Archive for September, 2009
Answers to questions about Shea Butter and Aloe Butter
Thursday, September 24th, 2009The following is my answer to an inquiry about Shea Butter and Aloe Butter. I thought that many of you have the same questions. What better way to get it out to you, than through the blog? If you have further questions write them here in the comment section. Barb
Hi Tanika,
Thanks for you inquiry.
About refined or unrefined shea butter. Totally unrefined shea is very hard, has an distinctive odor, and usually has bits of leaves and twigs in it. A totally refined shea has been through many processes (some with chemicals) to make it very white, creamy, and with no odor. This is what you want to avoid. This process takes out all the “goodies” that make shea a great moisturizer and healing agent. All of our Shea Butter is mechanically extracted. No chemicals (other than water) are used in the process. Our refined Shea Butter is further processed by being put through clay filters and the odor is vacuumed out. It retains its healing properties and moisturizing ability. It is not a soft cream but more like butter. It melts quickly at skin temperature.
The preservative I add to shea is food grade Vitamin E. The Shea and Aloe Butters are mixed 50% shea butter and 50% aloe butter. Aloe Vera is not a natural butter so the following ingredients are added to make it into a butter consistency.
Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract & Cocos nucifera (Coconut Oil)
Aloe Butter is an extraction of Aloe Vera using a fatty coconut fraction to produce a soft-solid which melts on contact with the skin. Hope this answers your questions. You can read more on my website. www.silkysoftskincare.com Go to the Learning Center.
You might also consider the Shea Butter with Tea Tree Oil. Many of my customers feel this really helps with their eczema.
Barb
Lemon Juice and My Itchy Scalp
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009It has been about a week since I told you about the lemon juice cure. Yesterday my scalp was itching again. Not as bad, but enough. I used the lemon juice again before shampooing.
Read the last post for more information. If all it takes is using a 1/4 cup of lemon juice once a week, I will gladly do it.
Barb
Cheap, Simple Remedy for Itching Scalp
Thursday, September 10th, 2009A simple thing like this stopped my scalp from itching. And here I thought it was the shampoo! I wash my hair everyother day. The second day my scalp was a continous itch. No, it wasn’t dandruff. I had no flakes. According to this remedy, itchy scalp is caused by clogged pores. Take 1/4 cup lemon juice, pour on scalp and leave for five minutes. Wash as usual.
Just one time and no itching!! Not sure how often you need to do this, I guess if your scalp starts itching again, its time. It is cheap! I paid 1.99 for a quart bottle of natural strenght lemon juice.
Barb
Relief for Stinky Smelly Dogs
Sunday, September 6th, 2009The summer time brings heat which causes stinky smelly dogs. It is also the time of flies, mosquitoes and other yucky insects. Years ago I developed an deodorant and insect spray for dogs. All Natural, of course. Deodorant and Insect Spray
The two “active ingredients” are essential oils. I never use chemically made ingredients. Eucalyptus is one. It is cooling and repels insects. Did you know it is also an antiseptic? Jean Valnet, MD, reported that 70% of airborne staph bacteria were killed when a 2% emulsion of Eucalyptus oil was used as a spray.
Citronella is the other “active” ingredient. We all have citronella candles to keep the flying insects from our patio. I love the smell of citronella. It has a sweet lemony sent.
Together, these two essential oils make a powerful deodorant for dogs that kills dog odor and leaves dogs smelling sooo good.
Even if you do not have a dog, use it on yourself or your baby. It has no DEET and no other chemicals to harm your or babies skin. Don’t spray it under your arms! Its not a people deodorant but an insect repellant. And, no it won’t last for hours. Since it is so easy to apply (puts out a fine mist) and nothing says you can’t apply it every 15 minutes or when the mosquitoes start to land again.
By the way, it does include alcohol. This is a necessary ingredient to help make the essential oils mix with the distilled water! But what did I tell you about all natural? It is grain alcohol. Yup, just like Vodka.
You will find it on my website at: Deodorant and Insect Spray
Barb
A Great Story for Dog Lovers
Saturday, September 5th, 2009Sam is a rescue dog. Taken in by the Palacios, Tx Pet Pals he was given eye surgery to correct his turning in eye lids. Despite this terrible ordeal Sam has a kind and gentle soul. And even though he is a blue heeler he is very laid back.
Poor old Sam endured getting a bath every weekend, traveling over an hour to the nearest Petco, and having to stay couped up in a kennel looking out at the people. He was doing his best to convey a please adopt me look.
Then one day a family came in to look. They were hoping their son Luke, who is severely austistic and does not speak, could be helped by having a pet. Luke went straight over and sat down in front of Sam and started playing with his ears. His family was shocked and delighted when Luke started laughing and laughing. Sam was a perfect gentleman and showed no distress. To their amazement Luke picked up a leash and handed it to the person in charge. They got Sam out and let Luke walk him in the store. The family was still not certain that a dog would be good for Luke or that Luke would be good for a dog. So they left without Sam.
Two weeks later the family went back to Petco and Sam was still sitting in his kennel looking longingly out as people rushed by. Luke saw Sam and rushed over and would not leave. Needless to say, Sam got a family and a new best friend! He sleeps on his pillow right next to Luke. Because Luke can’t talk his family has a difficult time understanding what he wants, but Sam always knows. Keeping track of Luke is a big job, but Sam takes his job very seriously. Of course he loves his doggie treats but really all he needs is the love his new family is giving him.
Thank you Petco and Palacios Pet Pals for sharing this story. If you have a Pet Story please share it with us in the comment section below.
Barb
P.S. Palacios Pet Pals is like most animal rescue volunteer services, always in need of volunteers and money. Please help the one nearest you in any way you can.
Combination that can protect your skin
Friday, September 4th, 2009A tremendous combination that can protect your skin from aging and serious damage in general from the sun’s UVB rays.
Xanthines present in Matcha Green Tea such as Caffeine and Theobromine have natural anti-inflammatory, anti-cellulite and inta-irritancy effects.
Shea and Green Tea Butter on sale! Regularly 14.90 for one week only 12.99
New Batch of Shea
Friday, September 4th, 2009
Just finished whipping up a new batch of creamy, smooth 100% Shea Butter. All natural and no other ingredients added except Vitamin E. As you know Vitamin E is good for your skin, but did you know that it acts as a preservative?
A reminder: Shea is not a soft, runny cream. Melts quickly at skin temperature and a little goes a long way. All of our Shea Butter is mechanically extracted. No chemicals (other than water) are used in the process. Our refined Shea Butter is further processed by being put through clay filters and the odor is vacuumed out. It retains its healing properties and moisturizing ability.
This takes you straight to Shea Butter page.
Barb
Magazine Ads for Moisturizers Calls for Confusion -part II
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009This is the second article in Magazine Ads for Moisturizers Calls for Confusion. – The first was on a Clinique® ad. Clinique® chooses not to publish their ingredients. All research on the product including reviews were all repeats of the description found on the Clinique® web site.
Now on to the second which is on Lubriderm -”Intense Skin Repair Body Lotion” Quoting their ad – “Help, rough, dry skin heal itself with LUBRIDERM® Intense Skin Repair Body Lotion. This unique formula, with HydraRelease® technology, provides 24 hours of continuous moisture and strengthens skin’s moisture barrier for softer, smoother, healthier skin.
Unlike Clinique, Lubriderm does list the ingredients. After reading the ingredients and the information I found on each one, you tell me which one(s) would be the HydraRelease® and which ones strengthen skin’s moisture barrier?
Read the rest at : Magazine Ads for Moisturizers Calls for Confusion Information about each ingredient is listed. Many of these ingredients are in other moisturizers. Print and keep it as a reference.
Barb