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Raw Honey: A Golden Sweet Treat For The Skin

2012-05-24T19:21:16Z

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. From ancient times to present, there has been many historical writing on the use of honey in skin care, both beauty and medicinal. Honey is an indispensable ingredient in skin treatments. Pollution, dirt, and other irritating chemical agents in the air can make the skin lose its ability to retain water, making it look dry, wrinkled and making a person look much older than they are.

Fresh honeycomb

Raw Honey is the purest form; It's suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. Estheticians suggest using honey abundantly for radiant complexions. Spas have always incorporated honey within their signature skin care offerings. And many natural and natural based skin care products like soaps, shower gels, face creams, skin lotions, moisturizers, body scrubs, masks and even baby care products now contain honey. The natural hydrating and antioxidant properties of honey trap and seal the moisture, can help rejuvenate the skin and raw honey can also help cleanse the skin leaving it soft and supple. In the last 10 years, even the western medical establishment has rediscoverd the ancient uses of honey. There's been a serious resurgence in the medical applications of honey in wound care.[1]

When making skin care products for yourself at home, a label that says Raw Honey is pretty much the only way to have a decent guarantee you actually have REAL honey and not honey that has been watered down with a sugar water syrup (the USDA allows honey to be watered down up to 18% and still be called honey) or highly filtered to remove all the pollen -which then means the origin of the honey can't be traced.[2] If you can get USDA organic or know a beekeeper or 2 in your area or at a local farmers market that's a big plus for you. Yes, it will cost a bit more than the commercial jar containing who knows what, but that's the issue, isn't it? Who knows what is actually in that jar! Fresh honey will look, smell, taste and even feel completely different from commercial honey.

This is what a honeycomb looks like while still in the hive.

Many of our products contain raw honey and beeswax that we get from beekeepers within 10 miles of our farm. We get the hive cappings and using very low heat (150F) and layers of cheesecloth, we slowly melt and separate the bee bits and debris from the honey and wax. We let it cool and harden and remove the wax top that has formed. Then using distilled water, low heat and many more layers of cheesecloth, we again melt, clean and strain out any leftover bee bits and contaminants from the beeswax. Very time consuming and labor intensive, but worth it! It's why our products containing honey smell like HONEY!

Since most of the US is now in summer weather and the pitfalls of back and forth between hot sun and air conditioning, help treat your skin at home with some simple skin care remedies with Raw Honey:

In your bath water: 1/4 cup of Raw Honey in your bath water keeps your skin soft and supple. For an added boost of natural moisterizing alpha hydroxy acids, add 3 tbls of whole milk, buttermilk or goat milk powder.

After gently cleansing your skin, try some of these honey combinations:

Dry and/or sensitive skin: 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp of a vegetable oil and 1 egg yolk. Whisk it together with a fork, then massage the mixture on dry areas of your skin, leave for 10 mines and rinse with water. If using on your face (keep out of eyes), leaving it on while soaking in the tub is a great way to help soften and moisturize dry facial skin. The warm steam of the bath will help with penetration.

Combination Skin: A balancing mask with 1 tsp of honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp lemon juice or orange juice and 1 tsp yogurt. Apply on your face (keep out of eyes), neck and décolleté. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse off with water. Your skin will feel moisturized and polished with tightened pores.

Breakouts: Open the pores on your face by placing on it a cloth dipped in warm (not hot) water. Gently massage 1 tbls honey on your face, then leave on for 10-20 minutes. Rinse first with warm water and then cool water. Try this 2-3 times a week for occasional to mild breakouts.

A gentle exfoliation: 1 tsp of honey, 1 egg, 1 tsp glycerin and 1 tsp corn meal or ground oat meal. For about 2 minutes gently massage it on your face and throat in a circular motion (avoiding sensitive areas around the eye), then washing it off with warm water. (For a whole body scrub, triple the ingredients. Use caution, as the tub or floor can get slippery!) Your skin will feel and look much smoother, more refreshed and rejuvenated. Do not use on broken skin or skin with active breakouts.

For a silky-smooth skin refresher: mix 1 tsp of honey and 3 tsp of either rose, lavender or chamomile hydrosol. Apply to face (keep out of eyes), neck and décolleté. Massage well and rinse with lukewarm water and enjoy the sensation of softened skin.

We hope these suggestions help you in building up your natural skincare routine.

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686636/

[2] http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/

Cooking With Moi: For The Raw Fruit Challenged

2012-05-03T18:52:54Z

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. The other night I made a fresh strawberry compote for him and a sponge cake, so he could have fresh, real strawberry shortcake. If you've got someone -or yourself- who can't eat raw fruit, maybe this can give a treat. If not in a pie, it's one of the few ways Hubby can enjoy fruit not out of a can or jar. Later on in the summer, I'll be making this with blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches and come fall apples.

Make your cake -sponge, angel food, regular yellow or white.

I use the CakeBoss Sponge Cake recipe, but I do it old school: split up my egg yolks and whip them separately, add the sugar, whip some more and then separately whip my egg whites to make them fluffy wuffy and then fold them in and put the batter in pan and into the oven. I bake it in a 9x13 glass cake pan, let cool 30 min and then cut 3 down and then 1 across to make 8 squares and let cool another 30. Then wrap or cover with airtight covering. Then for each serving I take 1 square and spilt it sideways: the top and bottom then makes 2 cake servings. This recipe makes A LOT of Sponge Cake, but this cake freezes well for about 6 weeks if wrapped airtight.

Sponge Cake ready to come out oven in about 5 minutes

COMPOTE

This compote recipe works with almost any fruit other than melons or citrus. If using apples, peaches, plums, nectarines or pears, sub the berry juice with apple juice or water; slice fruit no thicker than 1/2" slices or wedges.

While cake is baking make the strawberry compote. You need:

2 pints strawberries

1/2 cup raw sugar (I avoid white sugar and A. the sugar draws out some moisture from the berries and starts the juice making for the syrup; B. sorry don't ask, I don't know jack about cooking with artificial sweeteners as I don't touch the stuff; nor do I cook with stevia or agave and I've never made this with honey because of A.)

1 cup mixed berry juice (use 100% REAL juice, not those nasty fake juice drinks; I keep it on hand, either Juicy Juice or the Aldi's brand Nature's Nectar)
If you don't have or don't want the juice part, sub with 1 cup water. But the berry juice really works it!

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp corn starch

DIRECTIONS:

Cut off stems and slice strawberries into 1/4" to 1/2 wide on the short sides; irregularity is a good thing

Place strawberries in bowl and sprinkle with the raw sugar, gently toss then let sit for 15-20 minutes

Hold back 1/4 cup berry juice (or water) and add the rest of the berry (or water) and lemon juices to 2 qt pot and bring to full boil, then turn down to med. for gentle boil for about 5 minutes to concentrate

Add strawberries and gently mix in, bring back to a gentle boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and scorching

Strawberries just added to pot:

Mix cornstarch with the held back berry juice (or water), mix until smooth, add to pot, gently stir in

Gently boil for another 3-5 minutes stirring frequently to prevent sticking and scorching, then turn off heat and place lid on pot (if on electric, remove from heat coil!)

Just done:

Let cool for 30 minutes, then place in tightly covered container and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight. Cooling then cold is IMPORTANT. It helps the juice congeal properly.

To serve: Spoon compote over your cake squares and top with whipped cream.

Bon Appétit!

Cosmetic Ingredients Aren't Tested For Safety, But We Must Stop Animal Testing Of Cosmetic Ingredients!

2012-04-30T21:26:37Z

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. Or should I say the much proclaimed lack of safety and the safety testing.

Now before I get to the heart of this daydream, I must state this post's cosmetic ingredient concerns involves the US, Canada, EU and other 1st World Countries with cosmetic companies manufacturing legitimate products, not iffy or backwater, 2nd and 3rd world countries importing dubious cosmetics like the latest mercury skin whitening creams issue. That skin whitening cream problem pops up with an almost regular clockwork frequency (like every 18-20 months) as a "Breaking News" story, complete with a breathless bobble head reporting in a serious "is this a conspiricy?" tone of voice over the shocking things in the impounded cosmetic products, only to add in the very last sentence or 2 that the crap is a one-off that was manufactured and imported - illegally- from Mexico, South Africa, India, China or some other questionable country by a company that can't quite be found.

That said, I know that you know that the FDA knows it will never, ever, ever have enough money or manpower to inspect the cosmetics imported from dubious countries into the US, no matter how much money it tries to fleece, cajole, require, demand, extort or legislate from US based cosmetic manufacturers. And I've yet to actually hear or read that the FDA would require all these fees from foreign companies importing in. And so a lot (okay, most) of the crap will get through.

It’s also not my intention to have a discussion about whether animal testing of cosmetic ingredients is right or wrong. Personally, I feel animals don't need to be used to test most cosmetic ingredients for safety. I use for myself and formulate products with ingredients already known to have a long history of safety, with the majority of them being natural or naturally derived. I don't "invent" new ingredients and to be honest, handcrafters and even most cosmetic companies -whatever their size- don't either. It's usually the Cosmetics or Life Sciences R&D divisions of chemical companies that do the inventing or creating. Think Dow, BASF, Sederma, 3M, etc.

So here's some of what inspired this daydream. I've just finished reading about a UK based independent cosmetic company -the EU's self proclaimed holiest of the holier-than-thous, who along with a couple of somewhat questionable US and international based NGOs (non governmental organizations) starting a petition that is calling for an all out ban on animal testing for cosmetic ingredients in the US and the banning of sales of cosmetics that have been tested on animals elsewhere in the world. extras: [1] [2] Oh, and contrary to some NGO spins, the EU is running into serious issues as EU companies are having a really bad time trying to meet the EU 2013 deadline on animal testing.

Now for the last 8-10 years, various other NGOs and "Consumer Safety" groups have been whooping and hollering saying cosmetic ingredients in the US aren't tested for safety. Their mantras have been "Cosmetic companies use dangerous ingredients...they poison your babies...give them asthma...your toddlers breasts...they make you fat...give you cancer...disrupt your hormones", just about anything that might go wrong with your or your loved ones health, they try to blame on cosmetics ingredients because they are an easy target to try and blame. They whine and scream "The EU has safer regs...The US needs to be more like the EU (yeah, about that, hows the inovation and business growth in the EU doing these last 25 yrs?)...The EU outlaws almost 6000 chemicals in cosmetics, the US doesn't" -never mind about 5990 were things NEVER used in cosmetics to begin with- ex: jet fuel.

The main whiners who keep trying to write new, bad to no science based legislation and keep the whipped frenzy going: The Environmental Working Group/Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: extras [3] [4]

They never look at the 4 or 5 greasy trans fat fried meals too many people eat a week or the endocrine and nerve disrupting pesticide drenched fruits and vegetables people just have to have -dirt cheap- even though they're totally out of season or growing region and are shipped from Mexico, Central America, China and and other countries with questionable farming practices. Or how about the 6 pack of beer guzzeled in 2 days. Maybe the pack or more of cigarettes smoked a day -half at home- just might be why the baby has asthma and later they and them, cancer. Let's look at the over-processed, super starched food shoved in their faces morning, noon and night with iffy artificial sweeteners or fake, tainted components mixed into it. How about the fish from posioned rivers, lakes and seriously polluted sections of oceans, plus the questionable practises of fish farms, foreign and domestic. Don't get me started on the illness potential with "Pink Slime" in ground beef.

Maybe the birth control pills that get pulled like every 5 years just might have something to do with funky reproductive health and cancers, blood clots and hormonal imbalances. Or even -yes I am so going to go there- the pesticide sprayed reefer and the other illegal, designer drugs people took while partying in the 70's, 80s, 90s and even last month, might have something to do with someone's health going to hell in a bucket.

It doesn't seem to matter that US cosmetics have an enviable safety track record, far better than food and drugs, both prescription and OTC. Cosmetics are a convenient target. And yet I just don't recall any cosmetic companies being sued for causing heart attacks, cancer, blood clots, strokes, poisonings or organ failures. Or sued or shut down for having illegal ingredients in them like the melamine debacle. Or called to answer a Congresstional suepena to answer for having the "let's ignore it and keep on cranking out those known samonella tainted ingredients" attitude. I can, however think of several drug companies, pesticide companies and food companies who have. And so can you, I don't need to list and link to them like I have in other posts.

So on to it. My daydream, my fantasy: I want a live, televised, no holds barred debate, moderated by the King of Pull No Punches, Get to the Dirty Deeds, Call out of Conflict Resolution himself, Jerry Springer. I want the debate to be: Cosmetic Ingredients Are Not Being Tested For Safety vs. Stop Animal Testing Of Cosmetic Ingredients. And I want the top 3 or 4 ringleaders of both these issues to be front and center doing the answering. I want to hear it loud and clear, from their mouths to God's ear, as the saying goes.

See the fun in this? One side screams "OMG, YOU'RE BEING POSIONED BECAUSE NOBODY'S TESTING JACK ON COSMETICS!

The other side whines: OMG! WE'VE GOT TO STOP! IT'S CRUEL AND UNNEEDED TO TEST COSMETIC INGREDIENTS ON ANIMALS.

<sigh> "Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you". Lately, I've wondered if either side even knows the other exists. Or if they do know and just consider each other an inconveient distraction TO THEIR HOLY CRUSADE. Regardless, I am just about fed up with all the posturing, badgering, fear mongering, halo waving, bullying, bad to no science using, name calling, mudslinging and general "let's get some legislation passed and restrict and prevent everybody on everything we don't agree with" attitudes. I am totally fed up with it and today, I call BULLSHIT.

[1] http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Regulation-Safety/Time-to-set-legal-definition-for-cruelty-free-to-avoid-consumer-confusion

[2] http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Regulation-Safety/Avon-in-hot-water-again-as-law-firm-files-suit-over-misleading-China-animal-testing-claims

[3] http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Regulation-Safety/Congress-meeting-on-safety-of-cosmetics-not-equally-represented-says-CSC

[4] http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/regulatory/region/northamerica/142100203.html?page=1

Give Mom Some "Me Time"! Mother's Day 05/13/12

2012-04-18T07:34:35Z

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. Taking care of elderly parents or other relatives. Her volunteer activities, helping her church, her kids school, her neighbors and friends. Her time is given to others freely, and many times it's asked for at the last minute. And she's always there. But she rarely takes time for herself. Many times she won't even consider doing or getting a little something for herself.

Change that habit. Let the Moms in your life know it's okay to relax and take a break. Help Moms to do that. Show you care and appreciate all they do by giving her a warm, soothing bath once or twice a week, with no distractions or interruptions, no kids, no phone calls. Give her the gift of "Me Time". She truely deserves it.

Our Limited Edition Divinely Fragrant Roses, Wine & Chocolate and Le Chocolat is now available for Mother's Day. These Divine Fragrances were designed and blended by us and are only available 3 times a year: Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas. We offer the choice of individual Bar Soaps, Bath Milk Powders, Sea Salt Bath Soaks and Herbal Tub Teas.

For an extremely delightful gift of these signature fragrances, we've created Gift Sampler Sets: A half bar of soap, one envelope each of Bath Milk Powder and Sea Salt Bath Soak, and one Herbal Tub Tea, all tucked into an adorable, reusable color co-ordinated vinyl envelope bag.

We also have a cute little 4 soap gift box. Your choice of 4 of our delightful handmade soaps. They come nestled in a cute reusable Spring Flowers patterned box.

And if you not really sure just which scents to give, we also have our Mini Bar Soap Sampler Gift Box, with your choice of 4 or 6 half bars of soap.

We also have our Spa PhytoBotane Gift Sets for specific skin type needs and our regular soap selections.
And as usual, all gift wrapping is FREE!

Due to USPS Processing Center consolidations, rerouting and revised delivery schedules, for your gifts to reach your recipients by Mother's Day, all orders must be placed by Monday, May 7, 2012. We have no control over this.

Canada, Mexico and other International Orders must be placed by Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Again, we have no control over Postal Delivery Services.

Botanica Basics Markets Schedules

2012-04-12T21:15:32Z

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.

1. If it's raining (more than a gentle mist or drizzle), no matter how warm, we're not coming. And if it's a thunder storm, no one should be out in a field anyway. (Last year I actually had someone tell me I should show up during a T-storm. REALLY?)

2. If it's cold (55F or lower), we're not coming. Ongoing health concerns just will not allow for the issues that arise from being outside in the cold for 4 hrs. It's one thing to be in a car, go shopping for an hour and then back in the car. It's another to be standing out in the inclimate weather for 4 hours.

3. If it's snowing, we're definitely not coming. See #2.

We've made this decision because over the years, too many of our products became damaged or outright ruined and had to be discarded because of exposure to wet weather. At farmers markets, produce, plants, items in jars and hard crafts (wood, ceramics, metals) do not suffer damage from wet environments. Bath & Body products do. Being under a tent and covering the tables with plastic only mitigates some, not all, of the problems of wet weather. Even covering the tables with plastic sheeting only relieves some of the problems. When rain and wind is blowing and humidity is 100%, the Tub Teas outer packaging get wet and then the tea bags inside get damp and must then be thrown out. For product integrity and safety, they can't be dried and repackaged. When the soap gets wet, this means after the market, we have to come back to the studio and strip off and throw out the wrapping and labels and then place the soap on the curing racks under fans for at least 24 hrs. It means the re-wrapping and re-labeling those soaps. The time and cost constraints of doing this are astronomical and in order to avoid this we've decided to avoid the environments that causes these problems.

So if the weather is stormy, rainy or cold within 1 hour of a market's opening time, there is a serious chance we won't be able to come. For your convenience, our web store is open 24/7 and you can always call us too (417-376-0269).We will also continue to have our local delivery/pickup spot option in the cities of Bolivar and Stockton and our products are always available at Somewhere In Time, Fair Grove and Local Unique Arts & Antiques in Marshfield.

If you know of a store that you'd like to carry our products, put us together. Tell us! sales@botanicabasics.com
Tell them, send them here: http://www.botanicabasics.com/Wholesale.html We have a low wholesale minimum for local retailers (50 miles or less). And if your lead works out, after the store takes it's first delivery from us, there's an extremely nice soap gift from us to you as a Thank You!

Thank you very much for your understanding and continued support of a local business.

Sandra

Natural Ingredients In Skin Care: Oils and Waxes

2012-04-09T21:25:42Z

Natural and natural based Bath & Body care uses many different combinations of natural or natural/synthetic blends of oils, herbal extracts and other ingredients derived from fruits, plant or seeds. They work in several ways, such as helping to relieve and soothe dry skin, improving skin’s texture, nourishing and replenishing skin’s lost natural oils as well as helping to restore the radiance of the skin. Realizing that there are so many differentt skin needs, we use several types of oils and waxes to formulate our Handcrafted Soaps and Bath & Body products. Here's a brief rundown on some of the most useful and commonly found natural oils and waxes in natural and natural based Bath & Body care. I list the common name first, then the formal latin name that is also used in the universally accepted cosmetic labeling format of the INCI (International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients). It's my hope this helps you to know what you're using and also what to look for in your skin care needs.

1. Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)

   Derived from the fruit kernels of the shea nut tree, it has remarkable healing and softening abilities. Studies show that shea butter has anti inflammatory effects on the skin, so it may help increase wound healing and improve scar appearance. From its physical make up of vitamin E, vitamin A, and cinnamic acid as well as a unique fatty acid profile, this butter can moisturize and help give serious relief to dry skin. Shea can also come in an oil: It's the liquid fraction that's created when the shea nut is pressed for the butter. It's a light but very emolliant oil and is used almost as extensivly as the butter.

2. Sunflower Oil (Helianthus Annuus)

  Yes, oil from the same snack seeds we all know and love. An almost imperceptible scent. It's rich in vitamins E and A and very high in fatty acids that aids in restoring skin moisture, natural oils and helps regenerates skin. Vitamin A encourages collagen production and is able to retain moisture. Best for normal skin or dry, mature or over exposed skin or a skin that's a combinations of these traits.

3. Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis)

  From the almond nut, this oil is light and easily absorbed and can provide important nutrients for skin softening and conditioning. An almost imperceptible scent.With a high vitamin A content, it is very suitable to dry, flaky or inflamed skin. Helps the skin to balance its loss and absorption of moisture. Best for normal skin or dry, mature or over exposed skin or a skin that's a combinations of these traits. Those with nut allergies may also wish to do a skin test before using products with Sweet Almond Oil.

4. Jojoba Wax (Simmondsia Chinensis)

Yes, that's right, Jojoba is actually a wax. From the seeds of a desert plant, it's chemical composition is very similar to human sebum. An almost imperceptible scent. When used alone, it's light and easily penetrates into the skin and doesn't leave a greasy residue. Jojoba is a very universal skin care ingredient. Dry, mature, over exposed skin is helped by nourishing, moisturizing and softening. Sensitive and easily irritated skin usually responds well to Jojoba also as it's chemical similarity to human sebum means it has very few irritation factors. Oily and breakout prone skin really responds well to jojoba as it is able to penetrate into the pore and help loosen and aid in the dislodging of dead skin matter, bacteria and oil plugs and the comedomes (acne) that may follow. It also helps to moisterize oily skin to help counteract the portential overdrying that can occur with most acne preperations and medications. Jojoba Wax is also the workhorse of hair care oils. It easily penetrates the hair shaft and helps to condition it and the scalp without adding weight or oiliness. All hair types respond well to Jojoba and chemically treated hair especially gets a noticable boost in shine and managebility from just a dime size portion applied once a day. Sadly, as of this writing, there is an ongoing (2 yrs) and severe shortage of Jojoba and what's available has been outragously and obnoxiously priced, priced beyond what many small and micro skin care companies can bare. Many have reformulated or discontinued products because the prices after a certain point just cannot be absorbed.

5. Cocoa Butter (Theobroma Cacao)

From the same seed pods that give us chocolate, this is also what makes "white" chocolate in food. This is a very popular ingredient in hand and body lotions and even foot creams. A bit heavier than Shea Butter, it acts as an emollient helping the skin feel soft and calming down irritation from dryness. It's also used in many products that claim to lesson or prevent stretch marks if applied regularly. Depending on the formulator's needs, the Cocoa Butter used can still have it's natural chocolate scent. Some choose to use deodorized Cocoa Butter so as not to conflict with the scent of any added essential oils or fragrances or if they are making unfragraced products. For some people, Cocoa Butter can be comedogenic (acne causing) and if one has oily skin or is breakout prone, it is probably best to avoid it.

6. Macadamia Oil (Macadamia Ternifolia)

A medium weight nut oil, it's extremly luxurious with high lubrication properties and is easily absorbed. With an almost imperceptible scent, it still does have a slight hint of nuttiness. This oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids acting as anti oxidants to and may help prevent deterioration and weakening of cell membranes. It is also an emollient with magnesium and thiamine, that soothes and calms. Because of it's chemical nature and weight, it's now being used as a replacement for Mink oil in hair care products. Good for dry, mature and aging skin. Those with nut allergies may also wish to do a skin test before using products with Macadamia Oil.

7. Olive Oil (Olea Europaea)

The very same oil you cook with! One of the oldest used oils in recorded history. Comes from the olive flesh itself, not the seed. Very rich in chlorophyll, vitamins and antioxidants, Olive Oil, while light for food use, is a somewhat occlusive oil on skin. It has a scent that, depending on the region grown, the pressing or blend, can vary from being almost imperceptible, to sharp and "green", to a very deep and earthy muskiness. For thos same reasons, it's color can also range from a very pale golden greenish to a very deep or dark green. An excellant and indispensible workhorse in handmade soaps, it's use in other body care is limited because of the aformentioned scent and color issues and skin feel. When used in non-soap products, it's usually not in amounts greater than 25%, unless the formulator actually wants Olive Oil's occlusive nature in the product . It can also be a bit comedogenic to those prone to acne.

8. Rice Bran Oil (Oriza Sativa)

Rice Bran oil is from the bran, the outer covering of the rice between the hull and white kernal. (When sold intact, it's brown rice). The bran, which is obtained in the milling process is the part of the rice that is richest in fat. This natural oil, which is expeller pressed, has the presence of natural antioxidants which makes it an excellent ingredient for food grade products. Beside the oil, there is also wax fraction, which is sometimes removed for cosmetic grade oil. Rice Bran oil is full of antioxidants, such as Vitamin E (highest of all the liquid vegetable oils), linolic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and oryzanol. It also contains ferulic and phytic acids, which helps to give skin a bit of a gentle exfoliation and also helps to balance melanin production. In cosmetics the oil acts as both a carrier and emollient and the wax is used as a substitute for beeswax in many vegetarian and vegan cosmetics. A wonderful addition to skin care, it has a long, stable shelf life. Best for dry hair and scalps, normal skin or dry, mature or over exposed skin or a skin that's a combinations of these traits. It can be a bit problematic for skin prone to breakouts, but the dewaxed or winterized Rice Bran Oil has a much lower comedogenic factor.

9. Beeswax (Cera Alba)

Beeswax is the natural secretion of female honeybees. It is one of the oldest known natural waxes and has been used since antiquity.   When taken from the hive, it's color will vary from a warm, golden yellow all the way to a brown color and will retain the strong, sweet scent (and taste) of honey. The color and scent can remain with gentle cleaning and processing, but many times beeswax is even further processed so that it's bleached white and deodorized, retaining none of the natural goodness it started out with. A wonderful main component of lip balms, lip glosses and lipsticks, it adds emolliency, conditioning and body firmness those products. It adds a deeper conditioning and heavier moisterization factor to creams and body butters, scrubs and balms. This can be a very good thing during the drier skin season of winter, but with the exception of lip care, beeswax can be a bit too heavy for general skincare needs during warmer weather. Beeswax can be also mixed with other liquid oils to create natural versions of a jelly that is very similar in feel and weight to petroleum jelly aka Vasoline.

10. Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides)

An odorless, very light, non-greasy and non-staining oil that helps carry therapeutic oils under the skin. It contains the medium-chain triglycerides from regular coconut oil and is a good choice for facial care and also body care that needs a lighter oil. Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides is what many handcrafters and main stream manufactuers use when making natural "oil free" cosmetics. Sensitive skin rarely has issues with this light and theraputic coconut oil deriveitive. Dry and mature skin thrives with it without having to deal with heavier oils "weighed down feeling" issues. It's also wonderful in products for oily and breakout prone skin as it has a very low comedogenic factor. Fractionated Coconut Oil has a very stable and long shelf life. While there are some "natural" retailers or natural product certifiers who do not consider Fractionated Coconut Oil to be natural or that it's to far removed to be considered naturally derived, it's produced by the hydrolysis of coconut oil. It is fractionated by steam distillation to isolate the triglycerides. If they accept true soaps, they should accept Fractionated Coconut Oil.

There you have it. Read ingredient labels. Different products have different ingredients that serve different purposes. It's important that you know what's in the products that you're buying, to avoid allergies or ingredients you may want to avoid. Choose a product labeled for your skin type and needs. If you need help deciding, never hesitate to ask whomever is selling the products. If they can't give you clear answers, think about whether you want to spend your hard earned money with them. Once you pick and start start using the products, pay attention to the changes to your skin. Results will never be instantanious, but over the course of 2-6 weeks of continued use according to the directions, you should see results. Note these changes and if you like the results, then continue using it.

Copyright Botanica Basics 2012. All distributed/republished materials retain their full copyrights. All rights reserved.

Want Your Business To Look Legitimite? Rent A White Guy!

2012-03-20T07:46:42Z

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". You get an email with a link to a website or read an online article and see another link that catches your interest. After reading that article, you see another link that catches your interest, and another; You go deeper into the maze and then there's another link and so on. That's how I ended up with these 2 links:

Confessions of a fake businessman from Beijing

Chinese companies 'rent' white foreigners

Like you, I did not believe what I had just read. My jaw hit the keyboard and my head was swimming. I got some fresh tea, came back and re-read them. I had found the first article via link mazing and was so shocked, I did some searches and found more. I've just listed 2 from the most upfront and credible news outlets, Google is your friend. Now of all the things I suspected Chinese companies of doing and of all the things that have been exposed that Chinese companies do, this was just not ever on my radar. I expect shady deals, undercover associates from underworld elements, bribes, corrupt officials and everything else that could happen in the worlds of emerging (and existing) economies and business. I have struggled with and re-written this post 3 times in order to make it acceptable for your work places, the children on your lap and other sensitive souls. It was hard to censor myself; It still is. So I'll just let those 2 articles -and your research- stand on their own and let you say and talk amongst yourselves what I've been thinking, but won't write. Most people who know me know I have a cynical, no bs, call it like it is view of the world. I rarely sugar coat and don't wear rose colored contacts. But the fake Western face front never pinged on my radar. But I know why. In the western world, we don't need to hire a fake face. Regardless of the shade, WE are the face.

Reading these articles, is it any surprise now that every time you turn around, something product from China is getting warned about or recalled? The prescription drugs, whole series of article here, pet food and human food additives, and personal care products like toothpaste and bath fizzies, the latter of which has had 2 recalls. And let us not forget the issue that is going to plague way too many of us for a long time: The drywall debacle. All these everyday needed products and this is only what we hear about.

What I really want to know why is this NOT being discussed? Why is this not being screamed about from the top of Capitol Hill? This isn't a republican/democrat issue as this "rent a white guy" scam has evidently been going on for many, many years through several administrations. And with as much world news and business news as I read, why did I find this out through back channels and old links buried in deeper ends of news outlets? Why aren't US, Canadian and EU companies screaming at the top of their lungs about this? It's bad enough with the recalls and the potential worry of not knowing if something is safe. Now it's come into the light -barely- that many Chinese companies only have "Western" faces as window dressing partnerships and may not even be on the up and up. The faces we see in the business sections or industry trade papers on so-called China and US/Canada/Europe manufacturing companies partnerships may be totally bogus. I call this western face window dressing the absolute epitome of UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES and FRAUD!

The cherry on top of this? At this current political phase in the US, yet another set or 2 of so called consumer cosmetic safety regs are being proposed to the FDA by alarmist, reactionist and hidden agenda NGOs to be implemented on US cosmetics manufacturers. And the FDA is also asking Congress to approve a budget that allows for them to require all manufacturers to pay a yearly fee to the FDA, supposedly to step up and expand enforcement of US cosmetic regulations cosmetic manufacturing companies. An industry that has a enviable safety track record. More so than I could say for US food, prescription or OTC drugs manufacturers. And what does this have to do with China hiring western faces to front for them? Glad you ask. You see, I have yet to hear or read of any of the new proposed cosmetic legislation or fees being used to enforce the standards, regulations and laws upon importing personal care companies, especially Chinese or other questionable importing entities. Okay, there's the mercury in the imported skin lightening creams that got busted earlier this month. But I swear every year this same story is released. Enough times to make me wonder...

I know and you know that the FDA knows it doesn't have and never will have enough bodies -no matter how many they hire, or enough money -no matter how much they bleed from US manufacturers to enforce the standards, regulations and laws already in place for US manufacturers, on the importers. I wrote of this in 2010. Just change the year to 2012 and it's the same the legislative b.s re-worded. My views on it and the proposed legislation haven't changed. US manufacturers, especially the micro and true small business need to demand their elected officials, from the bottom up to the head man in charge in DC to stop placing unfair burdens on us and demand proof and true accountability from the importing companies, especially Chinese companies. Make it as easy for us to engage in legal, productive commerce as it is for the Chinese to engage in their "Western face" subterfuges.

I think from now on, I'll allow myself to get a little bit snooty when someone whips out their bit to me about my products are overpriced and XZY company (who's products are mass produced in China) is only charging $x.xx. I'll give them a copy of those articles.

From now on, when I'm talking to a store that's carrying some so called "exclusive" import boutique brands with european label names (that are actually made in China) about carrying my products and they start with the "need lower wholesale price point, blah, blah", I'll give them those articles.

Oh, and from now on, when I ask people do they know how and where their body products are made, I'll also ask them if it's even made by a legitimate company.

I'm just sayin'

Want to guarantee your organization stagnates then dies off?

2012-03-08T08:50:04Z

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 Facebook 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. Many times it can be attributed to an age difference. The older members feel the younger ones should keep quiet and just sit there and "learn". Which in today's highly technological world is just not going to happen, as many younger ones are far more advanced than the older ones in just too many things. And many times, the older members will not actually be the ones with seniority within the organization, they will be newer members. Another reason may be that some members were just never exposed to the idea of the need to adapt and evolve. The old "It's always been done this way" mentality. So they may feel threatened by or a bit afraid of new technologies and methods of operation. If they don't know of it or know of it but don't how to use it, they don't feel a need to connect with it, even for the benefit of the organization they belong to. And that organization will suffer for it.

Then there is the problem of the non-utilized members suggestions and ideas dismissed or outright ignored, only to have a few weeks or months later someone else make the same suggestions and it's treated like the NEWEST AND BEST IDEA EVER! Or even worse, they see you hire consultants who charge well and often for their advice and services and they tell your organization many of the same things you were getting for free. Maybe it's a classic example of the old adage "familiarity breeds contempt". Sometimes it's very hard for people to hear about or how to do something new from people they work or associate with on a footing they may perceive as either being equal to or possibly even lesser. This explains why many businesses go to a different division or branch or even outside the company when they need to hire mid to senior level management.

I have news for you lumbering dinosaurs and quasi-luddite: GET OVER YOURSELF & GET OVER IT! Treating or allowing your employees or members to be treated like this will mean that eventually you will lose good, vibrant, energetic people and the ideas that can help your organization grow. No one in their right mind is going to hang around and let others smoother the life out of them. It also means eventually the word will get out about this problem and then you'll get little to no new blood and will become even more stagnant. Just like a living body, stagnant blood means limb death. And if there is very little pulse in your organization, those discounted members will in all likelihood amputate the affected limb. In other words, cut you off. An organization that doesn't adapt, learn and use the talents of it's members will not evolve. It will die off. It can happen to large multi-national companies, to small business, it happens to charities and churches, not for profits and social organizations. It's in the business news everyday, companies that have become complacent, have a lack of innovation...Loss of creativity...Lost focus of it's mission. No entity is immune from dying off from lack of evolution.

When you look at small business and organizations that are just starting out or even those that have been around a while, if they seem to have a good community acceptance and appear to be doing well, look at who's running it and how. What are their dynamics? How are they reaching their customers, clients and the community? What and whom are they utilizing to do this? What talents from within the organization are they tapping into? What technologies are they using? And how many within that organization are using those same technologies on their own privately and by branching out from there use them within and for the benefit of the organization?

In the last 5 years, when I'm out and about visiting or vending at festivals, fairs, community events and other farmers markets, I make it a point to look at and compare the businesses, organizations and markets that seem to have a booming flow at their market, booth or stand and those that don't. The difference is readily apparent. The high volume ones are very interactive. They are all staffed with members -young, middle and old- looking bright and at attention, whether they're standing or sitting. They have interactive mediums for their visitors. They make it easy to interact with them right then using the current technologies for payments, donations and information, then make it easier for later interaction, via social media, websites, blogs and even good old fashioned paper handouts. The ones that have little to no action: Manned by half alert folks who when asked questions about the organization, can barely mumble out an answer. They'll give an "I don't know...That's not my department...You'll have to ask...". Never a "I don't know but give me 5 minutes or your email, or your phone number and I can find out for you and get back to you. Never have a web or email address for information handy. Later they'll be kevetching about low turnout, lack of customers and visitors (and by the way, what are THEY doing to help change that?). What kind of way is that to run anything that they're supposed to be a part of? If they're in it, they should know about it and be able to converse about it. Not just about what they do, but the majority of the whole.

And here's the big, swift kick in the butt that will hopefully spark the bulb in your head: The rank and file who allow to discount or act dismissive to the ideas that may advance your organization are usually the very ones who will also do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help out to advance your organization. And you allow this by not demanding they contribute too. Contributing is more than a warm body showing up. So if your organization isn't learning, adapting, evolving and using the talents available and demanding the same from others, expect to wither in the dust and die off.

I'm just sayin'

Aloe vera: An amazing ingredient for skin care

2012-03-04T09:09:26Z

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. After processing, it can be left in it's liquid state or natural gellants like xanthan gum or synthetic gellants like Carbomers are used to give it the gel body and thick consistency desired. Also, the liquid Aloe can be freeze dried to later be reconstituted with water. There is even an Aloe vera oil, where the dried aloe is macerated and soaked in a light weight oil to make an extraction of many of the beneficial constituents.

Aloe vera is extremely gentle on sensitive, mature or over exposed skin. It can help moisturize, condition and tone without irritating or aggravating the skin (unless one has an allergy to Aloe vera). On oily or breakout prone skin, Aloe vera can be used as a mild astringent without the stripping issues of toners that contain alcohol. On all skin it can help soften and moisturize without adding a comedogenic (pore clogging) factor. In the last 20 years, Aloe vera has become well known as the go-to ingredient in skin care lotions and body products. It's widely used in moisturizers and anti-ageing skin care, though sadly, many use it only for label appeal and window dressing. Many products have Aloe vera in too low a percentage for it to have any type of therapeutic effect. We use generous, therapeutic amounts of all 4 forms of Aloe vera in many of our products. With the exception of the aloe powder and aloe oil, the majority of our Aloe vera juice percentage falls in the upper 1/4 of our ingredient deck. Besides it's superior skin care abilities, depending on how much is used, Aloe vera gel can impart a light, fluffy, mousse like quality to creams, add more body to a thin lotion, lighten up an oil heavy lotion to a gelee and give a creamier, richer feel to a blended body butter. Aloe vera juice also imparts a smooth and silky creaminess to bar, liquid and cream soaps. In dry products such as our Herbal Face Masques or Tub Teas, freeze dried Aloe vera gives the benefits of aloe vera when the product is reconstituted. As a formulator or a product user, one cannot ask for a more useful and versatile ingredient.

                                                           My Potted Aloe Sisters

By the way, did you know that with minimal care, you can grown your own Aloe Vera plant quite successfully as a household plant?   Loose, sandy soil, bright, indirect light and minimal water. It can't get any easier and low maintenance than that. Why have one? Many people, myself included, swear by fresh Aloe vera from the plant on a skin burn from cooking and keep a plant in or near the kitchen. In Fall 2010, I purchased an Aloe vera plant from John Lower, a fellow Farmers Market vendor. It was a root bound double plant and had some pups (baby aloes) around them and a flower stalk growing out. 4 weeks later I had the joy of seeing it bloom. Nothing spectacular, just a long flower spike, but it was nice as I'd never seen a blooming Aloe vera plant other than in pictures. Afterward the bloom, I transplanted the 2 sisters together in a larger pot, the pups to smaller pots and moved them outside that May. They came back inside in early October. I now have several Aloe vera plants wintering over in my sunny office. Why not my kitchen? The kitchen's off limits as sadly the cats want to eat the Aloe veras when they're inside. Kitties just love to munch on succulent plants. A no-no, in more ways than one. The most important one: The saponins (natural detergents) in many can cause gastric distress and can injure or outright kill cats. Oddly, they don't touch my plants when outside. Go figure.

My Skin Is So Dry And Itchy, It's Driving Me Crazy! Pt 2

2012-02-20T08:55:34Z

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.

What Do Synthetic Detergents Do?

Synthetics have their place. However with many people, it's not on their skin. Sodium or Ammonium Laurel Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate and many other synthetic detergents are great cleaners. They can strip the dirt, oil and gunk off a car engine in no time flat. That squeaky clean you love on your hand washed dishes? That's how it gets that way. And that's the problem. They also do that to your skin. STIP IT BARE. And when you strip your skin of too much of it's oil, you dry it out. If it can't replace it fast enough, you create more problems. If you have a normal skin type with only a few dry patches to begin with, you're making an annoying issue a worse problem. If you have a dry, mature or over exposed skin, or a sensitive, easily irritated skin type, you're increasing the irritation factor dramatically. And oily or breakout prone skin? Well, contrary to the current craze of commercials that hype "Deep down, pore clean", the last thing oily skin needs is to be stripped of all it's oil. If you strip all the oil off of oily skin, you dry it out and then the real fun starts. The skin becomes irritated, it's dry and tight, it flakes, which in turn means the pores may clog more easily. And the final insult: Your skin will then turn around and make twice, yes 2x times the oil than what it would normally make. Then you scrub more, you strip the skin more, and the nasty cycle usually becomes worse.

Most true bar soaps and liquid soaps and many of the natural based liquid washes are much more gentle to the skin. They're non stripping if used correctly. They made of natural oils like olive, sunflower, shea butter, coco butter, etc, and natural thickeners like xanthan or guar gum in them. Some brands don't even thicken them up, they tell you on the label why it's a bit thinner than the massed produced washes. It many instances, less is more.

Why Use Natural Oils In Body Care?

Lotions, Creams and Body Butters are water, oils and butters, emulsifiers, stabilizers and thickeners blended together. Many body butters are actually just super thick cremes. Others body butters are only a blend of oils and butters. It's a matter of personal preference as to which one is used. For skin care, it's my opinion that natural oils are far better for your skin than synthetics. Your skin recognizes natural oils as having attributes and molecules it can use. Oils that your skin makes and natural oils that you place on your skin help keep your skin moisturized, soft and supple. The synthetics literally just sit on top of your skin. When using skin products that have silicones in them, the silicones really should be quite a bit down the ingredient list, preferably not in the first third. They should add a little "slip" to the product's glide, not be the glide. Silicones can also help the natural oils or butters with moisture retention by their laying on top of the skin helping sustain a light barrier. This is why many body care moisturizing products contain some form of silicone. What sets some apart from others is how much is used. Too much and you're not adding to your skins healthful moisture retention, you're smothering it. It's my opinion that is what petrolatums and mineral oils do- smoother the skin. Sadly, too many main stream products load up on silicones or petrolatum. Synthetics do have their place. Just not as the first line of defense and not the majority of the product.

Why Do Handmade Soaps and Natural Based Personal Care Cost More?

Even with the cost of petroleum climbing higher and higher, the synthetics derived from them are still less expensive to use compared to natural oils. Using synthetics almost guarantees a continuous supply of the raw materials needed to maintain or increase production of their products. Synthetics allow for maximum product output with minimum ingredient cost. Yes, Natural and Natural Based products do cost more. It cost more to make them. It cost more to grow the crops, process and refine the base materials that come from them. They grow in nature and Nature is fickle. For this very reason there's been a world wide jojoba shortage for 18 months. The processes to make the finished products can also be more elaborate and time consuming that when using synthetics. They must be handled and stored differently. Many must be preserved differently.

Using natural based personal care may cost a bit more in the initial purchases. But in the long run, you end up using less because your skin isn't freaking out, drying out, irritated. Using handmade soaps and bath & body care tells you that the product isn't massed produced in a giant factory on the other side of the world. Yes, handmade soap makers can crank out some serious bar amounts per day, but most of us don't do thousands of bars a day. And we're not making them in 500 gallon vats run at the push of a button. Handmade soap makers are also locally based. We're your neighbors, your fellow church members, your local businesses. You can find us at the local farmers markets, your local gift shops and drug stores, you can call us and sometimes even stop by our studios and say "Hi". Trust me when I tell you we like being found. It means we get to know our customers.

Anything Else I Can Do To Help My Skin?

In addition to the type of skin care you're using, how you're using it may make a difference. Bathing: No long hot baths or showers. I know how they feel, soothing the aches and cares of the day away. However, the hot water will also strip away your skin's oil. So don't make it a habit. Say once a week take that long hot soak. The rest of the time, just normal warm water. A good, gentle, natural bar or liquid soap or natural based body wash.

Twice a week gently exfoliate your skin. Operative word: Gently. You're not scrubbing a floor. In your shower or bath, wash first, then use a creamy sugar scrub, a loofah, a scrub mitt or even your wash cloth to help remove the old tired skin. Start at your neck and work down, in sections. Left arm, right arm. Chest, tummy. Back and butt. Then each leg. (Feet should be done while sitting down and are another post for another day.) After exfoliating, rinse off and then gently towel yourself dry, but don't dry yourself totally off. You want your skin slightly damp. Take your favorite natural lotion, cream or body butter and section at a time, rub in a generous amount.

Sun: Stop with the constant tanning, whether natural or salon, and be on guard to avoid sunburns. A warm glow from being out is nice and natural Vit. D from the sun is needed by everybody. However, even 1 sunburn a year will cause irreparable damage your skin, dry it out, wrinkle, spot and age it and all the exfoliaters, moisturizers, butters in the world will not repair it.

By the way, diet can affect your skin. A bad diet, eating unhealthy foods, over processed foods and diets lacking fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins that provide essential amino and fatty acids can also give you dry, itchy skin. And even more importantly, certain health issues can present themselves with skin symptoms. If you think your skin issues might be health related, or already have health issues and are now having skin problems, please go see your health care professionals as soon as possible.