Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe: A Healthy Non-Dairy 2-Ingredient Recipe

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August 7, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 1 Comment

This healthy dairy and gluten free pumpkin spice latte recipe is the perfect treat for fall. A vegan latte packed with healthy fats from coconut and almonds, this pumpkin spice latte makes a quick and easy breakfast swap whether you’re running behind from back to school or just feeling run down. All with just two simple ingredients and only 76 calories per 12.5 fl oz. serving.

A Better Pumpkin Spice Latte

Apparently pumpkin spice season comes earlier every year. Starbucks, in fact, announced that their pumpkin spice latte will be released early this year – on August 28th. While there’s a certain celebrity (hey, Martha!) who thinks pumpkin spice is basic, I disagree. Even so, we like what we like, and I for one, refused to be shamed for treating myself to a classic fall flavor.

However, if I’m being totally honest, I just don’t like Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. The flavoring is off and tastes artificial. Which, for me, ruins the whole experience. Therefore, I came up with my own pumpkin spice latte recipe. And believe it or not, it’s literally just 2-ingredients if you don’t count the water to brew the coffee.

I’ve been trying to cut back on dairy as my eczema had been coming back more recently. I’d actually given up milk all together more than a few years ago. If not for butter and cheese, I could easily have cut it from my diet entirely. But for obvious reasons – cheese if F-ING DELICIOUS – I found that not drinking milk did keep the eczema at bay. I even learned to take my coffee black. When I wanted to indulge in a flavored coffee, however, drinking it black leaves something to be desired. So I’ve had my eye out for a good non-dairy coffee creamer to replace my regular half and half for some time.

The first dairy free latte I tried making was a caramel and coconut cream latte. I combined Archer Farms Buttery Caramel Coffee with Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Creamer. It’s made with real almond and coconut cream. This non-dairy creamer is also non-GMO, kosher, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and carrageenan-free. It’s also crazy delicious and tastes SO much better than butter coffee, which I just couldn’t wrap my taste buds around.

Luckily, the simple combination of almond milk, can sugar, coconut cream and vanilla extract goes well with so many different bakery inspired and caramel flavored coffees. It also tastes great with pumpkin spice flavored coffees! Thus, a simple combination of your favorite, fresh brewed pumpkin spice coffee combined with vanilla almondmilk creamer makes a pumpkin spice latte that is to die for!

I’ve started catching this non-dairy creamer on sale at Target and buying them two at a time because it’s just that good! It’s seriously my favorite food discovery of the year. Which I guess seems sad – or basic maybe? – but I’ve been trying a lot of everything since my mid-thirties. There’s little I haven’t tried at least once at this point.

If you’re ready to jump on this fall pumpkin spice latte train, then let’s get rolling!

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Ingredients:

10 fl. oz. fresh brewed pumpkin spice coffee, or flavor of choice
2.5 fl. oz. Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Creamer

Directions:

Brew your pumpkin spice coffee using one rounded Tablespoon per cup of water.

Once brewed, stir in the vanilla almondmilk creamer. Then sip, relax and enjoy!

Yield: 12.5 oz.

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Name: Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 12.5 oz.
Cuisine: latte
Ingredients: 10 fl. oz. fresh brewed pumpkin spice coffee; 2.5 fl. oz. Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Creamer

This healthy dairy and gluten free pumpkin spice latte recipe is the perfect treat for fall. A vegan latte packed with healthy fats from coconut and almonds, this pumpkin spice latte makes a quick and easy breakfast swap whether you're running behind from back to school or just feeling run down. All with just two simple ingredients.

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

10 fl. oz. fresh brewed pumpkin spice coffee
2.5 fl. oz. Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Creamer

Instructions

Brew your pumpkin spice coffee using one rounded Tablespoon per cup of water.

Once brewed, stir in the vanilla almondmilk creamer. Then sip, relax and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 76 Total Fat: 2.5g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Carbohydrates: 10g Sugar: 10g

For another low calorie treat, be sure to check out my post on why hard seltzer is the new wine substitute. Or pair my pumpkin spice latte with these delicious, natural brown sugar drop cookies. They’re also the perfect treat for fall with lightly crunchy exteriors paired with soft fluffy centers! You can discover more drink recipes for fall via my Drink Recipe Pinterest board.

And don’t forget to follow me via facebook, twitter and instagram for more great recipes and ideas. You can also sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Food Recipes, Health & Wellness Tagged With: almond milk, coconut milk, coffee, dairy free, drink, drink recipe, food recipe, gluten free, health and wellness, latte, low calories, non-GMO, pumpkin spice, soy free, vegan

Natural Remedy for Thinning Hair on Females for Healthy Looking Hair

July 11, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 11 Comments

Do you need a simple, affordable solution for thinning hair? This natural remedy for thinning hair on females costs as little as $20 a year! You’ll be amazed at the difference this simple home remedy for thinning hair makes. Naturally build volume and thicken hair while also increasing strength, texture and shine – even if you can’t regrow the hair you’ve lost! It even helps with itchy scalp and dandruff. Keep reading to learn how you can take charge of your hair’s health on a budget with this simple beauty hack that also works as a natural remedy for thinning hair!

There are a number of symptoms that come not just with perimenopause in women, but aging in general. At 44 I’m no stranger to quite a few of those symptoms. While there are quite a few natural supplements we can take to tackle hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping and mood swings, there are fewer options for things like age related hair loss or thinning. Fortunately I found a natural, plant based hair care product that is not only affordable, but really works! I didn’t realize just how well it worked, however, until I stopped using it.

Determined to let my hair grow out and see how much I gray I actually had, I stopped using this product for several months. I quickly discovered gray in places I’d never had gray before. I also realized just how thin my fine hair had gotten since going into perimenopause. Luckily, I knew what to do to remedy the situation. I simply had to go back to the one product I was using every quarter. That product is henna.

Last week, I finally tackled my hair care woes using henna. Not only did it cover the grays that are slowly creeping in, it improved my both my hair’s volume and texture. My hair now looks better than it did in my twenties. In fact, you can’t tell at all that my hair is thinning. The difference in my hair after applying henna hair color is nothing short of amazing. Not only does my hair feel lush, thicker and fuller, it’s also shiny, full of volume with added strength and elasticity. It also looks and feels hydrated. So I can use fewer daily hair care products. Most days I can even skip the conditioner!

The Best Natural Remedy for Thinning Hair

If you’re over the struggle of fighting with your drab, thinning hair or even lack luster hair, henna is the perfect natural remedy! When used as a natural remedy for thinning hair, henna not only improves the texture, volume and health of your hair, it also reduces hair fall out. If that wasn’t enough, your scalp will also notice the change. Say goodbye to itchy scalp and even prevent dandruff all together! But wait. Doesn’t henna dye hair red?

The Benefits of Using Henna for Hair

When people think of henna for hair, they are generally familiar with henna as a red hair dye. However, you can dye your hair with henna in a number of ways. By using a “clear” version of henna, you can dye your hair with no color deposit. Alternately, you custom formulate henna to keep your existing hair color or to go a different shade all together. The trick is simply using other botanical products – such as indigo – to formulate a custom color hair dye. Additionally, the by mixing henna with things like tea or coffee, you can also brings out different tones of hair color. (You can learn how to make custom henna hair dye colors further down.)

Henna offers a number of hair care benefits that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Not only does henna dye hair, it also improves hair health for considerably less than even store bought hair dye. Following are my favorite benefits to using henna as a natural remedy for thinning hair as well as a hair dye.

Henna is completely plant based so you can use it even if you’re vegan.
You don’t need to use any special shampoos or additional products for healthy looking hair.
It’s super affordable. A single application can cost as little as $5 – or half that if you have short hair!
Henna won’t dry out or damage your hair like chemical based hair dyes.
You can use henna without color to enjoy healthy looking hair without changing your look.
In most cases, you’ll find you no longer need to use conditioner.
Henna naturally bonds with hair for thicker, fuller hair and a boost of volume.
Using henna strengthens hair and gives it additional elasticity.
Henna gives hair shine so it looks and feels healthy.
In many cases henna helps with issues such as itchy scalp or dandruff. It also promotes hair growth.
I’ve found that using henna reduces daily hair fall out.
Henna naturally fades out so there are no obvious roots as hair grows.
You’ll find that the benefits of henna typically last for a three month period.
Regardless of your hair type, henna works for everyone and can even cover gray hair.
Henna hair dye is a completely natural botanical product so there’s no need to worry about potentially toxic ingredients.
You can buy henna premade in custom hair colors without having to mix your own botanical blends.

Tips & Tricks for Using Henna As A Remedy for Thinning Hair

Keep reading to learn where you can purchase henna to use as a natural remedy for thinning hair for women. Plus I share the exact same products that I used to color my hair and improve hair health. But first, there are a few precautions and tips for using henna hair color.

If you have color treated hair, you cannot use henna until it grows out and is cut off. Otherwise you may experience a chemical reaction that can damage hair and/or give you an unexpected color.
Always do a strand test first if trying to color over chemically color treated hair or is you spend a lot time in the pool. Chlorine can cause hair to turn green when using henna to color hair.
Henna needs to process for 1-4 hours. Therefore I recommend testing a strand of hair first, so you know how to leave henna on to achieve the color you want.
You can cover gray with henna. If you hair is more than 10-15% gray, you’ll need two applications of henna. Each application should be left on for 2-4 hours. For best results, you should wait 72 hours between applications, with red henna offering the best coverage. For white or very light-colored gray hair, try Rusalki Strawberry Blonde Herbal Henna to give hair a sun-streaked look. (I also recommend Light Mountain Natural Color the Gray henna for gray hair.)
For super dry or damaged hair, you can add a carrier oil or butter to your henna paste. Or try this ready made henna gloss bar for lush, hydrated hair.
Metal can negatively react with henna. Therefore you should not use any metal containers or utensils when mixing henna prior to application.
You can store dry henna powder for up to a year. Alternately, you can also freeze any mixed henna you have leftover for up to three months for touch ups as needed. Or do dye your again a second time around.

Formulations for Creating Varying Henna Hair Colors

If you’d like to enjoy the benefits of henna hair color without a color deposit, you can use a similar botanical called Organic Zizyphus Spina Christi (Sedr.) This product won’t leave any color on your hair – even if it’s white. Sedr conditions hair in a manner similar to that of henna. It provides body, aids in detangling, conditions your scalp and and adds shine.

Alternately you can also use Cassia Obovata or Senna. Senna won’t deposit color on dark hair tones. However it will add golden tones to light colored blonde, strawberry blonde or gray hair. Sometimes referred to as “neutral” henna, senna improves the health of hair by making it glossy, stronger, thicker and dandruff-free. Unlike henna, however, senna must be applied every one to two months.

Alternately, to incorporate additional botanical ingredients in with henna to change the final color, you can follow these henna hair dye recipes:

Golden Tones – 100% Cassia
Marigold Blond Tones – 75% Cassia and 25% True Henna
Strawberry Blond Tones – 50/50 Cassia and True Henna
Copper Tones – 75% True Henna and 25% Cassia
Reddish Brown Tones – 60-75% True Henna and 25-40% Indigo
Brown Tones – 50% True Henna and 50% Indigo (add Cassia to lighten)
Dark Chocolate Brown Tones – 60-75% Indigo and 25-40% True Henna

For tips on mixing your own botanical henna hair colors, I recommend the book Natural Hair Coloring by hair care expert Christine Shahin. Within this book you’ll learn how to use non-toxic pigments from henna, indigo, amla, and cassia to color your hair naturally.

Where to Buy Henna for Hair Care

Ready mixed henna hair color is a great option for getting the color your want without the guesswork. My preference is to buy henna in the color I want my hair to be, rather than make my own. Not only does it mean fewer products to buy, the back of the box shows me exactly how my hair color will turn out. For this look – Yes, that’s me! – I used the medium brown Light Mountain Natural Hair Care & Conditioner. (My hair doesn’t look like it’s thinning now!)

I first discovered this henna hair color brand at my local co-op. I love it not only for the quality, but also for the price. Later I realized I was able to save more money by not only purchasing the same brand online, but in 3-pack. That’s 9 months of hair color. And a pretty good deal if you’re trying to save money without sacrificing your look.

When my hair was shorter, I was able to get two applications from one box of henna hair color. So if you have short hair, you can use half the amount in each package and save even more. You can purchase Light Mountain Natural Hair Care & Conditioner online here.

I’ve also purchased henna hair color from Night Blooming on Etsy (she’s the bee’s knees!) as well as from Mountain Rose Herbs. Both of whom I also highly recommend. You can purchase henna hair dye in varying shades from both of these companies as well in both blends and singular hair care colors.

What to Expect When Using Henna As a Natural Remedy for Thinning Hair

I’ve already covered the natural beauty benefits of using henna for hair care, both as a natural remedy for thinning hair and improve hair’s strength, volume and luster. However, it’s important to note that the results from dying your hair with henna develop over several days, rather than immediately.

Unlike chemical laden hair dyes, henna undergoes minor changes for two to three days after application. During this time, you’ll find the color continues to deepen and intensify slightly. Your hair may also initially feel dry after washing out henna hair color. During this time, your hair will also smell what is akin to spinach. Once this time period has passed, your hair will feel and look totally transformed. And the natural scent of the botanicals goes away.

How to Use Henna for Hair Health & Beauty

Ready to take the plunge into henna hair care? Using henna to color your hair or to improve its condition is easy! You can even do it yourself at home. Here’s how.

Shampoo hair with a clarifying shampoo. Do not follow with conditioner. Towel dry.
Place the henna powder in a glass, ceramic or plastic bowl. Set aside.
Boil 12 to 16 ounces of distilled water, tea or coffee. Pour the liquid onto the dry henna powder and stir. You want the henna paste to be the consistency of yogurt. (If henna is clumpy you can add several heaping Tablespoons of yogurt to the henna for a creamier consistency.)
Allow the henna to cool for 15 to 30 minutes.
Once henna has cooled, apply henna to clean, towel dried hair. (You’ll want to wear gloves for this step.) Start at the crown of your head and apply the henna to your roots first. Then massage the henna outward.
Cover your hair with a plastic cap or grocery bag once hair is fully coated. Leave the henna on your hair for anyone from 45 minutes to four hours. (I usually allow the henna to process for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. However, a strand test is the best way to know how long your hair will need.)
Rinse the henna from your hair using warm water. Once rinsed thoroughly, apply conditioner (not shampoo!) to your hair. Then rinse again.
After 24 hours have passed, you can shampoo your hair. I recommend using mild shampoo such as a syndet shampoo bar.

Have you ever used henna as a natural remedy for thinning hair? I’d love to hear about your experiences. So be sure to share your thoughts in the comments!

More Natural Hair Care Remedies

In the meantime, be sure to pin this post to save for future reference. You can also try one of my other natural hair care remedies and hair care recipes.

For more natural hair care and beauty recipes, be sure to check out my boards on Pinterest board. You can also find me on your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: bath and beauty, bath and body, hair care, hair color, hair conditioner, hair dye, henna, henna hair color, herbal remedies, herbal remedy, home remedies, home remedy, natural beauty, natural remedy, thinning hair, vegan

Aloe After Sun Lotion Bar Recipe for Natural Summer Skin Care

May 15, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 3 Comments

This natural aloe after sun lotion bar recipe helps rescue sunburned skin. A vegan friendly moisturizer, this hard lotion bar is perfect for after sun summer skin care. Learn how to make your own easy aloe after sun lotion bars. Plus discover other natural sunburn remedies to try in a pinch.

Natural Summer Skin Care

I was badly sunburned at my son’s graduation not long ago. I’ll admit I wasn’t prepared. Although I did take a jean jacket with me in the expectation of cloudy skies, the weather turned out to be sunnier than expected. Of course, living in Southwestern VA, we go through all four seasons on a rotating basis, it seems, in both spring and fall. My shoulders bore the brunt of the burns, with my right shoulder – which was in direct sunlight – getting hit the worst.

Related: The Best Non-Toxic Sunscreens for Sunburn Prevention

After learning on the news some time back that many aloe vera gels actually have little to no aloe vera, I was at a loss as to what to buy. My regular go to for aloe is Mountain Rose Herbs. They sell genuine aloe vera gel with superior quality. Unfortunately, my sunburns needed love right away.

Luckily, my friend Cathy, has a giant aloe plant growing in her abode. So she gave me a giant stem of it to help relieve the pain. I also added a bit of lavender essential oil to the mix. Still, my right shoulder peeled two weeks later. Reminding me that I need to get my ass in gear and be better prepared the next go round.

What Are the Top Home Remedies for Sunburn Relief?

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is the most common home remedy for sunburn relief. I remember my mom plucking off an aloe leaf from the plant she grew whenever I got a sunburn growing up. Aloe gives skin an instant soothing sensation by reducing pain and skin inflammation. And, because it’s primarily water, it also helps to hydrate dry, sun damaged skin. (These benefits are also why I used aloe when formulating my aloe after sun lotion bar recipe!)

While most of us are familiar with using aloe vera for natural sunburn relief, it’s not the only home remedy that works. If you don’t have an aloe plant handy, you can try one of these other top sunburn relief remedies in a pinch.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Yes, this is the same stuff you use on your face to plump skin and hide fine lines and wrinkles. While it may not go the distance at relieving pain, it does a great job of hydrating skin. As a woman in my forties, I try to never go without a hyaluronic acid serum or cream. However, if this isn’t something you need or use on a regular basis, it’s easy to get sticker shock.

You can save money by making your own. This hyaluronic acid serum powder is competitively priced and allows you to make 50+ ounces of your own serum. Simply mix with cold water according to the package directions for a huge jar of your own homemade sunburn relief serum. You can even add a bit of aloe vera gel if desired!

Essential Oils

There are a number of essential oils that offer relief from the pain and inflammation of sunburns, with lavender essential oil being the most common. Gattefossé, who is known as the father of aromatherapy, first discovered the effects of lavender essential oil on burns when working in his lab. After badly burning his hand in the laboratory one day, he plunged his hand into the nearest liquid available to quench the pain. That liquid turned out to be lavender essential.

Gattefossé then recognized the natural skin care benefits of lavender oil after noticing how quickly his burn healed. This in turn started a fascination with essential oils that later gave him his namesake, the father of aromatherapy. As it happens, lavender essential oil possesses both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help to hasten healing times by helping your body recover from burns faster.

Other beneficial essential oils for sunburns include peppermint, chamomile and eucalyptus. Peppermint essential oil has natural pain relieving and skin cooling properties that can offer instant sunburn relief when diluted in a lotion or carrier oil base. While chamomile has inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to hasten healing times and calm red irritated skin. Finally, like peppermint, eucalyptus essential oil also has a cooling effect on skin. This is, in addition to, its antibacterial, analgesic (pain killing) and anti-inflammatory skin care properties.

White or Apple Cider Vinegar

White vinegar is composed of acetic acid, a natural antiseptic. This will not only help prevent infection, it also helps relieve pain and inflammation. While the malic acid found in apple cider vinegar stimulates circulation to speed up the healing process. In addition, apple cider vinegar also helps skin maintain its pH levels which may help reduce peeling later on. Just be sure to dilute the vinegar in water first to avoid over drying skin.

Green or Black Tea

In addition to the naturally occurring antioxidants found in tea, tea also contains anti-inflammatory polyphenols that can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Therefore, tea is a great option for natural sunburn relief. Brew tea as you normally would, then refrigerate until it cools. Then simply soak a clean washcloth in cold tea, applying to the affected area for up to 15 minutes.

Baking Soda

Just like Mom used a baking soda paste for insect stings when you were little, you can also use a baking soda paste for sunburns. Like the tea, make a cold compress using baking soda and water. Then apply to sunburned skin for 15 minutes to help rebalance the PH of your skin.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is another wonderful home remedy for natural sunburn relief. Comprised of naturally occurring oils and tannins, witch hazel extract helps to reduce inflammation as well as draw skin tissue together to promote healing.

It’s not just a great option for a natural homemade toner, you can make an easy witch hazel after sun spray recipe as well. Simply add 12 drops each of lavender and peppermint essential oils to 2 oz. of witch hazel in a spray bottle. Then shake to combine.

Related: Uses for Witch Hazel Extract for Natural Skin Care

I recommend using a double distilled witch hazel with at least 83% witch hazel extract so there is no alcohol burn. Two brands to consider are Mountain Rose Herbs and T.N. Dickinson’s. Alternately, Thayers alcohol-free rose petal witch hazel with aloe vera also makes an inexpensive sunburn remedy that does double duty as a facial toner.

What Are the Benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin?

There are a number of reasons that aloe vera tops of the list for natural sunburn remedies. Aloe vera contains polysaccharides, a natural compound that encourages skin repair and the production of new cells, to promote healing. In addition, aloe also contains a natural analgesic, or pain reliever, called carboxypeptidase, that helps soothe the pain associated with sunburns. Further, compounds such as acemannan, help suppress inflammation. While aloe vera’s natural high water content, hydrates skin and locks in moisture.

Aloe After Sun Lotion for Summer Skin Care

With summer right around the corner, your chance of sunburns increase. Maybe you didn’t apply your sunscreen often enough or simply forgot and left it at home. When this happens, your skin needs extra love and attention – both to ease sunburn pain and moisturize skin. This natural aloe after sun lotion bar recipe helps rescue sunburned skin. A vegan friendly moisturizer, this solid hard lotion bar is made with aloe vera butter, calendula infused oil and a blend of essential oils that work in holistic harmony for the best after sun summer skin care.

Keep reading to learn how to make my homemade aloe after sun lotion bar recipe for your sunburns this summer. Infused with natural botanicals prized for their ability to promote healing, this natural aloe after sun lotion bar is the perfect choice for your summer skin care needs.

Aloe After Sun Lotion Bar Recipe

Ingredients:

1.25 oz. carnauba wax
1.75 oz. aloe vera butter
1.5 oz. calendula infused oil (or dandelion infused oil)
.5 oz. raspberry seed oil
1 mL (about 20 drops) peppermint essential oil
2 mL (about 40 drops) lavender essential oil
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon mica pigment powder, or choice to suit

Instructions:

Using a digital scale, weigh out the wax, aloe butter and carrier oils. Gently heat the ingredients in a double boiler, or using the double boiler method, until melted.

Remove the melted ingredients from heat.

Next, measure out each essential oils, using a graduated transfer pipette, and stir into the melted wax, butter and oils.

Now measure out the mica powder using a measuring spoon and stir into the melted ingredients for the aloe after sun lotion bars. (I used 1/4 teaspoon apple moss green mica for this project.)

Pour the lotion bars into your mold of choice.

I used the 4-cavity succulent mold from Brambleberry for two lotion bars weighing about 4.5 oz. each. However, you can use a similar silicone succulent mold of your choice. Alternately, you can also reuse empty single serving ice cream containers for round aloe after sun lotion bars.

Allow the aloe after sun lotion bars to cool and fully solidify at room temperature. (As carnauba wax is an extremely hard wax, I don’t recommend placing these in the refrigerator to call as it may cause your lotion bars to crack.)

Once they’ve solidified, carefully remove the lotion bars from the mold.

Finally, wrap your aloe after sun lotion bars in foodservice film. Or store them in large tins when not in use.

More Aloe After Sun Relief Remedies

If you’re looking for more ideas for natural sunburn relief, then be sure to check out these other aloe infused sunburn remedies.

Love these natural summer skin care recipes? Be sure to pin this post with my aloe after sun lotion bar recipe for later! Also be sure to check out this post with 12 natural recipes for summer skin care.

Discover more DIY soap making ideas you can craft for handmade gifts by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aloe vera, crafts, diy, home remedies, home remedy, moisturizing, natural alternative, natural beauty, natural remedy, natural skin care, solid lotion bar, solid lotion recipe, summer, summer skin care, vegan

Kick Your Severely Dry Skin (And Eczema!) to the Curb with Ucuuba Butter!

September 6, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

This post is sponsored by Paris Fragrances. All opinions are my own.

This homemade ucuuba butter salt scrub recipe is a natural holistic solution to dry, itchy skin and eczema. Learn what makes this winter skin care recipe so special and how to craft your own.

Cold weather is on the way. And typically, that means you can expect dry skin in your near future. However, if you already suffer from dry skin, or if you have eczema, winter can seem a little unbearable. There’s nothing worse than fighting with your skin and not being to find a product that brings relief. If this scenario seems familiar to you, don’t worry. There is a way to save your skin this winter. All you need are a few simple ingredients from Paris Fragrances.

Ever Feel Like Your Moisturizer Is Irritating Your Dry, Itchy Skin Even More?

I’m one of those people that loathes putting on lotion. Often times, when my skin is especially dry, it feels like I’m applying lotion every hour. While it’s amazing when first applied, a short time later I’m wondering if it’s actually making my skin’s condition worse. So I’m always particular about knowing exactly what I’m putting on my skin – and especially what the ingredients are.

Ingredients matter. And it’s not just the ingredients that you find in a product. It’s also about the ingredients NOT in a product. That’s part of the reason I prefer making my own natural skin care products. Not only is it easy to keep my own products simple, I often find that they are also more effective than store bought brands. Plus, because I know exactly what’s going into my skin care recipes, I don’t have to worry about being surprised by an allergy to a product.

My homemade ucuuba butter salt scrub recipe is the perfect skin care solution for winter. This multi-use product works like an in-shower moisturizer as well as a gentle body scrub. However, it can also be used as a conditioning salt bath in warm bath water. Using this ucuuba butter salt scrub in your shower locks in the moisture from the water while your pores are open. So skin feels moisturized longer. And it also feels protected against the elements.

What Is Ucuuba Butter?

Ucuuba butter is an exotic butter native to Central and South America. Like other exotic body butters, ucuuba butter is cold pressed from the seeds of the tree its sourced from. In this case, that would be the Ucuuba tree. As the seeds of the ucuuba tree are rich in fats, extracts of the oil is often as high as 50% of the weight of the dry seeds.

The ucuuba tree is a fast growing tree found in the Brazilian Amazon Forest. As these trees can grow as much as ten feet over the course of just two years, it makes ucuuba butter a highly sustainable product.

The natural unrefined butter from this tree’s seeds is typically yellow to brown in color and has a natural odor reminiscent of nutmeg. Like cocoa butter, ucuuba butter is solid at room temperature. However it has a somewhat higher melting point of 127°F, whereas cocoa butter melts between 93°-100°F. Similarly to cocoa butter, ucuuba makes a wonderful addition to homemade soaps, hair care products and skin care recipes.

Skin Care Benefits of Ucuuba Butter.

Ucuuba butter has natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. This makes it an ideal addition to skin care recipes formulated for dry skin, acne and eczema. Additionally, this natural butter is also rich in essential fatty acids that can help to replenish and moisturize dry or maturing skin. It also contains both vitamin C and vitamin A (retinol) commonly found in natural anti-aging products. These proponents can help to reduce the visible signs of aging as well as replenish and reverse skin damage.

Where to Purchase Ingredients.

I used ingredients from Paris Fragrances to craft my homemade ucuuba butter salt scrub recipe. Paris Fragrances offers quality products with great prices. As a partner with HSCG, Paris Fragrances works with ethical suppliers to help create a sustainable and environmentally friendly economy with the communities living in the Amazon Forest. Additionally, Paris Fragrances is also a member of The Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetics Guild.

All of the products from Paris Fragrances are imported from Europe and South America, with emphasis on exotic Brazilian fragrances. The oils and butters, which are sustainably sourced from the Brazilian Amazon Forest, are cold pressed and left unrefined so they retain their natural benefits when use in skin care formulations.

About My Ucuuba Butter Salt Scrub Recipe.

I’ll be honest. If you are one of those people that likes exiting your shower squeaky clean, my homemade ucuuba butter salt scrub recipe is probably not going to be your cup of tea. While this homemade scrub is similar in ways to most salt scrubs, it’s also very different.

Rather than using sea salt for my homemade ucubba butter salt scrub recipe, I use Dead Sea salt instead. A luxury cosmetic salt, Dead Sea salt is extracted from the marshes of the Dead Sea then solar dried. Its fine grain and moisture content make it especially suited for bath salt and body scrub recipes.

Considered to be the best therapeutic salts available, Dead Sea salt is rich in natural minerals that include magnesium, potassium, sulfur and calcium. These minerals work to help improve blood circulation as well as cleanse, disinfect and exfoliate skin. As a home remedy, Dead Sea salt has shown to benefit those who suffer from a variety of skin ailments including acne, eczema and psoriasis as well as dry, itchy skin and atopic dermatitis.

Unlike traditional sea salt, such as the type of salt you may use for cooking, Dead Sea salt is incredibly hydrating. And, similar to Epsom salt, it is able to soothe sore muscles and calm inflammation that is often associated with both rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Another key difference in my ucuuba butter salt scrub recipe lies with ucuuba butter’s hydrating properties. As ucuuba butter, along with the combination of the other natural ingredients included in this recipe, are such rich moisturizers, the oils and butters don’t fully rinse off in the shower. So, once you step out of the shower and towel off, remnants of these ingredients are left on your skin reducing, or eliminating, the need to apply an after shower moisturizer. Your skin will not only feel soft and smooth, it will also look healthier with each use.

In addition to ucuuba butter, this recipe is also crafted using andiroba oil. Renowned by native Indians for its healing properties, andriroba oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe skin inflammation, itching and rashes. (Learn more about andriroba oil here.)

This homemade ucuuba butter salt scrub recipe has a rich natural fragrance that is lovely solo. However, if a fragrance oil is desired, this scrub pairs well with both Paris Fragrances sandalwood fragrance oil and their seasonal Halloween pumpkin fragrance oil.

Ucuuba Butter Salt Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

1 oz. ucuuba butter
2 oz. andiroba oil
.5 oz. vegetable based emulsifying wax
.25 oz. unscented liquid Castile soap
.25 oz. cupuacu butter
12 oz. Dead Sea salt
.1 oz. fragrance oil, optional

Instructions:

Begin by using a digital scale to weigh out the ucuuba butter, capuaca butter, andiroba oil and emulsifying wax. Gently heat in a double boiler until melted.

While the butters, oil and wax are melting, weigh out the Dead Sea salt into a medium glass bowl.

Then weigh out the fragrance oil, if desired. Mix the fragrance oil into the salt until the fragrance is evenly distributed throughout the salt.

Once the butters, oil and wax have melted, remove from heat. Now weigh out and add the liquid Castile soap.

Then add the salt mixture to the melted ingredients, mixing well to combine.

Once the ucuuba butter salt scrub has cooled, mix the scrub again to break up the salt grains. Then spoon the scrub into your desired container(s.)

You can use your homemade ucuuba butter salt scrub recipe in two ways. You can either massage the salt scrub onto damp skin in a warm shower. Or, you can add the desired amount of the scrub to warm, running bath water. Once you finish bathing, simply pat dry.

For extremely dry skin, I recommend applying my bacuri butter body balm or my simple 3-ingredient bacuri body butter prior to getting dressed for an extra layer of skin protection and nourishment. Also be sure to try my natural bacuri butter & murumuru soap recipe!

You can also make a travel worthy solid lotion bar to take with you on the go. Simply melt, combine and mold 2 oz. beeswax, 1.75 oz. ucuuba butter, 2 oz. capuaca butter and 3 oz. andiroba oil using ingredients from Paris Fragrances.

If you’d like to receive notification of new articles from Soap Deli News blog, be sure to follow me across all of your favorite social media platforms. You can find me on G+, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram. Or, alternately, you can also subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes Tagged With: body scrub recipe, dead sea salt, moisturizer, natural skin care, salt scrub, salt scrub recipe, vegan, winter, winter skin care

Cucumber Eye Cream Recipe with Cucumber & Tea Seed Oil

November 15, 2017 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Naturally packed with vitamin C and caffeic acid, this homemade cucumber eye cream recipe is made with cucumber seed oil and cucumber hydrosol to target inflammation and help soothe skin irritation as well as reduce swelling. Additional ingredients, including tea seed oil, baobab oil and carrot seed essential oil, work together to help skin look and feel more youthful.

We all age. And unfortunately, if you’re like me, you fight it every step of the way. Perhaps not kicking and screaming, but with an arsenal of anti-aging beauty products and your inner voice screaming at the top of your lungs “I am still 23 at heart!” I’m determined that at 80 I’ll still be dancing to the new big local band in downtown Roanoke, dressed completely inappropriately with a mass of colors and a bar tab boasting too many glasses of wine.

I can’t think of a better way to spend the last half of my life than really living it. Hopefully I’ll still have all of my favorite people around also enjoying their retirement years. While there won’t be cats (because I’m terribly allergic) we’ll all be living with too many dogs and still crafting til our fingers bleed. Hopefully you’re envisioning your own future life in much the same way.

In the meantime however, before those wrinkles become so deep set there’s no point in fussing over them anymore, we can fight to keep our youth (or rather youthful appearance) just a little bit longer.

I created this cucumber eye cream recipe for one of my dear friends who is just a few years older than my own 42 years. She’s had more than her fair share of trials over the past year or so. From the death of her mother and a diagnosis of uterine cancer she has braved the harsh realities of those tumultuous challenges that come with age and with life.

Having recently had both her uterus and ovaries removed, she was looking for natural anti-aging products to help combat the rush of changes that occur with the ensuing menopause. My cucumber eye cream recipe with cucumber and tea seed oil is the result of her request.

Skin Care Benefits of Cucumber Seed Oil + Cucumber Hydrosol in My Cucumber Eye Cream Recipe

As we age our eyes naturally develop bags under them for hereditary reasons. While a cucumber eye cream isn’t going to magically make those bags disappear, it can help to reduce the additional inflammation caused by other stressors. For my cucumber eye cream recipe I used two ingredients from cucumbers – cucumber seed oil and cucumber hydrosol.

Benefits of Cucumber Seed Oil in Skin Care

Cucumber seed oil is a fast absorbing, non-greasy carrier oil with a long shelf life. It has a low comedogenic rating, meaning it won’t clog pores, and is rich in nutrients. These nutrients include phytosterols, tocopherols, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. It’s antioxidant and moisturizing properties make it especially suited for use in anti-aging creams and lotions.

However, you’ll also find that this natural carrier oil is also commonly used in products meant for hair, lips, nails and even massage. Because of cucumber seed oil’s anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also a recommended ingredient in products that target acne, sunburns, dry scalp, eczema and psoriasis.

Benefits of Cucumber Hydrosol in Skin Care

While cucumber seed oil is derived from cold pressed cucumber seeds, cucumber hydrosol comes from the steam distillation of chopped up cucumbers. Essentially it is a pure extract of cucumber water. Cucumber hydrosol has wonderful cooling properties as well as anti-inflammatory properties much like cucumber seed oil.

Cucumber hydrosol is also an astringent. This makes it especially suited to be used as a toner to help tighten, tone and firm skin as well as reduce excess oil. When used as a facial toner, cucumber hydrosol can help to belay the effects of aging including wrinkles and fine lines.

Skin Care Benefits of Additional Carrier Oils Used in My Cucumber Eye Cream Recipe

In addition to the cucumber based ingredients, my cucumber eye cream recipe also contains some of my favorite anti-aging carrier oils.

All of the carrier oils included in my cucumber eye cream recipe – cucumber seed oil, camellia seed oil, baobab oil and rosehip seed oil – have low comedogenic ratings, meaning they won’t clog pores. Camellia seed, cucumber seed and rosehip seed oils all have a rating of 1, while baobab oil has a rating of 2.

Benefits of Camellia Seed Oil in Skin Care

Camellia seed oil, also known as tea seed oil, is similar in nature to fractionated coconut oil. Like both coconut oil and cucumber seed oil, camellia (tea) seed oil has a long shelf life. It’s often been referred to as one of the best kept secrets in the cosmetic and hair care industry as it’s been shown to improve the tone and texture of skin as well as reduce the appearance of aging. Additionally, this highly hydrating oil is non-greasy and is quickly and easily absorbed by skin.

Camellia seed oil won’t dry out skin or clog pores, yet it contains more oleic acid than olive oil. It also contains vitamins, A, B, and E, various minerals and squalene. As it’s been shown that a deficiency of squalene can lead to dry skin and premature aging, this constituent makes camellia seed oil a valuable ingredient in anti-aging skin care recipes. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, this oil soothes and calms easily irritated skin and helps to smooth dry, flaky skin.

Regular use of camellia oil can help to protect skin from age spots as well as soften wrinkles and fine lines around your eyes and mouth. It also offers some protection from UV rays.

Benefits of Baobab Oil in Skin Care

Baobab oil is another non-greasy, shelf stable carrier oil famed for its emollient and moisturizing skin care properties. Rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, it also possesses skin protectant and anti-inflammatory properties when used in skin care applications.

Baobab oil makes an excellent addition to skin care products for those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, dry psoriasis and actinic keratosis. It can also help to relieve itching associated with dry skin and other problem skin conditions.

Benefits of Rosehip Seed Oil in Skin Care

Rosehip seed oil is extremely high in essential fatty acids and has the reputation for counteracting dry, weathered and dehydrated skin. Not only is rosehip seed oil moisturizing, but it can also help to reduce hyperpigmentation, fight aging and sun damage and help to improve skin’s texture.

A common ingredient in anti-aging beauty products, rosehip seed oil helps to diminish the appearance of scars, wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. It leaves skin looking not only revitalized, but also noticeably softer.

Ready to give this homemade anti-aging eye cream a try? You can find my cucumber eye cream recipe below!

Cucumber Eye Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

.6 oz. cucumber seed oil
.6 oz. camellia (tea) seed oil
.5 oz. emulsifying wax
.5 oz. baobab oil
.5 oz. rosehip seed oil
.5 oz. refined shea butter
.25 oz. cucumber hydrosol
vitamin E oil, several drops
12 drops carrot seed essential oil
6 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops bergamot essential oil
broad spectrum preservative, of choice

Instructions:

It is extremely helpful for to have experience making lotions when attempting my cucumber eye cream recipe as it requires an emulsion. If you aren’t experienced with making homemade lotion from scratch, I’ve tried to simplify this recipe as much as possible to avoid having the cucumber hydrosol separate from the oils if you struggle with the temperatures.

Anne L. Watson’s book, Smart Lotionmaking, is a great introduction to making homemade lotion from scratch. It covers everything from tools of the trade and definitions of ingredients, to sanitizing and filling your lotion containers. In addition she also offers an in depth tutorial on how to make and test your homemade lotions for safety and provides a variety of recipes to get you started. The kindle version of Smart Lotionmaking is available instantly here. (If you don’t have a kindle you can use Amazon’s free kindle reading app.)

As my cucumber eye cream recipe contains water, you will need to use a broad spectrum preservative to prevent the growth of mold, fungus and bacteria. While storing this eye cream in the refrigerator without a preservative will slow down the growth of bacteria, it won’t prevent it from occurring.

You can use any broad spectrum preservative (suitable for lotion) of your choice for this recipe at the manufacturer’s recommended usage rate. Keep in mind that different preservatives need to be incorporated into your cucumber eye cream at or below specific temperatures. So you will need to have a kitchen thermometer handy. Germaben II for example, should be mixed in at 140°F or less and has a usage rate of .3% – 1.0%. Optiphen Plus, a paraben free preservative, has a usage rate of .75% – 1.5% and should be added at temperatures no higher than 176°F.

Begin by sanitizing your tools, lotion container and workspace with rubbing alcohol.

Next, use a digital scale to weigh out the emulsifying wax, shea butter and carrier oils into a scientific glass beaker. Place in a double boiler and heat until melted. Once the wax melts, bring the temperature of the oils and wax to 158°F (70°C) and hold for 20 minutes.

While the oils, shea butter and wax are melting weigh out the cucumber hydrosol into a small glass beaker. Bring the temperature of the hydrosol to 158°F (70°C) and hold.

Now slowly pour the cucumber hydrosol into the melted oils, butter and wax. Mix with a few bursts of a stick blender.

Once your cucumber eye cream cools enough to add your preservative, mix in the vitamin E, essential oils and the preservative of your choice. Hand mix for about two minutes with a skinny spatula or long spoon, then pour into your container of your choice. (I used 2 oz. glass amber glass jars from SKS Bottle & Packaging.)

Allow your cucumber eye cream to finish cooling then screw the lids onto your jars. Your cream should be ready for use 12-24 hours later.

Once ready, you can label your cucumber eye cream as desired for personal use or gifting.

If you want to make this cucumber eye cream to sell, you’ll need to follow good manufacturing practices (GMP) when making your product as well as test your final product for safety. You’ll find that the book, Good Manufacturing Practices for Soap and Cosmetic Handcrafters by Marie Gale, is a valuable resource if you’re just getting started making your own homemade soaps, skin care products and cosmetics.

In addition to GMP, you’ll also need to follow FDA guidelines for labeling your products. If you’re unsure about the rules and regulations regarding labeling cosmetics, the book, Soap and Cosmetic Labeling: How to Follow the Rules and Regs Explained in Plain English by Marie Gale, spells out everything you need to know to legally label your products.

Like My Cucumber Eye Cream Recipe?

If you like my cucumber eye cream recipe, then you may also enjoy some of my other natural beauty and skin care recipes.

My anti-aging night cream recipe helps to reduce the signs of aging naturally with ingredients like coconut water, cocoa butter, evening primrose and rosehip seed oil. It’s another great option for those wanting natural alternative beauty products.

Like my cucumber eye cream recipe, my cucumber mint sugar scrub recipe is made using cucumber seed oil in addition to aloe vera. Because it’s emulsified it doesn’t feel oily on skin. Not only is it a treat for your own skin, but this sugar scrub also makes a wonderful homemade gift idea.

Additionally, you may also enjoy my recipes for making a coffee & black tea under eye cream, a green tea eye cream and a lavender body butter. Or check out my DIY Bath & Body Pinterest board.

For more great bath, body and skin care recipes be sure to check out my other boards on Pinterest. You can also follow me via all of your favorite social media platforms including G+, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram. Or subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes Tagged With: anti-acne, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle cream, antioxidant, beauty, crafts, cucumber, diy, night cream, skin care, under eye cream, vegan