Unlocking the Benefits of MSM in Skincare

In the ever-evolving world of skincare, there's a constant search for ingredients that offer natural solutions for common skin concerns. One such ingredient that has been gaining attention for its potential benefits is MSM, or Methylsulfonylethane. While it may sound complex, MSM is actually a naturally occurring compound found in plants, animals, and humans, and its incorporation into skincare products is yielding promising results.

MSM is a sulfur compound that is abundant in nature. It's found in various foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and even in the bodies of living organisms. In skincare, it is often derived from sources like pine trees, or synthesized in a laboratory setting.

The Benefits of MSM in Skincare:

1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: One of the key benefits of MSM in skincare is its potent anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it particularly useful for soothing irritated or inflamed skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or rosacea. By calming inflammation, MSM helps to reduce redness and discomfort, promoting a more balanced and comfortable complexion.
2. Collagen Production: Collagen is the building block of healthy, youthful-looking skin. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. MSM has been shown to support collagen production, helping to improve skin elasticity, firmess, and overall texture. By incorporating MSM into your skincare routine, you may notice a visible reduction in the signs of aging, leaving your skin looking plump and revitalized.
3. Antioxidant Activity: In today's world, our skin is constantly exposed to environmental stressors such as pollution, UV radiation, and toxins, which can lead to the formation of free radicals. These unstable molecules can wreak havoc on our skin, causing premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and other damage. MSM acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to neutralize free radiclas and protect the skin from oxidative stress. By incorporating MSM-rich products into your skincare regime, you can help defend your skin against environmental aggressors and maintain a youthful, radiant complexion.
4. Hydration: Hydration is essential for healthy, glowing skin. MSM possesses humectant properties, meaning it has the ability to attract moisture to the skin and lock it in. This helps to keep the skin hydrated, soft, and supple, reducing the appearance of dryness, flakiness, and dullness. Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, incorporating MSM into your skincare routine can help ensure your skin stays beautifully moisturized and radiant.
5. Scar Reduction: Scars can be a source of frustration and self-consciousness for many people. Whether they're the result of acne, surgery, or injury, scars can leave lasting marks on the skin. MSM has been shown to aid in scar reduction by promoting tissue repair and regeneration. By stimulating collagen production and supporting the body's natural healing processes, MSM can help fade the appearance of scars over time, allowing you to feel more confident and comfortable in your skin.
6. Wound Healing: In addition to its scar-reducing properties, MSM has also been found to promote faster wound healing. By reducing inflammation and supporting the body's natural healing processes, MSM can help wounds heal more quickly and effectively, minimizing the risk of infection and scarring. Whether you're dealing with minor cuts and scrapes or more serious injuries, incorporating MSM into your skincare routine can help support your skin's healing process and promote optimal recovery.

In conclusion, MSM is a versatile and powerful ingredient that offers a wide range of benefits for the skin. From its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to its ability to support collagen production and promote hydration, MSM has quickly become a staple in many skincare routines. Whether you're lookign to soothe irritated skin, reduce the signs of aging, or improve overall skin health, incorporating MSM-rich products into your skincare regimen can help you achieve the beautiful, radiant complexion you deserve. So, why not give MSM a try and unlock the transformative benefits it has to offer for your skin?

2024

Another market year has ended and a new one will be beginning soon. 2023 wasn't a great year as far as sales went but I know that times aren't easy for most people right now. Costs, including mine, are rising, causing increases in pretty much everything. It sucks. Hard. 

I have no intention of making this a depressing post. I can't do much about prices of supplies; I can, however, continue to make the best products I know how to make. I've decided that I will probably cut back on a few things so you may see fewer products on my table this year. 

What, you ask, will disappear? Well, my liquid soaps really didn't overwhelm so I think they'll be going on sale until they're gone. I may make some for personal use but that's about it. 

What else? Surprisingly, lip gloss. 

Yes, I said "surprisingly". I truly thought they'd be more popular than they were. By the end of 2023, I had quite a few left over even though they're a great product (I'm not a lip gloss person and I really like these!). I won't be making any more this year. Again, they'll be on clearance once the market season starts up again. 

I'm sure there will be other products we'll be thinking twice about. That said, if you have a favourite product you can't live without, let us know. We're more than happy to make custom orders. 

What can you expect to see on our tables this season? Well, soaps, of course. We're already busy making soap every weekend to get our table fully stocked. We've got some amazing new fragrances that we'll be using in soaps as well as hand/body lotions. Match a soap and a lotion for a perfect quick gift! 

Facial products have been very popular so we'll be bringing back our Instant Facials, as well as a few of our other popular face care products. If you haven't seen, or tried, the Instant Facials, you're in for a real treat! It's not a clay mask; it's more like a cleansing balm that turns into a thick, rich cream with the addition of water. Ingredients are added to turn this cream into a gorgeous, skin-loving mask that rinses off cleanly with water, leaving your skin feeling revitalized and pampered. There will be two or three varieties available; they sold out last year so you don't want to miss out!

Another popular item we'll continue making is our lip balm (as opposed to lip gloss). We have two recipes and both continue to be very popular; we won't stop making them. Our regular lip balm comes in a variety of flavours, including peppermint, orange sherbet, chocolate, and more. We've been using the same base recipe for over 20 years. Why fix what ain't broke?

Our Nourishing Nighttime Lip Masque has become a customer fave over the past couple of years. It's a rich, thick lip balm that sticks to your lips, made with the addition of lanolin and castor oil, helping keep your lips moisturized all night. Most people who use it, though, swear by it as an everyday lip balm that actually works! Me included.

I'm really looking forward to our 2024 season and I look forward to seeing all our new and usual customers. Our first market of the season is the All You Need Is Love market on February 11 at the East Kelowna Market. See you there!

Overnight Lip Masque

I love me a good lip balm but one thing I love even more is a lip masque that is rich and sticky enough to last all night. Ingredients like castor oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, and shea butter are great ingredients for an effective lip masque but if it could have hyaluronic acid added to help combat and minimize those stubborn little wrinkles and lines that develop as we age, it would be even better!

One issue is that hyaluronic acid is water soluble, not oil soluble and lip balms are, generally speaking anhydrous (they don't contain water). 

This little tube of lip balm has become one of our bestsellers and, apart from containing all the beautiful oils listed above, it's made with an oil soluble form of hyaluronic acid!

This rich, lovely lip balm is perfect for night time application as it sticks and lasts, helping to keep your lips soft and supple throughout the night. Personally, it's my favourite lip balm for day or night... hands down! I've already noticed that those little lip lines are diminishing with regular use.

It's lightly flavoured/scented with just enough peppermint essential oil to provide a bit of a tingle without drying out your lips.