Winter Getting You Down?

Turn to Mother Nature for Natural, Soothing Relief

With the fun and excitement of the Holidays now over and the cold, dreary winter months settling in, many often find it very difficult to endure this long, dark and often bitterly frigid season. The lack of sunshine, endless snowfall and dry, cold temperatures wreck havoc not only on our bodies, but our moods and mental states as well.

Fortunately, with the help of Mother Nature, we offer some wonderful winter soothers you may wish to consider that are sure to provide at least a "little ray of sunshine" during these long, dark, dreary months.

Organic Soothing Relief for Weather-Weary Skin

Drench and deeply hydrate your skin with mother nature's best skin-nourishing soothers with our Aloe Shea 100% Natural, Deeply Moisturizing Face and Body Butter.

Blended using the purest, richest, thickest natural African Shea Butter and healing Aloe Vera, this super-rich, completely intense ultra-moisturizing treat is sure to soften and nourish even the driest skin.

This soothing cream just melts into your skin, providing soothing and nourishing relief. Completely natural and unscented, this rich butter is the perfect moisturizer for all-over skin care. So rich, thick and creamy, just a little dab will do!

• Great as a face moisturizer, under-eye cream and wrinkle reducer

• Softens rough elbows and knees and soothes dry, itchy feet

• A replenishing natural body moisturizer

• Softens rough and cracked cuticles

• Heals and protects dry and irritated hands

• Pets love it too! A purr-fectly natural skin soother for our furry friends!

• Naturally Pure

• No Chemicals, Colors or Synthetic Additives

• Fragrance-free

• Great for sensitive skins

• Purely Vegan and Eco-friendly

Feeling Depressed and Gloomy.......Lighten Up!

Lack of sunshine and long dark days can really put a damper on your spirits. This is the perfect time to turn to natural, therapeutic, pure flower and plant oils for natural, soothing relief.

Banish the blues and help uplift your spirits with our 100% NATURAL blend of therapeutic-grade (premium quality) essential oils. Our Lighten-Up blend is formulated using pure essential oils known to have a positive effect on mood and ease feelings of melancholy and depression. A natural uplifting alternative for when you're feeling "down in the dumps" or out of sorts.

Just one whiff will help to melt the blues, ease stress and make you feel right with the world again. Our pure essential oil synergy is hand-blended with cheery and bright essential oils of Italian Bergamot, precious Bulgarian Rose and exotic Ylang-Ylang (also known as "The Flower of Flowers"). These uplifting and comforting botanical essences will get you feeling lighter and brighter in no time at all!

Our Lighten Up! Aromatherapy synergy is available in both a Body or Room Spray or a natural Essential Oil Blend.

Clean Goes "Green" with Crystalwood Naturals

Is "Going Green" just a fad? The latest craze?
Or is there really some truth to all the hype?

A brief look at why natural alternatives in bath, beauty and fragrance
may just be the way to go!

Crystalwood Naturals has had many evolutions over the past few years as we have been becoming more and more conscious of the hazards of common chemicals being used by the personal care and toiletries industry in the manufacture of soaps, shampoos and other products used by most people on a daily basis. As more and more research is coming to light regarding the dangers of continued use of these products over time, we are more committed than ever to producing natural, eco-friendly alternatives, which are not only safer, but also a pleasure to use.

Because they are inexpensive and cheaply produced, many potentially harmful chemicals are used in the manufacture of most soaps, shampoos, creams, lotions and other bath and body products on the market.....yes, even the expensive "salon" type brands! These harmful chemicals saturate almost all of the common products you have in your home right now. If you look at your labeling, we're sure you will find some of the following included in your favorite shampoo, soap, lotion, antiperspirant, or even home fragrance.

Both Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are commonly used as foaming agents and are used in concentrations of up to 30%. Both are highly irritating chemicals and can lead to direct damage to the hair follicle, skin damage, permanent eye damage in children and liver toxicity.

Prooylene Glycol (an Industrial Antifreeze!) is used in many personal care products and most shampoos and conditioners. The material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) warns users to avoid skin contact as it is a strong irritant, can cause hair loss, cataracts, liver abnormalities and kidney damage. This chemical is known as a "humectant" in cosmetics.

Cocomide DEA, MEA and TEA are known carcinogens and are found is 80% of commercial products!

Mineral Oil, which is found in virtually EVERY lotion, cream or moisturizer on the market is our biggest "pet peeve". If you check your current lotion bottle right now, we're almost certain it will be listed as the second or third ingredient, next to water (aqua). It is manufactured from crude oil (petroleum), used in the industry as a metal cutting fluid. While being passed off as a skin lubricant, it actually forms an oily film on the skin (which is why most lotions feel "sticky, greasy and tacky". This in turn suffocates the skin and clogs pores, not allowing skin to "breathe" (take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide). Whereas natural plant oils absorbs readily into the skin without forming a harmful film on the skin, mineral oil has the complete opposite effect, and can generally lead to more irritation, dry skin, allergies, and aggravate damaged skin conditions.

This listing is just a brief view of the more common harmful ingredients, and a host of material and facts regarding research findings can be found online and in your local library. One great book that we highly recommend reading is "What's in This Stuff?" by Patricia Thomas. The point here is "cheaper is not better", and these toxic chemicals need to be eliminated from our products. They are widely used because they are inexpensive, drive down the cost of the product and increase the manufacturer's bottom line. At the same time, we are all being subjected to adverse health effects from these harmful chemicals, some which have not even come to light as yet. Sad to say, but the FDA needs to be more thorough at investigating and eliminating these toxins from our products.

On the flip side, there are more and more quality, truly organic and natural products being produced which use the gifts of Mother Earth, not a laboratory, as their main ingredients. Non only creating a healthier environment and body, naturally-derived products produce better results, are superior in skin and hair care, and are a joy to use! Over time, the benefits of "going natural" become apparent.....you feel better, you can think more clearly, your skin is softer....less dry and irritated, your hair is healthier...shinier, stronger. And once you've tried them, natural scents (or essential oils) are so superior in their benefits to the body, mind and spirit, that synthetic fragrances will pale by comparison.

We have recently introduced our NEW! Body and Shine SLS Free Natural Shampoo and Conditioner, which we hand-blend pure, plant-derived ingredients....unlike those found on most store shelves. Like the majority of our products, we are proud that they are inspired by Mother Nature, and not a laboratory! We are continually adding to our existing line of natural bath and body, aromatherapy and herbal products to nurture the body, delight the senses and soothe the spirit. For additional company, product and shopping information, visit us online.

STRESSED? Aromatherapy to the Rescue!

Our Pure Aromatherapy Sprays Calm,

Energize, Inspire and Uplift....Naturally!

April showers may bring May flowers, but all this rainy, dreary weather is enough to get anybody down. Plus all the stress with work, school, kids, bills, the economy! It's enough to put anyone over the edge.

Good thing Mother Nature had invented a host of natural soothers found in plants and botanicals which are just the thing to get your mood back into a positive groove.....and fast!

Natural Aromatherapy is a healthy alternative to boost your mood and generate a sense of well-being. Extracted from natural plants and botanicals, essential oils have been used since the days of antiquity for healing, perfumery and as powerful catalysts in spiritual traditions.

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential Oils are highly concentrated substances extracted from the flowers, leaves, roots, fruits, seeds and resins of plants and are 100% NATURAL IN ORIGIN. These volatile oils contain the essence or "life force" of the plant and naturally enhance and promote the health and well-being of the body, mind and spirit. We like to call these essences "liquid life".

WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY?
Aromatherapy is an alternative, holistic healing practice of using ONLY NATURAL essential oils and aromatics to help restore and maintain the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit. The origins of Aromatherapy can be traced back to ancient Egypt and its practice has been revered and in use for thousands of years.

WHY MOST COMMERCIAL "AROMATHERAPY" PRODUCTS
ARE NOT GENUINE!
Commercial marketing campaigns have succeeded in totally destroying and altering the true and original meaning of the term "AROMATHERAPY". As the popularity and desire for chemical-free, natural products has blossomed over the last decade, commercial manufacturers have not hesitated to jump on the bandwagon, elevating their profits by masquerading products that appear to be naturally derived.

While there ARE reputable companies manufacturing TRUE Aromatherapy products using QUALITY ESSENTIAL OILS, most commercial products are FALSELY LABELED as such and contain absolutely NO natural or organic plant-derived material whatsoever. The majority of these products are manufactured using cheap, synthetic and chemically-based fragrances and aromatics. There are now countless instances of fake, chemical synthetics being marketed and labeled as "essential oil". While these products may smell "good", not only do they NOT contain any therapeutic value, their repeated use poses NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON HEALTH and WELL-BEING due to the high saturation of harmful chemicals and ingredients.

A must-read is “Making Sense of Scents” (page 107) found in the February 2008 issue of Body+Soul® Magazine.

Have Fun In the Sun - Naturally!

Summer Sun Ultra-Rich Skin Care Lotion for

Radiant, Healthy Skin all Summer Long!

As the "Lazy Days of Summer" are finally upon us, we all tend to develop a more care-free, laid-back attitude, where days spent basking in the warm sun become the norm. While hot sandy beaches and cool ocean waters are revitalizing to our spirits, hot summer days can wreck havoc on our hair and skin. While we're more inclined to take a more self-nurturing approach during the cooler months, skin and hair care is just as important during scorching hot summer weather.

As getting that great tan is definitely on top of everyone's summer to-do list, extra-care is necessary to ease the burn, dryness and damage that a day basking in the sun can bring. To the rescue! The Ultimate in Summer Skin Care!

Our SUMMER SUN Ultra-Rich Skin Care Lotion is perfect for use both during and after tanning to keep your skin hydrated and your bronze glow radiant all summer long! It's delicious tropical scent and rich blend of soothing butters and emollients makes it a great summertime moisturizing body treat! Keeps skin soft, supple, healthy and glowing!

Blended with high concentrations of natural soothing and healing mango, cocoa and shea butters, aloe and skin-healing emollients, this rich lotion is the perfect summer moisturizer. It's yummy Tropical fragrance of creamy coconut, juicy mango and tropical fruit will leave your skin deliciously scented. Perfect for use as a daily all-over summertime skin treat!

• Replenishes dry, sun-parched and thirsty skin
• Deeply moisturizes to maintain a longer, darker, richer tan
• Heals and soothes sunburned, overexposed skin