Brendita's Blog

Whenever there’s time, I really enjoy a good soak in the tub, but my schedule is pretty tight, so I have to plan ahead. When I do find the time for a full-on spa day, including a luxurious hour in the tub, I like to add some of my Bath Time Dead Sea Salts or Cleopatra’s Bath Water.

I’m planning for a good old fashioned spa day this upcoming weekend, so I decided to make some lime scented bath bombs for the much anticipated occasion. They add a wonderful scent to your bath water and they’re fun to watch! When you drop one into your bath tub, the water bubbles and fizzes like a giant glass of champagne! The essential oil will make the entire bathroom and your skin smell wonderful.

The fizzing occurs because of the carbon dioxide gas that is released when the combination of citric acid and baking soda come in contact with water. The recipe I use has just three basic ingredients: Baking soda, citric acid and water. You can add any essential oil you’d like and even some food dye to make them extra cute. They’re really easy to make! Here’s the recipe:

Brendita’s E-Z Bath Bombs

Hardware:
Medium to large aluminum/glass bowl (clean and sterilized with alcohol)
Medium aluminum/glass bowl (clean and sterilized with alcohol)
Large strainer (clean and sterilized with alcohol)
Spatula or large spoon (clean and sterilized with alcohol)
Bomb Mold of choice
Dust mask
Latex gloves
Baking sheet covered with waxed paper.

Ingredients
2 Parts Baking Soda
1 Part Citric Acid
Very small amount of distilled water (easier if you put it in a spray bottle)
Essential oil of your choice

Measure out all of your ingredients before you begin. Put on your dust mask, place strainer over bowl and sift citric acid and baking soda together using your spatula or spoon to break up any lumps. Spoon out about 15% of this mixture into your smaller bowl. This is your "reserve" mix, in case you add too much water and need to dry your mixture out.

Put on your latex gloves and then sprinkle in the essential oil of your choice at a rate of about 5 drops per cup of mixture*. Mix well with your hands, rubbing the mixture together to break up any clumps. Slowly add your water and mix well until it holds together when squeezed in your hand. If the mixture is too wet, add some of your reserved soda/acid.

Press the mixture into the mold of your choice. Pack it as firmly as you can and then immediately unmold it. It should hold together on its own. If not, repack and try again.

Place your finished bath bombs on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper and allow them to air dry completely (about 3 days) before storing them in an air tight container.

If you didn’t use your reserve mix, save it in a glass, air tight jar, clearly marked as “Bath Bomb Mixture” and keep it with your bath bomb making equipment.

*Different essential oils have different potencies, so start with less and add more, if needed. If you’re using 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of citric acid, you’ll have 3 cups of mix, so you’ll be adding about 15 drops of essential oil (5 drops x 3 cups)





If you’ll be making bath bombs on a regular or semi regular basis, you should have equipment (bowls, spatulas, spoons, etc) that are used exclusively for bath bomb making. If you just want to try it one time, sterilize your bowl, spatula and baking pan in the dishwasher and wipe it down with alcohol before you begin.

When you’re making your bath bombs, be sure NOT to use too much water. In the video, I added the water from a small bowl. You can do this, too, but you can also try misting the mixture with water from a spray bottle. That will almost guarantee that you won’t overly wet your bath bomb mixture.

If you’re using food dye to add a little pop of color, you most likely won’t need any additional water. Add it slowly and mix it well. Don't add too much dye, because it will discolor your bath tub and might even stain your skin.

You must let the bombs dry out completely before you store them. To be on the safe side, allow them to air dry for at least three days. After that, you can put them in any air tight container to preserve their fragrance and color.

I like round bath bombs, but you can make them into any shape you’d like. You may want to try using cookie cutters, ice cube trays or muffin tins as molds. The possibilities are endless!

Once you get the hang of making basic bath bombs, you can begin to experiment with other skin soothing ingredients. Be sure to note the amount(s) you use, so that when you get it right, you’ll be able to recreate your recipe!

• Epsom salts: to soothe sore and tired muscles
  
• Clay: to help treat body acne or oily skin
  
• Powdered Milk/Aloe Vera: to soothe and relieve dry skin
  
• Powdered Oats (Oat Flour): to relieve the symptoms of eczema or chicken pox
  
• Vegetable Oils (olive, grape seed, jojoba) and/or Nut Butters (shea, cocoa)

Happy Bath Time and, please share your bath bomb recipes with me!

Mineral oil is a petroleum derivative. It is a by-product of oil refining. It is In addition to being used in a large number of skin/hair care products, it's also added to many iron supplements as a prophylactic for the constipation that usually accompanies increased iron intake.

Unscented "baby oil" is just plain mineral oil. Scented baby oil is mineral oil with a little fragrance or perfume. As far as it being safe for all babies, well, that's kind of misleading. No one can state that any ingredient (natural or otherwise) is unequivocally safe for ALL skin types. Sometimes when people read that a product is safe for babies, they assume that means it must be safe for anyone. I have a SEVERE sensitivity to mineral oil... but I also have sensitivities to a couple of nut & fruit oils.

Cosmetic grade mineral oil forms a waterproof barrier on the skin, so it can prevent dehydration. However, this barrier can also cause the skin's own oil to become trapped within the pore, causing acne to form. This is most likely where mineral oil got its bad reputation for clogging pores. When mineral oil is used in the hair, it can be very difficult to remove without the use of sulphates (SLS) or harsh detergents.

Cosmetic and medicinal grade min oil is very "clean", so I don't believe the scary things I have read about the carcinogens in it. It's considered "natural" by some because it comes from oil (something from the earth). Technically, you could call mineral oil an "all natural" ingredient, but I personally think that such a statement is a great stretch and twist of the definition. Cosmetic companies that use mineral oil do so because it's incredibly cheap and it lasts indefinitely, not because it is superior to other oils, moisturizers, etc. For me, mineral oil is right up there with sulphates: Since there are so many alternatives for both, I choose to play it safe and not use them.

I believe there are 6 "must have" products that are essential for healthy, nourished and radiant skin: Cleanser, toner, daily facial treatment (antioxidant serum/lotion/gel/crème), sunscreen, under eye moisturizer and a masque for a weekly (or more frequent, depending on your requirements) facial.

Cleanser
Even the best facial treatment can’t work to its full potential if its applied to skin that has not been freed of pore clogging debris. Healthy skin begins with regular cleansing, every morning and every evening. In most cases, you don't need two separate cleansers. One possible exception would be if you're treating two separate conditions, such as acne and fine lines. You will see better and faster results if you address each condition separately by using an anti-acne cleanser and treatment in the evening and an anti-aging cleanser and treatment in the morning.

Toner
The purpose of a toner is to restore the skin’s proper pH balance. It also removes any remaining traces of cleanser and chlorine/mineral deposits left over from rinsing. The liquid actives are the first phase of your facial treatment. Finally, toner creates the ideal environment for your skin to absorb your facial treatment product.

Facial Treatment
A facial treatment is often referred to as a moisturizer, although not all skin is in need of additional moisture. It can be in the form of a gel, serum, lotion or crème. Look for a facial treatment that addresses your skin’s unique requirements. If your skin is oily, you don’t need a moisture rich treatment nor do you necessarily need an oil free product. Look for ingredients that will balance out the skin, as this will help to regularize excessive oil production. If you have combination skin, that’s oiler in the “T” Zone, you should focus on treating the oily skin. Products that treat oily skin should not cause excessive dryness; if they do, your skin will over compensate by sending more oil to the skin’s surface to replace what has been taken away by these over drying products. Facial treatments should be applied before applying sunscreen.

Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be applied every single morning, rain or shine, even if you don’t plan on going outside. Exposure to UVA/UVB rays will increase your risk of getting skin cancer, cause premature wrinkling, darken areas that are already hyperpigmented and can cause dark spots, also known as “sun spots”. Everyone should wear a sunscreen or sunblock with a MINIMUM sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. I prefer physical sunscreens that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as opposed to chemical sunscreens.

Eye Crème
The use of an eye crème every morning and evening is, in my opinion, essential. The skin under the eyes is very thin and contains only a small amount of oil producing glands. Daily use of a nourishing, moisture rich eye crème will keep the skin moist, supple and reduce or prevent the appearance of fine lines.

Masque
There are several different types of facial masques, so the kind that you use depends on your skin type. In general, clay or mineral mud based masques are best for oily or acne prone skin, because they absorb excess oil and help to clear embedded pore clogging debris. Fru9it enzymes and alpha hydroxy acid masques to help speed up cell turn over and get rid of hyperpigmented skin. You can use most masques multiple times a week, if needed. Stronger alpha hydroxy acid masques, however, should be used once or twice a week, maximum, on nonconsecutive days.

Remember, don’t forget your neck when you are cleansing, toning and treating your face! You want to keep this area as youthful, healthy and radiant as your face.

Activated Charcoal is one of my favorite ingredients for both skin and hair care. It is charcoal, made of wood pulp and nutshells, that has been treated and purified with oxygen. One particle of activated charcoal can absorb HUGE amounts of toxins by completely surrounding and enclosing them.

Due to its ability to rapidly surround and trap toxins, activated charcoal is administered orally in emergency rooms to quickly absorb poisons in the stomach before they can get further into the digestive system. It is also recommend that home medical kits include activated charcoal tablets to use in cases of accidental ingestion of toxic substances.

Activated Charcoal is one of the main ingredients in Pore Rich ACES (Activated Charcoal Exfoliating) Masque, Face Off ACES Wild Sulphate Free Cleanser, Phat Head Sulphate Free Clarifying Shampoo and Phat Head Clarifying Conditioner. I became intrigued by it when I learned about its ability to surround debris: It acts like a magnet, drawing debris out from the skin and hair where it can be easily rinsed away. It a great way to gently remove debris and toxins without traumatizing or damaging the skin or hair. I have been experimenting with a formula for a clay based, non foaming shampoo that includes activated charcoal. If I'm successful, you'll certainly be hearing about it soon .

I really like the unique color activated charcoal gives my products. When I first started experimenting with it, I was a little worried that it would leave behind a dark residue. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it rinses away completely, leaving both skin and hair feeling detoxified, fresh and clean.

If you're looking for a gentle and effective way to detoxify your skin and/or hair, look into activated charcoal! I'm sure it will become one of your favorite ingredients, too. !

Blackheads are trapped and oxidized sebum (the oil that’s secreted from pores). Dead skin cells/debris won’t allow the sebum to naturally flow out of the pore. Instead, it gets trapped right at the pores opening and turns black due to exposure to oxygen.



The safest way to get rid of a blackhead is to gently expand the opening of the pore with steam. The steam will make the walls of the pore expand and soften the hardened sebum. If there’s not a lot of sebum, it will liquefy and flow out. If the blackhead is old, there’s probably a lot of hardened sebum in the pore, so you’ll need to use a clay based masque immediately after steaming, while the walls of the pore are still expanded. As the masque dries, it will pull the sebum up and out of the pore. This process may need to be repeated weekly for very old and stubborn blackheads: After each session, a little more hardened sebum will be removed from the pore. It’s better to get rid of blackhead in this manner, gradually over time as opposed to trying to squeeze them out: If you’re prone to hyperpigmentation, squeezing the black head will cause a scar.

Whiteheads are a little easier to deal with. They're very similar to blackheads; the only difference is that the sebum has not yet hardened and oxidized, so they usually liquify and drain away after steaming.

Keeping the pores clean and clear will also reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, as there is nothing inside the pore stretching out the walls. I wouldn't advise steaming the pores more than once a week. If you suffer from consistently clogged pores, you can do a steam/masque weekly and add a mid week clay based masque to your skincare regimen. Here's a video that's relevant to this common skincare issue:

In this video, I share seven beauty tips that will help you to save money by getting the most out of your skin care products.



All of the skincare tools featured in the video are available in the Skincare Tools section at Brendita's Body Works.

Tip #1: How NOT to waste Mascara
Tip #2: How NOT to waste Eye Cream
Tip #3: How NOT to waste Shower Gel
Tip #4: Use a facial cleanser to clean your brushes
Tip #5: Use a facial brush to get the most out of your cleanser
Tip #6: Soak and scrub your feet FIRST to save on cream
Tip #7: Get the most out of your face mask

Since I developed acne as an adult, I beleive I will always have to remain diligent about keeping my pores clean. I used to steam my pores on a fairly regular basis, but I have been negligent with this lately. After reading a great article on line, I was reminded of the importance of steaming pores to free them of debris and gunk, so I will be sure to include steam cleaning in my weekly skin care regimen. Please take alook at my You Tube Tutorial to see how to use steam to de-congest pores.

I use organic roobois & peppermint Pore me Tres Bags to steam my pores, because they are best for oily, acne prone skin. Complete instructions for facial steaming can be found in the Daily Spa Ritual at the bottom of each Pore me Masque product page.

When you steam your pores, there are a few things you should remember:

• You can steam your pores with plain water, but adding herbs makes the whole process a lot more effective. The essence of the herbs is released in the steam, delivering extra nutrients and healing properties to your skin.
• You must use boiling water to ensure that the essence of the herb is released, otherwise, the herbs are just sitting in the water, not really doing anything.
• Whether you're using herbs or not, you must allow the water to cool down a bit before placing your face over the bowl: If not, you will scald your skin.
• Apply the appropriate masque immediately after steaming, for maximum benefit.
• Do not use steam prior to applying an alpha hydroxy acid masque or peel: The AHAs will penetrate too deeply, possibly causing irritation.
• Do not steam pores more than twice a week; once a week is usually quite sufficient.

I look forward to your comments, questions and suggestions!

I didn’t go through a teenage “pimple” phase. Instead, I developed adult onset acne when I was in my mid to late thirties. It started with a random pimple on my forehead, and then a few would appear on my cheek. After a very short time, I always had pimples, all over my face. I tried not to pop them, but I was never able to resist the urge. After popping, I was left with a dark scar: A reminder of my bad habit.

I didn’t know what was causing the acne. I’d never worn foundation; I rarely wore any makeup, besides lipstick and eyeliner. I wore my hair off and away from my face. My diet was pretty good and I’ve always been a big fan of drinking lots of water. I bought drugstore anti acne facial cleansers, toners, gels, masques, lotions. I tried Proactiv. Nothing worked, so I started wearing mineral makeup to hide the dark spots and minimize the appearance of my zits. I finally decided to see a dermatologist. I went in for monthly visits. She would do extractions (OUCH!) and give me a glycolic peel. She prescribed retinoids and hydroquinone to get rid of the dark spots. She also gave me some salicylic acid toner to use after cleansing. My face went through some serious “resurfacing”. It was literally falling off. LITERALLY. Flakes would fall onto my keyboard. She adjusted my prescriptions and soon, my skin was starting to look better.

I discovered Aveda on the way back from one of my dermatologist’s visits. I’d seen ads for them for years, but I’d never been inside any of their stores. I was greeted with a cup of delicious tea and I was hooked… on the tea and, later on their products. I left with some free samples...and a jar of tea. I was intrigued by their “natural ingredients” approach, so I continued to see my dermatologist for peels, but I weaned off the prescriptions and started using Aveda exclusively.

Things were going along smoothly for a few months and breakouts were a thing of the past. I still had quite a bit of acne scarring, though. After a few months of Aveda, I started breaking out again. I was so disappointed. I hadn’t done anything differently, but my skin just decided that it didn’t like Aveda any more. It was very, very frustrating. By this time, I was no longer seeing my dermatologist.

In the summer of 2007, a few months before we created Brendita’s Body Works, I started looking for recipes for home made masques and other natural acne remedies and treatments. I am happy to announce that I finally found a skin care regimen that keeps me (pretty much) pimple free. I still get an occasional “monthly” pimple, but for the most part, acne is a thing of the past and the majority of my old acne scars are gone.

This is my skincare regimen:

Weekly: Pore Me ABC Kit, Glycolic Acid or Pore Me the Dead Sea

Midweek (warm weather): Pore Rich ACES Masque.

Mornings/evenings: Face Off ACES Wild Cleanser, My BFF No Zit Zone Toner, Glowshine Antibacterial Oil Reducing Serum + Power Powder Vitamin C & Kojic Acid, Burn Out Clean and Clear (mornings only, of course), Glowshine Eye Brightening Crème.

The weekly peels played a big part in speeding up the reduction of my acne scars, but these days, I usually only do them once a month. When I don’t do a peel, I’ll use Pore Me the Dead Sea masque. In the warm weather, I need a midweek masque to keep the oil production down.

I’m so glad that I finally have a regimen that works because I really don’t like to wear foundation. I hope that you, too, find a skin care routine that works for you: I would love to hear about it!

It was once thought that diet did not play a significant role in acne and that instead, genetic predisposition was the primary factor. But numerous studies appear to indicate that there is a connection between acne and certain diets. These observations have concluded that people who have diets with high amounts of dairy products are at an increased risk for severe acne.

Does Diet Really Affect Acne?

Contrary to prior beliefs that genetic predisposition was the main factor in the appearance of acne, studies are now indicating that there is a connection between acne and certain diets. A diet that is high in saturated fats results in an increase of insulin levels and has been linked to “IGF-1”, a hormone that is similar to insulin. One particular study entitled “Diet and acne: a review of the evidence” indicates that milk consumption increases IGF-1 production. To understand whether or not diet plays a role, there have been studies conducted on non-westernized populations who have a natural diet of vegetables, fruit, fish.

Is there a Link between Western Diets and Acne?

Population studies suggest that acne is more prevalent in industrialized populations than in rural societies where the consumption of dairy products, coffee, alcohol, cereals, oils, sugar, and salt was at a minimum. Other food that may contribute to acne includes nuts, chocolate, cakes, oily and fried food.

“Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization” is an observational study that evaluated two isolated non-westernized populations who have a lack of acne: the Kitavan Islanders of Papua New Guinea and the Ache hunter-gatherers of Paraguay. Researchers speculate that the low-fat content of their diet results in a low-glycemic index which could be the reason for the absence of acne.


Is it the fat content or the hormones?

Not all fats have the same affect on our skin. There have been several studies linking the consumption of dairy products with acne. But the interesting finding is that low fat and skimmed milk was associated with acne, which suggests that the fat content of milk is not the cause. The link lies elsewhere.

The diets of 47,000 nurses were studied and the authors investigated whether the hormones found in milk products were associated with acne during their teenage years. This study also found that severe acne may not be a result of the high fat content of their diet. Instead, the contributing factor was the change in IGF-1 levels. The authors hypothesized that it was the hormones in milk products and not the fat that were responsible for the acne.


Can there be a healthy balance?

It is obvious that nutrition plays a significant role. The same studies that link dairy consumption to the prevalence of acne have also found that other foods can lessen the conditions that lead to sever acne. High-fiber, low fat diets tend to decrease the concentrations of hormones associated with acne which means that it is possible to maintain a balance IGF-1 levels as long as your diet contains a variety of healthy, natural foods. We can learn from the populations that were studied: the islanders who mainly ate root vegetables, fruit, fish, and coconut did not have acne. The good news, at least for chocolate lovers, is that not all “comfort foods” are linked to acne. The studies have not made any connections between acne and soda, pizza, fries or chocolate.


What can you do if the pimples are already there?

There are acne remedies that allow you to spot treat the condition, depending on the cause. Excessively oily skin is a result of hyperactive sebum (oil) glands. When too much oil reaches the surface of the skin, bacteria can easily get trapped in the pores causing congestion, pimples and blackheads. If you have oily skin, acne treatments should include nor-pore clogging ingredients like aloe vera and jojoba. It is also very important to keep the pores clean. Activated charcoal and antibacterial organic extracts can dissolve excess oil and prevent pimples without over drying the skin. And finally, always use an alcohol free astringent to balance the skin’s pH level. Products with organic black willowbark and naturally occurring salicylic acid can fight active breakouts and discourage new pimples from forming.

If you have pimples and are looking for natural acne treatments, then the Glowshine Collection for acne prone skin is the most effective way to treat and prevent acne, hyperpigmentation and Excessive Oiliness. Instead of working against nature, Glowshine helps regulate the over production of oil by providing the ideal balance of vital moisture and nutrients. The result is nourished skin that glows with health.