How to Make Deodorant Cream

How to Make Deodorant Cream via http://frugallysustainable.com/2013/06/how-to-make-deodorant-cream/

JUNE 7, 2013 BY ANDREA 15 COMMENTS

The skin is our body’s largest organ…

…and everything we put on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Today — with modern farming and mass production processes the way they are – be assured…there are so many toxic chemicals added to commercially-prepared body care products! Chemicals known to adversely affect the body’s immune system, reproductive system, and nervous system.

Years ago — around the time that I took the dive head-first into natural health — I started looking for alternatives to commercially-prepared EVERYTHING. Starting with locally-grown foods to medicinal salves to making my own shampoo…I found that where there is a will there’s a way!

Likewise, I immediately became curious about all-natural, aluminum-free deodorant.

My entire life prior, I had been an avid anti-perspirant user — the feeling of being sweaty just grossed me out – and initially it was all the correlations made between using that and getting breast cancer…that got the wheels turning. Then when my mother was diagnosed with, and won her battle against, breast cancer…I left anti-perspirants without hesitancy.

There are many reasons why we should be concerned about using anti-perspirants and commercially-prepared deodorants! Here are just a few:

1. There are hidden dangers in the active ingredients of conventional deodorant (i.e. Aluminum, Parabens, Propylene glycol, Phthalates, and Triclosan). Current researchshows a strong link between anti-perspirants containing aluminum and Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, birth defects, allergies, and hormonal imbalances. These potentially hazardous chemicals have no place in our homes and certainly no place under our arms.
2. Let the body do what the body will do! I believe that when we attempt to inhibit the natural functions of the body we negatively effect the rhythms created for a purpose. Humans were meant to sweat.

It was all of these concerns combined that led me to create my own solution.

Since then, I have created several natural deodorants that have been used by many with AMAZING success:

• Probiotic Deodorant Stick
• Herbal Deodorant Stick
• Natural Deodorant for Men

All of these are the traditional stick variety.

Recently — and after the request of several of you – my creative drive kicked in and I set out on a Deodorant Cream making mission.

Deodorant Cream Recipe

Ingredients

-2 ounces (approx. 4 tablespoons) shea butter
-2 ounces (approx. 4 tablespoons) sesame oil
-1 ounce (approx. 2 tablespoons) non-nano zinc oxide powder
-5 tablespoons arrowroot powder
-0.5 ounces (approx. 1 tablespoon) raw beeswax
-1/2 teaspoon non-GMO vitamin E oil

Optional Ingredients
***I love adding a few of these ingredients. They are optional — and add tons of odor-fighting goodness — but not necessary for effective use of this product.

-aloe vera extract
-comfrey leaf extract
-calendula extract
-essential oils of choice

Method

1. Using a kitchen scale, measure the ingredients.
2. In a double boiler or small pot, melt shea butter, sesame oil, and beeswax over low heat.
3. Remove pot from heat and allow mixture to cool slightly.
4. Add arrowroot powder and zinc powder. Whisk until all powders are dissolved and well combined.
5. Add vitamin E oil, extracts, and essential oils (if using) at this time. Stir.
6. Pour mixture to a sterile container — one such as these – and allow to cool on counter.
7. Label product and store at room temperature. Shelf stable for at least one year, depending on quality of ingredients used.

To Use

Using fingertips, apply to underarms daily or after showering. A little goes a long way!

Notes

-Zinc Oxide. For safety’s sake, be sure to use only non-nano zinc oxide. Zinc oxide powder is not only a sun protectant, but an antioxidant that is able to soothe, protect and help heal the skin. Likewise, it contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Non-nano zinc oxide is not absorbed by the body and has been proven to present a very low risk to human health.

-Sesame Oil. For centuries, this oil had been widely used as healing oil for all sorts of health problems. Its’ quick penetrating, highly-stable (low risk of rancidity), anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties make it best suited for all skin types. Used topically, common skin invectives such as staphylococcus and streptococcus can be easily eliminated by the regular application of oil on the skin.

-Beeswax. Beeswax – one of nature’s most incredible raw materials –  provides a superb germ-killing, protective barrier for the delicate skin under the arms.

Where Can I Get This Stuff?

-Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for this remedy! I LOVE the quality of their oils and essential oils. It’s your one-stop-shop!

-The Bulk Herb Store also carries a few of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.

-From Nature With Love likewise carries a HUGE selection of high-quality raw materials.

I do have this Deodorant Cream available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.

Click here to visit the Marketplace…

How To Make Homemade Blush

ViaV

Via: http://thankyourbody.com/homemade-blush/

Keep in mind that with all makeup there is a continuum of “what works” for every individual. This is especially true when we start making things like bronzer, blush, or foundation. What works for me may not work for you. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to adjust and adapt this recipe to work with your skin tones and desired outcome.

With that in mind, you should probably know that I’m extremely pale. And I’m not a huge makeup person. Therefore, my blush of choice is light and subtle. So rather than give you an exact recipe, I’m giving you the jumping off point to find your perfect shade. Are you ready?

Ingredients:

arrowroot powder
hibiscus powder (like this)
cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

Start with a base of arrowroot powder, about 1 Tbs. Add in the hibiscus powder one teaspoon at a time until you get the desired color. Add cinnamon for a little depth and glow.

*Note: Hibiscus powder gives a nice subtle pink glow, but for some it may seem too subtle. You could also try Alkanet Root powder which has a richer, more reddish, tone. But in either case, add the color gradually. You can always add more arrowroot powder to lighten back up, but if you get too heavy handed you’ll end up with a whole lot of blush on your hand.

How To Make A Solid Perfume Locket...

This is a fantastic tutorial for making your own solid perfume with a sensual, seductive aroma and only natural ingredients. Plus it can be stored in a beautiful locket which gives it an almost antique like feel. This wonderful tutorial comes to via (http://www.designsponge.com)

Creating your own solid perfume is extremely satisfying. One of the joys of having a solid fragrance is that you can easily carry it with you, or even wear it on your body in a locket, without worrying about it spilling. I like to make perfume in small and beautiful containers that grow more precious and treasured with use. You can enjoy the experience of applying a solid perfume unobtrusively throughout the day in an earthy and sensual ritual that is quite different from dabbing on a liquid perfume. Solid perfume will scent only you, not the environment around you.


Materials

• 1 1/2 tsp. jojoba oil (available at whole foods and natural grocery stores)
• 7 drops frankincense essential oil (you can get some of Mandy’s essential oils here)
• 7 drops of ylang ylang essential oil
• 5 drops fresh ginger essential oil
• 6 drops wild sweet orange essential oil
• heaping 1/2 tsp. grated beeswax (available here)
• eyedroppers (available at drug stores)
• small nonmetal pan for melting wax
• shot glass or small cup
• small compact or pillbox for finished perfume

Instructions
1. Pour jojoba oil into the shot glass. Add the drops of all four essential oils to the jojoba oil and stir.

2. Melt the heaping 1/2 teaspoon of beeswax.


3. Remove from heat and stir in the jojoba/perfume blend.

4. Reheat for just 10 seconds, stirring.

5. Immediately pour the mixture into your container.

6. Let cool undisturbed for 15 minutes.

Ginger Sugar Scrub for Face and Body

I found this recipe on (http://foodformyfamily.com/) and I seriously have not bought Sugar Scrub again. I simply make my own! They also make great Christmas Gifts!

Making Your Own Sugar Scrub:

• Use this to exfoliate every other week or so in the winter on your face as a way to rejuvenate the skin and shed dead skin cells. It’s like a homemade facial.
• Why ginger? Ginger is great for sensitive skin, acting as an anti-inflammatory agent to decrease redness and help with skin disorders. It also works to energize skin, making your skin tighter and more youthful, and I’ve heard it’s been used on other problem areas, too.
• The coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so this will be a bit thicker when mixed with the other oil, which I appreciate. It’s soft enough to scoop out, but it’s not runny. You could always use all cold-pressed oils if you want a thinner scrub consistency.
• It may seem counter-intuitive, but oil will not cause your face to be greasy. On the contrary, healthy oils will dissolve the dirty oils that collect on your face, leaving you with clean, clear and moisturized skin naturally.
• Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and a jar of this would make a wonderful gift to the special people in your life. We can all use a little bit of pampering every now and then.

Ginger Sugar Scrub for Face and Body

Print me!

1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon ginger, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup cold-pressed oil (tea seed, jojoba, sunflower, or almond oil)
3/4 cup granulated or turbinado sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1-4 drops essential oil (I used lemongrass)

In a small saucepan over low heat heat the coconut oil and ginger pieces. Continue heating for 5-10 minutes until ginger scent and juice has transferred into the oil. Remove from heat and press through a fine mesh sieve or through a coffee filter.

While the oil is still warm, mix together with cold-pressed oil. Stir to combine and allow to come to room temperature. Stir in sugar and salt. Scent with essential oils as desired. Pack into a container.

To Use: Massage into damp skin and allow to sit 2-4 minutes. Using a washcloth covered in warm water, steam over face or stand in a steamy shower for a minute. Using the wet washcloth, wipe excess from skin. Rinse and repeat until oil is washed away.


Makes approximately 8 ounces sugar body scrub.

DIY-How To Make A Citrus Infused Vinegar For Green Cleaning

Vinegar is one of the most effective natural cleaners available to us. It works on mold, mildew and bacteria, it’s cheap, readily available, green, eco-friendly and non-toxic.

Infusing vinegar with oranges and other citrus fruits takes away the harsh smell leaving a wonderful citrus aroma that perfumes your home and enhances the cleaning power of the vinegar.

Find out how to make a citrus infused vinegar and how to use it as a window cleaner, bathroom cleaner, disinfectant, drain cleaner and laundry detergent softener from (http://mymerrymessylife.com)

After you eat your orange, save the peel and put it in a jar or other air-tight container and cover the peels with white vinegar. Let it sit for a couple of weeks (don’t need more than two), then strain out the peels and you have orange-scented vinegar! Of course, lemons and limes also work very well for this.

Garbage Disposal Cleaner

After straining the peels from the vinegar, keep those peels. They should be very soft (if not, soak them a few more days). Then, throw them in your garbage disposal and crank it up! The peels, along with the vinegar, make an excellent garbage disposal cleaner because the vinegar kills bacteria-causing odors and the orange peels zap odors.

I love how I can use the entire orange to have a healthy snack, make cleaning products AND clean my garbage disposal. It doesn’t get more eco-friendly than that!

Easy Ways to Use Vinegar for Cleaning

Vinegar is an excellent cleaner – it works on mold, mildew and bacteria. It’s also cheap, readily available, green, eco-friendly (doesn’t harm ground water, lakes, streams, aquatic life), and non-toxic. Here are a few quick and easy ways to use it (there are many more, but these are the ones I use all the time).

• Window Cleaner - Put in a spray bottle and use it straight up on windows and mirrors. I have used this for a long time and it works just as well as Windex without all the nasty chemicals! I also use it on my glasses.
• Bathroom Cleaner – Check out my recipes for homemade cleaning products using vinegar.
• Disinfectant – Put in a spray bottle and spray directly on countertops, cutting boards, toilet seats, the shower, toys and more! It naturally kills germs and bacteria and the best part is, unlike Lysol, you don’t have to wipe it clean or worry about those horrible chemicals getting into your food or babies’ mouths!
• Drain Cleaner – Pour down stinky, clogged drains, along with baking soda, and the two react to naturally clean gunk and stank nastiness out of your pipes!
• Laundry Detergent Softener – Pour straight into the detergent softener compartment and fill to the line marked. That’s it! It does not leave a vinegar scent on my clothes and does a nice job of softening.

14 Home Remedies For Poison Ivy...

Ease the pain, itching and swelling associated with poison ivy with these 14 home remedies using ingredients you already have in your home and garden. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac all contain the same substance (urushiol) which can trigger an allergic reaction that leads to rashes, itchiness and painful swelling. 

First wash the affected area with soap and water to remove any traces of the urushiol (especially helpful if done within the first 30 minutes of contact). Washing contact area in a heavy salt water or meat tenderizer and water mixture is helpful too.

Once the residue has been washed off, and if done quickly after exposure, you may get lucky and have no reaction at all!

If itching, redness or rash, blistering or painful swelling occurs over the next day or so, try one of these remedies:

• Baking Soda Bath: Use lots of baking soda and hot water (as hot as you can stand it).
• Epsom Salt Wrap: To help with itching, dip a clean cloth in a strong solution of Epsom salts & water then cover the affected area with the cloth and bandage.
• Mint Tea Bath: Either toss a few bags of peppermint tea into a tub of hot water or add handfuls of freshly picked mint, let “steep” for a few minutes before soaking in bath. Can also make a batch of “Tea” by brewing a pot of strong peppermint tea, allow it to cool then soak cloths in tea and apply to affected skin as a cool compress (or just dab with a cotton ball). Regular tea can also be helpful (make it strong and chill first before using).
• Jewelweed Infusion: Either rub the affected skin with the “sap” from a broken stem of jewelweed or fill a pot with the herb (including stems & flowers), cover with water then bring to a boil. Simmer until it has been reduced by half. Strain, refrigerate and use topically on affected skin. Can also freeze into ice cubes or small packs and use as needed so if you have a bunch growing nearby, stock up on it when it’s in season and prepare a batch to use year round.
• Apple Cider Vinegar & Oatmeal Bath: Add 1 cup of each to a bath and soak. Can try dabbing apple cider vinegar on rash for relief.
• Oatmeal Paste: Mix water and oatmeal to make a paste then apply to affected area, allow to dry before reapplying.
• Mint Lard Salve: Roughly tear a handful of catnip or mint leaves, toss them in a pan and add a half block of lard. Melt over medium heat then reduce to low heat and let slowly cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover with lid and allow to cool awhile. While the lard is somewhat warm and still liquid, remove any large bits of the leaves then pour off the lard into a clean glass jar. Allow to set then use as a salve on affected areas.
• Diaper Rash or Hemorrhoid Ointment: If you’re in a pinch and have one of these on hand, they can help reduce the painful itch and swelling.
• White Household Vinegar: Either add a few cups to bath water or dab directly onto skin. Can mix with salt before applying.
• Buttermilk: Add a couple cups to bath water or mix with a bit of sea salt and dab directly onto skin.
• Honey: Smear over rash area as needed for relief.
• Banana peel: Rub the inside of the peel over the affected area.
• Calamine Lotion: Apply generously on skin as often as needed.
• Aloe Vera Gel: Apply over affected area as often as needed.

DIY Scented Plugin With Essential Oils

Plug-in air fresheners are not good for our homes. Like most commercial air “fresheners” they contain toxic chemicals that can be dangerous to our health.

Just some of the side effects of these products include: infertility, headaches, nervous system disorders, memory loss and even cancer. But, luckily, I just came across a fantastic tutorial which reveals how to get rid of this horrible toxic liquid and replace it with health giving, wonderfully fragrant, toxin free essential oils. (via: http://holycrickey.tumblr.com)

1. remove the wick part (which ironically looks like a cigarette) empty and rinse out the bulb

2. find an oil you like. i chose peppermint because its pretty cheap and it makes my house smell cool and clean. i highly recommend orange, lavender, cinnamon, roman chamomile, clary sage, lemon, rose, grapefruit, jasmine or ylang ylang oil. 

3. pour the oil into the bulb

4. i fill it up about 1/3 of the way but it will last lay longer if you do the whole thing. 

5. fill the rest of the bulb with water, but not to the top or else inserting the wick with make it spill. put the wick back in the bulb.

6. screw it back into the plug in part and enjoy refreshing, healing air that won’t make your hair fall out.

How To Make A Cooling Peppermint Foot Mist...

This homemade peppermint foot mist revives and revitalizes tired, hot feet while also cooling and deodorizing. Today's recipe comes to us via (http://www.freshpickedbeauty.com)

Cooling Peppermint Foot Mist
1/4 teaspoon corn starch
30 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
50 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
10 ml Aloe Vera Gel
15 ml Witch Hazel Extract

Pour the cornstarch into a small 1 ounce spray bottle.

Add the essential oils to the cornstarch in the bottle.

Add in the Aloe Vera Gel and Witch Hazel Extract. Shake well.**For extra cooling, store in the fridge.

Make a crafty little label for your bottle. To Use: Simply mist on tired feet and legs.

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs, do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs, please review my disclosure page for details. Shannon Buck and Fresh-Picked Beauty strongly recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented on this website and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming any type product. Anything you find on this website still needs more research to establish the potential effectiveness and safety of any ingredient and/or suggestion.  Before you consider using anything you find on this website, you need to consult with a medical professional to help you weigh the pros and cons of using natural ingredients.  You also need to review all the available safety data for each ingredient before you use it.  Herbs and natural ingredients have been used successfully for many years, but as a precaution, I suggest that you consult a naturopathic doctor, licensed herbalist, or holistic health practitioner who is qualified to guide you in the safe use of herbs and natural ingredients. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.