Why use organic beauty products?

Organic beauty products are better for your skin

What you put on your skin eventually ends up in your body. Certified organic products are made with ingredients that are grown free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms. They also don’t include harmful additives such as petroleum waxes, fillers and artificial chemicals. Simply put, certified organic products are completely healthy and natural, synthetic alternatives are not.

Organic beauty products work better

Think of beauty products like food. In today’s world, there are a lot of synthetic, or “fake” ingredients used in food processing. But if you go to a high-end restaurant, you generally won’t find “fake” ingredients on the menu. Top chefs know that creating a top-quality meal requires top-quality ingredients. They don’t use artificial flavors in their cooking, because real spices and fresh herbs create a finer, more exquisite taste. Producing a beauty product is not much different. Certified organic beauty products work better simply because they are made with superior ingredients.

Organic beauty products are better for the environment

Organic farming eliminates the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, all of which have a destructive effect on our water, soil and health. Organic plants are also grown without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as they may pose a significant threat to both human and environmental health. Therefore, through looking out for your own health, you’re also helping to protect our fragile ecosystem. That is what they call a “win-win” situation.

Which essential oil is right for you?

Choose an essential oil that suits your skin requirements you can always substitute you essential oil ingredients for ones that are more suitable, more affordable or simply to one that you may already have.

Lavender Essential Oil - Headaches, stress, insomnia, minor burns, skin rashes, lowers blood pressure. Calmative. Basil Essential Oil- Anti bacterial, headaches, mental alertness, fatigue, stress, Period pains (Blends well with lemon and fennel).

Lemon Essential Oil- Cellulite, oily skin, anti bacterial, asthma and other respiratory complaints.

Patchouli Essential Oil - Tightens pores, combats wrinkles, Mobilizes cellulite, stress reliever, insomnia, relaxant, acne, eczema, psoriasis, sores and minor burns (Blends well with lavender and sandalwood).

Sandalwood Essential Oil- Calms the mind and spirit, oily skin, soothes irritated skin, and is an aphrodisiac for men. (Blends well with lavender and sandalwood).

Spearmint Essential Oil- Soothes the skin, calmative, and settles upset tummies.

Lemon Grass Essential Oil- Skin toner, oily skin, fatigue, muscle aches and gastric infections-(Blends well with tea tree and lavender).

Tea Tree Essential Oil- Anti- fungal, acne, skin toner. (Blends well with spearmint, sandalwood, lavender, and eucalyptus).

Juniper Berry Essential Oil - Cellulite, uplifting (Blends well with lavender, patchouli and sandalwood).

Fennel Essential Oil - Diuretic, circulation. Cleansing oil, indigestion and gas. (Blends well with lavender, lemon, basil and sandalwood).

Cypress Essential Oil- Diuretic, varicose veins, circulation, coughs and colds. (Blends well with lavender , sandalwood and patchouli).

Which moisture agent is right for you?

Choose one that suits your skin requirements you can always substitute different liquids for ones you have available and also substitute water for any of the following liquids below. You can also substitute any oils for the moisture oils below.

Moisture Liquids
Apple Cider Vinegar - Helps to heal bruises, soothes irritated skin
Glycerin - Deep skin moisturizer
Chamomile- Promotes relaxation and detoxifies
Witch Hazel- Skin toner and cleaner Goats Milk - Balances Ph levels in skin and exfoliates skin cells whilst moisturizing
Whole Cream Milk -Relieves dry and itchy skin and full of nutrients Fruit Juice - Full of Vitamins Yogurt - Soothes dry and irritated skin Lemon Juice -detoxifies and cleanses skin cells These essential oils are used to combat cellulite and detoxify the body

Moisture Oils
Almond Oil - mature skin, sensitive or dry skin
Aloe Vera Oil- anti ageing, skin irritations, cuts and minor burns
Palm Oil - Moisturizing oil
Apricot Kernel Oil- Skin irritations, dry inflamed skin. Absorbs quickly.
Refined Emu Oil- repairs damaged and wrinkled skin, muscle and joint pain, repairs scar tissue.
Shea Oil - retains skins elasticity, moisturizes dry cracked skin
Sesame Oil- moisturizing, retains skins elasticity
Sunflower Oil- moisturizes, regenerate and condition skin
Soybean Oil- moisturizing oil filled with vitamin E
Evening primrose Oil- eczema, nourishes dry skin
Flaxseed Oil - eczema, psoriasis, acne and aging skin
Olive Oil- regenerate new skin cells, draws moisture to external skin cells
Macadamia Oil- Penetrates the skin quickly, anti oxidant
Rapeseed Oil - strengths skin tissue full of vitamins and minerals
Grapeseed Oil - Moisturizes, Tones the skin.

Homemade Deodorant

3 Tablespoons shea butter
3 Tablespoons baking soda
2 Tablespoons corn starch
2 Tablespoons cocoa butter
2 vitamin E oil gel caps (puncture and squeeze out the oil)
Essential Oil (I used ylang yang and orange)

I melted all the ingredients (except the oils) and gave it a good stir. This only took about 30 seconds in the microwave. Then added the oils, stirred again, and poured it in a jar, then placed it in the fridge to set. This recipe filled the jar in my hand, which is a 1/4 pint.

Homemade Shaving Cream

1/4 cup of Stearic acid powder

1 tsp of borax

2 tbs of grated soap

1 cup of hot water

Melt the Stearic acid down into a clear liquid using a double boiler method.

Add all the remainder ingredients together and keep stirring until it is well mixed.

Place the soap ingredients into a blender and mix well for a few minutes then carefully and slowly add the Stearic acid to the mix and blend until it is a thick creamy consistency. Pour into a large container and its ready for use.

Homemade Bubble Bath

Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath

This bubble bath has lavender and patchouli oils to relax you before bedtime. Use soft music and lighted candles in your bathroom for a soothing effect.

6 drops of lavender oil
3 drops of patchouli oil
1 quart of distilled water
1 bar of castille soap. (4 oz. Bar)
4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions: mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.

Cold Season Bubble Bath

This bubble bath will help you breathe easier, with eucalyptus oil to ease the cold congestion. This is perfect for the cold season.

6 drops of eucalyptus oil
3 drops of spearmint oil
3 drops of peppermint oil
1 quart of distilled water
1 bar of castille soap. (4 oz. Bar)
4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions: mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.

Pure Sunshine Bubble Bath

This citrusy bubble bath will cheer you up and energize you. Perfect for a morning bath or use after exercising.

6 drops of orange oil
4 drops of grapefruit oil
3 drops of lemon oil
1 quart of distilled water
1 bar of castille soap. (4 oz. Bar)
4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions: mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.

Love Potion Bubble Bath

This bubble bath will put you in a romantic mood. All of the ingredients are considered known aphrodisiac – so look out!

6 drops jasmine oil
3 drops rose oil
3 drops vanilla oil
6 drops ylang ylang oil
1 quart of distilled water
1 bar of castille soap. (4 oz. Bar)
4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions: mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.

Homemade Hair Mouse, Gel & Spray

Hair Mousse 1/4 cup of plain unflavored gelatin 1 cup warm water Dissolve the gelatin in the water and bring to a boil. Let sit at room temperature until it is almost set. Whip the mixture up and allow to sit again for a few minutes. Now you can rub into hair and style as usual. The shelf life for the mousse is one week refrigerated.
Hair Gel 1/2 to 1 tsp unflavored gelatin 1 cup warm water Dissolve the gelatin in 1 cup water. Keep refrigerated. Use as any regular hair gel.

Hair Spray 1 lemon 2 cups warm water 1 ounce rubbing alcohol Chop the lemon up and place in a pan with 2 cups water. Boil until only half the original amount remains in the pan. Allow the mixture to cool then strain the liquid into a spray bottle. Add the rubbing alcohol for a preservative allowing for a shelf life of two weeks unrefrigerated.

Homemade Hair Anit-Frizz

1/2 cup conditioner
1/4 cup honey
1 tbs almond oil

Mix ingredients together. Make sure that all the ingredients are throughly blended then apply it to damp hair. Work it through all your hair and allow to set for 20 minutes, then rinse completely out. It works for all types of hair.
Cost about $1.00

Homemade Hair Detangler

Just mix 2 parts water to 1 part conditioner. Put in a spray bottle and spray on hair.

Cost about 25 cents.

Homemade Toothpaste

6 teaspoons baking soda
1/3 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
15 drops peppermint
Mix thoroughly. Should be a tooth paste consistency. For flavor you can add a few drops of peppermint or wintergreen. Store in a container. You'll be surprised with how fresh your mouth feels.

Homemade Lotion

1 cup hot water
1/4 cup emulsifying wax
1/4 cup olive oil
10 drops GSE liquid grapefruit seed extract
12-20 drops essential oil

In a pyrex measuring glass heat water for 4 minutes in the microwave. Then add the emulsifying wax and let completely dissolve. Add remaining ingredients and mix with a stick blender for 4 minutes and immediately place in jars. Leave the lids off till completely cooled. Then enjoy! Shelf life is about 6 months.

Homemade Soap Made Easy

Recipe: (Makes 8 lbs.)

24 oz. olive oil
24 oz. coconut oil
38 oz. vegetable shortening (Crisco)
12 oz. lye
32 oz. distilled water
1 oz. any essential or fragrance oil

You Will Need

Scale that weighs in ounces
1 Large one-gal. stainless steel pot (use this exclusively for soap-making)

1 medium stainless steel pot (use exclusive for soap-making)

One 4-6 cup measuring glass (make sure it’s glass)

2 wooden spoons (with long handles)

2 identical thermometers (exclusive to soap-making)
Stick blender
Rubber gloves

Dust mask

White vinegar

Prepare your molds by lining cardboard boxes with wax paper. Place boxes on rag towels incase of spills because the lye will eat anything it touches. Make sure you place them in a spot they can remain untouched for up to 12 hours.

Then measure and place all your oils in a large pot. Put it aside. Measure out your water and place it in another pot and set outside. Get suited to handle the lye with rubber gloves, eye protection and a mask. Keep white vinegar near and use immediately on your skin if the lye comes in contact. Measure lye and pour into water very slowly (outside) and stir as you pour. Stir only until dissolved. Let it sit outside. In the mean time place the pot with the oils on stove put on low heat, stirring non-stop only until the oils are melted. Take it off the heat. Make a water bath in your sink filling it with ice & cold water half way. Bring the lye inside. By switching back & forth between the lye pot and oil pot in the water bath you need to get the lye and oils to come to the exact temp, anywhere from 100F to 80F degree’s but whatever the temp is they have to be exactly the same. You can also heat them back up if you have to. Once they are the same temp very slowly pour the lye into the oils as you stir quickly with a hand mixer. Once it begins to trace add your scents, spices or flowers. Mix it in and pour quickly into the molds before it begins to set. Pour enough into your mold to have it at least 2” deep. Let set untouched for up to 12 hours. (In winter months cover the soap with a sheet so that it doesn’t cool too quickly or it could separate. In summer months do not cover it because it could begin to heat back up and ruin your soap. If it begins to heat back up set it in a cool dry place with no towels under the box.) Depending on how much soap you’ve made, it could take longer than 12 hours but let set long enough that your finger can make a slight indentation but hard enough to hold together when you take it out of the mold and cut it. Once it’s set take it out of the mold and peel off the wax paper and cut as desired with wire or a knife. Place in a cardboard box with a slight separation between each bar and put it in a dark dry place (I usually put it under my bed) for 6-12 weeks to cure. When it’s cured you should be able to handle the soap and have it not leave an oil residue on your hands. Can be stored for up to 4 years. Enjoy!