The Natural Beauty Workshop

Camellia, and other Tea Based Skin Care Ingredients

 There's nothing quite like a hot cup of Tea.  It's soothing, tasty, and so good for you.  Packed with antioxidants, Tea Leaves of any color or variety can have a healthful impact on your body, inside and out.  Tea Seed Oil, commonly called Camellia Oil, is a beneficial skin care ingredient and is as esthetically pleasing as a familiar cup of afternoon tea.  Camellia Oil has a light texture, a mild color and aroma, and is highly moisturizing.  It makes an excellent base oil for facial creams, body scrubs, massage or body oils, or almost any skin care formulation you could desire.  We are proud to offer both a conventional and organic variety of Camellia Oil at From Nature With Love.

Green Tea Leaves can also be used in skin care products.  The dried, powdered leaves are a great addition to facial masks, gentle scrubbing cleansers, or soaps.  For lotions, creams, or toners, try using Green Tea Leaf Powdered Extract.  This water soluble extract can be used in almost any formulation where Green Tea benefits are desired.  Green Tea Extract is a smart addition to hair care products as well as skin care formulas.  Try adding it to your next shampoo, conditioner, or hair rinse recipe. 

Do you enjoy using Camellia, or other Green Tea based ingredients in your recipes?  Let us know how you'ved use these ingredients.

Tomato Seed Oil

Did you know that tomato seeds are packed with a substance that helps fight free radicals, and the signs of aging?  What is this magical chemical, you ask?  Why it is none other than Lycopene.  Lycopene is found in many red fruits and vegetables, including watermelons, papaya, and carrots.  However, tomatoes contain an especially high amount of Lycopene, making their seeds ripe for the picking when it comes to natural skin and hair care.

Tomato Seed Oil is one of the newest additions to our ever growing line of natural Carrier Oils.  It stands out from the crowd with a deep orange hue, and a bold aroma.  Tomato Seed Oil has a tangy scent that is immediately recognizable as tomato.  Though it is unlikely to carry through in complex formulations, such as soaps, Tomato Seed Oil's aroma can be enjoyed in simple recipes such as massage oils, hair serums, or even lip balms.  Try blending Tomato Seed Oil with Essential Oils to create a truly unique scent.  Some Essential Oils that may blend well with Tomato Seed Oil would be Petitgrain, Vetiver, Orange, Basil, Ginger, Dill, or Grapefruit. 

In addition to Lycopene, Tomato Seed Oil contains a wealth of fatty acids, vitamins, nutrients, carotenes, and phytosterols that are quite beneficial to the skin and hair.  Try adding Tomato Seed Oil to facial creams, hair conditioners, shampoo bars, soaps, or scrubs.  Tomato Seed Oil would be particularly helpful in anti-aging and mature skin formulations.

Tomato Seed Oil is brand new to From Nature With Love!  Have you had a chance to work with it yet?  If so, please share your experiences with us in the comments below.  We would love to hear about them!

Essential Oil Blends for Natural Deodorants

Previously, we posted a really popular article on Making Your Own Natural Deodorants.  Making your own deodorant may seem sort of mysterious, or daunting, but it's actually a very simple process.  Deodorants can be made in several varieties too.  Cream Deodorants are smooth, spreadable mixtures, similar to oil based body butters.  Solid Deodorants can be poured right into our Stick Tube Deodorant Containers to create your classic rub-on deodorant.  Spray Deodorants are also surprisingly simple to make.  Once you select a base recipe, the next step is to create a blend of Essential Oils to use in your deodorant.  You can choose a blend to serve a purpose, or just because you like its scent.  Here are some basic blends that you can use for your next batch of Natural Deodorant.

Herbalicious

• 2 parts Mandarin
• 1 part Basil 
• 2 parts Chamomile 

Pretty in Pink

• 1 part Nerolina
• 1 part Vanilla
• 2 parts Jasmine
• 2 parts Chamomile

Mountain Man

• 1 part Tea Tree
• 1 part Pine
• 1 part Juniper
• 2 parts Mandarin
• 1 part Myrrh

Paisley Queen

• 2 parts Geranium
• 1 part Nerolina
• 1 part Lemongrass
• 1 part Patchouli

Mr. Sandman

• 2 parts Sandalwood
• 2 parts Vanilla
• 1 part Cypress
• 1 part Frankincense

African American Hair Care Recipes

Jenni asked:

Are there any hair recipes for African American coarse hair? Conditioner, mask, etc.?

Hi Jenni.  We do offer several hair care recipes that should work well on African American hair.  Check out our Hair Care Recipes section to view our complete selection.  My favorites for conditioning hair are the Jasmine Acai Berry Pomade and the Ayurvedic Hair Cream.  For more DIY natural hair care recipes, check out the Homemade Hair Recipes Section on MotownGirl.com.  The site offers several easy recipes for African American Hair care, using many ingredients carried by From Nature With Love!  If you're looking to purchase finished products, check out the artisans included in the Ethnic Hair Care Section on Beauty by the Batch.  You'll find a great selection of hand crafted hair care products listed in each shop.

Making Natural Dog Shampoos & Pet Care Products

While you are whipping up handmade skin care goodies for yourself, why not take some time to treat your best friend to something special as well?  Doggies don't know it, but they can benefit greatly from going natural when it comes to their grooming.  Commercial dog shampoos and powders are often packed with artificial ingredients such as detergents and fragrances.  These ingredients can irritate sensitive skin, causing dandruff, scratching, or even hair loss.  To learn more about natural pet care, check out this article from Beauty by the Batch.

Natural ingredients, such as Carrier Oils, Essential Oils, or Vegetable Butters can be used to create Liquid Dog Shampoos, Dog Shampoo Bars, and Skin Care Serums, Salves, or Balms.  When choosing natural ingredients for pet care products make sure that the ingredients are dog safe.  Just like food, certain ingredients that are safe for humans can be extremely harmful, or even deadly to dogs.  If you are uncertain about the safety of a particular ingredient, be sure to check with your dog's veterinarian before using it.  It is especially important to keep this in mind when using Essential Oils.  Dogs can be very sensitive to these ingredients, and since their bodies are smaller, and work differently from humans, their tolerance levels can be much lower than humans.  Be sure to dilute any Essential Oils very well when adding them to a dog care product.  In case you were wondering, recipes created for dogs should NEVER be used on cats.  Dogs and cats have very different systems.  An ingredient that is safe for a dog could be deadly if used on a cat.

Carrier Oils

Sweet Almond Oil - This is a very versatile ingredient to have on hand for pet care.  It is a light, yet moisturizing oil that can be used for almost any application that calls for a Carrier Oil.  

Olive Oil - Olive Oil is highly moisturizing, and is often fed to dogs as a dietary supplement in order to increase the shine, and decrease the shedding of their coats.  It makes an excellent shampoo base either in liquid or bar form. 

Neem Oil - This pungent oil is great for dog care.  That is, if you don't mind the aroma.  Neem has healing properties that can help with hot spots, and minor skin irritations.  Due to its bitter flavor, most dogs won't try to lick Neem off after it is applied.  However, some dogs might just find it to be delicious!  You never do know.

Vegetable Butters

Cupuacu Butter - This healing, moisturizing butter from the Amazon boasts superior conditioning and restorative properties.  It has a soft, spreadable texture, and a mild, fruity aroma.  Cupuacu Butter is ideal for salves and balms, but can also be used to make solid shampoo bars and other pet products.

Kokum Butter - Kokum is a hard textured Butter often used for human foot care products.  Its ability to heal and sooth callused feet makes it ideal for paw pad ointments and cleansers.

Shea Butter - Just as in human skin and hair care, Shea Butter can be used to create a variety of formulations.  Its moisturizing properties make it a great ingredient for shampoo bars, salves, balms, or just about any formula. 

Essential Oils 

Before using any Essential Oil in a pet care recipe, double check with your vet to make sure it will be safe for your pet.  Just like people, health needs and limitations can vary from dog to dog.  These are some basic suggestions for pet care recipes, but they should always be double checked with your vet before use.

Lavender - Great for use in shampoos, Lavender has a knack for soothing minor skin irritations and itchiness.  As an added bonus, most bugs don't care for the scent of lavender.  Lavender can also be used in skin soothing balms or salves.

Chamomile - Chamomile has natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for shampoos meant for dogs with sensitive skin.  Chamomile can also be used in soothing rubs or balms to help alleviate mild skin irritations or itching.

Peppermint - A great natural insect repellent, Peppermint can also help increase your dog's circulation, making it a great shampoo for a dog with arthritis or sore joints. 

Niaouli - A close relative to Tea Tree, Niaouli is a little more gentle on the skin, making it a better choice for dog care.  Niaouli has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making it an excellent ingredient for healing salves and balms.  Niaouli also repels insects, making it a nice addition to natural dog shampoos.

How to Make a Simple Liquid Dog Shampoo

Combine 16 ounces of Organic Liquid Castile with 10 - 20 ml of your chosen Essential Oils. (For example, try equal parts of the Essential Oils mentioned above.) Mix well and transfer to a bottle. 

How to Make a Simple Healing Balm

Combine 1 ounce of Beeswax, 1/2 ounce of Kokum Butter, and 1/2 ounce of Cupuacu Butter in a double boiler.  Heat the Butters and Wax gently until they are fully melted.  Add 1/2 ounce of Neem Oil and 1/2 ounce of Olive Oil and stir well to combine.  Remove the mixture from heat and add 1 - 5 ml of your chosen Essential Oils. (For example, try adding equal parts of the Lavender, Chamomile, and Niaouli Essential Oils.) Stir the mixture well, then carefully pour it into containers.  Allow the containers to cool completely before handling them.

Copaiba Balsam Oil

The Copaiba Tree, native to South America and Brazil's Amazonian Basin, yields a special resin or balsam that has been used as a natural medicine for generations.  Copaiba Balsam has a soft, earthy aroma, a dark yellow-brown color, and a surprisingly fluid texture.  It resembles a Carrier Oil in nature, and can be used in place of a Carrier Oil in most simple formulations, including lotions, creams, balms, or serums.  Copaiba Balsam is possesses several medicinal properties including strong antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, germicidal, and fungicidal agents, making it an excellent ingredient for natural salves or serums.  These properties also make it excellent for the treatment of many skin and scalp conditions including dandruff, psoriasis, certain types of eczema, and acne.  Copaiba Balsam is also a great conditioner for both the hair and the skin.  Try adding Copaiba Balsam to shampoo bars or conditioners to improve shine and texture.  Copaiba Balsam can also act as a scent fixative in perfumes and toiletries.  

Have you worked with Copaiba Balsam yet?  If so, please share your experiences in the comments below.  How did you use Copaiba Balsam, and in what type of formula?  

Cupuacu Butter

Another in our line of exciting new Amazonian Ingredients, Cupuacu Butter offers an amazing spread of beneficial properties.  Cupuacu Butter contains high levels of essential fatty acids and sterols, allowing it to improve skin's texture and elasticity.  It is also extremely moisturizing, boasting a water absorption rate higher than even Lanolin Anhydrous.  This wonderful ingredient can be used in moisturizing skin formulations, such as lotions, creams, lip balms, or body butters.  It also makes an excellent super-fatting agent in handmade soaps.  Cupuacu Butter can add moisture and shine to the hair when added to conditioners or shampoo bars.  

Our Refined Cupuacu Butter is cold pressed, yielding a high quality, consistent ingredient that contains high proportions of its natural actives.  Its rich, creamy texture has a similar slip to Cocoa Butter, but is noticeably softer and more spreadable.  Cupuacu Butter has a creamy golden color and a mild characteristic aroma that is slightly tart.  It's natural aroma blends beautifully with citrus or floral Essential Oils, but fades readily in complex formulations.  

Have you worked with Cupuacu Butter yet?  If so, please share your experiences with us using the comments below.  What have you used this ingredient for, and how did it work out for you?