Balsam fir, a fragrant evergreen tree native to North America that offers a variety of benefits. Communities have long used balsam fir for medicinal purposes like teas made from boiled balsam fir needles that are rich in vitamin C traditionally used to combat colds and sore throats. It’s also made into a thick, sticky resin, was used to heal wounds.
Today, many associate the scent of Balsam Fir with Christmas, but Balsam Fir is also used for several modern uses like essential oil. The essential oils are also known as aroma therapy. We are happy to introduce you to Owl In A Towel, a wisely crafted, sustainable personal care brand that uses Balsam Fir and other natural elements in their synthetic-free and cruelty-free products. The March Box has a rich, nourishing, and fast-absorbing hand cream that you will love. This Balsam Fir Hand Cream will help you say goodbye to raw chapped hands and wrists from either too much hot water use or too many drying alcohols in hand sanitizers. It will restore moisture without leaving hands greasy.
How did Owl In A Towel get it’s start?
Since the early 1990s, I’ve always had an interest in natural beauty. In 2019, I decided to take a break from my line of work (politics and government) to stay home with my toddler. I was changing so many diapers all over the place and wished there was a synthetic-free hand sanitizer gel. This was pre-Covid. I felt like I could work with a lab to formulate one, so I did! People have really liked our hand sanitizer, which is contained in bottles made from recycled water bottles. It’s got a pop of pure citrus smell and doesn’t dry out your hands. Plus, it doesn’t have a bunch of unnecessary, junky ingredients added to it. Our hand sanitizer is currently sold out, but we’ll go back into production in the autumn. That’s how the owl took flight!
What inspired the name Owl in the Towel?
The owl is my spirit animal! I’m also hyper-vigilant and always aware of my surroundings. I channel that focus into sourcing great ingredients, formulating effectively and choosing packaging that’s earth-conscious. And, the owl is in a towel to emphasize that self-care is wise. For many of us, closing that bathroom door and having a few moments of peace to take a shower or apply a skincare routine is important self-care.
What are the key ingredients in the Balsam Fir Hand Cream?
The key ingredients in the hand cream include: Shea Butter, Olive Oil derivatives, Glycerin, Coco Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Aloe Vera and Allantoin.
What are the benefits of Balsam Fir?
Balsam Fir is very invigorating, and stress-relieving. It’s quite difficult to come across skincare that has a freshly cut Christmas tree smell without using synthetics.
Why did you select an essential oil as part of your ingredients?
I think a positive fragrance experience is a great aspect of applying a skincare product. However, far too many products use unsafe fragrance, “aroma” and a host of other unhealthy scents. Of course, using synthetic fragrances is much cheaper than using essential oil, but one of the main reasons I launched Owl in a Towel, was to elevate ingredient standards. It’s much more difficult to land on essential oils that are fragrant, safe and non-irritating vs artificial fragrances, but we’ve done it here and I’m proud of the result.
How important are essential oils?
Essential oils are a complex topic. Each one has a different composition and use. Each of our products features at least one essential oil instead of using unhealthy perfumes and synthetic fragrances. I chose specific essential oils on account of their special properties. Bergamot is uplifting. Our hand soap uses organic lemongrass essential oil, because it’s very grounding. These are high-grade essential oils, so each application is a dose of aromatherapy. Essential oils have the power to positively impact you via scent, so I thought that was an effort worth making.
Is this hand cream for all skin types?
Absolutely! People with sensitive skin and eczema especially love our hand cream because it’s not irritating. And, this hand cream can really be used anywhere on the body, including the neck, arms, legs and feet.
What other fragrances do you offer?
Our hand cream is currently available in balsam fir. Our hand soap features organic lemongrass essential oil, and our Bergamot Deodorant Cream contains bergaptene-free bergamot oil. That means that even though it’s a citrus essential oil, it won’t cause sun sensitivity because that compound has been removed from the oil. Our soon to be released face oil has a lovely, fresh and botanical, green smell on account of the petit grain essential oil in the formula.
What other products from Owl In A Towel can you suggest to our subscribers?
I think your subscribers will love our Bergamot Deodorant Cream. It’s an aluminum-free, non-toxic deodorant that applies with a mess-free applicator directly on to underarms. The scent is a mild, neutral citrus scent which fades soon after applying. It’s contained in a squeezable tube made from recyclable sugar cane resin. Most deodorant containers can’t even be recycled.
Talk about your sustainability efforts?
All of our products are made in the USA and we aim to source as many components from the USA as possible. None of our products use virgin plastic like the majority of skincare brands. All of our packaging is recyclable or compostable and either made from recycled materials or sugar cane resin instead of fossil fuel-based plastic.
What’s next for Owl In A Towel?
I’m excited to share that Owl in a Towel will soon be releasing a Renewing Bakuchiol Night Oil! This formula was years in the making and contains a unique blend of 100% organic oils, including plum oil, shea nut oil and camellia oil, as well as actives which are retinoid alternatives to boost collagen. The face oil will be released by approximately the beginning of the summer.
Each of our subscribers who get the March Box will get a travel size of Balsam Fir Hand Cream. What is the one thing you want them to know?
Read the labels for every skincare product you put on your body. Whatever you put on your skin is absorbed into your body. If you don’t know what an ingredient is, quickly look it up before making a purchase. Owl in a Towel exists so you can use our products and have confidence that we’ve done the ingredient research for you. Enjoy!