Avocado - Not Just For Guacamole

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well and you had a fabulous Easter weekend! We had a fun filled weekend of volleyball and I am still looking for the driver of the Mack truck that mowed me over. I have finally come to the realization I am no longer a spring chicken. Not really sure if it was the split dive or the hard landing on my rear that gave me the epiphany but I'm a believer now!


Avocado oil is a fabulous ingredient pressed from the pulp surrounding the seed and has been used in skin treatments for centuries due to its therapeutic properties rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B5 (Pantothenic Acid - which has an effect on healing wounds), vitamins D and E, protein, minerals, lecithin and fatty acids.

Avocado oil has moisturizing, healing and regenerating properties and it is a penetrating nutrient for dry skin. It is great for soothing sensitive skin, treating minor skin irritations, aids in keeping skin smooth and moist and is a preferred oil for products used by suffers of eczema and psoriasis.

You can find avocado oil in our Cocoa Mint Scrub and the new products coming soon, which will include face, body and hair care. Also, let's not forget that avocados make a mean batch of guacamole and are fabulous in a California Sushi Roll!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a fabulous day!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Spearmint is an Oxymoron?

Hey Y'all!!

I hope this post finds you doing well. The weather is actually looking good in my neck of the woods and I don't want to talk about it much. I am afraid if I say too much, the sunny skies and warm temperatures will disappear. Enough said.

Spearmint is a fabulous aroma and I use it a good bit while formulating Cactus & Ivy cruelty-free goodies. During a massage, I love the intense aroma of Mint Jasmine. It has a rich, floral burst with a sweet blast of mint that immediately relaxes me while also invigorating my senses. Is that an Oxymoron? Anywho.

Spearmint oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the mentha viridis plant and grows well in most climates but prefers partial shade. Believed to be an excellent oil for alleviating fatigue and depression, it can be used at bedtime to promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that spearmint oil is an Oxymoron in itself. It is an uplifting yet calming oil.

You can find spearmint oil in our Spearcalyptus Body Soap, Cocoa Mint Scrub, Moisture Body Lotion, Mint Lip Service Lip Balm and Body Bath & Massage Elixir. Yep, as you can see, I like spearmint!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a great day!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Macadamia Nut Oil

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. It's one week until Christmas.....are you ready? You better get ready because Santa will be here!!

Today I am talking about Macadamia Nut Oil. I love to eat Macadamia's and the way the oil feels on my skin!


Macadamia Nut Oil (INCI: Macadamia Ternifolia) is a very cosmetically stable oil with a high content of palmitoleic acid, is an effective anti-oxidant and it penetrates and hydrates the skin. It is suitable for all skin types but is particularly good for mature or dry skin because of its high percentage of palmitoleic acid. The palmitoleic acid protects the skin just like human sebum, which is the oil naturally produced by the skin to protect it. This oil has been used successfully in treating sunburn, minor wounds, healing scars and other skin irritations.


Macadamia Nut Oil is native to Australia and grows in the sub-tropical forests of Southeast Queensland and Northeast New South Wales. The kernel is contained in a hard brown shell with a green outer husk. It has a low rancidity (the oxidation of fats), naturally contains tocopherols (anti-oxidants), is expeller pressed from the meat of the nut. It also contains a 1:1 ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which are essential to your health.

Used in cooking, Macadamia Nut Oil may reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and lower cholesterol levels because of its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, which is found in avocados and nuts. And, Macadamia nuts are great right out of the bag as a snack, especially when they are covered in chocolate! Ooops, did I say that? Yummo!!


You can find Macadamia Nut Oil in our Butter Me Up Body Balm, Serene Face & Body Soap and Cocoa Mint Scrub. Give your skin a treat with cruelty free and vegan creations from Cactus & Ivy!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Jasmine Sambac Absolute

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you well and that you had a wonderful weekend! Today I am introducing you to one of my favorite oils - Jasmine Sambac!


Since ancient times, Jasmine has been referred to as the King of oils. Apparently, this is because Jasmine is the most masculine of all the floral oils. It takes 8,000 hand-picked blossoms to produce 1 gram or about 1 ml. of Jasmine Absolute.

Jasmine Sambac is an wonderfully intense aroma that is very floral, yet more masculine and musky than the Jasmine Grandiflorum. Generally, Jasmine Sambac works with all oils and is regarded as an aphrodisiac. It helps to round out scents, and tends to work well with other aphrodisiac oils, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood are two examples.

** Please note that all absolutes are extremely concentrated by nature. They should not be evaluated in this state unless you are accustomed to the undiluted fragrance. If trying absolutes for the first time, it is strongly recommend the oils be evaluated in dilution. Otherwise, the complexity of the fragrance - particularly the exotic and rare notes - become lost.



You can find Jasmine Sambac Absolute in our Mint Jasmine blend, which is used to scent our Cocoa Mint Scrub. Cactus & Ivy also offers the Mint Jasmine in our Moisture Body Lotion, Body Bath & Massage Elixir and Cactus Body Wash.

I love to receive a massage with our Mint Jasmine essential oil blend. It has a way of awakening my senses while keeping me completely relaxed and calm.

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Social Networking & Unrefined Shea Butter

Hey Y’all!

I hope this Tuesday morning brings great adventures and introductions to fabulous people! You are probably asking yourself what the title "Social Networking & Shea Butter" have to do with one another. On that note, I would like to discuss a little about Twitter and today's ingredient, Shea Butter.

Since joining this social network a few weeks back, I have been introduced to a wealth of fabulous people. I’ve met Soapmaker’s, Bath & Body Product Manufacturers, Small Biz & Packaging Guru’s, Graphic Artists, Bloggers galore, Kid Clothing Manufacturers, CEO’s of all walks of life and so many more. Variety is the spice of life!

My experience on Twitter has made me a better person for having connected with such a variety of creative people. Joining Twitter has also put a personal side to the business world for me. We are all human and just because you own a company, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun too. Life is short so make the best of it! And, I have picked up a few more "Guinea Chicks" to lend a hand with product feedback. To all my tweets……You Rock!

Now to today’s ingredient. Shea Butter - INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit

Our Unrefined, Fair Trade Shea Butter comes from seeds of wild shea trees scattered throughout the fields and forests of the wooded savanna in central and northern Togo. Unrefined Shea Butter contains an abundance of healing ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, proteins and a unique fatty acid profile, and is a superior active moisturizer. It enables your skin to absorb moisture from the air, and as a result, it becomes softer and stays moisturized for longer. In addition, Unrefined Shea Butter has natural sunscreen properties and anti-inflammatory agents. Unlike petroleum based moisturizers, shea butter actually restores the skins natural elasticity. Regular users of pure, unrefined shea butter notice softer, smoother, healthier skin. Shea butter has also been shown to help with skin conditions and ailments such as extreme dryness, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, skin allergies, fungal infections, blemishes, wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, scrapes, and more.You can find Unrefined Shea Butter in Cocoa Mint Scrub, Lip Service Lip Balm, Groovy Hemp Lip Balm & Butter Me Up Body Balm.

All for now my faithful readers. I must put the finishing touches on new products for Fall! Woo-hoo! I can't wait to introduce you to what's new in the Cactus & Ivy product line. Stay tuned and have a spectacular day!


Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy