Essential oils are not really oily at all, and are liquids that are distilled from some element of a plant such as leaves or flowers. There are many different types of essential oils and they can be used for a variety of purposes. Below are some great ideas on how to use essential oils:

The latest craze in hair care for both men and women, which is very popular in the paleo community, is to stop using traditional shampoos and conditioners. This is usually referred to as the "no-poo" (no shampoo) method. The thought process behind this movement is that most of the beauty products on the market contain harmful chemicals, and that what we put ON our body is equally as important as what we put IN it.

Advocates of the no-poo method maintain that you can keep your hair clean and healthy without using traditional forms of shampoo. There are a variety of popular methods being used, some of which are listed below. You should asses your own hair type and determine which method might work best for you, as different methods work better for different people. It does take a few weeks for your scalp to stop producing the normal oils and to adjust to these new methods, so you may need to hide out for a little while or wear your hair back if possible. Some people also prefer to transition slowly into the "no-poo" method by starting out using a castile soap, which contains no detergents or foaming agents, and then gradually moving to one of the methods listed below.

Below are some popular No-Poo options:

What does dry skin brushing have to do with paleo? It another way to make your  body feel great! Dry skin brushing is something I have been doing for quite some time. It involves taking a dry brush and rubbing it over your skin (hence the name!). This is generally done right before a shower, starting at the feet and working your way up. It is important that both the brush and your skin be dry when you do this. 

There are a lot of claims to what it can do for you body, such as reduce cellulite, increase circulation and rid your body of toxins. I don't know if any of that is true or not, but I enjoy doing it every morning because it helps me feel more awake and makes my skin soft. It is like giving yourself a mini-massage and it does feel like your body is more energized afterwards (maybe that is the enhanced blood circulation? hmmmm). 

Here are some tips on dry brushing:
 
1. Do it first thing in the morning, and keep your brush right next to the shower so you don't forget. 
2. Start at your feet and brush in long upward strokes towards your heart. Do the same along your arms and all the way to the top of your neck.
3. Brush your stomach area in a clockwise circular motion
4. Press a little harder on the areas where the skin is thicker and softer on the more delicate skin
5. Make sure to shower afterwards to remove any excess dead skin cells that are hanging around

Do you use dry brushing and if so how does it work for you? Let us know!