The only downfall to frequently washing hands is that the skin dries out quickly. Most of the time, the temperature of the water has a lot to do with maintaining optimal moisture, but ingredients in commercial hand soaps also dry out the skin. Even if you use a nourishing hand soap, it can seem like all the lotion in the world cannot remedy the problem. 

If you suffer from dry hands, trust us when we tell you that you are not alone. During the colder, dryer months, skin is more prone to drying out, which is why you have to invite moisture back in. It’s always possible to use natural lotions or moisturizers that hydrate the skin, but why not kill two birds with one stone by using a moisturizing hand soap. You’ll clean your hands and moisturize at the same time! See how the moisturizing ingredients help your skin below. 

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is often praised for being an all natural toner and all-around superstar for your skin care routine. The polyphenols in witch hazel help to fight the signs of premature aging. By fighting free radical damage that comes from harmful UV rays, witch hazel works to fight the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. Additionally, the natural tannins help to reduce inflammation, calming the appearance of red or irritated skin. These tannins also fight any greasiness on the hands that builds up from environmental pollutants. This recipe only calls for a small amount because too much witch hazel can strip the skin of moisture. 

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is technically a group of oil-soluble compounds that are commonly added to serums, moisturizers, eye creams, and more. When it comes to topical application, dermatologists agree that vitamin E oil can benefit numerous skin disorders. It works to repair the skin by assisting with cellular restoration. Vitamin E oil also works to moisturize the skin and improve the exterior of the epidermis. It actually establishes a protective barrier that helps to seal in moisture and reduce potential inflammation. 

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil typically remains on the skin’s surface, creating a protective layer of moisture on the skin. Dermatologists believe that the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in sweet almond oil also contribute to wound or acne healing. More research is necessary to prove this, though. People with dry skin can greatly benefit from using sweet almond oil because it is a natural emollient. This means that it works to smooth the skin by filling in dry gaps with moisture. In doing so, the skin’s barrier improves and it is able to retain more moisture for a lot longer. 

DIY Moisturizing Hand Soap

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup purified water
• 3/4 cup liquid Castile soap
• 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
• 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 15 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour the water, Castile soap, vitamin E oil, sweet almond oil, witch hazel, and lemon essential oil to a soap bottle with a dispenser lid. Make sure to pour them into the bottle in that order. 
• Shake well before each use. When you use the soap, make sure to dispense a small amount onto your hands, scrub together for 20 seconds, and then rinse with lukewarm water. 
• Pat hands dry and feel the difference. If you notice a little oily residue, this is completely fine and you should not rub it off. Those oils are working hard to moisturize your hands!

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When you have a long day and need to wash away the stress, a warm shower is often the perfect remedy. Standing in the steamy shower is relaxing and it helps to clear the mind. While you’re in the shower, soap away the grime and toxins from the day with a natural, homemade body wash. Not only will you be cleansing your pores, but you’ll also be hydrating and moisturizing your skin in the process. 

Why Should You Use A Natural Soap?

First of all, when you use soap that’s made from natural ingredients, your skin won’t dry out or experience irritation. Secondly, natural soap doesn’t contain synthetic ingredients that the skin can absorb, whereby those ingredients get into the bloodstream. Finally, natural soap is more refreshing, invigorating, and beneficial for the entire body. Synthetic shower gels can contain ingredients like anionic surfactant, which is a common ingredient in laundry detergent. They can also contain sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), a foaming ingredient that can become contaminated with dioxane, a suspected carcinogen, during the manufacturing process.

Ditch the over-the counter soaps and start making your own. Your skin will love it and you’ll be able to notice the difference in appearance and feel. Let’s see why the body wash in this article is so great. 

It Contains Raw Honey

If taste was an indicator of how beneficial honey is, it would top the charts. More and more studies support the fact that honey helps to benefit the skin. The antimicrobial properties in honey can help fight off skin infections. Some honey varieties, like Manuka honey, can even accelerate wound healing. Raw honey may also improve the skin’s appearance, reviving tone and enhancing complexion. All of this keeps the skin looking young, warding off wrinkles and infections that contribute to early signs of aging. 

It Contains Castile Soap

Castile soap may be the closest that you will get to some of the first soaps ever made. A Spanish province during the time of the Crusades developed the foaming olive oil version of soap and called it Castile, which is where the name comes from. Castile soap is safe for sensitive skin types and it works to naturally hydrate the skin because it retains its glycerin content. Unlike synthetic soaps, which often clog pores, Castile soap aids with the removal of dead skin cells to keep your pores clean and clear. 

It Contains Olive Oil

This is the good stuff, folks. It must be, considering that evidence dates the use of olive oil back to 6,000 BCE. Olive oil is rich in essential fatty acids, lipids, and antioxidants, including vitamin A and E, which work to ward off free radicals on the skin. This can help give your skin a more youthful appearance, and it also adds a special shine by balancing the skin’s moisture levels. Olive oil has a lower oxidation rate than oils that the skin produces, so it actually protects it from harmful irritants. Additionally, the essential fatty acids offer anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that do wonders for acne-prone skin. If you have problems with acne, be sure to use extra virgin olive oil.

DIY Olive Oil Body Wash

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup liquid Castile soap
• 1/3 cup organic raw honey
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 30 drops sweet orange essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix well. 
• Add the mixture into a squeeze-top bottle or a bottle that has a pump-top soap dispenser. 
• Shake well before each use because it will start to separate after a while. 
• Add the soap to a natural sponge, loofa, or washcloth and soap up!

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It’s that time of year again, folks…and we couldn’t be happier to start the fall season with a pumpkin spice foaming hand soap. The pumpkin-flavored or pumpkin-infused recipes will be coming soon, but regular hand washing takes precedence at the moment. Rather than just using the same old boring unscented soap, this pumpkin spice soap embraces the fall season.

One of the things to know about store bought scented soaps is that they contain dangerous chemicals. In fact, several studies found that the artificial ingredients and chemicals in those soaps disrupted endocrine function. The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones that the body uses to carry out various functions, so disrupting this system can lead to hormonal imbalances. Keep your endocrine system healthy by taking 10 minutes to make a homemade, all-natural, scented soap.

Clove Essential Oil

Clove has a signature spicy aroma and the essential oil has powerful anti-aging properties. That’s why you see clove essential oil on a lot of cosmetic creams or oils. It works to remove dead skin cells and increase blood circulation, which contributes to healthier, youthful skin.

Ginger Essential Oil

Another staple spice in the pumpkin spice blend, ginger exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant activity. In fact, ginger essential oil has some of the highest antioxidant activity, according to several studies. It can actually help to moisten your skin, reducing roughness, which is more common as a result of increased hand washing protocol.

Cinnamon Essential Oil

Cinnamon essential oil can stop the creation of protein biomarkers that contribute to inflammatory skin conditions. If you experience any rash or acne, cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are very beneficial. Just make sure to mix it with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation.

Nutmeg Essential Oil

Nutmeg is a signature baking space, but it has a history of use in traditional medicine. Many people have used nutmeg essential oil to ease digestive discomfort or muscle spasms. This spicy oil has a woody aroma and a little goes a long way. Nutmeg essential oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making it a great ingredient for hand soaps.

DIY Pumpkin Spice Foaming Hand Soap

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unscented Castile soap
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
• 5 drops vitamin E oil
• 10 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 6 drops clove essential oil
• 3 drops ginger essential oil
• 3 drops nutmeg essential oil
• 1 cup distilled water
• Foam soap dispenser

Instructions:

• Pour the Castile soap into the foam soap dispenser bottle and stir in the fractionated coconut oil. 
• Add in the vitamin E oil and essential oils. Give the bottle a few swirls to blend the mixture together. 
• Next, fill the bottle with distilled water, place the pump on, give the bottle a good shake to combine the ingredients, and then you’re good to go!
• Pump the soap when you wash your hands and you’ll smell that pumpkin spice deliciousness. 

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A lot of people buy cleaning products without thinking how they will affect their health. Most cleaning products are incredibly toxic and they are living under your sink! The more you clean your house with these items, the more you spread toxins around your house. That doesn’t seem right because they clean dirty surfaces, but the chemicals that clean germs are very harmful to the body.

Common household cleaning products include window cleaners, air fresheners, dish soaps, spot removers, carpet cleaners, fabric softeners, or multipurpose cleaners. These items can contain ammonia, chlorine, sodium hydroxide, triclosan, phthalates, or butoxyethanol. When you struggle to pronounce the ingredients, they may not be the best things to put in or around your body. Rather than increasing your risk of asthma, kidney damage, skin problems, sore throat, or other respiratory disorders, try using these natural cleaning recipes below!

Citrusy Dish Soap

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons washing soda
• 5 cups boiling water
• 5 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

• Dissolve the washing soda in the boiling water. Add the liquid castile soap and stir until everything is dissolved. Let this cool.
• When the mixture is cooled, stir in the essential oils and pour it into a bottle. It is important to shake well before you use it.

Herbaceous Drain Cleaner

Ingredients

• ½ oz. dried thyme, ground
• ½ oz. dried rosemary, ground
• ½ teaspoon thyme essential oil
• ½ teaspoon basil essential oil
• 4 cups baking soda

Instructions

• Place the ground thyme and rosemary, along with the essential oils, in a jar. Add the baking soda and shake vigorously. Make sure this jar is airtight.
• When you use it, run hot tap water down the drain for a few minutes. Shut off the water and slowly pour 1 cup of the powder down the drain. Wash it down with a little hot water, but let the powder work overnight and then rinse it in the morning.

All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

Ingredients

• ¾ cup + 5 teaspoons distilled water, boiled
• 3 tablespoons +1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 drop liquid castile soap
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops pine essential oil
• 3 drops spruce essential oil
• 1 drop geranium essential oil

Instructions

• Combine all of the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. Make sure you shake it up every time before you use it. Spray whatever surface you want clean and then wipe the germs away.

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