Benefits Of Using Handmade Soap And Why You Have Dry Skin

Thankfully, more people are switching to using natural soaps and handmade soaps but, there are still many people who are using harsh detergents on their skin and suffering the horrible side effects. Though handmade soap has been around since the beginning of time, somehow advertisers have convinced us that chemical laden, detergent bars are more beneficial for our skin. 

What is wrong with the soaps sold in most stores? 

The soaps sold in stores aren't really soap. They are detergent bars. Detergent, as in, the harsh cleansing agent you use to wash your dishes or dirty laundry. These beauty bars, as they are sometimes called, cleanse the skin too well, which is why they are called "harsh". The detergents used in these soaps clean away the dirt which is great but, they also strip away the natural oils that your skin needs to be moisturized and healthy. Stripping away your skins natural oils is what makes your skin dry, flaky and "ashy". This harsh stripping also heightens the effects of eczema, psoriasis and acne! 

How is handmade soap better for your skin?

Handmade soaps are made with the proper balance of cleansing and moisturizing properties. A well made bar of handmade soap, should clean well while also, leaving your skins natural oils in tact. Your natural oils, combined with the moisturizing oils in handmade soap help seal in moisture and soothe rather than irritate dry skin. After using handmade soap, you should start to notice a natural shine on your skin. This shine will come from the many natural oils used in handmade soap such as, olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, and more! Want to try a bar of handmade soap? Shop here: Lia Naturals Bath & Body

Are all handmade soaps the same? 

No! There are also soaps called "glycerin bars" these bars can also be damaging depending on the ingredients. Make sure that the ingredient list doesn't contain any detergents or harsh surfactants. Glycerin bars aren't all bad but, these still aren't "real" soap, these bars are also made of synthetic foaming cleansing agents. Some are gentler than others, if these are your only option choose wisely. 

What ingredients should I avoid in choosing a natural soap? 

1. Surfectants- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside- these are foaming agents used to make "glycerin bars" lather. In handmade soaps plants based oils, such as Coconut & Castor oil are used for bubbles, cleansing and moisture. 

2. Sulfates- Sodium Lauryl (Laureth) Sulfate (SLS), cocamidopropyl betaine (cocabetaine), diethanolalamine (DEA)- these are detergent based foaming agents, which have been shown to cause irritation.

3.Parabens-"At the concentrations used to preserve cosmetics and medicines, parabens may sensitize and cause topical contact dermatitis. It is believed that persons sensitive to parabens may develop dermatitis from parabens in food and medicines. A study also found when applied on the skin, methyl paraben can react with medium wave ultraviolet radiation and increase DNA damage and skin aging." SOURCE

Suffering from dry, itchy, ashy skin? Now you should see why! In other words, most of the "soaps" sold in stores are junk and don't belong on our skin or in our bath. I'm not one who believes the ingredients can cause cancer, that is a bit of a stretch. I would just prefer all natural, plant based oils on my skin that I know are helping, rather than harming my skin. 

Do you use handmade soap? 

DIY Hair Tea Rinse For Postpartum Shedding

"Postpartum Hair Loss — What Causes It

Normally, the average head loses 100 hairs a day — but not all at once, so you don't notice them. Your pregnancy hormones keep those hairs from falling out (which is why your hair looks as lush as a supermodel's, or is so thick you can barely get a brush through it). But all good things must come to an end, and that includes your awesome new 'do. When those hormones drop back to normal, the extra hairs drop, too." - What To Expect (source)

This is my 3rd round of postpartum shedding (3rd pregnancy) and it seems to have come with a vengeance this time. Thankfully, I've found a solution that has helped slow the shedding down and make my hair more manageable. I created a quick and simple, all natural hair tea, using ingredients I already had in my cabinets.

Ingredients:
Green Tea (1 envelope)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Dried Hibiscus Petals
Water

Supplies:
Spray Bottle

Warm about 4-6 oz. of water, just warm enough to steep the hibiscus petals and green tea. Place about a full tablespoon of dried hibiscus petals in the warm water along with the green tea. Let steep for 5-10 minutes or until the water turns a dark red. Add about 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar to an empty, clean spray bottle. Pour hibiscus green tea mixture into spray bottle. If water is hot, let it cool before pouring so that you don't warp your spray bottle.

How to use:

I use my hair tea rinse in the shower on wet hair. I section my hair into about 4-6 sections and spray my scalp. I do this after I shampoo my scalp with a Bentonite Clay shampoo bar that helps with the itching I've been experiencing which I suspect is due to the shedding and hormone changes.

You can condition your hair before or after spraying your scalp, I like to condition before. After I spray the hair tea, I rinse very well because apple cider vinegar is stinky! 

This has helped my shedding tremendously. Though my hair still sheds, it isn't coming out in clumps and has gone down about 50-75%. 

I do this routine 2xs a week and a 8o oz. spray bottle will last me the whole month. I haven't noticed any mold growth inside my bottle but, if you want you can place the tea in the fridge between uses. 

Simple enough, right? Try this hair tea rinse and tell me what you think in the comments!

The Oil Cleansing Method- Using Oils For Clear Skin

The Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) is a great way to gain and maintain healthy radiant skin. The Oil Cleansing Method may be your first step to a simple skin care regimen and throwing out all those expensive face creams and acne treatment products. 

First, oil was not your enemy! We have been led to believe that oil is the nemesis of healthy skin, especially those who suffer from oily acne prone skin. We strip our skin of oils in an attempt to get rid of embarrassing and painful acne. 

Actually, stripping the skin makes it produce even more oil!

How Does Oil Cleansing Work?

There is a simple science behind the oil cleansing method. Oil dissolves oil. While doing so you are penetrating deep into the pores, drawing out toxins and impurities that cause black heads, pimples, and other skin blemishes. Oil cleansing works for dry, oily, acne prone, and even sensitive skin.

Getting Started:

First thing is to be patient. Use the oils that are right for your skin type, you may need to adjust the ratios to find the proportions that works best for you.

You need 2 types of oil (see the lists below for skin type), steaming hot water, a soft face towel and wash cloth.

1. (Optional) I like to begin by putting my face over the steaming water with a towel over my head to direct the steam towards my face to open up my pores.
2. Add a few drops of your oil combo in the palm of your hand (enough to cover your entire face). Warm the oils by rubbing your palms together.
3. Apply oils to your face and rub in with your fingertips, making sure you concentrate on the problem areas. This gets the oil to sink into your pores melting the pore blocking oils while pulling out toxins. Do this for at least 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Soak your clean wash cloth in the steaming water and squeeze out excess water, be careful not to burn your hands.
5. Lay the cloth on your face. Make sure it’s still hot but, comfortable enough not to scald or irritate your skin. This will soften the oils and open your pores. Keep the cloth on your face until it cools to room temperature.
6. Once the cloth cools,  remove it and gently wipe the oil off with the clean face towel.
7. Repeat these steps 2 more times and you are done! No need to wash your face or add any other products to your skin. You may rub a drop of oil on your face if needed.

Oil Recipes:

The most commonly used oil combo is Castor oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil or sunflower seed oil. Make sure your oils are 100% natural and cold pressed. Castor oil acts as the base oil and must be diluted with the other oil to meet your skin needs.

Suggested ratios

Dry Skin: 10% Castor Oil to 90% Olive Oil.

Normal Skin: 20% Castor Oil to 80% Olive Oil.

Oily Skin: 30% Castor Oil to 70% Olive Oil.

Here is another version of oil combos, without ratios.

Normal skin: Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Jojoba Oil

Dry skin: Castor Oil and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Sensitive skin: Apricot Kernel Oil and Jojoba Oil

Oily and acne prone skin: Grapeseed Oil and Jojoba Oil

Start with a 50/50 ratio and alter it as you see fit. There are so many wonderful skin loving oils out there and if you have a preferred oil that is not listed above don’t be afraid to try it out.

*I like to add in a drop of Tea Tree Oil for those extra astringent and skill healing properties.