Oregon Soap

I found Oregon Soap Company while searching the internet for a natural brand of organic soap. They have a variety of soaps to choose from and I purchased at least one bar of each type. But what really made my eyes pop was their Shampoo & Conditioner bar in Peppermint Tea Tree.

I had a weeks worth of heavy product in my hair, and because of this, I thought I would have to shampoo several times to at least get a lather. But during the first wash I moved the bar across my wet hair a couple of times and a healthy heap of foam started to appear.

It felt nice.

As I massaged the product in my hair, I smelled a sweet minty aroma from the peppermint that caused my scalp to tingle. I was pleased. After rinsing – my hair squeaked. But I wasn’t satisfied yet. I just didn’t think one wash was enough. So I ran the bar across my hair maybe twice and another healthy group of suds started to form. After rinsing right away, I felt satisfied that my hair and scalp was clean, even though it was clean after the first wash.

I like the Peppermint Tea Tree bar, as perhaps a clarifying shampoo, but as a conditioner, I would not recommend using it alone. I let my hair air dry, and when all of the water had evaporated, my tresses were dry and hard. It felt as if I used a product without a trace of conditioner in it. As a shampoo this is a great product to use. As a shampoo and conditioner, I wouldn’t rely on the conditioning part.

So on a scale of 1 to 5 curls I give Oregon Soap Company’s Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo bar part – 5 curls. The conditioning part – 1 curl.

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!

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 about a year. 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 my 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 will be transferring the remaining Rose Water into a glass jar I already have. The plastic container was cheaper to buy to temporarily store the fluid.

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

Peppermint Essential Oil – I used 3 drops. Peppermint increases blood flow and stimulates nerves. Plus I like the cooling effect it provides to my skin.

Frankincense Essential Oil – I used 3 drops. This is an anti aging ingredient. It also heals scars and controls oil returning the skin to normal.

Myrrh Essential Oil – I used 3 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 (check out a couple of articles on the subject by clicking HERE and HERE). 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 helps fight oily skin and acne.

Lavender Essential Oil- Another acne fighting ingredient. I added 2 drops.

Tea Tree Essential Oil - Tea Tree cleans, heals and prevents acne. Plus it keeps oily skin under control. Another 2 drops was included in the mixture.

Frankincense Essential Oil – Used for anti aging purposes. Two drops was put into the cleanser.

Myrrh Essential Oil – Anti aging. I used just 2 drops.

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 of the facial cleanser into 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