Ablutions Organic Skin Care
  • Home
  • Facial Care
    • Cleansers
      • Rosemary Deep Cleansing Oil
      • Black Sea Mud Cleansing Cake
      • Avocado Cleansing Lotion
      • Sugar Cane Renewing Facial Cleanser
    • Exfoliants, Masks, Toners & Treatments
      • Lemon Tamarind Microdermabrasion Face Polish
      • Bergamot Micro-Buffing Cream
      • Papaya & Vitamin C Enzyme Peel
      • Lotus & Coconut Milk Balancing Treatment Mask
      • Balancing Moisture Mist Herbal Facial Toner
      • Blemish Infusion Herbal Spot Treatment
    • Serums & Hydration
      • Organic Pomegranate & Vitamin C Serum
      • Organic Lotus Elixir Calming Facial Oil
      • Orchid Flower Antioxidant Cream
      • Jasmine & Vitamin C Cream
      • Hibiscus Buttercream
    • Organic Lip Butter
      • Chocolate Orange Organic Lip Butter
      • Limoncello Organic Lip Butter
      • Mandarin Jasmine Organic Lip Butter
  • Body Care
    • Handmade Cleansing Cakes
      • Black Sea Mud Cleansing Cake
      • Lavender, Coconut Milk & Oat Gentle Cleansing Cake
      • Thermae Sea Clay & Spearmint Cleansing Cake
      • Luxury Canine Cleansing Cake Organic Dog Soap
    • Scrub & Soak
      • Microdermabrasion Body Polish
      • Detoxifying Muscle Soak with Peppermint, Ginger & Eucalyptus
      • Marshmallow Root Butter Bath with Lavender & Calendula
      • Love Bombs
      • Herbal Bathing Infusion- Stress & Anxiety Relief
      • Clementine & Ginger Coconut Milk Bubble Bath
    • Hydrate & Protect
      • Orange Blossom Organic Buttercream
      • Lemon Coriander Creamy Body Oil
      • Organic Healing Balm
  • Baby Care
    • Lavender, Coconut Milk & Oat Gentle Cleansing Cake
    • Marshmallow Root Butter Bath with Lavender & Calendula
    • Organic Healing Balm
    • Organic Belly Balm
  • Dog Care
  • News
  • Sale
May 9, 2022

Happy Spring & Another Packaging Update

Hello spring! The dull, yellow blanket of pollen is mostly gone here in the southern US and we’re in that brief, magical season where there are no mosquitos and low (for us) humidity. It’s glorious! Sorry Christmas but to me, this is the most wonderful time of the year, at least until fall.

With the STILL ongoing supply chain issues, I’ve made some packaging changes to help keep costs down. Unfortunately, we must bid glass farewell for now. It’s simply too expensive to ship and when coupled with rising material and fuel costs, and high breakage rates during shipping to me and to you, it was just not affordable- shockingly unaffordable actually. I hope to reconsider this in the future as market conditions change and will update here accordingly.

In addition to returning to recyclable PET packaging, I’ve changed the sizes of most of the line. Many things have doubled in size- but not in price. If you’re an existing Ablutions customer, I think you’ll appreciate the value of the new larger sizes. If you’re a new customer, the larger travel sizes are a very affordable way to try products. Offering larger sizes also helps reduce packaging so you’ll save money and reduce the amount of packaging that needs to be recycled. Win/win!

Be well!
Monica

November 18, 2021

Holiday News, Packaging Update and Vacation!

Happy almost Thanksgiving! What a ride this year has been! I want to thank all my customers and stockists for being so patient and understanding with the ongoing packaging availability issues that have been a constant in my business and many other industries for close to two years now. I’ve gotten wonderful, supportive comments and great suggestions from many of you and as a result, I’m working on some changes that will debut over the coming months. Don’t worry, I’m not taking away all your favorite products! More details soon…

In more immediate news, my husband and I are heading to beautiful Mexico in early December to check a couple more things off the bucket list. One of the things I’m most looking forward to is hiking a cloud forest near the Guatemala border so hopefully I’ll have some cool photos of herbs, fungus and flowers- maybe I’ll finally dust off the totally-ignored Instagram page. I’ll leave the site active but orders placed between 11/29 and 12/10 won’t begin shipping until 12/13. Rest assured they’ll ship in time to get to you or your loved ones for Christmas gifting.

I hope you have a meaningful Thanksgiving with people you love.

Hasta prontos!
Monica

February 1, 2021

A Belated Happy 2021 and Updates on Ongoing Packaging Issues

Welcome to the new year! Yes, I’m a little late but after the past crazy year, I’m going to give myself some grace on my tardiness. I’ll keep this short and sweet.

Packaging issues- 2020 showed me how truly fragile our supply chains are. I wasn’t able to get many packaging items and even some raw materials throughout most of 2020. It’s getting better but very slowly. Going forward, I’ll be looking carefully at packaging and ingredients and try to source as much domestically as possible. I’ve always been vigilant about the purity and sourcing of every ingredient that goes into my jars and bottles but and I have learned (the hard way) that it’s equally important to look at the source of the jars, bottles and various caps and pumps themselves. You might see some packaging changes as I figure this out. I’ll update each product on the website with packaging changes if and when they take place.

Shipping issues- USPS has unfortunately become VERY slow and aren’t updating tracking consistently. I expected this during the holidays but it hasn’t improved much so far this year. I hope USPS can get it together soon. They’ve always been fast and reliable in the past and I look forward to their glorious return to form.

Thank you for your patience and understanding over the past months with these issues.

I’ll be back soon with news about some things I’ve been working on.

Warmly,
Monica

October 21, 2020

Face Masks and Skin Health

Hello again! What a long, strange year it’s been- and we’re only 3\4 through it. I’d like to address some skin issues I’ve been seeing with clients in my aesthetics practice recently and offer some solutions.

Mascne or Acne Mechanica, is a very common issue I’ve been seeing. The skin around the mouth and chin are usually the most affected. It typically presents as blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, papules and cysts. It’s caused by the warm, moist environment created by wearing face masks, along with friction from the mask fabric constantly rubbing the skin. It’s exacerbated by makeup and not washing your face mask often enough.

You can get temporary relief by having an anti-inflammatory deep cleansing facial with extractions. However, Acne Mechanica will come back if you don’t make some changes to either your skin care routine, makeup routine or mask hygiene- or a combination of some or all of these.

  1. Change your mask daily. I can’t stress this enough. We’ve all been there- in your purse is a cute mask you bought off etsy or a friend made that you love and wear for days at a time. At the end of the day, you just leave it in the car or your purse and use it again the next day. BAD IDEA! All that heat and moisture from breathing and sweating breeds bacteria. Additionally, the sweat dries and leaves a salty layer on the skin and mask, which is very irritating to skin, causing redness and inflammation. Imagine working out, getting sweaty, and wearing those clothes all day for several days in a row. Gross, right? Fortunately, this is super easy to remedy. Buy more masks, buy a UV sterilizer or wash your mask every night before bed and let it air dry. A few clients have mentioned buying silk masks, which I’m excited about trying. Silk is hydrophobic (repels water), cooler and more breathable than other fabrics, dries quickly after washing and is naturally antibacterial. The downsides are cost and that there are many masks marketed as silk but are actually polyester, which should be avoided on the face.

  2. Stop wearing makeup under your mask. I realize this isn’t always feasible but to the extent that you can, avoid face makeup (eye makeup is fine) when you know you’ll be masked for hours at a time.

  3. Step up your cleansing routine. Make sure to wash your face as soon as you can after wearing a face mask for prolonged periods. Cleanse thoroughly and rinse even more thoroughly. Use a washcloth if needed to help remove long-wearing makeup and sunscreen. This is also a good time to evaluate your cleanser/s and consider switching formulations if the above advice isn’t improving your mascne. If your skin is on the oily side, an oil cleanser like Rosemary Deep Cleansing Oil, removed with a warm washcloth, is very effective. If you’re dry, Avocado Cleansing Lotion cleans gently. If you have hyperpigmentation or acne scarring, Sugar Cane Renewing Cleanser contains AHAs to help brighten and smooth the skin. If you’d like a personal cleanser recommendation for your skin condition, get in touch. I’m delighted to help!

  4. DIY honey face treatment- A fun but messy way to calm overstimulated skin is a plain honey mask. Just slather honey (raw honey is best but any will be beneficial) over the affected area and leave it for at least 10 minutes. It’s going to drip so put on an old t-shirt or use the time to take a relaxing bath and let it drip into the bath water. Honey is naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and packed with enzymes, vitamins and minerals. It calms, softens and hydrates the skin. I use it in almost every facial treatment. If the dripping drives you crazy, mix it with Lotus & Coconut Milk Balancing Mask.

Another mask-related skin issue is simple dermatitis, which is caused by the same things that lead to mascne. It’s essentially a precursor to mascne, just not as severe. It presents as general redness, maybe a few papules (small raised red bumps) or rough, red patches. It usually responds well to changing masks daily but if it persists, try the other steps above.

September 5, 2019

Discontinued Items on Sale

Hello! It’s time for some housekeeping. It always makes me a little sad to discontinue items, and I know it will disappoint some customers. Hopefully 50% off will help ease the blow. 

For those of you using French Green Clay Organic Cleansing Cake, I have great news. Most of my local customers and clients have been switching to Black Sea Mud Cleansing Cake and prefer it. It’s my current fave too! It can be used by any skin type on face or body, leaving skin clean and conditioned. If you’re not quite ready to switch yet, at least you can stock up on French Green Clay bars at half price. I have a lot on hand so they should be around a while.

I’m also discontinuing Rhassoul, Lime & Clove Shaving Soap, Chocolate Oatmeal Stout Artisan Shampoo Bar and Organic Virgin Coconut Hand & Body Cream. If you just can’t live without any of these items, contact me about a special order, which would be a bulk batch of your discontinued favorite.

Thanks for understanding and happy SALE shopping! 

January 7, 2017

Happy New Year & Dry Winter Skin

orange-blossom-buttercream

Hello! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and life is getting back to some degree of normalcy. It’s been quite hectic around here, which led to my lack of updates here. I moved and expanded my holistic skin care practice in August and then suddenly it was Christmas! How does that happen? Now we find ourselves in winter and as I write this, snow is falling here in North Carolina. The snow is lovely but it brings with it a very common winter skin challenge- dry, itchy skin. I want to share some ways to support and comfort your dry skin this time of year internally and externally…

Increasing your fluid intake with water, fresh juice or herb teas can make a tangible difference. I love caffeine as much as anyone but it can dehydrate you so try to offset it with extra liquids. The same goes for cocktails.

Including a bit more fat in your diet this time of year in the form of nuts, avocados, olives, coconut oil and other healthy fats can be helpful as well. Did you know your brain is about 60% fat? It needs more than lattes and energy drinks to thrive so feed your skin and your brain and up the flavor in your meals. Asparagus with hollandaise anyone?

Exfoliation is extremely beneficial in the winter, both for face and body. I tell clients to think of exfoliation as exercise for the skin. It gets the blood and lymph flowing and helps skin glow. It also allows creams and oils to penetrate more easily, allowing you to get more out of your products and brighten your skin tone.

External hydration is crucial this time of year. Just as you layer clothing in cool weather, layering moisturizers is very effective. For example, if you use serum and face cream daily, you might need a bit more comfort and protection in winter months. Adding a light application of Hibiscus Buttercream over your regular moisturizer can supercharge it and really buffer the skin from seasonal dehydrators like indoor heat, fireplaces and wind chapping. Alternately, add a dab with a pump of your regular moisturizer and mix them in your palms before you apply to your face if you prefer a lighter feel.

For dry, itchy body skin, nothing feels as rich as Orange Blossom Buttercream. It’s my favorite product right now and I think you’ll love it too so it’s on sale- 28% off* through February! I’m also including an adorable travel size of Microdermabrasion Body Polish with every Orange Blossom Buttercream order so you can experience the synergistic effect of the two together. Not only will your skin be softer and more comfortable, but it will feel amazing to the touch.

Happy hydrating!
Monica

*28% because it makes for a nice, round number of $18

March 30, 2016

Lotus & Coconut Milk Mask Price Drop

lotus-mask

Great news- thanks to a recent slightly lower raw materials cost, I’ve just lowered the price on Lotus & Coconut Milk Balancing Treatment Mask from $16 to $15. As an added bonus, the new jar holds an additional .25oz of product, giving you 5 extra mask applications.

If you’ve ever wondered how many applications you get from a jar, or why I don’t state in on the jar, it’s simply because it depends entirely on how generously it’s dispensed by the end user. If one uses a generous scoop, as instructed on the jar, you’d get about 45-50 applications. Obviously, some use more, some use less, so it’s subjective. However, at $15 per jar, estimating usage conservatively at 45 applications, it only costs you 33 cents per use.

Now go forth and mask!
Monica

February 4, 2016

Vacation!

We\’ll be closed for vacation from 2/5-2/14. Ablutions orders placed during this time will begin shipping when we return on 2/15. Apologies for any inconvenience this might cause. Thanks for understanding!

Monica

January 15, 2016

Mea culpa, or sometimes organic isn’t better

I have an apology to make to fans of the now discontinued Cranberry Licorice Foaming Cleanser. I had to make a slight formulation change due to supply issues with a key ingredient. However, rather than find a substitute ingredient, I felt the need to reinvent the wheel. In my admittedly overzealous quest to make new products as organic as possible, I decided to start from scratch and create a new organic face wash. Sounds great so far, right? Except surfactants (the ingredients that make cleansers work) are fickle and organic surfactants are still relatively new and VERY fickle so it was going to be a challenge. I eventually came up with a formulation that was stable, featuring a wonderful active ingredient, sugar cane extract, launched Organic Sugar Cane Foaming Cleanser and thought that was the end.

Except you didn’t love it. Many of you called and emailed to say that it was ok but Cranberry Licorice was so much better and I tried to talk you (and myself!) into learning to love it. However, to be honest, I became less happy about it pretty quickly. I didn’t want to admit that my new organic foaming cleanser wasn’t awesome. I loved the active ingredients but I didn’t love the organic surfactants’ performance, the way they rinsed or what they did to my beloved citrus essential oils that scented it. Well, I’m admitting that it wasn’t even close to awesome and I blew it! I’m really sorry!

The good news is I’ve replaced it with what I feel really is a worthy successor to Cranberry Licorice Foaming Cleanser. Introducing Sugar Cane Renewing Facial Cleanser. I honestly love it! The base formula is essentially the same as Cranberry Licorice Foaming Cleanser but the active ingredients make it even better for brightening and promoting cell turnover thanks to the aforementioned sugar cane extract. It’s excellent for all skin types and I honestly think you’ll all love it too. If not, you know my guarantee, love it or return it, no problem! I’m going through previous orders and contacting those of you who’ve purchased the Organic Sugar Cane Cleanser and sending out complementary replacements of the new Sugar Cane Renewing Facial Cleanser. If I missed you, let me know. For everyone else, I’m shipping all orders with free samples of the new cleanser so you can try it too.

It’s never fun admitting when one makes a mistake but your trust in me and Ablutions to care for your skin means so much more than having to endure a little embarrassment and make a public apology. Your feedback is invaluable to me and as you can see, makes a difference. Thank you for your trust and thank you for your honesty.

Warmly,
Monica

July 23, 2015

Freshening Up

Hello! Welcome to Ablutions news blog. I’ll be posting updates here from time to time to chat about new products, seasonal skin care topics, to answer any questions you might have about skin care in general and more. You might have noticed we’re undergoing a major makeover right now with a new web site, new packaging and many new products, which I’ll be writing feature posts about soon. I’ll also be putting up a sale page with some clearance items that have been discontinued. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you if you have any questions, comments or would like to be added to our email list for sales and promotions.

Thanks for your patience and your business.

Sincerely,
Monica

↑

  • Policies
  • About
  • Contact
© Ablutions 2020