Cocoa Butter

COCOA BUTTER

                Cream in color, Cocoa butter in extracted from cacao seeds. 

It has soothing, moisturizing, and emollient qualities. It is one of the most stables fats known and has natural antioxidants that can prevent rancidity.

Cocoa butter can quickly and easily be absorbed by the skin, able to penetrate  deep into the dermis layer, just beneath the epidermis (the top layer of the skin), where it has the ability to hold onto moisture. Because of this cocoa butter also makes it easier for damaged skin to be repaired. The skin has to be hydrated for the body to grow new skin and Cocoa butter has the ability to do this.

Cocoa butter as been known to be good for:
Stretch marks
Chapped skin & lips
Prevention of dry skin, itchy skin

Cocoa butter has a velvety texture that is absolutely wonderful in soaps and lotions.

Homemade facial using goat milk

I have had a skin condition for years that flares up at times. I have used an over the counter medicine called Hydrocortisone cream for as long as I can remember. It takes awhile to work but my face will finally settle down.

I got to thinking about goats milk. I use goats milk in my  lotions and my soaps and absolutely love it. Using goats milk makes them one of the creamiest feeling products that I have ever had or felt.

Then I got to thinking about using goats milk for a facial. It is not, by far, a new concept, but for me...I have never done this before.

This is what I did:
I put about 2Tbsp goats milk in a small bowl,

 along with 1Tbsp of honey,

 and 1Tbsp of Olive oil, 

and mixed it well.

I washed my face and bathed in it warm water to open the pores a bit, then applied the goats milk mixture to my irritated skin. I let it sit there for about 5 minutes. I rinsed it off and applied my own 'All Natural Shea butter lotion'.

I felt the difference right away! My skin did not have that irritated dry, burning feeling. I did not need to put on some Hydrocortisone cream at all! I applied my make-up for the day as usual (I use all natural mineral make-up).

That night I took off my make-up and applied the same mixture (I saved the left overs in the re fridge)and did the same routine. Then put on my face cream, and went to bed.

In the morning I did the same thing and couldn't believe it. Not only did my face feel great, but my face was smoother. I had to really look close to see if it was really true or if I imagined it. And only after three applications!

I have told you before the improvement my face underwent with using my homemade Shea butter lotion,  and then doing a sugar scrub with it every few days and how the pores have closed up and my skin looks smoother, but with the goats milk facial it improved even more and  I was amazed!  You can guess what will part of my routine from now on.

You can mix goat milk with oatmeal(cooked), cornstarch, yogurt, honey, along with olive  oil or another oil of your choice,  whatever you like. I have read different combinations. Truly though, it is the goat milk that I believed made the difference! It is very mild and is good for any type of skin.

Facials provide a number of benefits for your skin, depending upon the ingredients you use. Try to match your skin with an ingredient that will help your type of a skin. Like using oatmeal with goats milk if you have oily skin. It will help  by removing some of that excess oils.

Well girls, let's have fun and experiment and please share what you did and the results! Why pay for high dollar products when you may have a better one right on your own home!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Goats Milk

Another one of Gods wonderful gifts is Goats Milk.
It has alpha-hydroxy acids that soften the skin. It works by exfoliating the skin causing the surface of the skin to slough off leaving the newer skin exposed.

I've read that dermatologist use a higher concentration of Alpha hydroxy acid, which is know as a 'chemical peel'. But, a lower concentration of it, such as in goat milk soaps,  for a longer period of time, can have the same effect.

Goats milk  is known for its ability to be a natural cleanser. Very mild to the skin and very good for people with dry skin. It is soothing, and makes creamy bubbles in soaps.

Goats milk is know to have 50 different nutrients in it.
A few are: vitamins A, C, B1, B6, B12, and vitamin E, plus Amino Acids, proteins, and electrolytes. It also has the closest PH level to our own skin.

Try adding goats milk to your soaps and lotions and experience your skin feeling alive, refreshed and nourished!

Emu Oil

A friend of mine from Tucson, Arizona came in town for a Bible Conference our church sponsors twice a year. I taught her how to make soap a couple of years ago while she was living in town. When she moved our communication on our soap making became sparse. Since she was coming to town I asked her to do a soap exchange of our newest soaps we made.

She brought me a nice looking Emu Oil bar of soap. It is light color tan and smells wonderful. I did not get the chance to ask her what the scent was, but I do smell a hint of vanilla in it. It lathers really well and has a silky feel to it.

I often wondered what Emu Oil was, and discovered that it is an oil rendered from the fat of the emu bird (a Dromaius novaehollandiae).

I thought this picture was hilarious!

It is said that Emu Oil, used twice daily on our face, can stop lines and wrinkles from ever forming. Emu Oil strengthens your skin and causes the lines and wrinkles to fade away completely.

Emu Oil is used in a lot of cosmetic products. It is also a very good emollient. It is hypoallergenic, meaning that it is not known to cause irritation on the skin. Emu Oil will not clog pores, or leave a greasy feel. There is natural Vitamin E Oil, Vitamin A, Oleic acid Sapogens (proven skin softeners) found in this wonderful oil. These attributes alone make Emu Oil products a wonderful moisturizer.

According to a 2008 article on the Top Anti-Aging Tips website:
emu oil is touted as the "21st Century's Fountain of Youth" by various celebrity magazines. Its skin regeneration properties, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E all contribute to anti-aging benefits. The deeply penetrating oil keeps skin cells well nourished and hydrated and assists in the reconstruction of collagen, supporting elastin to smooth away wrinkles and tighten your skin. The article also suggests that emu oil thickens skin by 30 percent to promote healthier, younger-looking skin.

Emu Oil can be rather expensive, but a little goes along way. I've read that people use anywhere from 10% to 17% of oil in their soaps and still get the great benefits from it.

Happy Days!

Moisturizers for oily skin

We all know that dry skin needs a Moisturizer. But what about oily skin? The answer is yes. Oily skin needs softening and protection, the same as dry skin.

Skin becomes oily because of over production of sebum (a mixture of waxes & fats in the sebaceous glands). Sebum is very important to the protection and function of the skin. But, an over abundance can make your skin feel and look greasy.

Causes that influence sebum production are:
Hormones
Heredity
Improper skin cleansing
And the maintenance of our skin

The best thing for oily skin is a water-based formula instead of heavy creams.

 American Academy of Dermatology says to look for a "water-based", "won't clog pores" or "noncomedogenic" terms on a label when looking for a moisturizer for oily skin.


Two really good oils for oily skin are: 
Jojoba Oil 

and Vitamin E Oil. 

Abby Willow as a great article on oils that won't cause acne or breakouts.


All for now,

Facials

As we get older our faces seem to develop larger pores.

As the years marched on, I could see my own pores more pronounced, but I didn't have a remedy for this problem, and I didn't look for one. I just figured that some things come with age. I just became more careful how, and how much,  makeup I put on. My trick became hiding the problem, not dealing with it. (Does this sound familiar?)

Four years ago I decided to try my hand at making my own moisturizing lotion. I wanted to be able to put it on my face, but wasn't sure what the results would be. I have very sensitive facial skin, and when I find a cream my face could somewhat tolerate, I'd stick with it. And even at that my face would sting a bit the first few minutes of putting it on.

I bought my first kit to make lotion from Organic Creations. The first recipe I made was the one that was supplied in the kit. It turned out great!

The second batch I decided to tweak it a bit to make it my own. The bulk of it was, soften and  hydrate your skin,  (unrefined) shea butter.To my recipe I also added cocoa butter, which has emollient qualities, and vitamin E oil. I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

It took awhile before I tried it on my face. I'd put a bit on here and there, and before long I was using it all over my face regularly. The best part was my face did not have any stinging sensations at all!

 After about three months of using my new homemade lotion on my face, my pores started to shrink!  I wish I had taken 'before and after pictures'!

 I have also learned, from a young friend, going to cosmetology school, about sugar scrubs. You can virtually take your favourite face cream and do a sugar scrub on your face! No expensive product is needed!

You put a small amount of sugar in a bowl. You apply your favourite face cream (liberally) on your face, then dip your fingers into the sugar (with a bit of lotion still on them). Gently, in swirling motions, rub the sugar on your face.  You don't want to do it too hard or your face will redden and feel sore. The point is to exfoliate the old skin off. Rinse off with cool water, which will close your pores up.  Then add a thin layer your favourite cream for the day.


How often should we do a scrub? Your skin rejuvenates itself every few days.  One of the benefits to exfoliating the skin every few days is that it encourages the skin to grow. The results is a smoother feeling and looking face!

Life is good! 

ValerieAnn

Lavender Oil

 

Another element to making soaps and lotions is adding a fragrance. Whether that is an essential oil or a fragrance oil, that choice is up to you.

A fragrance Essential oil is a plant extract.  Therefore a Natural chemical that is extracted from 
the leaves, flowers, stems, roots or bark of plants. It takes a large amount of (such as lavender) plant matter to  produce a very small amount of essential oil. This is the reason for the high cost of these essential oils.

Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are a blended synthetic compound. Chemists analyze the plants components and reproduce their chemical composition. Basically  they take some natural essential oils and dilute it with a carrier like propylene, vegetable oil, or a mineral oil.

 Fragrance oils are a more affordable alternative. And because you don't use a whole lot in a batch of soap or lotion it can be quite safe for the skin. But....read the labels to make sure .....not all are skin safe!

Also, keep on mind that some people have allergies to different fragrances, whether an essential oil or a fragrance oil. If you are one of those who  are sensitive to many kinds of fragrances,  test it out on a small batch of soap or lotion before you make a large quantity. I personally know people that react to lavender essential oil.

With all of that said, let's look at lavender essential oil.

Lavender is actually in the mint family. It's oil is used largely with herbs and aromatherapy, but is not limited to these areas.

Lavender essential oil is absolutely wonderful in soaps.  You can use it alone or you can blend other scents with.

 If you choose the blend other scents with it keep in mind that Lavender is a Top note scent. If you are going to blend it with another scent find a Middle note scent to go with it, such as a citrus.  A  top note fragrance is the first scent to reach your nose, therefore lavender will be the first scent you will smell. A middle note fragrance will provide the over all scent with a solid center.

Some lavender from my own backyard, harvested this year. 

Have a great and safe weekend! 

ValerieAnn

Shea Butter

Shea Butter is one of my all time favourites in my lotions!
It is very moisturising and nourishing to your skin.

Shea butter, having a low melting point, absorbs rapidly into the skin without a greasy feel to it.

It is an emollient, humectant, and anti inflammatory.  Shea butter has  a natural sun blocker, able to absorb some ultraviolet rays.

Shea butter comes refined and unrefined. Here is what the American Shea Butter Institute has to say about both:

Refined shea butter is that which has been refined and processed using high heat and chemicals. American Shea butter Institute states that while this type of shea butter may have some moisturizing properties, it loses much of its healing therapeutic properties in the refining process. Refined shea butter typically is odorless, with a pure white color. In some cases, hexane--a neuropathic toxin--is used in the refining process.

Unrefined shea butter is the better choice if you hope to reap the full spectrum of benefits it offers. unrefined or raw shea butter is extracted without the use of toxic chemicals or synthetics. It typically has nutty aroma, and its color ranges from cream to grayish-yellow. Note, however, that while its fragrance is relatively mild, some  people find the smell of unrefined shea butte off-putting.

In Ghana, they use Shea Butter to protect their skin during the dry seasons. That ought to tell us something right there. Those people have absolutely beautiful skin.

Because shea butter does not saponify it remains in your soap to soothe the most sensitive skin.   Nut butters have minerals, vitamins,  and other beneficial compounds in them. They will soften and hydrate your skin.


Have a wonderful day!

ValerieAnn

Avocado Butter

                   
                        HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO ALL!


I recently purchased some Avocado  Butter. You don't have to use much of this fabulous butter! I decided to try it in a batch of lotion first. It came out wonderful!

Avocado Butter is hydrogenated avocado fruit oil. Is is very soft and creamy, great penetration properties,  melts easily and it very suitable for skin care products.  
.
Avocado Butter has natural sunscreen properties along with vitamin A, B, G, and E.  This makes it a fantastic moisturiser for dry and damaged skin.


Some of the claims of Avocado Butter are:

Heals stretch marks and scaring
Moisturises and heals dry skin
Reduces signs of ageing

As we get older, who would not want a little help along the way to improving our skin?!
I put about 5% Avocado Butter in my recipe.  I've read that you can put in up to 20% in a recipe.

Have a safe and Happy Fourth!


ValerieAnn

Soap Making Oils

I have often wanted to talk about the different oils or butters I use in my soaps and lotions and why. And now that I am making lotion bars I think it is a good time to start.

So today I will talk about Coconut oil: it has some great qualities. I use coconut oil in most of my soap recipes and try to stick to using only about 20% coconut oil in my whole recipe.


Although it has great moisturizing qualities it can have the opposite effect and can be drying on your skin if you use too much coconut oil. And who wants that? I want my skin to feel soft an healthy. I have very sensitive skin, so what I put in my soaps has to get by my face before I will make it again!

Coconut Oil also helps the soap to lather nicely.

Here are some attributes of coconut oil:

Bubbly lather
Cleansing
Adds Hardness to a bar
White bar
Moisturizing in small amounts
Promotes elasticity

A little side note: in my lotions bars I actually add 34% coconut oil, but the percentage of it is still ok and does not have a drying effect! Yeah!

Have a great day!

ValerieAnn