Colorado Aromatics Cultivated Skin Care

Overall Rating: 

About Colorado Aromatics:

“Founder and skin care sage, Dr. Cindy Jones, is a biochemist and herb farmer with extensive experience in physiology, toxicology, microbiology, cancer research and cosmetic science. Cindy has also worked as a research scientist, a college instructor and is a published author. Dr. Jones is a highly sought after product development consultant to the natural cosmetic and skin care industry. Her passion for science and her love of herbs is the catalyst behind Colorado Aromatics skin care line. She brings a scientific perspective to the field of herbalism and skin care and has found a niche in cosmetic formulating.

Farm

We farm in a beautiful place in Colorado with a view of Longs and Meeker Peaks. Our farm has recently become Certified Naturally Grown; a grass roots alternative to organic. You can read about it in my blog here; http://sagescript.blogspot.com/2012/01/we-are-certified.html. We grow a variety of herbs/vegetables including lavender, mint, cucumber, lemon balm, rose, raspberry leaf, and comfrey to distill for aromatic waters and to make various extracts that we use in our own Colorado Aromatics Cultivated Skin Care products as well as sell separately.

Certified Naturally Grown

I’m happy to announce that our farm has just become Certified Naturally Grown (CNG). I am excited about this program and you can read more about here http://www.naturallygrown.org/.  Its standards are similar to the USDA’s Certified Organic program in that it does not allow synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or GMO seeds. It differs in that it is a small, private and grass roots organization not associated with the government and encourages collaboration, transparency and community involvement.

I’ve never been quite comfortable with the Certified Organic Program; its a government sponsored program that seems more tailored towards the larger sometimes corporate farms involved in monocropping. Not to mention their ownership of the word ‘organic’. USDA COP farm inspectors are forbidden to make suggestions or help the farmers in any way while CNP farm inspectors are peers and volunteers that are encouraged to share information.  I look forward to my first farm inspection this spring by one of my peers who has volunteered to do so and I expect it to be a learning process. I’ve asked Darrell Cook of Ginger Cat Farm to do my inspection. CNP relies on volunteers like this which encourages community involvement and collaborations.

At Colorado Aromatics Herb Farm I grow things the way my Mother taught me and she learned from her Mother, the traditional way, long before there even were synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. I do have the benefit of having herbs and lavender as my main crop which are probably easier to grow than vegetable crops. But we fertilize our fields in the winter using manure produced by our horses, goats and chickens. Although we are still learning how to best control weeks; we pick by hand until our backs ache, we use weed cloth and we hoe (we also accept volunteers). We try to reduce the amount of gasoline we use on the farm too by doing most of the work by hand rather than by tractor (we don’t own a tractor). Because of the way we farm, beneficial insects such as bees, ladybugs and praying mantis abound. When we do get damaging insects such as aphids our first choice is to take care of them with the garden hose.

I think growing my herbs with the Certified Naturally Grown seal partners well with the extracts I make from them for natural cosmetics. I’ll soon be adding pictures and information to our profile at CNG http://www.naturallygrown.org/farms/3421.”

I admire Colorado Aromatics’ humility and explanations on their website, which allows me to garner more respect for them because they value being transparent to their customers. They also grow the majority of their ingredients according to high standards. I am excited by all of this and applaud this to the nth degree. I give these products 5 stars because of this.

Lemon Sage Soap

Colorado Aromatics’ Description:

“Handcrafted cold processed soap has a lot of benefits over the so called soap bars that are mass produced. In fact, once you have tried handcrafted soap, you may never again use a detergent bar from the grocery. Our handcrafted soap contains well chosen oils to yield a hard bar that lasts awhile and produces good suds.  We use organic oils and sustainable palm oil. Handcrafted soap naturally contains high amounts of glycerin which helps hold moisture to the skin and fatty acids which help prevent moisture loss from the skin. We also choose oils with additional nutrients such as shea butter which is rich in vitamins A and E.  In fact, our soaps are gentle enough to be used on the face. Most contain herbs and flowers from our farm.

Ingredients:

Most of our soaps are made with organic coconut oil, organic sustainable palm oil, organic olive oil, shea butter, rice bran oil, almond oil and castor oil. Neem soap has neem oil, and chocolate soap has cocoa butter.”

My Description & Thoughts:

This soap is perfect to keep next to the kitchen sink, or any sink for that matter. :) I like how the lemon adds a freshness to the air when lathered up. The ingredients are very good and simple. It provides a thorough cleanse but doesn’t dry skin out.

I recommend this bar of soap to anyone, especially those that have an affinity for citrusy, herby smelling fragrances.

Chalk Creek Deodorant Body Powder

Colorado Aromatics’ Description:

“Herbal Deodorant Powder is now Chalk Creek Deodorant Powder. Specially designed for feet and underarms to reduce odor and moisture. Contains baking soda, cornstarch and a blend of finely ground herbs and essential oils to decrease odor and moisture. Try for reducing heat rash too.”

Ingredients:

Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Sodium Bicarbonate, Tapioca Starch, Bentonite, Maranta Arundinacea (Arrowroot) Root, Allantoin, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Powder, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Powder, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Powder, Lavandula Angustifolia Leaf Powder, Lavandula Angustifolia Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil.”

My Description & Thoughts:

I’m a big fan of this deodorant. Finding a deodorant free of harsh chemicals that stands up to body odor is one my biggest missions as natural product connoisseur. I have used this deodorant two ways:

1. Dabbed on as it comes, in powder form.

2. Mixed with a bit of liquid (water is fine) to form a paste, then applied with fingertips. This route prevents the mess that powder can sometimes cause.

Both ways work great. This powder has an earthy scent (making it ideal as a unisex deodorant) and performs well under sweaty circumstances.

Springtide Gold Anti-Aging Face Cream

Colorado Aromatics’ Description:

“Same cream as Springtide but with Power Peptides added to boost collagen synthesis. This rich anti-aging face cream moisturizes, softens and protects even in the harsh Colorado climate. It is antioxidant rich with alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C ester, green tea and rosemary extracts. We add calendula for regenerating skin as well as allantion. Also contains fennel and phytoestrogen rich oils. Lightly scented with petitgrain and frankincense essential oils for their benefits in toning and rejuvenating skin.

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Distillate, Emulsifying wax NF, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract, Glycerin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Ester), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherols, Citrus Aurantium (Petitgrain) Oil, Boswellia arteri (Frankincense) Oil.”

My Description & Thoughts:

Even though I am at the ripe age of 25, :) my skin gets a lot of sun, thus prompting me to take preventative, anti-aging measures to help compensate for the elements my skin experiences.

That said, I was eager to try this cream. The texture is rich–a little dab covers my entire face and neck. It provides me dense layer of moisture to my skin but eventually absorbs nicely, leaving my skin hydrated nicely. I like all of the great ingredients that target skin youth and healing. I can see myself sharing that with my older generation (even though my mom doesn’t need it!) :)

I recommend this product to anyone already seeking anti-aging creams and for those who live in harsh climates (as they suggest). This one will make your skin feel like it has a healthy barrier that will keep skin young.

Dream Pillows – Herbs for Sleep & Dreams

Colorado Aromatics’ Description:

“A blend of relaxing herbs including lavender and chamomile, to promote sleep and dreams. Place inside your pillow case, goodnight.”

My Description & Thoughts:

I have always been a gal with minor sleep issues like tossing and turning, “night-eating” and waking up feeling out of energy. These are not major conditions, but they have been enough to encourage me to seek natural sleep-aiding products.

I was excited to see that Colorado Aromatics makes these “dream pillows.” I knew they would be applicable to my sleep issues.

I placed one “dream pillow” on each side of my pillow, inside the pillowcase, and noticed that its makes my pillow more inviting. It smells relaxing and calming, which creates a great environment for night time. I have been please with these herb-filled pillows. Anything that gives my sleep a healthy help is welcomed by me–and these do just that.

I recommend these “dream pillows” to anyone experiencing similar episodes to me. However, these are also great for anyone simply looking to supplement their sleep.

*These complimentary products have been generously provided to me for the purpose of trying them in order to write a review on my experience.