Ewesletter January 2004

Dear Readers, Happy New Year! Janurary is here and you may have noticed your skin is more dry than usual. Not only do you have to deal with cold winter temperatures and bracing winds when you step outside, you also have to face (opposite) central heating conditions when you stay indoors. Here are some things you can do to protect your skin from becoming too dry in winter:

Homespun→salves

Do you have a patch of skin that is rough, dry and peeling which you blame on winter? Here is a list of things you might consider applying as healing treatments in case
A) you've just run out of moisturizer,
B) you don't feel like driving through a blizzard to the store to buy new stuff
and/or
C) you're in the mood to experiment and you're just plain curious to see if your own homemade, out-of-the-pantry concoction will work:
Good for the skin
  1. breathing fresh air
  2. drinking lots of water
  3. eating fresh, organic food
  4. relaxing & getting lots of sleep
  5. exercising
  6. keeping your skin clean
Bad for the skin
  1. over-exposure to central heating
  2. drinking excess caffeine & alcohol
  3. eating over-processed foods
  4. stress & anxiety
  5. smoking
  6. applying soap & alcohol to the face

Moisturizing Cream


2 TB ROSEWATER, to clean and moisturize skin
1/2 cup ALMOND OIL, to condition normal, dry & mature skin
1 TB BEESWAX, to thicken and emulsify recipes
2 TB SHEA BUTTER, to nourish rough skin
1 tsp VITAMIN E, to prevent scar tissue & preserve blend
4 drops ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL, to calm anxiety & soften skin
4 drops LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL, to treat depression, headaches & relieve sore muscles		 Oils:
  • Almond Oil
  • Apricot Oil
  • Avocado Oil
  • Coconut Oil
  • Olive Oil
  • Sesame Oil

 

Essential Oils:
  • Chamomile Essential Oil
  • Lavender Essential Oil
  • Orange Essential Oil
  • Rose Essential oil
  • Sandalwood Essential Oil
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil

Method:

  1. Wash your tools and packaging jars in soapy water and sterilize as you would for jam making.
  2. Warm the almond oil in the double boiler. Stir in finely chopped beeswax and shea butter until melted. Blend thoroughly with electric hand mixer. Remove from heat.
  3. Add the rose water, drop by drop and beat until the mixture has cooled and is smooth.
  4. Stir in vitamin E and essential oils drop by drop. Beat until well blended.
  5. Pour into sterilized jars. Label. Store in a cool, dark place. Makes about 3/4 of a cup.
 Herbs, Flowers:
  • Aloe Vera Gel
  • Chamomile Tea
  • Green Tea
  • Lavender
  • Rosemary
  • Roses

 

Fruits, Vegetables:
  • Avocado
  • Carrot
  • Cucumber
  • Lemon
  • Orange
  • Pineapple

Manner:

A penny-sized amount of this moisturizer goes very far. Use wherever you have dry skin including on your face, elbows, hands, knees and feet.

 

Note: You can buy any of these ingredients from the Homespunspa boutique anytime.		 Condiments:
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Baking Soda
  • Egg
  • Honey
  • Milk
  • Yogurt

And more! Let me know what you come up with.

Thanks for reading Homespunspa's e-newsletter. If you like the content, ask your friends if they would like to subscribe and pass it on. If however, you wish to unsubscribe, email homespunspa@shaw.ca with REMOVE in the subject line. Questions? Email the Publisher, Editor, Writer and Photographer Maria Koropecky of Homespunspa Enterprises 2004 © or visit www.homespunspa.com
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