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Spring is in the air and before we know it, we will be spending much of our free time outdoors. Unfortunately as we get closer and closer to warmer weather, the bugs come out as well. I’m talking about those nasty mosquitoes, and all those other annoying buzzing, biting insects that seem to declare an all out war on all humans. It’s as if our best defenses are not going outside, or spray on loads of bug spray. Of course we will spray on just about anything to keep those annoying little insects from biting, so that we can enjoy our time in the outdoors.
Have you ever considered what might be in the bug repellent that you are spraying all over your body? Chances are the main ingredient would be Deet, (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) which is a chemical that was patented by the US Army in 1946. Deet is used in just about all insect repellents at different concentrations. The reality of Deet, is that it is a pesticide that kills insects. This pesticide is known to melt plastic, prolong exposure can impair cell function, and is even more harmful when mixed with other chemicals, that are commonly found in many every day skincare products such as deodorants, sunscreens, and soaps.
Short term exposure of Deet is not as harmful, and is recommended to not use a repellent that has over 30% concentration of Deet; however there are natural alternatives that effectively repel these insects, such as handmade soaps that have insect repelling ingredients like citronella in them. When I know that I will be working outside, or going hiking / camping, I use a soap bar that is called Deep Woods. It contains citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, bergamot, and lemon grass essential oil, and does a wonderful job naturally repelling biting insects. Sometimes I will just rub the bar as its dry on my neck and arms without any water, and is still very effective.
I highly recommend using natural insect repellents such as these soap bars, or products like Mercola’s Bug Off, which is free of Deet having a fresh lemon scent and natural ingredients, such as vanilla, citronella, lemongrass oil, and peppermint oil. Remember that our skin is permeable, what goes on gets in. As we choose safer skin care products to wash our bodies with, let us not neglect the products that we use which are suppose to protect us from the sun and biting insects as well.
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Of the many wonderful benefits goat milk has to offer for healthier, younger looking skin, exfoliation is one of them. Goat milk contains lactic acid which contributes to skin exfoliation, and is a natural source of alpha-hydroxy acids, which exfoliates the skin by breaking down the glue holding dead skin cells together. Alpha-hydroxy acids are also often used as a base in many lotions, because it has moisturizing properties as well. It is important especially as we become older and our bodies begin to slow down the process of naturally shedding dead skin cells, to exfoliate our skin. Though a goat’s milk soap alone contributes to exfoliating dead skin cells, you can also find goat milk soap bars molded in natural sea sponges, for a gentle exfoliation or in a loofah sponge for more aggressive exfoliation.
Once you have made the wonderful decision of using handcrafted soap bars such as goat milk soaps, it is important to know how to care for your new soap bar. Unlike commercial soaps that are loaded with synthetic ingredients and artificial hardeners, goat’s milk soaps are still in their most natural state, containing all the natural glycerin that occurs during the soap making process. If you were to leave a hand crafted goat’s milk soap bar in standing water it would turn to a mushy mess fairly quickly. This does not necessarily mean your soap is ruined, and that you just completely wasted your money. You can reshape the mushy pile of soap, usually most successfully a ball shape, allowing it to dry and reuse; however your soap will not last as long if you do not let it completely dry out between uses.
The best way to protect your handcrafted soap bars is to place them on soap trays that will keep the soap out of standing water, allowing the bar to dry out. There are many different soap trays to choose from ranging in all different prices. The main purpose is to have the bar in a dish that has drainage so that no water will puddle up. They make soap trays that have suction cups that conveniently stick to the side of the shower wall or nice dishes to place on shelves.
I have been making my own homemade soap trays, by just using window trim. Making your own soap tray is simple and fun, and they make great gifts. All you will need is some window trim, a saw, sand paper and polyurethane. If you know a carpenter you could ask for scrap pieces, all you really need is it to be about 4 inches long, and go with the ¾ inch rather than ½ inch thick trim. If you cannot access any scrap pieces, for less than $16.00 you can buy an 8 foot long piece of trim and make about 19 soap trays. That’s whole lot of gifts you can generously give out or you could decide to make a few dollars. Make sure to sand and polyurethane the soap tray for a final finish that will be water resistant.
Goat milk soap is one of the most sought out soaps recommended for sensitive skin, due to the moisture attracting properties of milk, and lack of useless harmful chemicals that are commonly found in just about all commercial soaps. Research has revealed that goat milk has anti-aging properties, leaves the skin close to the natural PH, and aids to the regeneration of collagen under the skin. Some may hesitate to the sound of putting milk that comes from a farm animal on their skin, doubting its skin care and cleansing abilities, but the truth be told; goats milk soaps go far beyond keeping your skin clean. The high levels of lactic acid from goat milk naturally exfoliate dead skin cells, and are abundantly rich in vitamins and proteins as well, contributing to healthier younger looking skin.
Goat’s milk soaps are the gentlest of soaps that are often complimented with therapeutic essential oils such as lavender, and tea tree oil, accommodating all types of skin, whether it being oily, rough, or really sensitive skin, I am confident in saying that you will notice a tremendous difference when using goat milk skin care products.
Eczema is a skin condition that is most common with newborns, but adults suffer from it as well. It is still uncertain what causes this inflammation of the skin that leaves the skin in a rash like state, causing severe itching. Its appearance is mainly a redness color, with outbreaks of lesions that can become encrusted and scaly.
If you or your child suffer from eczema, and have been prescribed a medicated cream to relieve the symptoms but are just not comfortable about applying steroid creams and synthetic chemicals on your child, and or yourself, see if your doctor would recommend trying a natural treatment such as Tea Tree oil.
We have had several customers comment that by just using a goat’s milk lotion with Tee Tree oil had relieved them from eczema symptoms. The amount of Tee Tree oil in these lotions is very small; however you should still consult your doctor for treating eczema with Tee Tree oil, for it is known to have some side effects. Some may be allergic to the cineole in the oil, and it has been recommended not to use Tee Tree oil while breast feeding or if you are pregnant. Just because something is natural does not mean that it is free from all side effects. We are all unique and our bodies react differently, which it is why it is always wise to consult with your physician before trying any new method of treatment.
Why Goat’s Milk Soap Leaves The Skin Silky & Smooth
Monday, February 22, 2010
posted by Rob 11:06 AM
Many have commented on how soft and smooth their skin feels after bathing with goat milk soaps, and there are some really good reasons why this is true. Aside from the many benefits goat milk has for the skin, the biggest moisturizing attribute is that the natural glycerin is still in the soap. This by-product which naturally occurs during the soap making process promotes moisturizing properties. Glycerin is the most expensive ingredient in a bar of soap, which is why it is taken out of commercial soaps and sold to cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies to make expensive moisturizers.
You do not have to take my word for it, find out for yourself, by experimenting. I encourage you to wash regularly for about a month with a natural soap bar such as goat milk soap, that has no synthetic ingredients like fragrance oils, and has all of its natural glycerin, and tell me if you have noticed any difference.
A couple of days ago I had mentioned about the antioxidant properties of goat’s milk soap, having vitamins A and E and how such antioxidants fight off free radicals. I continued to mention the best food sources of antioxidants and the availability of such antioxidants in dietary supplements such as Krill oil. Krill oil is not only a great source of antioxidants, but omega-3 fatty acids as well, which the two of these properties are extremely important incorporating into our daily diets for a healthier well being.
The best source of omega-3 has been known to come from fish, particularly salmon, which in a perfect world would be true. We should be able to receive all the proper nutrients were suppose to be getting from all our foods; however due to many man made interferences much of our food has either been altered or contaminated. This is why nutritional supplements have become so necessary in our diets. I use to think it was foolish to spend money on vitamins and dietary supplements if you ate healthy. Even if you do maintain a healthy diet, you still may be lacking many of the nutrients that you should be receiving. Much of this depends on how the food is cooked and where it came from. One example would be the recent discovery of nutrients being robbed from foods that are cooked in microwaves.
It has been advised by the FDA and the EPA now that we limit the amount of fish we eat due to high levels of mercury, and other industrial pollutants such as PCBs, heavy metals and so forth. This has led many to fish oil, and other sources of omega-3 such as flax seed to receive the amounts of Omega-3 that most of us are so deficient in. Fish oil is a great source of Omega-3, and though I have read that Flax seed is a great natural source of Omega-3, I have also read that there could be direct relations to prostate cancer, so I would like to research that a bit more before I can base an opinion; however I have just discovered New and Improved Krill Oil from Dr. Mercola, and would like to share what I believe to be an amazing discovery.
What Are Krill?
Krill are tiny shrimp like creatures that cover the oceans floor deep in the Antarctic waters. There is absolutely no need to worry about over harvesting krill, for it is said that krill make up the largest biomass on earth along with plankton, making them a very renewable resource. Krill oil is known to support a healthy heart, blood sugar health, healthy joints, brain and nervous system development, cholesterol, blood lipid health, healthy skin, healthy liver and much more.
I encourage all my friends, family, clients, and readers to check out New and Improved Krill oil and find out for yourselves, by reading the articles and watching the video of Dr. Mercola explaining all the amazing health benefits in greater detail. I am sure once you have done research and have started adding krill oil to your diet you too will want to shout it from the roof tops and letting all that you come in contact with of this wonderful and very much needed supplement.
Goat Milk Soaps Have Natural Antioxidant Properties
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
posted by Rob 1:00 AM
Antioxidants are nutrients found in certain foods that help fight off free radicals which are harmful molecules believed to contribute to many health conditions. They are metabolic byproducts that cause damage to both cells and tissues throughout the body. Without getting into a complete Physiology/Chemistry 101 lesson, it is my understanding that free radicals are simply, a molecule or atom with unpaired electrons making them unstable, attacking the nearest molecule available to steal its electron. When that molecule has had one of its electrons taken it has now become a free radical, which this eventually leads to a chain reaction leading to the disruption of living cells.
Most common sources of antioxidants come from food sources such as fruits vegetables, and plants. Vitamins A and E are both high in antioxidants, as well as flavonoids, which are commonly found in plants, vegetables, fruits, algae, tea, red wine and can also be found in dietary supplements such as Krill oil. These are all great sources of antioxidants but did you know that goat milk has antioxidant properties as well? Goat milk has both vitamins A and E, which help destroy free radicals generated in the skin by the pollutants that synthetic chemicals allow to pass through. Vitamin A is best known for healthy eyesight, and keeping the skin healthy and vitamin E by itself is said to be a very effective antioxidant, and when combined with vitamin C is known to be extremely effective in destroying free radicals. This is one of the many great health advantages goats milk has to offer and why choosing skin care products such as goat milk soaps is a wise, and healthy decision.
Protect Your Skin From Bacteria, With Goat’s Milk.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
posted by Rob 11:36 AM
Our skin has a protective layer of acidic oils that act as a barrier and filter, protecting the inside of the body from the external environment. This layer is called the acid mantle. The skins PH is between 4 to 5.5, making it acidic. It is this acid layer that protects the skin from bacteria, killing the bacteria so that it cannot damage the skin. Most commercial soaps are a strong alkaline that strip the acid mantle from the skin, making it easy for bacteria to attack. Goats milk however has a PH that is very similar to that of the skins natural PH making goat’s milk soaps a very popular soap that neutralize the effects of bacteria that cause skin infections. The very best way you can maintain your acid mantle is to use skin care products such as goat milk soap that are PH balanced.
Water is such a precious commodity. Every living thing depends on water, but many natural water sources are polluted. One of the main culprits is the soap that many of us use on a daily basis. Many household and industrial chemicals have found their way to our rivers and lakes.
To help planet Earth recover from all the harmful effects of modernization, it is time to go back to basics. Homemade laundry detergent that uses environment-friendly materials can definitely go a long way. These detergents clean your clothes and do the environment a world of good. The laundry soap recipe utilizes natural ingredients to clean your clothes, the way that Mother Nature intended.