DIY project: Nail & Cuticle Oil.

The cuticle (the skin around the nail) is quite sensitive and needs to be enough nourished and moisturized. The strong negative influence on the condition of the cuticle and the nail has a vitamin deficiency, as well as contact with chemicals in household work. Cuticle care is an important part of maintaining a beautiful manicure, nobody likes dry and cracked cuticle.

A wonderful tool to prevent problems with cuticle and nail - oil for nails and cuticles.

You can create your own spa-at-home manicure treatment very easy. 
1. Choose basic oil, essential oils and vitamins.

 Carrier oils:

Jojoba oil - close to contents of the sebum you naturally produce, protects skin and nails from the harmful environmental effects.

Almond oil -  provide the skin with nutrients.

Grape seed oil -  light oil which does not make the nails and cuticle too oily and effectively hydrate  skin.

Vitamin E -  protects the delicate skin around the nails from free radical damage.

Tea tree oil - anti-inflammation properties, a few drops prevent fungal infections. 

Essential oils:

When choosing essential oils need to focus not only on their own tastes and preferences, but also take into account the therapeutic effect. These are the essential oils which are good for the nails:

- rosemary e.o. - enhance the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of the composition;

- lavender e.o. - fight with barbs and infections;

- citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit) e.o. - give the nail plate shine, whitening.

- thyme, pine oil, sandalwood,cedar e.o. - are ideally suited to improve elasticity and soften cuticles.

2.  The procedure to make a cuticle oil is simple. 

 You will need:

- Almond oil - 1 tablespoon;

- Grape seed oil - 1 tablespoon;

- Jojoba oil - 1 tablespoon;

- Vitamin E - 1 capsule; 

- Tea tree oil, Rosemary e.o., Lime e.o., Lavender e.o. - 4-5 drops of each oils.

3. Mix ingredients together and store in a dark glass bottle.

You can apply this cuticle oil several times throughout the day, if your cuticles start to get dry. Or you can even use the roller bottle because it fits right in the purse, mess free, and easy to apply any time during the day. This formula is non-greasy, light texture and quick to absorb.

But, if you would like to do SPA-like manicure treatment at home, at first you need to make soaking nail bath.

You will need salt (sea salt, dead sea salt, Himalayan salt), baking soda, and, as option, some fresh citrus.

 Amount of each ingredient will depend on size of your bowl for nail bath. 

Fill the bowl by pretty hot water, add some of chosen salt, 1-2 table spoon baking soda, few slices of fresh lemon or orange. 

Soak your nail in this bath for 5-15 minutes.

Remember, that before this you need to remove old nail polish and cut your nails.
 

Then pat dry with a hand towel and apply nail&cuticle oil on the nails, around the nail skin and near the cuticles. Gently massage the oil into the nail for about 2-3 minutes. Remove excess cuticle skin using  the cotton ball or paper towel.

Massage with nail&cuticle oil is an important part of maintaining a beautiful manicure, but remember that only regular use this procedure will help your nails to get rid of dry, making them hard and strong.

Goat Milk in Body Lotions.

Yes, goat milk is my favorite ingredient for skin products! I use it in recipes for face masks, soaps and body lotions. Goat's milk is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. The main properties of goat milk are: anti-bacterial,  moisturizing, nourishing and antioxidant. You can read more about it here.
If you use goat's milk skin care products on a regular basis, your skin will feel hydrated, replenished, and smooth with a beautiful, radiant look. 

 Oatmeal, Milk and Honey Lotion

Although the goat milk is one of the main ingredients in this lotion, addition of aloe, honey and colloidal oatmeal give more strong benefits for skin.

Aloe moisturizes the skin without giving it a greasy feel, so it`s perfect for anyone with an oily skin complexion. It also contains two plant growth substances: Auxin and Gibberellins. These two plant hormones provide wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation. Antioxidants in the aloe vera (beta carotene, vitamin C and E) can help improve the skin's natural firmness.

Honey is a fabulously versatile ingredient to use on skin. It’s full of antioxidants, which are good for wrinkles and aging skin. It is antibacterial, which helps with acne treatments and prevention. It clarifies skin by opening up and unclogging pores. It’s also a great moisturizer. 

Colloidal oatmeal is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and skin irritations. Oats contain polysaccharides, which have a gel-like texture when combined with moisture. This light gel leaves a protective layer over the skin that seals in skin’s natural moisture while also providing additional nutrients.

Ingredients: Goat milk, Aloe Vera juice, Aloe Vera gel, Rice Bran Oil, Avocado Oil, Emulsifier wax, Colloidal Oatmeal, Honey powder, Stearic acid, Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, MSM, Optiphen, Fragrance (Phthalate free).

There are two oils in this lotion: rice bran oil and avocado oil.

Rice bran oil helps to regenerate skin, prevents wrinkles, improves firmness and elasticity of the skin, has anti-inflammatory, hydrating and softening effects.
Avocado oil is rich, has extremely high penetrating qualities and contains vitamins A, D and E, lecithin, potassium, beta-carotene and over 20 essential fatty acids. 

Sodium Lactate - is one of the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) constituents of skin, required in the maintenance of natural hydration. Sodium Lactate is a superior moisturizer, increasing the moisture content of skin by up to 84%.
Glycerin – humectant, it creates instant hydration.
MSM (Organic sulfur) - acts as a healing solvent, driving ingredients deep into your cells and creating permeability for nutrients to move in and toxins to move out.
Powerful ingredients nourish your skin as you indulge your senses with a subtle aroma a warm, inviting blend of creamy milk, sweetened with a touch of honey and topped with soothing oatmeal.

hese L-form and other essential amino acids have a lower molecular weight than most synthetic proteins, so they’re better able to penetrate the skin surface and deliver the moisture and nutrients required for optimum cell growth in the underlying dermis. Like all the ingredients in my Lavie Organique product line, the silk amino acids in my serums and creams are produced by a cruelty-free process that causes no harm to the silkworm or moth.
Silkworm cocoons have been prized as the source of the ultimate luxury fabric, as well as a medicine for treating a variety of ailments, since the days of Imperial China. Today, the legendary properties of silk have been incorporated into powerful anti-aging treatments that blend traditional wisdom with modern science. From the luscious texture they add to face creams to the visible benefits they bring to your skin, silk amino acids truly deliver on the promise we hear in their name.
- See more at: http://blog.lavie-organique.com/2009/11/whats-so-special-about-silk-amino-acids.html#sthash.YdWeHsnp.dpuf

’re better able to penetrate the skin surface and deliver the moisture and nutrients required for optimum cell growth in the underlying dermis. - See more at: http://blog.lavie-organique.com/2009/11/whats-so-special-about-silk-amino-acids.html#sthash.YdWeHsnp.dpuf

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The second lotion with goat milk I made with silk amino acids and sea buckthorn oil.

Goat Milk Lotion with Silk. 

This lotion promotes skin to silky perfection! There is real silk amino acid in this lotion's formula.

Silk amino acid is a natural water-soluble glycoprotein extracted from raw silk. It is used as an additive in skin and hair care products due to its high levels of serine which has excellent moisture preservation characteristics. Silk amino acids - protects skin from moisture loss and conditions it to provide a silky smoothness.

Sea Buckthorn Oil is “skin food”, containing over 190 phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, 9), supercharged antioxidants, and other bioactive nutrients. It contents the highest percent of the main moisturizing essential fatty -Omega 7 palmitoleic acid. Palmitoleic Acid (Omega-7) is a natural component of skin. It is considered a valuable topical agent in treating burns and healing wounds. Shiny hair, glowing skin, and healthy nails are common results of sea buckthorn oil intake with its heavy Omega 7 concentration. It’s also commonly recommended to help fight premature aging symptoms such as wrinkles, dryness, loss of elasticity, malnourishment, and other signs of aging.

Ingredients: Goat milk, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Almond Oil, Emulsifier wax, Stearic acid, Glycerin, Panthenol, Silk amino acids, Sodium Lactate, MSM, Optiphen, Fragrance (Phthalate free).

This lotion easily revitalizes skin and restore softness while improving skin's texture. 

hese L-form and other essential amino acids have a lower molecular weight than most synthetic proteins, so they’re better able to penetrate the skin surface and deliver the moisture and nutrients required for optimum cell growth in the underlying dermis. Like all the ingredients in my Lavie Organique product line, the silk amino acids in my serums and creams are produced by a cruelty-free process that causes no harm to the silkworm or moth.
Silkworm cocoons have been prized as the source of the ultimate luxury fabric, as well as a medicine for treating a variety of ailments, since the days of Imperial China. Today, the legendary properties of silk have been incorporated into powerful anti-aging treatments that blend traditional wisdom with modern science. From the luscious texture they add to face creams to the visible benefits they bring to your skin, silk amino acids truly deliver on the promise we hear in their name.
- See more at: http://blog.lavie-organique.com/2009/11/whats-so-special-about-silk-amino-acids.html#sthash.YdWeHsnp.dpuf

’re better able to penetrate the skin surface and deliver the moisture and nutrients required for optimum cell growth in the underlying dermis. - See more at: http://blog.lavie-organique.com/2009/11/whats-so-special-about-silk-amino-acids.html#sthash.YdWeHsnp.dpuf

The pleasant aroma of fresh spring flowers leaves skin delicately fragranced.

Natural products in cosmetics: Goat milk for skin. Two recipes for goat milk skin care - SPA goat milk bath and cosmetic ice.

 

The healing and rejuvenating properties of goat milk were observed in ancient times. Probably every woman heard about the miraculous result that gives skin rejuvenating bath of milk, made according to ancient recipes. It is believed that the "parent" of this cosmetic procedure is the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. It has been reported that Cleopatra soaked in goat’s milk baths to soften her skin.

Goat milk is my favorite ingredient in cosmetics. It gives incredible feeling and huge benefits for skin. Goat milk enriched with minerals and vitamins, the ratio of which is difficult to achieve by chemical reproduction.

Scientists are now fully confirm the unique composition of goat milk: amino acids, a large number of unsaturated fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, vitamins (A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, C, E, D), trace elements (K , Mg, Zn, Se, Ca).

Goat milk naturally has small, well emulsified fat globules which content short chain, medium chain, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. So, all proteins and fatty acids more easily absorbed into the skin. This is a unique product for beauty!

Benefits of goat milk for skin:

 

-  anti-bacterial

Studies now show that goat's milk is effective for treating acne and skin conditions. This is primarily because goat's milk has anti-bacterial properties that delay the growth of microbial organisms that cause the spread of acne. It inhibits harmful micro flora, eliminates irritation and promotes healing of damage. From an immunological point of view, goat milk is able to induce release of anti-inflammatory cytokines from normal human peripheral blood cells, thus maintaining a condition of immune homeostasis.

- moisturizing

Natural alpha-hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid, are also present within goat milk which can act as a natural exfoliator to remove dead cells from the skins surface, so that the new and healthier skin cells from underneath can emerge.

 - nourishing

Because the goat milk contains vitamins E, A, C, it will also help with healing the skin faster and minimizing the occurrence of scars. In the long run, using goat milk lotion will increase the skin’s resilience and improve its appearance.

- antioxidant properties

Goat milk (mostly because vitamin E content) helps to restore the skin's natural collagen, stimulates metabolic processes and makes the skin firm and smooth.

Goat milk bath:

This is one of the easiest way to pamper yourself - to take a SPA-like goat milk bath!  It helps to relax the muscles, body and soul, will significantly improve the skin condition. Of course, do not completely fill the bath with goat milk. It is enough to add only 1 liter of milk in warm water. Taking a bath should be about 20-30 minutes. You don't need to take a shower after this bath - the milk will nourish your skin. 

- ~1 liter of goat milk

- 1/2 cup of honey 

This simple recipe is very flexible and customizable to your own desires. You can add fragrance and other ingredients (salt, baking soda, oat, herbs) to give you just the bath experience you want.

Cosmetic ice cube: 

The easiest recipe to refresh the skin - it is cosmetic ice from goat's milk.

- Simply pour milk into a mold and place in freeze. 

It is recommended to keep ice cubes not more then 3-7 days.

Every day, wipe the morning ice cube is not only the face but also the neck, and décolleté. It starts fine epidermal regeneration process. Furthermore, low temperature impact vessels of the skin tones.
Other recipes for cosmetic ice cube you can find here.

 References:

- Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of donkey's and goat's milk. Jirillo F, Magrone,  Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2014 Mar;14(1):27-37.

- Ability of goat milk to modulate healthy human peripheral blood lymphomonocyte and polymorphonuclear cell function: in vitro effects and clinical implications. Jirillo, F.; Martemucci, G.; D'Alessandro, A.G.; Panaro, M.A.; Cianciulli, A.; Superbo, M.; Jirillo, E. and Magrone, T. (2010)

Curr. Pharm. Des., 16(7), 870-876.