How topicals absorb into your blood, and beeswax misconception

Happy Monday my friend,

As we ease into the end of January, here’s a fun rabbit hole for you: the live, animated map of global wind, and weather can make the world feel both bigger and more connected in about 15 seconds.

🧠 OPTIMIZED MIND
If you feel mentally “stuck,” your eyes may be part of the story. The 20-20-20 rule is simple: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It reduces strain and can help your nervous system come back online. Here’s a clear breakdown from Harvard Health.

🔬 SCIENCE SNAPSHOT
Topical does not always mean “surface only.” Many compounds applied to skin can reach systemic circulation if they pass into the dermis and access blood vessels. This is one reason ingredient literacy matters, especially for daily-use products. A straightforward explanation is in the National Academies review on systemic absorption after topical application.

🤔 DID YOU KNOW?
Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys are among the driest places on Earth, yet microbial life persists in extreme conditions. In summer, brief meltwater streams feed lakes that remain liquid beneath ice, supporting life in a place that looks almost impossible. Watch this quick, beautiful time lapse video of the McMurdo Dry Valleys to see this unreal landscape.

🌿 NATURE CONNECTION
Direct contact with the Earth’s surface – soil, grass, sand – has measurable effects on the nervous system. Research on grounding (also called earthing) shows changes in cortisol rhythms, heart rate variability, and markers of inflammation when the body is electrically connected to the ground. This is one of those rare areas where the intervention is simple and the signal is surprisingly strong. A peer-reviewed overview is available in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health on the physiological effects of grounding.

🌱 REGENERATIVE FUTURE
Speaking of soil… like in our film The Need To GROW, it is increasingly being studied as both an environmental and human health lever, not just an agricultural one. Regenerative farming practices have been shown to improve soil carbon storage, water retention, and biodiversity while also producing more nutrient-dense food over time. This approach focuses on rebuilding living soil systems rather than extracting from them. The Rodale Institute offers a clear, science-backed overview of regenerative organic agriculture and why it matters.

🩺 HEALTH HACK
Electrolytes are more than a “sports buzzword.” These charged minerals help your body regulate water balance, support nerve and muscle function, stabilize pH, and keep your heart rhythm steady. You can get them through a balanced diet of whole foods (or supplements), and your body uses them in virtually every organ system. A straightforward explanation of their roles and importance is available on MedlinePlus, the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s health resource: Fluid and electrolyte balance overview.

🐝 Protecting Bees, NOT Harming Them

If you’ve ever lit a “normal” candle and felt that synthetic fragrance hit your throat or head, you already understand the problem. Most candles are loaded with mystery scents and additives that have no business being in your air (and then your lungs and bloodstream).

Once you learn what you’re actually breathing, you can’t unknow it, and you definitely can’t un-smell that fake, perfumey haze.

I’m real-life good friends with the the founder and the owner at Bee Lucia. I’ve toured their facility, and can tell you they’re the real deal: kind, meticulous humans who genuinely care about bee health and doing this work the right way.

I also know many ECL readers are protective of bees and wary of anything that feels extractive. I’m the same way, which is why I asked hard questions. Ethical, conscious hive stewardship can be a net positive for colonies when it’s done with care and competence: supporting resilient hives, keeping stress low, and managing real-world threats like mites in a responsible way. Backing companies that prioritize hive health helps reinforce the kind of bee management that protects colonies rather than depleting them.

Why these are virtually the only candles we allow in our house:

• They’re made with pure beeswax, organic coconut oil, and essential oils, not synthetic fragrance clouds.

• They smell strong enough to actually fill a room, without the toxic “candle hangover.”

• They burn clean and feel aligned with a home that’s trying to reduce chemical load.

Because I know the team so well, our community gets an unusually high 40% off right here: CLICK TO CHECK OUT Bee Lucia with code ROB40.

💬 Poll

⬅️ Last poll’s results

What kind of stove is in your home?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ 🔥Gas (46.4%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⚡️Electric (50.9%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🚫Neither/Other (2.7%)

To a healing future,

— Rob