Category Archives: Coconut Oil for skin

Skin Care

DIY Rose Honey Lip Scrub & Cocoa Rose Lip Salve

Hi Maicurlies,

I have two recipes to share today. Both of these mixes are for the lips.

I have been using a DIY Lip Scrub and Lip Salve over the last two months and have noticed a difference in how my lips feels and looks which is why I wanted to share 🙂

DIY Rose Honey Lip Scrub

This baby is fabulous! I use the sugar scrub 1 – 2 times a week maximum to help exfoliate my sensitive chappy lips. Do not scrub more than twice a week otherwise you run the risk of ending up with a raw, fragile and over exfoliated pout!

Ingredients:

0.5oz Natural Honey
0.1oz Rose Infused Almond Oil (you can use any carrier oil)
1oz. Raw Brown Sugar (you could use white sugar)
Peppermint Essential Oil (you can use any Essential Oil)

Mix Instructions:

I first mix the Raw Honey and Rose Infused Oil together and then add about half the Sugar. After mixing in the first half I add the remaining Sugar. The Essential Oil is added at then end and then everything is transferred to my container.

DIY Rose Honey Lip Scrub

When/How I Apply the Scrub:

As I mentioned I apply the scrub once or twice a week after I have washed my face and removed my makeup (including anything on my lips). I make sure my lips are a little damp with water and then in a circular motion I lightly rub the scrub over my lips. I like to leave it on for about 1 minute and then splash it off with water.

Why I use these ingredients:

Brown sugar – helps to gently remove dead skin from the lips leaving you with a soft supple pout without being too harsh on the skin. (I prefer using brown sugar over white sugar but there is no harm in using white sugar.) Raw Honey – a light humectant that helps to draw moisture in the air to the lips, making it a super moisturizing ingredient. It has light anti bacterial and antiseptic properties so it helps to heal cracked lips. Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil – the oil will help trap in all that luscious moisture from the honey, it is light and therefore will not clog up the skin. The infusion of rose adds to the scent of the mix. Peppermint Essential Oil – this is an optional ingredient but I LOVE it. It helps to stimulate blood circulation giving you a tingling sensation, makes the lips plush and it also helps to keep the scrub from going off too quickly due to it’s anti fungal properties (it is not a preservative but helps to extend the shelf life of a product a little).

DIY Cocoa Rose Lip Salve

Ingredients:

0.8oz unrefined Cocoa Butter (double broil for less than 5 minutes)
0.3oz Virgin Coconut Oil
0.2oz. Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil
0.1oz Castor Oill
2 Vitamin E Oil Capsules = roughly 0.15oz (do not cut your fingers if you use capsules)
2 drops natural Rose fragrance oil – alcohol free (optional)
1 drop Peppermint Essential Oil (Optional – use any EO)

Mixing Instructions:

I first melt down the Cocoa butter in a double broiler for no more than 5 minutes and then add the Virgin Coconut oil to the melted butter (off the heat). The warmth from the Cocoa Butter will melt down the Coconut Oil. I add both the Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil and Castor oil to the mix followed by the contents of two Vitamin E Oil Capsules. The final step is to add the Alcohol Free Rose Fragrance Oil (optional) and the Essential Oil (optional). I then pour the mix into my containers and then let them set in the fridge for no less than 4 hours (usually overnight).

DIY Cocoa Rose Lip Salve

When/How I Apply the Scrub:

I have become obsessed with this lip salve so I do not only apply it at night but during the day too! Anytime really…but I do make a point of putting it on before bed. I also ensure that after I have scrubbed my lips I apply a sufficient amount of the salve. I make enough of this to keep a container on my bedside table, in my bathroom, my dresser and in my office.

Why I use the ingredients:

Cocoa Butter – an excellent butter that has moisturizing and soothing properties. It gives the salve hold yet still allows it to melt immediately upon contact with the skin providing a light sheen and glisten. Virgin Coconut Oil – is easily absorbed into the skin, has moisturizing properties and leaves the skin feeling soft. Castor Oil – is a humectant as well as being a sealing oil so it attracts moisture in the air to the lips and helps to heal damaged, dry and chapped lips. Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil – is a light oil that helps to seal in the moisturizing and nourishing benefits from the salve and provides a light sheen. I like to use alcohol free fragrance oil, because if provides a luscious scent to the salve and is not damaging or drying. Peppermint Essential Oil – (optional) helps to stimulate blood circulation giving you a tingling sensation, makes the lips plush and it also helps to keep the salve from going off too quickly due to it’s anti fungal properties (it is not a preservative but helps to extend the shelf life of a product a little). Vitamin E Oil – is super moisturizing for the lips, helps generate new skin growth and contains nourishing properties that helps to keep the lips supple and soft.

NOTE: Make sure that your fingers are dry before taking the products out of the container (before application) in order to keep them from growing bacteria. Since the Lip Salve does not contain beeswax it might become a little soft during the summer months therefor make sure not to keep them in your bag or pocket because it can melt and spill. Use the scrub no more than twice and week to ensure you don’t over exfoliate. You can apply the lip salve anytime you want, so if you make a few batches you can keep some handy in random places e.g. bedside table, dresser, bathroom cabinet, office desk etc.

I would love to hear if you try these mixes. If you have a favorite DIY Scrub or Lip salve/balm let me know, I like to experiment (as you know)!

Maicurls

Glory Roots Product Review & my DIY Nighttime Under-eye Cream

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Hey Maicurlies,

Today I wanted to do a 2 in 1 post (it’s a little long), but first let me set the scene. I was gawking at natural hair pictures on Instagram (IG), when I came across a page: Glory Roots. The products caught my attention because 1. there were a lot of organic/natural and/or unrefined products and 2. a lot of their products come from Africa, mainly Ghana.

After a little search I left a message along the lines of “all your products look awesome” on one of their pictures. Shortly thereafter I was contacted by the company and they very kindly offered to send me two products to try out. (THANK YOU Glory Roots!!)

Please note, While I was sent the products I was not requested to write a review. I decided to do so on my own since I planned to use them in DIY experiments and wanted to share my results with all of you. I informed them that I planned to write a honest review based on my own personal opinions, which they encouraged since they wanted honest feedback.

The company is based in the Uk and I copied a snippet about Glory Roots from their Site:

Glory Roots is a specialist health & wellbeing online store offering a large range of organic and unrefined products. This includes our own Glory Roots range and many other trusted specialist imported brands that have been faithful staples over the years of many households and native lifestyles. Available products include: – body butters – herbal remedies – bitters – soaps – essential oils – creams & lotions – ointments – nuts & seeds, and many many more!

Source: http://www.gloryroots.com/

They offered to send me one product they recommend and I could select one of my choice. The 100% Pure Coconut Oil from Ghana (unrefined and unprocessed) was their selection and mine was the 100% Pure Cocoa Butter also sourced from Ghana (unrefined and unprocessed).

: 100% Pure Coconut Oil – 100ml

: 100% Pure Cocoa Butter – 70g

What I did was to try both products on their own and then in a DIY mix.

100% Pure Coconut Oil (100ml) – £5.00

100% Pure Coconut Oil – 100ml

Scent – It has a mild coconut scent to it. I will state that the Virgin Coconut Oil I normally use for both my hair and skin does seem to be a little more “coco-nutty”.

Colour – The Virgin Coconut Oil I normally use seems to be a little less yellow, (paler) compared to their oil. I am not sure but perhaps the type of coconut, how it is grown and where it grows makes a difference in the scent and colour (my Virgin Coconut Oil comes from India). Regardless, I did see a slight colour difference between mine and theirs.

Package/Consistency/Feel – The bottle was sturdy and the plastic used along with the lid did not let any of the oil spill out. When I first received the oil, the weather was still pretty warm so it was a fluid liquid. However, when I tested it out the weather had gotten colder and that of course started to turn the oil into more of a thick liquid state (which is normal). When applied, the oil was quickly absorbed into my skin leaving me with smooth, shiny (not greasy) as well as moisturized skin. I also used it to seal moisture in my hair and again my hair looked shiny without feeling greasy and I was left with a mild coconut scent, yum.

100% Pure Cocoa Butter 70g £3.50

100% Pure Cocoa Butter – 70g

Scent – There is a subtle chocolate smell to their 100% Pure Cocoa Butter. In comparison to my “normal” Unrefined Cocoa Butter I probably would have been happier if theirs had a stronger chocolate scent (since I love chocolate) however, for those that are sensitive to strong scents, it is not overpowering.

Colour – it has a slightly off white color similar to my “normal” Unrefined Cocoa Butter. (In the image the Cocoa butter looks a little white but it is off white in person).

Package/Consistency/Feel – Again the package is sturdy and you can tell it held the butter well because during transportation the butter must have melted a little bit (due to temperature differences) and at some point when it became a solid again the package was placed sideways which is why it solidified at an angle before I received it (notice the gap in the image). Keep in mind that does not impact its effectiveness or quality or the product. Due to the changes in temperature the butter was ever so slightly grainy but it melted down completely as soon as I rubbed a bit of it in my palms and left me with super moist skin that looked supple yet not greasy (no graininess either).

Overview: I enjoy using both of the products on their own and in DIY product mixes and think both work really when they are applied on my hair and skin. The only thing is my nose wishes the Cocoa Butter smelt a little more like chocolate and the Coconut Oil smelt a little more “coco-nutty”. As I mentioned I got the 70g Cocoa Butter and 100ml Coconut Oil which are ideal sizes if you want to see how your skin/hair likes them. They have different sized products available on Glory Roots Site but I would suggest going for the larger ones after you have tried them out. Then again, the little bottles might be sufficient for some, but since I am a DIY freak, little bottles are not enough for me :D. I really appreciate the fact that Glory Roots allowed me to try out their lovely products (thanks again!) and I would say if you are looking for raw products, check out their site.

DIY Under-Eye Cream (for the night)

DIY Under eye cream

Mix Instructions – (I used a 1.7oz container)

I measure out 0.5oz Pure Cocoa Butter and 0.3 oz Pure Coconut Oil and placed them in a heat proof glass to double broil.
I double broil for less than 5 minutes on medium heat, take it off the heat and add 0.1 oz of my DIY Coffee Infused Oil. (You do not have to use this particular carrier oil however coffee/caffeine is excellent for reducing puffiness).
I place the mix in my freezer for 10 minutes to let it become a little thick and hard.
I mix everything together with a spoon, add 3 capsules of Vitamin E Oil (roughly 0.15 oz) and mix again for 5 minutes till it becomes a smooth yogurt like consistency. (You might need to rigorously mix).
I transferred the mix into my container and let it rest. (In picture 5 the “cream” still has a yogurt-like consistency right after mixing.)
After it has “set” the consistency resembles more of a thick cream which is a little firm but easily comes out of the jar with a simple pat with your finger over the cream.

Application

After you have washed your face and removed your makeup, make sure your hands are clean and dry before applying. You only need to use a tiny tiny dab under each eye at night and gently glide your finger over your skin. It will melt immediately upon contact and will absorb easily (just make sure not to use too much!) With frequent use it should help reduce puffy under eyes, dark circles as well as help reduce fine lines. Please keep in mind, in some cases puffy under-eyes and dark circles can be hereditary or a sign of illness and this cream is not meant to be a replacement for any medication/ointments provided from medical professionals. Do not get the cream in your eyes because it might sting and remember a little goes a LOOONG way!

TIP: This mix should last you a long time if you use it lightly and the shelf life should be at least 6 months (if not 1 year). Always use clean and dry hands when applying the product to avoid contamination in the jar since there are no preservatives and try to use an airtight container for longer shelf life. You can store the cream in your fridge during the summer, this will make the cream hard but it still will melt upon contact with your skin nonetheless.

*I have a list of all the benefits and properties of each ingredient used here*

Have you tried Glory Roots before, if so which products and what do you think? Have you made your own nighttime under-eye cream? I would love to hear if you try my mix!

Thanks

Maicurls

DIY Body Butter Bars (2 recipes)

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Hey Maicurlies,

At long last I have a skin care tutorial & video! This is going to be about my DIY Body Butter Bars, I LOVE these gems! They are excellent for the winter months when the weather is cold and dry resulting in dry and sensitive skin.

Body Butter Bars

I have 2 different recipes my CoSheaCo Bars (I add some exfoliating ingredients to make a few exfoliating Body Bars) and my Simple CocoaCo Bars which only consists of 2 ingredients.

What are Body Butter Bars?

Literally they are bars made up of oils and melted butters to help moisturize and seal in moisture. You can add additional ingredients to make them super moisturizing e.g. glycerin/honey/agave nectar or coffee beans/dried roses/dried lavender/sea salt etc to make them exfoliating Body Butter Bars. They can be used in place of lotions or creams after a shower or bath.

Ingredients

CoSheaCo Bars (recipe yields 6 large and 3 small bars)

125ml Unrefined Cocoa butter (4.2oz)
80ml Unrefined Shea Butter (2.7oz)
60ml Virgin Coconut Oil (2oz)
40ml Coffee infused almond oil (use any carrier oil of choice) (1.4oz)
1 teaspoon glycerin (optional) – can replace with raw honey (my teaspoon is 0.1oz or 3ml)
20 drops grapefruit essential oil (optional) – use any essential oil of choice. (If you are pregnant do not use essential oils!)

CocoaCo Bars (recipe yields 4 small bars)

Instructions

1. I slowly melt the butters using a double broiler in a heat proof glass bowl. 2. I take the melted butters off the heat and add the Virgin Coconut Oil. 3. I add the other ingredients (e.g. Glycerin, Coffee infused oil and Essential oil in the CoSheaCo bars) once I know the butters are not really warm. 4. If you are making exfoliating bars put your chosen ingredients (coffee beans and rose petals) in the molds and then pour the melted butters and oils into the mold. 5. I let the mixture sit on a counter for a few minutes and then place the molds in my fridge. I prefer setting mine overnight (let them set for no less than 4 – 5 hours until they are completely firm, longer if possible). 6. Once they are set, gently pull back the edges of the molds and the bars will slide out.

I use silicon molds but for the purposes of this demo I also used metal molds in case you don’t have silicon ones.

Making CocoaCo Bars

Making CoSheaCo Bars

Storing the bars:

I always store my bars in the fridge in an airtight container. Since I do not use Beeswax in my recipe there is the potential of the bars melting in warm climates or hot households (more likely in summer) but I do not risk it so I store all but the one I will be using in the fridge*. The fridge and airtight container also helps to keep the bars from going “off” too quickly, but the general shelf life of the bars should be 6 months – 1 year since no bacteria inviting ingredients (e.g water, Aloe Vera juice etc) are used in combination with the oils and butters in the recipe. I keep the bar being used in an airtight container in a dark cupboard in my bathroom room.

* There is nothing “wrong” with beeswax, it is a natural ingredient but I choose not to use it simply because it tends to sit on my skin and I do not like that feeling (I have sensitive skin). There are thousands of Body Butter Bar recipes online that follow the same ingredients I use but also include beeswax.

How to use:

After a shower I don’t completely dry off all the water with a towel, I then rub the bar between my dry palms and apply like I would a body cream. The bar will help trap in moisture from the water and also add amazing benefits from the butters and oils. With the exfoliating bars I rub the bar itself onto my skin to get the additional scrubbing effect.

Benefits of the ingredients used:

Cocoa butter – is known for its deep hydrating and moisturizing properties due to its high fatty acid content. It is said that the butter can help reduce stretch marks and the fact that Cocoa butter is packed with antioxidants, means that it can help fight off free radicals and skin irritations such as eczema and dermatitis.

Coffee bean infused almond oil – is rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E, has been used to improve the skins complexion and its emollient properties soften the skin. Almond oil is quickly absorb into the skin and has healing and hydrating properties. The coffee bean infusion helps to tighten the skin giving you a youthful fresh glow, reduce the appearance of cellulite, reduce redness and skin inflammation and is known to fight free radicals thanks to the antioxidants contained in caffeine.

Coconut oil (Virgin) – is very good at re-hydrating the skin because it is absorbed into the skin and conditions, moisturizes, and softens the skin. Coconut oil naturally clears away dirt, grime, and dead skin cells and due to its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. The oil acts as a good protectant against skin irritations and rashes. It is known to soothe insect bites, flaking skin and mildly sun damaged skin.

Glycerin (Vegetable) – is a natural humectant that draws moisture onto the skin by extracting it out of the air. Apart from its ability to draw in moisture, it is also known to help retain moisture in the skin. This makes Glycerin a great agent in fighting rough, dry, irritated and dull skin. It also makes it an excellent skin plumping product.

Grapefruit essential oil – aside from its delicious scent, it has antiseptic qualities and helps to clean and clear congested skin and to treat oily skin.

Rose petals & Coffee beans – used as exfoliating ingredients to help remove dead skin cells and stimulating blood flow.

Shea butter – is highly moisturizing, improves the skin’s softness, suppleness as well as soothes burns. Shea butter can also be used as a mild “sun protectant”, soothes, moisturizes and is an effective anti-aging & anti-wrinkling butter.

I have a video on my YouTube Channel (below) showing you exactly how I make both Body Butter Bars.

Have you used/made a Body Butter Bar before? What is your favorite? I would love to hear from you 🙂

Maicurls

DIY Neem Infused Coconut Oil (Recipe 5)

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Hi Maicurlies,

This is my second to last Infused Oil (I promise)

Infusing Neem Leaves

I already wrote about Neem and the benefits of Neem Infused Oil over here. To summarize:

It contains antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties
Eases skin irritations, rashes, itchiness and is said to help ease eczema (I am not a doctor nor a dermatologist therefore always check with a professional).
Reduces the appearance of light burns and scars
Helps reduce hair shedding & breakage
Known to help slow down premature graying & the appearance of grey hairs
Naturally and gradually darkens the hair
Provides the hair with shine & luster
Promotes hair growth.

Ingredients/tools:

Spoon
Measuring cups
Container
Sieve

1.5 cups of dried Neem Leaves (you can use powder e.g. 1/4 cup*)
2 cups of Virgin Coconut Oil (you can use any oil of choice)
8 drops grapefruit essential oil (optional – you can use any oil of choice but if you are pregnant do not use any essential oil).

*If you use the powder I would recommend putting it in a coffee filter or cheese cloth to help keep the oil and powder separate.

Mixing Process:

: Adding Neem leaves

: Infusing Neem Leaves in virgin coconut oil

: 2 weeks later

: Sieving out neem leaves

: Adding essential oil

: Neem infused Coconut Oil

I have a video up on my process:

NOTE: I am not a dermatologist nor a doctor. I provide this for informational purposes only so please consult with a professional before you apply anything new to your skin or hair. Should you be taking medication or creams from a medical professional please do not replace that with my DIY recipe – consult your medical professional first! If you are allergic to any of the ingredients I use do not use them. Do a small patch test on the inside of your arm when trying anything new before applying it all over your hair/skin. Always ensure to dilute the Essential Oils (EO) in a carrier oil as they can cause skin irritations if used undiluted. If you are pregnant you should NOT use any EO.

If you try this please let me know how it turns out. If you make your own Infused Neem Oil I would love to hear from you!

Maicurls

Benefits of Infused Neem Oil

8 Replies

Good Morning Maicurlies,

This is going to be a post all about Neem, Infused Neem Oil to be specific.

Fresh Neem Leaves

As a part of my “Infused Oil Series” I also make Neem Infused Coconut Oil and will have a video & writeup of how to make it shortly. For now I just wanted to point out the reasons why I like the oil and why you might want to try it.

What is Neem?

Like a lot of Ayurvedic plants & hebrs, the Neem tree is located mainly in Asia and is most predominantly popular India. Its leaves, nuts, twigs and barks can be used for Ayurvedic purposes. Pure Neem Oil that is cold pressed from the whole nut is exceptionally rich and full of nourishing properties as well as Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, but the one “negative” aspects of pure Neem Oil is that it has a strong pungent smell. However, if you can stomach the scent, your skin and hair can benefit greatly from its nourishing properties.

I of course use an infused version of the oil since I can not make the cold pressed version at home, so mine is not as strong however, I still get benefits from infusing the leaves (it is also not as “smelly”). Neem Oil and Neem Infused Oil can be used for your hair and skin thanks to its multipurpose properties.

Where can I find Neem?

There are a few websites online that actually sell Neem powder such as Butters n Bars. If you have a local Indian store nearby look out for the Neem Hesh brand locally otherwise check the ethnic section of your super market. If you have Neem trees readily available to you, you can use the leaves and/or make your own powder by blending up dried leaves. If you do blend the leaves it might end up being a little bitty so it is best to put them in a coffee filter or cheese cloth.

If you want to use fresh leaves then you need to use the oil up after production because otherwise you WILL grow bacteria in the container. For infusing – you will need to use either dried Neem leaves or powder.

Infusing Neem Leaves

For the Skin:

Its natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties can help ease skin irritations, rashes as well as relieve itchiness (which can affect the face, body and scalp) . It is said to help ease eczema (I am not a doctor nor a dermatologist therefore always check with a professional). It can help reduce the appearance of light burns and scars – if massaged on the skin regularly and frequently.

For the Hair

The oil can help reduce hair shedding and strengthens the hair to help reduce breakage. Neem is also known to help slow down premature graying & the appearance of grey hairs due to the fact that it is known to naturally and gradually darken the hair*. It provides the hair with shine, luster, works as an excellent sealant and helps to promote hair growth.

*You will not end up with jet black hair but it can darken the hair and has a similar effect on light, bleached or blond hair and if that is not something you want then I would suggest not using this oil.

So those are the reasons why I like the oil 🙂

Stay tuned for my how to video and writeup Maicurlies!

Have you used Neem oil or Neem infused oil before? If so how do you use it and what do you think about it? I would love to hear from you.

Maicurls

DIY Infused Oil “Mini-Series”

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HELLLOOO Maicurlies,

I hope all is well!

I have been BUSY making DIY mixes, recording videos (editing), taking photos and have come up with an Infused Oil “series”! Do I hear you say: HOW EXCITING! (Yes, it is!)

Infused Oils

If you are wondering why would you want to make an infused oil? I say why not?!

In all seriousness, infused oils give you the option of incorporating your favorite ingredients to your favorite carrier oil – adding more punch, nourishment and benefits for your hair and/or skin.

Uses of infused oils for the hair

Infused oils can be used in a number of different ways such as: Pre-poo’s, hot oil treatments, scalp massages, Deep Conditioners, leave-in conditioners, whipped butters, sealing…ANYTHING! Their benefits depend on the ingredients used for infusion and the carrier oil you use. With each of my infusions I will list the benefits of each and how I personally use them.

Infused oil for skin

You can incorporate infused oils into a DIY Body butters, sugar scrubs or even directly onto your skin to trap in moisture after a shower.

So which Oils have I made (are in the making?)