“Yukui” is the Okinawan word for “spending time in a relaxed manner.”
These bath salts come from a long tradition of soaking in blissful blends of exotic flowers and Okinawan herbs to open the human senses. Humans and plants have co-existed since ancient times. These bath products celebrate this indispensable relationship. The resort bath salt series is created with Okinawan sea salts and plant derivatives to provide a luxurious feeling of relaxation. Only natural ingredients are used, including colouring and fragrance.
Dried flowers, such as rose, chamomile, and hibiscus are mixed with rich plants and natural essential oils, such as moon peach and guava, to achieve soothing scents. Okinawan bath products have incorporated the islands’ unique native plants since ancient times. Herbs, for example, wormwood, moon peach, and bitter gourd are used in folk remedies.
Due to Okinawa’s subtropical climate; which is hot and humid perennially, flora and fauna thrive throughout the year. As a result, the plants acquire an ability to withstand strong ultraviolet rays by storing chlorophyll to absorb energy from sunlight. To protect themselves from various insects, the plants have evolved their own components that have bactericidal and disinfecting effects.
Here is a closer look at some of the primary essential oils and botanical oils used.
Avocado
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extracted part: flesh of the fruit
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derived from avocado seeds
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extracted from unrefined green fruit that contain excess fat and oils
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decolorized and purified
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rich in oleic acid for moisturizing
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rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that alleviates skin inflammation or sensitivities
Coconut
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extracted part: copra or kernel
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used for the foaming of soap
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contains fatty acids that are irritating to the skin, hence used in moderation only to achieve lathering
Jojoba
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extracted part: seed
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a liquid wax that can be used by all skin types
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leaves the skin feeling smooth
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protects the moisture of the skin and does not interfere with the skin’s breathing
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said to suppress excessive secretion of sebum
Lavender
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extracted part: leaves and flowers
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fragrance: woody, floral and refreshing
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versatile herb that is effective for all skin types
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helps to stabilize the mind
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has a calming effect to treat insomnia
Lemongrass
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extracted part: leaves and stems
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fragrance: sweet, lemon-like
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used for culinary, medicinal, and therapeutic purposes for thousands of years
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helps to relieve mental fatigue
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contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial effects
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tightening pores
Macadamia nut
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extracted part: kernel
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rich in palmitoleic acid, an omega-7 fatty acid that is important for skin cell regeneration.
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rich in oleic acid for moisturizing
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rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that alleviates skin inflammation or sensitivities
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closest to human sebum in vegetable oil
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able to repair the deeper layers of the skin
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contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect
Shell Ginger / Moon Peach / Gettou / Alpinia zerumbet
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extracted part: leaves and flowers
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fragrance: sweet, sharp, light ginger-like
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part of the ginger family
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used historically for medicinal or therapeutic effects
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aids gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, nervous and muscular systems, skin disease
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contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial effects
Sweet orange / Citrus sinensis
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extracted part: pericarp
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fragrance: sweet, refreshing, citrus
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known for its psychological effects of brightening your mood and refreshing you
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not phototoxic
Ylang Ylang
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extracted part: flowers
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fragrance: floral, exotic, sweet and rich
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known as the “flower in the flowers”
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can be mixed with coconut oil for hair care