The Natural Beauty Workshop

Natural Sachets and Home Fresheners

While Reed Diffusers and Spray Air Fresheners can be a lot of fun, many people prefer using only natural products to scent their homes.  Herbs and Essential Oils can be used in a number of ways to create all natural Home Fresheners.  Potpourri, Sachets, Aroma Crystals, and even Air Freshener Sprays can be created using either all or mostly natural ingredients.  Remember to choose your Essential Oils carefully, and do plenty of research, as these potent oils can cause serious health hazards if used incorrectly.

Herbal Potpourri and Sachets
Dried Herbs and Botanicals can be charged up with additional Essential Oils to boost their natural aroma.  These super charged herbs can then be added to muslin bags to make sachets or they can be displayed in containers throughout the home as dry potpourri.  To create an herbal sachet or potpourri simply combine your favorite dried herbs with a few drops of a complimentary Essential Oil.  Below, I've listed some of my favorite Herbs and Essential Oils for use in herbal potpourri and sachets:

Herbs
Chamomile Flowers
Lavender Buds, Super Blue
Jasmine Flowers
Lemongrass
Peppermint Leaf
Rose Buds
Rose Petals
Spearmint Leaf

Essential Oils
Basil
Bay
Bergamot
Chamomile
Cypress
Eucalyptus
Frankincense
Geranium
Ginger
Grapefruit
Juniper Berry
Lavender
Lemon
Lime
Mandarin
Orange
Patchouli
Peppermint
Petitgrain
Rose
Rosewood
Sage
Spearmint
Star Anise
Tangerine
Vanilla

Aroma Crystals
The Essential Oils listed above can also be added to Coarse Sea Salt to make Aroma Crystals.  Add about 2 - 5% Essential Oil to Coarse Sea Salt to give it a strong, natural fragrance.  The Aroma Crystals can be kept in a container and treated similarly to potpourri.  The salt can be recharged with more Essential Oil when they begin to lose their aroma.  Aroma Crystals can be left their natural color or they can be dyed using FD&C Liquid Dyes, Micas, or Oxides.  You can also mix a little Potpourri in with the crystals to enhance their appearance.

Air Fresheners
You can create an incredibly simple Air Freshener by putting your favorite Hydrosol into a spray bottle. Neroli, Lemon Balm, Lavender, and Rose Hydrosols make wonderful Home Fragrance Sprays when used alone or blended together.  These are the most simple and natural Air Fresheners that you can make.

If you would like something a little more involved you can use Polysorbate 20 to make your Essential Oils water dispersible.  Add an equal amount of Polysorbate 20 to your favorite blend of Essential Oils to make them water dispersible.  The water dispersible Essential Oil Blend can then be added to Hydrosol or Distilled Water to create an Air Freshening Spray.  1/8 to 1/4 ounce of Water Dispersible Essential Oil should be enough to scent 4 ounces of water.  When making Air Freshener Sprays that include Essential Oils it is important to keep in mind that many Essential Oils can rapidly degrade plastic. The most notorious culprits are spice and citrus oils, but many other Essential Oils can cause similar problems.  This is especially problematic when making Air Freshening Sprays as the Essential Oils can damage the sprayer tops, leaving them useless.  When making Essential Oil Air Fresheners it is always best to test a small batch to see how it behaves in your chosen packaging before making multiple bottles.   

Organic Grape Seed Oil

Grape Seed Oil is a classic skin care ingredient.  Its ability to moisturize and nourish the skin makes it a favorite for use in natural soaps, lotions, creams, and massage blends.  Unfortunately, most Grape Seed Oils are solvent extracted.  This method of extraction can sometimes leave solvent residue in products such as natural oils, making them unattractive to purists.  We are thrilled to announce the addition of a Cold Pressed and Certified Organic Grape Seed Oil.  This special Grape Seed Oil has been carefully extracted without being overheated or introduced to solvents.  Organic Grape Seed Oil makes a wonderful addition to high end skin products including serums, hair conditioners, and body oils.

New CO2 Extracts

I am pleased to announce the addition of ten new  botanical extracts to FromNatureWithLove.com's line of high quality, CO2 Extracts.  These potent, oil soluble extracts have been produced using carbon dioxide.  The gas presses the extracts from the botanicals before being released, leaving behind a pure, natural extract.  These specialty Extracts can often be made from plants that are too fragile for the steam distillation used in the production of Essential Oils.  This offers formulators the chance to work with a large variety of herbal and botanical extracts.  The newest addition to our line of CO2 Extracts are listed below:

Borage Total CO2 Extract: Rich in the fatty acid, Omega 6, Borage Total can be a beneficial ingredient in anti-aging formulations as well as in psoriasis and eczema treatment.

Chamomile Flower Total CO2 Extract: Like the Essential Oil, Chamomile Flower Total CO2 Extract has strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for sensitive skin and redness.  Though this Extract does not have as potent an aroma as Essential Oil, it does possess a mild, but pleasant scent of Chamomile.

Chia Seed (Spanish Sage) Total CO2 Extract: Boasting a wealth of Omega 3 Fatty Acid, Chia Seed Total makes an excellent addition to mature skin, and anti-aging skin care formulations.  You may recognize the name "Chia".  Chia seeds are most commonly known for their use in a certain household planter!

Evening Primrose CO2 Extract: High in gamma-linolenic acid, Evening Primrose makes a beneficial addition to eczema and psoriasis treatments as well as general anti-aging and mature skin formulations.

Gromwell Root Total CO2 Extract: The same components that lend Gromwell Root Total its deep red color give the extract anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties!   Use Gromwell Root Total to add a natural red tint to your products while boosting their antioxidant properties.

Lavender Bud Select CO2 Etxract: This potent Lavender Bud Extract contains a high amount of the active component, Linalool, making Lavender Bud CO2 Extract a great way to add not only the classic aroma, but the beneficial properties of Lavender to your products.

Peppermint Leaf Select CO2 Extract: Peppermint Leaf CO2 Extract contains a high menthol content, making it a great choice for adding the cooling, stimulating effects of Peppermint to your skin care formulations. 

Rhatany Root CO2 Extract: Rhatany Root CO2 Extract can be added to skin care formulations to help repair damaged skin.  It contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties as well as antioxidants.

Rosehip Seed Total CO2 Extract: With a longer shelf life, but all the natural benefits of Rosehip Carrier Oil, this potent CO2 Extract is a formulator's dream come true.  Rosehip is thought to improve the condition of the skin by increasing elasticity while fighting the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
 

Reed Diffusers

Reed Diffusers are an attractive and easily customizable way to fragrance your home.  FromNatureWithLove.com recently added a Reed Diffuser Base, and Diffuser Reeds to our product line, giving me the chance to experiment with these new items.  I had a great time experimenting with colors and scents, but was surprised to find out that not all colorants will behave themselves when added to Reed Diffuser Base.  I took some pictures of what happened when I added our line of Liquid D&C and FD&C colorants to our Reed Diffuser Base.

Coloring Reed Diffuser Base
Reed Diffuser Base reacts well with most Liquid FD&C and D&C Dyes.  The base can be colored drop by drop, and colors can be mixed and matched to achieve your own unique shades.  While most of the dyes work beautifully in Reed Diffuser Base, there are some dyes that did not color well.  Take a look at the following photos to see how each dye behaved when added to Reed Diffuser Base.

This picture shows our line of Oil Dispersible D&C Liquid Color Additives.  As you can see, the colors dispersed well, and after two weeks have not faded or morphed in color.  (1. Liquid D&C Violet #2 Oil, 2. Liquid D&C Red #17 Oil, 3. Liquid D&C Green #6 Oil, 4. Liquid D&C Yellow #11 Oil)

This pictures shows our Reed Diffuser Base colored with our warm colored Liquid D&C and FD&C Dyes.  These colors also stayed bright and bold after 2 weeks have gone by.  The most surprising color in this batch was the D&C Red #22.  This color turned a bright fluorescent color that seemed to shimmer both pink and orange.  (1. Liquid D&C Red #33, 2. Liquid FD&C Red #40, 3. Liquid D&C Red #22, 4. Liquid D&C Orange #4, 5. FD&C Yellow #6, 6. FD&C Yellow #5)

In this photo you can see the Reed Diffuser Base colored with our cool colored Liquid FD&C and D&C Dyes.  This batch had the most surprising results.  In the first bottle, the Liquid FD&C Green #3 never fully dissolved, leaving small particles suspended in the base.  The Liquid D&C Green #8 and the Liquid D&C Violet #2 produced virtually no color at all, even after I added an excessive amount of dye. The other two colors, Liquid D&C Green #5 and Liquid FD&C Blue #1, however, turned out quite nicely, neither morphing nor fading after a 2 week period. (1. Liquid FD&C Green #3, 2. Liquid D&C Green #5, 3. Liquid D&C Green #8, 4. Liquid FD&C Blue #1, 5. Liquid D&C Violet #2)

In this last photo I tried experimenting with an Essential Oils and some Herbs. In the first bottle I added Tangerine Essential Oil, but no dye.  As you can see, the Essential Oil added its own natural color to the Diffuser Base.  In the second bottle I added dried Juniper Berries.  The Diffuser Base remained clear after two weeks and I think the Juniper Berries look quite nice floating in the bottle.  In the third bottle I added Annatto Seeds, a Natural Tinting Herb.  The seeds immediately added color to the Diffuser Base, but after two weeks that color has become much more intense. (1. Tangerine Essential Oil, 2. Juniper Berries, 3. Annatto Seeds)

Scenting Reed Diffuser Base
Both Skin Care Fragrance Oils and Candle Fragrance Oils can be used to scent Reed Diffuser Base.  Add between 25% and 50% Fragrance to your base to load it with your favorite Fragrance.  Certain Essential Oils can also be used in Reed Diffuser Base, but the results will vary.  For instance, I added Tangerine Essential Oil to the bottle of base shown above.  For the first week the base smelled fine, but after two weeks the scent began to morph slightly.  The new scent was not offensive, but it was not nearly as pleasant as plain Tangerine Essential Oil.  For some reason the Reed Diffuser Base did not seem to be fully compatible with this Essential Oil.  I would highly recommend testing Essential Oils in small batches with Reed Diffuser Base before committing to a large batch.  Allow your test batch to sit for 2 - 3 weeks and pay attention to any change in aroma or appearance.  Some formulators also recommend using a higher concentration of Essential Oil in Reed Diffuser Base.  You may want to try to raising the concentration of Essential Oil in the base to between 50 - 75%.  If you prefer a more fool proof method of scenting your Reed Diffuser I would recommend using Fragrance Oils.

Displaying & Packaging Reed Diffusers
Reed Diffusers should be made with a glass bottle or vessel preferably with a small neck.  Our line of Boston Round Glass Bottles make great Reed Diffusers and come in a variety of sizes and colors.  Our natural rattan Diffuser Reeds can be used at their full size or cut carefully with scissors to accommodate small sized bottles.  When you are ready to use your diffuser dip about 5 reeds into the bottle then flip the reeds upside down, reinserting them into the bottle.  This will begin the wicking process.  Repeat this process whenever you need a sudden burst of fragrance.

Chickpea Flour

Summer is a great time to experiment with new exfoliants.  Chickpea Flour is a unique and surprisingly effective exfoliating ingredient that makes an excellent addition to fresh scrubs and exfoliating treatments.  Dried chickpeas are ground into a fine flour, creating a cream colored powder that can be added to face masks, body wraps, natural ubtans, and more.  Chickpea Flour also makes a wonderful base for soap free cleansers.  Try combining Chickpea Flour with Oatmeal, Kaolin Clay, Hydrosol, or fresh yogurt to create a soothing, exfoliating cleanser that is great for sensitive skin types.

Herbal Wash bags are another way to cleanse and exfoliate the skin without the use of soap or detergents.  Natural grains such as Chickpea Flour, Oatmeal, and Rice Bran can be combined in a muslin bag along with carefully selected herbs to create a gentle and effective cleanser.  Calendula Petals, Lavender Buds, and Aritha Powder are just a few great examples of natural herbs that would make great additions to an herbal wash bag.

Monoi De Tahiti Summer Salt Scrub

During the summer, Monoi De Tahiti remains in a liquid state as long as the weather remains warm and sunny. This makes July the perfect month to feature Monoi De Tahiti in a Scrub of The Month recipe.  The subtle aroma of Tiare has been blended with Tangerine, and Ylang Ylang Essential Oils, and Ginger Lily CO2 Extract.  The warm, sunny aroma of this scrub is perfect for a summer spa session or a salt glow massage.

Monoi De Tahiti Summer Salt Scrub
Makes 4 ounces of scrub.

Ingredients
1/4 cup Sea Salt, Fine
4 tablespoons Monoi De Tahiti Oil
1 tablespoon Apricot Kernel Oil
20 drops Ginger Lily CO2 Extract
20 Drops Tangerine Essential Oil
5 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Directions
In a small mixing bowl combine the Sea Salt, Monoi De Tahiti, and Apricot Kernel Oil.  Mix well, then add the Essential Oils and CO2 Extract.  Mix once again before packaging. 

Packaging
This scrub looks great packaged in a Flat PET Jars. 

Using Preservatives

Natural products are wonderful.  I love the way they feel on my skin, how they smell, how they look, and I especially love the process of creating them.  Making natural products for yourself is relatively simple.  Make small batches, use them up quickly, and take care not to contaminate anything.  When you plan on sharing your creations with others the situation can grow a little more complex.  Because you cannot be sure how your product will be handled or how quickly it will be used once it leaves your hands, adding a preservative may be a necessary step.

Formulas that contain only oils and waxes are fairly stable on their own.  An average balm, or water free body butter will last several months to a year before going rancid.  Some formulators choose to add an antioxidant such as Rosemary Oil Extract or Vitamin E (T-80) to protect the shelf life of the oils contained in the formula.  Preservatives are not generally used in these simple balms and butters for two reasons:

• The formula does not contain water or water based ingredients such as Hydrosols or Aloe Vera Gel.
• The formula is not likely to come into contact with water during use. Most balms are applied to dry skin or lips.

When water or water based ingredients are introduced to a formula it becomes fragile.  Fresh lotions and creams are a good example of a fragile formulation, but any product that contains any amount of water will be subject to the same issues.  This includes wet masks, bubble baths, tinctures and more.  The water in these formulas will attract bacteria, mold, and other unsavory characters causing the product to become contaminated, break down, or go rancid.  This growth can pose serious health risks and unfortunately, is often invisible to the naked eye.  Extreme care must be taken when creating fresh creams and lotions even for personal use.  If you choose to create a lotion, cream, or other recipe that includes water without a preservative you must store it carefully and use it up within a few days to be safe or store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.  In order to responsibly share your product with others an effective preservative must be added.

You should also consider adding a preservative to products that may come into contact with water during use.  Sugar and Salt Scrubs are a great example of this situation.  While the product does not contain water, the user is likely, despite your best instructions, to bring the entire jar of product into the shower with them, introducing bacteria, water, and other unwanted additives into the product when it is used.  The jar will then be sealed up until it is used again.  Meanwhile, the bacteria that has been introduced will be growing inside the jar.  Another alternative to using a preservative in oil based scrubs is packaging the scrub in single serving portions so that your customer will use the entire jar in one shot, eliminating the dangerous situation.

Natural preservatives such as Grapefruit Seed Extract or Optiphen can be helpful in warding off bacterial growth, but unfortunately are not always enough to preserve an aqueous formulation for an extended period of time.  Synthetic preservatives offer stronger preservation properties, but unfortunately can be very controversial.  Great care must be taken when selecting a preservative and professional testing is necessary if you intend to sell the formulation to the public. Without the use of a Professional Challenge Testing Lab it is very hard, if not impossible, to be certain of whether your formula has been properly preserved. 

Cucumber Seed Oil

When cucumbers and natural skin care come to mind, most people will immediately think of cucumber slices being placed over puffy, tired eyes.  The reason cucumbers are so often used in this way is that they contain a high amount of water which produces a cooling, calming effect.  Cucumbers are also mildly astringent, helping to improve and balance skin tone.  Fresh cucumbers are a popular ingredient in fresh spa and skin care treatments due to their watery texture and pleasant, mild aroma.  While Cucumbers have been sliced, diced, mashed, and pureed for the sake of the spa for ages, you may be surprised to hear that the oil contained in Cucumber Seeds boasts a wealth of benefits as well.

Cucumber Seed Oil contains a high amount of Linoleic, or Omega 6, Fatty Acid.  The oil also contains notable amounts of Oleic and Palmitic Fatty Acids.  Cold Pressed Cucumber Seed Oil allows formulators to enhance shelf stable products with some of the more surprising benefits of the Cucumber Plant.  This light, highly moisturizing oil can be used in a wide range of applications including: soap making, masks, facials, body and massage oils, creams, lotions, and serums.

Oatmeal-a-molé

I must admit, I have an Avocado problem.  They are a staple on my grocery list and on any given day you can open my fridge to find at least one or two tucked safely in the crisper.  If they are on sale I will methodically select multiple Avocados in a variety of ripeness so that I can be assured of a good Avocado stock for the next couple of weeks.  I could actually tell you how ripe the Avocado’s tend to be in any given area grocery store.  I’m nuts!  I make guacamole, put them in salads, on sandwiches and everywhere else I need a touch of creamy green goodness.  This facial mask recipe is an homage to my favorite item in the produce department.

Oatmeal-a-molé Face Mask

Great for dry, inflamed, or sensitive skin.  This recipe will yield between 1/3 and 3/8 of a cup of mask.   This can be used fresh or stored in a tightly sealed container for one to two days.

Ingredients
One half of a medium Avocado Fresh, very ripe Avocado
1 tablespoon Colloidal Oatmeal, Coarse   
2 tablespoon Oat Straw Powder   
1 - 2 drops Chamomile Essential Oil
2 drops Rosehip Oil

Directions
Cut one medium Avocado in half and remove pit.  Make sure to choose a very soft Avocado as it will be much easier to use in this recipe.  In a medium sized mixing bowl mash the Avocado until it is a smooth consistency (like guacamole).  Add the Colloidal Oatmeal and Oat Straw Powder.  Stir all ingredients together until thoroughly mixed.  Stir in Chamomile Essential Oil and Rosehip Oil. Make sure you do not add more than 5 drops of Rosehip Oil or the Mask will have a hard time sticking to the skin.

Instructions
Start with a clean face, but do not moisten before you begin.  This mask is inherently slippery so the dry skin will help it to stick.  Leave the mask on and relax for about ten minutes.  Gently massage the mask a little bit to exfoliate your skin before rinsing off.

Storage
Avocados oxidize quickly, but with the addition of Rosehip Oil and Chamomile Essential Oil a tightly sealed container of this mask may last for a few days in the refrigerator.  As with all natural formulations there is a chance that it can become contaminated or go rancid prematurely.  Keep a close eye on your mixture and discard it immediately if it shows any sign of rancidity or contamination.

(Pictured above: What a good sport! Laura, a close friend of mine, tries out the Oatmeal-a-molé Face Mask.It looks like she's enjoying it too!)

The Serious Side of Summer Sun

I am a summer girl through and through. Every year when Winter is finally over and the sun begins to peek out again I come back to life along with the flowers and trees.  The sun is the key to my heart.  It is my license to run free outdoors again.  Whether I am sitting contented in my garden, traipsing along a rocky trail in a nearby state park or body surfing in the frigid ocean waves of the Maine coast I come alive in the sunlight.

But there is a price to pay for that daily dose of light.  According to the American Cancer Society the majority of more than one million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed every year are sun-related.  On top of that, in 2006 over 60,000 cases of Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, were diagnosed.  Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.  It accounts for nearly half of all cancer cases nationwide.  Protecting ourselves from UV damage is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

The American Cancer Society recommends avoiding direct sunlight between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm as your first precaution against skin cancer.  For most of us that is simply not an option.  Between commuting, working, and simply enjoying the outdoors most of us will find ourselves in direct sunlight almost every day.  Also, you may be surprised to know that UV rays can penetrate clothing, clouds, fog and glass, including home and automobile windows.

So what can we do to protect ourselves?  The first line of defense is always sensibility.  Do not over-expose yourself to sunlight on a regular basis and never ever expose yourself to sunlight without some kind of SPF protection.  The classic SPF protection is sun screen.  The American Cancer Society recommends using sun screens with an SPF of at least 15, and they recommend that you reapply every two hours no matter what degree SPF you are using. Even sun screens as high as SPF 60 must still be reapplied regularly to remain effective.

The next step is physical cover.  Wide brimmed hats, parasols, and visors are all great choices for giving your face a little extra protection.  Sunglasses are available with 99% and 100% UV absorption lenses.  These can help to prevent cataracts and other serious sun-related eye problems.  Your clothes can even become UV barriers.  Many retailers offer clothing that comes with SPF protection.  Additionally there is a product available called Sunguard that you can use to add SPF to your own clothes. The product is added to your clothes in the washing machine and can change a plain white T-shirt from UPF 5 to UPF 30.  Garments will remain effective for up to 20 washes at which time, Sunguard can be applied again.

There are even window films available to screen harmful UV rays from entering your home.  A list of products approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation can be found here.

For more information on skin cancers or sun protection please visit the American Cancer Society’s Sun Safety Page or The Skin Cancer Foundation’s website.