Have you ever related swollen or itchy eyes to something you applied to the skin?  Perhaps eye make-up? A cream? A soap or shampoo?  Lipstick or lip balm?  A shaving gel? It was several years ago that I met a friend, June, I had not seen in quite awhile.  Her eyes were swollen.  I knew she was embarrassed as she immediately made reference,  “My eyes are also itchy. It has been 2 days now and I do not know why?"   I then asked if she had changed her lipstick brand by any chance?    “Lipstick affecting my eyes?  How bizarre.” She…

Mild psoriasis and not so mild eczema exists in my own family, thus I am not immune to those of you who suffer.  I have seen extreme cases of both in many people, particularly our customers who seek alternatives to the commercial products and steroid creams. Diet, environmental factors and skin care products should all be considered when seeking to improve any skin issues. We have many suggestions to help 'the dry and the itchy', such as psoriasis presents. Here are two of them. 1. Moisturize The potential to use a cream that does NOT do its intended job is all too real. The goal is…

Growing up, I was never one to enjoy the bug life. Call it societal conditioning, as movies and media ingrained the heebeegeebees coursing through my veins at the sight of all critters big and small. My mother’s arachnophobia was passed down to me, then successively through my son’s screech of horror in the presence of spiders. I am trying to change this. As I strive to be at one with my natural habitat, I become more intrigued by the miraculous creatures around me. I sit and observe the spider, the cockroach and the snail. I am in 'awww' of the ants as they march with determination,…

Earth to body has some pretty amazing employees. Over the years we have had many different people work for us. All of them have either been family or close long time friends. People we trust, people we love and care about us and our family business.  We have thrived because of these hard working, loyal people.  One in particular has given me a story I use to this day in my booth.   Years ago I was in Fairview Pointe Claire working a kiosk. They were long hours and I was in need of help.  An old friend from school happens to walk by.  She was in transition from…

I am captured by the TV ad talking about sunscreen.  The model lures me in. She is beautiful. Sensual. And convincing.  She gently lotions her skin with the SPF 100 sunscreen.  I am told that I must apply this SPF 100 sunscreen daily to protect myself from the harmful rays of the sun. “ It is silky, soft and the skin loves it”, she claims.  It is absolutely necessary.   Or else. I am always interested in talk about sunscreen. Fears of premature aging. Skin cancers.  We are scared, confused uncertain.  We want to be informed.  But whom do…

This is not the first time we have extolled our shea butter, proudly purchased from a co-op in Burkina Faso, ‘women’s gold fair trade butter'.  Summer is the perfect time to remind you not to forget about shea.  Winter cold and summer sun demand protection. “Your butters are the best shea I have ever tried”, exclaimed one eager customer.  I took it on vacation to the Dominican and my entire family begged me to share it.   A day in the sun, a shower and a body buttering is the perfect day!” It is also a good idea to apply the sheamu butter before heading outdoors.…

It was several years ago when I wrote a series of imaginary 'letters' titled, 'Dear Cosmetic World’   I was concerned about the absence of full ingredient listings on too many websites.  Here is an excerpt of that lament. “I peruse your website and see: ‘Natural Ingredients,  ‘Active Ingredients,  ‘Main Ingredients,  ‘Active Naturals'. In these listings, I read delicious gifts from nature: honey, rose, peach, lime, almonds...Sounds good.  Yet sometimes, no matter how hard I search, I CANNOT FIND a complete listing.  Nowhere on the website. Please…

A while back I wrote this article and thought it time to republish it for those of you who are new to us. 'O Woe to Acne!' “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 conversation with a young lady this weekend in Sudbury. And very typical of many dilemmas people face with acne or related skin conditions. Our Skin…