Skincare How-To: The Double Cleansing Method

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 10/27/2020 to Lifestyle
Double Cleansing is a method that involves cleansing your face twice, once with an oil-based cleanser and second with a water-based cleanser. The concept behind the double cleansing method is to use cleansing oil to remove your makeup, excess sebum, and sunscreen. This initial step is supposed to clear the way for your regular facial cleanser to cleanse your skin instead of having to work its way through layers of makeup and sunscreen. The results are a more thorough cleanse without compromising the skin barrier.

A Simple Morning Skincare Routine

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 10/27/2020 to Lifestyle
The daily practice of a morning routine can help provide structure and set the tone correctly for the day. Use this time to carve out space for habits and rituals that spark joy and benefit your wellbeing. Speaking of wellbeing, this is a great time to perform a skincare regime that will leave your skin glowing and ready to take on the day!

The Double Cleanse Method (and why you should add it to your skincare ritual now!)

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 9/9/2020 to Lifestyle
Daily, our skin faces environmental stressors, pollution, and many other factors that may cause breakouts and congested complexions. Gone are the days of rinsing your face with a generic cleanser and removing your makeup with chemical-filled makeup wipes that tug the skin and cause irritation. "Deeply cleansing the skin is essential to our skincare routine and a one-step water-based cleanser won't cut it," says licensed esthetician, Antonina. 

Hyaluronic Acid: What it is, and Why You Need it

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 5/27/2020 to Oils
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is an ingredient that has been getting a lot of buzz in the skincare industry lately and featured in many private label products including sheet masks, serums, and even injectables. What is it about this natural substance that makes it so multi-faceted and beneficial to the skin? RainShadow's Licensed Esthetician, Antonina Kuznetsov explains that Hyaluronic Acid is the body's natural hydrator, making it an excellent moisturizer when applied topically. 

Face off: Vitamin C vs. Active Botanical Oil Serum

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 7/31/2019 to Oils
One of the most popular private label skincare products on the market is the vitamin C serum. There are literally hundreds of variations on this one product alone, with brands competing with each other and customers trying their best to find their favorite. But the days of vitamin C reigning unchallenged are over. There's a new product in line, and it promises to be as big of a deal as ever. It's the active botanical oil serum; the flowery smelling, oil based competitor of our time. 

How to Make Skincare that Smells Good Naturally

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 2/12/2019 to Oils
Most of the attention skincare gets has to do with the results it will provide to the skin. And that's really important! After all, that's the reason anyone's using it in the first place. But of perhaps equal importance is the product's smell. It's undoubtedly an integral part of the experience. So much so that even the best product can turn a customer off if it doesn't smell right. So, skincare manufacturers and brands spend plenty of time, energy and money developing product scents. Some use fragrance, some use essential oils. But in the end, they all use something. And while that's most likely not going to change any time soon, what about folks who want to use (or make) skincare that's fragrance free, but still (somehow) smells good? Or for those who enjoy the smell of thoughtfully scented private label skincare products, but have sensitivities to fragrances and/or essential oils?

Argan Oil vs Jojoba Oil

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 12/10/2018 to Oils

Two of the most popular oils in the private label skincare industry today are Jojoba and Argan. You can find them in everything from hair care products to body lotions and face oils. Both are touted as moisturizing oils that won’t clog pores and help keep the skin smooth and hair frizz free. We’ll admit, we like them both, and include both of them in our various private label skincare offerings. When sourced responsibly and used appropriately, each oil provides noticeable benefits. But are these two oils actually equal? Or does one come out on top?


Tired of Pumpkin but Still Want the Spice?

Posted by Rainshadow Labs on 12/10/2018 to Oils

The leaves are changing to their beautiful orange, brown and yellow colors. It’s finally fall and with it comes all sorts of seasonal treats. You know what that means! Pumpkin spice. Some people can’t get enough, while others wish it would just stay inside pumpkin pie. If you’re one of the former, then this season is sure to be an enjoyable and abundant one for you. But, if you fall in the latter category, pumpkin spice season can be a headache. So, what’s a person to do if they appreciate a good dose of spice but want pumpkins to keep it to themselves?

Rockrose Essential Oil

Posted by Rainshadow Labs on 12/10/2018 to Oils

Whenever we start to think about other plants and flower families reaching the top of the botanical beauty pyramid, the Rose family comes back to remind us who’s really sitting pretty at the top. Though Jasmine is regal, Ylang Ylang is fantastic and Blue Tansy is simply stunning, none of them compare to what the wide and magical Rose family has to offer. Beauty, happiness, meditation and calm are all fed and nourished by Rose’s sweet bright essence. Among these Rose variations is Rockrose, our more woody, deep and rich Rose essential oil offering. Working with RainShadow Labs will enable you to create your own formula utilizing this deeply fragrant and warm essential oil.

Elemi Essential Oil

Posted by Rainshadow Labs on 12/10/2018 to Oils

While you have probably heard of Frankincense and Myrrh before, you might not have heard of Elemi, their distant relative and historical replacement in times of need. With an aroma similar to Frankincense and a history intertwined with its resinous cousins Frankincense and Myrrh, you’d think it’d be more widely known, but it’s not. With over 35 years of experience making private label skincare, we’ve had the chance to work with a lot of really fantastic skincare ingredients. And Elemi is one of them. Used for both skincare and aromatherapy, Elemi deserves a space in your repertoire.

Face Off: Diffuser vs. Nebulizer

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 12/10/2018 to Oils

When it comes to essential oils there’s a variety of different ways you can use them. You can dab a drop on your wrist, spritz yourself and home with an essential oil dilution, or diffuse them throughout your house. While using essential oils directly on your body is great for your own personal aroma, using them in things like diffusers is great for permeating your entire space with their smell.

Immortal Blue: Uses & Benefits of Blue Tansy Essential Oil

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 12/10/2018 to Oils

Essential oils have only continued to grow in popularity, to the point of becoming a billion dollar industry. But due to the lack of regulations for essential oils, it can be hard to find a product that hasn’t been adulterated. Many companies make claims like “therapeutic grade” and “pure” without actually being either. In fact, many oils on the market contain synthetic aromatic fillers that allow the manufacturer to cut costs. But while they may be cutting costs, they’re also cutting quality. At RainShadow Labs we carry a huge variety of essential oils from around the world. From amazingly rare and hard to find Royal Jasmine to Canadian Western Red Cedar and beautiful Blue Tansy. Our customers use them for everything from aromatherapy to skincare. Some buy them via our Buy Direct store, while others choose to use them in their private label custom formulations.


The Best Skincare Stocking Stuffers (that Won't Break Your Bank)

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 12/4/2018 to Oils
It's officially the season of giving. Which means that everything from conversations with your friends to the ads that pop up when you surf the web are all geared towards one question: what are you getting for so-and-so this season? And while giving gifts to those you care about is fun and gratifying, it can also be a really stressful time. Who are you supposed to include? Are they getting something for you? Will they be offended if you don't? And of course, how much is it all going to cost? We know what you're going through, and we've got your back.

Why Oil is the New Soap

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 11/20/2018 to Lifestyle
Oil cleansing. It's the latest and greatest skincare craze, and the more we all learn about it the more we see that it's not going anywhere. Why? Because it works. The wide array of facial oils to choose from makes oil cleansing not only interesting but also easily customizable for basically any skin type and product category. It's also one of the reasons it works so well. Your friend may swear by the power of olive oil, while your mother worships jojoba and your favorite happens to be hazelnut. In the wide world of oil cleansing, there's room for everyone. And that's why it overshadows soap.

The 3 Best Ingredients for Uneven Looking Skin Tone (Plus a Recipe)

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 9/25/2018 to Oils
When it comes to popular skincare complaints, one of the most popular is uneven looking skin tone. This pervasive skin issue is not only unsightly and frustrating for those dealing with it, but it can also be incredibly difficult to get rid of, or even reduce. Part of the difficulty stems from the fact that uneven skin tone doesn't just come from one thing; it comes from many. Sometimes it's hormones, sometimes it's from medication someone needs to take, and sometimes it's from something else. It can also come as a result of that dreaded yet oh-so-popular bad habit, picking. While by no means an exhaustive list (considering all the different factors inherent in the occurrence of uneven looking skin tone), following is a list of some of the best botanicals used in private label skincare to help.

Why Turmeric is the Skincare Superhero you Didn't Know you Needed

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 9/24/2018 to Oils
Not all of us are skincare geeks. And for those of us who aren't, learning about the ins and outs of skincare chemistry can feel overwhelming, confusing, or just plain boring. But it's doesn't have to be! Natural and organic skincare is actually surprisingly simple, and there are so many cool things to be discovered. One of which is the existence of anti-inflammatory transcription factors! Though it sounds complicated, the science behind these little guys is actually pretty straight forward. And because you can make sure your skin is getting plenty of them by way of private label skincare ingredients like turmeric, not only are they easy to understand, they're also easy to take advantage of!

Here's What You Need to Know About Antioxidants

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 9/5/2018 to Oils
When it comes to private label skincare, there's a very good chance that you've at least heard about antioxidants. If you're a skincare geek or private label skincare entrepreneur, then you most likely know what antioxidants do and why you would want them in your skincare routine. In fact, you probably make a concerted effort to make sure your skincare is full of them. And while the subject of antioxidants might seem cut and dry (antioxidants are good for your skin because they neutralize free radicals) there's actually a bit more to it! And this little bit more happens to be pretty important.

Lotion vs. Cream vs. Butter: What's the Difference, and Which is Better?

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 3/21/2018 to Oils
When it comes to moisturizing products, there are typically three different types you can find: lotions, butters and creams. Each has its own unique and specific set of traits that make it a desirable product to use depending on what you are looking for. But what exactly are these traits, and what is the reasoning behind having these different types of products that are all typically geared toward a similar goal?

Thirsty Skin Quenchers

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 3/14/2018 to Oils
Thirsty skin...it’s one of the most aging things for your face, and also one of the easiest to fix! Having thirsty skin just means that it’s in need of more hydration and moisture. While it can be easy to confuse skin that needs more water with skin that needs more oil, one of the easiest ways to forgo this simple issue is to give the skin moisturizing oils that also hydrate the skin. While there are some other ingredients that are hydrating that aren’t oils, if you aren’t sure which one your skin truly needs, just go ahead and use a hydrating oil.

How to Calm Irritable Skin with Oils

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 3/5/2018 to Lifestyle
There are lots of reasons why someone’s skin might be irritable, and not all of them are directly affected by skincare. But some are, and for those types of concerns, it’s so helpful to have safe, simple and effective skincare solutions on hand for whenever you need them. In the case of skin that is easily irritable, your best bet is to rely on simple, high quality, cold pressed and organic carrier oils. The reason? Depending on the oil you use, they basically have everything your skin needs to calm down- and stay that way.

Active Botanicals for Your Face

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 3/5/2018 to Oils

When it comes to private label skincare, one of the things, if not the most important thing, to consider is the active ingredients within the formula. The higher the quality of these actives, the higher their percentage within the formula and the more strategically they are combined leads to better, more effective skincare. After all, it’s the actives that do all the work for your skin in the first place! Percentage of actives is one of the main things that sets different brands and products apart- it’s that important. So we thought, why not make a product out of 100% active ingredients?


The Best Essential Oils For Sensitive Skin

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 10/2/2017 to Aromatherapy
Sensitive skin can be hard to deal with. You just never know when it’s going to give you more trouble! As the list of private label skincare products and ingredients that bother your skin goes up, your sense of hope and trust in your own body goes down. Is there a solution out there for you? Or will you forever be doomed to a long list of Don’ts and an ever-shrinking one of Do’s? The answer to this seemingly overwhelming question is actually quite simple: there are private label skincare ingredients that are perfect for your sensitive, reactive skin. Here’s what they are, and why they’re your new best friend:

What To Do About Dark Circles

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 9/27/2017 to Lifestyle
For some people, dark circles under their eyes come and go depending on how much sleep they get. It’s not a big deal, and not something that particularly bothers them. But for others, dark circles are a chronic problem that won’t seem to go away. No matter how much sleep they get, their under eyes just seem to stay dark and sunken. While dark circles may be genetic for some people, there are certain things you can do with your private label skincare to help lessen the appearance of dark circles. While we can’t promise they will be completely eliminated, it’s worth a try to at least help diminish what would otherwise be striking and bothersome dark rings below the eyes.

Petroleum Derived Ingredient Alternatives

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 9/22/2017 to Cosmetics
Did you know that in many private label skincare products there lurk ingredients derived from petroleum? Petroleum- the same stuff our car oil and plastic come from! Incase you didn’t already know this: your skin has absolutely no need for petroleum, or any of the ingredients that come from it. Zero. None. The only reason it’s in your skincare is because of the low cost to the manufacturer. They’re in there to make the product feel moisturizing, lubricating and protective, but in reality, petroleum based skincare products and ingredients do your skin more harm than good.

Why Natural REALLY Matters

Posted by RainShadow Labs on 9/12/2017 to Lifestyle

Some people believe natural matters, some people don’t. Some people don’t care, and some people can’t even agree on what “natural” really means! The truth is, while everyone will have their own opinion and beliefs, there are certain things that point to natural and organic skincare being superior to chemical laden, artificial ingredient filled skincare products. And among all those things, perhaps the most convincing is this: the results actually garnered from using those products.