Alberta Co-op Grocery

Grapeseed Oil for the Skin

Posted April 28th, 2010

As a teen battling acne, I was deathly afraid of any skin care product containing oil.  Oil equaled acne, as far as I was concerned.  Everything I put on my face had the opposite effect: dry, dry, kill, and dry.  Which, when you are a teen prone to oily skin, does not seem to matter much.  Ten years later, as I approach thirty, it is a whole different story.  Now, I have a wonderful mix of dry skin that still breaks out and I’m starting to see little lines on my forehead.  Acne, dry skin, and wrinkles…is that what they mean by “combination skin”?!  Reluctantly, I have started to use products that do not dry up my skin and I have even started putting (gulp) oil directly on my face.  Once I got over the fear, I was pleased to discover that grapeseed oil might be just what my skin needs.  I picked up a bottle of the Aura Cacia oil at the Co-op, and it claims to “restore balance and firmness to combination and oily skin”.  I did some research and I found that it contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants.  Antioxidants slow the aging process and have an anti-inflammatory effect, which prevents pore clogging, and helps clear up acne!  In addition, grapeseed oil contains linoleic, palmitic, and stearic fatty acids, which are essential for the health of skin and cell membranes.  It appears that grapeseed oil is the perfect moisturizer and toner for someone with my kind of skin.  And, to my pleasant surprise, putting oil directly on my skin has not made my breakouts worse, it has actually reduced redness and dryness, and because grapeseed oil is light and absorbs quickly, my skin does not have a greasy feel.

Suggestions for topical application:

• Mix 2 drops of either lavender or clove oil(both good for acne or red, sensitive skin) with 30 ml of grapeseed oil and apply to face with a cotton ball.
• Use as a massage oil with your favorite essential oil (eucalyptus is great for massage)
• Add a little to your bath along with your favorite soap or essential oil to moisturize your entire body.

Tags: oil, skin care
Posted in Wellness

Dr. Bronner’s Magic

Posted April 23rd, 2010

by Marianna Thielen, Working Owner

I am not quite sure what ever possessed me to pick up a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s “Magic” Liquid Soap.  How can soap be “magic”?! How can soap have 18 uses?  What are all of these quotes all over the bottle?  But, for some reason, my own curiosity got the best of me and I picked it up.  I was pleased to find out that the ingredients are much simpler than their claims: Water, coconut, olive oil, hemp oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E.  Wow, I can actually read and understand these ingredients!  And, what’s more, I found that the soap is a concentrate, I can dilute it, and it lasts for months!  And, it really works!  In addition, it comes in eight different scents. (My scent of the moment is peppermint, I plan on trying the rose next).

I am still not sold on the 18 uses, and have yet to find where all of these uses are listed(there are ten listed on his website), but this is what I have used it for so far: first, and foremost, as a body cleanser.  I have a bottle with a pump dispenser that I fill about one third with the soap and the rest with water.  Second, I have started using it as a shampoo (by default after running out of my usual brand) and it works perfectly well.  Finally, I tried cleaning with it for the first time the other day and found it very effective on my bathtub and kitchen floor!  The soap foams up nicely and the peppermint smells wonderful.  I have heard that it is great to use as a mouthwash, in laundry and for washing off vegetables, but have yet to experience that myself.

So, while I have not found eighteen different ways to use this soap, if I can wash my body, hair, and house with something that is made out of ingredients that are organic, simple, fair trade, and smell wonderful.  Dr. Bronner, that is “magic” enough for me.

Tags: fair trade, oil, organic, soap
Posted in Wellness