Body Butters are Back!

Just in time for cooler weather! When skin gets dry and flaky, it is a result of both water loss and loss of your natural skin oils. By adding water in the form of a lotion, you add back essential water to your dehydrated skin. With the addition of butters and oils, you keep that water locked in, keeping your skin hydrated and preventing further water loss. That's why I include both water and nourishing butters and oils in my body butter formulation.


Scents currently available:

~Cuppa Chai- tea, vanilla, chai spices
~Punk'in Pie- pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg
~Hot Apple Cider- apples, cinnamon, orange peel
~Pineapple Crush- juicy pineapple
~Fuzzy Navel- peach + orange
~Tiny Bubbles- fruity champagne
~Bohemian- patchouli, sandalwood, spice
~Pure Rehab- unscented
~Caramel Latte- sweet coffee with caramel
~Island Pear- juicy pear + vanilla
~Hawaiian Orange Guava- Satsuma orange + guava

10 More Ways to Use Essential Oils

1. For aromatherapy scented towels, sheets, etc, place a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the clothes dryer while drying. Or, add 5 drops of essential oil to 1/4 cup fabric softener or water and place in center cup of washer.
2. Add a few drops of oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.
3. Add a few drops of essential oil to a pan of water and simmer on stove or in potpourri pot.
4. To blend your own massage oil, add 3-5 drops of your favorite (skin safe) essential oil to 1 oz Jojoba oil.
5. Put a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your vacuum cleaner bag.
6. To dispel household cooking odors, add a few drops of Clove oil to a simmering pan.
7. Potpourri which has lost its scent can be revived by adding a few drops of essential oil.
8. Unscented candle? Place a drop or 2 of essential oil into the melted wax as the candle burns. Use caution, please.
9. Smelly shoes can be remedied by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of lemon oil into the shoes.
10. For a relaxing bath, add to your warm water 4 drops chamomile oil and 2 drops lavender.

Tea Tree Oil

*Editor’s Note: This article does not replace medical advise.

20 Great Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil

For Health

1. Use a dab to treat acne.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath.
5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
6. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice.
7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.
8. Treating sinus infection.
9. For dandruff and dry scalp.
10. In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds, persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.

For Cleaning

11. To create an all-purpose cleaner, combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
12. Another version would be 14 ounces of water with 1 ounce of Murphy’s oil soap and 10 drops of tea tree oil.
13. Mix the above solution with kosher salt to scrub bathtub and bathroom tiles.
14. Add a few drops to dishwasher dispenser, then fill with a green dishwashing soap.
15. A few drops added to each load of laundry leave your clothes smelling cleaner.
16. Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.
17. Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray.
18. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.
19. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.
20. Be sure to take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly on insect bites or blisters.

Sustainable Palm Oil

Why do I use palm oil in my soaps? A solid oil at room temperature, and high in saturated fatty acids, palm oil helps make a harder, longer lasting soap bar. Why do I use only sustainable organic palm oil? The clear cutting of palm forests in Indonesia and Malaysia are threatening the rain forest ecosystem, people, and the natural habitats of the orangutans. Using palm oil that is certified as sustainable by the RSPO(Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil) ensures that the palm oil I'm using is contributing to the economic development of the producing countries and to the diets of millions of people around the world instead of doing harm. Production is done on a smallholder level, providing opportunities to improve livelihoods and incomes for the poor in those regions.

Ingredient Spotlight-Tamanu Oil

Tamanu oil is a remarkable topical healing agent with skin healing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibiotic and antioxidant properties. The Tamanu tree is indigenous to tropical Southeast Asia; it is found in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, South India, Sri Lanka, and the Melanesian and Polynesian islands. The Tamanu tree blooms twice annually with fragrant, white flowers, which later yield clusters of yellow-skinned spherical fruit. The fruit's pulp tastes similar to an apple, within which a large nut is embedded. The nut contains an odorless pale kernel, called punnai in some Pacific areas. This kernel is dried in the sun for two months until it becomes sticky with a dark, thick, rich oil; it must be protected from humidity and rain during drying. This sticky oil is cold-pressed to make a greenish yellow oil similar to olive oil. To put this spectacular oil into perspective, and to further justify its relatively high cost, It takes 100 kilograms of Tamanu fruit, the amount that one tree produces annually, to yield just 5 kilograms of cold pressed oil! Natives believed the Tamanu tree was a sacred gift of nature and that gods hid in its branches. It was their answer to skin protection from hot sun, high humidity and ocean wind. Tamanu oil possesses significant antimicrobial qualities, as proven in antibacterial and antifungal tests. It also works miracles on scar tissue, making scars look less unsightly. It's also said to be helpful for acne and sunburn.
I pulled this info from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com --a great resource for oils and herbs.
Given how wonderful Tamanu oil is for the skin, I recently added it to my shea butter formula, making it even more luxurious and soothing. This addition also makes the Pure Rehab unscented version awesome as a face cream.

New Glycerin Soaps

I just added a new line of glycerin soaps to Soap Rehab! After searching high and low, I found a great soap base to work with that contains only simple, natural ingredients, and has no added synthetic detergents. Cold Process soaps also contain glycerin, as a natural byproduct of the soap-making process, these soaps just contain added glycerin which results in a different look and feel. My cold-process soaps are made entirely by hand...which involves melting all the different oils, mixing up a lye/water solution and combining the lye with the oils at the correct temperature. The chemical reaction that results, called saponification, turns the fats (oils) into soap. By contrast, glycerin soaps are made from an already manufactured base that is easy to melt, remelt and pour as necessary. Glycerin soaps have a different feel, due to the added glycerin content. Very smooth, these glycerin soaps have a nice bubbly, silky lather. Glycerin is a wonderful emollient, which softens and smooths the skin. Check out the new soaps at http://soaprehab.com

New Product! Sugar Polish

An Exfoliating Skin Conditioner for your body, this NEW Sugar Polish by Soap Rehab has lots of moisturizing shea butter, with sugar to exfoliate. This formula is emulsified like a cream so it will not separate or leak. Just scoop out a bit into your hands during your shower or bath and gently scrub--especially focusing on dry flaky spots like elbows, feet, and knees. Then rinse. It will leave your skin feeling satiny smooth and lightly moisturized, without any greasy or oily feel.

As I mentioned in an earlier post on my scrubby soaps, exfoliating your skin is actually an important process to help your skin stay moisturized. If your skin is coated with a heavy layer of dead skin cells, your moisturizer can't do its job. It won't be able to penetrate that layer of dead skin cells and you'll still feel dry and flaky even after multiple applications of lotion. Gentle exfoliation also helps prevent ingrown hairs and body acne, in addition to moisture retention. Also great as a pre-self tanning treatment for the most natural looking, even tan. I've worked for months to perfect this formula and create a scrub that I love, and I hope you will enjoy it, too. Currently available in the super yummy Brown Sugar Pecan scent at http://soaprehab.etsy.com.

Ingredient Spotlight- Sweet Almond Oil

Obtained from the dried kernels of the almond tree, sweet almond oil has a long historical use around the world that includes repairing itchy, dry and inflamed skin as well as being an excellent moisturizer suitable for all skin types. It is a mild, lightweight oil, rich in unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids (omega 3), Vitamins A, several B vitamins and vitamin E. It is considered, in general, to be a non-irritating oil, and helps to leave the skin soft and smooth yet it's non-greasy and easily absorbed into the skin. This makes it great for use in lotions and massage oils. I love it in my body butter formulation because it's not heavy at all, yet very soothing. Sweet almond oil is also used as a wood conditioner of certain woodwind instruments such as the oboe and clarinet. You can lube up your reed and skin with the same oil! ;) With the high concentration of specifically the Vitamin E, it's also said to be great for your hair...try a scalp massage with sweet almond oil to add luster, shine, and strength.

Ingredient Spotlight- Aloe Vera

Aloe is a genus containing about four hundred species of flowering succulent plants. On a recent trip with my family to the University of Michigan botanical gardens, we saw so many different kinds of aloe plants! Different sizes, colors, shapes, but usually the same distinctive leaf. The most common and well known of these is, of course, aloe vera. My first exposure to aloe vera was as a pre-teen, when I was told to use the gel to help soothe my sunburned skin. I have read scientific studies about the effects of aloe vera on skin exposed to the sun's UV rays, and although it requires a dictionary to get the entire meaning of the findings, there does seem to be evidence of the soothing anti-inflammatory effect of aloe vera. Aloe vera contains vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and amino acids, all with beneficial skin care properties. Vitamins such as A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. Enzymes that when applied to the skin help to reduce inflammation. Minerals such as calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc. All this botanical goodness makes alove vera a great addition to my lip balms! It's also a great ingredient for a homemade facial mask. Here's a recipe you can use for a quick pampering facial:

2 Tablespoons pure aloe vera gel
1 Tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon plain yogurt

Mix well. Apply to face in gentle circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with tepid water.

GaGa for Guacamole

I love Guacamole, and with our forecast calling for more snow, I was really in the mood for something fresh and green to invoke a little Spring. I whipped this up in no time and found it to hit the nail on the head for fresh and green. I omitted the tomatoes (because good luck finding good tomatoes this time of year), used a little less onion, and chopped up part of a jalapeno instead of the cayenne. Magnifico! While you're enjoying some guacamole and chips, check out my previous blog post here: http://tinyurl.com/dhr8wb for a bit of info on the benefits of Avocado for the skin. :)

Ingredients

3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
1 lime, juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

In a large bowl place the scooped avocado pulp and lime juice, toss to coat. Drain, and reserve the lime juice, after all of the avocados have been coated. Using a potato masher add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash. Then, fold in the onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved lime juice. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour and then serve.

Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown

Body Balm Love

I love body balm (solid lotion bars) in the winter. My skin gets so dry from the lack of humidity, cold wind, and the dry heat blowing constantly inside. Sometimes my skin is so dry, itchy, flaky, and irritated that extra moisturizing is necessary. That's when I break out the body balm. Like a lip balm for your whole body, the butters and oils in a solid lotion melt on contact with your skin. With the candellila wax added to the formula, the balm works to actually seal in moisture providing long lasting protection. It helps prevent that moisture loss during the day. It's also portable, travel friendly, and a little goes a long way making it last a good long time. I like to use it right after showering as a lotion. Sometimes if my skin is especially dry, I use it while I'm still IN the shower right before getting out. This really helps lock the moisture in my skin. Then I blot myself dry gently with a towel. I also use it as a cuticle cream to soften and soothe. And you can also cut off a small chunk and use as a moisturizing bath melt. Or smooth it on someone special and use as a massage bar. My husband loves the Chocoholic scent because he says it makes me smell absolutely edible. :) I'm also working on making these in several more scents. What scents would you like to see them available in?

Ingredient Spotlight-Meadowfoam Oil

Meadowfoam seed oil is an edible seed oil, extracted from the seeds of Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam). Meadowfoam is a 10- to 18-inch-tall flowering plant. I have read that some grass-seed farmers who are no longer allowed to burn their fields are now planting meadowfoam as an alternative crop. The oil is very emollient, and contains high levels of naturally occurring Vitamin E. It is said to moisturize the skin and hair better than most oils, and it helps prevent moisture loss. It provides good slip in creams, providing a nice feel when smoothing on lotions and butters and making it nice for massage as well. I love the light, moisturizing attributes it brings to my body butter formulation.

Pampering Yourself at Home--Facial Masks

For when you can't make it to the spa and your face needs a little TLC, here are a few ideas for some facial masks you can make at home.

*Puree half a peeled, sliced cucumber in a food processor or blender and add one-tablespoon plain yogurt. Apply this to the face and let set for about 20 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth. With zinc and lactic acid, yogurt is a great treatment for your skin. Cucumbers help hydrate your skin.

*Smoosh a handful of strawberries and mix well with one teaspoon honey. Apply this mixture to the face and let set for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth. Strawberries are loaded with Vitamin C and help make your skin glow. Honey helps your skin retain moisture, is rich in Vitamin B, and contains antioxidants.

*Smash half of an avocado and apply this to the entire face. Let set for about 20 minutes and then gently wipe off with a damp washcloth. Rich in Vitamins A, D and E, avocado is good for very dry skin as well as sensitive skin. It helps reduce irritation and redness.

*Aspirin mask--good for acne and very oily skin. Crush up a few aspirin in a bowl, add enough water to make a slurry. Apply to your face with a cotton ball. Leave on for 10-15 mins. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth and moisturize. Another variation is to add aloe vera gel or honey instead of water. The salicylic acid in aspirin is a good exfoliator. Honey would make this mask less drying, but make sure to use a non-comedongenic moisturizer on your face after this one.

Ode to Pumpkins

The much beloved classic symbol of fall, the pumpkin is a winter fruit only available this time of year. It starts in October, lasts through Thanksgiving and on to Christmas with a cornucopia of pumpkin deserts, activities, decorations, and lots of pumpkin love. I love the mad rush for pumpkin lattes, pumpkin ice cream treats, and all the other pumpkin related menu items that pop up this time of year. Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, and the pumpkin seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids, so no reason to waste 'em! Pumpkin is high in vitamins A and C, is low in calories (when not smothered with butter, of course--it's only 15 calories for 1/2 cup), and is a great source of fiber. Vitamins A and C are powerful antioxidants, which are good at neutralizing free radicals--those spazzed out molecules that attack cell membranes and leave the cells vulnerable to damage. Neutralizing free radicals is important internally as well as externally for your skin cells. Pumpkin pulp also contains exfoliating enzymes that work to gently dissolve dead skin buildup, paving the way for softer, smoother skin. Another food that's good for you inside and out so go ahead and eat up...and bathe in it, too! ;)

Ingredient Spotlight-Organic Palm Oil

Found on the back of my Newman's Own Alphabet Cookies:
Organic Palm Oil:
-Is not hydrogenated
-Contains no trans-fatty acids
-Is lower in saturated fat than butter and has no cholesterol
-Is widely used in Europe as an alternative to partially hydrogenated oils
-Is extracted from the palm's fruit, not the palm's kernel
-Can be grown organically in tropical regions

Well the cookies are certainly delish. And apparently, Organic Palm Oil is emerging as a new healthier alternative that remains solid at room temperature. I wonder if we'll be seeing this more in cooking recipes as well as mass produced commercial foods. Around the world, palm is one of the most popular cooking oils, so maybe it's only a matter of time before its popularity increases in the US. The emphasis on organic with palm oil is that large companies have clear cut large tracts of land in tropical regions, including the rain forest regions, where the ecosystem has become largely endangered in recent years. By sustainably harvesting palm oil, we get a product that works with those local communities instead of alienating them, is healthy to cook with, and helps preserve the rain forests. In regards to soap, palm oil when used in combination with other oils, helps to create a harder bar, is less soluble in water so its firmness holds up over time, cleans well, and is mild. I recently started purchasing Organic Palm Oil, so this is now being used at Soap Rehab wherever palm oil is a part of the formulation.

Ingredient Spotlight-Avocado Oil

Avocados contain at least 75% mono-unsaturated fats, are high in protein, high in nutrients so they're good for you to eat. But once again, I take all this good stuff and make it into skin care products! Avocado oil is taken from the pulp of the avocado. A rich, deeply penetrating oil that is high in vitamins A and D, and E, plus magnesium, copper, iron, calcium, potassium and many other trace elements. It is excellent for dry, scaly skin and is said to help with regenerating the skin and softening the tissue. Good for extremely sensitive skin. Fantastic for rich moisturizing lotions and body butters, and also helps make a really nice soap. I use it quite a bit in my formulating, because I really enjoy the way it penetrates the skin, moisturizes even the super dry areas, and leave skin feeling so much better.

Ingredient Spotlight-Mango Butter

The mango fruit is rich in a variety of phytonutrients that qualify it as a "superfruit", a term used to highlight potential health value of certain fruits. It's high in fiber, Vitamin C, and carotene. So they're good for you to eat as well as good for your skin.
Mango Butter is extracted from the fruit kernels. It has natural emollient and wound healing properties. It softens the skin, moisturizes and nourishes dry skin without feeling overly greasy, and is even said to restore elasticity and reduce signs of aging. Also, mango butter is a good source of essential fatty acids. It's hard at room temperature, but melts on contact with the skin making it great in a variety of bath and body products. This is one of my favorite ingredients...I use it in my favorite soap formulation as well as body butter and even lip balm.