There’s something special about Lanzarote. Maybe it’s the way it brings together landscapes like the Janubio Salt Flats and Timanfaya National Park’s lunar-like surfaces, or the fact that it’s one of only three places in the world where you can hear the earth “breathe”. However, as its inhabitants have demonstrated throughout history, Lanzarote’s greatest attribute is reinvention.
It’s in Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, where we find Naad, a harmonious space run by Dani and Natalia which pays homage to the island’s vibe.
Per Purr: You’re both immersed in the worlds of art and beauty. Was that what brought you together? When and how did you meet?
Dani: I’ve been into it all since I was a child. I’ve always liked everything related to cosmetics, creativity, and art. When I was little I liked crafting and dancing, and I was a fan of 90s MTV – I was always watching music videos! In short, I’ve always liked to develop and shape my own ideas as a form of expression. I taught myself to sew by watching my aunt with her sewing machine when I was a child. I studied set and interior design and I like to learn about and experiment with everything related to what I consider to be, simply, art.
Natalia: I’ve always liked everything about fashion, make-up and cosmetics.
I remember trying on my older sister’s clothes when I was little and playing supermodel with my niece. As teenagers, my friends were all really creative and each one had their own look. I started to become interested in makeup after becoming a mother, which is when I decided to give it a go and start training professionally. I really enjoy doing what I do.
Dani: Natalia and I have been brother- and sister-in-law for 19 years. It was the desire to develop our ideas without having to depend on anybody else that led us to embark on this adventure, doing what we enjoy and are passionate about.
Per Purr: Why Naad?
Naad: Naad comes from Natalia and Daniel, two people who both like to create, develop, and enjoy what we do.
Later on, we discovered through a client that Naad also means something in the Yoga philosophy – Naad is the eternal sound wave of creation. Sages and saints have used this sound wave for healing, elevation and awakening of consciousness through the ages. Naad means “the essence of all sounds”. All languages have sounds that relate to one or more of the five elements: air, fire, water, earth, and wood.
Per Purr: What do you think sets you apart and makes you different from other spaces?
Naad: The idea was to create a harmonious space – a beautiful, simple space, with lots of light – where our customers could have an almost dreamlike experience. The most important thing was that our customers feel comfortable, almost like part of the family. We also wanted to offer something new, leaving behind the typical product lines found in every other perfumery in favor of our carefully chosen brands.
Per Purr: Tell us something magical about Lanzarote that will make us want to come and visit.
Naad: Freedom, peace, harmony... It’s the ideal place to look for and find yourself, as the sun gives us the vitality to recharge our energy day after day.
Per Purr: How did you find out about Per Purr?
Naad: We came across Per Purr on the internet while looking for different, quality products, made with love and high standards. Then, when we tried it, we fell in love with the aromas, the way it made our skin feel, and how it affected our mood during moments of relaxation.
Per Purr: What’s your favorite Per Purr product?
Dani: My favorite products are the gels and detox oil. I love how easy they are to apply, that they absorb quickly, and that they don’t leave me feeling sticky. They leave my skin feeling hydrated and smelling great. I basically don’t need to use deodorant or aftershave – that’s how good it smells!
Natalia: My star products are the shampoos and masks, especially the Marine Clay (Arcilla Marina) shampoo and conditioner, which leave my grease-prone hair feeling fresh, clean, and silky to the touch. I also like the family-friendly moisturizing shampoo; I use it on my daughters and it leaves their hair hydrated and soft.
Per Purr: Why do you think Per Purr is a fit for Naad and your customers?
Naad: Because customers are, more than ever, looking for natural, quality alternatives to the conventional products on the market.
Your hands get dry (or rather, they suffer) from the harsh cold. This yearly seasonal problem is even worse this year since everyone is washing our hands more often and using antibacterial gel, which further damages the skin.
If, in addition to dryness, your skin is red or shows more serious and bothersome signs, the skin on your hands will need more than hydration. The nutrition offered by natural body oils is a better option. We strongly emphasize that body oils be natural because they are what really help to repair the skin’s lipid barrier. They repair the damages caused to the skin and reduce oxidative stress.
We know that oil is not absorbed as quickly as cream, but it is what our skin needs in these kinds of circumstances. Chamomile, lavender, almond and calendula essential oils are especially beneficial. They are known for their soothing, relaxing, repairing and anti-inflammatory effects and are the basis of our Relax body oil.
As for its use, we don’t want to generalize, since that depends on the type of skin and the needs of each person. For your hands, feel free to use a small amount of moisturizer after washing, since it counters the effects of continual use of soap and antibacterial gel. Shea Butter, present in our Natural Moisturizing Cream, makes your hands softer.
If you don't have any moisturizer at home, and you need to hydrate your hands, like when they are red, natural body oil is a good substitute for cream. If you don't have body oil either, you can look for alternatives in some of the products we almost always have in our kitchen, such as virgin coconut oil or olive oil. A mask of full-fat natural yogurt for 30 minutes can also help.
By gently massaging the palms of our hands using the opposite thumb and stretching our fingers, we relieve any tension generated throughout the day, as well as promoting proper circulation. We must remember that our hands are one of the parts of our bodies that we use the most throughout the day, yet sometimes we forget the importance of caring for them.
Hydrating our hands before going to sleep is very important because, as we do with our nightly face routine, we are making sure that while we sleep, our skin isn’t exposed to other external agents present during the day, such as pollution, heating or air conditioning, and the hydration is more effective. Don't forget to massage your cuticles as well, because hydrated cuticles prevent the entry of fungus and bacteria.
It goes without saying that it is best to avoid direct exposure of our skin and hands to more aggressive products such as industrial cleaning detergents or similar products.
Don’t forget about exfoliation – an extra step for caring for your hands. Even though our Per Purr Salts Selection Exfoliant contains sweet almond and exotic verbena oils, exfoliation should always be gentle. Avoid exfoliating any areas of your skin that appear to be inflamed.
We would like to emphasize the benefit of salt baths for our hands. Just as massages are good for our hands, soaking them in warm water with salts and essential oils is very good for relaxing the hand muscles. If you like floral smells, I definitely recommend our Floral-Cure salts.
On one summer day, a friend took an industrial brand deodorant spray out of her bag and used it. As I hadn't used this type of deodorant for years, the smell disgusted me. I couldn't ignore it, it was so unpleasant. She then opened a bottle of hair mask and ran it through the ends of her hair. Another strange, sweet, artificial smell invaded the room.
I asked her to let me read the label on the mask and was surprised by the amount of harmful ingredients in the product. How was it possible that this friend, who takes such good care of her diet, health and body, could use this type of product?
No, it's not nonsense, nor am I being radical. I am a demanding person when it comes to what I use on my skin and in my hair.
I explained that the mask had dyes, silicones and petroleum by-products. She was shocked: "What? That's disgusting! What do I do now? I want to start using natural products.”
A new world opened up for her. I sent her articles explaining the damage that many ingredients in everyday products can cause. I explained to her that the exfoliant she so enthusiastically and proudly showed me contained plastic microbeads that can contaminate the oceans and be ingested by fish. I recommended that she use exfoliants made of sugar or salts, such as the Per Purr exfoliant or even exfoliant recipes using coffee.
I explained to her that it was a gradual change for me, especially because it takes time to find an ideal natural shampoo for your hair, a facial cream that suits your taste and, most importantly, your wallet.
My advice is to start by changing 3 everyday products: soap, deodorant and toothpaste. These products are easy to find in their natural versions, and making those adjustments is already a significant change. After adapting to these products, I recommend trying plant-based oils and/or clays.
I'm a big fan of coconut oil, for example, which can be used as a makeup remover, moisturizer, aftershave, and can even be used in a natural deodorant recipe. Clay can be used as a face mask or exfoliant. At Per Purr, we have developed a clay shampoo that is incredible!
It’s important not to make a radical change, and instead switch to buying natural products gradually. Try out different products and options. One suggestion is to try the mini samples that many brands offer: at Per Purr, you can buy a sample pack with all the Per Purr products so you can try out each one.
When we start using natural cosmetics, I think we understand our bodies better. Much of our skin is just a reflection of what we eat and use. When you swap your shampoos, conditioners and masks for natural ones, you’ll discover what your hair really looks like.
Keep in mind that when cosmetics are replaced by natural alternatives, the effects may not be immediately clear. Each person’s skin/hair/body reacts differently, and there’s no way to predict this when we don’t know the characteristics of that person. So, be patient!
High-quality raw materials and natural active ingredients are more expensive than synthetic ones.
In fact, you end up saving. For me, I tend to see long-lasting results with natural cosmetics, and I see this as an advantage. For example, I wash my hair less often if the shampoo is natural and of superior quality. When I use Per Purr's shower gel, I don't have to use a body moisturizer every day.
I'm sure many of you don't know this, but the composition of natural cosmetics makes them versatile.
Per Purr's natural soaps can be used on both the body and face. Our conditioners can also be used as a hair treatment mask or a leave-in conditioner. Per Purr's orange and ginger facial oil has an anti-wrinkle, anti-acne and toning effect. In other words, over time you’ll discover how to enjoy the versatility of each product.
Once we realize how getting back to the natural world positively affects different aspects of our lives – our health, our wallets and the environment – we can see that it’s not a trend, it’s a matter of urgency. When we see the boost we get from this process of transition, we can’t put a price on that.
SLS has been used as an ingredient since 1930, commonly used as a cleaning agent in household disinfectants, laundry detergents or dishwashers, as well as in shampoos, body washes and toothpastes.
Today, sodium lauryl sulfate is frowned upon for unfounded reasons. There is a current narrative in which SLS is a threat to human health, with claims that it can cause cancer, hair loss, disrupt biological systems, etc. These claims are not scientifically supported and therefore should be considered false and misleading.
It turns out that SLS is a great inexpensive surfactant with a high cleansing capacity, and it also creates a rich foam. But it is not the best choice for everyone. Because of its strong astringent action, it has a more abrasive effect, which can cause irritation for some people. Today, there is a new generation of gentler surfactants with an excellent cleaning capacity.
Biotechnology allows these new cleaning agents, natural plant-based (surfactants), to perform their functions gently. This technology also means they are biodegradable, and all of their components are derived from renewable and sustainable natural resources (plant-based).
They say: "You don’t need foam to get a good wash."
It’s true. But at Per Purr, we love foam and we don't want to do without it. Foam is a fundamental part of a pleasant shower, helping to achieve a soft, silky and natural look.
SLS-free shampoos are known for not creating foam or lathering. At Per Purr, we use extremely mild sulfate-free surfactants (detergents) that provide a deep and long-lasting clean feeling, and create a rich, dense lather.
There’s a lot of talk of a “new” ingredient in the cosmetics industry and its benefits. But in fact, there is nothing new about cannabis.
Information and statistics on its use and benefits are widely available. In our opinion, the most important thing to keep in mind is that people have been using this plant in different ways for more than 8,000 years.
Cannabis is used to make hemp, which has multiple uses and benefits. For example, from the 16th to the 19th century, it was an essential material in the textile industry, competing directly with cotton. A curious fact in this regard is that King Henry VIII of England required all farmers to allocate part of their land for the growing of hemp in order to produce sails for the navy.”
However, in the 20th century, the word "hemp" began to gain a bad reputation and was directly linked to the psychotropic substance THC, as reflected in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of March 30, 1961 in New York.
Beyond the issue of why this natural substance was “banished” from society, while the consumption of other harmful substances has been encouraged, we would like to explain how this ingredient has evolved and become one of the most sought-after compounds in cosmetics today.
As trivial as it may sound, it all comes down to legal loopholes that arise when certain restrictions are imposed. As such, both hemp leaves and seeds are excluded from the list of narcotic drugs, so hemp seed oil (Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil) can be used in cosmetics as long as the THC content does not exceed 2% (according to European legislation).
The first thing you should know is that the human body has an endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, it produces two types of receptors present in cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD. This system is very important, as it regulates the majority of the physiological processes in your body on a daily basis. In other words, it keeps your body balanced despite external variables.
So what happens if your endocannabinoid system doesn’t work correctly?
You get sick.
Returning to the subject of receptors, it’s important to identify where these two types of receptors are located:
CB1 receptors (linked to THC): they are mainly concentrated in your brain.
CB2 receptors (linked to CBD): they are concentrated in both your immune system and nervous system. But they are also present in your liver, heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and endocrine glands.
As we indicated above, the oil approved for use in cosmetics must come from hemp leaves or seeds. These seeds are rich in omegas 3 and 6, which are well-known for their regenerating and moisturizing properties and highly beneficial to the skin.
However, the benefits of CBD go much further, because your skin also has cannabinoid receptors that help to maintain and protect it. For example, the endocannabinoid system is involved in various skin conditions, such as dryness and acne. It plays an essential role in controlling the skin’s condition, as it helps to regulate the growth and differentiation of skin cells.
Some studies also point to CBD as an adaptogenic agent, helping the skin to adapt to different environmental states and thus preventing it from being damaged; this makes it quite beneficial to sensitive skin.
Another reason why CBD is increasingly present in cosmetics is that it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties.
In fact, CBD has a long list of benefits, but in our case, we only want to explain those closely related to the skin. We hope that we have helped you to understand why this ingredient is interesting and holds potential. However, don’t be fooled by long lists of benefits. Remember, there are no magical solutions, and the fact that your mascara contains CBD probably won’t benefit your body in any way.
