Newest Deodorant

Slightly different than my other solid deodorant formula, this one has a slight green tint.  Do not worry, it goes away when applied to the skin.  This was an experimental deodorant for a friend who has not tried DIY deodorant before.  In addition to more traditional ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, and coconut oil, I added shea butter, vitamin e, tea tree oil, lavender oil, lemon oil and bentonite clay.  The clay helps to whisk away sweat and moisture and pull toxins out of the skin.  The clay also provides the greenish tint to the final product.  There is a TINY amount of beeswax, too, to help keep the bar in a more solid form at room temperature.

I have several posts scheduled to post before this one does, so hopefully I can update a review from my friend about the time this post goes live.

Lip Balm

During my nephew's visit, we made several varieties of lip balm.  The base was the same: beeswax, coconut oil, honey, and vitamin e.  We made a cherry version, an unscented version, and a lemon-eucalyptus version.  This last version should be worn while you have a stuffy nose.  It is safe for your lips, but helps open up the nasal passages to ease breathing!  Perfect items for winter!

Ingredient Highlight

Shea Butter

I want to share with you another of my favorite butters, shea butter.  Shea butter is a natural fat obtained from the shea tree.  It protects the skin from dehydration, restores suppleness, increases the moisture of the skin, and improves the appearance of dry and irritated skin.

Shea butter is a great product to protect the skin and hair against sun and pollution damages.  It naturally contains a small amount of UV protection (usually an SPF between 4-6).  Used as an after-sun product, it helps heal peeling skin caused by sun exposure.

Speaking of healing, shea butter has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  It restores skin elasticity, evens out skin tones, strengthens skin, and reduces and repairs fine lines and wrinkles.   This ingredient has been used alone, or with other ingredients, to help heal eczema, psoriasis, rashes, hives, insect bites, minor burns, minor cuts, and cracked skin.  Used on the hair, it helps to moisturize and protect the hair against environmental pollutants and UV rays.  Do not forget to rub it into your scalp as it soothes dry, itchy scalps.

At least one article I read while researching this product suggests that Queen Nefertiti of Egypt used shea butter in her beauty regimen.  If shea butter was good enough for the Queen, surely you should give it a try.

It is starting to smell like the Holidays

This is another one of those smells-so-good-I-want-to-eat-it posts.

I was trying to come up with something I could make for gifts for some of my female family members that I have not already given out a hundred other times.  If you know me, you probably have already been given at least one of the numerous body scrubs I have created over the years (vanilla, peppermint, citrus, margarita, coffee, and so on.)  

While continuing on the body scrub theme, I thought this new scent would appeal to most of the ladies I would be giving this to.  This time, I created a Chocolate-Covered-Peppermint Sugar Scrub.  If you remember, sugar scrubs exfoliate and moisturize the skin.  I love keeping mine in the shower and using it on my legs and arms.  Using a scrub like this always makes my skin feel soooo smooth.

This particular sugar scrub is made with granulated (white) sugar, cocoa powder, soybean oil, and peppermint oil.  Chocolate dipped candy canes, perfect for Christmas giving!  But I did not want to stop there.

I decided I wanted to make this a 2-for-1 gift.  I created this body butter to compliment the sugar scrub.  

Thicker than a regular body lotion, this body butter contains shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and peppermint oil.  It is thick, but absorbed relatively quickly, so it does not leave your skin feeling greasy.  The cocoa butter gives the product a wonderful chocolatey smell and the peppermint is energizing.  

I hope the ladies enjoy these products, if they can keep themselves from trying to eat them first!

Butter Rum Lubricating Oil

I wanted to try out some personal care products.  This is a latex safe lubricating oil.  It contains glycerin, vanilla, and butter rum flavoring.  It works and smells great!  Make some for yourself or to share with a special someone.  

Eucalyptus-Rosemary Salt Scrub

This Eucalyptus-Rosemary scented salt scrub is made with sea salt, olive oil, eucalyptus essential oil, and rosemary essential oil.  Oh, and I added a bit of glycerin for extra moisture.  This is another great heel scrub and makes a wonderful gift!

Spicy, Warming Sugar Scrub

This lovely sugar scrub is made from organic cane sugar, olive oil, cayenne pepper, ginger, glycerin, and orange essential oil.  This scrub is perfect for use on the feet and heels and should not be used on sensitive areas, especially near the eyes.  This is one that is better on the body and not on the face.  If you try making this for yourself or as a gift, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes or face after using this product.  The capsaicin provides a nice warmth to the sugar scrub, but is definitely something you do not want in your eyes!

Personally, I love this during the cool months.  It is moisturizing and warming!  

Banana Nut Exfoliating Mask

This face mask was created in October as part of a sample giveaway promotion.  It is made from bananas, oats, almonds, lemon juice, and glycerin.  To use:  apply to damp skin and leave on for up to 20 minutes.  If needed, a small amount of water can be added to the mask for a more paste like consistency.  For extra exfoliation, immediately before rinsing, wet your fingertips and rub on skin.  Rinse thoroughly, pat skin dry, and moisturize as usual.  Avoid using this product on very sensitive skin or if you have allergies to any of the ingredients.

Antiperspirants VS. Deodorants- What is the Difference?

People stink!  Yes, even you, most likely.  But did you know it is not your sweat doing the stinking?  Sweat is nearly odorless.  The smell emitting from your pits actually comes from bacteria that resides on your skin.  The bacteria reacts with and breaks down the sweat produced by your body, causing that musky odor.  Throughout history, most people lived with the smell or tried to cover it up with fragranced perfumes and oils.

It was not until 1888 that the first deodorant came out on the market.  If you have ever used a deodorant only product, you know that it does not stop you from sweating.  Instead, the deodorant deals with the direct cause of the stink.  It helps keep you stench-free by attacking and killing the bacteria found on your skin.  Most deodorants also help cover up any residual smells with a fragrance of their own.

Antiperspirant, while often found in products in conjunction with deodorant, is not the same as deodorant.  Antiperspirant actually helps keep you from sweating.  This feature is usually accomplished by the inclusion of ingredients that block and plug up your sweat glands.  Interestingly, the FDA only requires a product to reduce sweat by 20% to be labeled as an antiperspirant.  This means the antiperspirant typically contains ingredients designed to attack those bacteria on the skin or is a combination antiperspirant and deodorant in one.

Antiperspirants have received a bad rep in recent years due to claims that the ingredients found in antiperspirants can cause cancer or Alzheimer's disease such as aluminum and zirconium.  There have been numerous studies on the subject and currently there is no hard evidence that antiperspirants are responsible for these or any other diseases.  But speaking of antiperspirant chemicals, have you ever had a favorite outfit stained yellow on a hot day?  Your body is not sweating yellow!  Instead, when your sweat reacts with the aluminum found in antiperspirants, it causes the yellow staining frequently found on fabrics.

You can buy commercial products that are deodorants only.  It is natural for our body to sweat, so do not be ashamed to give up the antiperspirant and see how you do.  Of course, you can always try making your own using some simple ingredients you likely have in your house already.  Simple mixtures of baking soda, cornstarch, and coconut oil is an easy place to start with creating your own deodorant recipes.  This blog has featured a few of its own deodorants, so check the archives if you want something a little fancier.

Leave-in Conditioner and Hair Detangler

I love the scent of this one.  It was suggested by a friend and contains aloe, distilled water, rosemary, and peppermint.  It smells great!  To use, simply mist on damp hair.  

Contest ending 12/13

'Tis the Season for a Giveaway!  Interested in winning samples of products featured in the book and/or on the blog?  What about trying a product still in development?  Each day from December 2- December 13, I will be randomly giving away a sample pack.  It is easy to enter!  Your name will be entered in the daily drawing one time each if you:

1. Like the Natural Beauty Facebook Page (http://facebook.com/naturalbeautythebook.com)
2. Like this Post on Facebook and/or Google+
3. Share this Post with your friends or on your own Page on Facebook and/or Google+
4. Follow Natural Beauty on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/naturalbeautybk)
5. Follow Natural Beauty on Google+ (http://https://plus.google.com/+Naturalbeautythebook).
6. Comment on this Post on Facebook or Google+ -or-
7. Comment on any posts on the Natural Beauty Blog during the contest time period (http://www.naturalbeautythebook.com/blog.html)
8. Like the Natural Beauty Pinterest Page (http://pinterest.com/naturalbeautybk.com)

That means you can have multiple entries in each day's contest!  Shipping is limited to the 48 Contiguous States in the U.S. Contest winners will be contacted by December 20th, so be sure to watch your messages, including "other" or "spam" folders in case the message goes there.

Good Morning, Sunshine Roll-on Perfume

This sweet, energizing roll-on perfume is super easy to make.  It contains sweet almond oil, grapefruit essential oil, and peppermint essential oil.  That is it!  Roll on your pulse points and it will help wake you up and energize you throughout your day.  

This would make a great gift for anyone who could use a pick-me-up.  

Peppermint Scented Solid Perfume

Specifically created for someone who loves peppermint, this is a peppermint-scented solid perfume.  To use, apply a small amount to pulse points with your fingertip.  This product is easy to carry with you and will not leak!  These can be poured into any small container with a lid, including lockets or other wearable jewelry.

If you are in the United States, I hope you have an excellent Thanksgiving!  Try to do some creating between eating and shopping!  

Body Shimmer

With the holidays quickly approaching, how about making yourself a little cream that moisturizes and adds a bit of shimmer to the skin?

While I made this purple one for someone special who likes this color, you could make this in a variety of colors to suit the occasion.  This is a super simple, two ingredient recipe.  It is safe for the eye and lip area, too!  You can apply as thick or as thin as you want, depending on the color and shimmer you want.

Pirate-Blend Aftershave.

This rum infused aftershave looks good enough to drink!  Containing rum, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, and other piratey goodness, this is actually a great antiseptic aftershave.  Splash it on after you shave to clean the skin and close up those pores.  Any newly shaven Blackbeard* will love it's spicy fragrance.

*Blackbeard the Pirate, of course... 

Aftershave!

This aftershave was wonderful because it uses oils, which means it did not have to sit in a cool, dark place for weeks awaiting test trials to begin.  This is a rosemary, patchouli, grapefruit blend.  It is very earthy, but with a light citrus top note.  To apply, simply splash on after shaving.  Let dry.

Cranberries

Check out my article on the HERS Magazine blog!

This article contains two original recipes I created for using left-over cranberries!

Aftershave

The blog this week will feature two various versions of Aftershave.  While you are watching for them, take a few minutes to review the post I put on the book's Facebook and Google+ pages in August about why you should use aftershave as part of your normal skincare routine.  From those pages:

I have been in the test kitchen working on a couple different aftershave recipes. If you are not already using aftershave, there are at least three reasons you may want to considering adding this product to your shaving routine. 

First, aftershave should have antiseptic properties. After shaving, an aftershave will help keep your skin germ free. This is important because after you have raked a razor across your delicate skin, your skin will be open and vulnerable to germs.

Next, look for a product that closes your pores to help keep out dirt and oil. Find one that will not clog your pores to help prevent breakouts.

Finally, you want an aftershave to soothe your skin. It should help heal and moisturize the skin. If you can, find one that contains an ingredient that acts as a humectant. That means the ingredient draws/attracts moisture from the air and helps the skin retain that moisture, keeping the skin hydrated throughout the day.

You can find aftershave as a liquid/splash, cream, balm, or salve depending on what you prefer. If you are sensitive to scents, there are a variety of fragrance-free products out there, or make your own like I do!

Pumpkin Mani/Pedi Wrap

Here is a quick recipe for the next time you give yourself a manicure or pedicure (or both.)  Mix together pumpkin, an egg, honey, and yogurt and apply to your hands/arms and/or feet/legs.  If doing a manicure, you may need help with this next step!  Take plastic wrap and cover the mixture, but not too tightly.  You do not want to cut off circulation.  Plastic bags/gloves might work for you, too.  Allow the mixture covered in plastic wrap to remain on the area for up to 15 minutes.  After the time has passed, remove the plastic and rinse well.  Apply a lotion and you are ready to go.  

The pumpkin helps heal and smooth rough, cracked, and dry skin and promotes new cell production.  The egg firms the skin and reduces redness while soothing skin irritations.  The honey moisturizes, helps unclog pores, and contains antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  The yogurt removes dead skin and hydrates the skin.  

HERS Magazine

I am super excited to have a blog post featured on the HERS Magazine website.  Check it out here.  Be sure to share it with your friends and comment on it!

Autumn Face Mask- Great for those with acne, oily skin, or those with concerns about aging skin

I whipped up this face mask because I had some left over apples and pears that I needed to use up.  In addition to these fruits, I added ground oats, lemon juice, olive oil, and soybean oil.  I had reasons for choosing each of these ingredients, besides the season and the need to use up the fruit:

Apples contain antioxidants that speed cell regeneration.  Used topically, this fruit helps brighten skin, smooth fine lines and soothe skin irritations.  The vitamins in apples combat acne and acne causing bacteria while the glycolic acid helps exfoliate the skin and clear pores.  

Pears naturally exfoliate the skin and help the skin to retain moisture while firming the skin, evening skin tone, and minimizing the appearance of fine lines.  The enzymes found in pears help speed up cell production.

Oats help to treat acne by removing bacteria and excess skin oils.  Oats are used to moisturize the skin and to heal and soothe dry, itchy, and otherwise irritated skin.  Used in skin care products, oats help even skin tone and naturally cleanses the skin, removing dirt.  

Lemon juice diminishes scars and age spots while evening out skin tone.  This juice helps to heal acne and gently exfoliates the skin.  

Olive oil provides long lasting moisture for the skin.  It is said to protect against and help heal sun damaged skin.  Use of olive oil keeps the skin soft and supple.  

Soybean oil reduces blotchiness and discoloration while moisturizing the skin.  It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines while stimulating collagen.  Soybean oil is naturally rich in Vitamin E, which helps the skin maintain elasticity, prevent premature aging, and promote healing.  

To use, apply the mask to the face and allow to remain on the skin 15-20 minutes.  Rinse off well and moisturize the skin as usual.  

Been a long week?

How about starting the weekend off on the right foot?  Get a drink then relax and pamper yourself with this Margarita Salt Scrub (left) and Margarita Body Butter (right).

Good times will definitely be had by you.  

Pumpkin Hair Conditioner

I love, love, love pumpkin.  As I have mentioned in recent posts, pumpkin is great for the skin especially dry, cracked, and/or aging skin, but pumpkin also has lots of moisturizing effects for your hair!

Pumpkin is great for moisturizing dry or damaged hair and the potassium found in pumpkins promotes hair growth.

I also added:

Yogurt- Yogurt contains lactic acid which stimulates blood circulation, encouraging hair growth.  The proteins found in yogurt also strengthen the hair strands.

Soybean oil- Soybean oil promotes hair growth while adding strength and shine.

Honey-  This ingredient attracts moisture and nourishes the hair follicles, which encourages hair growth.

Ingredients ready to be mixed.

After you mix the ingredients together, apply to hair and let sit 3-5 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly.  You can use this conditioner immediately after shampooing or on dry hair.  

Ready for application

Just in time for Halloween

I whipped up a few batches of Spicy Lotion Bars.  These smell like fall and were molded in spoooooooooky Halloween shapes.

Here you are surely terrified by the bones and fingers I have lying around the test kitchen.  

The spicy pumpkins turned out more like beach balls, but they smell terrific!

I do like the details on the little skulls!

These were made with shea butter, olive oil, beeswax, cinnamon, and tangerine.  Yummy!  Definitely a treat I would like to receive!

Have a Happy Halloween!

Fresh Pear Body Scrub

We picked a ton (figuratively) of pears recently at my uncle's house.  Worried about what to do with them all, I created this sugar scrub.  

After washing, drying, and coring the pears, I blended them into a puree along with some lemon juice.  Add in the sugar:

Keep Stirring:

Ta-da!  Lovely pear scrub.  Who wants to try some?

(Reminds me of applesauce.)  

I love making Body Butter

Although I recently posted this recipe and product, I made another batch and wanted to share it again.  I love the scent while making this.  The entire test kitchen smelled like chocolate.  

Make it a little easier on yourself and let the products cool in the refrigerator until it just begins to set.  Then whip it up with your mixer (hand held or stand) or use an immersion blender.  

Here it is coming together nicely.  I always want to lick the beater!

Ready for packaging!  Want to try this?  Ask me how!

Oh, and Happy Birthday to me!  :)

Solid Perfume Bars

Solid perfume does best in a small container with an airtight lid.  These are really nice to put in old lockets and you can wear your scent and always have it ready to dab on!  To use, rub your finger across the perfume and apply lightly to pulse points (or if in bar form like these, you can rub them right across the pulse point.)  These particular perfumes were made in a bar form for scent testing.  A friend asked for a particular scent combination and these bars were my three attempts at various ways of mixing up the scents.  These are being sent to her as of the time I am writing this post.

Interested in creating your own combination scent?  Let me know what scents appeal to you and I can help you craft a fragrance.  Like my friend, if I come up with any successful combinations, I can send you a sample to try and then help you learn how to make it yourself!

This particular perfume includes clove, lime, and patchouli.  Interested in trying this one out?  Let me know!

Pumpkin Spice (and Everything Nice) Sugar Scrub

Perfect for the season, this Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub is so easy to make.  I used equal parts organic cane sugar and olive oil and 2-3 TBS of pumpkin pie spice.  The olive oil may overpower the scent of the spice a bit, so feel free to swap it out with a less-heavy scented oil.  Pumpkin pie spice is made from cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice.  You can either use a commercially purchased pre-mixed spice or mix some up yourself.  

As I have mentioned elsewhere on this blog, cinnamon brings blood to the surface area of the skin and some people, especially those with sensitive skin may experience brief redness or tingling with use.  This particular recipe has very little cinnamon in it, but if you are concerned, you may wish it skip the cinnamon or use it on less sensitive areas.  If in doubt, do an allergy test on your inner elbow area and wait up to 48 hours to see how you may react.  

Perfect for your Sweetheart

Tomorrow is Sweetest Day and although I personally have never celebrated it and do not really know many people that do, I thought I would make some sweets for my... well, family.  

This was an experimental recipe crossover that I think turned out to be a sweet success!  I mixed my body lotion bars with my so delicious-smelling and popular body butter and created these chocolate scented body lotion bars.  The chocolate scent from the cocoa butter is accented with a hint of orange.  Make some for your sweetie!

Happy Sweetest Day!

Free radicals and Antioxidants

You hear me talk a lot about products having antioxidant properties or fighting free radicals.  What are these exactly?

Let's start talking about free radicals.  Free radicals are the most active compounds in the aging process.  They damage DNA, the cellular membrane, and connective tissues of the dermis layer of the skin, especially collagen.  Free radicals are caused by factors both inside and outside the body.  Internally, free radicals are produced by metabolic reactions.  Externally, free radicals can be caused by UV radiation, pesticides, air pollution, drugs, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

While the body does have some natural defense mechanism against free radicals, these defenses decrease with age.  This is where the importance of products with antioxidant properties comes in to play.  Antioxidants (also referred to as free radical scavengers or anti-free radicals) are components that counteract and block the damaging effects of free radical activity and are typically found in anti-aging cosmetics and after-sun products.  These ingredients can be consumed or applied topically and help break down the free radicals into compounds the body has defenses against.  They are available in a wide variety of foods, so be sure to include these as part of your normal healthy diet to fight the effects of aging from the inside out.

The information found here was largely found in the book I have been referencing quite a bit lately, Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary.  Be sure to check it out if you would like to learn more.

Pumpkin Sugar Scrub

Another seasonal favorite, I want to share with you today my Pumpkin Sugar Scrub.  Made from real pumpkin, organic cane sugar, and olive oil, this one is so good for your skin, you may want to stock up on pumpkin and use it year round.  Personally, I love everything pumpkin and am so thrilled this time of year when you can find it in everything and everywhere.  Maybe being born in the fall has something to do with my love of this ingredient.

Pumpkin is the perfect ingredient for products used on dry, cracked skin, especially for the hands and feet.  It contains enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids which remove the old, dead surface cells while encouraging new cell production.  These ingredients in pumpkin help to brighten and smooth the appearance of skin.  Pumpkin also contains antioxidants which will help reduce the appearance of free radical damage while boosting collagen production, softening and soothing the skin.  Use of pumpkin treats dull complexions, evens skin tone, and will help to hydrate the skin.

Swap out the organic sugar for brown sugar if you would like to use this on your face.  The granules in white sugar may be a bit too large for exfoliation of the more sensitive skin areas of your face but will be perfect for other parts of your body.  

Chocolate Covered Fruit Balms

On the left is Chocolate Covered Cherry Lip Balm.  On the right is Chocolate Covered Strawberry Lip Balm.  Yum!

Made from beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and vitamin e.  Thrown in is a hint of the appropriate fruit's oil.  

Caramel Lotion

A great lotion that reminds me of caramel apples, so perfect to use this time of year!  It was made from coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, caramel extract, and vitamin e.  

Chocolate Facial Mask

My nephew was an excellent Do-It-Yourself-er during his recent visit.  He was so excited to help me create products in the test kitchen.  This time around, we decided to make a Chocolate Facial Mask.   Perfect for the upcoming Halloween Holiday, you can have your chocolate without all the calories!

Here is the nephew stirring together the yummy smelling mask.  This recipe calls for dark cocoa, ground oats, honey, and heavy cream.

Looks like dessert!

He was even an eager product tester!  He said it tasted great!  

Of course, I had to give it a test, too!

Good thing he didn't eat it all!

Here I am post mask, completely makeup free, immediately after the mask.  At this point I had not put any moisturizer on.  Rinse with warm water and a wash cloth.  Pat your skin dry and add a moisturizer.  My skin felt tighter, but not dry and was definitely smoother.  

(And though not the subject of this post, I have to say that the Anti-Wrinkle Skin Serum definitely is working.  Man, I love that stuff.)

Lip Balm

I made three versions of lip balm.  All three versions contain vitamin e, honey, olive oil, and beeswax.  One is left unscented, one has orange essential oil, and the last is scented with spearmint, which also gives it a little tingle.  

Ingredient Highlight

Cocoa Butter`

Cocoa butter is one of my favorite ingredients to use.  This ingredient has a light, chocolate scent which is perfect alone or in combination with other complementing scents (peppermint, strawberry, cherry, and so many others.)   The butter is a solid at room temperature but has a low melting point, so as you rub it across your skin or lips, it glides on smoothly, softening and lubricating the skin.  This is a popular ingredient in massage creams and lip balms due to its low melting point.  It is absorbed into the skin fairly quickly, so it does not leave a greasy feeling behind.

Cocoa butter has antioxidants which fight free radicals and also act as a natural preservative, giving products an extended shelf life (up to 2 years, depending on the other ingredients).   The anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa butter may help ease arthritis.  It has been used for reducing or preventing stretch marks, helping to heal scars (including acne scars), and in the prevention and healing of chapped skin.  The fatty acids in cocoa butter help hydrate the skin.  Cocoa butter acts as a natural barrier, helping to keep moisture in the skin.

If you have read my blog from the beginning, you likely know that I use this ingredient all by itself as my go-to skin moisturizer.  It only takes a tiny amount rubbed on my face and neck at night to make my skin soft and hydrated.  It smells great, too!

DIY Warming/Cooling Sore Muscle Lotion

Too much yard work?  Pull a muscle playing soccer?  Make your own Warming/Cooling Body Lotion.  I used a bottle of my Peppermint Lotion with Aloe and added some ground cayenne pepper.  That's it!  The capsaicin in hot peppers is a pain reliever and the peppermint cools.  Be sure to wash your hands after applying the lotion, especially before touching your eye area.  

cuticle oil

I have posted about this miracle oil previously and if you do not already use cuticle oil, you really should start.  Dab a small amount on your fingertip and rub it into each cuticle at least once a day, especially after your hands have been in water.  The oil makes your dry, rough, ragged cuticle into soft and supple cuticles like magic.  It even helps prevent your nails from peeling.  If you have experienced peeling nails, you know exactly why you should start using this oil.

This version is made with jojoba oil, vitamin e, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil.  If you prefer, put the oil in an empty nail polish bottle (washed and well rinsed) and apply the oil with the brush included in the bottle.  Personally, I just rub the oil in with my fingertip.  No need to rinse the oil off.  It is quickly absorbed.  

Age spots

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was recently asked to find a natural product to help lessen the appearance of age spots.  Age spots, officially known as lentigo, are uneven melanin deposits in the surface of the skin.  These can occur for a variety of reasons such as a greater amount of melanin produced in a certain area of the skin, melanin not being properly absorbed by the kerantinic cells, hormonal imbalances, or even irritation of the skin including those caused by acne conditions.

If you are using a commercial bleaching agent (and even some natural ones like lemon juice) to lighten age spots, avoid applying the product before going into the sun.  Many of the ingredients used to lighten the skin can react with the sunlight, making the problem worse.  In fact, anytime you are out in the day, be sure to use sunscreen.  If you do not, not only do you risk creating new age spots but you may be negating any effect the bleaching product you are already using may be doing.

Some of this information came from Milady's Skin Care & Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary.  Be sure to check it out if you would like more information.

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Peppermint Lotion with Aloe

If you like a lotion not quite as thick as body butter, this is your recipe.  Made from aloe vera, coconut oil, vitamin e, beeswax and your favorite essential oil, it glides over the skin and is very quickly absorbed.  The hands are really soft, but not greasy or oily.  You can use whatever scent you want, or leave it out completely.  Peppermint will help energize you.  If you are looking for a more soothing lotion, try lavender.  Do not be afraid to blend your fragrances together.  A vanilla-lavender blend would be nice here, too.  

Whipped Vanilla Body Butter

This smells AMAZING.  It is made with three ingredients- cocoa butter, coconut oil, and vanilla.  It is then whipped together.  The heat from your hands helps the butter melt into your skin, but it is absorbed quickly, leaving behind soft and delicious smelling skin.  I could bathe in the stuff.  Yum!