Beauty by Francesca Blog

Don’t you just love that the answers to many of our common complaints and ailments can be solved naturally?  Nature provides us with such an amazing array of plants and herbs to nurse and heal our every need.  There are herbs that help us fight off infection, clean our teeth, pamper our skin and flavor our food.  Amazingly, peppermint is one of those herbs that can do all of this and more.  In fact, peppermint is one the most important herbs in the herbalists' medicine cabinet.  Let’s take a closer look to find out why. What is it? Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a perennial herb native to Europe that was discovered in 1696.  Once thought to be its own species, it was discovered that peppermint is actually a hybrid of the watermint and spearmint plants.  The leaves contain approximately 40% menthol depending on the region in which it is grown . Menthol, the prized component of peppermint, is what gives it its cool, refreshing , soothing feel.  Traditional Use Mint (most likely spearmint) was prized by ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians.  It was used not only to flavor food but to treat a variety of physical ailments as well.  According to ancient writings and relics, in addition to its use in food, mint was used to scent bathwater, make mouthwash and treat stomach ailments.  The Romans even crowned their heads with it. Modern Use Today, peppermint is used in a similar way.  We use it to flavor and enhance food, to ease our aches and pains, to soothe symptoms of indigestion and IBS, and topically to relieve acne, eczema, muscle aches and tension headaches. Foods and Beverages Peppermint can be found in a variety of the foods and beverages we use today.  We use it to make tea, gum, mints, candies, ice-cream and many savory foods as well. Benefits for the body Medicinally it is used to treat bad breath (tooth paste, mouth wash), tooth pain, nausea, congestion, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, congestion (topically), muscle aches (topically) and tension headaches.   In the lab, peppermint has shown some promising activity in its anti-microbial and anti-fungal abilities. Benefits for the skin Antimicrobial and antiviral – great to use as an overall tonic for skin to help prevent (and care for) acne and to stave off infections. Cooling and refreshing Soothing – eases skin irritation (itching, inflammation and redness) Stimulating - the scent of peppermint is stimulating and energizing and helps wake you up. Make It Do you love peppermint?  Not sure about peppermint?  Try this easy to make refreshing DIY Coco-Mint Sugar Foot Scrub that takes just 5 minutes to make. Try it We use peppermint oil in our refreshing and rejuvenating luxury sugar scrub:  Revival- Rosemary Mint Hemp Sugar Scrub.   It will leave your skin silky smooth yet soft and refreshed!       References: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-peppermint-oil.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19768994 http://herballegacy.com/Ransom_Chemical.html Johnson, Rebecca L.; Foster, Steven; Low Dog, Tieraona;  Kiefer, David. National Geographic Guide To Medicinal Herbs: The World’s Most Effective Healing Plants.  Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2010.  Print. Shealy, Norman C.  The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies.  Hammersmith, London.  HarperCollinsPublishers, 2002. Print

Bath bombs are fun to use and even more fun to make. Learn about bath bombs, what they are made of and how you can make your own.   What are Bath Bombs Created in 1989 by Lush Cofounder, Mo Constantine, a bath bomb, also known as a bath fizzy, is a molded hard packed mixture of various wet and dry ingredients that bubble, fizz and effervesce when placed in water. They are most often round , however they can be formed and molded into many different shapes, like cubes, stars, flowers, cupcakes, tarts and more. Besides various shapes, bath bombs also come in a variety of sizes ranging from ultra mini to mega. They are used in the bath tub for pampering, soothing and relaxing, but bath bombs can also be used in a foot bath or even a manicure station.   How are Bath Bombs Made Bath bombs are made by combining a blend of wet and dry ingredients then pressing and packing this mixture into some type of mold. Commercial manufacturers may use a professional mold called a bath bomb press and handcrafters and DIY enthusiasts may use two piece hand held stainless steel or plastic molds to press the mixture together. Another popular way to form bath bombs is by packing the mixture into shaped silicon molds. The bath bomb is then left to air dry and harden for a day or two before it is ready to use.      Bath Bomb Ingredients The fizzing action of bath bombs is primarily achieved by combining baking soda with citric acid. Other ingredients might include: sea salt, Epsom salt, clay, carriers oils, plant butters, vitamin e, essential oils, herbs, and flowers. Some bath bombs may also contain synthetic ingredients such as “fragrance”, dyes, SLS, glitter, parabens, Polysorbate 80 and other potentially harmful ingredients. When selecting a bath bomb, you should choose one with all natural ingredients because some of the ingredients in non-natural bath bombs are toxic!   Read Your Labels - Bath Bomb Ingredients You Should Avoid and Why Read your labels carefully.  According to the DIY Guide to Natural Bathroom Products, commercial bath bombs can contain many ingredients like the ones listed below that are harmful and toxic.  The next time you purchase a bath bomb be on the lookout for the following: Fragrance – This a generic term often used to describe synthetic fragrance and is used to make our personal care products smell good. Synthetic fragrance often contains phthalates, benzene derivatives and aldehydes. Phthalates are endocrine system* disruptors. They increase the risk of infertility, breast cancer, Type II diabetes and more. Benzene derivatives are human carcinogens, linked to hormone disruption and infertility. Aldehydes can cause respiratory allergies, liver disease and embryo toxicity Dyes – Used for coloring. Can get into the bloodstream if skin is scraped, cut or has been freshly shaved. Some of the substances found in dyes contain contaminants linked to certain kinds of cancer, neuron damage, allergies and ADHD symptoms in children. Glitter – little teeny tiny pieces of shiny plastic used for decorative purposes. Although they are pretty, they are not environmentally friendly and are harmful to fish and other wildlife once rinsed down the drain. Parabens – preservatives used to extend product shelf life. They are endocrine system* disruptors. SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) – an ingredient used to help products foam. It is an environmental pollutant, eye, skin and lung irritant Polysorbate 80 – an emulsifier, dispersing gent and solubilizer for oil and water based ingredients. It has a low risk for human toxicity, however it has a high risk of being contaminated with 1, 4-dioxane and ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide - a raw material used in the manufacturing process. It can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and lungs and is linked to organ system (non-reproductive) toxicity. 1, 4 dioxide - an unwanted byproduct of an ingredient processing method called ethoxylation. It can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and lungs and is linked to organ system (non-reproductive) toxicity. *The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, metabolism, metabolism, mood, growth and reproductive processes.   Bath Bomb Benefits If you enjoy soaking in the tub, a bath bomb can take your tub time to the next level. The amazing benefits of bath bombs and why people love them so much are: Relaxing – One great way to unwind is by taking a nice warm soothing bath. A bath bomb only adds to the experience. As it fizzes and effervesces, skin softening ingredients and delightful aromas are released enhancing your bath and elevating your senses. Pampering – when you use a bath bomb, you feel like you are pampering yourself. In these hectic and stressful times, it is more important than ever to just slow down. It is so easy to get caught up in all the never ending hustle and bustle and forget about ourselves. I find myself falling victim to this as well. A great habit to get into is scheduling pamper time for yourself. And something simple, like a bath is a perfect way to accomplish this. Fun – Bath bombs are fun to use. Their bubbling, fizzing, effervescence make them so inviting and irresistible. You’ll find you can’t wait to jump in. Aromatherapy Properties – Bath bombs that use essential oils offer many enticing properties. There are bath bombs that refresh you, relax you, help decongest you and even help you fight a cold. Skin Softening Ingredients – Bath bombs contain ingredients that help soften and hydrate skin. Ingredients such as sea salt, clay, baking soda, carrier oils and plant oils are all used for softening and hydrating.   Are you ready to experience a bath bomb for yourself?  To buy one click here for a natural bath bomb handmade by Beauty by Francesca with all natural ingredients.  To make your own amazing bath bomb click here.   Sign Up For Our Newsletter! [contact-form-7 id="892" title="Newsletter Sign Up"]   References http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient.php?ingred06=705142&refurl=%2Fproduct.php%3Fprod_id%3D62813%26#.Wl7Nhmyumhc https://www.healthline.com/health-news/chemicals-in-bath-bombs https://draxe.com/are-bath-bombs-safe/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_bomb https://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/diy-guide-to-natural-bathroom-products.html       

This cellulite busting body scrub can be used all over not just on cellulite.  For optimum results, use 2-3 times per week. ¼ cup Coconut Oil ¼ cup Sweet Almond Oil ¼ cup fresh coffee grounds ¼ cup brown sugar 1 T raw honey or vegetable glycerine 1 tsp vitamin E 3-4 drops coffee essential oil (optional)   In a small bowl, combine coffee grounds and sugar. Set aside.  Melt coconut oil over a double boiler.  While still warm add in honey to dissolve, then add in almond oil and remove from heat.  Pour oil mixture into coffee/sugar mixture, then stir to combine.  For a looser consistency add more almond oil, for a more grainy consistency add more grounds or sugar as desired.  Store in a clean dry container.  To use:  Scoop and rub into skin in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes.  Rinse well with warm water.  If used in the shower, please be sure to use a bath mat!