While this is an article about natural beauty oils, it actually starts with a journey to find a cruelty-free, vegan solution for long, lustrous lashes. Last year, a Canadian brand called Luna Nectar manifested its way into our vortex with claims that it could provide a “Moon Boost” for lashes. We were sold before we even opened the cute little box.

Not only was the branding and eco-sustainable packaging on point, but the product also worked, delivering stronger, fuller lashes with daily use.

So when Luna Nectar announced a new all-natural skincare product, Heliophilia (a word that means addicted to the sun), we were intrigued to learn more. This combination skin and hair serum claims to address inflammation, redness, severe dryness, and skin concerns relating to transepidermal water loss, with a strong infusion of 15 powerful natural oils and serums including Squalane, Baobab, Meadowfoam, Seabuckthorn), Camellia and Rosehip.

We spoke with founder Mia Fiona Kut to get the scoop on what the best natural oils for our skin and to learn little bit more on how Luna Nectar was founded.

How did Luna Nectar come to be?

Luna Nectar was born out of a need for an all-natural alternative to a chemical lash serum that my sister was using! While the serum worked, I was concerned about the side effects my sister was experiencing, and when I found out that many women and young girls were using these types of chemical products, I was shocked. With my lifelong relationship with herbal medicines and holistic wellness, I set on a journey to create a 100% natural, vegan, and organic solution.

What inspired your new product Heliophilia?

To put it simply, a change occurred in my skin, probably due to age. I was experiencing eczema again after about 10 years of being completely free of it. My skin was becoming very dry, as if the barrier was cracked. I needed a solution to combat these issues, and to my surprise, Heliophilia turned out to be very helpful for combination and oily skin as well, and also fading scars!

What are the top five best natural oils for your skin?

Squalane – Gives your skin that extra strength protective barrier.

Rosehip – chock full of vitamin A, C, and essential fatty acids, which really help to refresh and add a glow to the complexion. It penetrates very deeply and increases collagen production

Argan –  it’s so lightweight yet rich, and full of vitamin E which definitely helps with fine lines

Meadowfoam – the lightweight, more environmentally friendly cousin of jojoba oil (it is typically grown as a rotation crop). It helps with anti-aging, and contains over 98% fatty acids. Softens the skin and penetrates deeply without being greasy.

Hemp Seed – protects the skin from free radicals, and with anti-inflammatory properties, it is excellent for treating TEWL conditions such as eczema and psoriasis

Heliophilia

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Lash and Brow Moon Boost

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So your kale is organic, your chakras are open and free-flowing positive energy. You’re rocking two to three Hatha yoga classes a week and at least one meditation sesh. You’re in alignment and ready to radiate your vibrations into the world with a fresh face. All great stuff.

While we may be killing it in our self-care and self-love practices through our movement and consuming routines, where are we at when it comes to our make up and beauty products? And how can this affect our energy and flow, along with our inner and outer glow?

There’s no doubt that when we take the time to toss away old make up and ancient lotions from our cabinets, we naturally feel lighter. That said, the products we purchase to replace old ones can have a direct affect on our inner vibrations and feelings of self-love and self-care. As we are enter an age of awareness and re-awakening, it’s never been more important re-evaluate old purchasing habits, ensuring that what we are buying to make us beautiful comes from compassion and love.

Simply put, if the products you are purchasing for your beauty and self-care come from a place or company that focuses on humane practices and respect for the earth, for you as a consumer, and for our dear animal friends, you are more able to project and manifest compassion and love, both for yourself, the world we live in and for our companion beings.

And what’s more beautiful than love?

Below are quick ways to get started on your mindful beauty journey.

Is It Cruelty-Free? Like Really? 

Image from Ethical Elephant 

As individuals, it is important that we understand our own purchasing power. There is nothing beautiful about a beauty brand that tests or allows its product to be tested on animals by a third party. As conscious consumers, we must be aware of the fact that global corporate companies may try to work with consumer naivety and use phrases like “Against Animal Testing” or “We Do Not Test on Animals Unless Where Required By Law”, neither phrase means that a company’s product is not tested on animals. Any brand that sells in China, for example, is tested on animals, whether it is by the company directly or not. Companies that choose to sell their products in China know that this is a consequence of that decision.

Our favourite source for knowing which brands are still testing on animals is Cruelty-Free Kitty. The site also makes a ton of great recommendations on good brands that are animal friendly. Always look out for the lovely Cruelty-Free Bunny label and check out this post from Ethical Elephant on the differences between each label.

Is It Even Good For You? 

It’s no secret that companies have been filling beauty products with chemicals and not-so-good-for-us ingredients for years. This is where a company’s respect for their consumers really come into play. A company that is selling you toxic fillers to make a profit does not care about you. By purchasing these products because they are cheaper or better advertised due to high marketing budgets and sexy spokespeople we are allowing large corporations to dictate our self-worth.

Clean beauty has never been more accessible, with more and more companies developing highly effective products without the use of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or colours, peg ingredients or phenoxyethanol.

Apps like Think Dirty are an excellent tool to get a quick and easy-to-understand reading on your beauty product purchases. Another great site to check out is EWG that offers a straight-forward guide to what’s in your lifestyle products, everything from home cleaners to mascaras. You can also shop at places that have done the homework for you, and offer a curation of the best in clean beauty like Clementine Fields or Well.ca.

The Outside Counts

Making a conscientious move to purchase products sold in sustainable packaging can go a long way. Look for recyclable bottles, boxes and containers. In addition, more and more beauty brands are working with sustainable, natural ingredients, spearheading the green beauty industry. Companies like Detox Market offer the world’s best selection in green beauty, with high-end products that surpass the offerings of your local drugstore both in quality and sustainability.

It’s literally never been a better time to be mindful in your beauty choices. The quality and selection of clean, green beauty brands continues to grow so we can embrace and enhance our natural beauty with loving products.

Is there anything Himalayan salt can’t do?  Most of us know that adding a Himalayan Salt lamp to our spaces not only adds a beautiful and calming aesthetic, it also helps to purify the air we breathe in. However, few of us know the benefits of using Himalayan salt on the skin.

Why Use a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar? 

Using a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar on the skin can provide numerous therapeutic benefits, both from a beauty and a wellness perspective. Given that salt is extremely hostile to bacteria, using a salt bar will cleanse the skin in a profound way, pulling toxins from the body while removing dead and dull skin cells for an incomparable glow. Routine use of a Himalayan Crystal Salt bar will aid in increasing blood flow, firm up skin tissue and work towards soothing sore and tired muscles.

Using a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar regularly will also allow salt to be stored in the upper callous layer of the skin, which binds water, ensuring our skin stays moisturized and hydrated.

That said, in order to get the best benefits from this wonderful natural product, it’s important a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar is used properly to get the full benefits. We spoke with Sarah McCain from Canadian holistic beauty and wellness company Earth Luxe to get the exact details on how to use a crystal bar properly and effectively.

How to Use a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar

1. Place the salt bar directly on damp skin or in a soft/muslin cloth if you have sensitive skin.
2. Rub bar in a circular motion on your body
3. Let the salt dry on your skin, do not wash off. Rub off access once it’s dry.
4. Do not use any creams after applying the salt bar to your skin, but if your skin is dry you can use an organic oil of your choice.

Sarah also states, “for best results keep the bar as dry as possible so that it doesn’t deteriorate (it’s salt, so when wet it will dissolve!)  This will prevent sharp edges for forming. It’s recommended to use a crystal salt bar immediately post shower and only once per day and completely avoiding use  with regular soap or on broken skin. And remember that even though this it is called a “soap” it will not produce a lather!”

We recommend Earth Luxe’s Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar and check out their full range of Himalayan Salt products here.