Essano Eye Cream: Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Cetearyl Olivate, Glycerin, Lysolecithin, Sclerorium Gum, Xanthan Gym, Pullulan, Fucus Vesiculosus (Ocean Algae) Extract, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Healianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Laurate, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium Glutamate, Diacetate, Lactic Acid. 98.2% of the total ingredients are from natural origin. *Ingredients are from organic farming.
Mumma J’s Green Tea Eye Cream: Matcha Green Tea, Almond Oil, Shea Butter
Glow Lab Facial Mist Toner: Water (Aqua), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Propanediol, Leptospermum Scoparium (manuka) Oil, Kunzea Ericoides (Kanuka) Oil, Bisabolol, Singiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract (SymRelief100), Matricaria Recutita (German Chamomile) Oil, Perlargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Flower Oil, Polysorbate-20, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ctronellol, Gerniol, Linalool.
Mumma J’s Facial Toner: Non-Alcoholic Witch Hazel, Vitamin E, Essential Oils.
Sukin Signature Facial Moisturiser: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadenisis Leaf Juice, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil (Rosehip), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Equisetum Arvense Extract (Horsetail), Arctium Lappa Root Extract (Burdock), Urtica Dioica (nettle) Leaf Extract, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolio (Lavender) Oil, Vanillin, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene*, Linalool*. *Natural component of essential oils.
Mumma J’s Facial Moisturiser: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Frankincense and Lavender Essential Oils.
Bio-Oil: Paraffinum Liquidum, Triisononanoin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, Ci 26100
Mumma J’s My Oil: Rosehip Oil, Tamanu Oil, Essential Oils.
There are a few people who believe that chemical preservatives are required in order to make it safe to use. Artificial additions are only required in water-based products, otherwise, they would quickly become mould, bacteria or microbial growth – not healthy for your skin.
If your skin has been battered trying various products that are “natural” and you haven’t seen improvement, try Mumma J’s, but give it some time. Nothing is an instant fix, no matter what the marketing campaigns say. Most ingredients in this kind of product are diluted to make them cost-effective and have complex chemicals added to increase their shelf life.
Mumma J’s natural skincare is neither expensive nor complicated, but it does deserve time and to be used in conjunction with looking after yourself. Skin is the largest organ of the human body, and it reflects your overall health – this means other factors are involved – diet, exercise, stress, pollution, hydration, and sleep. Therefore, Mumma J’s skincare is more about being kind to yourself.
We’re also very pleased to offer FREE SHIPPING! So save yourself a trip to the supermarket and stock up the cupboard ready for a Summer of natural skincare.
A 60+ year old woman in the Bay of Plenty attended her regular mammogram. She knew that most breast cancers occur in women over 50 years of age. Something very small showed up. It was removed and a few radiation treatments later it’s all gone. This one was so mild that she doesn’t like to call it the big C, so she refers to it as having abnormal cells – because she has heard the horror stories of women who don’t check and don’t discover.
Another woman in her 50s had a lump that grew to four times its size in the space of a few weeks. She endured surgery for a mastectomy – the removal of the entire breast. Once recovered another surgery was had to rebuild her breasts using implants and muscles taken from her back. Unfortunately, there were infections and the whole experience was a very drawn-out ordeal.
Lumps can be found that aren’t cancer called fibroadenoma (fy-broe-ad-uh-no-muh). It happens most often between ages 15 and 35. The cause is not known, but suggestions include alcohol, smoking and stress. One such woman in her 20s has been dealing with multiple lumps. She gets checks regularly to keep track of them and ensure nothing changes. Over time they have dissipated (likely as hormones reduce).
The message is clear. To avoid the “big C”, perform TLC on your own breasts. There’s no ‘right’ way to check your breasts. It’s just important to know your normal and check regularly for any unusual changes. The best time to do a self-check is usually the week after your period, when your breasts aren’t as tender or lumpy.
TOUCH: self-checking is about feeling for changes that aren’t normal for you. This may be a lump, thickened area, or anything that feels totally different from any other area in your breasts.
LOOK: this is a very important part of checking your breasts as some breast cancers are detected by visual signs such as skin changes, change in shape, new nipple inversion, dimpling on the skin or crusting on the nipple. Be aware of any discharge coming from the nipple (without squeezing).
CHECK: it can be scary to find a change that doesn’t feel or look normal, but it’s important to get any concerning signs checked out by your GP, even if you’ve had a mammogram recently.
Not sure how to check on your own breasts? The Breast Cancer Foundation NZ has produced a video to show you how.
Breastscreen Aotearoa provides free mammograms for women with no symptoms of breast cancer, between the ages of 45-69, every two years. You can read more about their process here. This is how Julie found out about her breast cancer and because she did, she is now cancer free.
One thing many breast cancer survivors have in common is caring about what they put on and in their bodies. This is how Mumma J’s was started – with her My Oil product that helps heal scarring, reduces lines and helps prevent the build-up of scar tissue.
Julie Holder – Mumma J’s
]]>The title ‘Mumma J’s Baby Bedtime Lotion’ might imply that it’s for babies, but it’s actually suitable for all ages. It uses a common ingredient found in other relaxing balms – Lavender. Lavender affects the parasympathetic nervous system which controls bodily processes associated with anxiety, such as heart rate, breathing rhythm and hormone secretion. Lavender helps in regulating these bodily processes by restoring a neutral state.
When my grandson Elliot (pictured right) was ten months old, he would get ‘upset’ (as babies do), and I’d rub him down with the balm and it would calm him right down. It’s also a balm I use on myself – I put it on my neck and décolletage – the oil absorbs into my skin which means I’m also inhaling it. It absolutely promotes inner calmness.
I don’t recommend putting essential oils straight onto your skin because you won’t know if you’re allergic or sensitive until it’s too late. And it is possible to be around it, inhaling it for the longest time – and yet, you may discover that you’re sensitive to it once you put it directly on your skin.
So, if you have a baby, child, stressed Mum, or adult having difficulty with bedtime or getting to sleep, Mumma J’s Baby Bedtime Lotion could be the most natural solution. Sometimes the act of massaging it in does the trick – it’ll calm the giver and receiver of the massage.
If your sleeping issues persist, you can contact Healthline for free on 0800 611 116 any time of the day or night for advice, no matter how small the issue.
]]>Being planet friendly always results in a good feeling, and with reduced packaging, you’ll be contributing to a better future. Our bars are wrapped – no plastic bottles. Shockingly, more than a million plastic bottles are bought around the world every single minute!
Shampoo and conditioner bars are more concentrated than traditional liquids, so you use less, and they last longer. Our bars sud up right away, so by applying directly to your hair, you only use what you need.
When it comes to travel, you don’t have to worry about leakage or liquid restrictions. You can also use the bars to clean your body, pets or even clothes while camping or travelling – a multi-purpose product. The conditioning bar can also be used as an in-shower moisturiser.
Of course, the most important reason to switch to our shampoo and conditioning bars is that they clean and moisturise your hair using natural products.
Traditional products can strip your hair and scalp of their natural moisture, and then leave a chemical residue that can itch or make the scalp overproduce its natural oils.
With our bars (which are for all hair types), you will notice a difference when your hair is back to its original, shiny, and voluminous state. After regular use, you won’t need to use them as often. Many shampoos can dry your scalp causing irritation. Our combination of oils doesn’t prevent this with everybody, but it reduces it.
Let me break it down for you. You can’t make soap without using lye/caustic soda, it’s what sets it. Back in the day, they would use pot ash from wood, now it’s on the label as Sodium Hydroxide. It’s also used in rayon, paper, products that explode dyes and petroleum products.
Our shampoo bars use olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, distilled water, and lye. There’s no perfume, just the natural scent of the oils.
My granddaughter’s hair is washed with the shampoo bar, she has thick hair. As a pre-teen, she used to have a greasy scalp, but this bar has reduced that a lot.
Our conditioning bars use cocoa butter, argan oil and rape seed oil. It’s really only for people with long hair, and it should only be put on the length – not the scalp. It reduces tangles and dry ends by keeping it nourished and is anti-static and softening. You can leave it on or rinse it off, whatever works best for you.
]]>Acne can take its toll on self-esteem and quality of life and can even lead to depression and psychological issues. Boys with severe acne have an even higher likelihood than girls to have suicidal thoughts compared to their respective peers. Not something to be swept under the carpet and told, “everyone gets it, you’ll grow out of it.”
As adults, we all know that good skincare and hygiene are essential to even begin dealing with acne. But of course, any teenager who needs reminding about hygiene might perceive it as criticism or nagging. Here are the basics;
Unfortunately, there is also adult acne – also called post-adolescent acne. It can be persistent and is more common among women – up to 15% of the population. It tends to be mild to moderate, results in large pores and is more common in people with olive skin.
Acne develops when sebum (an oily substance that naturally lubricates your hair and skin) and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can then trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) oil is the closest natural match to our skin, and in fact, is not actually an oil. Other skin care oils such as coconut, avocado and grapeseed and triglycerides. Jojoba is a wax ester, which makes a huge difference when using it on your skin. It’s lighter, less greasy, and more stable (other oils can quickly go rancid) meaning a longer shelf life.
Being the closest thing out there to our skin’s own oil, Jojoba acts and functions like sebum. It balances the oil in the skin, rather than adding oil to it. So, it doesn’t clog pores or cause acne, it adds moisture where it's needed and can also help reduce excess oil production. Put another way, it tricks your face into thinking it’s produced enough sebum, so it stops and then normalises.
Jojoba oil has soothing anti-inflammatory agents, healing properties, and is a natural antimicrobial – these properties can help you avoid breakouts as well as promote healing for acne.
Mumma J’s Night Oil was originally created from a question asked at the market stall, “Do you have a liquid, oil-based night moisturiser?” And is now the ‘must have’ best product for skin. It hydrates skin and helps to reduce shine and pore size. It’s not heavy, absorbs quickly but doesn’t leave it feeling dry and like it has elasticity in it.
Night Oil contains the essential oils Geranium, Helichrysum and Frankincense. A synergistic blend that is best for skin.
Helichrysum has anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties that are useful in healing skin. It contains an anti-inflammatory substance called arzanol, which plays a part in healing wounds.
Frankincense evens out skin tone and reduces the appearance of age spots. A natural astringent, it helps regulate sebum, remove excess oil, and tightens skin – great for large pores.
Mumma J’s offer two oil products for skin care and the difference between Night Oil and My Oil is simple; Night Oil is Jojoba oil-based and My Oil is Rosehip and Tamanu oil-based (you can read about My Oil here).
]]>However, excessive licking can lead to irritation and pave the way for infection.
At night, we put a fine layer of the healing balm (pet-version) on it at night. When the time came to take the stitches out, the vet was amazed at how well it had healed.
The human version of the Healing Balm has essential oils Tea Tree and Lemon. Unfortunately, these are toxic to cats and dogs, so the pet version has the essential oils left out. Whilst is known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, Tea Tree should never be used on pets – as little as 10-20ml has resulted in severe poisoning and/or death. Too much lemon can irritate your pet’s stomach to the high levels of Citric Acid.
Moose, a Spaniel puppy who is very food-focused, had a rash on his tummy. Over a period of three weeks, we put the pet-version Healing Balm on whilst he was eating – a great distraction, and by the time he’d finished, the balm had soaked into the skin.
My daughter-in-law’s dog Leo is nearly 15 years old and had a very cracked nose. Alas, the pet-version of the Healing Balm didn’t work on him, but I had given her some Nipple Balm when she was breastfeeding a few years ago. We tried some of it on Leo’s cracked nose and it worked! It kept his nose moist whilst it healed up. It's now available as a 'Dog Nose & Paw Balm'.
The original version of the Healing Balm is for human use. It’s been known to heal Eczema, Psoriasis, cuts, cold sores, burns, hives, and itchy bites (serves as an ideal antihistamine replacement). It contains Tamanu Oil which comes from the Pacific Islands (a large evergreen plant native to tropical Asia) and is very similar to Kawakawa Oil (a New Zealand endemic plant). I did plenty of research and Tamanu was the one that kept popping up in the results for so many cures. It is an antineuralgic, which counteracts sharp nerve pain.
Calendula Oil is also on the ingredients list. A double whammy because it is also used in extreme healing. It’s extracted from Marigold flowers and has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It is infused into Sunflower Oil – because we’re using the petals of the flower, they must be soaked in oil to draw it out.
The most common ingredient in our products is Coconut Oil because after all my research it was the one thing that worked for everything (unless of course, you have a nut allergy – in which case, talk with me and we’ll see what we can do). It soothes and reduces inflammation, is antibacterial and antifungal and quite simply, takes the itch out of itchy bites.
The human version of the Healing Balm (as mentioned above) has essential oils Lemon and Tea Tree. Some people swear by Lemon essential oil as an ingredient that fights exhaustion, helps with depression, clears your skin, kills harmful viruses and bacteria, and reduces inflammation. Medical literature is just starting to catch up. And Tea Tree oil is commonly used to treat acne, superficial skin infections, athlete’s foot, lice, nail fungus and insect bites.
We have the human-version, the pet-version and a lip balm stick available for purchase.
It was daunting and numbing. I remember thinking, “Now I understand how people feel when they are told they have this ugly thing growing inside of them”. I was angry, I was scared, I was worried for my husband and my children – how would they cope with all of this? It made me realise that I wasn’t immortal. I did ask the big “Why me?” question, but I’ve never had the answer to that one. I just wanted this blackness out of me, and I remember the time between seeing the surgeon and having the surgery felt like forever.
Once the surgery was done then it’s the wait for the results. The not knowing how bad this thing is. Then there was the relief that it was gone and that I didn’t need chemo and that I just needed to take some pills every day. I consider myself extremely lucky compared to other ladies.
Having cancer made me re-evaluate things and I realised that I wanted to spend quality time with my children and grandchildren. I also wanted to grow Mumma Js as it is my passion and my happy place. I learned who my “real” friends were – this was a huge thing for me as the people I thought were there to support me – weren’t, so I had to close those doors and move on.
The big “C” is never far from my thoughts. Most days I can keep the thoughts of “what happens if it comes back” at bay but there are times when it still overwhelms me. Especially around the time of my yearly check-up. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore and look for the positive in every situation. I’ve also learned to listen to my body – when it tells me to stop, I stop.
My surgeon had recommended Bio Oil and Rosehip Oil to help with the scarring. Because I had taken an interest in healing and reducing scar tissue, I developed a cream that turned into oil, to not only help other women scarred from mastectomies, but also for others with scars resulting from burns or other accidents.
I used Rosehip Oil because it contains carotenoids which help keep your skin fresh and healthy by creating new skin cells. It also contains vitamin F which helps to trap moisture in your skin and is a natural retinol – the kind of vitamin A your skin doesn’t have to convert to make use of its ability to smooth rough and bumpy skin textures.
Adding Tamanu Oil was a no-brainer, it comes from the Pacific Islands (a large evergreen plant native to tropical Asia) and is very similar to Kawakawa Oil (a New Zealand endemic plant). I did plenty of research and Tamanu was the one that kept popping up in the results for so many cures. It is an antineuralgic, which also counteracts sharp nerve pain.
Essential oils Frankincense, Geranium, and Helichrysum are included, and the synergistic blend works wonders.
Frankincense: used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it appears to offer certain health benefits such as reducing inflammation and is rumoured to have compounds that may help kill cancer cells and prevent tumours from spreading (more research needs to be done).
Geranium: derived by steam distillation of the leaves of a plant native to South Africa, researchers have examined the benefits including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent properties.
Helichrysum: the oil can be found in all green parts of the Helichrysum Italicum plant and studies have suggested that it can help promote healing, fight infection, and reduce inflammation.
I used it on my scars – which were quite tender to begin with, so gently massaged the oil into my suture lines. Once the tenderness reduced, I massaged with a bit more pressure. The action of massaging moves the scar tissue around which stops it from building up, breaking it down, and dissolving it into the bloodstream. I’m not scientific enough to explain how or why it does what it does, but my surgeon was amazed at the results. It put my healing 4-6 weeks ahead of where he thought it should’ve been. After four months I stopped using it because there wasn’t any scar tissue remaining.
More recently, I also had surgery to reconstruct my thumb to remove arthritis. The joints were cleaned up and part of the tendon from the arm was used as a cushion between the joints. This is a story in pictures of one of the scars and the healing process using Mumma J’s My Oil every day over three weeks.
There is no scar tissue at all – in fact, during the process, the oil relieved the ‘pulling’ of scar tissue. You can see the redness reducing and the scar is now barely visible. I would massage the oil into the suture lines every day.
And it didn’t just work for me, many customers have raved about the results. A lady had Lupis scarring on her face – it was a bad rash that made it look like she had burn scarring across her nose. She started using My Oil once a day as a facial moisturiser. Four months later it, and the redness was gone – people were asking what she had done because her face had changed so much.
Here is a surgery scar from one of my customers spanning over three months with the use of My Oil.
I call it ‘My Oil’ because dealing with scars of any kind is personal and I wanted this product to feel personal to those using it. It works on new scars, old scars, and stretch marks – reducing scar tissue and redness. How? It’s the ingredients and the synergy created when they’re blended and massaged in.
]]>Not dissimilar to the side effects of gardening... soil can be abrasive and if you don’t wear gloves, little particles of dirt and plant matter damage the protective top layer of skin, leaving it vulnerable to moisture loss. Even if you do wash your hands, scrubbing with soap adds to the issue.
Your skin has three layers: The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone. The dermis, beneath, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles and sweat glands. The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.
Using sanitiser and enjoying gardening leads to the same results – leeching all the moisture out of your hands and damaging the outermost layer of skin.
The first product I created was a hand lotion (you can read about the beginning here) and over time, this lotion repairs the outer layer and helps to rebuild your natural barrier to lock moisture in.
Other lotions I’ve tried leave a surface film on your hands, which, even though it does create a barrier, it’s not skin deep, and it isn’t a nice feeling. My recipe uses Shea Butter – it’s very nourishing and traps the moisture further down in the layers. Over time, you can use it less and less because it’s repaired the natural barrier your body produces.
Frankincense Oil is used in my hand lotion – Egyptians used it in perfumes and salves for soothing skin. It comes from a resin in the Boswellia tree and offers anti-inflammatory effects that may help to reduce join inflammation caused by arthritis.
Another ingredient is Jojoba Oil which is extremely nourishing and is the closest oil to mimic the natural oils your skin produces. It can be effective in treating acne, eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis.
However, it’s not the ingredients on their own that get the results, together they create a synergistic blend. It’s quite firm in the jar (the beeswax stops it from turning to liquid in the heat), and you only need the size of your little fingernail to cover your nails, hands, and wrists.
It’s one of my top sellers and everyone who buys it keeps coming back to buy more.]]>I’m in this business because I love helping people, it’s in my nature and I can’t turn it off. Those in my closest circles (and my own experience) have had such great results and feedback on my products, that I want everyone to experience the same.
Natural ingredients can help protect against the sun and soothe irritated skin. Our skin is very absorbent, and chemical toxins can be destructive. It’s important to read the labels and understand what you are putting into your body. Natural and organic skincare products have stood the test of time and is often a matter of finding the one that works for you.
I have a customer who purchased healing balm late last year to help a rash on her face. She came back to me earlier this month and said she was loving the results. She then said she had another problem she wanted me to help her with. She explained her symptoms and after a check on Google, I gave her a small jar of Bedtime Balm and some Tea Tree Essential Oil. She told me she is so pleased with the results when using Mumma J’s products, she won't go anywhere else now.
They say that there’s evidence that altruism is hardwired in the brain – and it’s pleasurable. Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier, but also healthier, wealthier, more productive, and meaningful. My passion for helping is the foundation of the Mumma J’s brand.
That’s why my product range keeps growing – because someone will talk to me about an issue they’re having, and if I don’t have something already in the range, then I’ll think about creating something new.
Personally, I have survived breast cancer and it has made me even more conscious of what not only what I’m putting in my own body, but what I recommend to my family. My values are firmly centred around health and family – so everyday this business is fulfilling those values.
Some of my products came from the cancer experience, like ‘My Oil’ for scars, scar tissue, burns and stretch marks. But the biggest result of that experience was realising that my children and my grandchildren are my world. I want to be there for them, hang out with them and be needed by them whenever I can.
]]>I had just come back from nine weeks of travelling around the world (which was mind blowing). I made sure my fellow employees were set up for success before I left – which was a lot of extra hard work and unpaid hours to get everything to a place where I would not be needed. Upon my return, I had an appraisal with my boss, and it did not go well. I felt so unappreciated. I went home, cried, and drank wine with one my daughters. It was a conversation that night that changed my life for the better.
My daughter pointed out that I have always been interested in ‘health stuff’ – aware of what I ate, what I put on my skin and what I returned to the planet. I have sensitive skin and can’t wear product with SPF in it, so had already investigated alternatives and was using coconut oil as an alternative.
Thirty years ago, I completed a certificate in aromatherapy. I was at the time, planning to go into body massage, but the knowledge gained then has been integral to the recipes I use in my products. The range of essential oils nowadays is massive compared to when I started, but I keep up with the new research – what the health benefits are, what can be used as fragrances, etc.
She mentioned coconut oil and its health benefits. I was a runner at the time and while I enjoyed feeling healthy, I didn’t enjoy the smell that came afterwards. I research Coconut Oil and made a deodorant that worked extremely well – I won’t use anything else now.
The conversation ended with an encouragement to make more of my own products and share them. The next day I experimented with creating my very own moisturiser. The goal is always to keep my recipes as simple as possible to reduce reactions (I only have five or six ingredients at the most).
Through conversation, people at my work discovered what I was doing and would share with me various issues that they were having with reactions or sensitivities. I would develop recipes for them, they’d try them and would be very pleased with the results and tell their family and friends. Since then, the product range and customers have grown.
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