We get it - looking for a truly clean formulation in hair care that delivers on its promises is harder than it should be. When we couldn’t find plant-based products formulated with organic ingredients that soothed our scalps, nourished our locks, and gave us the lustrous hair we’re promised in shiny commercials, we tackled this problem head on and formulated our very own. 

Our duo of clean hair care products, shampoo and conditioner, are carefully formulated with potent botanicals and soothing ingredients for a natural experience. If you’ve tried your fair share of natural hair products, chances are you’ve faced the same disappointments as we have; hair that’s left with build-up, stripped of its natural oils, or stiff and lifeless. Free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicone, dyes, synthetic fragrance and known carcinogenic preservatives like formaldehyde, our hair care is plant-powered with organics to provide deep nourishment, smoothness, strength and shine, starting from follicle to strand’s end.

Why switch to clean hair care?

Since you’ve landed here, you’re already one step closer in your journey to finding clean hair care that’s skin-safe for the rest of you, too. Each time you lather up in the shower, every chemical-laden, artificially fragranced sud inevitably washes across your entire body. When searching for hair care products, we believe it’s important to consider how they affect your body as a whole. From endocrine-disruptors to artificial dyes made from coal tar, many conventional shampoos and conditioners have led us astray from attaining healthful scalps, hair, and skin. In a sense, switching to clean, botanical hair care also means switching to safer body care that’s less likely to harm your skin or other bodily systems, without sacrificing the deep nourishment, moisture and shine your hair craves. 

Hair anatomy & function 101

The hair structure consists of 3 main elements; the shaft which is exposed above the scalp’s surface, the root, and a follicle beneath the skin’s surface which contains the root. While our hair is technically dead tissue mainly composed of the protein keratin, it contributes to how we shape our physical identity and is responsible for impressive processes like thermoregulation and UV radiation protection. An average scalp has between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs and grows about a half inch each month. With all of that hard work at play, your hair deserves clean nourishment and care. 

Feed your hair and scalp with plant-based nourishment

Simply put, we love plants and organic ingredients because we believe in their power to help promote the reparative process. Explore how our clean hair care system that’s formulated with carefully researched and thoughtfully chosen ingredients works to promote health and resilience from follicle to hair’s end!

Start at the scalp

1. Nourish the hair follicle and root to promote new growth.

• Stimulate healthy hair growth by strengthening the root with the help of organic sage leaf extract and antioxidant-rich organic horsetail extract.
• Organic ginseng root extract, provitamin B5 and vitamin E restore + nourish roots and follicles.

2. Hydrate and fortify the scalp to encourage strong hair.

   Hair growth is promoted by a healthy, hydrated scalp. Hair growth stemming from a weakened scalp environment can result in cuticle damage.
• Organic monoi and rose hips seed oils as well as provitamin B5 and vitamin E help nourish the scalp and hair follicles.
• Organic sunflower oil that’s especially high in fatty acids like phospholipids as well as ceramides and antioxidants to help nourish and soothe both dry hair and scalp.
• Organic, plant-based cetearyl alcohol helps restore the scalp to a balanced state.

Nurture the hair shaft

1. Strengthen and protect hair to help prevent breakage/brittleness.

• Marigold flower extract promotes healthy collagen production.
• Organic glycerine for its humectant properties that allow it to absorb moisture, creating a protective coating over each strand.
• Organic aloe vera provides a nourishing base that helps clean, strengthen and hydrate.

2. Help protect against damage from environmental stressors.

• Antioxidant-rich organic sunflower oil that’s especially high in fatty acids like phospholipids helps nourish, soothe, and protect dry hair.
• Organic chamomile essential oil helps protect from environmental stressors.

3. Hydrate for healthy looking hair and a longer hair life.

• Hydrolyzed wheat protein enables the hair shaft to receive and retain proteins and moisture to strengthen and hydrate from the inside out.
• Meadowfoam oil’s long-chain fatty acids coat hair to lock in moisture and add shine.

Clean hair care can be hard to come by - but we've made it easy with our nourishing shampoo and conditioner. Treat your hair right with this product duo that promotes the healthy, glossy hair you've been striving for.

We all want gorgeous, glowing complexions, and our shopping habits prove it: Americans spend between roughly $1,000 and $2,000 per year on skin-care products — most of which often end up in the junk drawer — and the dermatology-drugs market is expected to reach a whopping $34.5 billion by 2023. But despite our best efforts and intentions, many of us don’t love what we see in the mirror, and sometimes figuring out the reason requires a little sleuthing. Here are 10 mistakes you might be making in your skin-care routine and how to fix them.

1. Skipping sunscreen. Safety first, kids. If you think you only need to wear sunscreen on sunny summer days, think again. “The sun emits harmful UV rays year-round,” says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). “Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin.”

Do this instead: Slather on SPF 30 or above any time you’re going to be outside (rain, snow or shine) 15 minutes before you plan to leave the house, choosing a waterproof formula if you expect to swim or perspire. Re-apply regularly to ensure consistent protection. And don’t skimp: Experts say most adults need a full ounce of sunscreen, or enough to fill a shot glass, to cover their exposed skin.

2. Not eating a balanced diet. Our bodies need a full complement of vitamins to produce healthy skin cells and collagen. So if you want a dewy complexion, subsisting on ramen noodles for lunch and mac and cheese isn’t going to cut it. Refined carbohydrates are linked to acne. Alcohol makes us puffy and red and can age us prematurely. Skimp on vegetables and protein today, say hello to crow’s feet tomorrow.

Do this instead: Give your skin a daily feast of skin-boosting vitamins and antioxidants by filling your plate with a rainbow of produce. “Make sure they are a bunch of colors — red cabbage, green lettuce etc.,” says New York-based dermatologist Dennis Gross. “Eat veggies that have a lot of color. Nature color codes them for us. The more colors you eat, the better.” Round out your meals with lean proteins, omega-3-rich fish, whole grains, legumes and healthy fats. These foods “are good for your whole body, and that includes your skin,” says Dr. Rajani Katta of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. You can also talk to your doctor about addressing gaps in your nutrition via multivitamins and supplements.

3. Washing your face too frequently. It may seem counterintuitive, but over-cleansing your skin can actually cause it to become more oily. That’s because when you strip the naturally occurring sebum, your sebaceous glands ramp up production to compensate. The result: More shine, and a more conducive environment for breakouts.

Do this instead: Gently wash your face using a mild cleanser. Those with oilier complexions can wash up to two times a day, according to the AAD, while drier types can often get away with once-daily cleansing.

4. Exfoliating the wrong way. Done right, exfoliation creates a smooth, supple canvas for absorbing facial treatments or wearing makeup. Done wrong, and you’re setting yourself up for irritation, dryness or breakouts.

Do this instead: Those with dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin may prefer cleansing the skin with a washcloth. For those with darker skin tones, avoid aggressive exfoliation which may result in dark spots on the skin.

5. Using too-hot water. Beyond the obvious threat of burns, overly hot water dries your skin, leaving it more susceptible to wrinkles, flakes and painful cracking. It also can trigger an immune response in some people, resulting in rashes and hives.

What you should do instead: Use the coolest temperature you can tolerate, and keep your showers short. Not only will this save your skin, but it also can cut down on water-heater costs.

6. Not removing your eye makeup. This is a big one. Leave your eyeliner and mascara on, and you’re practically begging for an infection. “In some patients, makeup on the eyelid can cause problems such as irritation and infection of the surface of the eye and also damage to eyelashes,” says Scottish ophthalmologist Shahriar Nabili. “Some patients can also develop problems with the tear duct and watery eye.” And if the situation gets bad enough, it could even threaten your vision.

Do this instead: Soak a cotton ball or pad with a mild eye-makeup remover and press it to your closed eyelid. Gently stroke from the inside corner of your upper lid outward until all makeup is gone.

7. Picking at your face. Did you know that human fingernails can harbor staphylococcus bacteria, fungi and other horrors? And yet there you are, using them to extract blackheads like it’s no big deal. News flash: IT IS A BIG DEAL. Picking and mashing can lead to infections, scarring and bruising (and leave you looking like a mess, to boot).

Do this instead: Spot-treat pimples with a benzoyl peroxide-, salicylic acid- or sulfur-based product, and see a dermatologist if your acne persists. Otherwise, hands off.

8. Sleeping too little. It’s called beauty rest for a reason, friends. Not getting enough shut-eye wreaks havoc on our skin in myriad ways. Beyond causing dark under-eye circles, sleep deprivation raises our stress levels, which can lead to oiliness, breakouts and premature wrinkles.

Do this instead: Strive for seven to eight hours of sleep. It’s worth it.

9. Wearing the wrong kind of foundation. Sad to say, but there is no one-size-fits-all foundation. Oil-based foundations may be great for dry or aging skin, but they’re terrible for shinier faces. On the other hand, powders can cake or settle into fine lines.

Do this instead: Pick a foundation that’s made for your skin type. If you’re acne-prone, opt for an oil-free, noncomedogenic formula. If wrinkles are a concern, look for liquid or cream bases containing emollients. And don’t forget to switch to a lighter or powder-based version in the summer, when heat and humidity can melt your makeup right off.

10. Not seeing a dermatologist. Ultimately there is no substitution for regular visits to your doctor. Self-diagnosing conditions such as acne or psoriasis could lead you to treatments that either don’t work or exacerbate your problem. And catching skin cancer early greatly increases a patient’s chances of survival.

Do this instead: Schedule a mole check with your dermatologist annually. In between visits, regularly inspect your skin for any changes — and if something worries you, book an appointment right away.

Since my early 20s, I’ve been obsessed with skin care products. This means that over the course of 40-some years, I’ve brought home a heck of a lot of serums, moisturizers and, especially, cleansers. And you know where most of them end up? Not on my face.

They also don’t land in the trash because I hate the thought that I chose wrong — again — and wasted my money — again. So, I’ve got piles of half-empty failed products jamming up my bathroom drawer. Truth be told, I could probably pay for a new car with all the money I’ve spent over the years in my efforts to look and feel better.

It’s a vicious and annoying cycle that I think I’ve finally broken.

I’m a sucker for promises — that’s how this all started. Health and wellness are very important to me, as are looking and feeling better, so I have been eager to believe. Over and over again I’ll buy something because it seems great at first glance, but then it quickly stops working. Or I’ll read the ingredients more closely at home and realize that it’s packed with a bunch of scary chemicals that I don’t recognize or understand and should have more carefully researched before buying. Either way, it ends up in the drawer.

If it’s packed with chemicals, I then make a trip (a well-worn path by now) to the health food store, where I carefully read the ingredients and choose my next purchase. For a moment, I’ll feel really good about myself and hope springs eternal. But then it doesn’t work. Once again, the junk drawer receives another half-empty bottle. Same with all the new skin care companies online — the words sound good, but nothing has been effective. Yet, I’m the one with the guilt!

Finding skin care products that do what they say they should do while trying to avoid chemicals is a maddening process.

If you are even vaguely familiar with this vicious circle than you will understand why we at Life’s Abundance decided to develop a skin care line with organic ingredients that are formulated to actually work.

My favorite product in this new line is the Facial Cleanser. I have oily skin, so I've always used foams and gels. What I didn’t know was that these kinds of cleansers stripped my skin of its natural oils, making my skin go into oil-production mode.

When I first tested our cleanser, I noticed how light and creamy it is. It took off all my makeup, and after rinsing, my face felt super clean but smooth and soft. For the first time ever, my skin had noticeably less oil. And week after week, it stayed that way! I loved it so much that I kept returning to our warehouse for samples.

My bottle of Life’s Abundance is sitting proudly on my bathroom sink. And you know what? Now that I’ve finally found a product that works, I think it’s time to empty out that blasted drawer.

Linda Logue
VP of Marketing

I’ll be the first to admit that we’re difficult to please here at Life's Abundance. And you know what? I’m OK with that.

You see, we have a long history of taking matters into our own hands to get what we want. The pet foods on the market didn’t live up to our standards. So we made our own. The supplements available at stores weren’t pure enough. So we made our own. And the so-called natural skin care products we’ve pinned our hopes on? We wanted to believe. But when we examined the labels on many popular “natural” products, here’s a short list of what we found.

Artificial colors, artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, PEG compounds and more.

Why would you want to put something on your skin that is questionable? We didn’t. So — you guessed it — we made our own.

A New Approach to Healthy Skin

I’m excited and proud to announce Life’s Abundance Skin Care, a premium system for cleansing, moisturizing and perfecting your skin. Made with pure, plant-based organic ingredients and formulated for fabulous results.

But that’s not all. We added a little more in each item than you’ll typically see in high-end skin care to lower the cost per application and reduce plastic in landfills. Also, because it is important to us to make a positive imact in everything we do, for each skin care product you purchase, one tree will be planted in your honor to help support a community in need.

Our product line includes:

Facial Cleanser - The ingredients speak for themselves. Aloe leaf juice. White willow bark extract. Argan oil. Sugar cane extract. Mango seed butter. Pure botanicals. Nothing synthetic. Our creamy, light cleanser gently melts away the residue of the day, including makeup, leaving your skin soft, revived and fresh. No matter what your skin type, this lather-free formula cleans deeply, without stripping away your face's natural protective oils.

Facial Moisturizer - This delicate moisturizer contains olive oil, aloe leaf juice and cardamom seed oil. Oh, and calming vanilla—the only edible orchid fruit! Plant-derived antioxidants, emollients and omega essential fatty acids deliver a conditioning boost and provide a protective barrier. No harsh chemicals that can irritate or toughen the skin over time. No synthetic junk. Just soft, natural, hydrating cream for soft, naturally hydrated skin.

Facial Serum - This targeted blend of radiance-boosting organic oils help correct and protect. The camellia, borage and carrot seed oils comfort irritated skin and promote a healthy complexion. And the age-defying broccoli seed oil delivers radiance-boosting vitamin A – think of it as nature’s retinol alternative. Every drop of this opulent potion is crafted to awaken your skin.

Body Lotion - Our long-lasting lotion softens and hydrates with shea butter and aloe. Light and fast-absorbing, it protects against environmental damage with plant-derived antioxidants. And with mood-lifting lemon and geranium oils, it smells as great as it feels. (True fact: I’m wearing it right now, and I can’t stop sniffing my own arms.)

Our Promise

Like all Life’s Abundance products, our skin care line is inspired by nature and informed by science. We started by raiding Mother Nature’s pantry, grabbing a vibrant array of fruits, oils and extracts. We carefully crafted each product with these nourishing organic botanicals to cleanse, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin.

Chemical free, our formulations are tested for purity and gentle enough for the whole family.

Radiant from the inside out, healthy from the outside in. That’s what Life’s Abundance looks like, and we hope you like how it looks — and feels — on you as well.

Explore the collection now!

Lester Thornhill, CEO

Many people assume a green juice is for other people. They claim they don’t like veggies. They fear the poison-colored concoction will taste even worse than it looks. They think die-hard green juicers seem nutritionally elitist and willing to compromise their taste buds in the name of super fuel.

While there is definitely a spectrum of green -- from beginner to advanced -- there is a place for you somewhere along the line. I promise. And I’m encouraging you to join the party, because nothing bad happens when people add more whole green foods to their diet. Nothing. Zilch.

There are a few ways to go about getting more greens into your diet, and I promise they’re way easier than you think. Best part? You don’t even need a fork. You only need a straw.

Here are three ways to drink your greens …

1) Hop on the green juice train. If you want to make your own juice, you’ll need a juicer but not necessarily the fanciest one on the market. Juicing is a process that extracts the liquid from whatever you put in it, and it leaves all the pulp out of your cup. The pulp is full of beneficial fiber, but if pulp isn’t your thing, you still get plenty of vitamins and minerals from drinking just the juice. Not into cooked broccoli, kale, collards or spinach? You may like them better in a raw juice. Sometimes the flavors are milder when raw and combined with other ingredients.

Immediately after the juice is made, it starts losing its nutritional powers, so you’ll want to grab a straw STAT. Green juice is sensitive to time (how long from when it was made until it is consumed), temperature (heat can diminish some of the vitamin potency) and storage (air and clear glass containers can also make the juice less potent). But even not-so-fresh juice is better than no juice at all, so don’t let this deter you. Just make sure to put in the fridge and drink within 24 hours if you’re not drinking as soon as you make it. Here’s a great beginner recipe if you’re just getting your feet wet:

Keri’s Beginner Greens Juice

● ½ head of romaine lettuce
● ½ cucumber
● ½ cup spinach leaves
● 1 green apple

Clean all produce well. Toss in the juicer in order and drink immediately.

2) Get your smoothie on. If you don’t have any more room on your kitchen counter for yet another appliance, then your handy blender is waiting for you to let it make a smoothie. A blender can’t separate the pulp from the juice, which is why by definition smoothies are thicker and well, smoother. The smoothie crowd is just as cool as the green juice crowd, and some would even argue smoothies are even healthier than juices because of that pulp stuff I mentioned.

My formula for the perfect smoothie is incredibly simple … 1 cup milk (cow’s, nut or seed-based milk), 1 fruit, a handful of greens, 1 healthy fat, an extra (call it a flavor wild-card) and protein powder.

One of my fave healthy fats is coconut because it’s loaded with health-promoting properties, flavor and, of course, healthy fats. The fat in coconut is mostly MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) and although they are a type of saturated fat, they are not the same saturated fat as you’ll get from say fatty meat.

3) Add a green supplement to your drink. Think green juices and smoothies too much work for you? I’ve got you covered. At Life’s Abundance, we’ve created a Greens Blend that is jam-packed to the brim with nutrients. All you have to do is mix with water. Yep, it’s that easy. Add a scoop to water and mix. The Greens Blend is made of organic greens (picked at peak nutrient density) and an organic mushroom blend for overall health. The best part? It doesn’t have that I-just-ate-dirt-from-the-yard taste. It has a yummy, berry flavor. You can add to water, your morning smoothie, baked goods like zucchini muffins or even to yogurt. Most important, just drink up. Greens are the master of the health universe. 

Keri Glassman MS.RD.CDN