“I have never seen products with lovelier ingredients. They really feel like precious treasures!”—A.G.
I have long taken responsibility for my health, by eating right, exercising and consulting with medical professionals. I have a particular interest in taking care of my skin. I sailed through my teen years with scarcely a pimple. It wasn’t until I was in my early twenties that I began to experience acne breakouts. Over time, I noticed the connections between my emotional well-being and the well-being of my skin, and it wasn’t always a pretty sight. That prompted me to explore how diet and stress reduction can interact to not only improve one’s outlook, but also one’s complexion. Tai chi, Kung fu, acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine and natural foods, along with a dermatologist’s prescription, combined to gradually clear my complexion. Acting on this knowledge put me on a lifelong track of creating and maintaining balance in my life. In late middle age, I have never been happier with the condition of my skin.
To maintain the health of my skin on my whole body, I looked for products made with organic ingredients with as few unpronounceable names as possible. I would find a product line, only to see it disappear from the shelves after a year or two. With my training in herbology and cooking, I decided to make my own personal care products, with help from some wonderful do-it-yourself books and guidance from herbalist Rebecca Luna and the herbalists at her business, Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary in Boulder, Colorado. I knew I wanted to use high-quality oils, herbs and essential oils. It is important to me that the personal care products I create reflect the ethos of Buddha and the Bees—if we take care of the planet and its creatures, the Earth will sustain us and itself.
I began to harvest rose petals and dandelions growing in our large organic garden, adding other botanicals like calendula, chamomile, hollyhocks and lavender over the years. I quickly discovered the necessity of using natural preservatives to extend the life of my products. All of my products are made in small batches with the most wholesome ingredients, and they have been tested only by family and friends.
I quickly discovered the necessity of using natural preservatives to extend the life of my products. I cannot honestly say my products will last as long as ones you buy at the store. That’s why we put a “use-by” date on our personal care products. I strive to make my products so lush and enjoyable you’ll want to use them every day! I do not guarantee that my products will “erase the visible signs of aging,” but I can promise that you will love using them to feel better in the skin you’re in. –Diana