Chocolate Soap!

Chocolate Soap

This soap has turned out to be a big hit with the kids, but you foodies will appreciate it too.  Slather up in chocolate and luxurious cocoa butter!  Heavenly and unique, you'll want to eat it... but not a clever idea.

I have only a few available in my shop right now... but more available next week.

Shop The Soap Exchange 

My New Display For The Upcoming Season

I am preparing for my first ever booth at a local event.  Please join me at The Rolling Hills General Store this Saturday, March 16th, from 9-4 for their annual garage sale.  There will be 15 other venders offering a wide array of crafty and equestrian-related items.  Hope to see you there!

Raw Shea Butter From Ghana and Avocado Butter

As a soap maker, I have accumulated quite an array of butters and oils necessary in the soap-making process.  These oils are also used in the manufacturing of lotions and other moisturizing products.

As a person with my hands in either soap or dirt all day, (gardening), I have been in drastic need of a super moisturizer for my hands.  My store-bought lotions are good, but after raiding my stash of raw shea butter and avocado butter, I'll never go back to store-bought lotions.

Think about it..  lotions not only include a moisturizing element such as an oil or butter, but they also contain stabilizers, waxes and preservatives.  Why not put the real-deal on your hands in its most potent and unadulterated form? 

Avocado butter has a mild scent, almost undetectable,  and is so lovely and creamy - easily emulsifying onto warm hands.  Adding your own scent, such as lavender or rose, wouldn't compete at all.  It's SO yummy!  Light enough to wear all day, it promises you won't  feel like you're wearing an oil slick.

The shea butter I bought from Ghana is raw, natural and Fair Trade.   As it is unrefined, it is thicker than the avocado butter, however, has a bit more staying power... especially for rough feet and cuticles.  Shea butter comes from the shea nut, and unless you've smelled it before, the best comparison I can make is that may remind you of sunflower seeds.  Adding a scent over the top is do-able, but I'd suggest something earthy.  

Both of these products are now available here in my shop and they won't disappoint.  At least  1.5 oz - you'll love 'em!

~Sandy

Recipes - Two Essential Oil Facial Serums

It has been a month since I posted about replacing your expensive skin care regimen with some simple essential oils, (EOs).  I spoke about the two least expensive and easily obtained EOs, lavender and tea tree.  If you would like to read that article before starting this one, you can view it here.  

Left - Day Serum, Right - Night Serum

Over the past month I've created two new blends which I find both effective and pleasantly aromatic.  Neither of these are as inexpensive as lavender and tea tree, however, offer a host of benefits for my particular skin type - (sun damaged and still prone to break-outs).... yes, wrinkles AND pimples at the same time.  Mother nature can be cruel at times.

Remember that I mentioned some EOs photo-sensitize your skin?  There are many that do and that is why I have created two recipes, one for day, and one for night. Luckily for me, the daytime serum has turned out lighter than the one for night.  Easy-peasy...

   Daytime

For daytime, I have come up with with a simple Frankincense and Myrrh blend.  Frankincense is used in aromatherapy for blemishes, dry and 'mature complexions', scars and wrinkles.  Yeah, I have all of those!  Frankincense is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.  

Myrrh is good for chapped and cracked skin, 'mature complexions,' and wrinkles.  It is an antiseptic and astringent, among having many other beneficial qualities.  Mixed together with a carrier oil, (I have chosen Meadowfoam), you have a facial serum of biblical proportions.  Myrrh is a non-irritant and non-sensitizing but should not be used during pregnancy.

Used in your handmade recipes, Meadowfoam Oil is known for its moisturizing and rejuvenating properties. This oil has a non-greasy feeling, blends well with other carrier oils and has binding qualities, allowing it to help your products retain scents longer.  

On left for day - Myrrh EO, Frankincense EO and Meadowfoam Oil
On right for night - Rose Absolute, Neroil EO, Bergamot EO and Rice Bran Oil

Night

For night time use, I have chosen three lovely smelling and functional EOs...  Rose Absolute, Neroli and Bergamot.

Using rose absolute for mature skin is a widely touted favorite amongst aromatherapists.  Valuable for all skin types, it's an excellent treatment for the face, hands, neck and lips.  It is moisturizing and stimulates cellular regeneration  It helps to clear blotchy skin, along with a host of other benefits relating to women's health.  Great before bed, it is sedating and an aphrodisiac.  Non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

Neroli, aka Orange Blossom, is used in aromatherapy for mature skin, as it improves elasticity.  On top of that, it is antibacterial, anti-depressive and guards from or prevents the spread or occurrence of disease or infection, (immuno-stimulant).  On top of that it aids in sleep, making it perfect before bed.  Non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.  

Great for acne-prone skin types, Bergamot clears up loads of other skin ailments such as psoriasis, eczema and cold sores.  Mixed with the other two, you've got your wrinkles and pimples covered.  And like the others, it is a mild sedative making it great for bed-time use.  Non-toxic and low-irritant factor.  Photo sensitizing.  

With the night-time blend, I have chosen Rice Bran Oil.  Cold Pressed Rice Bran Oil is rich in Vitamin E and anti-oxidants. This oil has long been used in Japan as a base for soap, skin moisturizer and protector. It is said to be an effective substitute for lanolin. Rice Bran Oil is especially used for treating dry and mature skin.

If you are unsure as to how these should be mixed, please refer to my prior blog, located here.  I recommend mixing up your serums in roller bottles like the ones pictured above.  They are extremely handy for application and airport friendly.  

Coupling this EO regimen with a nice salty soap, and this DIY goat's milk facial cleanser/scrub recipe - you should be completely good to go.  

NOT INTERESTED IN BUYING ALL THIS STUFF?  BOTH FACIAL SERUMS ARE AVAILABLE ON MY WEBSITE.

Before starting any regimen,  a patch test should be tried in an out-of-the-way place to test for allergies or other sensitivities.