Natural Soap Versus Regular Soap

Soap is one of the oldest and most popular human cleansing products in the world. Over the years, the manufacturing of soap has undergone many changes which now allow consumers to have a much better choice in what they use to clean themselves. Two soap products available on the market are regular soap and natural soap.

Regular Soap

Although we refer to them as soaps, regular soap is really a form of detergent. Products that are identified as detergents contain such ingredients as petroleum by products. Regular soap is created using mass product manufacturing methods. The ingredients can include: DEA, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, BHT, Triclosan, Alkali, and sodium tallowate. These chemicals can be source of skin irritation that can result in dry, itchy, and flaky skin. As well, sodium tallowate is a by product of beef fat.

Other unhealthy ingredients that can be found in regular soaps include: aluminum, formaldehyde, butyl, ethyl, methyl, and propyl parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, synthetic colorants, synthetic fragrances, and toluene. Continual use of chemical loaded products will cause the body to store the chemicals in the body fat. With enough buildup of toxins in the body, illness such as cancer can occur.
Natural Soap
With the increase in research studies showing the harmful effects of chemicals in our products, natural soap is becoming a more popular choice for many consumers. Natural soaps are normally made with ingredients as natural botanical oils such as palm, coconut, jojoba, and olive oil. They are all-natural so they do not contain any chemicals or additives. Quality natural soaps are made without animal products and are cruelty-free. Oatmeal, almonds, and various plant extracts are commonly found in natural soaps.

Studies have shown important health benefits of using natural soap. This type of soap is very mild and can relieve such conditions as psoriasis, eczema, as well as being very gentle on people with sensitive skin. Natural fragrance soap promotes relaxation and stress relief. As well, another beneficial ingredient that can be found in natural soaps is Bentonite clay. Bentonite clay binds with and removes toxins from the body. It also helps increase soap lather.

Natural soap does not remove the skin’s natural oils. These soaps are processed at cool temperatures so that all of the natural ingredients remain intact, and as a result, the user receives all of the healthy properties. The skin is nourished and revitalized leaving a soft and smooth texture.

There are a number of natural soaps that can be used on both the face and body. There are natural soaps that contain ingredients specifically for anti-aging treatment and other conditions that require natural healing properties. Natural soap is an easy to acquire and affordable indulgence that will cultivate a pampered feeling.

The skin is the largest protective organ of the body. It is important that we take care of it by implementing a daily skin care heath routine. Using natural soaps is one way to ensure soft, health, and shiny skin.

The History Of Soap Making

I run across people all the time that ask questions about the lye in our handmade soaps. Some come away with a new understanding of soap making, others just turn up their nose.

Lye is essential to the art of soap making. It has been used for literally thousands of years to make various kinds of soap across every continent. Handmade soap has its origins in ancient history.

Although it is believed by many that soap’s history actually began around 2800 B.C. in Babylonia (where historians found a barrel containing a soap-like substance), undeniable proof of soap’s existence was first provided by a Mesopotamian clay tablet dating back to 2200 B.C. with an actual soap recipe inscribed on it. The ancient soap making technique described mixing potash and oils to form a cleansing agent.

It’s almost a given that Egyptians would also make some type of soap or cleanser. Egyptian manuscripts describe a substance created by combining animal fats and vegetable oils to create a soap-like base. The documents from approximately 1500 B.C. go on to explain another type of soap that is used in the production of wool.

Around 200 A.D. the ancient Greeks were said to have used an ash mixture to clean their statues and pots. The Gauls and Romans also made soap with animal fat, beech tree ashes and Goat’s Milk. The goat’s milk seems to have been their favorite, and I can understand why! They made both hard and soft soap products.

Today, soap is made from vegetable or animal fats and an alkali. In the past however, people made their own soap from animal tallow and wood ashes. Regardless of who first created the concoction, it was undoubtedly used in Rome. This is an established fact because a soapmaker’s shop was discovered within the rubble of Pompeii after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The Romans often used soap as a cosmetic. It was quite popular with the ladies, for they used it to dye their hair red. Plant extracts were probably used to acquire this color.

By 600 A.D. soap making guilds were formed and the modern formula for the soap that we use today was created.

The Hebrews used a salt base when creating their cleanser. This salt, used in a similar manner by many ancient cultures, could be found quite easily in their local lakes. They used the salt to create the alkali called for in the recipes.

By the eighth century, it is documented that there were soap factories in Italy and Spain. It was not until the twelfth or thirteenth century that this industry was embraced by France. France then passed on the tradition to England. The French made their soaps almost exclusively from olive oil, while the English delved into many different kinds of soap.

The Industrial Revolution forever changed the commercial production of soap. People stopped making it at home and started buying it from a catalog or store. Although, poor people did still make their own soap from wood ash and animal fats.

Today, lye is a product on the “hit list” because it is used in methanphetamine production. You can’t just buy it at the store like we did 30 years ago. It must be ordered or bought from a supplier with plenty of paperwork to go along with it! But, it’s still possible to make your own inexpensive and all-natural soap at home. You can make it from scratch with lye and soybean, coconut or olive oils, or you can order a rebatching base from a reputable supplier.

Either way, natural glyercin soaps are the way to go! Commercial soaps are more detergent than moisturizer these days. Vegan or at the very least, all natural, ingredients are best. Make your own soap or buy from soap-makers like me — and be kind to your skin!

http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com

The Magic in Goat Milk

Goat milk, unlike any other type of milk, has great medicinal and therapeutic characteristics and has been known to aid/cure skin problems, assist respiratory and digestive processes in infants and promote all around good nutrition in humans.

The Differences between Goat Milk to Cow Milk

Goat milk as a food source is naturally homogenized unlike cow milk, due to its smooth texture, which makes it easy to absorb in the body and digest. Goat milk contains more vitamins A and B than cow milk although both types of milk have the same levels of vitamins C, D, Iron, Protein and Fat. Goat milk contains less lactose than cow milk.

Digestive, Respiratory and other Medicinal Properties

The molecular structure in the fatty acid and protein in goat milk is shorter, unlike cow milk globules, which are big and separate on the surface rendering them hard to digest. Goat milk molecules break down faster and are easier on the human digestive system. This is extremely beneficial to infants who have symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and even colic. Goat milk has been known to treat allergies in both infants and adults. In some cases, goat milk has also been found aiding respiratory difficulties in infants with Cystic Fibrosis and children with epilepsy. Goat milk can help in minimizing cholesterol deposits in the arteries as well as improve mineralization of the skeleton, balancing mineral and hemoglobin levels in the blood and increase blood serum vitamins.

Skin

Goat milk is probably most well known for its therapeutic qualities to the skin. It moisturizes and balances the skin PH. This is because goat milk has the same level of acidity as our skin; hence, it prevents harmful bacteria from forming. Goat milk can greatly aid in healing cases of acne, eczema and dermatitis.

Summary

By regularly using goat milk in our soap, we assist our skin in retaining health and vitality. As the PH level is balanced, the skin is continually nourished and moisturized.

Goat milk is applied to the soap making process by adding fresh goat milk or goat milk in powder-form during the cold process, or a goat milk glycerin base during the melt and pour process. Goat milk has remarkable qualities, which we can all benefit from.

Effortless To Make Soap Recipes

If you begin by using the proper soap recipes, soap making can be an exhilarating hobby. A lot of people are turned off simply because they think that it is actually hard to make soap, but it is often quite straightforward. Resulting from a recent rise in ready-made melt and pour soap making kits appearing on the craft market, soap making has become more popular. With a soap kit, you can very easily create colorful soaps with exceptional herbal ingredients and fragrances.

Short history of soap-making

Babylonians and Phoenicians from age-old history found it necessary to create their own soaps. They discovered soap by accident when ash and fat drippings that were left in the fire got wet and produced a foamy substance. Ancient folks discovered that when the combination of animal fat and ashes went into the cooking vessel, the foamy substance it formed made it less difficult for them to wash pans.

As time passed, people started to realize fat and ash as the main ingredients to soap. It wasn’t until the Romans began to investigate different recipes for soap and created factories that made soap that soap became widely used everywhere.

Well known homemade soap recipes

It doesn’t matter if you are eager to make soap as a hobby or if you are attempting to make gifts for individuals, you will have to get familiar yourself with a few soap recipes for decorative and fragrant hand soaps. After you have mastered some easy melt and pour soap-making procedures, you can easily create your very own set of handmade soaps.

Hemp Glycerin Soap Recipes

This recipe makes a soap that is somewhat clear, and it is abundant with hemp oil. Hemp oil includes enzymes, essential fatty acids and Vitamins E, D and A. Alcohol-free hemp blocks with 20% glycerin are best for designing mild hand soaps for sensitive skin types. By melting slabs of hemp glycerin and pouring them into a mould, you can very easily create a glycerin-rich soap that can keep your skin smooth and silky.

Transparent glycerin soaps

It does not matter if you are only beginning, or a soap making specialist, this recipe is perfect no matter what your skill level is. They’re see-through and they have low shrinkage qualities. You can very easily add color and fragrance to the mix, and they are a fantastic soap to use every day.

These see-through soaps are furthermore excellent for creating soaps in a number of layers. No matter whether you want to create soap bars for your every day use or a set of hand or body soaps as a gift, a clear glycerin soap recipe will be ideal for you.

Important soap ingredients

The two most evident ingredients when it comes to producing soap is color and smell. In the melt and pour method, you can without difficulty add any aroma you want by making use of specific fragrance oils. All you really need to do is to pour .25 ounces of fragrance oil for every pound of soap base.

You can easily additionally add inspiring colors to soaps by blending one-eighth teaspoon of mica with melting soap base. Then all you need to do isinclude food coloring a drop at a time until you have the desirable color.

After trial and error with these melt and pour soap recipes, you will recognize how enjoyable and innovative soap-making can be.

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What Can You Make With Goat’s Milk?

I am often asked, What can you make with Goat’s Milk besides soap and lotion? Well, almost anything that you would make with regular cow’s milk can be made with goat’s milk: cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, etc. You can also add it in liquid or powdered form to recipes for everything to fudge to soap to skin cream!

After several people asked us this question, I began to search the internet. We scoured the local stores — country stores, farm markets, etc. We picked the brains of dairy goat keepers. We found lots of cheese recipes, and tons of other stuff. You can make Mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, cultures for cheese making, goat’s milk fudge, and more. We’ve even found a few recipes of other dairy goat keepers online. Most goat dairys will sell goat milk, goat milk butter, and several varieties of goat cheeses.

You can substitute Goat Milk products in any of your favorite recipes that call for milk. If you are interested in making your own goat milk cheese, ice cream or yogurt, be sure to see a few of our recipes below or you can do a google search for your own.
Like most milk products, goat milk can be frozen. Canned or reconstituted powdered goat milk should be frozen in plastic or glass containers allowing enough room at the top for expansion. It is recommended that you thaw your frozen milk in the refrigerator and use it within seven (7) days after being defrosted. To maintain good flavor, do not freeze goat milk for more than two months. Goat Milk Butter may be frozen for 6 months. We do not recommend freezing quality goat cheeses. (Don’t freeze cow’s milk cheese either; if you’ve tried it, then you know why they say not to freeze it!)

Here are some favorite recipes, but we are always looking for more delicious ways to serve goat milk products. Please feel free to send us your family’s favorite recipes!

These dishes are for all goat milk lovers and may call for ingredients such as eggs, nuts, or cow butter and cheese, to which some people may be sensitive. Adjust recipes by substituting egg replacers, margarine or goat cheeses as necessary.

Remember, you can substitute Goat Milk in any of your favorite recipes that call for milk!

Simple Soft Cheese: This is an easy recipe that only requires 1/2 gallon raw goat milk, the strained juice of 2 medium lemons, a thermometer capable of the 180-200°F range, some “cheesecloth” (many cotton cloths will work for straining), and some coarse salt (kosher or sea salt). (This recipe will not work well with pasteurized milk).

Heat milk on medium heat (in a stainless steel pot) to 185°F

Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice

Stir for several minutes until milk has curdled

Add 1/2 tablespoon of coarse salt (optional)

Pour milk through cheesecloth

Wrap curds in cheesecloth and hang (using a rubber band works well) in the refrigerator to drain

Drain for 4-8 hours, depending on how dry you want the curds

Scrape curds off cloth into bowl and stir.

That’s all there is to it! Use on toast, in salads, with pancakes – whatever you wish. Experiment using herbs (added at the end when you stir the cheese). For larger curds, heat the milk well into the 190′s before curdling. Experiment with curdling temperature and drying time to get the cheese that meets your needs.
Cajeta (Mexican Caramel Candy)
3 quarts goat milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 cups sugar
¼ teaspoon baking soda
Dissolve baking soda and cornstarch into 1 cup milk. Stir well to dissolve any lumps. Add rest of milk and add sugar. Bring mixture to boil, stirring constantly while cooking. Cook until the mixture is thick and looks like caramel sauce. Pour into jars, cool, and refrigerate. This makes a great topping for ice cream and makes a delicious apple dip!
Fudge
3 cups sugar
2/3 cup goat milk
3/4 cup margarine
6 oz. chocolate chips
7 oz. marshmallow creme
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
Combine sugar, milk and margarine in heavy quart sauce pan. Stirring constantly, bring to full rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue boiling five minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted. Add marshmallow creme and vanilla, beating until well-blended. Pour into greased 9 X 13 pan. Cool at room temperature. You can also add nuts, if you wish. Enjoy!!!
Fias Co Farms has some great recipes for goat’s milk dishes:
http://fiascofarm.com/recipes/index.html

Meyenberg.com is a another great resource for Goat’s Milk and info about Goat’s Milk. These are a few of their famous recipes!

Famous Chocolate Fudge –Goat Milk Flan –Whipped Cream– Pumpkin Pie –Tuscan Orzo– Peanut Butter Fudge –Creamy Marshmallow Fudge –Chick Brick–Fudge Pecan Pie –Rosemary Scented Savory Muffins –Goat Milk Cheese –Goat Milk Yogurt –Goat Milk Ice Cream –Ambrose Vanilla Goat Milk Ice Cream –Asparagus – Tuna Noodle Casserole –Baked Cup Custard –Banana Milk Shake –Vanilla Custard Ice Cream
 Thank you!  http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com

How To Fight The Signs Of Aging Skin – 7 Habits To Stop Today!

Our lifestyle choices contribute every day to aging our skin.  This means that most of the lines on our faces are our own fault!  Read on to find out what you can do about it to reduce and possibly eliminate the factors contributing to your fine lines and wrinkles! While moisturizers, lotions and facials can help to keep our skin looking young, what you do on the INSIDE is just as important as what you do on the OUTSIDE. 

Many of the external causes of aging skin are determined by the health and lifestyle decisions we make every day.   Some of how we look is in our genes, the rest is up to us.  Making unhealthy choices can cause prematurely aging skin, and this makes us look older much faster.  Bottom line: the result is more wrinkles, puffiness and fine lines than Mother Nature can correct for us.  An important part of any anti-aging skin care regimen is to know what you may be doing that is harming your skin and accelerating the skin’s aging process.

Here are 7 habits that contribute to aging skin, making you look older than your years:

Cigarette smoke: STOP SMOKING AND STAY AWAY FROM THOSE WHO DO. Whether you smoke, or you spend time with a smoker, cigarette smoke is damaging and detiorating to your skin. Research has shown that exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases skin wrinkles, discoloration and dryness. This is partly due to the smoking itself, and also because cigarette smoke depletes your body of Vitamin C, which is a key ingredient for keeping skin plump and moist.  Smoke carries horribly toxic chemicals into the air and into your body.  Your skin cells don’t stand a chance!  Some researchers believe that exposure to cigarette smoke (whether you smoke or the one you live/work with does the smoking) is as damaging to aging skin as exposure UVB and UVA rays.

Sun exposure: WEAR SUNSCREEN AND COVER UP. Sun exposure is very aging to skin. Unprotected skin that is exposed to the sun becomes more mottled in appearance. Freckles can turn into brown sun spots.  The skin takes on a dry, leathery appearance, and wrinkles and sagging increase. The risk of skin cancer is significantly increased by sun exposure. The good news is that sun damage is avoidable, and if you start now, you can improve the condition of sun damaged skin. See your health care provider to assess the amount of sun damage you may have, and to rule out possible skin cancers. He or she may be able to prescribe medication that can help to reduce existing sun damage. If you want to avoid aging skin but don’t want to avoid the sun, make sure you use sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Choose sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher, and use it all year-round, even on cloudy days. Clouds do not protect you from ultraviolet ray exposure.  Ladies, try a foundation with an SPF of 10-15, as well as lip balms with the same.

Lack of exercise: GET MOVING! Living a sedentary life contributes to aging skin, because exercise helps to tone your muscles and get your blood flowing. Exercise should be an important part of every anti-aging skin care program. Researchers have also discovered that sedentary older adults are at higher risk for dementia, blood pressure problems and diabetes. In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, the benefits of a regular exercise program will show on your face. Having a bright smile and lots of energy will help you look and feel younger, at any age.   10 minutes a day of light to moderate exercise can significantly improve mood and increase blood flow.  (PS  Love making is a form of exercise! And so is light housework!) 

Exposure to cold weather: STAY OUT OF THE COLD; MOISTURIZE. Cold winds and low temperatures contribute to aging skin by making skin dry, so if you venture out in the cold be sure to use a good moisturizer. It’s important to use moisturizer indoors too, as heated rooms can be very drying to skin. Consider using a humidifier to help keep your skin more comfortable and reduce the aging skin effects of heated rooms.  Allow your shower to humdify the bedroom and even setting a small pot of water on the stove in winter (keeping a close eye on it so it doesn’t run dry, set it on low) is a good deterrent for the winter “itchies”.

Alcohol use: STOP DRINKING. Alcohol contributes to aging skin by dilating small blood vessels in the skin and increasing blood flow near the skin’s surface. Over time, these blood vessels can become permanently damaged, creating a flushed appearance and broken vessels on the skin’s surface.  One or two drinks a week (of wine) have a health benefit, but just remember — all things in moderation!  (Also, the bar is full of cigarrete smoke, so stay away if you can. See tip #1.)

Stress: CHILL OUT. Maybe you’ve heard this expression: “Don’t frown, your face could stay that way.” Stress and worry cause frowning, and over time the muscles in the face actually conform to that movement.  The lines in your face will be etched into a perpetual frown.  Rather, to help reduce aging skin due to stress, be aware of your stress level and try to vary your facial expressions during the day.  Smile at your co-workers, laugh at a good joke.  A good anti-aging skin care program should include meditation, yoga, gentle exercise or other relaxation techniques. Keeping stress in check — and frown lines and aging skin wrinkles to a minimum — will help you look and feel younger.

Lack of sleep: GO TO BED EARLIER. Too little sleep makes you look and feel tired. One of the first places lack up sleep shows up is on the face, with dark circles and bags under the eyes, and sagging skin. Lack of sleep is also a major factor in memory loss and symptoms of depression that include low interest in daily activities and negative thinking. Research has shown that most adults function best with 8-9 hours of sleep each night. Reduce caffeine during the day (with none in the evening after 5 pm), avoid eating at least 2 hours before bedtime, and maintain a sleep routine that includes going to bed at the same time each night.  If you are having trouble sleeping, for any reason, it’s important to see your health care provider.

While some signs of aging skin are inevitable, there’s a lot you can do to look your best at any age. Taking good care of yourself is the most important step in your anti-aging skin care program.  For more advice and free recipes to moisturize and fight the signs of aging with our goat milk soaps and lotions:  visit us at http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com .  Thank you and God Bless You.

1 John 4:7

Your Skin Will Love You Using Pure and Natural Soap

I, among many of us, have used a leading brand baby soap on my children for some time thinking that it was perfect for them, but I was terribly wrong! I was introduced to Pure and Natural Soap a few months ago and since I have changed I will never use anything again.

Our daughter who is 2 years old has had cradle cap since birth. It is a condition that she has always had and although it is not bad enough to get medication it was still something that I wanted to clear up. I just couldn’t understand why she was getting it. Since changing to Pure and Natural Soap her cradle cap is gone…and I mean gone! Pure and Natural Soap is truly remarkable.

Our son, who is 6 months old, also seemed to react very negatively to the leading brand baby soap and many kinds of lotions, trust me I tried them all. He broke out in a very nasty rash all over his body especially his face. He also had really red, dry, wrinkly cheeks from drooling and I am sure our Cold Canadian winters didn’t help the matter much. But, of course, once changing to Pure and Natural Soap and Lotion his rash and his dry skin cleared right up. Pure and Natural Soap made his skin finally looked just as a babies should…silky and smooth.

Both our son and our daughter have always had rough feeling skin. It just never had the soft feeling that babies skin should be all about. I never realized that it was because of the soap I was using. The change in their skin was truly incredible once I started to use Pure and Natural Soap. It made their skin so moisturized and healthy and this was all due to using Pure and Natural Soap.

Last but not least, the smell of Pure and Natural Soap is amazing!! Who knew soap and lotion could smell so sweet and yummy! Every time I put Pure and Natural Soap on my kids I just want to eat them up.

The three products including Pure and Natural Soap that I use religiously are:

Pure and Natural Soap

A pure, Pure and Natural Soap is a tear-free formula that combines Coconut and Sunflower Oils with Soy Protein to gently clean and moisturize their skin. Pure and Natural Soap is made from only the finest ingredients of Water, decyl & lauryl glucosides (natural coconut oil, corn starch & sugar soap blend), coco betaine (coconut oil moisturizer), soy protein, coco-glucoside & glyceryl oleate (natural sunflower & coconut oil soap blend), sucrose laurate (sugar ester), vegetable glycerin, betaine (sugar beet), glucose (sugar), fragrance, orange oil, anise oil, lemon oil, vanilla extract, clove oil, xanthan gum (natural thickener), glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (natural thickener).

Organic Natural Baby Buttermilk Soap

Both babies and some adults have sensitive skin and Pure and Natural Soap can be used daily on your face and all over your body. This Pure and Natural Soap is vegetable-based soap which contains buttermilk to naturally soothe and cleanse the skin, while honey naturally moisturizes. Made from vegetable soap base, glycerin, honey, buttermilk powder, oatmeal flour, fragrance.

Organic Natural Baby Buttermilk Lotion

This superior, pure lotion is enriched with aloe vera, buttermilk and vitamin E. Perfect for all-over hand and body use, this lightweight lotion absorbs quickly yet provides long-lasting moisture and protection. Formulated for baby’s sensitive skin and sensitive skin of all ages. Made from filtered water, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, vegetable glycerin, stearic acid (vegetable fat), beeswax, fragrance, glucose, orange wax, tocopheryl acetate & tocopherol (vitamin E), aloe barbadensis leaf juice, buttermilk powder, rosemary leaf oil, sodium borate (natural borax), xanthan gum (natural thickener), glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (natural enzymes), sucrose stearate (sugar emulsifier).

Organic Natural Baby Skin Cream

Perfect for delicate faces and body skin too. Aloe Vera, vitamin E and beeswax guarantee soothing relief to the diaper area. Made from Sweet almond oil, water, beeswax, aloe barbadensis gel, kaolin (natural clay), grapefruit seed extract, carrageenan extract (Irish moss), fragrance, sodium borate (natural borax), glucose, glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (sugar & natural enzymes), tocopherol (vitamin E).

I honestly cannot say enough about Pure and Natural Soap. I feel good everyday using such gentle Pure and Natural Soap and Lotion. The changes that I have seen in my children’s skin is remarkable and I only wish I had known about Pure and Natural Soap earlier.

Skin Care On The Cheap, Easy Recipes For Younger Looking Skin

Aging Skin Fighter Recipes

Fight back against aging skin! Try these recipes!  Everything you need to treat your dry skin and fine lines is right in your kitchen.  Remember, if you are allergic to any of these ingredients, don’t try this at home!  But, with a few minutes in the kitchen, you can save 0′s or even ,000′s at the store on beauty aids and puffy eye treatments.  The natural, healing things our great-grandmothers used are sometimes the best rememdy.  Get back to the basics!

Aging Skin Fighter: 2 teaspoons plain yogurt 1/2 teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 3 capsules vitamin E (equivalent of 300 units)

Combine yogurt, honey and lemon juice. Prick open the vitamin E capsules and
fold contents into the mix. Leave on skin for 15 minutes.

Bags Under Eyes Remedy: Brew a cup of strong rose-hip tea. Soak two cotton pads in it, and lie down with the pads over your eyes. This reduces swelling, refreshes and tightens the skin.

Eye Puffiness Easer: 2 teaspoons grated raw potato (no skin) 1 teaspoon moisturizer (without urea)

Mix well, then apply around the eyes. Cover with cool, damp cotton or gauze for
10 to 15 minutes.

Dry Skin Facial: 1 tablespoon dry oatmeal 1/2 mashed ripe banana 2 ounces plain
yogurt

Cleanse face, steam, splash with cool water and pat dry. Massage with the dry
oatmeal. Rinse off. Then apply a mask made by mixing yogurt and banana; spread
evenly on face. Leave on for 20 minutes; rinse off.

Dry Skin Mask: Mix 1 tsp. of butter in 1 teaspoon of water. Apply it thoroughly into all the dry areas and leave for 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water,

Banana Mask for wrinkles:  Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy and apply on face and leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.

Avocado Facial Mask:  Mash the meat of the avocado into a creamy texture. Apply it thoroughly on face and leave for 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.

Cucumber Face Pack to get Smooth Skin:  Mash 1 whole cucumber, strain water, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and mix well. Put in a container,l keep refrigerated and take out whenever you want to use it. Apply on your face and leave for 10 minutes, then wash with cold water and enjoy the smoothness of your skin.You can try on it on other parts of body as a scrub. Test an area first!

Grape Cleanser : Split 2-3 grapes and rub the flesh over face and neck. Rinse with cool water.

See our other article in the Articles Base that also have easy and free recipes for dry hair and healthy skin!

Please check out our natural and handmade goat milk soaps, lotions and foot creams to aid in your fight against aging. 

http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com

2008 JRV

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Soap Making Ingredients – Keeping It Healthy

It is believed that soap probably had its origins in sap from different plants. These were referred to as soap plants and one could take the roots of the plant, crush them in water and the result would be a rich lather. These plants still exist today but are no longer used in their raw form.

Plants that fell into the category of soap plants were soap bark, soap wort and a plant that was called soap berry. All of these plants would produce a foam that could also be used as a lather. In ancient times these plants were also used to catch fish as the lather could immobilize them, thereby making them easier to catch.

Much later people found that certain fats could react when combined with the alkalies found in the ashes of burned wood. It would cause the fat to saponify different compounds such as sodium sterate as well as potassium sterate.

In todays world soap is now made from a combination of fats and oils that interact with lye. Oils such as coconut, palm, tallow or rendered beef and lard which is rendered fat from pork are commonly used in bar soap and are normally hard soaps that do not dissolve easily in water.

Castile soaps are mainly made using olive oil, normally the purest you can find, and yields a soap that is known for being very mild and soft on your skin. This is a favorite soap for many because of its healing properties for your skin.

There is also a process in soap making that is called super fatting. Once the interaction with lye is complete the soap tends to have some fat remaining. This soap is normally easier to cut and feels very smooth on your skin. The lye is completely burned off and none remains that could cause any kind of irritation to the skin of the user. This type of soap is also very low in alkaline.

Glycerin is also another popular ingredient in soap making and many will use it to make transparent soaps. Glycerin is also one of the main ingredients that you rarely find in commercial soaps as it is usually removed. This is one reason that commercially bought soaps are so hard on your skin and often contribute to skin dryness.

Soaps that are sold commercially usually contain ingredients such as sodium tallowate, sodium palmate and a number of other ingredients that are not naturally produced. This is one of the main reasons that people prefer to buy homemade soaps as they realize the health value of using these soaps as well as the value to their skin.

People also like to buy natural soaps as not only do they like to use them to bath with but in many cases the soaps are great as a shampoo. Naturally made soaps will not contain harmful ingredients and harsh chemicals.

One of the fun soap ingredients is using essential oils. People love to use them separately for a pure scent as well as combining them to make a combination of scents. Soap makers love to experiment with essentials oils and it helps to lend a certain amount of creativity to the soap making process.

Another soap making ingredient that people love to work with is different colors that are produced from many different sources. From Crayola crayons to pigments from different plants the choices are endless.

But in the end, the great thing about soap is that these use basic ingredients, naturally produced and much healthier for the person using them or purchasing them.

For more information on soap making ingredients visit our website Soap Making Made Easy and read about the many choices that are available to soap makers today.

Why Use Natural Soap, Is it Really Better For You?

In order to maintain a youthful appearance, a good natural soap is essential.  These treatments smooth out and tighten the skin.  In doing so, fine lines, wrinkles, and even sagging skin are less noticeable.  Without these telltale signs of aging, it is easier to show our most confident selves and, in doing so, are able to lead the happiest, fullest life possible.  Everyone knows men are attracted to both beauty and confidence.  However, when you are unhappy with your appearance, you run the risk of this self-consciousness affecting your relationship.  Sad but true, your disposition might even cause your man to start looking elsewhere.

However, a good natural soap can reverse and prevent the unattractive wrinkles and sagging that come with age.  The improvement that they can make will undoubtedly work wonders on your self-esteem and will allow you to show your best self to the world.  It is no longer just a cosmetic issue if your aging skin is affecting your life and relationships.  When you feel better, you look better, and vice versa.  Therefore, it only makes sense to take advantage of some of the new, advanced products that are now available.

In a time when cosmetic surgery and procedures, like Botox, are so prevalent, it seems almost absurd that a skin soap can work as effectively.  But with all of the recent scientific and technological advances, some of these creams can produce results that are just as good, if not better, than even the most extreme procedures.  Some of the progress that is currently being incorporated to firming products comes from studying the foods that we eat.  Nutrition plays a large role in skin health and because of this, many researchers are learning more about the effect that different nutrients have when being applied to the skin.  Therefore, the healthy foods that keep you feeling younger can now keep you looking younger as well.

Other than giving your cells the proper nutrition, new improvements in anti-aging treatments now make it possible to replace collagen and elastin.  These two elements are plentiful in young skin but reduce with age.  Also, a good natural soap should only contain ingredients that are beneficial to your skin.  I know it seems crazy, but there are some products out there that can actually make your face appear older.  Why they continue to use these ingredients I will never know.  But by leaving out the harmful chemicals and adding in the beneficial nutrients, these new creams can leave you with a natural, fresh-looking face.

How to Remove Eczema and Itchy, Dry Skin Naturally

How to remove eczema and dry, itchy skin is not easy but it can be done successfully.  Knowing the causes and treatment that works is what this article is about.  Your skin can be healed with a new, fresh look IF you use the right natural skin care ingredients.  I will let you know what to do.

Eczema Symptoms

Your symptoms may also include redness, swelling, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding.  Bleeding is often a result of scratching or abrading by washing too hard or rubbing dry rather than patting. 

Causes of Eczema

The causes of eczema are various.  It is a broad term used to describe a number of different conditions.  Some of which arise from underlying health problems, such as lymphoma.  If it’s not winter and you have not been exposed to an allergen or irritant, then you probably have “atopic eczema”.

Traditional Chinese practitioners have been able to successfully and permanently resolve the condition by treating it as a symptom of underlying ill health.  Many natural health experts feel that the cause of eczema and other allergic reactions is poor nutrient intake, which would of course result in underlying ill health.

Below, you will see recommended “self-help” tips for cleansing, eating, supplementing and moisturizing.  These combined with avoiding irritating clothing made from rough or unnatural fibers should help you remove eczema and get rid of itchy skin for good.

Cleansing

In order to heal and remove eczema, you must not use detergents.  In fact, you should only use a cleanser when water alone is not enough to wash away the dirt.  Over cleansing is the most common cause of itchy skin, especially in Western cultures, where people often shower two or three times a day.  Don’t buy any cleanser that contains sodium lauryl sulfate or irritating petrochemicals.  Super-fatted goat milk soap is the best choice.
 
Eating

Recent studies indicate that food allergies may be a factor, but testing for food allergies is difficult.  People with eczema respond to practically all allergens in a patch test.  It may be possible for you to remove eczema, without subjection yourself to patch testing by keeping a food diary and identifying triggers.  Some common triggers that tend to cause itchy skin and other conditions include eggs, nuts, and wheat, sweet corn, coffee and dairy products. 

One way to see if any of these foods are giving you trouble is to eliminate all of them from your diet.  Then wait 1-2 weeks while your system clears out any “residue” from these foods.  Then re-introduce one food at a time for at 1 week; watch how you respond.  Get going until one rears its ugly head.  This will take patience but it could be an inexpensive way to find out what is bothering you.
  
Supplementing

Trying to identify food triggers necessitates the use of supplements to prevent nutrient deficits.  Some studies indicate that an omega 3 supplement is particularly beneficial to help remove eczema and calm itchy skin.  
  
Allergic reactions are basically caused by an overactive immune system.  Specific nutrients are beneficial for modulating inflammation, the immune system response responsible for eczema and other types of dermatitis.  Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, have anti-inflammatory activity.  The brand with the most anti-inflammatory activity, according to scientific analysis, is Omega 3/DHA Fish oil. I mention on my website, listed below, where I get the one I use daily.

Moisturizing

There is no doubt that an effective moisturizer is absolutely essential for itchy skin, but most of the so-called moisturizers on the market do not actually contain moisturizing ingredients.  Avoid products that contain petrolatum or mineral oil.  Look for a body lotion that contains a variety of natural plant-based oils, including jojoba, grape seed and olive oil. 

Manuka honey is another good ingredient.  It has proven benefits for conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis.

I use an  Age Defense Body Lotion that  is particular beneficial for people that want to remove eczema.  Using it could be the most important step of all. See my website listed in the box below for the source from which I get my lotion and fish oil.  Thanks, Margaret Bell

How to Write a Headline for Article Writing

Successful article writing requires more than just basic writing knowledge.  Every part of the article serves an important purpose.  The writer must know how to create a powerful headline, introduction, body and conclusion.  Of all the parts, it is the headline that is usually viewed first by the reader.  In order to entice the readers into reading the body of the article, the article writer must guarantee the headline is attention grabbing and interesting.

An ideal headline must consist of only a few words as the elaboration must appear in the body.  The question is how to create a headline with only a few words and at the same time, make it attractive to its potential readers.  Here are some key tips every article writer must know:

Use the keywords in the title
Using the keywords in the title will make the article more searchable.  Since the keywords appear in the title, the reader will have an overview of exactly the subject being discussed in the article.  If the title is about Resorts 360, the article writer might use “What to Expect from Resorts 360 Membership” for example.

Play with Words
Do not limit the headline writing with formal words. Have fun with it. Some writers get inspiration from popular song or poem titles and incorporate them with the keyword.  For example, The Da Vinci Code: To Read or Not to Read.  This was inspired from a famous literary piece, To Be or Not to Be.

Try using numbers
Numbers can be used to quantify the ideas presented in the article.  For example, you can create an article giving X number of tips.  This way, the readers will immediately know what the article writing is providing for them.   For example, “5 Effective Ways on Getting Your Ex Back”.

How to Headlines
How-to headlines also gain more reader attention.  This is because these articles usually provide instruction to the reader on how to do something.  There are many readers who rely in the Internet regarding exactly how to perform a specific task.  Examples of how-to headlines are “How to Make Soap at Home” or “How to Brew Beer”.  

Advantage and Disadvantage
Another way to draw the attention of readers who are just looking at the headlines of various articles is to show them the advantage or disadvantage of the subject being discussed.  For example, the article writer could put in “The Benefits of Green Tea” or “The Bad Effects of Cola”.

Make the headline as interesting as possible. Choose the right words and express the right thought.  The headline will serve as the invitation to your readers.  You are inviting them to take a look at the article itself.

To your article writing success!

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Soap Making Ideas – Hot Soap Making

Have you ever thought of making soaps on your free time? Yes, you got it right, soap making. Some might raise an eyebrow on this but making soaps can be real fun and you can get to make your own ones. And if you are interested in this kind of craft or hobby, you will need to have some good soap making ideas. While it can be challenging to find ideas on which soaps to make, you can be sure that you will find some soon.

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There are lots of ways for you to find ideas on how to make soap. First off, you might want to know that there are more than two ways to make soaps. With this said, you can just imagine how many soap making ideas you can find out there. You can bet that there can be tens and tens of them.

A good way to find ideas for making soap is to thumb through arts, crafts, and hobby books and magazines. You can try to purchase back issues at great discounts or you can buy new ones for fresh ideas. Or you can always try your luck in the World Wide Web. This virtual library will never fail you when it comes to ideas for making soap.

It can also help for you to decide on what kind of soap you want to make. Is it for personal use? Is it for profit? Or are you giving them away as gifts? This can help a lot in making you decide which techniques or designs to focus on.

Having a good store of soap making ideas can really a big help for your hobby. In this way, you will not end up undecided all the time. This can also help much in keeping you from wasting a lot of your time, effort, and money.

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Benefits of Kukui Nut Oil in Natural Soap

Kukui Nut Oil has a long tradition in Hawaii, but in recent times it gained global recognition. One of its main advantages is that it makes the skin look younger and smoother without being greasy. The oil is obtained from the seeds of Aleurites moluccana tree, which is believed to have been brought to Hawaii by the first settlers from Polynesia. Natural soap based on Kukui Nut Oil is not only able to moisturize and nurture healthy skin, but also to help treat some health conditions that affect the skin. As a consequence, such a natural soap is highly recommended for damaged or dry skin.

Dry skin fully benefits from natural soap that contains Kukui Nut Oil. This ingredient is absorbed by the skin very fast, fact that makes it very efficient. After using a Kukui Nut Oil natural soap, the hydrated skin feels soft and silky, as it never felt before. Antioxidants are essential for the health of the skin, and this oil abounds in them. More precisely, Kukui Nut Oil includes the following:

. Vitamin A
. Vitamin C
. Vitamin E

Due to a protective shield that the oil creates inside the skin layers, all the moisture is kept within. This fact makes the Kukui Nut Oil natural soap particularly good for people with sensitive skin. Besides that, such soaps are highly recommended as an alternative remedy in the treatment of the following skin conditions:

. Acne
. Eczema
. Psoriasis
. Rough and dry skin
. Scars
. Sunburns and windburns

Kukui Nut Oil does more than just making the skin look soft. It can also improve the health of the hair and scalp. Because of this reason, it is included in shampoos that are recommended for the treatment of dry and damaged hair.

Work From Home Promote Your Handmade Soap Business

Doing free soap making demonstrations is a win-win situation for the sponsor and the crafter. Many organizations have loyal members who are looking for new ideas and crafts. This is where you, as an experienced crafter, step in. You offer to do a free soap making class for the group and the charity/organization charges a nominal fee for any member wishing to attend the class. They provide the venue and you provide the expertise. They get to raise some much-needed funds, and you get a new customer base with a very loyal following.

Virtually every charity across America is strapped for cash. They are always looking for new and creative ways to raise money. Many of their members are affluent and have their own businesses and volunteer their spare time to their favorite charity. More and more of these charities are offering classes taught by their members as a way of raising money. Their members have plenty of expertise in diverse fields that fellow members would love to know about. As an experienced soap maker and crafter you can provide the very thing that they would like to offer – a class in soap making from an experienced soap maker.

When doing the class, remember an hour and a half is generally considered the maximum amount of time to keep a class interested in a specific subject. If you need to melt your oils beforehand, do that to save time. Do some background research on your fats and essential oils so you can integrate this knowledge into the class. Open the class to questions as you go along to maintain interest. Be very careful and take full safety measures with your lye solution. Doing a dry run and having family members ask you questions should iron out any wrinkles in your presentation and give you a degree of comfort that will show in your demeanor.

Make sure you take some of your own products and promotional material to make available after class. This is where you can make valuable contacts that make the whole effort worthwhile. A basic handout at the beginning of class should cover the soap making process. Your name and website should appear at the bottom of the flyer. Take a wide variety of soap with you and offer a special class discount. You could even offer a secret supplier list for small fee to those who want to start a soap making hobby of their own. Stress the creative aspects of the endeavor and you will make soap making friends for life. Also explain that many different creams, bath salts, and body butters are offered by soap makers as complimentary items to their natural soap. And each soap maker has a different specialty. Especially with all of the exotic fats available nowadays, you can develop your own niche quite easily.

Remove Eczema Stop Pain in 4 Simple Steps

To remove eczema and stop the pain can be done if you follow these 4 tips.
First, read about the symptoms and causes, then the 4 tips to remove eczema.

What Are Eczema Indications?

Symptoms usually are:
*Redness  *Swelling  *Crusting  *Flaking  *Blistering *Cracking  *Oozing  *Bleeding

Bleeding is usually because of scratching or rubbing too hard.  Patting your skin is the gentlest way to treat an already irritated condition.

What Causes Eczema?

There are many causes of eczema.  Eczema is a word or expression used to cover many conditions.  Sometimes it is caused by an underlying health condition.  Your health care provider may be able to determine if that is the case.  Atopic eczema is what many people have unless it is winter or you have been subjected to some kind of allergen.

The opinion of some health experts is that the cause is bad or poor nutrient consumption.  Being undernourished can also lead to health problems.

4 Tips – To Remove or Relieve Eczema

Tip 1 – Cleansing

Detergents should not be used when dealing with a dry, itchy or eczema-like condition.  The only time a cleansing agent should be used is when water by itself will not clean the area.

Frankly, too much cleansing can actually elevate the irritation and cause more dry, itchy skin.  Showering 2-3 times everyday is usually not necessary and could wash away the natural oils the body has to help with the condition.

Bonus Tip:  Don’t purchase any cleansing product that has sodium lauryl sulfate in it.  Also stay away from all petrochemicals.  Petroleum jelly or petrolatum is in many products but try to find alternative ingredients.   Super-fatted goat milk soap is a wise choice for many of us. 

Cleanse wisely.  Your skin will respond positively if you do.

Tip 2 – Eating

Food may be a factor that causes allergies or may be just an intolerance to some ingredient.  Testing is not easy and takes time.

One possible way to discover your “food problem”  is to keep a food diary for several weeks.  Sometimes this will identify the culprit.  Some of the culprits are: eggs, nuts, corn, coffee, dairy and wheat.  Wheat was my problem.  I found out I was gluten intolerant.  Your doctor can do a blood test that should show if you are or not.

Using the food diary to keep track of what you eat will help.  My suggestion is to eliminate all of the above possible food culprits.  Wait a couple of weeks then start eating one at a time for a week or two.  Record the results.  You may be surprised at what is causing the problems.  Have patience your skin will appreciate the new look.

Tip 3 – Suppplements

When you go through the above food elimination process be sure to include a good quality multi-nutrient in your diet.  Do this even after the food situation is resolved.  Your skin needs the help.  One of the best supplements is omega3/DHA fish oil.  I take 2 capsules daily and it has made a big difference.  My mirror appreciates it.

Tip 4 – Moisturizing

Most moisturizers that I tried did nothing for the skin.  Avoid products that have mineral oil or petrolatum.  What you need is what I found in a body lotion.  It contains natural, not synthetic, ingredients like jojoba, grape seed and olives oils.  These are all plant-based oils that are natural and non-irritating.

Another good find was manuka honey.  It has been found to help acne, eczema and psoriasis.

What I use is an Age Defense Body Lotion that has done wonders for irritated skin conditions.  My tested strong recommendation is to follow the above four tips faithfully.  Also see my website for the source of a good omega3 fish oil and body lotion that will definitely help your skin return to a healthy, radiant glow.

And now please visit the XtendSkinCare website listed below for updated information on how to remove eczema and stop itchy skin.

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Pure Natural Soaps

You are about to wash your body in the refreshing morning shower that kicks off the start of a brand new day. Now which of these ingredients sounds like they would make a welcome addition to this essential every day event? Would you like Diethanolamine, Polypropylene, or Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate with that shower? Now how would rosemary, lemon or basil oils sound or converted olive, coconut or palm oil? Certainly the second list sounds more pleasant than the first. The first almost unpronounceable grouping can be found in conventional soaps while the next more appealing group are natural ingredients that can be found in our line of pure natural soaps at Bodylish.

The laboratory versus Mother Nature, it doesn’t seem to be much of a contest. Your body is a temple, so others tell us, so it should be treated with respect and pampered. A good rule of thumb for healthy and natural body care is if the ingredients are next to unpronounceable, well then maybe they shouldn’t come into contact with your respected skin. The chemical ingredients listed here have been brought into question regarding their potential for health hazards while the ingredients in Bodylish pure natural soaps come from sources that grow outside the confines of a chemistry lab. We have all heard it said that cleanliness is next to godliness but somehow it doesn’t seem so appealing coming from someone wearing a lab coat, rubber gloves and special breathing apparatus.

Natural ingredients have a simple approach to their origin. They all come from things that we can eat such lemons, coconuts, herbs and tree leaves. The creatures that live out there in the wilderness do very well consuming these items. They don’t seem to do very well when they come into contact with synthesized products that we have manufactured in some chemical processing plant. Going back to nature is a good thing and perhaps we can learn from those creatures and do ourselves a great favor by using more natural products in our every day lives such as Bodylish Pure Natural Soaps.

Your skin absorbs the ingredients from the soap that you use in your daily cleaning activities so it would seem wise to let it absorb healthy stuff that can be found growing naturally. If you are interested in healthy living and would like more information on our line of environmentally agreeable and refreshing pure natural soaps please look us up at www.Bodylish.com.

Work From Home: Amazing Natural Soap

You’re a stay-at-home Mom, or a retired person, or someone who lives in an area where decent full-time jobs are hard to come by. Or you’re just someone who loves to create, and would love it even more if you could recoup the expenses you put into your craft, or would walk on air if you could actually support yourself at it.

But whatever your situation, you have begun exploring the possibility of becoming a work-at-home soap maker. You love the idea of producing a natural product which will have health benefits for those who use it, and offer an alternative for over-processed, and often toxically-altered, commercial soaps.

So you want to get started, but what is the minimum you need to know before you do?

First, you need to assess you living situation and decide if you have the physical facilities to make soap making on an income-producing level. It’s one thing to whip up a couple of pounds of soap for the family’s use, and another thing entirely to produce it in batches large enough to satisfy demand from dozens, or, hopefully, hundreds of customers.

Second, decide which technique of soap making you will employ. As a beginner, you might be wise to start by using “melt-and-pour” soap bases and adding your own fragrances and colors, until you are satisfied that you want to continue with a more advanced technique.

If you have either a microwave, or double boiler and standard stove, you can use the melt-and-pour method. You’ll need to have a supply of the soap base, a heat-resistant container, essential or fragrance oils, colorants and any other additives–oatmeal or dried flower buds for exfoliates, honey, glycerin, or Aloe Vera gel as healing and emollient agents, and almond meal to absorb excess skin oils are just a few suggestions. All of them can be found at your crafts or grocery store.

You’ll just melt your soap base, according to the manufacturer’s directions, in the microwave or double boiler, stir in your additives, and pour it into your molds. Once cooled, it will pop right out, and you’ll have your first home-made soap!

If, however, you want to make soap the “old-fashioned”, cold-pressed way, remember that it requires the use of lye. So you’ll need to have an area where you can use the lye without its caustic fumes being a problem. This implies an area away from your normal living space–perhaps a porch, garage, or workshop.

Since cold-pressed soap ingredients need to be measured by weight, you’ll need an adjustable scale. Research the types of oils available, and learn what properties each will lend to your finished soap. Most soap makers use a blend of different oils.

You’ll need, when you work with lye, gloves, goggles, and protective clothing; glass, enamel or plastic containers in which to mix the lye, and wooden or plastic utensils with which to stir it as lye will corrode metal, and a supply of white vinegar handy to neutralize any lye that is spilled. You’ll also need two glass or stainless steel thermometers to measure the temperatures of your oils and lye/water mixture before combining them.

Most soaps, if left unscented, will have an “oily/ lye” odor, so it’s best to add essential oils to your batch of soap at about one tablespoon per pound. The essential oils, because of their molecular structure, act as “aromatherapy” when hot water releases their fragrance.

So you will, of course, need to find some reliable local or online suppliers to provide you with what you need for your business, and don’t be afraid to approach them about discounts on your volume purchases.

You’ll also need to decide about your bookkeeping and order-taking systems, and incorporation choices. You’ll need a marketing plan, and at least at the start, will have to spend as much time publicizing your soaps as you do making them. You’ll have to familiarize yourself with the tax and insurance consequences of owning a home-based business, so you will very likely have to talk to an attorney at some point.

But if you have tried, and loved, making your own soap, have gotten positive feedback from friends, and have the time and financial resources to devote to turning your passion for soap making into a full-time business, in the not too distant future you and your natural soaps might be “cleaning up!”

Starting A Soap Business Is Easy In 5 Ways

Starting a soap business takes hardly any investment and less time than most home scale businesses you may examine. It’s very possible to grow a kitchen scale soap making hobby into a home based business with really a lot of profit making capability. Beginning takes learning about all kinds of issues, but nothing that has to be done is in fact all that involved to do nor does it take all that much time or money either. Following are 5 ways a soap business is simple to get started.

Easy Production Methods

Some crafts take years to learn and the more you advance the more equipment you need. All that often takes much time and money as well. On the other hand, soap making can be learned quite fast and many folks already enjoy it as a hobby anyway. That doesn’t mean that you can learn everything there is to know really fast, not at all. You could learn new techniques and improve for years. That’s one reason it’s an interesting hobby. There’s lots of room to grow. But learning the basics to make quality products only takes a short time and a small amount of material and not much cost.

Low Cost To Get Started

Many businesses you can start offer a chance to make profits but the cost of entry is too high. Making and selling personal care items like soap requires just a small investment to start. You can then use your earnings to buy more equipment and expand based on earnings. It really is inexpensive to get started and possible to get your initial money that you put in back in just a few weeks.

People Will Buy From A Soap Business

By now many people know why handcrafted soap offers more than commercial soap. Many potential soap buyers are constantly on the lookout for good soap. Especially something a bit unusual attracts attention if it’s in the right place. Let’s face it, handmade products have a certain appeal and the demand exists for quality products at a fair price. It’s just a matter of getting the products in front of somebody who is already on the search for just such things.

You Can Sell In Several Ways

Recently we received a rural living products catalog. On the top left corner of the first product page was a bar of “lye” soap offered for sale. Such a spot for soap suggests to me that quite a few people buy soap from that catalog. Do you know you can sell soap from a simple little hand produced catalog? It’s true… The soap users who will buy it are the people who’ve already tried it.

You can find customers many ways. you can sell through gift shops, at craft fairs, at home parties, and through mail or even on the Internet. Many ways work but some work better when combined with other methods.

Customers Buy Again If You Do It Right

Key to building a real business is repeat sales. Selling to somebody who already knows how good your products are could not be easier. On top of that, soap gets used up and they come back for more, if they can find you. Just make sure you make it easy to find you!

Starting a soap business works because it’s easy to do. Either as a business by itself or combined with other crafts, it’s a simple to run venture with potential for a real part-time income. The cost to get started is quite small as is the investment in time to develop products and learn how to make them.

Hot Soap Making – Natural Soap Making

Aside from the cleansing process and the soothing effect that you can get from soaps these days, you should also consider the ingredients it is made up of in order to be on the safest side of things. You might want to start learning how natural soap making is done. This way you will have better control on the ingredients you want to use and provide your skin with the best care it naturally deserves.

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There is no reason for you to go blind and get all mixed up simply because soap making is easy enough to start learning. And with it comes to natural soap making methods, the only difference to those of other soap making manufacturers is that there is no presence of harsh chemicals. However, this does not mean that it applies to all the other soap you can find on the market.

To start making a natural soap, you might want to consult someone you know who have already started practicing this exciting hobby or perhaps a lucrative business venture at home. There are also tons of books you can easily purchase at your nearest home depot or also get to find a recipe in your favorite home and lifestyle magazine.

One of the most convenient ways for you to grab hold of a natural recipe to follow is by searching the internet. And the good thing about this is that you no longer have to spend so much and get started with the soap making process in no time.

The good thing about soap making at home is that you can get to choose your own ingredients to use so choose wisely. And with a wide variety of ingredients to choose from, natural soap making at home is always possible. Your skin is quite valuable and you would not want to risk getting allergies for not taking caution.

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Benefits of Honey – Homemade Skin Care

There are numerous benefits of honey.  This natural substance has been used from a tasty delicacy to health and beauty treatments. Honey is a natural, rich golden, liquid made by honeybees and stored in honeycombs.  Honey contains a variety of vitamins, minerals and sugars.

HONEY AND SKIN CARE:

Fights infection; burns, wounds, cuts

Antiseptic

Antibacterial

Antioxidants benefits

Anti-inflammatory & Pain Reliever; helpful for arthritis

Reduces scarring

Provides acne relief

Relieves Athlete’s foot fungus

Safe for sensitive skin

Moisturizes and conditions skin and hair

Helps to prevent hair loss

Used for yeast infection

Aids in healing skin tissue

The healthiest form of honey is raw honey. What is the difference between raw honey and commercial honey?  Raw honey is unfiltered. It has textured crystals, particles of bee pollen, honeycomb bits, propolis and broken bee wing fragments.  It is low in moisture and high in antioxidants benefits.  It has a, naturally, milky appearance containing the most nutritional value with the concentrated enzyme, amylase.

On the contrary, commercial honey, found at grocery stores or supermarkets, has been heated and filtered. This process allows a cleaner, smoother, more eye-appealing product to store on shelves for purchase.  When the commercial type of honey is heated and filtered, its natural enzymes are partially destroyed. These enzymes are the natural activators for its vitamins and minerals.  Although commercial honey may have an eye-appealing appearance, it is not as healthful or nutritious as raw honey.

Honey contains healthful, natural, vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and C. Its natural minerals include:  magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron, phosphate, copper, iodine and zinc.   Its sugars include glucose and fructose.

There is a natural, heavy, foot scrub that penetrates down deep where the skin is still alive, relieving cracked heels and calluses. This homemade skin care product is a penetrating, soothing, conditioning, moisturizing and pain-relieving, natural, foot scrub.  It is perfectly handcrafted with natural goat milk soap, raw honey and Dead Sea salt. It provides for, absolutely, beautiful feet!

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY:

Helpful for bad breath

Aids in sleep disorders

Anti-tumor properties: prevents carcinogens

Boost Immune System

Excellent substitute for sugar

Cleansing for body

Used in alternative medicine

Delicate aroma

Aids in digestion

Nearly one million tons of honey is produced, worldwide, annually!  It can be used in a variety of homemade skin care products, hair care products, or commercial products.  It can be used as a tasty delicacy in foods and drinks.  It is used for alternative medicine or natural cures for a variety of ailments. The health benefits of honey are numerous!

What Is Lanolin? Is It Good For You?

Lanolin is a very common ingredient in everything from soaps to lotions to lip balms.  I’ve listed it myself as an ingredient on many a bottle of lotion and bar of soap. That got me to wondering what exactly it is and where does it come from?  Is it animal friendlly and safe for us to use?   We watched an episode of “How It’s Made” months ago, in which they discussed where lanolin comes from, and I wanted to share with you what we learned about sheep and lanolin production.

We learned that lanolin is a fatty, yellow tinted, waxy substance that comes from the wool of sheep.   It is excreted by the sebaceous glands on their skin, and acts as waterproofing so they don’t get cold.  The glands are associated with their hair follicles.  You might also hear it called wool fat, wool wax, or wool grease. I prefer to call it lanolin – it just sounds classier.  It’s name comes from the Latin words LANA for wool and OLEUM for oil.  It’s really a wax, chemically speaking, but has been called an oil or grease for centuries.

Lanolin has been used for over 8000 years by every sheep herding culture from the Egyptians, to the Greeks, Romans, Vikings and even the Chinese. The ancient Egyptians used to put blocks of it on their head, which would melt in the sun and provide soft smooth skin.  Sailors and soldiers alike all used lanolin as a very effective anti-corrosion and waterproofing agent for a variety of metals, materials, timbers, and also to protect sails, leather, cannons, etc.   Directions for its use appear in medical and pharmaceutical texts throughout the last 2000 years. It is naturally foul-smelling, but loses its odor when refined for cosmetic products.  Pharmaceutical grade lanolin has been purified to remove pesticides and other chemicals. 

Sheep are not harmed in any way in the process of harvesting lanolin. Lanolin is a very “animal friendly” product. When sheep farmers sheer their sheep to get the wool (about once a year, as needed), they then extract the greasy Vaseline-like lanolin from the sheared wool before they wash it. Sheep need to have their wool sheared off at least once a year or it gets so long it tangles and makes them much too hot for summer conditions. When the wool is cleaned, the lanolin is extracted. Sheering the wool doesn’t hurt the sheep, it’s basically like getting a haircut. One hundred pounds of wool yield about two to four pounds of lanolin. It is a natural and renewable raw material, not a processed synthetic compound. Pharmaceutical grade lanolin has had all or most of the detergents and pesticide recidues removed.

There are many refinements of lanolin from a very crude form used to coat machine parts to the ultrapure, medical-grade lanolin used in hospitals and medical products. Lanolin can be found in soaps, many cosmetics, ointments, creams, and is used as a lubricant, and in finishing and preserving leather. Surprisingly it is also an ingredient in some varnishes and paints and in some shoe polish.

Although lanolin is natural, many people have allergic reactions to it. It can also clog your skin’s pores and may cause you to break out.   ***Tips: If you’ve used products with lanolin, and haven’t had any bad reactions, it’s fine to keep using them because lanolin is a completely natural ingredient.

We make a very soothing Tea Tree and Lanolin Goat Milk Soap Bar.  Please see our items on etsy:  www.NeeNeesSoapShop.etsy.com.  Thanks for reading!!

Go to  http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com  for more free advice, recipes and more.  Sign up for our free monthly newsletter, too!

Diet For Healthy Skin – You Really Are What You Eat!

Healhty skin is just a few short steps away: it’s all in what you EAT!  A healthy diet and lifestyle shows on your complexion and gives your skin a boost to look and feel healthy. Experts in dermatology will tell you, a healthy diet is important for improving and maintaining healthy skin.   Start using these healthy tips today and you will see a difference, no matter what your age.

5 Healthy Skin Diet Tips:

1) Trade in those Carbs

Replace refined carbohydrate foods like white breads, donuts, cookies, bagels and pasta with their whole-grain cousins. Not only do whole grains provide more anti-aging antioxidants, they also provide the key element of a healthy skin diet – fiber.  Try whole wheat bread, whole wheat pita bread or whole wheat tortillas.  They even make whole wheat pasta! Try brown rice instead of white.  Try whole wheat bagels or crackers and nix the desserts!   Nutritionists will tell you: a high-fiber diet with lots of whole grains can help act as a detoxifying agent for your body. It is recommended that we eat 35 grams of fiber every day, as this can give significant health benefits not just to your skin, but to your colon as well.

2) Swap out your Fats

Toss out the bad fats in your diet – saturated and trans fat – and replace them with good fats. Omega 3 fatty acids from fish sources can reduce your skin cancer risk. Nutrition experts suggest eating 200 mg of DHA a day – that’s equivalent to two servings of salmon a week. While most of us get plenty of omega 6 fatty acids from our diet, they stress the importance of another good fat, linoleic acid, in preventing dry and flaky skin. It can be found in vegetable oils like safflower, sunflower and olive oil.  Cooking with olive oil or the other oils listed also helps you feel fuller for a longer period after a meal.  Try adding a variety of unsalted nuts to your diet, too, for extra benefit.  Not too many, just a few will do.  Avocados also carry good-for-you oils.  Add a few slices to a salad once in while.

3) Put “C” in your Diet

Citrus fruits play an important role in keeping your skin looking young. That’s because the antioxidant Vitamin C found in citrus is involved in the formation of collagen.  Collagen is a protein that binds cells and tissues together. In other words, collagen helps keep your skin firm and hence reduces wrinkling. Therefore, include more Vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, grapefruit, kiwis, strawberries, red bell peppers, and broccoli in your diet.  You can always find ways to include them in your dishes!  Check out some citrus-inspired recipes from the California Citrus Growers or recipes online. Even try adding a slice of orange, apple or a small bunch grapes to your dinner plate.  Put apples in your chicken salad or oranges on your chicken while it’s baking. Fruit is a refreshing treat!  Treat it like a dessert!

4) Keep the Strings, Peels and Pulp 

Here is another important reason to add fruits and vegetables to your diet. The silica found in plant-based foods can help maintain the elasticity of your skin and improve your complexion.  What you probably don’t realize is that silica is often found in the parts of fruits and veggies that are for the most part discarded – strings, peels and pulp. So if possible, enjoy the whole fruit and vegetable: cucumber skin and the strings of celery and asparagus. Leave the peel on your apples and potatoes, too, for an extra vitamin boost! 

5) Drink plenty of fluids

This is almost a no-brainer, but it bears repeating because we forget this fundamental diet truth.  Fluids keep your skin hydrated and help flush toxins. We are what we eat, or drink!   Drink at least 6 cups of fluids – water and (preferably decaf) tea – every day. Doctors recommend drinking black, green, and white teas for their beneficial antioxidant content, but avoid caffiene late in the evening.  The health benefit of the tea will be negated if you aren’t getting enough rest! Skip the cream and sugar, too, to make your drinks calorie-free. Don’t drink your calories.  Leave the calories to your solid foods!

Following these health tips can lead to a much healthier you.  You’ll have a bounce in your step and a glow to your cheeks!  Take good care of your skin, it’s the largest organ in your body.

God Bless You.  Please visit our store on the web for your skin care needs!  We carry a comprhensive line of goat milk soaps (great for your skin!), goat milk lotions (extra-moisturizing) and gift baskets for all occaisions.  We are located at http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com .  Thank you!!

1 John 4:7

Some recent soap making supplies auctions on eBay:

US $45.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 18:12:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $45.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $12.50 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 2:22:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

How to Write Excellent Titles in your Article Writing

An article has many parts.  It consists of a headline, introduction, body and conclusion.  Of all the parts, it is the headline that is usually looked at first by the reader.  For the article writer to entice the reader into reading the body of the article, the headline must be interesting enough.

An ideal title must consist of only a few words, as the elaboration must appear in the body.  The question for the article writer is exactly how to create a headline with only a few words and at the same time make it attractive and attention grabbing for its potential readers.  Read on to learn tips on how to write excellent titles.

• Use the keywords in the title
Using the keywords in the title will make the article searchable.  Since the keywords appear in the title, the reader will have an overview of what is the subject being discussed in the article.  If the title is about Resorts 360, the article writer can try “What to Expect from Resorts 360 Membership” to include the keywords Resorts 360.

• Play with Words
Another important tip about how to write excellent titles is not to limit the headline writing with formal words. Have fun with it. Some writers get inspiration from popular song or poem titles and incorporate it with the keyword.  For example, The Da Vinci Code: To Read or Not to Read.  This was inspired from a famous literary piece, To Be or Not to Be.

• Try using numbers
Numbers can be used to quantify the ideas presented in your article writing.  For example, you can make an article giving X number of tips.  This way, the readers can know what the article is providing for them.   For example, 5 Effective Ways on Getting Your Ex Back.

• How to Headlines
How-to headlines also grab the attention of the reader.  This is because this kind of article writing usually provides instruction to the reader on how to do a thing.  There are many readers who rely in the internet on how to perform a specific task.  An example of a how-to headlines is “How to Make Soap at Home” or “How to Brew Beer.”

• Advantage and Disadvantage
Another way to draw the attention of the readers just by looking at the headline is to show them the advantage or disadvantage of the subject being discussed.  For example, the writer could put in “The Benefits of Green Tee” or “The Bad Effects of Cola”.

Article success dictates that every writer knows how to write excellent titles.  It is critically important for the article writer to make the headline as interesting and attention grabbing as possible. Choose the right words and express the right thoughts.  The headline will serve as the invitation for the readers to take a look at the article.

To your article writing success!

Caring Naturally and Organically for the Skin

A complex thing, the skin should be treated with care and respect.

Normal skin, whilst being quite obviously the least difficult and most manageable type, still requires cleaning, nourishing, replenishing and moisturising.

1. In the morning, refresh your skin with rose water or an alcohol-free astringent tonic and moisturise it with a mild, non-greasy cream, preferably made from natural ingredients without petroleum by-products.
2. Use a top quality make-up, but do not overindulge. Before bed, gently wash your face with a mild soap, such as goat milk soap, and put on a bit of an oil-based nourishing cream, paying particular attention to the areas around your eyes.
3. After about 15 minutes, gently pat your skin dry with a napkin.
4. Once a week, use an egg yolk mask, or any other natural and non-drying mask to feed and rejuvenate your face skin.
5. agent. Do not forget to take care about your body, as well. Every day after showering, use a mild moisturising

Dry skin requires more work, a little more care, and some tender love, but it can look as good as normal skin, with the right products. It is prone to flaking, irritating, and fast ageing.

1. If your skin is dry, you should use only natural and rich skin-care products, such as undiluted shea butter, extra-virgin coconut oil, or home-made herbal oils.
2. Apply them twice a day and allow some time for your skin to absorb nourishing and moisturising ingredients from the oil before putting a hypoallergenic make-up on.
3. Try not to use tap water, if you must wash it, use sparkling water.
4. Instead, clean your facial skin with mild cleansing milks or herbal infusions. With good care, dry skin will always look healthy and smooth.
5. Get a humidifier, it should be on day and night, in winter and in summer, because air conditioning, which is always on, dries your skin every single day

Oily, greasy skin requires the opposite approach – instead of putting an emphasis on nourishing, you should focus on removing excess oil from it, hydrating, cleaning enlarged pores, and preventing or treating acne.

1. Wash your skin about 2-3 times a day, but use a mild soap only once a day, because otherwise oil glands will be stimulated to produce even more sebum.
2. Use only non-greasy moisturisers and tone your face often with alcohol-free herbal tonics or ice cubes, which will restore the health and balance of your skin.
3. The best masks for oily skin are those featuring drying and hydrating ingredients, for example, clay, papaya, or yogurt.
4. Apply once a week and make sure to rinse your face thoroughly with cool water after about 20 minutes.
5. In case of acne, remove sugar and other carbohydrates from your diet and make sure not to eat any processed foods.

Sensitive skin is always very dry and irritated – this is why you should take a very thorough care of it using the above tips for dry skin.

1. Watch what you eat and make sure to consume a fair amount of essential fatty acids, organic protein, yogurt, and lacto-fermented fruits and vegetables.
2. Remember that women who eat a vegetarian, or even worse so, a vegan, diet, usually develop very dry, wrinkled, and irritated skin.
3. Use hypo-allergenic products for your beauty routine, preferably the ones that have natural components.
4. Be gentle with your skin, no unnecessary rubbing or massaging, as you may worsen the condition.
5. Avoid harsh procedures, such as peelings (even the mildest ones, for they will irritate your skin).

Free List of the 20 Best Drop Ship Companies – Free Dropshipping Sites

Here is a list of drop shipping companies you can use for your eBay auctions or online store. The list is current as of 12/2008. Leave comments if there are any dead links! For your own protection, make sure your research any company before you do business with them.

For the most part, all of these companies do not charge an extra fee or require a membership for you to take part in their drop shipping program.

You can also enjoy Free Advertising if you visit http://104inc.com and register your website.

1. BuyAtDiscounts.com – is legally licensed wholesale dropshipping supplier of electronic gifts, home and garden decor, and collectibles. They supply retail shops worldwide with top quality and affordable giftware products.  Most eBay stores are stocked with their products.   Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders, No Fee’s.

2. VistaWholesale.com/ – Offers hundreds of wholesale products including Candle Warmers, Fleece Blankets, Airsoft Guns, LED Flashlights, and Gag Gifts. They are also an importer and wholesale distributor of our own merchandise. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

3. SimpleDistributors.com/ – Simple Distributors is a top supplier and drop shipper of wholesale leather jackets, designer inspired handbags, leather motorcycle jackets, wholesale pocket knives, kitchenware, and much more. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

4. azWholesaleTools.com – AZ Wholesale Tools is a full service tool and supply wholesaler. They carry a huge variety of tools for any application at great prices. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

5. BargainWest.com – offers a wide collection of fine gifts and collectables for various occasions such as holidays, weddings, birthdays, wedding anniversary, graduations, kids and other special occasions. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

6. BellGolf – Golf clubs, accessories. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

7. BodySoulElements.com – Provides high quality natural handmade soaps, Shea butter, shampoos, salt glows, lavender linen sprays, jojoba lotions, soy candles, body scrubs, massage oils and so much more! Drop Ship Info: Not a Free Program.

8. a1WholesaleGifts.com – A1 Wholesale Gifts & Treasures is legally licensed wholesale supplier of gifts, home and garden decor, and collectibles. They supply retail shops worldwide with top quality and affordable giftware products. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

9. ckbProducts.com – Electronics, kitchen, sporting goods, tools. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

10. CountryMeadowSoaps.com – A manufacturer and distributor of skin care and spa products. Most of our products are based on natural ingredients such as shea butter, avocado butter, coconut oil, rice bran oil, plant extracts and various emollients and conditioners. Drop Ship Info: To qualify for a dropship account you must be a licensed business.

11. dhanish.com – Dhanish Direct Silver Jewelry Manufacturer. Costume jewelry, discounted jewelry. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

12. DropShipDirect.com – A wholesale supply chain distribution company. Electronics, arts and crafts, foods, apparel. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

13. DropShippedProducts.com – Discounted tools. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

14. jchsTools.com – Discount Tools, Contractors Tools, Power Tools, Hand Tools, Acoustic Guitars, Electric Tools, Drills, Grinders, Engine Hoist, Wood Working Tools, Hardware, Air Tool, Toys, Compressor, Screwdrivers, Router, Automotive Tools, Cordless Tools, Plumbing Tools, Garden Tools, Jointers, and more. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders

15. LowPricesForYou.com – DVD, VHS, Music CD’s. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders. All Drop Ship Sales Final

16. Lyante.com – Pins and earrings. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

17. NoveltiesWholesale.com – Sells knick knacks and the Hottest Novelties and General Merchandise in the USA and around the World. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.
Knick knacks

18. 2Buypcs.com – Cell phone accessories Drop Ship Info: Special drop-shiping account required.

19. raxusa.com – Skateboards, skate accessories and clothing. Drop Ship Info: Must be a retail busines owner. No minimum order.

20. Sav-On-Closeouts.com – Seasonal products, knick knacks. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

Caring Naturally and Organically for the Skin

A complex thing, the skin should be treated with care and respect.

Normal skin, whilst being quite obviously the least difficult and most manageable type, still requires cleaning, nourishing, replenishing and moisturising.

1. In the morning, refresh your skin with rose water or an alcohol-free astringent tonic and moisturise it with a mild, non-greasy cream, preferably made from natural ingredients without petroleum by-products.
2. Use a top quality make-up, but do not overindulge. Before bed, gently wash your face with a mild soap, such as goat milk soap, and put on a bit of an oil-based nourishing cream, paying particular attention to the areas around your eyes.
3. After about 15 minutes, gently pat your skin dry with a napkin.
4. Once a week, use an egg yolk mask, or any other natural and non-drying mask to feed and rejuvenate your face skin.
5. agent. Do not forget to take care about your body, as well. Every day after showering, use a mild moisturising

Dry skin requires more work, a little more care, and some tender love, but it can look as good as normal skin, with the right products. It is prone to flaking, irritating, and fast ageing.

1. If your skin is dry, you should use only natural and rich skin-care products, such as undiluted shea butter, extra-virgin coconut oil, or home-made herbal oils.
2. Apply them twice a day and allow some time for your skin to absorb nourishing and moisturising ingredients from the oil before putting a hypoallergenic make-up on.
3. Try not to use tap water, if you must wash it, use sparkling water.
4. Instead, clean your facial skin with mild cleansing milks or herbal infusions. With good care, dry skin will always look healthy and smooth.
5. Get a humidifier, it should be on day and night, in winter and in summer, because air conditioning, which is always on, dries your skin every single day

Oily, greasy skin requires the opposite approach – instead of putting an emphasis on nourishing, you should focus on removing excess oil from it, hydrating, cleaning enlarged pores, and preventing or treating acne.

1. Wash your skin about 2-3 times a day, but use a mild soap only once a day, because otherwise oil glands will be stimulated to produce even more sebum.
2. Use only non-greasy moisturisers and tone your face often with alcohol-free herbal tonics or ice cubes, which will restore the health and balance of your skin.
3. The best masks for oily skin are those featuring drying and hydrating ingredients, for example, clay, papaya, or yogurt.
4. Apply once a week and make sure to rinse your face thoroughly with cool water after about 20 minutes.
5. In case of acne, remove sugar and other carbohydrates from your diet and make sure not to eat any processed foods.

Sensitive skin is always very dry and irritated – this is why you should take a very thorough care of it using the above tips for dry skin.

1. Watch what you eat and make sure to consume a fair amount of essential fatty acids, organic protein, yogurt, and lacto-fermented fruits and vegetables.
2. Remember that women who eat a vegetarian, or even worse so, a vegan, diet, usually develop very dry, wrinkled, and irritated skin.
3. Use hypo-allergenic products for your beauty routine, preferably the ones that have natural components.
4. Be gentle with your skin, no unnecessary rubbing or massaging, as you may worsen the condition.
5. Avoid harsh procedures, such as peelings (even the mildest ones, for they will irritate your skin).

Soap Making Supplies on eBay:

US $45.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 18:12:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $45.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $12.50 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 2:22:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Starting A Soap Business Is Easy In 5 Ways

Starting a soap business takes hardly any investment and less time than most home scale businesses you may examine. It’s very possible to grow a kitchen scale soap making hobby into a home based business with really a lot of profit making capability. Beginning takes learning about all kinds of issues, but nothing that has to be done is in fact all that involved to do nor does it take all that much time or money either. Following are 5 ways a soap business is simple to get started.

Easy Production Methods

Some crafts take years to learn and the more you advance the more equipment you need. All that often takes much time and money as well. On the other hand, soap making can be learned quite fast and many folks already enjoy it as a hobby anyway. That doesn’t mean that you can learn everything there is to know really fast, not at all. You could learn new techniques and improve for years. That’s one reason it’s an interesting hobby. There’s lots of room to grow. But learning the basics to make quality products only takes a short time and a small amount of material and not much cost.

Low Cost To Get Started

Many businesses you can start offer a chance to make profits but the cost of entry is too high. Making and selling personal care items like soap requires just a small investment to start. You can then use your earnings to buy more equipment and expand based on earnings. It really is inexpensive to get started and possible to get your initial money that you put in back in just a few weeks.

People Will Buy From A Soap Business

By now many people know why handcrafted soap offers more than commercial soap. Many potential soap buyers are constantly on the lookout for good soap. Especially something a bit unusual attracts attention if it’s in the right place. Let’s face it, handmade products have a certain appeal and the demand exists for quality products at a fair price. It’s just a matter of getting the products in front of somebody who is already on the search for just such things.

You Can Sell In Several Ways

Recently we received a rural living products catalog. On the top left corner of the first product page was a bar of “lye” soap offered for sale. Such a spot for soap suggests to me that quite a few people buy soap from that catalog. Do you know you can sell soap from a simple little hand produced catalog? It’s true… The soap users who will buy it are the people who’ve already tried it.

You can find customers many ways. you can sell through gift shops, at craft fairs, at home parties, and through mail or even on the Internet. Many ways work but some work better when combined with other methods.

Customers Buy Again If You Do It Right

Key to building a real business is repeat sales. Selling to somebody who already knows how good your products are could not be easier. On top of that, soap gets used up and they come back for more, if they can find you. Just make sure you make it easy to find you!

Starting a soap business works because it’s easy to do. Either as a business by itself or combined with other crafts, it’s a simple to run venture with potential for a real part-time income. The cost to get started is quite small as is the investment in time to develop products and learn how to make them.

Easy Soap Making! Start Your Own Business!

If you make homemade soap as a craft then you may want to look a turning your hobby into a business. A soap business can be be a great income source and if you are smart about making your business and your soap appealing to customers it can be very rewarding. Because it is a competitive market with the advice given below, you may be able to find your perfect niche, and make some cash from your homemade soaps.

Develop your Unique Line

You need something about your soap that makes it stand out from the competition. Maybe try using different unique ingredients, create mixtures of colors or try something completely different so your soaps stand out. The bottom line is that you need to create a line of soaps that are appealing and that will really catch the eye of your potential customers. Find an angle and work it.

Create Good Marketing

One of the most important things about business is marketing. You have to be able to get the word out there that you have these amazing soaps for sale. You have to work out where you will sell your soaps and how you go about marketing. You should consider both online and offline marketing campaigns. Be sure that you target a certain market, these are the group of people that will most likely buy your soaps and ensure that your advertising also caters to your target market.

Start Selling

Once you have your product and your marketing in place, you can begin to actually start selling. You need to get your soap out there and show people what you are selling. Online you can do this by creating a website. Offline you can either open a store or distribute fliers and information about your soaps with pictures and descriptions. Consider going to craft fairs or setting up displays in local stores, if owners allow you to do so.

Keep Production in Mind

You really have to think about production before your business takes off. You have to make sure you are consistent, making a lot of soap at high enough standards. You do not want to put out an inferior product. No matter what type of soap you make, it must be of a high standard really appeal to people or they will buy someone else’s.

Make sure you do not use lower quality ingredients to save some money and ensure you use the best production method. Do not cut corners or change ingredients as this can mess up the quality of your soap. Your focus has to be on giving your customers the most and best product for their money.

Selling your homemade soap is something that anyone can do, but being successful comes form keeping your mind business focused. You have to market to your target customers, stay focused on providing a high quality product and be committed to selling a product that you are proud of and that you know people will want to buy. In very little time, you can make this hobby into a great income earner.

Free List of the 20 Best Drop Ship Companies ? New Free Dropshipping Sites

Here is a list of drop shipping companies you can use for your eBay auctions or online stores like Amazon.com. The list is current as of 11/2010.  Leave comments if there are any dead links! For your own protection, make sure your research any company before you do business with them.

For the most part, all of these companies do not charge an extra fee or require a membership for you to take part in their drop shipping program.

1. BuyAtDiscounts. com – is legally licensed wholesale dropshipping supplier of electronic gifts, home and garden decor, and collectibles. They supply retail shops worldwide with top quality and affordable giftware products.   Most eBay stores are stocked with their products.    Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders, No Fee’s.

2. Doba.com – Offers hundreds of wholesale products including Candle Warmers, Fleece Blankets, Airsoft Guns, LED Flashlights, and Gag Gifts. They are also an importer and wholesale distributor of our own merchandise. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship trial Program, No Minimum Orders.

3. SimpleDistributors. com/ – Simple Distributors is a top supplier and drop shipper of wholesale leather jackets, designer inspired handbags, leather motorcycle jackets, wholesale pocket knives, kitchenware, and much more. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

4. azWholesaleTools. com – AZ Wholesale Tools is a full service tool and supply wholesaler. They carry a huge variety of tools for any application at great prices. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

5. BargainWest. com – offers a wide collection of fine gifts and collectables for various occasions such as holidays, weddings, birthdays, wedding anniversary, graduations, kids and other special occasions. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

6. BellGolf – Golf clubs, accessories. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

7. BodySoulElements. com – Provides high quality natural handmade soaps, Shea butter, shampoos, salt glows, lavender linen sprays, jojoba lotions, soy candles, body scrubs, massage oils and so much more! Drop Ship Info: Not a Free Program.

8. a1WholesaleGifts. com – A1 Wholesale Gifts & Treasures is legally licensed wholesale supplier of gifts, home and garden decor, and collectibles. They supply retail shops worldwide with top quality and affordable giftware products. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

9. ckbProducts. com – Electronics, kitchen, sporting goods, tools. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

10. CountryMeadowSoaps. com – A manufacturer and distributor of skin care and spa products. Most of our products are based on natural ingredients such as shea butter, avocado butter, coconut oil, rice bran oil, plant extracts and various emollients and conditioners. Drop Ship Info: To qualify for a dropship account you must be a licensed business.

11. dhanish. com – Dhanish Direct Silver Jewelry Manufacturer. Costume jewelry, discounted jewelry. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

12. DropShipDirect. com – A wholesale supply chain distribution company. Electronics, arts and crafts, foods, apparel. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

13. DropShippedProducts. com – Discounted tools. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

14. jchsTools. com – Discount Tools, Contractors Tools, Power Tools, Hand Tools, Acoustic Guitars, Electric Tools, Drills, Grinders, Engine Hoist, Wood Working Tools, Hardware, Air Tool, Toys, Compressor, Screwdrivers, Router, Automotive Tools, Cordless Tools, Plumbing Tools, Garden Tools, Jointers, and more. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders

15. LowPricesForYou. com – DVD, VHS, Music CD’s. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders. All Drop Ship Sales Final

16. Lyante. com – Pins and earrings. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

17. NoveltiesWholesale. com – Sells knick knacks and the Hottest Novelties and General Merchandise in the USA and around the World. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.
Knick knacks

18. 2Buypcs. com – Cell phone accessories Drop Ship Info: Special drop-shiping account required.

19. raxusa. com – Skateboards, skate accessories and clothing. Drop Ship Info: Must be a retail busines owner. No minimum order.

20. Sav-On-Closeouts. com – Seasonal products, knick knacks. Drop Ship Info: Free Drop Ship Program, No Minimum Orders.

Most popular soap making supplies eBay auctions:

US $45.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 18:12:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $45.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $12.50 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 2:22:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $19.50 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 2:36:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Hot Soap Making – Easy Soap Making Recipes

When it comes to clean hands nothing beats soap in getting your hands away from dirt and bacteria. Fact is that soap has been used since the Babylonian empire to clean wash their clothes and an oral hygiene aid to get clean. Right now we’ll bring you some easy soap making recipes for you to know the basics and eventually gives your own ideal soap in mind.

Click Here For Hot Soap Making Instant Access Now!

Soap is basically made from fats whether it may be animal fat or vegetable fat, with the right concoction of lye, caustic soda, salt and water. These ingredients are either melted or processed cold depending on what soap recipe is needed. In glycerin soaps or transparent soaps, solvents are added to disable the crystallization process. Oils are added to preserve the finished product; normally vitamin e oil is used.

Melt and pour soaps or glycerin blocks are the easiest ones to have in making your own soap. They’re more convenient and favorable for making soap recipes. You would only melt them, after that you just pour in the molding add some fragrance and colorant then just mix well and cool them. The trick to make a melt and pour soap well made is spraying some rubbing alcohol to get rid of the bubbles when you’re cooling them down.

Now moving on with other ideas in making your own soap, adding other ingredients like essential oil, is to be done with the right amount or you’re getting a soap that’s not even called one. Also it goes the same when adding colorants for a more good looking soap.

The key in making good and easy soap recipes is getting the right measurement done; not too much and not too less. Observing safety as well as have moldings that holds the soap mixture firm and a creative mind will eventually turn you into a soap master.

Click Here For Hot Soap Making Instant Access Now!

Jewelweed – Mother Nature’s Poison Ivy Miracle Cure

Jewelweed is Mother Nature’s Poison Ivy miracle cure and so much more.  Jewelweed is best known for its skin healing properties.

The leaves and the juice from the stem of  Jewelweed are used by herbalists to cure poison ivy and other plant induced rashes, as well as many other types of dermatitis. Jewelweed works by counter-reacting with the chemicals in other plants that
cause irritation. Poultices and salves from Jewelweed are a folk remedy for bruises, burns, cuts, eczema, insect bites, sores, sprains, warts, and ringworm.

Jewelweed blooms May through October in the eastern part of North America from Southern Canada to the northern part of Florida. It is found most often in moist woods, usually near poison ivy or stinging nettle. Jewelweed often grows on the edge of creek beds. It is difficult to transplant and seeds do not store well; it should not be cultivated as it becomes invasive and is spread by birds eating the seeds and other means that are hard to control.

This is a weed/wild flower that grows in abundance along road banks and just about everywhere else in the mountains. Wherever you find them growing, there will be a thicket of them, taller than your knees. The plant is a succulent annual ands dies back immediately at the slightest fall frost.

In the summer, they are covered with beautiful blooms. There are two varieties; one that blooms yellow and one that blooms bright orange. Both varieties have pods which when mature burst suddenly upon being touched, hence the common name of “Touch Me Not.”

The blooms resemble snapdragons but are suspended from the plant on delicate little thread-like supports.

Being beautiful isn’t all there is to the Jewelweed. If you have ever accidentally brushed against the Stinging Nettle Plant, you know the results. Immediately the spot will start itching and burning and may even blister if you are particularly sensitive. Curiously, as if Mother Nature planned it, Jewel Weed usually grows near Stinging Nettles and it is said if you immediately rub the foliage of the Jewel Weed on the spot, the itching and stinging will go away. The American Indians also used it as a cure for poison oak by
squeezing the juice from the Jewel Weed on the affected area.  I’ve also read stories of old wives mixing it with lard.  Not pretty to smell, but it sure worked!

The name “jewelweed” comes from the water-repellent quality of the leaves, which causes dew and rain to bead up and sparkle in the sun. If you’re afflicted by poison ivy, poison oak, or athlete’s foot, relief may sometimes be had by crushing jewelweed stems and applying the sticky paste to affected areas.

We normally carry a Jewelweed soap made with Shea butter and Goat’s Milk.  It is currently out of stock until our plants are producing again.  We lost our plants and have sold out of what Jewelweed soap we had left.  We hope to have a fresh crop of leaves to harvest this summer and will begin making our famout Jewelweed Goat Milk Soap very soon!   Thank you!  (If you are in dire need of Poison Ivy relief, try some Oatmeal soap or a salve as an alternative, as it is also drying to the blisters and very healing.)

JRV August 2008

http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com

All Washed-Up?

Soap is one of humankind’s earliest technologies. Around the globe, every ancient culture developed soap from their local plants, usually combining oils and sodium or potassium from ashes. Ancient Babylonians, Celts, Romans, African cultures and Native American tribes all had varying recipes for soap. Even today you can purchase Black African soap from eclecticlady.com handmade by women for a Fair Trade Program in Togo with the same technique as their ancestors.

Some cultures used naturally occurring detergents from “soap plants”, plants rich in saponins, which produce a lather in water. “Soap Nuts” from the Chinese Soapberry tree, nut-like seeds of a fruit tree related to the lichee fruit, have been used for washing and laundry for centuries across the Eastern Hemisphere and are still in use today. They are marketed from India to the U.S. online at various websites.

Yucca and Soapwort, also known as “soap plants” have been used in cleaning by the indigenous people of North and South America and Europe for centuries. Soapwort, a common flower found on the European and American continents, has been used throughout the ages since the Ancient Romans, and even today it is used by some Swiss shepherds before they shear their flocks. I experimented by washing my hair with yucca. It worked great; a gentle but thorough cleaning power. (Recipe: Crush up 1/4 cup of skinned yucca and place it in a nylon “knee-high”. Tie and soak in a 1/2 cup cold water briefly then wash your hair. Rinse. Ahh!)

During World World I, synthetic detergents were developed. In the following decades, they overtook and glutted the soap industry, so that now most items sold as soap, including “liquid hand soap” and “bar soap” are really detergents. Most detergents are made of synthetic chemicals and are stripped of any glycerin that naturally occurs. (The by-product glycerin is then sold separately to consumers in the form of lotions and conditioners!)

You can search the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Household Product Database for the ingredients of your current brand-name soap (aka “detergent”). Then from that same site check some of the individual ingredients on TOXNET and you will get a sense of the toxicity of all the synthetic chemicals that we have all been slathering on ourselves for years! YUK! Perhaps the typical bar of “soap” is not carcinogenic per se, but its typical ingredients cause respiratory and skin irritations and ingested in small quantities (i.e. .25-.5 grams) can cause lesions and death!

Real Soap, on the other hand, does not need any chemical additives and retains its natural glycerin so it is naturally softening. It is made purely of natural ingredients that include some kind of oil combined with lye, and perhaps an essential oil for fragrance or healing properties. These all-natural ingredients are mixed together, heated, cooled, and cured until the soap is saponified, whereby the lye is chemically changed to become non-caustic. Real Soap can be purchased today online and in specialty stores, and sometimes in grocery stores. The manufacturing process to make real soap is more time-consuming than “detergent soaps”, so real soap is usually more expensive than detergent. Often a bar of all-natural “real” soap can cost .00-5.00; a steep price compared to .50 for a cheap bar of “detergent” soap on the Bulk Aisle!

After finding out “the dirt” on “soap” I came up with Plan B: Get real soap into my house in the most economical manner by making my own! David Fisher on www.about.com has very clear articles and How-To videos showing the exact steps and tips for how to make cold-pressed soap, which is the most common way that real soap is made today.

I had a little difficulty finding lye, one of the main ingredients, so just be persistent. If you don’t have it at your local grocery store, you can probably find it at a hardware store. It is also available at chemical supply stores and at various sites online, like lyedepot.com, which also had some great, concise information on soap making.

Most recipes for cold-pressed soap mention the importance of using a lye calculator to double-check the amount of lye you should be using for the type of oils and water combination of your recipe. I found cranberrylane.com to be the most comprehensive and user-friendly lye calculator. Their website not only sells handmade soaps, but it is also has a lot of the supplies you may want to purchase to make your own soaps and body care items.

I won’t review all the steps for soap making, since other websites do a wonderful job explaining it. But I will say don’t be afraid to try your hand at crafting your own soap! I found it surprisingly, very easy. It took just a couple of hours. The cost was minimal. I used older utensils and containers that I already had; I will now reserve them for soap making. I did purchase a stick blender, since that really helps lessen the mixing step to just a few minutes!

The most important aspect to remember is that lye is very dangerous and you need to follow the safety steps carefully-but these commonsense safeguards are similar to the ones for using caustic oven cleaners. I found a span of time when my family was out, so I didn’t need to worry about accidents or interruptions-and I had a wonderful time!

I have three batches “curing” on top of my china cabinet as I write this-my lovely, little, lavender soaps will be ready just in time for the holidays! (So family and friends guess what you’re getting for Christmas?)

Join me and move away from the chemically-laden, detergent that we have been “sold” as soap and transfer over to naturally-moisturizing “real soap”! Take the step to buy or to make your own and you will literally feel the difference!

Soap Making as a Hobby

Soaps are so taken for granted that we hardly pause to think more about how they are made. The general feeling is that the entire process is far too complicated, industrial, and way out of being made a hobby. In reality, soap making is a simple process, and there are ready-made melt and pour type of kits available that allow us to make soaps with our own chosen colors, fragrances, herbal ingredients, and shapes.

Soap making can be pursued as a hobby, and can even be turned into a small home based business. All it takes is an interest in the making of soaps, and some diligence in the whole process.

Soap is a simple mixture of oils and caustic soda (lye.) The resultant liquid when left to solidify forms soap with a lot of glycerin, hence also called glycerin soap. The industrial soap manufacturers remove excess amounts of glycerin and use other ways to make the soap soft and mellow.

The oils used in soap making are common oils like palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil, grape seed oil etc. The caustic soda used should be of industrial quality.

There is some amount of heating involved in soap making, and this therefore requires caution. The exact proportions of mixing oil and lye should also be known beforehand.

A melt and pour soap making kit can introduce a novice into soap making. Simply buy the kit and follow the instructions that come along. Once you are familiar with this process, you may consult other sources and can try making soap oneself.

Everyone of us wants to have a herbal soap, one filled with natural oils and fragrances. Children are delighted with soaps of various shapes such as animal figurines. Pursuing soap making as a hobby can allow you to make soaps as you desire them.

For more information on soaps and soap making, visit – soap making

Some recent soap making supplies auctions on eBay:

US $45.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 18:12:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $45.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $12.50 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 2:22:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $19.50 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 2:36:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $24.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 13:18:43 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Work From Home: Amazing Natural Soap

You’re a stay-at-home Mom, or a retired person, or someone who lives in an area where decent full-time jobs are hard to come by. Or you’re just someone who loves to create, and would love it even more if you could recoup the expenses you put into your craft, or would walk on air if you could actually support yourself at it.

But whatever your situation, you have begun exploring the possibility of becoming a work-at-home soap maker. You love the idea of producing a natural product which will have health benefits for those who use it, and offer an alternative for over-processed, and often toxically-altered, commercial soaps.

So you want to get started, but what is the minimum you need to know before you do?

First, you need to assess you living situation and decide if you have the physical facilities to make soap making on an income-producing level. It’s one thing to whip up a couple of pounds of soap for the family’s use, and another thing entirely to produce it in batches large enough to satisfy demand from dozens, or, hopefully, hundreds of customers.

Second, decide which technique of soap making you will employ. As a beginner, you might be wise to start by using “melt-and-pour” soap bases and adding your own fragrances and colors, until you are satisfied that you want to continue with a more advanced technique.

If you have either a microwave, or double boiler and standard stove, you can use the melt-and-pour method. You’ll need to have a supply of the soap base, a heat-resistant container, essential or fragrance oils, colorants and any other additives–oatmeal or dried flower buds for exfoliates, honey, glycerin, or Aloe Vera gel as healing and emollient agents, and almond meal to absorb excess skin oils are just a few suggestions. All of them can be found at your crafts or grocery store.

You’ll just melt your soap base, according to the manufacturer’s directions, in the microwave or double boiler, stir in your additives, and pour it into your molds. Once cooled, it will pop right out, and you’ll have your first home-made soap!

If, however, you want to make soap the “old-fashioned”, cold-pressed way, remember that it requires the use of lye. So you’ll need to have an area where you can use the lye without its caustic fumes being a problem. This implies an area away from your normal living space–perhaps a porch, garage, or workshop.

Since cold-pressed soap ingredients need to be measured by weight, you’ll need an adjustable scale. Research the types of oils available, and learn what properties each will lend to your finished soap. Most soap makers use a blend of different oils.

You’ll need, when you work with lye, gloves, goggles, and protective clothing; glass, enamel or plastic containers in which to mix the lye, and wooden or plastic utensils with which to stir it as lye will corrode metal, and a supply of white vinegar handy to neutralize any lye that is spilled. You’ll also need two glass or stainless steel thermometers to measure the temperatures of your oils and lye/water mixture before combining them.

Most soaps, if left unscented, will have an “oily/ lye” odor, so it’s best to add essential oils to your batch of soap at about one tablespoon per pound. The essential oils, because of their molecular structure, act as “aromatherapy” when hot water releases their fragrance.

So you will, of course, need to find some reliable local or online suppliers to provide you with what you need for your business, and don’t be afraid to approach them about discounts on your volume purchases.

You’ll also need to decide about your bookkeeping and order-taking systems, and incorporation choices. You’ll need a marketing plan, and at least at the start, will have to spend as much time publicizing your soaps as you do making them. You’ll have to familiarize yourself with the tax and insurance consequences of owning a home-based business, so you will very likely have to talk to an attorney at some point.

But if you have tried, and loved, making your own soap, have gotten positive feedback from friends, and have the time and financial resources to devote to turning your passion for soap making into a full-time business, in the not too distant future you and your natural soaps might be “cleaning up!”

How to Write Excellent Titles in your Article Writing

An article has many parts.  It consists of a headline, introduction, body and conclusion.  Of all the parts, it is the headline that is usually looked at first by the reader.  For the article writer to entice the reader into reading the body of the article, the headline must be interesting enough.

An ideal title must consist of only a few words, as the elaboration must appear in the body.  The question for the article writer is exactly how to create a headline with only a few words and at the same time make it attractive and attention grabbing for its potential readers.  Read on to learn tips on how to write excellent titles.

• Use the keywords in the title
Using the keywords in the title will make the article searchable.  Since the keywords appear in the title, the reader will have an overview of what is the subject being discussed in the article.  If the title is about Resorts 360, the article writer can try “What to Expect from Resorts 360 Membership” to include the keywords Resorts 360.

• Play with Words
Another important tip about how to write excellent titles is not to limit the headline writing with formal words. Have fun with it. Some writers get inspiration from popular song or poem titles and incorporate it with the keyword.  For example, The Da Vinci Code: To Read or Not to Read.  This was inspired from a famous literary piece, To Be or Not to Be.

• Try using numbers
Numbers can be used to quantify the ideas presented in your article writing.  For example, you can make an article giving X number of tips.  This way, the readers can know what the article is providing for them.   For example, 5 Effective Ways on Getting Your Ex Back.

• How to Headlines
How-to headlines also grab the attention of the reader.  This is because this kind of article writing usually provides instruction to the reader on how to do a thing.  There are many readers who rely in the internet on how to perform a specific task.  An example of a how-to headlines is “How to Make Soap at Home” or “How to Brew Beer.”

• Advantage and Disadvantage
Another way to draw the attention of the readers just by looking at the headline is to show them the advantage or disadvantage of the subject being discussed.  For example, the writer could put in “The Benefits of Green Tee” or “The Bad Effects of Cola”.

Article success dictates that every writer knows how to write excellent titles.  It is critically important for the article writer to make the headline as interesting and attention grabbing as possible. Choose the right words and express the right thoughts.  The headline will serve as the invitation for the readers to take a look at the article.

To your article writing success!

All Washed-Up?

Soap is one of humankind’s earliest technologies. Around the globe, every ancient culture developed soap from their local plants, usually combining oils and sodium or potassium from ashes. Ancient Babylonians, Celts, Romans, African cultures and Native American tribes all had varying recipes for soap. Even today you can purchase Black African soap from eclecticlady.com handmade by women for a Fair Trade Program in Togo with the same technique as their ancestors.

Some cultures used naturally occurring detergents from “soap plants”, plants rich in saponins, which produce a lather in water. “Soap Nuts” from the Chinese Soapberry tree, nut-like seeds of a fruit tree related to the lichee fruit, have been used for washing and laundry for centuries across the Eastern Hemisphere and are still in use today. They are marketed from India to the U.S. online at various websites.

Yucca and Soapwort, also known as “soap plants” have been used in cleaning by the indigenous people of North and South America and Europe for centuries. Soapwort, a common flower found on the European and American continents, has been used throughout the ages since the Ancient Romans, and even today it is used by some Swiss shepherds before they shear their flocks. I experimented by washing my hair with yucca. It worked great; a gentle but thorough cleaning power. (Recipe: Crush up 1/4 cup of skinned yucca and place it in a nylon “knee-high”. Tie and soak in a 1/2 cup cold water briefly then wash your hair. Rinse. Ahh!)

During World World I, synthetic detergents were developed. In the following decades, they overtook and glutted the soap industry, so that now most items sold as soap, including “liquid hand soap” and “bar soap” are really detergents. Most detergents are made of synthetic chemicals and are stripped of any glycerin that naturally occurs. (The by-product glycerin is then sold separately to consumers in the form of lotions and conditioners!)

You can search the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Household Product Database for the ingredients of your current brand-name soap (aka “detergent”). Then from that same site check some of the individual ingredients on TOXNET and you will get a sense of the toxicity of all the synthetic chemicals that we have all been slathering on ourselves for years! YUK! Perhaps the typical bar of “soap” is not carcinogenic per se, but its typical ingredients cause respiratory and skin irritations and ingested in small quantities (i.e. .25-.5 grams) can cause lesions and death!

Real Soap, on the other hand, does not need any chemical additives and retains its natural glycerin so it is naturally softening. It is made purely of natural ingredients that include some kind of oil combined with lye, and perhaps an essential oil for fragrance or healing properties. These all-natural ingredients are mixed together, heated, cooled, and cured until the soap is saponified, whereby the lye is chemically changed to become non-caustic. Real Soap can be purchased today online and in specialty stores, and sometimes in grocery stores. The manufacturing process to make real soap is more time-consuming than “detergent soaps”, so real soap is usually more expensive than detergent. Often a bar of all-natural “real” soap can cost .00-5.00; a steep price compared to .50 for a cheap bar of “detergent” soap on the Bulk Aisle!

After finding out “the dirt” on “soap” I came up with Plan B: Get real soap into my house in the most economical manner by making my own! David Fisher on www.about.com has very clear articles and How-To videos showing the exact steps and tips for how to make cold-pressed soap, which is the most common way that real soap is made today.

I had a little difficulty finding lye, one of the main ingredients, so just be persistent. If you don’t have it at your local grocery store, you can probably find it at a hardware store. It is also available at chemical supply stores and at various sites online, like lyedepot.com, which also had some great, concise information on soap making.

Most recipes for cold-pressed soap mention the importance of using a lye calculator to double-check the amount of lye you should be using for the type of oils and water combination of your recipe. I found cranberrylane.com to be the most comprehensive and user-friendly lye calculator. Their website not only sells handmade soaps, but it is also has a lot of the supplies you may want to purchase to make your own soaps and body care items.

I won’t review all the steps for soap making, since other websites do a wonderful job explaining it. But I will say don’t be afraid to try your hand at crafting your own soap! I found it surprisingly, very easy. It took just a couple of hours. The cost was minimal. I used older utensils and containers that I already had; I will now reserve them for soap making. I did purchase a stick blender, since that really helps lessen the mixing step to just a few minutes!

The most important aspect to remember is that lye is very dangerous and you need to follow the safety steps carefully-but these commonsense safeguards are similar to the ones for using caustic oven cleaners. I found a span of time when my family was out, so I didn’t need to worry about accidents or interruptions-and I had a wonderful time!

I have three batches “curing” on top of my china cabinet as I write this-my lovely, little, lavender soaps will be ready just in time for the holidays! (So family and friends guess what you’re getting for Christmas?)

Join me and move away from the chemically-laden, detergent that we have been “sold” as soap and transfer over to naturally-moisturizing “real soap”! Take the step to buy or to make your own and you will literally feel the difference!

Mineral Makeup: are These New Cosmetics Right for You?

Mineral Makeup: Are these new cosmetics right for you? (Keyword: Mineral Makeup)

Women around the world have been applying makeup to their faces for thousands of years. Mineral foundations are a concealer, foundation and multi-purpose powder all-in-one.Mineral makeup by Mineral secrets is a very different cosmetic. Mineral makeup is one of the fastest growing trends in the cosmetics industry in recent years. It’s versatility, light-weight feel, ease of use, and non-comedogenic properties appeal to a new wave of cosmetic wearers who are demanding more natural choices for their skincare regime. The best qualities of mineral makeup are the following: a light-weight feel with the option of layering for more coverage as needed, the simplicity of an all-in-one concealer and foundation.

Mineral makeup can cause problems the same as any other put together can cause problems. Mineral makeup does not irritant skin conditions like rosacea, post laser or acne like other products can. Mineral Secrets mineral cosmetics will help you achieve what you want with makeup! A four in one cosmetic (sun screen, concealer, base, powder) mineral makeup saves you money, time, and is actually good for your skin. A pure mineral makeup is combined with inorganic pigments to achieve the desired color. None of the artificial colors, preservatives or fragrances that one may find in chemical based makeup should be present. Other possible benefits of mineral makeup may include mineral based makeup may also act as a natural sunscreen.

If the powder particles don’t penetrate the skin, then pure mineral makeup is less likely to be inflammatory or otherwise irritate sensitive skin. When using mineral makeup, it is best to start with a clean slate. Using Herbs of Grace all natural handmade soaps or facial cleansers will get you off to a great start.Herbs of grace Powder/Foundation can also be used to set your makeup after you’ve applied eyeshadow, blush and lipstick. Tap a very small amount of powder into the lid of your container, and as before, use your Kabuki brush to apply a very sheer layer of powder over your entire face and neck. For eye shadow, dip the eye shadow brush of your choice, tap off excess, and apply sparingly. Choose a lighter color to highlight under the brow area, and a darker color in the crease as a shader.

Mineral Makeup Tips

1. Mineral make up is available in forms of foundations and loose powder.

2. Choose a darker shade of Herbs of Grace Colors for lining the eye.

3. To create a liquid liner, use the same technique used with the eyeliner above.

4. Don’t apply the liner on a closed eye–gently pull the outer corner of the eye sideways.

5. Use the same techniques for filling in lip color as used with the lip liner.

6. Using your chosen shade of Color, tap a small amount of powder into the container lid.

7. Use clear nail polish and simply dip the nail polish brush into the desired Herbs of Grace Color and apply to nails.

8. Use a darker base as a contour or bronzer. This makes the skin come alive and also increases the sun protection

Some recent soap making supplies auctions on eBay:

US $45.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 18:12:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $45.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $12.50 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 2:22:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $19.50 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 2:36:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Emu Oil Benefits For People and Pets

Emu oil comes from the fat of a large ostrich like birds, called emus. These shy and inquisitive animals are most common in Australia, found in forest and woodland areas, instead of highly populated areas. They are cautious when approaching civilization, but will approach small groups of people, in the wild, when prompted by food. Emus stand about six feet tall, weigh up to about one hundred twenty pounds, are capable of running up to 30 m.p.h., (especially when alarmed or threatened), and can swim.

Emu oil is a hypoallergenic, non-toxic, all-natural substance. It is used in a variety of ways. It is used in commercial and homemade beauty products for skin, hair and nails. It is used in pain relieving products. It can be found in pet care products, as well. What are the emu oil benefits?

EMU OIL BENEFITS: Skin Care

Contains Oleric acid (a skin regenerator & anti-wrinkle agent)

Reduces depth, length, fine lines and wrinkles

Diminishes age spots

Assist in repairing scars and stretch marks

Has anti-aging properties with powerful anti-oxidants

Has anti-septic properties

Inhibits bacteria: fights pimples, acne, does not clog pores

Skin softening and moisturizing properties

Reduces dry skin, dry itchy skin, dry flaky skin

Alleviates discomfort of eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash and shingles

Gentle for all skin types

Contains vitamins E and A

Shown to reverse hair loss

It is, often, used in sports medicine for relieving the pain of strains, sprains and muscle soreness. This natural oil is able to penetrate the layers of skin, providing a variety of pain-relieving benefits.

EMU OIL BENEFITS: Pain-relief

Anti-inflammatory

Relieves strains, sprains and muscle pain

Accelerates healing of minor wounds with less scarring

Reduces pain and infection of insect bites and stings

Lessens pain of burns and sunburns

Reduces pain of chronic arthritis

This natural oil is used in commercial and homemade pet soaps, shampoos and conditioners.

EMU OIL BENEFITS: Pet Care

Relieves arthritic, joint and muscle pain

Improves dull coat; providing soft, healthy, shiny coat

Improves skin irritations

Treats ringworm, fleas and ticks

Used to reduce build-up of scar tissue

There is a difference between using regular commercial skin care products and natural homemade skin care products. What is the difference? One differences is that, natural, homemade, skin care products contain mild and gentle natural ingredients, unlike harsh chemically manufactured, skin irritating, ingredients found in modern-day, commercial, skin care products. Harsh, skin-irritating, chemicals can often contribute to poor skin conditions such as: dry itchy skin, dry flaky skin, inflammation, swelling, redness, rashes, acne and more. Harsh chemicals should be avoided, especially, for those with sensitive skin.

You may find this natural oil in a variety of homemade skin care products for people and pets! For people, homemade lotion, homemade shampoo, homemade soap are to name a few, and then there is homemade Au natural soap for pets too. Some pets, also, have sensitive skin and should avoid harsh chemicals found in some commercial skin care products like pet soap, shampoo or conditioners.

Emu oil provides a variety of benefits for people and pets! Discover the multiple emu oil benefits, today!

Bath Salt Recipes – A Quick Way To Create Your Very Own

Generating your personal bath salt is not just about saving money. Its great fun and allows your creativeness to arrive towards the forefront and mix and match your components. All you really require is really a great bath salt recipe and also the relaxation is easy. With countless recipes floating about on the web its essential to keep a number of key things in mind. Generating something that is both nice and good for the skin is vitally essential if you would like a product that’s just as good as a store bought model.

Bath salts really ain’t that complicated to create. Whats really challenging is in balancing the aromas and working with various infusions to provide it certain specific therapeutic values. Lets initial appear at what you’ll need:

Salt: You are able to use a combination of sea salt and Epsom salt and you’ll require large quantities of each.

Scents: To get that wonderful aromatic impact you need to infuse the bath salt with a scent. The safest and easiest option would be to use scented oils.

Large Mixing Bowl:You’ll need a large mixing bowl to mix all of the components together.

Containers: Once you have got everything combined together you’ll need to location it in containers. Its truly essential that these are air-tight and you will need to have it properly sealed for as long as possible.

So, now we get to the enjoyable part. Merely combine 2 components of sea salt with 1 a part of Epsom salt. Then slowly start adding your scented oil and attempt and mix it in as best as you possibly can and do it extremely slowly. The fragrance will intensify when you seal it up in containers and the salt begins to absorb the fragrance. For optimum infusion you need to seal the whole combine in a big air tight container for three days prior to you start bottling it in smaller (display) containers.

Its essential that whenever you do bottle it in show containers that you simply get a very great seal. If its not air tight the salt will shed its fragrance. Also, be cautious with the kind of containers you use – particularly the lids. Certain metal lids can begin rusting because of the high moisture content within the salts while cork and another products are porous and can permit the salt to catch moisture.

In the event you intent to sell your bath salts or even if you give it away as gifts its important that you pay attention to a few of the finer detail. Nobody want to give a present which will be ruined nor do you want to sell a item that won’t maintain. Generating bath salt is each a science and an artwork and you need each to make it work.

Do you want to learn how to make soap at home? See my beauty blog for more on making beauty products and learn how to make bath bombs…