Month: September 2010

Active clay face masks are an excellent way to cleanse, exfoliate, tone and condition the skin. They can easily be made by simply mixing the clay with purified water. Essential oils and vegetable oils can also be added for extra properties.French clay (Bentonite) is available in a number of colours which have different properties that help various skin types.

Green is the most absorbing of the clays and is often used for Acne and oily, neglected skin. It is ideal for Poultices.

White clay is good for young and sensitive or mature and delicate skin.

Pink clay has a softening effect which refines the skins texture while toning the epidermis. It is also an excellent hair conditioner.

Red clay is great for dry, sensitive skin. It is high in Iron Oxide which enhances the skin’s condition and appearance.

Yellow clay helps tired neglected skin. It has great revitalising qualities.

For a speedy way to freshen your mouth before heading out the door, add a drop of clove bud or peppermint essential oil to a spoon of cider vinegar, gargle and spit out and you are ready to go!

If you have become tired of chipping away at a huge block of Bees wax each time you need to use a small amount in a recipe, this tip may help:

Melt an amount of wax and measure out the quantity you most often use (e.g 2 teaspoons) into one cube of a flexible ice tray. Then pour the rest of the melted wax into the remaining cubes matching the depth of the first. Pop them out when they are solid and store in a container labelled ‘2 tsp cubes’ ready for future use.

If you like to add texture and interest to soap by adding petals or herbs which compliment the fragrance or essential oil you are using, giving them a long soak in glycerine first and then adding a preservtive such as grapefruit seed extract to the soap mix will keep them looking fresh and colourful.

Borax in Soap can be a great disinfectant. It also softens the water and boosts the soap’s cleaning power.

French Clay is excellent addition to a soap recipe to draw toxins from the skin. Mixing it into your fragrance or essential oil prior to adding it to the soap can also help the scent hold better for a longer lasting smell.