NourishUs Naturals Blog

Are you a consumer who consciously supports companies that sell ‘cruelty-free’ cosmetic products? Maybe you run your own natural & organic cosmetics company and hope to gain cruelty-free certification for your business? In either case, it is important to understand how to spot products that are affiliated with a legitimate certifying body, and how to gain a ‘cruelty-free’ certification designation for your own product line. Enter the Leaping Bunny Program, which is widely considered the highest corporate standard in certification for products by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) and The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE). Leaping Bunny connects consumers with cosmetic, personal care, and/or household products companies that do not test finished products, ingredients, or formulations on animals. According to Leaping Bunny’s website, By 1996, ‘cruelty-free’ shopping had become popular, but it was also confusing, sometimes misleading, and ultimately frustrating. Companies had begun designing their own logos to indicate that they were abiding by their own definition of ‘cruelty-free’ or ‘animal friendly’ without the participation of animal protection groups. In response, eight national animal protection groups banded together to form the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). The CCIC promotes a single comprehensive standard and an internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo. They work with companies to help make shopping for animal-friendly products easier and more trustworthy. You can learn more specifics about the Leaping Bunny Program on their website. NourishUs Naturals is proud to report that we are a Leaping Bunny certified facility! We’ve pulled together some Q&As to help you figure out what it means for us, and for you. Q: What does it mean to be Leaping Bunny Certified? What does ‘cruelty-free’ even mean? A: Leaping Bunny Certification is the gold standard for cruelty-free personal care products and is without a doubt, the most trusted and consistent cruelty-free certification available in the USA. Even though animal testing is now banned almost everywhere for cosmetics and their ingredients, some ingredients used in cosmetics are also used in other types of products. Some ingredients that are used in products other than just cosmetics may still be tested or could still be tested for other purposes like environmental toxicity. Therefore, it is important that companies apply to be Leaping Bunny certified, which will let consumers know that the company’s products or ingredients are not tested on animals regardless of international regulatory requirements. Q: Why did NourishUs Naturals choose to become a Leaping Bunny certified facility? A: Consumers of natural and organic skincare care about the environment as well as what they put on and in their bodies. NourishUs Naturals has never tested on animals, and by gaining certification from the CCIC, our customers can add the Leaping Bunny logo to their NourishUs Naturals- provided products, gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace. Q: Will you be adding the Leaping Bunny logo, and Cruelty-Free statement to all your product labels? A: Yes. You can view the Leaping Bunny logo on all product packaging that leaves our facility. Q: Can I now put the Leaping Bunny logo on my product? Can I say Cruelty-Free? A: All skincare products and ingredients you purchase from NourishUs Naturals website are eligible for the Leaping Bunny logo and the use of the words “cruelty-free,” which is a trademarked term, provided you are not adding your own ingredients to the product once you receive it from us. You can also apply for the right to use the logo on the Leaping Bunny website. Once you apply, a confirmation request is sent to us, which we complete and send back to Leaping Bunny. Please send us an email at contactus@nourishusnaturals.com as soon as you apply to let us know to expect an email from Leaping Bunny. Q: What if you are making a custom formula for me? Is my product automatically qualified as Leaping Bunny certified? A: Provided the product is made with NourishUs Naturals- supplied ingredients you can apply with Leaping Bunny for permission to use the logo on their label just as you would if you were buying stock products. If you provide any of the ingredients and want to apply for Leaping Bunny certification, you will need to provide us with non-animal testing statements from your ingredient supplier. Based on the documentation you provide, we’ll be able to determine if your product is eligible for Leaping Bunny certification. Q: How do I register my product with Leaping Bunny so I can be listed on their app and their website as a cruelty-free brand? A: You will register at http://www.leapingbunny.org/company/register. Still have questions? Email us at contactus@nourishusnaturals.com

Please contact customer service if you'd like a quote for a refrigerated shipment. HOT 1. Always maintain proper hygiene when handling products. Wear gloves and a hair net, and sanitize all implements and equipment used. 2. Immediately open your products to release the hot air and pressure, and stir until homogenized. 3. Dry off and clean the inside lid of your container. Use lint free cloths or paper towels with alcohol and let dry before reclosing the container. 4. Place your product in a room temperature or cooler environment for a minimum of 24 hours.   5. Once your product has cooled, reopen and stir again. 6. Pour off your products into resale or smaller storage containers. 7. Store your products in tightly sealed containers with minimum "headspace". 8. Protect your products from moisture, extreme temperatures, and direct UV light. Preferable temperature is always room temperature around 65-72F Any essential oils or Vitamin C products should be stored in opaque containers (glass for the essential oils). COLD 1. Always maintain proper hygiene when handling products. Wear gloves and a hair net, and sanitize all implements and equipment used. 2. Immediately open your products to release the cold air and pressure. 3. Dry off and clean the inside lid of your container. Use lint free cloths or paper towels with alcohol and let dry before reclosing the container. 4. Place your product in a room temperature environment for 24-48 hours. 5. Once your products have warmed up, open and stir to ensure it's completely homogenized. 6. Pour off your products into resale or smaller storage containers. 7. Store your products in tightly sealed containers with minimum "headspace". 8. Protect your products from moisture, extreme temperatures, and direct UV light. Preferable temperature is always room temperature around 65-72F. Any essential oils or Vitamin C products should be stored in opaque containers (glass for the essential oils) You’ll find that by following these directions, most finished products will usually balance their composition. BONUS - We use 100% sorghum starch packing peanuts which are all-natural with no toxic chemicals, easy to dispose of (please compost!), and high-humidity proof. Why Does Temperature Affect Your Product? Why do NourishUs Naturals' emulsions viscosity change in extreme temperature fluctuations, but then resolve their viscosity once the hot or cold air has been released and the product has been placed in a room temperature environment? Why can temperature fluctuations influence the rheological behavior (how the product flows) of cosmetic emulsions, potentially causing shear-thinning effects among others? First, we think it makes sense to define Newtonian. Newtonian fluids are products that have a constant viscosity regardless of the applied shear rate (e.g., water), whereas Non-Newtonian fluids have a viscosity that changes when a force is applied. NourishUs Natural's emulsions fall into this category. This non-Newtonian property is what gives our emulsions their smooth and spreadable texture. Non-Newtonian emulsions will have certain behaviors that allow products to spread and be applied to the skin much more efficiently and provide a more luxurious feel upon application. These behaviors include the following: Shear-Thinning (Pseudoplastic): Most cosmetic emulsions exhibit this behavior. They become less viscous under shear (like when you apply and massage them onto your skin) and return to their original viscosity when the shear is removed. Shear-Thickening (Dilatant): Less common, these become more viscous under shear. We do not often experience this in our emulsions. Thixotropic: These emulsions decrease in viscosity when sheared and take a finite time to return to their original viscosity when at rest. This is why we provide information in the form of packing inserts when you receive your order. Rheopectic: This rare behavior is the opposite of thixotropy; viscosity increases with shear over time. In the same fashion of Shear-Thickening, we do not often experience this in our emulsions. Now the science behind this and if I bore you, I apologize, but isn't learning and understanding the most fun and fundamental part of life? So why does this non-Newtonian situation occur? Well for one, the internal structure of the emulsions changes under stress. For instance, the alignment of particles or structural breakdown of certain bonds can lead to varying viscosity. Extreme temperature changes can cause this molecular structure change. Some of the most common non-Newtonian products you are probably used to are ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, etc. When you squeeze these out of the container without shaking the container first, you will notice water or oils coming out first. There is a reason we shake before we squeeze. So don't worry about the viscosity change, just follow our instructions above and rest assured that the product effectively delivers the ingredients and maintains stability during use. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to us at (866) 252-9639 or contactus@nourishusnaturals.com. We are happy to help with this or any other questions you have about your NourishUs Naturals products.

Step aside, pumpkin spice—there’s a new autumn scent in town. 🍂 Meet Autumn Aura, our limited-edition seasonal collection designed to capture the essence of fall in a way that’s nostalgic, balanced, and refreshingly unisex. This thoughtfully crafted line brings together skincare and haircare essentials infused with a bold, balanced essential oil blend that speaks to the heart of the season. Think golden leaves swirling through crisp air, fireside coziness, and the subtle magic of change. Inspired by golden leaves, brisk breezes, and the shifting energy of the season, this line features a bold essential oil blend that harmonizes warm and cool notes. The invigorating scent of peppermint combines with rich aromas of clove, allspice, and cardamom for a sensory escape that’s as revitalizing as it is grounding. Why You'll Fall for Autumn Aura Each product in the Autumn Aura line is crafted to deliver a pampering experience with rich textures, skin-loving ingredients, and a scent that lingers just enough to make an impression. Whether you're treating your curls, your skin, or both — this trio brings the season straight to your shower shelf. Here’s what’s new: Autumn Aura Probiotic Wash Cleanse + Glow This versatile, gentle cleanser is perfect for cooler weather routines. Designed to remove impurities and daily buildup, it leaves hair feeling soft and skin feeling refreshed. Fermented ingredients like Lactobacillus ferment and Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide are included to help maintain a balanced feel on the skin and scalp — ideal for urban environments or seasonal transitions. Key Benefits Light lather with a fresh, clean rinse pH-balanced for skin and scalp comfort Free of sulfates and phenoxyethanol Formulated with fermented extracts and plant-based cleansers Leaves hair shiny and skin smooth Enhanced with our signature Autumn Aura essential oil blend Autumn Aura Hydrating Conditioner Moisturize + Define Formulated for fall frizz and hydration struggles, this rich conditioner is perfect for 3A to 4C curls, but works beautifully on all hair types. Packed with nourishing oils and plant-based emollients, it helps define curls, boost shine, and provide long-lasting moisture—even as the air gets drier. Key Benefits Smooth texture for easy distribution Supports natural shine and softness Features Avocado Oil, Provitamin B5, and Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein Great for post-cleanse glide and in-shower detangling pH-balanced to help smooth the hair’s outer layer Autumn Aura Sugar Scrub Exfoliate + Nourish Treat your skin to a fall ritual. This sugar scrub gently buffs away dryness while deeply moisturizing with a blend of rich butters and botanical oils. Your skin is left soft, supple, and perfectly prepped for sweater weather. Key Benefits Gently exfoliates with natural sugar crystals Leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized Rich in fatty acids from oils like Rosehip, Avocado, and Evening Primrose Perfect for prepping skin before moisturizing Features our signature Autumn Aura scent for a sensorial shower moment The Scent of the Season Whether you're starting the day or winding down, the Autumn Aura blend will fill your space with the energy of the season. The balanced mix of cool peppermint and warming clove, allspice, and cardamom makes it the ideal scent for any gender — or any moment that calls for a breath of fall. No sugary overload. No heavy spice cloud. Just cozy, clear-headed comfort in every drop. 🍂 Available for a Limited Time Seasonal shifts are fleeting—and so is this collection. Don’t miss your chance to stock up on the products (and scent) you’ll want to carry into winter and beyond.Whether you're scrubbing off the day, styling curls, or simply breathing in something that feels like October in a bottle, Autumn Aura is your invitation to slow down, reset, and savor the season. → Shop the Autumn Aura Collection Now

Have you ever shopped online for skin, body, or hair care products, only to feel utterly confused about whether the product you’re considering is actually safe for you or your family? Perhaps the product’s ingredient deck (INCI) is buried on the webpage, or the words “all-natural” just don’t give you enough information about the product’s certification to put you at ease. At NourishUs, we are committed to transparency and full disclosure of the ingredients we use in our natural skin, body and hair care products. In order to make shopping on our site easier for our customers, we list a series of attributes to indicate product features like “vegan”, or “no added” indicators. Under all of our products: Leaping Bunny NourishUs’s products carry the “Leaping Bunny” logo, which you will see on all of our product labels. This is the internationally recognized symbol that indicates “cruelty free” cosmetics. Established by the Coalition for Consumer Information in Cosmetics (CCIC), a group of eight national animal protection organizations, the leaping bunny represents a single, comprehensive standard. Whenever you see this logo, you can be sure neither the product, nor any of its ingredients has been tested on animals. Vegan Indicates that products are not made with, and do not contain animal-derived ingredients No Added Phthalates Phthalates are often used as solvents and fixatives in fragrances or to increase flexibility in products. No Added Paraben Indicates that we do not add parabens to our products, a preservative used in many cosmetics No Added Gluten Indicates that we don’t add gluten and we don’t cross-contaminate in our manufacturing

NourishUs Naturals makes many products with a wide pH range, and we have had some customers rather irritated that we "obviously don't understand skin or pH requirements", so we want to explain why our range is wide. We have a pH range of 4.2–5.8 on most products and this might seem wide, but there's a good reason for it! Because most of our products are sold as customizable bases, many of our customers add their own actives, extracts, or specialty ingredients. When those additions are made, the pH of the final product can shift. So, we design our bases to stay stable and effective across a wider range on purpose! This way, the formula still performs beautifully, even after you've made it your own. The entire base is formulated and tested to stay stable throughout that range, so whether your end pH ends up at 4.3 or 5.7, you're still getting a safe, high-quality product. If you're ever unsure about how your added ingredients might affect pH, we're more than happy to help you troubleshoot or recommend ways to keep everything balanced.

At NourishUs Naturals, we're always keeping a close eye on industry changes that might impact your business—and one of the biggest shifts in 2025 is the rollout of new U.S. tariffs on imported goods. These tariffs, which are essentially taxes on materials and products coming into the country, are part of a broader government effort to support domestic manufacturing and respond to changing global trade dynamics. While these policies aim to strengthen the U.S. economy, they can create ripple effects in the personal care and skincare industries.

Please note that we here at NourishUs Naturals do not adhere to the “comedogenic” chart as it depends on many different issues. The reasons why are: The test was conducted on rabbit ears which are far more sensitive than human ears and have a different pore setup. This test was first conducted in the 1970’s, and then retested on male prisoner’s backs in the 1980’s. The comedogenic scale ranks ingredients from 0 to 5 based on their likelihood to clog pores, but it was developed using rabbit ears. So while it can be a helpful reference, it’s not a one-size-fits-all rule. An ingredient might be “comedogenic” at 100% concentration, but in a well-formulated product, it might only be used at 1-5%, where it has no comedogenic effect at all. Remember, once you add one ingredient to another, it’s a completely different chemical makeup. The way ingredients interact with each other in a full formula changes everything. A “comedogenic” oil in one product might not behave the same in another. The base, emulsifiers, texture, occlusiveness, and skin affinity all affect how a product behaves. Remember again, once you add one ingredient to another, it’s a completely different chemical makeup. Everyone’s skin reacts differently. What clogs one person’s pores might be totally fine for another. Genetics, environment, skin condition, and microbiome all play a role. An oil like coconut might get a bad reputation for being comedogenic, but often it’s not the oil itself — it is when oils and ingredients become rancid and oxidize that it can cause skin issues. Fresh, stabilized oils in proper formulations can perform very differently. While we here at NourishUs Naturals do not adhere to the comedogenic scale, our Equalizer line has shown to be great for all skin types. It does not feature coconut oil (except for the exfoliant) and is gentle enough for most sensitive skin… but remember to patch test first! How to properly patch test for pore clogging: Apply a small amount behind your ears and give it a few days to see how your skin reacts before fully committing. Our Equalizer Line Our favorite teas, vitamins, and nutrients come together to equalize and hydrate skin of all types. Equalizer Cream Facial Cleanser: A non-foaming cleanser that delivers a superior array of nutrients to leave skin soft, hydrated, and looking youthful. Always the first step in any skincare routine. Equalizer Facial Exfoliant: Designed to softly exfoliate while soothing and equalizing skin. Gentle Jojoba Wax Beads provide physical exfoliation while skin-loving Aloe Leaf Juice and Coconut Oil provide hydration. We highly recommend exfoliating a few times a week, as the second step in your skincare routine. Equalizer Cream Facial Mask: Deliver intense hydration and soothe skin with Hyaluronic Acid, vegan DMAE, MSM, and Rooibos and much more. Skin will feel calmed and moisturized after this pampering mask. Masks and exfoliants aren’t part of the “everyday skincare routine”, but should come after the cleanser, and can be done as frequently or as little as you or your customer pleases. Equalizer Facial Serum: A lightweight serum packed with herbal extracts to soothe stressed skin of all types while balancing moisture levels. An essential part of the everyday skincare routine, this should come as step two or three (depending on if an exfoliant or mask is used). Equalizer Facial Moisturizer: Vitamin rich, hydrating, toning, balancing… the list goes on! A daily moisturizer that is lightweight, and does a lot more than just lock in moisture. Use this morning and night as step three or four (depending on if an exfoliant or mask is used) in your skincare routine.

Businesses that resell NourishUs Naturals products can avoid sales tax by submitting the appropriate certificates in advance. Sales tax cannot be refunded retroactively. NourishUs Naturals uses Avalara to manage tax collection and recommends customers work with their tax advisors to understand where they may have tax obligations.

We all know that projections and budgets are built on "reality hopeful", but can (& often do) change once company budgets are put into effect and "reality happens". If one researches, knows their customers, and understands their business, their plans should be close. However, when the economy takes an unexpected dip, it's easy to assume consumers will cut back on all non-essentials such as beauty. But history tells a different story. Enter the Lipstick Effect... a term Estée Lauder's Leonard Lauder coined during the early 2000s recession. He noticed that while people were spending less overall, sales of lipstick actually went up. Also, his mother, Estee, created her beauty company during the Great Recession. So, the "lipstick effect" shows that even in tough times, people crave small indulgences that make them feel good. While it's coined for lipstick, it refers to the beauty industry for small items you can take home and use to feel better, such as lovely, scented body wash, creams, lotion, etc. What Is the Lipstick Effect? A psychological and economic phenomenon where consumers continue to spend money on small luxury items during a recession or financial downturn, especially on beauty products. It's about affordable escapism, a feel-good pick-me-up that doesn't break the bank. From the Great Depression to the 2008 recession, beauty sales were consistently proven resilient. Consumers might not have splurged on designer bags, but they could have bought a $20 lipstick. That’s still doable and said to be emotionally satisfying. So why is NourishUs Naturals writing about this? Well, if you're in the business of selling beauty, this should give you hope. Even when wallets tighten, your products still offer value, not just functional but also emotional. Lip balm, eye cream, or a fresh shampoo bottle can feel like a little reset for your customers. How to Lean into the Lipstick Effect Position your products as affordable luxuries. Highlight the feel-good factor. Aromatherapy benefits are just as significant as results. Use storytelling. Remind customers of the confidence and joy beauty can bring. Focus on self-care and small wins. Even a swipe of lip balm or a calming cleanser can be part of a powerful daily ritual. The beauty industry isn't just about appearance; it's also about empowerment. And that empowerment doesn't disappear in hard times; it becomes even more essential. So, keep showing up, keep creating, and keep spreading beauty. Your customers still want it - maybe now more than ever. Beauty is resilient because people are resilient. The Lipstick Effect isn't just an economic theory; it's a reminder that hope, confidence, and joy can be found in even the most minor things. So to all the beauty entrepreneurs out there: don't give up. Your products and brand matter; your customers still reach for that feel-good moment. Let them find it with you.