10 Jun 2021
A FUNGUS? Nobody wants it. If you have ever had a skin fungus, whether it be on the nail, between the toes, or in a fold, it is not a pretty sight, nor is it fun to experience. Scaly, red, itchy, flaky, bumpy, unsightly, all of which can drive us crazy. Some common names for this tinea include nail fungus, jock itch, ringworm, athlete’s foot.
Prevention is the key by practicing good hygiene,...
11 May 2021
The genome of a koala instructs it to eat eucalyptus. It tells the koala that these leaves, while toxic to most mammals, are not toxic to itself and yet will supply its nutritional needs, including its water supply. Koalas accomplish a leaf chew marathon for several hours a day before being sated. Not only does the koala have the extra genes to access the eucalyptus’s nutrition, it can also...
28 Apr 2021
“Nothing seems to work. I have been to three dermatologists, tried various creams and salves. Sometimes my acne clears up, but it always comes back. Once my face reacted so badly I missed two days of school! My dermatologist is recommending Pro-Active but I have heard it can be dangerous. I am so discouraged.”
Such was the despair of a young lady who entered our booth at one of the pre-Covid...
15 Apr 2021
Wanting toxin free skin care is not a fad. While it may be the buzz, it’s not flying away anytime soon. We deserve to have clean products.
But what does ‘clean’ mean? Toxin free? All natural? No nasties? Free-from? ‘Chemical’-free? ‘All good. No bad?’
It may depend whom you ask
Some do not think there is a problem.. Some experts defend the mainstream industry saying that all ingredients are...
13 Apr 2021
If the fashion promotes black teeth, ask the geishas. If pearly whites are the rage, and this is the case today, we just need to ask our dentist.
Going back in history, black teeth have been fashionable. Called ohaguro, it was a custom popular in Asia, Japan, Vietnam.
To blacken the teeth:
“Mix a little acetate from iron fillings, soak in tea or apple tannin and vinegar, or sake.
Teeth...
20 Mar 2021
Recently, upon reopening, a mom and daughter duo came into the shop.The young teen was combating acne and they were looking for more natural skin care.
“My daughter’s acne is really acting up. She is using a clay soap that I bought at a health food store. NO washes or gels because they seem to make it worse. Her shampoo is natural too, yet her acne is in a flare up. On her back too…maybe it is...
11 Mar 2021
Toting a beer into the shower may not be on everyone’s agenda, but perhaps it should be. Not to drink necessarily, but to cleanse and nourish the skin.
We love our Guinness soap, called Irish Stout Oatmeal Soap.
Not only is it great as a body and face soap, but it also serves well as a shampoo for the hair. Beer and especially Guinness, contains natural anti-oxidants*, making the hair softer...
07 Mar 2021
Several years back I wrote an article on our favourite beer, Guinness, which is featured in our famed Irish Stout Oatmeal soap. As St Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, we thought a revisit was in order.
Is Guinness Good For You?
Look closely at a glass of Guinness beer. It is not black, but a very dark shade of ruby. Precious like the gemstone. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day (or the whole...
05 Mar 2021
Is your skin crying dry? Curling up? Sprouting itchy patches?It’s winter time and the skin is in full battle mode.
What to do? Grab the lotion. It’s time to fight back, but it is not always an easy win.
The snowbirds who did not venture south this winter must be feeling the difference on the skin. People can’t seem to moisturize enough in winter weather. Our regular customers know what to do...
17 Feb 2021
"Having no intention of following the cohort inside, she generously held open the entrance door and said, “Please, go ahead. You first.”
One job of disodium EDTA is to open doors. It does it well. While entry for others is encouraged, following is not necessarily on its agenda. Disodium EDTA is used in skin care (and food*) and while it is not easily absorbed into the skin, it’s the door opener...
