Hey you guys, hope you’ve all had a fantastic weekend! Yesterday was Jerry’s birthday, so we’ve been doing our best to just try to relax and chill. Somehow, things never seem to go as planned, and he’s had a horrible headache all weekend. L
The good news is that Botanica Vita sent us their new Vita Zen Organic Oil Exfoliating Salt Scrub. I was so excited to get this, because it’s like no other salt scrub on the market!!!! But, before I tell you all about how wonderful it is, let’s take a look at the company itself- because they have earned a permanent spot in my heart.
Botanica Vita was founded by two remarkable women, Trista Boyenga and Claudia Marcelo. Ms. Boyenga served 12 years in the United States Army and Army National Guard as an Intelligence and Counterintelligence Officer. She took an interest in holistic health and essential oils after sustaining a severe neck injury during a combat attack in Iraq. She found that using oils helped lessen pain, and decrease the need for medication. Trista started developing her own products with Dr. Claudia Marcelo, and together they founded Botanica Vita (Botanica Vita, 2017).
Dr. Claudia Marcelo is an osteopathic physician, board-certified with the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians in Family and Geriatric Medicine, and the founder of Medically Fit & Balanced. As exercise and nutrition are the foundation of her practice, she prescribes life-style programs to complement or substitute conventional treatments by using supplements, therapeutic diets, stress management techniques, and detoxification programs (Botanica Vita, 2017).
Botanica Vita’s salt scrubs are made in the USA and formulated with natural, organic ingredients that are cruelty-free, non-GMO and non-synthetic. Ingredients include Dead Sea salt, Himalayan salt, shea nut oil, argan oil, jojoba golden seed oil, natural Vitamin E from non-GMO sunflowers, bergamot peel oil, eucalyptus leaf oil, grapefruit peel oil, lavender flower oil, lemon peel oil, lemongrass, lime peel oil, and wild orange peel oil (Botanica Vita, 2017).
I received the Vita Zen scrub, which is handcrafted in small batches, and formulated to balance and tone the complexion, resulting in hydrated skin with a youthful glow. The ingredients are sourced from around the world, using only the most premium and therapeutic varieties. Vita Zen contains Dead Sea salt, Himalyan salt, organic butyrospermum parkii (shea) nut oil, organic argania spinosa (argan) nut oil, organic simmondsia chinensis (jojoba golden) seed oil, D-Alpha tocopherol (natural Vitamin E) from non-GMO sunflowers, cymbopogon flexuosus (lemongrass) leaf oil, citrus bergamia (bergamot) peel oil, and eucalyptus radiata (eucalyptus) leaf oil (Botanica Vita, 2017).
Dead Sea salt, renowned for its therapeutic effect, contains 21 essential minerals to treat, detoxify, and cleanse. Himalyan salt contains 84 natural minerals and elements to promote a variety of health benefits, as well as improve texture, tone and appearance (Botanica Vita, 2017).
Organic shea nut oil, in addition to its moisturizing capability, contains Vitamins A and E along with fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin. Organic argan oil is also rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids, and aids in restoring elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Organic jojoba oil, rich in several forms of Vitamin E, not only conditions the skin but helps balance oil production (Botanica Vita, 2017).
Natural Vitamin E from non-GMO sunflowers helps fight free radicals and prevent cell damage, which will in turn slow the aging process. Lemongrass not only has purification properties, but also antiseptic and astringent powers, and can uplift your mood as well as help sooth sore muscles (Botanica Vita, 2017).
With its soothing and calming aroma, bergamot helps promote a sense of harmony. Topical use can reduce negative feelings and stress, as well as calm the nervous system. Additionally, it can help tone the skin and fade scars for a more attractive tone. Finally, eucalyptus decreases the feelings of mental exhaustion and promotes relaxation. At the same time, this ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties to revitalize skin (Botanica Vita, 2017).
Pretty impressive formula, huh? I am absolutely in love with the high quality ingredients used in Botanica Vita’s salt scrubs. I have a particular interest in the Vita Zen because I have a very busy, chaotic lifestyle, and I do a lot of running and weight lifting. The chaos leads to stress, and the physical activity leads to muscle soreness.
I used to do natural bodybuilding prior to having a stroke, and I hate to take medications- not even over-the-counter stuff, including ibuprofen. It’s a common belief in the fitness world that since muscle growth is a result of inflammation, taking anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit that growth. Basically, you’re undoing all the hard work you did in the gym. No thanks!
Furthermore, as a former deputy coroner, I know of far too many cases of poly-pharmacy, or cases that involve misuse or overdoses (even accidental), of drugs. If I want to alter my state of mind, I prefer to drink wine…lol! Needless to say, I was super excited to get my hands on this salt scrub, and get it onto my skin!
First off, when I opened the box, I noticed they included a cute little wooden spoon to dip out the salt scrub. This also came in handy to stir up the mixture- since it’s all natural, I wanted to make sure to distribute the oils and moisturizers throughout prior to using.
When I opened the jar and removed the seal, I noticed right off that there’s no overpowering fake scent. Just a very light, pleasant, natural smell- so it’s nothing like those inexpensive bath salts you get in the gift section at mass retailers during the holidays. (Nothing wrong with those, but they serve a different purpose.)
When I scooped out some of the salt scrub, I could immediately feel the oils, and they were very soothing. I used the scrub on my hands first to check for any sensitivity, then on my elbows and knees. I was getting great results, so I decided to use it all over. Unlike other exfoliating scrubs, since the Botanica Vita contains moisturizers and oils, it doesn’t leave your skin stripped. After use, my skin was extremely moisturized, with just enough of the oil left behind so I didn’t have to use lotion or body oil.
We don’t have a bath tub right now (well, we do, but no hot water in that bathroom at the moment), so I can only take showers at the moment- which aren’t as relaxing as a bath. Let me just say, the Botanica Vita salt scrub made my shower just as relaxing as a bath, if not more so!
I will admit, I use exfoliating scrubs and oils after I shave. You’re not supposed to use salt or sugar scrubs afterward because of the irritation (just because I do it doesn’t mean you should). But, my hair grows fast, so I have to shave daily whenever I shower. I can’t shave after using this type of product because the oils will “gum up” my razor, and I don’t get a clean shave. While salts will always cause irritation in this type of situation, the other ingredients in the Botanica Vita scrub were very soothing, so there wasn’t a whole lot of irritation, and it was well worth it when I stepped out with soft, smooth skin.
The only negative is that the Botanica Vita salt scrubs can seem a bit pricey, at first. But, you get 16 ounces (a full pound!) of product, which will last a long time. They’re also handcrafted with super-premium ingredients. Just the salts alone come with a pretty hefty price tag- we got a couple ounces of Himalayan salt for cooking, and that alone was around $10.
Overall, this is one of those products that almost everyone will benefit from. I still keep stopping at the end of every paragraph I’m typing so I can touch my skin…lol! For the soft, moisturized skin, relaxed muscles, and peace of mind, it’s well worth getting a jar of Botanica Vita salt scrub. It also comes in Citrus Kiss, Lavender Dreams, and Unscented, so head on over to botanicavita.com and get a jar (or four)!
P.S. Jerry’s headache that I mentioned earlier? The Vita Zen scrub helped alleviate the pain! His birthday is officially better 😉
Source:
Botanica Vita (2017). Botanica Vita. Retrieved April 22, 2017, from www.botanicavita.com.
