Going Natural

If you’re looking for a natural moisturizer, you might be surprised by just how many options you actually have. Natural lotions, natural body butters, natural oils, natural salves…what’s the difference between these moisturizing products? How do you know which is the best natural moisturizer for your body versus which acts as the best natural moisturizer hair treatment? And how about natural lotion for face, hands and scalp? Yikes, so many questions! Luckily, we happen to carry every type of natural moisturizer mentioned above. I had planned to cover all our natural moisturizers in one blog, but I soon realized how long that blog would be so I decided to beak it down into two parts. This week I’ll be looking at lotions, lotion bars, and body butters. Next week I’ll be revealing our top 5 best smelling shampoo bars according to customers (take the survey now to pick your favorites!) And the week after that I’ll return to natural moisturizers to discuss the awesome benefits of oils and salves!

Wait! Can Natural Soap Be a Moisturizer Too?

I know this blog is focused on our non-soap products, but you really can’t talk about moisturizing products without mentioning natural soap! While glycerin is typically removed in mass soap production, our natural soap is handmade in small batches and maintains a glycerin content. Glycerin is a naturally occurring chemical compound that attracts water, which means that your hair and skin will benefit if they are covered in a product containing glycerin. 

If you find that you have perpetually dry skin and always use commercial brand soap, you should try switching to natural soap. That little extra boost of moisture could be just what your skin needs.

Are Natural Products Better For Your Skin?

Before I jump into specifics in this blog, I want to say one very, very important thing. Just because something is natural…does not automatically mean it is SAFE for you or even benefits you (please do not rub your entire body with poison ivy) which is why you still need to be careful when choosing natural products. Every ingredient we put into our products is as safe for you as possible. We are constantly reevaluating our products, taking out ingredients that can be substituted with safer options or taking out ingredients based on new findings suggesting any negative effects. 

AVNS Products Containing CBD

With so many CBD producers on the market, how do you know who to trust? Our relaxation salve, tincture, balm, cooling cream and face lotion are produced for Apple Valley Natural Soap by a facility which rigorously evaluates every stage of the process. From soil to oil, the process is standardized and controlled to produce highly rated and effective products. 

What about THC? In order for a product to claim to be THC free, it needs to contain less than .3% THC. All 4 of our full-spectrum topicals (Relaxation salve, Extra Strength Balm, Pain Relief Cooling Cream and Rebalance Face Lotion) do not contain any THC, not even trace amounts.

Lotions

The Merriam Webster definition of lotion, “a liquid preparation for cosmetic or external medicinal use” won’t help us learn much. The main aspect of lotion that you need to be aware of when deciding on moisturizing products is the fact that lotion usually has a higher water content than other moisturizing products. What is the benefit of a lotion compared to say, an oil? Well, lotions typically have a lighter feel on your skin and won’t feel as greasy. Lotion will also absorb more water into your skin because of its preexisting water content. 

Why Should You Use Natural Lotion?

As someone who has battled acne for years, I understand how truly trying “acne curing” lotions can be. They stink. They sting. And they dry out your skin.

Natural lotion is a great option for sensitive or acne prone skin. Natural lotion will still be effective in correcting skin problems, but won’t dry out the skin in the process and will maintain healthy and moisturized facial tissue.  

Our Natural Lotions

Rebalance Facial Moisturizer

Skin Type: normal to oily/acne-prone facial skin

Our CBD face lotion contains 500mg of organically grown, whole-plant hemp extract along with a wide variety of ingredients to help rejuvenate and improve facial skin. Rebalance Facial Moisturizer is a lightweight lotion that may help restore your skin’s firmness, elasticity and glow while visibly reducing fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. A fresh and clean face lotion great for a variety of skin types including those struggling with skin issues such as mild acne. Please note that this lotion contains orange essential oil which has amazing benefits for skin, but may be too clarifying for those with very sensitive skin.

Some of the benefits of Rebalance Facial Moisturizer

*  As CBD is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it protects the skin from free radicals which cause aging, CBD helps fight the signs of aging. Plus with the addition of CBD to this lotions already amazing ingredients, it ramps up the amazing beauty benefits, some dermatologists recommend the use of CBD for hair and skin.

*  Rebalance supports skin cell growth, increases the elasticity and brings new life to dry, tired or dehydrated skin. It helps keep skin soft and supple.

*  CBD oil can Treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and ability to calm skin and reduce sebum production. Since CBD is a main component of Rebalance, blemishes and acne scars are visibly reduced. 

*  Due to the addition of CBD, this lotion may ease the discomfort of facial pain.

*  Applying CBD topically is the most effective way for targeting specific areas of the body like muscle aches and pains.

Ingredients:  Purified water, organic aloe inner leaf juice, caprylic/capric triglyceride (from coconut & glycerin)*, glyceryl stearate (from glycerin & stearic acid-a vegetable fatty acid)*, glycerin (kosher), organic shea butter, glycol stearate (organic compound), organic coconut oil, cetearyl alcohol (from coconut oil)*, diheptyl succinate (from castor oil)*, stearic acid (vegetable fatty acid), organic rosehip seed oil, sodium stearoyl lactylate (plant derived salts)*, leuconostoc/ radish root ferment filtrate (fermented radish), phytocannabinoid-rich hemp extract, xanthan gum*, blood orange essential oil, olive oil, vitamin E, glyceryl caprylate (glycerine with caprylic acid-coconut fatty acid)*, capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer (from coconut & castor oil)*, vitamin C, caprylhydroxamic acid (coconut amino acid)*.

*Ecocert certified 

Some of these ingredients may be unknown to you and not as easy to identify as the ingredients in our other products are. But each ingredient listed here has been verified in the EWG Skin Deep database as being rated at a 1 or lower and have plant origins. 

Pain Relief Cooling Cream (Liniment Cream)

Skin Type: minor aches and pains, including sore muscles, inflammation and even arthritis.

New to our hemp line, this fast acting Pain Relief Cooling Cream contains 500mg of organically grown, whole-plant hemp extract. Blended with natural and effective ingredients including aloe, arnica, menthol, white willow bark, turmeric root and cayenne pepper, this natural cooling liniment cream brings needed relief to the targeted skin problems mentioned above.  Easy to use and lightweight, when gently applied to the area of discomfort this cream will bring relief with both warming and cooling sensations as the ingredients penetrate deeply. Applying our cooling liniment cream is a great way to get your joints moving for a busy day ahead, or to help your body relax after a long active day. 

Our cooling cream is 3rd party tested for potency & purity, see test results here.

Our Pain Relief Cooling Cream gives you a rich, full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other natural hemp compounds to help with the relief of every day muscle and joint discomforts. These full spectrum compounds work synergistically with a series of receptors in your body known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is involved in a lot of important jobs, including regulating your anti-inflammatory response, immune system, appetite, mood, anxiety levels, sleep schedule and more. Endocannabinoids and their receptors exist throughout the body, from the brain to the connective tissue and immune cells. The cannabinoid system’s role changes depending on its location but is always acting for one goal: homeostasis, also known as the maintenance of a stable internal environment. 

Some Benefits of our Pain Relief Cooling Cream

*  As applying CBD topically is the most effective way for targeting specific areas of the body for aches and pains, this cooling cream may aid in recovery.

*  Has calming and therapeutic benefits.

*  May help relieve pain.

*  May ease the discomfort of headaches.

*  CBD Supports the skin’s natural healing process.

*  CBD is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it protects the skin from free radicals.

*  Non-GMO

Ingredients: Purified water, aloe leaf gel*, sweet almond oil, rooibos leaf extract, safflower seed oil*, caprylic/capric triglyceride (from coconut & glycerin), cetearyl olivate (from olives), glycerin USP (kosher), phytocannabinoid-rich hemp extract, white willow bark extract, nettle leaf extract*, sorbitan olivate (from olives), jojoba oil*, olive fruit oil*, ginger root extract*, cayenne pepper extract, lobelia herb extract*, arnica flower extract, frankincense extract, turmeric root extract, vitamin B3, oat , avenanthramides extract (from oats), vitamin E, sea buckthorn oil*, chia seed oil, pomegranate seed oil*, cranberry seed oil, sacha inchi seed oil, tea tree essential oil, eucalyptus leaf essential oil, spearmint essential oil, peppermint essential oil, mentha (menthol USP 5) oil, caprylhydroxamic acid (coconut amino acid), caprylyl glycol (from coconut), xylitol & potassium sorbate (potassium salt).

*certified organic ingredient 

Some of these ingredients may be unknown to you and not as easy to identify as the ingredients in our other products are. But each ingredient listed here has been verified in the EWG Skin Deep database as being rated at a 1 or lower, and have plant origins. 

Lotion Bars

Different than a lotion because of its lack of water content, different than a body butter because of its solid form, a lotion bar is a little like the Superman of the moisturizing world. 

Why Should You Use a Natural Lotion Bar?

Lotion bars are the best option for someone who is always on the go. They can be applied right after getting out of the shower (yes. Right on wet skin) and they can be packed in a carry on or personal item without taking up room in the 3-1-1 bag (travelers know just how important this is). We have two lotion bars.

Lavender Lotion Bar

Skin Type: All

Our luxurious Lavender Lotion Bars combine nutritious organic oils and butters with the healing power of organic lavender essential oil for a powerhouse of moisturizing properties for your skin. With a lighter textured than our Creamy Butter Bar, this lotion is great for everyday use or problematic skin. With the inclusion of organic virgin jojoba, organic virgin coconut oil, unrefined organic cocoa butter, unrefined organic shea nut butter and powerful organic lavender essential oil, this lotion bar is a wonderful option for a wide range of skin types from the delicate, to the problematic.

Why lavender essential oil? Because of its many health benefits for the skin, most of which can be attributed to its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. Lavender essential oil is widely used to treat various skin issues such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions, it is also commonly used to speed up the healing process of wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns because it improves the formation of scar tissues.

Ingredients: unrefined beeswax, organic coconut oil, unrefined organic cocoa butter, unrefined organic shea nut butter, organic virgin jojoba, organic virgin olive oil, organic lavender essential oil and vitamin E oil (from non-GMO sunflower oil). All of our organic ingredients are USDA Certified Organic.

Creamy Butter Lotion Bar

Skin Type: Dry skin

There is no skimping on the luxurious ingredients in our versions of a hard lotion bar. For this Creamy Butter Bar we use organic virgin jojoba, organic coconut oil, unrefined organic cocoa butter, unrefined organic shea nut butter and mango butter, making a concentrated, rich, all natural, moisture-drenched solution for extremely dry, problematic skin. Use it on your heels, knuckles, elbows, cuticles—or anywhere else you have patches of dry skin. We left this one unscented so that even the most sensitive skin will fall in love. However, you CAN smell the delicious, creamy, mild scent of the unrefined cocoa butter, yum!

Ingredients: unrefined beeswax, organic coconut oil, unrefined organic cocoa butter, mango butter, unrefined organic shea nut butter, organic virgin jojoba, organic virgin olive oil and vitamin E oil (from non-GMO sunflower oil). All of our organic ingredients are USDA Certified Organic.

Body Butter

Body Butter is thicker than lotion because of its higher butter/oil content. A body butter is meant to target problem areas of dry skin and its thick, creamy texture helps create a lavish bathing experience. 

Why Should You Use Natural Body Butters

Body butters are often marketed as luxury products and are created with intense scents to match their intense textures. The problem with adding this much fragrance is that it means you’re upping your body’s chemical intake. Many chemicals in cheap fragrances cause a lot of skin problems such as irritation and dryness. Some chemicals can even leak into your bloodstream and cause even deeper issues, which is why you hear about recalls on certain products. We have two types of natural body butters that are gentle and powerfully effective for skin.

Whipped Body Butter

Skin Type: Extremely Dry

Using only organic ingredients packed with intense nutrition for your skin, this unscented body butter is a soothing and effective way to moisturize all over! We’ve included ingredients such as Organic Unrefined Cocoa Butter which can actually penetrate further than the top layer of the skin, it moisturizes deep-down and really nourishes the skin. And organic Shea Butter which has a high content fatty acids which gives it the ability to deeply moisturize and retain the elasticity of the skin. This all natural, 100% organic, uber moisturizing body butter has no added scent, but a soft, oh so good, chocolatey scent is evident from the organic unrefined cocoa butter. An amazing treat!

Our body butters are natural, gentle and safe for every type of skin. Please note that just a little bit goes a long way, so use sparingly!

Ingredients: organic shea butter, organic unrefined cocoa butter, organic virgin coconut oil and organic jojoba oil.

Shea Butter Skin Therapy

Skin Type: Extremely Dry, Oily and Problem Areas (including scalp)

NEW to our collection of butters, experience Intense Nutrition for Skin with Shea Butter Skin Therapy, this butter is a super food for your skin! Organic, unrefined African shea butter is intensely moisturizing, it can not only help relieve dry itchy skin, but can help eliminate greasy scalp and hair issues, as well as balance oil production which makes it also great for oily complexions. We have chosen to use only USDA CERTIFIED Organic Raw Unrefined African Shea butter, this pure and natural organic shea butter is the only way to go in order to reap all the benefits. 

What makes Organic Shea Butter so good for the skin? It has a high content of fatty acids which gives it the ability to deeply moisturize and retain the elasticity of the skin, it is also a great ingredient for those with inflammatory skin conditions, like eczema and dermatitis. Unrefined Shea Butter is loaded with natural vitamins A, E, natural antioxidants and fatty acids for maximum natural moisturizing power, it is an amazing body healer. Try it to help treat skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, rashes, stretch marks, and burns. It may also help lessen the irritation of psoriasis and eczema, help diminish wrinkles, clear blemishes, and heal wounds, scars & skin discolorations. 

Ingredients: USDA CERTIFIED Organic Raw Unrefined African Shea Butter with no added scent.

Hopefully this blog is leaving you with a better sense of what type of natural moisturizer is best for you and your skin. Come back in two weeks for part two when I cover oils and salves…two more amazing types of natural moisturizer!

Much Love,

Nora