Our skin is truly one of the most amazing organs! We so often put the emphasis on its appearance (color, tone, whether its free from blemishes, etc.), and while those things can certainly be important, they aren't necessarily indicators of whether or not the skin is healthy. We should also look at the functions of our skin as a whole to understand more fully how much it does for us AND how to best take care of it.

Let's review some facts about our skin. It is our largest organ, made up of 3 main layers; the epidermis (top, outer layer), dermis (deeper layer) and hypodermis (subcutaneous tissues). Your skin makes up approximately 10-15% of your body weight! Here are seven primary functions of the skin: 

• Container: it literally holds our body's contents together, guarding muscles, bones, joints and internal organs.
• Waterproofing: skin protects the living cells inside our bodies from losing moisture, and the lipids (oils) in our skin provide a barrier protecting our skin on the outside.  
• Body temperature regulation: this is done through sweat glands and blood vessel dilation or constriction.
• Warning of pain or injury: nerve endings present in the dermis alert us of things that could cause injury; such as a hot or sharp objects.
• Protection from infection: bacterial colonies or microbiome on the skin create part of our immune system.
• Protection from UV radiation: by the creation of pigment melanin.
• Recognizing foreign bodies: langerhans cells are the first (outermost) line of defense for the cutaneous immune defense. These cells can attach to foreign materials and bring them down to the lymph glands where they can be processed and eliminated. 

The more we study the skin, the more in awe we are of how intricate it is and how much a healthy functioning skin does for our bodies. When our skin is compromised, it cannot function correctly and this can result in discomfort or even injury. We can see how seemingly simple things like dryness, chapped or cracked skin can disrupt the ability of the skin to function correctly. 

When choosing products for your skin, it's important to select things that work with it as it protects and repairs itself. At Zoe Organics, we provide a variety of topical formulas that do just that. Our organic balms, butters, oils and herbs provide nutrients from nature that support its immune function without delivering stressors from toxins. How are you caring for and supporting your amazing skin? 

School is back in session for our kids and it has been fun to see them reunited with friends and eager for the new adventures this school year will bring. 

On the first day of school we brought all of the usual school supplies: paper, pencils/pens, tissue boxes and sanitizing wipes, but we also packed our own arsenal of body care staples in their backpacks. Read on to hear how we are taking Zoe Organics back to school! 

Zoe Organics Everything Balm 

Lips and cheeks need a lot of TLC when you are a kid and Zoe Organics Everything Balm is about as handy a balm stick as you will find. With simple, but super effective natural ingredients, it will take on those school day skin issues with ease. And true to its name, it does a little of everything, so keep it close for bug bites to scrapes too. 

Zoe Organics Breathe Balm

I'll be honest. The mom in me always braces for the viruses that spread like wildfire in a classroom. We boost vitamin D and elderberry syrup, but chances are, you will go through several rounds of coughs and sniffles during the school year. Just like our hero Everything Balm in the handy stick, we combined the power of the Everything Balm base with a soothing essential oil blend that supports easier breathing and rest. It's easy and mess-free to apply, which makes it a favorite for the kiddos. 

Zoe Organics Dr. Shannon's Skin Balm

Playground scrapes and bruises are inevitable. Face-plants off the monkey bars, tripping and scraping hands and knees on the blacktop, and other such mishaps are just a part of an active childhood. We know it hurts and we teamed up with our favorite pediatrician to create just the right blend of active botanicals and creamy, soothing goodness to combat playground wounds. 

Zoe Organics Bath Wash

Do you ever feel like a broken record? Wash your hands. Wash your hands! Did you wash your hands? One of the best ways to prevent those back to school germs from spreading is frequent hand washing. But harsh, antibacterial soaps can be really rough on skin (and contain nasty ingredients!), leaving it dry, chapped and even stinging. Zoe Organics Bath Wash comes in a handy little travel size that fits into backpacks and purses, so you can avoid the harsh chemical washes when away from home. The creamy, rich lather is made from organic oils and contains no harsh surfactants. 

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Are you ready to take Zoe Organics back to school with you too? You're in luck! Because tomorrow we are having a Back to School FLASH Sale! Save 20% site wide (excluding gift sets) from 6 am PST to midnight PST. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the sale is live and to get the code!

I'm sure we are all noticing how dry our skin is right now! The cold, dry air can be really tough on our skin. Normally dry skin gets drier, and conditions like eczema rear their ugly head. When it gets cold our skin produces less oil, and environmental factors work against us as well.

Dryness, as a result of our skin producing less oil and not being able to maintain as much moisture, is further aggravated by common factors like indoor heaters, certain fabrics (such as synthetics and wool) and long, hot baths (which we loooove). If you or your child suffers from eczema, you have probably noticed that the cold weather only exacerbates the symptoms.

When it gets cold, your spring and summer moisturizer just won't work anymore. You need an oil-based moisturizer that creates a protective layer on the skin to retain moisture and protect from the elements. Puleeeeease don't reach for the petroleum-based Vaseline! And no matter how much of that water-based lotion you slather on, it just isn't going to cut it.

It's no wonder that when the cold rolls in, our decadent organic Cream and skin balms fly out of our warehouse at warp speeds. Not only are they 100% organic and safe for everyone in the family, but they perform against dry, irritated skin like superheroes. 

Why? Because they are waterless, concentrated concoctions of plant oils and butters, beeswax and essential oils that soothe irritation and inflammation, restore chapped skin and provide a barrier to seal in moisture, while protecting from the elements. 

Zoe Organics Cold Weather Essential Bundle is back this season, due to popular demand! What's included? 

CREAM: Zoe Organics Cream is one of our top selling products. It is a waterless, ultra-rich, shea butter and plant oil "cream", infused with calendula and marshmallow root. It contains no essential oils or "scent" other than the natural scent of the shea butter and oils, so it won't irritate sensitive noses. Use this product from your face to your toes after bathing, while skin is still damp and as often as needed. 

EVERYTHING BALM: This balm stick is a must-have for faces (cheeks and lips) and as a spot treatment for other areas of dry or chapped skin. This formula utilizes the restorative and properties and protective properties of organic beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil and shea butter. It has a warm, subtle lavender scent from lavender essential oil.

BREATHE BALM: Flu season is the pits, and so are petroleum- and synthetic-based remedies. Our Breathe Balm in a large balm stick (with a similar base as our Everything Balm) contains a blend of essential oils that help support clear breathing and soothe when coughs and congestion hit. This aromatherapy balm supports a better night's rest and the balm stick makes application so easy and mess-free! Pregnant mamas rejoice: this is safe for you too!

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These good-for-everyone essentials make a perfect gift to yourself or anyone you care about – teacher, co-worker, friend, parent, sibling, baby... you get the idea! The Cold Weather Essentials bundle is available exclusively at zoeorganics.com at a discounted bundle price of $37.95.