KHUS + KHUS is an organic skincare line I have been wanting to talk about for a while now. Not only do they do everything right but they go above and beyond. I’m talking clean sourcing, artistic formulations, outstanding performance and omgosh don’t even get me started on their packaging… I literally am getting heart palpitations typing this – I’m so excited.

I had the privilege of chatting with founder Kristi Blustein last week. I could have talked your ear off about this line on my own but I wanted Kristi to add some color and highlight a few things about her line that makes KHUS + KHUS standout. I’m so excited to dig in. So ladies and gents, without further ado, let me introduce you KHUS + KHUS.

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KHUS + KHUS defines itself as a modern herbal fusion. It brings ancient Ayurvedic medicine practices into the modern everyday.

First, let me tell you a little bit about KHUS + KHUS founder Kristi Blustein. She…

• Completed Ayurvedic training at the California College of Ayurveda.
• Studied at the American Institute of Vedic Science under David Frawley.
• Has training as a master herbalist for Integrative Medicine and studied aromatherapy with David Crow of Foracopeia.
• Is also a credentialed Ayurvedic Specialist, Ayurvedic Health Practitioner, Aromatherapist, Herbalist and Certified Yoga Teacher.

But Wait, What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world. Three books that are considered the main texts for Ayurveda (Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Astanga Hridaya) were written in Sanskrit over 2000 years ago. It’s a mind-body approach that is designed to help people live their full human potential.

Ayur = life; veda = science

“Key concepts of Ayurvedic medicine include universal interconnectedness (among people, their health, and the universe), the body’s constitution (prakriti), and life forces (dosha), which are often compared to the biologic humors of the ancient Greek system. Using these concepts, Ayurvedic physicians prescribe individualized treatments, including compounds of herbs or proprietary ingredients, and diet, exercise, and lifestyle recommendations.” NIH

The Evolution of KHUS + KHUS

Kristi said as a new Ayurvedic Health Practitioner living in Boulder, Colorado she ideologically and eagerly started treating patients. Because Ayurveda is a whole-health approach she was counseling patients on lifestyle routine, eating habits and also abhyanga oil massage.

This is where you medicate the body with herb-infused oils depending on dosha type. BUT she was running into problems with patient compliance. People were loving and using the oils but skipping the whole lifestyle application.

Noticing people were taking time to honor their bodies with her oils,  Kristi found her calling. She wanted to launch an Ayurvedic line of oils but in her words, They smelled so bad! Another road block was that Ayurvedic herbal oils are so specific, designed and mixed for each individual, making it virtually impossible to bring to the masses.

So after completing western herbalism + aromatherapy studies she was ready to start and launched KHUS + KHUS in 2016. KHUS + KHUS takes the main principles of Ayurveda – especially the practice of oiling the body – and applies them to essential oils. Essential oils were adapted into Ayurvedic medicine around the 1970s and using essential oils is not considered classic Ayurveda. Therefore KHUS + KHUS is calling thier approach; a modern fusion.

Oh, and if you want to know where the name KHUS + KHUS originated, it’s playfully derived from the ruh khus root AKA vetiver that is known for its detoxifying qualities.

Dosha Types

So of course I had to pause here and ask about dosha types. This is a way to categorize “body energies”. After identifying what your dosha is, herb infused oils are prescribed to compliment. There are three basic doshas and although everyone has some feature of each, most people have one or two that dominate. Check out this dosha breakdown from Live Science:

Kristi explains we tend to be out of balance in our primary dosha. With this info, right away, it was easy for me to identify as primarily pitta. Can you tell off the bat which dosha is your primary? Kristi recommended the Banyon Botanicals Dosha quiz if you need help determining!

KHUS + KHUS Formulas

All of KHUS + KHUS formulas have this basic skeletal formula and then are enhanced from there.

1. One chief herb or action
2. Secondary or subsequent herbs/oils that help drive the chief
3. A base oil like coconut oil

In Ayurveda, base oils will be used for different outcomes. For example, coconut oil is good for pitas because it’s cooling, sunflower seed is a neutral oil and sesame seed oil is good for vadas because its warming. Although KHUS + KHUS is not designed to treat specific dosha types they can be used for maintenance. Kristi says,

Plants work to communicate their intelligence on a cellular level. Essential oils are extremely powerful and can act on the nervous system, regulate hormone output, reduce inflammation and enhance immune function.  If we can get this into people’s bodies, overtime consciousness will shift.

Why I Love KHUS + KHUS

Okay before I even knew any of this, I was already in love with KHUS + KHUS. One look at their ingredient decks and you will be smitten too. I’m talking the cleanest of the clean. All organic oils, CO2 extracts, responsively sourced ingredients and no fillers or synthetics. Her line is formulated free of water too which means there’s not even any preservatives. Instead she incorporates Vitamin E as an antioxidant and recommends using her products within 6 months of purchase.

Okay next. Her scent profiles are OUTRAGEOUS. Her oils legit smell SOOOOO good. In fact, every time (and I mean every time) I wear Blossom Face Oil to bed, my husband goes, You smell so good! And I’m like, I KNOW! Blossom is definitely my fave scent profile from her line but honestly they are all beautiful.

The packaging. TO. DIE. FOR. Protective Miron Violet Glass bottles and jars are adorned with simple and stylistic labeling. I LOVE the size here. Her body waxes are super generous in size – I love the weight in my hand and the diameter of the jar – it’s like, screwing off the top and digging in just screams indulgence and luxury.

Okay! Okay! I’ll get on to the goods!

Here are a couple of products I’ve tried and also a few that Kristi highlighted on our call.

THE FACE FIX POTION

KHUS KHUS’s THE FIX is one of the most intensely nourishing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, feels-so-amazing face balms out there.

It’s technically a balm because it does not contain any water. But as you can see here, it acts and looks like a cream. What makes this formula stand out is ITS INCREDIBLE ability to retain skin moisture.

Skin hydration (and locking moisture in) + antioxidants are two of the best things you can do to prevent wrinkle formation (source, source).  

Hear me when I say this: There is nothing better that I’ve used to lock in moisture than THE FIX. It’s also loaded with antioxidants and is super anti-inflammatory + calming too. This balm is fantastic for most skin types but especially great for dry, oily, sensitive and inflamed (eczema, acne, sun-damaged) skin.

BLOSSOM FACE SERUM

Like I mentioned, BLOSSOM smells INCREDIBLE! Great for acne, mature and sensitive skin. Also formulated to treat redness, broken capillaries and combo skin. This is a light to medium weight oil with a medium slip that soaks right in. I love this for day or night. Designed to clear heat, relax the nerves and uplift spirits. Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to it because it is clearing all of my pitta heat!?

SANS AGE FACE SERUM

Formulated for mature, dry skin but I love it for my normal to combo skin too. It also smells really beautiful – I can smell the blue tansy most of all. Formulated to reduce inflammation and increase cellular regeneration. A medium-weight oil that sinks right in – I love this for day or night. I even love adding a few drops into a cream moisturizer or my daily SPF as an added boost.

BLEU BODY SERUM

Formulated to treat dry, inflamed, red irritated skin. This oil is totally nourishing. Love applying right after the shower while my skin is still damp to lock in moisture. You can use this alone or layer with one of the body waxes for extra nourishment. Smells so pretty with notes of blue tansy. This is formulated to be uplifting, cooling and soothing and help to balance energy and clear nervous tension.

BLEU BODY WAX

I just love the whole idea, presentation and experience of this body moisturizer! Blue tansy is known for its vivid blue color and strong anti-inflammatory qualities and we can SEE that here in the BLEU BODY WAX. Dig in and watch this solid melt into an oil on contact. Made with a base of coconut oil this formula is made to uplift, cool and sooth plus balance energy and cleanse nervous tension. Smells light and florally.

COPIOUS BODY SERUM

Okay I haven’t actually tried this one but I wanted to mention it because Kristi say’s it’s their most popular formula. It’s made with herbs and hugs the Ayurveda end of the formulating spectrum. It’s targets arthritis pain and insomnia with Ashwaganda to calm, nettles to build minerals and licorice to drive the herbs into the body. It also has CBD. Other products that include CBD are her Hand and Foot Treatment as well as SEN face oil – and she is currently working on more so stay tuned. Melding adaptogenic herbs and CBD together is taking this line NEXT LEVEL.

DETOX FACE SERUM

I haven’t tried this one either but I wanted to mention it here because Kristi says it’s fantastic for acne. She says it’s scent may not be a match for everyone but if you are willing to give it a try you just may fall in love.

Also, some of these formulas contain a bit of beeswax but if you want it removed and formulated vegan, just ask! 

THE FACE SERUM

Try FIVE different face oils! Each 10mls vial will last you 2-3 weeks.

I’ll leave you with a few words from Kristi:

We are trying to shift consciousness. Teach people our normal practices are killing us. Everything is contaminated including the air we breath, the water we drink and the food we eat. We can mitigate these transgressions with the use of plants. The premise of KHUS + KHUS is to dig into nature and maintain a higher Self. Disease starts the father away you are from nature. – Kristi

Have you tried anything KHUS + KHUS? Now’s your chance! Remember – use my code to score one of the best deals around!

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PS, I’ve got all the nontoxic budget makeup here and my fave mascaras here!