When I visit the department and drug stores lately, it seems that oil-based, facial  serums are everywhere!  The funny thing about these luxurious oils that promise to reduce the signs of aging and create healthier-looking, glowing skin, is that many of them are a simple combination of very cheap oils in great packaging!  There are a few, department store brands that do offer higher quality oils with the price tag to match.  

     Once I read the ingredient deck, I realized I could make most of these myself.   I could increase the beneficial oils, cut out the fillers/synthetics, and add a special oil or ingredient to give it the label-appeal needed to attract a more upscale market or clientele.  The last part is important if you are selling this serum and want your customers to pay the higher (and well deserved) price.

     

     Before you invest in the high-end oils that make this serum effective, I suggest you do your research and know which oils are which and exactly what they do.  I personally opt for fast absorbing oils, instead of heavyweight types like Olive, Sweet Almond, Avocado, etc...    Not to say that you cannot use some Avocado oil in a version of this serum, especially during the dry winter months.  You need to know how much to add and how to balance more protective oils with the drier oils.  No one wants to walk around with an oil slick on their face!

     

     Next, be sure to research the Comedogenic Scale.  This scale is not an absolute black and white set of rules.   It all depends on the amounts of oils you use and the customer's skin-type.  

     If you know you want to include an oil that rates in the middle of the scale, it should have some renowned skin-loving properties, and we should use it sparingly.  As a rule, I use oils that rate 0 out of  the total number 5 (Zero, refers to no noted irritations, and the numbers increase up to Five, which is the worst or most likely to cause acne, clogged pores and skin sensitivities).

For instance, Coconut Oil rates a 4 out of five (5) on the Comedogenic Scale,  meaning it is very likely to cause acne and/or clog pores in those who are sensitive to it.  Many people have no problems with raw coconut oil.  I personally do, and therefore, never formulate with it.  Soap of course is the exception to this because the oil saponifies into a salt (soap) when combined with the base, changing its chemical makeup.

     Now we know we want to use great oils that have low probability to cause skin irritation.  What about shelf-life?  Even though we will add the recommended amount of anti-oxidant (I personally, like Soaper's Supplies Vitamin E mixed Tocopherols), you should ideally choose oils that do not have short shelf-lives.  This would mean excluding Grapeseed Oil, Hempseed oil, Flaxseed oil and several others that notoriously go rancid in under six months.  If you are going to use an oil with a shorter shelf-life, try to use only one, and to use it sparingly.   It also should be an oil that contributes something to the overall formula.

     Before you dive into the Soaper's Supplies incredible assortment of luxury Carrier Oils, consider what you will charge for your serum.  If you have $20 dollars of oils in a one oz container, you should be sure you are making this money back in your profits.  

     

     One way to help sell this product is to use more upscale-looking packaging and labeling.  Charging $30 for an ounce or two of high quality oils is much easier if you have superior packaging and labeling.  Highlighting a star ingredient is another way to sell this product.  If you include the sophisticated Soaper's Supplies Olive Squalane, then you should highlight this on the packaging and on the website.   Advertising is important once you start to formulate products that transition you over from one market to to another.  This is something that can you can do on your website, or through the social media sites.   This is something to consider once you introduce more and more upscale products into your line.  You will be using finer ingredients and packaging so you will really want to sell your products in as large of a market as possible.

So exactly how  do we decide which  fabulous  Soaper's Supplies oils to use in this luxurious product?

The answer is up to you.  I like to start with a good base oil.  Soaper's Supplies Meadowfoam  seed oil is fantastic for the skin, has a super-long shelf life, and absorbs rather quickly.  It has great label-appeal and offers many skin-loving benefits to all skin types.   Sometimes I use Soaper's Supplies High Oleic acid Sunflower Oil.  This oil is a bit heavier than most of the other oils in the serum but since it is the only "heavy" one in this serum, it balances out with the dry oils and lends some well known, beneficial properties to the skin.  Soaper's Supplies Olive Squalane is a light, silky, fast absorbing oil that is renowned in anti-aging products.  It is considered to be very chic.  When advertised properly, it should get your product more than a second glance.  How much you use is entirely up to you, but this is where you decide your market, your target market, and your long term goals.   It is very dry and helps the other oils to absorb.  This is a staple in my anti-aging formulas, especially this eye and face serum.  I personally use more of this ingredient than some of the other oils.

     

     How many oils should you include?  Once again this is entirely up to you.  You can always add and improve upon your formula once you start to increase your profit margin.  Some companies actually use two or three oils.   Others have one very expensive Essential Oil cut with a less expensive carrier oil.  You can test these carrier oils on your own face and see which combination you like best.   

   

      I personally love Soaper's Supplies Marula Oil.  It is becoming very popular in mainstream cosmetics and would look very appealing on your label.  Being a more upscale oil, you may want to use only five to ten percent or you may decide to use a higher percentage.  This depends on your preference.  

     Another oil I absolutely love in this serum is Soaper's Supplies Oat Kernel Oil.   This is a light oil that glides on like liquid glass!  It absorbs quickly and is full of   the desirable  Oat properties that help retain moisture and aide in lessening the appearance of wrinkles.  

 

     Remember, you want a product that is going to have repeat, loyal customers who cannot live without it! 

     

     I saw the oils used by some of the commercial brands in the drug store, and they were disappointing when compared to their price tag.  (I remember one cost $55 dollars.  It was less than two ounces and contained very cheap ingredients.   The main oils were Fractionated Coconut oil, Safflower Oil, and Grapeseed oil.  There were some other synthetic polymers in the formula, but I knew I could make a better face oil that would actually improve the look of my skin and especially the skin of age-conscious customers.  ...and I did!)

   

     What other oils would work well in this serum?  I also include Soaper's Supplies Perilla Seed Oil  (a must-have favorite for me!)  and Rosehip seed oil.  All of the seed oils  have unbelievable skin benefits.  I also highly recommend using Soaper's Supplies Cucumber seed oil in your formula.   It is light with a silky glide and absorbs quickly.  Cucumbers,  including their extracts and oils are always associated with benefiting the skin around the eyes.   I always include some of this oil in this rejuvenating serum.  

     I am also careful to include Soaper's Supplies Tamanu oil which has a long list of  well-known, skin applications and benefits.   I do use the Tamanu at a lesser percentage  because it makes my eyes tear up when it is too concentrated, but its benefits are too great to omit from the formula.  

     There are luxurious oils like Soaper's Supplies Macadamia nut oil and Pumpkin seed oil that would really add some flare to your product.  If you love the nutrient-rich,  Camellia seed oil (a favorite ingredient in Japanese skincare), then you should consider including it as well.  It has well known skin benefits that go back for centuries.   

     Soaper's Supplies Argan oil is sleek and fast absorbing.  It is very popular right now in commercial products due to its anti-aging properties and overall feel.   Most commercial products are currently boasting this upscale ingredient.

     

     You may want to include some Essential Plant oils in your serum.  Consider the oils of which you know to have great attributes, and use them at a total  of one percent in your face serum.  I personally love Carrot Seed Essential oil in this face oil.  This oil is renowned in anti-aging products for its ability to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and promote more youthful-looking skin.  There are others you can include.  Remember they should total  one percent of the total serum weight.

     

     Decide which carrier oils you love on your face by themselves.  Then consider the price for which you can sell the finished product, and the profit you hope to get.  This may help you decide which oils are best to invest into this serum.  After all, this is a type of investment.  All your creations are investments of your time, money and energy.  You need to package and market them accordingly so you can increase your profit margin and overall market share. 

There is nothing that connects to our memories more strongly than scent.  Smells, aromas, fragrance...  they can evoke powerful emotions and are a very important part of our lives.  Whether it be a warm vanilla or sweet, fruit scent reminiscent of pies cooling on Grandma's windowsill, or a sunny, floral bouquet spreading Springtime year-round, fragrances are a connection to our memories and our hearts.

     Soaper's Supplies carries a huge assortment of plant-derived, Essential Oils,  as well as an ongoing list of high quality, Scientifically formulated scent oils.  There is also a nice selection of Hydrosols and Essential floral waters.    (Let's not forget the Soaper's Supplies Lip Balm Flavors!)  

      We love the Soaper's Supplies scents in our soaps, lotions, body butters and balms...  We have even used RJ's Luxurious Lip Balm Base as a Solid Perfume and Cuticle Balm, so we have experimented with many lovely Soaper's Supplies Essential and Fragrance Oils in these products.     So what's left to talk about?

*Click on the links above to connect directly to the blog installments for "solid perfumes" and "cuticle balm", as well as each ingredient in our store..

Welcome to Part Two of the Soaper's Supplies Hand Renewal System!  If you read our last installment you learned how a well-made scrub can exfoliate dull, dry surface skin, revealing softer, silkier, more youthful-looking hands that just seem to glow!  That blog installment can be found easily on this link:  RJ's Hand Renewing Scrub!

     Not only does the Soaper's Supplies Renewing Hand Scrub soften the hands and cuticles with conditioning oils and moisturizing humectants, but it prepares the skin for the ultimate treatment,  -Soaper's Supplies Renewing Hand and Cuticle Balm!

 

     A great hand and cuticle balm should include extra-soothing oils and butters to soften dry knuckles and any rough, cracked skin, damaged from life's chores and everyday wear and tear.  Soaper's Supplies offers a vast assortment of scrumptiously-scented, and much sought-after butters that would be a fantastic addition to a cuticle/hand balm.  Along with these luxurious butters, Soaper's Supplies includes an incredible list of exotic and sophisticated Carrier oils, each renowned for their individual, skin-loving properties.   You can combine these butters, oils and Soaper's Supplies assorted waxes to create a balm of your own design...   OR..  you can indulge in yet ANOTHER FANTASTIC USE for the Soaper's Supplies Luxurious Lip Balm Base!

     Rich in the finest butters and oils, Soaper's Supplies has created an easy solution for your dry hands and cuticles, -and for those of your customers.  RJ's Luxurious Lip Balm Base is the perfect product to add to your Renewing Hand Scrub!

     RJ's Luxurious Lip Balm Base is rich in emollient oils like Meadowfoam seed oil, Oat Kernel oil, Perilla and more!  There is also a vegan version of this sophisticated balm.  This is such an easy add-on to your line if you are in need of something new, with upscale ingredients.  These will dress-up any label, as these are not your "every-day" oils and butters, ..and yet, this is a quick and affordable solution to a lull in sales.  It its a great product with so many applications!   (See Blog post 7/23/2016 Rae Jean's Luxurious Lip Balm Base.  One Product, Endless Possibilities)  https://www.soaperssupplies.com/2016/07/23/rae-jean-s-luxurious-lip-balm-base-one-product-endless-possibilities/.

 

     We have done the work for you!  Just add your favorite Soaper's Supplies Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil Blend, and you have made the perfect, conditioning balm for both you and your customers.  This is the perfect addition to the scrub and will really add to your beauty-line.  It is the ideal package-set and all you have to do is melt, scent and pour into your choice of size, Soaper's Supplies Containers.

     A gift set is always a great asset to any artisan beauty business.  Soaper's Supplies Hand Renewal System has combined a moisturizing, exfoliating Scrub, that possesses a lotion-like, after-feel, with an easy-to-make Hand & Cuticle Balm. 

     

 

                                        Soaper's Supplies Renewing Hand and Cuticle Balm 

 

      Choose a set of containers you feel are right for you.  Soaper's Supplies has a vast assortment of containers from which to choose.  For a nail and hand balm, I would consider any size from .5 oz to 2oz, depending on the look you are trying to achieve.  Above is a direct link to perfect Cuticle/Hand Balm Containers,  with an assortment of ideal sizes and styles.

     I personally love the perfect size of the lip balm style tubes for this project.  They fit the size of the nails and can be used on knuckles and rough spots without a messy after-feel.

 

 

     If you opt to make your own hand and nail balm you can find every ingredient necessary right in the Soaper's Supplies Store.

 

   A basic formula would consist of approximately 33% hard butter, 33% liquid oil, 33% wax and 1% Vitamin E Anitioxidant (to prevent rancidity of oils).

 

* Beeswax 33%  (Vegan version would use Candelilla wax at approximately 16-17%. 

* Butters combined total 33% (See links to recommended butters below)

* Oils totaling 33% (32% if using FO or EO scent)

* Vitamin E Antioxidant 1% at cool down.

* Any Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil 1% at cool down.

    

     An unbelievable oil renowned for its nail/cuticle benefits is Soaper's Supplies Moringa Oil!    This oil could be paired with Soaper's Supplies Meadowfoams seed Oil, Camellia oil, or Marula oil.    These are all sensational on the nails and skin, as well as the LABEL!  (Most formulators are not using such rare, and exotic oils that have the noted benefits that these oils boast.)

Soaper's Supplies Moringa Oil  11%

Soaper's Supplies Meadowfoam seed oil 11%

Soaper's Supplies Camellia Oil 11%

     I personally like the combination of  those oils but we encourage you to have fun with this anhydrous balm and make it your own!  Click on the links above to find these oils in the Soaper's Supplies  store!

     Remember if using a Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil blend at 1%, subtract a percent from one of your oils to make your total add up to 100%.   (So if you are using scent you would use 32% liquid oils instead of 33%.)

 

     If you are working with heavier oils, use a drier butter like Mango, Kokem or Sal seed butter.   I personally love the hard texture of Sal Butter.  It is great in applications like these, and works best when combined with softer butters or quick melting butters, like Cocoa Butter, or the super-sophisticated, Cupuacu Butter.  My personal butter choice is a combination of Sal seed butter 15% and Cupuacu butter 18%.

    

     When choosing waxes most people use Beeswax, but you can use a vegan alternative.  (Remember, Candelilla, being a very hard wax, has a suggested use that is half that of Beeswax, so you would have to make-up that lost amount of product in your butters and oils.  (16-17% of Candelilla would be used instead of 33%, therefore, 16-17% more oils and butters would be added to the remaining Butter/Oil formula.)

 

     I personally like the addition of Cetyl Alcohol to my nail balm due to the luxurious feel it leaves on the skin.  I use approximately 5% Soaper's Supplies Cetyl Alcohol in place of 5% of some of my wax.   So my Beeswax would be 28% if I use Cetyl. You can play with your hand/nail balm once you get a basic recipe down that you like.  It is all about personalizing it to make it your own!

     

      For a softer balm, consider reducing waxes by 10% and upping liquid oils by 10%.  

    

     Do not forget to add 1% Vitamin E Antioxidant to keep you creation from going rancid.

 

 

     Melt your waxes first in a double boiler or heat-safe bowl, inside a hot water bath on the stove.  Then, melt your butters into the waxes and your oils should be added last.  Heat waxes, butters and oils to 158 degrees. 

     Add your Vitamin E at cool-down and any scent if you are using Fragrance oils or Essential Oils as too high of a temperature will burn off these delicate ingredients.  Follow usage guidelines for your Scents.  Usually they should total no more than 1% of formula, which you would subtract from another ingredient (I suggest subtracting one percent from one of the oils of choice if using the 1% scent oil.  This would mean you are using 32% Liquid oils.)    Ideally, you want your final numbers to total 100%.

 

Caution:  We have all cheated and used the microwave to dissolve something..   but it is discouraged as the microwave heats unevenly.  You should NEVER melt your WAX in the microwave!   The heat gets so high you can break the glass turntable beneath!  This happens more often than you may think.  It is dangerous and also less professional so PLEASE use a double-boiler, or a water-bath on the stove, to melt your ingredients.

 

      Consider popping your balms into the freezer after pouring to avoid any grainy issues, as these butters have a high stearic acid content.

 

                       Using RJ's Luxurious Lip Balm Base For Your Cuticle/Hand Balm

 

     If using RJ's Luxurious Lip Balm Base, you can simply click the previous link,  place your order and follow melting instructions.  It is that easy!  Any scent can be added at cool-down.  Follow usage guidelines for Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils.    Remember to add your Fragrance or Essential oils at cool-down, as not to burn them.  Soaper's Supplies has a fantastic list of Scent Choices.  Simply click on the links above to find them in the store.

    

     RJ's Luxurious Lip Balm Base  has been formulated with the most exotic, upscale oils and butters.  This is the perfect product to add to your ingredient supply shelf, as it has proved delightful on lips, with long-lasting wear and shine.  It also has worked brilliantly as a solid-perfume base, ...and now can be your quick-fix for rough cuticles and dry hands!

 

     Whether you design your own cuticle/hand balm or use The Soaper's Supplies Solution to softer hands, you will love this balm!   It is the ideal compliment to RJ's Hand Renewal Scrub, making a wonderful gift set.  It can increase profits and interest, and serve as the complimenting product in a multi-purpose, unisex gift-set.

     If you are a seller or a hobbyist this is a fun product to make, especially if you are using the Soaper's Supplies Luxurious Lip Balm Base! 

 

     Thank you for shopping at Soaper's Supplies.  We appreciate your business and loyalty.  We hope you have enjoyed this follow-up installment to the Soaper's Supplies Hand Renewal System and look forward to reading your comments on your finished Hand-scrubs and balms! 

     Thank you again for reading RJ's Skincare Blog.  We appreciate your continued support and would love to hear from you!  Please leave any comments, questions or ideas below, and thank you again for visiting our site.

 

 

RJ's Skincare Blog and included recipes are researched and written by Angela D'Amico.

Angiebean720@Gmail.com

We make our soaps, face serums, hair conditioners, and foot balms...  but what about our hands?  After all the work we put into our other products, (and the inevitable cleanup of our tools after making these products), our hands are actually drier than if we were not doing anything at all!

     What about the other things we do in life?  Preparing dinner, caring for babies, working "real jobs", gardening, the weather and plain ole life?   It is no surprise that our hands and nail beds are rough, dry and cracked.

     So what are some sure-fire products you can make to help your haggard hands..   And the hands of your customers?

One of the first things that can smooth the skin on your hands is a scrub!   A good hand scrub will exfoliate dry, dead skin cells, revealing the glowing, new skin beneath.  

     A Womans Health.com cites "proper exfoliation removes the barrier of dead skin cells clogging the skin and uncovers fresh new cells below.  This opens the way for moisturizing products to penetrate more deeply into the skin, which makes them more effective.  In short, a regular exfoliating routine will leave your skin looking fresh and healthy".

     It also can be scented with lemon or coffee and marketed to your customers as a kitchen product to keep by the sink.  The fresh scents of lemon and coffee are renowned in deodorizing pungent aromas like fish and garlic after meal preparation.  Rinse away the scrub to reveal silky, soft hands that have been conditioned and moisturized with Soaper's Supplies nourishing oils and soothing humectants.   Soaper's Supplies has some ingredient ideas for you, but you can customize any skin scrub by adding the oils and butters that work best for you.

     

      This is a versatile product that can be made with simple sugar/salt, butter/oils and an emulsifier.  (An emulsifier is great if you want to include humectants and other water-soluble,  skin-loving ingredients.)  I prefer sugar scrubs as they are a bit less scratchy and do not sting upon application.  The sugar also lends its own moisturizing qualities to the scrub.  This being a hand scrub (as opposed to a body scrub) will contain a higher oil content to aide in soothing and conditioning.   Being for the hands, this scrub can hold more fragrance or essential oils than one designed for the sensitive face area.  These are factors that differentiate hand scrubs from those for face or body.

 

                                   Soaper's Supplies  Renewing Hand Scrub

 

We will start with approximately four and a half oz formula that will yield almost double once the sugar is added. You may substitute the Lanolin oil for Perilla or Meadowfoam if you are making a vegan version..  but I highly suggest trying the Lanolin version, as it gives an occlusive, conditioned feel to hands.

                                                       
                                             Tools You Will Need   

*Rubbing Alcohol to sanitize your surfaces and tools before starting,  and  for removal of residual oil/greasy feel on tools during clean-up.

*2 large glass or heat safe bowls.  One is for melting/heating butters/oils..  The second is for your humectant ingredients.

*3 smaller cups or weigh boats to hold cool down ingredients.  (Optional) 

*A double boiler or large pan of water which you can use as a double boiler (water bath) to melt your butters    and heat your oils.  You will also need to bring the humectants and water soluble ingredients up to the same  temperature as your oils/butters before combining them together.

*Stainless steel spoons, rubber spatulas for scraping

*Stick Blender 

 *At least  two-three, 4oz  wide mouthed, containers or low profile tins to store finished product.  You will have more than you expect at completion, once your sugar is finally added.

 *Bowl of ice for cooling mixture while blending, before adding sugar.

 

 

                                                              Ingredients....  Click and Link to store

                                                                  

                                                      Butters/Oils/Emulsifier/Thickeners

 

*30 grams liquid oil   (15grams of Soaper's Supplies Meadowfoam and 15 grams of Lanolin Oil.)

  Vegan version:  Substitute the Lanolin oil for Soaper's Supplies Perilla oil.

 

*15 grams  Soapers Supplies Lemon Butter, (or) Coffee Butter, (or) Tangerine Butter  if you are making an unscented    hand scrub, you may want to use Soaper's Supplies Refined Shea Butter, softened.

 

*20 grams Soaper's Supplies Cetyl Alcohol

 

*20 grams Soaper's Supplies BTMS Emulsifier -helps the scrub rinse away clean while providing a bond      between your oils and humectants. 

 

 

                                                 Humectants/Water Soluble Ingredients

 

*20 grams Soaper's Supplies Propylene Glycol

 

*  8 grams   Soaper's Supplies Vegetable Glycerin 

 

*  3 grams  Soaper's Supplies Sodium Lactate

 

                                                      Cool Down Phase Ingredients

 

 *20 grams Soaper's Supplies Cocamidopropyl Betaine  You will add this last by hand, but before sugar.

 

*  2 grams Soaper's Supplies Dimethicone

 

*   1 gram Soaper's Supplies Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols 

 

*   1 gram Soaper's Supplies Phenonip preservative

 

*   1 gram Soaper's Supplies  Essential Oils added before mixing in sugar.  

     If making the Citrus hand scrub use a complimenting Soaper's  Supplies Essential Oil such as,  Tangerine EO,      Lemon EO,  Lime EO, Orange EO, or Grapefruit EO. 

 

If making the Coffee hand scrub use Soaper's Supplies Coffee Essential Oil to compliment the S.S. Coffee   Butter.   If making an unscented hand scrub omit the essential oils and substitute your scented butter for unscented, refined Shea butter.

 

*One Pound of granulated Sugar  -You most likely will not need this entire pound but you will add this to your      formulation, mixing well, until the desired texture and thickness is achieved.

 

                                                                     Directions

 

Mix your Water soluble ingredients and humectants in a bowl.  Warm in a double boiler or water-bath.

 

Add BTMS, Cetyl Alcohol to another double boiler or heat safe bowl in water bath, and heat till almost dissolved, then add your butter of choice mixing with stick blender.

Add liquid oil to melted butters over heat, continuing to mix till everything is completely melted, and well mixed.

 

Humectant mixture should be the same temperature as oil mixture (approx 158 degrees). 

 

Add  humectant mixture to Oil/butter mixture and blend well with stick blender.  

Remove from heat and continue to blend.  Mixture will appear thin.    

You cannot add sugar until mixture has cooled and thickened to a creamy consistency.  It will MELT if added too soon!  

Cooling can be expedited by putting mixing bowl in the bowl of ice.  Mix with stick blender until mixture looks completely emulsified and uniform in texture... oil should not be separating or shining on top. 

 

Once mixture has cooled to a creamy-looking consistency, add your Dimethicone,  Vitamin E -Antioxidant, Preservative, and any essential oils.  Then hand mix your Coco-betaine into mixture.

 

A drop or two of liquid colorant can be added at this time if desired.  Lake colorants work wonderfully for this.

 

Mix in sugar by hand...  mixing thoroughly to avoid any oil separation.  If any oil does float to top of finished product you can add more sugar and mix well till proper texture is reached.

 

Scoop into one 8oz, or two-three 4oz, wide-mouthed containers or low-profile tins.  Label according to the laws of your area.

 

You have now successfully made a scrumptious hand scrub!  

 

Do not get water into scrub and advise customers with proper labeling, to take out the amount of scrub they need with a dry hand, avoiding contamination from wet fingers.  Then apply product to moistened skin of other hand, using water sparingly.

Massage hands with scrub till sugar dissolves and then rinse clean.  

Do not store in shower, or areas where water may get into product.  

The preservative is a safeguard, added to help prevent microbial growth in existing product.  It does not protect against any contamination from additional water.

 

    This is a delightful scrub, to which you can give an appealing scent.  It will exfoliate and condition the hands, revealing smoother, more youthful-looking skin.   It is a cost effective way to increase your profits and market share, while simultaneously creating a fun and easy product.    It can be marketed to gardeners, chefs, moms, dads, and anyone who enjoys a soft, lotion-like feel on freshly washed hands.

 

     Thank you for shopping at Soaper's Supplies and for reading RJ's Skincare blog.   We welcome your comments, concerns and questions and hope you have enjoyed this installment, including the Soaper's Supplies Renewing Hand Scrub!     Let us know what you think of our hand scrub and other hand products that we can create for you using the incredible  Soaper's Supplies ingredient list.  

 

 

RJ's Skincare Blog and included recipes are researched and written by Angela D'amico.

Angibean720@Gmail.com

     You can instantly change your skin's appearance and its overall appearance over time, by using a customized face mask that is designed from the variety of Soaper's Supplies ingredients.  If you are designing masks for yourself you can take our dry ingredients and wet them with our aloe juice or floral hydrosols, but you will then need to add a preservative and use within a reasonable amount of time, (for instance -two weeks..).  

So Should you include a skin mask in your beauty line?  Yes!  According to Discover Good Nutrition, " Face masks are the perfect skin care treatment to help you with your skin care concerns.  The right face mask can help hydrate skin, remove excess oils and help improve the appearance of your pores.  They’re also an excellent way to help pull out impurities. Another advantage of wearing a face mask: the feeling of being pampered like you’re at a spa from the comfort of your own home!

     If you are making masks for your customers it is suggested that you stick to dry ingredients and include "wetting" instructions for your customer.  They can use water, yogurt, honey, floral waters, aloe juice or any combination.  They should take what they need from the dry ingredients for a one-time, single use mask.  This allows the ingredients to have a much longer shelf-life and there will be no worries over which preservative to choose! 

     What are the ingredients necessary for a great face mask?  Decide who your customer is and what skin type they have.  If you have customers with oily or problematic skin then you may not be able to state "helps acne", but, you can include ingredients renowned for cleaning and detoxifying pores.  

     Some of the best ingredients for a face mask intended for oily skin are; Soaper's Supplies Bentonite Clay, Soaper's Supplies Glacial Clay,  Multani Mitti (Fuller's Earth) clay,  Sea Clay and  French Green Clay.

     There are also clay choices better for toning skin and giving a firmer appearance, like Soaper's Supplies Rhassoul clay, Soaper's Supplies Glacial Clay and  Soaper's Supplies Tan/Yellow Illite...   When using these clay types it is good to compliment them with other toning or moisturizing powders.  You can make a toning face mask that also absorbs oil if you combine two different types of clay and add gentler ingredients to ensure the mask is not irritating.

     The inclusion of oats, honey and other botanical powders will almost always make a mask that actually moisturizes dry skin types.  It is amazing what the right combination of botanical powders and clay can do for each individual skin-type.

     Masks are generally worn for fifteen minutes or so..  Some people wear them till dry and rinse away.  Some are comfortable enough to sleep with on problematic areas.  It is highly recommended that user checks for irritation or discomfort upon application and discontinues use if irritation develops.  Masks are removed with warm water, usually using a soft wash-cloth.

     We have a great formula for a face mask for all customers including those with oily, dry, or mature skin types. Skin Masks are very easy and adjustable so take these simple steps, and then make them your own.

 

The ingredients in the masks below can be accessed easily in the Soaper's Supplies Store by simply clicking upon each one.

 

 

Face  Mask for Customers with an oily skin type

 

1/2 Cup Soaper's Supplies Multani Mitti, (or) Bentonite, (or) Sea Clay

1/4 Cup Soaper's Supplies Rose Clay, (or)  French Pink Clay, (or) White Kaolin Clay

1/4 Cup Soaper's Supplies Oat Powder

   2  Tbs  Soaper's Supplies Honey Powder

   1  Tbs  Soaper's Supplies Yogurt Powder

 1/2tsp  Soaper's Supplies Activated Charcoal   (Wear protective mask to avoid inhaling dust).

 

Mix ingredients and portion into containers.  Label according to your local laws and FDA Guidelines.  Customers should moisten one-two Tablespoons of product with desired wetting agent of choice, by adding chosen liquid one teaspoon at a time.

 

Instruct customer to take one-two Tablespoons of product out of container and place in a non-metal bowl.  Customer may moisten with wetting agent of choice.  The honey and yogurt will "activate" once wet, as will the clay powders.

Note:  Do not store or prepare clay in metal containers or with metal utensils as this causes a reaction with the clay's minerals which lessen its benefits.  Instruct customers and label accordingly.

 

Toning Skin Mask for Customers with Normal Skin or Aging Skin

 

1/4 Cup Soaper's Supplies Rhassoul Clay, (or)1/4 Cup Soaper's Supplies Glacial Clay

1/4 Cup Soaper's Supplies French Yellow Clay 

1/4 Cup Soaper's Supplies Oat Powder

    2 Tbs  Soaper's Supplies Honey Powder

    1Tbs   Soaper's Supplies Rose Hip Powder

    1Tbs   Soaper's Supplies Green Tea Powdered Extract    

    1Tbs   Soaper's Supplies Cucumber Powdered Extract

 

Follow mixing instructions listed above for "Oily Skin-Type Mask".

 

Moisturizing Mask for Normal-Dry, Sensitive, or Mature Skin

 

1/2 Cup Soaper's Supplies Oat Powder

1/4 Cup Soaper's Supplies French Pink Clay, (or) Rose Clay, (or) White Kaolin Clay

3 + Tbs  Soaper's Supplies Honey Powder

    1 Tbs  Soaper's Supplies Olive Leaf Powdered Extract

    1 Tbs  Soaper's Supplies Yogurt Powder

    1 Tbs  Soaper's Supplies Carrot Powder

 

Follow mixing instructions listed above for previous masks.  Wetting this mask with  Soaper Supplies Hydrosol  (such as Rosewater), or Soaper's Supplies Aloe Juice would increase its moisturizing effects.  It is not recommended to sell or give the mask away already wet as it is difficult to preserve botanical ingredients.  Instructions on "best" wetting agents can be listed on product. 

 

Essential Oils can be added (a few drops to an entire batch, and then well-mixed) to any face mask formula but it is recommended that you master making these dry formulations prior to attempting the inclusion of Essential Oils as they are very potent. 

 

Some EO's that are good in oily skin-type masks are Tea Tree Oil and Lavender.  Other EO's renowned in skin-care, particularly anti-aging products are: Carrot Seed EO,  Litsea Cubeba EO, Rose-Geranium EO, and Melissa EO.  Please read our Essential Oil safety disclaimer below before adding these to any face product.  Remember, just a few drops of essential oil are the maximum amount suggested for any face mask, so mixing them uniformly into the clay and powders will be challenging but necessary.

 

          Masks are very easy to make and can be a fun addition to your line.  Their ingredients are very adjustable, for example,  if you find a mask too drying you can reduce the amount of its absorbing clay.  If you find it too wet you can add less liquid.  If the mask seems too harsh or stings, it can "usually" be remedied by increasing the honey powder or by using aloe juice as the wetting agent.  If irritation persists or is bothersome, the mask should be removed at once.

     Remember to instruct your customers to only take the amount needed for that one use from the container as once the powders are wet they are not going to keep.   Any moistened mask that is leftover should be thrown away.

      We appreciate your business and welcome your comments, concerns and questions.  Thank you for Shopping at Soaper's Supplies and for reading RJ's Skincare Blog!

 

 

RJ's Skincare Blog and included recipes are researched and written by Angela D'amico.

 

Angibean720@Gmail.com

 

 

     Thank ou for reading RJ's Skincarie