3GH Coming to Motherhood Maternity

We are thrilled to announce that 3Girls Holistic will soon be available at Motherhood Maternity stores nationwide!

Keep your eyes peeled for one of our new products, soon-to-be released Tender Tush Treatment, at your local Motherhood Maternity store! 3Girls Holistic’s Tender Tush spray is a soothing and healing combination of herbal extracts that provide relief for the discomfort associated with hemorrhoids and postpartum perineal swelling, inflammation, and wounds. Just spritz this 100% natural spray liberally to affected areas, to speed recovery of the perineum following childbirth and/or to help the healing process of hemorrhoids.

Moisturizing Avocado Scrub

Avocados are a wonderful moisturizing agent for the skin and hair.  They are rich in vitamins B, E and K, and high in monounsaturated fat and potassium.  Unique among land plants, avocados contain polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs), which are widely present in ocean plants but rare on land.  PFA’s are well known for their anti-inflammatory benefits.

Avocados can be mashed and applied alone as a hair or face mask, but make a great addition to many home spa and beauty recipes.  The one below can be used on your face, or your whole body for a rich, nourishing and moisturizing scrub – just what the skin needs in the heart of winter!  The avocado moisturizes, the oats moisturize and lubricate, the cucumber soothes and cools, and the almond meal gently exfoliates.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mashed ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup cucumber
• 1/8 cup raw almonds or almond meal
• 1/8 cup oatmeal

Directions

• Puree avocado and cucumber until smooth
• If using whole raw almonds, grind them into a course meal using a blender or coffee grinder
• Combine all ingredients and mix well
• Wet your face and/or body with warm water
• Apply the scrub and gently massage into your skin using a circular motion.
• If able, leave on for 5 minutes.  Rinse well, and pat dry your skin.
• Note: it is not necessary to follow this scrub with soap.  Your skin will be left cleansed and moisturized!
• Also, use caution in the shower as the scrub can cause the floor to become slippery

Mothering Magazine Reviews 3Girls Holistic Skin Care!

Christy and I have both been reading Mothering Magazine since we were pregnant with our first babies!  They have been considered one of the most trustworthy sources for natural parenting/living information for decades, and to have them give us this review of our line, just about makes us swoon!

• “I recently had a chance to try out this wonderful, green skin care line and am in love. I received the Introductory 3Girls Holistic Kit which includes cleansing grains, purifying toner, nourishing cream, day serum and nightly repair serum and found each product to be equally special. I have tried many natural and holistic skin care products and this in one of the few that has really lived up to my expectations.

  I am truly impressed with how simple and powerful the recipes are. All of 3Girls Holistic products are made of a 100% natural, organic or wild-harvested ingredients and it really shows in the way they make your skin feel.The cleansing grains especially have a real WOW factor for the level of deep cleaning they do without any synthetic ingredients. It feels great to knowexactly what you are putting on your skin.

  The Introductory Kit is the perfect way to get a feel for the line–and for just $54 you are really getting a lot for your money. I am blown away with how long each of the bottles is lasting me–even with daily use.

  This would be a wonderful gift for a mom looking to go eco with her skin care line, a pregnant or breastfeeding mom who is being extra careful about her skin care choices, or for a teen who is just exploring skin care options.”

  - Melanie Mayo, Content Editor, Mothering.com

3Girls Holistic on the set of Dancing with the Stars!

Wow!  We are so excited to have the opportunity to share our Introductory Kits with the Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artists for Dancing with the Stars!  Alison Gladieux, one of the set makeup artists loves our line so much that she shared it with all of the others ladies she works with!

Sarah Woolf – Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artist for DWTS with 3Girls Holistic Skin Care!

Angela Moos and Patty Ramos – Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artists for DWTS with 3Girls Holistic Skin Care!

Why I Love Our Cleansing Grains

Creating our cleansing grains took some time and fine-tuning to get the mix and consistency correct, but I can say without a doubt that it was well worth it!  I use them daily, and rarely use any other cleanser on my face.  It’s true that they are much different than anything I have ever used before, and do take some getting use to, but now that I have I’ll likely never look back!  I love the sweet floral smell, and feel like I’m treating myself to a little bit of pure organic luxury each morning and night.

When I talk to people about the grains, I always seem to end up telling them to feel my face.  I’m still trying to figure out whether or not that’s weird….oh well!  I think I’m just in awe that my skin feels as soft as my 1 year olds, and I want them to understand why I’m so excited about our 3Girls Holistic Line!  Most people are just as surprised when they feel it, and I’ve had quite a few tell me that I need to package it up, or that that was enough to sell them on it.  Of course I follow the Cleansing Grains with our Purifying Toner, and Day or Night Serum, all of which I absolutely love as well, but I truly believe that these grains set the skin up for the Serums to do their job by creating a clean, nourished, and balanced starting point.

So what’s in the Cleansing Grains and why?

We combine oats that help to support cell rejuvenation, restore moisture balance and help to calm skin that has been aggravated by environmental influences (and whose hasn’t been?!) with Rhassoul clay, a mineral rich clay from the Atlas mountains of Morocco.  Known and utilized for its toning and enriching benefits, it is high in silica, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and sodium (really one of the finest treasures for the skin!).  Added to those we blend in almond meal that helps to smooth and soften skin, reduce inflammation, and aid in the removal of deal skin cells (exfoliates); red and pink roses that purify and cleanse; lavender, comfrey and chamomile, all of which are known to help calm and heal the skin; poppy seeds work to gently exfoliate; while the essential oil of Tea Tree provides its mega anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties; and Ylang Ylang it’s calm inducing and stress-relieving qualities.

Seriously, if you haven’t tried them yet, you should!  And you likely won’t be disappointed if you do.

~Amy~

Sea Salt Baths and Scrubs

Did you know that our bodies contain the same concentration of minerals and nutrients as the sea?!  And that sea salt can help to stabilize blood pressure, balance blood sugar levels, improve nerve cell communication, prevent muscle cramping, aid in the absorption of nutrients, and help to get rid of sinus congestion, among other things?!

Sea salt is a wonderful addition to culinary creations, and just as beneficial to our skin care regime.  When we incorporate it into our bath or shower time, we allow our skin to absorb important nutrients that help our bodies, inside and out.  Soaking in a salt bath helps to draw out impurities and detoxify the innermost layers of the skin, while softening the outer most layer.  Its high calcium content allows it to clean deep within our pores, while the bromide in it helps to soothe.  When used regularly, sea salt baths or scrubs help to balance oily skin, and moisturize dry, chapped skin.  Over time, it can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and cellulite.  To use, add a cup or so to your bath and soak for 20 minutes, or use as a scrub in the shower.  Use twice a week and your skin will soon be thanking you with a very healthy and happy glow. Below is one of our favorite salt scrub recipes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sea salt (finely ground works best, but regular will do)
• ¾ cup base oil of choice (jojoba, olive, coconut)
• 40 drops of lavender, rose or geranium essential oil

Directions

• Using a whisk, combine the sea salt and base oil in a medium bowl, stirring until well blended.  Add the essential oil, a couple of drops at a time, blending after each addition.
• Store in a glass container with a tight fitting lid.
• Will keep unrefrigerated, but should be used within 6 months for optimal freshness.

To Use

• To damp skin, massage approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the salt scrub using circular motions.  Rinse.

Skin Care Ingredients – Knowing What To Avoid and Why

Perusing the ingredient labels of various skin care products, you’ll likely be bombarded with a long list of various hard-to-pronounce chemicals. Most people assume that if there were any danger or concern associated with any of these chemicals, surely they wouldn’t be included. Isn’t that what the FDA is for anyway, to oversee ingredients and make sure that they are safe, and then banning those that aren’t? Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with the beauty industry. See Our Skin Eats Too blog post for more on that. Because of this we are left on our own to find the knowledge and gain an understanding of what is safe and what is not. Us 3Girls are on a mission to help provide the education that will empower individuals to feel confident when looking at ingredient labels so they can make an informed buying decision.
Below is a short list of some of the key ingredients to look for and avoid in personal care products. More posts will follow. Please never hesitate to leave us a comment, ask a question, or add in any additional information that you have. We look forward to hearing from you, and hope you find the information helpful!

Parabens- most often proceeded by Ethyl-, Methyl-, Propyl-, or Butyl-; Parabens are used as preservatives, but act as contaminants and are strong skin allergens. When applied to the skin, parabens are readily absorbed and metabolized, at which point they go on to disrupt the endocrine system affecting the hormone balance in your body due to their estrogenic activity. As they accumulate in the body, they can interfere with fetal development, have been strongly linked to breast cancer, and are immuno-toxic, which can result in a myriad of allergic reactions. While the EU has strictly regulated the use of parabens, the U.S. unfortunately, has not.
* Parabens can also hide behind the names: benzoic acid, isobutyl p-hydroxybenzoate, or p-methoxycarbonylphenol.

Propylene Glycol, Polyethylene Glycol, PEGs and PGs- These multitasking chemicals can be found not only in cosmetics, but food as well (yikes!). When added to skin care formulations these glycols work as a humectants, drawing moisture from the air into the skin. They also function as emollients, softening and lubricating the skin, in addition to being penetration enhancers – meaning that they helps whatever else is mixed with them to penetrate deeper into the skin for an enhanced effect. Contact dermatitis is the most common short-term side effect, but they are also known to exacerbate acne and eczema as they have the ability to rupture skin cell membranes. Long term, they can result in metabolic problems by increasing the amount of acid in your body affecting overall chemistry.
According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) committee, impurities found in various PEG compounds include ethylene oxide, 1,4-dioxane, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and heavy metals such as lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, and arsenic.
* Polyethylene is actually the most common form of plastic!

Phthalates- known reproductive toxins that are linked to birth defects and other illnesses, phthalates are found in nail polish, deodorants, lotions, shampoos, hair sprays, perfumes, and other personal care products. These ubiquitous toxins tip the hormonal scale to the feminine in all living creatures exposed to them. They accumulate in the body and have so many ill affects I cannot list them all here. A short list includes: PCOS, infertility, breast cancer, early puberty, damage to the developing testes of unborn males, diabetes, allergies and more. While avoiding them entirely is almost impossible, you can minimize your exposure. One of the best things you can do is to avoid anything with “fragrance” listed in the ingredients. According to Stacy Malkan, cofounder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, “All synthetically scented products, such as shampoos (and) deodorants, contain phthalates, but perfumes contain the highest levels”.

1,4-Dioxane – Considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and on California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or other birth defects, 1,4-Dioxane is a hidden petrochemical that silently finds its way into dozens of personal care products, even those intended for babies. While the dangers of this toxin are widely and openly acknowledged, you will likely never see it listed on an ingredient label due to the fact that it isn’t added as an ingredient, but instead formed during part of the manufacturing process called ethoxylation. The ethoxylation process is used to provide mildness to harsh ingredients, and to create surfactants (substance that causes products to foam). Unfortunately the danger arises because the process necessitates the use of the cancer-causing petrochemical ethylene oxide, which creates 1,4-Dioxane as a byproduct.
So how do you avoid it if it isn’t listed? Carefully scan ingredient lists and avoid any product that contains ingredients with an “eth” in their name. Examples include: sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene glycol, oleth, myreth, ceteareth, etc.

Ingredients with DEA, MEA and TEA in their name. – Ingredients with these letters after their name indicate that they required the use of diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, or triethanolamine (all synthetic carcinogenic chemicals). DEA is linked to brain abnormalities in animals, and may very well be contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane. MEA is a skin and eye irritant even at low doses, and can be irritating to the respiratory tract as well. TEA has been shown to cause lymphoid, kidney and renal tumors in animals. It is a skin and eye irritant even in low doses, and may be contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane.

Starting Up and Giving Back

Did you know that the skin is the largest organ of our body, and contrary to what the FDA would like to say, it has the ability to absorb up to 60% of what we put on it?!  So many of us are becoming such savvy consumers when it comes to the food that we eat, trying our best to only buy local, organic and whole foods, as we know that eating this way has a huge impact on our ability to maintain health.  But what about what we put on our body?  Are you as discerning about the products that you use on your skin as those that you put in your mouth?  I know that it took me a while to come around to making the switch to safe skin care.  It just seemed too expensive, not that important and honestly, I couldn’t fathom the idea that putting pure organic materials on my skin wouldn’t have a pore clogging effect.  See our blog post on Natural Oils as Face Moisturizers for more info on that.  However, once I finally made the switch I was rewarded with skin that I have always longed for – super soft, clear, small pores, with a truly healthy glow (it totally feels like I’m bragging, but it really is true!  Someone even asked me the other day if I have always had perfect skin!  The answer BTW is no.)

One of the things that us 3Girls are doing is bringing safe, pure and effective skin care to people at an affordable price.  The ingredients we use are either organic or ethically wildcrafted, ensuring that not only are they safe for our bodies, but for the planet as well.  Our entire skin care line is actually so pure that you could eat it!  Now, I’m not saying that it would taste good, just that it’s safe enough that you could.

To celebrate the launch of our company and product line we are offering 20% off through the month of September with the coupon code Launch20!  Or, if you would rather give back than save the 20%, you can use coupon code Kristal20, and 20% of the sale will be donated to a truly inspiring surrogate mother who had to fight for the life of the unborn child that she was carrying, and in the process incurred a lot of expenses.  You can read more about her incredible story, filled with sorrow, tradgedy and triumph here.

Thank you all for the love and support!

Warmly,

The 3Girls

Cleaning Cuts and Wounds Naturally

Growing up, whenever someone in my house got a cut or scrape, my mom would get out the hydrogen peroxide and pour it on until the bubbles subsided.  The only thing about her ways that made me think twice was knowing that the hydrogen peroxide was going to sting, but if it bubbled up, it meant it was dirty and in need of cleaning.  Remember those good ol’ days?!

I kept up that tradition for quite some time thinking that my mom must have known what she was doing, so there wasn’t any reason why I should do things differently.  Then one day I learned that while cleaning wounds with hydrogen peroxide isn’t bad, it doesn’t actually work very well as an antiseptic and the bubbles are really just something cool to look at, as opposed to any real indication of how dirty the area is (check out http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/question115.htm for more info on that).  It was around this time that I started experimenting with herbs and essential oils, and came across what is  now the remedy that I turn to when someone in my household gets a cut or scrape.

To clean all cuts and wounds (unless very large or deep which would need medical attention) I grab an antiseptic solution of Witch Hazel and Melalecua (tea tree) essential oil.  To make, simply add 6-8 drops of Melaleuca oil for every cup of witch hazel extract).  If the area looks like it could use a really good cleaning, I turn to Dr. Kloss’s Liniment, which has been around for ages and is great, not only for cleaning wounds and soothing insect bites, but also for reducing inflammation of the muscles.  To make Kloss’s Liniment you will need:

• 1 ounce echinacea powder
• 1 ounce goldenseal powder
• 1 ounce myrrh powder
• 1/4 ounce cayenne powder
• 1 pint rubbing alcohol

1. Place the powders in a jar and cover with rubbing alcohol, leaving about a 2 inch margin above the herbs and cover with a tight-fitting lid.  Place the mixture in a warm location and let sit for 4 weeks.
2. Strain and rebottle.  For external use only.

Natural Oils as Face Moisturizers

When I talk to people about using a natural oil as a facial moisturizer, I am often met with a somewhat quizzical expression, and a response of “but won’t it clog my pores and cause my skin to break out?”  I understand this response fully, as it once was my own.  Initially, the thought of applying pure oil to my face was difficult to wrap my mind around.  Everything I had ever heard or read from mainstream media screamed, “stay away from oil!”  Whenever I had used oil in the past, it was thick, greasy and rather difficult to clean off.  However, once I began to read and learn about natural oils and their many wonderful qualities, I took the plunge and will never look back.

To be sure, not all oils are created equal.  There is no doubt that there are oils available that will clog your pores and cause you to break out.  However, those oils are often synthetic and in no way resemble materials that your body is happy to accept.  Mineral oil, for example, is a byproduct of the distillation of petroleum when making gasoline.  This oil can be found in many cosmetic formulations, body lotions, and baby products, and is in fact the only ingredient in baby oil aside from fragrance.  Mineral oil is used because it is cheap, readily available, clear and odorless, not because it is a good, natural oil for your skin.  When it is applied to the skin, it “creates a silky, protective barrier” according to Johnson and Johnson, that is.  What it actually does however, is create a barrier because it isn’t absorbed well by the skin, and thus ends up clogging pores.  What amount is finally able to be absorbed into the skin, enters the blood stream and finds its way to the stomach where it interferes with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins.  Wow!  Who knew!  Not only bad for your skin, but bad for your health as well.

Pure, natural oils on the other hand are derived from plant and nut materials.  They are naturally occurring, and our bodies readily accept them.  Some, like jojoba, so closely resemble sebum, our skins natural oil, that they are quickly absorbed leaving a truly silky, non-greasy feeling.  Pure, natural oils are packed full of essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other properties that help our skin to thrive.  Some help with cell regeneration, collagen production, hydration, UV protection, and the list could go on.   Straight from the bottle or blended with other pure ingredients, natural oils are simply an excellent option for chemical-free emollients that your skin will thank you for.

Some great ones to try are:

Jojoba oil

Sweet almond oil

Apricot Kernel oil

Grapeseed oil

Coconut oil

~Amy~