Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons and my personal favorite. There is something about the crisp air and simplicity of time changing. There is movement and energy which moves us out of the heat and humidity of summer. The transitions between the seasons however, can be very challenging on the body if not taken care of properly. In Ayurveda this time is known as vata season. Qualities of vata are dry, light, rough, cold and quick. This coincides perfectly with the actual weather that we experience leading up to the winter months. We change the food we eat from summer berries and greens to more grounding root vegetables and warming foods. We change our daily products as well. I go from using cooling coconut oil on my skin and hair to the warming properties of sesame oil. This is the time of year that we want to warm the body as well as hydrate it from the cold air. Most people experience the downsides of the cold on their skin.
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n the summer the humidity makes our skin glow and we need less help with hydration. Our skin appears naturally dewy and fresh and fewer beauty products are needed. In the fall and winter however, we need to spend a little more time adding moisture and nourishment to the skin. In addition to healing oils I like to use a heavy body lotion after a shower in the winter. I have tried many different organic and natural lotions but never found one that I was in love with. Until my recent discovery of Nubian Heritage lotions. Nubian is an incredible and unique company. The products draw on global healing and knowledge from across the world. The list of ingredients used are lemongrass, blackseed oil, raw shea butter, tamanu oil and chai. These are all indigenous ingredients that are combined to nourish modern day skin conditions.
The products are made to bring balance and harmony to the body, physically and emotionally. These products offer more than just a beauty solution but actually heal the skin and target actual skin disorders. The list of ingredients heal, acne prone skin, combination skin, dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. All their products are natural, contain no parabens, no phthalates, no synthetic fragrance, and never any animal ingredients. This is incredible because the smell of the lotions are unbelievable and so luxurious. The specific favorites of mine are the Raw Shea Butter with Frankincense and Myrrh and the Honey and Black Seed.
The Honey and Black seed has such an unusual and musk-like smell to it. Honey as we know in other organic products is a great natural moisturizer. Black seed is an unusual ingredient but does wonders for an uneven skin tone. This is great for keratosis pilaris on the backs of arms and thighs, a very challenging skin condition to treat. The Shea butter, Frankincense and Myrrh scent is also one that is intoxicating, truly a smell like none other. Frankincense specifically is known to have an anti-aging effect as well as toning lose skin. Frankincense is a resin from the bark of a tree and is used in perfumes and incense. Myrrh, is a resin as well and is leaked from the sap of a tree. It is known as a natural gum because it has a sticky and gooey texture. Myrrh is has many skin healing benefits but mainly it helps to treat chapped and broken skin. It is also great to increase circulation and can be used on the bottom of the feet, hands and anywhere to increase blood flow.
Both of these formulas are rich and luxurious and perfect for sensitive skin conditions. The texture is thick but not greasy and absorbs very easily into the skin. They are a perfect transitional product for this time of year. They prepare the skin for the dry, windy, and cold autumn and winter weather ahead. The scent of these lotions will linger on the skin all day while moisturizing! Definitely the perfect product to prepare for the winter ahead!
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