The Jojoba beads, walnut shells and bamboo powder for exfoliation your face.

While regular skin cleansing is definitely beneficial, exfoliating your face on a regular basis can help to rejuvenate your skin. Exfoliation can bring new life to your skin complexion.  But you need to take in consideration how to choose facial scrub correctly.
Exfoliation has the following benefits:
- improving your skin texture,
- increasing skin penetration for serums and moisturizers,
- reducing all signs of aging,
- helping to clear acne and breakouts.

I have pretty sensitive skin and I need to be careful with any kind of "procedures" like deep cleansing and exfoliation. For example, any sugar- or salt-containing scrubs caused irritation of my skin.  For formulation of facial scrubs for sensitive skin I've tried the ultra fine walnut shells, jojoba beads and bamboo powder.
1. This is mild facial scrub with cream base and walnut shells.

The ultra fine walnut shells exfoliate dead surface skin cells without irritation.
Aloe juice improves the surface of the skin making it smoother.
Grape seed oil easily absorbed by the skin and can help retain natural moisture. It is high in linoleic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties and is a healing fatty acid.
Rice Bran Oil is rich in Vitamin E and anti-oxidants. It is especially beneficial for treating dry and mature skin.
Cocoa Butter is considered to be one of the best moisturizers and has been used to keep the skin soft, and supple, for centuries.
Apricot Oil is good for all skin types. It is very rich and nourishing - particularly in vitamin A.
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein helps to improve the skin's moisture barrier for true hydration and dry skin relief and protection from environmental aggressors.

To create very smooth texture of cream I used emulsifier Olivoil Glutamate, naturally derived from olive oil.
How to use:
1) Wash your face with any facial cleanser. 2) Splash face with warm water. 3) Scoop out a small amount of scrub and gently massage scrub all over the face in circular motions. 4) Rinse with water and pat dry.
You can use it as mask, just leave a few minutes on your face and after that wash out.
How often: Once a week for normal and dry skin. Twice a week for oily skin.
2. This is Facial Bamboo Mask-Scrub with jojoba beads.

The perfectly round jojoba beads and bamboo powder act as a gentle exfoliants. By the way, bamboo powder alone too mild and not enough for exfoliation even for my sensitive skin.
Avocado Oil -contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E, and Beta carotene. It is classified as a monounsaturated oil and is best suited for dry skin conditions in topical applications.
Mango butter delivers softness, protection, and regenerative activity to the skin.
Almond oil is an excellent emollient and is known for its ability to soften and re-condition the skin. It is rich in proteins, Olein Glyceride Linoleic Acid and Vitamin D, and is considered extremely nourishing - particularly when used regularly.
And, again, Rice Bran oil - because this is one of the best sources of tocotrienols, an antioxidant that may be much more powerful and effective than Vitamin E.
Hydrolyzed Soy protein is an awesome source of Isoflavones. The role of isoflavones is widely appreciated and is currently the subject of intense research. Isoflavones appear to protect the skin against aging and helps bring back a youthful radiance.
Oat Beta-Glycan, Bamboo Extract, vegetable Glycerin and Hyaluronic acid make this creamy mask super hydrating and nourishing.

How to use:
Apply generously to skin leaving out lips and eye area. Leave on skin for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse off using small circular motion to slough off dead skin.

Finally, I'm pleased with both scrubs I described to you because they are perfect for all skin types even for sensitive skin that exfoliate with nourishing and hydrating at the same time.

How to choose facial scrub

Regular exfoliation (and moisturizing after this) will keep facial and body skin looking fresh and youthful. But scrubs for your face and  for your body should be different! What the features of scrub should you keep in mind when you choice facial scrub?
1. The size of particle!
For facial exfoliators, choose a milder exfoliant to avoid the risk of broken blood vessels. You just need to remove gently of dull, dry surface layer of skin. Usually  powdered natural components (walnut shells, rosehip seeds, cranberry seeds, strawberry seeds), enough for cleansing and refining of the facial skin.  The larger particles are less expensive than the smaller particles but they are also less desirable due to their potential for skin damage. If you make your own scrub, use the smallest particles, but exfoliate REGULARLY, don't try to get tremendous results just for one procedure.

                                                               source of picture - BrambleBerry^®

2. The shape of particle!

If you have sensitive skin, you probably should avoid to use facial scrubs that have odd shaped particles like large pieces of sand or grit. Round spheres are no problem, for example, some cosmetic companies have also started to produce synthetic scrubs. Made out of polyurethane or other plastics, these microscopic beads work in just the same way as natural exfoliants, but are usually smoother and more uniform in size. The big disadvantage of these plastic/polyethylene beads is that they are non biodegradable. Too small to be sifted out at sewage treatment plants, these beads come to ocean and became a persistent pollutant.

Other alternative - jojoba beads. These tiny spheres, derived from the seeds of the jojoba plant, are uniform in size and shape and are gentle to the skin. 

                                                                    source of picture - BrambleBerry^®

But, no matter which scrub you choose, exfoliate only two to three times a week; more frequent usage can cause irritation. For sensitive skin it's enough to exfoliate just one time a week.

And don't forget to apply a moisturizer after any exfoliation!

Mother's Day gifts ideas, Spring Craft Fair in Cedar Park, TX

Again, I will participate in Spring Craft Fair in Cedar Park, TX!

We've individually wrapped and decorated all our products. So, they are ready for gift giving! And these are nice ideas for Mother's Day gifts - bath bombs/fizzies are cute and useful.

Other idea for gifts:

DIY project: making your own garden's hand scrub.

How to exfoliate your skin. Skin exfoliation and peeling.

We all know the importance of good cleansing, toning and moisturizing routines for our skin.

But exfoliating your face on a regular basis can improve the results and help to rejuvenate your skin.

The stratum corneum (Latin words for 'horny layer') is the outermost layer of the skin. This layer is composed of 15-20 layers of flattened cells and varies in thickness from approximately ten to several hundred micrometres, depending on the region of the body.  The purpose of this layer is to form a barrier to protect underlying tissue.  It is composed of layers of dead, flattened keratinocytes surrounded by a lipid matrix, which together act as a brick-and-mortar system.

But horny layer is also very important from an aesthetical point of view. The properties of this layer influence the skin appearance because they involve skin texture and light reflection.

The horny layer continually undergoes natural exfoliation, due to its cells (corneocytes) renewal. However, if the cell turnover is slowed down because of aging or environmental aggressions, skin texture is impaired resulting in roughness and thickening of the horny layer.

There are two ways to exfoliate skin: 1) mechanical and 2) chemical, depending on the exfoliant agent.

The first way is the mechanical exfoliation. This is achieved by using products (scrubs) or devices that are mildly abrasive to mechanically slough off dead skin cells, revealing a fresher dewy complexion.

Exfoliation by mechanical abrasion has been proven to deliver similar skin anti-aging effects to that of retinoic acid (Marks R, et al.)

SmithW.P. equally demonstrated that removal of the superficial layers of the stratum corneum (SC) by tape-stripping induced many of the skin anti-aging effects compared to lactic acid and retinyl palmitate.

There are a variety of exfoliant materials available for the bath and body industry.  And you can find all natural ingredients for exfoliation at your local supermarket (or on the shelves of your kitchen). 

- Sugar

- Oatmeal

- Baking soda

- Coffee

- Ground nuts

- Salt

For facial exfoliators, choose a milder exfoliant to avoid the risk of broken blood vessels. I do not encourage anyone to use an exfoliant that consists of larger particles, or more harsh on the skin, than fine dead sea salts.

The second way is the chemical exfoliation, i.e. chemical peeling.

Chemical exfoliation consists of application of certain substances on the skin, which attack the cell junctions in the horny layer through enzymatic mechanisms or acidic pH. 

The exfoliation effects of acids have been especially investigated for the treatment of xerosis but it was not until 1989 that the anti-wrinkle effects of cosmetic use levels were recognized and first commercialized in 1992. Inducing horny layer turnover was thought to be a major anti-aging action of these acids especially with concentration increase and a lowering of pH.

The level of penetration, destruction and inflammation determines the level of peeling in the dermatological clinics. Considering chemical structure, exfoliating substances that are most often used in cosmetology contain alpha-hydroxyacids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid and citric acid), beta-hydroxyacids (salicylic acid) and other organic acids, such as trichloroacetic acid and pyruvic acid.

At home chemical peeling products should be formulated within the usage range of 0.1 to 12%, with a pH between 4.0 and 4.5. Please be aware that when you use  Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the skin you are exposing new skin, which is much more susceptible to UV damage. Always follow with an adequate sunscreen. 

Referance:

- R.Marks, S. Hill and S.P.Barton,  British Journal of Dermatology (1990) 123, 457-466.

- Smith W. Stratum corneum barrier integrity controls skin homeostasis. Int J Cosmet Sci 1999; 21(2): 99–106.

- van Scott EJ, Yu RJ. Cutis 1989; 43: 222–228.

- Smith WP. Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid. J Am Acad Dermatol 1996; 35(3): 388–91.

Heritage festival in Cedar Park, TX, April 11, 2015

I will present my soaps and bath products in Heritage festival, in Cedar Park, TX. So many things I need to finish before April, 11! All my family involved in packaging and other preparations.
I hope the weather will be nice and we will have a lot of fun!

How to color bath bombs naturally.

I usually leave my bath bombs white, just as they are. Sometime I decorate the bath fizzy bombs by coloring sugar (for cake) or dried flower (lavender, calendula, rose petals) to add unique feature. 

I also occasionally use special colorant for bath bombs. But now I decided to try to color the bath bombs naturally. Many clays and herbs give beautiful colors when included in bath bomb recipes. For example, beet root powder will add pink/red color while parsley or spinach leaf powder will add green color to your bath bombs. 

I've chosen Zeolite clay and Sea buckthorn oil. 

Zeolite is a Greek word meaning "Stone that boils". Zeolite is a mineral that gives off negatively charged ions. This is its unique chemical characteristic of attracting positively charged ions that allow a chemical reaction to occur and to neutralize toxic matter. Zeolite clay has the ability to absorb, store and neutralize toxins making it a valuable detoxifying ingredient for beauty and spa products. It is rich in silicon, calcium, potassium and iron. Zeolite clay has light pink/brown color. To intensify this color I've added sea buckthorn oil.

Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil is a deep reddish orange color as a result of the high amount of beta carotene it contains.  Sea Buckthorn berries are rich in vitamins A, B₁, B₁₂, C, E, K, and P; flavonoids, lycopene, carotenoids, and phytosterols.
Due to its free radicals scavenging and tissue regeneration properties, Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil should be considered for addition to formulations intended to help to combat wrinkles, and to sooth dry, irritated skin. Studies have shown that the oil's use on the skin can improve antioxidant levels and reduce the levels of reactive oxygen species.  Clinical studies have further shown that the oil can actually improve skin metabolism and retard skin maturation, thereby slowing down the aging process. It can also contribute to the reduction of the damaging effects of sun radiation due to the wealth of nutrients it contains.

To get two colored bath bombs I've divided the batch of mixture into two about-equal parts. The one part I left white, just added Apricot oil as emollient. Into second part I've added Zeolite clay and Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil. So, there it is! We've got nourishing, useful and the same time beautiful, naturally colored bath fizzy bombs!

Spring inspirations - green color in your bath products.

March is often represented by the color green, from St. Patrick’s Day to the beginning of spring.Tomorrow, March 20 will be the first official day of spring! There are a few common things that come to mind when we think of spring time: flowers blooming, songs of birds and green color around us. 
There is so much beauty in spring and it can help inspire some decorations for your bath products.

Spring is the perfect time. Bright shade of green color is pleasant and fresh. That's why I've used green chrome oxide for coloring of the Rosemary soap. This is old-fashion, rustic soap made with rosemary-infused olive oil by hot process soapmaking. Rosemary oil has powerful disinfectant and antiseptic properties. It is also very soothing and healing to skin.

   

We can all agree that spring is a beautiful time of year, right? And also this is time for renewal, replenishment and regeneration of all life in nature. Similarly we want to change our skin care routine and to add extra benefits to SPA at home. For example, soak in your tub with healthy Eucalyptus Bath Fizzy, which stuffed full of the nourishing ingredients and delicious fragrances of eucalyptus and fresh, green aroma.

 Let's enjoy spring time with green bath products!