Move over Black Friday, Small Business Saturday is the new(ish) after Thanksgiving tradition! In 2010, Small Business Saturday was started and promoted by American Express. Last year Small Business Saturday attracted more than 88 million American shoppers. This important shopping day always falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year it will fall on November 25th. Venturing out on small business Saturday is practically guaranteed to be calmer and quieter than braving Black Friday! But are there other benefits of shopping small? Absolutely!!

Christmas was published in 1957. More than 60 years later, it would be difficult to find an American man, woman or child who can’t recall the Grinch’s change of heart as he declares,  “It came without ribbons, it came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.” Unfortunately, the season of giving remains a season of buying. In 2022, Americans spent nearly $7,000,000,000 on holiday gift wrap. This exorbitant amount of money translates into 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper, most of which ends up in landfills. While many types of paper can be recycled, gift wrap often has dyes, lamination, and non-paper additives (metallic colors or glitter) making it non-recyclable!

Sustainability means different things to different companies, but at Kosmatology, it comes down to practical steps that reduce waste, conserve resources, and make everyday routines a little more environmentally friendly.

From renewable energy to low-waste packaging, we’re continually working to improve how our products are made, packaged, and shipped.

Small changes—like composting at home or choosing refillable products—can make a meaningful difference over time, and we believe businesses should lead by example.

Fall brings many favorite traditions—cooler air, colorful leaves, and cozy sweaters. But as temperatures drop and humidity decreases, many people notice their skin becoming drier, tighter, or more sensitive.

Seasonal changes can affect the skin barrier, and for some people, cooler weather may make conditions like dry skin or eczema more noticeable. The good news is that a few simple adjustments to your skincare routine can help keep your skin comfortable and balanced throughout the season.

Here are some practical tips for caring for your skin as fall approaches.

When summer arrives, many people assume they can skip moisturizer. With higher humidity, warm temperatures, and more time outdoors, it seems like skin should stay hydrated naturally.

But here’s something many people don’t realize: air conditioning, sun exposure, and frequent showering can actually dry out your skin during the summer months. Even in humid climates, these factors can affect the skin barrier and lead to dryness, irritation, or dull-looking skin.

If you spend a lot of time indoors in air-conditioned spaces, your skin may be losing moisture more quickly than you think.

Essential oils are popular for relaxation, self-care, and supporting everyday wellness. Many people turn to them during pregnancy to help create a calming environment or ease common discomforts. But a common question comes up again and again:

Are essential oils safe during pregnancy?

The answer is nuanced. Some essential oils may be appropriate when used correctly, while others should be avoided. During pregnancy especially, it’s important to choose high-quality oils, use proper dilution, and always check with your healthcare provider before adding anything new to your routine.

If you’ve ever cleaned out a drawer and wondered, “Is this still good?” — you’re not alone.

Knowing how long to keep your skincare and makeup products isn’t just about staying organized. It’s about protecting your skin from irritation, breakouts, infections, and decreased product performance.

Products don’t last forever — especially clean, plant-based, or natural formulas.

Here’s your complete guide to how long you should keep makeup, skincare, and shower products — and how to tell when it’s time to toss them.

We are so excited to have teamed up with Natalie of Precious Time Blog; a health and lifestyle blog. Natalie lives in Texas with her husband and her two adorable boys. We asked Natalie to write about what she avoids when looking for products for her family and she gave us lots of great information about how to choose products. Be sure to follow the links to some of Natalie’s posts on her own blog, she is a great resource for tips on how to green up your home and personal care products and clean up your cooking with healthy and delicious recipes!

Composting is one of the easiest ways to reduce household waste and give nutrients back to the earth. But many people aren’t sure what can and can’t be composted. This guide explains what to compost, what to avoid, and simple tips to help you start composting at home with confidence.

I’m sure just the idea of composting can seem overwhelming, but we’re here to help you get started and make the journey easy. Composting at home is one of the simplest ways to reduce household waste and return nutrients to the soil, and you’ll be slinging “compost lingo” like a pro by the end of this series.

The good news is that you don’t need fancy composting equipment to begin. All you need is a spot of bare soil in a shady area to get started. After you’ve picked your location and cleared the ground, you’re ready to go.

If you’re wondering what composting is or looking for composting tips for beginners, the process is simpler than you might think. Simply put, composting is the natural breakdown of organic matter such as food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings into a nutrient-rich material that can be added back to soil. Compost helps improve soil structure, supports healthy plant growth, and helps soil retain moisture, which can be especially helpful in home gardens.

Many gardeners also find that compost improves the overall quality of their soil, helping plants grow strong and productive.

Summer’s here, which means soon many kids will be heading off to sleepaway camp for a week (or more!) of outdoor adventures, new friendships, and independence. If you’re wondering what to pack for camp, you’re not alone—packing a camp trunk or duffel bag can feel overwhelming, even for experienced camp parents.

After years of packing for my own kids—and spending summers working at a sleepaway camp—I’ve learned there are a few universal truths of camp life that make packing easier.

Earth Day is a great reminder to take a closer look at our everyday habits and find simple ways to live more sustainably. If you’ve found your way to the Kosmatology blog, chances are you already try to make thoughtful choices for your health and the environment. But even small changes can add up over time, and sometimes the easiest swaps make the biggest difference.

Living a completely zero-waste lifestyle isn’t realistic for most people, especially with busy families, work, and daily responsibilities. The good news is that you don’t have to be perfect to make progress. Choosing reusable, compostable, or lower-impact products where you can is a great place to start.

Here are a few simple, eco-friendly swaps that are easy to implement and can help reduce waste at home.

Spring is the time of year when many of us feel the urge to open the windows, clear out clutter, and give our homes a deep clean. But spring cleaning isn’t just about making things look tidy—it’s also a great opportunity to rethink the products we use every day.

Many conventional cleaning products contain strong fragrances and harsh chemicals, and with so many products labeled “green” or “natural,” it can be hard to know which ones truly live up to those claims. A few simple changes can make it easier to keep your home both clean and comfortable for your family.

March 21 is Fragrance Day, and it’s a good reminder to talk about something many people don’t realize: not all fragrance is created equally. When you see the word “fragrance” on an ingredient label, it often refers to a blend of scent ingredients that companies are not required to fully disclose. That means consumers may not always know exactly what is being added to the products they use every day.

For people with sensitive skin, allergies, or fragrance sensitivities, this lack of transparency can make it harder to choose products that feel comfortable to use.