Research shows that 81% of people born between 1980 and 2000 like to sing in the shower, versus only 53% for the rest of the population. Why? Nobody knows. But what’s clear is that getting clean is only part of showering, and for all ages.

Believe it or not, shower statistics is a very active field. More numbers that apply to all people in the U.S.: 50% like to start the day with a shower, and for 60% showering is the only way to feel awake and refreshed. More than 75% of respondents like to brainstorm in the shower, with many claiming to have their best ideas under the running water.

Researchers have speculated that creativity works through an incubation period that eventually leads to a clear idea (1). Maybe the hot water pries open the thinking cage? But, clearly, if you are singing you are not thinking. So perhaps, if you are dealing with something difficult you should sing less and brainstorm more while showering!

From crystallizing thoughts, helping people face the day, and nurturing fantasies of singing careers, shower habits go well beyond personal hygiene. As an addict to long hot showers, I’m not going to tell you to shower less frequently and make it shorter. But, as a skin care company, we have a few reminders and recommendations to avoid the skin damage that may result from the frequent running of hot water over your body:

1. Use gentle moisturizing soaps or body washes. For soaps, we recommend the emu oil soap or the lanolin soaps.

2. For body washes, Manuka honey does an excellent job.
3. Hair and scalp may also suffer, so we recommend our sulfate-free keratin emu oil shampoo, followed by direct application of emu oil to the scalp.
4. Pat your skin with a towel rather than rubbing vigorously, which can cause irritation.

5. You must moisturize your skin after showering. In a hurry, running late, or just being lazy, this is easily neglected. But remember that hot water may strip critical oils from your skin, so moisturizing is critical.

The question is how to make it easy so it gets incorporated into the daily routine. From what our customers tell us moisturizers in pump dispensers are easier to incorporate into the after-shower routine than creams or lotions in tubes or jars. Our favorites are the two On the Lamb Dry Skin pumps and the Wild Ferns Lanolin Lotion. Just take an extra few seconds to apply a moisturizer all over to seal in the moisture and replenish the natural oils that keep your skin healthy.

And what happened to the old soak in the tub for hours bath? It seems to have gone down the drain, together with so many other relaxing and fun things erased by hectic lives. But, baths are still a treat, and the Rotorua Mud Bath is just wonderful. Maybe on a weekend or holiday you’ll find the time to relax in a tub with Rotorua Mud.

So go ahead, enjoy your long showers, but please keep our recommendations in mind.

¹Creativity—the unconscious foundations of the incubation period, Ritter and Dijksterhuis, Hum Neurosci. 2014; 8: 215

New Zealand is a small country with a big global impact. Nestled deep in the South pacific is the archipelago of islands that make up New Zealand. The main North and South Islands are home to about 4 million people, and feature wide open spaces, dramatic scenery, and a diverse culture.

Creativity and innovation are the main drivers of the Kiwi export economy, and family businesses have a dominant presence. Today we are covering the history of the Parrs family, manufacturers of the popular Wild Ferns line we represent.

Parrs products started in Auckland in 1951 when Des and Margaret Parr first manufactured dolls dressed in traditional Maori costumes under the brand name Maori Reflections. In the 1980’s Greg and Janet Parr were the first ones to make soap bars with the famous Therapeutic Thermal Mud from Rotorua. These soaps were such a success that the operation was expanded to making a broad range of skin care products with the most famous natural ingredients from New Zealand: Manuka Honey, Bee Venom, Lanolin, Rotorua Mud, Kiwifruit, and Native Flowers.

After the initial success of the Rotorua Mud soaps, Maori Reflections merged with the incipient skin care operation. The resulting company retained the deep interest in New Zealand culture and traditions, and these values were maintained and strengthened as the company grew exponentially.

Today, Wild Ferns products are sold throughout the world and are immensely popular in countries as diverse as Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, the U.K., Poland, and the U.S. There are six product lines that correspond to these basic ingredients:

• Manuka Honey

Manuka is a flowering tree native to New Zealand. The honey that is collected from its flowers has long been renowned for its remarkable beneficial properties. A number of natural components in Manuka Honey combine to nourish, soothe, and heal sensitive skin.

View all Wild Ferns Manuka Honey products

• Bee Venom

Purified Bee Venom from New Zealand combined with Manuka Honey results in a younger looking complexion and healthier, firmer skin. The VENZ Purified Bee Venom used in these products is harvested without harming the bees.

View all Wild Ferns Bee Venom products

• Lanolin

Lanolin has long been renowned for its extremely beneficial moisturizing and nourishing properties and therefore is ideal as key ingredient in skin care. Lanolin is readily absorbed into the skin making it look younger and softer while improving the suppleness and elasticity associated with healthy, youthful skin. Proof of this is in the hands of shearers and wool workers around the world – they are known for having particularly soft hands that retain their youthful look due to their constant handling of lanolin-rich sheep’s wool.

View all Wild Ferns Lanolin products

• Rotorua Mud

In Rotorua the inner heat of the earth has found its way to the surface bringing with it Rotorua’s earth magic geothermal mud. Rich in rejuvenating minerals this mud has natural cleansing, healing, and rebalancing properties. Rotorua Mud is excellent for use in skin care and has a very strong affinity for moisture.  On drying, Rotorua Mud generates heat which helps in eliminating toxins and pollution particles.  It easily absorbs excess oils from within the pores, detoxifying and purifying the skin. Unlike the environmental devastation caused by the mining of Dead Sea Mud, Rotorua Mud comes from a sustainable source and is collected in an environmentally sound way.

View all Wild Ferns Rotorua Mud products

• Kiwifruit

New Zealand is the home of the finest kiwifruit. Not only are kiwifruits attractive in appearance but they are naturally high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and Omega 3, all beneficial for the health and enhancement of your skin.

View all Wild Ferns Kiwifruit products

• Flowers

A collection of luxurious pampering products created with nourishing Manuka Honey and botanical extracts of New Zealand’s beautiful native flowers. These flowers are not only beautiful but they also have properties to assist in the health and wellbeing of the skin.

View all Wild Ferns Flowers products

Wild Ferns products comply with the basic principles of all Parrs products:

• 100% New Zealand made
• Not tested on animals
• Environmentally friendly packaging, including natural inks
• Paraben free
• Mineral Oil free
• Highly beneficial to the skin
• Ethical, sustainable sourcing, and traceability of all ingredients

Wild Ferns products are unique and honest, like New Zealand itself.

To learn more about:

Family businesses in New Zealand

Parrs Products Ltd