essential-oils-summer

The gorgeous scent of fresh flowers and herbs is synonymous with summer, as the plants around us burst into bloom. And what better way to harness the power of these beautiful botanicals, than with a selection of organic essential oils made from the purest plant essences? Essential oils are a joy to use, and can be added to your daily routine in so many ways this summer. Whether you're looking to keep mosquitoes and other nasty bugs at bay; to soothe and hydrate your skin after a day in the sun; keep your family healthy and happy on holiday travels; or simply add an amazing natural scent to your living space; these little beauties have got the answer. It's time to get inspired folks! Here's a look at some of our favourite essential oils for the summer season - plus some great ways to use them for summertime health and beauty. 

Our green team is passionate about natural healing, and we're always looking to our loyal customers for inspiration on how we can offer you the best possible natural wellbeing solutions. So when we received an email from a customer asking about the best ways to combat acid reflux, we thought it was a great opportunity to put together some essential, need-to-know facts for you on acidity, acid reflux and balancing your body's pH. As you can see we've also had our green thinking caps on, and created a pH balancing product pack to help you heal and prevent the health issues associated with over-acidity.

Nothing beats stepping out to the beach, braai or summer's night party feeling confident and gorgeous in your skin. And after a long winter spent in jerseys and jeans, you'll want to add a little summer glow to your limbs. Now we all know that getting a little sun can work wonders for wintery skin, but it's almost impossible to get the tan you want while staying safe in the sun. And while many people find tanning beds to be a summer colour "quick fix", sunbeds pose the same risks to your skin as unprotected sun exposure does.

Self-tanning lotions and oils on the other hand, are an excellent way to show your skin some TLC and enjoy a beautiful sun-kissed glow - without any exposure to UV rays. Until now however, most popular self-tan brands were loaded with harsh chemicals... that's why we're so excited to announcce the latest addition to our body care range. TanOrganic is the world's FIRST eco-certified self-tan brand, designed to make your summer beauty regime easier - and safer - than ever before.

teacher-kindergarten Teachers are some of the most influential people in your little ones’ lives; and their job is one that can’t be done without real passion. Now as the school year draws to a close, it’s time to show these classroom-dwelling superheroes just how much you appreciate the work they do and the care they show. The Faithful to Nature team has put together a fantastic selection of thank-you gifts for teachers, and each one is made with care and respect for our planet too. These green goodies can be packaged for you in a choice of beautiful ways; in a gift box lined with natural raffia and tissue paper, or in a stylish reusable hessian bag. Browse our online gifting selection and gift accessories to create your own special hamper, or choose from one of our ready-made gift sets.

Nothing beats the sizzle of a summertime braai in South Africa! It's all about the sunshine, the chill-time and of course, a stack of delicious food! Now, for the vegetarians and vegans among us - as well as those entertaining veggie guests - braais can sometimes be a little tricky to navigate. After all, meat is considered the staple of any traditional braai or barbecue. Luckily, there's no shortage of sumptuous, satisfying veggie-friendly meals that can easily be added to your next braai. Check out these fun and delicious recipes that take the "vleis" out of "braaivleis" - and enjoy a healthier summer with a heaping helping of wholesome vegetables. These goodies are also sure to tempt even the most committed carnivore...

Whether it's the heart of winter or you're getting beach ready, treat your skin to something special - an all-natural toning and hydrating lotion that will smooth away unwanted wrinkles and dimples, leaving you with a smoother, softer and more supple skin you can't wait to show off. This body lotion is easy to make at home, and of course its free of harsh chemical additives, artificial colours and fake flowery fragrances. With shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax, this is just what every organic goddesses' skin craves!

Note that this recipe will give you a rich moisturising and toning lotion with a thick creamy texture. It will probably feel too "heavy" for daytime use, but it's perfect for the evenings when you've just stepped out of a bath or shower. Massage it into your skin before bed, so you can soak up all that goodness while you sleep!

If you're still feeling sluggish and slow despite the glorious summer sunshine, it's time for a post-winter detox to get your body and mind back on track. Detoxing means cleansing and revitalising your whole system, flushing out nasty toxins and losing a few unwanted pounds along the way! Here are 10 safe and healthy detoxing tips that will give you that reboot you need, without shocking your system or resorting to crash dieting.

summer-skin

Your skin's needs change as the seasons do; that means skincare products that work moisturising magic for you in the winter may leave you feeling greasy and clogged-up when the summer months begin. Flare-ups, breakouts and allergies are common with seasonal changes, but with the right organic goodies in your beauty regime, you'll soon be ready for whatever summer might bring your way. Here's a look at our top natural and organic seasonal skincare tips for a healthy, beautiful and confident summer.

suncare

A little bit of sunshine is good for the body and mind; but of course too much of a good thing will do more harm than good, so we need to be smart about sun safety and outdoors and choose natural sunscreens for healthy skin protection. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can wreak havoc on the skin, causing sunburns and premature ageing, and also increasing the risk of skin cancer. There is good news though; Mother Nature has given us a wide range of highly effective, all-natural sun protectants to keep our skin safe and healthy. Many of these plant oils and extracts are used as ingredients in our natural sunblocks; we highly recommend adding any of them to your skincare regime before (and during) the sunny summer months!