MONTH 25 DONE!
Heya all, I hope all is healing well. I am healing steadily in general. Not much big changes. After a good night's sleep, face always looks good and dead skin flakes off beautifully. I don't have eyebrows yet, so I decided to draw some in today hehehe
Now that looks (from a distance) like a bloody normal hand to me heehehehehehehehe. Still wrinkly especially at the wrist areas and there are scars from topical steroid and immunosuppressants. But OMG the feeling of comfortable hands is soooooooooo f-ing good. I can touch anything I want to now, I can wash dishes without gloves, I can peel an orange for my boys and be like 'oh citrus juice just leaked between my fingers' and not "FUCK YOU ORANGE!" *in pain*, I don't scratch my hands at all now. WHOOOP WHOOOP!
DIY HOMEMADE SKIN FOOD!
(I made these for friends just for fun, not all for myself
)I have been having fun with recipes and making my creams and balms! Since trying out the Sausage Tree Cream I decided to make my own cream for my face as it is just cheaper in the long run and I know exactly what I put in my personalised cream. I am no professional at it or trying to sell anything. I just want to feed my skin well and inspire people to go natural as much as possible; and this can include making your own skincare products and feeding your skin with good nutrients instead of chemicals from off-the-shelf average skincare products.
I only use the cream/butter/balms on my face mainly, sometimes hands and arms. I am still a fan of moisturiser withdrawal, or 'too-lazy-to-put-anything-on-skin'
I hop out of the shower these days and put nothing on my body except moisturise my face with my own homemade cream now. I have supple skin everywhere else except arms, hands and face. Although my hands and arms are dry but I really don't need to moisturise it. I believe the my body has regulated my natural body oils and I don't wanna moisturise any areas I do not need to.My homemade healing butter works! These photos were taken May 21, 22, 23, 26 and 29
Here are the very basics that people need to know in making their own skin care goodies:
http://www.makingskincare.com/how-to-make-a-lotioncream-part-1-equipment-and-ingredients/
Generally, I get all my ingredients from Go Native NZ. Go Native is wonderful however FYI if non-Kiwis are interested they do not currently ship outside of New Zealand. Their website is still a great source to check out the great skincare ingredient properties though. I always get organic/unrefined if available and always therapeutic grade for essential oils. If I love myself (and others) I don’t use cheap shit okay?!
and general rule for me now: if I can’t eat it, I will not put it on my skin, because basically I am eating it through my skin pores whatever I put on my skin.I have been having fun making lotions, creams, butters and balms. The general rule is if you mix oils and liquids together you MUST add a preservative to avoid bacteria growth and also an emulsifying agent to blend the two together. I generally use geogard 211 and emulsifier-O, which is PEG-free and a wax made from olives. If it's all oil/wax based (e.g., a balm) then you don't need these two.
According to Go Native NZ's experiments, they have shown these formulations to make the following:
- Light lotion: water phase 80%; oil phase 16%; Emulsifier-O 4%. Initially this is very milky but it firms up over 48 hours.
- Face cream: water phase 80%; oil phase 14%; Emulsifier-O 6%.
- Body cream: water phase 75%; oil phase 15%; Emulsifier-O 8%.
- Body butter: water phase 60%; oil phase 30%; Emulsifier-O 10%.
For TSW/eczema skin I'd prefer a richer cream so the body butter/cream formula of the above suits me better for now. None of the ingredients I use will clog pores so the thickness of the butter/cream isn't an issue if I massage the cream into the skin well.
Homemade organic balm – great for lips or any drier areas, I have used it on my face too
you can tweak the % of the oil/wax to suit your personal preference of consistency and substitute any ingredient to your favourite carrier/essential oil, butter and/or wax
(*organic)
|
Directions:
|
Homemade healing cream – you can tweak the % of the liquid/oil/butter phase to suit your personal preference of consistency and substitute any ingredient to your favourite carrier/essential oil, butter and/or wax
|
Directions:
make sure both liquid and oil parts are around the same temperature though or else they won't mix well. I usually wait till the combination is not as hot before I add essential/fragrance oils] |
Check out the amazing benefits of the ingredients I chose (ingredient properties adapted from Go Native website):
INGREDIENT
|
PROPERTIES
|
Aloe vera gel
|
Nourishing and soothing properties of Aloe Vera will provide numerous essential minerals, enzymes, vitamins, proteins and amino acids essential for cell growth and renewal
|
Avocado oil
|
Avocado oil is ultra-rich and contains high amounts of vitamin A, B1, B2, D and E, as well as amino acids, pantothenic acid, lecithin and other essential fatty acids. It is recommended for those with skin problems, psoriasis and eczema
|
Black seed oil
|
Organic black cumin seed oil is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. Studies and anecdotal evidence indicates that it accelerates the speed in which wounds heal. It is highly regarded for its ability to strengthen the immune system. Studies confirm that the oil has been effective in treating auto-immune skin disorders including eczema and psoriasis. Studies also indicate that it provides support in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer.
|
Beeswax
|
Beeswax acts as antibacterial protectant while also promoting hydration by attracting water naturally. it does not clog pores and is hypoallergenic, making it an absolute life-saver for anyone suffering from eczema, dermatitis. It is vitamin-rich, containing plenty of vitamin A with the power to support the turnover and reconstruction of skin cells.
|
Castor oil
|
Used as a barrier and protective medium, and also for product to be slowly absorbed
|
Hemp oil
|
Hemp seed oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, balances dry skin, fights skin inflammations, helps heal skin lesions, has antioxidants, and contains moisture balancing properties. Contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and E.
|
Jojoba oil
|
Jojoba is a highly penetrating wax that closely resembles human sebum, an oily skin moisturiser produced by the sebaceous glands. Jojoba oil is very stable, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, making it excellent for sensitive skin. It is often used to treat cold sores, acne and psoriasis.
|
Kokum butter
|
Emollient and regenerative properties for damaged skin preparations. It prevents drying of the skin, prevents development of wrinkles, softens and restores skin flexibility. It can help to heal ulcers, cracked lips, hands and soles of the feet. It regenerates skin cells and reduces degeneration of skin cells along with restoring elasticity. Kokum butter is non-comodegenic (does not clog pores) and penetrates the skin quickly
|
Manuka oil
|
Manuka essential oil from NZ has been confirmed as having the highest antimicrobial activity, evidence indicating that it is up to 20 times more potent than Australian teatree (Melaleuca alternifolia). Common properties of manuka oil include antibacterial, antifungal, anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and anti-allergenic. It has practical applications with chicken pox, cold sores, insect bites and warts. [Very expensive though :P]
|
Neem oil
|
Antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. High in Vitamin E and fatty acid. Its astringent properties help to cure minor cuts and wounds.
|
Rosehip oil
|
Rosehip oil is extremely high in essential fatty acids and is known to help treat dry, irritated, weathered skin. It is also suitable for treating burns, scars and stretch marks.
|
Shea butter (unrefined, wildcraft)
|
Unrefined shea butter contains an abundance of healing ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, proteins and a unique fatty acid profile, and is a superior active moisturiser. Unlike petroleum based moisturisers, shea butter actually restores the skin's natural elasticity. Shea butter enables your skin to absorb moisture from the air, and as a result, it becomes softer and stays moisturised for longer. In addition, shea butter has natural sunscreen properties and anti-inflammatory agents. Regular users of pure, unrefined shea butter notice softer, smoother, healthier skin. Shea butter has also been shown to help with skin conditions and ailments such as extreme dryness, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, skin allergies, fungal infections, blemishes, wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, scrapes, and more
|
Sweet almond oil
|
Sweet almond oil is one of the most useful, practical and commonly used oils. The benefit of almond oil is that it is good for all skin types as a moisturiser and is best known for its ability to soften, soothe and nourish the skin. It is rich in proteins and vitamin D.
|
Tamanu oil (spray-free)
|
Tamanu oil is a remarkable topical healing agent with skin healing, anti-neuralgic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibiotic and antioxidant properties. Tamanu oil has even healed severe burns caused by boiling water, chemicals and X-rays. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce rashes, sores, swelling and abrasions. Tamanu oil promotes new tissue formation, accelerating healing and healthy skin growth. More powerful than an antibiotic. Tamanu oil possesses significant antimicrobial qualities, as proven in antibacterial and antifungal tests. It contains powerful bactericide and fungicide agents that defeat human and animal pathogens. Tamanu oil has also compared favourably against antibiotics in alleviating these maladies such as would infections, conjunctivitis and many more. Tamanu oil fades stretch marks with incredible results. It also works miracles on scar tissue, making scars look less unsightly.
|
Do you have a good recipe to share? Please do! Post it in the comment or you can email me at email.ahfaye@gmail.com
As always, keep faith! Happy healing everyone! Love yourself more everyday
xxx
ahfaye
Ohhh, I remember that hand! I have that hand every year!! I should definitely try your recipe. The trouble is I have to buy in Australia now. I wish I'm still in Auckland.
ReplyDelete@Connie haha u "have that hand every year" lol so it's more of a seasonal thing for u then Connie? I'm sure there are similar companies that sell natural oils in Australia, have a look around :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome recipe with some valid pictures, thank you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations you have come so far and are looking much better :) if you haven't tried Chinese herbal medicine and accupuncture I highly recommend.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the late reply! Thanks Emma yes I have tried lots of herbal Chinese stuff in the past and also acupuncture, many have worked and some not. Most of time it was just me resorting back to toxic food and lifestyle and went back on steroids. Thanks for your support xxx
Delete