Author: Lydia D

The one device you need this winter blog post

The One Device You Need This Winter

Posted on by Lydia D

What Is The One Device You Need This Winter?

Today I will talk about the importance of using a humidifier in the home during colder months.

Living in a colder climate brings its own set of challenges. Outdoor sports enthusiasts can run the risk of developing frostbite, hypothermia, sunburn and even an asthma attack. It’s important to protect skin, lips and hair when spending time outdoors.

However, often little thought is given to indoor relative humidity and its impact on skin and hair. So what is relative humidity? In simple terms, it describes the percentage of water vapor in the air compared with how high the water vapor could be at that temperature. A relative humidity between 30 and 50% produces a comfortable interior while preventing the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. It’s easy to measure relative humidity – just get a hygrometer. You can pick up an inexpensive one here.

Colder air is drier than warm air. When you heat your home, the temperature increases but the relative humidity does not. The result is dry skin and hair. This often causes static electricity and cracked lips. It can also dry out mucus membranes (sinuses and eyes), which can leave us vulnerable to sinus infections, nosebleeds, etc.

So how to we solve this? The easiest way to do this is with an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier. Designed to add moisture directly to the air, all that is left is to choose the right size for your particular room. Small, desktop humidifiers are fine for small rooms – up to 300 square feet. Medium size humidifiers cover up to 500 square feet. For a larger room, a floor model may be necessary. Companies like Aircare and Honewell make good ones. There are other features to consider, such as the ease of use, whether it has a timer, etc. A desktop model that we like can be found here.

Staying hydrated is also important. Barrier moisturizers can help prevent evaporation from the skin and hair. We produce vegan body balms and lip balms that provide targeted moisture while maintaining a moisture barrier. The body balm can also be used in the hair to reduce static electricity.

If you buy nothing else this winter, make it a humidifier. Your family will thank you.

References:
Reader’s Digest article on humidifier types
WebMD article on managing indoor air

What Is Dry Oil?

What Is Dry Oil?

Posted on by Lydia D

What Is Dry Oil?

You may have seen promotions for “dry” oils online and asked yourself what they are. Are dry oils used in hair, on skin, or both? Can people with oily skin and hair use a dry oil? These are all good questions, which I hope to answer below.

But first, what dry oil is: A lighter oil that is quickly absorbed. Many of the lighter oils are also high in linoleic acid, which are great for acne-prone skin. Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that goes on clean without a heavy, greasy feel. Yes, it’s ok for people with acne-prone skin to use a dry oil, as long as they contain the right ingredients. Individuals with acne-prone skin have been found to benefit from using oils high in linoleic acid. Some examples of oils high in linoleic acid include:

  • Tamanu oil
  • Safflower oil
  • Grape seed oil
  • Rosehip seed oil
  • Black cumin seed oil
  • Sunflower oil

What makes dry oils particularly useful is that they are multi-purpose. They absorb quickly into skin and hair, leaving only softness behind. They are useful as a bath or shower oil as well as a lightweight hair oil to tame flyaways and nourish split ends. They are especially good for dry skin and hair, which soak them right up. They can also be massaged into the scalp to aid with flakiness and inflammation. If you’re looking for a lightweight product that absorbs better than a balm, then a dry oil is just the thing.

If you would like to try our all-natural multi-purpose dry oil, you can learn more about it here. We love making products that are naturally derived, cruelty-free, plant based, and biodegradable. It is scented with lavender and bergamot essential oils. Have you used a dry oil? We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

References:
Minimalist Beauty article on dry oils and acne prone skin
Firstderm.com article on the best oils for your skin

charities to donate to on Giving Tuesday

Cool Charities To Donate To On Giving Tuesday

Posted on by Lydia D

Cool Charities To Donate To On Giving Tuesday

Tuesday, November 27th is Giving Tuesday. It is a global movement designed to support charitable giving during the holiday season. You may be wondering why I’m talking about Giving Tuesday on our blog. Well, here at WEBA Natural Products, we’re not just focused on providing you with clean beauty products that are good for the planet. We believe in the importance of giving back, too. Every year we donate gift baskets to worthy causes, from environmental and farming groups to food banks. We donate bar soaps to shelters so that families don’t have to worry about how they will pay for personal care items like these.

So we thought it only fitting to include a discussion about some of our favorite charities and why it is important to support their work. Without people like us, non profit organizations might find it difficult to engage in the work that they do. Our list is below:

  • Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine – This organization, comprised of physicians and scientists, conducts research and strives to improve the lives of people and animals with the help of a plant-based diet.
  • Environmental Working Group – Here, they strive to educate consumers on the dangers of environmental hazards and chemicals. Their website provides various databases covering products from foods to cosmetics; they have also created the EWG Verified program. And if you give now, your gift will be matched.
  • Rainforest Foundation Fund – Founded by Sting and Trudie Styler in 1987, this organization works with indigenous populations to maintain precious habitats by providing grants and engaging in various projects designed to preserve our beautiful planet.
  • National Wildlife Federation – This is one of the oldest and largest advocacy groups in the United States. Their mission is to preserve our wildlife and natural habitats by educating and advocating for change. They supply teaching materials and partner with companies like Animal Planet and Aveda to support their mission.
  • Greenpeace – Greenpeace is a world-wide organization that strives to bring about a greener, more sustainable planet. When you give now, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
  • Conservation International – Based in 30 countries, the staff at Conservation International works to preserve our forests and oceans through funding, field projects and innovative research.
  • Arbor Day Foundation – The Arbor Day Foundation is a conservation and education organization dedicated to saving and preserving our precious trees.

Of course, there are many state and local charitable organizations that are deserving of your dollars, like local animal shelters, victims rights organizations and legal defense funds. We chose these because they align closely with what we at WEBA believe – that our beautiful planet needs our help in order to remain beautiful. And that is a beautiful thing! We hope that you will consider making a donation on Giving Tuesday. To learn more about this movement, visit givingtuesday.org.

Sponge Loofah or Washcloth - Which is best?

Sponge, Loofah or Washcloth – Which is Best?

Posted on by Lydia D

Sponge, Loofah or Washcloth – Which Is Best?

Most would agree that exfoliation is an integral part of practicing daily hygiene, whether it be in the shower or in the bathtub. The question remains whether to use a sponge, loofah or washcloth to get the job done.

There are many products to choose from these days. I’ll be discussing a few of them below.

Sea Sponges

If you are looking for a natural product, it’s hard to beat the sea sponge (Porifera). It is classified as an animal that eat small particles as they pump water through their bodies. There are thousands of varieties, but only a handful are harvested for use in the bath and body industry. We have been doing this for over 100thousands of years. One popular variety is the wool sea sponge, which can be purchased at places like the Acme Sponge Company, based in Florida. A few reasons for choosing the sea sponge:

  • They become soft when wet and are suitable for young children
  • They contain natural enzymes that help prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.
  • They are sustainably harvested by leaving the stalk attached so that it can regrow. If not harvested, they have a lifespan of about 10 years.
  • Sea sponges tend to last longer than synthetic ones.
  • Sea sponges are biodegradable, minimally processed and do not contain added chemicals.

Loofah Gourds

Unlike sea sponges, loofahs are easily grown from seed in warm, sunny climates. They are part of the gourd family and have many uses. Young loofah gourds are actually edible. If grown for sponges, they are allowed to mature (turn brown), and their skin removed to reveal the fibrous portion. A few reasons to use them:

  • Their versatility. They can be grown for food as well as for bath and body use. They need a long growing season (about 200 days).
  • They may appeal to those who would prefer to use plant rather than animal material.
  • They are biodegradable, compostable and fairly inexpensive. They can be purchased online at The Luffa Farm, based in California. Their low cost makes it easy for you to replace them often.
  • They come in various shapes and sizes, including bath mitts.

Washcloths

The humble washcloth has been a staple in homes and hotel rooms throughout the U.S. since the dawn of the towel. In other countries they are known by other names; in England, they’re called “flannel” or “face flannel.” In Europe, they have “face cloths” and wouldn’t think to use them on their bodies. These are over-generalizations, of course, the point being that different cultures give different names to this small towel that is used with soap or shower gel. The material also evolved, from small flannel squares to the more common terry cloth. There are, however, handmade versions of this bath item – crocheted, like our own Cotton Washcloth, or knitted. These are great loofah alternatives that provide the exfoliation you seek without too much effort. Reasons to use them include:

  • Their earth-friendliness. Our washcloth, for example, is made from 100% organic cotton in the U.S.A.
    This makes it biodegradable, long-lasting and almost endlessly reusable.
  • They do not contain any added chemicals, dyes or other questionable additives, as do some commercially-available synthetic poofs.
  • Their versatility. They can be used in the bath, the kitchen, and to clean floors and pets.
  • They can be easily disinfected by microwaving or by tossing them in the washer/dryer.
  • They can get into places where the sponge or loofah might not, and are useful for generating lather.

Believe it or not, there are many other options for personal cleansing. One worth mentioning is the synthetic poof or sponge. They are usually made from nylon and come in many sizes and colors. I would shy away from these, however, for the following reasons:

  • Nylon is a man-made plastic polymer derived primarily from coal or petroleum, and as such is not at all earth-friendly. There are eight types of nylon – Nylon 6 does not biodegrade, but Nylon 4 is more biodegradable. However, its manufacture releases much greenhouse gas and uses a lot of water.
  • Synthetic poofs contain artificial dyes and other additives that you may not want in your bath.
  • Synthetic poofs are not as durable as the natural alternatives mentioned above.

Which cleaning product you use (or none at all) is a very personal choice. I hope that this makes it easier for you to choose one that is safe, durable, and does the job without harming the planet.

References:

Wikipedia’s Sea Sponge information page
Are sea sponges greener than synthetic shower poofs?
All About Nylon