BareSatsuma

Say I Love You Mum

2009-02-26T01:41:00.000-08:00

What better way to treat and pamper your beautiful Mum this Mother's Day than to give her a pampering gift that is actually good for her skin - The Raw Gaia 'I Love You' Box.

This gift set is wrapped with a love heart ribbon and includes dried red rose buds. The contents include some of the purest skin care products available anywhere in the world, plus a delicious raw, organic chocolate bar!

Take a peek at our website to see a range of gorgeous gift sets all ideal for the perfect Mother's Day present.

Go on spoil her.......!

Back to school? Beat those bugs the natural way

2009-01-08T01:51:00.000-08:00

Its that time of year again, the kids are back to school and the bugs begin to rear their ugly heads.

If like us you hate the thought of using chemical laden products to eradicate head lice and nits then we recommend you try this simple but ever so effective product. The Nitty Gritty NitFree comb removes and destroys 100% of all lice and nits, with its patented microgrooved steel teeth.

It works so well because of its clever construction - The comb has 33 microgrooved steel teeth that are separated from each other by a cleverly calculated gap, so will remove and destroy even the smallest nits without pulling or cutting the hair. No other comb will do this. The teeth of a conventional metal or plastic comb will bend around nits, rather than gripping and dragging them off the hair surface.

Use the NitFree comb anywhere - even in the bath or shower! It won't rust or tarnish, there are no sharp corners or edges to poke or scratch you. Unlike all other combs on the market, the NitFree comb is built to last from top-quality stainless steel, and carries a lifetime guarantee.

Priced at just £9.99 we feel the Nitty Gritty NitFree comb is a worthwhile investment.

Christmas Gifts For All

2008-10-23T01:27:00.000-07:00

With Christmas just around the corner what better way to convert your friends and family to the benefits of organic living. BareSatsuma has a range of gorgeous natural and organic gifts and whats more is we have taken all budgets into account.
We know with the current economic climate that people may be budgeting a little more this Christmas. With this in mind our gifts start at just £10.99, Badger Balm's Gift Balm sets are practical and useful - anyone would love one of these in their stocking and as for the box it comes in it is a true work of art!
We have also taken a few of our best sellers and put together a wonderful range of Gift Kits, with even more being added during the run up to Christmas.
You can even create your own gift kits as we now offer a range of luxury gift bags, so if you can't find a suitable gift add the items you wish to your basket along with a gift bag, let us know what message you would like included on the tag and there you have it your own personally handmade gift!

Affordable organic skincare by Skin Blossom

2008-09-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

Our new featured organic brand this week is Skin Blossom by Organic Bloom, the range has been specially created to contain organic and skin-friendly ingredients; it is certified by the Soil Association and registered with the Vegan Society.
Skin Blossom was founded by Cristina Beetham who was concerned about the ingredients contained in skincare products......

"I hated having to use products that were potentially harmful to me and the environment, but could not afford those that weren't"

If you are seeking safe, effective and affordable skin care you must try this range.
*Special Offer* buy the Cleanse and nourish body wash & moisturising body lotion and get a care & protect hand cream absolutely free!

What will you be doing for Organic Fortnight?

2008-09-12T06:13:00.000-07:00

During Soil Association Organic Fortnight, people across Britain will be celebrating all things organic. From 6-21 September, individuals, businesses and communities will be hosting events to raise awareness of the environmental, health and social benefits of organic production. Not only that, but the campaign gives everyone a chance to enjoy organic products from delicious food and drink to beauty and textiles.

The fortnight kicks off with the Soil Association Organic Food Festival, Europe's largest organic celebration, which takes place in Bristol on 6-7 September. The campaign closes on a high with the Soil Association Scotland's Organic Food Festival on 20-21 September.

Great gift for a new baby

2008-09-06T03:31:00.000-07:00

MY Baby Babeeze Gift Set
If you are looking for a luxury gift for baby look no further. This beautifully luxury boxed gift set comprises of:

Organic Bath Wash and Shampoo
Organic Cradle Cap Oil
Organic Massage Lotion
Organic Nappy Balm
Powder with french white chalk & clay

All of this range contain 100% natural organic ingredients so you can be confident that what you use is truly best for your family and better for the environment. All ingredients are carefully selected, so they have active beneficial properties and complement each other by forming a synergy when applied to the skin. You will not find synthetic ingredients such as SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulphate), parabens, ethoxylate, propylene glycol, silicone, DEA, alcohol, artificial fragrances, thickeners or any otherunnecessary ingredients. MY Baby & MY Pregnancy has proved so popular that we now stock the entire range, see our website for more details.

For those itchy visitors!

2008-06-26T12:52:00.001-07:00

Head lice live for around 30 days, during this time the little parasites are busy multiplying and spreading from human to human. Head lice feed on blood from the scalp. They have a specially designed mouth that pierces the skin and injects saliva to stop the blood from clotting, and then they suck up the blood/saliva mixture. This saliva can be a cause of the itching sometimes experienced.

Delacet is an effective and 100% natural way of treating those dreaded infestations. The strong properties of Delacet's herbal ingredients mean it is extremely effective, clinical trials showed a 100% mortality rate of head lice and their eggs after applying Delacet for just two hours.

WHY YOU SHOULD USE DELACET

kills head lice and nits(eggs)
excellent scalp disinfectant and hair conditioner
100% natural formula - no toxic chemicals
prepared from organically grown herbs
quick, simple and safe to use
licensed as a medical product
patented formula and registered trademark
very long proven record of effectiveness
no application on many consecutive days required
no need to use a nit comb
excellent to use for Afro hair or dreadlocks
not tested on animals
shelf life - 3 yrs
competitive price
bottle and packaging fully recyclable

Wildcrafted Green Clay

2008-06-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

My latest discovery is a fantastic product by a great ethical company called Raw Gaia. The Sun Dried Green Clay Face Pack really is a bit of magic in a jar!
I am unlucky enough to have hormonal skin in my 30's - it wouldn't be so bad if I had bad skin as a teenager but I didn't! I have to be careful with what products I use on my skin as too much change tends to tip the balance and I end up with dull, spotty looking skin. After the first application of this product my skin felt refreshed, cleaner and looked a little brighter. After the second application I noticed an increase in spots, this was due to the impurities being drawn out of my skin.
I am now on my fifth week of using this product and I can honestly say my skin has a radiance about it that has been missing for years! My spots have cleared up, and my complexion is much brighter. Im in love with this little green powder in a jar!
At only £7.50 for a 65g jar I think this a real little gem, to see full details of this product and more from the Raw Gaia range visit BareSatsuma here

Get ready for summer with Lavera Sun

2008-05-09T02:08:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right sun protection for you and your family should include more than just popping down to your local department store to pick up whichever sunscreen is on the 'buy one get one free' offer.
Young skin is delicate and using a chemical laden sunscreen can disturb the balance of the skin by causing rash outbreaks, dry skin, dermatitits and even eczema.
Oxybenzone is the widely used chemical in many sun products with high Sun Protection Factors, its function is to ‘filter’ ultra violet light on the surface of the skin, converting it from light to heat, but it can also be absorbed through the skin. As yet we have not seen any research to indicate what happens when the oxybenzone is absorbed through the skin, but UV light causing cell damage is well known and you may choose to avoid this form of sun protection. If light is converted to heat in the basal layers of the skin, damage to growing cells is very likely. Lavera has a collection of sunscreens that are 100% mineral based. Mineral based sun protection uses only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the active ingredients. These natural minerals build a physical protection layer on the skin and reflect the sunlight naturally without transforming into a toxic compound.
Whats more Lavera's Sunscreens are formulated for the most delicate of skin and ideal for those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
I have been using the Baby & Child Sun Neutral SPF30 on my 2 year old daughter who has extremely sensitive skin, I have found that not only does it offer fantastic protection against the sun but it also seems to nourish my daughter's dry skin at the same time, and unlike chemical sunscreens there are no itchy rashes to contend with due the sunscreen irritating her delicate skin. Another bonus is that it comes in a spray which is much quicker and easier to apply than a cream. I highly recommend the Lavera Sun Protection range.

Recycle your Printer Ink Cartridges for Charity

2008-05-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

As a business we go through endless amounts of printer ink, rather than just throwing the cartridges away we have decided to send them in for recycling and £2 will be donated to our chosen charity for EVERY cartridge.

BareSatsuma have decided to support the wonderful Caudwell charity. The Caudwell Charity is a dedicated children’s charity raising funds to provide life saving and life changing equipment, treatment, or in tragic cases dying wish holidays, for children in the UK. A very well deserving charity im sure you will agree.

If you or your business would like to help support this charity either by way of recycling empty printer ink cartridges then click here to request free returns envelopes or click here to make a donation or offer other support.

Eczema - Types and Causes

2008-05-01T01:44:00.000-07:00

Eczema effects 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults, and the number is steadily rising. There are many different forms of eczema (also referred to as dermatitis).
Atopic Eczema - is a common condition. It is thought to be hereditary, though it also effects adults, it is most common in children and can often begin in early life and it may occur alongside asthma and hayfever.
Contact Dermatitits - there are 2 types:
i) allergic contact dermatitis - generally develops over a long period of time, as a result of regular contact with a particular substance. Common causes are perfume, make-up and costume jewellery.
ii) irritant contact dermatitis - usually effects adults and is due to contact with particular irritants to the skin, most commonly on the hands. Household detergants, toiletries containing sls and chemicals around the home or workplace are the main cause.
Sebborrhoeic Eczema - most common in adults and babies. In babies it is often referred to as cradle cap and is found on the scalp and nappy area, but can quickly spread to other areas. This generally clears up from the age of one onwards.In adults the condition takes the appearance of dandruff and can spread from the scalp to the face where flakes of skin can originate from the eyebrows. This type of eczema is often associated with yeat growth.
Varicose Eczema - This condition is more common in women and develops in later life due to chronic varicose veins in the lower part of the leg.
Discoid Eczema - with age the skin becomes drier. Discoid eczema appears as coin shaped red patches, usually on the lower limbs.

Causes and triggers are many and varied and are usually a result of an allergic response to food or other substance in the environment. There are also environmental irritants that may not necessarily trigger an allergic response, but can exacerbate the condition.

chemical irritants - soaps, bubble baths, soaps, solvents, household cleaners etc
environmental - dust mites, pets, mould spores
physical irritants - clothing, climate
foods - dairy, wheat, e-numbers

A safer alternative for eczema sufferers is to avoid toiletries containing the following:

preservatives such as parabens, chlorocresol, sorbic acid and phenoxyethanol
emulsifiers such as sodium stearate, calcium oleate, sodium laurel sulphate, polysorbate, cetyl alcohol, sorbital and polyethylene glycol
lanolin and fragrances should also be avoided

Purepotions have created a 100% natural range especially for people suffering from eczema. Soothing and norishing ingredients such as hemp oil, olive oil, safflower oil, calendula, lavender and chamomile are used, no harsh steroids will found in these products as this is also supposed to exacerbate the problem. Visit our shop for the complete range of natural products ideal for eczema.

Burt's Bees are the bee's knees!!

2008-04-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

We are HUGE fans of Burt's Bees skincare. This company was founded on two simple and profound beliefs: Natural products work in harmony with our bodies to promote balance and well-being; and we should respect, preserve and improve the precious resource of our environment. These founding principles have guided this company - they are the core of the business.
Burt's Bees are constantly striving for natural perfection, all of their products show a 'natural bar' which states the percentage of natural ingredients inside that product. On average Burt's Bees products are 99% natural, with over half being 100% natural, which is a fantastic feat, meaning that they are ideal for the most sensitive of skin.
BareSatsuma currently have a small selection of the huge range of Burt's Bees products. We will be bringing in new lines in the future to satisfy the huge demand for these cult products.
Feel free to leave us a message about what Burt's Bees product you would like to see us stock in the future!

Some of the chemical nasties lurking in your toiletries

2008-03-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

It really surprises us how little people really know about what goes into their everyday toiletries. Even more surprising is the amount of people that are turning to organic food but still using chemical laden toiletries. The skin is the largest breathing organ of our body, studies have shown that the skin absorbs up to 60% of what is put onto it. This means that all chemicals present in our everyday toiletries is absorbed into the body then transported via blood cells to every other major organ in our body.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) is a common ingredient found in our cosmetics and personal care products, including shampoo, soap, shower gel, toothpaste, shaving cream and bath foams. SLS is also known as a surfactant - a surfactant breaks down the surface tension of a liquid, allowing it to foam or to penetrate solids. It is widely used by manufacturers because it is cheap. Sodium lauryl sulphate is also used as an industrial degreaser to clean the grease off garage floors and in engines. SLS & Skin - Sodium lauryl sulphate is a known irritant and is actually used in clinical studies for that purpose - to irritate the skin so that the effects of other substances can be tested. When applied to human skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer then irritating and eroding, leaving it dry, itchy and sometimes inflamed. It cleans by corrosion and dries the skin by stripping the protective lipids from the surface so it cannot effectively regulate moisture balance. SLS can also aggravate more serious skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. SLS & Eyes - In experimental, acute eye tests, a solution of 10% sodium lauryl sulphate caused corneal damage to the eyes if not irrigated or irrigation was delayed. A solution of 5.1% caused mild irritation. Studies have also shown that SLS could retard the healing and keep children’s eyes from developing properly by denaturing the proteins and not allowing for proper structural formation. Children under six years old are especially vulnerable to improper eye development. It has also been said that SLS could cause cataracts in adults and delays the healing of wounds in the surface of the cornea. SLS & Hair - Because sodium lauryl sulphate is such a caustic detergent it can cause scalp irritations, corrode the hair follicle - impairing the ability for hair to grow, and strips moisture from the delicate hair shaft, leaving it dry and brittle. SLS & Science - Sodium lauryl sulphate has a low molecular weight of just 40, ingredients under the weight of 75 enters the body. Therefore SLS can rapidly be absorbed into the body and be retained in the eyes, brain, liver and heart, which may result in harmful long term effects.
What is the difference between SLS and SLES? - When SLS goes through a process called ethoxylation (this is where the degreasing agent becomes less abrasive gives it enhanced foaming properties) this compound then becomes Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES). The problem here lays with the fact that ethoxylation causes residues of a compound called 1, 4-dioxane to form. 1, 4-dioxane has shown in tests to be carcinogenic in rats and mice and is absorbed through the intact skin of the animals. Furthermore, this compound has been classified as a possible carcinogen in humans. According to the European Economic Community directive on cosmetics, 1, 4-dioxane must not be present in commercial products. Consequently, the assay of this substance in marketed cosmetics is of a direct concern.
Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used in the cosmetic industry. They are preservatives that inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungus and mould, to extend the shelf life of a product. The most commonly used parabens in cosmetics are methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben. Parabens may cause skin irritation, cause allergic reactions and interfere with the intestinal flora which is vital for the cleanliness of the intestines. Recent research suggests that parabens are able to mimic the action of the female hormone oestrogen, so there is a link with breast cancer, although this has not been proven and further studies are needed.
Phthalates are chemicals used in many toiletries to help the fragrance last longer. Animal studies on certain phthalates have shown the chemicals may cause a variety of problems, including reproductive and developmental harm, organ damage, immune suppression, endocrine disruption and cancer. The major concern is that as phthalates are so ubiquitous in our environment, no one knows for sure what the long term exposure, even in small doses, may be doing to human health, particularly developing infants.
Phthalates are so widely used that it may be nearly impossible to eliminate your exposure entirely. However, we feel just by omitting them from the cosmetics we use will make a difference. Phthalates may be listed as: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP)
Propylene Glycol is a colourless, nearly odourless syrupy liquid that is derived from a natural gas. It is used in cosmetics as a binding agent. There is much debate at the moment whether PG is safe or not. Tests on animals have shown adverse health effects: rashes, deafness, liver problems and kidney damage where noted. For this reason BareSatsuma has decided not to offer you products with this chemical in.

Park Holistic Organic Luxury Hands and Nails

2008-03-18T02:56:00.000-07:00

This hand cream is one of my personal favourites. It is a rich and nourishing hand cream with jojoba, natural vitamin E and organic essential oils of Lavender, Geranium, Frankinsense and Neroli.

A 60g jar tends to last for absolutely ages as only a small amount of cream is needed on application. It smooths in to the skin effortlessly and does not leave a greasy residue like some hand creams.

I have always suffered with incredibly dry and parched hands especially over the winter months, and over the years I have tried many lotions and potions. Until now I have never found a cream that truly nourishes my dry, chapped hands - thank goodness for this little miracle in a jar!

The Park Holistic Organic Luxury Hand & Nails cream carries a beautiful light fragrance and along with the ability to nourish and moisturise care worn hands I feel its a definate beauty must have!

http://www.baresatsuma.com/

Hello and welcome!

2008-03-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

This is it I have finally decided to sit myself down for long enough to write our first ever blog..........easier said than done though! I am now sitting here racking my brains over what to write about!

The best place to start is probably to tell you about the passion behind BareSatsuma being born..............

Having children changes your life in many ways. You want to love, nurture and protect them from harm and give them the best possible start in life, this is why both myself and my collegue try to feed our families a healthy and where possible organic diet. This eventually went a little further by trying to omit as many unnecessary chemicals from their skin care and toiletries, by sourcing good quality products containing natural and organic ingredients. After a few years of using these products we felt very passionate about sharing our good finds with other like minded parents.

We have been incredibly surprised at how little people really know about the ingredients listed in their toiletries and the possible health implications they carry. For example most parents are completely unaware about a common added chemical ingredient called sodium lauryl sulphate (sls) that is included in most foaming toiletries - even in baby's bubble bath.......... sls is a cheap foaming agent, also known as a sufactant, it is basically the ingredient behind all the bubbles, also included in shampoos, soaps, shower gels in fact anything that foams. When applied to human skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer then irritating and eroding, leaving it dry, itchy and sometimes inflamed. It cleans by corrosion and dries the skin by stripping the protective lipids from the surface so it can not effectively regulate moisture balance. SLS can also aggrevate more serious skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

Are you still wanting to bathe your lovely new born baby in those nice scented bubbles now!?

The advice midwives are finally now starting to give is to bathe your baby in plain water for at least the first 6 weeks of life. At birth, the top layer of baby's skin is very thin and absorbent, so it is more susceptible to damage from germs, chemicals and water loss. Over the coming weeks Baby's skin matures,and develops a protective layer, although it is advisable to limit the amount of chemicals put onto the skin to reduce the development of future skin conditions.

So out of sheer passion for our families wellbeing our company was founded.

Please visit back to read more ramblings from me and the team with future product features and healthy skin tips and advice.

http://www.baresatsuma.com/