Naturally Radiant Skin Care - A Recipe For Cleansing Grains

I recently celebrated my *cough* thirty fifth *mumble* birthday.  The ironic thing is, I honestly feel like my skin has never looked better.  It's not so much about what age I look (people have guessed my age as younger for years) but my skin is clearer, smoother, brighter, and more radiant than it has ever been before.  I believe it's because I have switched to natural products that I make myself from high quality, organic ingredients.

When I think back to all the times I spent in the department store aisle mentally agonizing over which of the myriad brands or products contained the silver bullet that would put a stop to my breakouts and dry skin, I can only shake my head.  The answer is none of them!  I used to think that companies had teams of scientists whose purpose in life was to figure out how to make my skin miraculously better.  Now I realize that, more accurately, they have teams of marketers whose jobs are to more effectively part me from my money in exchange for what are mostly cheap, harsh, synthetic fillers and preservatives whose names I can't even pronounce. 

How was it ever okay to unquestioningly rub that on my face?  I get frustrated with my former self, but these days I try not to put anything on my body that I can't pronounce or wouldn't put in my mouth.  Now I alternate between two natural skin cleansers that I love.

The first is soap.  Real soap.  Not Dove bars or any other kind of soap free bar.  I've used my own homemade soap, Grandma's Lye Soap, and Dr. Bronner's Castile soap in bar form, and I've been happy with all of them.  In fact, since switching to real soap, my skin is better head to toe.  The thing to be careful about when shopping for soap, though, is to watch out for synthetic fragrances.  Many soaps are made with fragrance oils that are not so good for us.

Soap is particularly good for deeper cleansing and makeup removal, but now I mostly use cleansing grains.  The advantage of cleansing grains is that they not only cleanse, but they nourish and exfoliate as well.  It's like a healthy meal for your face!  This recipe is based on a recipe in Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes For Vibrant Health.

The formula:

16 parts white clay

8 parts finely ground oats

2 parts finely ground almonds

1 part finely ground lavender

1 part finely ground roses

1 part rice powder (I use organic brown rice baby cereal)

The breakdown:

White clay or kaolin clay is the mildest of all clays and is suitable for sensitive skin. It helps stimulate circulation to the skin while gently exfoliating and cleansing it. It does not draw oils from the skin, so it can also be used on dry skin types without negative results.

Oats and almonds nourish and exfoliate.  Oats are also emollient, helping to soothe and moisturize the skin.

Lavender and roses have mild astringent properties that tighten and tone skin, and the plant oils contain antioxidants and are commonly believed to have regenerative properties.  Lavender is antimicrobial, helping to clean the skin.

Rice enzymes smooth skin and accelerate cell renewal.

To use, simply mix about 1/2 tsp with water and gently massage into your skin, then rinse with warm water.  Grains may also be used as a mask by mixing with milk, honey, yogurt, or a liquid of your choice and leaving on for several minutes.  I keep mine in a spice bottle with a shaker top in the shower, and I find that it's super convenient that way.

The beauty of making your own products is that you know everything that goes in them, you control the quality of the ingredients, and you can customize them to suit your individual needs.  There's not necessarily anything magic about this particular formula.  Use ingredients you have on hand, substitute or experiment with additions like cornmeal, poppy or chia seeds, seaweeds or other herbs.

If you're wondering where to get these ingredients, Mountain Rose Herbs sells high quality herbs and other products, and they are a fair trade company.  (Full disclosure, I do receive a small commission if you click the links on my blog and complete a purchase.)

If you're not a DIY-er, or you're not up for a another project right now, I do have these cleansing grains available for purchase in my store.

What about you?  What do you use to naturally cleanse your skin?

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.



 This post shared at: frugallysustainable.com's Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #77, and  

A Brief and Un-Exciting Family Update

Welp, my parent's house has now been on the market for 6 months, and we have been in this process as a family for 18 months.  The last report was that we had an offer, but her financing fell through so she was going to try to jump through some necessary hoops and make another offer.  I'm not sure exactly what happened, but for whatever reason that has fallen through altogether.  

We are back to square one.  It's a little disappointing, and frankly, the whole process is a bit confusing.  We have packed up and stored boxes of stuff, listed unwanted furniture on Craigslist, and put important purchases on hold in an attempt to be obedient to what we believe the Lord has asked.  His timing is so different than what we would choose.  It encourages (and also scares) me to remember that there was a gap of at least 15 years between the time that David was anointed King of Israel and the time that he actually became King.

We don't know what will happen, or when, but we cling to the hope that He knows what He's doing, and He knows the best way and time.

Brooke Fraser sings, " As I wait for You, maybe I'm made more faithful."  May that be true of us.

Locks Au Naturale - A Simpler, Easier and More Frugal Shampoo Update

Okay.  Back to hair.  I posted awhile back about 'poo cubes and other natural shampoo methods I've tried.  Now I'm going to tell you to forget allllll about them.  I've found something even simpler and easier that I like even better!

I took another blogger's word for it that castile soap alone would not lather nicely, which is why I came up with the 'poo cubes.  Then one day I ran out of cubes, and I was in a hurry, so I washed with just diluted castile, and...it lathered fantastically!!  Granted, she may have been using a different brand.  I've tried two kinds - Dr. Bronner's (available at Target) and Mountain Rose Herbs'.  The Dr. Bronner's works great for me.  I didn't prefer Mountain Rose Herbs' castile for shampoo, but it still works great for cleaning and other uses.

So, what's the formula, you ask?  I'm going to be very science-y and specific right now:

        some water and some castile soap

I don't measure.  I just pour.  The 'poo cube ratio was 1 part coconut milk to 4 parts castile, so I try to stay in the range of 25-50% water and 50-75% castile.

Straight castile was too much.  It actually seems to work better diluted.

You'll want to use distilled or at least filtered water for the best shelf life.

I have tried including a small amount of my facial moisturizing oil for extra moisturizing, and I liked it both ways.  You can experiment and see what works for you, but a tiny bit of jojoba oil might help with extra moisturizing if you tend toward dry hair...just be sure to shake well before using.  Essential oils would make a nice addition as well.  Rosemary is generally considered good for dark or graying hair and chamomile for lighter hair...or just whatever you would enjoy.  Here are some recipes for further customization, but I'm enjoying keeping it simple right now.

For conditioner, I'm sticking with the ACV (apple cider vinegar) rinse - one part ACV to four parts water.  I've adjusted how I use it though.  I pour a small amount over my scalp only and rinse right away.  My hair seems to be a little too fluffy and frizzy without the ACV rinse, but a little too flat and greasy if I use too much or leave it in too long.

Hair is about as unique as fingerprints, so it may take some time and experimenting to find what really works for you.  I'm glad I ran out of 'poo cubes and finally found something easy and simple.  I really used to miss yucky commercial shampoo and conditioner, but I'm glad I didn't give in and go back to it.  I'm happier with my hair now than I have been in a looong time.

Not to mention the savings!  A 32 oz. bottle of Dr. Bronner's retails for about $16.99.  After diluting it, I suspect that that amount could last at least the better part of a year, if not longer.  Great results for less money!  What are you waiting for?


This post shared at Frugally Sustainable's Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #85

Big Blog Announcement

A new name and a new look, and a new store coming soon!

Why a new name?

I know I'm the one that chose it, but I was never thrilled with the original name.  Mostly I just wanted to get started blogging and I couldn't think of anything better and I didn't want to wait to start until I did think of something better.

Why Rehoboth?  

Rehoboth comes from a story in Genesis.  Isaac's herdsmen dig two wells and end up quarreling with other herdsmen about who they belong to.  They dig a third well and no one quarrels over it.  Isaac named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the Lord has made room for us and we will be fruitful in the land."  When I read this passage about a year ago, I connected with it so strongly because it's precisely what my family is asking the Lord for.  This word has come to symbolize for me and sum up our family's vision to multi-generationally reconnect with the land.  If we name our farm, I'm sure we'll choose the name as a family, but I hope to call it Rehoboth.  In the meantime, Rehoboth is what I ask the Lord for (nearly) every day.

Why Herbal?

I have loved plants and gardening for many years now, but if you had asked me not so long ago what my opinion of herbal medicine was, I would have scoffed and put it in the box labeled weird/new age/hippie/folklore/waste of money.  As I started to become more interested in a more natural lifestyle, I read a sentence somewhere that stuck in my mind like a thorn.  "Why wouldn't God have given us everything we need?"  It's a good question, and in pondering it, I believe it's more likely that He did.  This is not to say that I don't believe in doctors and modern medicine or that I think any or all plants are miracle working wonders.  I do think that many Americans (myself included) have outsourced their health, are disconnected from creation, and too often medicated for profit.  I think there's a time and a place for each, and a balanced middle ground.  I think there are vast, untapped resources that God has given us, and I'm enjoying learning more about them.

Why a new look?

The new look is to go with the new name.

Why a store?

The idea for the store was an organic process, no pun intended.  I'm excited about the products I'm making and using, and in talking to other people I realized that many are interested in natural products but not as excited about making them.  I've mentioned before that I hope to someday earn a living from the farm, and this could be a stepping stone.  It could be a way for me to earn income from home while moving toward eventually transitioning out of my job, and someday maybe I'll grow my own herbs to use in my products!  I don't know what will happen, but this has become part of the adventure for me, and I'm excited to try.

Thank you to my many dear friends who have supported and encouraged me and my family through this process!!  I appreciate it more than you know.

Big Blog Changes Are Afoot

Afoot.  Not a foot.  

Anyway.   Apologies to my readers; I've been pouring almost all of my spare time into the aforementioned changes forthwith heretofore.  Henceforth, I have not spent any spare time actually blogging.  I hope to have said changes complete enough to reveal in their entirety within the next couple of weeks.  Until then, please be patient with me.  I'm very excited about what's in store, so I hope you will be too!

Thank you! 

Locks au Naturale - Color Wonderful Part 1, Introduction to Henna

Nothing new to report on the house, so back to hair.

This week I'm going to introduce you to henna.  Reader, meet henna.  Henna, reader.

Next time I'll get into the practical nuts and bolts and how to's and befores and afters.  Ready?  Okay.

The Anne of Green Gables movies are among my top 5 favorite movies of all time, and every time I watch them it is at this precise moment that I know in my heart I was meant to be a redhead.

  

Perhaps it's also because of my Scottish roots, but I always wanted to be a redhead, marry a redhead, and have redheaded babies. 

 

Alas, God didn't get the memo.  I do tend toward reddish highlights, but my natural hair color is mouse brown.  Over the years, I have dyed my hair every color from blonde to black and even blue, but red was the color I always tried the most...every time I watched Anne. It was also the color that always disappointed the most.  I would love it for about 2 days, then it would fade to brassy, ugly lifelessness and turn into a vicious cycle of spending money, dying, frying, and fading.  I put a stop to it a long time ago, embraced the mouse, and have rarely looked back.  

Recently, however, I stumbled across henna.  I had heard of it before, but it was more a buried memory than something on my radar.  I was intrigued and started to read.  For me, one of the most appealing things about it wasn't even about color, but that it thickens and conditions your hair.  The more I read the more I wanted to try it.  Not only is it not toxic and scary, but it's actually really good for your hair and scalp!  And I could try being a redhead again!  So:


Pros of henna:

•  All natural and plant based  
•  Nourishes and heals scalp
•  Adds strength and shine to hair, thickens and improves texture
•  Lovely color options from light red to brown and black (using combinations of henna, indigo, and cassia obviata)
• Option to treat hair for benefits and not color it using cassia obviata or "blonde henna"
•  Ability to custom mix colors - endless options!
• Doesn't fade like conventional hair color 

Cons of henna:

• Time consuming and messy

 

Other notes:

• Henna will not lighten your hair.
• Henna will dye your hands, clothes, sink, etc.
• Results vary according to time left in and condition of hair.

So far I've tried a subtle auburn and neutral henna and been very happy with both.  Next week I'm going to try a brighter red, and I'm a little nervous, but I will photo document the process and results for you.  Fingers crossed!

 

It was a very full weekend, so the title of this update may end up being longer than the actual update itself.

The contract fell through, but the buyer is still very interested and is adjusting their financing.   Now we have a little longer to find a house.  This is a good thing.