Playing in the Mud

Can you remember, as a child, being told not to play in the mud or not to get all muddy? Well today, as an adult, I'm here to tell you it is fine to play in the mud. Actually, it is more than fine, it is beneficial to the health and appearance of your skin, as long as the mud is the rich black mud from the Dead Sea.

Once we discovered the benefits of using Dead Sea mud on the skin we immediately started our research and testing of this ingredient. About 4 years ago Linda made soap with mud and we made every effort to convince people of its benefits and the advantages of using this particular soap. People looked at me as if I had lost my mind suggesting they actually bathe with mud. After all, the purpose of bathing is to get the dirt off not wash with it. We did have a few people willing to try it but not many at that time. Then came Irena's Spa Ice soap made with a very high concentration of salt, this also took a lot to get folks to give it a try but try it they did. Susan then came up with the idea of making a cream facial cleanser similar to the goat milk facial cleanser, using Dead Sea mud instead of goat milk. Now we are seeing a lot of big name brands out there with large marketing budgets talking about products made with Dead Sea mud and salt. The difference is our ingredients vs their ingredients. The only thing in common is the mud. Our bar soap is made with ingredients far superior to what is being offered by this big name brand and more than likely a lot more mud and salt. I am not sure they even offer a cream facial cleanser that not only deep cleans but if left on the skin for a few minutes its similar to having a facial while you cleanse and moisturize. Through our persistence and our willingness to give samples to anyone that will accept them, men, women and teens are experiencing the benefits of bathing in Dead Sea mud and salts.

The benefits provided by use of the mineral salts and/or mud from the Dead Sea are truly amazing although, it is no secret. The Dead Sea has been known for its healing benefits as early as the time of Abraham. Throughout history the Dead Sea is mentioned for medical benefits as well as cosmetic use. Marc Antony fought for possession of this area and won, for his beloved Cleopatra.

Reportedly, the Dead Sea contains 21 minerals, twelve of these are found in no other sea or ocean.

• Sodium - ions remove skin scales, binding the water and generate a feeling of suppleness, ideal for very dry skin.
• Magnesium - essential for cell metabolism. Testing of skin scales of patients with psoriasis has found a significant deficit of magnesium.
• Potassium - improves oxidation.
• Bromide - has a very relaxing effect.
• Bitumen - a natural tar acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
• Chlorine - vital for cell metabolism.
• Iodine - necessary for the production of the hormone thyroxin, vital for both energy and cell metabolism.
• Calcium - strengthens cell membranes and cleanses the pores.
• Zinc - enzymatic regulation of cell proliferation.

The rich, natural minerals of mud from the Dead Sea are all essential for healthy skin. It helps the skin to renew and regenerate cells, preventing aging, stimulates blood circulation, rejuvenating the skin. The tightening action of the mud promotes circulation by increasing the supply of oxygen to and removing the toxins from the skin, toning and firming up skin tissues, leaving the skin radiant. Removal of impurities due to gentle exfoliation and pore penetration it absorbs accumlated dirt, grime, makeup, sebum, skin will be clean not only on the surface, but deep below the surface where problems begin.

Having read all of this and learning skin care products made with the salt, mud or a combination of both have the ability to:

• improves blood circulation and promotes cell regeneration
• exfoliates, deep cleans the skin removing impurities and toxins
• proven to provide relief for psoriasis, eczema, acne and wrinkles
• moisturizes and helps natural skin hydration

What can be more healthful or natural than playing in the mud? If you're in the area, stop by the store and pick up a sample of our mud soap. A purchase is never required.

Ethnic Skin and Hair Care

Ethnic Skin and Hair Care

Ashy skin? Dry scalp? Malnourished hair? All of these problems are significant to ethnic skin and hair. Finding the correct proportions of essential oils and butters without the petroleum byproducts and hard waxes like carnauba, has long been sought in ethnic skin and hair care. Petroleum byproducts are known to clog pours while hard waxes coat the skin and hair shaft not allowing the much needed absorption of nutrients.

Spa Splendors Hair Butter blends Shea butter with Olive and Jojoba Oils which have long been known for their wonderful healthy skin and hair properties. In addition the use of Essential Oils specifically chosen for their beneficial properties to the hair and scalp, makes Hair Butter supreme for not only your hair, but for your whole body. It is all natural with no preservatives which means no Parabens or other harmful manmade chemicals.

Shea butter contains high percentages of Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Vitamin E has long been known to increase blood flow to the skin thus bringing more oxygen to the skin surface. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/pdf/5554.pdf “Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is an antioxidant vitamin involved in the metabolism of all cells. It protects vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body cells and prevents breakdown of body tissues.”
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/pdf/5551.pdf “Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays essential roles in vision, growth, and development; the development and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes; immune functions; and reproduction.”

Essential Oil Usage 1

Everyone sees all the volumes of information on essential oils and aromatherapy and wants to try and see if it will help. Most do not realize that they are already using aromatherapy in their everyday lives. Lavender scented candles and fabric softener, citrus scented house cleansers, mint candies. They are all part of aromatherapy. Here at Coast to Coast Soapworks, we do use many essential oils in our products. Much thought and research goes into every scent created with essential oils. It is our responsibility to make sure these blends are beneficial and not harmful to our customers.
A good beginning place is to start with cleansing or detoxifying. Detoxifying is shedding the body and mind from all the toxins that are accumulated in our day to day lives. A blend of Juniper, Rose Geranium, Lavender, Cypress and citrus among others are blended with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil to create an overall detoxifying blend. This blend may be used in a warmer or as a perfume you can even put a few drops in the tub for a relaxing soak. Pure essential oils should always be mixed with carrier oils for use on the skin due to the strengths and possible toxic skin reactions. There are few essential oils that are an exception to this rule. It is always better to err on the side of safety.

Skin Care Regimen

We all know the importance of cleansing daily but, do we realize how important it is to build a skin care regimen and stick to it? Daily cleansing is vital to remove bacteria, germs and dead skin from our bodies to keep our skin healthy and radiant. It is vitally important to cleanse the face at least twice a day, the most important time is at bed time. At the end of the day it is important to deep clean the face to remove dirt, environmental grime, makeup and dead skin cells. A good facial cleanser with a gentle exfoliant such as our Goatmilk Cream Facial Cleanser is an excellent choice for cleansing, light exfoliation, detoxifying and moisturizing the skin. Although goat milk is great for most all skin types, there are those that need just a little bit more.

If you have extremely dry skin we also have a soap-less facial cleanser although it does not contain an exfoliant it does clean the pores, removes makeup (except mascara) and moisturizes deeply. It is a product available in our store and through the Scents of Eden website, called Squalane. Squalane is a blend of olive oil, Squalane, vitamin e and other oils known to be beneficial to maturing skin. We have received rave reviews from our customers that have been looking for a product that will cleanse without further drying out their already dry skin. While Squalane will provide most of what is needed for facial cleansing and moisturizing a gentle exfoliant is highly recommended as part of your daily regimen. In this instance I'd recommend our Date Palm Body Polish. What exactly is Squalane? It is one of the natural moisturizing factors found in the skin. As we age, the ability to produce these natural moisturizing factors decreases. Squalane helps boost the skins ability to regenerate, hydrate and protect itself aiding in the prevention of skin aging.

Exfoliating should be a part of your daily skin care regimen. Our Date Palm Body Polish, as mentioned above is fantastic for facial use as well as all over body use, especially on extremely dry skin. The gentleness of the ground dates will slough off dead skin while the palm and other combined oils will moisturize your skin leaving it supple and radiant.

We also offer a European Spa Salt Body Glow. This exfoliant is a bit more abrasive than the previous exfoliant mentioned. The benefit of using salt from the Dead Sea is its ability to detoxify the skin while buffing it to a healthy glow. The many minerals contained in Dead Sea salt are extremely beneficial especially to those suffering from eczema or psoriasis. Studies of scales taken from skin with psoriasis have reported the lack of magnesium in the affected skin. Dead Sea salt is very high in magnesium and is reputed to aid in the relief of the symptoms of these skin conditions.

Our Brown Sugar scrub is another exceptional exfoliant and moisturizer for all over body use for all types of skin. It is extremely good for maintaining those "sandal feet".

Now that we've cleansed, exfoliated and rinsed well we need to moisturize. Depending on your skin type you will either need a deep moisturizer or something not quite so heavy. I have oily skin so Fresh Face is suitable for my needs. Fresh Face is a light moisturizer/toner/clarifier that contains herbal extracts, such as Calendula and Witch Hazel, both known to have astringent properties, so while it is moisturizing it is tightening pores as well. Those with any other skin type would benefit from our Night Face moisturizer. It is made to replenish the skin while you sleep.

If we get ourselves into a routine of following a daily skin care regimen we'll benefit in more ways than one. When we look good, we feel good about ourselves. Not only the skin is being nourished but the mind and spirit are being nourished and rejuvenated as well.