Tentang kursus di luar kota

Sudah hampir dua bulan blog ini ga di update. 
Yap, karena kesibukan saya handling custom order dan lain lain, sampai2 blog terbengkalai.

So far email diusahakan untuk dijawab semuanya. Bagi yang menanyakan apakah ada kursus diluar kota, sementara ini kursus hanya saya lakukan di rumah saya di Lippo Karawaci. 

Saya akan mempertimbangkan kursus di daerah Serpong - Alam Sutra - BSD jika peserta minimal 2 orang atau lebih. Just email me jika berminat ;)

Mohon dimengerti, semua saya kerjakan sendiri, mulai dari pembuatan, packing, kirim dan admin webstore. Terimakasih ^__^

Kiwis that make your skin glow

Want younger looking skin? Try this fruit both in and on your body.

The kiwifruit is often underappreciated in our diets and overlooked at the grocery store or farmers market. Many of us find it to be more of a “high maintenance” fruit that requires peeling and mess but it’s time to finally appreciate the kiwi for what it is—an edible skincare must!


The Kiwi Cure
Kiwi is the leading source of vitamin C in the fruit world and it is vitamin C that we know has huge benefits in keeping skin young and vibrant. Vitamin C was discovered in 1747 by a Scottish naval surgeon who was doing a study on the disease scurvy. It was found that vitamin C could, in fact, prevent the debilitating disease. Early on, vitamin C was identified for its healing potential, and today, it still boasts the same protective properties.

Vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits, peppers and cruciferous vegetables. It  is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body and affects collagen formation, wound healing and skin pigmentation. While vitamin C is abundant as a powerful antioxidant in hundreds of expensive skin creams, it’s also prevalent in a cheaper alternative, the kiwi. Our bodies don’t produce vitamin C on its own and as we age, we become less able to store it as well. Bad habits such as smoking make storage even more difficult. While skin creams can help, they may have more of a tendency to oxidize over time, thus decreasing the vitamin C effect on the skin. Experts believe, however that getting plenty of vitamin C through food can have significant effects on both outer and inner beauty. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of vitamin C in skincare.

A study in 2010 in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery noted that vitamin C played a major role in collagen synthesis and that as an antioxidant, it helps to protect and rejuvenate damaged skin. Kiwifruit is also a good source of vitamin E, another antioxidant that can help you achieve great skin by fighting against the formation of free radicals (your skin’s greatest enemy). Though kiwi is delicious as a snack, it also has benefits when applied directly to the skin. Putting kiwi slices over the eyes helps to reduce puffiness and darkening. A quick Internet search revealed several great natural skincare masks with kiwi as the leading ingredient.

In 2007, researchers from Austria published a study that demonstrated that as fruit ripens, their antioxidant levels increase. This was due to the breakdown of chlorophyll.  Given this, you’ll get the most skincare benefits from ripe kiwis than non-ripe versions—after all,  it takes time to become fabulous under their fuzzy outer layer. (You can eat the skin too by the way; it’s a great food to help with constipation.) For beautiful skin, pick up some kiwi today. Throw it in your salad, eat it alone as a snack or cut it in slices and use to de-stress tired eyes.

Who knew a brown-and-green, little, fuzzy fruit could have such an impact on beautiful skin!



Read more: http://www.youbeauty.com/nutrition/columns/eat-pretty/kiwi-younger-skin

THE BENEFITS OF GUAVA FOR THE SKIN

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and its condition speaks volumes about your health. Rashes, acne, eczema, psoriasis, and oily, dry and aged skin, may reflect stress, lack of exercise or a poor diet. Improving your skin's health is possible in a variety of ways, including adding more skin-supportive nutrients in your diet. Guava is a tropical fruit that tastes like a cross between a strawberry and a pear, and it provides several nutrients that support skin maintenance. Including it in your diet may help you make progress toward the beautiful complexion you want that is more than just skin deep.

Vitamin K
Treat skin discoloration, such as dark circles, spider veins, rosacea, acne irritation and overall splotchiness, with vitamin K. It heals because it improves blood coagulation, which is impaired in cases of skin redness and irritation. A guava provides 1.4 mcg of vitamin K, which is about 2 percent of the 80 mcg Food and Drug Administration daily value.

Vitamin C
The amount of vitamin C in a guava is more than twice the 60 mg FDA daily value, which is good news for skin healing because it contributes to generation of collagen, the substance that gives skin its firmness. Include more vitamin C-rich foods like guava in your diet to improve the tautness of your skin and reduce the impact of aging.

Lycopene
A guava provides 2.9 g of lycopene, an antioxidant that protects healthy cells from toxins that accumulate in the body due to metabolism and environmental pollution. The damaging effect of toxins includes premature aging, because they damage DNA in charge of growth and development.

Water
A substance that provides health benefits, including hydrated skin, is water. While drinking water helps you meet the eight glasses each day the body requires, an additional source that provides the remaining requirement is food. A guava provides 81 percent of its composition as water. Slice the juicy fruit and serve it in a tropical fruit salad with coconut, pineapple, papaya or mango, or juice it and benefit from its nutrients served over ice.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/514943-the-benefits-of-guava-for-the-skin/#ixzz2ckw9MEq3

The Secret of Tomato

Tomatoes 'help keep skin young' and protect against sunburn

Forget the expensive skin creams, tomatoes may provide the best defence to keeping skin looking young and safe from sun damage, say scientists. 

Tests show that eating tomato paste coulp protect against sunburn and skin ageing caused by sunlight exposure.

The age-defying ingredient is lycopene - the natural pigment that makes tomatoes red - with highest levels found in processed or cooked tomatoes used in ketchup, paste, soup and juice.

Professor Mark Birch-Machin from Newcastle University, will present details of the research today (thurs) at the Royal Society of Medicine in London.

In the study, women eating a diet rich in processed tomatoes had increased skin protection, as seen by a reduction in skin redness and less DNA damage from ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

Researchers compared the skin of 20 women, half of whom were given five tablespoons (55g) of standard tomato paste with 10g of olive oil every day for 12 weeks.




Compared with the other women, the tomato-eating group had 33 per cent more protection against sunburn in the form of less redness
.
The researchers calculated that protection offered by the tomato paste to be equivalent to a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 1.3.

Skin samples taken from groups before and after trial showed an increase in levels of procollagen, a molecule which gives skin its structure and loss of which leads to skin ageing and lack of elasticity.

There was also less damage to mitochondrial DNA in the skin, which is also believed to be linked to skin ageing.
Dermatology scientist Prof Birch-Machin said the tomato paste eaten was not overly excessive, but the amount that would be consumed from a lot of tomato-based meals.

He said ‘Eating tomatoes will not make you invincible in the sun but it may be a useful addition to sun protection along with sunscreen, shade and clothing.

‘The protective effect of eating tomatoes on our mitochondria is important as they are the energy producers in all our body cells including skin.

‘Therefore being kind to our mitochondria is likely to contribute to improved skin health, which in turn may have an anti-ageing effect.’ 

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, which can reduce the inflammatory response to UV damage by neutralising harmful molecules that are produced in the skin as a result.

Sun damage from UV exposure includes premature wrinkles and skin cancer.

The highest levels of lycopene are found in processed tomatoes used in ketchup, soup and juice which are more easily absorbed into the body.

The typical daily intake of a British adult is less than one milligram, about 25 times less than the amount found in studies to protect against disease.

Previous research suggests 8oz of tomato juice, 150gm of pasta sauce, or one lycopene tablet a day are sufficient to boost blood lycopene levels.

Other international experts at the meeting, which is supported by Heinz, include Professor Indika Edirisinghe, from the Illinois Institute of Technology in the US, who suggests processed tomatoes can improve high blood pressure in people at risk of heart disease.

Studies on 28 volunteers following high and low tomato diets for 6 weeks found that blood pressure in men and women was significantly lower in those with elevated blood pressure.

Work by Dr Mridula Chopra from the University of Portsmouth suggests cooked tomatoes may intercept cancer growth or even kill prostate cancer cells.

Dr Chopra’s research shows that lycopene inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer lines.

In test tube studies, lycopene reduced the adhesion and invasion properties of prostate cancer and has been shown to intercept mechanisms important to cancer initiation, progression and cell death.

While further clinical trials are needed, Dr Chopra said further trials are need, but in the meantime he recommends eating three to four servings of processed tomato products per week for prostate health.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2155595/Tomatoes-help-skin-young-protect-sunburn.html  


BEST SECRETS OF TOMATO FOR SKIN

The hunt for miracle workers for skin has leaded me to a surprising destination! Tomatoes! Yes, if you find this surprising wait till you try it and see the results J

If you’re wondering how to make a tomato face pack at home, then the answer is quite simple but also extremely varied depending on your skin type. Thus, proving to us that the tomato face pack benefits are a plenty. Today I will share secrets of tomatoes for skin, do you know tomatoes are used for acne, pimples, pimple marks, dark marks and one more secret is it helps to get fairer skin or skin whitening. And tomato affects faster than any other natural homemade remedy without any side effects, I will tell you some of the homemade tomato mask which you can use daily.

Do you always search for skin whitening products in the market? Have you spent thousands of bucks on expensive skin whitening creams and lotions, but fed up of their fake promises? Why don’t you look for natural remedies? These natural remedies are really effective if you use them on a regular basis.

If you are looking for natural solutions to get a glowing and radiant skin, tomato can be your best friends. Face masks of tomato extracts can work wonders for your skin. It makes your skin radiant and also tones your skin to make you look younger.


Below are the best working Tomato face masks:-

1.     Oatmeal, Yogurt and Tomato Mask
Mix one tsp. each of oatmeal, tomato juice and yogurt in a bowl to make a paste. Apply it on your face and neck for 20-30 minutes and rinse with normal water. Tomato juice is known as a good astringent and lightens skin naturally. Oatmeal helps in exfoliating skin naturally and gently. Yogurt helps in removing blemishes because of its mild bleaching effect. You can also scrub your mask while rinsing it. It will remove dead skin. This mask is really effective in removing sun tan.

2.     Gram Flour and Tomato Face Mask
Gram flour is well known for sun tan removal especially in India. You can apply a face mask of tomato and gram flour. It is really useful in skin whitening. Take 2 tsp. of gram flour and mix with 2-3 tsp. of tomato juice. Mix it and apply for 15-20 minutes. Then, rinse off with clean water.

3.     Tomato and Coriander Mask
Tomato and coriander leaves mask is a perfect skin whitening mask for dry and oily skin. You have to mix two tsp. of tomato juice with two tsp. of coriander leaves juice. Now, add a spoon of fuller’s earth and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this smooth mask for 20-30 minutes and rinse off with normal water. 

4.     Tomato and Lemon Juice Mask
Take half tomato and add 5-6 drops of lemon juice, then grind or squeeze it and take out the juice and apply on clean face and neck leave until it becomes dry then wash it using cold water. You can also apply this mask on arms and tanned areas daily.

5.     Tomato and Curds Mask

Take 1-2 fresh tomatoes and mash them to form a pulp. Add a tablespoon of curd along with some oatmeal. Apply this mixture on your face; leave it for 5 or 10 minute before washing it off with cold water. This face pack will not only cure your sun burnt skin but also make it glow.

6.     Tomato and Sandalwood Mask
Add a tablespoon of sandalwood powder to a mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice. Blend it until it becomes a paste. Apply this mask on your face for at least 15 minutes. Besides making your skin glowing and radiant, this will also make your skin tone lighter and fairer.

7.     Tomato and Lemon Mask for Acne
Mix mashed tomatoes with a tablespoon of lemon juice and apply it on your face. Leave it until it gets dry. It is a very effective face pack to obtain glowing skin, remove skin oiliness and get rid of acne. Besides this it also makes your skin supple and tight thereby preventing premature aging signs.

8.   Tomato and Cucumber Face Mask
This face mask is very effective in getting rid of tanned skin. Mix fresh juice of tomato and cucumber in equal quantities and apply this mixture on the affected area. Allow it to air dry for 10 minutes and wash it off with clean water. You will observe significant lightening of tanned skin.

9.     Tomato and Olive oil Mask
Cut the tomato into two parts. Squeeze the juice from one half into a bowl, add a tsp. of olive oil to it and stir the mixture. Now apply this mixture to your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off with warm water. Best for dry skin.

10.   Tomato and Sugar Mask
Slice the top off tomato. Sprinkle sugar on a small plate, and dip tomato slice into it. Use the sugar-coated tomato slice to gently exfoliate your face, in a circular motion. Pay extra attention to areas prone to blackheads – T zone (forehead, nose and chin). Once your face is evenly covered with tomato scrub, relax for 10 minutes before rinsing it off completely with water. Pat dry with a soft towel and follow up with an astringent and moisturizer.

11.   Tomato Mask for Oily and acne skin
If you have oily skin and struggle to keep your face from shining like a fried papad, tomato is the solution to your agony. Crush a fresh tomato and strain it. Make a little cucumber juice and add it to the tomato juice. Apply this juice with a cotton ball daily to control excessive oiliness and acne.

12.   Tomato Face Mask for Smooth skin
Rub tomato directly on face for 5 min than relax for 10 min then again rub for 2 min then wash your face using normal water. You can rub daily or weekly twice. You can a pinch of turmeric powder on it (optional).



All of these masks are easy to make at home. They are really effective in removing fine lines, dark spots, wrinkles, fade moles, sun tan, acne scars, and dullness. They also tighten the skin and make your skin soft and smooth. Apart from these natural remedies, you should also use sunblock and sunscreen lotions whenever you go out in the summers and sunlight.

Source: http://123beautysolution.in/?p=858#

The Health Benefits of Coconut Milk Soap

For centuries, people have used coconut milk as a natural remedy for minor ailments. Coconut milk soap is particularly effective at addressing skin conditions. Lathering up with coconut milk soap is an excellent way to get the health benefits of coconut milk into your skin.

Deep Clean
Coconut milk soaps offer a deep, thorough cleansing of the skin without overdrying. Coconut milk is naturally rife with fatty acids, which help to eliminate dirt, impurities, dead skin and other blemish-causing debris. For this reason, you can find coconut milk in facial cleansers as well. The rich milk cleans the skin gently without irritating it. Coconut milk soaps are an excellent option for those with sensitive skin due to their calming properties.

Moisturization
Coconut milk naturally has a high fat content and includes fatty acids, which are good for the skin. The presence of fatty acids in soap results in intense hydration. Coconut milk soaps are ideal for those with dry skin. Although it offers a deep clean, it does not strip away the natural oils in the skin. It works to replenish moisture in the skin, leaving it smooth, soft and hydrated.

Healing
Coconut milk is rich in vitamin E, long known to deliver healing benefits to dry skin, minor cuts and burns and rashes. When used on a regular basis, the vitamin E in coconut milk soap can heal severely dry, chapped or chafed skin, restoring it to its smooth state.


Source: http://www.ehow.com/list_5788584_health-benefits-coconut-milk-soap.html

Banana Skin Benefits for Skin and Hair

Banyak yang ga kebayang memakai puree pisang sebagai tambahan pada sabun. Emang apa sih gunanya pisang bagi kulit?

Penambahan puree pisang bisa dilakukan pada saat light trace. Satu sendok makan per 500 Gr oil.
Jika ingin menggunakan puree pisang sebagai base, campurkan satu sendok makan puree pisang dengan air atau susu, aduk sampai tercampur merata dan bekukan sebelum dijadikan lye solution :)

berikut artikel mengenai benefit pisang bagi kulit anda :)


19 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Banana For Skin And Hair


Bananas are exceptionally healthy food that provides numerous health benefits. It is a versatile fruit that contains many nutrients including vitamins A, B, C and E along with minerals like potassium, zinc, iron and manganese. Just as eating a banana helps in utilizing the banana nutrition to keep your body in good health and great shape, while application of this fruit on your hair and skin will help you to keep them in great condition. The banana benefits are many and they are discussed below!

Benefits of banana for skin:

Banana fruit has nutrients that are essential for the skin. They contain significant amounts of vitamin C and B6 which plays vital role in maintaining the integrity and elasticity of the skin.
In addition, the large amount of antioxidants and manganese present in banana protect the body from damage caused by oxygen free radicals which lead to premature aging of the skin. So a major benefit from banana is younger looking skin. Banana has about 75 per cent water by weight in it. Thus banana helps hydrate your skin and prevents it from drying and peeling.
Here are some benefits of banana for skin:

1. Natural Moisturiser:
Banana is a great natural moisturiser for your skin. The Vitamin A present in banana restores the lost moisture and repairs the damaged, dull and dry skin. To instantly moisturise dry and dull skin, mash a ripe banana and apply it on your face. Avoid contact with eyes. Leave it on your skin for 20-25 minutes and then wash it away with lukewarm water. You will instantly feel skin looking soft and supple.


If you extremely dry and flaky skin, you can also add honey to this face mask.
This banana and honey mask also helps in getting rid of skin pigmentation.
Another easy face mask to get moisturised skin is to mash half a ripe banana and mix it with 1 tbsp. yogurt and 1 tsp. Vitamin E oil. Apply it generously on a clean face and wash it away after 30 minutes.


2. Glowing Skin:
Banana contains generous amount of Vitamin C in it that help in maintaining the natural and youthful glow of the skin.
Here are some banana face masks that you can use to get that natural glow back on your face.

-  Mash half a ripe banana and mix it with 1 tbsp. of sandalwood powder/paste and ½ tsp. of honey. Let it stay on your skin for 20-25 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water. This face mask is beneficial for oily skin as sandalwood helps in cleaning excess sebum and oil from the skin while banana keeps it moisturised.
-  Mash one ripe banana and mix it with lemon juice form one lemon (approximately 2-3 tbsp.). Leave it on for 25 minutes. This mask is full of vitamin C which will get rid of dullness and help in reduction of spots and blemishes.


3. Banana Skin Scrubs:
Banana is full of anti-oxidants; mixed with a few ingredients, it not only helps to get rid of dead skin but also leaves it feeling rejuvenated.

Here are some banana based scrubs that you make using ingredients available in your kitchen

-  Take mashed banana and 1 tbsp. of sugar and mix them well. Apply it on your skin and rub it in circular motions. Banana will moisturise the dry skin while sugar granules will get rid of the dead skin
-  Mash a ripe banana; add 2-3 tablespoons of oats, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon milk. Apply it on your face and leave it 5 minutes, then slowly rub it on your skin. Wash with cold water. In case you have extremely dry skin, you can substitute milk with fresh cream.
- Take half a ripe banana, 1 tbsp. coconut milk, 2 tbsp. uncooked rice, blend everything together to get a thick paste. Gently massage your face with this paste and wash with cold water afterwards.
-  To make a body scrub, mash 2 bananas with 4-5 strawberries using a blender. Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar and use it as a body scrub when you take a bath.

4. Anti-ageing:
Nutrients in banana helps in fighting wrinkles and keeps the skin youthful. For an anti-aging facial mask loaded with vitamins A and E, mash together an avocado and a banana. Leave on skin for 25 minutes and rinse. Skin will be soft and youthful. The vitamins E in avocados combined with the nutrients in bananas fight free radicals and repair damage.

Another simple face mask to fight effect of ageing is to mash 1/4 banana until very creamy and add one teaspoon of rose water. Apply it on face and neck and wash it off after half an hour.


5. Foot care:
The moisturizing property of banana can be used to get rid of cracked heels. All you need to do is mash the pulp of two ripe bananas and apply this pulp on clean, dry feet. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse the feet clean. The banana pulp will penetrate deep into dry, cracked skin to create soft and supple feet.


6. Goodbye puffy eyes:
Mash half a banana and apply generously around the puffy eyes. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then rinsing with cool water. The puffiness will vanish instantly. The potassium rich banana draws out excess fluid from under my skin and reduces the swelling immediately.

You can also apply the banana peels instead of mashed banana. This tip can also be used whenever you apply any face pack and think about putting cucumber slices on your eyes.








Read more: http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-and-uses-of-using-banana-for-skin-and-hair/

The Gelling Process

Disini saya posting foto proses gelling sabun.

Saya lupa foto sabunnya pada saat dituang ke cetakan. Jadi, langsung ke foto proses gelling 40 menit setelah dituang ke cetakan :)
Pada saat dituang, semuanya berwarna krem muda seperti di pinggiran ini.

40 Menit setelah dituang ke cetakan, awal proses gelling. Terlihat proses gelling dimulai dari tengah, bagian tersebut mulai menjadi transparan

1 jam 10 menit kemudian, sabun semakin transparan, disini adonan sabun menjadi lunak.

2,5 jam kemudian, proses gelling sudah selesai, sabun kembali mengeras, warna kembali pekat.

Sabun belum bisa dipotong pada tahap ini, biasanya bagian tengah belum mengeras sempurna. Kita tetap harus menunggu 24-48 jam untuk mengeluarkan sabun dari cetakan dan dipotong.

Beauty Benefits of Cucumber

10 beauty benefits of cucumber: How to use cucumber juice in your beauty applications, beauty uses of cucumber

Cucumber is fortified with some skin beneficial qualities that make it a wonderful beauty aid. Cucumber is easily available in your kitchen cupboard. So why not take advantage of its skin beautifying properties? Let us learn the amazing 10 beauty benefits of cucumber in this article. All these magical beauty uses of cucumber suit your pocket very well. Read on to know how to use cucumber juice in your beauty applications.

Beauty benefits of cucumber

1. Cucumber helps a great deal in fading the nagging dark circles around your eyes. Just rub cucumber slices on your dark circles or apply the juice of cucumber around your eyes. Wash off after 10 minutes. Your dark circles will start reducing gradually on continuous use.

2. Grate a cucumber and squeeze it to extract the juice. Dab cucumber juice on your skin. It will take 15 minutes for cucumber juice to seep into your skin. Then wash with fresh water. Cucumber helps a great deal to whiten and brighten your skin if you use it regularly.

3. If you are fed up with freckles on face, then use cucumber juice all over your face. Let it dry for some time .Wash off with fresh water. Cucumber juice can ease off the appearance of freckles over time after regular use.

4. Cucumber is a boon to the sun burnt skin. You have stayed in the sun for long and got tanned badly, then apply cucumber juice over the affected area. The cooling and soothing effects of cucumber helps to cure sunburn over a short period of time.

5.You can treat puffy eyes with cucumber easily. Just place cucumber under your eyes to reduce the water retention that causes puffiness of eyes. Cucumber is bursting with the goodness of ascorbic acid that helps in lessening the puffiness of eyes instantly.

6. You can make an excellent toner out of the juice of cucumber. You can either blend it with lemon juice, egg white, aloe vera, honey or tomato. Cucumber juice alone is a wonderful face toner. Just apply fresh cucumber juice on your face for ten minutes. Wash off to reveal a brighter and sparkling fresh complexion in jiffy.

7. Deseed the cucumber; blend it with 4-5 leaves of mint and egg white to make a purée .Apply on your face and wash off after 15 minutes. This face mask is a great aid in making your skin soft and glowing naturally.

8. Mix cucumber juice and lemon juice in equal amount; apply this mix on your acne and acne marks. This magical home remedy is very helpful in removing acne and its ugly scars.

9. Cucumber juice mixed with coconut water is a great skin whitening beauty treatment. This home remedy helps to fade all types of blemishes from the face too.

10. Mix cucumber juice with curd and apply this mix on your face for 5-10 minutes. This face toner is very effective for oily skin and helps to iron out all sorts of facial marks.

By now you are aware of the best 10 beauty benefits of cucumber .So you know how to use cucumber juice in your beauty applications. Do not wait anymore! Try out these beauty uses of cucumber in your beauty routine right now! Be ready to flaunt the skin which sparkles with a natural glow!

The Properties of Fats & Oils

The fatty acid composition of each oil determines its properties. The fatty acids may be distributed at random in the triglycerides or as in palm oil, specifically arranged in the triglycerides. The fatty acid composition determines the melting point, stability and saponification value of each oil.

The properties of the oil itself are important when choosing oils to make lotions, salves, bath & massage oils and other similar products. After saponification the fatty acids are randomized within the soap.

For soapmaking, it’s the fatty acid contents that matter the most. The chain length (C number) is usually cited and helps describes the molecule’s properties in relation to others in its same series.


Saturated Fatty Acids

Saturated fatty acids contain no double bonds. They are stiff molecules which tend to increase the melting point of oils. Saturated fatty acids themselves are room temperature solids. As they increase in size from lauric to stearic, the melting point of the oil increases. Saturated fatty acids in soaps have good cleaning properties and support foam. The longer chains also tend to harden soap.

Lauric acid, C 12 and Myristic acid, C 14 fatty acids tend to give very good lather. These are the softest of the saturated fatty acids.

Excessive amounts of short chain saturated fatty acids can result in a harsh soap with a strong defatting action.

Palmitic C 16 and Stearic C 18 fatty acids tend to increase the hardness of soaps. They do not lather as well as the shorter fatty acids. Excessive amounts of long chain saturated fatty acids can make soap brittle.

Palm oil contains triglycerides composed entirely of stearic acid (aka, stearin). Palm oil should never be partially melted in use because as you pour the liquid off the saponification value will shift. Either remove portions of the solid or completely melt the entire container every time you use it.


Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Unsaturated fatty acids can contain 1 or more double bonds. They are designated by the chain length followed by the number of double bonds (Oleic acid 18/1). Unsaturated fatty acids are liquids. They tend to have good cleaning power, but lather poorly. These fatty acids also tend to make milder soaps. Palmitoleic (16/1) and Oleic (18/1) tend to increase mildness in soaps. They have adequate cleaning power and perform better on dirt than on oily problems. They do not have significant defatting action. Both of these oils resist attack of the double bonds by oxygen and are resistant to rancidity. Oils high in these fatty acids are also good choices as liquid oils for most products since they lead to long shelf lives.

Linoleic acid (18/2) also increases mildness in soaps. It is very easily oxidized but oils containing it have short shelf lives due to rapid onset of rancidity. Linolenic acid (18/3) also increases mildness in soaps. It is very easily oxidized and oils containing it have short shelf lives due to rapid onset of rancidity. Avoid using liquid oils which contain more than one double bond in most products because of shelf life considerations. Antioxidants are definitely required for these oils.

Ricinolenic acid (18/1) also contains an alcohol group in the chain. This increases the viscosity of the oil and accounts for the thickness of castor oil. It also makes this fatty acid very mild on the skin and is good for super fatting soaps. It should be used in moderation because of rancidity issues.

Castor oil can be reacted with sulfuric acid to make Turkey Red Oil, the first synthetic surfactant, a predecessor to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Turkey Red Oil should never be used in lotions because it is an irritant if left on the skin.

Source: http://web.archive.org/web/20110811072427/http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/fatproperties2.html

Milk and Bran Benefit for your skin

Oat bran for smooth skin: Bran from milled oats contains small amounts of salicylic acid and enzymes that stimulate circulation and gently exfoliate the skin. Oat bran is beneficial for all skin types.




Wheat bran to nourish the skin, skin smoothing and firming effect. Wheat bran, produced by milled wheat flour, contains B-complex vitamins. It gently cleanses the skin and is especially good for sensitive skin, eczema and psoriasis.





Honey for minor inflammations: The enzymes and organic acids in raw honey helps to soften the skin, while giving it a warm sheen. Honey is also mildly antibacterial and can help heal minor inflammations.


Cream and milk for dry, delicate skin: Sweet cream contains fat, which softens and nourishes dry, flaky skin and keeps it smooth and elastic. If you have normal skin, you can use milk instead of cream; it is less heavy, but it also supplies the lipids that enhance the skin-softening effects of a bran bath.

Homemade Body Bcrub Recipes

Get your skin ready for summer and pamper yourself on a budget using one of these homemade exfoliating body scrub recipes.

Three main ingredients of the body scrub are: exfoliators, carrier oils, and essential oils. An exfoliate could consist of sugar, sea salt, ground almonds or wheat bran. You can use either form of sugar, just make sure that with the brown sugar, you’re keeping a careful eye on the liquid ingredients so your scrub doesn’t dissolve into a thin paste. A carrier oil could be olive, grape-seed, hazelnut, or almond oil. The essential oils used here are for fragrance and healing. Grapefruit and orange essential oils gently stimulate and refresh. Lavender oil can help heal minor inflammations, and relieve day-to-day stress. Some other skin friendly oils include rose, rosemary, mandarin, jojoba, and chamomile. Do not use “fragrance oils” – they are chemical fakes that can cause irritation or even allergic symptoms. Try any of these recipes, or make your own, mixing your favorite exfoliate with carrier and essential oils.

Recipe 1:
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup carrier oil
10 drops vitamin E
10 drops essential oil

Recipe 2:
2 cups of ground coffee
1/2 cup sugar or sea salt
2-3 tablespoons of carrier oil

Recipe 3:
1/2 cup of poppy seeds
1/2 cup of carrier oil
10 drops orange essential oil

Recipe 4:
1 cup fine sea salt
1/2 cup carrier oil
10 drops grapefruit essential oil

Recipe 5:
2/3 cup sugar
2 mashed strawberries
6-8 drops rose/jojoba oil

Recipe 6:
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons ground oats
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon carrier oil

Recipe 7:
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup carrier oil
a shot of rum

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir thoroughly. While taking a shower, scoop up some, not more than a teaspoon at a time, and massage gently using circular motions. Rinse and voila! Your skin is totally smooth and silky.
You can use these scrubs once a week. Keep in mind though, if you have rashes, acne, or sunburned skin, scrubs might make the condition worse.
I hope you enjoy these body scrub recipes!

Source: http://going-well.com/2009/06/16/homemade-body-scrub-recipes/

The Beauty Secrets of Coffee

Coffee is delicious but do you know that coffee has a beauty secret. It can actually make you beautiful. It cannot only delight your day as you start your everyday activity but can also give you a lot of skin benefits. One of the best benefits that every person can get by drinking their daily dose of coffee is having an antioxidant, coffee are full of antioxidants. On a daily basis it is recommended to drink at least 2 to 3 glass of coffee.

It can also reduce the risk of having some disease such as cirrhosis of the liver, colon cancer, gallstones, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Because of these benefits, can you imagine the goodness it can give if it is use for your skin?

• One of the most interesting benefits of having coffee is in your hair. Several spa uses coffee berry as protein treatment for hair. This protein treatment has a coffee ingredient. Since coffee is full of antioxidants, it can actually neutralize the chemicals that can damage your hair. Remember that coffee should not be directly applied to hair as colorant or treatment because it can create an adverse effect. Coffee is applied as a mixture and not as directly as it is. If you really want to use coffee at home, you can brew your coffee and apply it on your hair and let it sit for at least 20 minutes for a more soft and shiny look.

• Coffee can also be a perfect combination to treat dark eye circles together with vitamin K. it is a proven effective ingredient to neutralize the purple effect of circles under your eyes. You can now eliminate dark eye circles brought about by stress and lack of proper sleep. Coffee is known to be a vasodilator and it can reduce the puffiness under your eye. It can reduce the size of the blood vessel under your eyes. You can use eye creams together with coffee and apply it under your eye, but do not apply coffee as it is on your eye.

• It also has a wonderful benefit for your skin because it can lighten and brighten you skin. It also has anti inflammatory factors and you can use the coffee as a body scrub even at home. Caffeine can tighten your skin that is perfect to reduce occurrence of wrinkles and skin sagging. It is also by several spa treatment centers as an overall facial treatment. It can firm cellulite and reduce skin pigmentation. Coffee can really makes a person beautiful. Aside from making your day brighter, you can also brighten up your skin by using coffee as a beauty secret and regimen.

It is good to know that there are a lot of benefits that people can get on their cup of coffee. It is a very good beverage that people enjoy every day but you can also use your coffee to treat many skin conditions as you enjoy a cup of coffee every morning. Make your skin glow and bring back the beauty of your skin by having a coffee mixture.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12590/1/The-Beauty-Secrets-of-Coffee.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/98727-benefits-coffee-skin-care/


7 Benefits of Coffee For Skin | Coffee For Health

1. Exfoliating dead skin and skin tightening.
Coffee grounds are mixed with the egg white. Apply this mixture as a gentle exfoliating dead skin as well as tighten the skin.

2. Brighten the face.
Combine 3 tablespoons of coffee grounds with a glass of pure cow's milk. Apply the mixture to the face and neck except eyes and lips as a face mask. Gently massage the skin, and leave for 20 minutes. Wash with water.

3. Reduce cellulite.
Coffee grounds mixed with olive oil. This mixture serves to eliminate cellulite. Apply this mixture to the appearance of cellulite, wrap with plastic, leave for 5 minutes, then wash with water

4. Moisturizing and making skin becomes relaxed.
Combine 3 tablespoons of coffee grounds with a tablespoon of cocoa powder, add a little water. Spread the mixture on face, leave for 30 minutes, wash with warm wet towel.

5. Smoothing the skin and streamline the body.
Pure crushed coffee beans. Brush the body by using a special brush body. Apply coarse ground coffee to all parts of the body and rub gently. In India, this custom is believed to streamline the body if done regularly, because the content of caffeine contained in coffee can destroy fat cells.

6. Remove black spots of acne scars.
Mix the coffee powder with the "baby oil" just enough, gently massage on face, especially in areas that are black spots of acne scars. If done routinely, can Remove black spots more quickly.

7. Lowers risk of skin cancer
Studies conducted at Rutgers University in New Jersey United States reinforce the theory that caffeine is a barrier of skin cancer because it can inhibit the enzyme or protein in the skin often called ART. Scientists have found that coffee grounds that applied directly on the skin can blocking UV rays that can lead to skin cancer.

These are 7 benefits of coffee for skin, may this article useful to all. Let get coffee :)

Source: http://dhealthy.blogspot.com/2013/03/7-benefits-of-coffee-for-skin-coffee.html

Tutorial: Aloe vera juice

Aloe vera juice banyak sekali benefitnya bagi kesehatan. Jika akan diminum, airnya bisa ditambahkan dengan perasan lemon, orange juice atau bisa juga diganti dengan susu.

Berhubung kami akan memakainya sebagai base sabun, maka airnya kami pakai distilled water ^__^

Siapkan daun lidah buaya

Kupas semua kulitnya. Jangan lupa untuk membuang lapisan berwarna kuning yang menempel pada lidah buaya. Lapisan kuning tersebut juga bisa dibuang dengan membilasnya dalam larutan air yang dicampur dengan cuka (1 cup air + 1 sendok makan cuka)

Ambil bagian gel nya. Potong potong, tambahkan air (1 bagian lidah buaya dengan 3-4 bagian air), lalu blender.

Gampang kan? Artikel lengkapnya bisa dibaca di:

http://www.naturalnews.com/PhotoTour_Aloe_Vera_1.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Aloe-Vera-Juice

http://www.homemadefacials.info/2011/07/how-to-make-aloe-vera-juice-at-home.html

Handmade Soap For Your Family

Handmade soap may seem similar to the mass produced soap but this is not the case. When your family washes with everyday soap, they are using harsh chemicals which can cause problems and irritation as it strips and does not preserve their precious skin. Handmade soaps are sensational and feel great to use, they are made with premium essential oil and aromatics which protect skin and make it beautifully scented and moisturized.

Handmade soaps are gentle, and soothing and there is a soap to suit everybody in your family. Pure–Light’s range of hand made soap with natural ingredients include; tea tree, lemon, coconut, rose, lavender and jasmine among others. Handmade soaps contain blends of natural oils that promote a balancing effect to skin complexion. Often, no chemical or synthetic colour is added to handmade soaps. The natural colours are achieved with pure ingredients such as lavender which can colour soap a pale purple or blue. The colouring techniques used are natural, are friendly to the skin and have no side effects at all.

Skin has to look attractive and radiate health to enable you feel confident, so you need natural moisturizing soaps that would not age or destroy your family’s skin. In handmade soap, Glycerin is often used as a soap base because it naturally hydrates skin and creates a superior soap even though it is costly.  Big soap manufacturing companies eliminate Glycerin because it’s so expensive, but it has great benefits for skin and wonderful moisturizing lather.  It is made through a traditional process, saponification which helps keep moisturization in the soap.

Your family’s skin may age prematurely and dry if you’re using conventional soaps most of the time. These soaps may seem okay to look at but they contain cheap industrial detergents which are normally made with animal fats and are not healthy for your skin. One advantage of  handmade soap is that it prevents dehydration and cares for the skin so that cleansing is a gentle and soothing experience.  Handmade soap is skin friendly, it pampers the skin and doesn’t dehydrate or strip the natural PH balance.

The ingredients are carefully combined to benefit family skin and promote health often through aromatherapy which also makes handmade soap smell so nice. Pure-Light handmade soaps are enriched with essential oils and they consider the aromatherapy and natural advantages to the skin. In today’s world, people are beginning to note the benefits of natural soaps which are chemical free and their popularity is growing rapidly. Many people are looking for the alternatives due to the effects caused by synthetic products.

Everyone wants healthy skin for their family and should try handmade soap. It leaves skin feeling soft especially for children prone to sensitive skin or allergies, you will see and feel the benefits after the first wash. Handmade soap is a natural, affordable way to protect your family‘s gentle skin.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/handmade-soap-for-your-family-934194.html

Handmade Soaps for Healthier Smooth and Supple Skin

You are concerned that your skin becomes pretty rough and dry after a bath and you have to douse yourself in plenty of moisturizing hand and body lotion afterwards. Stop. What soap are you using? What you might not know is that most soap products in our favorite stores are very harsh and that they lack one very important ingredient, glycerin. This product makes the main difference between manufactured and handmade soaps. In the commercial soap-making process glycerin, which is a product of the soap-making process, is extracted and sold for use in shampoos, creams and hand lotions manufacture. Next time you are shopping look for homemade soap and start experiencing the difference.

For the mass production of soap, industries mainly employ the hot process which makes use of detergents, preservatives, petroleum derivatives, and the much dreaded product SLS - sodium lauryl sulfate. Homemade soaps are manufactured via the cold process. The hot saponification process produces soap much faster than the cold process which may take up to six weeks. SLS is the product incorporated to cause foaming in the soap but tests have shown that SLS removes body oils thus leading to the onset of skin irritations and rashes.

Other than maintaining glycerin and lacking SLS in the final products, top quality natural handcrafted soaps come packed with herbs and essential oils. The herbs provide sensual and alluring aromas which perfume the body naturally. A revolutionary product in the best of handmade soaps is goat milk which contains plenty of essential enzymes, amino acids and vitamins, among other nutrients which are good for the skin.

Glycerin belongs to a group of products known as humectants which are recognized as natural moisturizers. Handmade soaps are good for the skin as well as the hair. The glycerin they contain moistens the skins as well as helping to retain some moisture from the atmosphere thus keeping the hair soft and the scalp healthy. This is therefore a two-in-one solution; no more buying skin soap and shampoo separately. Your baby's skin also becomes safer because SLS is absent from the soap. Using natural bath products further means that we are using green products as no synthetic by-products are released to the environment.

There is a whole variety of natural handmade soaps from different essential natural oils including coconut, olive, palm, sesame and cocoa butter oils. There are also different scents such as vanilla, citrus, lemon, frost berry, hemp, lime, eucalyptus, chamomile, rose, lavender, basil, jasmine and sandalwood which all have varying effects ranging from relieving headaches, congestion and tightened muscles, and acting as an aphrodisiac, energizing, invigorating and sleep-promoting agent. Homemade soaps are available in plenty of colors all of which are also natural.

NATURAL SOAP VS COMMERCIAL SOAP

"Is natural soap okay for sensitive skin?" We always tell them the same thing -
skin allergies and sensitivities are the only reason we make natural soap!

BENEFITS OF USING HANDMADE SOAP

• artisan made by hand, not machine manufactured
• includes ONLY 100% natural ingredients
• all vegetable oils, contains no animal fats
• less likely to irritate sensitive skin

Most soap that you purchase at the supermarket is not actually soap, it is detergent
and has had the skin-loving glycerine removed and replaced with synthetic foaming
agents that are often irritating to the skin. A scary thought don’t you think? This is
why many people have allergic reactions to commercial soaps. With handmade soap, you
get 100% pure and natural SOAP!

Soap is made by a chemical process called saponification. Basically, vegetable oils are
blended with lye (caustic soda) which creates a chemical reaction that produces soap.
Using a specialised calculator to figure out the correct amount of lye, when the soap
has finished saponifying, there is NO LYE left. It has all been neutralised during the
chemical process.

Back when our grandmothers and their mothers made soap, their results were not
always consistent; one batch may turn out oily, the next batch may be too dry and
crumbly. Nowadays, it is much more of a scientific process and we know that each oil
has what we call a saponification value, which means we can calculate exactly how much
caustic soda is needed to neutralise the oils, resulting in mild, moisturising soaps that
don’t damage the skin or its natural oil content. Furthermore, during the saponification
process, glycerine is produced naturally and is extremely moisturising to the skin.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HANDMADE SOAP

Q: Does your soap contain lye?
A: Soaps, both handmade and commercial are initially made by using lye (sodium
hydroxide) or a similar caustic agent. The process of soap making is a chemical
reaction. When made properly, no lye remains in the finished product; it is simply
the method needed for turning oils into soap.

Q: Will natural soap help eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis?
A: Soaps are not allowed to be promoted as having curative or medicinal properties
because they are not accredited or certified as ‘medicines’. However, from my own
experience with these types of skin conditions, they have certainly made a
difference in my life and for many of our regular customers too. Because they
contain NO synthetic ingredients or chemicals there is much less risk of an allergic
reaction.

Q: Why does Howe Natural soap cost more than supermarket soap?
A: We use the best natural ingredients that we can find and make each batch of soap
by hand; no mass-production machinery used.

Q: How long does a bar of soap last?
A: Most couples tell us that a bar of our soap will last around four to five weeks,
provided of course that it is allowed to dry out in between uses and not left standing
in water (and not letting hubby stay in the shower for half an hour)!


If you have any further questions about natural soap, please don’t hesitate to email us
at thesoapville@gmail.com

How to Make Puree (Non Cooked Fruit/Vegetable)

Dalam tulisan ini, saya menunjukkan cara membuat puree untuk buah buahan yang tidak perlu dikukus dulu sebelum diblender.

Contoh puree di bawah ini menggunakan buah pisang.
Buah yang tidak perlu dikukus sebelum dibuat puree antara lain alpukat, ketimun, pisang, mangga matang, pepaya matang, pear matang


How To Make Banana Puree

Step 1: Select & Buy Fresh Bananas

Like avocados, bananas have a smooth, squishy texture that's easy for babies to mash between their gums. They're an ideal first fruit after babies have tried several different kinds of veggies; serve the puree plain or mixed with a veggie or baby cereal. In the U.S., bananas are inexpensive and bursting with sweetness in summer, but imported bananas are available all year long in grocery stores. Choose bananas with blemish-free yellow peel. Green peel means the banana is underripe, while peel with too many brown spots means it's past its prime, or nearly past its prime. One medium fresh banana mixed with formula or breastmilk yields 6 to 8 ounces of puree. 


Step 2: Wash, Peel & Slice the Banana

Wash the banana with a mixture of three parts water and one part white vinegar to remove bacteria. Rinse under cool running water, dry, and peel. Discard the peel and the ends of the banana. Slice the rest of the banana into pieces and then cut each piece into quarters. 













Step 3: Puree or Mash the Banana

Puree in a food processor or blender until smooth. (Fresh banana has a light purple-brown color when pureed.) Add water as needed to reach desired consistency. For extra creaminess, puree the banana with breastmilk or formula instead of water.

For chunkier banana, which is ideal for babies 10 months or older, mash it with a potato masher instead of pureeing it.

Step 4: Serve Banana Puree

Sweet banana puree is delicious plain, but it also mixes well with tart or mild-flavored fruit purees.

Try mixing banana puree with:

Avocado

Pear

Peach

Plum

Cherries

Strawberries

Blueberries

Applesauce

Oatmeal

Full-fat Greek yogurt

Step 5: Freeze Leftover Banana Puree

Refrigerate leftover banana puree in BPA-free containers for up to 3 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in your refrigerator.
Note: Always check with your pediatrician before introducing your baby to a new food, particularly if your baby has food allergies. Additionally, some pediatricians do not recommend making your own carrot, beet, or spinach puree because these fresh veggies can be higher in nitrates.

How to make puree (Cooked Fruit/Vegetable)

Tutorial ini memakai wortel sebagai contoh. Bahan yang bisa dijadikan pure cukup banyak, Contoh: wortel, pumpkin dan buah buahan (yang belum matang benar) seperti pear, peach, strawberry, dan lain lain. Apabila buah sudah matang benar, anda tidak perlu mengukusnya.

Cara membuat puree yaitu dengan mengukus dulu bahan yang akan dijadikan puree, siram dengan air es untuk menghentikan proses pematangan, tunggu sampai dingin, lalu blender sampai halus.
Bukan hanya bisa digunakan sebagai bahan tambahan untuk sabun, puree ini juga bisa digunakan sebagai makanan bayi usia minimal 6 bulan :)

Note: Untuk alpukat, pisang, ketimun, buah tidak perlu dikukus dulu, setelah dicuci bersih dan dipotong2, buah bisa langsung di blender. Tutorial puree pisang akan dijelaskan pada post terpisah.

How to Make Carrot Puree

Step 1: Select & Buy Carrots
 

Carrot is a very versatile veggie; after baby has mastered single-vegetable purees, you can mix carrots with a variety of fruits, other veggies, and meats. Look for firm carrots with a smooth exterior and a rich orange color. One medium carrot yields about three ounces of puree. (Note: Some pediatricians recommend that you feed your baby commercially-produced carrot puree instead of fresh, due to nitrates; consult your doctor for advice.)

Step 2: Wash and Prep the Carrot
 

Rinse the carrot in cold water and peel with a veggie peeler. Remove greens. Dice into small pieces.

Step 3: Cook the Carrot
 

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat (until bubbles are soft) and cook carrot until tender (about 10 to 15 minutes). Drain carrot and rinse with cold water for three minutes to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Puree the Carrot

 
Puree cooked carrot in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency. Once your baby is ready for finger foods, typically around 10 months, you can serve her carrot that's been cooked and cut into tiny pieces.

Step 5: Serve Carrot Puree
Carrot is delicious alone or mixed with a variety of other veggies, fruits, and meats. Try mixing carrot puree with:
Broccoli
Green beans
Applesauce
Peaches
Butternut squash
Zucchini
Sweet potatoes
Russet potatoes
Brown Rice
Lentils
Beef
Chicken

Step 6: Refrigerate or Freeze Leftover Carrot Puree

 

Cool carrot puree and refrigerate leftovers in BPA-free containers for up to 3 days. Freeze leftovers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in your refrigerator.

Source: http://www.parents.com/recipes/baby-food/how-to-make-carrot-puree/