NourishUs Naturals Blog

Caring about hair, makeup, and clothing isn’t a 21st century concept. While beauty standards have changed across time and cultures, our ancestors have always found ways to beautify themselves using their available resources and knowledge of the world to guide them. Historically, society has used their appearance to signify wealth, status, and personality—and for far longer than you may think. Continue reading to learn about the history of hair care products around the world, and how it has shaped the hair care industry we are used to today. Turning Back the Clock Across continents and centuries, two cultures in particular helped lay the foundation for the cleansing rituals we now recognize as modern hair care: the ancient communities of the Indian subcontinent and the traditional soapmakers of West Africa. Long before chemists bottled formulas or laboratories refined detergents, these societies relied on botanical knowledge, natural resources, and cultural practices to create some of the earliest documented forms of hair cleansing. In South Asia, the practice of chāmpo—a therapeutic massaging and cleansing ritual—emerged as early as the Indus Valley Civilization. People washed their hair with plant-based ingredients rich in natural saponins, such as shikakai, reetha (soapberries), amla, and fenugreek. These herbal blends didn’t just cleanse; they reflected a holistic approach to beauty rooted in Ayurveda, where caring for the hair was intertwined with wellness, ritual, and aromatherapy. This deep tradition is also what ultimately introduced the word shampoo into the English language in 1762, adapted from the Hindi word chāmpo (चाँपो). Meanwhile, in West Africa, generations of artisans developed what the world now knows as African Black Soap, or Ose Dudu. Crafted from plantain peel ash, cocoa pod ash, and nourishing oils like shea or palm, this soap became a versatile staple used for both skin and hair. Its unique composition offered gentle yet effective cleansing, and its production relied on craftsmanship passed down through oral tradition. Though African Black Soap emerged later than the earliest Indian herbal cleansers, it remains one of the oldest historically documented examples of naturally derived soap used for hair care — and represents a profound legacy of ingenuity within African communities. Together, these traditions tell a shared global story: that humans have always sought ways to cleanse, condition, and care for their hair using what nature provided. From saponin-rich botanicals to ash-based soaps, these early practices paved the way—directly and indirectly—for the modern formulations we rely on today, reminding us that the roots of hair care run far deeper than the shelves of any contemporary beauty aisle. Shampoo While the first version of liquid soap was credited to inventor Hans Schwarzkopf in 1927, the modern concept of “shampooing” took shape much earlier. In 1814, Sake Dean Mahomed introduced “Mahomed’s Steam and Vapor Sea Water Medicated Baths” to England, bringing therapeutic scalp massage and cleansing treatments to the Western world. His influence helped spark new interest in hair hygiene and laid the groundwork for commercial shampoo formulas to come. By 1900, Josef Wilhelm Rausch created one of the earliest liquid shampoo products, (Shampooing)Champooing, further modernizing hair cleansing. Schwarzkopf then helped mass-produce and popularize liquid shampoo in Europe, bringing it to the mainstream.But it doesn’t end there! What we know as shampoo today took a major leap in 1934 when Proctor & Gamble introduced the first synthetic, detergent-based liquid shampoo — shifting the industry toward the surfactant-rich formulations still used in most modern products. Conditioner Conditioners help moisturize the hair by adding moisturizing ingredients and locking in natural oils. For thousands of years, people from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and so on have been using hair oil to do just this, but this does not fit our modern definition of conditioner. What we know as conditioner today didn’t come around until the 20th century when Edouard Pinaud invented and presented it as a product called Brilliantine at the 1900 Parisian Exposition Universelle. It was a perfumed, greasy liquid made of fatty alcohols and silicone and was originally marketed for men’s hair, beards, and mustaches. 80 years later, Proctor and Gamble would once again make history by creating the first 2-in-1 shampoo in 1987. Dry Shampoo One of the earliest renditions of what we know as dry shampoo can be traced back throughout what we know as Asia during the 15th century. Women would apply a dried clay powder to their hair to remove oil, and the people of the Elizabethan era did the same. In the 18th century, men would use starches to freshen their wigs, which is why they were often referred to as “powdered wigs.” It wasn’t until the 1940s that the Stephanie Brooke Company of New Jersey City invented Minipoo, mainly consisting of talc and magnesium carbonate. In the 1970s, Klorane created the first sprayable dry shampoo, but it was marketed towards hospital patients or those who were bed-bound, mainly mothers! But this product took the world by storm, and it was Batiste that ran with it in 1975, making it the most popular dry shampoo brand on the market. Hair Oil As previously mentioned, hair oil has been used for an incredibly long time and is considered an ancient science. Because of how old the application of hair oil is, it is hard to give one period or region credit for its invention, but we can begin by looking at Africa. Africa is a vast continent consisting of 54 distinct countries, but we know that many have used castor oil for myriad applications.Because of the continent’s often sunny and dry conditions, castor oil was the popular choice for keeping hair moisturized. Some historians date it back to 1500 B.C. in ancient Egyptian medical texts, but at the time, it was used to treat eye irritations, so its first use as a hair product is uncertain. Pomade Stylists use pomade, or hair wax, to style the hair and keep it in place. In the past, animal fat was used as a pomade. Once again, we can credit this invention to the ancient Egyptians, who used it to style intricate braids, waves, and curls. Romans and other European tribes did something similar, still using animal fat as the main ingredient. It wasn’t until the 20th century that other ingredients started to replace animal fat. During this time, ingredients such as petroleum jelly and beeswax became more popular, although lard was still used. Even then, it wasn’t until the 2010s that water-based pomades were invented, which are much easier to remove. Hair Relaxers The first hair relaxers were credited to a man named Garret Augustus Morgan, Sr., in 1913, when he invented a product he called G.A. Morgan’s Hair Refiner. This relaxer was a mixture of alkaline chemicals and lye, but lye-based relaxers weren’t commercially processed and sold until the 1970s. As you may well know, lye is a dangerous chemical and would damage the hair if left on for long periods or not washed out completely. However, this does not negate the cultural significance of and the revolution caused by hair relaxers when they were introduced to the African American community. In 1981, Johnson Products Company (who also invented the first permanent hair relaxer in 1965) invented and sold the first non-lye-based hair relaxer known as Gentle Treatment. While it still used alkaline chemicals, it contained chemicals that were less harsh, such as potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide.     Ultimately, what we can take away from this history is that caring for your hair goes back generations, is different in each place in the world, and always takes inspiration from its natural surroundings. Looking for hair care products that prioritize these same ingredients utilized by our ancestors? NourishUs Naturals provides you with an entire hair care catalog to choose from, starting with wholesale shampoo and conditioners, to high end hair oils. With superstar ingredients like honey, aloe, chamomile, shea butter, jojoba oil, and much more, our dedication to formulating products that make you look and feel your best is incomparable.

NourishUs Naturals: Important Information for Cosmetic Resellers As of July 1, 2024, the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) has been implemented. NourishUs Naturals is not liable for the legal obligations associated with their customers selling cosmetics, we are only liable for ours. However, we strongly advise our customers to obtain at least a basic liability insurance policy if they plan to resell products. We also recommend testing any products you purchase from us, especially if you’re adding other ingredients to them. While we stand by the quality of our products, once the container is opened, we cannot be held accountable for it, as we cannot truly verify how it has been handled or stored.   Facility Registration All U.S. cosmetic products must be produced in FDA-registered facilities. NourishUs Naturals' facility number (FEI) is 3003887109, located at 2245 NW Nicolai, Portland, OR 97210.   Small Business Exemptions Small businesses with annual sales under $1 million may be exempt from some requirements, except for products posing higher risks, such as those used near the eyes or intended for internal use. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) By the end of 2025, cosmetic products must be manufactured according to FDA-issued GMPs. NourishUs Naturals, is cGMP certified, and will ensure all products meet these standards. Registration and Listing Facilities that manufacture or process cosmetic products for U.S. distribution must register with the FDA and renew their registration every two years. Companies must also provide annual product listings. Adverse Event Reporting Companies must report serious adverse events to the FDA within 15 days and maintain records. Serious adverse events include those leading to death, hospitalization, significant disability, or disfigurement. Safety Substantiation Manufacturers must ensure the safety of their products through testing, research, or other evidence. NourishUs Naturals provides third-party testing results for newer products and evidence for older ones. Customer Compliance Responsibilities Our customers are responsible for complying with all federal, state, and local regulations throughout the entire lifecycle of the product. NourishUs Naturals can provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (CoA) for products we manufacture and sell. We urge all customers to seek legal counsel to ensure their products meet all applicable regulatory requirements. Labeling and Packaging Cosmetic products must comply with FDA and state labeling requirements, including country-of-origin labeling. Packaging must be safe and compliant with regulations.   General Definitions Definition of Cosmetics According to the FD&C Act, cosmetics are defined as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.” Cosmetics categories include: Baby products such as shampoos and lotions Bath preparations such as bath oils and bath soaks Eye makeup preparations such as eyeliner and mascara that doesn’t make claim to hair growth Fragrance preparations such as cologne and perfumes Hair preparations such as conditioners and styling products Makeup preparations such as foundations and blushes Manicuring preparations such as nail polishes and cuticle oils Oral products such as mouthwashes or toothpastes that don’t claim to whiten teeth Personal cleanliness products such as shower gels and deodorants Shaving preparations such as shaving cream and aftershave splash Skin care preparations such as creams and lotions Suntan preparations such as tanning lotions and oils Tattoo preparations Some traditional soap products fall outside the FD&C Act definition of cosmetics, but many are still regulated as cosmetics, especially if they claim to moisturize or deodorize. Products intended for animal use are not regulated by the FDA but by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Cosmetic Tools and Accessories Tools and accessories designed to enhance appearance, such as hair dryers, nail clippers, and makeup brushes, are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, not the FDA. NourishUs Naturals sells a few supplies and packaging options. Cosmetics as Drugs or Medical Devices Some cosmetic products may be treated as drugs or medical devices if they are intended to treat or cure diseases or affect the body's structure or function. Examples include: Skin Disease treatments such as Acne, Psoriasis, etc; Antiperspirants Sunscreen products even once that claim a protection without a qualifying SPF number. Dandruff and thinning hair treatments Hair removal device.   Regulations to Know About Legal Requirements for Cosmetics Cosmetics must meet various federal and state regulations, including manufacturing standards, safety reporting, and registration/listing with the FDA. Labels must include an identity statement, quantity of contents, manufacturer details, material facts, warnings, and ingredient lists FDA Approval for Cosmetics Cosmetics do not require FDA approval, but they must comply with all relevant regulations, including ingredient restrictions, manufacturing practices, and labeling requirements. Cosmetic Product Ingredient Statement FDA Form 2512 is frequently requested when selling in certain markets. This form is not a requirement by the FDA but can be helpful. The form should be filled out by the individual brands as the information requested is regarding the final retail product. Big Box Store Regulations Before selling to major retailers, ensure compliance with their specific regulations. State Requirements Some states have additional licensing and registration requirements beyond federal ones. Check with your local commerce department for specifics. Claim Verification All product claims must be truthful and substantiated. Claims about treating diseases or affecting the body's structure may classify a product as a drug. The FTC regulates cosmetic advertising and requires all claims to be supported by scientific evidence. References and Regulations FD&C Act and FDA regulations Cosmetic labeling and GMP guides FTC compliance guides ISO 22716 certification for GMP

Cosmetic Thickeners and Natural Polymers add texture and help stabilize lotions and creams, and also create a wide variety of different gels. Although they all perform the same function in a lotion, cream, or gel, they each have unique properties and can change the look and feel of your final product. Selecting the right one for your project can be a little overwhelming given the wide variety available. There are also many synthetic thickeners and polymers, but our focus at Essential is on green chemistry and sustainability so we’ve selected the most popular natural cosmetic thickeners to highlight. Hopefully it will help you select the best one for your needs. A quick note on definitions: a polymer is essentially just a large grouping of smaller units that make up a substance. All gums are polymers. Their general use, as outlined above, is to either stabilize emulsions or create a gel, i.e. to thicken something like a mask so it stays on your face rather than dripping off. Additionally, they not only stabilize and thicken, but many natural polymers have excellent skin benefits, including things like Konjac Powder and Hyaluronic Acid (HA). (NOTE: Check out our recipe for a Hyaluronic Acid Serum at the bottom of this post.) Working with Thickeners and Natural Polymers There are a few tricks that make working with natural polymers and thickeners much easier. For example, dispersing a gum in glycerin makes it much easier to mix into your product. In general, gums will not hydrate in glycerin, but they will disperse. This dispersion of the powder essentially eliminates the risk of forming “fish eyes”. Fish eyes is a term used to describe the formation of gooey round clumps that form when a gum hydrates unevenly. If you do not want glycerin in your product, you can add your thickener by slowly sprinkling it into your product while high shear mixing. This method requires patience and time, making it a little harder to scale up to very large batch sizes. Xanthan Gum By far the most commonly used natural gum in cosmetics, this affordable and easy to use gum is derived from the fermentation of the plant bacteria Xanthomonas Campestris. This anionic polysaccharide will disperse in vegetable glycerin, but will not hydrate. Xanthan gum is widely used because it is compatible with most ingredients used in cosmetics and it’s readily available and versatile. Xanthan gum will hydrate in hot or cold water and creates a hazy but neutral pH solution. This gum will create a gel that can tolerate the addition of a wide range of water-soluble active ingredients. Xanthan is also highly synergistic with galactomannans like Konjac. When Xanthan is mixed with Konjac, the viscosity of the gel will increase dramatically. Xanthan is also resistant to heat and shearing, making the gels produced with Xanthan highly stable. This is especially beneficial if you are shipping your products in high heat or to locations that are hot and humid. Hydroxyethylcellulose Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is a nonionic natural polymer made from plant cellulose. It’s made by exposing purified cellulose to sodium hydroxide and then reacting the alkali-treated cellulose with ethylene oxide. The hydrogen atoms in pendant hydroxyl (—OH) groups are replaced with hydroxyethyl groups, leading to a water-soluble polymer. Like Xanthan gum, HEC will form a pH neutral gel at 1%, but unlike Xanthan, this gel will be clear and colorless. HEC is soluble in hot or cold water and can also be dispersed in glycerin. HEC is compatible with most other gums but works especially well with sodium alginate. Acacia Gum This anionic polysaccharide is collected from the sap of the acacia tree. Acacia gum is a naturally-occurring gum soluble in hot or cold water and gives a clear solution of neutral to acidic pH. This gum is not a thickener unless used in concentrations above 40%, and this viscosity is lost at elevated temperatures making it less desirable for most formulations. Acacia gum will help solubilize oils into water without increasing viscosity. This makes acacia a good choice to help incorporate essential oils into low viscosity water-based products like toners and sprays. Acacia works best when used at a 3:1 or even 4:1 ratio of acacia to essential oil. It also pairs well with other gums to help stabilize formulations. Konjac Konjac Powder is comprised of a high viscosity soluble fiber called glucomannan, which can expand to 100 times its volume in water making it an extremely effective humectant in cosmetics. Konjac is rich in protein, lipids, fatty acids, plus vitamins A, B, C, D, & E, and natural minerals such as copper, zinc and magnesium. Konjac forms a clear, colorless gel and when mixed with xanthan gum, viscosity increases dramatically. Sclerotium Gum Sclerotium Gum is non-ionic thickener made from a fermented fungus. This versatile gum has high thermal stability and can help to enhance the skin’s moisture barrier, preventing trans-epidermal water loss and helping to keep the skin moisturized. Sclerotium will form a gel at 0.8% and is stable in a wide range of temperatures, salt concentrations, and pH. It can also be used with a high amount of ethanol (up to 20%) and glycols (up to 25%). Sclerotium gum is an excellent choice as a suspending agent, meaning that particles dispersed in a sclerotium gum gel will remain suspended without settling. Sclerotium gum is also a great choice when formulating with alpha-hydroxy acids. Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic Acid (HLA) forms a pH neutral colorless and crystal clear gel. Hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate are often used interchangeably, and they are essentially the same thing. Sodium hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid developed to reduce oxidation, whereas hyaluronic acid is just hyaluronic acid. Both exist naturally in the human body, however, hyaluronic acid is usually created by bio-fermentation in a lab rather than harvesting from rooster combs. Generally in skincare, when you see hyaluronic acid, it means sodium hyaluronate that was lab-created to be bioidentical to the hyaluronic acid found in nature. Size Matters! 20,000 Daltons Vs. 2,000,000 Daltons When it comes to hyaluronic acid, size does matter. Size in chemistry is measured in Daltons. A Dalton is a standard unit of measure that quantifies mass on an atomic or molecular scale (atomic mass). The lower the molecular weight, the smaller the size of the molecule. This is particularly important when choosing which hyaluronic acid to use in a skincare formulation. Lower weight HLA will not form a gel, and it is suggested that the lower molecular weight can cause irritation. Higher weight HLA will form a viscous gel, is less likely to irritate the skin, and it’s more effective as a humectant. Check out our video on hyaluronic acid for a visible demonstration of the different weights and check out this simple recipe for creating your own hyaluronic acid serum. Gum Thickeners in Hair Care and Skincare BONUS: Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum Recipe Equipment You’ll Need Stove top safe pot or beaker Stick blender or high shear mixer Measuring cups/spoon or scale DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EasyApproximate yield: 1 PoundApproximate cost per pound:  $2.54 Suggested Packaging: 1 oz airless pumpSuggested retail price:  $15 – $20 Ingredients Ingredient Weight – (pounds) Kitchen Measurements Percentage by weight Cosmetic Water (Deionized Water) .9731 2 Cups 97.5 Hyaluronic Acid Powder .0100 1Tbsp 1 Phenoxyethanol .0100 ½ TBSP 1 Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate .0050 1Tsp 0.5   Directions Heat water to 120F – 130F Slowly sprinkle Hyaluronic Acid Powder into the water while mixing with your stick blender or high shear mixer. Add Phenoxyethanol and Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate to preserve. Use on clean face after toner/astringent. Let absorb into skin, then apply moisturizer. Please note that this recipe has not been challenge tested for preservation efficacy. If you use this recipe for market sales, it is up to you to ensure the safety of the product.

Overview Bath salts remain a durable and adaptable category within the bath and body segment of the cosmetics industry. Their relatively simple compositions, scalability, and consumer familiarity make them a viable option for brands seeking to expand or refine bath-focused product lines. When developed and marketed responsibly, bath salts can support relaxation-focused self-care positioning while maintaining full compliance with cosmetic regulations.  This document outlines key considerations for brands evaluating bath salts from a manufacturing, sourcing, and compliance perspective. Decide on a Home Lab or Private Label In-House Production Producing bath salts internally requires facilities, equipment, and documented procedures capable of supporting cosmetic manufacturing activities in alignment with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). While bath salt formulations are generally straightforward, in-house production still necessitates controls related to sanitation, ingredient traceability, batch documentation, and labelling accuracy.  An internal model provides full control over formulation inputs and sourcing decisions but places regulatory and quality responsibilities on the brand owner.  Private Label & Contract Manufacturing  Private-label manufacturing allows brands to leverage established cosmetic manufacturers that operate GMP-compliant facilities with validated processes and quality systems. Many manufacturers offer customizable base formulations that allow limited modification (e.g., fragrance or approved additives) while maintaining formulation integrity and compliance.  This approach may reduce operational complexity while supporting scalable production and market readiness. Know Your Ingredients Bath salt formulations commonly include mineral salts such as magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, or blended mineral systems. Selection criteria often include availability, cost structure, and desired product positioning. Where fragrance or botanical components are incorporated, usage levels and cosmetic suitability must be evaluated carefully.  Brands making claims related to ethical sourcing, vegan formulation, or cruelty-free practices should ensure those claims are supported by ingredient documentation and supplier verification. Be Aware of FDA Regulations and Guidelines Bath salts are regulated as a cosmetic product in the United States and must comply with applicable FDA cosmetic regulations, including ingredient labeling requirements and manufacturing practices appropriate for cosmetics. While cosmetic products are not subject to pre-market approval, responsible manufacturing includes maintaining ingredient records, batch documentation, and labeling accuracy consistent with current regulatory expectations.  Brands remain responsible for product compliance regardless of manufacturing model. When formulation changes or customizations are introduced, those changes should be reviewed to confirm continued compliance and stability. Know Your Audience Bath salts are commonly positioned within relaxation-focused self-care collections. Packaging, branding, and promotional materials should reflect this position while avoiding unsupported claims. Clear, accurate labeling and professional presentation support both consumer trust and regulatory compliance.

Is your shampoo or body wash too watery? Or too thick? Sometimes as we add ingredients such as essential oils or tinctures to a wash or shampoo, and it can become too thin or watery. Alternatively, products may become thicker than you want for your packaging and you’d like to thin it down. In this blog post you’ll learn how to correct the viscosity of a wash or shampoo and bring it back to a gel or, conversely, make it thinner. (Note: You can follow along with one of our expert formulators as she shows you step-by-step how to fix the viscosity of your body wash and shampoo. Check out the video and its transcript below.) Equipment You’ll Need Kitchen Scale Stick Blender or high shear mixer Ingredients For Thickening a Product Fine Sea Salt Cocamidopropyl Betaine Xanthan Gum Ingredients For Thinning a Product Cosmetic Water Phenoxyethanol Instructions for How to Thicken a Shampoo or Body Wash Method 1: Add Salt to Thicken Shampoo or Body Wash The first thing you can do to thicken up you wash or shampoo is to add salt to it. This may be enough to thicken your wash or shampoo back to a gel consistency. Just be sure to never add more than 2% salt or you run the risk of thinning your wash or shampoo even further. To calculate the amount of salt you can add, weigh out the amount of shampoo or wash you are correcting and multiply by 2%. For example: if you have 5.28 lbs of shampoo, the math would be (5.28 * 0.02) = 0.1056. So you could add up to 0.1056 lbs of salt. Method 2: Add Cocamidopropyl Betaine to Thicken Shampoo or Body Wash If salt fails, you can use Cocamidopropyl Betaine. We recommend adding 1% at a time until your wash is thickened. You can have up to 8% of your final product be Cocamidopropyl Betaine (but you’ll probably get the results you want way before you reach 8%). To calculate how much 1% Cocamidopropyl Betaine would be, simply weigh out the amount of shampoo or wash you are trying to thicken and multiply by 1% (0.01). Add 1% at a time until your wash is thickened (up to 8%). Method 3: Add Xanthan Gum to Thicken Shampoo or Body Wash If your shampoo or body wash is still too thin, you can try adding 0.25% xanthan gum to thicken the product. It’s important to add the xanthan gum in a very specific way to avoid clumping. Weigh out the amount of wash or shampoo you are trying to thicken and multiply by 0.25% (0.0025) to calculate the amount of xanthan gum you can add. Begin by high shear mixing your wash with your stick blender. Slowly sprinkle in the xanthan gum while mixing. (Note: You may have to adjust your stick blender to increase speed as the wash or shampoo starts to thicken.) Instructions for How To Thin a Shampoo or Body Wash To thin down a Shampoo or Wash that’s too thick you will need Cosmetic Water and a preservative such as phenoxyethanol added at 1% to preserve your water. It’s important to use deionized water so that you don’t see any reaction between ingredients in your Shampoo or Wash and the minerals in tap water. Distilled water might be effective, but deionized (Cosmetic) water is preferred. Add 1% of preserved deionized water to your product.To get the amount of preserved deionized water you need to add, weigh out the amount of Shampoo or Wash you are correcting and multiply by 1%.For example: if you have 5.28LBS of Shampoo or wash,  the math would be (5.28 * 0.01) = .0528. So you would need .0528 LBS of preserved water. If your Shampoo or Wash is still too thick, repeat the process until it reaches the correct viscosity. Watch The Step By Step Video For How to Fix The Viscosity of Shampoo and Body Wash

Give your home or holiday gathering a boost with this seasonal room spray: the Spiced Orange Room Spray. One of the best parts of the holidays is all the smells—cloves, peppermint, citrus. You want your home to evoke all the rich memories and favorite treats of the holidays, even if family is further away this year. This easy-to-make holiday spice room spray leaves your house and linens smelling warm and cozy for the Fall and Winter holidays. It’s just the right balance between subtle and strong. This recipe is so easy to customize, it’s worth bookmarking to make new versions throughout the year. Think of the Bouquet Blend in the spring, Uplifting in the summer, Merry Mint in the winter, or our Fresh Blend year-round for the immediate refresh of any room, especially bathrooms or gyms. The Relaxing Blend is perfect in a spa or during a bath–you’ll find whatever vibe you’re looking for in our variety of unique essential oil blends.   Holiday Spiced Orange Room Spray Equipment You’ll Need Measuring spoons Small mixing bowl Ingredients ½ Gallon Body & Linen Spray 3 Tbsp Spiced Orange Essential Oil Blend or any seasonal oil or blend of your choice. We love the Merry Mint as another holiday alternative, otherwise we recommend one of our “woodsy” blends to add warmth and coziness to any cold winter room.  4 Tbsp Polysorbate 80   Directions – Spiced Orange Room Spray Mix Spiced Orange Essential Oil (or blend of your choice) with Polysorbate 80. If you do not want to use the Polysorbate 80, then you can use our green, bio-based Pentylene Glycol Natural. Add to ½ Gallon Body & Linen Spray and shake well. Pour into spray bottles and use anytime you need a holiday pickup around the house. Please note this recipe originally used our “Holiday Spice” blend which is discontinued. If you need additional help, please contact us at contactus@nourishusnaturals.com or (866) 252-9639.

When it comes to building a successful skin and hair care brand, the foundation matters. Natural ingredients, ethical sourcing, transparent processes, and a reliable manufacturing partner all play essential roles — and today’s customers expect nothing less. NourishUs Naturals Has Purchased the Assets of Essential Labs For customers who previously partnered with Essential Labs, your experience should feel familiar. At NourishUs Naturals, we’re committed to supporting emerging and established brands with high-quality cosmetic manufacturing rooted in integrity, trust and sustainable beauty. This ensures continuity for customers familiar with that catalog while strengthening the operational backbone, communication, and reliability behind those same trusted products. A New Standard of Thoughtful USA Manufacturing The beauty industry continues to evolve as do consumer expectations. Clean formulations are no longer about simply removing undesirable ingredients. They represent a broader commitment to transparency, ethical production, and mindful innovation. At NourishUs Naturals, we embrace: Naturally derived formulasThoughtfully selected botanicals and functional ingredients that support healthy-looking skin and hair. Conscious processes and ethical sourcingTransparent supply chains and materials chosen with the least harm to the planet as possible. Sustainable practicesEvery product is created with solar power, inside our 70,000-square-foot facility in Portland, OR (we have over 400 panels on our roof!). Why Brands Choose NourishUs Naturals Consistent Quality You Can Count On With NourishUs Naturals, you can expect the same products, SKUs, and quality you came to rely on from Essential Labs, now backed by a stronger foundation of reliability and operational excellence. Flexible Private Label & White Label Solutions Choose from ready-to-brand products, custom formulations, or expanding categories that scale with your business needs. Reliable, U.S.-Based Manufacturing Our domestic facility gives brands the advantage of dependable timelines, tight process control, and consistent product integrity. Transparent, Collaborative Customer Support Our team is dedicated to helping you build and grow with guidance, responsiveness, and clear communication. Supporting Your Brand With Products You Can Trust We aim to make the manufacturing experience easier, smoother, and more transparent. That’s why we provide: Clear, compliant product documentation Ingredient transparency and honest labeling Regulatory-aligned practices Product reliability backed by quality controls As our catalog expands, you can expect new formulations, attention to detail, and offerings designed to strengthen your product line. Let’s Build the Future of Natural Beauty Together Whether you're expanding your line, planning a launch, or refreshing your current offerings, the NourishUs Naturals team is here to support your growth. Have questions or an upcoming project? Reach out anytime. We’re here to help.

Essential Oils for Winter Gifts For you and your business, adding different essential oil blends to your best-selling products is a simple way to create a seasonal line that might spark new sales by extending your product offering. If you are looking for something in particular for a little holiday feel, look no further! We have proprietary bends crafted by a registered aromatherapist.   Essential Oils for Winter — Our Blends Collection When choosing or creating essential oil blends for the winter season, you’ll want to think about the smells nature provides during the dark, wet winter days. Cedar, citrus, pine, and rosemary come to mind. So do traditional scents like orange, cinnamon, and ginger. Your blends should hint at those iconic smells, but feel free to have a unique twist all your own. It’s okay to blend in some summer-like mint, rose and lavender or ylang-ylang. We’ve created some blends to give you a starting off point. Use as is or make them your own. You’ll also find some single note ideas below to get your mind– and spirit– thinking. Breathe Green – Speaking of rosemary and ginger… this blend combines these deep scents with peppermint, eucalyptus, sweet basil and more. Try it out in a diffuser first if you don’t know if you will like it. Filling the room with the scent will let you know if you love it as much as you thought, or want to try something new.Spiced Orange – Think spiced cider and warm, orange-glazed cinnamon buns. This blend includes some of our favorite essential oils for winter including allspice, anise, cinnamon leaf, patchouli, and sweet orange. It is a perfect blend to diffuse and also works well in men’s body care products. We love this in our Barrier Balm to create a warm, soothing rub for tired feet and legs. We also like to add it to our Body Linen Spray for freshening blankets that may have been tucked away for the summer... click here for the recipe!Merry Mint is as fresh and minty as you could want. Diffuse into your bathroom and breathe deep and enjoy the scents of lemon, rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, and spearmint as they combine to lift your spirits. Merry Mint is terrific for a foot and shoe deodorizer, cooling lotion or cream and makes a wonderful foot and leg spray for tired, aching feet. The peppermint and spearmint deliver a bright and subtly sweet minty scent, while the rosemary and eucalyptus bring an herbaceous and woody tone to ground and balance this blend. Use it in balms, lotions, creams, room fresheners, and diffusers. It also can be used in our Clear Shampoo & Body Wash to create a terrific hand cleanser. Moon in Bloom Blend has Australian sandalwood, lavender, cistus, frankincense, myrrh, patchouli, rosewood, Roman chamomile, German chamomile, jasmine, and Bulgarian rose and they all work synergistically together to create this gorgeous blend. It is perfectly balanced for floral, spice, and woodsy aromas. With the addition of cistus essential oil from the resinous rock rose so common in the Mediterranean, this blend is quite simply, heavenly. You’ll love this in body wash, perfume balm, room sprays, and in your bath soak.Inner Glow might surprise you that it’s on this list but it really shouldn’t! Winter brings festivity, but it also brings cold and flu season. Treat your senses with cypress, eucalyptus, ginger root, lavender, citrus and more! Add this or our Clarity Blend to your daily products when you’re feeling under the weather or run down (or whenever you please!)Warm Cedar Breeze is a simple classic as we are located in the Pacific Northwest... it only makes sense that we have quite a few “woody” blends! Try this or one of our other musky and earthier blends: Moss Wood Musk and Earthen.Intrigue is the blend to go to when you are looking for something warm, and delicately spicy. Think of lighting a candle with a good book. This scent works its wonders in a number of settings and products, especially after a relaxing, hot shower or bath. Muscle and Joint Blends turn up the spice and has oils that produce a warming sensation, which is needed for the winter when massaging. Add it to gels, creams, and anything that will be used at the massage table. We also recommend our Lip Plumping Blend if you're looking for spicy!     Our Favorite Single Note Essential Oils for Winter Cypress is a fabulously clean, energizing scent that invigorates and revives a weary spirit. We like blending cypress with citrus notes like Sweet Orange. You can also try blending cypress with other woods, like sandalwood or juniper. Ylang ylang and lavender will also work, but probably not for a winter blend. Frankincense, myrrh, cardamom, and neroli are the royal scents of winter. Popular in hand and leg creams, bath soaks, body scrubs, and diffused into the air, these essential oils have been used for centuries to enhance, soothe, balance, and delight. Peppermint, cinnamon, clove, and anise are traditional scents of winter reminiscent of cookies, cakes, candy canes, and home. They warm and cool, and bring back memories of holiday gatherings with friends and family. Cinnamon and clove are fabulous together in a warming muscle balm for legs and arms. Peppermint and anise create a light and uplifting scent when diffused in stuffy, closed up rooms. Add cinnamon, clove, allspice, and neroli to your hair and body oil– they work great when added to the pomegranate, pumpkin, and cranberry oils in the Exquisite Face & Body Oil. Cardamom and blood orange turn our Walnut Polish into something truly amazing.   Winter Gift and Pampering Ideas With the holidays right around the corner, we are spinning with ideas for scented gifts. We like to create an ambient room spray with our Body & Linen Spray. We also recommend purchasing any of our balms and adding in a festive scent as an easy DIY. Here are some suggestions for scenting some of our favorite winter rescue products: Bath and Body Oil: After getting into the cold car and blasting the heat, sometimes the best thing is just going home for a relaxing bath to warm up. Treat yourself with an oil bath, we highly recommend our Bath and Body Oil… it’s a staff favorite! During the winter months when you start to miss the warm sunshine, scenting your oil bath with a blend including citrus oils might help satisfy that longing for the sun. Blending Bergamot and Clary Sage essential oils fill the sunshine void for us as well. Grapefruit blended with Ginger, and a splash of Lavender is another favorite, as is Grapefruit and Cypress. If you are looking for a blend that has it all, our Citrus Burst Blend is an easy way to satisfy your longing for the sunshine, no blending required! Holiday Room Spray Recipe: Give your home or holiday gathering a boost with this seasonal room spray. This recipe is so easy to customize, it’s worth bookmarking to make new versions throughout the year. Perfume Balm: This lovely balm helps skin stay hydrated and looking its best, and is loaded with essential oils. While it’s great as is, any of our winter blends listed above or a hint of black pepper would be a nice little pop of festivity and/or brightness. Virgin Coconut Sugar Scrub: When working with this sugar scrub you will want to soften- not melt, the base using a warm water bath. Once it softens, you can incorporate your essential oil blend of choice. Essential oils of Orange, Ginger, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg included at low concentrations make a beautiful holiday scent for this scrub. Boost this blend with a touch of Vanilla Co2 to enhance the scent of these gorgeous essential oils (we recently launched a seasonal product similar to this!). We also recommend adding the Spiced Orange Blend to this scrub, or turning this into a lip scrub by adding our Lip Plumping Blend. Calendula Butter Cream: An oldie but a goodie… this body butter keeps skin so soft and supple. With an underlying floral scent from the Rose Distillate, you can blend just about anything to create a lovely fragrance. Frankincense, myrrh and/or neroli would be a lovely holiday addition. A hint of Geranium is a unique addition here as well. Gentle Milk Facial Cleanser: Looking for a scented facial cleanser that will still be gentle enough for an everyday skincare routine? Try adding some of our Herbal Tea blend or our Cleanse Blend! Goat Milk Lotion: A customer favorite. For the winter months, we recommend adding our Inner Glow blend or our Merry Mint blend. Enjoy the winter months and the holidays with family and friends! We hope you will be blessing their noses' during this festive period. And if you’re looking for a holiday inspired formulation to try, look no further:  

Before the holiday season officially starts, it’s important to stay on top of the calendar when planning stock/inventory levels. Not only because you’ll want your products to get to you in time for your business, but also due to other external factors. For instance, temporary increases in shipping costs: This season, due to increased UPS rates over the holidays, we will be temporarily adjusting our shipping costs from November through December. This change will apply to all shipping methods. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these seasonal adjustments. Stocking up early is essential, therefore we created a calendar to follow when planning when to order your white label products and ingredients: