The Benefits Of Using Bath Salts

A nice relaxing bubble bath is a nice way to unwind after a long day but, let's take that bath up a notch and add bath salts to cleanse and detoxify our bodies. Bath salts have been used for thousands of years as a relaxing beauty treatment for both men and women.

Bath salts contain are rich in minerals such as; potassium, magnesium, bromide, calcium, and sodium. These minerals cleanse, detoxify, renew and purify your skin. Magnesium relaxes and aides in relieving stress, while potassium helps your skin retain moisture.

What can bath salts do for you?

• Soothes sore muscles and joints. 
• Relaxes and eases away stress.
• Softens the skin, making it easier to remove dead skin.
• Pulls toxins out of the skin.
• Enriches the skin with vitamins and minerals.
• Helps inflammation.
• Cleanses open wounds.
• Gently removes dirt and excess oil from pores.

I've been adding bath salts to my baths for years and I can't take a bath without them. I can talk about the benefits of salt all day. Bath salts are an inexpensive way to detoxify and purify the skin. 

Do you use bath salts? 

Ready to give bath salts a try? Order a jar here: Lia Naturals Bath Salts

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.

6 Ways To Add Rosewater To Your Skin Care Regimen

Roses have long time had an alluring effect on humans throughout history . Our attraction to roses has gone way beyond fresh cut bouquets and the serenading of that special person worthy of our love and affection. In fact it has long been known for other noble causes such as, rose water. Rose water is used for fragrance, cosmetics, medicinal, and nutritional purposes.

Rose water is made from the distillation of rose petals. The oils derived from the roses during the distillation process serve a multitude of uses. We will now talk about the great effects of rose water on the skin. It has astringent properties, great for sensitive skin, heals, tones, and even moisturizes.

My prime uses are the perks it provides to my skin. Below are 5 reasons why I have made rose water part of my skin care regimen and why you should too.

1. Great Facial Cleanser: Apply using a cotton ball to your face to gently clean and wipe away dirt, pore clogging oils and bacteria. This is also a great way to remove make up.
2. Soothing Skin Toner: Rose water with a pinch of camphor or even mixed with some witch hazel can make a great toner. Rose water has anti-inflammatory assets which can significantly reduce acne and clear away acne scars. Great way to control oily acne prone skin.
3. Face Mask Additive: If you use a homemade facial mask you can replace plain water with rose water to help achieve radiant glowing skin.
4. Soothe Irritation: Treat sunburned or irritated skin with rose water to help reduce redness and effectively treat sunburned or raw skin. Applying rose water to sunburned skin will speed up the healing time.
5. Fight Acne: Due to rose water’s astringent properties rose water can be used continuously through the day to treat pimples by dabbing some directly on acne breakouts. This will quickly shrink the size and redness.
6. Fade Dark Circles: Dabbing some rosewater on your dark circles on a daily basis will not only help to decrease the appearance of dark circles but also reduce under eye puffiness.

Rose water has a host of ways to help maintain or achieve healthy skin. Splashing some on in the morning can wake up and freshen your skin while applying at night will aid in removing skin impurities collected throughout the day. The beautiful floral scent is just an added bonus, serving to relax and lighten the mood. Rose water is great to have around on those stressful days when you and your skin need some tension relief.

A bottle costs anywhere from $3-8 and lasts me about a month.  

Benefits Of African Black Soap

The benefits of African black soap make it one of the best soaps to use for healthy, moisturized skin. African black soap was one the first natural soaps I ever used and I still use it in my skin care regimen, years later. African black soap is made in West Africa, mostly in Ghana and Togo.

What is black soap and how is it made?
One of the ways african black soap is made is with, cocoa pod ash, coconut oil, shea butter, water and palm kernel oil. African black soap is made by roasting the cocoa pod, and after the roasting,

The cocoa pod is mixed with pure, unrefined, natural palm kernel oil. This process leads to the formation of the soap. No scents, preservatives, chemicals, color enhancers, dye, or fragrances are added during this mixing process. [SOURCE]


What does African Black Soap do?

African Black Soap has been known to help to relieve acne, oily skin, clear blemishes,and soothe eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis and has been used for centuries in African countries.


Though, black soap is very beneficial, it is also very strong and concentrated. Some say they experience burning or irritation when using African black soap, I've never experienced this but, as we know, everyone's skin is different. What I find works best is to not use the soap directly on the skin but, to instead dilute it. By diluting it, you make liquid black soap.

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Here is how I make liquid black soap:

1 ounce Black Soap
2 Cups Water

 Heat your water, not until boiling. Cut the soap into chunks and mix. Should take about 15 minutes to fully dissolve. Pour the liquid into an empty bottle and you're all done!

You can replace the water with vegetable glycerin and/or aloe vera juice.

After cleansing with African Black soap be sure to follow up with a great natural lotion or body butter to keep your skin from becoming dry.

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading!

DIY Leave In Conditioner For Natural Hair

Before I hand over the recipe, let me tell you a little about my hair. My hair is very porous, it does not hold moisture at all. I can wet me hair and the ends will be dry in 5 mins. This is due to me dying my hair in late 2012. Due to my hairs porosity, I have had very little success with leave-in conditioners. For a little while I even went without them and just co-washed my hair everyday for moisture. The only leave-in conditioners that worked on my hair were Reve Essential Moisture Milk ($10) and Giovanni Direct Leave- In ($8).

Lately, I have been battling dryness, post partum shedding and horrible tangles. I don't have time to co-wash daily and my Reve is on it's last drop. Thus, since I already make products and have all the ingredients on hand to make my own leave-in conditioner, I made my own and it is by far the best leave-in conditioner I have ever used. Hands down.

Here are the ingredients and their roles:
Water: Hydration
Aloe Vera Juice: Hydrate & Condition
BTMS 50: Conditioning Emulsifier
Olive Oil: Conditioning
Castor Oil: Humectant, draws in moisture
Shea Butter: Condition and seal in moisture
Optiphen (Preservative): Keeps Mold Away

Optiphen and BTMS can both be purchased at Bramble Berry (www.brambleberry.com)

The Recipe:
80% Liquid (water & aloe vera juice)
5% Emulsifier
2% Castor Oil
2% Shea Butter
10% Olive Oil
1% Preservative

(Usually it is suppose to equal 100% but, I rounded up on the Olive Oil for math sake)

For an 8 oz bottle:
3.2 oz. Water
3.2 oz. Aloe Vera Juice
.4 oz.   Emulsifier
.8 oz.   Olive Oil
.16 oz. Shea Butter
.16 oz. Caster Oil
.08 Preservative

1. Measure out all of your ingredients. Use a scale, a kitchen scale is about $10-15 at WalMart or Target. 
2. Sanitize all of you equipment, wipe everything down with alcohol. We don't want anything to grow mold.
3. Warm your liquids (water and aloe vera juice).
4. Combine the BTMS, shea butter and olive & castor oil, melt until liquid. Do not over heat.
5. Combine your BTMS & oils with the water and aloe vera juice. Pour the water and aloe vera juice INTO the oils and BTMS. 
6. Wisk a mad man! Wisk until the mixture becomes white and starts to thicken.This will take about 1-2 mins.
7. Let cool.
8. Weigh out preservative and add once mixture has cooled down from hot to warm. 
9. Pour into 8 oz. bottles or jars.

This may seem like a lot of work but, it took me literally 5 mins. 

Try it and tell me what you think!

*Yes, this must be preserved with a preservative, no you can't use Tea Tree Oil or Rosemary. Those are not preservatives.

Thanks for reading!
Jarmelia
Owner
Lia Naturals Bath and Body

How To Get Rid Of Blackheads Naturally

Blackheads are the worst. Absolute worst. I've battled blackheads on my nose since I was a teenager. I have tried painful strips, scratching them off my nose (ouch!), cleansing my face to death, you name it, I've tried it. I felt like everyone could see the blackheads on my nose and thought my face was dirty. No amount of washing my face would get rid of the blackheads. So, you know I was over joyed when I I found 3 solutions for the blackheads on my nose, that actually worked and are painless.

What are blackheads? Blackheads are clogged hair follicles. Usually, the "clog" comes from skin debris, excess oil/sebum, and bacteria.

Here are the 3 ways that worked for me to get rid of the blackheads on my nose. These tips may also work for blackheads in other areas of your body.

Activated Charcoal- I started using handmade soap made with charcoal and the charcoal sucked the excess oil and dirt right out of my pores. You want the soap to be gentle, especially on sensitive skin and can be used daily. Charcoal soap usually costs $6-8.

Bentonite Clay Masks- Bentonite clay is a must have in any skin care regimen. Bentonite clay provides a deep pore cleansing, you can feel the mask tighten on your face and suck out all the dirt. It isn't as gentle as the charcoal soap but, it gets the job done and done well. You can purchase bentonite clay for about $8-10 a jar (1 lb.) on Amazon.

Facial mask Recipe:
4-5 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay
1/4 Teaspoon Charcoal Powder
2-3 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar (if your skin is extremely sensitive, use water)

Mix into a paste, add more water if needed. Add liquid little by little until paste is the consistency of pancake batter.

Rub mixture over entire face and let sit for 15-20 minutes.

Rinse off carefully. Do not rub or peel of the mask, unless you want bright red irritated face.

So with washing my face everyday with charcoal soap and using the bentonite clay mask once a week, I have been able to completely rid my nose of blackheads!

Do you have blackheads? What have you tried that works?

How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Body?

Exfoliating your body is very important to maintain clear, glowing, acne free skin. How often should you exfoliate your body, what should you use to exfoliate your body, what the benefits are to exfoliating your body are all questions that will be answered below and have you running to your bathtub to exfoliate! 

What are the benefits to exfoliating your body? 

First, most body scrubs are all natural. You exfoliate your body to remove dead skin cells, unclog and prevent clogged pores, avoid ingrown hairs, even out your skin tone and hydrate dry skin damaged skin. 

How often should you exfoliate your body?

You should exfoliate 1-3 times a week. Your skin sheds an average of 50,000 cells per minute. Not all of those cells fall off on their own. Sometimes you will notice the heels of your feet feeling a little rough, or black heads around your nose, you want to exfoliate BEFORE these things become noticeable. If your skin is sensitive, once a week will suffice. You will also want to use a great facial cleanser to prevent buildup in between exfoliating. 

What should you use to exfoliate?

To exfoliate, you can use a simple scrub that consists of oil, sugar and/ or salt. Depending on your skin type, you may have to modify your recipe or use liquid soap in the place of the oil for a cleansing effect. You can also use exfoliating gloves paired with your usual body soap. 

When exfoliating remember, you only want to remove the DEAD skin cells, not the healthy ones. Over exfoliating can lead to skin irritation and can cause your skin to over produce oils. If a scrub feels too rough, discontinue use. It doesn't take much to remove dead skin cells. Also, if you have recently shaved, using a scrub with lemon or salt can be irritating.

Exfoliating takes less than 5 minutes to do and can be done in the shower or bath. If you don't currently do it, add it to your regimen, asap. Your skin will thank you for it! 

Do you exfoliate your body? What do you like to use? How often do you exfoliate?

3 Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Hair

The benefits of coconut oil for hair are endless. Coconut oil is great for both hair and skin care and can be found at your local grocery store for $5-7. Coconut oil benefits hair because it contains Vitamin E, restores hair protein and is said to reinforce weak strands making them stronger. Here are 3 benefits of coconut for hair care.

1. Can Prevent Dry Hair: Coconut oil can be used as a sealant to help seal in moisture. Apply coconut oil to damp hair and work through strands. This will seal in moisture and also add a nice shine to your hair. Since coconut oil is light it does not weigh your strands down. 

2. Can Be Used For Oil Rinsing: After shampooing and conditioning your hair, apply a nice amount of coconut oil to your strands and light rinse your hair. Use a t-shirt to "plop" your hair, this will reduce frizz. This is great for those with curly hair. Oil rinsing with coconut oil provides extra moisture, shine and definition to natural hair. 

3. Can Be Used As A Hot Oil Treatment: Warm jar of coconut oil in a bowl of warm water. Once the oil is warm, apply the oil to your hair. Place hair into a shower cap. Leave in for 20 mins. and rinse. You can shampoo and condition your hair after this and make the coconut oil treatment a "pre-poo". 

Coconut oil can be mixed with your rinse out conditioner, you can add ayurvedic herbs/powders, the ways you can use coconut on your hair virtually endless. It is worth a try, especially since it costs so little and can be found at your local grocery store. 

Do you use coconut oil? Do you like it? Leave some suggestions in the comments below!