Rustic Art : Organic Baby Lotion

I am always on a quest to find natural products (read chemical free) for my 3 year old. So when time came for me to find her a body lotion I found it almost impossible to find one without preservatives. Then I happened to chance upon Rustic Art's baby lotion that came full of promises. Due to my previous positive experience with the brand, I decided to give this a go!

ABOUT THE BRAND

Founded by aunt-neice duo, Sunita Jaju and Swati Maheshwari, Rustic Art makes and uses sustainable alternatives to chemical-based products. Eco-friendly, handmade, free of chemicals and harmful elements, the brand uses only certified organic products in their formulations.

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Certified Aloe Vera: An antipruritic (relives or prevents itching), it’s a great way to hydrate, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin and increase skin elasticity through collagen and elastin repair (1). (To learn further benefits of aloe vera, CLICK HERE).

• Organic Jojoba Oil: Non-toxic and non comedogenic, jojoba oil doesn't cause skin irritation or allergic reactions (2). Because emollients are oils that add hydration to skin, jojoba oil does an excellent job of making skin soft and smooth, improving its look and feel (2). An effective moisturizer, it penetrates skin and is easily absorbed. An antibacterial agent, jojoba oil effectively kills bacteria and germs (2).

• Organic Sunflower Oil: Retains moisture, and prevents the skin from drying out (3). It is extremely powerful at keeping away bacteria and maintaining youthful skin, and contains a rich mixture of vitamins and other natural substances that have a healthy effect on skin and its pores (3). It is very high in antioxidants, particularly the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, which prevent free radicals from damaging the skin. The vitamin E, in the sunflower oil, also acts as moisturizer, by helping the body cells retain water inside them. Folate or folic acid, present in sunflower oil, helps the body in the manufacture of new cells (3). Sunflower oil works as a protective and moisturizing solution for skin. A study published in The Lancet suggests that sunflower oil skin treatments may help prevent infection, especially for infants with underdeveloped skin (3).

• Organic Coconut Oil: Best oil for baby skin as it is light and gets absorbed quickly in the skin. Coconut oil can be used as an effective treatment for sensitive skin and skin problems like eczema, rashes, patchy skin, dermatitis and cradle cap (4). It helps keeping baby’s skin amply moisturized and supple and contains anti-oxidants and lauric and caprylic acids, which are great for the skin. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which make it an ideal choice for baby’s skin (4).

• Organic Wheat Germ Oil: Rich in fatty acids oleic and linoleic acids which are soothing for the skin, wheat germ oil contains 23 different nutrients, including protein, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, iron and calcium which makes it particularly well-suited to moisturizing and soothing the skin (5). Readily absorbed by the skin making it an effective moisturiser that delivers a healthy infusion of vitamin A, vitamin D, B vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids (5).

• Vitamin E Oil: A potent antioxidant, vitamin E is widely believed to contribute to skin tone and moisture, so it's commonly included in moisturizing creams and lotions for all ages (6). Like other antioxidants, the health benefit of vitamin E is thought to derive from its ability to hunt free radicals, cells that can cause skin damage and other health problems (6). Vitamin E is valuable because it's fat soluble, meaning that oils and fats can transport it into body tissues and systems where water-soluble vitamins can't pass (6). Infants are susceptible to all the same causes of dry skin as adults and because their skin is more delicate than an adult's, they're more prone to dry skin. A gentle moisturizing lotion containing vitamin E can be an effective treatment, soothing your baby's skin and preventing the irritating itches and rashes (6).
  

• Vegetable Glycerin: A natural humectant, it can seal in moisture on the top layer of the skin while the other oils work their way deep into our cells to provide long-lasting moisture.

• Shea Butter: Naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F, it provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production (7). The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in Shea butter make it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin making it apt for dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils (7).  Lupeol cinnamate in shea butter, reduces skin inflammation making it beneficial for acne (7). 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 (7).

• Natural Citric Acid: A.K.A. vitamin C which is a natural preservative and pH adjuster (8).

• Borax: A boron mineral and salt that’s mined directly from the ground, and works as an emulsifying agent (9).

• Essential Oil of Chamomile: Used in lotions and creams to sooth irritated skin (8).

• Essential Oil of Blueberry: No such thing as blueberry essential oil, what is existent is blueberry seed oil and blueberry fragrance oil.

• Essential Oil of Lavender: An anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant. It reduces inflammation thereby causing less skin redness and blotchiness making skin appear evenly colored (10). 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 (10). This is essential to healthier cells, and benefits more frequent cell turnover.

• Essential Oil of Vanilla: The antioxidant property of vanilla essential oil neutralizes these free radicals and protects the body from wear and tear and infections (11). It also repairs the damage already done to the body and stimulates repair. This oil has a relaxing and calming effect on the brain and the nerves that provides relief from anxiety, anger, and restlessness (11).

• Natural Preservative of TCLS: Natural preservative system based on three key essential oils: Turmeric Oil (Curcuma longa), Clove Bud Oil (Syzgium Aromaticum), Lemon Grass Oil (Cymbopogen Citratus) and Sesame Oil (Sesamum Indicum) (12).

The organic baby lotion comes in a 100 mL plastic bottle with a flip top (which does not shut tight!). White in color, the lotion is thick in consistency but not greasy and does not have a very pleasant fragrance. 

To use, I literally have to squeeze the bottle to dispense the required amount of lotion and rub it onto my daughter after her shower.

The lotion though feels thick is lightweight upon application, glides on easily and is quick absorbing leaving the skin well hydrated. The fragrance is a whole different story! The lotion has a stale smell to it which my daughter totally hates. In fact there is a melt down every time I apply this lotion which is a complete deal breaker.

Dispensing the thick lotion from the flip top seems to be quite cumbersome. The website shows the product with a pump dispenser which I did not receive making me believe mine was from an older stock. I did mail Rustic Art expressing my concern but am yet to hear back from them. . 

Though the product does a good job at moisturizing, the fragrance unfortunately is a put off making me rethink my decision regarding re-purchasing it, which is a pity!

Rustic Art : Aloe Vera - Lavender Gel

For a while now I have been looking for an Aloe Vera Gel. However all the aloe gels I found used artificial preservatives such as parabens, phenoxyethanol etc. This is because the oxidation process begins exactly the moment aloe vera gel comes in contact with the air. So when I came across Rustic Art's Aloe Vera - Lavender Gel which is not only free of artificial preservatives and certified organic but also meant specifically for dry skin, I was intrigued.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Founded by aunt-neice duo, Sunita Jaju and Swati Maheshwari, Rustic Art makes and uses sustainable alternatives to chemical-based products. Eco-friendly, handmade, free of chemicals and harmful elements, the brand uses only certified organic products in their formulations. 

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

•  Organic Aloe Vera: 

 1. Helps with sunburn through its powerful healing activity at the epithelial level of the skin. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture and because of its nutritional qualities and antioxidant properties, the skin heals quicker (1). 

2. Moisturizes the skin without giving it a greasy feel, for men: Aloe vera gel can be used as an after shave treatment as its healing properties can treat small cuts caused by shaving (1).

3. Aloe vera gel contains six antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur (1). They all have inhibitory action on fungi, bacteria and viruses. Giberellin in aloe vera acts as a growth hormone stimulating the growth of new cells. It allows the skin to heal quickly and naturally with minimal scarring (2). Aloe contains the enzyme Bradykinase which helps to reduce excessive inflammation, blistering and itchiness,when applied to skin topically helping the skin to heal more rapidly (1). Additionally, in Ayurvedic medicine, Aloe is used to effectively heal chronic skin problems, such as psoriasis, acne and eczema (2).

4. Aloe leaves contain a plethora of antioxidants including, beta carotene, vitamin C and E that can help improve the skin's natural firmness and keep the skin hydrated (1).

5.Contains over 75 different nutrients including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, anthraquinones or phenolic compounds, lignin, saponins, sterols, amino acids and salicylic acid (1).

6. Aloe stimulates fibroblast which produces the collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic (2). 

• Lavender Extract: According to dermatologists and aromatherapists, lavender essential oil is one of the most beneficial oils in the treatment of acne,by inhibiting the bacteria that cause the initial infection (3). Aggravated skin caused by stress can be calmed by lavender as it has stress-relieving properties (4). Its property as a normalizing agent can heal wounds and help stimulate new cell growth and regeneration (4). 

• Natural Preservative of TCLS: Natural preservative system based on three key essential oils: Turmeric Oil (Curcuma longa), Clove Bud Oil (Syzgium Aromaticum), Lemon Grass Oil (Cymbopogen Citratus) and Sesame Oil (Sesamum Indicum) (5).

•  Vit - E: It protects the skin from environmental pollution, It has a protecting action against UV radiation – although it cannot be classed as a sunscreen, it is an excellent moisturiser, it contains powerful anti-inflammatory action – and this can prevent the signs of premature ageing, as inflammatory conditions in the skin is a leading cause of skin ageing, it has excellent wound healing properties (6). Apart from all of these excellent qualities, vitamin E also enhances and helps with the penetration of other compounds into the skin and is itself well absorbed by human skin (6). 

 
The primary reason I was rummaging for an all natural aloe gel was to treat the rashes I get after eyebrow threading. Soon it doubled as my husband's after shave balm too. The product comes in a 100 gm transparent plastic jar with a screw on lid. There is protective inner lid to prevent any leakage and it does a good job making it travel friendly. 

The gel is clear in color, sticky in consistency and has a mild lavender fragrance to it. When applied, it glides on easily and when used in the right proportions, there is no residual stickiness. 

The efficacy of the gel is astounding. Due to my skin sensitivity, I get red rashes a day after I thread my eyebrows which gets itchy and lasts a couple of days after. The skin around the threaded area also gets blotchy and difficult to touch. So the last time my skin threatened to break out after the procedure, I applied a liberal dose (a couple of times a day) around the area and to my surprise the skin soothed and there was no redness, no breakout or itchiness. I think in the summer time, this might double as a good moisturizer, however for the winters this will not work for my dry/dehydrated skin.

I am pretty impressed by the product and if like me, you are looking for a good quality aloe gel free of artificial preservatives, your search ends here!! 

Give it a go and let me know how it fared for you!