5 Winter Skin Tips!
When there’s a chill in the air, it’s important to adjust your skincare regimen. Try these simple tips.
Journal
What Does Bio Available Really Mean?
What Does “Bio Available” Really Mean?
If you have heard the term “Bio Available” being used recently and were wondering what that means for you and your skin then let us break it down for you.
If you have heard the term “Bio Available” being used recently and were wondering what that means for you and your skin then let us break it down for you.
To Moisturize or Not to Moisturize, That is the Question.
Do We Need To Moisturize?
We believe our skin was designed to take care of itself and we think it does a miraculous job of doing so. We posed the question do we need to moisturize our skin? “If the skin’s barrier function is not impaired by physical damage, environmental stress, disease or infection, I don’t believe we have to moisturize says Natasha, our House of Hilt Chief Alchemist and CoFounder. “However, most of us want our skin to look esthetically pleasing and to feel good so this is where moisturizers can help us achieve that look and feel.”
Finding the right moisturizer is a complex situation. “Finding an effective one is even harder as the advertised ingredient benefits are often glorified and do not produce the results you are looking for or promised, and even if the ingredients are of good quality and potency, they are bound in fillers that are used to emulsify
the products which block the effectiveness of the active ingredients and can cause breakouts and milia (small white bumps in the skin.)” adds Natasha. At House of Hilt we do not use fillers in our products so your skin is soaking up all of the powerful ingredients to create the change you are looking for.
The key to finding the right moisturizer is to first follow your intuition and your own feeling of what you need and like. A good question to ask yourself is, do you feel the need for a moisturizer? If so, what kind of finish do you like, a glossy finish or a matte (non-shiny) finish? If your answer is glossy, then you’re looking for hydration, something creamy or an oil and don't mind a little shine.
If you feel oily, are concerned about breakouts and don’t like a glossy finish or thick creams then look for a thinner cream resembling a lotion, a medicinal facial oil or gel like serum, formulated for oily or combination skin. This will provide more of a matte look and will keep you feeling hydrated, but not shiny.
According to Natasha “What’s important to remember is that you should always moisturize after cleansing your skin because it offers temporary hydration to assist your skin in its return to a balanced state.” So, surprisingly, you do not need to moisturize unless you are looking to enhance your complexion, help your skin stay hydrated, or to repair a skin imbalance under the recommendation of a Physician.
What are Ceramides?
CERAMIDES
Our customers have been asking “What is a ceramide?” and if you have been reading beauty blogs and watching TV commercials recently, you may have seen a lot of advertising related to ceramides.
Here House of Hilt Chief Alchemist, Natasha Crow breaks it down for you. “A ceramide is a fat, chemically known as a lipid. It makes up 50% of the lipids in the upper most layer of our skin, the stratum corneum."
Ceramides and other saturated fatty acids, create a water-impermeable, protective barrier to prevent excess water loss and act as a safety net against the entry of bacteria which is vital in keeping skin healthy and hydrated.
So why all the questions lately about ceramides? The current trend touting ceramides in skin care products is simply a play on words as many oils contain ceramides. You may have seen it used as an ingredient when in fact it is part of the chemical makeup of an oil. By calling out that part of its name, you now have a new ingredient to tout and pique customer interest.
One of the highest ceramide rich oils is Evening Primrose Oil. “ I selected Evening Primrose Oil as one of the main oils in our Amber Primrose Facial Oil as it has the highest concentration of ceramides and amazing benefits for your skin” says Natasha. Combined with other ceramide rich oils such as Argan oil and 25% Vitamin C, our Amber Primrose Facial Oil is a powerful, hydrating facial oil.
Its skin restoring powers make it one of our best sellers.
Update Your Skincare Routine!
In 2020, we challenge you to clean your beauty routine and reduce your skin’s exposure to toxicity and fillers. If you’re ready to see the difference clean beauty can make in your skincare regimen, first do an inventory of your current products and get rid of any that have expired. Then take a look at the ingredients in each product and be mindful of common toxins and fillers. They include:
Parabens
Artificial Fragrance
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Propylene Glycol
BHT
Formaldehyde
Phthalates
Triclosan
Acrylates
Carbomers
Crosspolymers
Dimethicone
At House of Hilt, we never use any of these ingredients, and our products are always 100 percent plant-based and handcrafted in small batches.
If you decide to switch to a Plant Based, Filler Free, Toxin Free skincare regimen but feel a bit overwhelmed about where to start, think about adding the products you use the most; for example, your facial cleanser and moisturizer. Once you make the switch to House of Hilt products, you will see a gorgeous, healthy glow that looks and feels fabulous. Here’s to your best year yet!
Chili Peppers Are Beneficial For Your Skin. Here’s Why.
When applied to the skin, the heat in chili peppers stimulates blood flow and brings nutrients to the surface of the skin.
Celebrate National Tea Month With This Hot Steam Ritual
January is National Tea Month, and we think it’s the perfect time of year for enjoying a comforting cup. Even better is combining your tea ritual with a spa night at home.
Last Day for Standard Shipping Before Christmas!
