Do you like to DIY? We love a good DIY project but usually it isn't the most relaxing of things. But you're in luck because our Powdered Facial Masks are both of those- DIY and relaxing!! Like we said in our 4 Simple Tips for Naturally Glowing Skin Blog, using a natural face mask is an excellent way to treat your skin and see some incredible benefits as a result! But we all have different skin types, which means we have different concerns and needs when it comes to a face mask. Luckily, our DIY masks give you the ability to customize them specifically for your skin type! But do you have dry skin in the winter, oily skin in the summer, & combo skin in between? I'm sure you don't want to buy masks for all of those different times. That's where our customizable Powdered Facial Masks come in handy. You can customize them not only to your skin type, but you can customize them for any season, any area, or any preference! Like the image below (our little cheat sheet for you), you can put one mixture on your oily areas, one on your dry areas, and the other everywhere else!

So now you know why they're amazing? But now here's how to use them:

Mix a little less than a capful of mask with water or your choice of liquid until it makes a paste. In a circular motion apply to the face avoiding the eyes. Allow to sit on the skin for up to 10 minutes (or longer if you have the time). Rinse away & apply moisturizer. Repeat each week or as needed.

Like our picture above shows, here's what we suggest you mix into your mask but it's always up to you!
Dry Skin: anything rich and creamy, such as cream, honey or extra virgin olive oil.

Normal/Combination Skin: water or milk.

Oily Skin: tomato juice, witch hazel or any slightly acidic fruit. 

Some other tips and tricks that we love about our masks?

Tip 1: if you take the mask (any mask but we love Cafe Mocha for this trick), and mix only a tad bit of water in it, it's an amazing exfoliator that isn't too rough!

Tip 2: Caffeine is said to help reduce cellulite and our Cafe Mocha Mask has caffeine in it. So take a handful with you in the shower and rub that Cafe Mocha Mask all over those areas with a bit of cellulite! Warning, this is messy! We're not saying it'll make your cellulite disappear but it's worth a shot ;)

Tip 3: Use the Yogurt Facial Mask after using a different Mask for a luxurious facial. 

Tip 4: Follow your powdered mask with Squalane Oil to moisturize and keep that glow!

do you have any Facial Mask Tips & Tricks! Let us know by emailing info@rinsesoap.com so we can share your tips with everyone!

When is the last time you took a look at the ingredients list for the skincare products you use on a daily basis? That moisturizer you slather on every morning? The soap you use? Your favorite face mask? You might be surprised to find that many of the most commonly available products that are absolute staples of store shelves include long lists of chemical ingredients with questionable reputations! When you consider that the skin is the largest organ of the human body, and that anything we put on our skin gets absorbed, it can make you take pause and think twice about what you choose to put on your skin.   

Many of the chemically-laden products have harmful side effects – both immediate and potential long-term side effects. They have been known to irritate skin, cause dryness, redness, and generally be overly harsh on the skin. In addition, the questions surrounding the internal effects of absorbing chemically toxic products can send a shiver down your spine! It’s no wonder than many people are seeking out clean, natural, and safe alternatives.

We all know the beauty industry is complicated enough as it is, and the idea of transitioning to a natural skincare routine can be overwhelming, but it’s a lot easier than you might think! We recommend starting small to build new habits and then expanding from there. And the best place we can think of to start your transition is by swapping out your facial care products! The skin on your face is some of the most delicate skin of your entire body, and it deserves extra special care!

We’ve rounded up some of our top tips for going natural with your facial skin care. You’re way too pretty to take chances with your skin! Keep on reading for some of our favorite tips and products that can help you successfully transition to a more natural and safe skin care routine.

TIP #1: Slather on the Natural Sunscreen

If we could give you just ONE tip to protect your pretty face it would be WEAR SPF EVERY DAY. NO. MATTER. WHAT. We are super passionate about this because it’s such a simple thing that can make a massive difference in protecting your skin! We all know SPF protects skin from harmful UV rays, it lowers your skin cancer risk, and it helps to prevent premature aging! It’s seriously the MVP of the morning routine! We are huge fans of natural sunscreens that don’t contain a bunch of harsh chemicals. Check out our Organic SPF 30 Sunscreen for an excellent safe and effective option!

TIP #2: Say Goodbye to Dirt & Grime with Natural Cleansers

Okay, now that we’ve covered that important point, let’s move to one of the most basic but important products we need for our facial skin: cleansers! As you already know, the skin on the face is typically more sensitive than skin elsewhere on the body which means it’s important that we use a cleanser that is both gentle and effective. We never recommend using your shampoo, body wash, or a commercial grade soap on your face! We hate to break it to you, but most of the commercial “soaps” in the soap aisle aren’t actually soap at all. Most of them are labeled as “beauty bars” or “detergents”. These products are known for stripping the skin not only of dirt, but also of the natural and beneficial oils that we actually need!

Instead of reaching for the commercial stuff, look for products that are more natural. One of the key features of a good natural soap is one that contains “glycerin” which is a humectant that attracts moisture from the air to your skin. A well formulated natural bar of soap is going to cleanse the top layer of dirt, and simultaneously leave your skins naturally occurring oils.

Two of our favorite facial soaps are Dead Sea Mud Soap and Casteel Soap. Both are natural, glycerin-containing soaps that are excellent for using on your delicate facial skin!

Our Dead Sea Mud Soap is made from 100% naturally derived ingredients including mud straight out of the Dead Sea in Israel! This soap is a game changer for anyone with tricky skin issues. The minerals from the Dead Sea mud are incredibly purifying and help to give the skin a deep cleaning without being harsh. This soap is our best-selling soap and is known to be a great option for anyone with eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. Check out our Dead Sea Mud blog for all the details about the incredible benefits of Dead Sea mud!

Another fantastic facial soap is Casteel Soap. This is one of the most gentle cleansers you could use. In fact, it’s made simply of saponified olive oil. It’s perfect for the most sensitive of skin types. It cleans well, but won’t cause any irritation!

TIP #3: Mask Up to Reveal Your Best Skin Ever!

Now that we’ve covered how to naturally clean your skin, let’s talk about how to naturally treat your skin to a little TLC! One of the best ways to do that is to mask up! No, not that kind of mask 😉

Using a natural face mask is an excellent way to treat your skin and see some incredible benefits as a result! We all have different skin types which means we have different concerns and needs when it comes to a face mask. Luckily, Rinse has something for everyone! Our DIY masks give you the ability to customize them specifically for your skin type! Dry skin? Mix them with something rich and creamy like honey or olive oil. Normal or combination skin? Mix with water or milk. Oily skin? Try mixing with tomato juice, witch hazel, or any slightly acidic fruit.

Check out our facial mask lineup to find something perfect for your skin!

• Oatbrasion Mask: This DIY mask is made with powdered pumice, colloidal oatmeal, and powdered honey. Each carefully chosen ingredient plays a critical role in this mask! The powdered pumice makes for a super fine physical exfoliant, while the colloidal oatmeal works for sooth the skin and reduce redness. The powdered honey provides the skin with natural hydration so that you are left with some of the softest, freshest skin you’ve ever experienced!

• Café Mocha Mask: This DIY mask is like an espresso for your face! It’s made with antioxidant and slightly caffeinated ingredients such as cocoa powder and coffee which both work to exfoliate your skin and wake it up! It also features powdered honey for some added hydrating effects.

• Charclay Mask: Enjoy the benefits of the perfect blend of Activated Charcoal and Bentonite Clay that work together beautifully to freshen and soften your skin, all while purifying it leaving it squeaky clean and refreshed!

• Yogurt Mask: This unique mask features enzymes that help to clear away impurities all while leaving you with skin that is soft and nourished! It’s made with powdered yogurt to moisturize the skin, as well as kaolin clay to smooth the skin. In addition it features powdered honey which gives it an extra moisturizing boost as well as antimicrobial properties!

• Dead Sea Mud: We’ve already mentioned the phenomenal benefits of Dead Sea mud in soap form, but it’s also amazing as a face mask! It’s purifying, nourishing, cleansing, and soothing! Perfect for all skin types, it’s a dream come true!

TIP # 4: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

Our last tip is to find a natural moisturizer for your face! There are an endless number of moisturizers on the market and trying to find the “right one” for you can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. While the beauty industry does it’s best to over complicate it, we actually think moisturizing your skin can and should be quite simple. Using a high quality natural soap that won’t strip the skin in combination with using a facial mask that helps to hydrate the skin can go a long way towards keeping your face moisturized.

When it comes to using a daily moisturizer, we’re huge fans of Squalane Oil. It’s a light, scentless, and quickly absorbing non-comedogenic oil that is loved for it’s ability to promote cell elasticity, cell regeneration, and even help to fight fine lines and wrinkles! It helps to keep skin clear and healthy thanks to it’s antioxidant properties, and it’s gentle and safe for all skin types! Squalane is quickly gaining in popularity thanks to it’s many benefits! Check out our blog on Squalane Oil to learn even more!

Here at Rinse, we are obviously big fans of natural products, especially Essential Oils. It would be impossible to pick a favorite, but one that definitely ranks towards the top of our list is Tea Tree Oil! Sometimes it feels like Tea Tree Oil doesn’t quite get the attention it deserves. It may not be as flashy and well known as Peppermint Oil or Lavender Oil, but it sure has some knock-out benefits that we’re certain you will love!

Tea Tree Oil is derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia (yeah, we can’t pronounce it either!), commonly known as the Tea Tree! This unique tree is native to Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. The oil is obtained through a process of steam distilling the leaves to extract the oil. Tea Tree Oil has been used for centuries. The Aboriginal people of Australia discovered the benefits of the oil first. They would crush the leaves to extract the oil which they would use to treat a wide variety of ailments including cuts, burns, and skin infections. They would even bathe in lagoons that were under Tea Trees. The leaves would fall into the waters which would essentially create natural antiseptic baths. The benefits of the Tea Tree quickly became known throughout Australia and physicians began using the oil to sterilize wounds after surgery. Tea Tree Oil was even issued to Australian soldiers during WWII for the treatment of wounds, infections, and more. It wasn’t until more recent history that the “secret” of Tea Tree Oil made it’s way around the world. It has since been widely studied and has become extremely popular among those looking for natural remedies to common ailments and those looking for natural additions to their beauty routines!

So what makes Tea Tree Oil so unique? This powerful, purifying oil has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In fact, it is the only oil that actually has an effect on bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. It’s basically an oil straight out of mother natures medicine closet! It has become a popular ingredient in many beauty and skincare products. It can be found in skin creams, massage oils, hair products, and more. Because this oil is so potent, it is not recommended to apply it topically to skin without a carrier oil. Also, it should be noted that despite it’s name including the word “tea,” this oil should never be swallowed!

The uses for Tea Tree Oil are nearly endless. We’ve listed out some of the most common uses below!

Popular Uses:

• Acne & Pimples – No one appreciates those pesky pimples that can pop up at the most inconvenient times. For those who deal with frequent breakouts, Tea Tree Oil may be a natural solution! Several studies from the past couple of decades indicate that Tea Tree Oil is useful in fighting mild to moderate acne and helping to clear up pimples. Because this oil has naturally anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it is able to help lower bacteria levels on the skin, thus helping to reduce outbreaks. For those concerned that using Tea Tree Oil might clog pores, no need to worry! This oil is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog up your skin! Give our Tea Tree Mint Soap a shot if you're looking for a gentle, yet powerful Tea Tree Oil cleanser! 

• Dry Skin & Eczema – Tea Tree Oil is an excellent natura solution for treating dry skin and even can be effective at treating eczema. If you have ever dealt with eczema, you know how frustrating this chronic condition can be. The many antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties of Tea Tree Oil make it an effective treatment. In fact, a study conducted in 2011 found that topically applied Tea Tree Oil was even more effective at treating eczema than zinc oxide and clobetasone buyrate creams. As always, it is important to use a carrier oil when treating dry skin with Tea Tree Oil. Check out our ready-to-use Tea Tree Mint Body Spread for a quick solution for treating dry skin!

• Oily Skin – If you are someone who battles oily skin, Tea Tree Oil may just be your new best friend! It’s antiseptic properties have been shown to be effective at combating oily skin. Adding just a few drops to your daily moisturizer can help to break up and remove unwanted surface oils from your skin.

• Inflammation – Tea Tree Oil is fantastic for helping to sooth inflamed and irritated skin. It has even been shown to help reduce histamine-induced skin inflammation. Give our Tea Tree Body Bliss Oil a shot for helping to soothe irritated skin.

• Cuts/Wounds/Infections – As we mentioned before, this powerful oil was given to Australian soldiers back during WWII so that they could help to treat cuts & wounds. That’s a pretty ringing endorsement speaking to the effectiveness of Tea Tree Oil! It’s antibacterial properties make it a fantastic natural option for helping to heal wounds.

• Hair & Scalp Health – Tea Tree is excellent for helping with a dry scalp or dry hair. Improper cleaning of hair follicles on the scalp can lead to clogged pores which can lead to dandruff or even hair loss. Tea Tree Oil can help to cleanse the scalp, helping to reduce dandruff. It also can make hair follicles more receptive to nutrition which can help to generally support healthy hair. Adding a few drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil to your shampoo can be a real game changer!

• Psoriasis – Many people who suffer from this autoimmune skin condition have reported that they find relief from using Tea Tree Oil. Many find that it is soothing when applied to the bothersome, scaly patches caused by psoriasis.

• Athletes Foot – If you’ve ever dealt with Athlete’s Foot, you know that this common foot infection can wreak some serious havoc on your feet leaving them feeling scaly, itching, or even painful. Tea Tree Oil can be used as an effective home remedy. Using it with a carrier such as coconut oil may help to treat both the cause (fungus) and the symptoms of this condition. Check out our Tea Tree Mint Loofah Soap which can help to cleanse rough foot skin, as well as our Tea Tree Soaking Salts to give your feet a refreshing, cleansing soak! 

• Burns – While no one ever plans to get burned, it’s unfortunately a reality of life that it happens from time to time! When you are dealing with a burn to your skin, Tea Tree Oil can be an effective home remedy to help provide some much needed relief. It’s antiseptic and antimicrobial properties can help to keep the burned skin clean, while also helping to accelerate the healing which may in turn help reduce the appearance of scars.

• Bug Bites – Yet another unavoidable reality of life, especially during the Summer! If you are sugary sweet and tend to get eaten up by biting bugs, this oil is for you! It can be very helpful for alleviating bug bite pain and reducing inflammation caused by it. Check out our Tea Tree Oil Roll-On for a pre-made, ready-to-apply, convenient option for spot treating those pesky bug bites! 

• Aromatherapy – Tea Tree Oil can be added to a diffuser for a purifying, calming environment. This is great for times when you want to let your brain and body get a little rest and relaxation!

• Expectorant – Australian Aboriginal people have long used a method of crushing Tea Tree leaves and inhaling the oil to help alleviate coughs and colds. It is a little easier to access these days, but the effectiveness of Tea Tree Oils as an expectorant has not changed! Diffusing the oil in combination with using it in a massage oil can help to act as an expectorant, providing relief from coughs, colds, and congestion.

• Cleaning – As many of us are looking to move from traditional (potentially toxic) cleaning products to more natural and safe solutions, we should definitely consider using Tea Tree Oil in our natural cleaning product lineup! Making a home made cleaner is super simple and can be done by adding about 10 drops of the oil to 2 cups of hot water and ½ cup of vinegar! This DIY all purpose cleaner solution can safely and naturally help to disinfect surfaces in your home. Just be sure to steer clear of using it on any granite surfaces!

While our list of uses for Tea Tree Oil could go on for what feels like forever, we think you kind of get the point… this stuff is awesome! Hopefully this list has helped to educate you on how powerful and versatile this oil really is. If you’re ready to give it a try, we’ve got quite a few products that might be just what you’re looking for!  

Here at Rinse, we are all about natural skin care. We believe that natural products are better for our skin, and we believe that they can be just as effective as conventional products. In many cases, we would argue they are actually more effective! In our never-ending search for natural skin care ingredients that are truly effective, there is one ingredient we have come to genuinely LOVE for its many skin-loving benefits. It’s a 100% natural ingredient that comes straight from the Earth. We love it so much that we put it into soaps, masks, and even a body polish… So, what is this remarkable ingredient we speak of? Dead Sea Mud, of course!

Despite its name, the Dead Sea is actually a lake located in the Middle East that borders Jordan on its east and Israel on its right. It has a rich and storied history dating back to ancient times. Many of us grew up learning of its low elevation (the lowest on Earth!) and its incredibly high salt content (saltier than the ocean!). We probably remember learning that those who take a swim in the Dead Sea actually float without even trying due to the high salinity. It always seemed like a magical place, but there is more magic to be found there in the mineral-rich mud! While not everyone has heard of the benefits of Dead Sea mud, you may be surprised to learn that the benefits are not a new discovery at all. In fact, it is said that this mud was a favorite beauty product of ancient leaders dating back to Cleopatra and the Queen of Sheba! If it was good enough for them, it is good enough for us!

What Makes Dead Sea Mud So Good For Skin?

We all know that the Dead Sea has an excessively high salt (sodium) content, but there are far more minerals that are dissolved in the Dead Sea. Dead Sea mud is some of the most mineral-rich mud on Earth, containing a total of 21 minerals! The list of minerals includes sodium, magnesium, calcium, bromine, iodine, zinc, bitumen, sulfur, and potassium. Many of these minerals have known therapeutic, detoxifying, relieving, and healing properties. The high concentration of these minerals found in this mud makes Dead Sea mud a potent ingredient in a variety of natural skin care products. Curious what some of these minerals are known for?

• Sodium: This mineral is known to have moisturizing properties which means it can be super helpful when it comes to locking in hydration. It's also an excellent ingredient for cleansing and exfoliating.
• Magnesium: This mineral is known to work as a calming agent and to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help with overall appearance of skin. Some have even reported it helping to reduce skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis!
• Calcium: This mineral is known to promote cell regeneration and skin growth. Also known for helping to retain moisture.
• Zinc: This mineral is known to help rejuvenate and heal skin. Many have reported that Zinc is helpful when it comes to acne, reducing signs of aging, and providing protection from the sun!
• Sulfur: Helpful for clearing pores and known for it’s healing and antibacterial properties

 Another amazing fact about Dead Sea Mud is that it is universally beneficial. Unlike many products and ingredients, Dead Sea mud can safely be used on a wide range of skin types. When used topically, it is fantastic for dry skin, normal skin, and even oily skin! This is great news because most everyone falls into one of those buckets! So, that’s a long way of saying that Dead Sea mud is great for everyone!

Benefits of Dead Sea Mud

With all those amazing minerals present in Dead Sea mud, you probably have a good idea of what the skin-care benefits are from using this mud, but we'll break it down for you a little more! If you're wondering "What's the bottom line? What can Dead Sea Mud do for me?," here are a few of our favorite benefits:

• Purifying – It might be hard to think of mud as a purifying cleanser, but consider this a truth stranger than fiction! Dead Sea Mud works to clean and purify the skin, ridding it of unwanted dirt and grime. It helps to draw out unwanted toxins and other build up to remove it from the skin. Aside from having cleaner skin, an added benefit of this is that it can help to make pores look smaller, resulting in more smooth and refined-looking skin!
• Exfoliating – Considering that Dead Sea mud is made up of salt and minerals, it has a fine texture that makes it an excellent natural exfoliator. It has a gentle pulling action that helps to exfoliate the skin while the minerals in the mud invigorate the skin. Exfoliating the skin is a great way to get rid of those unwanted dead skin cells to reveal softer, more radiant skin below!
• Hydrating – Dead Sea Mud is a great option for helping to restore skin’s moisture levels. The hydrating effects of this mud are excellent for those dealing with skin issues such as dryness, patchiness, and cracking. Get the hydration boost you have been looking for from a natural source!
• Clearing – Using Dead Sea mud is a great option for clarifying your skin. The mineral-rich content of the mud has been known to help clear complexion for healthier skin. Many have reported that using Dead Sea Mud on the skin has helped with clearing a wide variety of tricky skin conditions including acne, eczema, and more!
• Soothing – Who doesn't need a little skin soothing? People travel from near and far to enjoy the soothing relief of the Dead Sea. Many report that the mud provides a soothing effect on their skin, as well as on tired joints and muscles! 

The benefits of Dead Sea mud are nearly endless! The fact that people throughout the centuries have taken advantage of the magical mud speaks volumes about it's effectiveness. With so much goodness packed into a naturally occurring mud, it’s no wonder it has become such a popular skin care ingredient in many products today!

Many Ways To Take Advantage of Dead Sea Mud

Now that you know all the amazing benefits of Dead Sea mud, you may be wondering "How can I get my hands on this!?". No worries... We have you covered! Check out some of our favorite products featuring our favorite magical mud! There are many applications for how to use the mud... everything from soap (and soap sticks), to facial masks and salt scrubs! We import mud directly from the Dead Sea (in Israel) to put in our products. It is the same high quality stuff used in spa's! Let us bring the Dead Sea to you!

Dead Sea Mud Soap: This soap is an excellent way to get the benefits of Dead Sea mud in a soap form! The Dead Sea mud is blended with incredible spa-like scents of Bulgarian Lavender and Spearmint essential oils to create a luxurious soap experience! This versatile soap can be used as a facial soap or as an all over body soap. It’s excellent for removing makeup, and many have even reported benefits for various skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Many experience reduced redness and bright, fresh skin!

“What a great face soap! It's creamy and takes off all of my makeup including the mascara. I have combo oily skin and it leaves my face feeling clean and fresh without any drying. My complexion looks and feels better already after just a few uses. Smell is great and relaxing. This will be one of my new favorites from Rinse!” – Heather H.

“I have used just about every facial product made, including Proactiv, and this is THE best for oily skin. Feels tight without drying and clears up pimples in a day or two.” – Carla E.

Dead Sea Mud Soap Stick: All the benefits of Dead Sea Mud, but in a convenient twist-up tube! This is the perfect choice for anyone looking to enjoy the benefits of Dead Sea Mud Soap on-the-go! Throw it in your gym bag, travel bag, or even keep it in your home shower… no matter where you go, you can enjoy the amazing benefits of Dead Sea Mud soap!

“Love this soap. It leaves my skin so clean & it feels so smooth. It diminishes any redness & leaves my skin looking bright & clear.” – Danielle C.

“I’ve used a Dead Sea mud mask, but I liked the idea of a soap with it in. The first time I used the soap on my face, my pores appeared smaller. I’ve been using it once a day, and my skin looks and feels great.” – Karla G.

Dead Sea Mud Loofah Soap: Imagine Dead Sea Mud Soap, with loofah added in for extra exfoliation! This soap is quite literally our classic Dead Sea Mud Soap poured over a loofah for a well-rounded experience! The soap cleanses the skin while the loofah exfoliates. This is a great option for a hand and all over body soap, and even works great on the feet or as an exfoliating soap to use before shaving!

Dead Sea Mud Salt Polish: A salt scrub with the highest quality salt to be found! This body polish is made from salt (of course) blended with high-quality moisturizing oils and a refreshing Lavender and Spearmint essential oil blend. It is a rich body polish that leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized, but never greasy!

“This product is one of my favorites. It is a needed relief to my sometimes rough skin!” – Joel C.

“Love this product!” – Andrea C.

Dead Sea Mud Mask: One of our favorite ways to get the benefits of Dead Sea mud is using it as a mask! This mask is purifying, nourishing, clearing, and soothing!

Dead Sea Mud Facial Kit: The closest thing to going to the spa, without actually going to the spa! Our Dead Sea Mud Facial Kit includes our best-selling Dead Sea Mud Soap as well as our Dead Sea Mud Mask so you can treat your skin to a spa-like experience from the comfort of home!

Have you been considering making the switch to more natural skincare and beauty products? If you’re like a lot of us, you’ve become more aware and mindful of some of the harmful chemicals that are common in many of today’s conventional products and are looking for ways to transition to a more natural, clean lifestyle! If you want to make the leap but are uncertain of where to start, you are in the right place! While the natural living lifestyle can encompass so many aspects of life, we think starting small is best! Here are 5 simple steps you can take to start “going natural” today!!

1. Start Using a Natural Soap

A company that was built on making natural soap is recommending you switch to natural soap!? Who woulda thunk it!? Although this might seem like our most obvious tip, it is one of our most important ones and one that we are super passionate about! Here’s an interesting fact that you may not even be aware of: Most commercial soaps sold in stores aren’t actually even soap! Yep. Take a look next time you go to the store and see how many actually include the word “soap” on the package. You will probably be shocked at how few use that term! And you might be even more surprised at how many unfamiliar and hard to pronounce ingredients are included in these products. The reality is that many of the commercial soaps are more akin to detergents… They include chemical detergent cleaners and synthetic lathering agents that are harsh on the skin and can strip it of its natural oils.

Our skin is our largest organ and our first line of defense against germs! It’s critical that we take care of it properly and give it the nourishment it needs! This is why we recommend switching to a natural soap that includes good-for-you ingredients. One of the best things about truly natural, handmade soap is that it contains glycerin. It is a byproduct of the fats and oils that are blended together during the soap making process. Glycerin is a natural skin emollient and is an amazing humectant. Basically, it helps to attract moisture to your skin.  Many of the commercial grade soaps actually remove glycerin to make their bars lighter and less expensive to ship!

A good, natural, handmade soap will effectively cleanse the dirt and grime from your skin while leaving the naturally occurring good oils in your skin. It will leave you clean, moisturized and your skin more balanced!

One of our favorite soaps is our Dead Sea Mud Soap. It’s one of our best selling soaps for a reason! It contains mineral-rich mud straight from the Dead Sea and this ingredient makes the soap incredibly purifying and great for all types of skin – even those with tricky skin issues such as psoriasis and eczema! This soap also includes some of our favorite natural moisturizers such as Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and more! And bonus, it can be used as a facial soap or an all-over body soap making it super versatile.

2. Begin Using Sulfate-Free Shampoo

While we are not in the shampoo business, we are huge advocates of switching to a sulfate-free shampoo! Similar to how commercial soaps are really more accurately described as detergents, shampoos that contain sulfates are really detergents as well. These shampoos strip hair of its natural oils and leave it dry, brittle, and even can leave colored hair looking dull and lackluster! So what should you do to start restoring health and shine to your hair? Easy - simply switch to a sulfate-free shampoo! These shampoos are sold at most big box retail stores, grocery stores, and drug stores. All you need to do is look for “sulfate free” on the bottle and you’ll be good to go. If you REALLY want to step your hair game up, try skipping a day or two of washing your hair!

3. Switch to a Natural Deodorant

You knew this was coming didn’t you?! Natural deodorants are all the rage these days! People are beginning to learn more and more about the long term effects of the chemicals that are included in conventional deodorants which has led to a huge demand for natural deodorants.

So, what’s the deal with transitioning to natural deodorant? Well, first of all, it is truly a transition! Traditional deodorants are generally deodorants (they keep you from smelling bad) AND antiperspirants (they keep you from sweating so much!) While the idea of reducing the amount of sweat sounds appealing, there is a downside. Unfortunately, they accomplish this feat that by clogging pores which then causes our bodies to overcompensate and can actually result in even more sweat production! Beyond that, our bodies were literally designed to sweat. It’s an important way that we regulate temperature and expel toxins. As if all this wasn’t bad enough, many traditional deodorants contain lots of foreign chemicals that aren’t exactly healthy for our skin. A lot of traditional deodorants cause people to experience a plethora of skin issues including redness, bumps, and itchiness!

With all of these reasons to move away from regular deodorants, it sounds like a no brainer! There’s only one little problem… so many natural deodorants do nothing but disappoint! We've heard so many stories from people who have tried natural deodorants with the highest of hopes, only to come away disappointed and ready to go back to their old chemical-filled deodorants.

After getting a lot of requests for a Rinse deodorant, we finally took the plunge to try and see if we could come up with something that would be effective. To be honest, our expectations were low. We basically only gave it a try so that we could tell people that we had given it our best shot but it wasn’t possible to create an effective natural deodorant. Needless to say, no one was more shocked than we were when our efforts at creating a natural deodorant that actually works were successful!

We highly recommend giving our deOdor Stick a try if you’re looking to go natural! They are free of all metal, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates! These come in a variety of scents so there is something for everyone! Check out the reviews to see what our customers are saying about how well they work!

4. Discover the Natural Benefits of Oils

Ok, we KNOW the whole topic of oils can be overwhelming and we aren’t here to get you flustered! There’s plenty of time to dig into all the oils out there and discover their benefits, but if we could recommend just a few to start introducing into your hygiene and beauty line up they would be:

• Squalane Oil – Not to be too bold or overstate it too much, but Squalane Oil is seriously about to be your new best friend! This little miracle oil is taking the world by storm and being used in all sorts of products from hair care, cosmetics, to even sunscreens! We have a whole blog that explains the benefits of Squalane, so we won’t go into all the details here, but if you’re looking for a natural product to help moisturize your skin, combat fine lines and wrinkles, and provide amazing antioxidant properties then look no further! Our customers have referred to Squalane Oil as a “face lift in a bottle” and we couldn’t agree more!

• Argan Oil – This oil is derived from the Moroccan Argan Tree and we love it for the fact that it is light, quick absorbing, and packed with tons of fatty acids as well as Vitamin E! This oil is phenomenal for using on hair! It helps to ease frizz, treat split ends, and provide a natural shine and bounce to the hair!

• Peppermint Oil – We might be a little biased, but we think Peppermint Oil is a real MVP of essential oils! This powerful oil has been known to curb many common issues and can help soothe your head and activate your mind! Our customers love using Peppermint Oil as a natural remedy for headaches, to help them focus, to help with sinuses, and so much more!

5. Treat Your Feet to Natural Rejuvenation

Last but not least, we can’t neglect our feet! They do so much for us and carry us around everywhere we go… It’s only right that we show them some love! One of our favorite natural ways to pamper our tired tootsies is with our Peppofoot Stick. This fun foot balm is an incredible treat for tired, dry, cracked feet! It includes lots of fabulous natural moisturizers such as Shea Butter, Apricot Kernel Oil, and Avocado Oil! It also includes 100% natural Tea Tree Oil and Peppermint Oil to give this foot balm some tingling, antiseptic oomph! Best of all, this foot balm comes in the form of a twist-up tube meaning application is super simple! No mess!

If you’re serious about getting started on your natural journey, we have got a few products designed to make your transition easy peasy! We designed our “New Natural You Discovery Box” Collections to be curated boxes filled with natural products for every level of transition!

If you're reading this, chances are you're struggling with a common problem that plagues many of us... dry skin! If so, have no fear! You are in the right place. One of our favorite Rinse employees has given us her secrets to combating dry skin and we think you will find them helpful! 

Let us introduce to you, Hannah! She is one of Rinse's favorite soap-making, loud-singing, spontaneous-dancing girls! A fun fact about Hannah is that she practices sign language. We think it's pretty cool that she is expanding her ability to communicate and has chosen the sixth most common language in the U.S. to do so! It's no small feat, and we admire her dedication. Because we're so supportive, we can't complain about the fact that she has been practicing signing her funny insults here at Rinse to make everyone laugh! We love the lively, upbeat spirit that Hannah brings!

We recently asked her about her skin care regimen and what she said in plain old English is that some of her favorite Rinse goodies: "Make my skin not look like the desert." Ha! Per usual, she got a laugh out of all of us from that line! 

Hannah has had her fair share of struggles with dry skin going as far back as she can remember. Top that off with a tad of eczema and she felt like she had the perfect storm of skin issues that it seemed no amount of lotion, oil, or hydration could help. We keep thinking about her statement that her skin looked like the desert and we realized that we couldn't have said it better ourselves. We all know that feeling when our skin gets dry, flaky, scaly, and cracked. This time of year, our skin is the first to remind us that winter is on it's way!

Luckily, Hannah has shared with us her concoction to combat "Sahara Skin"!

First in the lineup is Oatbrasion Mask! A little birdy named Hannah says, "it helps get the crusteez off the skin". Yep, we can relate to that! This powdered facial mask is great to mix with some ingredients you can find in your house (like witch hazel for oily skin or facial oil for dry skin) to make a facial mask. Oatbrasion Mask actually includes ground pumice which makes it a fabulous exfoliant! Bye-bye crusteez! Finally, this mask helps to prep the skin for the products we will use afterwards. It even helps with acne prevention and is highly moisturizing!

Next up, Frankincense Roll-On! This ancient oil has made quite a name for itself throughout the years. Many of us are familiar with it from the story of the Wise Men, and we sing about it at Christmas in "We Three Kings". There are even those who say that Cleopatra used it in her beauty regimen! The fact that it has such a rich history and has stood the test of time should tell you that this stuff is legit! Hannah uses this under the eyes and on all other spots that need a little "frankincensing". So what exactly does that mean? Well, besides just being a fun phrase to say, Frankincense Oil is known for some awesome skin-loving properties such as improving tone, tightening, and brightening! It also smells amazing and provides a great aromatherapy experience!

Last up in Hanna's trifecta of perfectly hydrating products is Squalane Oil! Squalane is a powerhouse oil that increases cell elasticity, is healing to the skin, and is majorly moisturizing! Simply put, it's awesome. Squalane is derived from olive oil meaning it is gentle and effective for all skin types. Seriously, don't let the word "oil" scare you! This is perfect for "normal" skin (whatever that is) but is also great for those who have tricky skin issues including dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, acne prone skin... you name it, Squalane is great for it!. This oil is extremely light and absorbs quickly! By far one of Rinse's most popular products! Offered in both a 1 oz Pump Bottle or in a handy 0.35 oz Roll-On for use on-the-go!

We hope that Hannah's Helpful Hydration tips have been of value to you! Whether you find yourself in the dry skin club, or whether you have combo or even oily skin, we are sure these products will be of benefit! Give them a try and let us know what you think!