Tag: cruelty free

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

cruelty free skincare is catching on

Cruelty Free Skincare Is Catching On

Posted on by Lydia D

Why is cruelty-free skincare catching on?

Compassion for animals is one of our guiding principles, and we’ happy to see that support for cruelty-free skincare and cosmetics is growing in the U.S. and elsewhere. So much so, in fact, that some companies have changed who they do business with to demonstrate their support for cruelty-free around the world.

Labels can be confusing, however, so how does not go about finding cruelty-free skincare products? There are a few places where you can begin your search:

How to Find Cruelty Free Skincare

    • Look for the bunny on the company’s website or packaging. This symbol certifies that the company has met the requirements for using the “Cruelty-free” bunny logo.
    • Visit the website gocrueltyfree.org to find a list of almot 500 companies that participate in this initiative.
    • Search for bloggers who review cruelty free brands. Articles like this on on Mybeautybunny.com can assist you in your search.
    • Visit the cruelty-free makeup page at PETA.org. They also talk about the brands that test on animals.
    • Read labels to learn which skincare and cosmetic products contain animal ingredients. For example, many soaps use tallow, obtained from beef, pig and sheet rendering plants. Another name for it is “sodium tallowate.” Honey and beeswax are easy enough to spot. Others are not so easy, like glycerin (plant and animal origins), lactic acid, squalene (plant and animal origin), Vit. E, Carmine (dye derived from crushed cochineal bugs – ugh!), Lanolin, etc.

The good news is that more and more companies are dedicated to sourcing plant-based ingredients for skincare and cosmetics. Even major brands like RMS Beauty and Kat Von D Beauty have chosen to be cruelty-free. Of course, we will always be commited to remaining plant-based, sustainable, and palm oil free not just because of animal testing, but because of the impact that using certain products has on indigenous wildlife.

We know that it’s the right thing to do. And lucky for us, customers are catching on.

Reference:
Onegreenplanet.com’s list of animal-derived ingredients
crueltyfreekitty.com’s list of vegan cosmetic companies

Health and Beauty Apps to try

Health and Beauty Apps to Try

Posted on by Lydia D

Health and Beauty apps are here to stay.

But which ones to try? With all of the app selections out there for iOS and Android phones, it can be difficult to pinpoint the ones to try, even when they are free. Here, we’ve focused on those apps that we found appealing based on their focus. Rather than sifting through a myriad of apps designed to encourage you to shop for a particular product, we’ve selected apps that do something else. Below is a list of interesting apps that help you make healthier, more ethical choices.

  • Healthy Living App – created by the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to better health and the environment, it contains a database of approximately 120,000 personal care products and gives consumers an assessment score based on perceived toxicity. All you need to do is to enter a product name or scan its barcode. Products verified under its EWG-Verified label are also included. The app is free; for iOS/Android.
  • Think Dirty App – a journey that began with Founder and CEO Lily Tse’s family history of breast cancer has culminated in a project that has the support of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Breast Cancer Foundation, among others. With over 550,000 products listed in its database, it’s a good place to start if you want to know exactly what is in your personal care products. Free in the App Store and Google Play.
  • Cruelty-free App – created by the Coalition for Consumer Information in Cosmetics, this app allows you to search for products in their database that are certified cruelty-free under their “Leaping Bunny” program. As of this writing, reports are that the scan function needs work, but if you merely want to see which companies are listed, it’s a useful tool.
  • Good on You Ethical Fashion App – we thought to include this app here, although it is not related to beauty products. After all, why avoid harmful chemicals in your skincare if you wear a t-shirt made with pesticide-laden cotton, or made using child labor? Here you can find over 1,000 brands that maintain transparency in their manufacturing practices, so that you can feel good about what you put on. Want to know which of your favorites is playing dirty? You may find them here. Free in the Apple Store and in Google Play.
  • Zeel App – If you would love to have a massage, but often have to travel far or you can’t get away, here is a cool solution. With this app, you can schedule a massage in the comfort of your own home. Available in many locations throughout the U.S., you can sign up for a membership discount if you choose, or just schedule a massage as needed. What could be better?

We hope that these apps will help you find healthy products for yourself and your family. Do you know of another useful health/beauty app? Feel free to comment below.