News — Itchy scalp

At farm markets I talk to a lot of customers about making changing in their skincare routines.  Usually someone is drawn to our products because they have a skin problem and are looking for a solution. Itchy scalp draws people to our Maine Seaweed rich shampoo bars.  Our Seaweed rich Island Face Scrub is appealing to women sick of breaking out way past their teenage years.  There is so much information that making skincare changes can be confusing.  

If you’re wanting to bring nature into your skincare routine here are three tips to follow-

• Listen to your body
• Give it time
• Don’t be afraid to experiment

Be the Boss of Your Body

You need to know and pay attention to your body so you can decide if a product works for you.  Everybody’s different and our bodies don’t react or respond in the same way.  Think about it like this- there can be a wide variety of factors that cause a skin ailment and even if a particular plant is known to have healing properties it might not be for you.  Perhaps you are allergic to an ingredient or you don’t like how it feels.  Then that product is not for you.  You have to be the judge.  It might be a great product but just not the right fit.  Very similar to falling in love with an outfit only to try it on and “Ugh”- great look just not on you.

Also as our bodies change, our skincare routine needs to change too.  As we age we often find we need more moisture to stop our skin from feeling so dry. This mean we need to find lotions and cremes that contain super moisturizing oils.  Seasons can also signal it’s time to alter our routine.  Summer skin needs to be exfoliated and in winter we definitely need to be making sure we are putting on lots of nourishing oils.

Time is on Your Side

Natural products can take awhile to work.  When someone is buying a shampoo bar I always talk about giving their hair time to detox.  It often can take two weeks for a new products nourishing effects to be fully noticed.  This is why you have to “know your body” so you can judge if a products is working for you.

Be Goldilocks to Find What’s Right For You

The great benefit of using natural skin products is how flexible they can be.  If your products are plant and natural oil based- that means no toxic ingredients then you can use them in a variety of different ways.  One example, when traveling I pack our Seaweed Shampoo Bar- it’s my shampoo, soap and I find it’s great to shave my legs with.  Another example, I use our Sweet Island Face Oil as a face cleaner, a friend mixes it with our Rose Petal Face Creme because she wants just a bit more moisture and a customer keeps her face happy by using it as a night creme on her face.  Another way to experiment is to play around with how often you use a product.  Maybe once a day is too much but once a week is just right.

My seaweed journey began because I was searching for a natural solution to my chronically itchy scalp.  I'd tried everything- doctors, medicated shampoos and grocery store shampoos.  Nothing really worked and often I was left with bad looking hair.  For over 2 years I have used our Seaweed Shampoo Bars and my scalp and hair have relaxed into happy.

There are many factors that can cause an itchy scalp.  This is because we are all individuals.  

Some causes for itchy scalp are-

• dandruff
• allergy or sensitivity to the ingredients in your haircare products
• stress
• hormones
• reactions to hair dyes

In general, natural products are better.  In our modern world, we can't avoid chemicals but take time to read labels.  Strong chemicals can lead to dryness and this increases scalp irritation.  Make sure you go beyond your shampoo and check out all your haircare products.  

For me, stress often played a factor and I would be caught in a vicious circle of trying all kinds of products, having bad hair days and then trying a new product or visiting a doctor.  I was willing to try anything and that's how I discovered seaweed.

Seaweeds have many benefits for our hair including-

• naturally detoxes and I like to think restocks with essential trace minerals and vitamins
• natural antiseptic properties
• contains iodine which heals dry skin and eczema
•  adds natural moisture which can increase luster and shine

I still sometimes get an itchy scalp.  Usually when I'm super busy or going thru a stressful time.   This is a reminder to slow down, hydrate and take some deep breaths. One of the biggest benefits of using seaweed for me is how much happier I am with my hair.  I've come to accept and love my unruly, curly hair and that is a good thing.

Of course, Maine seaweeds are the best.  Carly hand harvests our seaweeds from the cool, mineral rich waters surrounding Gotts Island near Acadia National Park. 

Shampoo bars are a fabulous way to wash your hair and eliminate plastic bathroom clutter at the same time. Our shampoo bars are a natural way to clean and condition your hair.

Both Carly and I have super curly, easy to frizz hair. In the past, we were hair product junkies. A large bottle of conditioner might last a week. I shampooed everyday due to my tendency to look like a deranged cartoon character with severe bed head.

I also suffered from itchy scalp. I’ve battled flakey head since high school. At one point, it got really bad. I hoped my hairdresser wouldn’t notice- fat chance. He thought it was “unusual”. I dreaded my next appointment. He suggested seeing a doctor. I knew exactly what the doctor would prescribe- a highly medicated/toxic/unnatural shampoo. I was right. The chemical laden shampoo didn't help my scalp and gave me super horrible looking hair. By chance and desperation I began experimenting with different natural ingredients. Adding seaweed to my hair care routine brought me natural and lasting relief.

The most important ingredient in our shampoo bars is seaweed. Seaweeds are the powerhouses of our shampoo bars. Kelp in particular contains essential nutrients to help hair grow. Seaweeds are super gentle cleaners and naturally hydrate. Plus seaweeds help control flaky scalps and can help promote hair growth.

Our shampoo bars are super luxurious soap concoctions. We blend together oils with properties to benefit hair and scalp. Castor oil for super conditioning and rich lather. Coconut oil penetrates, protects and adds shine. Sweet almond oil works as a sealant and locks in moisture.  Olive oil moisturizes, conditions, helps fight dandruff and improves hair strength.  We never, ever use palm oil because the industry is not currently sustainable.

Shampoo bars work differently than conventional shampoos and conditioners. Be aware that it might take a week or two for your hair to adjust. You need to detox from product build up. I was a bit reluctant to try our shampoo bars, even though Carly had been using them and frankly raving about the results. Her hair was looking gorgeous but mine is a bit curlier. I was afraid to give up all my conditioners. Instead of conditioning after shampooing I spritz with a half and half cider vinegar and water mix. This mildly acidic solution helps balance the Ph as shampoo bars tend to be more alkaline and helps make the hair follicle shine and lay flatter.

Are you ready to give our Seaweed Shampoo bars a try?