Aromatherapy Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils
  Spring
is finally here! With the start of the season comes the urge to give
your home a fresh start with spring cleaning. And what better way to put
a little spring into your home than with the smells and benefits of
nature's essences, essential oils.
I find that when I infuse my home with natural scents as spring comes
into full bloom, my family becomes more eager to get outside and enjoy
nature to its fullest.
Here are a few ways to use essential oils in your spring cleaning line-up: - Vacuuming. Add 1-2 drops of anti-bacterial lavender or geranium essential
oil into your vacuum bag to keep it fresh and to diffuse the scent into
the air as you clean. For bagless vacuums, add the drops to a tissue
and put it into the collection receptacle.
- Surface Cleaner. Create your own multi-surface disinfectant spray to use on any surface, sink and counter.
- Drawer Fresheners. There's nothing like putting on fresh smelling clothing! Put one of our aromatherapy bath bombs into your drawers to give them a nice, fresh scent of your choice.
- Dishwashing.To add fragrance or to improve the antiseptic action of your liquid soap , add several drops of essential oils like spruce, pine, lemon, bergamot, and orange. You can also add a few drops of these oils to dishwasher to help disinfect and purify it.
- Carpet Deodorizer. Whether you're removing smells from pets, cigarettes or cooking, you can make your own essential oil carpet deodorizer easily freshen and sanitize your carpets.
- Window Cleaner. Get your windows squeaky clean without the sour smell of commercial sprays with this essential oil window cleaner you can make yourself.
- Yoga Mat Spray. Is your stinky yoga mat keeping you achieving inner peace? Create your own essential oil yoga mat spray to disinfect it, giving it and you a fresh start.
- Air Fresheners. There are a number of ways to freshen the air in your home. Our favourite is to use ultrasonic diffusers to
purify your air and disperse the beneficial scents of essential oils
throughout your home. For convenience (and because everyone in my family
likes different scents!), I have a diffuser in all the main rooms of
our home. Another option is essential oil reed diffusers,
which passively disperse oils into the air. They're great for
bathrooms! Or if you want to combine that with a spray for "when you
need it", try getting one of our essential oil air freshener spray with a matching scent. If you like to combine fragrance with candle effects, try our aromatherapy soy candles.
My favourite essential oil blends for the spring are ones that remind me of flowers in bloom. Try Love (with Rose and Jasmine), Wild Gardenia (with Ylang Ylang and Jasmine), and Lavender Meadow (with Lavender & Orange). I also really like refreshing blends that smell like the clean, outdoors like Air (with Cedarwood & Spearmint), Coast (with Lavender & Frankincense), Breeze (with Bergamot & Oakmoss) and Green Forest (with Lime & Basil). Do
you have any special ways of cleaning using essential oils? Which are
your favourite essential oils and blends for the spring? Jacqui MacNeill
4 Aromatherapy Tips To Help You Sleep
 Insomnia
is a problem for many people. Not getting enough sleep makes it harder
to perform your daily activities, both mental and physical. It also
weakens your immune system. There are many great tips and articles for
improving sleep patterns (here's one I like), but sometimes it's not enough and people need a little extra help. Sleep Aromatherapy, using particular essential oils can give you a little extra help getting to sleep naturally without chemical drugs.
Create a Relaxing, Aromatherapy Sleep Ritual To
make the best use of aromatherapy methods, create a customized,
anxiety-reducing relaxation ritual for yourself in the 1-2 hours leading
up to bed time. A good friend of mine was having trouble sleeping due
to stress and anxiety. She developed the following routine and now
sleeps like a baby and even looks forward to bedtime. She starts by
taking a relaxing aromatherapy bath or shower, lighting a candle or
running her aromatherapy diffuser
in the bathroom while she bathes. When she gets out, she writes down
her worries in a journal and lets her mind rest knowing that she can
handle them in the morning. She then sprays a heated shoulder wrap with lavender aroma mist then reads until she falls asleep. 
Essential Oils that Help You Sleep Lavender oil, chamomile roman oil, ylang ylang oil, marjoram oil, and clary sage oil all have sleep-inducing qualities. They can be used on their own or you can mix these essential oils to create your own sleep-inducing essential oil blend.
You can also try Escents' own Sleep, Rest and Night Time Blends. Sleep
with Chamomile and Ylang Ylang is a classic blend designed to help you
to relax and get to sleep faster and allows for a deeper, more peaceful
sleep. Chamomile was included in this blend because it has been used for
centuries in teas as a mild, relaxing sleep aid, treatment for fevers,
colds, stomach ailments, and as an anti-inflammatory. Ylang Ylang evokes
calmness and can melt away anxiety, tension and stress.
Night Time
with Chamomile and Lavender, is a new blend designed to help you leave
the day behind and let your worries melt away and help you rest and
sleep. Along with the benefits of Chamomile, Lavender is used in this
blend and is the most versatile essential oil and has been used for
centuries from calming and relaxing the mind. Night Time is great to diffuse when you're reading a book before bed or getting ready to hop between the sheets.
Rest
with Lavender and Rosewood, is also new and can help relieve tension so
you can rest and prepare yourself for sleep. This blend can also be
used throughout the day when you just want to relax and unwind.
4 Ways to Use Aromatherapy to Help You Sleep 1) Aromatherapy Diffusers. Add 5-8 drops of your chosen essential oils or our Sleep essential oil blend to
some water in an ultrasonic diffuser and turn it on when you go to bed.
It will purify and permeate the air in your bedroom with your chosen
oils. Be sure to use one that shuts off automatically like our Ultramist Diffuser you don't have get up and turn it off. Do NOT use a candle diffuser. Candles should never be left unattended. 
2) Essential Oil Mists. Add 40 drops of essential oils to an unscented mist. You can also our Lavender Aroma Mist or our Sleep Aroma Mist. Lightly spray the mist on bed linens before getting into bed to go to sleep. 3) Roll-On Therapy. Add 20 drops to an unscented roll-on or try our Sleep Aromatherapy Roll-On. Apply to wrists and neck before going to sleep. 
4) Relaxing Aromatherapy Bath or Shower. Add 10-20 drops of essential oils to 30ml of unscented bath oil or unscented wash & bubble bath.
Draw a nice, warm bath adding the mix to your water. Make sure the
water is not too hot or cold or else it may stimulate you rather than
relax you. Alternatively, you can use our wash & bubble as a body
wash in the shower or try out our new Rest Therapeutic salts or our Night Time bath oil. 
Have you found an essential oil blend or aromatherapy ritual that works well against insomnia? Please comment and let me know!
Jacqui MacNeill
Why Iris? Inspired by the Turkish Countryside
Over lunch, in our Vancouver head office, the Escents team was getting giddy with excitement about the launch of our new signature collection, Iris. I was asked, "Why Iris?" What was you're inspiration?"
 Recently a group of us from Escents went to
Turkey to see the rose harvest. We toured
the country and visited rose farms where we had an incredible 12 days and
learned everything possible about roses.
It was a magical trip, a once in
a lifetime experience.It was a magical trip, a once in
a lifetime experience.
When leaving Vancouver I didn't know what I
would find when we got to Turkey what I found was a place where I was
confronted with both a modern outlook and old worldliness. It is a fascinating, marvelous and enchanting
Country from its Southern Mediterranean beaches to its mountainous natural
wonders. While there I also fell in love with the Iris -
this beautiful flower grows wild throughout Turkey. It was amazing to be touring and walking
around the countryside and seeing these majestic, bold flowers growing
everywhere, their beautiful, blue color
in stark contrast to the often remote and desolate surroundings in which they
grew.
Chapter One: Reflections - 20 Years of "Living it Well"
You
can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them
looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow
connect in your future. You have to trust in something -your gut,
destiny, life, and karma - whatever. This approach has never let me down
and it has made all the difference in my life. Steve Jobs.
It
is hard to believe that 20 years ago I started Escents Aromatherapy. It
began as a business idea that would allow me to not only do something I
loved but would also to share with others the beautiful world of
essential oils, fragrance and natural aromas.
I was
exposed to essential oils and the beauty of scent one day while in
Portland, Oregon. It was 1990 And I had just graduated with a business
degree and decided I wanted to open my own store - the problem was what
to sell? I began the search for a product that would meet the three
following criteria:
1. Provide benefit and "help" people in some way;
2. Afford me the luxury of constant learning;
3. Allow me to make a living doing something I loved.
Happy New Year from Escents
At this time of year, we're taking a moment to rest a little after a hectic holiday season, and giving big thanks for YOU, our loyal customers and fans, who have inspired us as we grew. You supported us as we introduced some new products, entusiastlically jumped in as we asked you to try new scents, and added products to exisiting lines.
We opened three new locations this year: Vancouver stores on Main Street and West 4th Ave (which opened its doors just weeks before Christmas!) and our kiosk in Coquitlam Centre. We continued to expand into Taiwan and across Canada youll be seeing us on Air Canada starting in 2012.
Our Escents Family suffered a major loss earlier this fall when our beloved District Manager passed away very suddenly. Jessica Leavitt was in integral part of our team, and we honour her memory and her wishes that we Make it a great day with every step we take.
We know you have other options when it comes to your bath, body and skin care needs, so we are particularly glad to have you with us as we move into our big celebration year; 2012 marks 20 years since we opened our first store!
Please have a safe and fun New Year's celebration and stay tuned next week; we have loads of exciting celebrations planned and we'd love for you to be a part of all of them! We wish you all a New Year filled with health, peace, and natural wellness and I hope youll join us for our 20th year celebrations!
Cheers,
Jacqui
Strutting Our Stuff
The holidays are here, and we're in full festive swing here at Escents. We've worked hard to bring you some great deals as you work through your shopping list and we're already looking ahead to 2012.
We're really excited to be partnering with Strut Wines this holiday season to bring you very special samples of our Sultry Shimmer Lotion. Earlier this month, more than 20,000 of these samples appeared on bottles of Strut Wines in select liquor stores in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, along with a fabulous money-saving coupon that can be used in our stores or online. We love Strut because it represents what we talk about all the time here at Escents; that we want our customers to be their best at anything they choose to do, and "strut their stuff" as they do.
The lotion is scented with Sultry, a woody, seductive, floral blend of Howood and Jasmine, and we think you'll agree that it's a beautiful fragrance to dress up any holiday outfit.
The shimmer in the lotion was carefully developed over the past year using the mineral mica for sparkle, with a blend of jojoba oil, shea butter, avocado oil, and aloe vera to create a seductive lotion we're sure you're going to love.
Next time you're preparing for date night with someone special or a fun evening with friends, reach for Strut and a sample of our new Sultry Shimmer Lotion before you strut your stuff! If you fall for the sample, we do have full-size bottles available in store or online, as well.
Jacqui's Favorite Essential Oils for the Fall
 Each season has its ups and downs and we notice these most at the onset of each season. The fall is represented by transformation and harvest. It is a time we feel thankful for all of nature's bounty, whether this comes in the form of harvest feasts or simply the beauty of it all as we walk in the woods and appreciate the colour changes in the leaves.
Many people find that the change in season brings about its own unique physical and emotional quirks for people making its impact strongest at the onset. To help make sure that we're making the most of the fall season it's good to nip these things in the bud so to speak. Below are some health solutions using essential oils to help you manage issues related to seasonal change.
1. Low Immunity. While winter is widely regarded the "Cold & Flu" season, our immune systems often get caught off guard when while our bodies acclimatize to the change in temperature that comes with fall leaving us more vulnerable to illness. Try to maintain your activity levels and healthy eating habits as the season changes to help keep your immune system strong. See our essential oil health solutions giving your immune system an extra boost. As the cooler temperatures make me feel like nesting inside, I find I am using my diffuser more and more, with our Pure Imunity Blend. I also use this blend in my lotion as it's a great way to boost my immune system - my kids bring home so many germs from school! If I do start feeling under the weather or just run down, I roll our Respiration Blend throughout the day, it always helps to make me breathe better.
2. Allergies. Depending on where you live and what you're allergic too, the fall can be a bad season for allergies, oftentime worse than spring. If you suffer from fall allergies, let someone else do the raking, mowing, composting, etc and stay indoors. Avoid hanging clothing or bedding outdoors so you don't expose them to pollen and mold. One of our store Managers was telling me that she uses Niaouli in her Arometherapy Pendant (the ones that appeared on Dragon's Den!) as a great way to reduce affects of allergies. I would also recommend burning Niaouli in a diffuser at bedtime or even adding it to your shower gel so the benefits can really get into your system. See our essential oil health solutions for allergies.
3. Fatigue. With the gradual decrease in daylight, people often find themselves more and more physically and mentally fatigued as fall sets in. People also start to "hibernate" more, decreasing the physical activity that helps keep energy levels up. Of course, you should try to maintain your fitness regime, but aromatherapy can also help, so here are tips for dealing with fatigue using essential oils. Most of our Escents staffers have a diffuser in their offices, and many of us use Rosemary in them to combat the mid-afternoon slump, or use it in a lotion or wash as a perfect way to increase energy. A quick trick I often use when I'm driving and needing to perk up is to roll Headache Relief on the back of my neck - honestly, there aren't many things that Headache Relief doesn't work on; there must be a reason it's been our best seller for nearly 20 years!
What essential oils do you find most useful or appealing in the fall? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Jacqui MacNeill
Our Run for the Cure in Memory of Jessica Leavitt
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 9/29/2011
to Wellness
 On Sun. Oct. 2, Escents will be entering a team in Run for the Cure. We are dedicating our run to the memory of Jessica Leavitt, Escents' Operations Leader who passed away suddenly on September 17th. She is survived by her husband and her daughter and son. Jessica had been with Escents for years, and was truly the embodiment of all this company stands for. The thing we will remember her most for was her positivity; she signed off every email with "Make it a great day!" and she truly lived by her words. She always gave her best and expected nothing less from every single member of her team, and her passing has left a giant hole in our hearts. We can only seek to follow her example and do our best to always, "Make it a great day."
Breast Cancer Awareness
We aren't always able to do anything about the cards that are dealt to us in life, but with breast cancer there are many things that can be done to reduce the risks and potentially its severity. Awareness is the key. That's why we believe so strongly in all the various activities the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation does. Their goal is to not only fund research for the cure, but also to raise awareness to minimize the impact of this disease.
Risk Reduction
Some risk factors, such as age and family history, are non-modifiable, meaning there is nothing that can be done to change them. There are, however, a number of modifiable risk factors, such as body weight, physical activity, alcohol use, exposure to tobacco smoke, etc, that can be changed to reduce your risks of developing breast cancer. Read more about established risk factors.
Early Detection
If breast cancer can be detected at an early stage of development, the chances of successful treatment are usually better. It can allow for a greater variety of treatment options like less aggressive treatment or breast conserving surgery. The 2 most common forms of breast screening are clinical breast examinations and screening mammography. You can also learn to become more " breast aware" by knowing how your breasts normally look and feel so that if you notice any significant changes you can have them checked by a doctor.
Run with or Support the Escents Team
Want to get involved with Run for the Cure? We are inviting everyone to join or support our team and receive special rewards for their efforts. Our goal is to raise at least $1,500, but we hope to do even better.
There are 2 ways you can get involved:
1) Run with the Escents team. Join our team and get a free Red Rose Soy Jar Candle, plus a 15% discount on any single purchase at our retail stores. You'll also get a special Escents team t-shirt.
2) Donate to support the Escents team. If you support our team by making a donation, you'll get a FREE Red Rose Hand Repair Cream, plus a 15% discount on any single purchase at our retail stores.
Jacqui MacNeill
6 Back-to-School Tips from a Busy Mom Trying to Be Green
 It's that time of year again! This morning my husband and I got up extra early to make sure everything went smoothly for our kids' first day back in school. Back-to-school usually seems like a busy time, but this year, if anything, it didn't seem like much fuss after the super active summer season we've had at Escents this year. This summer we launched 5 new essential oil blends launched ( Bright Blossom, Summer, Iris, Osmanthus and Floral Fantasy), as well as our new line of natural deodorants, and the launch of our new Escents retail store on Main Street.
Back-to-school was a quiet process in comparison. I took the time this year to evaluate what we buy and use for school to make sure we're making the best choices for the environment, an eco-audit if you will.
Here are 6 green practices we've committed to for our kids school routine:
1. Only Buy What You Need. Our consumerist culture tries to make everyone feel like buying new things whenever they have a new start on the horizon, and back-to-school is no exception. Take inventory of everything your kids have then make a list of the things your they truly need and stick to that list. Don't just buy new things because they happen to be on sale. Try to get your kids to understand why they don't need a new school bag when their other one is perfectly fine.
2. Make Eco-Friendly Clothing Choices. If you have children of different ages, items can often be handed down from older kids to younger ones. You may also be able to organize a clothing swap amongst your family and friends. You may even find a clothing swap event in your community. When items are needed, keep an eye out for them at second hand stores or garage sales. If you do have to buy new clothes, go for products made from more sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or bamboo, rather than more disposable materials that wear out quickly.
3. Choose Green Pens & Pencils. The technology of our writing tools has improved over the years. The days of disposable pens and pencils are over, replaced by biodegradable pencils and refillable pens, and recyclable versions of both. Be sure to encourage your children to use their pencils and pens as long as possible before grabbing new one.
4. Use Reusable, Eco-Friendly Food Storage. Lunch can be a great source of waste, so be sure to opt for washable, reusable containers for all your children's food. Avoid vinyl lunch boxes, many of which carry harmful lead content. Instead, invest in a PVC-free, thermally insulated lunch carrier made from recycled juice boxes or organic cotton. And, of course, avoid any snacks that have disposable packaging. It's pretty easy to buy snacks in bulk then package them in reusable options.
5. Have Your Kids Walk, Bike or Bus to School. Walking or biking to school is the most eco-friendly choice for getting to school. Of course, sometimes it's not practical or safe, depending on where you live. Riding the school bus is the next best choice. Carpooling with other parents in the area comes next. The worst choice is driving them alone. Walk to School Month (http://www.iwalktoschool.org/index.htm) is a great way to encourage green transportation.
6. Do This Stuff All Year. Making green choices for back-to-school is a great start toward a sustainable lifestyle, but it's important to keep up these practices as the year progresses. Apply the lesson you've learned for back-to-school to other areas of your life and keep emphasizing the importance of these practices to your children. For these efforts to work, they need to carry it on throughout their lives too.
What choices have you made to make your back-to-school routine more eco-friendly? Please feel free to share in our comments section. :)
Jacqui MacNeill
7 Tips for Having and Raising a Green Baby
 Many women these days are strong values about environmental preservation and want to have their babies with as little a carbon footprint as possible. One of our Escents retail store managers has committed to having a green baby herself. This has become a hot topic here at Escents, so we'd like to share some of the many tips we've learned for having a green baby.
1. Use Only Used or Recycled Items. It is very easy to get used baby goods because they're only useful for a limited time and after that they're given away or sold. If buying items for your baby, take a gander at second hand stores or classied ad websites (like Craigslist or Kijiji). The bonus is that you'll save a ton! If you can't find what you need, there are many stores that are committed to selling items that are made from recycled or organic materials.
2. Have a Green Baby Shower. There are a wide variety of ways you can make your baby shower a green one. Send your invitations by email or online invitation service. Indicate that you would like to receive only used items or organic baby products. Request that guests wrap gifts in re-usable cloth bags or by reusing paper goods like newspaper or brown paper grocery bags. Serve organic food, but don't use disposable plates and cutlery. If you don't have enough, ask guests to bring their own. If decorating, try to find ways to do so by re-using other materials, like old magazines, wrapping paper, etc. You'd be surprised what you can do without buying cheap decorations that'll end up in the trash! More ideas for throwing a green baby shower.
3. Use Organic Cloth Diapers. It is widely accepted that cloth diapers are far better for the environment that disposable diapers. Here's one article that explains why. They do require a certain level of commitment to the process, however. Here's an article that outlines what you can expect. Even if you do go for cloth, you can still use disposables that are more earth-friendly when you're going on outings, ones that are chemical free and/or flushable.
4. Breastfeed. Breast milk is the most eco-friendly way to feed your little one. No additives, no packaging, no energy use for preparation. It's also naturally formulated to protect them against illnesses and allergies while providing the right nutrients.
5. Eat Organic. Eating organic produce is the best way to avoid all the chemicals and pesticides commonly used in farming. When your baby is ready for solid food, try making your own baby food with organic produce, or better yet, organic produce from your own garden! Making your own baby food also has the side benefit reducing packaging.
7. Be a Good Example. As your child grows up, he or she will follow in your footsteps. Teach them how to live green and inspire them by by living that path! Choose reusable, recycled, biodegradable products whenever possible. Don't waste paper. Encourage your child to draw on the back of used paper. Give your child's old clothes to younger children or donate them to charity. Teach your child to value nature by involving them in your gardening, taking them camping, etc. The Environmental Youth Alliance (EYA), once of Escents' partners, is very much committed to this concept.
These are but a few examples of tips for having and raising a green baby. I'm quite sure many of you out there have a few fantastic ideas of your own! Please share these ideas in the comments to help encourage a greener standard of living Jacqui MacNeill
3 Easy Options for Indoor Composting
 With our strong love of nature, my family and I enjoy maintaining a garden and keep lots of house plants. As such, we are avid composters. We use an outdoor composting system that we keep in the backyard, but I was recently thinking about the many people who dont have the benefit of a yard to do composting. After looking into it though, I found a few excellent options that allow everyone to recycle their organic waste. Most people are aware that compost can be used as a natural fertilizer in place of the non-renewable chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which is great because these tend to destabilize natural ecosystems and contaminate surface and ground water.
Here are 3 easy options for indoor composting you can try:
Indoor Composting Option #1: Vermicomposting (Worm Bin)
Vermicomposting using a worm bin is really easy for some folks, and really tricky for others. For the worms to thrive and odour issues to be managed, you need to maintain the proper balance of moisture and food. Too much of either and your worms wont survive. While it can be a balancing act, its probably the most efficient way to compost indoors.
There are plenty of premade options for indoor worm bins for under $100, but you can also youre your own. Worm bins are easy to build yourself. You can even involve your children in the process to help teach them about natures role in the breakdown of waste. Children have a natural fascination with creepy crawlies like worms so it can be a lot of fun for them. Here is an easy guide for making your own worm bin composter.
Indoor Composting Option #2: Bokashi
The term Bokashi is Japanese for fermented organic matter. It is a really cool way of doing intensive composting. Basically, the bokashi, a dry mixture usually made of bran, molasses, water and effective microorganisms (EM), ferments your food scraps and is almost completely odour-free. People say it smells a lot like apple cider vinegar.
All you have to do is place your kitchen waste in the bucket, sprinkle a small amount of bokashi mixture over the waste then slightly compress and seal the container. The beneficial microbes immediately start fermenting the food scraps, releasing valuable nutrients and enzymes, without the issues of odour, heat or insects. The organic material doesnt break down, rather it pickles.
You can buy a full starter system for around $60-$75, or make your own bokashi bin for free (plus the $10 or so cost of the bokashi which lasts a few months).
The best thing about bokashi composting is you can put in things you wouldnt normally put in a composter, meat, dairy, jellies, condiments, food scraps, as well as vegetable waste. With its small footprint, lack of odour, non-electric nature, and seeming ease of use, bokashi composting is a great option. The fermented waste it produces, however, must be transferred either to a worm bin, compost pile or buried into soil in order to finish the process.
Indoor Compost Option #3: Have Someone Do It For You
This can be a great option for strata buildings, restaurants and businesses in general. Many areas have a variety of travelling compost services that offer convenient ways to contain your organic waste, which is then picked up and composted for you. Urban Impact is one such service that operates in the Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Calgary areas, serving both private homes and businesses.
Your Turn!
Now back to you. Do you compost in your household? What methods do you use? If you compost you probably grow plants of some sort. If so, keep an eye out for our upcoming 'Way to Grow' contest that we'll be launching soon. The purpose of this contest is to showcase and reward people for their commitment to nature through the growth and nurturing of plant life.
Jacqui MacNeill
Introducing Our New Natural Deodorants
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 7/20/2011
to Wellness
I'm pleased to announce the introduction of our new natural deodorants to Escents' product collection. We've put a lot of thought into the development of this product and are very proud of the formula we've created, one that relies on vegetable protein in combination with pure essential oils rather than aluminum chlorhydrate or other aluminum compounds. Vegetable Protein Deodorant Formula vs. Aluminum FormulasA number of medical studies suggest that if aluminum enters your blood, it can be absorbed and accumulated in the body. According to some research there may be an association between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease. For this reason many people are choosing to avoid formulas that contain aluminum.
The vegetable protein base used in Escents' deodorant formula is based on a bio-fermentation technology from yeast, and contains enzymes such as hydrolases, de-Esterases, reductiveases, and oxidases, which are said to promote the conversion of a wide range of malodorous substances to their heavier molecule weight, non-odourous salt forms. It neutralizes odours caused by perspiration, human waste, vomit, cigarette smoke, food, mildew, pets and depilatories. Essential Oil Blends in Our DeodorantsHow to Use Our Natural DeodorantsOur natural deodorants can not only be used under your arms. They can also be used on your feet or anywhere else you want to fight odour naturally. One day after walking around in sandals all day I found that both my feet and sandals stank. I tried the new formula on my feet and noticed that not only did my feet stop smelling, the sandals I was wearing also stopped smelling. At that moment, I knew we had developed something great!
Our natural deodorants coming in a standard size and a travel size for when you're on the go. Give either one a try and let us know how it works out for you! :)
Introducing Summer, Our Newest Essential Oil Blend
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 7/6/2011
to Products
We all love our new Summer blend here at Escents, so much so that we have gone ahead and launched it in our newest creation, a totally natural Enzyme Deodorant, in addition to a Hand & Body Lotion, Wash & Bubble, and Handmade Soap. I am thrilled to finally share this incredibly fresh, engaging unisex blend with all our fans.
One thing is for certain: Summer is Mother Nature in all her glory, vibrant and alive. Summer is a blissful escape from our daily stresses that warms and comforts our souls. This is the inspiration behind my latest creation, our Summer Essential Oil Blend, with top notes of Rosemary and Lemon.
The Rosemary, with its fresh, natural herb scent, entrances and revitalizes the mind. Cleansing, refreshing Lemon adds an element of clarity and energy to the blend. And who doesn't love a tall, glass of cool lemonade on a hot summer day?
I was curious what other people said summer smells like to them and looked to Yahoo Answers for inspiration and found these replies:
"Fresh mowed green grass. French Fries at the Fair. Cotton Candy. Puppy Breath. Sand and the beach."
"The fresh smell of the morning dew. The sweet smell of flowers blooming in the fresh hot summer air. Hearing and smelling the fresh pollening of the Honey suck's growing across the fence and seeing Hummingbirds sucking the sweet nectar out of the Honey sucks. Animal dancing with the joy of summer and new Born's being born."
"The smell of homework being ripped apart, the clean aroma of a mowed lawn, the yummy flavor of Caprisun juice (and popsicles), the beach, hotdogs, sweaty friends suggesting crazy ideas, and FREEDOM."
"Being a cattle man, I love the smell of a newborn calf... the smell of fresh cut hay..the smell of the sun as it hits the wild grass in the field."
"Freshly mowed grass, food on the barbeque, apple blossoms, the fragrance after a rain."
"It smells like happiness even though people are still in war, and fighting. Just watch the clouds and let everything around you drift away.
"Lilacs, strawberries, and sweaty sex."
"Banana scented suntan lotion...peace."
Now over to you; What does summer smell like to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments. Jacqui MacNeill
From Treating Acne to Getting ZZZs: The Versatility of Lavender Oil
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 6/21/2011
to Wellness
 With the onset of summer upon us, lavender is in full bloom and is ready for harvest for the creation of Lavender Essential Oil, one of the most popular and versatile of all the essential oils. With a scent that is soft and floral, fresh and herbaceous, yet with a touch of sweetness, it blends well with a variety of other essential oils, making it a popular choice for use in perfume. It also has a long history of use for wellness and healing purposes due to its versatility for treating a wide variety of healing properties. It also can be used directly on skin without diluting it, unlike most other essential oils.
Healing Properties of Lavender Oil Antiseptic/Antifungal/Antibacterial: These properties make it ideal for dealing with all sorts of skin and bodily issues, including, acne, burns, athlete's foot, insect bites, cold sores, cuts/wounds, lice prevention, etc, and is ideal for use in germ prevention strategies. Calming Effect on Nervous System: Widely used for this characteristic in treating headaches/migraines, stress/anxiety, insomnia, hyperactivity (ADHD), depression, nervousness, etc. Improves Circulation: This property makes Lavender effective for boosting immunity, reducing foot/leg swelling, treating hemorrhoids/varicose veins, etc. Helps with Breathing Issues: Lavender is used for a wide variety of respiratory disorders, including coughs/colds & flu, asthma, snoring, sinusitis, etc. Anti-Inflammatory, Pain-Relieving: This makes Lavender a good choice for soothing muscle soreness, joint sprains/strains, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc. Helps Facilitate the Digestive Process: Great for easing nausea, colic, abdominal cramps and indigestion. Lavender Oil in Escents Due to its versatility, you'll find Lavender Oil in a vast number of Escents products. It is an ingredient in wellness products such as our Natural Headache Relief Roll-on, Blemish B'Gone Acne Treatment Gel, and Stretch Mark Prevention Oil. You'll also find it in a variety of calming essential oil blends, including Relaxation, Soothe, Blue Water, and Lavender Meadow. And because of it's beautifully versatile scent, you'll find it in a number of our most popular signature essential oil blends, including Matcha Tea, Red Rose, Verve, Willow, Chic, and Coast. I use Lavender practically every day, whether it's for relaxation, healing, or in my bath and body products. What's your favourite way to use Lavender? Jacqui MacNeill
Advice to Share about Skin Cancer
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 5/9/2011
to Wellness
Escents President & Founder Jacqui MacNeill shares a touching video with advice about preventing skin cancer and asks you all to spread the word and pass it around.
6 Daily Practices for Green Living
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 4/20/2011
to Promotions
Escents President & Founder Jacqui MacNeill shares a variety of environmentally friendly practices she undertakes day to day in celebration of Earth Day.
7 Ways to Control Food Cravings to Help Lose Weight
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 3/28/2011
to Wellness
Everyone knows that if you want to lose weight, you need to have a strategy that combines physical activity and sensible eating. Where many of us fall short is when we have cravings for unhealthy trigger foods that we're used to eating regularly. Read on for tips for controlling food cravings to help you lose weight.
How Escents Headache Relief Works
Posted by Escents on 3/12/2011
to Wellness
Escents Founder Jacqui MacNeill shares her story of how she developed the effective essential oil combination contained in the Escents Headache Relief line.
5 Benefits of Romantic Rose Oil
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 1/24/2011
to Promotions
Rose essential oil is associated with a wide variety of physical and emotional benefits, in addition to its captivating scent. Here are 5 benefits that can be derived from rose oil.
14 New Ways to Fight Chronic Inflammaation & Premature Aging
Adding to our recently released collection, Escents Aromatherapy has introduced 14 new Thera-Skin products, doubling its numbers. With these new additions, over 9 different skin types are addressed, providing greater variety than most other natural skin care lines.
7 Ways to Calm Body & Mind with Cedarwood Oil
Cedar trees are also commonly found in landscaping in homes across Canada. It has a wide variety of uses in aromatherapy, particularly in ways that calm the body and mind. Here are 7 such ways.
3 Ingredients to Avoid in Sunscreens
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 7/23/2010
to Wellness
Not all sunscreens are created equal. Some don't do everything you think they do. Others may be doing things you don't want them to. Here's a quick lowdown on what to avoid and what to look for in a sunscreen.
Aromas from Nature - 100% Phthalate Free
Jacqui MacNeill discusses the potential dangers of products containing phthalates, an ingredient not found in Escents collections but in many common household products.
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