H3 refreshing spray was formulated to refresh the hair and scalp between washes…and then I started adding actives one-by-one. This is a link how it started, and below is a graphic of how it has evolved…
It's Hyangii's 10th season!
Hyangii is an ingredient-centred, plant-based skincare company. There is no branding, marketing, or even a logo (yet). The current season’s ingredient deck has its own webpage because the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) list, although not perfect, is the best tool we have to becoming informed consumers. I want us all to know what we are applying to the biggest organ of our bodies body every day.
This season, I am adding an ingredient list archive to the bottom of the webpage (SHOP > INGREDIENTS (scroll to the bottom)). Since the shelf-life of these products is so short, you shouldn’t need to access more than one older season but in the spirit of completeness and to see Hyangii’s evolution over the years, every ingredient deck since Hyangii was incorporated is included.
Lo and behold…Summer 2022 will be the 10th season!!
Thank you for the founding members who have supported Hyangii since the beginning, for the newer clients who have taken a chance on the products of the microlab, and for your recommending these nameless products to your family and friends. I will forever be grateful for your support. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for ingredient-centred, effective, plant-based skincare!
XO
Cee
Benefits of regular DIY aromatherapy massage
I decided to complete a certification in aromatherapy so that I can learn to use very concentrated, anti-microbial, potential dangerous, volatile organic compounds safely, NOT for its woo woo healing effects. As it turns out, the power of touch combined with the effects of scents (“hyangii” in Korean) of good quality essential oils on the brain does have some magic to it.
The aromatherapy massage I learned (and practised on fifty case-studies) during my aromatherapy training was adapted from the routine developed in the 1940’s by French biochemist Marguerite Maury. It is a gentle, holistic approach to the therapeutic use of 100% pure essential oils that are diluted in nourishing carrier oils. Massage with a good quality oil helps to detoxify the body and alleviates physical and mental stress in the following ways:
Physical absorption of essential oils through the skin combined with massage relaxes muscles and facilitates lymphatic drainage.
Delivery of essential oil vapours to the limbic system through inhalation can affect mental and emotional states depending on the essential oils that are used.
Massage can be performed by a professional but it can also be done by (or to) someone you care about. It can also be done to yourself, such as in the Ayurvedic self-massage practise of abhyanga.
Hyangii’s massage oil is formulated to resistant rancidity and staining, making it a multi-functional preservative-free, plant-based product that replaces water-based body lotion, massage oil, lubricant and even hair serum!
While it has been formulated to minimize the chance of skin reactions, it is always a good idea of spot test plant-based products.
Yours in self-care,
Cee
Introducing the multi-functional massage oil!
Hyangii skincare products are proudly formulated with unrefined, cold-pressed oils. However, a special exemption is for the new massage oil which is based in highly-refined coconut oil. Refining oils allows it to resist rancidity, remain liquid at cooler temperatures, and gives in a longer shelf-life. It also doesn’t stain fabrics like other oils do. This massage oil is my favourite aromatherapy tool, but it has so many other uses!
It’s a perfect preservative-free after-bath moisturizing massage oil for kids. There are many ways massage benefits kids. I believe that benefits can increase when it comes from a parent. *
It works well for athletic recovery massages. See this article I wrote about treating competitive gymnasts. Scroll down to “My Bodywork Case Studies”.
You can bring it to your massage therapist and ask them to use it during your massage session.
It works well both as a before shower hair mask, and after-shower hair to moisturizes the ends and tame fly-aways.
It is a good, economical replacement for the luxuriously priced and formulated Hyangii SpOILed Body.
It’s a skin-nourishing, all-over use product that can turn a solo- or partnered-massage session into something more spicy. Be careful though, this oil-based product is NOT safe to use with latex.
The product comes in two sizes (120mL and 240mL), and includes pump-top for one-handed use and a disk cap for leak-resistant travel.
*Proper draping of the "client" is an important part of providing a relaxing massage. Even if our children run unabashedly naked around the house, they need to feel covered, secure and warm during a massage to enter a fully relaxed state-without the fear/surprise of being exposed! Here's a quick video on proper draping techniques.
Use as moisturizer after bath and shower.
Use as infant/kids/athletic recovery massage and moisturizer.
Moisturizers hair and prevents fly-aways.
Does not stain sheets. Not compatible with latex.
Plant-based “slugging” for the win!
I had reactive skin for most of my life. What were some culprits to my hives and inflammation? Skincare products, sun, wind, rain, dust, tears, stress, food. The one thing I didn’t react to was Vaseline and it was my go-to skincare product until the months before my fortieth birthday when I started experimenting with plant oils. Fast forward five more years, and applying Vaseline has become a viral TikTok trend called “slugging”!
Sleeping Mask starts with cold-pressed, unrefined plant oils and butters.
It is cold-processed to retain the integrity of heat-sensitive components.
Apply to t-zone or everywhere depending on your skin type. Don’t forget to apply to neck, chest and back of hands.
Instead of using Vaseline or other petroleum products, we at Hyangii, slug with the Sleeping Mask. There's nothing wrong with petroleum jelly, but I prefer ingredients with added nutrients afforded by unrefined plant oils and butters, including those from soybeans, sacha inchi seed, pracaxi seed, maqui berry seed, frankincense resin, lavender, and tangerine.
Slugging works because the Vaseline, or in our case the plant-based Sleeping Mask, forms an occlusive layer on the skin. It does NOTHING to add hydration to the skin, but does prevent water from escaping it (trans-epidermal water loss). This is why it is important, especially as we get older, to avoid slugging on dry skin! Also, avoid slugging over retinoids and acne-prone skin.
“Slugging”, aka applying your occlusive product of choice, whether it is Vaseline or Sleeping Mask, is best done after a thorough but gentle cleaning and immediately after M1, M2, M3 (hydrating essences, creams, serums) to lock in all of the goodness of your nourishing skincare products. Don't forget to treat your neck, chest, and hands with a massage as you apply each layer. If you have oily skin, consider avoiding application to t-zone. As for me, I apply a generous layer everywhere!
Happy Slugging!
Cee