edensong

Soap nuts are the dried shells (or husks) from the soapberry (or soap berry nut). These berries are the fruit from a quite unique tree species. These shells contain saponin that produces a soaping effect for a 100% natural alternative to chemical laundry detergent and cleansers. It can replace chemical detergents that often contain skin irritants and fragrance. Soap nuts have been used for centuries throughout the world as a laundry detergent (and it soften fabric, so you don't need softener -- great for diapers!), as soap for personal hygiene, and as a cleanser with a plethora of other uses. The highest quality soap nut is Sapindus Mukorossi, which grows primarily in northern India and Nepal.

Those are lovely, Barbara. Great job!

Hi Jamie, I would like to recommend that you use soap nuts for your laundry, shampoo and body wash for your DD. They are natural and hypoallergenic -- also, way cheaper than Tide or any other commercial detergent. I'll include some for you to try, when I ship the eczema balm.

I've always wondered how those cutters work. Are you able to see where you are cutting? Does that make sense? A bit off topic, but I hope you plan on having your lotions tested before selling them.

PS -- I avoid soy like the plague, so don't use it in anything, but I do have beeswax, rice bran wax, sunflower wax, candelilla wax or carnauba wax. I see it gives the sub for beeswax in your 2nd post.

I actually have all these ingredients. I'm guessing you've not tried this on your daughter, so are you wanting just the amount made in the recipe?

You're welcome.

Sure does! It unclogs the pores and balances the skin, too.

I go that route or infuse vanilla beans in oil for a few weeks to use in your scrub.

I feel pretty much the same about sweet stuff on my lips. It makes me feel like there's food that needs to licked off. :rolleyes2

Have you considered using the oil cleansing method? It should help balance the production of oils and make your face really soft in the process. You could make a mix of castor (which has astringent properties) and jojoba (which is like the skin's sebum), then add a bit of tea tree and lavender EOs to it.

Carrie's right. I was in the coop and just got mine today.

I don't know this supplier, but they are located in Vermont. Perhaps you could contact her and see is she could make what you want. http://www.whisperhill.com/wholesaleintro.html

Yes, they are a reputable source, but you may find other suppliers that are less expensive.

You might check with your lip balm tube supplier. I've had to twist mine down on occasion when it seemed to "work its way upward" in my pocket.

If they don't twist up, how the heck do you get the lip balm out? Sorry, I don't a visual of what they look like.

Point well taken.

Ann, all you have to do is convert them. I don't use any recipe without first converting it to percentages in weight.

Thanks -- the black salve looks like an interesting recipe.

What percentage of clay do you use in your lip balms?

Has anyone considered adding lecithin to help cut the grease ring in the tub? I also wonder if colored clays would work for colorant (in place of the original recipe's cocoa powder) -- I'm thinking pink kaolin clay or Rhassoul clay. Pink kaolin is a gentle clay, making it suitable for sensitive skin. It helps stimulate circulation to the skin while gently exfoliating and cleansing it. Pink kaolin clay does not draw oils from the skin and can therefore be used on dry skin types. Rhassoul because of its characteristics. Reduces dryness (79%) Reduces flakiness (41%) Improves skin clarity (68%) Improves skin elasticity / firmness (24%) Improves skin texture (106%) Removes surface oil and oil from inside and around comedons Removes dead skin layers, resulting in a general smoothing of the surface skin In addition to the oil removal characteristics

I would think between 1 1/2 - 2% cornstarch would do the trick. Removed Co-op reference. ~MA

Hmmm, that's quite the list! Thanks.

You might consider using emu oil. Besides being an excellent moisturizer, it can relieve arthritis pain, and it has anti-inflammatory properties. It seems to be useful for different skin conditions like: psoriasis, eczema, cuts and burns, it is very good for mature skin. Also because it penetrates deep in the skin it is used as a penetration agent for other actives. As to your questions about how much to use of the EOs . . . for therapeutic usage, you may use 60 drops EOs to an oz of carrier oils.

I know this is an old thread, but I wondered if you ever got the product and could list the ingredients for us. I don't know why you couldn't create something similar with a hard butter and castor oil.