Tag: Natural

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Silkier Skin

As summer gently fades into the crisp embrace of fall, it’s time to trade those sun-kissed, lightweight routines for the cozy, nourishing rituals our skin needs. Drawing from my 25 years of crafting clean, natural hair and skin treasures at Christina Moss Naturals, I love sharing simple, organic ways to make this transition seamless and sustainable.

Begin with fresh aloe vera gel straight from your own windowsill plant—nothing beats harvesting it yourself for that pure, soothing hydration to calm any lingering sun spots. Mix it with a dollop of organic honey from your local beekeepers to create a luxurious mask that seals in moisture against those cooler autumn winds. And remember, SPF is a year-round essential: whip up your own natural shield by blending zinc oxide with creamy coconut oil for gentle, effective protection.

To truly honor the seasonal shift, try infusing home-grown calendula petals into high-quality olive oil for a soothing serum that’s as kind to your skin as it is to the earth. This organic approach keeps your complexion supple, radiant, and utterly chemical-free, tapping into the timeless wisdom of your garden for results that glow from within.

Naturally yours,

Christina Moss

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Glow From Within

Glow from Within

I love to create clean, safe, and truly natural hair and skin treasures, I’ve always believed that true beauty radiates from the inside out. Nourishing your body with organic, home-grown essentials is the key to a balanced microbiome that powers clear, vibrant skin and lustrous, healthy hair—let’s dive into some simple ways to make this your reality.


Kick things off with fermented veggies, like sauerkraut straight from your own cabbage patch; it’s a powerhouse for gut health that sets the stage for glowing results. Embrace probiotics through homemade kefir—using raw milk if you can source it locally—to support smooth digestion and dial down inflammation, leading to those blemish-free complexions we all adore. Stay hydrated with soothing herbal teas brewed from your garden’s mint or chamomile; they’ll gently flush out toxins while encouraging shiny, resilient hair.


Don’t overlook the magic of fiber-rich berries, plucked fresh from the bush, packed with antioxidants that strengthen hair follicles and support the skin naturally. And here’s my gentle suggestion to consider: skip the supplements and lean into whole foods, like nourishing bone broth simmered from organic bones. This holistic, inside-out approach aligns so well with nature’s perfect harmony, unlocking your radiant glow that’s as authentic as it is enduring.


Naturally yours,
Christina Moss

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Essential Oils vs. Carrier Oils

What is a Carrier Oil?

One hears a lot about essential oils these days, but not so much about carrier oils. So, what is a carrier oil and why is it important?

A carrier oil is an oil derived from nuts or kernels or seeds of plants.

Here is a list of common carrier oils, but there are many more:

  • Avocado
  • Olive
  • Coconut
  • Grapeseed
  • Almond
  • Walnut
  • Etc.

Why Is It Called Carrier Oil?

It is called “carrier oil” because it can carry other ingredients into the skin with it. This can be beneficial. For example, carrier oils are used in aromatherapy or for massage or moisturizing the skin. If you add a little essential oil to a carrier oil, the carrier will carry the essential oil into the skin. Each carrier oil has a unique quality unto itself.

Carrier oils are made by crushing and spinning the seeds or nuts or kernels of plants to release the oils within. Cold-pressed oils are best because they contain more nutrients than heat-pressed oils or oils obtained by chemical extraction. I do not like applying chemicals to my skin, and you probably do not either. So, I recommend using only cold-pressed oils.

What Is the Difference Between a Carrier Oil and an Essential Oil?

An essential oil is significantly different from a carrier oil. It is called “essential” because it captures the pure essence of the leaf or bark or root of a plant. It is very highly concentrated. That is why the smell is so strong. In fact, essential oils are so concentrated and so strong that they must be stored in glass or metal containers only. They cannot be stored in plastic because they will break down the plastic and leak out over time.

Essential oils also differ from carrier oils in that they are volatile, which means they evaporate rapidly. Therefore, it is important to keep them tightly capped. Carrier oils, on the other hand, do not evaporate.

How Much Essential Oil Should Be Added to the Carrier Oil?

The best combination is 2% essential oil to 98% carrier oil. A quick and easy formula is to add 12 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil.

Cautions

You have to be careful when handling essential oils. They must be kept away from children and from eyes and mucous membranes. Plus, you should never use an essential oil or a carrier oil if you are allergic to the substance from which it is produced.

A little bit of essential oil goes a very long way, but it MUST be combined with a lot of carrier oil before it is applied to the skin. It is never a good idea to apply essential oil directly to your skin as it can seriously irritate your skin or cause other reactions.

But when used responsibly, essential oils are really special and can be very beneficial. They are distilled down to the pure essence of the plant itself, and because of that, they each have a unique and noteworthy quality that can benefit a person’s health, wellbeing or mood in a different way. There is a vast amount of information about the specific qualities of each essential oil, which is a study itself. They are worth learning more about.

So, now you know. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.

– Christina Moss
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Skincare for All

Skincare for All

Skincare for different skin types

Skin types and conditions vary widely from person-to-person, therefore more than one way to approach skincare is necessary. A person’s appearance, specifically their skin, face and neck are focal points to first and lasting impressions. Stay positive and once solutions are found, keep it up. Don’t drop what works.

Hopefully, the information below will help shed light on this topic of skincare. This is a summary of knowledge we have accumulated over time, taking care of our own skin and helping tens of thousands of customers along the way. Consequently, one might learn a thing or two. Enjoy!

To your health and happiness!

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Verbena Essential Oil

If you love the bright, lively aroma of a freshly squeezed lemon, you’ll love verbena essential oil as much as I do! This citrusy oil is one of my go-to ingredients when I want to give one of my skin or haircare products a little boost. But verbena’s aroma is just the beginning. Here’s everything you need to know about this useful essential oil:

Verbena Essential Oil Uses

Verbena essential oil is distilled from the leaves and stalk of the lemon verbena plant. Both the leaves and the oil have been used for centuries in the culinary arena, providing foods with a subtle but delicious lemony flavor. Today it’s still used in the kitchen, but you’ll also find verbena oil playing many roles in aromatherapy, skincare, and massage:

  • Treating Acne: Verbena essential oil contains antiseptic properties, which make it a powerhouse for cleaning the skin and clearing up acne. Wash with a diluted mixture nightly to help keep acne flare-ups from marring your complexion.
  • Reduce Eczema: Now I’ll admit this is anecdotal, but I’ve heard people swear by verbena oil when it comes to soothing and reducing eczema flare-ups. Again, a diluted mixture is the best choice here. Try using coconut oil as a carrier to nourish and moisturize eczema-prone skin while reducing the severity of episodes.
  • Slow the Signs of Aging: Add “antioxidant” to the list of verbena’s properties. This oil fights free radicals, helping to reduce the signs of aging on your skin. Use a moisturizer or night cream that contains this essential oil to slow the progression of crow’s feet and other wrinkles.
  • Reducing Joint Pain: Alongside its antiseptic properties, verbena essential oil also helps to reduce inflammation. This makes it a great choice for anyone suffering from joint or arthritis pain. Dilute verbena in your favorite carrier oil and apply to aching joints for natural and aromatic relief.
  • Soothe Sore Muscles: Verbena essential oil is a favorite among sports massage experts. It helps to reduce lactic acid build-up, keeping you much more comfortable after a tough workout.
  • Improve Concentration: Have a long night of work or studying ahead? Drop some verbena oil into an infuser and enjoy its aromatherapeutic benefits. Surrounding yourself in its aroma can help you absorb and retain new information while relaxing away some of the stress and tension of late nights and deadlines.

Verbena Cautions and Warnings

Most people can use verbena essential oil safely, but a small number of people may experience mild skin irritation, especially if used incorrectly. If you’re new to blending oils, check in with an expert to make sure your mixtures are safe to use. If you have kidney disease, please check in with a doctor before using verbena – some of its components may aggravate your condition.

Finally, be on guard when buying verbena oil. This oil does tend to be on the more expensive side, but there are plenty of people out there who are happy to sell you cheap knock-offs. Do your research and make sure you’re buying from a reputable brand before putting any money down.

Between its physical benefits and its uplifting aroma, verbena is an oil you don’t want to miss out on. Is it a part of your essential oil kit? What’s your favorite use? Let me know about it in the comments below!

– Christina Moss

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Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary – it’s not just the herb you’ll find next to parsley, sage, and thyme. This aromatic herb is used to create rosemary essential oil, a potent substance with a number of amazing benefits. I love rosemary’s unique aroma – it adds a wonderfully green fragrance to soaps, shampoos, and lotions. But its aromatic uses are just the beginning; this essential oil is packed with benefits.

Rosemary Essential Oil Benefits

Traditionally, this Mediterranean evergreen was used for medicinal purposes, including memory improvement, muscle ache relief, and digestive relief. Today, it’s used in a number of cosmetic and aromatherapeutic situations. Here are just some of the ways you can benefit from this oil:

  1. Improved Hair Growth: Your hair follicles love rosemary. When you apply rosemary essential oil to your hair, it wakes them right up! Use this oil to stimulate hair growth. Not only can it help your hair grow longer and stronger, it can slow down premature hair loss. Use diluted rosemary oil in a tonic or shampoo to fight back against aging hair and male pattern baldness.
  2. Scalp Healing: An itchy, flaking scalp can be a real pain, and those white flakes on your shoulders don’t do much for your appearance. The same hair tonic or shampoo you used to improve hair growth can also provide exactly what your itchy scalp needs to heal. Even better, combine it with tea tree oil or basil oil to create a tonic that fights the bacteria that causes dandruff in the first place. And a final perk? Your hair will smell amazing.
  3. Soothe Skin Conditions: Rosemary essential oil contains antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities that benefit the skin if you suffer from eczema, dermatitis, or acne. Apply a cream or lotion that contains rosemary oil regularly to soothe away flare-ups, moisturize your skin, and create a bright, healthy glow.
  4. Stress Relief: Let’s talk stress for a minute. When something stresses you out, your body releases a chemical called cortisol. If you’re constantly undergoing stress, cortisol is constantly building up in your blood. Let that go on unchecked and you’ll end up with a hormonal imbalance or an impaired metabolism. But not to worry – you have rosemary essential oil, which has been proven to decrease the level of cortisol in saliva. Simply enjoy the aroma of rosemary for 5 minutes a day and watch your stress slip away.

Rosemary Essential Oil Cautions

Rosemary essential oil is safe for most people to use. However, if you have epilepsy it is recommended that you avoid oils that, like rosemary, have a particularly strong scent. If you know you’re allergic to rosemary, don’t use this oil. If you’re pregnant, check in with your doctor or midwife before use. Finally, any essential oil can be dangerous if it isn’t diluted properly. If you’re unsure how to use rosemary oil safely, check in with an expert before making your own mixtures.

Rosemary may taste great on chicken and potatoes, but that’s just the beginning of what this aromatic herb can do! Do you love rosemary oil, or even the herb? How do you like to use it? Let me know your cosmetic or culinary recipes below!

– Christina Moss

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Propylene Glycol and Similar Ingredients

Propylene Glycol and Polyethylene Glycol – Ingredients Well Worth Avoiding

There are many nasty ingredients out there, but here I am going to touch on two that I find particularly bad: propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol. Otherwise known as PEG and PG, these ingredients are found in your car, your food, your pharmaceuticals, and (you guessed it) your personal care products. All this exposure is bad news if you value your health. Here is why:

Polyethylene Glycol – The Person You Don’t Want at a Party

Have you ever invited someone to a get-together, only to have that person invite a dozen of their friends? Before you know it, your food is gone, your house is ruined, and your neighbors aren’t speaking to you. Polyethylene glycol is that person.

The thing that PEG is best at is enhancing penetration. It helps other ingredients move deep down into your skin. So, when PEG joins a party, it brings all its friends with it, really ramping up the impact other undesirable compounds have on your skin.

Not only that, but PEG is often contaminated with some very nasty things. According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology, PEG has been found to be contaminated with heavy metals (including lead) and ethylene oxide (an ingredient used to make mustard gas).1

When PEG penetrates your body, it also disrupts your skin’s ability to retain moisture. As a result, you end up with dryer, itchier, more irritated skin, which will probably leave you reaching for the same product that contained PEG in the first place. It is a vicious cycle and one that is hard to break without making a dramatic change in your skincare mindset.

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like the kind of party guest I would rather avoid… which I do.

Propylene Glycol – It’s Everywhere!

Here is a fun game: Try to find something that does not contain propylene glycol. Intravenous drugs? Check. Antifreeze? Check. Cake mixes? Check. Conventional personal care products? Big check on that one. PG is just about everywhere, and that is scary.

It is natural that an ingredient used in such a broad and varied range of products, from brake fluid to flavored iced tea to deodorant, would raise some suspicion. There has been quite a bit of research into PG, and the results are not comforting.

Even at relatively low concentrations, exposure to PG has been proven to cause irritation and allergic reaction. One report even shows that exposure to PG can cause skin, liver, and kidney damage.

Finally, just like PEG, PG increases penetration. That means the other ingredients in your lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and sun blocks can make it into your system much more easily. Over time, this exposure can really add up, especially when you consider just how often the average person encounters PG.

The safest bet is to avoid propylene glycol as much as possible, which is why I never use it in my formulations.

Doesn’t Your Skin Deserve Better?

There is no need to keep exposing yourself to PEG and PG, especially when there are plenty of alternatives out there. Choose propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol-free products and enjoy healthier (and happier) skin.

What are your experiences with propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol? Please tell me about them in the comments below.

– Christina Moss

 

Sources

1 American College of Toxicology
International Journal of Toxicology
https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ijt

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Fragrances

I’d like to take a minute to pay respect to a part of the body that’s often overlooked: your nose. Scientists estimate that the nose can distinguish between over 1 trillion different odors, making it the most sensitive organ in the body, by far. Scent and memory are strongly combined, so with a single sniff, your nose can transport you to some of the best times in your life. Your sense of smell is truly amazing.

So why abuse it with artificial fragrances?

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