Blog

Sunscreen is an important tool for protecting the skin from the sun’s powerful rays. But finding one that is safe and effective can be surprisingly difficult and confusing, partly because there is disagreement about whether or not particular ingredients are safe. So I will try to provide an overview of some of the major concerns related to various sunscreen ingredients.There are two basic types of active ingredients in sunscreens: chemical and ph...

If you frequently use essential oils on your skin, then applying some of them topically in the summertime might pose a challenge. This is because some essential oils may cause a reaction when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Such reactions are known as phototoxicity. But, with the proper precautions, you can still enjoy the benefits of these oils during the summer months.What is Phototoxicity?Phototoxicity occurs when compounds called furanocouma...

Lavender is one of the most popular and well-known essential oils. This oil is derived from the fresh flowers of the lavender plant, which grows throughout southern Europe, Australia, and the United States. It has a floral scent that many people find calming and soothing. Lavender oil is found in a variety of products, ranging from soaps to shampoo and lotion. It is also available in a fully concentrated form. Lavender essential oil can be u...

It’s no secret that great ingredients make great products. There’s no doubt that this is true of Verefina’s newest product line: Breathe Easy. Made with carefully selected therapeutic-grade essential oils that are known for their ability to break up congestion and support healthy respiratory function, Breathe Easy can help provide relief for allergy-, asthma-, and cold-sufferers alike. This product contains eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, tea...

April is Earth Month, and today is Earth Day, so it’s a good time to talk about the ways in which cosmetics and personal care ingredients can impact the environment and the plants and animals living in it. Many ingredients in such products are questionable at best due to the adverse effects that they have on humans. Triclosan, for example, has been linked to contact dermatitis and skin irritation in humans and has been implicated in the developme...