Tag: Lavender

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Five ways handmade soap is better for the planet

Handmade Lavender Rose soap

Swapping from liquid soaps in plastic bottles is a great way to help the planet. Here at Gower Lavender we work hard to make our business ‘planet-first’. We have solar power, we grow our lavender without weedkillers and pesticides, our packaging is made of compostable and/or recyclable material, and we use natural, ethical ingredients in our products – and we NEVER use palm oil.

If our business can make planet-first changes, then we reckon you can too. Swapping to a solid soap is a simple change which can have far-reaching benefits.

Here are five reasons to make the change:

1) Solid soap uses less water than liquid soap, so it takes up less space and is lighter – that makes it more efficient to transport, reducing its carbon footprint. And better value for you too!

2) You can say goodbye to plastic packaging. Did you know that only 9 per cent of the plastic ever produced has been recycled? Even if you diligently put your old bottles in the recycling, there’s a high chance they won’t be recycled, ending up in landfill instead

3) Handmade soap is better for your skin. Most liquid soaps are detergent based, stripping moisture from your skin without replacing it. A proper cold process soap like ours is ‘superfatted’, meaning it contains extra oils which hydrate your skin as you wash

4) Buying a handmade soap from a British artisan maker or crafter means you can get much more information about the ingredients, the process and the people behind the brand. You’re also keeping money local, which is better for British businesses, and for the British economy. It also has less distance to travel, and lower ‘soap miles’ equals better for the environment

5) A bar of soap lasts longer than liquid soap, so you don’t have to buy it so frequently – again, better for the planet and better for your pocket!

We take great care in our range of lavender soaps, using as many local, Welsh ingredients as possible, including our own Gower-grown lavender of course! It makes the perfect gift for someone eco-conscious, or who loves eco products but doesn’t want to compromise on luxury. Take a look at our range, and make the swap today!

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The Science of Aromatherapy for Wellness

Lavender essential oil natural skincare for dry and sensitive skin.

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to promote mental health and wellness. It involves the use of essential oils derived from plants to enhance physical and emotional wellbeing. The science behind aromatherapy is fascinating and shows that certain scents can have a powerful impact on our mood and emotions. To determine whether a scent is a fragrance or essential oil, always look for the common and botanical names on the packaging.

Contrary to popular belief, essential oils aren’t just a single scent. They are made of several aroma compounds and should always be diluted if used topically on the skin and only inhaled for short periods of time. Compounds may smell different on their own but, when combined, provide the complete natural scent. For example, the main aroma compounds of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are linalool and linalyl acetate. Individually, they don’t smell of anything recognisable. Once combined, they take on the lavender scent which so many love and enjoy. After all, lavender is one of the most popular aromatherapy oils known for helping with relaxation, promoting calmness and providing relief from stress. Many swear by it to give them a great night’s sleep and it’s even been featured in clinical research studies on anxiety.

Aromatherapy is way more than a stress reducer. It can also uplift and invigorate the mood. This may be helpful during the winter months when it’s darker for longer or when your get-up-and-go needs a kick start. Most of us will have experienced the scent of menthol, a well-known and recognised aroma compound found in peppermint essential oil. This gives peppermint its refreshing scent which is very uplifting, refreshing and stimulating. It’s perfect for use in the morning, especially when you need a pick-me-up or mood boost. It’s not ideal for use late at night unless you’re burning the midnight oil.

As we head towards winter, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is another uplifting, stimulating and refreshing scent which can give you a mood boost on dark early wintery mornings. Some say it reminds them of eucalyptus which is quite interesting as they share an aroma compound called 1, 8-cineole which is also known as eucalyptol. This might explain why so many people recognise it as eucalyptus.

In aromatherapy, there are so many oils to choose from and you should always choose the scents you are naturally drawn towards.  As it is fundamental to our mental wellbeing, here’s Alison’s top five essential oils for getting a great night’s sleep:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), frankincense (Boswellia carterii or Boswellia Serrata), ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) and chamomile (Anthemis noblis).

Experience Lavender in our Gardener’s range and Sweet Orange in the Wee Bairns skincare range for delicate baby skin and to help dry and sensitive skin.