Would like recipes and remedies for beauty and personal care items

[tropicalfish]

I'm really getting interested in the all natural, cheaper and better, homemade lifestyle.

Does anyone have recipes for facial creams, shampoos, cleansing creams and other such beauty and personal care items?

I'm 55 and I'm starting to get "age spots". To my dislike, I've got them on my face, arms, and legs. My mother has them real bad, and I'd like to see them fade away. Anyone have a remedy for this?

 

[Gateway]

Minimizing age spots

Age spots usually appear when we're in our early 30s on areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun, such as our back, chest, arms and hands. Although they may look similar to moles, age spots are very different. Moles are genetically predetermined, while age spots are the result of cumulative sun exposure throughout life.

If you have age spots, you're at a higher risk of developing skin cancer, so it is important to see your doctor if they change colour or appearance or if you are worried about them. Once your doctor gives you a clean bill of health, discuss the various options for minimising the appearance of age spots.

There are several over-the-counter and prescription treatments for age spots, available at your local chemist. Remember, though, that with whichever method you choose, results will vary depending on how severe the spots are, how much time you spend in the sun and how consistently you follow treatment. It's essential to protect your skin against new age spots and prolong the result of treatment by wearing sunscreen on all exposed areas of the body every day, even in winter.

Here are some options that can reduce the appearance of age spots:

Fade Creams
What they are: Over-the-counter moisturisers containing two per cent hydroquinone, a bleaching agent.
What they do: Gradually lighten age spots over a couple of months. They work best when used in conjunction with a glycolic acid moisturiser, also available over-the-counter.
Drawbacks: It will take a few months to see results, and these creams don't have much of an effect on darker, more stubborn spots.

Retinoids
What they are: Prescription-strength vitamin A creams such as Retin-A and Retinova.
What they do: Fade discoloration while stimulating the growth of new, healthy cells. They are often used with prescription-strength hydroquinone creams for a stronger bleaching effect.
Drawbacks: Retinoids can be drying and harsh for some skin types, and it will take two to three months to see results.

 

[Gateway]

tropicalfish,

I have ordered lotions from the pharmacy with alpha hydroxy acid in them. It comes in different percentage strengths. Our local health food store has them on its shelf too. The higher - 15% - lotion was irritating to my skin. Another brand - 'Kiss My Face' - comes in a 5% potency and is not irritating to my skin. The hardest part for me is applying it every day......


Sun Spots (Age Spots)

Sun spots (age spots), also known as lentigines (info_lentigine.htm), are harmless, flat, brown discolorations of the skin which usually occur on the back of the hands, neck and face of people older than 40 years of age. These spots more than anything else, give away a person's age. Sun spots are caused by the skin being exposed to the sun over many years and are a sigh of sun damage (info_skinaging.htm).

If you do not believe that these brown, ugly marks on the back of your hands and face are caused by sunlight, look at the skin on your inner thigh. You will see that the skin of the inner thigh is completely devoid of age spots. Sun spots are harmless and do not need to be treated unless they are changing or getting bigger than the surrounding sun spots.

I. Prevention:

The only way to prevent age spots is to use liberal amounts of sunscreen (info_sunscreens.htm) before the age of forty, avoid the sun, and wear protective clothing. These measures will also help prevent the formation of skin cancer and wrinkles.

II. Treatment:

The newest treatment for age spots is alpha hydroxy acid gel (none) and beta hydroxy acid gel (info_beta_hydroxyacids.htm)._ The gel is applied to the spots each night. This will lighten discoloration of the skin such as freckles, age spots and pigmentation that may occur in pregnancy or from the use of oral contraceptives.

Another treatment for age spots is Retin-A (info_retin_a.htm). Retin-A cream is applied to the spots once a day for six months. This will cause lightening of large age spots and will make small ones disappear.

Age spots can also be treated with alpha hydroxyacid peels (info_alpha_hydroxyacid_peels.htm). This involves applying a mild acid to the skin and then allowing the skin to heal. Chemical peels work best in people with blue eyes and light hair, but can be effective in all skin types. This is the second fastest way to get rid of age spots.

Liquid nitrogen therapy (info_liquid_nitrogen.htm) is the quickest way to get rid of age spots. Liquid nitrogen is air that is so cold that it is in liquid form (-321ºF). The esthetician sprays the liquid nitrogen onto the age spot and this causes the mark to turn white a month or so after treatment. When liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the skin, it can sting and may cause a permanent white spot or scar.

 

[SAR01]

here is some from a "E-zine I get

This facial scrub is easy and ideal for dry, flaky skin.

1 teaspoon sugar
the juice of 1/2 lemon

While washing your face with your regular facial cleanser,
add the sugar and scrub gently. Splash the face with the lemon
juice (careful around the eyes) and rinse with cool water. Do
this once a week to keep your skin radiant.......

Wrinkle-buster...

Mix a tablespoon of your orange juice with a drop or two of
almond oil or olive oil to make the mixture a little more
spreadable. Gently apply the mixture around the eye area
and the mouth area. Make this a nightly routine and your
eyes and mouth area will thank you......


I would think the lemon would bleach out the dark spots.
good luck.

 

[summerthyme]

Give me a little time to look some stuff up. It seems I've read that strawberries (mashed and rubbed on the skin, left for awhile, then rinsed) and lemon juice both will help fade "age spots".

But the REAL "solution" (especially if you do get them to fade) is to use a strong sunscreen whenever you are going to be outside. Or get used to wearing gloves for things like gardening.

Summerthyme

ps: I'll post my recipe for lip balm and hand cream tomorrow if I get a break from haying

 

[MinnesotaSmith]

It may be out of print...

But a book called "The Formula Book" had all sorts of cheap recipes for common beauty and household products. You may want to see if you can find it.

 

[tropicalfish]

Thanks Gateway for the articles, as they were very interesting and informative.

SAR01, I would have never thought of sugar on the face. I've got to try it. Apparently the lemon juice does bleach the dark spots. I see summerthyme suggests lemons too. Who sponsors the E-Zine?

summerthyme, thanks a lot. Is the lemon juice and stawberries something that takes a few months to see results. I'am looking forward to your other recipes. Don't overheat yourself haying. That is hard work.

MinnesotaSmith, thanks, I'll check at our half-price book store and see if they might have it.

 

[Vicki]

Wild strawberry leaves whiten teeth so I would imagine they would help fade age spots as well.

I've made perfumes with essential oils and beeswax adding the essential oil after heating.

I've made lip balms the same way with the addition of an infused oil.

A face cream that has been requested many times from some friends was made from cocoa butter cream and infused dandelion petals. That was very moisturizing.

I've made healing ointments with beeswax and infused oils of Yarrow, St. Johnswort & Comfrey.

An ointment that relieves itches of many kinds from beeswax and chicckweed.

An ointment that worked fantastic on acne and severly cracked hands and feet was made of Plantain and beeswax or Plantain and cocoa butter.

I've made creams for hemorrhoids and varicose veins from witch hazel, horse chestnut, Plantain and a combo of beeswax and cocoa butter.

Arnica cream for fractures, sprains and deep bruises has helped my lower back many times after too much gardening.

I mainly use olive oil based infused herbs for these formulas but I've found I can use an alcohol tincture in the beeswax or cocoa butter as well if I add just a pinch or two of borax. This allows the ingredients to blend where they would not with out it. I have many recipes that I have used or are waiting on the back burner. Just need time to experiement with them. It's great fun to play like this and really satisfying when something works really well. Best of luck to you TropicalFish.

Vicki

 

[Amazed]

If you can afford it, I get the dermatologist to dab the age spots with liquid nitrogen. I had a lot of them on my back and he treated the whole back. It stings a little but it worked great.

I'd also been having trouble with very dry skin on the trunk of my body. When I'd shower it would turn all red. The perscription the dermatologist gave me was expensive and didn't work. Someone told me to get over the counter Cetaphil cream(not lotion). I used it twice and I can't believe the difference.

I know this isn't quite what you wanted but it may help someone else.

 

[Mushroom]

One of the best face cleansers I have ever used is honey. Smear it all over the face like Noxema or something like it. Wipe it off with a wet washcloth. You will be amazed how clean it will be and it will not strip the oils. If you need a mild abrasive with it, mix in some crushed rolled oats. That turnes the honey into a nice scrub.

I make medicated muscle/arthritis rub by adding 15 drops of arnica extract and 10 drops of tea tree oil to a bottle of unscented hand lotion. Being a diabetic, I use it on my feet every night to heal up any minute cracks that might begin. It has a side benefit of helping the arthritic joints shed inflamation.

I take dandelion root or milk thistle to support liver function. A nice side affect from it is a lightening of the age spots on my hands and face. I like that I can eliminate a problem from the inside even if it does take several months to accomplish.

I do more things, but can't recall them at the moment. Will post more when my old brain recycles the information.

Mushroom

 

[Sara Brimmer]

Lots of good information here...


http://msms.essortment.com/homemadebeaut_rigm.htm

 

[tropicalfish]

Ok Vicki, quit hiding your recipes. All fun aside, you sound very talented too. How do you know what goes with what, and how much of this and that? If I just started playing and experimenting I'd end up with a big mess.

I take dandelion root or milk thistle to support liver function. A nice side affect from it is a lightening of the age spots on my hands and face. I like that I can eliminate a problem from the inside even if it does take several months to accomplish.

That might not be a bad idea for me. My Mom and Dad both had experiences with liver ailments. The added benefit of lightening the age spots sounds like a big plus.

You are all so skillful with your remedies.

 

[tropicalfish]

I just read an interesting remedy for age spots. Take onion juice mixed with vinegar and dab on the age spots. Its suppose to make them fade.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Cassie]

Books by Janice Cox are marvelous. I checked them out from the library at first, then purchased a couple. Titles include:

Natural Beauty at Home
Natural Beauty From the Garden
Natural Beauty for All Seasons

If you can get your hands on them, you will have all the recipes you would ever want. Full instructions are included, as well as where you can purchase some of the lesser-known ingredients.

I hope you have fun experimenting. Enjoy!

Cassie

 

[Vicki]

>>Ok Vicki, quit hiding your recipes. All fun aside, you sound very talented too. How do you know what goes with what, and how much of this and that? If I just started playing and experimenting I'd end up with a big mess. <<

Tropical Fish! You CAN do it!! lol I didn't have a clue when I first started but after learning herbs and reading way too many books I had to try it. Some of the books that I read were Joyce Wardell's Herbal Well-Being (simple recipes), Rosemary Gladstar's Family Herbal and Dina Falconi's Earthly Bodies and Heavenly Hair. *Note here I have never been happy with any of the hair recipes that I have tried and I've been doing hair for over 30 years so I know what i want in a product.

When I first started I tried making a couple of healing salves with beeswax and they turned out real good. You need to get your infused oils or tinctures in alcohol if you want to do this. They both have their drawbacks and advantages. In tinctures with alcohol, they can be more drying but they also last for years compared with an oil that is more soothing but has a year or so shelf life. The oils can be too oily as well. I wouldn't do the glycerin at all myself in creams or salves. Just my opinion.

If you just want to play around with herbals, you can mix the tincture or oil right into a base already made of vaseline or cocoa butter or any other product you find you like although I stay away from doing that being I don't know exactly what's in the products and the whole point is to make it natural and chemical free. Right! I also started right in writing down each formula in a notebook so I found if it didn't turn out as good as I wanted, I'd know what not to do next time.

Ok, here's a recipe I made that seems to work really well and I've had good feedback from the people who've used it.

1) I gathered Greater Plantain from areas that had nice clean leaves free from road toxins, etc.

2) I chopped them very fine and filled a small baby food jar till it was packed full and poured extra virgin olive oil to the top. I poked it down to remove all air bubbles and capped it.

3) After a month sitting in my cellar stairways and me shaking the dang thing every time I went down there which was every few days, I took it and strained it into a small amber colored bottle. (Save these bottles and sterilize in boiling water like a canning jar if you buy any)

4) NOW I'm ready to make my salve. I take pure beeswax and melt it in a double boiler, a few small chunks at a time. I slowly add some oil and keep mixing it with a (I use a chinese chop stick) until it feels like it may be a good balance. I test it by taking the stick and dabbing some on my finger and let dry for a few seconds. If it's consistancy is too hard you will know right away and if it's too greasy, you will also know after a few seconds. Then I add whatever it needs in oil or beeswax to get just that nice creamy feel.

5) I pour it in a small jar and immediately add one capsule (by piercing the capsule with a straight pin and squeezing out the oil) of vitamin E into the jar right into the mixture. The vitamin E acts as a preservative. Cap it and label it and you've got a real nice salve!

I call this my Plantain Salve and it's great on acne, (had two teenage boys using this regularly, they even asked for it), bug bites and stings, and it even helps hemorrhoids. I had one friend that used it on a sore on her gums and she said it took the soreness away and after a couple of days it healed it right up. Plantain also helps kick the digestive system into gear so that helps eliminate toxins in the system. This is called a simple and all I really did was put it in salve form. Now you try it!!!

It's been fun! I'll give you another recipe with more ingredients if you'd like but starting simple is best. Chickweed also makes a great simple salve. Have fun! God Bless!

Vicki

 

[tropicalfish]

Oh Vicki! thank you, thank you, thank you!

You have made my day. Giving me detailed instructions how to do this is just awesome. I am definitely going to try it. I can't wait to make a big mess and have fun. I am the world's sloppiest person. When I cook, if I don't get it everywhere, it doesn't taste good.

I'm also going to try and find these books that you and Cassie have suggested. That's what I need is pictures and full instructions. Now, I'm getting excited!

 

[Vicki]

You're very welcome Tropicalfish! I will be anxiously awaiting your results and a GOOD cook ususally does make a mess! You need a clean up crew in waiting.

It's funny how herbal things go. I made and sold alot of products around Christmas time and had a slow trickle there after for a couple of months then nothing. All of a sudden this last couple of weeks or so I've had the demand come back up and I find myself busy filling requests again. I need to dedicate a weekend to making stock but it's way too nice to be in the house and my gardens call to me. Maybe we'll get a rainy weekend and I will atttempt it. Oh btw, when you gather your herb, don't do it after a rain. Wait a day or two. The plants soak up alot of water and they will be diluted or their constutients will be in their roots more then the tops.

Vicki

(edited to add) So glad you are excited! That's contagious ya know!

 

[rugmaker]

Could anyone tell me how to get rid of skin tags? I have them on my neck and my underarms. I heard that deodorants block the lymph glands functioning or something like that. I started using natural deodorants, but they haven't gone away.

At one time, if I remember correclty, when I took a thyroid supplement they started to go away. I should try that again and report the results.

Does anyone else have a problem with them? Any natural treatments that would help or know for sure what causes them?

Thank you,
Rugmaker

 

[juco]

Could anyone tell me how to get rid of skin tags? I have them on my neck and my underarms. .................

..........................Does anyone else have a problem with them? Any natural treatments that would help or know for sure what causes them?

Thank you,
Rugmaker

Bumping this up so someone knowledgable might see and answer Rugmaker, cause I'd like to know, too!

I've always had skin tags, or skin moles, as granny called them around my neck even as a child, so I'm not sure about the theory of deoderants causing them. I've noticed a marked increase as I have aged and after I passed 45, they really started to be a problem instead of just a cosmetic issue because they hang on jewlery and sweater necks and cause soreness and sometimes bleeding. I believe genetics are a factor, as both my dad and his sisters had them.

 

[rugmaker]

Mijuco, yes they are a big pain and an unsightly. It's hard to shave under my arms because of them. You can't even cut them off, although I'd like to. My parents didn't have them, but my daughter does and it could be a virus! I got them in my forties, but my daugher is still in her teens.

I thought of using that new "freeze off" stuff for warts that they are selling now. Don't know if it will work or not. I guess it's like when the doctor removes moles.

Maybe someone will have a remedy...we can hope!

 

[tropicalfish]

I've been looking into this for DH. He has walked on crutches for 13 years now and he gets horrible skin tags underneath his arms.
What information I have found so far is to apply tea tree oil twice daily, also the sap of dandelion stems is suppose to heal them as well as warts. He hasn't tried any of these remedies yet. He's a great procrastinator.
I also read to tie a single hair from your head around them and they will fall off. Satin thread is also suppose to do the trick.

 

[occupant]

Evening All ! Last spring, I had enough of those pesky skin tags, so I went to a "Skin and ? Center". Cost me $75.00 to have 20-25 of them removed from my neck. Never actually saw a Dr.( I think she was a nurse ) well, she just nipped them off with a little pair of scissors! Ouch, that hurt, but it was quick. When I whined about the cost and still had a few left, she said to just touch them with a teenie piece of DRY ICE held in a pair of tweezers.Then she said she prolly shouldn't have told me that, it could be bad for business. Have I tried it yet, NO, can't find anywhere close to buy dry ice !

 

[Amazed]

I just had a bunch removed from my neck by the dermatologist. I always wear a gold chain and the tags appeared where the chain lays. Anyway, she used liquid nitrogen on them and then seemed to scrap them (I couldn't see but had red marks). She said she charged $125 to remove 10 of them but she doesn't count. I had a lot of them but they were tiny. It seems to have worked but she missed a few.

 

[rugmaker]

You guys are great! I'm gonna try some of those. I did see dry ice sold at the front of Walmart a couple of months back. I'll report back when I try them. Thanks again!

 

[Vicki]

I saw your post earlier rugmaker but didn't have time to comment then and still haven't had time to do any research on them but I found a list of natural remedies on a quick search for you here..

http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/beauty/warts-remedy.html

I personally have had a few in my life and I always pinched them off the minute they were noticeable. I wonder if free radicals have anything to do with them and I believe I read somewhere there was a link to overgrowth of skin cells. If that is the case which I'm not certain of, throw out the stinking microwave.

Here's some info from one search on free radicals and skin...

>> Aging
The free radical theory of aging was proposed in 1956. It states that aging is a result of free radical formation that leads to inflammation and cell damage. This process takes place in your arteries, heart, and other organs as well as your skin.

The signs of aging include red moles, brown spots, wrinkles, "skin tags", loss of fat in the face, addition of fat in unwanted areas, and changes in skin texture and color. <<

I do know vitamin E is an antioxidant that is supposed to help eliminate free radicals. I'll have to look into this more. Hope this helps!

Vicki

 

[rugmaker]

Vicki

The articles say 3-4 weeks, but at the bottom the e-book says 3 days...don't you just hate that! I'll give some a try. The pics are pretty serious stuff and while mine are not like that, they still are a pain.

It's hard to unstick yourself to use of a microwave, but I use it rarely after reading all the bad stuff.

Thank you for the article.