Healing with Himalayan Salt

Himalayan Salt is the purest salt available, containing 84 of the possible 92 trace minerals contained in our own bodies. It is hand-mined (no dynamite used) in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in Pakistan, and is 250 million years old, formed from a pristine, primal ocean. Himalayan crystal salt can be consumed as a mineral water by dissolving in water, dissolved in a hot bath for a healthy soak and detox, or it can be put it on your food or in cooking, instead of the standard table salt. Himalayan bath salt is known to alleviate severe cases of dry skin disorders. A Himalayan salt bath is said to stimulate circulation, hydrate the skin, increase moisture retention, promote cellular regeneration, detoxify the skin and help heal dry, scaling, irritated skin. Salt water bathing reduces inflammation of the muscles and joints, relaxes muscles and relieves pain and soreness and will improve psoriasis. It is a good treatment for PMS, reducing water retention and swelling, and I am using it to help with my daughters recent eczema outbreak.
The cleansing effects of a 30 minute salt bath are believed to equal that of a 3-day detox, while softening the skin and balancing the skin's PH factor.

Akamuti is now stocking Himalayan Salt Chunks and they can also be found at many sites on the internet and in select health food shops. There are also several books that provide a history and useful information on healing using salt and water, including Water and Salt: The Essence of Life, and Water and Salt: Your Healers from Within.

Brighten up your January

Akamuti skincare, another of my long standing favourites, have come up with a new product this month,
Sweet Orange Facial Scrub [£7.00 for 60 ml]. It is a nourishing blend of moisturising almond & mango butters with fairtrade brown sugar, sweet orange for aiding the removal of dead skin cells, while geranium and myrrh rejuvenate for a fresh complexion. The scrub is also enriched with carrot seed oil which is rich in anti-oxidants responsible for healthy skin cells. The scent of sweet orange is also very uplifting, great for dull January! Yum yum yummy.

Frugal in the New Year

Like many, I'm finding the necessity to be even more frugal as the new year begins. This is no reason not to go organic though, and while I've had to refrain from buying some of my more expensive favourites, I've happily replaced them with more economical favourites. This is what I find so enjoyable about searching out new (and not so new) products, is that there are so many really GOOD things out there.

Currently I'm using Green People's Organic Gentle Cleanse with Chamomile, Marshmallow and Aloe Vera [£7.82 for 50 ml], Gentle Tone- which is new for me as I usually don't bother with this step, but their gentle tone also acts as a light moisturiser, a good way to add moisture to the skin before applying moisturiser and yet easily absorbed. I need this right now as my skin is feeling very dry. [£7.82 for 50ml]. And finally I'm also using Green People's Day Solution moisturiser with Organic Aloe Vera, Chamomile, and Rose Geranium. [£11.73 for 50ml] and I should mention that 30p from every sale goes to the Penny Brohn Cancer Help Centre. So its a very Green start to the new year!!

ISHTAR Liquid Mineral Makeup

At my age (ahem..39) a liquid foundation makeup seems far too heavy and line magnifying, which is why I've wholly embraced tinted moisturiser as a wonderful substitute. Mineral makeup has been on my radar for awhile now, and I have used mineral powder, but admittedly I have never been a powder person (except maybe when I was 16) and so this didn't really stick with me.

I like liquids, and so having found this Ishtar liquid mineral makeup, I was so intrigued. Ishtar Skinlights liquid mineral makeup is just like a powder, only easier to apply. How is this different from normal liquid foundaton you ask? Well, it goes on and absorbs fairly sheerly, as the powder would, until you build up the amount of coverage you want. For me, it goes on very much the same as my favourite tinted moisturiser, but provides a bit more coverage-- hence no need for concealer. No heavyness and my face doesn't feel dry at the end of the day.

Ishtar Skinlights Organic Mineral Makeup is unique on the market, made here in England, and I am so delighted to have found it! It offers lightweight, long lasting coverage, goes on easy with out powder and brushes, and imparts a wonderful dewy finish. It is designed to benefit the skin with natural ingredients DMAE and MSM in an organic base with Jojoba, Ishtar Mineral Makeup improvesskin texture and calms difficult complexions. It is also talc and fragrance free. You can find and order their products online at ishtarskinlights.com and samples of the colour range are available.

My Top Ten of 2008

Hello everyone, and happy holidays! I know I have been lost in oblivion for a few months and I do apologise. Life sometimes gets in the way, especially creatively when you are forced to think of other non-creative things! Anyway, I've come up with what I think are the best products, my favourites at least, that I've used this past year. Its been a busy year for Inspired Organics, and I scarcely realised that the blog has surpassed its one year anniversary. Many thanks to you dear readers for your support and to the fab companies that get in touch and enlighten me with their products!

Deciding on ten favourites is tough, but I had to look at what I keep returning to, the products I scrabble for in a skin emergency, the ones I can't live without. And yes, there's a few that are luxury items, but considering how long they last, how little is needed in terms of application and effectiveness, I have included them as well! Hope you enjoy the list and have had a chance to try some of these fabulous products yourself. Here's looking forward to an even better 2009!

Inspired Organics Ten Favourite Products of 2008.

1. Kimia Exquisite Rejuvenating Facial System.
This two part system has by far been the single most impressive product I've used this year. The scent, the feel, the effect, its all amazing and worth the £69 price tag. Kimia is an English development, made here in the northwest of the country and has quickly gained an international reputation, particularly among the rich and famous. I guard it like gold in my bathroom, and use it as often, but as sparingly as I can!!!

2. Living Nature's Vitalising Cleanser. I have used alot of cleansers this year, from thick creams, to oils, to water only, and this one is my hand's down favourite. Upon rinsing off, the skin is immediately softened with the Manuka Honey ingredient and feels velvety smooth. This cleanser comes in two varieties, this one for normal/dry skin, and the Purifying Cleanser for more oily complexions. Living Nature is exceptionally pure and comes from New Zealand, so its probably my one selection that travels a distance to get to me.

3. Living Nature's Clear Lights Tinted Moisturiser. Earlier in the year I replaced my long standing favourite tinted moisturiser by Aveda as I discovered it contained parabens. It was not easy for me finding a replacement with just the right colour, consistency and coverage, but I have become a firm user of Clear Lights. Its lighter in application and feeling than the Aveda, and yet provides a coverage that I like, which means it evens my skin out, looks natural and doesn't feel heavy. And I know its helping my skin as well with the Manuka Honey and other pure ingredients. I like to mix the dawn light with the day light for my own colouring.

4. Akamuti's Pomegranate Seed Facial Oil. Pomegranate seed oil is another ingredient in Saaf's serum that I'll be mentioned further along, and using this pure seed oil on my skin has been very beneficial indeed. I use it at night, and you only need a small amount but its easily absorbed, not greasy. Recent studies have shown that pomegranate seed oil helps promote the growth and thickening of the epidermis, which can help revitalize the skin and resolve fine wrinkles. Buying it as a seed oil from Akamuti is very affordable and effective and fills in nicely when the luxury items just don't fit into the budget.



5. Saaf Skincare's Ultimate Moisture Face Serum. I was lucky to be introduced to the Saaf Skincare line earlier this year, another British company based in the north of England. This face serum was one of my regular favourites and put me onto the Pomegranate oil phenomenon. Another potent ingredient in the serum is Rosehip Oil which helps aid to skin regeneration, helps to boost levels of collagen and elastin, so helping to create the appearance of smoother, firmer skin. The serum is £29.99 for 30ml so slightly more affordable then my top pick, but still a little luxury.

6. Beyond Organic's Natural Eye Cream & Pur Skin Care's Organic Ginsing Firming Eye Cream. So this spot for eye cream is a firm tie, as I have loved both of these equally and continue to alternate between them. I find them non-greasy, easily aborbed, creamy (i like creams rather than gels, though you may disagree completely!) and good value for money. Both are hand made in Cornwall and Wales respectively and at £6.20 for 7ml and £6.99 for 15ml. you can splurge on both without too much guilt!
7. Raw Gaia's For Her Daughters Living Moisturiser. I have found a few really lovely moisturisers this year that I keep returning to, depending on the season. This one I really like as the weather gets a bit colder, the interior gets a bit drier. The uniqueness of Raw Gaia's products are the fact that they are raw, and minimally processed for a truly pure product. This moisturiser only requires a small amount which melts into your skin as you apply it. It contains the skin powergods Rosehip seed Oil, Cacao Butter, and Evening Primrose Oil. Handmade at £12.50 for a 60ml jar, I find this lasts for a good long time, and you can store in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

8. Anita Grant's Lippy Pucker Lip Balm. I've used a few different lip balms this year including a very nice coffee flavour one by Ciccolatina. I've settle on Anita Grant's dark chocolate flavour, though they are available in other flavours and original as well.

9. Faith in Nature's Chocolate Shower Gel and FoamBath. I love chocolate, this is no secret and I like this because it smells chocolatey in the bottle, but not so much in the bath. It does leave you feeling silky soft and makes for a very luxurious bath. £4.70 for 400ml.

10. Neal's Yard Honey & Orange Scrub. This is a long standing favourite and I contemplated whether I should mention it or not, but it has stood the test of time for me, and I still use it, 10 years later. This might not be the best scrub for really sensitive skins, but my skin has been known to be sensitive and still, I love the way this totally exfoliates my skin and leaves it soft but never red or irritated. And I've always loved the neroli oil. £11.70 for 75g.
So the happiest of holidays to all of you and I'll be back in a few weeks, looking into what's new for 2009!!

Bring out the warming oils..

As we set the clocks back one hour today (in Britain) I'm reminded that winter is well and truly around the corner and have already seen some changes in my skin and hair. I think we sometimes forget that our skins- well our bodies entirely- are in constant flux, always changing, so no matter if you have a tendency toward oiliness or dryness, your skin will change with the seasons. Central heating is a great one for drying out the skin and hair so I'm bringing out the oils.

There have been times when I would never have considered using an oil on my skin, but many oils are beneficial, even for oily skin, so its good to learn about them.

Rice Bran Oil: This is an ancient Japanese beauty secret, known to purify the skin & condition the hair. Rice Bran Oil has been central to Japanese skincare, used as a skin beautifying oil & complexion enhancer for centuries. Gentle & softening and full of vitamin E and anti-oxidents, it is ideal for facial cleansing or moisturising. It is easily absorbed by the skin & very pleasant to use, encouraging skin renewal & healthy skin tone. It is also reputed to prevent sun damage to the skin & is ideal for sensitive or mature skin. It can also be used on your scalp to assist dryness and to condition the hair.

Jojoba Oil: This is a perennial favourite of mine, and is not actually an oil at all, but a liquid wax that is produced in the seed of the Jojoba [ho-ho-bah] (Simmondsia chinensis) plant, a shrub native to the southwestern United States, and Mexico. Jojoba oil closely matches the skins own sebum, which is why it is especially good for achieving re-balance on oily & greasy complexions. It is rich in proteins & is a very good skin conditioner. Soothing & protecting this naturally waxy oil is also great for dry, damaged & split hair.

Castor Oil: Castor oil was the main oil used in the 'oil cleansing method' that I wrote about several months back and it has been revered for hundreds of years for its healing properties. It is a unique oil and is almost 90 percent ricinoleic acid, which is unusual in such a high concentration. Its unsaturated fatty acid content is thought to be responsible for castor oil's remarkable skin caring qualities. Castor oil can also be used on sensitive skin as a soothing facial cleanser as well as a rejuvenating hair treatment to promote hair growth & add lustre to your locks, exactly what we need in the dry winter months.

Ricinoleic acid has been shown to have a high degree of success on ringworm, skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infections, acne and chronic pruritus (itching). (info from Akamuti website)

Hemp Oil: Another oil rich in omega oils & fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Hemp seeds contain the highest source of essential fatty acids in the entire plant kingdom. Hemp oil is famous for its healing powers on the skin & is believed to have a very positive effect on conditions such as eczema.

Rosehip Seed Oil: This is also another of my absolute favourites and I have always seen its effectiveness almost immediately. Rosehip is a very precious oil which is hydrating to the skin & rich in Vitamin C & essential fatty acids. It is especially touted for its ability to revitalise the skin and act as an anti-wrinkle remedy, especially around the eyes. Proven for reducing scarred tissue, it has had fantastic results on scarring after surgery or burns and is also noted for helping thread veins and sunspots. It is well tolerated by all skin types & a lovely oil to use on the face as it is so light.

All of these oils, as well as many more exotic ones are available through the Akamuti website.

Good Kaarma..

As a firm believer in karma, I could not let this clever little company pass me by. Good Kaarma is an organic soap company based in Kaarma, Estonia. Thier products are sold all over Estonia, and are also available in Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and now here in the UK.

The soaps are handmade from 95+% organic ingredients and available in a scrumptous range like Amrita, which includes grapefruit, ginger and patchoulli. An ever present favourite of mine, chocolate, this soap, Chocolate Bliss contains, chocolate, orange, cinnamon and patchouli! Or maybe you'd prefer something a bit more.. em down to earth? for that they have Wall Street made with Basil, bergamot, lavender and clary sage..clary sage I understand, helps to clear your head! I'm already thinking of Christmas, and sending some good kaarma is definitely what I'd like to do!! You can find Good Kaarma soaps available on line here in the uk at Lovelula.com.