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Posts Tagged ‘natural skin care’

Handmade Lotion Made Easy

Posted in DIY Personal Care Products and Projects, Skin and Hair Care, tagged , , , on January 8, 2016| Leave a Comment »

 handmade lotion making
I’ve received a number of questions about handmade lotion. Today, I am sharing portions of these conversations with you.

Is lotion difficult to make? 

No, no, and no.

For years, I made soap and nothing more.  I had this idea that lotion making would be extremely difficult to grasp. It ended up being so easy. My thoughts were, what took me so long to do this?

The mixing of water and oil…

So, how does water mix with oil? An emulsion is a suspension of water and oil, and to obtain this perfect blend that does not separate, an “emulsifier” is added to the formula. 

Does all-natural lotion require a preservative? 

Yes! Trust me, I attempted to make lotion without a “real” preservative. The green nasties wasted no time in turning my skin-nourishing lotion into something that looked and smelled (and was) toxic. Who wants mold smeared on their skin? If you sell your products, you definitely do not want that liability.

What else can I do to keep the nasties out of my lotion formula?

Speaking of formula preservation. Scruptulously clean, sanitized equipment and containers, is a must first-step in lotion making. 

Always use DISTILLED water in a water-based formula. Both tap and bottled water contains contaminants. These contaminants compromise the safety of your lotion formula, and may also lead to inconsistent results from batch to batch. 

Pour before the lotion batch cools down…

When I initially set out on my lotion crafting journey I made 16 ounce batches at a time. This is one of joys of making your own cosmetics. By using simple math, you can made a 4 ounce bottle of lotion or face cream, or 16 ounces (pick your size), in no-time flat. I often made 110-pound batches of lotion in my soap studio. I used a large stainless steel stock pot and a commercial stick blender (which weighted in at 26 pounds). Tip to eliminate pouring woes when making large sized batches: pour as soon as soon as blending is complete. When lotion cools down it may become difficult to pour.

What else can I tell you?

You know, one of my joys in life is to teach others. To be helpful. So, this is why I wrote a simple lotion making book, Essential Lotion Making: Skin Care Made Easy, to share what I have learned with you. 

Okay, final thoughts of wisdom here, can you match the absolute truth of knowing what you put on your own skin? Your skin is the largest organ of your body, treat it with love!

(Please note: lotion is considered a cosmetic. The sale of cosmetics is governed in the United States by the FDA,      http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/default.htm. I also outlined basic labeling, testing, and other requirements and safety recommendations in my book.)

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Aromatherapy – A New Step

Posted in AGH Business News, tagged , , , on March 26, 2010| 6 Comments »

I have been temendously busy with the goats, the kidding season, and with helping my husband fire up his new business.  Yes, the blessing has arrived after a long 2 1/2 years, he is working! And he is happy. 

In the meantime, I also completed a foundation level aromatherapy course. 

I learned a great deal about essential oils including safety, blending, and aromatherapy benefits.

Purchasing essential oils has taken on a whole new meaning.  I look at the Latin name.  I look for purity (no adulterations).  I note where the crop was harvested, and the method used to create the essential oil (or absolute)

I have been studying and testing natural perfumes. 

It is hard work, believe me.  I love the learning.  Finding the time to study, and it will continue, is difficult.  I will always read new materials, and another course is going to follow.

I am going to apply what I have learned not only to my products, but also to my home, health and even to my animals.

My small garden (for now) will be filled with additional herbs and flowers that I can use in products.

I am hoping to receive my first certificate within 2 weeks, if I passed the exam and did well on the projects. 

I am excited, and I am very thankful!

Have you ever taken on something new and find yourself seeing things in a different light? How about the rush of enthusiasm?

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Frequent Washing Of Hands Can Lead To Skin Problems

Posted in Health, Skin and Hair Care, tagged , , , , , on December 12, 2009| 11 Comments »

 

With H1N1 on the scene, people are washing their hands more frequently and are using antibacterial products more often as well.

With frequent hand-washing, I recommend products that are natural, or as natural as possible. 

Dry your hands completely between washing.  Do not expose your hands to extreme cold temperatures while damp.

When bathing, do not use overly hot water.  Hot water tends to sap the skin of its natural oils.  When the hands and skin become stripped of natural oils, they are more susceptible to bacteria and skin irritation.  Skin allergies can also flare following over-washing of hands.

Use products that moisturize the skin often.  Products that contain natural oils are beneficial to dry skin in the coldest of seasons.  They can provide a thin protective barrier to the elements.   

I read an article, and have chosen to not link to it, that advised readers to not use a bottle of soap if it lists “soap” on the label.  I disagree with part of that statement.  Soap that is just that, soap, and not a detergent, is better for sensitive skin than a soap that contains detergents and surfactants.  A “true” soap simply does just that, it cleanses the skin without additives that may/or may not irritate your skin.

I have talked about anti-bacterial products before, and I am not going to dive back into them in-depth today.  In my opinion, for your own immune system to work properly (to not develop immunities), and for the environment’s sake, I personally avoid anti-bacterial products.

Simple skin care…less irritating, the bottom line.

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Calendula Cleanser

Posted in Products, Skin and Hair Care, tagged , , on November 7, 2009| 10 Comments »

I love it!

I made 2 more jars today. 

This is the original post and pic.

I am using the product as a late night facial treatment when needed.  It goes on like a salve (not heavy).  Wonderful results in the morning.  The skin does not feel dry.   The skin feels refreshed, very soft.  A very small dab does it, about the size of a pencil eraser.

I can see this being a huge boost in the winter, especially when the skin is exposed to dry air, wind.  Indoor heat is harsh as well.  My goat milk soap has proven itself to be mild, but sometimes we need a little help when the harshest of seasons comes into the scope.

I am going to toy with the recipe a bit more.  And then offer it on the website.

Healthy, natural, no offensive smell.  It is wonderful on the lips as well.  Has a very slight chocolate taste due to the cocoa butter. 

I was concerned about skin reaction…I had none. 

Have a beautiful Saturday!

I received this in my Daily Bible Verse today.  A good reminder to stay well grounded:

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  Proverbs 16:18

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Honey and Salt Scrub

Posted in Skin and Hair Care, tagged on September 8, 2009| 10 Comments »

HOney Salt Scrub
Honey Salt Scrub

I have studied loads of books on natural skin care, “green” cosmetics, and cosmetic ingredients.  There is a lot to learn because the list keeps on growing! Let me tell you, the products (cosmetics) sitting on most department store shelves have some scary stuff in them!

My promise to you are products that are as natural as possible, and as safe for your body as possible.  And, I will share tips and recipes that you can make in your own home as well. 

With that in mind…I love a good exfoliating scrub.  They say we really cannot do anything, short of surgery, to fix the fine lines that appear on our face, but I feel confident and convinced that I see good results! Our skin is one large organ.  It takes in air and it absorbs what we put on it.  Our skin can do so much better once we help it by removing dead skin cells.

Honey and Salt Scrub

Mix 2 parts honey, one part mineral or sea salt (unrefined salt) to form a thick paste.  

Rub the paste on the skin in small circular motions.  Do not pull on the skin.  Do not apply pressure, use a very light hand.

Rinse with warm (not hot water). 

You will find your skin refreshed, softer, with the dull rough skin removed.

I first tested this recipe on the top of one hand and arm.  I could not believe the difference between my arms! The scrubbed arm was soft and silky.  The other felt dry and rough.  

My facial skin did tingle slightly after the scrub.  If you have sensitive, broken, blemished, or thin skin, use caution.  Do not use this scrub more than once a week if you have sensitive skin.

Avoid the eye area.

I did follow up with applying my own goat milk lotion to the face. 

I use milk goat milk soap, my own, once daily, to cleanse my face.  I follow up with goat milk lotion, twice a day.  Nothing will replace that routine.  The natural lactic acid in the lotion and soap helps to renew the skin cells. 

Recipes to come include deodorants, hair care, bath soaks…the list will go on! When you try the recipes, I would love for you to share your results (pros and cons).  I hope to hear how they work for you!

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New Category – Skin and Hair Care

Posted in AGH Business News, Skin and Hair Care, tagged , , , , on August 31, 2009| 7 Comments »

Today I am launching a new blog category, skin and hair care!

It has become obvious to me that my clients are very interested in getting down to the basics in life, including the natural care of their skin and hair.  In the skin and hair care category I will be posting discussions that share my knowledge and experience of skin care that brings us as close to natural as possible.

At Annie’s Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps, I provide the basic products (soap and skin care), and I will provide education for skin care, recipes and potions that contain common ingredients, most found at your local grocery store!

I am a strong believer in naturally erasing a part of what comes into our lives that can (and has) been damaging to our skin and hair.  Damage from chemicals, the sun, stress, and age!

I am excited, as I hope you are, to start this venture.  I hope I can help many! And I hope you and I grow from this experience together!

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