Review: Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips & Carrot Perfecting Serum

Today I am doing a review of my current favorite serum! It is the Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips & Carrot Perfecting Serum. 

I have been using this serum for a good part of 2014. I first bought it in the middle of last winter when I needed extra moisture but ended up shelving it during the warm summer months. Now that the cold weather has returned, this serum has been added back into my daily skincare routine.

The serum has only three ingredients: certified organic rose hips oil, cold pressed Egyptian carrot seed oil, and seabuckthorn oil.

The serum is a runny consistency and is the color of honey. It smells very earthy which may be a mix of the carrot and seabuckthorn oil (you really can't smell the rose). Once rubbed into the skin it creates an instant glow. I must mention how much I love the packaging. It is in a glass bottle with a pump which I am already planning to reuse for some sweet almond oil. I love that most of Shea Terra's products come in glass bottles. They look great on the shelf, are durable and are perfect to recycle for another use. The 2 oz bottle costs $32 but the amount you get seriously lasts a long time.

This serum works for all skin types and may be particularly beneficial for acne prone skin (like mine) since the oils are very healing but it is also good for mature skin since the ingredients are anti-aging as well. According to the Shea Terra website rose hips oil can reverse sun damage, decrease scarring by regenerating skin, help heal acne and improves rosacea. The carrot seed oil, which is rich in vitamin E and beta carotene, retains moisture, improves smoothness and calms irritation. Although I think there is a minor amount of seabuckthorn oil in this serum, it has been raved for helping heal acne.

The serum is runny, with a honey color

I only use this serum at night since it is a heavier consistency and takes a while to sink completely into the skin. When I first started using this again I was using this in place of a nighttime moisturizer and I thought maybe it was a little too heavy for my skin . However, I recently experimented with mixing it into my moisturizer I was using for day and I love the results. I am currently using Om Aroma & Co's Truffle Face Cream for Normal Skin. I put a dime size of the moisturizer in my hand and add one pump of the Rose Hips & Carrot Perfecting Serum and mix together. It is super hydrating and sinks in quicker.

Adds an instant glow to the skin

I can tell that this serum hydrates extremely well- I have no dry patches on my face at all! It does definitely add a glow and helps to even out my skin tone. I haven't seen any dramatic results with healing acne but it does not clog my pores (when using it mixed with a moisturizer) and it does not add to any breakouts either. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to try out a serum that can tackle a few concerns at once. I would 100% repurchase this item.

Are there any serums or moisturizing oils you are currently loving? I would love to hear about them in the comments!

x Lauren

How to Shop for Natural Products and Understand Labels

Ever pick up a face cream only to realize you have no clue what is being said on the bottle? Yes, the words are in English but you find yourself wondering “formulated without what?” or pondering terms such as “derived from natural origin.” You’re not alone. Understanding terms and ingredients will help you make decisions next time you’re in the skincare aisle without wanting to run to the nearest dermatologist for help.

Know the difference between natural and organic

Believe it or not, natural and organic are not interchangeable. Each carry their own claims. A natural product is one made from ingredients in nature which are not synthetic or created in a lab. With natural products you will often see “derived from natural origin” specified in the ingredients list indicating that the natural ingredient may have been altered or combined with another ingredient. Also, there may be a claim as to how much of the product is natural. For instance, 98.8% natural could mean that there is a small percentage of preservatives used to extend the life of the product.

Organic products use natural ingredients that have a lot more weight to their claims. Organic ingredients are grown, manufactured and preserved without the use of any chemical herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or antibiotics.

Recognize organic labels

There are no country-wide regulations for skin care companies when putting organic claims on their labels. They may simply state that the ingredients are organic and label the item as such. However, companies can get their ingredients certified for use of seals that prove and represent their ingredients have passed strict regulations. There are several seals all with different standards. When choosing organic it is best to go with a product that has been certified, passed regulations and can bear a seal.

　

USDA Organic

This seal issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture can only be on products which are 95-98% organic (excluding water) and the product must provide the name of the certifying agency.

　

COPA: California Organic Products Act

Products must be at least 70% organic excluding water. Any items with organic claims that do not fulfill these requirements are not permitted to be sold in the State of California.

　

NSF: National Science Foundation

Products with this seal must have 70% organic ingredients and must also state the exact percentage of organic product on the label.　

　

Familiarize yourself with harmful ingredients

Familiarizing yourself with ingredients is probably the most important thing to do when switching to natural products. Knowing which ingredients to avoid will help you identify truly natural products. Reading the ingredients of a product is the first thing I do at the store. In a truly all natural product you will recognize probably all of the ingredients as food items. If it sounds edible, that’s what I go for! You’d be surprised to find that sometimes labels are misleading and may boast natural ingredients but are still full of toxic chemicals. Many popular products found in stores contain harmful or harsh elements that can damage or irritate skin. Some can even lead to some serious health risks, such as causing allergic reactions or affecting hormones.  These ingredients are synthetic, lab made and are found in your average face wash or cream. What makes natural or organic products different is that they are made without such ingredients. The products listed in my previous post here should be absent from the ingredients list on products claiming to be natural or organic.

Review: DermOrganic Daily Conditioning Shampoo & Masque Intensive Hair Repair

 

I have been using the DermOrganic Daily Conditioning Shampoo and Masque for about two months. These DermOrganic products are Cruelty Free & Vegan, are 70% organic and are both made with Argan Oil. They are sulfate free and are safe for color treated hair and for use everyday.

First off, I love that they are pump bottles. It makes it super convenient to store and use in the shower. However, when you are nearing the end, it may be a little difficult to get the last little amount out.

The shampoo has a very light, clean scent. It foams up really well, which for a natural shampoo is not usually the case. The shampoo cleans really well and does not cause any build-up. What is super important for me is that the shampoo is really gentle on the skin and does not dry out my scalp. I use about 6-7 pumps to cleanse my entire head. Like I said, I have been using this for two months and I still have around half of the 12 oz bottle left. 

I have tried quite a few natural conditioners and was never really a fan of the thin consistency that most of them have. This one is really thick and coats my hair great. It also has a yummy apple scent. I use this everyday and I love how smooth and manageable it makes my hair. It claims to repair damage. I feel like it prevents damage more than repairing it. Overall, I think this is a great conditioner. I would definitely repurchase both the shampoo and conditioner!

I buy mine at Drugstore.com, they are both $15.

Ingredients to Avoid in Skin and Body Care Products

Thinking about switching to a greener lifestyle or just curious about what's in the products you put on your body everyday? I've compiled a list of ingredients to look out for and reasons to avoid them. 
The items listed below should be absent from the ingredients list on products if you are looking to clean up your routine.

Parabens

What they are:

Chemicals used to prevent growth on microbes. They are frequently identified on labels as ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben.

Why you should avoid them:

They have been linked to cancer and have been known to disrupt hormone production  and can lead to breast cancer or reproductive toxicity.

Sulfates

What they are:

Chemicals that are responsible for producing lather including Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

Why you should avoid them:

When absorbed into the skin in large quantities, the chemical can mimic estrogen leading to problems with PMS and menopause as well as breast cancer.

Synthetic Fragrances and Dyes

What they are:

Scents and coloring agents that are not made from natural ingredients.

Why you should avoid them:

They may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions especially on sensitive skin.

Petrochemicals

What they are:

Chemicals derived from petroleum or natural gas. They can be recognized under the names of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, benzene, phenol and acetone.

Why you should avoid them:

Some can cause skin irritants while others such as benzene are carcinogenic, which means they are possibly cancer causing in high doses.

Phthalates

What they are:

Chemicals that help products absorb into the skin and are known as dibutylphthalate or butyl ester.

Why you should avoid them:

They may cause severe skin irritation.

GMOs

What they are:

Genetically modified organisms which could include natural products that have been genetically altered. The only way to be sure your product is made without GMOs is if the ingredients have been organic-certified.

Why you should avoid them:

Genetically modified crops can have traces of pesticides, insecticides or hormones that can be absorbed when product is applied topically.

Triclosan

What they are:

Often used to kill bacteria on skin and is found in face washes.

Why you should avoid them:

Research has shown that they alter hormones in animals, may contribute to antibiotic resistant germs and may be harmful to the immune system.