DIY Sudocrem (Nappy Rash Cream)

Today I want to share with you this WONDERFUL recipe for Home Made Nappy Rash Cream that is completely natural and works just as well as our well known Sudocrem, without all the toxic chemicals that could be harsh on the babies' skin. Actually, after checking the toxicity of Sudocrem ingredients I was quite shocked. You can check the toxicity of all the ingredients in your favourite skincare products here.
And what's even better is that the home made version  can be used with cloth nappies and is also way cheaper than the shop bought one. Happy days!

Just compare the ingredients in the two versions.

Sudocrem - Healing Cream
Zinc oxide
Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl Benzoate
Benzyl Cinnamate
Lanolin

Home Made Nappy Rash Cream

Organic, raw unrefined Shea Butter

Organic, raw Coconut Oil
Beeswax
Zinc Powder
Aloe Vera Gel

No comparison, right?? 

Moreover, just like Sudocrem, this cream will work wonders for many skin problems, such as:

1. Napkin rash
2. Eczema
3. Bedsores
4. Acne
5. Minor burns
6. Surface wounds
7. Sunburn
8. Chilblains

HOME MADE NATURAL NAPPY RASH CREAM RECIPE

from  My Merry Messy Life

This blog also has this pretty free printable to download so you can label the jar. I love it!!!
Hopefully you'll love it too.
Enjoy!

DIY Natural Vaseline and Vapor-Rub

Today I am sharing this easy yet so wonderful recipe and try to raise awareness about the toxicity of Petroleum Jelly, or Vaseline, as we call it.
Here is an interesting read to understand what Vaseline is and what effect it has on your skin.

Harmful Effects of Mineral Oil & Petroleum Jelly

By Amy Jensen, eHow Contributor

Petroleum jelly and mineral oil are petroleum-based products, the same substance gasoline is made from. Such products can be harmful to your body, because it cannot eliminate the substance quickly. Petroleum products are constantly being scrutinized and studied.

Mineral oil and petroleum jelly, which are widely used in cosmetics, are made from petroleum, a crude oil substance that comes from the ground yet can be very toxic. Different refining processes transform petroleum into paraffin wax, greases, and plastics. The Vaseline company describes its petroleum jelly product as "a mixture of mineral oils, paraffin and micro crystalline waxes that ... literally melts into skin, flowing into the spaces between cells and the gaps in our lipid barrier. Once there, it re-solidifies, locking itself in place."

Effects
Since petroleum jelly and mineral oil (its liquid equivalent) attach to your cells and are not water soluble, they can be difficult for your body to eliminate, sometimes causing build-up in various organs of the body. The oxygen and nutrients skin needs in order to release toxins and repair itself can be blocked by the "barrier" created by petroleum cosmetics. Petroleum substances can also be listed as "petrolatum" on ingredient labels. Petroleum is not considered safe for ingestion or internal use in large amounts, yet is the base of many lip balms.

Read more: Harmful Effects of Mineral Oil & Petroleum Jelly | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6788183_harmful-mineral-oil-petroleum-jelly.html#ixzz2Qkr73J00

Sometimes i feel discouraged by all the worrying information I get to know about many products I love, but this time it's different, as Vaseline is so easy to replace with this fabulous home made version, and once you try it, you'll never go back to the shop bought one again. It is so soft, so nourishing and moisturising, and you can add to it some vanilla essential oil to make it smell yummy too!

Enjoy!

Homemade Natural Vaseline

Ingredients:

30 gr beeswax (a little more if you want it softer)
120 ml olive oil

Directions:

Mix the ingredients together in a saucepan and heat on a very low heat until the beeswax has melted.

While it's warm, pour into a little jar.

You can simply transform this recipe to make your Natural Vapor-Rub.
Just add

20 drops of Eucalyptus Oil
20 drops Peppermint Oil
10 drops Rosemary Oil

to the mixture before pouring into the jar.

Lavera Basis Sensitive Deodorant Review

Buy it here

Description
Lavera Basis Sensitive Deodorant Roll On with organic calendula and organic aloe vera offers a mild and skin protecting formula that is ideal for people with extemely sensitive skin. Organic Aloe Vera Gel and Organic Witch Hazel gives a lasting freshness all day long. Free from Alcohol and Aluminium.


Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Zinc Oxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Zinc Ricinoleate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water*, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Limonene**, Linalool**, Geraniol**, Citral**, Citronellol**, Benzyl Benzoate**.


* ingredients from certified organic agriculture
** natural essential oils

My opinion

I have been using this deodorant for months now and, although being a bit sceptical at the beginning, I grew to love it. You've got to get over the high expectations and promises of the chemical deodorants, and realise that it is not antiperspirant (antiperspirant deodorants are in fact very harmful on a glandular level) and its effect does not last for days. you might have to reapply it during a particular warm day or in case you are doing physical activity. However this is a small price to pay if you care about your health and its fresh and citrusy scent keeps me fresh all day under normal circumstances. It is so delicate on the skin that I can use it straight after shaving. 

I would highly recommend this product to anyone that is looking for a natural alternative.

Have you used this product? Where you satisfied with it? Please share your thoughts with us.

Home made natural deodorant

It is common knowledge nowadays that deodorants are very harmful and their prolonged use is linked to many different forms of cancer. Here you can read more about it.

I have researched the most dangerous ingredients commonly found in shop bought deodorants so you can satisfy your curiosity. I must warn you it's quite a scary reading.

Aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly or any aluminum compounds. Aluminum is absorbed through the skin and accumulates in the body. It has been suggested that there is an association between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease.

Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl), are all derived from toluene, a toxic petrochemical derivative. Toluene is toxic if swallowed or inhaled. It is also harmful in contact with the skin. There is some evidence that repeated exposure to toluene may cause reproductive harm. Since 2000, 13 research studies have shown that various types of parabens act like oestrogen in animals and in tissue culture. Oestrogen is known to drive the growth of cancerous cells.

Triclosan is a skin irritant and may cause contact dermatitis. It may kill healthy bacteria as well as harmful bacteria. It may contain carcinogenic contaminants. It is stored in body fat and is classified as a pesticide by the FDA.

Talc is classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer if it contains asbestiform fibres. The quantity of asbestiform fibres in cosmetic grade talc is unregulated. If talc is listed on the label, there is no way of knowing whether or not it contains asbestiform fibres.

Propylene glycol absorbs quickly through the skin and is a penetration enhancer. It may cause delayed allergic reactions. NIOSH says propylene glycol is a neurotoxin and may cause kidney or liver damage. The EPA says it’s not fully investigated for carcinogenic potential.

Silica is a skin irritant. It may be contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is a carcinogen.

Steareth-n (n may be any number like say 100), may be vegetable derived but is reacted with ethylene oxide (ethoxylated), a known human carcinogen. 

(Source Dying To Look Good)

Having a teenage son, it is only natural that I felt the necessity to look around for more natural alternatives and buy various branded organic deodorants. Unfortunately, I wasn't always satisfied with my buys, and even less with the cost. This is why I did some research on how to make my own deodorant and I was delighted with this recipe. First of all it is a spray version, which my son loves, and it is so easy to make!
Last but not least it works. Now, obviously this isn't going to be as effective as an antiperspirant deodorant, but, provided that you do take your daily showers, it really works.
If you're not happy with the scent feel free to add in a couple of drops of citrus or peppermint essential oils. You can also experiment and come up with your own personal fragrance.

HOMEMADE SPRAY-ON DEODORANT by One Good Thing By Jillee

Ingredients:

1/2 cup witch hazel
1/4 cup aloe vera gel (or juice)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
10 drops Clary Sage Essential Oil (one of the most effective deodorant essential oils that has a crisp, refreshing scent!)

Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before use.

PS: In my next few posts I will also start reviewing some natural branded deodorants and skin care products, for those of you who don't fancy getting their hands dirty! 

Home made Eczema Cream Recipe

Eczema and Dermatitis are a disorder of the skin in which the skin becomes very dry, irritated and inflamed.
Herbal Creams containing  Coconut, Almond or Neem oil, Oatmeal and Aloe Vera  are the most popular in eczema treatment.Another couple of oils worth of note to if you suffer from skin problems are Avocado oil and Borage oil, both used as a medicinal herb for centuries for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Home made Eczema Cream Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Aloe Vera Gel
1/4 cup Avocado Oil

1/4 cup Borage Oil

2 tbsp finely grounded Oats

Essential Oil of choice *

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients until you reach a smooth and even texture.
Apply 2 to 4 times a day on affected areas.

*Here you can choose the best Essential Oil to suit your type of Eczema

Easy Natural Face Creams - Perfect to detox the skin!

Hi everyone! Hope you all enjoyed the Easter Break. Our skin might be in need of a bit of TLC after all the chocolate we've eaten and the general abuse we've been putting our body through for the past couple of weeks. So why not combine a much needed detox diet with some detox treatments for our skin?
I found these easy home made cream recipes for different skin types that will take no more than 10/15 minutes to make. All recipes are from this Italian blog called "In Modo Naturale", managed by Ms Silvia Pepe, an Italian writer/entrepreneuse (and friend), who's also a committed vegan, so you can be sure all the ingredients needed are the best and most natural you can think of.

Here's the link to Ms Pepe's blog In Modo Naturale, and to follow is the translation of her recipes for those of you who don't speak the lingo.

Enjoy!

MOISTURISING CREAM
Great moisturising cream to be used both in the morning and in the evening.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp rosehip oil*
3 tbsp distilled water
2 tsp grated vegetable wax
Directions:

Mix the oil and wax in a pot on low heat until you reach a smooth and even texture. Turn off the heat and keep stirring quickly for a couple of minutes. Add the water while stirring. Leave to rest for another couple of minutes and pour in the jars.
Keep stored in the fridge.

ANTI WRINKLE EYE CREAM
Excellent for mature skin.

Ingredients:
2 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp coconut oil*
3 tsp safflower or rosehip oil
2 tbsp grated vegetable wax
5 tbsp rose water
10 drops rose essential oil
Directions:
In a double boiler place the wax and the oil and mix until you reach a even and smooth texture. Turn off the heat and add the water and essential oil. Leave to rest for a couple of minutes and pour into the jars.
Keep stored in the fridge.

CREAM FOR DRY SKIN
For very dry or dehydrated skin

Ingredients:
80 ml distilled water
1/2 cup sesame oil*
2 tsp vitamin E oil
2 tbsp grated vegetable wax
3 drops grapefruit essential oil
Directions:
With an electric blender mix the oils and the wax. Pour the mixture into a pot and cook on a low heat. In the meanwhile mix the water and the essential oil, stirring well, and pour into the pot. Keep stirring for a couple of minutes, then pour into the jars.
Keep stored in the fridge.

GINGER FACE CREAM
Soothing and calming cream for very dry skin

Ingredients:
20 gr fresh ginger
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp almond oil*
2 tsp vitamin E oil
1/2 cup coconut oil
Directions:
With a juicer, squeeze the ginger and mix the juice to all the other ingredients in a double boiler. Stir well until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Pour into the jars and store in the refrigerator. 

Photo: Andreas Issleib

ALOE FACE CREAM
For all skin types, packed with all the amazing properties of Aloe

Ingredients:
100 ml distilled water
200 ml aloe gel
200 ml almond oil*
100 ml coconut oil*
2 tbsp grated vegetable wax
Directions:
In a cup, mix the water and the aloe stirring well.

Meanwhile, mix the wax and the oil in a double boiler, on a low heat.
Mix the 2 compounds with an electric blender on a low speed for 3 minutes. 

Pour the cream into the jars and keep stored in the refrigerator.

TEA TREE FACE CREAM

Perfect for oily skin, very effective against acne.

Ingredients:
4 tbsp hazelnut oil*
2 tbsp grated vegetable wax
1/2 cup green tea
2 tbsp aloe vera juice
5 drops Tea tree
Directions:
In a double boiler mix the wax and the oil. Turn off the heat and add the aloe and the green tea stirring well. Add the essential oil. Store in the refrigerator.

* If you suffer from Nut Allergy you can substitute these ingredients with Olive Oil or Jojoba Oil.