Essential U Blog

More Sulfate Free Options

At Essential Wholesale we have been getting alot of requests for more sulfate free shampoo and 3 in 1 Gel options.  This week we are releasing more products to give you plenty of choices so that we can met all of your cosmetic needs.  Welcome our new products:  Spa Herbal 3-1 Gel, Spa Herbal Shampoo, Gentle 3-1 Aloe Gel, Gentle Aloe Shampoo, Herbal Aloe & Shea 3-1 Gel, Herbal Aloe & Shea Shampoo.

Face the Wind: Forward, Backward, or in the Shadow

At a view point on the Ring of Kerry the bus came to a complete stop but it was rocking unevenly as the doors opened for us to step out. That should have been the first clue that is was suddenly extremely windy where we had parked. But I was still stunned by the strength of the wind as we stepped out into it to look around. Dennis, Keegan and I stood just outside the bus door soaking in the amazing view in front of us. The girls saw the wind whip us and cautiously stepped out. The decided against fighting the wind and ran back on the bus.

      

It seemed the wind couldn’t get any stronger until we stepped out from behind the protection that the bus was providing us to cross the parking lot to see the other side of the view. We were stunned by the intensity of the wind when we were being hit with it from both sides. It was so strong I couldn’t even turn into it to walk across the parking lot. It stole my breath away and I felt as though I was suffocating when I attempted to face the wind. Keegan and I chose to walk backwards slowly against the wind. There was no way to hurry up and rush against this monsterous wind.

Wordless Wednesday #16: Face First Into the Storm

Seven Functions of the Skin

Laura sent out an internal training memo that was just so good I had to share it with you.  Laura is our in house licensed esthetician in addition to being our sales manager. 

      

Our skin has 7 functions

EXCRETION (the skin eliminates sweat, salt and wastes from the body, therefore helping remove toxins from the internal systems)

SENSATION (feelings generated by the nerve endings just under the outer layer of the skin make you aware of heat, cold, touch, pain and pressure. The reaction to a sensation is called a reflex)

RESPIRATION (to breathe, the skin takes in oxygen through its pores and releases carbon dioxide)

HYDRATION (The skin contains water to keep itself soft and supple. It secretes perspiration and an oily, sebaceous fluid that maintains the skin’s moisture balance)

ABSORPTION (the skin permits certain substances like water and oxygen to pass through its tissues)

REGULATION (the skin helps maintain the body’s temperature)

PROTECTION (the skin shields your body from the direct impact of heat, cold, bacteria, and other aspects of the environment that could be detrimental to your health)

Accountability Partners

Accountability: the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions. Webster’s Dictionary

      

The other week I was swimming laps when I realized that there were only four swimmers in the pool. My swim gang, Elmer, Delores, Scott and I had the whole pool to ourselves. Honestly, I’m the only one who isn’t retired in this group but over the years the four of us have gravitated to each other as every other day we swim together. I know that if I miss a day that I will need to account for my whereabouts. And I also know that I’ll never swim alone. At least one from the group will be there with me.

Baby I Love You With Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Citrus essential oils, including Sweet Orange, are completely safe when applied to the skin of a baby or expectant mother as long as they are diluted into a cosmetic base (i.e. lotion, cream, shampoo, oil, etc.). Citrus oils have exceptionally low molecular weight, which means that most of the essential oil that the skin comes in contact with diffuses into the air and is not actually absorbed into the body. Aromatherapy that is used diluted into products is perfectly safe. Everything, including water, can be toxic when used in too large of a dose. Products containing essential oils generally contain very low concentrations of essential oils which makes them extremely safe. 

      

The chemical composition of sweet orange essential oil is: α-pinene (0.54%), myrcene (2.08%), limonene (95.37%), neral (0.06%), citronellal (0.10%), decanal (0.06%), geranial (0.12%) (Weiss EA. Essential Oil Crops. CAB International, 1997). The major constituent of sweet orange essential oil is limonene. Sweet orange is non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing. Sweet orange is not photo-toxic, although bitter orange is definitely photo-toxic. (Leung A, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics.)  Studies that have found citrus essential oils photo-toxic were conducted at 5% on animals and not at the typical 1% used in products used for human topical applications. 

Pillars of Family Business Success

[Guest post by Donna Maria Coles Johnson, CEO of the Indie Beauty Network.]

I have known Dennis and Kayla for years. I recall way back in 2000 when Essential Wholesale first joined the Indie Beauty Network. I think they were called "Fioravanti Custom Parties" back then. Dennis and I used to spend hours on the phone talking about the Internet, small business challenges and launching a business while birthing babies. It wasn’t until a year or so ago that I first met Kayla. We hit it off instantly, first in connection with “Soaprah,” the fictional soapmaker I created, and later as email buddies, and then as advocates for the small cosmetics industry on Capitol Hill. We get together regularly through technology, and in person when we can, to share thoughts and ideas and to encourage each other.

When Kayla asked me to submit a guest article while she and Dennis vacationed with their children in Ireland this week, I was excited to do so. I’m delighted for their chance to get away together as a family and also honored to be included in their blog. It didn’t take me long to figure out what I should write about. That’s right, family business.

A Closer Look at Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most exciting ingredients on the market today. It was discovered by Karl Meyer in 1934 and has been successfully used in personal care and wound healing. Until the 1990’s the only method of producing hyaluronic acid was extracting it from rooster combs. Currently there are two forms of hyaluronic acid on the market; one derived from rooster comb and the other derived by the fermentation of yeast. Essential Wholesale only carries the 100% vegan approved material.

  

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the extracellular matrix of human tissue. Topically applied hyaluronic acid forms an air permeable layer and penetrates into the dermis, thus boosting the elasticity and hydration of the skin. The protective breathable barrier on the skin locks in moisture which gives the skin a youthful appearance. The cuticular layer of the skin normally contains 10-20% water, however as we age it can drop to below 10%. Hyaluronic acid comes to the rescue with its unique ability to hold more than 1000 ml of water per gram of hyaluronic acid, which is a key factor in allowing the skin to retain more water. Amazingly, hyaluronic acid adjusts its moisture absorption based on the relative humidity in the air. It is the ideal ingredient in skin care products as it adjusts to the skin’s need for a moisturizing effect depending on the relative humidity of seasons and climate of an area. Hyaluronic acid also protects the epidermis by scavenging reactive oxygen species generated by ultra violet light which would normally cause sunspots.

Wordless Wednesday #15: A Reminder That This Too Shall Pass

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Everyday is Earth Day at Essential Wholesale

At Essential Wholesale we celebrate Earth Day all year round.  We make green choices in everything that we do from the wind power we use, the automatic lights that turn off when no one is in the room, to the benefits we offer our employees, the ingredients we chose, the products we manufacture, to the trees that we plant in partnership with you through our Breathe Green Campaign year round and so much more.