Tuesday 6 November 2007

What's Your Skin Type - Part II

I love the scent of chocolate and if anyone can recommend a fantastic chocolate fragrance, it would be great! I'm waiting for some chocolate fragrances from From Nature With Love. Hopefully, they'll be yummy!

Anyway, decided to try making layered chocolate soap today BUT the soap seized in the pot so I couldn't layer and I had to frantically spoon it into the mould. I've never had soap seize on me before (not saying much as I've only attempted cold process soapmaking three times). So there I was thinking "Hmmm, is it me or is this soap getting thicker really quickly.......hmmmm.......hmmmmmmmmmm...........oh my god!"

Well, hopefully it'll turn out ok :( If not then well, back to the drawing board. I'm determined to make my layered soap! And when I do, I'll post it up. Oh, my lecturer told me two stories yesterday regarding caustic soda. She was working at a hospital when a little girl of about 2 years old was admitted for swallowing caustic soda .Long story short, her esophagus melted into her trachea. Her food pipe melted into her wind pipe. She will never talk again and will always have trouble eating. Basically, her life barely began before it was over. Can you imagine? A 2 year old would only have been talking for about a year or so.

In another story, this is a real case by the way. It is either Meah v Roberts [1977] 1 WLR 1187 or Goulder v Rook [1901] 2 KB 290, I can't remember BUT caustic soda was served as lemonade in a restaurant.

Moral of the stories? Be VERY careful what you do with lye, don't store them in containers meant for food and drink and keep pets and children out of the way. Read this separate incident on TeachSoap here. Okay, onwards.

Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is thin or fine-textured and may have a translucent quality to it. Surface veins are commonly visible and the skin reacts to changes in temperature and some detergents and cosmetics. They sunburn and windburn easily and some products will irritate the skin causing it to become red and blotchy. People with sensitive skin tend to also have a sensitive disposition and are prone to stress.

What you must do
You must all the more diminish your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Always wear a UVA/UVB sunscreen. Control and manage stress. Use appropriate cleansers, moisturisers and cosmetics for sensitive skin. Use a concealer in a green shade and it will help mask redness.

It likes
Essential oils - Lavender, jasmine, neroli, rose, German chamomile, sandalwood, everlasting
Foods - apple, avocado, banana, honey, oats, papaya, wheat germ
Milks - buttermilk, goat's milk, soy milk
Carrier oils - Jojoba, sweet almond, apricot kernel oil, calendula (marigold) infused oil

Easy Mask Recipe

  • 2 teaspoons dried or 4 teaspoons fresh chamomile
  • 1 cup of boiling water
  • 2 teaspoons rose water
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon pectin or xanthan gum or agar agar

Place the chamomile in a mug with the boiling water and cover. Let steep for 15 minutes. Combine 2 teaspoons of the liquid with the rose water, then add the honey and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle over the pectin and whisk until the mixture forms a gel. Leave on for 5-10 minutes then wash off gently with water. Moisturise.


Mature skin
Fine lines and wrinkles are becoming more noticeable especially around the eye and mouth area. Skin is generally dry and prone to red blotchiness and uneven pigmentation. Skin can appear loose and patchy as there is insufficient sebum production.

What you must do
Seek out skincare products that contain retinol and Vitamin C, A and E. Smoking accerelates the aging process so stop. Minimise alcohol and caffeine intake and drink lots of water. Place more emphasis on eating a balanced nutritional diet. Wear sunscreen.

It likes
Essential oils - lavender, jasmine, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, neroli, rose, patchouli
Foods - almonds, avocado, carrot, banana, egg, honey, papaya, peach
Milks - cream, full cream milk, soy milk
Oils - avocado, borage, carrot infused, evening primrose, rosehip, macadamia, jojoba, olive

Easy Skin Serum

  • 1 teaspoon wheat germ oil
  • 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil
  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil
  • 1 capsule evening primrose oil

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, squeeze the oil out from the EPO capsule and mix in as well. Use a cotton ball dipped in the serum and sweep all over the face, sleep on it overnight and wash your face first thing in the morning. Moisturise.


Acneous skin
Your skin is prone to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or cysts. Skin is oily and sebaceous glands are overactive. This is commonly due to hormonal changes in the body like puberty, pregnancy and periods. It isn't caused by eating greasy foods.

What you must do
Cleanse face twice a day with a mild cleanser and warm water. Do not attempt to scrub away acne as it doesn't work this way, exfoliate with a gentle exfoliant and cleanse gently in a circular motion. Make sure makeup or sunscreen is non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. Lotions or creams containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide help dry out acne but beware that it can also dry out your skin. If your acne is severe, consult a dermatologist.

It likes
Essential oils - lavender, Roman and German Chamomile, geranium, clary sage, tea-tree, eucalyptus, thyme, palmarosa
Foods - alfalfa, apricot, cabbage, carrot, Manuka honey, watercress, tumeric, yeast, plum
Milks - skim milk, rice milk
Carrier oils - borage, evening primrose, hazelnut, jojoba

Easy Spot Treatment

  • 1 tablespoon myrrh tincture
  • 5 drops lavender essential oil
  • 5 drops lemon essential oil
  • 5 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix all the ingredients and apply a small amount to individual pimples. There is no need to wash off.

Read this to find out what whitening products can do for acne scars.

Phew! I'm tired. Goodnight everyone!

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