motivation for purchasing your first Old Faithful product/s?
- I really liked the ethics behind them, that they were all natural, and smelled amazing.
Which Old Faithful Products Do you use?
- The Reunion Cleanser, Hammam Serum, and the Makers' Balm
Do you have any favourites?
- The Reunion Cleaner because it is like having a mini-facial every night before bed.
What is it you like most about Old Faithful products?
- That they are all natural and the cruelty free ethics behind them.
What are the main benefits you have achieved through using Old Faithful products?
- My skin feels much softer, smoother, and is significantly clearer.
Is using natural as opposed to conventional skincare important to you and why?
- Yes, incredibly important. I eat natural, plant-based food so it makes sense that I would take the same attitude with my skin care.
Anything else you would like to add..
- I find the attention to detail in the different aromas plays a big part in helping me to achieve a relaxing, serene sleep each night. We both really love the products and can’t imagine using any other skincare now. Love that you have researched the benefits of the different oils and you haven’t used any low quality ingredients to bulk them up. Using Old Faithful makes our skin feel good inside and out.
Thanks Amy & Richard for your continued support and taking time to let us get to know you a little better!
Richard & Amy..
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This ingredient keeps popping up in many natural skincare formulas, often misleadingly described as fractionated coconut oil. Now, I don’t know about you, but this certainly doesn’t sound like a lovely natural oil to me. They tend to sound more like Avocado oil or Argan oil etc. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride doesn’t have a normal oil name. So there’s obviously a lot of confusion about what this ingredient actually is. And confusion about ingredients is what the skincare/cosmetic industry love.. The more confused consumers are about what is in our products the easier it is to pull the wool over our eyes. right?
Capric and caprylic acids are saturated fatty acids naturally present in coconut and palm oil. They are considered to be medium-chain fatty acids. Capric acid is also known as decanoic acid and caprylic acid is also known as octanoic acid. To isolate these fatty acids they are separated from the glycerine compound and the other fatty acids present in the coconut or palm oil. This is usually achieved by steam hydrolysis where intense heat and pressure is applied to break apart the structure of the oil. The capric & caprylic acids are then isolated from the other fatty acids and combined together with the glycerine compound by a process called ‘esterification’ to form the ingredient ‘capric/caprylic triglyceride’. This new ingredient has different physical properties than the original oil it came from. It feels dryer, less greasy and is highly stable.
Fractionated coconut oil is created by melting the coconut oil and removing the harder saturated fatty acids as it gently cools back down. Leaving the liquid portion of the coconut oil which consists of the less saturated fatty acids. Ever taken a bottle of olive oil out of the fridge and seen the harder bits floating around? They are the more saturated fatty acids present in the olive oil.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is created through a number of complicated chemical reactions and fractionated coconut oil is created through the simple physical process of heating and cooling down. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a much more refined oil than fractionated coconut oil and with refinement comes loss of therapeutic properties. Especially through high heat processes like steam hydrolysis, that’s why everybody shouts about how good their COLD pressed oils are!
For the skincare industry Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is used to replicate the absorbency of oils like camellia, rosehip, macadamia or hazelnut and to create a silky smooth feel. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride has a much higher shelf life than most other oils, especially the lighter oils used in serums and is available at a lower price. So it’s great for saving money and increasing profit margins on a product while still benefiting from some really useful properties. But, in our opinion it’s not the real deal and not really a natural oil.
In our Hammam Moisturising Serum we use unrefined organic oils of Rosehip seed, Argan, Jojoba and Macadamia. Not only are these real cold-pressed oils which our body easily recognises, they are quick absorbing, anti-aging, sebum balancing, and full of real plant goodness.
As you may know, Old Faithful use unrefined oils wherever possible because they have a higher therapeutic value that benefits our skin, hair & nail system. Unrefined, organic oils are more expensive, have scent, colour, are less stable and are harder to formulate with. But we think they are worth it. You can learn about our facial skincare products here.
We hope this helps to clear up any confusion you may have about this ingredient and skincare formulas in general. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section!
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All our products are made using exceptionally high-quality ingredients. We are a small batch maker of natural, organic skincare. We source our ingredients where we find the best quality and this is often from smaller, quality driven suppliers.
Old Faithful Skincare PhilosophyOur skin is the largest organ of our bodies and part of a holistic, biological system which works together to keep us in-tact and healthy. Generally our bodies can maintain their own health and mend themselves but sometimes we require some help.
Much of modern day skincare comprises of synthetic ingredients that work against & counteract the natural processes of our skin, hair & nail system.
Old Faithful believe that working with natural products, which are easily recognised and accepted by the body, is the best way to work in harmony with our skin and our system as a whole.
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