How to Make a Matcha Tea face scrub, recipe

Matcha Tea Facial Cleansing Scrub Recipe

Matcha, superfood for the skin.

Matcha is a super fine ground green Japanese powdered tea.  In Japan, the bushes are shaded for about 20 days before the harvest. This reduced light forces the plant to make a higher concentration of chlorophyll, producing darker green leaves that are chopped, and ground into a fine powder.  Excellent for drinking and excellent for natural skin care. 

It is the chlorophyll that makes matcha perfect to detox your skin! Antioxidant rich matcha cleanses the skin of toxins that age us prematurely. 

 Used topically, the high concentration of chlorophyll in Matcha makes it a 

super food for the skin ... 

* Optional: for a gentle exfoliation, grind up some chamomile
                   and add to your mask. Apply in a circular motion, this
                   stimulates blood flow and gives you a healthy glow.

* soothing     * healing

* tightens skin    *evens out skin tone

* fights excess oil production without drying skin

* helps under eye puffiness, and dark circles 

Recipe

chamomile tea

For a gentle exfoliation, 

grind up some chamomile and add to your mask.

Smooth over skin on face and back of hands.

Allow to dry, rinse off. Pat dry.

Gentle enough to use every day.

How to use fresh avocado in homemade soap free recipe

Fresh Avocado in Homemade Soap

using the hot process method with recipe

The avocado is high in mono-unsaturated fats (good fats), and is able to absorb deeper into the skin.

These healthy fats help you to maintain the moisture level in your skin. Fresh avocado in homemade soap softens, hydrates and nourishes skin.

In light of the number of unhealthy ingredients in skin care products, a natural avocado homemade soap is a great addition to your skin care regime. This soap feels absolutely great on the skin. I have found it to help folks with skin problems like psoriasis and eczema by keeping skin hydrated, not stripping natural oils. 

These are my observations, not a medical statement.

Note: this recipe intended for those with prior knowledge of soap making and understanding of safety issues of working with lye.

Lye is caustic and dangerous, strict safety rules must be used.

Recipe for Avocado soap, using 40 ounces of oil
This is superfatted to 6%, and will give 
you a hard, moisturizing bar.

12 oz   Olive oil

12 oz   Coconut oil

12 oz   Palm oil

  4 oz   Avocado oil

15.2 oz   Water

  5.6 oz   Lye

1.25 oz to 2 oz fragrance oil, strength depends on fragrance 

Start with a half of a ripe avocado.

LEFT: Put 1/2 avocado into blender with 1 cup of water.

RIGHT: Blend until smooth. 
No lumps at all. You cannot put chunks of avocado into your soap! It must be completely smooth.


 Freeze pureed avocado.

When you are ready to make soap, take out avocado cubes. 

Measure your water and avocado.  I use no more than 3 oz of avocado in this recipe.

Your avocado is part of your water amount. So in this recipe the water amount is 15.2 oz, 

that means your water with avocado cubes added is 15.2 oz total.

Note: Using too much avocado in recipe will soften your soap. Stick to 3 oz or less. 

Store your left over avocado cubes in freezer for future soap.

Pour your lye crystals right into your water/avocado and stir until lye is dissolved.

Your oils/butters should already be melted in your crock pot on low.

Strain lye water into your oils if you think you did not get all your avocado smooth, no chunks.

   Stick blend as normal. 

(optional) :  Add fragrance or essential oil and stir well. 

Put into mold and allow to sit overnight.

You will get the most amazing, moisturizing soap! Enjoy!

DIY How to make a daily face cleanser

All natural facial cleanser, gentle enough for everyday!
  

This is so easy, you may be tempted to dismiss it, but .... trust me.... TRY THIS !

Base Recipe:

2 Tablespoons baking soda

1 Tablespoon water

Smooth over skin in a circular motion to remove dead, dry skin cells that dull your complexion, and clog pores. Rinse with warm water, splash with cool water, pat dry. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer or a few drops of natural oils (that's what I do) such as olive oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil etc. I also use hyaluronnic acid.

Not everyone's skin is the same, if you experience irritation you just may need to add more water to your mix. It's important to moisturize after using this as well.

"WHA LAH!" or as the French say "Voila" which means "see there!"

.... this gentle exfoliating scrub reveals new skin cells, giving you a glowing, younger complexion. 

Now for some fun...

To kick this up a notch, add some great natural ingredients from your pantry....

• For an antioxidant punch add 1/2 teaspoon of powdered matcha tea  

                              Blend matcha into baking soda and water.

   
    Mix until you get this super creamy texture, doesn't take long.

TIP: I recommend following up with a natural moisturizer, or you can simply add some oil to your cleanser. Be sure and use an oil that won't clog pores such as :

• argan
• hemp 
• sunflower 
• sea buckthorn,
• apricot
• sweet almond 
• grapeseed
• jojoba
• peach kernal
• tamanu
• olive

 Other great Ingredients you can add to personalize your daily cleanser:

• a few drops of your favorite oil to moisturize 
• a few drops of lavender essential oil to soothe skin
• a few drops of tea tree essential oil for troubled skin
• colloidal oatmeal, or finely ground oatmeal to soothe
• warmed honey, antioxidant rich, moisturizing, nourishing
• powdered milk to soothe, nourish, gently exfoliate
• vitamin E

Enjoy natural skin care you can make at home!

Like my stuff?  

Head on over to my YouTube channel, and Face Book for more!

Anna  

How to make a Solid Sugar Scrub, and creamy sugar scubs with Recipes

 Sugar Scrub Skin Benefits and recipes

Sugar scrubs naturally exfoliate the skin. They remove dead, dull skin cells, revealing

new skin cells, giving you that natural healthy glow.  Once exfoliated, your skin can now

more efficiently absorb moisture allowing it to penetrate deeper. Skin is rejuvenated,
soft and supple. 

Sugar is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment into your skin.

That's a good thing.  

Sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that encourages cell turnover.

Which means healthy, younger looking skin for you! It cleanses the skin and will not clog pores.

I use brown sugar for a face scrub, it's not as course as white granulated sugar.

I like white sugar for a body scrub.  I do not recommend using turbinado (raw sugar) in a scrub

used on the face or sensitive skin, it's course composition can leave microscopic tears on the skin..   Test for yourself on a small area of skin if in doubt. You can make a solid scrub or a creamy scrub.

RECIPE 1:           Simple 2 ingredient recipe for 
                             SOLID SUGAR SCRUB

1)  3.5oz of unrefined cocoa butter. (if you use refined you lose the gorgeous scent & properties)

2)  2 1/4 Cups of white sugar

HOW to make:

Melt cocoa butter in microwave safe bowl or in double boiler.

Measure out your sugar (brown or white) in large bowl, pour melted butter over it and combine well.

Once combined, pack into your mold, I use the mini brownie mold sold at Hobby Lobby. This recipe will fill it one time. I toss an organic rose bud in the mold before filling for that pampering touch.

You can also use candy molds and small soap molds

 for your solid scrubs.
Don't want to make your scrubs yourself,
you can purchase them from me
in my shop, click HERE.

HOW TO USE: 
Wet skin with warm water and gently rub solid sugar scrub over skin in a circular motion. Can also be used as a lip scrub.  Rinse and pat dry.

Can be used as a bath melt:  Drop into warm bath water and allow to melt. 

Pick up scrub while in tub and gently rub over skin for a home spa treat!

MORE RECIPES:

For a great, creamy sugar scrub recipe click FRESH ORANGE SUGAR SCRUB

For a great, coffee scrub recipe click HOMEMADE COFFEE SCRUB RECIPE

For a great, apple & sugar recipe courtesy of the Ritz Carlton's Bachelor Gulch Spa
                                                            click APPLE AND SUGAR HOME SPA TREATMENT


Enjoy!   Anna

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How to make Lip Balm, recipe with easy to find ingredients

  Want to make an all natural, healthy lip balm to protect, heal and keep your lips healthy

 through dry winter and summer months?  I will show you how with easy to find, super ingredients.

First, a few lip tips:

1)To protect and prevent chapped, sore lips, it's important to apply a moisturizing balm, preferably with sunscreen, before going out in the cold, dry air.   

2) If you're a lip licker ... don't. Saliva evaporates quickly on the lips and leaves them drier.

3) Avoid buying lip creams or balms with parabens, artificial fragrance and color as they can irritate already stressed lips. Use a balm with a base of beeswax  as it is a natural humectant, meaning it  draws  moisture in and holds it there, leaving your lips super soft and supple, or vegan friendly  candelilla or carnauba wax.
Believe it or not camphor and menthol may feel soothing but they tend to dry lips.
4) If your lips are healthy, keep them that way by doing a gentle sugar scrub to exfoliate lips and remove dead cells, stimulating new cell growth. This process leaves your lips super soft and able to more effectively absorb your balm.  Mix a teaspoon of sugar with oil, and gently massage over your lips in a circular motion. You can use grapeseed, olive, coconut or any vegetable oil you have on hand. Do not do this if your lips are chapped, cracked or red and sore, allow them to heal first.

4) Stay hydrated.   'Nuff said!

..................................................................................................................................................

Here is a step by step tutorial to make your own super moisturizing, nourishing lip balm with recipes rich in lip loving oils, that are easy to find and don't break the bank.

You will need:

pyrex glass measuring cup

stiring spoon (s)

empty lip balm tubes ( I get mine on ebay )

beeswax 

hard butter ( like cocoa or shea butter ) 

liquid oil (like grapeseed, sweet almond, olive)

coconut oil 

lip safe essential oil or lip balm flavor:  optional

RECIPE:

2 oz beeswax

1 oz *shea butter or cocoa butter (or .5 oz of each)

2 oz coconut oil

1 oz grapeseed oil 

Melt beexwax, coconut oil, grapeseed oil and cocoa butter all together in pyrex measuring cup in

microwave at 40 second blasts. Stirring in between.

*NOTE: if you are using shea butter add it too the completely melted oils and stir it to melt it in. Shea butter does not like temperatures above 140 and can get grainy, so don't add it into the mix until all the others are melted! 

Once all your oils, wax and butters are melted you can add your essential oil or lip balm flavoring oil.

Typically I use peppermint essential oil, spearmint or lemongrass. I'll add peppermint and spearmint together and call it "Doublemint", paired with cocoa butter's chocolately goodness it's unbeatable !

For this size batch of 6 oz you can use 36 drops of lip safe essential oil. This will be a 1% dilution.  I do add a bit more though personally!
I like my balms to have scent.

Note: use lemongrass, not lemon essential oil as it can be photosensitive, meaning it can cause you to get a sunburn on your lips!

Time to POUR !  
You do not need to use pipettes to get your balm into the tubes. Trust me ... the wax will harden too quickly and it's a mess. Just hand pour them from your pyrex, you can do it. If some runs down the sides it's easy to clean off. A lot less headache!  Fill slightly above the top, as it cools it will sink down in the center.

Tip: If your balm thickens too much or even hardens before you get them all poured, just pop the pyrex back into the microwave. No worries.

Each tube holds .15 of an oz.

Tip:  Lip balm too soft for you? Remelt it and add more beeswax.  Too hard for you? Remelt and add more liquid oil.

Harder balms for summer.
Softer balms for winter.

  Enjoy !   
         Anna

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Pumpkin Puree in Homemade Soap Recipe

      Updated: 9/16/16 - Yes, you can put real pumpkin into your homemade soaps!  It makes a lovely bar of rich, creamy goodness. Make your own puree from fresh pumpkins, or pumpkin from a can.

originally published 8/22/13 updated 9/16/16

 Warm, homey and with a scent reminiscent of crisp fall mornings and toasty evenings at home.

I used canned pumpkin puree, yes, the kind that you make pies from. This was pure pumpkin puree, not the variety with spices added.  I made this hot process method in a crock pot and added the pumpkin at trace with a TBL of  honey. Frozen fresh goats milk and Arizona rain water for my liquid. (You can use all water for this recipe if you choose.)

vintage pumpkin seed package

This makes a hard, bubbly, moisturizing bar of soap.

Rich and creamy.  Absolutely decadent!  The lather is light tan.  I put real spice lines of ginger, and just a touch of cinnamon and cardamon. (optional) Spices alone are not strong enough to give a good scent when the soap is done, so I added some pumpkin fragrance oil. The result is a heavenly smelling, decadent bar that just makes you feel good to use.  You will love it.

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 oz beeswax

2 oz castor oil

12 oz coconut oil

12 oz olive oil
12 oz palm oil

2 oz canned pumpkin

1 TBL warmed honey at trace (optional)  FYI ... honey darkens the color of your soap

1.5 oz  to 2 oz  fragrance oil added after the cook. Strength of scent is your choice. 

5.5 oz lye   (6% superfatted using SoapCalc ) Always use gloves and glasses when working with lye (sodium hydroxide). I recommend long sleeve shirt as well, and an apron.

15.2 oz of liquid  ( I used 5 oz of frozen goats milk and 10.2 oz water)
__________________________________________________________________________________
NOTE:  You do not have to use goats milk if you don't choose too. 
You can use buttermilk or cow milk.     Freeze it first. 

frozen milk cubes

Always freeze your milk in cubes, this keeps temps down so your milk does not scorch. Next add water to milk cubes so that your total amount of milk and water is 15.2 oz
Then slowly pour your lye crystals into frozen milk/water,
stir until dissolved. 
It will turn orange, this is normal when using milks.

Don't want to use milk in your recipe at all? No problem...
Simply use the full liquid amount of 15.2 oz as water. This does not change the rest of the recipe.

I've noticed that using purees in my HP soaps makes the soap take a bit longer to get done,
this is normal. Relax and read a book, but don't walk away from a crock pot of cooking soap!

Always run a soap recipe through a lye calculator before making it yourself.   Be safe.

If you don't want to make this fresh Autumn soap yourself, check out my etsy shop. 

    Enjoy,  Anna

How to make natural Baby Powder by Andrea Butje

How to make Solid Lotion Bars and Belly Bars for pregnancy

Updated: 1/7/21    Solid lotion bars are a rich combination of skin loving oils, butters and beeswax formulated into a convenient bar that is solid at room temperature, but melts on contact with your skin.  These little gems deposit a concentrated moisture packed punch that is unbeatable. Once you try one, you will not want to be without them.  I am going to show you  how to make these treasures yourself out of all natural, easy to find ingredients.  Perfect for all skin types. Exceptionally great for

skin stressed and stretched by pregnancy.

A beautiful addition in natural skin care for yourself and your family needs.

You will need 3 ingredients, plus an essential oil or a fragrance if you want it scented, and small molds, tubs or tins to pour lotion into.

1)  Beeswax  (solid chunks will have to be shaved, or buy beeswax beads)

2)  A solid oil, for example: coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter

3)  A liquid oil, for example: grapeseed oil, sunflower, olive oil, sweet almond oil

 and, essential oil or skin safe fragrance oil of choice.

Recipe is simply equal parts of the three ingredients. I'll give you a basic recipe using easy to find oils for an example, that's not greasy or heavy, but feel free to use your favorite oils. Keeping

in mind that different oils will make your lotion bar have different properties. Some oils are

heavier and have a greasier feel than others for example.

BASIC SOLID LOTION BAR RECIPE;  This yields 9oz 

3 oz beeswax

3 oz coconut oil  (or shea, see note below on using shea, or cocoa butter or a combo)

3 oz grapeseed oil or sunflower oil (found in your local grocery store by the olive oil)

10-15 drops essential oil of choice (optional)

If you are making Belly Bars for pregnant women, we recommend you do not add any

essential oils, they are not necessary, and some are not good for use during pregnancy.

We do recommend you add VitE to the blend after all the oils/butters are melted and stir well.

Procede to melt your oils and beeswax. You can use a double boiler or a microwave, (I use micro)    

Put beeswax into bowl you will be melting in. 

Add the grapeseed oil and coconut oil.

Put into microwave and begin melting. Once you see the beeswax start to melt, stir, stir, stir.

This helps it to melt faster into the oils without using too much heat. 

Put back into the microwave at 20-30 second bursts until fully melted. 

TIP: Do not use an overly large pyrex bowl to melt a small amount of oils in,

this can cause the bowl to crack or break.  Bowl will be HOT use a mitt !

 

 Above: you see chunks of cocoa butter and beeswax floating in oil. Cocoa butter will give you a little harder bar which is good for a massage lotion bar.

 Above: you see the beeswax floating in the heated oils. Stir, stir, stir.

 Stirring causes the solids to melt in the heated oil.

Once all your beeswax, coconut oil and grapeseed are all melted, allow to cool down some, as fragrance oils and essential oils have flash points. You want your 

temperature to be at or under your fragrance's flash point. Add your essential oils or fragrance

Stir well.  Pour into your molds or tubs.

These cool down quickly and harden into lovely solid lotion that you pop out of their tub or mold and smooth over your skin.  I pour mine into these 2 oz tubs, they are easy to store that way. These bars will melt if left in a hot car, if that happens just put them into the frig for a few minutes, no harm done.

There are wonderful variations of this recipe that you can design yourself, this is a good starting point as the oils are easy to find in your local stores.  I have to tell you though, that cocoa butter is fabulous in solid lotion bars. You can buy it online. I got mine at Brambleberry, which is where I purchased my essential oils. I also find great deals at Piping Rock. You can find beeswax there also if you cannot find it locally.

NOTE: if you are using Shea Butter, melt the beeswax and coconut oil first, then add the shea and stir it in.  Shea is a finicky butter, it does not like to get over heated, it will turn grainy. Still perfectly good to use if that happens, just not as smooth.

Above: you see a soap bar scented with Brambleberrys "Relaxing" fragrance oil blended with patchouli essential oil, and a matching solid lotion bar of the same scent. Incredibly lovely.

A little more info on the lotion bar subject HERE

Any questions, feel free to leave a comment. 

Anna

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