With so many skincare options out there, it can be confusing and frustrating trying to figure out what’s really good for you and what you should avoid. We’re here to help you find the best natural ingredients for your skincare routine and avoid all the clutter and jargon out there about what’s best for your skin. 

Here are just some of our recommendations for natural ingredients you should look for in your skincare:

Oatmeal: Oatmeal is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and relief from eczema. Specifically, colloidal oatmeal is “gentle and safe” for the skin. 

Coconut oil: Did you know that extra virgin coconut oil suppresses some of the body’s natural inflammatory agents while making the skin a better barrier? Just be sure not to place coconut oil on any areas that are prone to blemishes because it may worsen acne.

Shea butter: You’ve probably seen this ingredient in moisturizers, and there’s a reason why! Shea butter is great for hydrating the skin thanks to the fatty acids it contains. 

Green tea: Green tea is great for its sun protection and anti-aging qualities! When shopping for sunscreen, in particular, look out for green tea as an ingredient.

Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is a great natural component that will help fight blemishes! Derived from tea tree leaves, this component has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that you’ll want in your skincare.

Soy: Soy is known to prevent pigmentation and improve collagen production. It also produces estrogen that helps address skin conditions related to menopause.

Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil is known for being incredibly moisturizing. In fact, it can help treat a variety of skin conditions such as burns, sores, scars, dermatitis, acne psoriasis, and wrinkles.

Almond oil: Did you know that almond oil has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties? You may have seen almond oil listed as an ingredient in a serum – and you’ll definitely want to keep looking for it!

Castor oil: You’ll often find this ingredient in a facial cleanser. Castor oil is a “drying oil” that helps reduce bacteria that can contribute to breakouts and dull skin.

Vitamin C extract: This ingredient acts as an anti-aging antioxidant. You’ll often find this ingredient in serums and moisturizers designed to brighten the skin!

Here at Clave Body Care, you don’t have to worry about harmful ingredients or chemicals coming in contact with your skin, because we offer hand and body lotions, foot crème, body washes, and massage oil made from ingredients that you can trust! Your skin should be cherished and nurtured, that’s why we believe in formulating our products from our best source- nature!

Looking for your next favorite skincare product? Be sure to visit our website to see what we have to offer! 

 

This past week, we celebrated Earth Day which is a wonderful reminder of just how precious and beautiful our Earth is and why it’s so important to take care of it. Earth Day (and every day) is a day to celebrate nature and promote education on how we can better take care of the planet.

When it comes to skincare, we believe that nature is our best resource and has so much to offer! Using natural, quality ingredients in our skincare that are rich in amino acids, healing, and restorative properties, and that produce hydration is what makes our products effective and safe to use.

Let’s take a look at some other benefits of implementing natural ingredients in skincare and why it matters!

Helping the environment
Not only do natural, organic skincare products benefit your skin, but they also benefit the environment! Skincare products that contain harmful chemicals and toxins (like sprays and perfumes) are very harmful to our environment and release into the atmosphere.

Improves skin and overall health
It comes without saying that using natural products in our skincare is actually more effective when it comes to the appearance and health of your skin. Industrial skincare products that contain synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals may provide a “quick fix” for your skin, but in the long run, they will cause a lot of harm and can permanently damage your skin. Investing in skincare with real, natural ingredients works in tandem with your body and will help protect your skin in the long run. For example, ingredients like lavender, chamomile, and aloe vera are well known for producing calming, moisturized, and nourished skin. Some flower and fruit extract like rose water, lemon peel extract, and cranberry fruit extract all contain vitamins and minerals that help promote skin cell growth, hydrate, and help prevent wrinkles.

Cruelty-free
According to PETA, many beauty industries conduct animal testing in order to test and make their beauty products. Unfortunately, this is something that is practiced all over the world. As we are reminded by the celebration of Earth Day, we are charged to take care of nature and the animals that thrive in it. Using skincare products with organic, natural ingredients, be rest assured that you are using cruelty-free products because they are safe and harmless!

Clavé’s mission
Here at Clavé, we cherish our planet and the ingredients it produces. Our mission is to harness nature’s gift by using it to produce healthy, natural skincare products just for you so that you can live a more nourished and nurtured life. We make our products with quality ingredients with the highest potency that makes them effective, safe, and refreshing! Read more about us on our page and shop all of your favorite body, hair, and face products!

 

 

 

 

Self-care is an important step in reducing stress and improving overall wellbeing. It also impacts
skin health, and that’s why we’re sharing healthy skin care practices you can use to enhance
your self-care routine for better skin. After all, who wouldn’t want healthier and more youthful-
looking skin?

In addition to a daily skin care routine that includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, there
are other things you can do that will benefit your skin. When you take care of your skin, it
shows – so it’s important to maintain a consistent routine for smoother and healthier skin.

Wash, rinse, repeat

Keeping your skin healthy and firm is a daily task. You can boost your efforts by making small
adjustments to your skin care regimen and environment. The following practices can help
clarify and rejuvenate your skin:

Use warm water to wash your face. The next time you reach for the facial cleanser, make sure
to splash your face with warm water instead of hot water. Warm water is gentler on the skin
and ideal for all skin types because it maintains moisture, whereas hot water washes away the
skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry afterward. Plus, warm water helps your skin absorb topical
treatments and reduces pore size.

Swap your regular pillowcase for a silk pillowcase. It’s called “beauty sleep” for a reason. The
smooth surface of silk is better for your skin because it doesn’t draw moisture from it,
preventing irritation while keeping your skin hydrated. Also, the silky texture is gentler and
more sanitary than cotton pillowcases, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and
blemishes.

Put a humidifier in your bedroom. Let a humidifier do the work of balancing moisture in the air
to help your skin retain its moisture barrier while you sleep. You’ll notice your skin is less dry,
red, and prone to cracks or damage. Adding a humidifier to your room is especially beneficial in
winter months to combat the dehydrating effects of heating systems which circulate dry air.

Reduce your stress levels. Stress takes a toll on the body and affects your skin. In some cases,
the effects of stress can lead to skin breakouts (most common), rashes, or hives – especially for
individuals with sensitive skin. Also, stress disrupts the function of your skin barrier, increasing
sensitivity. You can minimize these effects with techniques to reduce stress such as taking a
walk, listening to soft music, or deep breathing exercises.

Another thing to consider is trying different skin care products for better results. Clave Body
Care offers high-quality, organic products to nurture your skin. Our skin care line is cruelty-free
and all-natural, without harmful ingredients like artificial fragrances and dyes, parabens, glycols
and phthalates.

So, if you’re struggling with dry or irritated skin, then adjust your skin care regimen and try
these techniques for healthier skin. You’ll see and feel the difference in your skin. Please
contact us to find out how our natural body care products can improve your skin health!

Perhaps you’ve noticed acne, rosacea or age spots on your face? You are not alone. These problems may be genetic or related to other factors such as lifestyle, hormones, age, stress, environmental irritants and/or allergies.  

But what can you do?

Acne

This is the most common type of skin problem, affecting both teenagers and adults. Acne is an inflammatory skin condition caused by excess oil and dead skin cells that clog pores. Can the problem be preventable? To some extent.

1. Clean your face with a quality cleanser and facial toner before going to bed.  If your skin is dry use alcohol free toner. This routine will open pores and let skin breath. [Try Clavé Body Care Facial Cleanser and Toner at www.clavebodycare.com/shop]
2. Never go to bed with makeup on.
3. Avoid skincare products that contain oils that will further clog pores.
4. Use skincare products free from harsh chemicals or perfume that irritate skin.

Age spots

Also known as liver spots or sun spots, this condition appears in the areas that have been exposed to the sun the most, such as face, neck and hands. It is a common condition in adults 50 and older. Natural skincare products with vitamin E or C, aloe vera gel, olive oil or skincare products that contain ingredients with antioxidant properties can help to lighten or reduce age spots.

Rosacea

This is a common skin condition that produces tiny, pus-filled bumps that cause redness, itching and dry patches on the face. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but it is common among middle aged women with light skin. However, the problem may also be genetic or triggered by environmental factors such as sunlight, hot temperatures, stress, alcohol and even spicy foods. There is not a cure for rosacea, but you can keep it under control. The best solution is to visit your dermatologist. They will prescribe a treatment depending on the severity of the problem.

Sunburn

Most of us have experienced sunburn. It appears when the skin is exposed to the sun for a long period of time without protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light. Skin gets red and feels tight due to loss of moisture. It’s painful, your skin feels hot, then it’s itchy and you peel. Another negative – it increases your chance of skin cancer.

What should you do if you get sunburn? 

1. Hydrate – drink plenty of water.
2. Try to keep your skin cool – take cold showers.
3. According to American Academy of Dermatology use moisturizer with aloe vera to soothe skin or you may apply a hydrocortisone cream.
4. Avoid sun as much as possible to allow skin to repair itself.

You see people with healthy and glowing skin. It’s not because they have extra, secret genes. It is likely because they are committed to their daily skincare routine. However, it is overwhelming when you look at the number of skincare products on the store shelves and deciding which one will give you gorgeous, glowing skin. You may ask yourself how many products do you need to have. To make it simple and easy to follow, think of your skincare routine in three steps:

Cleansing.

This the first step of your daily routine to good skincare. Wash your face with warm water or cleanser.  Washing face will help to get rid of dirt, pollutants and other free radicals – not necessarily squeaky clean, you don’t want to wash off healthy oils from your skin.  Be mindful that water or cleanser alters your normal skin PH balance of 5.5

Toning.

You absolutely need to add toner after cleansing to have healthy looking skin. It tightens pores and remove the last trace of impurities left after you wash your face. If you believe facial toners dry skin, use alcohol-free toner, so is not as drying. One of the main benefits of toner is to restore PH balance of the skin rather quickly to 5.5.

Moisturizing.

The third crucial step for healthy skin is moisturizing. Moisturizing will prevent skin damage from outside elements and dehydration.  Most moisturizers contain vitamins, oils and botanical extracts that improve or reduce the fine wrinkles and give the appearance of healthy and smooth skin. Choose a moisturizer without perfume/ alcohol – that will dry the skin. In addition, you should add an eye cream to moisturize the sensitive skin around your eyes.  The right eye cream may reduce or eliminate dark circles and puffiness.

There are a great number of cleansers, toners and moistures out there which may be challenging to pick the right ones. However, in order to choose the right products, it would be beneficial if you know your skin type (dry, oily, or combination). Buy products that work synergically with your skin type.

Antioxidants

If you are into skin or overall body health, most likely you have heard of antioxidants. So, what are they and what they do?

Antioxidants protect skin from the assault of free radicals (UV from sun, pollution, cigarette smoke) that can cause oxidative stress. Antioxidants are able to neutralize the effects of free radicals or possibly delay some cell damage. This neutralization may cause a reduction of abnormal skin pigmentation and fine lines. Your body’s cells naturally create some powerful antioxidants. They are also found in commonly consumed foods, like whole grain bread, certain cereals, beans, blueberries, red grapes, red cabbage and kale, to name a few.

It is equally important to use skincare products (creams, lotions, and cleanser) with ingredients that contain antioxidant properties such as vitamin E, jojoba oil or green tea to combat elements that damage skin, but also can help to calm and give a more youthful appearance to skin.

Probiotics

Probiotics can be found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir or sauerkraut. These healthy bacteria help our body to restore balance to function well by fighting off bad bacteria. Probiotics are also beneficial for our skin when applied topically. As we age, our skin’s PH increases leading to dryer skin and fine cracks. Probiotics have calming effects and may help to improve skin by bringing it back to a normal state, and slow down the visible signs of aging. Some studies suggest that probiotics are beneficial for more serious skin disorders, such as inflammation, rosacea or eczema

Helpful Tip

Look for an expiration date on any products that are being advertised as probiotic creams or lotions. Since probiotics are live bacteria, they can only be effective for approximately six months after opening.  These types of products are traditionally packed in an airless containers.

And, remember, always choose products with ingredients that fit for your skin type – dry, oily, or combination. You’ll get the best results!