Lime Deodorant

I eliminated using deodorants with aluminum more than eight years ago. When I first started to use aluminum-free deodorants, I didn’t like my experience because they didn’t work, especially in the summer.

But just as I was about to give up and switch back to deodorants with harsh chemicals someone suggested I try lime juice instead.

Since I believe God made items can heal I was open to giving it a try, and to my surprise, I was pleased with the results.

Juice directly from a fresh lime cuts odor like nothing I have ever experienced before. After about a year, I tried aluminum-free deodorant again and this time, during the summer, it worked nicely and I was no longer embarrassed.

I still use lime juice as a deodorant and recommend it to all. This is what I do. It’s very simple.

• Cut a fresh lime in half.
• Squeeze the juice from one slice under each arm pit after bathing.
• The juice may sting but it’ll go away after a few seconds.

 That’s it!

Wrap up each lime piece separately and place it in the refrigerator. You can use the same slice for about three days then toss and use the other portion.

Key limes work as well.

My New Skin Care Regimen

Every two to three years my skin informs me, by unnecessarily breaking out, that I need to find a new skin care regimen.

So, when my skin started to break out this time, I knew what I had to do. It took several months to find a new cleansing method my skin liked. I experimented with a variety of skincare products as well as homemade remedies but nothing worked.

After feeling sort of hopeless with the results of my search, one day, while in Whole Foods, I decided to purchase Alba Botanica’s Natural Acne line in maximum strength. Each item cost $9.95 with the exception of the Natural Acnedote Oil Control Lotion which is $15.50.

Honestly, I would not have cared how much these products cost because they agree with my skin. When I first tried the line, I used it morning and night and the acne dissipated in just a few days! I was relieved. I could have kicked myself for taking so long to try Alba Botanica. It’s not like I didn’t see it in the store. I saw it. The line has been available in health food spots for years - I just by passed it – every time.

So, until my skin tells me otherwise, Alba Botanica Natural Acne line in maximum strength will be my product of choice in maintaining healthy looking gorgeous skin.

The entire line is 100% vegetarian with no animal testing, artificial colors, artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium methyl sulfate.

You guys know I like that!

Private Stash

Here’s a look at my private hair care stash. I just felt like sharing.

Rosemary Oil, Burdock Oil and Thyme Oil. Marinating for four to six weeks. I’ll use them on my hair, skin and even in my food.

After straining the herbs from the oils I will transfer the oils into their own glass jars and keep them in my bathroom’s cupboard.

Nettle and Horsetail Herbs used for my hair rinse.

Store bought oils.

I need to be more mindful of what is in my stash. I have two bottles of Rosemary Essential Oils, two Lavender Essential Oils and two Tea Tree Essential Oils. That makes no sense.

I am in love with Vitamin E. Where do I began or end in regards to Aloe Vera Gel? Sometimes I massage the Aloe Vera on to my scalp. It is excellent for the scalp and hair as it treats hair loss, nourishes and moisturizes, and increases blood circulation to hair follicles. It’s also great for acne, scars, burns and sores, just to name a few.

Turkey eggs. The best shampoo ever. There is one brown chicken egg in the back. Can you see it?

African Shea Butter is the base for my hair cream. Shea Butter and Raw Cocoa Butter are the base for my body butter. I like to use a few drops of Frankincense Oil from the Muslim store to bring about a sweet aroma.

Homemade Facial Tonic

Twice a day, or sometimes more, I use a facial tonic that I created based on my skin type. I’ve been using this homemade remedy for more than two years. Over the years I made other remedies but this one I like the most because it seems to be keeping my oily skin and pimples under control.

The recipe is so simple. Seriously. It takes just a few minutes. Check it out below.

Glass Jar – I always use glass jars when making homemade stuff. Glass is better than plastic. This goes for plastic Tupperware too. Plus glass bottles look prettier on the shelves. This jar is about 4 oz.

Rose Water – Use Rose Water that you can cook with and drink. Rose Water is an excellent treatment for acne and wrinkles. It is a fantastic healer for many skincare problems. I transferred the remaining Rose Water into a glass jar.

Vitamin E Skin Oil – I love Vitamin E. It can do no wrong. I put 1/8 teaspoon into my tonic.

Peppermint Essential Oil – I used 2 drops. Peppermint increases blood flow and stimulates nerves. Plus I like the cooling effect it provides to my skin.

Frankincense Essential Oil – I used 2 drops. This is an anti aging ingredient. It also heals scars and controls oil.

Myrrh Essential Oil – I used 2 drops. Myrrh maintains firm youthful skin by helping to prevent tissue degeneration. It also cools, soothes and heals scars.

Shake the bottle.

And that’s it.

Homemade Oil-Based Facial Cleanser

I may be an adult but I still experience break-outs. So to keep the acne and oil in check, I cleanse my face twice a day with a homemade oil-based facial cleanser.

Cleansing the face with oil is not new. I’ve been following this method for years and so have others. The oils in the cleanser can also be taken internally. I like to add a few drops of my favorite essential oils to give the remedy a little kick. This is what I do.

Glass Bottle – This is a about 4oz. I always use glass bottles or jars when making my homemade stuff because all of the goodness from the ingredients last longer in glass than plastic.

Castor Oil- I fill about half of the jar with Castor Oil. This oil cleanses and heals the skin.

Grapeseed Oil- Then I add a little Grapeseed Oil. This is another light cleansing oil.

Hazelnut Oil- I try to equal the amounts of Hazelnut and Grapeseed Oils. This oil fights oily skin and acne.

Lavender Essential Oil- Another acne fighting ingredient. I added 1 drop.

Tea Tree Essential Oil - Tea Tree cleans, heals and prevents acne. Plus it keeps oily skin under control. One drop was included in the mixture.

Frankincense Essential Oil – Used for anti-aging purposes. One drop was put into the cleanser.

Myrrh Essential Oil – Anti-aging. I used just 1 drop.

I like to shake the bottle.

Done.

How to use the facial cleanser:

First I take off my make-up using my homemade lavender oil (excellent for controlling acne) with a hot wash cloth. The temperature of the heat is as hot as I can stand it.

• Pump 2 or 3 squirts in the palm of my hand.
• Warm up the oil by rubbing my hands together.
• Apply the oil onto my face and massage it in. This lifts the dirt and oil.
• I then use a hot face cloth and wipe away the oil.
• I may repeat the cleansing steps at least 2 or 3 times.
• Splash cold water on my face to close the pores.
• I like it when my face squeaks.

New Hair Care Regimen

I had to put together a new hair care regime upon my relocation from New York to New Mexico. The air is different. The weather is different. So I had to find a different method to take care of my hair. So far this system seems to be working. Check it out below.

Vitamins: (See my post about the vitamins I take by clicking HERE)

Every Morning:

• Vitamin D 2000 IU (Raw)
• Super B Complex
• Flax Seed

Every Evening:

• Folic Acid
• Vitamin E 200 IU
• Prenatal (Raw)
• MSM

Products: Best suitable for my hair in the dry air of New Mexico are:

• Qhemet Biologics
• Beautiful Curls
• Shea Moisture
• Kinky-Curling

Oils: Homemade (Read my post on this subject by clicking HERE and HERE)

• Lavender Oil
• Rosemary Oil
• Thyme Oil

Hair Cream: Homemade (Click HERE to read all about it)

• Main ingredient – Shea Butter

Regiment:

Sunday: Pre-Shampoo with one of my homemade oils for 30 minutes or more. Shampoo-wash and condition. Then, using heat, I deep condition using one of my oils with either avocados or conditioner or I apply the oil by itself. After my hair is moisturized, I apply a leave-in conditioner, what ever cream/butter I’m using at the moment to define my twists and seal everything in with one of my oils.

Tuesday: I apply hair cream to my scalp and ends - then massage everything in.

Thursday: Egg-shampoo (Using turkey and/or chicken eggs click HERE to read more) and condition-wash. Every other Thursday I apply my herbal hair rinse for 30 minutes or more. (click HERE for ingredients). After my hair is moisturized, I apply a leave-in conditioner, what ever cream/butter I’m using at the moment to define my twists and seal everything in with one of my oils.

Saturday: I apply hair cream to my scalp and ends - then massage everything in.

Styling

When styling I apply one of my favorite products’ oil and/or pomade to maintain softness and sheen. I use a leave-in conditioner almost every night during the twist preparation. My favorite styles to wear are one-strand/double twist out and a two-strand twist out.

Henna:

About once a month to hide the gray.

Trims:

I trim my hair every 3 to 6 months alternating between a New Moon and a Full Moon (Yep I follow the lunar system regarding hair care. It keeps me on a schedule. Click HERE to read more).

Homemade Brown Sugar Facial Scrub

Since my teen years I have had many skincare regimens. The oil, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads forced me to always find new and interesting ways to take care of my skin.

Now that my skin is more mature, the oily and acne haven’t gone any place. To help maintain a youthful look, and to prevent breakouts and excessive oil, I like to exfoliate once a week with my homemade Brown Sugar Facial Scrub.

 Below is how I make it.

1 cup of Brown Sugar – cleans and tightens pores giving the skin a more even uniformed appearance

Honey – Add enough to make a consistency you like. Honey softens and heals the skin tissue bringing natural moisture to its surface.

1 tablespoon of water – To help loosen the mixture so it will go on easier (you can use less H2O or not at all)

• 1 drop of Lavender Essential oil – Great for acne and scars
• 1 drop of Tea Tree Essential oil – Best known for its antiseptic properties (I use Tea Tree to clean my makeup brushes as well). It is useful in treating and healing acne and scars.
• 2 drops of Frankincense Essential oil – I love everything Frankincense. This is a very powerful ingredient and it can be used in many things. In this mix it is suitable for anti aging benefits and as well as scars.
• 2 drops of Myrrh Essential oil – Myrrh has been used for hundreds of years as a skin preservative and is often used to prevent tissue deterioration.

The mixture should look like this

The brown sugar and honey will harden and crystallize when they are exposed to air. So pour the scrub into a glass jar and seal it to eliminate waste.

I also use the scrub on my:

• Ankles
• Knees
• Elbows
• Body and
• Anyplace I have a scar