Organically Preserved Cosmetics - User Manual

You know how important it is to me to use products that are free of synthetic ingredients-including preservatives. All of KlaraCoco's products are free of these nasty ingredients- of course.

This inevitably leads to the question about the shelf life of these products. All products - food and cosmetic - will eventually become contaminated with living organisms (moulds, fungi, bacteria). What the food and cosmetic industry invented to extend the shelf life of their products is the used of artificial preservatives, like parabens to protect cosmetics, medicine and even food products.

Not long ago, nobody questioned the use of these harmful ingredients in products we use every day!

A number of studies were showing alarming results. Parabens may effect estrogen levels and contribute to breast cancer. So, a new movement came and more and more people wants products without these nasty things and a return to age-old wisdom of the many uses of herbs and fresh produce in cosmetics.

Companies that are conscious about this issue - like KlaraCoco - use a safe and pure method of preservation utilizing antioxidants and plant based preservative systems. While most conventional body and skincare products have a very long shelf life of three years or more (try to keep your butter mould-free on your counter for that amount of time!), organically preserved products can't sit around as long.

They have a limited shelf life between 6 and 18 months depending on the product, though it is recommended that you use them within 5-8 months to get the most benefit out of the essential oils.

To extend shelf life here are a few important rules you should take in consideration:

• Keep your products out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
• Be careful not to introduce bacteria or water from your fingers during use.
• Remember: use your product for all the great benefits rather that keep them on your shelf or medicine cabinet for years as a decorative accent!

One more thing:
How can you tell when a product has gone bad? If it smells a little funny or different than usual, than you need to toss it. Look also for discolouration and a change in texture.

Our new ESSENTIA ORGANICS FACIAL SKINCARE COLLECTION is here!

These lovely blue bottles and jars are hand-filled with hand-made goodnesses, using only the highest grade organic raw materials, natural preservative and pure essential oils to ensure the most effective and most luxurious application.

Our 100% pure and organic Essentia Collection will give you a healthy and happy skin. 

SHOP ESSENTIA ORGANICS

Every single ingredient listed is plant based and scores 1 or less (meaning low to no hazard) on the Cosmetic safety data base.
Essentia Organics
Four Steps Complete Skincare Routine:

TONE  1. start your day with our TONER

MOISTURIZE 2. apply our ULTIMATE CREME in the morning and at night 3. continue with the SERUM OILS for areas more needing special care 4. use our ROOIBOS EYE CREME under your eyes ever day for best results

CLEANSE 5. prepare a MASQUE and SCRUB 2-in-1 two to three times a week.

Happy Mother's Day
Choosing a Charity - Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

When I started KlaraCoco, it was clear for me that as a company owner I would like to give back to the community and to donate a portion of the sales to a charity. The decision was made and we are to donate 5% of our proceeds from the sales of Amour-propre products to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Amour-propre Collection is really close to my heart, as I dedicated it to my mother who passed away a few years ago of breast cancer. Through her this dedication is also for women all over the world who suffer from breast cancer.

Amour-propre is a French expression meaning "self love" or self respect. I choose two ultra feminine essential oils for scent, rose and neroli aka orange blossom. It is fresh and floral without being over-powering. 
A lovely silver pendant representing the awareness ribbon is attached to all bottles and jars.

I decided to use old family photos for my product labels and my mom appears on both the Maman Chérie for expecting and new moms and Enfant Chéri for babies and children labels (the girl holding the baby). My oldest daughter Klara looks really like her...

 

With Mother's Day coming soon, be sure to see our stunning collection of gifts made specially for Moms. We add you personalized message free of charge in a glass vial sealed with a cork and decorated with a lovely baroque pendant. Please visit our website for more details: http://klaracoco.myshopify.com/collections/gifts

 

 

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - the bad guys!

Today, I want to talk about two harmful ingredients that are widely used in products you probably have in your house!
Sodium laureth sulfate and its chemical relative, sodium lauryl sulfate, are common foaming agents, chemically known as surfactants, added to bath and body products like bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, detergents, toothpastes and other products.

They are petroleum-based products and are equally used to degrease car engines... In the same way as they dissolve the grease on car engines, SLS/SLES also dissolves the oils on your skin, making it dry and itchy. 

Other dangers of SLS and SLES are:

• Causing skin irritations
• Causing skin allergies
• Gum disease and gingivitis
• Building up in the internal organs (liver, kidneys, brain)
• Forming nitrosamines (carcinogens)
• Being absorbed into the bloodstream

One of the main effects of SLS is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This is may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

So why is these dangerous chemical are used in our soaps and shampoos? The answer is simple - it is a cheap.


Realistically, it is hard to avoid SLS based products as they are found in over 98% of all bath and beauty products on the market. But the trouble is well worth it! But, d o not believe that just because a product is labeled as "natural" it is free from SLS or SLES. Most common brands of "Natural" or "Herbal" shampoos and cleansers still use these harmful chemicals as their main active ingredient. Best advice: CHECK YOUR LABELS! 


All KlaraCoco's products are SLS/SLES free and we only use mild saponifying agents sourced from nature. Our Organic Enfant Cheri Liquid Soap is made from saponified organic oils of coconut and sunflower. It has a mild pH that will not dry out the skin and can be used as a shampoo, body cleanser or hand wash. I even use it as laundry soap when I am hand-washing delicate laundry. 

It provides a nice gentle foam that is good for individuals with sensitive skin. The whole family can use it and enjoy the benefits! 

  

Our organic soap bars are made from 100% certified organic plant based oils ad are scented with essential oils and colored with organic herbs and plant extracts.

SLS/SLES free products benefits are:

• No skin irritation
• No skin allergies
• No harmful substances
• Not absorbed into bloodstream
• Non-cancerogenic
• No gum diseases
• All natural mild saponifiers
• Saponifyers sourced from nature
• Great natural hydration
• Gentle natural cleansing action
• Works with your skin balance
• Does not strip protective layer of skin
• Softens skins naturally

The choice is ultimately up to you. But when asking yourself the question "What is the price of good health?" I believe that it is really NOT worth to pay one or two dollar less for SLS based shower gels, just to pay hundreds or thousands in medical bills later! Choose wisely and again READ YOUR LABELS!

As a tribute to Japan, I created this beautiful Etsy Treasury. Enjoy! 'Sakura' by KlaraCoco on Etsy.com

Spring in Kyoto Minasmoke $22.00	Digital Paper Pack ... cestlaviedigit... $4.25	35% OFF SALE - Wond... Raceytay $117.75	Handtwisted Cherry ... JensGems84 $48.00
Usagi - Furisode wi... ArtemisAndCo $120.00	Blossom Congratulat... sweetharvey $4.75	Blossom earrings - ... beautyspot $21.00	Handmade Eco Friend... ecofriendlybea... $60.00
Vintage Antique Ros... BreatheCouture $28.00	30% OFF SALE - Pink... AmeliaKayPhoto... $22.40	PINK SAKURA: Japan... PIGandFiSH $72.00	dainty pink flower ... BeSomethingNew $22.00
Plum Blossom Curve ... plasticpumpkin $5.00	her silk kimono - a... maoiliosa $9.00	Sweet Pink Bunny an... CottonTimes $16.90	Cotton Candies... A... Marolsha $19.50

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

'Happy Birthday!' for Coco's 4th Birthday!

A treasury created on Etsy.com, inspired by my sweet little girl who turned 4 years old today! 

Stripe Series (PINK... sweetpeatoadto... $60.00	Custom Happy Birthd... millalove $15.00	NEW Spring 2011 Whi... janum $25.00	Love Day White Choc... estheraguirre $11.50
Chloe Doll RetroBirdDesig... $15.00	The Pink Cupcakes (... babypicturethi... $3.00	Color wheel Bracele... NestPrettyThin... $28.00	METALLIC - Swing Ri... HeyZee $40.00
Birth Announcement ... cestlaviedigit... $15.00	felted heart pebble... SewnNatural $15.00	happy birthday - ph... snapco $15.00	Headband M2M Matild... curlygirlsdesi... $15.00
Vintage 1955 Spring... VintageScraps $12.00	2 little lovebirds ... babyjives $70.00	Adorable Flower Cro... OhhSoSweetBowt... $18.00	Pretty Heart Paper ... gardenmis $3.50

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Kids, it's bath time!

Some kids love it, some well, not really...  My kids, Klara and Coco love baths! 

I must tell you, I have a wonderful job: creating yummy organic skincare products; especially when I get to use these goodies on my own babies and know that I am giving them the very best.

I use KlaraCoco's Enfant chéri Organic Liquid Soap for Children, a truly luxuriant, extra mild and gentle castille soap made from certified organic ingredients, nutrient rich organic oils, without harsh chemicals, additives and colorants. It is lightly scented with organic Lavender and Mandarin essential oils, and has a mild pH that will not dry out the skin and can be used as a body cleanser, shampoo, hand wash for the whole family.

We do not use the liquid soap every day, only in the Summer months when my kids are playing outside with all their fiends (and I sit on the driveway with my lovely neighbours, sipping "limonade") and they are dirty from head to toe.

So, as I said soap is about every other day, and the rest of the week, we use KlaraCoco's Enfant chéri Organic Herbal Oat Bath that is designed to soothe the most sensitive of skin types. 

Added organic calendula and lavender flower petals along with creamy oats are the perfect all natural bath to help sooth young children's skin. And I don't need to worry about the mess of oat floating in the bathtub : there is reusable muslin bag included with the jar that you can fill with the oat bath and infuse all the goodness in the bath water! 


After bath, I massage them with KlaraCoco's Enfant Chéri Organic Body Oil for Children. This oil is a gentle blend of organic sunflower and cold pressed olive oils and generously added organic calendula - mother nature healing power! - and calming mandarin and lavender essential oils.

It absorbs quickly and easily into the child's skin, leaving it moisturized and protected without feeling greasy.

In the Winter months (in Calgary it's about 8 months strait) sometime my girls skin needs more moisture. I use then KlaraCoco's Organic Enfant Chéri Soothing Baby Balm with Shea Butter, Calendula, Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils.

For babies* you can use it as a gentle diaper/barrier cream or to soothe diaper rash or treat cradle cap. But it is also perfect for dry hands, cracked feet and eczema patches for older kids and adults.

These four products that we offer at KlaraCoco cover the perfect skincare routine for babies and older children. 

How you view “bath time” is up to you. Many parents and their children choose to treat it as a chore. However, you can choose to turn bath time into something special, which both you and your child will enjoy every day. For children, bath time should be a transition between the busy world of day and the peaceful world of bed. With very little effort you can make it a magic time for both of you.

*Aromatherapist does not recommend using any products with essential oils on babies under two months of age!