Natural Body Guru

Have you noticed that your skin usually breaks out with blemishes when you really want it to be blemish free? My friend’s daughter was going to the prom with a young man she really wanted to impress. She got the date, a new dress and shoes and then – boom! She got a huge pimple three days before the prom.

Blemishes like that (they could be from stress) seem to pick up signals from us, so don’t tell yourself, “I hope I don’t get a pimple on prom night.” Instead, apply this essential oil formula and tell yourself, “this blemish is going to go away” – and try to believe it!

Just put a little of this blemish mix on the troubled area of skin two times a day. Use a Q-tip and dab the mix on neat. The spot should be cleared up in three days.

Blemish mix:

• 1 drop camphor
• 1 drop lemon
• 1 drop lavender

Diluted in:

• 6 drops evening primrose oil.

If you think you will need larger quantities of the mixture, mix equal parts of the essential oils in an amber bottle for a synergistic blend then add them to the primrose oil as needed.

This week we talked about natural shaving creams for men and women. As a man or woman, if you have sensitive skin, try this natural shaving cream recipe.

• 2/3 cup shea butter
• 2/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup sweet almond oil
• 1/4 cup baby unscented castile soap
• A few drops Vitamin E oil
• 20 drops lavender essential oil (men could use sandalwood)

1. In a double boiler over low heat, melt the coconut oil and shea butter.
2. Pour the mixture into a ceramic or glass bowl and place in refrigerator. Let mixture solidify.
3. Remove from refrigerator.
4. Add almond oil, castile soap, and lavender essential oil.
5. Using a hand mixer, whip the mixture until fluffy.
6. Put into a glass jar and use as needed for shaving.

Source: Real Food RN

Have you ever read the ingredients on your shaving cream product? There may be some things in there you don’t want on your skin. You can make your own shaving cream. It may look, feel and smell different from the store bought brands but it will be much better for your skin and you will get used to it. Here is an essential oil recipe for you to try.

Recipe for Women

• 2/3 cup organic shea butter
• 2/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup almond oil
• 2 tablespoons baking soda (acts as an exfoliate)
• 5 drops of geranium
• 5 drops lavender

1. Place the shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil in a double boiler over medium low heat.
2. Stir until melted. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in essential oil.
4. Put the double boiler in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours and let the mixture begin to solidify.
5. When the mixture is firm, remove it from the refrigerator.
6. Use an electric mixer to whip the mixture for about a minute. The consistency will be like thin cupcake icing.
7. Add the baking soda. Continue to whip for another 30 to 60 seconds.
8. Scoop the cream into clean glass containers. Put on the lids and place the containers in the fridge over night.

Note: You can store the shaving cream at room temperature, unless it starts to melt, in which case put it in the refrigerator to resolidify.

Source: Crystal & Co.

Blocked sebum become blackheads when surface cells develop sulphides that turn black when they come into contact with oxygen. Blackheads are unsightly and can easily become infected. When you remove them and the opening just fills up again with more sebum; this condition is related to seborrhea, overproduction of the sebaceous glands. Even people with dry skin can develop blackheads, especially on the nose or chin but blackheads can develop practically anywhere on the body, as well as on the face. Wherever they develop, the treatment for blackheads is the same, they need to be removed.

To remove blackheads, get a bowl of steaming hot water with 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar added, put 1 drop of lavender essential oil on the water and cover your head with a towel, being sure to close off the sides too and steam your face for 10 minutes, coming up for air every 3-4 minutes. Rinse the face with 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar mixed in a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water. If the blackheads are loose, squeeze gently taking care not to damage the skin. Then splash the face with a mixture of 2 ounces of mineral water, 2 teaspoons cider vinegar – I like Bragg’s Natural Apple Cider brand, 1 teaspoon witch hazel, 2 drops each of bergamot and cypress essential oils.

After patting the skin dry, massage the following oils into the skin. This will help to prevent blackheads from coming back and also loosen the ones that are already there:

• Lemongrass – 8 drops
• Lavender – 5 drops
• Clary-sage – 2 drops
• Thyme – 5 drops
• Jojoba oil – 5 drops

Use this massage mixture morning and night. When you wash your face, take care to use a pure natural soap. You can use eye makeup if you like but avoid face makeup and powder.

I inherited a lot of great traits from my parents, but good skin was not one of them. Since puberty I’ve had incredibly sensitive, finicky skin. Parts of my skin get dried out very easily and other parts look like oil slicks.

I tried just about every mass-produced, commercial product out there to balance and moisturize my skin, but nothing worked. A friend of mine who works in an upscale salon turned me on to natural moisturizers. I’ve been using aromatherapy hand and body lotion imbued with soy, jojoba, coconut, and palm extracts for the last few weeks. I’m proud to report that my skin has never looked more radiant and properly moisturized.

Cold air can lead to unwanted dryness but a few simple changes to your daily routine will help keep your skin radiant and healthy during the  winter months. At the first sign of cold weather, look for skincare products and makeups that contain powerful moisturizers.

Face creams should be working hard to protect your skin from those blustery breezes, and your makeup should be no different. Choose products that might be heavier than your regular brand, but not so heavy that they clog your pores. Look for solutions that are particularly effective on your T-zone, as this area is most prone to dryness.

Cooler temperatures always make effective skincare more difficult so make the switch to winter skincare products early. Use your winter-ready products daily to help fight the effects of winter weather and keep your skin healthy.

Newborn babies respond well to touch and since it is an important part of the parent child bonding custom, parents should start using massage right away. Commercial baby oils usually have a petroleum or mineral oil base which is good for protecting baby’s skin from water and urine but not necessarily good for baby’s skin. I suggest using a formula which consists of carrier oils that are good for skin as well as essential oils that are good for the skin and have other benefits too.

The following formula uses 1/10th of the essential oil in an adult massage oil but it is still an excellent treatment for eczema and cradle cap, inflammation and teething problems and it acts as a general strengthener. It also boosts the immune system and has a wonderful calming effect  on the nervous system. The loving touch of mommy or daddy’s massage all over his or her body, avoiding only the genitals and the eyes, will keep baby contented.

Baby’s Massage Oil Formula

• Chamomile – 1 drop
• Lavender – 1 drop
• Geranium – 1 drop
  Dilute in 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil

This massage oil can be used daily on your two to twelve month old baby.

When most people think of aromatherapy, they usually picture deep tissue massages and burning candles that smell like lavender. While this is definitely an effective use of aromatherapy, it isn’t the only way to utilize all of its potential. During the colder seasons, you can also use oil blends that were designed to boost immunity and have antiviral properties.

If you are looking to use aromatherapy, you can add in essential oils that help fight against germs and will help with the symptoms of various ailments. “Germ therapy” is made from lemon, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon and rosemary. This blend has been known to help cut down the length of colds while still smelling like cloves and cinnamon.