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Posts Tagged ‘Skin Care’

What Type Of Soap Should I Use?

Posted in Products, Skin and Hair Care, tagged , , , , , on December 27, 2009| 12 Comments »

goat milk soap

When I receive questions that I think others will benefit from I like to post them here. 

These are some recently asked questions:

Is your goat milk soap considered a body or facial soap?

  • Both.  When I create a soap I keep skin types in mind.  Some of the soaps are good for oily or combination skin (such as lemongrass, cedarwood).  Some are a good match-up for skin blemishes (such as lemongrass, patchouli, or tea tree). Some of the soaps are less drying, great for mature or dry skin (examples are:  unscented or honey oatmeal soaps, lavender, and orange mint).

Can your soaps be used as a shaving cream replacement?

  • Yes, I consider the lather from my soaps to have a thick luxurious feel.  This enables a smooth shave with less skin irritation, resulting in less nicks and chafing.  Honey oatmeal, for example, provides a wonderful rich lather that leaves the skin less irritated (as compared to shaving cream).

Do any of your soaps contain an exfoliant to assist with dead skin removal while cleansing?

  • Yes, the honey oatmeal is very mildy exfoliating.  The lemongrass poppyseed contains a natural exfoliant, poppyseeds. ,

Are any of your soaps or lotions helpful to those with”special or sensitive” skin conditions?

  • When using a new product I advise the client to 1) begin using the product in a small test area, 2) use the product sparingly, 3) overall body use must begin gradually. 
  • I suggest, when a person has tried many products that have failed, to give your skin a rest.  Try one product at a time.  There is something to be said about goat milk soaps and lotions, with their  lack of detergents and chemicals, but I cannot say they cure, heal or treat any certain condition.   Results (if any) depend upon your personal skin type.  Always consult with your physician!

If you have anything to add, please jump in and voice your comments. 

If you have questions, this is a great place to ask, someone else may be wanting to know the same thing!

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Calendula Cleanser

Posted in Skin and Hair Care, tagged , on October 21, 2009| 10 Comments »

Calendula Cleanser

Isn’t this beautiful? I think so.

Sometimes I do my best thinking and experimenting when I am in the worst of bodily states.  Tired!

This evening I clipped some marigold flower heads (calendula) and headed to the shop for what my husband calls, his little “mad scientist” at work.

I will share bits and pieces of this recipe with you, perhaps you might want to try it too.   I plan to test it, along with a few other ingredients, and possibly offer it as one of Annie’s Goat Hill natural skin care products.

Misc 001

I started with fresh marigold (calendula) heads, removed the petals.

A double broiler is recommended, but I am handy with the microwave.  I melted a tablespoon of cocoa butter in a glass measuring cup.  Careful…this stuff gets hot! I buy cocoa butter in 7 pound blocks.  I would imagine you could also buy it in a health food store.

Once the cocoa butter liquified, I stirred it into the petals.  I also added a few tablespoons of grated beeswax, and approximately 1/2 cup of sweet almond oil.

I gently heated the mixture, not quite to a boil.  Stirring occasionally. 

Once the mixture blended well, became liquid, and the petals were softened, I strained the liquid.  I used a milk filter.  You will need something sturdy for the task.

Misc 002

I stirred several times as the mixture cooled, then poured it into a clean jar.

This recipe can be used as a facial cleanser.  Apply the cleanser to the face.  Then use a warm, moist wash cloth to gently remove.

I believe it can also be used as a hand salve, but that will be tested

I know it is full of antioxidants.  It is completely natural.  It smells devine, clean.  And I am excited to give it a try.

Again, keep your allergies in mind.  Always patch test when trying new products.

I do use my own goat milk soap on my face…I live by my own regimens.  Never discount good skin care with poor soap. 

Have fun…be safe!

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Oatmeal and Honey Facial Scrub

Posted in Skin and Hair Care, tagged , , on September 3, 2009| 28 Comments »

Honey Lemon Oatmeal Scrub

Honey Lemon Oatmeal Scrub

 

 This scrub contains simple items, easily found at your local grocery store.

  • Oatmeal, gentle exfoliation.
  • Lemon juice, clears blemishes and lightens age spots.
  • Honey, humectant (retains and attracts moisture)
  • Olive oil, conditioning

 

Oatmeal and Honey Facial Scrub

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/3 cup oats

Mix all ingredients until a thick paste is formed.

The scrub can be used on any part of the body that needs exfoliation, brightening, or toning.  I begin with the face.

Because I have mature skin, I do not wash my face with soap prior to applying the scrub.  I use a warm moist washcloth to gently remove excess dirt before application. 

Warning, this is a messy process, so you will want to apply the scrub while leaning over a sink or towel.   

Begin applying the scrub to the face in small circular motions.  Never pull downwards on any part of your facial skin or eye areas.  Pulling downwards leads to excess sagging of the skin.   The oatmeal does not stick to the skin, however, the thin layer that remains (film from the oatmeal, lemon, honey, and olive oil) will nurture your skin. 

Relax…leave the scrub on the skin for 10 minutes.

Gently remove the scrub with a warm (not hot) water rinse.

My skin really benefits from this treatment.  It always feels better conditioned, toned, and brightened after several uses.  I never have to follow up with a moisturizer after the treatment!

Notes:

  • Avoid the eye area.  The citric acid will irritate the eye membranes.
  • Oily complexion? Substitute water for olive oil. 
  • Use natural honey.  Be aware, some manufactures do include corn syrup in their honey products.
  • You may grind the oatmeal to a finer consistency prior to mixing the scrub.  Do not use instant oatmeal.
  • If you do not want to apply the oatmeal directly to your skin (it is messy), add a small amount of clean clear water to the recipe.  Using a cotton ball, apply the excess liquid (milk-like) to your skin.  Leave on for 10 minutes.

Enjoy and relax!

I have many recipes and tips to share with you in this new category, Skin and Hair Care!

 

 

 

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Product Ingredient Recap – Shea Butter

Posted in Products, Skin and Hair Care, tagged , , , , , on September 2, 2009| 9 Comments »

Bing! I opened my newest package of shea butter and instantly felt as if I needed sunglasses.  It was as deep yellow as it could be! Nope, there is nothing wrong with the shea butter.  It is completely natural.  Shea butter varies in color from cream to yellow. 

As a reminder, due to natural variances in shea butter, my goat milk lotion ranges from a pale butter color to nearly pure white.    The scent of the shea butter also varies in strength.   The scent of shea butter in a lotion dissipates within minutes of application to the skin.

Shea butter is an excellent skin softener! A small dab of shea butter applied to the ends of your hair after shampooing works better than an expensive bottle of conditioner. Shea butter is also great for sore or ragged cuticles.  And, my family and I have used shea butter to heal burns and scars!

For more shea butter information, here is my original shea butter article.  And here is my article regarding product storage.  Shea butter and other natural ingredients require room temperature storage.  DO NOT leave your lotions, creams, or other natural products in a very hot environment.  The car is NOT a good place for storage!

FYI…whipped shea butter samples will soon be available.  The cooler fall temps will allow me to ship without the fear of a melt-down.  Who wants a melt-down???!!! Not I!

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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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Winter Skin Care Tips

Posted in Skin and Hair Care, tagged , , on January 8, 2009| 7 Comments »

Young or old, we all battle the effects of the winter season on our skin.

With the new lotion and face cream products being added to my store, and with myself happily seeing improvement in my own skin this season, I wanted to share a few winter skin care tips.

  • Remember to moisturize more in the winter. Switching from a water based moisturizer to one that is oil based is smart skin care during the colder months. Oil based products provide a protective layer on the skin, acting as a barrier to the harsh winds, snow, and cold of winter.

  • Do not forget the sun screen when working outdoors. Exposure to the sun can be skin damaging even during the winter months.

  • Drink enough water! If you cannot tolerate 10-12 glasses of water a day, supplement some of that liquid with decaffeinated drinks. Both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which accelerate dry skin.

  • Pay close attention to your hands. Hand skin tends to age faster than the rest of our bodies. Why? The skin on our hands is much thinner. Always remember to wear dry gloves, and moisturize the hands often.

  • Do not forget your feet. Dry socks are a must. You may need to slough off the dry skin areas of your feet with a pumice stone, or with a foot scrub, and then lavishly apply moisturizer to your feet as well. I find help with a pumice stone, heavy moisturizer, and then by wearing cotton socks in the evenings.

  • Heated winter air tends to be on the dry side. You may need to invest in a humidifier. If you are watching your pocketbook, boil a tiny bit of water on your stove once a day to keep the humidity levels higher in your home.

  • Dress in layers. Not only will this keep you much warmer (with lighter layers underneath), but it will also protect your skin from the elements.

  • Avoid very hot baths. I have problems with following this rule myself! I love a hot bubble bath. Hot baths make dry skin so much drier!

  • After bathing, slather on the moisturizer. It is best to moisturize while the skin is still fairly damp. This helps retain the natural moisture of your skin!

I have heard others say that our skin is the largest organ of our bodies. I find that statement interesting, and it compels me to try a little harder at taking care of myself.

Do you have any skin care tips to share? I love comments! 🙂

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Ingredient Article #2 – Olive Oil

Posted in Products, tagged , , , , on December 22, 2008| 7 Comments »

Olive oil is a popular ingredient in soap and body care products.

For thousands of years, olives have been squeezed or pressed to obtain the oil. This is a photo of a Greek olive press. Many people across the world (especially in European and Mediterranean countries) are still obtaining their olive oil using this laborious method.

It is said that the Egyptians knew the moisturizing benefits of olive oil. They generously applied the oil to their skins, then scraped the oil off, which removed the dirt and left the skin softened.

It is estimated that olive oil was first used in soap around the year 1567. Today we continue to make castile soap, with olive oil being the base oil in the recipe. Castile soap is mild, moisturizing, long lasting, with a creamy low-bubble lather.

There are several types of olive oil. The main types are:

  • Virgin – the oil is derived using physical methods (olives are crushed or squeezed)

  • Refined – the oil is derived using physical methods, but is treated to reduce strong tastes and acids

  • Pomace – the oil is extracted from crushed olives (the pomace) using chemical solvents, then it is refined to make it edible (generally used in commercial kitchens)

Olive oil has many external and internal beneficial properties. Olive oil is an antioxidant, is very cleansing internally to the body. Olive oil can help lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels, especially when olive oil replaces unhealthy fats in the diet. Olive oil is very well known for skin moisturizing, especially adding benefits to mature skin. Olive oil is not known to clog the skin pores.

In soap, olive oil is used as a base oil (alone) or with other base oils to help harden the finished product, and to provide extra moisturizing properties to the soap. In lotion and cream products, olive oil leads to a thicker, richer base, and is very beneficial for dry skin.

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