Alternative Moisturizer

It's almost the end of winter!  Only a few more weeks left before we can dust off those swim suits and get our tan on.  But even though winter is almost over, my skin can't tell the difference, and I am layering on moisturizer two times a day.  However, the moisturizer I've been using is store-bought, and I wanted to make something homemade.

My daughter uses a name-brand moisturizer from the store, and she's been using it for years.  The thing with store bought moisturizers is that they have so many chemicals in them, and she frequently feels like it is burning her skin.  I decided to make a less irritating moisturizer that was also non-oily.

Homemade Moisturizer

Below I have listed the steps for creating your own moisturizer at home. Happy mixing!

New digital scale. Each block of Beeswax

Melt in a double boiler on medium heat:

• 1/2 cup Grated Beeswax or Beeswax Pastilles. (It is really hard to grate Beeswax, so I  just let it melt.)
• 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil (comes in a solid form)
• 1/4 cup Grapeseed Oil

Beeswax

Coconut oil

Combine in glass measuring cup:

• 1/2 cup Distilled Water 

• 1/2 cup pure Aloe Vera Gel 

Bring water mixture to around the same temperature (about 185 F) as beeswax mixture (either in a double boiler or in the microwave).

Add vitamin E oil and essential oils and mix well. 

• 16 drops Essential oils (I used orange and lemon and a few drops of clove) 

• 1 tsp Vitamin E oil

Remove wax mixture from stove and let cool for a few minutes (not too long or it will start to harden).  Using a hand blender, very slowly pour water/aloe mixture into bowl.   

Continue slowly pouring as mixture starts to emulsify. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of blender.  Continue blending and pouring for up to 15 minutes or until you are happy with the consistency of your lotion. 

Looks like frosting. Yum!

Place finished lotion in containers and use within 3 months. Since this is all natural, there are no preservatives, so if you don't plan to use it up in 3 months, freeze it. 

Your moisturizer is ready to enjoy!  This makes a great gift, too, for Mothers Day or Easter!

Posted by Kelanne (editor) & Lindy (chef)

Retail Face Cleanser v.s. Home Made

My daughter has very sensitive dry skin and has been using "Neutrogena for Sensitive Skin" for some time. She now reports that her skin is still very dry. 

Soooo I looked into alternatives to Neutrogena. .....

• It is adverstised as the #1 Dermatologist Recommended oil-free moisturizer for sensitive skin. 
• Ingredients:  Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Cyclomethicone, Soybean (Glycine Soja) Sterols , Isopropyl Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG, 10 Soy Sterol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben 

Don't know what most of those ingredients are?  If you can't easily identify what ingredients are in your face wash or in any of the products you use, that's probably not a good sign.  

• Dimethicone is used in caulking, lubricants and heat-resitant tiles. 
• Diazolidinyl Urea breaks down in the product or on the skin and releases formaldehyde. (Remember formaldehyde? It was used in Anatomy class to preserve fetal pigs we dissected!)
• Methylparaben, or anything ending in “paraben,” act like estrogen in the body, throwing off hormonal balance. Parabens have been shown to accumulate in cancerous breast tumors.
• Tetrasodium EDTA is a preservative that’s made from the known carcinogen, formaldehyde and sodium cyanide. It breaks down the skin's protective barrier, going right into your bloodstream.  

When buying products for your home or your body, keep one simple rule in mind: know what is in the product. 

Ingredients of our Sensitive Skin Cleanser

*Coconut oil  ($.50 per ounce)

*Honey (.16 per ounce)

*Baking Soda  (.03 per ounce)

  Total cost for 5.2 ounces (same as Neutrogena) is $4.58

  (Total cost for 5.2 fl. oz of Neutrogena is  $6.49)  

This skin cleaner is much healthier for your skin because it is completely natural. It's easy to make the healthier choice.

Posted by Kelanne (editor) & Lindy (Master Chef)

Why Go Natural?

When I started looking for cleaner alternatives for my new 7 week old puppy, Callie, I did a lot of research. I came up with some simple recipes for flea shampoo, breath spray, coat freshener, etc. They were easy to make and seemed effective.  

When I started researching homemade products for my home, children, and puppy, I was startled by the extent of the information on this topic.  I wanted to make this information more accessible, which is why I began this blog.  In preparation for my new puppy, I began experimenting with different recipes to keep her healthy without all the toxic chemicals.  On here, I want to share with you some of the recipes I've developed.

Calliope Toaster Schnoodle

Posted by Lindy (Master Chef)