I don’t know about you, but with each winter in Beijing, comes yet again another struggle to find the right remedies to fight dry skin and hair. My extremely coily hair and sensitive skin always adds a new dimension to this annual dilemma, and that’s why the discovery of the following inspired artisan creations has me reveling in suppleness and natural scents.

VERVE, Handcrafted Loofah Soap, Turmeric and Lemongrass Natural Soap, and Natural Body Butter

I have been conducting a lot of research lately into recycling, upcycling, and minimalism. I automatically associated the need for minimalism in my life with clothing and objects in the home, but Verve’s Citrus and Rosemary Loofah Soap could quite possibly be the answer to decluttering your bathroom shelves, and using this as your single go-to cleanse item for your morning showers.

I’m not sure if I’m the last to the soap-show, but combining a gentle exfoliating loofah with vitamin-enriched soap is inspired, and so what I needed to help tackle the removal of dry skin, while at the same time nourishing and cleaning the body

Throw out old flannels, sponges, and tired loofahs for something that will most likely cut your shower or bath time in half (having a different cleanser or soap for different parts of the body has made showering quite the morning process for me), and enjoy immediately smoother and softer skin. The scent of Citrus Rosemary is quite divine in addition to making your skin fragrant with herbal and tropical notes. I was already sold when I read “Loofah Soap” – who wudda thunk it!

From its beautifully presented floral packaging, I took out the Turmeric Lemongrass soap. Lemongrass has long been a favorite natural scent of mine, and before you even unravel the blue ribbon on the packaging, tropical fragrances belonging to the islands of South East Asia greet you. This will be a mainstay in my bathroom and soothes, cleans, and moisturizes all in one. Verve soaps are also so beautiful to look at. Buy them as gifts, and give the gift of supple skin this Beijing winter.

The body butter may look and feel literally like butter, but penetrates the skin without leaving any oily residue. I would recommend this to those who have medium to very dry skin. It’s sumptuous and makes for an indulgent bath-time routine (if you happen to have one of very rare baths that exist in Beijing). Take your time when applying as you really need to deeply massage the butter into the skin, and use in combination with the Loofah Soap.

Make your purchase through The Bulk House using the QR codes below or pop into the Roundabout Boutique, Mon-Sat. 9pm – 4pm. Cathay View Plaza, 2 Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District 香江北路2号

The Green Room, Face Serum, Belly Oil and Balm

I think it’s common knowledge in most circles interested in artisan beauty products that The Green Room’s selections of alchemic oils have been redefining how many of us view essential oils and their all-round benefits. In little frosted glass bottles, which are beautifully labeled with Victorian-esque herbology illustrations, are well-balanced elixirs for dry hair and skin.

Smelling like a spa, the Super Hydr8 Face Serum, used in combination with the Face Balm, will transport you to fields of wild flowers, and breathe supple and dewy life back into your skin. The Balm can be used as a gentle cleanser, make-up remover, and massage oil; massage the oil in and gently wipe off excess before applying the Serum. If you use a foundation or concealer, add a few drops of the Serum, which for me brightened my look, left a lasting finish, and softened the skin. If expecting (or not), use the Belly Oil to help build and maintain elasticity, while at the same time adding moisture and nourishment. I applied it to damp skin and used it as a daily belly rub!

The Belly Oil can also combat dry skin in babies and kids. Use as a moisturizer on top of a water-based cream, or add to your kid’s bath. My little one, like his mommy, has very sensitive skin and has been battling with dry patches. This oil works wonders and is fragrance free.

This brand has clearly paid attention to the refinement of blending oils for different uses and needs. Essential oils are not only for popping into your diffuser. The Green Room, among others are leading the way in how to use these wonderfully natural and healing ingredients to remedy almost every kind of beauty need. Wechat: TheGreenRoom

Velveteen’s Secret Potions, Galaelia Cleanser and Oriental Wisdom Serum

It’s time to talk DIRT. When thinking about protecting your skin during the long winter months in Beijing, one cannot but think about the dreaded pollution that clogs up the pores and leads to outbreaks of spots and patches of dry skin.

The colorful and whimsical packaging with a bohemian aesthetic mirrors the very personally crafted lotions and potions in Velveteen’s Secret Potion’s skin care collection. You can also find organic sprays and treatments for the home and if you ask nicely, founder Fran Hanshing can also concoct a solution for specific needs and uses (Hanshing made an awesome organic nappy balm for my baby, which was the best for his new born skin and came in a beautiful Chinese ceramic pot).

I have been using generic facial wipes to remove makeup and dirt from the skin. However, it’s always a struggle to remove mascara, and my skin is left feeling moisture-less and clammy. Enter the Galaelia Cleanser. This cleanser has totally revamped my daily dirt removal routine, making the process less of a chore and more of a luxurious excuse to carve out a little time in the evening to cleanse and clean the skin.

Using a single cotton pad, and two to three drops of Galaelia Cleanser, the removal of dirt and pollution residue from the face, neck, and upper chest was a breeze and left my skin feeling refreshed and clog-free. For make-up removal your go-to has to be La Pocion No.2, which can gently remove waterproof mascara and for me, the shockingly stubborn liquid bronzer I use to feign sun-kissed skin.

To complete my facial cleanse and makeup removal routine, I applied a few drops of the Supreme Oriental Wisdom Serum to the face, massaged it in and enjoyed woody notes of argan, lingzhi mushroom, ginseng, and lovage essential oils.Your skin will feel renewed and refreshed and, I kid you not, may even make your sleep sounder.

Hands are important! Treat them well, using Velveteen’s Secret Potion’s Abethia Velvet Hand Glove cream. I recommend purchasing some organic cotton gloves, washing your hands thoroughly, and generously applying some of this moisturizer. Sleep overnight with the gloves on to really help heal severely dry and calloused hands. WeChat: franhanshing

Top Tip: Natural soaps need to be kept in a dry place when not in use. Keep handcrafted natural soaps on a wooden soap dish with slates, holes or graded drainage to help make your soaps last longer. A diatomaceous earth soap tray is best.

The Bulk House

The Green Room

Velveteen

Photos: Sydney Bishop, Sarah O’Connell

Plogging is the latest eco-conscious fitness trend to hit Beijing. The Swedish-born exercise craze is a combination of ‘plucking’ and ‘jogging’ and involves burning calories while keeping the environment trash-free. Small groups of ploggers are meeting regularly around the city, donning gloves or long tongs and equipped with small bags, collecting the trash they see along the way – get ready for a lot of extra squats in your daily workout! Plog on your own, with friends, or join up with a larger group who leave from The BulkHouse every Thursday 7pm-8pm.

Goodbye Plastic Bags
The days of single-use plastic bags are well and truly numbered in a lot of Western countries now, and we are hoping that this trend will spread to Beijing, where millions of bags are used every day. But for many people, making the move to reusable bags poses some problems, so here are some solutions:

‘How do I pack my produce to stop it rolling around my shopping basket?’
Keep these 100 percent organic cotton produce bags in the reusable bag you take shopping and put your produce directly in them. Shopkeepers are more than happy to weigh your fruit and vegetables in them. They can also be used for breads, bulk grains, nuts, flours, and dried fruits from the markets. String bags (RMB 48), mesh bags (RMB 20), muslin bags (RMB 30), and bento bags (RMB 70-90) can be found at The BulkHouse.

‘What will I put my trash in?’
A couple of solutions are here for you: try biodegradable trash bags made from bioplastics; or, you can separate your food waste and put it in the compost, and then your garbage bin doesn’t need a bin liner at all. Alternatively, line the base of your bin with scrap paper, and then tip your bin out into your shared rubbish collection bin. E-Clean biodegradable bin liners (RMB 20).

Beijing Ecopreneurs

These two delightful, radiant women (Astra Holmes and Jess Meider) are long-term expats in Beijing, arriving two decades ago. After feeling the effects of Beijing’s uber-dry climate and polluted environment on their skin, they set out to create a local, eco-conscious solution for skincare products that would be safe for the skin as well as the environment. The Green Room was launched in 2016 after extensive testing, with a range of simple natural serums which are 100% organic, vegan-friendly, and concern free. They are tested only on humans, safe for all ages, and safe to use during pregnancy.

What inspired you to create this range of natural skincare?
Holmes: The reason I started The Green Room was that the face that I was seeing in the mirror every day was aging faster than I would have liked. The products I was using just weren’t working well enough for my skin to cope with the harsh Beijing environment. Oils were becoming popular in the West, but some of the most popular were filled with mineral oils and some other nasties. Collectively across the world, we are all becoming more and more aware of the negative effects of our overuse of chemicals, especially things in and on our body, so I began the journey down the rabbit hole of natural skincare research.

What is your brand’s philosophy?
Nature holds the key to the most effective and safest skincare. By using organic botanical oils, we know that every ingredient is beneficial for your skin and there’s no danger, unknown chemicals that can cause long-term damage.

How do you ensure your product is ‘green’?
We source our organic oils from reputable sources, we hand blend small batches each week, and we also have a bottle return system to help minimize waste. We don’t use any additives or harmful ingredients so you can trust it’s good for your health. “True beauty is the shine that emanates from the eyes because the heart is well cared for. Smoothing these natural oils into the skin is the step in your day where you really can focus for a few breaths, relax, and enjoy what you are doing for yourself – promoting healthy skin and self-love.” Jess Meider

Why You Should Eat More Veggies

The number of vegetarians and vegans are on the increase across the world, as more people become aware of the environmental impact that their diet has on their health and the planet. Studies show that choosing plant-based diets boosts human lifespans and quality of life, and as a result drastically cuts your carbon footprint, preserves water use, and ensures crop resources are fed to people, rather than livestock. Start by adopting ‘Meatless Monday’, increase your number of meatless meals and start choosing vegetarian options when eating out. Your body and the planet will thank you for it!

Green Your Home

Each month we’ll be giving you some tips on how you can make your home a greener place… We buy household cleaners, we expect them to do one thing: clean! Unfortunately, most of the chemicals in household cleaners contribute to indoor air pollution, waterway pollution, are poisonous if ingested, “hormone disrupters,” and harmful if inhaled or touched, not to mention the impact on long-term health. You can provide a more natural and safe environment for your kids, while keeping your house clean, by using some simple homemade cleaners, just like your grandmother did!

Homemade Natural Cleaning Solution
In a spray bottle, combine 1 part white vinegar, 4 parts water, 1 teaspoon of organic liquid dish soap and 10-20 drops of essential oil (optional). Spray and wipe!

Homemade Natural Disinfectant
Use a 50-50 vinegar-water mix to wipe down phones, doorknobs, tab handles and surfaces when cold and flu season hits.

Homemade Natural Glass Cleaner
Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

Good Times

Check out what’s happening locally in Beijing’s green scene

Green Drinks Beijing, Oct 9
Adults. A casual networking event for anyone interested in China’s sustainable development. 7.30pm. The Bookworm. (www.greendrinks.org)

How to Live A Zero Waste Lifestyle, Oct 17
All ages. Carrie and Joe from The Bulk House will show you the importance of a zero waste lifestyle with plenty of ‘how to’. Pre-registration required. 7-9.30pm. German Chamber of Commerce. (heinzmann.johanna@bj.china.ahk.de)

Live With Less, Oct 27
All ages. Declutter your home and then get along to this regular swap event. Drop off your extra stuff, pick up some new treasures and make new friends! 11am-5pm. National Art Museum of China. WeChat ID: Crossboundaries

This post appeared in the beijingkids October 2018 Mental Health issue.
Photo: Adobe Creative Cloud

This oil is just part of the friendship story between these two female business partners. Astra Holmes and Jess Meider have been friends for 12 years, while they have only been creating The Green Room oils for just over a year now. When Meider became pregnant for the second time, her belly expanded and got itchy as growing bumps tend to do. As a result of this discomfort, Holmes and Meider experimented with a variety of oils to create their own specific blend that would help with this itch caused by the belly growth that occurs during pregnancy.

It’s a common problem to have a dry and itchy belly when pregnant as the skin is expanding together with the uterus. When you combine this with hormonal changes, these can all be likely causes to blame. Although The Green Room’s oil is created with pregnant bellies in mind, it’s also great for severe dry skin. I myself have been using the oil on my elbows and hands and so far it’s definitely helped significantly especially in this dry Beijing heat.

Because of the heightened sense of smell of pregnant women, Meider and Holmes decided to leave fragrance out. In the future they will have a separate perfume that can be added to the oil if fragrance is wanted.

Initially, Meider and Holmes first tested several versions of the oils themselves and finally came out with two that they were pleased with and thought ready to put into production. The two women found a group of 16 pregnant women all over Beijing to try out both oils. The testing phase took around three months from beginning to end and resulted in belly oil that is quick absorbing and soothing for itchy bellies. Some of the ingredients include almond to encourage healing of dry irritated skin, jojoba to add a protective layer, coconut to prevent moisture loss and help reduce stretch marks, and wheat germ with its high content of vitamin E to moisturize and maintain suppleness.

It’s the combination of these natural items that have not only created an effective product, but that have also solved this common problem of dry scratchy skin since they launched a year ago.

I have visited my share of markets over the world and always love how people sell their home grown, handmade, and crafty goodies. It gives me inspiration, and a chance to support a local business. This year, I started visiting the Beijing Christmas markets, there’s no shortage of those. I am impressed how many makers are spending time away from home to sell us fun goodies! I’m more impressed with the mommies I found selling at these markets last Saturday; The Beijing Flea Market a Holiday affair at The Pop Up, and The Bookworm.  I decided to make a little list of the creative makers that made a great impression on me and that are worth visiting the markets for. Let’s show these makers some love and appreciation for their hard work and time spend away from home and their families. This list is a inspiration for some last minute Christmas shopping for our loved ones. Please don’t hesitate to send this list to my husband so he can find me a Christmas gift!

The Green Room

I met these two lovely mothers Jess and Astra, who set up this skin serum business, together with another lovely mother, Victoria. They were tired of taking skin care products from home and started to produce skin serums themselves about one year ago. The Green Room’s products are worry free, completely organic, 100% vegan, and only tested on humans. Safe for all ages and during pregnancy.The Green Room is running a fantastic offer that lasts till the December 20. A deluxe Sampler discovery kit with 4 face serums and a voucher for a full size bottle of your choice, a perfect gift for mothers. The serums smell delicious and I can’t wait to see them again at the next market.

Available in selected stores:  Pop-Up Beijing, The Orchard, Yoga Yard, London Loft, Weidian.

WeChat ID:  thegreenroom

NAKED nut butters

NAKED nut butters sells almond, peanut, and cashew butters with minimal ingredients. These girls are an answer to my prayers to find some good almond butter in Beijing. Naked nut butters were founded by two health food enthusiasts Meredith and Katie this year.

They deliver in the Gulou area. Available at GLO and The Crib

WeChat: NAKEDnutbutters

The Yoganda Bag

Theresa put together a team of seven women in Uganda with skillful hands and provides them with a fulfilling occupation while creating amazing bags for yogis and mothers. This project is a self-sustaining way of lifting woman and their families out of poverty. Theresa’s bags are a must on my wish list this year.

Email: www.taozitreeyoga.com  WeChat:TheresaRae

Flora and Fauna

I met Anita Boladeras and her bold jewelry, She makes these pieces with organic materials like wood, shells, leather, and fabric. I am always on the lookout for some great over the top pieces that don’t break the bank and that my child can’t break. Flora and Fauna fits that description and I can’t wait to see more of her work.

WeChat: anitaboladeras

Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF)

MCF is a United Kingdom registered non-profit organization that aims, “to enrich the lives of disadvantaged migrant children in China through voluntary work, sponsorship vocational activities, and events.” They work with migrant children and their families to offer them access to social services they would otherwise not have because they don’t have a Beijing Hukou (residence permit). They were selling beautiful Christmas decorations made by the children and their parents. A “feel good” way of decorating your tree this year.

www.mcfchina.org

Jennie’s Oven

Jennie bakes American style pies, bars, cookies, and more. Her pecan pie was divine at the market. Many recommendations come trough WeChat, especially when people are looking for homemade pies. If you can’t find her at a market, you can order through WeChat, and she’ll bake it to order, with one or two days notice.

WeChat: jennieannchow

Summer Arts

Summer Arts sells art and washi tape. Washi tape is handmade “Happy Tape”, almost too pretty to use. The unique designs will take you on a journey through Chinese history, and is made with love by a crew of people who are passionate about Chinese culture, history, print, folk art, and design. Check out their website for more great designs.

WeChat: SUMMERARTS

www.happytape.net

Pauline van Hasselt has just started working for Beijing Kids. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.