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? 

 A staple in every parent's medicine cabinet, especially during the Fall and Winter seasons, is some sort of cough and cold chest rub. In my house growing up, it was always Vicks VapoRub. I can smell it now! Can you? While this product seems to work well, we want to tell you why you should reach for something more natural, like our organic Breathe Balm.  

Let’s start with the ingredients:

Lip balm is one of those staples we’d want to have with us on that desert island. There is nothing like having dry or chapped lips and rummaging through your purse or bag only to find you don’t have any. 

Lip balm options have changed a lot over the years. While Chapstick, Carmex and Lip Smackers used to be the go-tos, thankfully, there are a plethora of better-for-you options available. If you are still tied to your trusty ‘ol Chapstick, we are going to shine a light on why we think it’s time to ditch the questionable ingredients and opt for healthier ones. 

Winter is a season for nourishing body and soul. We crave the warmth and comfort of our favorite foods and a big pot of hearty soup is both easy and satiating for grown-ups and kids alike.

Yes, there is, in fact, a perfect skincare routine for babies! It involves truly organic skincare products and lots of love.

After years of doing this "routine" with our own kids, we thought we should share it with you too! Enjoy!

It depends!

Babies and young children have thinner, more delicate skin and don’t need to be scrubbed down with soap every day. The most important areas to keep clean are hands, faces, diaper area and folds of their skin. Much of this can be done without a full bath, so generally 2-3 times per week is sufficient.