After the birth of my first child, I received a jar of salt scrub as gift from my sister. I really liked how the scrub made my skin feel so I thought I would add it to my daily routine. As a stay at home mom, I couldn't swing the $39 price tag for a 12 oz jar, so I decided to make my own.
As I researched the ingredients used in the polish, I learned that many skin care products contain additives which are used to support mass production or to enhance how a product "feels". Further research showed that many of these chemicals are listed as harmful by various environmental groups. I became concerned at the inclusion of ingredients that at best have no health benefits and at worst can be harmful.
The very first polish I made contained sea salt and olive oil. This simple recipe worked but was messy, left my skin feeling oily and didn't smell all that fabulous. I also discovered that the salt burned if I had a scrape or cut. In addition, it was inconvenient to mix everything up every time I showered.
Being somewhat obsessive, I began learning all I could about the most healthful ingredients used in skin care today. I joined several trade associations and discovered that there is literally a mountain of data on the topic. In the interest of brevity, I learned that in general, the most healthful ingredients grow naturally and have undergone minimal processing.
In keeping with my goal of using natural ingredients, I decided to use essential oils to scent my polishes instead of man made "fragrance oils". Essential oils are the pure essences of plants (flowers, stems, leaves, bark etc) and are not to be used lightly. They are used extensively in the cosmetics industry because essential oils provide both physical and emotional benefits.
I decided to make my polishes with natural and where possible, organic ingredients.
My friends became willing guinea pigs and soon asked where they could purchase my products. It wasn't long before my healthy skin care obsession sprouted into Iberian Inspirations. I hope you enjoy my body polishes as much as I do.
As I researched the ingredients used in the polish, I learned that many skin care products contain additives which are used to support mass production or to enhance how a product "feels". Further research showed that many of these chemicals are listed as harmful by various environmental groups. I became concerned at the inclusion of ingredients that at best have no health benefits and at worst can be harmful.
The very first polish I made contained sea salt and olive oil. This simple recipe worked but was messy, left my skin feeling oily and didn't smell all that fabulous. I also discovered that the salt burned if I had a scrape or cut. In addition, it was inconvenient to mix everything up every time I showered.
Being somewhat obsessive, I began learning all I could about the most healthful ingredients used in skin care today. I joined several trade associations and discovered that there is literally a mountain of data on the topic. In the interest of brevity, I learned that in general, the most healthful ingredients grow naturally and have undergone minimal processing.
In keeping with my goal of using natural ingredients, I decided to use essential oils to scent my polishes instead of man made "fragrance oils". Essential oils are the pure essences of plants (flowers, stems, leaves, bark etc) and are not to be used lightly. They are used extensively in the cosmetics industry because essential oils provide both physical and emotional benefits.
I decided to make my polishes with natural and where possible, organic ingredients.
My friends became willing guinea pigs and soon asked where they could purchase my products. It wasn't long before my healthy skin care obsession sprouted into Iberian Inspirations. I hope you enjoy my body polishes as much as I do.
Shari Fowler
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Iberian Inspirations LLC |
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