Tag Archives: Skin Care

Whipped Butter Sugar Scrub (for skin)

Ingredients:

3 oz Mango Butter
0.6 oz Almond Oil
0.2 oz Lemon Juice
3.6 oz Brown (Cane) Sugar*
3 oz Raw African Black Soap
12 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

*I suggest using equal amounts Sugar to Butter and Oil, this way it won’t be too runny or hard on the skin.

Ingredient alternatives:

Mango butter can be replaced with another soft butter however, I highly recommend only using a soft butter that is not overly greasy. Almond oil and Peppermint Essential Oi (EO)l can be replaced with any carrier oil or EO of choice. (EO can be omitted altogether and should be in case you are pregnant)!

Ingredient benefits:

Mango butter is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants and contains anti-inflammatory properties. It contains vitamins A, C and E and is known to help ease skin conditions such as acne and eczema. The butter is effective in moisturizing dry skin and is said to help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Almond Oil contains vitamin E and helps promote smooth, soft and supple skin. It is effective in keeping dry skin moisturized and known to help ease itchiness, reduces redness, relieves inflammation and can help skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Brown (Cane) Sugar works at exfoliating the skin by removing dead skin cells, clearing out the skin’s pores, removing dirt as well as excess oils. It contains glycolic acid, which, is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that is known to help maintain healthy skin. Due to its exfoliating properties it can reduce the appearance of scars and dark areas (e.g. dark underarms, elbows and knees).

Raw African Black Soap contains anti-fungal, antibacterial and cleansing properties for the skin. It can help reduce the overproduction of oils (and in this mix will help maintain a level of oil and butter). It is moisturizing for the skin while soothing, it reduces irritations, blemishes and fine scars.

Peppermint Essential Oil Peppermint Oil has a soothing and cooling effect on the skin that leaves it feeling tingly and fresh. Its anti-bacterial and inflammatory properties is known to help fight acne and skin irritations. It is also known to help with blood circulation in the skin.(*Never use undiluted EO on the skin as it can lead to burning and itchiness).

Mixing Instructions & Use:

You want to place the butter, oil and lemon juice in a bowl and mix with a whisk for a few minutes until everything is well combined. light and fluffy. Fold in the sugar first before using the whisk in order to avoid sugar granules from being flung around the kitchen (it can get a little messy). The final step is to add in the Raw African Black Soap which, you need to grate first in order for it to be well mixed and distributed evenly in the scrub. Essential oil can be added as the last step (if used) and then the mix can be transferred into a disinfected airtight container.

When it comes to applying the scrub, please ensure that you have anti-slip stickers in your shower in order to avoid potentially falling (it can get really slippery). You want to start off with damp skin (for both your face and body) and gently using your fingertips rub the scrub onto your skin in circular motions (be gentle). You can rinse your body with a body wash post scrub (if you feel like you have too much butter/oil present and a face wash for your face). Please ensure that you use a dry and clean spoon to scoop out the scrub (don’t use wet fingers otherwise you are inviting bacteria growth) and make sure to close the lid. Once used always store the scrub in the fridge to help ensure it remains fresh for as long as possible.

So, that’s it! If you use this mix, please do let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share, let me know!

Maicurls

DIY “Liquid Gold” Serum for Skin (scalp & hair)

5 Replies

Hello Maicurlies,

Liquid Gold

It has been a hot minute however, I hope you will forgive me with this new DIY mix that is for the SKIN!!! Yes I finally am back with a skin DIY. Ok fine, this can also be used on your scalp (which is part of your skin) and your hair as well but we will be focusing on the skin for this.

Ingredients/Tools Used:

0.5 oz Argan Oil
0.3 oz Grapeseed Oil
0.5 oz Fresh Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ)
0.2 oz Glycerin
3 capsules Vitamin E Oil
3 – 5 drops Alcohol Free Rose Fragrance (optional)
Bowl
Glass Container (with a dropper)
Spoon
Gloves (optional)

Ingredient alternatives:

Should you not have either Argan or Grapeseed oil, either one can be replaced with any lightweight oil (e.g. almond oil, jojoba oil etc). Store bought AVJ can be used in place of fresh Aloe Vera Juice. Should you not want to use glycerin, you can replace it with rose water.

Mixing:

All you have to do is put all the ingredients together in your bowl, stir and pour into your container!

Application:

I like to apply this after I have jumped out the shower without completly drying my skin. The mix helps to trap in moisture (water droplets) while adding moisture. It leaves me with soft, supple, moisturized, glowing and awesome smelling skin!

Ingredient benefits:

Argan Oil: is packed with nourishing and hydrating elements, especially for those with sensitive skin. It can help prevent stretch marks by improving the elasticity, has the ability to prevent the skin from getting dry and/or brittle during both the summer and winter months and leaves the you with a feeling of softness and smoothness.

Grapeseed Oil: an extremely light on the skin and therefore does not clog up pores. The oil has great moisturizing properties and can help regenerate new skin cells.

Fresh Aloe Vera Juice: contains nutrients, minerals, amino acids, active enzymes as well as a number of Vitamins. All of this makes it an effective skin conditioner and moisturizer. It helps cure flaky or dry skin as well as skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. AVJ is known to heal blisters, insect bites and itchy skin. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is an effective acne fighting agent, reduces redness and is commonly used to help soothe sunburns. AVJ helps to restore the natural pH level of the skin and with the presence of antioxidants, it helps to hydrate, firm and combat premature aging.

Glycerin: 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 that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and aging.

Vitamin E Oil: contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties, help soothe minor sunburns and if that wasn’t enough, the oil is also known to help fade scares and stretch marks if used consistently and frequently. (Can help extend the shelf life of a product but does not “preserve” any mixes).

Rose Fragrance: Use for the beautiful scent!

Let me know if you use this for your skin (scalp and/or hair).

Thanks

Maicurls

Aloe Vera Juice For Hair, Health and Skin

2 Replies

Hi Maicurlies,

This is going to be more of a “I’m so excited I had to share” post! If you have not already noticed I am a big fan of Aloe Vera and with good reason too (if you ask me.) I do not want to repeat myself but it is great for our hair and skin.

Some people will actually add AVJ to their drinks because when ingested it is known to help:

Indigestion
Detoxify the body of toxins
Boost the immune system
Increase energy levels …and much more

Keep in mind that it is known to be a “mild laxative” and is also known to lower blood sugar levels therefore you should consult your doctor/physician before consuming AVJ.

Now when it comes to our hair AVJ is known to:

Maintain the pH level of the hair and scalp
Promote Hair Growth
Eliminate itchy scalp and scalp dryness
Reduce hair loss
Reduce Dandruff
Acts as a conditioning agent
Restore shine and luster
Help fight against Alopecia

As a skin care agent AVJ is known to:

Prevent early signs of ageing
Reduce irritations caused by shaving
Help keep the skin supple and rejuvenated
Heal small cuts and wounds
Sooth insect bites
Brighten and reduces blemishes
Reduce hyper pigmentation
Moisturise the skin
Remove dead cells
heals cuts and wounds, dermatitis and also insect bites

I honestly just wanted to showcase the fact that I got not one but two HUGE plants and one little one!

I normally would “borrow” a few leafs from my mother’s plant whenever I could so I finally decided to get some and here are a few pictures of the leafs I cut.

Freshly Cut Aloe Vera

Split down the middle

Cut open and then scrape out the pulp

Look at how HUGE they are! I am so excited.

The “baby” plant needs TLC in order for it to grow but grow it shall!

Alright enough raving for today!

P.S. I have already touched upon the benefits of AVJ and how I use it in my DIY Hair Gel and my DIY Creamy Leave-In Conditioner and Spray Leave-In Conditioner.

Thanks

Maicurls

IMPORTANT! I am not a Doctor, Physician nor a Cosmetologist. I am just providing information for educational purposes and any use thereof is solely at your own risk. The information contained herein is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any manner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition. Once you have done that, do patch tests before you put anything all over your head or skin. Please consider this as my advice. You are responsible if you choose to follow some of my methods.