Naturally Simple Blog

I went to the farmer’s market last night and I made a mental note to address something here. The whole “handmilled soap” craze really irritates me. I have seen people charging outrageous amounts of money for these soaps as if it is some sort of horribly time consuming and expensive process. It is not. My mom has been doing it since the early 70’s as a way of being frugal. She saved bits and ends of soap and melted them back down to be used again.
This is also a fun way for those of you who don’t want to tackle your own cold process soaps to make your own soap. A really basic recipe can be modified almost anyway you want as long as you keep the general proportions the same.

Basic Handmilled Soap Recipe

2 cup grated soap
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup water
additives of your choice

In a double boiler melt the soap, oils and water. When the mixture is melted. (It gets sort of stringy, however, it is never really liquid again) take it off the heat and stir any your additives. Pour into molds and let harden until you can pop the soap out of the mold. If your mold won’t let loose, set it in the freezer for a bit.
Lavender Cream Bar

2 cup grated soap
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup water
additives of your choice

In a double boiler melt the soap with the oil, cream and water. Remove from heat and mix in a tablespoon of dried lavender and 20 drops of lavender essential oil.

Shampoo Bar

This can be personalized by using any essential oils you enjoy. It has a little bit different proportions but it is still the same general idea. Rosemary and mint will make a bar that also helps to repel bugs so this is a good bar to take camping. You can add other essential oils that will help as well. Look at a bottle of the Burt’s Bees Insect repellent for ideas.

1 cup grated soap
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup castor oil
15 drops rosemary essential oil
15 drops peppermint essential oil

In a double boiler melt the grated soap and water. When the soap is melted add the other ingredients. Mix well and pour into molds.

Scented Bath Salts

1 cup Epsom salts
1 cup coarse sea salt
several drops essential oil of your choice

Mix these together and store in an airtight container. Use 1/2 cup per bath.

English Mustard Bath

1 cup baking soda

1/4 cup mustard powder

2 drops peppermint essential oil

2 drops rosemary essential oil

2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Use 1/2 cup per bath and rinse off in a cool shower. Reduces stress, restlessness and eases sore muscles

Milk and Honey Bath

1 cup honey

1 cup boiling water

1 cup honey

2 cups powdered milk.

1/2 cup sea salt or epsom salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

Dissolve honey in boiling water and add other ingredients.   Pour into a tub of warm water.

Oatmeal Honey Face Mask

1/2 c Uncooked oatmeal
1 tsp almonds
1 Tblsp Honey
1 Tblsp Cider vinegar

Grind oatmeal and almonds together. Dissolve honey in cider vinegar and mix into the oatmeal mixture. To Use: Steam face or lay warm washcloth on face for 1 min. Apply mixture to your face avoid the sensitive area around eyes. Let dry on skin completely. If your skin is young and firm, you can gently rub dried mixture off with a clean terry washcloth or towel. Lean over sink and rub face in brisk but gentle circles with the cloth. Rinse with warm water. Follow with a toner and moisturizer.

Moisturizing Mask

1 Avocado

1 T Honey

Peel and slice avocado. Puree with honey.

Pat it gently to the face and continue patting until the mask feels extremely tacky to the touch. Relax and leave the mask on 20-30 mins. Rinse with warm water.

Protein Moisturizing Mask

1/4 c Barley or oat flour

1 tsp Brewer’s yeast,

2 tbsp Honey

1 Vitamin E capsule

1 Egg yolk (optional)

2 tbsp Almond oil

1/4-1/2 c. buttermilk or yogurt

Mix ingredients together to form a smooth paste. Apply mixture to clean face, throat and neck. Lie down and relax for 15-20 minutes. Wash off gently with warm water and apply moisturizer.

Strawberry Drawing Mask

1/2 c Strawberries, very ripe,

1/4 c Cornstarch

Mix strawberries and cornstarch together to make a paste and apply to face, avoiding the delicate area around your eyes. Leave on for 30 mins and rinse off with cool water.

Mask for Oily Skin

1/2 Cucumber

1 Egg white

1 tbsp Lemon juice

1 tsp Mint

Puree all and refrigerate 10 mins. Apply mixture to your face and leave on 15 mins. Rinse with hot, then cool water.

Blemished Skin Mask

1 ripe tomato chopped

1 tsp Lemon juice

1 tbsp finely ground oatmeal

Mix in blender or food processor until just combined. Apply to skin, making sure the mixture is thick enough to stay on blemished areas:cheeks, forehead, or chin. Add a bit more oatmeal to thicken the mask, if necessary. Leave on 10 minutes, then scrub off with a clean washcloth dipped in warm water.

Rosemary/Chamomile Toner

1 tablespoon dried rosemary or 1/4 cup fresh
2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers or 1/4 cup fresh
4 cups boiling water.

Boil water and remove from heat. Add rosemary and chamomile to the water. Cover tightly and let steep until liquid cools. Strain through cheesecloth being sure to squeeze excess moisture out of herbs. . Wipe liquid over face after mask and follow with a moisturizer.

Cinnamon Facial Toner

1/4 cup water

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

5-10 drops of cinnamon leaf essential oil

Mix in clean container and use as toner. Has antiseptic and astringent properties. Will keep your skin clean and pores tight.

Rosewater Facial Toner

10 drops of lavender essential oil
10 drops carrot seed oil
4 ounce bottle of rosewater

Add the essential oils to the bottle of rosewater. Good for drying or aging skin.

Oatmeal Citrus Scrubbing Grain

1 cup dried orange and lemon peel

1 c un-cooked oatmeal

1 c almonds

1/2-cup pwd milk

Place peels, oats, milk and almonds in food processor and whirl until mixture is a fine powder. Store in an attractive container near the bathroom sink and use a tiny portion as needed.

To Use: Place as bit in the palm of your hand and moisten with a few drops of warm water. Rub paste onto face with a gentle circular and upward motions. Rinse with water and pat dry.

My Favorite Cleansing Grains

2 Tablespoons oatmeal

2 Tablespoons almond

1 teaspoon lavender flowers

1 tsp dried rose petals

2 tablespoons white kaolin clay

essential oils of your choice (optional)

Grind almonds, oatmeal and flower petals in a coffee grinder mix in kaolin clay. Store in an airtight container

To use: Mix a small amount with water into paste. Clean face with paste and rinse. You can also use a larger amount and leave this on your face as a facial mask.