What is the difference: Natural vs. Organic?

This past weekend I skipped the regular farmers market and opted to go participate at a little Valentines gift fair in what I would consider to be a very unusual place, a local diveyish bar. While it’s not my normal type of venue nor is it really a place I hang out, I figured why not. Plus I was there with a friend so we could keep each other company.

When I arrived, I was really not sure how it would be as a venue and, honestly, I wondered if anyone would stop by my table at all. Soon there was a regular stream of people curious about my products and full of questions and adoration. Since they were not my regular customers, they had lots of questions for me that I was only too happy to answer with as much detail as they wanted.

One gentleman came by and was asked how I make the products and what I use. When I answered that I use Organic and Natural ingredients, his ears perked up. Of course the next question he had for me was: What is organic? and What is natural?

In the cosmetic market space these words are used very frequently but they mean very different things. There is more than one term that companies use when labeling their products Organic. To state that the product is organic means that at least 95% of the product is made from certified organic ingredients. The other label you may see is that the product is made with 70% organic ingredients. To be certified as organic, there are very strict guidelines that you must follow and certification is expensive and a bit restrictive for the smaller independent company to achieve.

The term natural means that the product is as close to its natural state (how you find it in nature). It is kind of hard to label the final product as natural. Once you add lye to the oils and other additives to create soap, it no longer resembles what you would find out in nature. Lotions and creams contain water and for the safety of the consumer, preservatives are added which do not necessarily occur in nature but without it the product can become harmful.

For Trés Spa, I use a variety of raw ingredients. Many of them are organic certified. Some of the additives are what are considered to be “food grade” meaning they are safe enough to eat. And yet again, some of the ingredients are considered natural. One day, perhaps I will have the extra funds to get the organic certified label, for now I am happy with following the best guidelines to bring the most healthy and wholesome products to my customers.

For more information about the Trés Spa products, please visit our website at www.tresspa.com

Greening your life, try making your own paper

When Trés Spa was just a twinkle in the eye, one of the key practices that were critical for the company to stand behind was green manufacturing. After all, our skin care products are inspired by nature and we use organic raw ingredients and pure essential oils. The same considerations of the ingredients that go into the products extend to what goes around them. The practice of renewable, eco-friendly, and environmentally friendly manufacturing and packaging had to be in every aspect of the final product we deliver to the customers.

A great deal of research and time went into finding the right packages for the lines of products. There were two packaging solutions that I could not locate that met the needs of the products and were cost effective enough for small batch processing. So to solve this dilemma, I decided to learn how to make the packaging myself. I learned how to make paper.

Originally the thought was to do this for the immediate need, but to keep looking for a commercially available resource. I mean what I really want to be known for is the high quality body care products and not for the paper. Little did I realize how much my customers would enjoy these simple items and their unique design and texture.

One of my customers at the local Farmer Markets took notice of the paper and had commented on how much she liked it. She was amazed when I said “Thanks, I make it myself.” She wanted to know if I would be willing to teach a class of 4th graders how to make paper for one of their class assignments. I was thrilled and jumped at the chance! We all had a blast and the kids loved it. I had one or two ask if they could do this at home and if there are kits they could as their parent to buy. Perhaps I was able to influence a future artist or at least a future recycler.

The possibilities of variations when making paper are endless. The process you can do at home requires very little energy, is simple to learn, and creates no waste. If you are interested in making paper, there are lots of resources on line or you can visit your local craft store to get started. Once you get going, it’s pretty addictive and you have the added benefit of doing something to help save the environment.

So by popular demand it looks like I’ll be making paper for a while. To see the line of products (and our paper) Trés Spa has, you can visit our website at www.tresspa.com

Ah the Feet

I’ve always been hard on my feet. Even when I was a kid I wasn’t very kind to my feet. I was pidgin toed and flat footed so I had to wear corrective shoes. I always tried to hide my feet from the other kids because I couldn’t wear the cute shoes the other girls wore. I remember I once snuck a pair of sandals out of the house in the morning so I could wear them on a class field trip to the zoo. Of course, this resulted in me getting huge blisters by the end of the day and I had to have my feet bandaged for days after. Well they say with age comes wisdom. So now that I am an adult, I try to take better care of my big flat feet.

Recently I went to the Preston Wynne Day Spa in Saratoga. I treated my feet to the amazing Rock and Rose spa pedicure. One word: Divine! I highly recommend this indulgence for anyone. As I sat in the very comfy chair and in between dozing off for moments, I did some thinking about feet and how important they are to me every day and how often they go unattended.

Our feet are our foundation. According the ancient art of reflexology, they hold a direct link to the organs of the body. The belief is that pressure applied to the right spot on the foot can effect a change in the corresponding organ. The practice has its roots in ancient civilizations dating back thousands of years. There is also documented evidence that a form of what we know as reflexology was practiced in Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. Each civilization had its own variation, but the root was the same, manipulation of the feet to affect health. Here is a fun interactive foot chart developed by Barbara and Kevin Kunz Foot Chart

Whether or not you believe in this alternative health practice, you cannot deny the amazing feeling a good foot massage gives you. But it’s not just the massage that makes you feel so wonderful, it’s the entire pamper process. From the exfoliation of the dead skin cells to the sultry soaking in seas salts then it’s finished off with a moisturizing rub to give your feet that soft supple feeling. The icing on the cake is dressing up your toes with pretty colors of polish (preferably from a formaldehyde free polish).

If you just can’t seem to find the time (or the money) to go to the day spa, then we can recommend the following Trés Spa products you can use at home to pamper yourself. For a deep foot scrub, we recommend either the Java Bean scrub or the Sea scrub. Once you’ve given your feet a good scrubbing, take the time to soak them in a warm water bath of the Trés Spa Bath salts or the Royal Silk Milk Bath (you only need a tablespoon or two for a foot bath). Finish off your at home spa treatment with one of the Trés Spa Whipped Body Butters. Massage the butter over the entire foot, giving it the extra time to absorb in. Your feet will thank you for it!

Please remember to step carefully if you have applied lotion or butter the bottom of your feet. You may want to put socks or slippers on after.

How to combat the Winter dilemma; Dry itchy skin.

Ever wonder why your skin seems so dry in the winter. Winter air is dryer than the moist summer breeze. Seems like as soon as the air chills and the wind blows, your skin starts to lose its moisture and gets itchy. To add insult to injury, the heaters go on in the house, car and while your inside and the heat sources we use do their part in removing additional moisture from the air.

So what’s a person to do when your skin starts to show the effects dry air can have? Its times like these that a very simple 3 step skin care regime becomes even more important.

First and foremost, we recommend that you use a good handcrafted soap. You can find Trés Spa Artisan soap at our on-line store: www.tresspa.com. You can also search for a local soap maker at the Hand Crafted Soap Makers Guild

Second step, use a good exfoliate to deep clean and unclog your skin pores. Extra exfoliation helps remove the dead dry skin, thereby relieving the itchiness. At Trés Spa we have four different body scrubs to choose from. Each one is an excellent addition and it really is a matter of personal preference. For the winter months, I tend to use the Java Scrub on my body as it is a strong exfoliate and it is very stimulating to the skin. Of course some may talk about the cancer fighting power of caffeine and a myriad of other benefits, but I tend to like it for the warm scent. We also have oatmeal based scrub called Old Fashioned Country, a sugar scrub called Sweet Stuff, and last but not least, our mineral rich Sea Scrub.

Third step in your regular skin care regime, moisturize. The skin needs a little extra help now more than ever. A good moisturizer will work with your skin cells to help in creating a moisture barrier; locking moisture in the skin. There are so many choices out there for you to pick from and even different types of moisturizers. Some are very thick and take longer to absorb (I personally prefer these in winter since I really want the extra protection)like a butter or cream, and others are thin and fast to absorb (but often need reaplying during the day). This is the time of year you really can reap the full benefits of a good Body Butter. The Trés Spa Whpped Body Butter is a whipped combination of nut butters and oils that are scented with pure essential oils. If you want to avoid any scent, you can select the Naked Butter. For your face, a good cream would be highly beneficial. Trés Spa also has an amazing cream called Defiance! that you can use morning and night. Lotions are great but they tend to be much thinner than a butter or a cream and you may need to apply them more than once a day. The Trés Spa lotions contain an excellent blend of oils and extracts that make excellent skin conditioners. We only use pure essential oils in our scent blends.

So what about baths in the winter?
I love a good soak any time of year and certainly no dry chilly winter is going to keep me out of the tub! But, soaking in water can tend to dry out the skin if you aren’t adding the right ingredients to your bath water. Salts are great for detoxifying and re-mineralizing, but salts alone don’t add anything for retaining moisture. For the winter months I rely more heavily on a milk bath and/or a moisturizing fizzy bath bomb. Milk works great in helping your skin stay moist and supple. The EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids) act to help calm irritated skin. It is naturally hydrating and provides gentle skin-renewing exfoliation with its natural alpha hydroxy acids. The Trés Spa Royal Silk Milk Bath has the power of buttermilk as well as the mineral benefits of the Himalayan Pink Sherpa Sea Salts. The Trés Spa Fizzy Bath Bombs also contain a touch of Jojoba oil; an oil that is used to help create a moisture barrier for your skin.

Got Milk?!

We have probably all seen or heard the advertisement that says “Milk, it does a body good!” The commercials go on to tell us how milk helps strengthen our bones, build stronger teeth, and even help to build muscle. Studies also suggest that drinking milk in moderation can help prevent osteoparosis and heart disease. With all of the studies and research out there, most people are pretty convinced of the importance of incorporating milk into your daily balanced diet.

But what about your skin?
The advantages of milk don’t end with just drinking it. Research has shown that milk applied to the skin offers its own unique nutritional benefits. Milk can help alleviate redness and calm irritated skin. It is naturally hydrating and provides gentle skin-renewing exfoliation with its natural alpha hydroxy acids. The milk acids will help to gently slough off dead skin cells. It is also documented to aid in diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing the appearance of age spots, reducing hyperpigmentation while improving skin texture.

How does it do this?
Milk contains proteins (whey and casein), fat, amino acids, lactic acid and vitamins A and D. All of these properties work together to create soft supple skin with a natural glow. Add milk to your regular skin care regime. Trés Spa Artisan soaps all contain buttermilk. How about a truly decadent treat? Add the Trés Spa Royal Silk Milk Bath to your next bath. Trés Spa’s Royal Silk Milk Bath combines the power of Himalayan Pink Sherpa sea salts rich in minerals with the natural healing power of honey and the skin soothing agents of milk. It’s nothing new, soaking in a bath of milk was a regular practice once reserved for the very rich. Cleopatra is infamous for her milk baths with rose petals as part of her natural fountain of youth spa routine.

Goats milk vs Cows milk;
There are some differences of goats milk to the milk of a cow, but none that are significant when using it for skin care. Trés Spa products use Buttermilk in the Artisan Soap as well as in the Royal Silk Milk Bath, which is higher in lactic acid. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid used in rejuvenation products and is considered to be a gentle yet very effective anti-aging treatment. Here is a quick reference guide to the differences of milk from different animal sources: Nutrition by animal Source.

To find out more about Trés Spa and our full line of skin care inspired by nature, visit us at www.tresspa.com

What’s the benefit of Hemp Seed oil in skin care products?

It doesn’t take long to figure out that Trés Spa products contain Hemp Seed oil. In fact almost all of our products contain it from our soap to our body butter to our lotion and even our shampoo. Our Old Fashioned Body Scrub and our Sea Scrub feature Hemp oil as well. This discovery has raised an eyebrow or two and even a giggle here and there. I have even heard some travelers comment that the Hemp Seed oil is so “California”.

As with all of the raw ingredients we use, we did a fair amount of research in selecting Hemp Seed oil. In searching for the right ingredients to use to create the best skin care products for you, the main criteria is that it contains the highest amount of nutrients. There are many reasons why we are such strong supporters of using Hemp oil for your skin care. Many of them are for the curative properties it posesses and the other reasons are for the eco-friendly qualities of this plant. There really is a good deal that can be said for this mighty producer but I will try to keep it short.

Hemp Seed oil is made from cold pressing the seeds to extract the oils. This all natural oil is good for all skin types and does not create allergic reactions. The therapeutic substances this oil carries are numerous rich in Omega-6 and Omega-3 it also contains the more “rare” GLA (gama linolenic acid) and SDA (stearidonic acid) fatty acids. The oil lipids allow it to permeate the skin and carry the nutrients to the cells. It is because of this ability that the oil doesn’t act as a “coating” it actually penetrates and works at the cell level to aid the skin in maintaining moisture this giving the skin the soft smooth feeling. Hemp seed oil is believed to be ideal in improving skin conditions such as aging skin, psoriasis, eczema, and acne.

The Hemp plant is one of the most eco-friendly plants. It is a very hearty grower that requires little water, helps control top soil erosion, has a very fast growth cycle (it can be harvested in 100 to 120 days of planting) and since it has natural resistance to predators it does not require any pesticides. Every part of the plant can be used to make consumer products from the stalk to the seed. Thousands of products can be made, all of them biodegradable.

Embrace your inner hippie and add this amazing power house of an oil to your daily skin care regime!

To shop for Trés Spa products, you can visit us on line at http://www.tresspa.com/

The unexpected customer!

The Tres Spa website has a feature where people can rate the products they use. I am always encouraging people to let me know what they think of the Tres Spa products they use. I even offer incentives for those who subscribe to the Tres Spa newsletter where they can win free products for writing reviews.

I believe people should give a candid honest review of the item they are reviewing and the one criterion is that they have to have used the product. The way the website works, I actually have to review the comments before they get posted. There are pros and cons to this feature. The con is that people may feel they are censored or that I will not post an unfavorable review. The pro is that I can help scrub out things that might identify them (since I believe people should have their privacy) and I can also delete bogus posts (I’ve actually had a couple of these).

Recently I received some reviews from one of my customers who took the time to actually go on line and rate the products. I was thrilled to see the reviews waiting for me as I know how busy we all are. As I started to review the comments I was very surprised to see her review of one of my soaps was for her dog! Well, when Tres Spa was created and the products designed, we did not intend for them to be pet products. In fact there are natural product companies that specialize in pet products. It’s just not a line we thought to create or carry. After all, what we wanted to create was a line of natural skin care that would leave you feeling just as good as you had spent the day at the spa.

I have to admit, this review caused me to pause (pardon the pun). I debated about whether or not to post this one. I decided to push the review threw and make it public. I thought of all the people I know who are so close to all their pets and how a dog really does become a member of the family and even shares our food at times so why not our body care products? I take my cat to the Cat Day Spa where he gets a lavender bath so why can’t a dog use Tres Spa soap? As I came to discover, this customers dogs have very thick fur and very sensitive skin. They had been suffering for so long and she had tried everything she could get to try and relieve their dry itchy skin problem. As any good parent would, she tried the soap herself and knew how well it worked for her so why would it not work for her dogs?

So now our Naked Soap can be called People friendly pet approved. LOL I am very glad that this customer is so happy with the products she uses and even more proud her dogs are too!

I would like to stress though that Tres Spa never tests on animals, ever. All of our products are cruelty free.