Haircare

5 Natural Ingredients to Use During Pregnancy

While pregnant or breastfeeding, it becomes especially important to be mindful of what goes in and on your body. Studies have shown that common chemicals in everyday personal care products, such as shampoo, makeup and moisturizers, are associated with developmental, reproductive and behavioral disorders, hormone disruption and cancer. Nine Naturals believes in creating products that are not only high-performing, but also completely safe and natural. Some of our favorite natural ingredients include:

VITAMIN E: Isolated from vegetable oils, Vitamin E is an important vitamin required for the proper function of many organs and an antioxidant, meaning it helps to slow down processes that damage cells. This is important for pregnant women because it can help prevent complications in late pregnancy due to high blood pressure, PMS, painful periods, hot flashes associated with breast cancer, and breast cysts. The moisturizing properties of Vitamin E for skin is well known but it also does wonders for your hair! When ingested or applied topically on hair, Vitamin E is effective for hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp, prevent premature greying by slowing down the overall aging process, giving hair a lustrous shine by promoting natural strength and shine, and preventing split ends by countering damage done by heat. Find Vitamin E used in all Nine Naturals products.

ARGAN OIL: Not all women get pregnancy glow. Some often experience dry skin, especially around the belly, breasts, and hips as the skin swells and grows. High in vitamin E, antioxidants, and linolenic acid, argan oil is a super-effective moisturizer that has been shown to prevent and treat stretch marks by maintaining elasticity and preventing moisture-loss. On top of improving your body’s immunity to diseases such as breast and colorectal cancer, argan oil is good for treating under eye circles, burns, wrinkles, brittle nails, arthritis, and rheumatism pain. Argan oil in Nine Naturals Mandarin + Ginger Restorative Conditioner gives lackluster postpartum hair a boost by adding shine and hydrating roots.

BROCCOLI SEED OIL: Broccoli seed oil is high in vitamin C, Vitamin B, and erucic acid, which is a light oil composed of many different omega-9 and omega-6 oils. This means that it helps eliminate free radicals that can contribute to cancer, prevent hair loss while promoting thicker healthier hair, and soothe redness and inflammation. Best part? Broccoli seed oil is a natural substitute for silicone--often found in cosmetic products, particularly in leave-on skincare and haircare products, such as Nine Naturals Vanilla + Geranium Regenerative Belly Butter. This natural emollient hydrates hair and skin without leaving a greasy film and adds a protective layer that traps in moisture, and keeping skin and hair hydrated all day long!

CAPUAÇU BUTTER: Found in the rain forests of South America, Cupuacu butter has a natural hazelnut aroma, is rich in phytosterols, polyphenols, and fatty acids, and is a good natural substitute for lanolin. This means that it can be used to effectively treat dry, damaged skin, combat free radicals in tissues, and protect and moisturize skin. Treating skin with cupuacu butter also allows skin to attract 240% more water, fight inflammation, and improve elasticity--making it the perfect ingredient for stretch-mark fighting belly butters! Plus, it also absorbs UV rays, adding natural sun protection. This is why Nine Naturals uses cupuacu butter in its Unscented Moisturizing Body Cream.

COCONUT OIL: Coconut oil, used in all Nine Naturals products, is a fatty acid that is easily metabolized by the body, making it an excellent replacement for butter and oils, and helps regulate blood sugar levels while providing stable energy. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, much-needed lauric, caprylic, and capric acid in coconut oil passes from mother to child. These acids are known to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasiticidal properties that support immune system in mommy and baby. On skin, this holy grail ingredient prevents stretch marks and alleviates itchiness on belly and breasts.It’s also a natural, moisturizing, and gentle cleanser. Use to remove makeup from skin, tame frizzy hair, and soothe cracked lips.

Adding these simple and natural ingredients to your beauty routine will go a long way in helping detoxify your pregnancy. Read labels carefully and opt for brands that provide full ingredient transparency. The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database is also great place to get more information about companies with high safety ratings.

5 Beauty Ingredients To Avoid During Pregnancy

A growing number of studies show that common chemicals in everyday personal care products, such as shampoo, makeup and moisturizers, are associated with developmental, reproductive and behavioral disorders, hormone disruption and cancer. That is why, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, women should especially avoiding synthetic chemicals. Here is our list of top 5 most harmful agents:

Parabens are the most widely used preservative in cosmetics. Intended to stop the growth of bacteria in your products, they disrupt your endocrine system—chemicals that act like hormones and disrupt the reproductive system. They can build up in the body over time and have been associated with reproductive disorders in babies. That is why all Nine Naturals products are free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates.

Sulfates are cleansing agents used to create soaps that foam and lather. Nitrosamines and 1.4-dioxane are the two primary culprits present within sulfates and have been labeled carcinogenic. Sulfates have also been shown to disrupt hormonal balance, incite reproductive and developmental problems and seriously pollute the environment. At Nine Naturals, we use a variety of citrus juice and oils--like those in our shampoos and conditioners--because they are natural cleansers that not only maintain your body’s natural balance, but helps improve move and reduce inflammation.

Phthalates are found in a wide variety of personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners and perfumes, and are often a component of fragrance in products. Exposure to phthalates is associated with hormone disruption, birth defects and endometriosis. Our Citrus + Geranium Soothing Body Wash will fill your shower with a fresh, floral aroma that not only calms you, but may even help alleviate pregnancy nausea!

BPA is a chemical commonly found in plastics mostly used for containers. Recent studies have shown BPA to cause developmental disorders, such as cancer, ADHD and asthma, in fetuses when pregnant women interact with the substance. Make sure you look for bottles that are BPA-free, as these chemicals can seep into the products the bottles were intended to hold.

Petrochemicals are made from natural gas liquid and crude oil often used in the manufacturing of plastics. What many people don’t realize is that petrochemicals are widely added to food, personal care products and household products. Because petrochemicals are known hormone disrupters and have been linked to causing many health problems, such as cancer, Nine Naturals’ moisturizing bodycare products only use non-toxic essential oils naturally-derived from plants.

The prevalence of these toxic chemicals may be overwhelming, but don’t worry! Staying educated on what to avoid and what natural ingredients are better substitutes will make the journey to a healthier lifestyle much easier. Whether it’s upgrading your beauty routine--try 7-free nail polish and all-natural mascara--or simply switching to glass from plastic, feel at ease knowing that you are creating a healthier, safer environment for mommy and baby.

With so much attention on protecting our skin from the sun, we sometimes neglect the damage that the sun's rays can have on our hair. The combination of heat, sweat, and humidity can seriously flatten and fry our locks. Here are our top three natural and pregnancy-safe beauty fixes to keep your hair happy and healthy this summer:

Problem: Fried Hair

Solution: Salt water from the ocean and chlorine from the pool can leave hair dry and brittle hair. To restore shine and lustrous texture back to your hair, use an all-natural deep conditioner in your hair, such as Nine Naturals Mandarin + Ginger Restorative Conditioner, to tame your tresses.

For a little extra hydration, add a small amount of coconut oil and leave on for 20 min before washing out or work into an overnight hair treatment. Snipping off the damaged ends will help get your hair back to its normal, healthy texture.

Problem: Flat Hair

Solution: When fine or straight hair meets humidity, it can become limp. To add some va-va-voom, avoid using deep conditioner on roots, instead focusing only on the ends. Another must-avoid is heavy styling products, such as mouse or hairspray. This may seem counter-intuitive but product-buildup at the roots in conjunction with humid weather seriously flattens hair. Try blow drying hair upside down!

Problem: Frizzy Hair

Solution: To fight frizz, rub a tiny bit of natural conditioner into your hands and work it through your strands. Not only will this help smooth hair, it will also slightly weighing down the top layer to prevent further frizzing. Layered hair can lead to puffiness in the summer weather so don't be afraid to ask your hairstylist for a blunter cut to help hold down the ends.

Whether it's finishing a project, stocking up on diapers, or redecorating a home, women today have a lot going on. Sometimes we have the luxury of escaping to a tropical paradise, and other times, all we can squeeze in is an impromptu, at-home, spa session. Luckily for us, certain natural and pleasant aromas have been proven to help improve cognition, mood, and overall health as well as relieve stress and nausea. With the exception of certain oils (such as jasmine, rose, safe and more), essential oils are safe for use during pregnancy when used sparingly and in a diluted concentration.

Here are our top natural stress relieving scents that are safe for expecting mothers:

1. Geranium

Geranium’s gentle floral scent has been known to have soothing and relaxing effects on the body and to uplifting effects on mood. That's why we love our Citrus + Geranium Body Wash and Vanilla + Geranium Belly Butter. If you're feeling irritable or like you're in a never-ending cycle of work, then geraniums may just become your new best friend.

2. Chamomile

In addition to reducing stress, this sweet and fruity smelling flower has also helped some with insomnia and muscle tension. In fact, over the past 2000 years, Chamomile has been used to as a natural treatment for pregnancy nausea. Try applying chamomile straight to your skin or drinking it in tea!

3. Citrus

Citrus fruit essential oils are good for aromatherapy and anti-bacterial purposes. Especially during pregnancy, citrus fruit help fight nausea and fatigue by increasing energy and improving your mood. With so many benefits, we couldn't help but incorporate citrus in most of Nine Natural's’ haircare and bodycare product fragrances. Our Citrus + Mint Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner, Mandarin + Ginger Restorative Conditioner, and Citrus + Geranium Body Wash provide an uplifting shower experience when you’re feeling tired. Create an uplifting experience right in your shower!

4. Sandalwood

Extracted from the heartwood of the evergreen tree, sandalwood oil has a sweet and woodsy scent. Besides reducing anxiety, sandalwood has been known to help with insomnia and improve overall sleep quality. For sleepless nights during pregnancy, this scent can really come in handy!

5. Peppermint

Peppermint has a cool and distinctively fresh feel and scent. The minty fragrance is known to relieve nausea and fight fatigue. Topically, peppermint oil hydrates the skin by encouraging natural oil production. For an invigorating pick-me-up, we use peppermint oil in our Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner.

With so many safe and effective ways to help us not only feel good but smell good, there's no excuse for not introducing one--or all!--of these golden aromas into your beauty and wellness repertoires. At Nine Naturals, we created unique, proprietary blends of 100% natural essential oil fragrances that not only smell amazing but are also beneficial to women during pregnancy. No need to head to the spa when your home shower is already steaming with mandarin and geraniums!

When your body is changing during pregnancy, the hot summer months can bring a whole new crop of summer beauty problems, such as sunburn, dry hair, sweat and more. Luckily, there are many all-natural and pregnancy-safe beauty fixes for your summer beauty woes. Here's our list:

Summer Beauty Problem: Sunburn

Prevent sunburns from happening in the first place by using an all natural sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and follow sun safety practices. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and after water activities or excessive sweating. For damaged skin, apply aloe vera or natural body balm. Nine Naturals Body Balm is made with Mongongo Oil, which has traditionally been used to protect against the harsh desert climates.

Summer Beauty Problem: Chlorine Dry Hair

To bring back shine, use an all-natural deep conditioner, such as Nine Naturals Mandarin + Ginger Restorative Conditioner or coconut oil to tame tresses. Rinse out with cool water to avoid further heat damage. Try leaving either in overnight for extra lustrous hair!

Summer Beauty Problem: Sweat

To keep cool and prevent sweat, wear loose clothing in airy fabrics. Don't be afraid to sweat though, as it allows your body to naturally release toxins, but combat body odor by using a pregnancy safe deodorant, like Nine Natural's.

Summer Beauty Problem: Dry, Itchy Skin

Skin can get very dry in the summer heat, especially during pregnancy. Today, 80% of lotions sold in the U.S. contain alcohol–not what sensitive, itchy skin needs. Try our Moisturizing Body Cream and Regenerative Belly Butter for itchy bellies and our Natural Belly Oil made with coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, and tamanu seed oil to stay hydrated long after a shower. And don't forget to drink plenty of water!

Summer Beauty Problem: Breakouts

Excess hormones from pregnancy and extra sweat from hot summer months can lead to the perfect acne-causing combination. To manage acne naturally, wash face twice daily with a gentle, all-natural facial cleanser. Use natural skincare products and makeup that is free of harsh chemicals such as dimethicone and fragrance, which can clog pores or cause irritation. Change your pillowcase often to prevent bacteria buildup on the fabric of your pillowcase.

Let these beauty fixes enhance your summer with healthy lustrous hair and radiant glowing skin. Now you can be free of the usual summer stresses and the ever-lurking chemicals that can keep you from achieving your summer beauty and wellness goals.

When it comes to product choices, sudsing up is serious business. Your skin is a wonderful and protective barrier for your body, keeping germs and other harmful substances out. Unfortunately, toxic chemicals hidden in soaps and shampoos can be easily absorbed by the skin and, from there, make their way into your bloodstream. Knowing which ingredients to avoid in the shower will help keep you healthy and clean, inside and out. Here are our top offenders:

Avoid: Sulfates

Why: Most commonly appearing as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate, these synthetic detergents show up in everything from foaming soaps and shampoos to toothpaste and make-up. Sulfates are skin membrane irritants; they dry out impair the natural protective qualities of skin and hair. They also commonly combine with other ingredients to produce carcinogenic and nervous-system-disrupting by-products. Luckily for us, though, these little nasties are totally unnecessary when it comes to getting clean.

Avoid: Parabens

Why: Used in everything from all shower products, cosmetics, shaving creams to deodorants, parabens are man-made preservatives used in products to prevent the growth of molds, bacteria and yeasts. They mimic estrogens in the body and have been linked with breast and skin cancers.

Avoid: Phthalates

Why: These chemicals are found in hundreds of products, including plastics, cosmetics and personal care products. They’ve been linked with cancer and reproductive problems, and may be especially dangerous to babies and young children, whose are more sensitive to chemicals.

Avoid: Fragrance

Why: On an ingredient list, “fragrance” most often means some combination of synthetic, carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting chemicals you definitely do not want in your system. Because they aren’t individually listed on labels, they fly under the radar, but are nonetheless present in almost all shampoos, deodorants, skin creams, and other personal care products.

What’s a Mom to Do? We know you love your shower time. Lucky for you, all Nine Naturals’ products -- from luxurious shampoos to body butters to deodorants and more -- are 100% free of the above-listed toxins and pregnancy-safe!

Before motherhood, we imagine your morning routine was a singular-sensational experience. And by that we mean all you had to do was worry about you. But now with the introduction of your little bundle of joy, your focus has rightfully shifted…. to a million different places. But that doesn’t mean you have to leave the house looking like you haven’t showered for days. Check out our tips for keeping your beauty routine short and sweet so you can get out the door remembering everything and making it look effortless.

The Night Before

1. Shower, Blow Dry, Moisturize: Using your favorite Nine Naturals Soothing Body Wash & Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner, shower, wash and blow-dry your hair the night before. It will take a huge chunk of time out of your morning ritual and if your not big on blow drying, you can let your hair air dry and worry about the final touches in the a.m.
2. Choose Outfits for All: Lay out your clothes and your little one’s clothes. Standing in your closet looking into the hangers like a lost puppy won’t do anyone any good when it’s go-time.
3. Pack Lunches: We cannot stress this enough, the more you can do in advance the better. Have your food and your baby’s bottles packed and ready in the fridge. You’ll save yourself about twenty minutes, not to mention the chaos of trying to figure out what to eat.
4. Bagged ‘N Ready: Put together work, diaper and gym bags and place them by the door. And don’t forget an extra outfit, or two, for your bundle of joy. Now all there’s left to do is hit the road.
5. Polish Nails: Manicures don’t last three days with all the hand-washing moms do. But a quick buffing and massage of some vitamin E oil keep hang nails at bay and nails looking clean. If you still have the energy, feel free to go for the gusto and add a layer of clear, or if you’re feeling really fearless, try this season’s hot color – Trust Fund Beauty’s Rich Bitch.

The Morning Of

1. Clarisonic Cleanse: The foundation for all-things-beauty starts with the skin. There are plenty of other paces to save on time, but don’t skimp on cleansing. The Clarisonic is automatically programmed to sonically cleanse your skin for a minute.
2. Wash away! Mist Away: Select an all natural toner that you can mist. It’s super fast, refreshing and wakes you up in a spa-like way. And if you’re not a toner gal, grab a bottle of Evian spray mist. It’s an added layer of hydration any mom’s skin can use.
3. Apply SPF or a tinted moisturizer: Always use sunscreen on your face (and all over!) to protect your skin. For a 2 for 1, use an all natural tinted sunscreen (you can even make your own easily!) to even skin tones quickly and effectively. No need for brushes, sponges or fancy makeup equipment. Your fingers will get the job done perfectly.
4. Conceal those Sleepless Nights: Dot concealer under eyes and blend with fingers gently. By using your hands you keep your face looking light and natural while leaving time to spare. Tip: Dot you’re your eye lids as well and blend out with your fingers for a brighter and more natural alternative to eye shadow.
5. Blush or Bronze: Give the apples of your cheeks a quick dusting of bronzer or blush. This will help keep everything on your face looking bright-eyed and cheery.
6. Mascara: A quick layer of Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural mascara does wonders to open the eyes and define lashes.
7. Lipstick: With a natural and lightly made-up face, you could stand to choose a brighter lipstick or gloss to pull the whole look together. And with this season’s bright pinks, oranges and reds there’s plenty to choose from. Remember to keeps those lips luscious and hydrated with Nine Naturals Simply Natural Lip Balm.

Pregnancy is a time of amazing changes in the body. As hormone levels increase, even your hair can be affected, and you may find that it becomes particularly dry, resulting in breakage and split ends. While hormonal hair breakage during pregnancy might be unavoidable for some, the right hair care techniques and treatments can help restore shine and luster to your tresses! We have the 5 tricks to help you cure split ends:

1) Get Regular Trims: Moms-to-be should get their hair trimmed every four to six weeks to clean up rough ends, prevent future damage and give their hair a healthier overall look. This is also a prime opportunity to embrace a new style or add layers, both of which improve the appearance of brittle hair and can give your ‘do a voluminous boost.

2) Indulge In Deep Conditioning: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate those locks! Nine Naturals pregnancy safe, 100% plant based Mandarin + Ginger Restorative Conditioner nourishes damaged hair with its medley of restorative ingredients, which include organic emollients like Moroccan argan oil, shea butter and macadamia seed oil. It also contains flax seed oil and vitamin B5, both of which help prevent split ends. It works well as an everyday conditioner or a weekly mask, but either way, you’ll feel pampered.

3) Use Proper Hair Tools: Heat-intense hair tools are not your friend right now. Blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons break down the hydrogen bonds in the hair’s protective cuticle, creating damaged and fried-looking hair with each use. If you can’t live without your hair tools, avoid doing so every day, choose a low temperature setting and style quickly to keep your hair as healthy as possible. Additionally, invest in high quality haircare tools that protect your hair from additional damage like FHI Heat tools.

4) Use A Wide-Tooth Comb: After you apply conditioner in the shower, slowly run a wide-tooth comb through hair until all the tangles are out. This prevents the snaps and breakage you can incur when you try to brush out hair that is roughed up from a towel-dry.

5) Increase Folic Acid And Biotin Intake: Both of these B vitamins (folic acid and biotin) have been shown to improve hair health, length and thickness. Folic acid helps the production of red blood cells, which powers the growth of hair. Eat plenty of leafy greens, oranges, soybeans and wheat to get your boost of folic acid. Biotin, known to strengthen both hair and nails through its metabolism of fats, carbs and proteins, can be found in brown rice, lentils, peas, sunflower seeds and walnuts.

At Nine Naturals, we’re on a mission to make beauty simple, smart and safe for moms and moms-to-be. Integral to that is understanding our ingredients’ science and benefits. Today’s Nine Naturals Ingredient Story featuring Jojoba Seed Oil is part of an ongoing series featuring the natural, plant-based ingredients behind our high performance beauty products.

Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed oil is a relatively recent discovery in the cosmetics world. Native to the southwestern United States, Mexico and parts of Africa, Jojoba seed oil became popular as an ethical and sustainable alternative to whale oils in the 1970s. In fact this rich, natural oil proved superior to animal derived alternatives – particularly because of its significant cosmetic benefits for skin and hair.

The Science & Extraction of Jojoba Seed Oil

Jojoba seed oil is extracted by pressing the dried seeds harvested from the fruit of the jojoba tree. This process yields over 50% of the weight of the seed as a waxy mixture mainly made of single chain fatty acids. Because the resulting Jojoba seed oil doesn’t contain any triglycerides it has a very long shelf life making it an ideal ingredient for cosmetics. The single chain fatty acids in Jojoba seed oil also mimic natural skin oils, which is what makes Jojoba oil an effective moisturizer and why it helps to balance your skin’s oil production naturally. In addition, Jojoba seed oil contains large amounts of vitamin E so it not only moisturizes, but also promotes skin health.

Jojoba Seed Oil’s Benefits for Skin and Hair Care

Jojoba seed oil is a powerful moisturizing agent for both skin and hair, but that’s not all. Jojoba seed oil is also promising acne treatment and has anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties. On top of this Jojoba oil provides some natural UV protection and can help reduce photoaging.

Why Nine Naturals Loves Jojoba Seed Oil

The combination of Jojoba seed oil’s versatile moisturizing power and its additional protective and antioxidant properties make it an ideal natural cosmetic ingredient. At Nine Naturals we’ve used it in a host of our high performance beauty products. Our Citrus + Mint Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner, Mandarin + Ginger Restorative Conditioner, and Natural Belly Oil all take advantage of its potent moisturizing properties, while our Repairing Body Balm and Natural Sunscreen – in addition to moisturizing – incorporate the Jojoba oil’s healing and protective properties. To learn more about all our natural ingredients check out our Ingredient Glossary.

At Nine Naturals, we’re on a mission to make beauty simple, smart and safe for moms and moms-to-be. Integral to that is understanding our ingredients’ science and benefits. Today’s Nine Naturals Ingredient Story Series featuring Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is part of an ongoing series featuring the natural, plant-based ingredients behind our high performance beauty products.

Aloe barbadensis, more commonly known as Aloe vera, has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as far back as 4th century BC. In fact, historians have suggested that it was once a part of the beauty routines of Egyptian royalty. Today the extract of aloe barbadensis is widely used therapeutically to treat various skin conditions and cosmetically as a moisturizer for skin and hair.

The Science & Extraction of Aloe Barbadensis

Extracting the pulp from the aloe barbandensis plant simply entails separating the gelatinous inner material of the leaf from the outer husk. Once separated the extract can be concentrated to increase the potency and dried to allow for long term storage. That said, the gel extracted from Aloe leaves can actually be used for many applications even in its crude form. This aloe extract has a number of active ingredients that contribute to its effectiveness. For instance it contains vitamin E and salicylic acid, both of which are commonly used in acne washes. Aloe extract also includes an array of poly-saccharides that play a role in healing and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract’s Benefits for Skin and Hair Care

Aloe barbadensis extract is one of the few moisturizing agents on the market that has been scientifically proven to be effective. This is why it’s so well suited to use in both conditioners and lotions. Aloe extract not only moisturizes, but also reduces skin irritation and erythema. Additionally, a recent clinical trial showed that topical application of aloe extract significantly increased the effectiveness of acne treatments. As if that wasn’t enough, aloe barbadensis extract has also been shown to help with skin repair during wound healing.

We would like to note that while topical use of aloe extract is a safe and effective, oral consumption should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because of potential complications with contractions and infant gastrointestinal distress respectively.

Why Nine Naturals Loves Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Cosmetic use of Aloe barbadensis is both pregnancy-safe and highly effective, which is why we’ve made it a star ingredient in many of our products. We’ve taken advantage of its moisturizing properties in our conditioner and body cream, its acne fighting activity in our bodywash, and its ability to speed healing in our regenerative belly butter cream. Although aloe barbadensis extract does so much on its own, it is just one component of these products and you can learn more about all our great ingredients in our Ingredient Glossary.