Store Owner Feature

After working for others her whole life, Tracey Tilden finally opens store of her dreams in Calgary

What is the name and location of your store?

Stone House Decor in Calgary, Alberta.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in Liverpool England, and have lived all but 6 years in Canada, specifically Alberta.

This year I celebrate my 29th wedding anniversary with the most supportive and encouraging  husband. We have two wonderful kids. Our daughter is 22, and my "free" marketing assistant is my 26-year-old son who is an entrepreneur himself.

I spent 13 years working in the oil and gas industry as a Junior Buyer. After our daughter started Grade 1, I spent 13 years in education working as a Speech and Occupational Therapy Assistant for Kindergarteners in Okotoks.

After moving back to Calgary once our daughter graduated I knew it was time to do something for myself and STONE HOUSE DECOR was born.

What inspired you to start your own business?

Having my own shop was always a dream, and after working for other people my whole life I wanted to be my own boss and do something different. I needed to do something for me and knew it was now or never.

Born from a love of filling our home with beautiful pieces, I grew a simple passion inspired by Magnolia Market and a love of Modern Farmhouse decor into my beautiful shop. I wanted people to come in, see the quality of the items and be able to touch and feel the things we have carefully curated for them.

What is your favourite part about owning a store?

I love the whole process… buying items I love and knowing others will too. Finding companies with wonderful stories and items that are unique, staging them on the floor, watching people fall in love with them and knowing they will love them as much as I do. I also love talking to people, I have so many returning customers who I know by name and by their stories, even after 7 months.

The surrounding businesses in Willow Park Village are wonderful and I have gotten to know so many like-minded business owners.

What surprises you about your customers?

I love how chatty they all are, it's wonderful to get to hear their stories and be a part of their home or lives in a small way.

Ok, what are your 3 desert island Midnight Paloma picks?

3 isn't fair! Lol! I love them all… but the French Rose + Vanilla, Grapefruit + Mandarin and Eucalyptus + Peppermint Blossom Bath Soaks would be my picks.

Favourite way to relax?

A soak in the tub with French Rose + Vanilla for sure.

Bath or shower?

Bath.

Do you have anything exciting planned for the year you'd like to share?

I'm excited for all the firsts I will experience as a new business owner in the next 5 months leading up to our 1 year Anniversary.

Anything else you'd like to tell us :)

Thrilled to be able to have another Canadian brand - Midnight Paloma - in our shop!

Salt is a staple of life. From food and preservation, to medicinal purposes, it’s been shown to help humans for millennia… However, combined with the right essential oils, herbs, and flowers, and you’ve got yourself a powerful potion to help heal most ailments.

The combinations selected for Midnight Paloma’s new bath soaks were highly researched for their properties and tested for their benefits. Each soak targets a different need: replenish, detox, calm, better breathing, soothing, and muscle recovery. Midnight Paloma Founder Tayler Rogers and the research team then wanted to find scents that would compliment those needs. The result is a beautiful experience that truly renews and relaxes.

Here’s a little taste into those ingredients and their individual properties.

grapefruit + mandarin

This detoxifying bath soak with Hawaiian black lava salt, Epsom salt, and sea salt provides a refreshing, rejuvenating, and inspiring experience thanks to its citrus scent. It’ll make you feel like you’re on a tropical getaway.

Hawaiian black lava salt

As the name implies, Hawaiian black lava salt is a special salt that comes from the Pacific Ocean around Hawaii. It's combined with activated charcoal from burnt coconut shells to give it its unique black color. This type of salt is rich in essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium that can help soothe and soften your skin, keep your body balanced, relieve sore muscles, and help improve your brain function. It's also believed to have detoxifying properties that can help draw out impurities from your skin and promote a healthy, radiant glow. As a bonus, the gritty texture of black lava salt can provide a gentle exfoliation that leaves skin feeling smoother and more polished.

Hawaiian black lava salt

Epsom salt

Epsom salt is actually a mineral salt in crystal form made of magnesium sulfate… so not the traditional form of salt (sodium chloride, or table salt) you’re used to. Magnesium is a mineral our bodies use so when you’re soaking in an epsom salt bath, our skin absorbs it. The natural benefits of magnesium (or epsom salt) include reducing inflammation, improving your mood, and relieving tense muscles.

Tea Tree + Juniper Berry

This bath soak will help you breathe better thanks to the combination of French grey sea salt, tea tree oil, and sea salt. The tea tree and juniper berry give this soak a woody scent that is both comforting and restorative, like taking a walk through the woods.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree (or Melaleuca alternifolia) comes from Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, and has a long history of being used by aboriginal people of Australia as an antiseptic and in herbal medicine. Nowadays, tea tree oil can be used as a natural hand sanitizer, insect repellent, natural deodorant, and more. It also helps relieve congestion and respiratory problems, like infections. The antimicrobial properties of tea tree make it perfect for warding off infections, congestions, coughs, and even the common cold.

French grey salt

Harvested in the Brittany region of France, the salt gets its grey color from its natural minerals absorbed in the sea. This salt has no additives, is unrefined, and unwashed so that it keeps its natural nutrients, such as calcium, potassium, copper, iron, zinc, and more.

French grey salt

Eucalyptus + Peppermint Blossom

A bath soak developed for muscle recovery, with arnica oil, epsom salt, and sea salt. The aroma of eucalyptus and peppermint is deeply relaxing, especially for tense and tired muscles. It’s the next best thing to getting a massage.

Arnica

This herb has been used to help with bruises, treat aches and pains, as well as to help relieve joint and muscle pain thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Arnica

Peppermint oil

A great complement to Arnica, peppermint also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties and thanks to the menthol, it acts as a natural decongestant to help you open up your breathing for full relaxation. The menthol also has a cooling effect on the skin, which can help reduce muscle pain and inflammation, and combined with the warm water can increase blood flow to promote healing and reduce soreness.

Peppermint

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil is often found in cough syrups to help with congestion from the common cold. There are also many creams that contain this ingredient because it helps relieve muscle and joint pain. Adding this to your bath can have positive effects on sore muscles.

Eucalyptus

FRENCH ROSE + VANILLA

The replenishing bath soak features Himalayan salt, geranium, and sea salt to provide a more sophisticated floral experience. It’ll make you feel like you’ve taken a quick ‘séjour’ to the south of France.

Himalayan salt

This salt permits your skin to absorb the minerals it needs in order to make you feel better. Minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, calcium, iron, manganese, and sodium, amongst others will replenish and renew your skin of these much-needed minerals. Magnesium in particular, is necessary to help you contract and relax your achy muscles. This review found that enough magnesium can enter your lymphatic system by being absorbed through the skin.

Himalayan salt

Sea salt

Sea salt, even in small quantities, has been found to stimulate blood circulation, ease muscle aches and cramps, relax stiff joints, and soothe sore backs, legs, and feet. It’s also a natural way to detoxify and cleanse your skin.

Lavender + Chamomile

Like a comforting hug, this calming bath soak with rolled oats, epsom salt, and sea salt, will both calm and soothe you. The lavender and chamomile give it a sweet floral bouquet, perfect for those cozy vibes.

Rolled oats (or oatmeal)

Found in many creams, lotions, and bathing products, oatmeal and rolled oats are known to be both soothing and moisturizing to the skin. It can even calm itching and irritation from certain skin conditions. Oatmeal is not new to treating the skin: “The first documentation of oatmeal for skin health dates back as early as 2000 BC in Arabia and Egypt, where it was described as soothing and protecting in dry or itchy, inflamed skin.”

Rolled oats (or oatmeal)

Epsom salt

A warm bath can decrease our stress hormone, cortisol. And so can magnesium. Less stress can make you feel calmer and help you sleep better.

Warm Spice + Blackberry

A soothing bath soak featuring a trio of salts: Hawaiian red alaea, Himalayan, and sea. Created with Tayler’s favorite perfume in mind, this soak is both fruity and spicy, bright and uplifting, refreshing and nostalgic.

Hawaiian red alaea salt

This type of salt is native to, of course, Hawaii. Specifically, it gets its name and colour from a native volcanic clay that is rich in iron oxide (called alaea). Because it’s not processed, it’s rich in minerals that come directly from seawater. By healing muscle strains, body aches, and even small wounds, you’re left with a soothing bathing experience.

Himalayan salt

Hawaian red alaea salt

Found primarily in the foothills of the Pakistani Himalayas, this sometimes pink, sometimes orange, sometimes white sea salt has the added benefit of: calming and relaxing, delivering magnesium, soothing insect bites, and much more.

Method to the mélange

Sure these bath soaks smell incredible, but the right mix (or mélange in French), can yield incredible results for bathers. The team at Midnight Paloma has expertly crafted these to not only ensure an aromatically pleasant experience, but one that can deliver the physical and emotional outcomes you want.

Shop your favorite scent combination or to help melt away your stresses.

Water is a vital force that informs cultures, religions, and personal beliefs.

Today, the nuanced ritual of bathing has suffered. At some point in our journey into a modernized, computerized world – where faster is better –  bathing with intention has become unfashionable. And as trends continue to trump tradition, that connection between the physical and the spiritual has weakened. But not severed.

At its core, bathing is a ritual, whether you take daily baths or the occasional soak. And there’s an unbreakable, complementary bond between the physical and the emotional that’s at the heart of this ritual. With every physical, compulsory act we take to prepare for a bath, there’s an equal and opposite primordial relationship that taps into our inherited memory of water.

Tunnel vision says it’s just a bath. But if you take one often enough, you’ll begin to realize that it's just as much about all the little moments leading up to the bath itself. These small rituals, done every time before a bath, create muscle memory that’s also tied to your emotional memory. Together they form a spiritual experience – even if slight or imperceptible – that helps you remember how amazing that bath is going to feel – for your body and your heart.

Harvard researchers have actually linked spirituality to healthier lives and longer lifespans. In a study, Tracy Balboni, lead author and senior physician at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center and professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School recommended that, “Attention to spirituality in serious illness and in health should be a vital part of future whole person-centered care, and the results should stimulate more national discussion and progress on how spirituality can be incorporated into this type of value-sensitive care.”

After all these physical and emotional preparations, the gratification is real.  Professors at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine have found that in the bath, the brain is flooded with endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin (“happy hormones”) the further you sink into warm water. Your nervous system also calms down, lowering stress and anxiety. Your mind, body and heart are essentially being reset, shedding the burdens of today and preparing itself for tomorrow.

So, how to bathe with intention?

A quick Google search on this now-TikTok-viral topic is both reassuring and confusing. The multitude of articles, listicles, videos and how-tos indicate there’s a strong re-emergence of interest in the art of bathing. But who to listen to when voices of “authority” range from wiccans and spiritual healers to academic researchers?

Just as there’s no one magic bullet for self-care, there’s no single recipe for creating your perfect spiritual bath. Beyond the common, logistical requirements (hot water, tub, and hopefully some privacy), the rest is up to what your primordial, inherited memory of water compels you to do.

There are some easy suggestions, however, that can help you take baby steps towards introducing yourself to a spiritual bath.

1. : Intentions.
   This is not a bubble bath. The goal is not to get clean. The purpose of this is to create an environment with enough time that will allow your mind to focus on questions (the more specific the better) whose answers elude you.
2. : Time. Give yourself at least 30 minutes. The point of blocking off this time is that you know this can’t be rushed. Rushing only serves to negate any beneficial intentions you have for this bath.
3. : Guide.
   If this is already too overwhelming for you, Spotify actually has a great, free meditation playlist. Find a guided meditation or some soothing background music to ease you into your intentions.
4. : Scene.
   If you enjoy candles, the warm flickering light will add to the ambience. Adding scented bath salts might also create a blissful environment to help you relax. (Psst… might we suggest some of these bath soaks?)
5. : Clean.
   Since the purpose of a spiritual bath isn’t about getting clean, you might be more comfortable if you took a shower before the bath. Also, ensure your bathtub is clean itself before drawing a bath.

Our Paloma mocktail is a little sweet, a little sour and a lot bubbly. Plus it’s the prettiest shade of pink!

The Paloma is our founder, Tayler’s favorite cocktail. In fact, that’s why she named the company after it. The original drink hails from Mexico, and the word “paloma” translates to “pigeon” in Spanish.

The ingredients to make a Paloma are ones you’d find easily if you were visiting Mexico: tequila, grapefruit, lime and agave (a sweet syrup made from the agave plant, which also gives us tequila). Our version is a mocktail, so no alcohol is required, but you could easily add an ounce or two of Tequila if you’d like.

Instead of being sweetened with agave, we’ve sweetened this one with a rosemary simple syrup. While it adds an extra step, the rosemary adds a lovely woody, grounded note to the mocktail.

You’ll find these ingredients – rosemary, grapefruit and lime – echoed in many of our products, like our bath soaks. Make yourself a Paloma Mocktail, run yourself a warm bath, and pretend you’re on the Riviera. It’s a mini vacation, without the flights!

Recipe

Please note: freshly-squeezed juices taste best, but use prepared juices if that’s easier.

Ingredients for the rosemary simple syrup

(1 cup) water 

125 ml (½ cup) sugar

2 sprigs of rosemary

Ingredients for the mocktail

120 ml (½ cup) grapefruit juice 

30 ml (1 oz) lime juice 

30 ml (1 oz) rosemary simple syrup (you can add more or less to your taste of sweetness)

Ice 

Grapefruit-flavored sparkling water

Garnish

Slices of grapefruit and lime

Sprig of rosemary

First, make the rosemary simple syrup

Place 250 ml (1 cup) water in a pan over medium-high heat, and add 125 ml (½ cup) sugar. 

Stir to dissolve. 

Add two sprigs of rosemary and submerge them well. 

Bring up to the boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved in the water, and it gets a syrupy consistency. 

Turn the heat off and allow the rosemary to steep for about 10 minutes to extract the essential oils. 

Remove the rosemary, and set the syrup aside to cool.

To make the mocktail

Fill a pretty glass ⅔ with ice.

Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice and rosemary simple syrup and stir. 

Top with grapefruit-flavored sparkling water.

Garnish with slices of grapefruit and lime and a sprig of rosemary and enjoy!

If the Paloma cocktail was a salad, this would be it.

We’ve filled this salad with ingredients you’d easily be able to find in Mexico, like grapefruit, avocado, cilantro, and pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds). To further mirror the flavors of a Paloma, the vinaigrette you dress it in uses many of the same ingredients you’d find in a Paloma cocktail, like tequila, lime and agave.

All in all, this makes a delicious salad you’ll love to make year-round. It packs in loads of nutrition, but also interesting textures and flavors that make this salad anything but boring.

Stay tuned for later this month, when we’ll be launching a new product that incorporates some of these same notes of citrus, flowers and woody essential oils.

Recipe

Ingredients for the salad

2 cups (60 grams) spinach 

½ grapefruit, segmented 

½ avocado, cut into chunks

2 tbsp (28 grams) pepitas or pumpkin seeds 

2 tbsp (28 grams) crumbled feta or shaved parmesan

Ingredients for the tequila-lime dressing

¼ cup (60 mls) olive oil

3 tbsp (50 mls) freshly squeezed lime juice

1 tbsp (15 mls) agave or honey

1 ½ tbsp (22 mls) tequila

2 tbsp (28 grams) chopped cilantro 

Salt and pepper to taste

*Makes one serving

First make the dressing

In a clean mason jar, place all the ingredients and shake well to combine. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Store in the refrigerator.

To make the salad

Wash your greens well and spin them dry. 

Place greens in a bowl and add a little of the dressing and then toss with your hands to coat. Mound the spinach on a pretty plate. 

Scatter over the grapefruit segments. 

Scatter over the avocado segments. 

Scatter over the pepitas. 

Shave or crumble the cheese, and scatter it all over the salad. 

Finish with an additional drizzle of the Tequila-Lime Dressing. 

Serve immediately.

Hey Everyone!

I made this video to introduce our newest addition, the Multi-Mist. Here's what its all about!

Why We Made It: That extra boost of hydration we all need. Our Multi-Mist is meant to be used multiple times a day to refresh, plump and most importantly give you a minute to take a deep breath and reset.

What's Inside: 
White Willow Bark: to help control excess oil, sensitivity and minimize pores.
Chamomile: A powerful skin rejuvenator, it balances the skin out and gives an all-over flow.
Lavender: Hydrates, destresses and works instantly to refresh the skin. 

How to Use It: This mist is meant to be used multiple times a day. Spray directly on clean skin for hydration, mist on top of makeup to set, refresh by taking a breath midday or end the day by misting on top of your skincare to lock in moisture.

Where to Find It: Take a look here on our site for more info.

I hope you love it as much as we do!
xo Tay

Do not be afraid. Though hyaluronic acid may seem like something you wouldn’t want anywhere near your face, it’s not even close to as scary as it sounds. It’s actually quite the opposite. So, what is it exactly? Do you need it in your skincare routine? Does it play well with other products? What if you have pre-existing skin conditions? Get ready to have all of your questions answered and then some. 

What is Hyaluronic Acid? 

Interestingly enough, hyaluronic acid is a sugar naturally produced by our bodies. It’s clear, it’s gooey and it’s mainly found in our skin, connective tissue and eyes. Its main job is to hold onto water for dear life so it can keep our tissues hydrated and lubricated. In fact, just a single gram of hyaluronic acid has the superpower strength to hold up to six LITRES of water. It also has the smarts to regulate moisture within the skins cells so they don’t drown in hydration (yes, that’s actually a thing). 

Is it Considered Safe?

In short, yes! Hyaluronic acid is generally well-tolerated and doesn’t typically cause allergic reactions when used properly. It’s even safe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Just to be sure, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test before starting any new skincare product to make sure your skin is cool with it. 

Why Do You Want Hyaluronic Acid it in Your Skincare? 

We think a better question to ask would be, why wouldn’t you want it in your skincare? This dry skin saviour plumps up fine lines and wrinkles, quenches your skin’s thirst and promotes that coveted dewy look – what’s not to love? When used in skincare products like creams and serums, it not only brings moisture to the surface, it holds moisture in providing continuous hydration. All. Day. Long.

How Does Hyaluronic Acid Benefit Your Skin? 

The beauty of hyaluronic acid is it works great with all skin types. In general, it’s super lightweight, non-irritating and doesn’t trigger skin conditions like rosacea or acne. Here’s how it can help with some other skin conditions. 

Aging – Much like collagen and elastin, the hyaluronic acid decreases in our bodies as we get older so our skin becomes dehydrated more easily. Young skin retains its enviable elasticity because of the amount of water it holds. As we age, we need a little boost, making hyaluronic acid your skin’s new BFF.  

Acne – Because acne-prone skin doesn’t have a particularly strong lipid barrier, hyaluronic acid can help fill the gap by providing a little protection. By bolstering your skin’s strength, it helps keep irritants and bacteria out while reducing redness as well as the general appearance of acne. 

Barrier Repair – Harsh weather, winter heaters, certain skincare products and underlying skin conditions can cause tiny tears in the skin’s protective barrier. Hyaluronic acid not only hydrates but it replenishes cell moisture to help strengthen the skin barrier. 

What Type of Products Have Hyaluronic Acid in Them? 

Serums and moisturizers and face mists, oh my! Hyaluronic acid can be found in a number of different skincare products on the market.  Find out which one is right for you.

Moisturizers – If you’re a newbie and just looking to tip your toe into the hyaluronic acid pool, a solid moisturizer with HA is a good place to start. It’s kind of like a serum and moisturizer in one so it can be the first thing you apply after washing your face.  

Serums – If you’re looking for more of a serious hit of HA, reach for a serum as it contains a concentrated amount of hyaluronic acid. Just make sure it’s the first thing you apply to your face, ahead of any other creams or moisturizers. 

Face Mists – Similar to serums, face mists offer a concentrated hit of HA, just with a different viscosity. Serums are thicker and gooier, while a mist delivers a lighter layer of product. However, just like serums, it should be the first thing you apply to clean, dry skin. 

Can You Use it Every Day? 

You sure can! You can even use it twice a day – in both your morning and evening routines –  as long as you’re applying it to clean, dry skin you’re golden. One thing to keep in mind is that hyaluronic acid shouldn’t replace any of your serums or moisturizers, it should be used in conjunction with them. 

Where Does it Fit in Your Skincare Routine? 

On that note, it should be the first thing you grace your face with after a fresh wash. Why? It needs to sit on that top layer of skin to really hold the moisture in so it doesn’t evaporate from the skin barrier. After that, you’ll want to lock in that moisture with a moisturizer, sunscreen and/or face oil.  If you put hyaluronic acid on top of those products, it’s unfortunately not going to work.  

Overall, hyaluronic acid is an awesome team player to add to your skincare arsenal. Not only is it a solid solution for those who suffer from dry skin (especially during the winter months when skin’s moisture gets zapped), it can also help improve the appearance of certain skin conditions, like acne and rosacea. It’s a skincare superhero in our books!

You know all about face creams. And primers. And serums. But face oil? For years, putting oil on our faces was considered a no-go, particularly for those with acne-prone skin. These days, it’s a different story. This buzz-worthy skincare product has been soaring in popularity (for good reason!) and can work wonders on any number of skincare woes, producing surprisingly amazing results when applied correctly.

What Is Face Oil Exactly?

Simply put, face oils are generally a mix of fatty plant extracts designed to smooth and soften the skin’s surface by filling in the little gaps that may be flaked or cracked, while sealing in moisture. They’re typically used to help hydrate, but the face oils of today have all kinds of different benefits depending on what you’re looking to achieve. And though they work great on their own, when combined with the other products in your skincare arsenal (like moisturizers and serums), they can become a super power.

Why Do You Need Face Oil?

Face oils have many potential benefits, but their main purpose in life is to serve as an extra layer of protection on your face while helping with a variety of different skin ailments.

Dry Skin – This one’s a no-brainer. Face oil helps dry skin by strengthening and repairing the barrier between your face and the impurities of the outside world waiting to wreck havoc. Not only does it put a stop to skin moisture evaporation, it adds a little extra hydration when you need it most (we’re looking at you, winter).

Aging – As you know, our skin already produces oil to help prevent dehydration, keeping moisture in and pushing toxins out. As we age, we produce less of these essential oils, so we could use a little extra boost. They work by keeping skin pleasantly plump and hydrated, delivering a smoother, more youthful-looking glow.

Acne – Though using oil on acne-prone skin seems counterintuitive, it’s actually the opposite. Most acne treatments out there today are riddled with irritating ingredients out to strip your skin of its natural oils. This creates dryness and inflammation, causing an overproduction of sebum (cue the pimples and blackheads). Acne-safe face oils can nourish the skin before it gets inflamed, helping your body cure the pimples you already have without causing more.

Which Face Oils Are Best For Your Skin?

From rich to lightweight to astringent the most important thing to remember is that not all face oils are created equal. Read on to find which oils are best for your skin type.

For Anti-Aging Skin – To help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, you need a face oil that not only hydrates but one that penetrates the skin barrier to fight cell-damaging free radicals. Look for products with rosehip, almond or argan oil for best results.  

For Dry Skin – Parched skin needs something a little thicker and richer that doesn’t get soaked up too quickly. Look for products with jojoba, coconut or argan oil, as they tend to sit on top of the skin guarding the precious barrier.

For Acne-Prone Skin – If you have acne, chances are you’re using treatments that can dry out the skin thanks to the salicylic acid. What you need are ingredients that bring on the lipids and antioxidants, while keeping the skin hydrated and protected from dryness. Chamomile, calendula and rosehip oil are a hugely helpful ingredients in this case.

The Top Face Oil Ingredients And Their Skincare Benefits

While a number of different face oils can help you on your quest for beautiful skin, these standouts really pack a punch.  

Coconut Oil – Checking nearly every beauty box out there, this oil is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and can also help with skin barrier repair, skin aging and wound healing.

Rosehip – Celebrated for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, rosehip oil is also rich in antioxidants and has the potential to work wonders as a part of your regular skincare routine.

Calendula – A big helper in the hydration and firmness department, this natural anti-inflammatory can improve the overall appearance of your skin by promoting healing.  

Jojoba – One of your skin barrier’s greatest assets, jojoba brings on the anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties something fierce.

How Do You Use Face Oil?

Because face oils are nutrient powerhouses, a little goes a long way. One to three drops is usually enough to cover the bases and deliver the results you’re after. To apply it to your face, avoid rubbing it in like a moisturizer. Instead, dab or pat the oil into skin so it absorbs the oil and gets right into your pores (this helps speed up the beauty benefits!).

How Does Face Oil Fit Into Your Routine?

This totally depends on your skin type. If you’re using it for the anti-aging benefits, you may want to start with oil first or add a few drops to your moisturizer to boost the effect of your products. If your skin tends to be on the drier side, oil should be the last step in your skincare routine as it thrives on top of the skin enhancing the barrier of protection and locking moisture in.

So are face oils worth the hype? We think so! Just be sure to choose the right one for your skin type and you’ll be off to the races. If you’re still unsure as to what type is best for you, check in with a dermatologist for a little guidance in that department.

First things first, what is Epsom salt? Well, despite being called a “salt” this type is far different from your table variety. The only similarity between the two is their chemical structure. Other that that, they are used in very different ways, for very different reasons. Though some people do consume the Epsom variety to help treat things like constipation and fibromyalgia, here we’re going to talk about how they can help you externally. 

What Is Epsom Salt Used for?

The beauty of Epsom salt is its extreme versatility. Though it’s most commonly used to treat run-of-the-mill aches and pains, it’s also been used as a home remedy to help with a whole host of other ailments, such as:

• Arthritis
• Bruises
• Swollen feet
• Aching post-workout muscles
• Bug bites
• Ingrown toenails
• Insomnia
• Sunburn

What Are The Benefits?

By helping restore the body’s magnesium stores, Epsom salt can help provide a myriad of therapeutic benefits that promote health and wellness. These include:

• Drawing toxins out of the body
• Promoting a good night’s sleep
• Supporting exercise recovery
• Reducing pain and swelling caused by inflammation
• Easing pain from bites and stings

When Epsom salt meets water, they immediately break down into magnesium and sulphate. Not only do these important minerals help draw toxins out of the body, they absorb into the skin to support a myriad of important bodily functions, while helping maintain a healthy immune system.

Helpful Ingredients to Complement Epsom Salt

Kick your Epsom salt up a notch with the following ingredients:

• Essential oils
• Charcoal (known to help draw toxins out)
• Therapeutic plant extracts like rose, lavender, citrus and chamomile
• Oats (known to calm skin inflammation)

For a detoxifying experience, try our Charcoal + Grapefruit Detox Fizzy Bath Soak. For a calming and soothing experience, try our Chamomile + Lavender Calming Bath Soak. 

Are There Any Side Effects? Who Should Avoid Them?

Though rare, side effects from Epsom salt can occur so taking some caution couldn’t hurt. When used externally, it can dry out the skin, which could be problematic for people with dry skin (or those who suffer from the dreaded winter dryness). Some people have also reported feeling a little light-headed after an Epsom soak, so it’s recommended to do it before bedtime. If you have any medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, you should ask your doctor if Epsom salt baths are right for you.

Can an Epsom Salt Bath Help with Stress Reduction?

The act of taking a warm bath alone is a relaxing ritual. Add Epsom salt and you’ve got yourself the perfect stress reliever. When magnesium is absorbed into the skin, it helps by restricting the release of stress hormones headed for the brain. It also helps relax and revive tense joints and muscles, which in turn help relieve stress. Last but not least, Epsom salt increases the buoyancy of water, making you feel lighter and even more relaxed.

Can They Help With Muscle Recovery?

When it comes to recovering properly after a particularly rigorous workout, some people swear by Epsom baths as a means to help reduce muscle soreness, inflammation and swelling. As we just mentioned, the simple act of taking a warm bath on its own can help you unwind and relax after a hard workout. And that’s considered a recovery win in and of itself. 

At the end of the day, Epsom salt baths are an excellent way to take a break from the daily stressors of life. They take relaxation to the next level and work wonders at soothing tired muscles and easing stress. Epsom, take me away!