The Natural Beauty Workshop

Ingredient Storage & Handling Tips

One of the most common topics that we receive questions about is ingredient storage.  Proper storage and handling can help ensure that your ingredients live up to their expected shelf life, which can in hand, affect the quality of your formulations.  Many ingredients require some special precautions in order to avoid spoilage or contamination.  The following list of articles were recently added to our Informational Library in order to help educate our customers and readers on proper handling and storage methods.  Check out the following links to learn about the many types of ingredients used in natural and handmade skin care:

• Clays & Muds
• Color Additives
• Cosmetic Waxes
• Essential Oils, Absolutes, & CO2 Extracts
• Floral Waters
• Fragrance Oils & Flavor Oils
• Hydrosols
• Melt & Pour Soap Bases
• Milk Powders
• Salts
• Vegetable Butters
• Vegetable Oils

Working With Powdered Extracts

Powdered Extracts provide an easy way for formulators to incorporate herbal ingredients into their water based products.  These Extracts are standardized, ensuring consistent quality and potency, batch after batch.  Our line of Powdered Herbal Extracts are almost all water soluble, meaning they will dissolve easily into warm water or water based ingredients.  Many are concentrated, some up to 10 times the potency of the original Extract.  You can determine each Powdered Extract's potency by the numbers in its title.  For example, Horsetal 4:1 is four times as strong as the original Extract, while Oat Straw 10:1 is ten times its original strength.  To incorporate an Powdered Extract into a formula, first determine what percentage of the original extract you'd like to add.  After you've determined the percentage, divide the amount based on the Extracts strength. 

For example, if you were making 480 grams (or 1 lb.) of lotion, and wanted to add 5% Rosehip Extract using Rosehip Powdered Extract 4:1, you would determine the amount to add by the following method:

• Determine 5% of your total weight. (5% of 480 grams = 24 grams)
• Divide the 5% by the strength of the Extract. This Extract is four times as strong as plain Rosehip extract, so you would divide it by 4. (24 grams / 4 = 6 grams)
• The conclusion is that you would add 6 grams of Rosehip Extract 4:1

Powdered Extracts are great for use in toners, rinses, lotions, conditioners, or any other recipes that contain water.  Because they have a shelf life of up to two years they are great for those who formulate in small batches, and unlike herbal infusions, you can be sure of the exact potency of the herbs in your formulas. If you are looking for a convenient, and efficient way to incorporate herbal properties into your recipes, try working with Powdered Herbal Extracts.

Taming Troubled Skin, Naturally

Almost everyone falls victim to the occasional spot or blemish.  For many people acne is a temporary annoyance, but those who suffer from acne prone skin it can be a frustrating battle that goes on constantly.  Acne usually occurs when pores are blocked by excess oil (or sebum) or dead skin cells.  It can also occur when pores are infected by bacteria.  These conditions can be caused by or aggravated by factors such as stress, hormone levels, vitamin deficiencies or overages, and of course, genetics.

The first thing that you can do to help get problem skin under control is to begin a skin care regimen.  Even the simplest skin care routine can make a huge difference when it is followed regularly.  The most basic routine should consist of a cleanser, a toner, and moisturizer.  Facials, scrubs, serums, and targeted treatments are all well and good, but unless you have a sensible daily routine as your skin care foundation you are likely to have a very hard time getting your skin under control.

It's also important to remember not to be too hard on acne prone skin.  I mean this figuratively and literally.  While scrubbing away at your face may seem like a good idea at the time, too intense exfoliation can leave the skin scoured with micro lesions and scratches, allowing more harmful bacteria to become introduced.  Not to mention that over exfoliation can cause the acne itself to become inflamed, resulting in increased redness and splotchyness.  When you exfoliate, remember to be gentle.  Try using masks that incorporate fresh fruit or dairy for their natural cleansing acids.  Or, try finer exfoliants for facial scrubs, such as Bamboo Powder, Fine Oat Flour, or Kaolin Clay.

Finally, don't lose hope or become discouraged too easily. Finding the right skin care routine can take time, experimentation, and most of all, patience.  Your skin will take time to adjust to a new routine.  Make sure to give each new method time to take effect before trying another.  Keep track of what you've tried and how your skin has reacted.  And through all of this, please try and take time for self affirmation.  Those with troubled skin are often more harsh on themselves than anyone else.  While you notice every spot and red patch, it is unlikely that the rest of the world is paying such close attention.  While having acne prone skin can be frustrating, it should never hold you back from feeling beautiful and confident.

Ingredients for Acne Prone Skin

Hydrosols - These distillates contain similar properties to their corresponding Essential Oils, but being water based, and significantly diluted, can be used in completely different ways.  Hydrosols make excellent toners, wetting agents for masks and facials, and are great for replacing water in cream and lotion recipes.

• Clary Sage 
• Helichrysum
• Lavindin Abrialis
• Neroli
• Roman Chamomile
• Rose Damnascena
• Rosemary Verbonene
• Yarrow

Vegetable / Carrier Oils - These Oils contain components that can be beneifical to acne prone skin.  Try using them to create moisturizing facial oils, facial creams, or as additives in soaps, cleansers, masks, or facials.

• Acai Oil
• Andiroba Oil
• Black Cumin Seed Oil
• Camellia Seed Oil
• Flax Seed Oil
• Hazelnut Oil
• Neem Oil
• Perilla Seed Oil
• Seabuckthorn Berry Oil
• Vitamin E Oil
• Watermelon Seed Oil

Gentle Exfoliants - These ingredients make great exfoliating agents in cleansers for acne prone skin.  Try wetting these dry ingredients with a corresponding Hydrosol to create a special cleanser.  Many of these ingredients can also be added to soaps.

• Banslochan (Bamboo) Powder
• Bentonite Clay
• Buttermilk Powder
• Honey Powder
• Lemon Peel Powder
• Neem Powder
• Oat Flour, Fine
• Rose Petal Powder
• Tulsi Powder
• White Kaolin Clay
• Whole Milk Powder
• Yogurt Powder

Fresh Ingredients - For use in fresh facials, masks, or cleansers, these fresh ingredients can help
soothe, exfoliate, or cleanse acne prone skin.

• Mashed Berries (Raspberries, Strawberries, & Blackberries)
• Fresh, Plain Yogurt
• Heavy Cream
• Lemon
• Cucumber
• Apples
• Egg Whites
• Honey

Essential Oils & Extracts - These ingredients make excellent additives to cleasners, masks, facials, creams, lotions, and serums for acne prone skin.  Be sure to research these ingredients before use, as they are quite potent and should be used at the correct rates in your formulas.

• Bergamot Essential Oil
• Cedarwood Essential Oil
• Niaouli Essential Oil
• Palmarosa Essential Oil
• Patchouli Essential Oil
• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Rosemary Select CO2 Extract, Cineole Type
• Sangre de Drago Resin
• Tea Tree Essential Oil
• White Willow Bark Extract

Extraction Methods for Vegetable Oils

There are several methods in which Vegetable Oils are extracted.  These different Extraction Methods can affect the quality, aroma, and appearance of oils, making it important to know the difference between them. 

Expeller Pressing
When an oil is extracted by expeller pressing, the raw plant material is mechanically crushed and pressed to produce oil. There can be a great deal of heat produced during this process, which can diminish certain beneficial components of fragile oils.  Expeller Pressed Oils often have less natural aroma, and are clearer and more stable.

Cold Pressing
Like conventional expeller pressing, cold pressed extraction involves physically pressing plant materials.  However, the temperatures involved in cold pressed extraction are carefully controlled, helping to preserve the fragile components contained in vegetable oils.  Cold Pressed Oils can sometimes have a stronger natural aroma than conventionally expeller pressed oils.  They can also contain a larger proportion of natural esters, creating a cloudier, more viscous oil.

Solvent Extraction
Certain Oils are often extracted using a solvent.  A chemical solvent is added to plant material in order to extract the oil, after which, the solvent is removed.  This process can be very cost effective, but is not favored by purists or aromatherapists as a trace amount of solvent is often left in the finished product.

CO2 Extraction
This exciting new process of extraction provides a way to extract extremely pure oil from even the most fragile of plants and botanicals.  CO2 gas is used to press oil from plant material in a sealed chamber.  After the oil has been extracted, the CO2 gas is vented, leaving a completely pure oil or extract.  Certain CO2 Oils or Extracts are combined with additional ingredients in order to ensure stability.  Check the INCI names of the CO2 Oils and Extracts to see exactly what each one contains.

Infusion or Maceration
During maceration or infusion herbs, plants, or botanicals are incorporated into base oils, often Sesame or Coconut Oil.  While there are any methods of maceration and infusion, the most common methods involve heat or time.  Ayurvedic Oils sometimes incorporate a special infusion method that involves brewing an herbal infusion in water, adding it to a base oil, then carefully evaporating the water from the oil, leaving the extract in the base oil.

Refinement
Many Oils are refined after pressing to remove natural esters or plant materials that can cause cloudiness, increased viscosity, odor, or even instability.  While certain users prefer to use oils that have been refined as little as possible, refined oils are ideal for use in formulas where shelf stability, odor, and appearance are priorities.  Highly refined oils are often included in commercially made products for these reasons.

Bleaching
Since natural color can sometimes be troublesome to formulators, certain oils are "bleached" to reduce their natural color.  Bleaching is often accomplished by filtering with Fuller's Earth Clay. 

Deodorizing
Many natural oils contain potent aromas.  Sesame Oil, for example, can be found in both deodorized and natural varieties.  The difference is striking!  Because formulators often prefer to add their own aroma to skin care products, deodorizing can be a very important step in oil production.  However, deodorization often involves exposing an oil to very high temperatures, which many believe can reduce the beneficial qualities of an oil. 

Organic Oils
Organic Oils are produced by special methods which prohibit the use of chemicals or high temperatures during production.  As a result Organic Oils can very greatly in appearance, texture, and aroma from even cold pressed conventional oils.

Coffee Bean Blends & Solid Sugar Scrubs

Roasted Coffee is often blended with a wide variety of flavors.  Some of the combinations chosen by roasters can be surprising, but these complex layers of flavors and aromas create some of the most delicious cups of coffee I've ever tasted.  Inspired by the creativity of coffee roasters everywhere, I decided to experiment with my favorite Coffee Bean Ingredient, Coffee Bean Butter.  This smooth, creamy Butter has a gorgeous color, similar to that of Coffee Ice Cream, and a deliciously robust coffee aroma. I created several small batches of Solid Sugar Scrub in order to experiment with this unique ingredient.  By making very small batches of Scrub, I was able to create a variety of blends using carefully selected Fragrance Oils.  However, I've provided a master recipe so that you can make individual Scrubs of your own. 

I experimented with the following Fragrance Oils while making my Mini Solid Sugar Scrubs:

• Roasted Nuts
• Pumpkin Pie
• Blueberry Delight
• Coconut Cream
• Fig
• Peppermint
• Maple
• Raspberry Truffles
• Dulce De Leche
• Pear Quince

I was impressed by the way that each of the Fragrances that I used blended so well with the natural aroma of Coffee Butter.  Surprisingly, my favorites of the bunch were Coconut Cream, Roasted Nuts, and Pear Quince.

Here are some more Fragrance Oils that I would love to experiment using Coffee Butter with:

• Raspberry
• Vanilla Pumpkin
• Dark Chocolate
• Caramel Apple
• Butterscotch
• Cinnamon
• Amaretto
• Apple Spice
• Banana
• English Pear
• Honey Ginger
• Tonka Bean
• Spice

Mini Solid Sugar Scrubs

These solid cups of Sugar Scrub melt upon skin contact, giving you the luxury of a sugar scrub in convenient, individual portions.  There are many techniques to create these kinds of scrubs, but I'm particularly fond of portioning them in cute Foil Cups. 

Ingredients
2 ounces Coffee Butter
2 teaspoons Jojoba Esters MP70
1/2 cup Turbinado Sugar
1 teaspoon Fragrance Oil
10 - 12 Foil Cups

Directions
Place your Foil Cups on a baking sheet or another flat surface and set them aside.  In a double boiler, gently melt the Jojoba Esters and Coffee Butter.  Once these ingredients are completely melted, remove the mixture from the heat.  Next, add the Turbinado Sugar and Fragrance Oil and mix well.   Carefully spoon about a tablespoon of mixture into each cup.  Continue to stir the pot of Scrub to make sure that your Foil Cups are filled with the right amount of Sugar and Butter.  Allow the Scrubs to cool and harden completely before moving them.

Usage and Packaging
These little Scrubs should be packaged to reduce exposure to air.  You can fit about six inside on of our Acetate Soap Boxes.  These also look very cute in candy boxes, or small bags.  To use, bring one of your Mini Solid Sugar Scrubs into the shower or bath and massage it gently onto your skin.  The Scrub should soften and melt in your hands, allowing you to buff and scrub all over your body. 

Using Natural Tinting Herbs to Color Lip Balms

With the recent addition of Beet Root Powder to our line of Herbs, we received a great question from one of our readers.  She wanted to know how Beet Root Powder would compare to Alkanet Root Powder when infused in Lip Balm.  Inspired by her question, I experimented with our Lip Balm Base Kit and an assortment of Tinting Herbs.

For my experiment, I combined 1/2 ounce of Lip Balm Base with 1/8 teaspoon of each Powdered Herb, and heated the mixture in a double boiler for about 5 minutes each.  Warming the Base for longer could result in a more intense color for some of these Herbs.  As you can see, the Alkanet Root Powder yielded a deep red, while the Beet Root Powder yielded a softer purple.  Cranberry Fruit Fiber was the least effective, only achieving a slightly orange pink.  Paprika Powder, Turmeric Powder, and Oat Straw Powder created very intense colors.  While these balms hold a bright color in their containers, they are likely to fade overtime, and will not add much color to the lips.  However, their bold colors do make a great impression! For my experiment, I simply added the Herbs to the Base.  Since the Herbs don't dissolve in oil, they collected on the bottom of each container. A better way to do this, would be to infuse the liquid portion of Oil in your Lip Balm recipe with your chosen Herb prior to adding it to the Lip Balm mixture.  You can strain the Herb Powder from the warmed Oil using a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.

Natural Pedicure Treatments

With Spring coming into bloom, it's a great time to pay some extra attention to your feet.  Dry winter air, and cold weather can take a toll on your feet.  They've spent several months locked tightly in socks, boots, and slippers, and are probably looking forward to breathing the fresh spring air as much as you are.  A simple home pedicure is a great way to get them ready for their Spring or Summer debut.  Follow these three simple steps to give your little piggies the royal treatment.

Soak
Begin by soaking the feet in a warm bath of water.  This step can be enhanced by using the following Foot Soak Recipe:

Peppermint Tea Tree Foot Soak

Ingredients
1/2 gallon Warm Water
1/2 cup Epsom Salt
1 tablespoon Borax
1 tablespoon Baking Soda
The juice of 1/2 fresh lemon, or about 1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 oz Turkey Red Oil
10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Directions
In a small cup, mix the Turkey Red Oil and Essential Oils together.  Warm 1/2 gallon of water to a comfortable temperature (about the same as bath water) and pour it into a foot bath tub.  Add the lemon juice, Epsom Salt, and powders to the warm water, and stir to dissolve.  Next, add the Turkey Red Oil and Essential Oil Blend, and stir to disperse. 

Usage
This recipe should be used immediately, as it would not be suitable for storage or packaging.  Soak the feet for 10 - 20 minutes, or until the water cools.

Exfoliate
After priming the feet with a relaxing soak, they should be exfoliated.  You can use an exfoliating tool, such as a Pumice Stone or a Pedi Groomer, or you can use a Scrub.  Another option, is to use a combination of both.  For the feet, it is a good idea to use a Scrub with a little extra power.  Try adding some intensive exfoliating ingredients, such as Pumice Powder, Walnut Shell Powder, or Dead Sea Grains.  The following recipe is great for pedicures.

Lemon Walnut Foot Scrub
Makes about 4 ounces

Ingredients
1/4 cup Sea Salt, Fine
2 tablespoons Pumice Powder
1 tablepsoon Lemon Peel Powder
1 tablespoon Walnut Shell Powder, Medium
1 ounce Perilla Seed Oil
1 ounce Walnut Oil
10 drops Saro Essential Oil
5 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
5 drops Corn Mint Essential Oil

Directions
In a small bowl, mix the Sea Salt, Pumice Powder, Lemon Peel Powder, and Walnut Shell Powder.  Pour the Walnut Oil and Perilla Seed Oil over the mixture, and stir to combine.  Follow with Essential Oils, stir well, and spoon into jars.

Usage
This intensive scrub should only be used on tough skin, such as the bottom of your feet.  It is far too instense for more sensitive or delicate areas of the body.  Use this scrub with care, and discontinue use if it causes any discomfort.

Moisturize
After the exfoliation is done, treat your feet to some much needed moisture.  Any intensive balm, or body butter will work well, but using a recipe designed especially for the feet is the best.  The following recipe contains ingredients that can help to keep the feet healthy, happy, and moisturized.

Whipped Pedi-Butter
Makes about 2-3 ounces (by volume)

Ingredients
 1 oz. Illipe Butter
1/2 oz. Perilla Seed Oil
1/2 oz. Avocado Oil
1/8 oz. Jojoba Esters MP70
1 tsp. Dry-Flo
10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
10 drops Geranium Essential Oil
5 drops Neem Oil CO2 Extract

Directions
In a double boiler, melt the Jojoba Esters completely.  Add the Illipe Butter and allow that to melt completely.  After both solid ingredients are melted, remove the mixture from the heat.  In a small bowl, combine the Dry Flo with a few teaspoons of Avocado Oil to form a slurry.  Add the Dry Flo and oil slurry to the hot oils, followed by the remaining Avocado Oil, Perilla Seed Oil, and Neem CO2.  Next, add the Essential Oils.  Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the mixture until it cools and thickens. This may take 10 - 20 minutes. To hasten the cooling time, you can try cooling the outside of the mixing bowl with an ice bath.  When the mixture has cooled to room temperature it should be thick and leave a trail when drizzled over the surface.  Pour the mixture carefully into a plastic bag and tie the end shut. Cut a small hole in the corner of the bag, and use it to pipe the mixture into a jar.  Allow the mixture to cool and set for several hours before use.

Usage & Packaging
This whipped butter will be thick, and oily, but will provide the intense moisture that your feet need.  Apply a small amount directly to your feet, and massage it into the skin.  You may want to put on a pair of clean cotton socks while the oils sink in.  This recipe will make about three ounces by volume, and will fit nicely in a 4 ounce PET Jar or Cream Jar.

Natural Hair Care

One of the most challenging aspects of creating an entirely handmade or entirely natural bath and body routine is hair care.  Individual hair types can vary so greatly, that it is simply impossible for one recipe or product to be everything to everyone.  Even when you find a product that you really love, the honeymoon can't last forever. Due to the residues that build up in your hair, most commercial shampoos and conditioners must be switched out regularly with new products to keep your hair looking its best.  Finding a natural shampoo and conditioner that is both truly natural, and truly helpful can be a very frustrating task. This is because many of the synthetic ingredients found in shampoos and conditioners are responsible for the rich lather, and silky slip that you've come to expect in these products.  The industry has spent countless dollars and hours racing to create the best compromise - products that contain more natural and less artificial ingredients while still behaving like classic shampoo and conditioners. 

These semi-natural products are a good start, but what if you are looking for an all natural hair care routine?  It may be time to try something completely different.  Last year, I made the leap to using solid shampoo bars instead of liquid shampoo.  Though I was a little weary at first, the results were amazing!  My hair loved it, and I loved knowing that my shampoo was free of parabens, SLS, or any other questionable ingredients.  Shampoo Bars can be made as simply as cold process or hot process soap. They are made in countless varieties, often incorporating specialty ingredients such as beer, Herbs, Botanical Extracts, Essential Oils, or Milk Products.  Simply lather the soap in your hands, and spread it through your hair like you would a liquid shampoo.  A good quality shampoo bar will not only clean your hair, it will help to condition it, eliminating the need for a conventional conditioner.  Though I'm sure this can vary depending on the Shampoo Bar or Recipe you are using, and the price of your current hair care routine, I've found that making the switch to using a Shampoo Bar has also proved to make economic sense.  A good quality bar of shampoo will last through many uses, and without the additional cost of conditioner I've cut the cost of my specialty hair care quite a bit.  There are many Shampoo Bar recipes available online.  You can find two nice examples here, at SoapNuts.com.

One drawback to shampoo bars is that they will leave residue on your hair after several uses.  This problem is easily remedied by using a Rinse after every few washes.  A simple rinse can be made as simply as combining 1 part Apple Cider Vinegar with one part Water.  However, you can create more elaborate Rinses by incorporating teas, Infusions, Hydrsosols, Extracts, or other specialty ingredients.  If you aren't crazy about the aroma of Apple Cider Vinegar, try adding a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil to your rinse.  Also, check out our Herbal Hair Rinse Recipe or Ayurvedic Hair Rinse Recipe for something extra special. 

Just as your skin can benefit from the occasional mask or facial, your hair loves being pampered now and then.  How often you treat your hair depends on the type of treatment and your type of hair.  Hair Oils can be used as an occasional intensive treatment, or can be applied daily to the hair's tips to keep ends healthy and conditioned. Check out the following links for all natural, moisturizing hair treatments that can be made by hand:

• Ayurvedic Hair Cream Recipe
  
• Fruit & Vegetable Hair Oil Recipe
  
• Jasmine & Acai Berry Pomade Recipe
  
• Rosemary Hair Oil Kit
• Find more Homemade Hair Care Recipes at Motowngirl.com

How to Make Bath Salts

Bath salts are a classic bath product with more potential than you may realize.  Though a basic bath salt can be constructed quite easily, without the use of special equipment or expensive ingredients, they can also be enhanced with specialty ingredients to create new twists on an old concept.

Why Bath Salts Work
Salt water has long been prescribed as a cure for what ails you.  Physicians have been known to advise patients to bathe in the sea, or routinely take salt baths at home in order to alleviate skin conditions, improve circulation, or as a general restorative.  Many natural salts contain healthful minerals such as calcium, magnesium, or potassium.  Salt baths are also credited for their cleansing and detoxifying properties. 

How to Make Bath Salts
Making a bath salt can be as simple as pouring your favorite kind of salt into a jar and telling the user to pop it in their bath tub.  Of course, Bath Salts are much more interesting with the use of Additives.  Additives can be used to add color, aroma, and even beneficial properties to your Bath Salts.  To create a Bath Salt with all the bells and whistles, use the following formula:

Salt + Aromatic Additive + Color Additive +  Beneficial Additives = Bath Salt

We'll discuss the proportions as we explore each kind of Additive.

Salts
The most classic salts to use in the bath are Epsom Salt and Sea Salt.  However, there are many more options available.  The type of salt you choose for your recipe should depend on its appearance, grain size, and the salts properties. You can also blend salts together to enhance the appearance or properties of your Bath Salts.

• Bolivian Pink Salt: This beautiful, pure salt has been harvested from ancient salt beds located beneath the Andes Mountains.  Rich in beneficial minerals, this naturally rosy colored salt makes both a beautiful and beneficial addition to bath salts.  Our Bolivian Pink Salt is available in both Fine and Coarse grain sizes, the latter being the most popular for use in Bath Salts.
• Dead Sea Salt -The Dead Sea yields some of the most mineral rich salt found on Earth.  Supposedly, bathing in the Dead Sea can have restorative benefits.  These benefits are most likely due to the high mineral content present in the salt and clay of the Dead Sea.  The Dead Sea Salts offered at FromNatureWithLove.com are harvested directly from the Dead Sea, and are available in Fine, Medium, and Coarse Grain Sizes.  Our Dead Sea Salts have a lovely, almost translucent appearance, making them a wonderful choice for bath salts.  Both the Medium and Coarse grain size would be ideal for this application.
• Dendritic Salt - Usually used as an additive, Dendritic Salt is special because of its unique structure.  Grains of Dendritic Salt resemble tiny stars, this special shape allows Dendritic Salt to cover more surface area, meaning that it can retain fragrance better than other salts. Adding Dendiritic Salt to your Bath Salt recipe can help stabilize the aroma, color, and texture of your recipe.  It can also help to keep your salt from becoming clumpy over time. To incorporate Dendritic Salt into your Bath Salt recipe, try adding it at around 5% of your total recipe.  Aromatic Additives such as Essential Oils or Fragrance Oils should be added directly to the Dendritic Salt before being mixed with the other recipe ingredients.
• Epsom Salt -Also known as Magnesium Sulfate, Epsom Salt has a knack for improving circulation.  This makes Epsom Salt a great choice for basic bath salts, foot soaks, medicinal baths, and sore muscle soaks.  Unlike natural salts, Epsom Salt  has a consistent, bright white appearance, making it very easy to color and scent to taste.
• Icelandic Geothermal Brine - This bright white, finely grained brine has a consistency similar to sand.  Icelandic Geothermal Brine is an extremely pure salt that is high in silica, but surprisingly low in sodium.  It's fine texture dissolves instantly in water, leaving the bath feeling silky and soft.  Icelandic Geothermal Brine looks lovely when tinted and layered in multiple colors. This technique can create beautiful displays when presented in clear glass bottles and containers.
• Sea Salt -Grains of Natural Sea Salt can vary in size, color, and shape, giving them a very organic appearance.  Naturally rich in beneficial minerals, but far less expensive than specialty salts, Sea Salts remain one of the most popular main ingredients in bath salts.  Our Natural Sea Salts are available in Fine, Medium, and Coarse Grain Sizes. 

Aromatic Additives
There are several options available for adding an aroma to your Bath Salts.  Essential Oils, Absolutes, Attars, and some CO2 Extracts are the most effective natural options available.  Using natural ingredients can also add an added benefit of Aromatherapy to your Bath Salts.  However, because these natural ingredients contain active ingredients you must be very careful when choosing which ingredients to use, and at what percentage to use them.  Research any Essential Oil, Absolute, Attar or CO2 Extract carefully before adding it to a Bath Salt Recipe.  Look for warnings, health hazards, or other useful information before adding anything to your formula.  These types of natural ingredients can generally be added at around 1-3% to Bath Salts, but make sure to heed any warnings or advice that indicates a different usage rate. 

While using a natural aromatic ingredients may be the best choice for some formulators, others may prefer to choose from the wide range of aromas available in the form of Fragrance Oils.  If you are not opposed to using synthetic ingredients, you may find Fragrance Oils to be a great option for scenting your Bath Salts.  Our Cosmetic Grade Fragrance Oils have been specifically designed for use in soap, skin care, and bath products.  They are available in over 300 scents, and are easy to use.  Fragrance Oils can be used at around 2 - 5 % in Bath Salts.  One thing to look for when selecting a Fragrance Oil is whether or not it contains Vanillin.  This substance is used to create vanilla-like Fragrances and can cause browning in products.  If you choose to use a Fragrance Oil containing Vanillin, make sure that you only use colorants that will compliment a brown hue, or your Bath Salts may lose their visual charm later.

Nutritive Additives
Depending on what you wish your bath salt to accomplish, you can choose from a wide range of additives. These kinds of Additives must be added to Bath Salts at a rate suitable to each particular ingredient. 

• CO2 Extracts - These high quality extracts are made from a wide range of herbs and botanicals, many of which are too fragile to survive the steam distillation used to produce Essential Oils.  Many CO2 Extracts have strong aromas, but they are mostly used for their properties. Co2 Extracts can vary wildly in color, scent, and consistency. Make sure to experiment with small amounts before creating large batches of bath salts when using CO2 Extracts, just in case the Extract doesn't turn out to behave how you expected.  Like Essential Oils, CO2 Extracts should be used at around 1-3% in Bath Salts.
• Powdered Herbal Extracts - Powdered Herbal Extracts are usually either water soluble, or water dispersible, making them perfect for Bath Salts. These powders will dissolve or disperse in the bath water along with the salts.  They must be added to recipes depending on the strength of the extract.  The potency of each extract should be denoted in the products name.
• Dried Herbs and Sea Vegetables - Dried Herbs and Sea Vegetables are available in whole, cut, and powdered forms.  These ingredients can add color, subtle aroma, and beneficial properties to your Bath Salts.  However, it should be noted that Dried Herbs and Sea Vegetables will not fully dissolve in bath water.  Keep this in mind when choosing which botanicals to work with and deciding how much to add to your Bath Salts. 
• Clays & Dry Muds - These mineral rich powders can add color and cleansing power to your Bath Salts.  Clays and Muds are rich in toning and detoxifying minerals. They can be layered with your salts or used to coat the salts in a dusty powder.  Usage is up to your own taste, but keep in mind the varying strengths of Clays and Muds when selecting which to use.  Also, only use Clays and Muds that are in dry, powdered form.

Color Additives
Adding a pleasant color and appearance to your Bath Salts is an important part of the finished product. Keep the natural color and appearance of the salt you are working with in mind when selecting a Color Additive.  You can add as little or as much color as you like in order to give your Bath Salts the appearance you desire.

• FD&C Liquid Dyes - These brightly colored, water based, liquid dyes provide the quickest and easiest way to color Bath Salts.  These dyes can be added one drop at a time, giving the formulator plenty of control over the final product.  FD&C Liquid Dyes can also be mixed and matched to create and unique shades of color.  Unlike Bath Salts colored with powdered Color Additives, Salts colored with FD&C Liquid Dyes tend to retain much of their translucent appearance.  It should be noted, though, that these Dyes can bleed into one another when layered, and can lose potency and brightness over time.  Also, please note that FD&C Dyes are available in oil dispersible and powder form.  These products would not be suitable for making Bath Salts.
• Pearlescent Micas - Pearlescent Micas are powdered, mineral based colorants that provide shimmering opaque color to Bath Salts.  Most Pearlescent Micas can be used very scantly to provide intense color.  Start out with 1/8 teaspoon per 1-2 cups of salt, and add more if needed.   Though these Micas will add some color to dry salt, they coat most evenly when added to Bath Salts directly after a wet ingredient, such as Fragrance Oil, or Essential Oil is added.  Most Pearlescent Micas will not fade over time or bleed when added to layered salts, however, some Micas, especially those containing FD&C dye will bleed.  Be sure to experiment with the colors to see how they will behave over long periods.
• Ultramarines & Oxides - Another line of mineral based colorants, Ultramarines & Oxides can be the trickiest of our Color Additives to use.  These powders provide opaque, matte color, and are oil dispersible. To coat salt evenly using an Ultramarine or Oxide you'll need to incorporate some kind of oil.  However, you don't want to make your Bath Salts too slick by adding too much oil.  Try mixing the Ultramarine or Oxide in a small dish with a few drops of Carrier Oil to create a slurry.  Add your chosen Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil to the dish and stir again.  Pour the mixture into your salt and stir well.  This method should provide a fairly even coating of color on your salts, but you may want to experiment to find another method of application that works well for you. Like Micas, you'll only need to use a small amount of Ultramarine or Oxide to color your salts. Start out with 1/8 teaspoon per 1-2 cups of salt, and add more if needed. Be careful not to add too much of your Oxide or Ultramarine colorant, or it can leave the tub rather messy.

Packaging
Once you have created a Bath Salt recipe that you love, you'll need to package it.  Salts can be ruined by humidity in the air so it is important that you choose an airtight container for long term storage of your salts.  It is also important not to underestimate the power of the scents contained in the salts.  Porous materials, such as plastic can wick scents in and out of even the most tightly sealed containers.  Make sure you keep each variety of Bath Salts you create separate.

• Cellophane Bags - Tightly sealed Cello Bags are an attractive, but economic choice for packaging Bath Salts.  Ribbons, tags, or colored twist ties can enhance the appearance of these bags.
• Tin Tie Bags - With or without windows, these lined papr bags make for a beautiful Bath Salt presentation.  These are especially suitable for giving large portions of Bath Salt and look great when packaged with one of our Wooden Scoops.
• Bail Jars - These beautiful glass jars come in both round and square shapes. They hold a hefty amount of salt.  Our Beveled Wooden Scoops look lovely accompanying our Glass Bail Jars.
• PET Jars - These heavy duty, clear plastic jars come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and come with a variety of caps.
• Flint Glass Jars - Available in a wide range of sizes, these sturdy glass jars look gorgeous holding colored salts.

Creating All Natural Body Powders

When I was a child, I had a bad habit of getting into my Mother's stash of skin care and bath products.  She had a special box in the bathroom that was off limits to all kids, but my curiosity got the best of me time and time again.  She had a great variety of fragrant bath goodies and mysterious creams, but my favorite thing to manhandle was her collection of  delicately scented dusting powders.  Each powder was stored in an elaborate case, and included a fancy, ribboned powder puff.  Something about dusting powders just screams femininity to me.  Even as an adult I find myself drawn to the intricately decorated powder boxes that I see in department stores and boutiques.

Aside from being sentimentally endearing, Body Powders can be of great benefit to a natural skin care routine.  Dusting a pleasantly scented powder on your body after a shower or bath can help to keep your skin feeling smooth and silky during humid weather.  Soothing powders such as Oat Starch can help to keep sensitive skin calm and happy all year long.  Body Powders can also help to regulate skin's moisture by absorbing excess oil, and can help reduce friction that can cause heat rashes and irritation which commonly occurs on the legs and arms.

Body Powders are simple to make, and can be composed of a variety of ingredients.  Rice Powder and Oat Starch make great bases since they have a similar texture to talc.  Arrowroot Powder, White Kaolin Clay, and Silk Powders can be added to enhance the texture or properties of a Natural Body Powder.  A small portion of Baking Soda may also be added to contribute a deodorizing quality to your powder.  This is especially helpful for making Foot Powders.  You can also choose to add powdered Herbs to your formulas, but bear in mind that most herbal powders are not ground finely enough to fully blend in with the rest of the powders in the recipe.  This may leave your powder feeling grainy or coarse.  Test small amount of herbal powder recipes before creating large batches to make sure you find the texture to your liking.

To scent your Natural Body Powder, simply add a few drops of Essential Oil or Absolute to a small amount of Rice Powder or Oatstarch.  Jasmine, Rose, or Lavender are some excellent choices.  A blend of Vanilla, Bergamot, and Ylang Ylang would also be wonderful.  Make sure that the Oil is totally dispersed before adding the scented starch to the rest of your batch. Stir the powder well after adding the Essential Oil or Absolute.  Take care not to stir your powder too quickly.  Doing so can cause the powder get into the air and can be dangerous if inhaled.  If you suffer from Asthma, or another respiratory condition, you may want to wear a mask while creating any powder type recipes.

While a box and a powder puff is a luxurious, classic way to package a Body Powder, it is not your only option.  Cardboard Powder Sifters are less messy, and far more convenient than a powder puff.  They are also much easier to find.  However, if you are like me, and have a soft spot for the powder puff, you may enjoy making one at home.  The simple sewing instructions below will help you create a powder puff from scratch.  These make great accessories for Natural Body Powders.

To make your own powder puff you'll need the following supplies:

• 1 8" x 8" swatch of plain Cotton, Terrycloth, or Bamboo Fabric
• 1 8" x 8" swatch of Fleece or another fuzzy textured Fabric
• 1 6" - 8" long piece of Ribbon
• Cotton or Synthetic Batting

Creating a powder puff is easy.  Simply follow the simple sewing instructions below:

• Trace a 6 inch circle onto both pieces of Fabric, then cut them out.
• Sandwich the Ribbon between the two circles and stitch most of the way around the outer edges, leaving about an inch of the circle open.
• Turn the circle inside out and stuff it with batting.
• Using a slip stitch, close the opening on the puff.