Sustainable Self-Care Rituals

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​​A Guest Blog by Wendy Kaiser

Hi! I’m Wendy, owner and formulator of HANDS Organic Skincare located in Clintonville, Ohio. Thanks for reading my guest post for Green Haven Living this month.

I am passionate about making accessible botanical skincare for those that are mindful of both clean personal products and the planet. The list of ingredients I will use is probably shorter than the list of ones I won’t, so I just say, “Nothing outside of nature.” Real organic ingredients in their least processed state, no preservatives or artificial ingredients. I am inspired by and have learned so much about natural ingredients and their ability to influence our wellbeing. My products are available both in-store and online at Green Haven Living.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am a stay-at-home/ work-from-home/ homeschooling mom. I have all the hats on --- just as I assume many of my readers do too! Because life is so busy, we have to stay mindful to allow ourselves dedicated time each day for self-care. We talk about sustainability...but, we have to be able to sustain ourselves as well, right? So, let me share my self-care ritual with you. I hope you’ll allow yourselves the time you deserve to unwind.

Have you ever heard of “bookending''? I choose something in the morning, maybe as short as 5 minutes of heart-focused breathing, or as long as a 20-minute walk, depending on our day.
Then I go about doing all the things, of course. At the end of each day, I bookend it with something special, like skin care. And for this, I’ll grab several of my toxin-free, plastic-free products for some dedicated time.
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A quick shower will help start my self-care time, usually followed by my Clary Sage & Mandarin Body Powder. This body powder avoids troublesome talc as well as plastic packaging, and smells insanely comforting. It’s the linalool and linalyl acetate in the Clary Sage that has such powerful calming and grounding abilities, and will take the feeling of your long day down quickly!

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​During those dry, cold Fall and Winter months, I like using body butters to calm and hydrate my skin. I would recommend either the Tangerine Lavender Chamomile Butter or the Cardamom Ginger Night Butter, which I love because it has a warming effect. 

Before dressing in something comfy, I will apply one of my organic solid deodorants (Jasmine Grapefruit or Bergamot Blood Orange) or the beeswax-free Tangerine Turmeric Vegan Deodorant Cream. All of my deodorants are formulated to prevent odor without interfering with the normal function of our bodies (perspiration). 

​Next, I will absolutely go for one of my botanical face masks. Choosing one is the hardest part, but one of my favorites is the Brightening Mask. Packed with orange peel, rhassoul clay, local turmeric, raw cacao, coconut milk and sandalwood, it is cooling, gentle and smells so good. While your mask works its wonders, you’ve got a good 10-15 minutes to watch a show, read a book or listen to music. Mask tip: don’t let a clay mask dry on your face! Rinse it off when it’s still damp so all the goodness and moisture you’ve just applied doesn’t get removed. 

After the mask, I love using my Calendula & Chamomile-Infused Glow Face Oil. In another sustainable win, this oil can be used three different ways. First, most simply as a face moisturizer. Second, for use as your face massage or Gua Sha oil. Third, it can be used as an oil cleanser, which is a great way to transition your skin for fall and winter protection. It also saves product, as often you won’t need to reapply moisturizing oil or cream in the morning! This oil is also essential oil-free and completely safe for babies and kids. That calendula and chamomile infusion can help with boo-boos, bruises, dry or irritated skin for them as well! So, I guess that’s four uses! For dewy soft skin, you can also seal in the moisture with Helichrysum Radiant Face Cream. You will love the whipped consistency, as well as all the anti-aging and hydrating benefits this cream provides.

Fewer ingredients, less packaging, more care and mindfulness all around. I sincerely hope you take a few minutes out of your day to care for yourself. It’s worth it. Your health and happiness depend on it. And, feeling a sense of wellbeing requires only minutes a day.