Indian Earthy Naturals : Lip Balms

There’s something innately satisfying about using a beauty product that is natural and handmade. Lip balms have been an integral part of my handbag's must haves since forever. Recently my almost 4 year old too had been insisting she use lip balms like her mumma. Commercial lip balms were definitely not an option: I wanted something which was free of petroleum derevatives, harmful chemicals & preservatives, and who better to trust than IEN!!

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about IEN HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Beeswax: It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and an anti-oxidant (1). Beeswax is also incredibly moisturizing and is an excellent emulsifier (enabling it to really lock in moisture), so it also has the ability to soothe any pain caused by dryness and dehydration. Furthermore, the capacity that beeswax has to lock in that moisture also makes one’s lips supple and soft—something that can only be attained after constant and deep hydration, not just surface attention (1). Lastly, beeswax even has properties that allow it to protect your lips from further danger. It contains vitamin A, which must be present for cells to develop normally. It also forms a protective layer on your lips that can shield them from harmful UV rays, as well as prevent infections or possible cold sores (1).

• Shea Butter: Most commonly used to help heal and moisturize sunburned, dry, or cracking lips, as it is said to not only bear anti-inflammatory properties, but is also easily absorbed into the skin (2). Though it is often used to heal chapped lips, it can also help prevent dry lips, because it is said to create a moisture barrier.

• Vitamin E Oil: Rich in antioxidants, vitamin E protects the skin of your lips from sun damage and has the anti-aging properties. Lips are often exposed to the sun and do not contain the protective pigment melanin, so vitamin E is simply essential for them (3).

• Sweet Almond Oil: A good lubricant, it soothes, revitalizes, nourishes and moisturizes the lips.  Moreover, the oil is used to lighten dark lips; it eliminates dark spot and evens the lips color.  Almond oil may help get rid of wind-blown and scaly lips (4). (Learn more about the benefits of sweet almond oil HERE!).

• Jojoba Oil: Rich in vitamins E and B complex as well as several minerals, jojoba oil can last longer than most conventional lip balm simply because it’s not water based and doesn’t evaporate out. Its long lasting and strong moisturizing effects helps dry lips feel soft and tender (5).

• Ylang Ylang Oil: Great essential oil for the skin, nourishing and moisturizing flaky and dry skin (6).

• Coconut Oil: Has good amounts of the antioxidant vitamin E, it is a wonderful moisturizer for your dry skin. The fatty acids in coconut oil create a barrier and lock in moisture so that your lips remain free of cracks (7).

• Lemon Oil: Lemon essential oil also has anti-viral properties, so it can be used in a lip balm to treat cold sores (8).

• Rose Oil: Nourishes and soothes sensitive lips, fights free radicals and stimulates collagen production while slowing down the aging process (9).

• MICA: Provides a wonderful, subtle shimmer. Mica is a brittle silicate mineral and it comes in many colors. It is considered safe and non-toxic, with a green rating of 2 by the Environmental Working Group (10).

The 100% natural and organic lip balms, come in a 4 gm retractable tube format. Smooth in texture, the balms glides on effortlessly and smells of their respective essential oils. 

To use, glide it on the lips as often as you desire. 

Rose Tint: My favourite of the 3 variants, simply because I love the gorgeous aroma the rose otto imparts. The tint is very subtle and often impossible to notice. 

Coconut Lime: Has a strong lime and a mild beeswax fragrance, which reminds me of a delicious lemon parfait. 

Bronze Tint: If you are a ylang ylang fan, this one is for you. Again like the rose variant, the tint is very subtle but of the 3, I have noticed this one to work the best on my chapped lips.

The balms are non greasy, intensely hydrate and deeply nourish the delicate lip skin. The staying power of the balm isn't too long but ingredients continue to work long after the balm had faded. I regularly exfoliate with a lip scrub to help the goodness in the ingredients penetrate and moisturize better. I prefer lip balms in tubes rather than pots for two main reasons: (1) They are hygenic (2) The balm does not get stuck under my nails. 

A natural remedy, rich in vitamins, nutrients and fatty acids that will swipe away dullness and dryness to reveal luscious lips. 

Quick Tip: If you find the lipbalm melting, pop it into the refrigerator for a couple of hours and it's good to go!

Purchase IEN products HERE.

Indian Earthy Naturals : Kashmir Lavender Soap

There is something very satisfying about using handmade natural soaps and IEN has some of the best ones I have tried so far. They might not have the fancy swirls, colors, shapes or fragrances but they are simple bars of goodness that do not fail to deliver on the promises they make. I like to dub them as "butter" bars for the intense moisturization they provide. 


ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about IEN HERE!

 

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Olea europaea (Virgin Olive Oil): Full of linoleic acids, oleic acids, palmitic acids, and polyphenols, the acids in high quality olive oil work by trapping water into the skin, ensuring hydration (2). Polyphenols are antioxidants, which when absorbed into the skin, will combat the free radicals thus preventing premature ageing. Two other benefits of polyphenol is that is offers protection against ultraviolet rays and will also encourage new cell growth, so that new cells are made to replace any damaged skin cells (2). Virgin olive oil also contains high levels of natural squalane that penetrates deeply to hold in moisture. In soap making, it has moisturizing, disinfectant and anti-wrinkle properties and can be used to produce a mild soap (3).

• Butyrospermum parkii (Raw Shea Butter): A great emollient oil addition to soap, it makes a hard, shiny, conditioning bar with a stable lather and moisturizing properties. Naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F, it provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production (4). The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin, and is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils (4). Due to its cinnamic acid content and other natural properties, shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties (5). One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations making it beneficial for people with acne (4). Shea butter aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying and with long term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction (4).

• Cocos nucifera (Coconut Oil): The fatty acids along with the numerous minerals and nutrients in coconut will provide the skin with great benefits. The oil can also work to help remove dirt and dead cells from the skin. The aforementioned acids in coconut oil (lactic, capric, etc) can also have benefits when it comes to acne treatment: the antimicrobial properties of these fats can act to prevent or help reduce current acne breakouts (7).  The antioxidants prevent and help to reduce skin aging. Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection, reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis while supporting the natural chemical balance of the skin, softens the skin helping relieve dryness and flaking, prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots promoting healthy looking complexion (7). Essential to soap making, it is a natural cleanser and moisturizer and makes a hard, cleansing bar with creamy, bubbly lather.

• Ricinus communis (Castor Oil): Soothing oil that has been used medicinally for thousands of years and has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties (3). In soap it acts as an emollient, humectant and softener, adds and retains moisture and protects the skin. It is also used to treat dry lacerated and chapped skin, including psoriasis. It makes a soft, conditioning bar with bubbly, stable lather.

• Elaeis guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil: High in lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids which will produce a hard, cleansing bar with a full lather when used in a soap making formula (8).Palm oil contains toctrienols, members of the vitamin E family which helps the skin to fight free radicals that damage the skin and cause fine lines and wrinkles (9). Found in soaps for its ability to remove oil and dirt from and also contains a refatting agent that helps restore the skin’s natural oils (9).

• Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Oil: An anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant. It reduces inflammation thereby causing less skin redness and blotchiness making skin appear evenly colored (6). Enhances circulatory system by causing an increase in blood flow and subsequently an increase in nutrients to the skin along with much needed oxygen to the cells (6). This is essential to healthier cells, and benefits more frequent cell turnover.

• Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Buds: Lavender is well regarded for its skin healing properties. It’s beautiful scent and is thought to be very calming to the nerves. Lavender is credited with being anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, balancing, energising, soothing, healing, toning and stimulating (7). It works well on all skin types and is effective in treating oily skin as well as acne, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis and is thought to stimulate cellular growth and regeneration in the skin by helping the upper layer of skin rejuvenate itself (7).

• Sodium Hydroxide: Used in the saponifiation process to turn oil into soap, none of which remain in the end product.

The lavender soap comes in a 4 oz bar format wrapped in cellophane and packaged in a reusable/eco-friendly jute burlap bag. Purple in color, lavender buds are sprinkled on top of the soap and is mildly scented of lavender courtesy of the essential oil and dried lavender buds. 

To use, apply on moistened skin, use a loofah to work up a lather before rinsing off.

The bar produces creamy lather and like other IEN soaps I used thus far (HERE & HERE), this soap bar is too functions like a lotion bar, resulting in intense hydration and has excellent moisturizing qualities that are ideal for those with dry skin. The natural fragrance of lavender essential oil provides a calming and soothing aromatherapy experience.  

Ideal for babies, toddles and adults, the bar lasts for well over a month when used twice a day, everyday, and retains its shape well (I leave it to air-dry after use).   

Scented with pure lavender oils to calm the mind and soothe the body, the bar is made from nurturing and conditioning oils & butters to produce a mild, skin-nourishing soap that leaves the skin feeling clean, soft, and radiantly healthy.

Indian Earthy Naturals : Pure Coconut Milk Soap

Since the days of Cleopatra, milk soaps made have always been the most moisturizing. Coconut milk soap is particularly effective at addressing skin conditions. Lathering up with coconut milk soap is an excellent way to get the health benefits of coconut milk into your skin.

ABOUT THE BRAND

 Learn more about IEN HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Saponified Coconut Oil: The fatty acids along with the numerous minerals and nutrients in coconut will provide the skin with great benefits. The oil can also work to help remove dirt and dead cells from the skin. The aforementioned acids in coconut oil (lactic, capric, etc) can also have benefits when it comes to acne treatment: the antimicrobial properties of these fats can act to prevent or help reduce current acne breakouts (1).  The antioxidants prevent and help to reduce skin aging. Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection, reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis while supporting the natural chemical balance of the skin , softens the skin helping relieve dryness and flaking, prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots promoting healthy looking complexion (1).

• Saponified Coconut Milk: Contains high levels of fatty acids, helping to eliminate dirt, dead skin and other blemishing issues (2). Rich in protein which is fabulous for damaged skin, coconut milk can be used topically to moisturize, soothe and even to fight off bacteria (3). Coconut milk soap is rich in vitamin E, which is well regarded for bringing benefits to dry skin, small cuts, burns and rashes. When used on a regular basis, the vitamin E in coconut milk soap can heal severely dry, chapped or chafed skin, restoring it to its smooth state (2). The natural fatty acids in coconut milk are known to relieve dry, irritated skin and results in intense hydration when applied topically (3). In soap making, it adds a creamy moisturizing lather that cleans and soothes (3).

The pure coconut milk soap is a 4 oz solid white bar that is unscented. To use, apply on moistened skin, use a loofah to work up a lather before rinsing off.

I initially purchased this product for my daughter but soon realized it worked wonders for my dry skin too. Though unscented, the bar naturally smells of toasted coconut!

The coconut milk adds a creamy moisturizing lather that cleans and soothes while the coconut oil creates a nice bubbly lather.  This soap bar is so much like a lotion bar, the presence of superior fatty acids in coconut milk results in intense hydration and has excellent moisturizing qualities that are ideal for those with dry skin. The rich milk contaminant cleans the skin gently without irritating it and offers a deep cleanse. It does not strip away the natural oils in the skin and works to replenish moisture in the skin, leaving it smooth, soft and hydrated.

A must try wonderful skin loving bar of soap!

*Photo Courtesy: Indian Earthy Naturals, Suman Lata Malik*