The oil on your skin is not bad; it is there for the benefit of your skin. In-fact you can clean your skin with oil. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it in order to work properly and maintain it’s natural barrier function. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear, and glowing.

Properly functioning skin means that the skin’s barrier function is working. The barrier function is the epidermal layer, and it is incredibly delicate yet powerful. It’s main purpose is to prevent water loss as well as excess absorption of water from entering the body. It literally protects every cell. Learning to work with your skin and not against it will pay you dividends in beautiful, healthy skin. Learning about amazing ingredients like olive oil will help you in your quest to be beautiful and healthy.

Let’s learn a little about this amazing oil from olives. Called “liquid gold” by Homer, olive oil has been used for thousands of years by Phoenicians, Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks; not only for its healing properties- but also as a natural, deeply penetrating moisturizer. Olive oil contains a wide variety of valuable antioxidants that are not found in other oils. Oleic acid , carotenoids, oleuropein, and vitamin E are absorbed and used by our skin. Oleic acid helps to soften the skin, vitamin E improves the elasticity of the skin, and carotenoids protect your DNA and RNA.

Yes, that’s right – olive oil has been found to reduce oxygen damage to DNA and RNA, which is a factor in preventing cancer, skin damage and signs of aging. Studies on mice showed that application of olive oil immediately following exposure to UVB rays had a preventive effect on the formation of tumors and skin cancer.

Are you one of those people with sensitive skin? Olive oil is unlikely to cause allergic reactions, it is one of natures most gentle oils. So go ahead and feel good about putting it all over, regenerate skin cells, soften tissue and add softness to dry, scaly skin – especially during winter when the air is more dry. Use olive oil to shave skin and clean your face.

There are many ways to use olive oil on your skin. The most effective methods are the most simple, rub it on your skin after a shower or bath and use an exfoliating scrub that includes olive oil. Don’t use lotions, use a serum (the difference is that serum is oil based) and use a serum that has olive oil in it. Sandstorm sugar scrub is simple and effective, not only does it include olive oil but it also contains fish oil, another nutritious ingredient and Succulent skin serum is also jam-packed with superfood for your skin including olive oil, coconut oil and lavender. Below is the oil cleansing method used for washing your face. I’ve been using this method for a while now and I am amazed at how clear my skin is now and how fast it heals from any minor breakout that I do have (darn hormones). I will never go back to harsh soaps on my delicate face!

The Oil Cleansing Method

This is typically done in the evening, prior to bed. There should be no need for deep cleansing in the morning if you’re waking up with skin cleansed the night before. In the morning, a quick wipe with a warm washcloth should suffice. We don’t want to over-clean our skin because it will only irritate it and cause more oil production. The objective of this method is to deep clean while balancing our skin’s oil production at the same time.

You’ll need a soft washcloth, oil and hot, running water.

1. Pour a generous puddle of oil into the palm of your hand. Roughly, the size of a quarter, but more is acceptable. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and smooth over your face.

2. Massage the oil into your face. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities, so there is no need to use a makeup remover or wash your face prior to the massage. I’ve found that this removes even my stubborn waterproof mascara and concealer.

3. Using slow, firm motions across the skin, massage the oil deeply into your pores. Take your time and focus on your problem areas. You want the oil to work into your pores so that blackheads and the like can be dissolved and steamed away.

4. As you’re massaging, let your mind drift off to something calming and breathe deeply. Take this time to relax and release some of the stress that your body is harboring. Sit down, breathe deeply, and take your time. Give the oil enough time to work on dissolving the impurities in your pores and give yourself enough time to unwind.

5. Once you’re satisfied that your pores are saturated and you’re feeling calm, pick up your washcloth and soak it in clean, hot water. We want the water to be warm enough to open your pores and remove the oil. Cool water will not open your pores, nor will it remove the oil efficiently. We’re not scalding our skin, we’re steaming to coax our pores to release the oil carrying the impurities. We’re essentially steaming our skin as an esthetician would, but without the luxury of a steam machine.

6. Hold the washcloth to cover your face. Allow it to stay until it cools. You will feel your pores releasing the impurities. Wipe the oil gently away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. Hold the washcloth to your face again, allowing it to cool. Wipe gently, rinse well, and repeat two or three more times. Avoid any temptation to scrub, as you’ll find it’s completely unnecessary and your skin will be soft, smooth, and free of flakes without the additional manual exfoliation and irritation that will result. Impurities, dead skin cells, and bacteria will be gently swept away.

7. If your skin feels tight- take a tiny drop of oil, rub it between your clean, damp palms and pat it onto your damp skin. Gently massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil left sitting on the surface. Your skin should now glow!

This deep cleansing method should be done regularly, but not too frequently. Perfect skin won’t happen overnight and while it should take a few massages to achieve your goal, you should notice a difference in your skin after the first deep cleansing massage. Give your skin a few days to adjust and adapt to being clean and clear of blockages. New oil coming from your skin is actually a good sign and it will balance out very shortly. You’ll find redness and irritation subsiding. Your skin will soon lose that congested, thick feeling.

One last word on sexy skin – Your skin is the largest organ in your body and your single most important defense against toxins, disease and infection, so it makes sense to protect it, nourish it and avoid damaging it’s natural functions. Regular use of olive oil on your skin will not only give you sexy skin, it will give you nourished and healthy skin!

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Crystal

Natural Product Designer at Juniper Desert

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Welcome To The Official Juniper Desert Website!

To master something, simplify it. At Juniper Desert we have simplified haircare and skincare by using nourishing ingredients from the earth. Our minimalist formulations are the apex of our pure philosophy. Our motto, ‘ Be beautiful, Be you.’ has already enlightened many to the natural beauty they have within, waiting to be nurtured.

Join us on our mission to nurture your natural beauty and well being! Please feel free to check out all the tips and tricks in this section as well as current news and blog updates from our founder.

Also, we want you to know that we at Juniper Desert care about our global community. That is why we have joined 1% For The Planet. We pledge 1% of all our profits to Village Focus International, a charity organization that helps build up villages and supports local leadership, decision-making and ownership in both Laos and Cambodia.

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Crystal

Natural Product Designer at Juniper Desert

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What does it mean to exfoliate? ‘To Strip of Leaves’

To exfoliate literally means “to strip of leaves” in Latin. It means that just like trees shed their bark, we shed our skin cells outward. The objective of exfoliation is to remove the dead, dull layers of cells and reveal the finer, more translucent tissue underneath.

We are constantly generating more skin, the average human generates a new layer of skin every two to four weeks! At the end of the cycle, the old, dead cells on the surface are shed. You can improve your complexion tremendously by exfoliating and sloughing off the old, dead skin cells. If the old, dead skin cells are not removed, they can clog  pores, and build up around hair follicles causing bumps and rashes.

There are two main methods of exfoliation:

Chemical Exfoliation- the use of facial scrubs that contain either beta or alpha hydroxy acids including salicylic acid, citric acid and glycolic acid. These acids break down the dead surface skin cells making it easier for them to peel or slough off, and thereby reveal smoother, refined skin.

Manual Exfoliation – one of the most common methods, it is a process in which the skin is scrubbed manually to remove dull surface layers. The scrubbing process varies based on what part of the body you are exfoliating and what your exfoliating with. For example salts, sugars, or sands can all be used as scrubs or you could also use a bristle brush, pumice stones, loofahs, salt crystals, sponges or brushes. These are usually rubbed gently onto the skin in a circular motion, effectively removing the oldest layer of skin on the face and body.

Regular exfoliation keeps skin healthy by encouraging skin regeneration and the growth of new skin cells. It also allows serums and other products to penetrate deeper, giving you better results from all those products as well. To reap the full benefits of exfoliation, it is recommended that skin be exfoliated about twice a week.

HOW TO EXFOLIATE

Items You Need:

• Body Bristle Brush.
• Exfoliating Scrub, like brown sugar scrub.
• Microfiber Towel.
• Skin Serum, or body cream.

1. Before stepping into the shower, brush your dry skin with your body brush. This will help remove the loose skin and prepare it for the exfoliating process.

2. Get into the shower or steam room and wet your body from head to toe.

3.  Apply your exfoliating scrub. Begin scrubbing your body in a circular motion starting with the bottoms of your feet and working your way up. When you reach the bikini area, don’t scrub too hard because the skin is very sensitive. Be gentle on your face, particularly around your eyes and mouth. Don’t forget about your hands, you want them to be soft and smooth too!

4. Rinse your body, follow by a blast of the coldest water you can stand.

5. Pat yourself dry with a microfiber towel (cotton towels are rough in texture on the microscopic level, it is like drying silk with Velcro.).

6. While still in a steamy room, apply a moisturizing skin serum all over. Skin serums that contain omega oils or lavender are the best.

Try using a scrub with a hydrating oil base like juniper desert’s brown sugar scrub. Use body moisturizer once a day.

• If your feet are rough and callused use a pumice stone. If your feet are extremely rough, soak them in a basin of warm water mixed with a cup of milk (milk has enzymes that help break down dead skin cells; sugars do too.) for 30 minutes before getting into the shower.
• Don’t exfoliate your skin if you are sunburned or have any open cuts or wounds.

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Crystal

Natural Product Designer at Juniper Desert

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A famous French chemist and scholar, he discovered the virtues of the essential oil of lavender in 1910. Gattefosse was working in the laboratories of the cosmetics firm owned and named after his family. It is said that he badly burned his hand during an experiment and plunged his hand into the nearest tub of liquid which just happened to be lavender essential oil. He was later amazed at how quickly his burn healed and with very little scarring. This started a fascination with essential oils and inspired him to experiment with them during the First World War on soldiers in military hospitals. He used oils of lavender, thyme, lemon and clove for their antiseptic properties. Gattefosse noted an increase in the rate of healing in wounds treated with essential oils and that the oils seemed to be free from the disadvantages present with other antiseptic agents in use at that time.

How To Use Lavender For Burns:

1. Gently clean affected area.

2. Dab lavender oil on skin with cotton or simply use lavender salve.

3. Allow to dry, bandage if needed.

4. Repeat at least once per day until healed to prevent scarring.

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Crystal

Natural Product Designer at Juniper Desert

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When you want to have beautiful hair you must follow and maintain high standards of care. There are many habits we can develop to ensure the health of our hair, the most important thing you can do for your hair is getting the PROPER NUTRITION! Eat nutritious foods and take a multivitamin to supplement your diet if needed. With that being said, here are our secrets that aren’t so secret. The trick is to follow instructions very well.

Conditioning: When it comes to deciding on what kind of conditioner to use choose the one that is right for the job. Opt for an oil-based conditioning rinse; it’s lightweight and extremely restorative. Snag one with great aromatherapy like Legend Has It for amazing shower experiences and great hair.

Oils: Remember that when you are shampooing you are stripping your hair of all its natural oils. To avoid drying out your hair and scalp you need to put natural oils back into your hair, but getting the right balance is important. Make sure to thoroughly rinse hair and then rinse again to avoid any excess. You should also consider an apple-cider vinegar rinse at home to complete your rinse.

Washing: When you wash your hair it is important to massage the scalp in circular motions to increase blood-flow. More blood-flow brings more nutrients to the scalp and hair. If your shampoo is oil rich you may be able to either skip a heavy conditioner or opt for a light, conditioning rinse. A great shampoo that is very oil rich and restorative is Oasis shampoo. Remember, if you want healthy hair go for oil based shampoos instead of their more bubbly cousins which are harsh on hair. Juniper Desert’s products are great for restoring a natural balance with a dose of nutrients.

Stimulating the Scalp: Stimulating the scalp is important because that is where the health of your hair is determined, the better the blood-flow the more nutrients your hair will have access to as it grows. There are many ways to stimulate the scalp and they can all be used in unison or combinations, they are: manually massaging the roots and scalp with finger-tips, any kind of mint will also leave a fresh, tingling feeling; and combing or brushing hair correctly.

The hair cuticle surrounds the hair shaft and protects it from daily abusers like wind, sun and pollution. If the cuticle is smooth your hair will be extremely shiny, and healthy looking. The stronger the cuticle is the easier it is to keep it smooth and the better it protects the hair shaft, preventing dreadful split ends and dullness. To strengthen the hair cuticle you must stop doing things that damage hair and as well as add the nutrients your hair needs, doing both at the same time will more than double the results. Do make sure to replace your hair’s natural moisture after cleansing. Oils with more nutrients like fish oil will help build the cuticle. Click here for conditioner with fish oil.

Avoiding Damage: Avoiding damaging the hair cuticle is a crucial part of shiny, healthy hair. Stop drying hair with cotton towels, this alone will change your hair, use a microfiber one instead. Remember to only dry hair on LOW heat, you are probably burning your hair if you aren’t already doing this. When brushing hair hold a handful at a time and work from center to ends, then scalp to center; slow and methodical is the game. Gently tease the knots out instead of ripping through them.  And avoid extreme sun and wind damage- protect hair in a bun, braid or scarf, even at night in bed.

Products: There are so many natural oils and vitamins that improve the look and overall health of hair. Lavender has been used since ancient times and it has an extremely calming aroma. Another oil that is great for hair is juniper berry oil. Used by ancient Greeks and Egyptians, juniper berry oil is astringent and clears oil build-up on hair and the scalp. It has also been known for treating and preventing baldness, dermatitis, and eczema. Long story short, juniper berry oil will detoxify each strand of hair. Click here for conditioner with juniper berry oil.

Healthy Hair Tips:

1.Get a wide-tooth comb and use it in the shower to stimulate scalp and distribute rinses and conditioners evenly throughout. Also use a wide-tooth comb if your hair is extra curly or at all frizzy. Always use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair.

2. Get a microfiber long-hair towel. They are $20 at Bed Bath & Beyond. Use it, you will not be sorry. Dry your hair with this towel only.

3. Brush hair from roots to ends nightly. This distributes natural oils throughout the shaft and gives hair a healthy sheen.

4. Always rinse out conditioner thoroughly and use an apple-cider vinegar rinse as the last step every time you wash your hair, especially if you have very long/thick hair. Rinse with a blast of cold water to seal the cuticle and promote shine.

5. Protect hair from sun, wind and pollution with a scarf or hat.

6. Change your part to boost body and volume.

7. To fix hat-head, bend over and shake your head a few times. Then run fingers through hair to add volume. For even more body, mist a natural-bristle brush with hairspray, bend over and brush lightly from underneath

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Crystal

Natural Product Designer at Juniper Desert

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