Choosing Between Rose and Orange Blossom Floral Water: Which is Right for You?
When we opt for organic cosmetics, some products are not present in the traditional stores. This list includes hydrolats, as well as floral waters.
But what are these products used for? What do they allow?
How can I use them and what choice should I make according to my skin type?
Discover here all our advice for an ideal use of hydrolats.
Did you know?
First of all, it is important to know that a hydrolat is an aromatic water obtained after distillation of a natural substance also called floral water. Hydrolat is much softer than essential oil, as it contains less active ingredients: between 0.02% and 0.20%.
Which floral water should I choose for my skin?
Depending on the plant or flower used, hydrolats have different properties.
Given the wide choice available, it can sometimes be difficult to choose the one that best suits your skin type.
Generally, we recommend choosing hydrolats and floral waters that are certified organic, 100% pure, natural, undiluted, unprocessed, unrefined, without additives or preservatives. This is always the best solution to take advantage of a quality and fully effective hydrolat.
For all skin types
The organic Damask rose water is ideal for all skin types. Its powerful, fresh and subtle fragrance brings a pleasant smell of rose to your cosmetics.
The organic rose hydrolat is known for its properties:
- Tones the skin;
- Anti-wrinkle and firming, it helps to restore the skin’s vigor and prevent the effects of aging;
- Refreshing, it relieves the skin sensitive to redness and allergies;
- Astringent, it tightens the pores and evens out the complexion.
Damask Rose is an important ingredient in beauty products. Rich in anti-aging ingredients, it accelerates the repair of damaged cells to maintain the skin’s youthfulness. Thanks to its calming action, it gently cares for the most sensitive skin.
A well-known secret of ancestral beauty, this is by far a necessity. Often used as a toner in the morning or to help remove makeup, this product helps tone the skin.
A perfect softness concentrate for delicate, damaged, sensitive and mature skin. In particular, it ensures that the skin is well hydrated.
Discover our wonderful moisturizer.
rose water
For all skin types, especially dry skins
The orange blossom brings a flowery and fruity smell to your cosmetics.
The organic orange blossom flower water is known for its properties:
- Soothing, regenerating, refreshing;
- Luminous, it gives radiance to the skin;
- Soft tonic, it soothes, gently refreshes the skin;
- It relieves skin sensitive to redness and allergies.
The flowers of the bitter orange, the most sensitive parts of this tree, emit very fine aromas. These make it possible to obtain the essential oil of Neroli, very precious. From this distillation, we also obtain the Orange Blossom hydrolat, more flexible in use. A pleasant smell, which is also appreciated in the kitchen.
As a tonic lotion, the Orange Blossom hydrosol allows a rebalancing of the pH and the flora of the skin, adapted to all the types of skin. It will restore radiance to a dull skin.
This product contributes to the toning, the revitalization and the soothing of the skin. Moreover, it is particularly appreciated by dry skins, which soothes and cleanses delicately. Its little extra? It also calms the mind and makes it easier to sleep.
Discover our sublime moisturizer.
orange blossom flower water
How to apply hydrolat on the skin & hair?
Hydrosols have a number of benefits for the skin and hair. First of all, they make it possible to rebalance their pH. Indeed, healthy skin & hair have a slightly acidic pH, around 5.5. The pH of hydrosols is acidic: usually around 5.
Therefore, it is in your best interest to pay special attention to your skin & hair.
The hair
With dandruff, greasy hair or itchy scalp, hydrosols have interesting properties for hair care. Here is the way to use them:
- In the wash water after shampoo, on the scalp to rebalance the pH and lengths.
- By spraying it to refresh curls or just to perfume the hair.
For optimal use, opt for the spray pump. Practical and effective. We adopt it without hesitation.
The skin
Hydrosols have several beneficial properties for skin care. They are soothing, healing, purifying…
Here are some tips to follow to take full advantage of them:
- In application in the morning, in spray or on a cotton pad to wake up the skin and remove the impurities of the night.
- An application in the evening, to eliminate the impurities of the day or as a make-up remover.
- Add the product to a face mask, mixed with clay or a vegetable powder adapted to your skin type.
Do you know our organic make-up remover pads? Come and discover them in one click.
The conditions of conservation
Please note that hydrosols are sensitive to pollution.
Our hydrosols are fresh & pure, without any preservatives. Therefore, we strongly advise you to keep them in the refrigerator and to use them at the latest 6 months after opening.
When using them, make sure your hands are always clean. If you notice a change in appearance or smell, we do not recommend its use.
To learn more about rose hydrosol, please read our article on the benefits of rose water.
Do you have a question? Do not hesitate to contact us. Our team will answer you with great pleasure.
6 Effective Tips to Combat Oily Hair
What to do when we have oily hair? Just like dandruff, it is a phenomenon of our scalp that we do not like that much… In this article, you will find natural tips to regulate the production of sebum from your scalp.
But first of all, what is the cause of oily hair?
If your face skin tends to be oily, then your scalp may also be oily, as an extension of your skin as a whole. It is therefore a natural cause.
But you may have caused it yourself by stimulating the sebaceous glands in your scalp. In response, they will produce more sebum than usual.
Most of the time, excess sebum is the result of an inappropriate hair routine. Aggressive shampoos, heated appliances, too frequent washing, etc… It can also be the result of your lifestyle (diet, fatigue, stress), hormones (menstruation, stopping or taking the pill, pregnancy).
In any case, nothing is irreversible: you can reduce this production of sebum for a less oily appearance of your hair. Now let’s take a look at our tips for fighting oily hair!
Tip number 1: space your shampoos for less oily hair
We often tell you: there is nothing good about washing your hair too often. Washing your hair too many times will be like an aggression for your scalp because the sebaceous glands (always them) will feel attacked and will produce more sebum to protect themselves.
It is very tempting to shampoo more often to get rid of oily hair. But now you know that this is not what your stressed scalp needs… To space out shampoos (2 per week maximum) here are some tips:
- Use a dry shampoo to make it last longer
- Start by adding a day between each regular wash
- Then space out more over time
- Do not touch your hair
Your efforts will pay off after a few weeks/months. The end of the tunnel is not so far!
Tip number 2: Use a gentle shampoo
Let’s forget the chemical products (aka – the conventional shampoos) and let’s pay attention to the surfactants used, even in the organic and natural shampoos.
The list of ingredients to ban absolutely:
- Silicones (which suffocate the scalp)
- Aggressive surfactants such as sulfates (irritants)
At Ayda, we wanted to develop a solid shampoo to complete your eco-friendly beauty routine. But we also wanted to avoid using surfactants, no matter how gentle they may be. The only way to do this was through cold saponification, which is the natural process used to make soft, skin-friendly soaps.
We have formulated a cold-saponified solid shampoo that has no added surfactants, but foams like a soap. By the way, if you have oily hair, you may be interested in our solid shampoo for oily hair.
Tip number 3: no-poo to fight against oily hair
There is nothing better than to naturally cleanse your scalp using the no-poo method, which is the fact of washing your hair without a “classic” shampoo.
Did you know ? Rhassoul can replace your usual shampoo! This is called the no poo method (no shampoo). Extremely gentle on the scalp, it will help rid it of impurities and absorb excess sebum.
It is very gentle on the hair because it does not contain surfactants (with a more or less gentle foaming & detergent effect). On the other hand, it contains natural saponins that gently cleanse the hair without damaging the scalp or the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for the production of sebum.
Here is our favorite no-poo mask recipe:
- 2 tablespoons of rhassoul
- 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil (see the list of recommended vegetable oils for oily hair below)
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
- a few drops of essential oil (check their properties and precautions for use – see the list of recommended essential oils for oily hair below)
- 2 tablespoons of mineral water or rose hydrosol
Leave this mask on your scalp for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse with clear water.
masque rhassoul cheveux
Did you know? Aloe vera gel is known for its moisturizing properties, but it also works wonders for oily or irritated scalps. It naturally regulates sebum production. Discover all the benefits of aloe vera on Ayda’s blog.
Also read our article on the 5 benefits of rhassoul on Ayda’s blog.
Tip number 4: Avoid heating appliances
The repeated use of heating devices will attack the scalp, because hair is afraid of heat, and the sebaceous glands, wanting to protect themselves, will produce more sebum. Therefore, we avoid as much as possible the hair dryer (or very little time), the straightener, the curling iron, the brushings. As for the hair dryer, you can set it to lukewarm or cold heat and use it about 20 cm from your hair.
The second disadvantage of heated appliances is that they will weaken the hair fiber and damage the lengths and tips of the hair.
Another point: be careful with plastic combs and brushes, and brushes that do not have protective tips on the pins. It is best to choose wooden combs and brushes.
Tip number 5: Regulate the sebum of oily hair with vegetable oils
We might mistakenly think that using vegetable oils on our scalp will only make it more oily. On the contrary, some vegetable oils can regulate excess sebum. This is the case with hazelnut oil and jojoba oil, which are known for their sebum-regulating properties.
How to use them?
Mix one of these vegetable oils or a mixture of both (1 tablespoon in total) with a few drops of essential oils (2-3 are enough). Apply this mixture on your scalp, taking off the roots well. Let it rest for 15-30 minutes and then wash with a mild shampoo. Use this oil bath once a week to see the long-term effects.
Tip number 6: Regulate the sebum of oily hair with essential oils
When it comes to essential oils, we advise you to choose essential oils that will naturally regulate the production of sebum in your scalp.
Here is the list:
- Atlas cedar
- Lemon
- Rosemary with cineole
- Clary sage
- Grapefruit
How to use them?
In your shampoo: add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil (alone or mixed) to your dose of liquid shampoo. Just mix it all together in the palm of your hand, being careful not to get any product in your eyes.
In your mask (no poo): as in the recipe above.
Our article is coming to an end, we hope these tips against oily hair have helped you!
What is dandruff and what causes it?
Dandruff is not pleasant, yet it is quite common! Many people suffer from an itchy, irritated scalp that results in an unsightly condition: dandruff.
But what is dandruff?
It is a scale, a small part of the scalp that falls off and rises towards the base of the hair. It is also called scalp flaking. There are 2 types of dandruff: dry dandruff (the most common) and oily dandruff.
Dry dandruff is white, small, flat and falls off very easily. As for oily dandruff, it is thick, round, yellow and sticks to the hair and scalp.
What causes dandruff to appear?
- Scalp irritation
- Use of shampoos with aggressive surfactants (even those claiming to be anti-dandruff)
- Chemical hair coloring
- Dry/sensitive scalp (dry dandruff)
- Excess of sebum (oily dandruff)
- State of stress, overwork
- Psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis
Fortunately, there are natural remedies to gently remove dandruff. However, the first thing to do is to identify the cause of your dandruff, in order to treat it better.
How to naturally remove dandruff?
We advise you several natural tips.
Tip number 1: use a gentle shampoo
We advise you to take special care with your shampoo. Ideally a gentle shampoo, without aggressive surfactants. Or even no surfactants at all! But how? Both liquid and solid shampoos contain surfactants that are more or less gentle. On the other hand, solid shampoos produced by the cold saponification process do not contain any surfactants. Except for the natural surfactant that results from the meeting between vegetable oils and the other ingredients that make up a cold saponified soap.
Besides, beyond classic shampoos or cold-saponified shampoos, you can also wash your hair with the “no poo” method. Rhassoul with a bit of hydrosol is ideal for this!
Our cold-saponified solid shampoos:
Oily Hair Shampoo
Dry Hair Shampoo
Mixed Hair Shampoo
Tip number 2: space your shampoos
As you know, the more you wash your hair, the more it tends to re-grease. And for dandruff, it is the same. The more you space your shampoos, the less dandruff you’ll have. Simply because the sebum naturally present on your scalp can protect it from external aggressions. Moreover, sebum is essential to your skin and your scalp, contrary to what we might think ;)
Tip number 3: use essential oils
Essential oils can help you get rid of dandruff. Simply add them to your shampoo (if you use a mild liquid shampoo) or to a hair care product such as a mask or spray.
The ones we advise you:
- Tea tree
- Palmarosa
- Atlas cedar
- Rose geranium
- Patchouli
How to use them?
In your shampoo: add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil (alone or mixed) to your dose of liquid shampoo. Simply mix it all together in the palm of your hand, being careful not to get any product in your eyes.
For your mask (no poo), here is our home recipe. First, start with 2 tablespoons of rhassoul and 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil (see the list of recommended EOs a little further down). Then, add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel with a few drops of essential oil (check their properties and precautions for use – see the list of recommended EOs above). Finally, mix with 2 tablespoons of mineral water or rose water. Simply leave this mask on your scalp for 5 to 10 minutes, at the roots, and rinse with clear water.
Tip number 4: use rinse water
First, a cider vinegar rinse water will be perfect for treating dandruff naturally.
Mix in a bottle:
- 10ml of cider vinegar
- 200ml of water
After rinsing your hair one last time, pour this mixture over your hair, without rinsing it. Unlike what you might think, vinegar has no negative effect on your hair. It does not attack or damage it. On the contrary, its pH is close to the natural pH of the hair. On the other hand, it will cleanse the scalp and soothe the itchiness.
For this reason, it is important to respect the recommended doses here: 1 dose of cider vinegar for 20 doses of water. The more water there is, the more this vinegar solution will be suitable for frequent use. Here, the dosages are suitable for washing hair twice a week. And don’t worry, the vinegar smell will leave after a few minutes.
Tip number 5: hydrate the hair with aloe vera gel
Moisturizing will help soothe your scalp. For this, you can use aloe vera gel. Apply it with your fingertips on the areas to be treated. No need to put it on the hair itself, it is the scalp that needs to be treated.
organic aloe vera gel
Tip number 6: make oil baths to fight against dandruff
Then, the vegetable oils can also help you soothe the scalp. For that we advise you the following oils:
- olive
- jojoba
- sweet almond
- argan oil
- black cumin
argan oil
How to make an oil bath?
First, mix one of these vegetable oils or a mixture (1 tablespoon in total) with a few drops of essential oils (2-3 are enough). Then, apply this mixture to your scalp, taking off the roots well. Finally, let it rest for 15-30 minutes and then wash with a mild shampoo.
Finally, it is possible to do it without essential oil. Do this oil bath once a week to see the long term effects.
The Advantages of Damask Rose Water: Unlocking Its Benefits
The precious Damask rose water (or rose floral water) has several benefits for face, hair, body but also mind. It is a must have in your bathroom! Astringent and toning, this hydrosol is perfect to prevent and fight against the signs of skin aging. In short, it is known to promote skin regeneration and deep hydration of the skin but also to tighten the pores.
Botanic name: Rosa Damascena
INCI : Rosa Damascena flower water
Part of the plant used: fresh flowers
Method of production: steam distillation
Its perfume is powerful, fresh, floral and harmonious. Moreover, rose hydrosol is used in the composition of many cosmetics.
At Ayda, we offer a rose water certified organic by Ecocert, labeled Cosmebio and Slow Cosmetics and without any additives.
bienfaits de l’hydrolat de rose de Damas
In Morocco, rhassoul face & hair masks are often mixed with Damascus rose hydrosol for its wonderful properties. The little extra? It brings a sweet smell of rose to your homemade cosmetics.
It refreshes, soothes and softens the skin. It is suitable for delicate skins, prone to redness, eczema, itching and allergies. Its positive effect on redness comes from the fact that it reduces the dilation of blood vessels. It stimulates dull skin and dull complexions that lack radiance. It gives a more luminous aspect to the skin!
Damask rose hydrosol has an anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, it soothes irritated and tight skins as well as the delicate skin of the eyes and around the eyes.
Here is the complete list of its benefits for the skin:
- Astringent
- Toning
- Anti-wrinkle
- Refreshing and soothing
- Anti-redness
- Anti-inflammatory
- Helps hydration
For which type of skin and which use?
First of all, Damask rose hydrosol is suitable for all skin types. We recommend it in particular to mature, dry, sensitive, reactive, redness-prone, irritated or blotchy skin.
How to use it:
- By vaporization on the face,
- In your cosmetic preparations (masks, gels, two-phase make-up remover …).
A bit of history on the rose water
The picking of the Damask rose is generally done from April to May.
In the first place, in order to preserve their properties, the picking is done by hand, flower by flower.
Our partner cooperative carries it out at an altitude of nearly 1500 meters, in the Dades valley. According to an ancestral know-how, it is done at dawn, so the heat does not make the delicate essence disappear. The picked petals are distilled with spring water to obtain the precious rose hydrosol, rich in active molecules.
Our partner cooperative carries out all the steps to extract the precious floral water of Damask rose: cultivation, selection and distillation.
Beware of scams !
It should be noted that rose hydrosol is often mixed with additives. Thus, we advise you to check the list of ingredients because we find many floral waters of roses (and not only) mixed with conservators (organic, natural or not). However, a quality Damask rose hydrosol does not need any conservators, like ours.
Exploring Solid Shampoo: Everything You Need to Know
What is a solid shampoo?
A solid shampoo has the same functionality as a liquid shampoo: wash the hair and leave it clean. It comes in solid form, like a soap, and must be wetted and rubbed on the scalp (or hands) to produce foam.
In both cases, whether solid or liquid, shampoo contains one or more surfactants that allow the product to foam and clean the hair by catching the particles and carrying them away in the water when rinsed.
What is a solid shampoo made of?
One or more surfactants as mentioned earlier, but also powders, water or hydrosol, active ingredients and sometimes essential oils. A solid shampoo allows to wash the hair, and can be adapted to all types of hair. But it can also correspond to such or such type of hair by its composition.
The most common surfactants in solid shampoos
- SCI: Sodium cocoyl isethionate (used by itself for a thin foam or associated to SCS to soften it)
- SCS: Sodium coco sulfate (strong foaming power)
- SLSA: Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate
- SLMI: Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate (gentler than other surfactants)
SLMI has a better biodegradability than other surfactants. The fact that the surfactant disintegrates properly in water and soils was a major concern for us at Ayda. That’s why we wanted to take up the challenge of offering a solid shampoo without any surfactant. Yes, without any surfactant! But how is this possible?
Washing hair with soap
Did you know that you could wash your hair with cold-saponified soap? Soap naturally produces foam, without adding surfactants. Soap is a surfactant by itself, but a 100% biodegradable surfactant due to its composition. This is why we have chosen to offer you a “soap” shampoo rather than a solid shampoo with surfactant. It is much gentler on the scalp and more easily biodegradable for the environment.
Our soap shampoos contain classic soap-making ingredients (olive oil, castor oil, babassu oil), but also the precious argan oil to nourish the hair and rhassoul which contains natural saponins. Saponins enable you to gently wash the hair, and rhassoul is often used for the “no poo” method, the famous no-shampoo shampoos.
Cold-saponified soaps have a basic pH, unlike liquid shampoos which have an acidic pH. However, it is this acidity that the hair needs to close the scales and facilitate styling. As with solid shampoos, it is therefore advisable to use an acid solution to naturally close the scales and rebalance the pH of the hair after washing hair with a shampoo soap. The recipe is just below!
Recipe for a solution to balance the pH of solid shampoo
Mix in a bottle:
- 10 ml of cider vinegar
- 200 ml of water
After rinsing your hair one last time, pour this preparation on your hair without rinsing. Your hair will be smoother, more disciplined, brighter & softer. Unlike what you might think, vinegar has no negative effect on your hair. It does not attack or damage it. On the contrary, its pH is close to the natural pH of the hair. For this reason, it is important to respect the recommended doses here: 1 dose of cider vinegar for 20 doses of water.
The more water there is, the more this vinegar solution will be suitable for frequent use. Here, the dosages are suitable for washing hair twice a week. And don’t worry, the vinegar smell will leave after a few minutes.
The transition from liquid to solid shampoo
The transition from liquid shampoo to solid or soap shampoo can be a little tricky, just like the transition from conventional to organic shampoo can be. Your first attempts may not be successful: dry hair, tangled, etc. Ideally, it is important to analyze the composition of a solid shampoo before testing it. If you have a sensitive scalp, it is best to avoid SCS and SLSA and opt for SCI and SLMI surfactants, or even opt for a soap shampoo.
The relaxing effect of essential oils on the mind
Did you know that the components of your cosmetics could have a positive effect on your well-being ? Particularly when they contain essential oils ! Essential oils have many benefits on your health, skin but also your mind, when they have been carefully selected. Essential oils can thus relax and relieve stress.
When applied on the skin, essential oils will pass through your body to help you relax, and will have a positive effect directly within your skin tissues. To get even more benefits from essential oils, you can inhale your skincare products when applying them on your skin. Instead of applying your products as usual, without thinking about it, rub your hands together with a few drops of product.
Cup your hands below your nose and inhale the relaxing essential oils.
When a skincare product contains essential oils, its molecules will lift up your nose and soothe your mind. This is why we add essential oils to our products whenever it’s possible. Our anti-aging face serum for example, contains neroli essential oil while our waterless and moisturizing face cream contains ylang ylang essential oil and jasmine absolute.
7 relaxing essential oils
Which essential oils use to relax ? Which essential oils help fight against stress and anxiety ? We will list in this article the properties of 7 essential oils.
1. Jasmine essential oil
Latin name: Jasmimum grandiflorum
Jasmine essential oil, which is actually jasmine grandiflorum absolute, is known as “the night queen”. Did you notice the enchanting fragrance in the streets when the sun is down ? Jasmine has the ability to fill the air with its enchanting fragrance, warm, floral, comforting and soothing.
Also, jasmine is rare, and its delicate flowers are handpicked to preserve its odorant properties. Jasmine essential oil – or jasmine absolute – is known to help being optimistic and to sooth the body and mind.
It is advised in case of stress, anxiety and bad mood. Relaxing, it enables soothing tension and promoting sleep, perfect if you use it before going to bed !
You can find this essential oil in our moisturizing face cream.
Important: it is not recommended during pregnancy and when breastfeeding, and not recommended for children under 7.
2. Ylang ylang essential oil
Latin name: Cananga Odorata
Ylang ylang essential oil has many cosmetic properties, we can actually find it in the composition of many skincare products. But it also has many benefits on the mind. As jasmine essential oil, it has a floral and voluptuous fragrance. It is the sort of fragrance that is easily recognizable !
Ylang ylang essential oil calms nervous tensions, relieves stress, restlessness, irritability and mood swings. It also fights against sleeping disorders and momentary blues cases. It is also well known for its aphrodisiac virtues !
You can also find it in our hydrating face cream.
Important: it is not recommended before the 2nd quarter of pregnancy and for children under 7.
3. Lavender essential oil
Latin name: Lavandula angustifolia/officinalis or lavandula vera
Lavender essential oil is one of the most renowned essential oil to soothe the body, skin and mind. Its aromatic molecules will do a lot of good to your mind. Soothing and relaxing, it is advised to relieve blues moments and anxiety. It is advised to help recover from hard times and to help the mind rest. It can be used pure on wrists, inhaled whenever you need it.
Important: it is not recommended before the 2nd quarter of pregnancy and for children under 3. If you are breastfeeding, ask your practitioner.
Citrus essential oils help fight against the stress
Let’s now have a look at citrus fruits with bergamot, orange, petitgrain and neroli essential oils. You will actually notice that the latin names of these essential oils all begin with the common denominator “citrus”.
Important: citrus essential oils are photosensitive, one should not have sun exposure after using them on the skin. It is also important to use them when diluted with vegetable oils, and not pure on the skin.
4. Bergamot essential oil
Latin name : Citrus bergamia
Bergamot essential oil is ideal if you need relaxing, well-being and a little help to sleep. The molecules contained in this essential oil helps lowering down blood pressure and stress. They act positively on the nervous system and help soothe the mind. The citrusy fragrance of bergamot essential oil makes it very pleasant to use.
Important: it is not recommended during pregnancy and when breastfeeding, and not recommended for children under 7.
5. Orange essential oil
Latin name : Citrus sinensis
Calming, soothing and anti-stress, orange essential oil helps sleeping and brings joy. It is recommended in case of anxiety, depression, mood swing and burn out.
Important: it is not recommended before the 3rd quarter of pregnancy and for children under 3.
6. Petitgrain essential oil
Latin name : Citrus aurantium
Calming and relaxing, petitgrain essential oil soothes the mind and calms nervous strain. Also known as bitter orange essential oil (citrus aurantium in latin), it is ideal for irritability and mood swings. It is the essential oil of “emotion”, perfect to feel well and serene. It helps fight against stress and to have a feeling of comfort.
Important: it is not recommended before the 2nd quarter of pregnancy and for children under 6.
7. Neroli essential oil
Latin name : Citrus aurantium ssp amara
Did you notice the common point between petitgrain essential oil and neroli essential oil? They are part of the same plant, which explains the common denominator “citrus aurantium” which corresponds to the bitter orange tree. Petitgrain essential oil is obtained from bitter orange leaves while neroli essential oil comes from its flowers. Which means this essential oil is more rare and precious, and has a higher price.
Its properties are very effective on the nervous system. It has nearly the same properties as petitgrain essential oil, but they are way multiplied in neroli essential oil ! It is then perfect to soothe the mind. Besides having a voluptuous and enchanting fragrance, neroli helps reequilibrating the nervous system. This essential oil relieves anxiety, helps relaxing and sleeping.
You can find it in our anti-aging face serum.
Important: it is not recommended before the 2nd quarter of pregnancy and for children under 6.
Unlocking 5 Rhassoul Benefits for Your Skin and Hair
What is rhassoul?
Rich in essential nutrients and minerals, Rhassoul benefits are large for hair and skin. Also called ghassoul, rhassoul is a volcanic Moroccan clay that has been used since a long time by women in Morocco. Rhassoul powder is an essential part of the hammam ritual! It is used as a multi-purpose treatment : on hair, on the body and on the face. In Morocco, it is often mixed with rose water, orange flower water, argan oil or essential oils. Indeed, it has many properties for skin and hair.
The 5 rhassoul benefits and properties
Rhassoul powder contains a large amount of natural saponins. Saponins have gentle but effective cleansing properties. Unlike some soaps and shampoos, it does not pollute groundwater because it is not composed of any surfactant, only natural saponins. Moroccan clay is very gentle to the hydrolipidic film of the skin and scalp and absorbs impurities without irritating.
List of the 5 rhassoul benefits and properties:
- it makes the skin soft
- gently purifies (scalp and skin)
- It makes hair silky and shiny
- regulates sebum excess
- It brings volume to the hair
How to use rhassoul on hair?
Fun fact : rhassoul can replace your usual shampoo! This is called the no poo technique (no shampoo). It helps get rid of impurities and absorb sebum excess. It does not contain surfactants. On the other hand, it contains natural saponins that are gentle with sebaceous glands. Did you know they were responsible for the production of sebum?
Rhassoul, for which type of hair?
Rhassoul can be used by all hair types but it is recommended for hair that need volume, normal to oily hair, but also scalps that are irritated or prone to dandruff. It helps wash less regularly your hair, and has a regulatory role on sebaceous glands: either by preventing your scalp from producing too much sebum, or by stimulating these glands so that they produce a sufficient quantity of sebum to “nourish” dry hair.
Now that you know the many benefits of rhassoul for hair, let’s see how to use it ! Rhassoul can be used on wet hair and applied to the roots. To do so, you just need to mix it with a bit of cold water or flower water, and a bit of vegetable oil like argan oil. Important: in order to keep the natural absorbent properties of rhassoul, be careful not to use a metal container or utensil. Prefer stainless steel, glass, wood or ceramic.
Quick recipe for using rhassoul on hair: Mix 2 tablespoons of rhassoul, 1/2 teaspoon of argan oil and a bit of cold water. Stir until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous mixture. Apply on wet hair with your fingers, insisting on the roots.
If your hair lacks moisture, you can turn your rhassoul shampoo into a mask by adding moisturizing ingredients like vegetable glycerin, soy yogurt or aloe vera gel to your preparation.
Rhassoul hair mask
In a bowl, pour and mix:
- 2 tablespoons of rhassoul
- 1 teaspoon of oil of your choice (argan, coconut or jojoba oil)
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
- a few drops of essential oil (check their properties and precautions before use)
- 2 tablespoons of mineral water or rose water
Leave this mask on your scalp for 5 to 10 minutes, and rinse with water.
How to use rhassoul on the face?
Naturally rich in minerals (magnesium, iron, sodium, zinc, phosphorus, etc.), rhassoul can be used in face masks. It will gently remove impurities and sebum excess, while cleansing and detoxifying the skin. It is so gentle that it can also be used around the eyes.
For which skin types can rhassoul be beneficial?
It can be used on all skin types. But it is especially recommended in case of impurities, pimples and blackheads. If you want to purify your skin and tighten your pores, this is the clay your skin needs! Rhassoul is also particularly appreciated by combination to oily skin and acne-prone skin. Naturally gentle, it cleanses without irritating the sebaceous glands. It can thus be used by sensitive and reactive ski.
Rhassoul face mask
For a soft and purified skin, mix in a bowl:
- 1 tablespoon of rhassoul powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of oil of your choice (argan or jojoba)
- 2 teaspoons of mineral water or organic rose water
Mix until you get a texture that is easy to apply on the face. If needed, add water or clay to your mixture. Apply this mask in circular movements on your face and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not let the mask dry completely, as this may remove too much sebum from your skin (which needs a minimum of sebum). Rinse off gently with water and apply your usual oil or moisturizer. Note: your rhassoul mask can be kept up to 48 hours in the refrigerator, but it is rather advised to use it after preparing it.
Ayda natural rhassoul powder (picture: blog the green blossom)
Focus on Ayda’s rhassoul powder
Since we released our rhassoul powder, the comment that comes up most often is that it is very thin. The fact that it is an ultra-fine powder allows it to be better mixed with other ingredients. It thus gives more homogeneous textures and it is more pleasant to apply, especially on the face. We are often told that it is of very good quality, like all our other products of course ;)
But what makes it different from other rhassoul powders? First, it is packaged in a glass jar. In addition to being ecological, this packaging helps preserve all of its properties and qualities. Then, it is ultra-thin, which makes it a very pleasant powder to apply. The quality of our rhassoul clay powder lies in its selection : it is extracted in the Boulemane region in Morocco, on the edge of the Middle Atlas, about 200 kilometers from the city of Fez.
First dried under the sun, the clay extracted from rhassoul quarries is cleaned with water and then filtered, in order to remove impurities. The last operation is to dry it again and to transform the rhassoul clay into an ultra-fine powder. It is the know-how in drying and sieving rhassoul powder that determines its quality.
Maximizing Aloe Vera Benefits for your Skincare and Haircare Routines
What are the benefits of aloe vera gel? How to use it?
Aloe vera is a succulent plant composed of an hydrating pulp (up to 98% of water!) This plant was already present in the ancient medecine treaties for its benefits in medicinal (burns and scars) and cosmetic care. We actually chose to use this plant in our organic face cream, instead of water, which is usually used in skincare products.
Aloe vera gel is the star ingredient of natural cosmetics : its properties have many benefits on skin and hair. You can have a look at the way to use aloe vera gel on face and hair in the corresponding parts of this article. Aloe vera gel can be used in different ways, on the face as a serum, a cream, an under eye treatment, but also as an after-sun gel or an hydrating treatment for hair.
Note : it is important to have a look at its components if you buy it as an ingredient. Some aloe vera gels are made of water and dehydrated powder (leaf powder). Dehydrated leaf powder has less benefits and less nutrients. Real aloe vera gel can be found under the name of “Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice“.
Benefits of aloe vera gel
Don’t hesitate to take notes as aloe vera gel is one of the magic ingredients that have many active components – over 150 ! Rich in vitamins, oligo-elements, minerals, enzymes and essential amino acids, it has many benefits for skin and hair. Essential amino acids naturally present in the aloe vera pulp help regenerate skin tissues (keratinocytes and fibroblasts).
Aloe vera gel is a real concentrate of properties : it is hydrating, soothing, healing, regenerating, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, repairing, tightening…
Its benefits on the face
Aloe vera gel is great for all skin types : mature skin, dry skin but also sensitive skin and skin with imperfections. It is a great ingredient to seal skin moisture, but it also has many other benefits.
Here are some examples of its benefits on the face :
- Repairing (stimulates skin repair),
- Anti-aging (smoothes skin, reduces fine lines, diminishes dark spots),
- Stimulates cell renewal (collagen and elastin synthesis),
- Hydrating (it helps compensate the natural process of skin dehydration),
- Soothing (irritations, redness, fever spots),
- Purifying (acne, sebum excess),
- Healing (acne scars, small cuts, razor cuts),
- Nourishing (thanks to its richness in vitamins and oligo-elements),
- Protecting (it forms a film on skin’s surface).
Aloe vera gel has a great synergy with vegetable oils as it helps fatty acids penetrate the skin. It is advised to mix it with a vegetable oil to avoid the tightening effect that it may cause when used on its own. You can find below 3 examples of skincare uses : lifting serum, hydrating under eye care, after-shave (to soothe razor burn). These recipes don’t contain preservatives, thus, they have to be used the same day you prepare them.
★ Face lifting serum recipe : 2 doses of aloe vera gel for 1 dose of vegetable oil of your choice.
☆ Hydrating under eye care : 2 doses of aloe vera gel for 1 dose of avocado oil.
★ Refreshing after-shave recipe : 1 dose of aloe vera gel, 1 dose of argan oil and 1 press of peppermint water.
Aloe vera gel for hair
While it has many benefits on the skin, aloe vera gel is great for hair too ! It suits all hair types, giving them a great shot of hydration. It is also known to soothe itchy scalp, when it is sensitive, irritated or with dandruff. Aloe vera gel also enables to space out shampoos by regulating excess sebum (when applied on dry hair roots). If it’s suitable for all hair types, it is particularly recommended for dry, oily or weakened hair, but also for hair lacking hydration.
Aside from its hydrating and regenerating properties, aloe vera gel gives a great definition to frizzy, curly and wavy hair. You can find below 3 quick uses of aloe vera gel on hair. These recipes will enable you to create a hair gel, an hydrating recipe and a curl defining serum. These recipes don’t contain preservatives, thus, they have to be used the same day you prepare them.
★ Hair gel recipe : Pour and warm between your hands 1 to 2 nutshells of aloe vera gel, and apply on dry hair.
☆ Hydrating recipe for hair : Mix 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel with 1 teaspoon of argan oil and apply to lengths and ends. You can apply this recipe on dry or damp hair, depending on your hair type. It is ideal for deeply repairing and hydrating hair.
★ Curl defining serum : Mix 2 tablespoon with 1 teaspoon of broccoli oil. Apply on wet hair. Use the “scrunch” method if you want to add more bounce to your waves and curls.
Aloe vera gel benefits on the body
It has many benefits on your face and hair. But did you know it also has many benefits on your body?
Excellent for tightening skin, it helps diminish and prevent stretch marks, providing your skin with all the hydration it needs ! It is great for recent scars, as it helps diminishing them. It also soothes sunburns, insect bites, irritations and superficial burns.
Thanks to its healing properties, it helps alleviate burns and irritations. If you have sunburns or in case of insect bites, apply 2 nutshells of aloe vera gel and 2-3 drops of organic lavender essential oil. It will help accelerate the healing process.
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