I normally don’t link directly, but this recipe is great! If you’ve been making cosmetics like this, you probably have most of the ingredients already. The only one I didn’t have was the Oat Extract so I just subbed Green Tea Extract. You can also play around with the essential oils or just leave out the geranium and ylang ylang if you don’t have them. Even without them this will be a great mask
You can find the recipe on the Soap Queen: Oatmeal Facial Scrub and Mask
(c) Can Stock Photo Inc. / ScantyNebula
Since I make and sell and sell soap, I have had so many questions about the different types of soap that I thought I should write it all down. And if I’m going to write it all down, I may as well share it with everyone else. Now this is going to take a little longer than one post, so you will have to bear with me over several posts.
This first post is just going to be an overview of the different bar soaps that you run across. Please note that some soaps belong in more than one category.
As I said this is just an overview. Future articles with highlight the differences between soap and detergent bars, the difference between glycerin soaps, how the ingredients affect the quality of the soap and what an ingredient list can tell you. What other information would you like to see in future articles?
© Norlito Gumapac | Dreamstime.com
Hopefully your skin doesn’t look as dry as the parched and hardened land to the right, but sometimes my skin sure feels like it. I can see the cracks starting to develop on my hands right now that tell me it’s time to exfoliate and moisturize.
Most of the time, I use some of the salt and sugar scrubs that I make, but there is more than one way to scrub away your dry skin. Depending on how much time you have and how you feel, you should always use a few different methods for the best results. You don’t have to do them all in the same day. You can spread them out as you see fit.
What will exfoliating do? Scrubs remove that outer layer of dry, dead skin to reveal the healthy skin below. The scrubbing action also stimulates blood flow at the surface to produce a healthy skin tone. When the scrub is coupled with a moisturizing oil, it does double duty and moisturizes as well.
What cautions do I need to take? Be careful if you have sensitive skin, thin skin or rashes or other skin conditions. It is too easy to damage the skin. It may even make your skin look better, but down the road actually cause more problems. If you are seeing a dermatologist, follow his recommendations.
Method 1: Using an exfoliating “tool” like a loufa, body pouf or washcloth. Simply add soap or body wash and scrub lightly. Don’t press too hard the first time. You don’t want to rub your skin raw, just gently take off that layer of dry, dead skin on the top. Play with it a little to see what works for you. If you have very thin or sensitive skin, you will want to go very lightly or use a softer, less abrasive “tool” like a soft washcloth. First use what you have on hand. Some washcloths are too soft to do a good job, but they will still be better than nothing. And don’t limit yourself to only using these with body washes. They work great with handmade soaps as well.
Method 2: Use a scrub. I have talked before about making simple scrubs with olive oil and sugar or salt. These won’t feel as good (or smell as nice) as the commercial ones with specialty oils and fragrances, but they will work. To use these types of scrubs, moisten your skin and rub the scrub gently in circles. These have the added benefit of moisturizing and sometimes repairing the damaged skin depending on the ingredients. They will make your tub or shower slippery so use carefully and always rinse or clean so you don’t surprise the next person in the shower. I like to sprinkle baking soda on the shower floor for a quick easy clean-up.
Method 3: Buy an exfoliating soap or body wash. This is probably the fastest and easiest of the three but can produce mixed results. A lot depends on what has been added to the soap to help with the exfoliation. Coffee, poppyseeds and oatmeal can be a little too hard for some people while other people love them. I have also seen loufa, ground nuts and salts added to soap. Body washes may have jojoba beads, which also provide some added color to the wash.
I hope that you have fun trying these methods. Do you have a favorite that you use?
Well, here it is: Day Twelve. Winter can bring up new issues with redness as well as inflame some old problems like rosacea. This is just a simple tip to help alleviate redness. The coolness of the cucumber will help to soothe while oatmeal will help the inflamed area.
Chop or mash a few slices of cucumber. Mix in some finely ground oatmeal to the cucumbers to make a paste. Start with Tablespoon of oatmeal and more to get the right consistency of the paste. Place this paste over the red area or just make a whole face mask with it. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Rinse and dry the area.
Thanks for following the Twelve Tips! I tried to keep them simple and easy to follow.
Merry Christmas.
© Vlights | Dreamstime.com
With all the cold, drying winds outside and dry, stagnant air inside, winter is particularly hard on our skin, from our hands to our heads. Keeping a nightly routine that addresses these issues will be helpful in keeping your skin healthy. It’s important that you address your current needs. Your summer routine simply won’t do. You will need stronger moisturizers and gentler cleansing to make it through.
This is my current night-time routine:
1. Wash with a natural, gentle soap mixed with herbs and essential oils.
2. Tone with rose hydrosol
3. Scrub my hands with a sugar/salt and oil scrub
4. Moisturize both my hands and face with an oil/essential oil serum
This seems to be doing the trick for now, and hopefully will get me through the winter. The important thing is to be flexible enough to change it up or even ramp it up when you have to. The weather here in the Northwest can change in a few hours. The colder and drier it gets the more care my skin needs. Routines, particularly at night, will make all the difference.
Handcrafted Lip Balm
Every winter I get those pesky cracked finger tips. You know the cracks that run right along the fingerprint grooves and never seem to heal. And hurt every time you hit them against something (which is a lot). I have this wonderful lotion bar that I like to use to heal them and moisturize. It’s made of beeswax, cocoa butter and macadamia nut oil. Works great at keeping the skin moisturized and allowing these types of cracks to heal.
The good news is that you can get similar results with ordinary, everyday lip balm. It doesn’t matter what kind, they all work about the same. Of course I’m partial to the more natural lip balms without petroleum. All you have to do is to apply the lip balm wherever you need to. They won’t provide the all-around moisturizing that your hands really need, but they will help to heal those pesky cracks.
Normally I steer clear of recommending natural products for hair. I simply don’t have the expertise in that area. This simple hair rinse, however, is perfect for this time of year. It’s simple and won’t do any damage if it doesn’t work for your hair. It’s also likely that you may be using more styling products with all the Christmas parties and family get togethers. It doesn’t take long for residue from shampoos, conditioners and styling products to buildup on our hair and scalp. They can weigh down and dull our hair. Cider vinegar helps remove the residue to increase both body and shine. I wouldn’t recommend this for color-treated hair. It could dull or strip the color.
Cider Vinegar Rinse
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 quart water
Directions:
1. Combine vinegar and water.
2. Apply to hair after shampooing. Leave on for a few minutes then rinse with cold water.
3. Towel dry. The scent will disappear when the hair is dry.
Don’t use more than once a week when you first start. Since everyone’s hair is different, pay attention to how your hair responds and adjust accordingly.
© Kitsen | Dreamstime.com
Dry, winter lips getting down your Christmas spirit? Sometimes we just need a little more than a lip balm to repair our lips. This easy lip scrub will help to remove the dry, flaky skin to make your lips look younger and even plumper (temporarily).
Simple Lip Scrub
Place 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in the palm of your hand and dip a moist toothbrush into it. Gently scrub the toothbrush on your lips. Be careful not to scrub too hard. Scrub for about 20 to 30 seconds and rinse. Top off with your favorite lip balm or lip stick.
© Dianadivina | Dreamstime.com
Once you clean off that makeup at the end of the day, you don’t want to forget the toner. Toners help to clean off any left-over residue, balance the pH and can help to heal your skin with the right ingredients. Hydrosols (aka flower water) are a great place to start when formulating your natural toner. You can mix & match the hydrosols to suit your skin type and problem areas.
Chamomile – good for all skin types, calms irritated, sensitive or mature skin
Rose Geranium – good for all skin types, particularly mature or combination skin; lightly astringent
Lavender - good for all skin types; astringent & antiseptic, good for acne
Neroli - good for oily, mature skin; good for acne
Rose Otto – good for all skin types; calms and soothes redness
Rosemary – oily & normal skin types, mild astringent
Teas also make wonderful additions to your toner. Just brew them really strong, freeze them in small portions and thaw them as you need them. Green and white teas are great for your skin with lots of antioxidants and herbal teas contain qualities similar to hydrosols.
As we get closer to Christmas and all the stress of finding the perfect gift, it takes a toll on all aspects of our life including our skin. One simple way to relax is to treat your feet to a foot spa. A foot spa can be relaxing or re-energizing depending on what types of essential oils or fragrances that you use. For energizing foot soaks use scents like peppermint and orange. If you would like relax, lavender is the perfect choice.
What you will need:
- Wash basin or foot spa
- Bath & hand towels
- Salt Glow
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons Bath Salts or epsom salts.
- Scrub brush or pumice stone (optional)
- Lotion bar or Whipped Body Butter
Step one: Get everything ready and lay out a bath towel on the floor and have a hand towel close within reach.
Step two: Fill the wash basin with warm water (approximately 110 degrees) and add the bath salts to the warm water. Stir to dissolve.
Step three: Get comfortable and rub about 2 teaspoons of salt glow onto the feet. Rub as long as you wish and use more salt glow as needed.
Step four: Soak your feet as long as you wish. Use the scrub brush and pumice stone at this time.
Step five: When you are finished soaking, dry your feet with the hand towel and apply the lotion bar or whipped body butter as a healing balm.
After this foot soak you will not only be relaxed, your feet will be saying “Thanks!”
