The Smurf Juice Syndrome: Mistruths in Labeling

The Smurf Juice Syndrome

One day, I was visiting a new spa in the Phoenix area with another soaping friend of mine, and as we awaited our bill, we perused some of the beauty product offerings in the spa’s retail boutique.  My friend picked up a small bottle filled with a conspicuously blue yet “natural” facial serum and suddenly exclaimed (not just a little loudly in the whispery quiet of the spa environment) with incredulity, “where’s the blue?!”  She, a fellow formulator and artisan of her own line of handmade, natural bath and body products, was of course scrutinizing the ingredients label on the product box, because that is what we do.  It is a compulsion and we can’t help ourselves, really.  As far as I know, there is no 12-step program for this label-reading affliction because it doesn’t really constitute a diminishment of one’s quality of life; it’s just really annoying for anyone trying to get me to walk through any retail beauty aisle at anything resembling a brisk pace.  I just can’t do it.  I *have* to stop and read the ingredients.

Anyway, the problem with the ingredients listing on this particular product, however, was that it was incomplete.  And anyone who formulates beauty or body care products for a living can tell this, simply by looking at it.  There were actually more than a few little label lies happening in this case, but the most glaringly obvious omission was the fact that the stuff in the bottle was seriously, oceanically, azure blue.  However, there was absolutely NO listing for a colorant anywhere in the ingredients.  To nearly anyone else, this might simply not even matter.   I mean, why NOT blue?  It’s a “blueberry” serum, right?  So it must be blueberries that make the serum Smurf blue, right? Even though it’s not even the color of blueberries? So what if it’s the color of Smurf juice?  So what if they forgot to include blue on the label?

As creators and formulators of our own skincare and bodycare products, the ubiquitous and blatant mislabeling of products in our industry is well known to us.  Yet when I tell friends, family and customers about this rampant labeling abuse, they are often shocked.  Like most people (and like me, before I began making my own organic body care products over 16 years ago), they assume that there are laws and regulations and governing agencies (such as the FDA) which oversee these things to protect consumers.  Right?  Well, mostly. There are laws.  There are rules.  But you may be a bit surprised to learn there is very little, if any, actual policing or enforcement of those laws.

As indie beauty care artisans, we tend to take a great deal of care in choosing quality ingredients, painstakingly sourcing and blending and mixing and tweaking and testing (usually on friends and family) before finally releasing our creations into the world.  And most of us follow the labeling laws. Many of us do so proudly, because we know how great our ingredients are and we want you to know, too.  We pour our hearts and souls into our products, because we want to put something really good out into the world.

The problem with the smurf juice syndrome is that we indie brands are trying to compete on an unlevel playing field.  The company that makes the smurf juice serum happens to take out two-page spreads in every spa, salon and beauty trade publication currently in circulation every month, and they claim to be offering “handmade”products using “organic” ingredients.  Yet, as a literal handmaker of bodycare products using certified organic ingredients, I can assure you that this company is not.  But how is the public to know the difference?  How are we, as consumers, going to make informed choices if there is no transparency and truth in labeling?  When the average consumer (who is not a formulator) picks up a bottle of something called “Rose Hip Toner” and the entire sum of the ingredients reads: “Rose Hip Juice” despite the fact that the product is red—very red.  And despite the fact that this “rose hip juice” smells heavily of roses.  And nevermind that, if I were to go out to my wild rose bushes this autumn and squeeze the juice from the ripe rose hips and put that juice in a jar and leave it on a shelf for, say, anywhere from one to two weeks at room temperature, the result would be at least fuzzy, probably covered in mold and certainly. Not. Red.  And it would definitely not smell like roses.  How are you, the consumer, to know that this product has to contain more than what its ingredients label suggests?  I know, as a formulator, that there would have to be some type of preservative, whether natural or chemical-based, for any kind of liquid “juice” to not decompose in a bottle, unrefrigerated, unless that juice is sold in powder form.  I know, too, that it is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to achieve or retain a natural red color in wet products.  If you were to mash strawberries into a jar and leave them there, they would most certainly turn brown (and then into compost).  And I can tell you that there is a fragrance in that bottle, because “rose hip juice” doesn’t smell like roses.  In fact, I am not sure that there is even such a thing as “rose hip juice”.  But this company, with its big advertising budget and its clever packaging will sell you its “handmade, organic rose hip juice” toner for the bargain price of $48.

There is currently new legislation being proposed to improve FDA laws for food as well as cosmetic products.  And, as much as I am not looking forward to the prospect of having to pay more licensing, certifying or business fees, I think it’s long overdue.  The European Union took the lead way back in 1976 with their European Cosmetics Directive, which has been improved and updated several times since, banning harmful ingredients such as known carcinogens and irritants and greatly restricting labeling nomenclature (http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/html/consolidated_dir.htm).  Here in the States, we’re way behind.  Aside from the lack of enforcement in labeling laws, there are many substances in commercial cosmetics and beauty products today which are quite frankly, toxic.  They’re toxic to humans and they’re toxic to the planet.  Although the proposed FDA requirements will hopefully bring some much needed attention to the way that cosmetics are made, packaged and sold in the United States, there isn’t likely to be a substantial restriction of known harmful ingredients.  There are, however, a couple of independent sites trying to bring more transparency to the formulation of beauty and skincare products, most notably the “Skin Deep” site by the Environmental Working Group, which keeps a free database of cosmetic and beauty products and their ingredients, breaking them down by safety in a rating system.  Although their system is admittedly flawed and imperfect, it certainly is a step in the right direction.

But regulation and databases can’t replace good common sense.  You, the consumer, already have the senses to discern labeling omissions.  Next time you pick up a beauty product the color of smurf juice, even though the “FD&C Blue No. 5” isn’t listed in the ingredients, you know it’s in there.

In the meantime, I am going to endeavor to utilize this blog space to educate, inform and hopefully entertain those who would be so kind or curious as to read it.  It occurred to me that there are hundreds of blogs out there from organic product reviews to nothing short of a shill for organic product sellers, but scant few from the perspective of the actual indie formulator.  I make absolutely no pretenses as to my point of view: I am heck bent on purity, and so about purity I will write.  I may also occasionally shill for my own products, too, but I promise to keep it to a minimum. Until next time, please remember not to believe everything you read, especially if it’s an ingredient label for a “natural” or “organic” product that is bright blue, yet doesn’t list a colorant, or preservative, among its ingredients.

 

–Jacquelyn Ramsey

Founder & President, WoodSprite Organic Body

The Great Borax (Sodium Borate) Debate in Organic Skincare (and a Few Words on the Skin Deep Database)

I’ve received this question on occasion, and often enough that I thought I’d share my answer here in the hope that it may lead to a better understanding of the ingredients we use in our organic skincare products.

It seems that there has been a fair amount of unnecessary concern generated when folks see certain ingredients–in this most recent instance, Borax (or Sodium Borate)–listed as a “moderate concern” on the well intentioned, yet a bit flawed, Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database.  I love the Database for its efforts to bring the power of knowledge to the average consumer, especially to help open people’s eyes to the truly harmful ingredients commonly found in our everyday lives, but an effort so large and encompassing cannot always appropriately weigh every little factor in the overall equation, and sometimes, ingredients are judged in very broad and generalized terms. At any rate, the Database seems to have generated this question more than a few times and I thought it may be helpful to include my full reply for your consideration. The following is a direct copy and paste of an email I sent in response to a question about why we use Borax in some of our organic skin and body care emulsions (lotions):

Hello, and thank you for your question about our use of Borax.

I can certainly understand your concerns about the use of Borax (or sodium borate) in some of our body care products, especially with the wealth of conflicting and confusing information on the internet and specifically, on the Skin Deep Database.  While I do link to the database from our own website because I think it’s a wonderful resource for consumers, it is still a flawed, incomplete and imperfect system.  And the EWG has even admitted as much.  They have made some excellent improvements on the database recently, but as in any case of good research, one should still weigh the information against other reference sources as well.

For instance, we also use a dietary-grade (for ingestion) Vitamin E in many of our products.  Our Vitamin E is sourced from natural non-GMO vegetable oil (very often sunflower or wheat germ oil) and is full-spectrum, meaning that it contains all the components of Vitamin E in its complete and natural form, rather than a synthetically produced or heavily processed derivative.  Vitamin E is a wonderful antioxidant and, of course, is well known for its ability to heal the skin.  However, the Skin Deep Database used to list Vitamin E as a skin irritant, potential carcinogen and had a moderate hazard level of 4.  Since the changes that they have been implementing, they have now made a differentiation between naturally-sourced Vitamin E and its synthetic cousins.  Even with that differentiation, Vitamin E is still listed as a “low” hazard, but with a score of 2.  And it still makes a very small reference to a 25 year old cancer study.  If one were to take only a cursory glance at the Skin Deep Database without taking its data gaps and references with a grain of salt, they might just see the word “potential cancer” and become needlessly alarmed.

Regarding Borax, I have absolutely no concerns about its use in my skin care products, and I use it regularly as part of my non-toxic cleansing regimen both at home and in our workshop because of its many wonderful properties.  A natural and unique mineral found in dried up lakebeds with large deposits found in the US Southwest, sodium borate serves many purposes and industries.  In cleaning, Borax mixed with water creates a minor reaction and releases very small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which makes it a mild  antiseptic and helps to inhibit microbial growth. This is also a reason it is desirable in natural cosmetics.  In our products, borax softens the water phase of an emulsion (lotion or creme) which assists in binding the disparate aspects of oil and water together, without the need for chemical emulsifying waxes (which are often referred to on cosmetic products as “vegetable emulsifying wax” but are actually an isolated fatty acid fused to a detergent or surfactant which are typically petroleum derived or completely synthetic). In other words, the Borax helps to reduce the surface tension of the water-based portion of our formulas, and enables the water to stay mixed together with the beeswax and oils, and contributes to the inherent natural preservation of the formula without the need for chemical based preservatives, many of which have been linked to cancer and which have been proven to reside in the lymph and fatty tissues of the human body.

Our use of Borax in our products represents 0.00297% of the formula.  Certainly, there are potential health risks involved in using nearly any ingredient, natural or not.  The way in which an ingredient is used, and the purpose it serves in a formula are factors that are not considered in the Skin Deep Database score, which they do attempt to specify next to the score.  For instance, most of the research that I have found regarding the human toxicity of Borax applies to ingesting large amounts of the powder, and the exact amount is only estimated, not known.

Furthermore, the bulk of the research is based on animal testing, with cruel trials stretching out over time in highly unlikely dosages and types of exposure (in addition, the studies included use of boric acid ,which is not the same thing as sodium borate, but is derived from it).  The low risk rating on Lavender Essential Oil does not include similar references in the Database, though I’m quite certain that if one were to drink a couple glasses of it, or inject the essential oil subcutaneously, they would indeed be feeling rather poorly.  But these are exactly the sorts of data gaps which the Skin Deep Database allows for, though I personally think they still need to do a little more to make that more clear.

One thing I would like to stress is that I am probably the biggest stickler out there when it comes to purity in products, especially my own.  I started making my own skin care formulas in my apartment kitchen nearly 20 years ago because I could not find the level of purity I was looking for in the marketplace.  I have always been very chemical sensitive, especially to synthetic fragrances, and I had to start educating myself on food and cosmetic ingredients so that I could avoid the common offenders.  The more I learned about the chemicals routinely used in our everyday food and body care products, the more I observed a direct link between the health of our planet and the health of humans.  Especially concerning to me is that there seems to have been an increased incidence of cancer in all its forms in proportionate correlation to the use of chemicals in everything from  agricultural crops to the water flowing from our faucets to the heavily processed “food” products on grocery shelves and the body care products we use daily on our skin.  14 years ago, I started selling the products I was making for myself quite by accident, and we’ve been growing ever since.  I’ve turned away opportunities due to requests from large hotel chains who wanted me to change my formulas (ie: use chemical ingredients) so that I could produce in larger quantities or compete on a more economical scale, but I would not veer from my natural path.  I believe that dedication to making products using only natural and organic ingredients, in as complete a form as possible, is the answer to a healthier planet, and to that of her inhabitants.  I am very passionate about this, and every product I have formulated has been with that core value in mind.

At any rate, I’ve compiled a little information about Borax, or Sodium Borate, for your consideration (below).  It is only with information that we can make informed purchasing choices, and that is ultimately something that each of us must decide for ourselves.

If I can answer any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  And thank you again for your interest in WoodSprite Organic Body products.

Kind regards,
Jacquelyn Ramsey

WoodSprite Organic Body

—————————————————————————————

From Mountain Rose Herbs (mountainroseherbs.com):
Borax Powder Profile
Origin- USA
Appearance- White crystalline granules
Shelf life- 2-3 years
Notes- Stores well under any condition but extreme moisture is best
avoided. Avoid contact with the eyes and mouth, and do not expose
directly to the skin. Can be used directly for cleaning purposes, and is
suitable for both cosmetic and cleaning purposes. Manufactured according
to USP standards.
Chemical Analysis

Anhydrous Borax- 70.1%
Boric Acid – 48.5%
Sodium Oxide – 20.8%
Water of Crystallization – 46.2%
Chloride- 37ppm
Size- US #30 Mesh
Introduction

Borax (Sodium borate) is a natural mineral which is widely used in the
cosmetic industry. Since it is also utilized as a detergent, many people
are shocked to learn that it is also a main ingredient in their favorite
brand of bath salt! Borax naturally occurs from the repeated evaporation
of seasonal lakes. The largest deposits of this mineral may be found in
California, the American southwest, Chile, and Tibet. Borax is a very
popular ingredient, simply because of its many varied applications, and
its ease of use.

Cosmetic Use

Borax is found in creams, lotions, shampoos, gels, bath salts, and bath
bombs. It is an emulsifier, preservative, cleansing agent, and a
buffering agent. Commonly used in bath salts, borax has the ability to
soften the water, and suspend soap particles in the bathwater. The
result is soft, clean, and healthy skin, which is not clogged by the
residue of soap particles. When used in collaboration with citric acid
in bath bomb or bath salt recipes, the product will produce a fizzing
action. It also forms bath or body gel, when mixed with water and guar
gum. In summary, Borax has the following uses for body care products:

* Preservative
* Emulsifier
* Water softener
* Cleanser
* Particle suspension
* Buffering agent
* Fizzing action (when used with citric acid)

To use: Simply mix borax into the water portion of your recipe, and heat
to a temperature of above 75 °C. Stir until fully dissolved, and then
incorporate into your recipe.
Precautions

Not to be ingested, large doses may be fatal. May cause irritation if
exposed to the skin, eyes, or if inhaled. Handle with caution, and keep
away from children and pets.
——————————————————————-

Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Borate and Boric Acid
(BORIC ACID IS NOT THE SAME THING AS SODIUM BORATE)
Journal of the American College of Toxicology Vol: 2 Year: 1983

Sodium borate and boric acid are used in cosmetics as preservatives,
antiseptics, water softeners, pH adjusters, emulsifiers,
neutralizers, stabilizers, buffers, or viscosifiers. Investigators have
reported that sodium borate and boric acid are poorly absorbed through
intact skin; however, both compounds are absorbed through abraded,
denuded, or burned skin. In a 90-day dermal toxicity study, boric acid
(25-200 mg/kg/day) was nonirritating and nontoxic when applied to the
intact skin of rabbits. Sodium borate and boric acid were relatively
nontoxic when tested orally in animals. A 5% sodium borate in water
solution was mildly or moderately irritating to the skin of rabbits and
guinea pigs, and practically nonirritating when instilled in rabbit’s
eyes. Acute studies indicated that, at 10% in water, boric acid was
mildly or moderately irritating to the skin of rabbits and guinea pigs.
Sodium borate or boric acid in the diet of rabbits and rats caused
growth retardation. Doses of up to 1.06 g/kg/day sodium borate in the
diet of male rats exerted toxic effects on the gonads as well as
infertility. Boric acid was nonmutagenic in the Ames test. Boric Acid
induced reduced eye phenocopies and lumpy chromosomal inclusions in
drosophila melanogaster. Limited carcinogenic and teratogenic studies
did not indicate a statistically significant effect. In clinical
studies, cosmetic formulations containing up to 3.2% sodium borate were
nonirritating to moderately irritating and nonsensitizing when applied
to human skin. Formulations containing up to 2.4% boric acid were
moderately irritating and practically nonirritating. Photopatch testing
of formulations containing 1.1% or 1.7% sodium borate were negative.
Based on the increased absorption of boric acid by damaged skin as
compared to intact skin, as well as the testicular atrophy observed in
experimental animals, the panel concluded that sodium borate and boric
acid, in concentrations < 5% are safe as cosmetic ingredients when used
as currently recommended; however, cosmetic formulations containing free
sodium borate or boric acid at this concentration should not be used on
infant or injured skin.
——————————————————————-
What Is Borax? from
http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingsworkfaqs/a/howboraxworks.htm

<http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/…rue&terms=borax>*What Is
Borax?*

Borax (also known as sodium borate decahydrate; sodium pyroborate;
birax; sodium tetraborate decahydrate; sodium biborate) is a natural
mineral compound (Na_2 B_4 O_7 • 10H_2 O). It was discovered over 4000
years ago. Borax is usually found deep within the ground, although it
has been mined near the surface in Death Valley, California since the
1800s. Although it has numerous industrial uses, in the home borax is
used as a natural laundry booster, multipurpose cleaner, fungicide,
preservative, insecticide, herbicide, disinfectant, dessicant, and
ingredient in making ‘slime’. Borax crystals are odorless, whitish (can
have various color impurities), and alkaline. Borax is not flammable and
is not reactive. It can be mixed with most other cleaning agents,
including chlorine bleach.

*How Does Borax Clean?*

Borax has many chemical properties that contribute to its cleaning
power. Borax and other borates clean and bleach by converting some water
molecules to hydrogen peroxide (H_2 O_2 ). This reaction is more
favorable in hotter water. The pH of borax is about 9.5, so it produces
a basic solution in water, thereby increasing the effectiveness of
bleach and other cleaners. In other chemical reactions, borax acts as a
buffer, maintaining a stable pH needed to maintain cleansing chemical
reactions. The boron, salt, and/or oxygen of boron inhibit the metabolic
processes of many organisms. This characteristic allows borax to
disinfect and kill unwanted pests. Borates bond with other particles to
keep ingredients dispersed evenly in a mixture, which maximizes the
surface area of active particles to enhance cleaning power.

*Risks Associated with Borax*

Borax is natural, but that does not mean it is automatically safer for
you or for ‘the environment’ than man-made chemicals. Although plants
need boron, too much of it will kill them, so borax can be used as an
herbicide. Borax may also be used to kill roaches, ants, and fleas. In
fact, it is also toxic to people. Signs of chronic toxic exposure
include red and peeling skin, seizures, and kidney failure. The
estimated lethal dose (ingested) for adults is 15-20 grams; less than 5
grams can kill a child or pet. For this reason, borax should not be used
around food. More commonly, borax is associated with skin, eye, or
respiratory irritation. It is also important to point out that exposure
to borax may impair fertility or cause damage to an unborn child.

Now, none of these risks mean that you shouldn’t use borax. If you do a bit

of research, you will find risks associated with all cleaning
products, natural or man-made. However, you do need to be aware of
product risks so that you can use those products properly. Don’t use
borax around food, keep it out of reach of children and pets, and make
sure you rinse borax out of clothes and off of surfaces before use.

Put a Spring in your Step–How to Prep Your Feet for Summer with a Home Pedicure

WoodSprite Organic Foot Care

Here in Michigan, the lilacs are in full bloom, tender young leaves are filling the trees and the scent of honeysuckle blossom fills the air.  Soon, it’ll be time for shorts, breezy blouses, and of course, those sassy, strappy sandals.  After a long winter of neglect, a wonderful way to celebrate the rites of spring is to give your feet a little extra attention.  Even if you aren’t able to get to the spa for a regular pedicure, you can treat your feet to some spa-worthy pampering in the comforts of your own home in just a few simple steps.

You’ll need the following equipment and products:

• Basin or Small Tub with Comfortably Warm Water
• Clean Towels
• Small Bowl of Hot Water for Washcloth
• Foot Soak
• Foot Scrub
• Foot Butter or Cream
• Nail Clippers, Emery Board, Pumice Stone, Orange Wood Stick
• Nail Polish (optional)

First, find a suitable place to work;  ideally, with a soft, comfy spot to sit and a low stool or bench to prop up your feet.   Remove any polish from your toenails.  Fill a basin or small tub with comfortably hot water, then measure out and add your foot soak, giving it a swirl to dissolve.  Of course, we recommend our Cool Your Heels Soothing Spa Foot Soak, because it contains natural epsom salts, soothing herbs and fizzing minerals that help to deodorize and cleanse.  Ease your feet into the water, sit back, and relax for about 15 minutes as the soak softens your skin.

Next, remove one foot from the soak and gently dry with towel.  Trim with clippers, buff and shape using a nail file or emery board, then clean beneath nails, and take care to gently push back cuticles using an orange wood stick.  Smooth over especially tough calluses with your pumice stone or file.  Return foot to soak, and then repeat procedure with the other foot.  Add a bit more hot water to basin if you like, to keep temperatures comfortable.

Gently remove first foot from soak, prop up onto the side of basin or tub.  Apply about ½ ounce (1 Tablespoon) of WoodSprite Organic Body Tea Tree & Peppermint Foot Scrub (or other foot polish) between palms, and then massage onto your feet, ankles, calves and lower legs, paying special attention to rough spots and calluses. Use even, smooth pressure, but don’t be rough.  This important step stimulates nerve endings and encourages increased blood flow (and therefore oxygen) while natural black walnut shells exfoliate and smooth the skin.  Return foot to basin and rinse off Scrub. Repeat for other foot.

Now, remove first foot from basin, and wrap in a hot, damp towel or washcloth.  Apply gentle pressure, and slowly slide towel off of foot, wiping away any remaining foot scrub.  Melt a small amount (about 1/2 teaspoon) of Overnight Sensation Organic Foot Butter (or another foot cream) between palms, and then massage onto foot, ankles and lower legs, concentrating on any rough spots such as calluses and the heels. Use more Overnight Sensation if needed, though this rich, conditioning butter is quite concentrated and a little goes a long way.

Now, this part is purely optional, but is an integral part of our Signature Spa Pedicure treatment and elevates the entire experience to true bliss!  Gently wrap right foot in a fresh hot, damp towel (or place feet in plastic baggies first, then hot towel) and prop up in a comfortable position. Repeat with other foot, taking a few minutes to relax and allow the Butter to deeply infuse the skin with nourishing emollience.  Unwrap, and continue to next step.

Finally, gently pat away any excess Overnight Sensation with towel.  If applying polish, rub nail surfaces with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to remove any Butter residue, then paint nails with preferred color.

Voila!  Your toes will be pretty as shiny new pennies and better yet, your feet will feel tingly, refreshed and rejuvenated.  Repeat this procedure every few weeks to maintain healthy, happy feet all year long.

Proof is in the Pumpkin: Good for You, Inside and Out

Well, the release of our new Pumpkin Chai Collection of organic skin and body care has been an overwhelming success!  We’ve never experienced such a demand for any single product line in such a short time before, in ten full years of business, and all of us here at WoodSprite are very excited and grateful.

With pumpkin season full upon us and the dry autumn air well on its way, I thought this would be a perfect time to introduce a new ongoing column in the WoodSprite Organic Body Blog.  This has actually been something I’ve been wanting to do for some years, now, but the daily demands of running my own business always managed to bump it off my List of Things to Do.  Finally, the stars have smiled upon me and some recent really great questions from our customers prompted me to make it a priority.  Welcome to Notes from a Natural Formulator; I sincerely hope you’ll find what is offered helpful, informative and interesting!

Proof is in the Pumpkin: Why pumpkin is so good for you, inside and out.

Though we tend to think of pumpkins only for carving or baking pie once or twice a year, this humble squash has a lot more to offer us year round than we might first realize.  Pumpkins are nutrition-packed powerhouses; rich in the antioxidants Beta Carotene, Vitamins A, C & E, as well as such other cancer-fighting carotenoids as Lutein and Zeaxanthin.  Pumpkin also boasts B Vitamins, Niacin, Riboflavin, Ascorbic Acid, Potassium and Enzymes, while pumpkin seeds are especially laden with Zinc, a natural sunblock and antioxidant.  Furthermore, the oil obtained by cold-pressing the seeds contains emollient Omega Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), Proteins and Polyunsaturated Fats which protect, moisturize, soothe and help the skin’s own ability to regulate and balance sebum production (the natural oil our skin manufactures to protect and moisturize).

In skin and body care, Pumpkin pulp is wonderfully useful for exfoliating, nourishing and soothing the skin.  Its high Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) content along with active digestive enzymes makes pumpkin particularly valuable in skin care treatments or facials, being gentler than glycolic peels yet just as effective at doing away with dead skin cells, bringing out a smoother, softer complexion after just one treatment.

You can give yourself a fresh pumpkin facial treatment in the comfort of your own kitchen with only a few ingredients:

• 3-4 Tablespoons Organic Pumpkin Puree (use small pie or sugar pumpkins, halve and remove seeds, bake cut-side down for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until tender, cool, scoop out from skins and puree pulp in blender or food processor until smooth) or Canned Organic Pumpkin Puree.
• 1 Tablespoon Organic Whole Milk or Greek Yogurt (Vegans, Use Soy Milk)
• 1/2 Tablespoon Organic Honey (Vegans, Use Maple Syrup)
• 2-3 Tablespoons Organic Raw Cane Sugar (Optional–For Making Exfoliating Scrub)

Instructions: Combine Pumpkin Puree, Milk or Yogurt and Honey until smooth.  Warm gently over low heat or briefly pop into microwave for best results.  Smooth over face, carefully avoiding eye area, then recline and relax for about 15 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly with warm water, then follow with your favorite moisturizer if needed.  For exfoliating scrub, add Organic Sugar and gently massage onto skin in circular patterns.  Let set for a few minutes, rinse and moisturize as needed.  Seal and refrigerate any leftovers; compost after 2 days.

How it works: The pumpkin puree nourishes and soothes the skin while active digestive enzymes work to dissolve dead skin cells.  The milk or yogurt also contains natural lactic acids, which also dissolve dead cells.  The honey is a natural antibacterial and humectant (meaning that it pulls moisture from the air), moisturizing and imparting valuable vitamins to the skin.  If you opt for the sugar version, you’ll gain extra exfoliation while the sugar boosts the natural mild alpha-hydroxy acids in the pumpkin puree, resulting in smoother, softer skin instantly.

Of course, you could just save the pumpkin for baking pies and buy our Pumpkin Chai Nourishing Organic Facial Masque instead.  Either way, you’ll love the beautiful, soft glow that pumpkin brings to your skin!

©2009 WoodSprite Organic Body – All Rights Reserved