Features
Vitamin C Serum: Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin needed for the body to develop and function properly. It strengthens our immunity to protect ourselves against cold and other infections. It is widely-used for its preventive and maintenance benefits, including keeping the skin healthy. You’ve probably heard nutrition experts talk about how important it is that you should be getting enough Vitamin C in your diet. Good sources include fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. But eating fresh oranges and freshly-squeezed lemon juice won’t deliver the vitamin C straight to your skin. Using Vitamin C Serums and other topical products is the most direct way to reap its skincare benefits. The skin-obsessed uses this powerful serum to get smooth, glowing complexion. Here, let’s get you into the details about Vitamin C serum, including its benefits, how to apply it, and what precautions you need to consider. What is a Vitamin C Serum, and What’s in It? A Vitamin C Serum is a skincare product packed with vitamin C. It has the texture or consistency of a thick liquid or gel, applied topically to the skin. Different types of vitamin C serums are widely available in beauty stores, skincare shops and even drugstores. Various brands would refer it as “brightening”, “firming”, or “anti-aging” serum. The most effective types of vitamin C serums also contain other antioxidants like Vitamin E and nourishing extracts like Green Tea Extract and Aloe Vera Extract for added anti-aging benefits. For a more advanced formula, you may see Salicylic Acid for deep cleansing and Glycerin for moisturizing effects. Benefits of Vitamin C Serum for Skin Vitamin C is touted as one of the best anti-aging ingredients on the market. It is considered to be a key in maintaining a flawless, even-toned, and glowing complexion as it provides a number of benefits for the skin. Brightens and Balances Skin Tone Vitamin C acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, which soothes your skin and reduces redness. It evens out the skin tone as it helps brighten up your complexion. It is also found to improve dark circles of the under eyes. The combined reduction of dark spots, irritation, and discoloration results to a clear, glowing skin tone that get you noticed. Fades Hyperpigmentation Since it inhibits melanin production, Vitamin C can actually fade hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation occurs when melanin is overproduced in certain areas of the skin commonly caused by sun exposure and skin inflammation. It is also referred to as sun spots or age spots because it usually appears as a person gets older. Vitamin C regulates this process as well as lightens existing dark spots on the skin to give it a more youthful appearance. Supports Collagen Production Collagen is naturally present on our skin but it depletes as we get older. Lower levels of collagen in the skin results to fine lines and wrinkles. It can further progress, leading to sagging old skin. Vitamin C cannot reverse the appearance of wrinkles that developed naturally over time. But it can help slow down the aging process. It prevents premature wrinkling by stimulating the growth of collagen. That’s why it’s better to use it earlier before these signs of aging start to appear. With Vitamin C incorporated in your routine, the natural synthesis of collagen as well as elastin is boosted. Collagen and elastin are two of the basic structural supports of our skin found in the dermis (middle layer of the skin). It acts as the skin’s cushion which gives it strength, firmness, and elasticity. No to sagging skin, hello to youthful plumpness! Promotes Wound Healing Vitamin C is believed to accelerate cell turnover, the natural process of replacing damaged cells with healthy new ones. Application of Vitamin C helps speed up wound healing. Healthy wound healing reduces the possibility of inflammation, infection and scarring. This is the reason why Vitamin C is effective for soothing sunburns. So, after getting spending a day at the beach, it won’t hurt to smear some drops of Vitamin C Serum on your skin. Protects Against Sun Damage Sun damage is triggered by molecules called free radicals and excessive sun exposure. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight off these free radicals. Antioxidants protect healthy skin cells to keep it from getting damaged. With the added power to regenerate new cells and reduce the appearance of skin blemishes, Vitamin C makes the skin look more flawless and healthier with constant use. How Vitamin C Serums Work Topical application of Vitamin C can be a bit of a challenge since it can break down in the presence of factors such as air, heat, and light. Skincare manufacturers like us, Shiny Leaf, prefer to package Vitamin C into serums because it allows higher vitamin C concentrations that the skin can absorb quickly. Apply the serum after cleansing the skin and before putting on other products like moisturizers. This allows the skin better absorption. Vitamin C Serums are often combined with other known antioxidants like Vitamin E for added benefits. This enhances its effectiveness in reducing the signs of aging. What are the Different Types of Vitamin C? The 7 main types of vitamin C are Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, Calcium Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. The main differences are as follows: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate – more stable and less irritating so it’s suitable even for sensitive skin Ascorbic Acid – very unstable and sensitive to light Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate – very stable, hydrating, and effective in soothing skin irritation Sodium Ascorbate – a mineral salt of ascorbic acid, but less irritating and more stable Calcium Ascorbate – also a mineral salt of ascorbic acid, important in collagen synthesis Ascorbyl Palmitate – fat-soluble derivative if vitamin C, non-irritating and more stable Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate – stable oil-soluble form of vitamin C that penetrates the skin deeper than ascorbic acid. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate vs. Ascorbic Acid Generally, vitamin C derivatives are sensitive to light, that’s why you need to give it time to absorb in your skin before going into the light. If you often go out under the sun, avoid using Vitamin C Serum that contain Ascorbic Acid because it’s very unstable and exposure to light will make it useless. Choose vitamin C derivatives like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate found in the Shiny Leaf Vitamin C Serum because it is less sensitive to light compared to other types of vitamin C. It absorbs to the skin better and therefore gives you better results. Potential Side Effects and Precautions Vitamin C is generally safe for any skin type. The only exception is those with highly sensitive skin. Since Vitamin C is an active ingredient, people with sensitive skin should consult with a dermatologist before use since some types of vitamin C can sometimes irritate the skin. Common noticeable side effects are: Itching Redness Skin irritation Tingling sensation You should always do a patch test before full application. This is the best way to determine how your skin will react to the serum. Vitamin C Serum may result in stinging, yellowing of the clothes, or dryness of skin, though these effects are rare. You should also take extra care when applying around the eyes. Lastly, make sure that you are not using Retinol or any other products that contain Retinol. Combining Vitamin C and Retinol has the potential to irritate the skin. If you are using Retinol, you may use the Vitamin C Serum in the morning and the Retinol at night. This technique takes advantage of the sun-protective benefits if Vitamin C while minimizing the risk of sun sensitivity caused by Retinol. Dosage Vitamin C can also be very acidic and cause skin irritation in some people when used in high concentrations. When using Vitamin C serum for the first time, apply a thin layer every other day before moving on to daily applications. This will allow your skin to adjust to the product and prevent skin irritation. How to Use Vitamin C Serum for Your Skincare Routine Although Vitamin C Serum is generally safe for all skin types, you should always do a patch test to assess your risk of allergic reaction. Here’s how: Take a small amount of product (1 drop is okay). Apply it to a small area of your skin that’s easy to conceal like your forearm. Cover with an adhesive bandage and wait for hours. If no side effects occur, you may proceed with facial application. Discontinue use if you develop signs of sensitivity. Moving on to full application, always follow the instructions on the product label. Typically, Vitamin C Serum is applied once or twice daily – one in the morning and another at night. Depending on your personal skincare routine, as long as you don’t use it in combination with products that may cause unwanted reactions such as Retinol. The best skincare routine using Vitamin C Serum would include these steps: Cleanse – Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser. Tone – Remove remaining impurities with a regular toner. Apply Vitamin C Serum – Take 2-3 drops of the serum and spread gently on your face, neck and upper chest. Use an upward motion. Moisturize – Allow the serum to absorb before putting on sun screen, makeup or moisturizer. FINAL THOUGHT: As with any skincare product, consistency is key to seeing great results. Use the Vitamin C Serum religiously as your everyday skincare essential.
Learn more
Hyaluronic Acid Supplement: Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage
In the world of skincare, one of the most prized ingredients for anti-aging is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally produced in the body. Most of it is found in the skin, joints, and eyes. What it does is hold so much water within tissue cells, keeping the skin young-looking, the joints lubricated, and the eyes moist. Hyaluronic acid has many medical and commercial uses. It is also available in a variety of forms including creams, serums, eye drops, injectables, and food supplements. For this blog, we will be focusing on what’s considered the best and most effective way of using hyaluronic acid, which is by taking it as a food supplement. Read further to learn more about the benefits of hyaluronic acid, as well as the possible side effects and precautions. What are Hyaluronic Acid Supplements? Hyaluronic acid supplements are made using artificial forms of the substance to help replenish the lost hyaluronic acid in the body. Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear gooey substance. It is chemically considered as a polysaccharide, a type of carbohydrate that is essential in providing lubrication and hydration to body tissues and organs. The levels of hyaluronic acid in the body decreases as you get older. Therefore, as you age, taking hyaluronic acid supplements continuously may help treat or prevent health conditions that are related to aging. Sodium Hyaluronate vs. Hyaluronic Acid Sodium hyaluronate is actually an ingredient extracted from hyaluronic acid. It’s the sodium salt form of HA. The other form is potassium hyaluronate. As the name suggests, sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt version of HA. Extracting and using it separately is important because it changes how the substance behaves when used. Like pure hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate can help your skin look youthful and supple. It also improves your joints and eye health. The difference comes down to molecular weight. Hyaluronic acid has a higher molecular weight, which means it has larger molecules that’s better in coating the skin and preventing water loss, leading to better hydration. Sodium hyaluronate on the other hand has a lower molecular weight than hyaluronic acid, which is an advantage. It is small enough to penetrate well into the skin, especially the top layer of the skin. Overall, it can improve hydration in the body better. Since sodium hyaluronate is a part of hyaluronic acid, it is sometimes called “hyaluronic acid”. It may be listed as “hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate)” on the labels. Other names include: Hyaluronate sodium Hyaluronic acid sodium Hyaluronic acid sodium salt Hyalurone sodium Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Supplement The largest concentration of hyaluronic acid in the body are found in your skin, joints and eyes. Its main function is to retain water for lubrication and proper hydration. Regularly taking hyaluronic acid supplements are found to give you these benefits. Anti-aging for Healthy Skin Taking hyaluronic acid supplements for a long period of time are found to help with skin issues like wrinkles, fine lines, and dry skin. It is said to reverse aging because hyaluronic acid helps fill in gaps in wrinkles to improve the texture of the skin. It also increases skin moisture and soothes redness and irritation. The anti-aging effects of hyaluronic acid supplement may vary from person to person based on certain factors that influence the skin, including genetics, nutrition, sun exposure, smoking and alcohol consumption, and pollution. We recommend to use hyaluronic acid supplements along with proper skincare habits including application of natural oil moisturizers such as coconut oil, castor oil, and sweet almond oil. Faster Wound Healing As it makes the skin look younger, hyaluronic acid supplement can also speed up wound healing. It is essential in damage repair. By regulating inflammation and telling the body to build more blood vessels in the damaged area, hyaluronic acid works as an agent for wounds to heal faster. Applying hyaluronic acid directly to open wound in serum or cream form is most effective for wound healing. Oral supplements also boost the levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin and is also considered to provide some wound healing benefits. Joint Pain Relief When the joints are well-lubricated, the bones are less likely to grind against each other and cause pain and discomfort. Hyaluronic acid supplements are very helpful for runners, sportspersons, and especially those suffering from osteoarthritis. Constant use of hyaluronic acid supplement maintains the lubrication in between bones. Hyaluronic acid serves as the cushion that minimizes wear and tear in the joints. This prevents conditions like joint pains and knee injuries. It also fosters better recovery, healing and pain relief. Strong and Healthy Bones Studies in animals have shown that high amounts of hyaluronic acid can increase the activity involved in building new bone tissues. This suggests that constantly taking hyaluronic acid supplements may promote strong and healthy bones while it helps prevent bone loss. Remedy to Acid Reflux Symptoms When acid reflux occurs, the contents of the stomach are being brought up into the throat, causing pain and damage to the lining of the esophagus. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of hyaluronic acid, taking supplements that contain hyaluronic acid helps provide relief. Hyaluronic acid may help soothe the damaged lining of the esophagus while aiding the healing process. Dry Eye and Discomfort Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, hyaluronic acid can soothe dry eyes and discomfort. It may reduce symptoms like dryness, burning and itching. Since hyaluronic acid is great in maintaining moisture, your eyes stay feeling fresh. Hyaluronic acid is often used as an ingredient in eye drops to reduce dry eye symptoms and improve overall eye health. Possible Side Effects and Precautions Hyaluronic acid is generally safe to use. Since the body naturally produces it anyway, allergic reactions are very rare. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women and children below the age of 18 are advised to be cautious and avoid supplementing with it. For people with specific health issues such as cancer or have a history of cancer, we advise to consult a healthcare professional first before taking any dietary supplement. Dosage Oral hyaluronic acid supplements can be found online and in drugstores, health food stores and shops specializing in nutritional supplements. It is available in tablet, capsule or soft gel form. The Shiny Leaf Hyaluronic Acid Supplement comes in vegetarian capsules, which are easy to swallow and digest. You only need to take 2 capsules with food daily. It needs to be taken consistently for a long period of time to have the best effects. The capsule is 100% vegetarian and gluten-free, so it’s safe for daily consumption. Each capsule contains a powerful combination of hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) and vitamin C. Vitamin C supports collagen production and helps clear blemishes on the skin. The result is a younger-looking complexion that’s flawlessly healthy! A Word from Shiny Leaf If you want to make your skin more supple and hydrated especially during the cold months, consider using the Shiny Leaf Hyaluronic Acid Supplement with Vitamin C. We can say that the benefits of this hyaluronic acid supplement go skin deep as it provides numerous benefits for the joints, bones and eyes too. Generally, hyaluronic acid is an important substance you need to take to support your body in coping up with skin aging such as the appearance of wrinkles and other age-related conditions like osteoarthritis and joint pains. For more of your health supplement needs, check out our Wellness Products. Because we care for you!
Learn more
Toxic Chemicals in Shampoos & Conditioners – And How to Avoid Them
Many of the cosmetics and household products in the market contain harmful chemicals. A handful of studies has identified these chemicals present in everyday products, from cosmetics to food packaging. While many of these chemicals don’t pose too much danger in small quantities, long-term and repeated exposure can lead to more critical health issues. Here are the four common chemicals that were identified and you should be more aware of. Phthalates Food is the common source of phthalate exposure, although not intentionally added as an ingredient. Phthalate can be found on plastic tubes, gloves, and food containers and can contaminate the food that you eat. Phthalates are a class of synthetic chemicals that are known to cause hormonal disruptions if ingested or inhaled. It is colorless and odorless with an oily consistency. Scientists found that exposure to phthalates has been explicitly linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in several studies. Hormonal disruption can also affect the reproductive and immune systems, including the prenatal brain development. Known as “the everywhere chemicals”, phthalates are found in hundreds of consumer products that people use every day, including food containers, cosmetics, and personal care products. They are also found in some children’s toys, making their potential health risks a bit more concerning. According to an article on Insider, a new study published in Environmental Pollution on October 12, 2021 found that exposure to phthalates was linked to premature deaths, especially deaths caused by heart disease. The study analyzed data from more than 5,000 adults between the ages of 55 and 64. The results suggest that those with the highest level of phthalates in their urine were more likely to die earlier than expected, especially of heart-related causes. List of common products that contain Phthalates: Personal care products (like soap, shampoo, and conditioner) Food wraps and containers Detergents Household cleaners Children’s toys Furniture Vinyl flooring and wall coverings Medical devices PVC plumbing Phthalates in Shampoos Phthalates are commonly added in shampoos and conditioners to create a creamy texture. They are used as “gelling agents” to achieve a thick consistency that makes these haircare products richer. Phthalates are also used to make the fragrance of these haircare products last longer. BPA Bisphenol A, more commonly referred to as BPA, is another ingredient with similar properties as phthalates. Both make plastic materials more durable and bendable. Like phthalates, BPA is used in food containers and packaging products. It can contaminate the food or drinks put into it, especially when heated in the microwave. BPA has been linked to certain conditions like obesity, increased risk of breast cancer, and other reproductive health-related issues. Do you wonder how you can tell whether a container is likely to contain BPA or phthalates? A simple tip is to look for the number at the bottom of a plastic product or container, usually with indication of a recycling sign. Items numbered 3, 6, and 7 are most likely to contain these harmful chemicals. Parabens In our previous article “Ditching Chemical-Based Haircare Products for Healthier Hair and Ocean”, we’ve identified parabens as one of the most harmful chemicals that can damage marine life. Parabens are a group of chemicals typically used as preservatives for cosmetic and personal care products. You can find them on the ingredients list of everyday products like shampoos, soaps, body washes and the likes. The chemical paraben keeps molds and bacteria from growing in these products to prolong their shelf lives. According to researchers, even a small amount of paraben can pass through the skin and into the body, and that can cause major health problems. They found that parabens can mimic estrogen, an important hormone involved in the reproductive functions of people. In response, the body may produce less estrogen, disrupting the normal function of the reproductive system. Exposure to parabens has also been linked to cancer risk, fertility problems, and skin irritation. Three of the most common paraben ingredients to look out for are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. The best way to avoid parabens is to check your product’s ingredients and make sure none of these names are listed. Brands like ours – Shiny Leaf – have prioritized customers’ safety by making our formulas paraben-free. Other ingredients we included in the list of ingredients that are bad for marine life were sulfates, hexane, and silicones. Read the full article to find out how these ingredients affect the oceans and what are the great alternatives you can use. PFAS Similar to parabens, PFAS have been a hot topic when it comes to maintaining cleaner water and acquiring potential health risks. PFAS is short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a diverse group of man-made chemicals used in various consumer and industrial products. They can be found in water-resistant fabrics, cleaning products, paints, and fire-resistant foams. Certain types are allowed for limited use in food packaging and cookware products too. Because PFAS are slow to break down, they have the ability to remain intact in the environment. That means over time, it can result to increased levels of environmental contamination. Accumulation of PFAS were also seen through blood tests in both humans and animals. If they linger in the human body for many years, PFAS are said to cause health problems like cancer, hormone imbalances, and fertility issues – very similar to parabens. PFAS are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because of their ability to resist degradation. They are very common in products touted as long-lasting or waterproof such as mascara and other makeup products. Avoiding Chemicals in Haircare Products - We Got Your Back Here at Shiny Leaf, we create products that we use ourselves. That’s why safety, aside from effectivity, is one our main objectives. Our mission has always been to provide high-quality products that give you the best care, without compromising your health. We protect our customers like we protect ourselves and our families. Head on to our products page now and see the best products that suit your needs. We got products for hair loss, hair growth, anti-aging skincare, skin nourishment, and wellness. Our shampoos, conditioners, oils, supplements and other personal care essentials are made free from harmful ingredients. Phthalates, BPA, parabens, and PFAS are major no-nos in our advanced formulas. As a bonus guide, here’s a list of tips for keeping these toxic chemicals out of your home: Use unscented cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, and cleansers. Use glass, ceramic, wood, or metallic food storage containers. Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of preserved or canned goods. Avoid plastic products labeled as No. 3, No. 6, or No. 7. Avoid using plastics when heating food in a microwave.
Learn more
7 Daily Habits for Hair Growth and Preventing Hair Loss
When talking about hair loss prevention, the conversation will almost always follow with tips for hair growth. They are inseparable because most of the things you do to prevent hair loss will improve your hair growth too, and vice versa. These topics often pop out of your online searches once you start seeing signs of hair loss. Common signs of hair loss include frequent hair fall, hair shedding, receding hair line, and thinning crown. When these symptoms begin to affect your hair, you may feel that urgent need to do something to stop it. As the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” You want to take action to prevent it from getting worse. While there are many reasons like genetics, poor diet, stress, bad styling routine, and other external factors that can affect the rate of your hair growth and why it’s thinning, there are also practical ways you can do to help reverse it. Here are 7 good daily habits you can incorporate in your routine starting right now! Reduce Stress It is true that stress affects a person in more ways than one, and it can even be the cause of hair loss for some. Sometimes, stress can trigger conditions like alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disease of the hair and scalp that causes patchy hair loss. While stress is inevitable (we can’t completely eliminate stress in life), it can be minimized if you can identify your stressors and learn how to manage them. We know, it’s easier said than done. So here are a few tips to help you out. Tips on how to manage stress: Exercise regularly, get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day Relax your muscles by stretching or enjoying a body massage Deep breathing Take a hot bath or shower Set aside a few minutes a day to meditate, do yoga, or listen to your favorite music Make time for your hobbies like sports, reading, playing board games or doing art Hang out with friends and talk about your problems Always get restful sleep Live a More Active Lifestyle Having an active lifestyle improves your health and overall well-being. It reduces stress and puts you on a happier state of mind. Minimize the amount of time spent in prolonged sitting or just plain lack of movement. See everyday activities as opportunity to be active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical workout daily like simple walking, cycling or running. A regular, vigorous exercise gives you extra health and fitness benefits. Try sports, training at the gym, aerobic exercises, or swimming. Other health benefits of having an active lifestyle: Reduce risk of a heart attack Weight management Lower blood cholesterol level Lower risk of type 2 diabetes Strengthen bones, muscles, and joints Feel more energized and in a better mood Eat Healthy and Take Hair Supplements Bad eating habits make your body weak and affects how it normally functions. The hair growth process starts with proper nutrition that is delivered through the hair roots. The nutrients are absorbed by the hair follicles and this enable your hair to grow. Without proper nutrition, hair becomes weak and can lead to hair loss. Taking hair supplements enriched with vitamins are well-recommended to give you enough source of nutrients. The enHAIRgy Supplement is a great example. It supports healthy hair growth while blocking hair loss, with only 2 capsules taken daily. Each capsule contains essential ingredients like biotin, saw palmetto, pygeum bark, vitamin A, plus other natural DHT blockers that help nourish the hair. While taking your hair supplement, you must also stick to a healthy diet. Getting plenty of healthy fats like omega 3s can help with hair growth. Healthy fats are found in fish and nuts. They nourish hair follicles to give strands the strength and shine. It is important to avoid smoking too. Smoking increases your body’s production of free radicals. Free radicals damage your cells and can potentially damage your hair follicles and increase the risk of developing hair loss. Best food for healthy hair: Salmon Tuna Walnuts Eggs Berries Spinach Avocados Vegetable oils like soybean and canola oil Complete 8-Hour Sleep If you eat well, exercise regularly, and manage your stress but don’t get enough sleep every night, you may be undermining all of your other efforts. Everyone feels better after a good night’s sleep. But how much is enough? An adult needs an average of 8 hours of sleep to help you relax and recover. Lack of sleep may affect your mood and productivity for the day. Your energy may be down and you may show lack of enthusiasm because of excessive sleepiness. This also affects your mental condition. Thus, you may find it hard to think, remember, or process information. Chronic sleep deprivation is often associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems. How Lack of Sleep Affects Hair Loss Sleep deprivation have shown significant negative effects on the body, which can directly or indirectly lead to conditions of hair loss and thinning hair. This is because lack of proper sleep can result to higher levels of stress, which is one of the major causes of hair loss. During sleep, the body undergoes numerous activities that help the body recover and develop, including generating new cells for hair growth. Prolonged stress can have a negative impact on your appearance especially the skin and hair. Limit Heat Styling Regular buns and ponytails can sometimes get a little boring. Surprisingly, a simple concept of heat styling is a pretty easy technique that works quite well on changing the hair’s structure temporarily. Heat styling tools like blow-dryers, curling irons, and flat irons are the basic go-to’s. You can transform the shape of your hair from being curly to straight, or vice versa with the help of these tools. Rocking different hairstyles is fun and creative. But, when using these hot tools, we put our hair under direct contact to high temperatures that range at around 200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. That is too hot to burn your skin! How Does Heat Styling Do Damage? High temperature from heat styling creates cracks in the cuticle, which is the protective layer of hair. This causes the scales of the cuticle to lift, making hair more vulnerable and easier for damaging chemicals and sunlight to penetrate. Over time, this makes the hair dry, dull, and weak. Hair easily breaks. Split ends and hair fall become more frequent. If you need to style your hair by heat styling, there are ways you can do to protect your hair from damage caused by heating tools. Below are 5 tips that may come in handy. Tips to protect hair from heat damage: Moisturize and deep condition your hair beforehand Apply heat protectant serum, spray or cream If using a straightening iron, blow dry your hair first Heat-style your hair less frequently Use heating tools with adjustable switches for better heat control Indulge in a Scalp Massage Just like good soil is essential to growing luscious plants, a healthy scalp is the key for growing thicker hair. A simple way to stimulate hair growth at home is to give yourself a scalp massage. This will increase blood flow to your scalp and help deliver nutrients to your hair follicles better. We discourage using bare fingers to massage your hair because it may do more damage than good. If you have long fingernails, it could scratch and hurt your scalp. Long nails with sharp edges can also cause the hair to uproot. Instead, use a gentle scalp brush that is intended for head massage. Look for a shampoo brush that is made with BPA free material and has soft bristles. You can massage your scalp when washing your hair with your favorite shampoo. If you prefer a scalp massage with dry hair, adding a nutrient-rich oil like the Shiny Leaf Organic Coconut Oil will double the benefits. Coconut oil is known to stimulate the follicles and promote hair growth while giving hair noticeable shine. Other Benefits of a Scalp Massage Brush: Relieves stress and anxiety Efficiently removes dead skin cells and product buildup Stimulates the scalp and promotes blood circulation Helps reduce flakiness of the scalp Use the Correct Hair Products The type of hair products you apply to your hair greatly affects more than just how it looks, but its ability to grow healthy as well. Every person has hair needs that require specific type of haircare products. That’s why companies have created various lines of products that are made with formulas that work for certain hair types, color, texture, or thickness. Haircare is not a one for all – all for one type of thing. That’s why specialized products are available for particular hair issues. Examples are dandruff shampoos intended to eliminate dandruff. Purple shampoos that brighten blonde hair may not have the same effect when used for brunette hair. There are also color-enhancing hair products for reds, blacks, and other hair colors. A deep conditioning treatment may not be necessary for oily hair as it is much needed to treat dry hair. When dealing with hair loss, you can easily find DHT-blocking products to help with that. DHT blockers help target the main cause of hair loss, which is the DHT or dihydrotestosterone. Three things to consider when choosing hair products: Your hair type Your hair issues Your hair goals Consistency is Key Have you heard of the 21/90 rule? This rule states that it takes 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change. Just like any habit, these 7 daily habits for hair growth and preventing hair loss takes discipline and one hundred percent full commitment. Consistency is of course the key to reaping good results. If you will look closely, these good hair habits are interrelated and therefore create a more meaningful effect when practiced altogether. For example, having a good night’s sleep, an active lifestyle, and a head massage all help with stress management. Try to incorporate them into your daily routine. The result will be a holistic healthy lifestyle that will benefit not only your hair but your life as a whole – in mind, body and soul.
Learn more
Top 5 Ingredients That Stimulate Natural Hair Growth
You might be looking for ways you can do to make your hair grow faster. Are there any natural remedies you can use? Perhaps there are vitamins you need to take? Are there specific ingredients you need to look for in your haircare products? In this blog, we will help answer those questions. First, we will look closely on how the hair grows and then list down the 5 best ingredients for hair growth. You will also get important tips and suggestions that will guide you in your hair growth journey. How Does Hair Grow? Did you know that you were born with all the hair follicles you’ll ever have? That’s about 100,000 hair follicles right on your scalp. Hair grows from a root at the bottom of every hair follicle under the skin. The blood underneath your scalp flows through the hair follicle to supply oxygen and nutrients to the root, which enable hair to grow. Your hair grows thicker and fuller as more hair strands come out as you grow older. Hair pushes through your scalp and passes by an oil gland. Because of the oil from this gland, your hair grows shiny and soft. What Ingredients Can Help Your Hair Grow? It is true that genetics play a major role in keeping hair thick. However, several factors like the products you use also come into play. Although there is no overnight remedy that will result in instant growth, there are powerful ingredients you can find to help your hair grow faster and thicker. Aloe Vera Aloe vera, otherwise known as Aloe barbadensis, is a succulent type of plant with thick and fleshy leaves that are green to grey-green in color. It has a gel-like substance inside of them, which is very much adored in the skincare realm. Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its healing properties. It has a cooling and soothing effect when applied to the skin. That’s why it makes a perfect natural remedy used to treat sunburns and skin inflammations. Because of its soothing benefits, it is also used to treat dry scalp issues where it was found to stimulate growth of healthy hair. Most users scoop the gel out of leaves cut fresh from a live plant. The gel has a clear color and watery texture that helps hydrate the hair and scalp. Allowing it to penetrate your hair follicles helps condition and treat damaged hair. Other Benefits of Aloe Vera: Calms itchy scalp and irritated skin Promotes healing Leaves the hair soft, smooth, and shiny Strengthens and repairs damaged strands Castor Oil Castor oil is a vegetable oil taken from the seeds of the Ricinus communis or castor plant. It has a pale-yellow color with a distinct nutty smell. The texture is very thick that’s why most users combine it with lighter oils like coconut oil when used. Castor oil has a high concentration of essential fatty acids. This oil is the unique source of ricinoleic acid, which constitutes up to 90% of the oil’s composition. It carries anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that promote healthy skin. When applied to the scalp, castor oil helps stimulate blood circulation that enables faster hair growth. The healthy fatty acids of castor oil have similar characteristics to the natural oil produced in the scalp. That’s why the moisture it carries is easily absorbed by the skin. Castor oil delivers other important nutrients such as vitamin E and protein too, making strands stronger and protected against damage. Other Benefits of Castor Oil: Treatment for dry hair and split ends Lengthens eyelashes and thickens eyebrows Relieves inflamed skin and flaky scalp Gets rid of stretch marks, acne, and blemishes when applied to skin Rosemary Oil Rosemary Oil is an aromatic liquid produced from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis or rosemary plant; a medicinal plant known for its culinary uses. Rosemary is best known as a food seasoning in various dishes. Rosemary oil has been used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic benefits. It is believed to help improve brain function, relieve pain, ease stress, and reduce joint inflammation. Rosemary oil also carries antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which make it a great alternative to chemical preservatives. Rosemary oil is considered a natural DHT blocker and can be found in anti-hair loss DHT-blocking shampoos and conditioners. When applied to hair, rosemary oil is believed to help with androgenetic alopecia, a type of hair loss better known as male pattern baldness, though it can affect both men and women. Rosemary oil is hailed as one of the 5 best ingredients for hair growth because it helps prevent hair loss while it stimulates better blood circulation. This allows the hair to grow faster, thicker, and fuller. Other Benefits of Rosemary Oil: Relieves stress and anxiety Reduces pain and inflammation Enhances memory and mental alertness Promotes faster healing Biotin Biotin is also known as vitamin B7, which is one of the B complex vitamins. Its main function is to help the body convert food into energy. It plays an important role in maintaining the health of the skin, hair, and even nails. Deficiency in biotin have been associated to hair loss or scaly skin conditions. Biotin is believed to improve the structure of hair and skin. If you are experiencing thinning hair, biotin supplementation may help prevent hair loss and assist in regrowth. Biotin is available as the key ingredient in hair products like the Shiny Leaf Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner. This product cleanses the hair and scalp while giving the hair the nourishing benefits of biotin and other great ingredients included in the formula. Biotin can also be taken orally as supplements. Increased biotin intake helps stimulate keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of hair growth. Other Benefits of Biotin: Thickens hair and improves elasticity for less breakage Strengthens nails Improves skin appearance Keeps the liver and nervous system healthy Coconut Oil Coconut oil is an edible oil made from pressing fresh or dried coconut meat. This hydrating oil is naturally rich in fatty acids, which support heathy hair and skin. In the food industry, coconut oil is used as a healthier option for a cooking oil. It is believed to offer various health benefits including increasing good cholesterol, controlling blood sugar, and weight loss. It is often preferred by people who wish to boost heart health and manage their weight. The best type of coconut oil to use is fractionated coconut oil. Regular coconut oil is usually thick and turns solid at lower temperatures. Fractionated coconut oil does not solidify. It is easily absorbed to the skin and is less likely to clog pores. Because of this, fractionated coconut oil works perfectly for massage, skincare applications, and DIY hair treatments. Try mixing 2/3 cup of Shiny Leaf Fractionated Coconut Oil with 1 tablespoon of Shiny Leaf Castor Oil to create a DIY deep conditioning treatment. Coconut oil helps stimulate the scalp to promote hair growth while leaving long-lasting shine and smoothness to hair. Other Benefits of Coconut Oil: Facial moisturizer and makeup remover Hydrates hair and scalp for soft smooth hair Great carrier oil for massage aromatherapy Supports heart health and weight loss Important Tips and Suggestions Remember that hair growth is a process and trying to make your hair grow faster won’t yield results overnight. What you need to understand is that a proper haircare routine combined with the right products makes a bigger possibility for success. So, if you’re ready to incorporate these 5 best ingredients for hair growth in your hair care routine, take these important tips to help you begin your hair growth journey on the right track. Use ingredients as they are. You can use these ingredients in their natural and pure forms without alterations. Apply aloe vera gel, coconut oil, castor oil, or rosemary oil to the scalp while massaging with your fingers lightly in a circular motion. Create DIY recipes. You can combine these ingredients to make your own DIY hair treatments. This is perfect for weekend relaxation, but you can do it anytime, like when you need some personal pampering. Check out these DIY castor oil recipes you can try at home! Check the label of products. When purchasing haircare products, it’s worth taking time to look for these 5 best ingredients for hair growth on the ingredients list. We can say that 50% of the success of a haircare routine depends on the haircare products you use. Consume as food. Some natural oils are edible and can be consumed. Rosemary oil and coconut oil falls right in this category, since they can be used for food preparation. Just make sure the product you are using is labelled good for consumption. Take supplements. Biotin can be taken orally as a dietary supplement. When looking for an anti-hair loss supplement, it is good to pick a product that contains biotin, combined with other ingredients that help prevent hair loss and encourage hair growth. A great example you can try is the enHAIRgy Supplement. Lastly – stick to a proper haircare routine. Once you have figured out a routine that works well for you, stick to it religiously. Be patient. As we’ve said, nothing is instant and results don’t happen overnight. Give yourself at least 90 days of a healthy haircare routine supported by products that contain these 5 best ingredients for hair growth, then see results for yourself!
Learn more
Top 5 Upgrades From 5 Years of Brand Nurturing at Shiny Leaf
Experience is the best teacher. This is probably one of the most fitting catchphrases that describes our journey as a brand. Shiny Leaf is a living, breathing testament that constant change to improve is the road to perfecting one’s craft. In our five years in the industry, we have learned so much. We learned about our customers: what they want, what they are looking for, and what makes them feel happy and rewarded. We took time to understand the latest technologies and most effective strategies, so we can serve you better and make more meaningful connections with you. We have learned to adapt to many different facets of the business. Utilizing the knowledge we gained each time, we improved our brand in so many ways. As we celebrate our fifth-year anniversary, allow us to do this countdown of the top 5 upgrades we pride ourselves in. Shipping Protection In the early years of Shiny Leaf, one of the most common problems that our customer report back to us are lost or mishandled packages. If our customers are upset about that, we were probably ten times more displeased with ourselves. We knew our dear customers deserve better. And we couldn’t bear the thought of making you unhappy. That’s why we came up with the shipping protection feature as the solution. Shipping protection is an optional add-on you can turn on or off every time you shop on our website. For only $0.98, you are getting an instant security for your package. That means it will be safeguard from loss, damage, or theft. You are ensured that while your shipment is in transit, it will be safe and protected. In case it is stolen, lost, or broken en route, (which we promise is a rare case) you will also have an instant access to hassle-free refund or reorder options. It’s quick, easy and happens in just a few clicks. Shipping protection is part our 100% Happiness Guarantee that our customers can always count on. Shiny Leaf Rewards In 2019, we introduced the Shiny Leaf Rewards as way of saying “thank you” to all our customers. Shiny Leaf Rewards is a loyalty program that offers exclusive rewards and privileges to its members. The rewards come in the form of points, which customers can earn and redeem in exchange for free products, coupon codes, gift cards, and more. Earning points for Shiny Leaf Rewards is super easy. Buying products, referring friends, and other simple tasks earn you points. In fact, you don’t need to purchase to be a member and start collecting your rewards. If you’re are not a member of Shiny Leaf Rewards yet, it’s now time to sign-up and claim the rewards waiting for you. Sign-up now to get started! Mobile App With the mobile phones being the most widely used device of this generation, it has become crucial for almost every business to reach its target customers through this technology. Majority of the population probably holds a mobile phone on their hands. Therefore, the accessibility of the mobile phone made it an instant tool for marketers to get their products and services in front of their target consumers. Mobile devices have become the bridge that simplified brand efforts to market products, attract potential buyers, and provide support for customers. We capitalized on this potential to create a stronger and more meaningful connection with our customers by developing the Shiny Leaf mobile app. The Shiny Leaf mobile app was launched in mid-2019 with features that enable our customers to shop, track deliveries, view order history, contact customer support, earn rewards, and so much more! It is available for free download from App Store or Google Play on both iOS and Android devices. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, you’re getting only half of the Shiny Leaf experience. Install the Shiny Leaf mobile app now! Order Tracking System We want to give our customers stress-free shopping experience. From choosing the right products that you want, efficient payment methods, to friendly customer care – we want to it to be as seamless as possible before, during, and even after you check out. Order tracking has often been a concern for some of our customers. Most of you want to know the status of your orders and that’s perfectly fine. That’s why we built a better order tracking system, which will systematize order information and make it available right when you need it. The Shiny Leaf order tracking feature can be accessed by Shiny Leaf customers by logging in on their accounts, either via the mobile app or our website. With better ways to track orders, a customer will have a peace of mind from knowing that an order is well-placed and is arriving at the doorstep very soon. Available in More Stores Shiny Leaf is now available in Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and Etsy. Aside from buying directly on our website, enjoy the convenience of purchasing your favorite shampoos, conditioners, oils and supplements on various sales channels of your choice. By having more shopping options, we were able to provide high quality products for a wider range of customers. The high demand for our products pushed us to make this huge leap possible. Thank you to everyone and please know that while demand rises, we are still keeping our eyes focused on maintaining the quality of our products. We make sure that each product is carefully formulated, so it does not contain ingredients that can harm you or the environment. Ingredients like parabens, sulfates, silicones, and hexane are major no-no’s in our lists. Shiny Leaf has grown immensely over the course of five fantastical years. With a wider reach, amazing features, and products that are loved by all, we promise to continue this beautiful journey of self-love with you. Together, let’s continue thriving and living with a kind of self-awareness that only self-care can give. We promise that with the help of our natural bath and body products, you will be able to feel the most tender loving care that you always deserved!
Learn more
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Looking Back to Previous Products and Their Great Alternatives
As a brand that cares, Shiny Leaf always strives to find the best we can offer. Part of our mission is to constantly search for high-quality ingredients and come up with great products that our customers need—and eventually fall in love with. Making things better is an inevitable thing for us. That’s why over the years, our collection has gone through a series of metamorphosis. In terms of packaging, ingredients, labels, and to the very product we offer. We have made conscious decisions to change things up for a better and stronger Shiny Leaf that you can trust. In our 5-year existence in the industry of natural haircare and skincare, we’ve had a series of goodbyes and hellos. We welcomed new products to our collection. And there were also a few others we had to let go and replace with better ones. Join us in this blog as we take a trip down memory lane, to look back on the previous products that were once part of our collection and the items we replaced them with. Bye Pomegranate Oil, Hello Coconut Oil When Shiny Leaf was launched in August 2016, one of our pioneer products was the Pomegranate Seed Oil. Touted as a superfood, pomegranate is a popular fruit believed to carry antioxidant-rich nutrients that account for its many benefits. It is known to help lower inflammation and improve overall health. The oil is often cold-pressed from the fruit’s seeds. It is used in cosmetic products like serums and creams. Pomegranate seed oil is best for DIY skincare recipes. It contains vitamin C, which offers regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. The good news is we found a better alternative that provides the same benefits, plus more! The Fractionated Coconut Oil is a new item in our natural oils collection. It is a lightweight oil that cares gently for your hair and skin. It has incredible hydrating and moisturizing benefits that helps in reducing fine lines and wrinkles just like the anti-aging benefits that pomegranate seed oil offers. Coconut oil is also an excellent hair treatment that stimulates hair follicles. And it also works perfectly as a carrier oil in massage aromatherapy. Bye Rose Absolute Oil, Hello Sweet Almond Oil Another pioneer product, the Rose Absolute Oil was replaced by our Sweet Almond Oil. The Rose Absolute Oil was an absolute favorite when it comes to skincare. It provides the skin moisturizing benefits with the passionate aroma of roses. The smell has a calming effect. That’s why rose absolute oil is also a staple for aromatherapy. With just a few drops, this oil can make your room smell like a thousand roses. The rose absolute oil is also super lightweight and evaporates easily. For this reason, skincare junkies wanted something richer in texture when applied to the skin. That’s why we searched an alternative. It took us a while but the wait is worth it when we finally introduced the Sweet Almond Oil in November 2020. Our Sweet Almond Oil is as heavenly as the Rose Absolute Oil. It has a sweet nutty aroma and a medium to light consistency, which feels luxurious on the skin but does not leave a greasy feeling. It absorbs fast and can also be used for a relaxing body massage. It blends well with other types of oils, so you can use it for various DIY hair and skin recipes at home. Bye Argan Oil Products, Hello DHT Blocker Set We can’t deny that our argan oil product line was a surefire hit among our customers. The line consisted of an argan oil-infused shampoo, conditioner, and argan oil in its pure form. We introduced this line as our anti-hair loss solution but it didn’t take long when we finally decided to replace it with a stronger hair loss treatment line – the DHT Blocker Set. The DHT Blocker Set includes a shampoo and conditioner, both infused with DHT-blocking ingredients such as rosemary leaf oil and asparagus cochinchinensis extract. These ingredients are far more potent than argan oil when it comes to preventing hair loss. They work by targeting hair loss at the roots—literally—because DHT blockers work on the hair follicles. DHT or Dihydrotestosterone is a male hormone that can accumulate in the hair follicles. This blocks blood flow to the hair follicles, preventing nutrients from coming in. As a result, the hair follicles starve, shrink, and fall out without growing back. The purpose of DHT blockers is to prevent this from happening. With the DHT Blocker Shampoo and Conditioner, you get the benefits of anti-hair loss in combination with the benefits of other nourishing ingredients. Our DHT Blocker set also contains biotin and castor oil, which are known ingredients to help with hair growth. So, your hair stays shiny and strong as it grows thicker and fuller. But wait, there’s more! We know you really miss the argan oil product collection. That’s why they are returning soon as a new and improved set, to be launched early next year. Bye Tea Tree Oil Set, Hello Castor Oil Super Set Our Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner Set was referred to as the anti-dandruff set of our collection. But it was in September of the year 2020 that we decided to discontinue this set to focus on improving our Castor Oil Super Set. The Shiny Leaf Castor Oil Super Set is composed of three amazing products: Castor Oil Shampoo, Castor Oil Conditioner, and the Organic Castor Oil. We made the shampoo and conditioner an even better pair together. The new formula of the shampoo contains higher amounts of castor oil for better hair growth and shine. For the conditioner, we worked on making its Hair Rescue Formula stronger by adding more hair-caring ingredients like honey extract and coconut oil. All these hydrating ingredients help with dry scalp to reduce flaking. The keratin amino acids in the conditioner also help strengthen the strands to manage hair fall. Bye ActivHair, Hello enHAIRgy Remember our ActivHair Supplement? Now, it’s called the enHAIRgy Supplement. They provide the same benefits for anti-hair loss and hair growth boost, but with significant difference in the ingredients. The enHAIRgy Supplement contains higher amounts of active ingredients known to block DHT. These are natural ingredients like saw palmetto, horsetail, stinging nettle, fo-ti root, pygeum bark, and green tea leaf. It also contains higher amounts of vitamins A and B7 (also known as Biotin). This supplement has no fillers inside and is made with a veggie capsule. It is 100% vegetarian formula, gluten-free, and digests fast in the stomach. EnHAIRgy became available for everyone on September 2020 as part of the Shiny Leaf Wellness line. Keeps Getting Better, Stronger, Shinier! The Shiny Leaf story began with a mission to provide effective and high-quality natural products that fit your lifestyle and your budget. At the same time, we didn’t want to diminish your confidence in the products that we provide. So, we always try to find a happy medium between effectivity and price, to offer you the best products that will satisfy both conditions. With every product we develop, our customers, and how it will benefit them, is at the core of our efforts. We keep improving because we want to give you the best care that you deserve. With your trust at stake, we continue to strive for what is stronger, what works better, and what helps you achieve your goals when it comes caring and loving yourself. We promise that the Shiny Leaf collection will continue it’s top of the line product offers in the years ahead.
Learn more
The Hurtful Evils of Hexane to Beauty, Brain, and Body
Hexane is a chemical that many people may not be aware of but is present in some day-to-day products we use. It has been recognized for years to cause long-lasting, even permanent, nerve damage. A large quantity of hexane is produced in the United States each year in the form of solvents. It is commonly used in different industries such as printing, shoe making, textiles, automotive, and furniture. Many consumers purchase and use products containing hexane without being aware of the health risks. It is easily inhaled and absorbed through the skin. To avoid the negative effects of hexane, it is important to understand its properties, dangers, and available alternatives. What is Hexane? The chemical formula for hexane is C6H14. It is a colorless liquid that is highly flammable and does not mix with water. It gives off a subtle, gasoline-like odor but it is odorless when pure. This industrial chemical is used to extract edible oils from seeds and vegetables. It is also used as a solvent and cleaning agent. Hexane is a significant component of gasoline. How is Hexane Produced Hexane is a common industrial chemical derived from petroleum and are commonly obtained by refining crude oil. It can be taken from many sources like gasoline, camping fuel, and many hydrocarbon-based solvents. Common Uses of Hexane Even though most consumers are unfamiliar with hexane and its adverse effects to human health, it serves a number of industrial, commercial, and household purposes. Food Industry - The main use of hexane as a solvent is to extract edible oils from seeds and vegetable crops such as soybeans, nuts, and corn. Beauty Industry – Just like in the food industry, hexane is used as a solvent for oil seed extraction used as key ingredients in natural beauty products. There are brands that use hexane to extract oils such as castor oil, almond oil, and argan oil. These oils are used for hair and skin. They can also be added to haircare and skincare products like lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. Craft Supplies – Commercial grade hexane is used as solvent for varnishes, paints, glues, rubber cement, and adhesives. It is also present in stain removers, spray paints, and craft paints. It is used as a special glue in roofing, shoemaking, and leather goods. Printing Industry – Hexane is used as a cleansing agent in printers. Textile Manufacturing – Hexane is used as a cleaning agent. Laboratory – Hexane is typically used in laboratories for extracting oil and grease contaminants from water and soil for analysis. Hazards of Hexane Now that we have identified the different applications of hexane, it is also important to understand the negative effects of hexane for you – that includes your appearance and your overall health. Beauty Hexane is not actually used as an ingredient, but as a solvent to extract natural oils used in haircare and skincare products. When contaminated with hexane, your beauty products can be harmful in the long run. Aside from inhalation, hexane can also affect you by passing through the skin. Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. It may also cause eye and skin irritation with direct contact. Brain The effect of hexane is mostly on the brain. If exposures are high and occur frequently over months or years, effects on the brain can be long-lasting and possibly permanent. The most likely route of human exposure to hexane is by inhalation. Short-term exposure through inhalation of high levels of hexane causes mild effect to the central nervous system. This may involve feelings of dizziness, slight nausea, and headache. Long-term exposure to hexane in air may cause numbness on the extremities, muscle weakness, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness. Body High levels of exposure have been linked to a medical condition called peripheral neuropathy. It is characterized by numbness and tingling in the feet, legs, and hands. The muscles feel weak and there is also a lesser sensitivity to touch, pain, vibration, and temperature. In severe cases, muscles may shrink and lead to paralysis. Hexane vapors may cause dermatitis and irritation of the eyes and throat in humans. If swallowed, hexane can cause severe abdominal pain and cause difficulty in breathing, cough, and burning of the mouth, throat or chest. Exposure to Hexane and First Aid Getting exposed to hexane and having potential health risks are common to people who are dealing with hexane in the workplace on a regular basis. Constant use of products that contain hexane can also be a point of exposure. Shoe makers, refinery workers, lab technicians, printers, construction workers, auto mechanics, and some consumers may be at risk of exposure. Because of the negative effects of hexane, it is important to know what to do in case of accidental exposure. Inhalation Hexane evaporates easily, so breathing contaminated air during manufacture and use of the chemical is the most common form of exposure. In case of inhalation of hexane, move the patient to area with fresh air. Losen tight clothing such as belt or collar. If breathing becomes difficult, oxygen should be administered. A trained person may begin a rescue breathing if breathing stops or CPR if the patient becomes unconscious. Call for medical assistance immediately. Eye Contact In case of eye contact, remove contact lenses if necessary and immediately flush eyes with running water for 15 to 20 minutes. Consult a physician before applying any ointment or taking medications. Skin Contact In case of skin contact, quickly remove contaminated clothing. Wash the affected area immediately with soap and water. Treat the area with anti-bacterial cream to avoid infections. Ingestion If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. If the patient is conscious, drink one to two glasses of water to dilute the chemical. Never give anything by mouth to a person who is unconscious or convulsing. Seek medical attention immediately. Other Safety Precautions Wear protective clothing such as cloves, safety goggles, and nose and mouth cover when working with hexane. Do not smoke, drink, or eat when within the area where hexane is present. Seek medical attention after direct exposure to hexane, especially if you experience severe symptoms. How Hexane is Regulated Now The Congress specifically identified hexane as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act. It is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Certain steps had been taken to address exposures to hexane especially when released to outdoor air. Workplaces were required to take action in order to minimize exposure of workers. Companies need some disclosure requirements for environmental releases. Safer, Effective Substitutes to Hexane are Available Water-based cleaners are good alternatives to hexane in the industries where meticulous cleaning is required. Unfortunately, despite the well-known severe negative effects of hexane, this toxic substance is still present in many consumer products we use every single day. The reason behind is mostly because hexane is cheaper when it comes to operational costs. When extracting oils from seeds, the cold-pressing method is a safer alternative. Cold-pressing means manually pressing the seeds using a mechanical press machine to extract the oils. This does not involve heat or chemicals to preserve the purity and properties of the oil. Then the oil is filtered to remove impurities. A great example is the Cold-Pressed Castor Oil offered by Shiny Leaf. It is organic, natural, and hexane-free! Stay Healthy with Hexane-Free Products Anyone can be exposed to hexane when using household products that contain hexane. It can be present in some personal care products that contain natural seed oils. Some common types of these oils are argan oil, castor oil, and almond oil. Some manufacturers of these beauty products use hexane as solvent for extraction because of economic reasons. We, at Shiny Leaf, want to ensure the quality of our products. That’s why we are confident that the natural oils we offer are 100% pure and hexane-free. We use the process called cold-pressing in order to take the natural oils from their raw materials. Cold-pressed oils are found to be more effective. They contain the highest amounts of nutrients that are beneficial for your hair and skin. The castor oil, sweet almond oil, and argan oil used in our products are very nourishing. They are certified organic and safe for all. You will enjoy using them for your daily beauty routines without worrying about the negative effects of hexane for your body and health.
Learn more
Ditching Chemical-Based Haircare Products for Healthier Hair and Ocean
Ask any haircare expert what kind of shampoo and/or conditioner is the best choice for keeping hair healthy, and they would all say the same thing: a sulfate-free and paraben-free one. And that’s because sulfates, parabens, and other chemical-based ingredients like hexane and silicones can be damaging to hair. Most of these ingredients are not only harsh, they can also irritate the scalp/skin. They can wash down our drains and end up in marine communities, causing water contamination and affecting marine life. When picking the right shampoo, the most commercially popular brand is not typically the best. With the growing awareness of the bad effects of certain cosmetic ingredients, beauty companies have become determined more than ever to discover the best sulfate-free and paraben-free formula of their shampoos and conditioners. Sulfate-free and paraben-free hair care products have become in demand and are now readily available in the market. No worries because they don’t cost a fortune. But before you make the switch, take a closer look at each harmful ingredient to understand why you should avoid them. What are Sulfates, Parabens, Hexane, and Silicone? Sulfates If shampoo ads featuring women shampooing their hair with seemingly endless foam easily wins you over, you really have to think twice. The ingredient behind that rich lather is sulfate. Rather than leading to healthy, shiny hair, using a shampoo that is not sulfate-free actually strips away the natural oils and moisture from your hair. Sulfates are synthetic ingredients based on sulfur, which is derived from petrolatum or other sources. Common sulfates found in shampoos and conditioners are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES). The main thing about sulfates is that these are detergents or cleansers that deliberately remove dirt and excess oil. But they are extremely strong that they can strip away that natural moisture, which keeps your hair shiny and soft. Bad Effects of Sulfates: Causes hair and skin to go dry and damaged in the long run On a deeper level, have the potential to cause hormonal disruption in humans and animals Can corrode and damage the hair follicles, leading to hair loss Major contaminant in natural waters Parabens An easy way to remember what parabens are for is to take note of its first letter (the letter P). P is for preservative. Parabens are most frequently used in personal care products to preserve them from growing fungus, bacteria or microbes. They are commonly found in some lotions, makeup, food, and pharmaceuticals. By knowing the negative effects of parabens, you would prefer more a paraben-free shampoo and conditioner every time you shop. Bad Effects of Parabens: Unwanted health problems such as increased risk of developing cancer May disrupt hormones in the body and affect fertility, reproductive organs, and birth outcomes Poses potential health risks to marine animals such as polar bears and dolphins Can also cause skin irritation Linked to ecological harm especially to corals Hexane Hexane in beauty products is not actually used as an ingredient, rather it is used to extract an ingredient from its raw materials. For example, natural oils taken from seeds, nuts, or vegetables may be extracted using hexane as a solvent. Some manufactures of products like castor oil or almond oil prefer to use hexane for economic reasons. To help preserve the purity of our castor oil products, we make sure that we use castor oil that is cold-pressed, certified organic, and hexane-free. Bad Effects of Hexane: Severe exposure may affect the nervous system Inhalation may cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and even unconsciousness If swallowed, may cause abdominal pain and impact the respiratory system Eye and skin contact may cause irritation Silicone Silicones are synthetic polymers – substances with properties similar to plastics and resins. They are usually added to haircare products to give hair extra shine and smoothness. There are many types of silicones and a great way to know if your shampoo or conditioner contains them is to look for words ending in ‘cone’ on the ingredient list like “dimethicone”. Because of the hair benefits of silicone, there’s little debate whether it’s good or bad. It is not necessarily harmful (because silicone isn’t a toxic chemical) but if you have a curly or wavy hair – whether natural or permed – it would be best to look for a silicone-free shampoo and conditioner. Bad Effects of Silicone: Hair gets weighed down and appear greasy Forms a layer around the hair shaft which can prevent moisture and nutrients from penetrating Quite difficult to wash off and can create a buildup over time, leading to dry and brittle hair How Bad Ingredients Can Affect Marine Life Ingredients toxic to human health eventually wind up in aquatic ecosystems. Scientists have raised awareness about personal care products like shower gels, facial washes, sunscreens, including shampoos and conditioners containing sulfates and parabens can be bad for environment. When we rinse off our hair every time we use a shampoo and conditioner, the products are washed down the drain with the water. Water waste treatment plants don’t usually break down all these ingredients and some make their way to the marine environment. This causes toxicity in water, hurting the marine ecosystem. Corals become in danger due to induced bleaching, damage, and deformation. Fishes and other water animals accumulate toxins that can impair growth, decrease fertility and reproduction, and damage their immune system. Although measures have been put in place over the years, a throng of bad ingredients are still present in everyday personal care products. It is now up to all of us to make the right choices to avoid upsetting our marine ecosystems and polluting the world’s oceans. Shiny Leaf Natural Products Do Not Contain Any Sulfates, Parabens, Hexane nor Silicone With an overwhelming number of choices for shampoos and conditioners, it’s easy to get lost and end up picking the ones that are potentially harmful. As it is always said in the cosmetics industry, “not all products are created equal.” Therefore, looking closely at the ingredients of the product is a fair step in avoiding products filled with ingredients that are bad for you and the marine life. Choose Haircare Products Made with Natural Ingredients Most brands in the cosmetics and personal care industry have taken action by releasing organic or all-natural lines. The smartest move is to choose these types of products. Just make sure to always check the label before you check out. By doing so, you can avoid buying products that contain major marine life culprits such as sulfates and parabens. Other harmful ingredients are triclosan, UV filters, and saponins. Use only products that contain certified all-natural and organic ingredients. They are caring for you (your skin, hair, and health) and they don’t harm our beloved ocean. In Shiny Leaf, we use oils and plant extracts along with other safe alternatives in creating our natural products. Oils and Extracts If you want to embark on a chemical-free hair care routine, opt for products infused with plant-based ingredients with natural hydrating properties. Great examples are castor oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, almond oil, and nourishing extracts from coconut, aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea. These are often found in silicone-free conditioner and shampoo products. They offer a natural way to nourish hair, leaving it with the same shiny look. Other Safer Ingredients Shampooing is more enjoyable when you feel the suds working through your hair and scalp. You can still get that lather that you want using a shampoo with sulfate-free formula. Usually, sulfate-free shampoos would use safer alternatives such as coco glucosides and sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, which are derived from coconut. A paraben-free conditioner or shampoo would usually contain phenoxyethanol as a much safer alternative. Similarly, sodium benzoate (and benzoic acid), sodium benzoate (and potassium sorbate) and benzyl alcohol are valid alternatives. By making smart choices, you can greatly help to care for the ocean while keeping your hair beautiful. And when summer comes, you can enjoy the carefree time on the beach because you know our marine life is healthy, safe, and protected. ALSO REMEMBER: Did you know that plastics used for product packaging such as bottles and sachets can also harm the oceans? And we all know that plastics don’t go away just like that. Plastic packaging can block water ways and can cause water pollution. It is good to know that Shiny Leaf shampoo and conditioner bottles are recyclable. Remember to do recycling in your household to help save our oceans and our planet!
Learn more