Your choices matter. Read that again. 

Every decision that you make, from the bags you use at the store, to the food you throw in the trash, to the amount of time you take in the shower, has an impact on the environment. At Kaia Earth, our mission is to protect the world around us and educate others on how to do the same.

The holidays are coming, it’s a stressful time of year, so make it easier on yourself by simplifying your life in a sustainable way. It may seem difficult to change your ways, but small changes can have a big impact on your overall health and the health of our planet.

Here are some tips for getting started on living sustainably this holiday season.

• Reduce your food waste: The holidays are full of delicious meals and sweet treats, and there are bound to be leftovers. Instead of tossing food in the trash, throw it in the freezer! It’ll save you time down the road when you’re low on groceries and need to make dinner.
• Make lists: This goes for food shopping and gift shopping. Rather than spend frivolously and grab whatever you see, you’ll shop purposefully with a list in hand. 
• Shop locally: Again, this goes for both shopping for food/drink and holiday shopping. Support local businesses and put money back into your local economy. Consider getting your spirits locally from area wineries or breweries. Furthermore, shopping for locally grown produce is a great way to support area farmers and spread holiday cheer during the season. 
• Change your gift giving: Rather than giving people “things” to clutter their house, consider giving experiences or crafting homemade presents, such as an ornament or a home cooked meal. 
• Stop using store-bought wrapping paper: Get creative with your wrapping this year! You can use old maps, newspapers, or other recycled materials for a sustainable method of gift wrapping. 
• Recycle!: Don’t throw your cans in the garbage, put them in the recycling bin. It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic nature of the holidays, but taking an extra moment to separate your recyclables has a big impact on the environment. 
• Ditch the elaborate decorations: Decking the halls is a critical part of the holidays for many people, but there are ways to be more eco-friendly. Try using solar-powered lights outside instead of electrically-powered lights. Inside, use LED lights. LEDs are not only safer, but they can be up to 80% more energy efficient. Plus, there are now Christmas trees on the market with LED lights. 

Give the planet a gift this holiday season--making more eco-friendly choices. 

A lot of changes happen to women’s bodies during menopause, including changes to your skin. 

Estrogen levels fall when women approach menopause, and a reduction in estrogen receptors in the skin means less sebum production. Sebum is responsible for keeping skin lubricated and promoting collagen production. Decreased estrogen levels also cause the skin to thin, which makes sagging more prominent. Crow’s feet and lines above the lip typically begin appearing during menopause, as well. 

The first step to taking care of your skin as you approach and move through menopause is cleansing. Since your skin is drier, it benefits from added moisture, so make sure to use a hydrating, creamy cleanser rather than foam or gel face washes, which can strip moisture from the skin. 

Moisturizer is also vital for skin care in menopause. Opt for a heavier cream, and moisturize your skin while it’s still damp for the cream to really soak in.

Important at any age, sunscreen is still essential during menopause. Skin has less natural protection from the sun as you age, so it’s smart to put SPF 30 or higher on every morning. 

Age spots are also prone to showing up as you approach menopause age, and exfoliators and toners aid in evening skin tone. 

Retinoids promote cell turnover, which combats the natural thinning of the skin, but retinoids tend to be drying, and women in menopause are already battling dry skin. A good alternative to strong retinoids is retinols. Retinols are a weaker form of retinoids. Consider using a pea sized amount once or twice a week to help increase cell turnover. 

Looking beyond the skin on your face and decolletage, it’s also worthy to frequently moisturize your hands, protect them from the sun, and wear gloves when gardening and doing yard work. The back of the hands lose moisture, collagen, and fat during menopause. 

Kaia Earth Skin Care offers Intensive Botanical Night Cream and Pure Moisturizer Serum, hydrating products for any age, including women in menopause. 

Beauty and skin care trends come and go. Right now, the hourglass figure, especially big butts, are what’s considered “most attractive” in mainstream culture. But just 15 or 20 years ago, toned muscles and washboard abs were what women strived for. 

The same goes for the skin care industry. Right now, you’re probably hearing words like retinols, hyaluronic acid, and peptides thrown around a lot. It can get overwhelming. What eye cream should you be using? What serum do you use in the morning, and what serum do you use at night? Should you be using a cream or a lotion on your face? 

The questions seem endless, but here at Kaia Earth we have the answer, and that’s simplicity.

It may seem too easy, but the bottom line is that there’s no need to cake a myriad of products all over your skin. It can be suffocating. Furthermore, the more products you use, the more ingredients you have to be concerned about.

The best products to use on your skin are the ones you don’t need to worry about. 

Here’s a concise list of what to avoid in skin care products:

• Harmful chemicals
• Artificial preservatives
• Mineral oils
• Parabens
• Colorants
• Fragrance
• Phthalates
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

It may seem difficult to find worthwhile—or at least affordable—products that fit the bill. Many skin care companies use preservatives to help keep a longer shelf life. More often than not, skin care and body products contain fragrance, and that is a tricky word that companies use to hide countless different chemicals. 

Not sure where to begin? Kaia Earth has your back (and your face). We have two products—our Intensive Botanical Night Cream and Pure Moisturizer Serum—and that is intentional. With the exception of a great cleanser, that’s all you need in your AM and PM skin care routine. 

What’s better is that Kaia Earth products are also derived from ethically sourced ingredients from the Earth (as signified in our name), nothing is tested on animals, and we package our products sustainably using glass. Glass can be recycled over and over while maintaining its integrity. Plus, glass helps preserve the pure qualities of our products.

Put yourself—and our planet—first. Minimize your impact on the environment while maximizing the care of your skin. 

Sustainability is one of our key pillars at Kaia Earth. From the jump we have pinpointed ways to incorporate sustainability into every aspect of our business to reduce our impact on the environment.

One way we do this is by creating clean, non-toxic, vegan products using the finest natural ingredients. Packaging is another facet of sustainability; we use minimal packaging and all materials are recyclable. We don’t use any plastic, and our products are packaged in glass jars.

Furthermore, we are committed to educating our customers on the importance of our global responsibility to maintaining a healthy and safe environment, and one way to contribute to sustainability is through composting.

Composting is recycling food and other organic waste and using it as fertilizer for plants. By composting at home, you are helping reduce landfill waste, while simultaneously creating healthy soil, increasing biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing air quality. 

Studies have shown that composting also conserves water. In the United States, irrigation systems for agriculture account for roughly 80% of the country’s water use. However, composting helps increase the water-retaining capacities of soil, so less water is needed for plants and food to grow.

To get started, an ideal bin would be 3 cubic feet, and it should be kept in a dry and shady spot. You can likely find an appropriate bin somewhere around the house, whether it’s an old wine crate, a plastic bin or a garbage can.

For the healthiest compost pile, it is best to alternate between “greens” and “browns.” The ideal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for a home compost is two to four parts brown materials for every one part green materials.

Greens are for nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth and reproduction. Examples of household greens to add to your compost pile include fresh grass clippings, food scraps and coffee grounds.

Browns are for carbon, which acts as a food source for decomposers. Common browns that you can find around the house and yard include dead leaves, branches, twigs and paper. 

Oxygen and water are the final key elements to ensure a quick home composting process. To achieve optimal air flow, layer your compost materials. And the compost pile should be as wet as a wrung-out sponge, which will likely be taken care of if you include food in your compost pile.

Happy composting!

Note: Kaia Earth is excited to announce that our zero waste products are now available in Rochester at Impact Earth at Eastview Mall. The closest entrance to the shop is Entrance 2. 

Are you looking to take charge of your health and improve your skincare routine, but don’t know where to start? Are you surprised that your inner health and skincare products are even related?

Well, Kaia Earth is here to help. 

Ingredients are the place to start when it comes to figuring out whether your skincare products are safe for your skin and your overall health. We’ve compiled a list of ingredients to avoid putting on your skin--and why you should avoid them. Note: This list is designed to be a starting point and is not conclusive of every harmful ingredient found in skincare products. 

Ingredients to avoid in skincare products: 

1. MDM hydantoin & Imidazolidinyl urea: These are preservatives that you’ve probably never heard of, but they have been found to release formaldehyde, which can cause joint pain, skin allergies, headaches and loss of sleep. According to the American Cancer Society, studies have shown a link between formaldehyde and cancer. In one study, researchers found that applying a 10% solution of formaldehyde to the skin of mice was linked to quicker development of cancers caused by another chemical.
2. Fragrance/parfum: Fragrance is a fancy term for a mix of chemicals, without specifying exactly which chemicals. Without the disclosure of which chemicals are used, people suffering from issues like asthma, migraines or allergies will have a hard time discerning what is causing or heightening their symptoms. 
3. Parabens & Phthalates: Butyl, propyl and ethyl parabens have all been linked to hormone disruption. Phthalates are another hormone disruptor, and in some cases can cause early puberty in girls and boys, as well as reduced sperm count in men. Parabens & phthalates are used for preserving a product’s shelf life, and can also be used as fragrance ingredients--which you will never see explicitly stated on a product. 
4. Mineral oils: Mineral oils act as a shield that coats the skin like plastic, which clogs pores and traps toxins. 
5. PEG (Polyethylene glycol): PEGs often contain significant amounts of ethylene oxide, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified as a known human carcinogen. 
6. DEA (Diethanolamine): DEA and DEA-related compounds are used to make products creamy or sudsy, and can cause mild skin or eye irritation. According to lab studies, exposure to high doses of DEA and its compounds have been shown to cause liver cancers and precancerous changes in skin and thyroid.
7. Siloxanes: When looking at an ingredient list, look for “-siloxane” or “-methicone.” Siloxanes are used in various skincare products to smooth, soften and moisten, and have been found to be a toxic, endocrine disruptor.

If you don’t know where to start, look no further. Kaia Earth’s Pure Moisturizer Serum and Intensive Botanical Night Cream are both made of organic, plant-based ingredients that are ethically sourced. In fact, all of our ingredients and the purpose behind each ingredient is explicitly outlined on our website under the tab labeled “Our ingredients.”

This list isn’t made to scare you or instill fear. The point of this list is to give you knowledge to make smart choices about what you’re putting on your skin and, ultimately, in your body.  

As my dance teacher once used to tell us every week on our way out of class: Make good choices; good choices lead to good things. 

Greenwashing may sound clean, but it’s actually a dirty marketing tool that many businesses use and something consumers must be aware of. 

The term greenwashing refers to when a company spends time and money to brand themselves as environmentally friendly, but they don’t take measures to minimize their environmental impact.

For example, a cosmetics or skincare brand might put 100% organic on their product label, without providing any evidence to support that claim. Companies use sneaky tactics like this to reel in consumers who are trying to be eco-friendly.

At Kaia Earth, we don’t just slap “Earth” in our name and claim to be committed to the environment--we ARE committed to the environment. One look at our products and our website is evidence alone. Our products are sustainably packaged in reusable glass jars, our ingredients are entirely plant-based, we are cruelty-free, and we are a member of 1% for the Planet, which means 1% of our sales goes directly to non-profit organizations (NPOs) whose mission is to protect the environment. 

Furthermore, part of our mission is to educate our customers on health and global responsibility through our platform. That being said, here are some tips for how to avoid choosing products that are greenwashed:

• Look for evidence that back-up empty claims. If a product says “all-natural” or “organic” on the cover, turn it over and check the list of ingredients to see if it aligns with that statement. Or visit the company’s website and see if it’s full of ambiguous claims. 
• Avoid products that say CFC-free or phosphate free because these agents have been banned for many years
• Pay attention to graphics and colors. One tactic used in greenwashing is literally using the color green and showing pictures of beautiful scenes in nature. This could be a distraction for consumers so they don’t delve deeper into the company’s practices, which may be anything but environmentally friendly.
• Is the product’s advertisement misleading? Is it tiptoeing around and saying nothing truly meaningful? Well, do your research because it sounds like they’re hiding something.
• Check for REAL certifications. Companies may say “organic” but without the certified organic symbol, there’s nothing to really back up the claim. 
• Watch out for companies who advertise as the lesser of two evils. Because in the end, both are evil, right?
• Pay attention to the company’s packaging. They may claim to be eco-friendly, but if they use a lot of material in their packaging, how can you trust that they are an eco-conscious business?

Greenwashing is a major issue, and the best way to deal with it as consumers is to be aware of it and have a set of strategies to avoid it. Trust your gut. If something doesn’t seem right, or if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Let’s talk collagen. 

At age 25, your body’s natural production of collagen begins to decline. Collagen is responsible for more than just your skin’s elasticity and hydration; it’s also important for keeping your joints healthy. Collagen is found in your blood, bones and muscles, and it makes up 75% of your skin and a third of protein found in your body. 

The building blocks of producing collagen naturally are: proline, glycine, vitamin C, zinc, and copper. There are many collagen supplements and other collagen products on the market, but we’re not here to promote any of those. If you decide to incorporate collagen supplements into your regimen, we recommend doing your research, comparing products, reading reviews, and carefully reading through the ingredient list. 

Instead, we’re here to talk about natural ways to help your body boost its collagen production. Here are some food and plant-based suggestions for increasing collagen:

• Vitamin C: Foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids, such as oranges, red peppers, kale, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and strawberries, are a staple for collagen production. 
• Ginseng: There have been many studies that point to the anti-aging properties of ginseng and its role in stimulating collagen production. You can apply ginseng directly to the skin, take in the form of a supplement, or drink tea infused with ginseng. 
• Egg whites: Egg white contain large amounts of proline, which is one of the amino acids essential for collagen production.
• Beans: Beans often contain amino acids that are necessary for collagen synthesis. Many beans are also rich in copper, which is another nutrient necessary for collagen production.
• Cashews: Cashews contain zinc and copper, which are needed to produce collagen. 
• Algae: This marine plant can help prevent oxidation (damaged cell growth from the skin’s exposure to elements like pollution) from reducing your skin of its elasticity and collagen levels.
• Cilantro: This common herb contains vitamin C and linolenic acid, and studies have shown that this can be a powerful anti-aging tool for your skin. Antioxidants are found in linolenic acid, and antioxidants fight free radicals in your bloodstream, which break down healthy skin cells.

As you can see, there are many natural options to try incorporating into your diet and regimen before running to grab a collagen supplement at your nearest drug store--and this list only scratches the surface. 

Our motto at Kaia Earth Skin Care is “Beauty for you. Beauty for the planet,” and one of our pillars is educating our customers on prioritizing health and our global responsibilities. 

Mental, physical and spiritual health are important topics for us, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting many people over the past year, both physically and mentally. The last 13 months have been taxing on all of us. But we’re here to help. 

One way you can put your health first is by evaluating the products that you use, particularly what you put on your skin. Our skin is the body’s largest organ, so it should be cared for appropriately. 

Our Intensive Botanical Night Cream and Pure Moisturizer Serum are here to support your skin health, providing moisture with ingredients from our planet (including, but not limited to, aloe leaf extract, olive fruit oil, rosewood oil, macadamia seed oil, and rose water). There are zero chemicals, parabens, toxins, synthetic fragrances, or ingredients that will harm your skin or the environment. Our products are vegan and cruelty free and always will be. 

Physical, mental, and spiritual health are all intertwined, so if you’re looking for ways to improve in these three areas, here are some suggestions:

• Stay hydrated. It is recommended that you take your weight, cut it in half, and that number is how many ounces of water you should be drinking per day. 
• Incorporate more whole foods into your diet. Avoid pre-packaged items and sugary or salty snacks, and instead load up on fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean meats, and whole grains.
• Journal. This is a great way to de-stress and dump all of your thoughts/worries/fears onto paper. You may think it won’t help, but physically writing down what you’re ruminating on can relieve that pressure from circling around in your mind. 
• Listen to music. Playing your favorite song or artist can be a huge mood boost. 
• Get outside. Fresh air is cleansing for the mind, body, and spirit. Being cooped up indoors all of the time can create cobwebs in your mind, but taking a deep breath in the outdoors is like a reset button for the soul.

As for our precious planet, we’ve kept the Earth in mind throughout every process within our business. For instance, we package our products in recycled glass, an environmentally friendly alternative option from plastic. We strive to use as little resources as possible, and make sure all of our packaging is recyclable to protect the environment. And we are part of the 1% for the Planet program, which means 1% of our profits are donated to nonprofit organizations that work to preserve our planet. 

This year’s theme for Earth Day is “Restore Our Earth.” Things are slowly returning to “normal,” or at least what will be our new normal, but we must still take action in protecting the planet we live on. Recycle as much as possible, reduce your amount of driving if possible to reduce emissions, eliminate as much plastic consumption as you can by paying attention to all of your purchases, and avoid wasting water are all ways you can step in right now to help our planet. 

As stated on the Earth Day website, “A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.” 

March 8 marks International Women’s Day. Women have made remarkable achievements throughout history. Locally, here in Rochester, there was Susan B. Anthony, a leading suffragist who impacted women’s rights fighting for the 19th Amendment. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, from Seneca Falls, was another prominent leader in advancing the rights of women in the United States. Harriet Tubman escaped slavery and spent her life as an abolitionist and political activist, dedicated to helping others. Her legacy lives on today. 

The battle for women’s equality isn’t over, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t incredible forces of nature. 

Being a woman means something different to every female out there. I consider myself a work-in-progress, but I consistently strive to acknowledge and recognize my inner and outer beauty. With social media, it’s difficult not to compare yourself to other women you see on platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok, both in accomplishments and physical appearance, so I work to constantly remind myself that I am my own person and my path is different from any other person’s on the planet. 

I celebrate independence within my womanhood. I understand that it’s okay and necessary to ask for help in many situations, but overall I am growing more and more confident in myself and my abilities as I age and learn more about myself. 

I have countless female role models in my life who I look up to: my mother, my aunts, my cousins, my sisters, coworkers, friends--the list is endless. I am grateful for all of the incredible women in my life, and I hope to live my life in a way that inspires other women and the younger generation as so many women have inspired me throughout my life. 

Happy International Women’s Day, and remember: 

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." -Michelle Obama

Happy 2021! We hope everyone has had a great start to the new year. 

January was eventful for us here at Kaia Earth. Our fierce founder, Gloria, had a terrible fall while taking a walk at the lake at the beginning of the year, resulting in major injuries to her ribs, arm and wrist. She’s had two surgeries on her wrist so far, and we’re grateful to say both went well.

For over a month, Gloria has been focused on her recovery. Despite the pain and inability to move around independently, she’s still a bright light. Gloria is no stranger to adversity, and as she said to me on the phone, “Adversity makes us stronger.” Her strength and positive mentality is inspirational. 

Gloria truly lives by the values of Kaia Earth: emit positivity; embrace healing; reserving time to work on yourself internally is a necessity in life. Throughout her recovery, Gloria has been doing a lot of meditating--cleansing her mind, which will translate physically to help her body heal. 

Life throws us lemons, and oftentimes it’s hard to “make lemonade” when tragedy strikes. But Gloria is a shining example of recognizing the beauty in life and making the most out of hard times. She understands that the universe has handed her an opportunity to focus on herself, prioritize healing her mind and her body, and taking life one day at a time.

We encourage you to do the same. Life can get chaotic, but it’s important for both our mental and physical health to put ourselves first, and recognize that there are silver linings in even the darkest of times, we just have to remain patient. 

Stay safe & stay healthy. Sending lots of love & healing to Gloria.