Author Archives: Lili Giglia

Brand, Essentially Lili Products, Skincare Tips

Summer Time & Sun Protection

Posted on by Lili Giglia
Summer Time - Sun Protection
16
Aug

Summer Time &
Sun Protection

Get your fill of Vitamin D,
rest & recharge your energy levels!

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We all love the summertime – well most of us do!It gives us a chance to chill, relax, spend time with our family and friends, and change our daily scenery.

Holiday destinations whether near or far can assist us in feeling revitalized. I particularly love seeing where my friends go to for their vacations as it gives me something to add to my bucket list of places to see.

During the change of weather, some of my customers write to me to ask about what sunscreen products to use and whether or not I make any. For strict legislative reasons, I don’t make certain products to sell, one of which includes sunscreen.
Though over the years, I found it difficult to find sunscreen products that wouldn’t irritate my super sensitive skin.

Australia is famous for being a ‘Slip Slop Slap’ culture when it comes to the outdoors – Slip on the T-shirt, Slop on the sunscreen and Slap on a hat. Even Aussie kids at school cannot go outside in the playgrounds without wearing a hat to protect themselves from the sunshine.

During our jet-skiing days with my siblings in Melbourne, Australia, we spent most of our days and weekends out in the sunshine having a blast.  Besides needing to keep hydrated drinking plenty of water, we had to protect our skin at the beaches and lakes for long periods of time. We wore our wetsuits & our caps but sunscreen had to be applied and reapplied especially after hours of being in the water & the sun.

One time I tried using the Cricketer’s famous ‘White Zinc’ on my face across the nose and cheeks.
‘Oh-My-God’ what a disaster trying to get off my face!

I had to cleanse and scrape at the end of the day and it still wouldn’t come off. The frustration of looking like a tomato face from both the sunshine AND the remains of White Zinc was so Urgh! Then there’s using Sun Creams which I found so rich on my skin, that they clogged my pores and caused me to break out with acne spots.

One day I tried something else.  The discovery of Sunblock in the form of a stick was the best thing ever for someone like me. Of course, once I started using this, I stocked up big time and always carried it with me. What I found with Sunblock is that I could reapply it when needed, carry it in my bag all the time, and not worry about clogging my skin.

For those that tend to break out in acne during the summer, Sunblock is definitely a protection treatment for your skin. It keeps your skin hydrated and protected without overfilling your reserves with excess ingredients.

The other annoyance of the summertime are bugs, insects & mozzies which like to feast on our yummy sweet skin. And if you’re sweet like my family, then the mozzies will be hiding and biting whilst we sleep. For this, I made an All Natural Mozz-Off which contains ingredients like Lemon Lime, Eucalyptus Essential Oils that are great for our skin but not what bugs and mozzies like to smell. It was especially requested for a Customer’s gorgeous wedding which was held in a garden and the ‘Mosquitos were NOT invited’.Now I carry a small bottle of the concoction in my bag and apply on the skin to avoid being bothered by bugs!!

As the Sun draws the moisture from our skin, we need to stay protected and hydrated throughout the day. Preferably using sunscreen, sunblock for our faces, shade, a decent hat and drinking plenty of water.
This means that our after-sun care becomes just as important as protecting our skin during the day.

Start by making sure you cleanse your skin with a gentle product that replenishes and restores, rather than draw out more natural oils from within. Remember water and natural oils that are stored in our skin have been slowly evaporating from our skin whilst being outside in the heat. Our Cypress Cleansing Balm is made with Beeswax, Butters and Essential Oils.It makes your skin feel like it’s been re-boosted from within as the ingredients replenish your natural reserves.The gentle removal process allows for exfoliation of the skin even though the reserves have been filled up again. I just love this concept of treating without damaging your delicate skin.

For kids, I made the skin boosting Natural Baby Moisturising Oil which allows their skin to be rehydrated from face to feet. The ingredients chosen are soft and delicate for youngsters up to 10+ years of age and includes Cocoa Butter, Calendula, Apricot Kernel together with Lavender and Roman Chamomile essential oils. I love using this on my kids as it protects & replenishes their skin, especially after spending hours basking in the sun like lizards!

For Adults that suffer from prickly heat or fungal infections, I have other products that help calm and restore the skin.
Depending on where the condition is, Nourishing Face Balm or Renew Balm works a treat assisting with the heat rash and fungal infections, amongst other conditions like Eczema.

For those that have been ‘kissed by the sun’, there’s Sun Kissed Balm which helps with re-balancing this discolouration of the skin. (Though it does not remove freckles!)  One of the key ingredients in this range is the Kukui Nut Oil which is rich in essential fatty acids linoleic and linolenic, Vitamins C, D and E to act as a natural preservative. The discontinued Sun Kissed Serum contains both Tamanu and Kukui Nut Oils for double the benefits.

For the body, we have 2 products that just melt with your body’s temperature when on the skin. The Mint Body Butter is what my husband describes as ‘Aero Bar’ for his body and always asks me to make bucket loads for him .
Unfortunately this is not suitable for ‘Expecting & Nursing Mums’ so for you, we have Geranium Hands & Body Butter. Both are applied the same way and benefit the skin without needing to apply very much!

In the previous blogs, Favourite Vegetable Oils , I shared about a whole lot of oils that I like to use. Sunflower Oil (Helianthus annuus) absorbs very quickly into the skin and leaves little residue.It has highly concentrated levels of Vitamins A, B, D, and E, together with insulin, lecithin, and minerals. Whilst great for the skin, it has added UV Protection qualities in addition to the unsaturated essential fatty acids contained.

When I write a blend recipe to make for my customers, I always try to pick ingredients with the best benefits to help speed up the recovery, rejuvenation, repairing and replenishing process.When the products work a treat for you, please share with others so that they too can benefit as you have! I love hearing these stories as it makes me love doing this even more.

Gallery: Mozz-Off, Sun Kissed Range, Beach Summer Fun, Mosquitos Not Invited, Summer Sunblocks.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

Have you had problems with your sunscreen or are you one of the ‘lucky’ ones that can use anything?
What is your favourite product for protecting your skin?

Should you wish to contact us for more information about our All-Natural Products, please send me an email info@essentiallylili.com

You can read more About Lili here, see the range of Products on offer at Shop Categories or refer to our Blog Library for more topics covered. Kind Regards Lili @ Essentially Lili

Brand, Essentially Lili Products, Health, Skincare Tips

Understanding Your Body

Posted on by Lili Giglia
Rice Up alternative to Maccas
06
Aug

Understanding Your Body

Is The Key to Wellness!
Know what suits or irritates
your body to keep it functioning well.

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Part of my health & wellness journey was a long and often painful process of trying to figure out what my body was telling me.Getting to the conclusion about what makes my body ‘Tick’ is actually quite empowering, as it allows me to be in control again! Allow me to elaborate further.

If you think about when you go clothes shopping and see something gorgeous in the display window and think, ‘Wow, I gotta have that’. You go inside, look around at all the other items you like, make a collection of products you want to try on and start the process of a quick ‘on/off, yes/no, definitely/maybe’ as you decide what you are going to take. Sometimes we need help from the shop assistant to make suggestions – perhaps a bigger size, or a different colour, or neither of these options.

In this instance, we use the mirror to tell us what the answer is for the clothes we are trying on. And sometimes, we ignore the mirror and we buy things anyway because we like it and just have to have it! Can you imagine buying shoes that are 2 sizes too small? I’d say Ouch to that!!

Well our bodies are exactly the same, only the mirror that reflects for us is a bit different. Our bodies tell us something isn’t right when our stomachs cramp and hurt, our skin blotches with rashes, break out or itches, or when the headaches thump. The signs are often quite loud and clear, though sometimes the symptoms take a long time to appear on the surface.

When I was a teenager and suffering with weeping, bleeding eczema from my face to thighs, my body hurt like hell from inside and out. The nights were particularly awful, as I would lay there itching and scratching whilst trying to get some sleep. I always wished the nightmare would be over in the mornings and I would be well again.

I had to do my journey the long and hard way. I had to go Cold turkey on ALL the things I liked – stop having the foods I liked to eat, the coffees with milk & sugar I liked to drink, as well as any skincare products I used which also included my stash of the cortisones.

Besides shedding excess kilos that I no longer needed to take with me to the change rooms, I learned that what I was consuming had an effect on my body, causing me to react with the itching and irritations on my skin. I understood from this journey what my body couldn’t cope with, which I still I try to avoid as much as possible.

As part of my Consult Therapist services, when I ask those who come to me to write a food diary, it really is NOT so that I can judge or criticise what you eat, but to help you narrow down what suits you quicker. I know it’s hard to imagine following something this simple from the beginning, but I can guarantee you it is worth the small sacrifice.

We often just assume that allergies and intolerances are automatically related to Dairy or Gluten products. But instead, this process with customers of mine has revealed a different fact. Intolerances are as individual as You are.

We have discovered one is intolerant to Red Wine; someone else has irritations when eating Salmon & Tuna; a different person seems to have environmental allergies we are still trying to pinpoint, whilst one other has sensitivities to Coconuts and Sugar. It surprises me too and removes the assumption that it’s always dairy or gluten products.

This is the reason I state that the Key to Wellness is to be able to understand your own body! Everyone’s Body is so Unique, that what irritates one person may not necessarily bother another.

For me personally, I know that if I eat too many Dairy products and add stress to my plate, my left hand will start to itch almost immediately. My body tells me that something isn’t right and I have to do something about it. The signs put me back in control to help prevent the irritations from happening again.

I also keep my skin hydrated especially at night time with the Essentially Lili Products as it gives my skin a chance to repair whilst I’m sleeping.

This is also the reason I will only make All Natural Skincare Products.I spent years using different medical & cosmetic brands, various strengths, and versions of steroids / Cortisone that only further damaged my skin in the long run.

So with the products I make with love for you, my goal is to help speed up the healing process with you. The products are to help your skin regenerate new healthy skin cells, repair any that are damaged, and give you not only your confidence back, but your GLOW as well.I love it when I see my customer’s happiness glowing on their faces & photos they send me. This really makes me happy too.

Our Shop Categories has a variety of products which have so many benefits as shared on previous Blogs, as well as on our Ingredients page. For example, I use Baobab Oil (Adansonia digitata) in quite a few of the facial products which contain Omega 3, 6 & 9 Fatty Acids as well as Antioxidants, Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, Vitamin C, D, E & F, proteins & minerals. The high content of Vitamins A and F are vital for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging and is contained in most of these products as well. Imagine giving your skin that every day? Well, you can with my products!

Gallery: Selection of foods that can be healthy for some or cause intolerance for others; Essentially Lili Eczema Free; Rosey Hemp Hands; Trees in Zurich, Gotta love salad & lactose-free cheese.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

Have you discovered foods that don’t agree with you?
How did you find out and did you find an alternative in the meantime?

If you haven’t found out and would like help, book a Consult Therapist session so that we can begin the journey together.  Should you wish to contact us for more information about our All-Natural Products, please send me an email info@essentiallylili.com

You can read more About Lili here, see the range of Products on offer at Shop Categories or refer to our Blog Library for more topics covered. Kind Regards Lili @ Essentially Lili.

Brand, Essentially Lili Products, Skincare Tips

Tamanu & Kukui Nut Oil

Posted on by Lili Giglia
Tamanu & Kukui Nut Oils
29
May

Tamanu & Kukui Nut Oils

Tamanu Oil has a uniquely natural smell & strong colour.
It’s known for its ability to accelerate
the generation of new healthy skin.

Kukui Nut Oil has been used by the Hawaiians
for centuries to protect their skin from the
harsh sun, drying winds & salt waters.

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Tamanu Oil (Calophyllum Indophyllum) is an oil that has been used in South East Asia and the Pacific islands for centuries. Powerful in smell and colour, Tamanu was known as their ‘oil of the gods’ as it was used to cure many skin problems. Tamanu oil has a certain lipid called calophyllolide which is not found in other oils.

Tamanu originates from Vanuatu in the South Pacific. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibiotic, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It is ideal for those that suffer with Acne, as well as dry, scaly skin conditions, assisting with scars, stretch marks, sunburn and abrasions. For those suffering with toenail fungus, age spots, rashes, dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis, you’ll be happy to know that Tamanu Oil is a treat!

It allows accelerated growth and the regeneration of healthy skin cells, which adds benefits to the Over 50s and scalp rejuvenation products. It makes a fabulous ingredient to help repair broken skin. For this reason, I have added this oil to the serums that need to help restore the skin. They include: (currently discontinued) Vitamin Rich Facial Oil, still available Diamond Era Serum and Go Molly.

Kukui Nut (Aleurites moluccans) comes from the Kukui Nut tree, which is often referred to as the candlenut tree. It grows in other parts of Polynesia, though is regarded as the State Tree of Hawaii. Kukui seeds had many purposes for the Hawaiians, though for centuries, it was mainly to protect their skin from harsh sun, drying winds and the salt waters. It is cold pressed in order to retain the highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Hawaiians have been using Kukui Nut Oil which is a naturally light oil that has the ability to penetrate the skin quickly. It has also been selected for treating wounds and burns, and makes an excellent choice for massaging, as it offers glide without slipping

Kukui Nut Oil is rich in essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic). A multi-ingredient skin products, Kukui Nut Oil is rich in Vitamins C, D and E is often added to the oil to act as a preservative. For this reason, Kukui Nut Oil has been included in the Sun Kissed Balm to help re-balance discolouration due to being sun kissed by the sun, giving the skin back its essential fatty acids.

In the previous blogs, More Vegetable Oils , I shared about Baobab Oil (Adansonia digitata) which contains Omega 3, 6 & 9 Fatty Acids as well as Antioxidants, Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, Vitamin C, D, E & F, proteins & minerals. The high content of Vitamins A and F are vital for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging and is contained in most of these Essentially Lili products as well.

Together the combinations of Vegetable Oils with Essential Oils have such varied benefits for treating all sorts of conditions, ailments and discomforts. I would love to hear what you have and what you love about the products I made for you and Why of course!

Check out the Gallery of Pictures – includes Baby/Kids/Youth Range of Products, Pox Potion, Essentially Lili Kids, Lili Here To Help You & The Echinacea Flower.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

If you could have any product made for you, what would it be?

Should you wish to Contact us for more information about our All Natural Products, please send me an email info@essentiallylili.com

You can read more About Lili here, see the range of Products on offer at Shop Categories or refer to our Blog Library for more topics covered. Kind Regards Lili @ Essentially Lili

Brand, Essentially Lili Products, Health, Skincare Tips

Changing Seasons

Posted on by Lili Giglia
Roses of Changing Seasons
11
Apr

Changing Seasons

A versatile blend aiding symptoms of Menopause
include Sugar cravings, losing hair, hot sweaty flushes,
headaches, fatigue, gaining weight & irritability.

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How many of you watched the Movie ‘Sex In the City’ when Samantha was showing us this phase of a woman’s life?We may have laughed as she portrayed what it’s like in the film. But the reality for many women is often quite stressful. Symptoms of Menopause include cravings for sugary foods, losing hair, hot flushes, sweats, headaches, fatigue, gaining weight, irritability, and more.

It is a difficult subject to talk about especially when you have not gone through the stages of Menopause yourself. I am sure that my body is changing as I notice my craving for certain foods increases during differing times of the month.But other than that, hot sweats and flushes have been so far kept at bay.

To find out more, I recently joined a Menopause Support Group in the UK, and I have to say, they have been the most amazing group of women. The group’s leader is always providing information, studies, tips on how to deal with the symptoms and changes that women go through.She is also studying in order to help those that are in the group.

When I started making Essentially Lili products, my dear friend asked for help regarding hot sweats and flushes. The good old symptoms of Menopause that only those enduring them would fully understand what it is like. You can imagine the challenge of making something to help with the symptoms, despite not having them myself. We agreed on the name Changing Seasons for the product, as it marked the next phase of a woman’s amazing journey in life. I took some time out, researching what could be a decent blend to help combat her symptoms.

I sent a sample of the blend abroad and waited for feedback like I had been doing with all my other first batches. It’s only with the feedback I can actually amend and improve the blends. But I found it strange that I hadn’t heard anything for some time.

Eventually I sent her a note – ‘Are you ok? Can you please let me know what happened with the Changing Seasons blend?’ Quote from our Testimonials Page:

27-Sep-15

Dear Lili. The Changing Seasons for menopause is fab. Haven’t had a flush or sweat thing all day. First time in many months. And the funny thing is I’ve been having a cough for almost 2 years. With doctor’s check, blood samples, x-Rays, scans.They can’t find the reason why. Ya’ know what? I haven’t had one single cough since I inhaled the Changing Seasons Menopause oil.I’m just thrilled with the fantastic start.I usually inhale directly from the sample or the first couple of days from a piece of paper towel. In the evening it’s best for me. I haven’t had any flushes for a week and one day – you are amazing!! We’re gonna keep using it – be sure of that Thank you so much! I.M – Denmark

26-Feb-16 … A few months later, she wrote:
I’m still very happy with Changing Seasons and don’t have flushes. Still use your inhaler every second or third day – amazing… You’ve given me my life back with the serum! I.M – Denmark

Can you imagine my happiness reading this feedback?I was just thrilled to bits for her and for the results of the blend!

The Serum is blended with Jojoba with a combination of Essential oils comprising of Rosemary, Basil, Peppermint and Geranium amongst other Oils. The Jojoba makes the serum safe for application directly onto the skin or for adding it to the bath for the ultimate chillaxing, inhalation experience. The Serum can be applied to feet at night time for penetration to the Acupressure points, onto the tip of the nose for inhalation whilst sleeping or to the wrists whilst out and about.

Changing Seasons is also available as an inhaler, so that you can carry it in your bag for whenever you need to take a breath to fight off the fatigue and headaches.

A few of the Essential Oils contained in the Changing Seasons includes: The Basil (Ocimum Basilicum) helps lack of concentration, fatigue, lethargy. Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis) stimulates the body and boosts the production of red blood cells and blood flow. It helps boost memory, improves the mood, reduces inflammation & relieves pain. Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) helps with hot flushes, sweating and fatigue. The other Essential Oils also work their magic whilst being inhaled.

The other key part for women in this phase of life is Exercise and Diet. However, it does not mean you have to become a Gym Junkie or a Body Builder!

It just means to be active -some of the better exercises to do during Menopause are Strength Training & Cardio, Yoga, Meditation, Dancing, and even the stair master. Nothing too strenuous especially if you are not used to being this active.

Regarding our food, we have to ensure that we get plenty of the right kinds.Balanced diets are key – though finding alternatives to deal with allergies, intolerances and other preferences is often difficult.

The vitamin needed to help prevent osteoporosis is Vitamin D. This vitamin also helps the immune system, the nerves, and muscles. Insufficient vitamin D can cause osteoporosis or rickets which can affect children and lead to other deformities. This vitamin is fat-soluble and helps the body to absorb calcium, which is necessary for bones to grow and remain strong. Bone production and the tissues could be affected if the body does not receive enough calcium, or if the body has problems absorbing it in the diet.

Further studies are suggesting that Vitamin K2 is another key ingredient in maintaining bone health, which may be just as important in assisting the body and preventing bone fractures as we get older. Women in post-menopausal stages are at greater risk of osteoporosis, so a diet that is rich in vitamins with safe sun exposure is a good mix for prevention.

Vitamin D can be sourced in dairy products, cheese, cream, butter, fortified milk, breakfast cereals, margarine, and soy milk as well as in a supplement. However, the best source of Vitamin D is with safe exposure to a touch of sunshine – with the right kinda sunscreen, especially for those Down Under!

Check out the Gallery of Pictures – includes Cool Coloured Roses, Changing Seasons Serum & Inhaler, Peppermint Leaves, Basil & Rosemary.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

  • Are you currently going through the early stages of Menopause?
  • Have you found a Women’s Support Group where you are?
  • I shouldn’t say what I will write about in the next blog because I often change my mind!!! But I will share at some point about some other amazing Vegetable Oils Tamanu & Kukui Nut. Should you wish to contact us for more information about our All-Natural Products, please send me an email info@essentiallylili.com

    You can read more About Lili here, see the range of Products on offer at Shop Categories or refer to our Blog Library for more topics covered. Kind Regards Lili @ Essentially Lili