There’s a seemingly unending number of posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok from friends and companies touting the benefits of natural oils. Yes, essential oils are having a moment right now. While controversy exists over whether or not essential oils provide the medicinal effects that manufacturers brag about, the science of smell does play a vital role in your everyday life. You probably don’t even realize it.
You are always smelling something
Your olfactory system works around the clock. Even when you don’t know it, this sensory system experiences smell all of the time. At any moment, scent molecules enter your nasal cavity and tickle your olfactory nerves. The odor then triggers a response in your brain. For instance, if you smell someone cooking your favorite meal, your brain flushes with feelings of happiness and joy.
Since smell is a sensory experience, certain memories may also trigger olfactory responses. For instance, remembering your beloved grandmother may be linked to the scent of the gorgeous roses she grew in her garden every year. Much like how when we see something we adore or dislike, and our brain responds, the same thing happens when we catch the scent of something in the air.
Since this system functions all day, every day, aromatherapy may be an effective method for treating certain conditions in conjunction with other remedies. However, essential oils are a billion-dollar industry. You could inadvertently waste precious time and money on aromatherapy products that do not yield results.
Why essential oils are trending
Aromatherapy is an easy way to address wellness concerns without the hassle of a doctor’s appointment, health insurance or prescriptions. As this method of self-care becomes more popular, researchers and individuals have started to look more closely into the uses for essential oils beyond aromatherapy applications.
Be advised that some companies make outlandish claims about their essential oil products. Since this market is currently unregulated, there is no oversight about how these oils are advertised or sold.
Make your nose work for you
We’ve mentioned that deep connection between your olfactory system and your memories. The goal of aromatherapy is to trigger an appropriate emotional response from you. This can be tricky if you have negative associations with specific odors.
By and large, research and data indicate that certain scents consistently create a variety of emotional responses. Lavender calms the mind, while neroli increases heart rate. Therefore, an essential oil diffuser filled with lavender and neroli oils might make it easier for you to focus on work because you are not anxious, but rather wide awake and ready to work.
When shopping for aromatherapy or essential oil products, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You do not want to purchase something that may hurt rather than help you.
If you have questions about essential oils in bath products or candles, stop by our El Cajon, CA store today. Soaps & Scents stocks a wide selection of handmade, small-batch soaps, room sprays, bath bombs, soy wax candles and body lotions, all infused with essential oils. Our staff is happy to work with you to find the right product for your needs.
The Science of Smell
There’s a seemingly unending number of posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok from friends and companies touting the benefits of natural oils. Yes, essential oils are having a moment right now. While controversy exists over whether or not essential oils provide the medicinal effects that manufacturers brag about, the science of smell does play a vital role in your everyday life. You probably don’t even realize it.
You are always smelling something
Your olfactory system works around the clock. Even when you don’t know it, this sensory system experiences smell all of the time. At any moment, scent molecules enter your nasal cavity and tickle your olfactory nerves. The odor then triggers a response in your brain. For instance, if you smell someone cooking your favorite meal, your brain flushes with feelings of happiness and joy.
Since smell is a sensory experience, certain memories may also trigger olfactory responses. For instance, remembering your beloved grandmother may be linked to the scent of the gorgeous roses she grew in her garden every year. Much like how when we see something we adore or dislike, and our brain responds, the same thing happens when we catch the scent of something in the air.
Since this system functions all day, every day, aromatherapy may be an effective method for treating certain conditions in conjunction with other remedies. However, essential oils are a billion-dollar industry. You could inadvertently waste precious time and money on aromatherapy products that do not yield results.
Why essential oils are trending
Aromatherapy is an easy way to address wellness concerns without the hassle of a doctor’s appointment, health insurance or prescriptions. As this method of self-care becomes more popular, researchers and individuals have started to look more closely into the uses for essential oils beyond aromatherapy applications.
Be advised that some companies make outlandish claims about their essential oil products. Since this market is currently unregulated, there is no oversight about how these oils are advertised or sold.
Make your nose work for you
We’ve mentioned that deep connection between your olfactory system and your memories. The goal of aromatherapy is to trigger an appropriate emotional response from you. This can be tricky if you have negative associations with specific odors.
By and large, research and data indicate that certain scents consistently create a variety of emotional responses. Lavender calms the mind, while neroli increases heart rate. Therefore, an essential oil diffuser filled with lavender and neroli oils might make it easier for you to focus on work because you are not anxious, but rather wide awake and ready to work.
When shopping for aromatherapy or essential oil products, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You do not want to purchase something that may hurt rather than help you.
If you have questions about essential oils in bath products or candles, stop by our El Cajon, CA store today. Soaps & Scents stocks a wide selection of handmade, small-batch soaps, room sprays, bath bombs, soy wax candles and body lotions, all infused with essential oils. Our staff is happy to work with you to find the right product for your needs.
Why Soy Wax Candles Make the BEST Gifts
Just about everyone loves candles. Whether you’re unwinding at the end of a long day or focusing on a project, scented candles add something special to any setting. We all have our reasons for loving candles, especially ones handcrafted from soy wax. When people come to Soaps & Scents to buy a gift, we highly recommend these candles. They are not only beautiful, but there are also the health benefits of soy wax candles to keep in mind.
Paraffin wax candles pose health threat
The health benefits of soy wax candles include the fact that these products do not use paraffin wax. Derived from petroleum and combined with additives, regularly burning paraffin candles poses a threat to you and your home.
The straight-chain hydrocarbons found in the petroleum used to make paraffin cables produce dark soot when burned. This soot finds its way into your linens, furniture and wall treatments. There’s also the soot left floating in the air that you breathe day in and day out.
To make paraffin wax candles as appealing as possible to consumers, manufacturers add chemicals to make the final product burn longer and look better. Additives such as vybar, mineral oil, polysorbate 80 and UV light inhibitor burn into your air every time you light a paraffin candle. This diminishes the indoor air quality of your home and could have severe repercussions for your respiratory health. Research from South Carolina State University reveals that long-term exposure may cause conditions such as asthma, allergies and certain types of cancer.
Environmental wellbeing and soy wax candles
Not only do people enjoy the benefits of soy wax candles, but our environment does as well. Instead of making candles with petroleum-based paraffin, soy wax supports local soybean farmers and their safe, natural, biodegradable and renewable crop. Making paraffin requires more petroleum, a non-renewable resource with a long history of negative environmental impact.
Additionally, soy wax candles do not contain any animal products, making them vegan friendly. Corporations profit from the animals they use to create the wax or tallow required to make candles. These businesses create so much pollution while needlessly bringing animals into this world only to exploit them for their resources. Choosing vegan soy candles minimizes the demand for animal-based candle-making ingredients.
Everyone wants a soy wax candle
Even if they don’t realize it, everyone you know would likely prefer a soy wax candle instead of a paraffin one. Burning longer, producing less heat, easier to clean and safer—always opt for soy wax candles when purchasing gifts for loved ones. These vegan, all-natural, handmade products make great presents for holidays, birthdays, graduations, retirements or any other special occasion.
All of the candles and melts we stock at Soaps & Scents are made with soy wax because we value the health benefits of soy wax candles. Available in a variety of styles and scents in reusable containers such as glass jars or coffee mugs, find the perfect gift for someone you love with our catalog of soy wax candles and melts. Feel free to visit our store to shop our wide selection of hand-crafted candles, melts, soaps or other products!
Smart Technology Focuses on Health and Safety
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues—and shows no signs of letting up anytime soon—technology companies are starting to get in on the new normal. Most of us learned to wash our hands before kindergarten, but time and complacency can easily take over. Many people were surprised to realize that washing their hands for 20 seconds (the CDC recommendation for killing the coronavirus) is a lot longer than they imagined it to be. Memes circulated around the internet suggesting 20-second songs (or portions of songs) to sing while handwashing.
Technology takes on handwashing
If you’re not willing to count to 20 or sing to yourself while you’re washing your hands, the new Apple watchOS 7 update has a new feature you’ll appreciate. When the watch detects that you’re washing your hands, either by handwashing motions, the sound of running water or both, it will keep track of how long you’re doing it. If you start to dry off before 20 seconds is up, the watch will prompt you to keep going.
Before you dismiss this as paternalistic or unnecessary, you might be surprised to know that this is getting the thumbs up from key industries. Some experts are predicting that this feature will be popular in the healthcare industry, since even healthcare workers have a hard time keeping up with the 20 seconds recommendation—and those are the folks on the front lines of the pandemic, who know the seriousness of killing the virus. If handwashing for 20 seconds is difficult for them, what hope is there for the rest of us?
One thing to consider, however: in addition to washing your hands thoroughly, you’ll also need to disinfect your Apple watch. Viruses don’t discriminate against surfaces to land on, and your wrist is close enough to your hand to accidentally spread the virus by touching your face.
If you have a different kind of smart watch, fear not—there are apps designed to address this issue for Android and other operating systems, so you too can have a helpful handwashing reminder.
In slightly lighter news, in the latest Apple Watch handwashing-related update, the company is also offering Memojis with face mask options. If that’s not a sign that COVID-19 is here for the foreseeable future, what is?
CDC handwashing guidelines
In case you’ve missed the CDC’s handwashing guidelines, the importance of washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can’t be understated. The soap attacks the protective lipid layer of the virus, destroying its structure and rendering it harmless. Washing for 20 seconds is the only way to guarantee that you have cleaned long enough to kill the virus. Any type of soap is fine—breaking the lipid structure is what counts, not special antibacterial or anti-pathogen properties. Make sure to wash your hands anytime you come into contact with the outside world, and avoid touching your face.
Interested in natural, delicious-smelling soaps to up your handwashing game? Visit Soaps & Scents in El Cajon, CA or shop our selection online today.