With how many chemicals, toxins and harmful additives are added to our food, I began to wonder how many could be found in other things that touch my body… In my clothes, my body care products… My medicines. And so, after much studying and hundreds of hours spent researching and practicing herbal medicine, I’ve finally come to a place in my life where I’ve weeded out most of the chemicals that ever touch my body.
I’ve gotten used to using up what I had and then never going back again. I don’t use fluoride toothpaste, I don’t eat high fructose corn syrup, and I refuse to eat foods with artificial colorings, like red 40 or yellow 5. The list goes on and on, but the simple truth is that what food companies, pharmaceutical companies and what other corporations have gotten away with is nothing but an atrocity. Cheapening the production of products with chemicals and processed artificial ingredients and calling it food should be punishable by the law system. Unfortunately, it is up to us to do our own research, because the everyday consumer seems to shop blind. But for me, I don’t have that much trust in my fellow humanity. Sad, but I’m just being honest.
I’ve gotten used to using up what I had and then never going back again. I don’t use fluoride toothpaste, I don’t eat high fructose corn syrup, and I refuse to eat foods with artificial colorings, like red 40 or yellow 5. The list goes on and on, but the simple truth is that what food companies, pharmaceutical companies and what other corporations have gotten away with is nothing but an atrocity. Cheapening the production of products with chemicals and processed artificial ingredients and calling it food should be punishable by the law system. Unfortunately, it is up to us to do our own research, because the everyday consumer seems to shop blind. But for me, I don’t have that much trust in my fellow humanity. Sad, but I’m just being honest.
Prior to progressing in my understanding of herbal medicine, I began crafting my own body soap, beard oils, face balms, and acne treatments. Once you gain a basic understanding, you can hit the ground running. Medicinals require more time, as every herb that you infuse has a range of benefits, and sometimes side effects or interactions, so it’s important to do an obscene amount of research before trying to treat medical-related problems. But when you’re simply creating skin care products, like soaps and moisturizers, then you’re likely avoiding the herbal infusions and are working strictly with waxes, butters and oils.
I recently reached out to Better Shea Butter, because they’re one of the best companies online offering high quality natural butters and waxes, as well as oils, some herbs and more. To keep a recipe natural, you have to think in terms of consistency. For example, if you want a balm or salve that can withstand summer temperatures, yet melt in your hand, you have to be quite precise with your measurements of wax, because wax is the main element that adds thickness to natural body care products, and is what helps sets up topical salves and balms. Butters are added to moisturize and to add a smooth, butter feel to the mixture.
Better Shea Butter was very kind in their willingness to team up and sent over their Pure Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Rosehip Seed Oil and Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano, which means it won’t soak into the skin, but rather sit on top as a skin protector. Zinc Oxide is used primarily in natural sunscreens). I was blown away by the quality and prices they offer, and as soon as I received their package, I got to whipping up some really amazing recipes. Don’t worry, I’ll share one of my favorites below.
Better Shea Butter focuses on ‘Skin Foods,’ because many of their products act as foods for the skin. The butters moisturize skin and repair damaged skin like stretch marks, wrinkles and dryness. Also, some of the other butters and oils they offer provide nutrients and minerals when soaked into the skin, like fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-aging properties that can heal scars, dark spots, and discolorations in the skin. How cool is that?!
Overall, I fell in love with the Pure Mango Butter, because it’s less sticky than Shea butter, and is by far a superior natural butter. It’s perfect for beauty balms, body butter and other moisturizers, and can be used in lotions, creams, salves, and soaps. It’s extremely silky feeling and seems to bring a luxurious sensation to homemade body care. Their Cocoa Butter is indeed from the cocoa tree, and is a rich natural butter that is renowned for its effectiveness against stretch marks.
When choosing which wax is best for your handmade products, typically there’s Beeswax, which is the natural industry’s standard and most popular wax, or there’s Carnauba. For starters, beeswax is a lovely emollient that has many health benefits for the skin, but is indeed from an animal, and though, while it does not hurt the bees to collect their wax, as they will simply make more, this wax is frowned upon by those who lead Vegan lifestyles. That is one reason why Carnauba wax has become a popular option for natural products, as it’s a vegetable wax from the Brazilian Palm tree (Copernica cerifera, also known as the ‘Tree of Life’). When using it, you will want to use quite a bit less than beeswax, as it’s the hardest natural wax available.
Another fine product from Better Shea Butter is their Rosehip Seed oil, which is one of the finest beauty oils due to its ability to moisturize, and for its healing and anti-aging properties. Rosehip Seed oil is loaded with Vitamin A, a natural retinol, and is effective in treating dark spots, discoloration of the skin, wrinkles, age, and acne. I like using this oil in my face balms, acne treatments, anti-aging oil treatments and other related salves.
If you would like to learn more about Better Shea Butter, click here.
I recently reached out to Better Shea Butter, because they’re one of the best companies online offering high quality natural butters and waxes, as well as oils, some herbs and more. To keep a recipe natural, you have to think in terms of consistency. For example, if you want a balm or salve that can withstand summer temperatures, yet melt in your hand, you have to be quite precise with your measurements of wax, because wax is the main element that adds thickness to natural body care products, and is what helps sets up topical salves and balms. Butters are added to moisturize and to add a smooth, butter feel to the mixture.
Better Shea Butter was very kind in their willingness to team up and sent over their Pure Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Rosehip Seed Oil and Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano, which means it won’t soak into the skin, but rather sit on top as a skin protector. Zinc Oxide is used primarily in natural sunscreens). I was blown away by the quality and prices they offer, and as soon as I received their package, I got to whipping up some really amazing recipes. Don’t worry, I’ll share one of my favorites below.
Better Shea Butter focuses on ‘Skin Foods,’ because many of their products act as foods for the skin. The butters moisturize skin and repair damaged skin like stretch marks, wrinkles and dryness. Also, some of the other butters and oils they offer provide nutrients and minerals when soaked into the skin, like fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-aging properties that can heal scars, dark spots, and discolorations in the skin. How cool is that?!
Overall, I fell in love with the Pure Mango Butter, because it’s less sticky than Shea butter, and is by far a superior natural butter. It’s perfect for beauty balms, body butter and other moisturizers, and can be used in lotions, creams, salves, and soaps. It’s extremely silky feeling and seems to bring a luxurious sensation to homemade body care. Their Cocoa Butter is indeed from the cocoa tree, and is a rich natural butter that is renowned for its effectiveness against stretch marks.
When choosing which wax is best for your handmade products, typically there’s Beeswax, which is the natural industry’s standard and most popular wax, or there’s Carnauba. For starters, beeswax is a lovely emollient that has many health benefits for the skin, but is indeed from an animal, and though, while it does not hurt the bees to collect their wax, as they will simply make more, this wax is frowned upon by those who lead Vegan lifestyles. That is one reason why Carnauba wax has become a popular option for natural products, as it’s a vegetable wax from the Brazilian Palm tree (Copernica cerifera, also known as the ‘Tree of Life’). When using it, you will want to use quite a bit less than beeswax, as it’s the hardest natural wax available.
Another fine product from Better Shea Butter is their Rosehip Seed oil, which is one of the finest beauty oils due to its ability to moisturize, and for its healing and anti-aging properties. Rosehip Seed oil is loaded with Vitamin A, a natural retinol, and is effective in treating dark spots, discoloration of the skin, wrinkles, age, and acne. I like using this oil in my face balms, acne treatments, anti-aging oil treatments and other related salves.
If you would like to learn more about Better Shea Butter, click here.
I recently created a beauty balm recipe that can be effective for use in anti-aging, wrinkles, dry skin, and acne. This topical recipe creates about 5oz of salve, but a little will go a long way, and so if you decide to make the full batch, try making 5 1oz tins, so you can share!
Mango Butter Beauty Balm recipe:
In a double boiler, infuse the herbs in oil. Extract the medicinal properties on medium heat for 1.5-2 hours. Let cool, then strain with cheesecloth. Then, in a clean pan, combine oil, butter, and wax and heat in double boiler until melted. Remove from heat, let cool one minute then stir in essential oils. Pour into glass jar or metal tin with tight fitting lid. Leave untouched to cool and set, then once cool, apply to the face and rub until it’s soaked in. Always do an allergy test by placing a small amount of the salve on the inside of the arm, and if there’s no reaction after an hour or so, feel free to use a bit more liberally as you see fit.
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice.
Mango Butter Beauty Balm recipe:
In a double boiler, infuse the herbs in oil. Extract the medicinal properties on medium heat for 1.5-2 hours. Let cool, then strain with cheesecloth. Then, in a clean pan, combine oil, butter, and wax and heat in double boiler until melted. Remove from heat, let cool one minute then stir in essential oils. Pour into glass jar or metal tin with tight fitting lid. Leave untouched to cool and set, then once cool, apply to the face and rub until it’s soaked in. Always do an allergy test by placing a small amount of the salve on the inside of the arm, and if there’s no reaction after an hour or so, feel free to use a bit more liberally as you see fit.
- 3oz - Infused oil of Calendula in Avocado oil. (You may use other carrier oils. You may also make this salve without the infused Calendula, but it will not be as powerful. If you choose to forgo the herbs, increase essential oil drops.)
- 1oz - Beeswax
- 1oz - Mango Butter
- 20 drops - Rosehip Seed Oil
- 5 drops - Vitamin E Oil
- Essential oils (drops): Lavender (10), Lemon (5), German Chamomile (5), Tea Tree (2), Frankincense (10), Geranium (10).
- Or even better essential oils (but each are pricy, but amazing): Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, Neroli.
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice.
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