Continuing our informational series on raw materials in natural based skin care.

For the ultimate natural all round healthy and helpful skin potion, try Raw Honey. Honey has become a favorite with one and all to be used in skin care.

So the Hubby has a raw fruit allergy and can't eat fresh fruit, it has to be cooked first. And right now, both my farmers markets are knee deep in strawberries, which he loves! So I took pity on him.

I had a daydream the other day. It was a good one. It involved 2 related issues. 2 sides of the same coin, the coin being cosmetic ingredients and their testing and safety.

Every mother you and I know is super busy and super giving. Busy giving all of her to everybody. Her job, her kids, her spouse or SO.

In 6 days the Spring/Summer Outdoor Farmers Market Season starts for Botanica Basics. We're making a few changes this year regarding our markets schedules. These changes are for the integrity and protection of our products and also for our health's sake.

Yes, you read that right. But before you pull out your virtual pitchforks, buckets of tar and feathers  and "Unfriend", "Unlike" or "Unfollow" me, please read on and hear me out. And then you can pitch your forks at those who really deserves it.

Most people who spend any time online know the gist of  what I like to call getting "link mazed".

 
Over the last 10 years, I've noticed a disturbing trend in businesses and organizations. I've also noticed a concurrent uptick in their employee's or members's complaints and general feelings of dissatisfaction. Oh yes, the internet is my friend. People email, skype, text, forum, twitter and acebook often and emphatically.And what are they talking about? The ignoring in-house ideas and talents.

It  happens every day, in every type of evironment. You say you want to grow and/or reach out further within the community. You say you want to establish that your business or organization is THE "Go To"  place for whatever it is you've focused on.You've even acknowledged that you can't do it alone and need fresh ideas and some help doing it. And then after you've said all that, what do you turn around and do? You discount or be dismissive of other peoples ideas, knowledge or talents within your business or organization. You do know that the ones at the top set the tone for the rest of the rank and file, don't you? When you treat your employees or members like that and then allow others to treat them that way also, you are seriously risking the health and stability of your organization.
 
Just because you and many others within that organization don't have their talents, skill set or don't or even know of the latest technologies doesn't give you licence to be dismissive of those who do. If you're a business, what did you hire them for if not their talents and potential and the potential they can bring to your business?  If you're a non-business organization and collects dues and fees, why be dismissive to your paying members?  Whether it's a business, a social club, a not for profit, a sports club, a charitable organization, etc, there are many members who may want to help things flow, run well and thrive. They have many talents and skills and would gladly contribute if given the chance, but too many times their ideas and knowledge are tossed away like yesterday's trash.

After a while, many just won't even attempt  to contribute or will stop trying to because they see themselves or others constantly shot down, their ideas and suggestions dismissed.This can happen because the technologies they know and the skills they have are usually much newer things compared to what many others within your organization may be used to. The environment or makeup of your organization can play a large part in this problem.

Do you know about one of the most amazing and practical skin care ingredients? Many are not familiar with the benefits and importance of Aloe Vera even though it's an ancient plant and it's uses in skin (and health) care has been around for a very long time. The Aloes are succulent perennial plants that are mainly found in the warmer, drier regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and in the last 30 years or so, Australia. It can also tolerate humid, tropical climates if it's root's aren't drowned in water or standing in wet mud. Because of its many therapeutic uses, the Aloe most commonly grown for commercial use in skin care is Barbadensis Miller. While it looks very cactus like, Aloe actually belongs to the liliaceae (lily) family, which also includes tulips, garlic, onions and leeks and many other rhizome and bulb plants.

For millennia, Aloe vera has been used as a wound healer and skin emollient. Aloe vera has many of the very important properties needed to help moisturize your skin and makes it soft.  The Aloe vera juice and sap is about 97% water, the rest comprised of numerous beneficial elements in it's extensive composition: enzymes, polysaccharides, amino acids, saponins, aloin, emodin, B-sitosterol, cinnamonic acid, phenols, sulfur, urea nitrogen and lupeol. It also contains trace amounts of  chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, several B vitamins, folic acid and zinc. Aloe vera also contains salicylic acid which may account for what many believe to be Aloe's pain-killing potential. It may help to calm, re-hydrate and condition skin that has been over exposed to the elements, especially excess sun and wind. Salicylic acid may also play a role in Aloe's  perceived detoxifying and rejuvenation  -i.e. cell turn over (exfoliation) capacity.Many use the gel on tanned and sunburned skin.The legions of after sun products containing Aloe vera are testament to that perception. Besides the historical ancedoteal uses, there have been studies of the capacity of Aloe vera to stimulate the skin's immune and healing system.It can also be used with water and oil herbal extractions and herbal alcohol tinctures to make a soothing gel, lotion or balm for relief of minor skin irritations and aches and pains from muscle strain or sprains.

Aloe vera does not actually come out in a "gel" form like what one buys in the store. It's a runny pale yellow liquid and sap that is squeezed out the plant's flesh and skin, then processed to remove impurities.

In my previous post I told you of a customer who had been unemployed for a bit and thought she could stretch her money a bit by purchasing "bargain" soaps, bath & body care. Only to have her skin start acting weird, irritated and become dry and itchy. Why she ended up spending 3 times the money using what she had been. After I got the rundown on what she'd been using,  I invited her to have a cup of coffee with me at the grocery store's coffee bar and I explained to her why she was having problems and gave her my advice on what to do and why.