After Bath Sleepy Time Lotion Recipe {for kids, or all ages!}

 
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After Bath Sleepy Time Lotion Recipe

This after bath sleepy time lotion recipe was requested by newsletter subscriber Bonnie who was seeking a simple non-greasy lotion or cream, not based on coconut oil, that could be used on a 2 1/2 year old after her bath. She also wanted it to be lightly scented with lavender or a blend of essential oils that would help calm, soothe and relax before bedtime. While I designed this lotion to be kid-safe, there’s no … Continue reading →

How to Make Pencil Lines in Soap {+ 12 Natural Colorants Experiment}

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How to Make Pencil Lines in Cold Process Soap

Pencil lines in soap are thin horizontal lines that are created by lightly dusting a powdered colorant over a layer of freshly poured cold process soap batter, before adding the next layer on top. They’re a fun and relatively easy way to add visual interest to your soap recipes. While micas or charcoal, or my personal favorite – cocoa powder, are more commonly used for making pencil lines, I decided to do a little experiment … Continue reading →

Lotion Bar Sticks for Pain Relief {Arthritis and Achy Muscles}

 
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Lotion Bar Sticks for Arthritis and Achy Muscles - This easy DIY recipe features a trio of herbs (cayenne, ginger and arnica flowers) that have been shown to help relieve pain, inflammation and arthritis.

This recipe was inspired by newsletter subscriber Bonnie, who was seeking a lotion bar in a deodorant stick container for achy muscles and arthritic pain. It features a trio of herbs: cayenne – contains capsaicin which has been shown to offer relief from arthritic and other types of pain ginger – traditionally used to warm, increases circulation and relieve pain when applied topically arnica flowers – traditionally used to treat swelling, bruising and arthritic joints … Continue reading →

7 Recipes & Remedies for Dry Chapped Lips

 
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7 Chapped Lip Treatments

If you suffer from dry chapped lips, try these seven DIY recipes to help soothe, heal and protect. There are many oil, butter, herb and essential oil choices when it comes to making lip care products. If you’d like to further customize these recipes or swap out oils that you don’t have, be sure to check out my post on Creating Custom Lip Balms for lots of information and options. If you’d like to a make … Continue reading →

Valentine Soap with Hearts Recipe

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Valentine Soap with Hearts Recipe

This tricolored soap was dreamed up by newsletter reader Patricia who wanted to make her friends a cute soap for Valentine’s Day. She requested a soap with three layers – chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, and wanted it to smell like strawberries and chocolate. While my version doesn’t smell like strawberries since I have family members sensitive to fragrance oils, you could easily add one to the recipe if you’d like. Instead, I used unrefined cocoa … Continue reading →

DIY Eczema Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal

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Eczema Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal

This DIY eczema cream recipe features: colloidal oatmeal – soothing, protective and anti-inflammatory  (source, source, source) shea butter – emollient, anti-inflammatory  (source) sunflower oil – shown to repair skin barrier, improves hydration (source, source) Eczema is a miserable condition that causes skin to be intensely itchy and inflamed. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common forms of eczema, so you’ll sometimes see the two terms interchanged. I had severe eczema as a kid … Continue reading →

Energizing Shower Steamers to Wake You Up

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Energizing Shower Steamers with Essential Oils

This recipe was inspired by newsletter subscriber, Melody. She makes sinus bombs for the shower when her family has colds and also wanted to make some “wake up” bombs, but wasn’t sure which essential oils would go well in those. Shower bombs (also called shower steamers) are made similar to bath bombs, only you put them at the far corner of your shower so they slowly dissolve and release their aroma while you wash up. … Continue reading →