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Archive for the ‘Loofa Sponges’ Category
The Loofah sponge surprisingly is the one sponge that does not come from the ocean, and can be easily grown in the garden. This is a Mediterranean native that requires a warm and long growing season. If you live in a shorter growing season such as New York, it is best to start your seeds inside to get a head start then transplant them to the garden. This gourd grows on a vine at lengths of up to 30 feet, so be sure to have a fence, trellis or garden tee-pee for it to grow on. The loofah is a gourd that makes the wonderful loofah sponge which is commonly used for skin exfoliation. We mold our soaps into the loofah sponge creating a loofah filled goat’s milk soap bar. These soap bars are wonderful for skin exfoliation and when the soap has depleted you can simply wash your sponge out with vinegar and water, and get several more months use from the sponge.
To prepare the sponge to be molded with soap, the sponge must be cleaned and dried out. When the sponge is dry we cut the middle section out, kind of like the core of an apple, this section is harder than the rest of the sponge and is great for leaving at the kitchen sink for scrubbing those really nasty pots and pans. After we cut the middle section out, we then take the sponge and seal off the end and sides with either a plastic bag or plastic wrap leaving one end open to pour in the soap, then seal and let sit for 24 hours. After the insulation the plastic comes off and the sponge soap bar then sits for 4- 6 weeks to cure. After the soap has cured we then slice the bar in half, and now the Loofah soap bar is ready to be used.
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The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that consists of three types of cells, keratinocytes, melanocytes, and langerhans cells. The predominant cell in the epidermis is the keratinocyte, which makes the protein karatin. Once these cells have divided and matured they move to the upper layer of the epidermis which is called the stratum corneum; this is where they die and become hardened proteins and lipids forming a protective crust. The dead cells from the stratum corneum are constantly sloughed off and replaced with new ones. As we get older this process tends to slow down which is when exfoliating your skin, such as with a loofa sponge is extremely helpful.
The melanocyte cells in the epidermis produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives the skin its tone and color. Melanin is found not only in the skin but the eyes and hair as well. Finally the langerhan cells are the cell that are in direct relation to the immune system. They prevent unwanted foreign substances from entering through the skin.
The dermis is the middle layer of the skin that consists of two layers the upper and lower. The upper layer is the papillary and the lower is the reticular dermis. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerve endings and sebaceous glands that are always producing sebum. Sebum is the skins natural oil that rises to the epidermis lubricating and protecting the skin.
Finally, the hypodermis (subcutaneous fat), is the bottom layer of the skin made mostly of fat. This is where the skin is attached to the bones, and muscles, supplying them with blood vessels and nerves. The subcutaneous fat acts a heat insulator and shock absorber protecting the tissue below from trauma and cold.
When I was first introduced to the concept of a loofah, I quickly dismissed it as a product that only women would want to use. Naturally, when I got one for Christmas last year I was a little taken back, but I quickly grew to love it. As I learned more about it, I found that loofahs are actually the fruit section from a tropical plant known as the Luffa.
When the fruit of the Luffa is allowed to mature, it is then processed to remove everything but the xylem and is then used as a sponge. These sponges have a slightly coarse texture, which make them perfect for body scrubbing and exfoliation. The softer loofah sponges are created by folding mesh fabric and are used with a liquid soap.
Well, winter is here again, and although these past few days of Indian summer were most enjoyable we know that the cold and bitter air will be here to stay for a while. With humidity levels at a low this usually is the time of the year most of us suffer from wintry dry skin and begin applying more chap stick, lip balms, lotions, creams and salves. These are all good and do help treat dry skin and chapped lips, especially goats milk lotion, and lip balms with Shea Butter and therapeutic oils in them, but I would also like to mention; by introducing skin exfoliation as a bathing routine will help prevent dry itchy skin as well.
What is dry skin, and what does it look like? Dry skin, is skin that has low levels of Sebum, which is an oily substance secreted by the glands in your skin that helps protect it from drying out. There are many variables that contribute to dry skin conditions such as, change in climate, genetics, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, and exposure to sun, wind, chemicals, cosmetics, and harsh soaps. You will know if your skin is dry if you’re constantly itchy and experience skin cracking. Signs to look for in dry skin other than the itchy feeling; are increased visibility in the fine lines of the skin, cracking of the skin, and dry flakes.
What is Skin Exfoliation? Skin exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the (epidermis) which is the outermost layer of skin allowing new skin cells to develop from the (dermis) the lower layer of skin. It is said that the Egyptians were the first to practice such skin care practices, which interestingly enough is the native home to the Loofah gourd that is still used today as a popular sponge for skin exfoliation.
There are three different types of skin exfoliation; manual, chemical and enzyme exfoliation. Manual exfoliation of course is manually scrubbing off dead skin cells, by using sponges, creams, lotions, scrubs and cleansers. Chemical exfoliation is used to treat the surface of the skin using chemicals such as Alpha hydroxy acids and Beta hydroxy acids. This form of exfoliation is most often used in treating acne, age spots, sun damage and wrinkles. The third form of exfoliation is Enzyme exfoliation which is used for people who have very sensitive skin. These products, rather than scrubbing off or using chemicals, dissolve dead skin cells by using powders, pads, cleansers, and mask that have proteolytic enzymes in them.
How often should I exfoliate? Although skin exfoliation is great skin care practice for maintaining healthier skin, you do not want to over exfoliate. Due to the great effects exfoliation has on the skin can lead many into the trap of over exfoliating. Exfoliation does feel great and leaves your skin feeling healthy, but too much can actually cause even more damage causing the skin to be more sensitive and vulnerable to skin damages.
For face exfoliation it is recommended to only exfoliate twice a week and less than that if you have sensitive skin. Also keep in mind that the skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body and should use gentler products with less abrasiveness. For body exfoliation you can get away with doing it 2-3 times a week; if you have sensitive skin you might prefer to exfoliate less.
There are so many different types of exfoliation products on the market today; I prefer to use the most natural products for all my skin care needs. I have really enjoyed growing my own loofa gourds and making my own loofa sponges as well and molding my handmade soaps into these sponges. This of course is a lot of work but so worth it! Other natural ways I enjoy exfoliating my skin is using milder soaps such as goat milk soap with natural ingredients in them such as oatmeal, ground almond and cinnamon.
Natural Sea Sponges; wonderful, practical, affordable gift idea!
Monday, November 2, 2009
posted by Barbara 6:00 AM
Natural Sea sponges are wonderful to have for bathing and household cleaning, and they make great gifts as well. The holiday season is such around the corner and I think it’s safe to say that most of us want to stretch the dollar, choosing more practical, more affordable and more meaningful gifts to bless our loved ones with this season.
I had noticed a trend this year towards the end of the farmer’s market season, and that is most folks shared with me that they were doing their Christmas shopping early this year. We sold a lot of gifts baskets and specialty bars like our felted bars, loofa and sea sponge soap bars. These all make great gifts and if you are shopping for someone you just never know what to get; everyone could use soap or enjoy a tasty, chemical free, lip balm. One thing I think is often overlooked is the natural sea sponge. If you have a natural sea sponge soap bar, or will be receiving one in the near future, don’t throw your sponge out after the soap has depleted.
The sea wool sponge can last up to 10 years, and the yellow sponge as long as 4 years with the proper treatment. Natural sea sponges have natural enzymes in them that prohibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Though the sea sponge soap bar are great, purchasing a sponge by itself is also great, and very affordable, especially when you get the life expectancy that you do with these sponges. Also keep in mind, no harmful chemical such as Triclosan like that which you would find in commercial synthetic sponges.
I think you will be amazed with the response you’ll receive from those you gift this year with a natural sea sponge soap bars, or even just a plain old sea sponge. Of course you will have to explain the gift and educate them why they are better that synthetic sponges, but once they try their new sponge you will enjoy listening to them share their testimony of how much they love their new natural sea sponges.
Loofa sponges! The sponge that comes from the ground, not the sea.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
posted by Barbara 7:00 AM
Our Loofa harvest has begun. This year we have planted much more loofa gourds in the garden than last year. My son Robby started the seeds in his greenhouse to get an earlier start in hope to have a healthier and larger harvest for making sponges. Making your own loofa sponges is a lot of fun, but very time consuming. These make excellent gifts, and with the holiday season just around the corner we want to be sure that we do not fall behind.
The first couple of frost has paid us a visit, and our vines are completely dead. Last year we were able to get some nice sponges, however I believe we picked the loofa’s too early. So this year we are waiting for the skin (the outer shell) to turn completely brown. I have read that this will make pealing the skin much easier. When the gourds have reached this stage, the skin should crack and crumble with a firm squeeze. Once the skin is removed we clean all the substance inside. Cut both ends of the gourd and, I find it is easier to cut the gourd in half for removing all the seeds and substance inside. You do this by running water through the gourd while squeezing it from the center to its ends repeatedly until all the substance is gone. Now that you have the loofa cleaned out all you need to do is place it in an area to dry for a day or two. If you want a lighter color, you can soak the sponge in warm water with a little bleach for 5 minutes.
Although making loofa sponges can be a messy and a time consuming project; it is well worth it. When you are finished, you end up with a beautiful product that you, or the one in whom you choose to gift to, a very natural sponge to exfoliate those dead skin cells. Or perhaps you may want to reserve one for the kitchen sink to scrub out those dirty pots and pans. Another great application for using natural loofa is to use them in a natural sponge soap bar. This is when the soap is actually molded into the sponge; you get the sponge and soap all in one.