The Canary Report

The pampered canary

Posted on Sep 03, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Kimberly Shaw, Personal Care

“There’s no better way to energize your body, mind, and spirit than by taking care of yourself.” ~Stephanie Tourles

Post by Kimberly Shaw.

One of the ways I take care of myself is to make time to pamper myself with my own homemade organic personal care products. When I make something myself, I know exactly what goes into it and can use ingredients that work for me.

The recipes below include a basic unscented version and also variations with organic essential oils. If you have very severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, are currently in a “universal reacting” stage and/or are recovering from a recent exposure, I’d strongly suggest NOT trying the essential oil variations. Even natural and organic scents can and often will trigger reactions. Some with MCS can tolerate organic essential oils in moderation and even find they have aromatherapy benefits. For many years, I could only use unscented products. After much recovery and studying aromatherapy, I find that some essential oils in moderation work well for me.

If you have extremely sensitive reactive skin, keep things very simple. When my MCS was really severe I cleaned my face with just organic jojoba oil.

Feel free to omit any ingredients you are sensitive to or substitute for another ingredient. You are welcome to email me, if you need help tailoring a recipe to work for you.

Due to the nature of these ingredients, products should be used within six months. Before trying something new on your face or large parts of your body, you might want to do a small skin test on the inside of your arm. As with any skin care products, discontinue use if any skin reaction or rash appears.

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Relaxing Bath Salts

• ¼ to ½ cup Epsom salt
• ¼ to ½ cup Dead Sea Salt or any type of sea salt
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon organic jojoba oil

For a regular size bath, use ¼ measurements, for a larger bath use ½ measurements. Add salts and oils to running bath water. Soak and relax for at least 20 minutes.

Variations:

Add several drops of an organic essential oil such as lavender or vanilla.

Add some green tea (or your favorite herbal tea) to the bath. I tend to use about 6-8 tea bags or about 6 teaspoons loose tea in a cheesecloth bag or stainless steel tea infuser.

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Body Scrub

• 2 cups organic sugar or sea salt
• ¾ to 1-cup organic oil (jojoba, olive, grapeseed, sunflower, and/or other organic oil of your choice)

Variations:

10-30 drops organic essential oils, if desired. Tangerine or grapefruit work well.

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If you can use essential oils, here is one of my favorite recipes:

Kimberly’s Mojito Sugar Scrub

• 2 cups organic sugar
• ¾ cups grapeseed oil (I use it because it is naturally green in color)
• 20 drops organic lime essential oil
• 10 drops organic spearmint essential oil

(When I make it for gifts for friends and relatives, I add a dash of rum.)

Mix well and store in a glass container. Use in the bath or shower. Be careful may make surfaces slippery. Do not use on face or sensitive areas.

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Face and Body Wash

• 8 oz. organic unscented castile soap
• 8 oz. distilled water
• 1 tsp organic jojoba oil

Variation:

• 8 oz. organic unscented castile soap
• 4 oz. organic hydrosol* (I often use calendula hydrosol)
• 4 oz. distilled water
• 1 tsp organic jojoba oil
• (10-20 drops organic essential oils, if desired)

*I find since most hydrosols contain less than 5% essential oil they are mild and subtle and some with MCS can tolerate them.

I put this recipe in glass pump dispenser bottles and use as a basic liquid hand and body soap for the whole family.

If you have really dry skin, add extra jojoba oil to the mixture.

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Organic Eye Butter

• 3 Tablespoons organic shea butter
• 2 Tablespoons organic avocado oil
• 2 Tablespoons organic coconut oil
• ¼ teaspoon organic rosehip oil
• ¼ teaspoon organic calendula oil
• 2 drops organic carrot seed oil (optional)

Gently melt shea butter in a double boiler. Add all oils and blend well. Store in glass container. If storing in warmer environment, keep in refrigerator. Use within three months.

Apply a small amount around eye to help hydrate and soften wrinkles. It also works great on lips!

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There are many places to get organic ingredients, one of my favorite places is Mountain Rose Herbs.

In the coming months, I’ll be sharing more organic body care recipes!

Enjoy!

Come visit me at Serendipity.

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Tags: Cosmetics, Healthy Living, Home, Leisure, MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Nontoxic, Organic, Personal Care, Products