All of our containers are designed to be reused and recycled. We put effort into exploring innovative options to our current recycled plastics and glass, and push the boundaries with our suppliers. Once promising trials of plastic-like containers made from seaweed or other alternatives are more durable, we might be able to release some of our footprint concerns. 

Until then, we use glass jars for our creams and balms and would love to carry all of our products in glass, however the energy that goes into making glass as opposed to plastic has a larger environmental impact, including the transportation footprint. Glass is also greater in volume and weight, requiring extensive packing for protection. 

Creating glass is unfortunately energy intensive, though it suggests that it is a far kinder ecological choice than plastic. Glass is durable and has longevity, allowing it to be reusable. It’s quick and easy to clean and lends itself well to recycling, boosting its environmental credentials.

The most commonly recycled plastic is HDPE, which is our main plastic player, is considered to be one of the safest forms of plastic and simple to recycle. We passionately point out that our plastic containers are not to be compared with single-use plastic bottles that sadly end up in the landfill or the ocean.

When plastic is responsibly recycled and repurposed, the problem decreases significantly. The process of creating a plastic bottle is far less intensive than producing glass, and metal for that matter, resulting in a far smaller carbon footprint. Carbon being one of the largest contributors to global warming.

As we put high integrity into handpicking our herbs, we parallel that thoughtfulness when it comes to our container choices. Alongside encouraging our customers to reduce, reuse and recycle. We offer our body and hair products in 1000 ml, which lends itself to a reduction of containers and can be transferred into smaller containers for travel. In Iceland, we offer refill service and it is our goal to extend that service internationally.

That’s our two krónas in protecting the earth and oceans, while honoring uninterrupted views of the horizon.

The ideology behind Sóley Organics is that our products are food for your skin, so we only use the best and cleanest raw ingredients. Just like you would with the food you eat.

When I looked at the ingredients that I wanted to use for my first organic moisturizer almost 10 years ago, I searched high and low for the best oils that you could get for the skin. The end result after many tests and trials, was Eygló moisturizer, which is in my mind still the best organic/natural moisturizer you can find. 

A masters thesis* done in University of Iceland a few years ago, showed how strong Eygló was in comparison with other similar moisturizers on the market at the time. See image below, Eygló is the top line in providing moisture for the skin.

Clean skin is also the basis of beautiful skin. It is not enough to apply moisture, you have to use gentle but powerful cleansers to maintain your skins natural oils, but cleanse away the daily dirt from our environment. Hrein cleansing lotion contains the same types of oils as Eygló, is a great cleanser for face and eyes, without being too aggressive and drying out the skin as many cleansers do.

However, I also believe that clean skin comes from within. What you eat and drink influences your skin greatly. The importance of drinking water can never be repeated enough. Staying hydrated and making sure to keep moisture in the skin, makes it appear more plump and less wrinkled.

Clean and good food is an important factor in enhancing radiant and beautiful skin. 

Fish that is high in fatty acids like halibut, wild salmon and herring are important power foods. Cod liver is of course famous for it's fatty oils that are great for us.

Other great sources of glow from within and power food that I love are: Olive oils, avocados, broccoli, red beats, sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, walnuts, sunflower seeds, red wine and chocolate. 

Recipe for a gorgeous bowl of goodness.

Rice base:

1 cup rice (jasmine)

2 cups water

200 ml Whitewine vinegar

1 tbsp Sugar

1 tsp Salt

Topping:

500 gr Salmon

2 Avocado

30 gr. Coriander (Cilantro)

2 tbsp Sesame seeds

2 Spring onions

On the side:

Wasabi and Soy sauce 

Method:

Rice and 2 cups of water boiled for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and leave the pot with lid on for 10 more minutes.

Heat up white wine vinegar, sugar and salt to pour over the rice once they are ready.  

Cut the salmon, avocado into thin slices, then chop the spring onion and coriander.

Lightly roast the sesame seeds.

Plate up:

Put the rice in a bowl and place the salmon and avocado on top of the rice. Garnish with coriander and spring onions. Lastly sprinkle with sesame seeds and flavour with Wasabi and Soy sauce.

Enjoy!

Soley

xxx

*"Determination of hydrating effects of moisturizing
creams containing Icelandic plant extracts" - by Þórdís Þorvarðardóttir

To be grateful...

I find Thanksgiving to be a beautiful tradition, especially the idea of looking back and reviewing what we have to give thanks for.

I do have many thanks to give. My wonderful big and loud family, my home, a beautiful 115-year-old house in the oldest part of Hafnarfjörður where I live, all the great and crazy friends I have and finally my good health. As I get older, my health has become increasingly important to me. Your health can really stop you in your tracks if you don’t take care of yourself.

In October I made the decision to start training for a challenge called Landvættir (translates to Guardians of the Land). A race which you have to finish within 12 months to earn the honorable title of a Guardian. 

It starts in May and every sport is in a different part of Iceland. First there is a 50 km of cross-country skiing in the Western fjords, then a 60 km mountain bike race in the Southwest (the Reykjanes peninsula) in June, a 2,5 km swim in a cold lake called Urridavatn in the East in July and in august the last race is a 33 km off road mountain run in the North of Iceland.

I have started the training and it means that I have to do some outdoor movement at least 6 days a week and my body is really feeling it, in a good way. It just means that I've been moving more than I'm used to and I'm grateful for the feeling that I have a healthy and strong body. And of course the best thing for the stiff body is a long warm bath after a scrub of Mjúk Body Scrub, which is full of Epsom salts, almond oil and frankincense essential oil and of course a lot of our wonderful herb extracts.

I saw the following shared  on Facebook and thought it was quite fitting.

Be grateful for…

1. Early wake ups = Children to love

2. House to clean = Safe place to live

3. Laundry = Clothes to wear

4. Dirty dishes = Food to eat

5. Crumbs under the table = Family meals

6. Shopping to do = Money to use

7. Toilets to clean = Indoor pluming

8. Lots of noise = People in my life

9. Endless questions about homework = kid´s brains growing

10. Sore and tired to bed = I´m still alive

I am happy to say that I have all this to be grateful for.

With love

Sóley

xxx

Read more