Your New Best Friend: Natural Perfume Rollers

Looking to step up your scent game? Our 100% naturally-scented perfume rollers are the perfect addition to your holistic hygiene routine.

Have you ever wondered what kind of ingredients are inside that pretty little bottle of fragrance you like to spritz on before you leave the house each morning? We're about to tell you, but you may not like what you hear.

On average, commercially-produced perfumes are made up of between 2,000-4,000 different chemicals. I'm sure you don't need us to tell you that that is a LOT. Some of the most popular perfumes on the market contain a plethora of undesirable ingredients, including:

• Synthetic fragrances - Often the main source of fragrance/scent in a perfume, these artificial fragrances are far removed from their original plant parts and are chemically synthesized compounds which are designed to smell similar to the natural scents we know and love. These synthetically altered compounds have been shown to disrupt normal hormone functioning, which is turn can negatively affect reproductive health and reduce overall life expectancy; increase respiratory issues like asthma, allergies, and chronic respiratory diseases; increase the risk of developing allergies and dermatitis; cause headaches and migraines, and trigger cancer cells by introducing known carcinogens both onto the skin and into the airways.

• Ethyl Alcohol/Denatured Alcohol - While ethyl alcohol is merely a high-proof alcohol, using this as the base of your daily perfume can be incredibly drying for the skin, and lead to skin flaking/cracking, while exacerbating other skin conditions such as hives, rashes, sunburn, dermatitis, acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

• Phthalates - Common pthalates include diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate, di (2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP) and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP). These pthalates are often found within synthethic fragrances, so you may not find them in your ingredient list due to being clevery hidden within another listed ingredient. Pthalates are primarily responsible for disrupting the endocrine system, decreasing fertility in both men and women, and negatively affecting the metabolism, promoting obesity.

• Benzyl Acetate - Often used as a fixative in perfumery (making the scent last longer), benzyl acetate can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system, and negatively affect the central nervous system.

• Ethyl Acetate - Commonly used in everything from paint, varnish, lacquer, and cleaning products, to chemically decaffeinating coffee beans (go with swiss-water decaffienated coffee, folks!), this solvent can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, and repeated exposure can negatively affect liver health.

• Isolated Plant Compounds such as Linalool, Limonene, etc - These compounds are touted as being 'natural' due the fact that they have originated from a living plant cell, but this is classic greenwashing at its finest. When you utilize the whole plant structure, you are using every part of the plant, which has a beautifully built-in blueprint of balance and ultimately aims to help (and not harm) you as it works in harmony within itself. When you isolate a specific compound from a plant and add it to an ingredient list, you are taking away all of the other components which help to keep that compound balanced and healthful, and add in only the element which may provide a scent, preservative, or fixative in your perfume blend. These isolated compounds can negatively affect the central nervous system and cause adverse skin reactions and allergies. Not fun!

At Flourish Apothecary, we only utilize whole, natural ingredients that benefit your body, mind, and the planet. Our personal perfume rollers are made from a base of ultra-nourishing, unrefined, certified organic jojoba oil to lock moisture in (not suck it out like an alcohol-based perfume would). We then add consciously curated blends of therapeutically balanced, 100% organic essential oils of the absolute highest quality. The result is a refreshingly clean, balanced, and invigorating personal perfume that can be re-applied as needed throughout the day when you need a little pick-me-up, without having to worry about any negative or adverse health effects!

Each of our natural perfume rollers features a sleek stainless steel roller ball, durable frosted glass bottle, and recyclable plastic cap. Each component can easily be reused and/or recycled, and we are currently working on creating refill options to minimize our carbon footprint even further. Be sure to follow us on instagram, facebook, twitter, and of course, check back in on our website to find out when refills will be available!

In a day and age where there are so many options for personal care products available to the general public, we feel so blessed to not only have customers who choose to continue to support our small business, but also to be able to offer a truly natural perfume option knowing that it will wholeheartedly benefit your mind, body, and spirit. So go ahead, find a scent that speaks to you, and make the switch to your new favourite, all-natural perfume blend today!

Flourish Apothecary of Victoria, BC is a woman-owned online herbal shop specializing in organic and wild-crafted natural health products. Each product is hand-crafted from freshly harvested medicinal herbs on Vancouver Island. We believe in planet before profit, and emphasize sustainable business practices to ensure we can deliver the highest-quality goods without having a negative affect on the planet.

Essential Oils: Are they safe?

If you begin researching whether or not using essential oils is safe, you're likely to be met with a LOT of contradictory statements and opinions (thanks, internet)! We're here to walk you through some common Q & A's, bust some internet myths, provide clarity on what warrants 'safe' use and what doesn't, and explain why, when it comes to essential oils, quality and purity matters most.

Q #1: What are essential oils?

A: An essential oil consists of the collected and condensed volatile oils of a plant, herb, flower, bark, or root. These are most commonly obtained through a process called steam distillation, in which the plant matter is put into a special container called a still, and gently heated to produce steam (which contains a combination of both water & oil particles). That steam is collected and cooled through various pipes to express a hydrosol (or, plant-infused water), in which the suspended oil particles condense and float to the surface, making them easy to separate from the remaining hydrosol and bottle for essential oil use. We have tried our hand at making essential oils ourselves, and it is no easy feat! The amount of plant matter required just to get a few drops of essential oil is so vast, that we have really come to honor and respect essential oil producers for the work that they put into creating these beautiful botanical scents.

Q #2: Are essential oils safe?

A: Unfortunately, there are a lot of contradictory answers to this, mostly because it is a vague question. Most essential oils are safe for daily use, provided you are using them as directed, are purchasing from a trusted and reputable source, and are aware of any medical conditions or external circumstances that may counteract use; for example, being aware of restrictions when pregnant, when using on or around pets, or small children and immuno-compromised individuals. There are also differences in the safe/acceptable frequency of use when utilizing essential oils topically (on the body) versus inhalation (in a diffuser). Most knowledgeable (and legally-compliant) companies will state whether or not an essential oil, or oil blend, in their products might not suitable for certain individuals or conditions, but to be on the safe side, it's always in your best interest to double-check with a reputable third party before purchasing. As a quick fact sheet, we have compiled some common essential oils to avoid:

Essential oils to avoid using when pregnant:

• Aniseed

• Basil

• Birch

• Camphor

• Clary Sage

• Hyssop

• Mugwort

• Oak Moss

• Parley Seed or Leaf

• Pennyroyal

• Peppermint

• Rosemary

• Rue

• Sage

• Tansy

• Tarragon

• Thuja

• Thyme

• Wintergreen

• Wormwood
  

Essential oils to avoid using on/around infants (under 2 years):

• Bay

• Camphor

• Cinnamon Bark/Leaf

• Citronella

• Clary Sage

• Clove Bud

• Cumin

• Eucalyptus

• Hyssop

• Lemongrass

• Lemon Verbena

• Oregano

• Peppermint

• Rosemary

• Sage

• Tansy

• Thuja

• Thyme

• Wintergreen

• Wormwood
  

Essential oils to avoid using on/around pets:

• Anise (Toxic to dogs)

• Cinnamon

• Citrus

• Clove

• Eucalyptus (Toxic to cats)

• Garlic (Toxic to dogs)

• Juniper (Toxic to dogs)

• Lavender (Toxic to cats)

• Oregano (Toxic to cats)

• Peppermint

• Pine

• Sweet Birch

• Tea Tree

• Wintergreen

• Yarrow (Toxic to dogs)

• Ylang Ylang

Q #3: How do I check for quality in essential oils?

A: Like all things in life, it's important to be able to determine the quality and purity of an essential oil, or a product containing essential oils, before purchasing and using it. A lot of oils on the market are touted as being an 'essential oil', when really they might be a fragrance oil, or a very low-grade/low-quality essential oil, which means they may be adulterated with artificial fragrance, preservatives, synthetics, or other undesirable additives. Sometimes companies will not even have the correct botanical name on their oils, leading to even more confusion! If ever you are looking at an extremely inexpensive essential oil (and thinking, 'what a fantastic deal'!), you're likely looking at an adulterated oil, and should stay far away!

The best way to check that your oils are pure is to purchase from a reputable source. Companies that are reputable will have statements on their website declaring their use of rigorous third-party testing for purity and quality, and will be able and willing to provide you with a GCMS analysis for each oil. Reliable companies like New Directions Aromatics, Divine Essence, and Mountain Rose Herbs all carry pure, unadulterated essential oils in both organic and non-organic varieties. At Flourish Apothecary, we trust these companies wholeheartedly and only purchase NOP/USDA certified organic essential oils, which means you can rely on reaping the benefits of truly organic, pure, and high quality essential oils in our products.

Q #4: Why do some websites say I can safely use certain essential oils for pregnancy/children/pets/illness, and others say I can't?

A: This is another question that warrants some further explanation. It's no surprise that every body is different. We all react to scents, products, and stimulants differently, depending on our genetic makeup, our current state of health, our skin microbiome, and personal preference. While one person might benefit greatly from applying undiluted lavender oil on their pulse points before bed to help them sleep, another might break out in an irritating rash that keeps them up all night. Until you become more experienced with your own body and it's reactions to various essential oils, we urge you to err on the side of caution, and always recommend following these three rules:

1. Check that your oils or essential oil product is coming from a reputable source, with no chance of adulteration or unnecessary irritants added.

2. Always do a patch test if you are trying a new oil or essential oil product before diving right in to regular use guidelines. This will save you the frustration of having spent money on something only to find out you are incredibly allergic to one of its ingredients. You can simply re-gift your product and make a mental note that you have an allergy or sensitivity you were not previously aware of! To do a proper patch test, apply the product to a small (quarter-sized) test spot twice daily for seven to 10 days. Choose a place on your skin where the product won't be rubbed or washed away - a good option would be outside of your arm or the bend of your elbow. For most people that are allergic or sensitive, it will become quite apparent within 12-48 hours of your first application.

3. Always dilute pure essential oils before applying them directly to the skin. There are many dilution calculators that can be used online, but a general rule to follow for regular use is: Adults: 2%-3% dilution (10-20 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons / 1oz carrier oil) Children 4 - 16 years: 1%-1.5% dilution (6-9 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons / 1 oz carrier oil) Infants 9 months -3 years: 0.5% dilution (1-3 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons / 1oz carrier oil)

Summary: Essential oils are safe when we use them safely. We are unique creatures, which require unique methods of healing, and as much support as we can get along the way.

At Flourish Apothecary, we're in your corner and here to help. If you have any questions about our herbal products or how to use them safely and effectively, please don't hesitate to reach out! Also, be sure to sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on social media to get access to more natural health & beauty tips, new product announcements, sales, giveaways, and more!

Flourish Apothecary of Victoria, BC is a woman-owned online herbal shop specializing in organic and wild-crafted natural health products. Each product is hand-crafted from freshly harvested medicinal herbs on Vancouver Island. We believe in planet before profit, and emphasize sustainable business practices to ensure we can deliver the highest-quality goods without having a negative affect on the planet.