EO Body Oil

Dry skin? Lotions not strong enough? Invest in a body oil. I know most people are afraid of oil. No one wants to feel oily or greasy. Oil can be the best thing for your skin during these dry winter months. Natural oils are easily absorbed, not greasy and non-comedogenic. They basically quench your parched skin. Oils are super-effective at keeping us hydrated without the added ingredients and toxins that most lotions have. I'm biased because I love oil, not just for my body but my face too. This body oil is very light and my skin soaks it up so quick, I never feel oily.

EO Botanical Body Oil blends vitamin E oil with jojoba, sunflower and sweet almond oils to deeply nourish skin and improve radiance where it's needed most. The timeless scent of lavender soothes the senses while this oil restores softness to the skin. Packaged in a 8oz recycled blue bottle.

I keep the bottle right in my shower. I pat dry then apply the oil. It's easier to rub in when the skin is still a little wet. I don't feel oily and my skin has never been so soft. You can buy the body oil on the EO Website on Amazon or I've seen them popping up at TJ Maxx and Marshall's.

Dr. Bronner's Magic Balm

Dr. Bronner's is known for their Castile soap. They also have another amazing product, Magic Balms. The balms are not petroleum based, but instead incorporates a base of organic beeswax and organic oils. They are USDA certified organic and contain certified fair trade oils. They come in two scents, arnica menthol and baby unscented. I own both. I use them for lots of things and they are extremely versatile. I bought mine on the Dr. Bronner's website but you can also buy them online at Target and LuckyVitamin. Below are some examples of how to use the balms. 

Arnica Menthol Magic Balm

• Clear up congestion. Just massage the balm onto your chest. You can even dab a tiny bit underneath your nose, not inside of it, to help unblock sinuses. 
• Helps cool and smooth sore muscles and achy joints
• Relieve tired, sore feet. Coupled with a foot massage, this is a must-try. Slip on some thick, comfy socks to trap in your body heat and amplify the skin-softening power. 
• Soothe itchiness from insect bites. Simply apply a thin layer to the affected areas. It can even act as a repellent. 
• Ease lower back pain during menstruation. If your pain is severe, rub the balm on your lower back to help make daily tasks more tolerable. 
• Relieve headaches. Just massage a pea-sized amount on your temples, being careful to avoid getting too close to your eyes, as the vapors from the balm can cause you to tear up.
• Moisturize dry, cracked skin especially great in the winter. Elbows, knees, feet, hands. Wherever your skin needs a bit more love and attention.

Baby Unscented Magic Balm 

• Help prevent diaper rash in babies
• Help soothe irritated red crease lines under arms and behind knees in babies
• Moisturize dry or chafed skin, cuticles, chapped lips, heels, elbows 
• Heal recent tattoos and brighten up old ones: wash your tattoo with our Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, pat the area dry, then apply a thin layer of Baby Unscented Organic Magic Balm over the tattoo
• Define or taper unruly eyebrows
• Style beard or mustache
• Use as a daily or nightly eye cream
• Apply a tiny amount to hair to help tame flyaways, a little goes a long way

Overnight Hair Repair Mask

This overnight hair mask is perfect for winter months, especially this frigid January we are having. Coconut and lavender mixed together, and left on overnight, can do wonders to your hair and scalp. Coconut oil consists mainly of fatty acids that moisturize and nourish the scalp. It's antibacterial and anti-fungal properties make it perfect for dry, itchy scalp or to treat dandruff. The lauric acid and vitamin E can help rejuvenate your locks. Lavender oil promotes hair growth, prevents hair loss and improves blood circulation. It moisturizes the scalp and balances sebum production (sebum is the oil your skin naturally produces). The antiseptic and antimicrobial properties in lavender also make it an excellent dandruff remedy.

1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
6 drops lavender essential oil

Mix the lavender oil in the coconut oil. Part hair in sections, dip fingers in to oil mixture and apply to scalp. I parted my hair in sections and massaged the oil in from front to back. Once I covered my whole scalp, I applied the remaining my oil to the ends of my hair. Give your hair a quick brush and put it in a bun. Sleep with a shower cap (or towel) on so it doesn't get all over your pillow. Wash it out in the morning. Shampoo your hair a few times to make sure it's all out. I shampoo twice and condition once.

Not only does your hair feel amazing after the mask, but this treatment promotes hair growth. You can do it weekly or monthly. Whatever you choose, you will be amazed at the results.

Carolina Castile Soap

I'm sure you've heard me talk a lot about Dr. Bronners Castile Soap. It's been a staple in my house for a few years. Let's recap what Castile soap is. The soap originates from the Castile Region of Spain. Castile Soap started off to mean strictly a soap made from olive oil. Castile Soap has evolved to refer to any soap made from the saponification of vegetable oils. Castile Soap is pure, all-natural and chemical free. 

I use Dr. Bronners for a lot of things, hand soap, body wash, laundry detergent and household cleaner. I have been extremely happy with it and promote it to everyone I know. One of my friends recently introduced me to Carolina Castile Soap. I didn't know anything about it so I started researching. All of their soaps are made in the U.S.A. and are Oregon Tilth Certified Organic. They do not use synthetic foaming agents, synthetic colors, dyes or fragrances. They do not use sodium laureth/lauyrl sulfates in any of their soaps. All soaps are biodegradable and don't contain any animal products. You will notice that although all of their Castile Soaps contain olive oil, they also all contain coconut and any combination of other vegetable oils. Carolina comes in the following scents, lemon, lavender, almond, orange, eucalyptus, peppermint, gentle unscented and tea tree. 

I liked everything about the company and the product. I decided to give it a try and bought a bottle of the lemon. I was blown away by the smell, which was better and stronger than Dr. Bronners. Also, Dr. Bronners doesn't come in lemon (they only have citrus) and we all know my obsession with lemon! I did one load of laundry with it and went back on Amazon and ordered the orange. My laundry smelled so fresh and clean that I had to buy more. I also made hand soap with the orange and it smells amazing. 

Overall, I think both companies, Dr. Bronners and Carolina, are very similar. They are also priced about the same. I think Carolina has better scents and the smell is a little stronger. As I said, I bought mine on Amazon but you can also buy them right on their website. You can also follow them on Instagram @Carolinacastile