Dry Skin Solutions - a repost

NOTE: This is a repost of a post from last January. While it hasn't been as cold as last year, it's still cold and our skin is suffering once again. Thought this would be a nice reminder to myself and my readers how to gently care for our dry skin!

I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but here in the Deep South, it's COLD! Not as cold as some of you, but definitely colder than usual. We've had our 7th straight day of freezing temps and this cold is supposed to last at least until the weekend.

Not only is our heating bill suffering, our skin is too. The cold, dry air is really taking its toll. Hubby and The Princess get the worst of it. Both of them are afflicted with dry skin anyway. And this cold snap is exacerbating the problem. My hands give me the most trouble because I'm in the kitchen a great deal, washing hands and dishes.

I made a homemade skin salve to put on our dry itchy spots. It soaks in and gives relief to the itchiest patches. It's made from all natural ingredients and contains no alcohol. Did you know that most brand name hand and skin lotions contain alcohol? Look at the ingredients on the bottle. Do you know what alcohol does to your skin? It dries your skin out! Now why would these companies put drying ingredients in products that are supposed to moisturize? Do they want you to keep buying more products? Hmmmm.

All you need for this salve is olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and whatever essential oil you want for scent. Lavender is my favorite, but peppermint and lemon are also really nice. I found the beeswax in pastille or pearl form at a craft store, but you can use beeswax blocks as well. The blocks are usually sold per pound.


Measure 1/3 cup olive oil into a small saucepan. Add 1/2 cup coconut oil. The coconut oil solidifies at temperatures under 76 degrees. So if your kitchen is anything like mine in this cold weather, your coconut oil will be solid!


Heat the oils over low heat until the coconut oil is melted. This will only take a minute or two. When the oils are combined, add 2 tablespoons of beeswax. Stir frequently with a small whisk or spoon.


Continue stirring until the beeswax is completely melted. This will be the longest part of the process, even though it only takes a few minutes. If you're using wax blocks it might take a little longer. Remove from the heat and add 10-15 drops essential oil. Stir well to blend.


Pour into an 8-ounce container. I ordered this one from Mountain Rose Herbs. You could use a glass canning jar or jelly jar, too.


Cover container with a paper towel and let cool for an hour. The salve will solidify as it cools.



The salve will look solid, but you can easily dip your finger into it and spread it on your skin. A little salve will go a long way, so start with a tiny amount. It might feel slightly greasy as first, but it will soak in after a few minutes. Give it time to work.

The best time to apply this is right after you shower. Pat your skin dry - don't rub with a rough towel, just pat. Then massage in some salve on your dry spots. Let it soak in before you start getting dressed. Reapply the salve as needed throughout the day.

Here are some other ways to help your dry skin during this cold weather if you don't want to make the salve.

Use olive oil on your hands and dry spots before you go to bed. Just a dab will do.

Coconut oil makes a marvelous facial moisturizer. I've been using it for over a year and have seen improvements in my complexion. Word of caution - don't use the coconut oil that's located with the cooking oils at the grocery store. You want unrefined coconut oil, usually found in health food or natural food stores. It's pure, doesn't contain any harsh ingredients, and naturally nourishes the skin. We've been conditioned to believe that all oil on our face is bad. But if you take a look at the ingredients in most facial care products on the market, you'll find some really harsh stuff. Why put that on one of the most sensitive parts of your body? As long as you're not slathering it on, the coconut oil will soak in and nourish your skin.

Stay hydrated. Your skin is the last place your body will hydrate. Major organs are more important in the grand scheme of survival, so skin goes last when body parts are getting hydrated. So drink plenty of water. Your skin will benefit, as will the rest of you.

Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater. Hot water, though it may feel good on a cold morning, will dry out your skin. Short, warm showers are best. And remember to pat yourself dry gently.

Use a cool mist humidifier at night. This not only helps your skin but keeps your nasal passages and throat moist too. Don't you just hate waking up with a dry, scratchy throat and nose?

Apply lip balm regularly. Don't wait until your lips are chapped to start putting it on. Look at the ingredients, too. If the lip balm contains alcohol, avoid using it if possible. It will provide temporary relief, but it will take your lips longer to heal if they're chapped. I'll post a lip balm recipe later this week.

Eat your veggies! Foods rich in Vitamin A and C will help keep your skin hydrated longer. Green leafy vegetables, carrots, and sweet potatoes are good sources of Vitamin A, while citrus fruits, tomatoes, and broccoli provide Vitamin C.

Hopefully some of these solutions will help if you or your family suffers from dry skin.

For more helpful tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family.

Natural Pain Relief - Arnica

Over the past few years my family has tried to decrease our dependence on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines for the flu, colds, and minor illnesses. My dad recently gave me the book The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies: Proven Remedies that Medical Doctors Don't Know About by Mark Stengler. This book has 113 natural remedies using homeopathic and herbal therapies for a wide range of conditions.

I've been very impressed with the information this book contains in an easy-to-use format. All of the remedies are listed alphabetically and described in great detail, then the back of the book contains a quick remedy finder so you can look up possible treatments for whatever ails you.

My favorite "find" so far has been for pain relief and bruising. It's arnica. This is not the herbal form of arnica. It's the homeopathic form. Herbal arnica is used in gels or creams and should not be taken internally. Arnica reduces swelling caused by sprains and falls, helps alleviate muscle and joint pain, and is used effectively to treat concussions. It can also be taken pre- and post-surgery to reduce swelling and pain.

I bought some here and have been very pleased with how well it works. The pellets are small and dissolve easily. The Princess bumped her forehead and a bruise started puffing out right away. I gave her a dose of arnica and the swelling went down almost immediately. I gave her one more dose a few hours later. By the end of the day, I couldn't see where the bruise had been. I've taken it when I've awakened with a stiff neck and seen quick results, too.

I'm looking forward to trying other natural remedies listed in this book. I enjoy learning about alternative treatments for common ailments. However, I am not a doctor nor do I portray one on TV. Research these treatments for yourself and determine if they'll work for you.

I just know that arnica works for me!

My Favorite Herbal Tea

I don't like tea. Sweet or unsweet. Hot or cold. Never have.

But I do enjoy herbal teas, which contain only herbs and no tea leaves.

I've been researching herbs and their uses for a couple of years now. I've tried several combinations and found one that works especially well for me.

I have low iron so an herb that works for me is nettles. Chamomile is another favorite for its relaxing properties and sweet flavor. Peppermint also adds some zing and a pleasant aroma.

I purchase dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs and create my own blends. I store the herbs in glass canning jars. I keep my favorite blend on hand because I drink a cup or two a day. It really helps my energy level stay balanced throughout the day.

My blend is simple: two parts chamomile, two parts nettles and one part peppermint. I put 2 teaspoons of this mixture into a mesh tea ball and place it in a mug. Then I pour 8 ounces of boiling water over it and allow it to steep for 10-15 minutes. I use the back of a spoon to press as much water out of the tea ball as I can. Then I add some raw honey to sweeten it.

I love drinking this tea and it has helped improve my overall health. I hate taking iron supplements so this is a great alternative for me. Please note that I am not a medical professional and am only posting about my own personal experience with herbs. Consult your doctor and or a knowledgeable herbalist for advice on your own health needs.

For more helpful tips, visit Works for Me Wednesdays at We Are THAT Family.

Simple Facial Care

I'm a simple kind of gal.

So it stands to reason that my facial care regimen is simple too. But it wasn't always that way. I have large pores and oily skin, so buying a whole regimen of products designed to solve all those oily skin issues was the norm. The harsh astringents burned, the moisturizers didn't moisturize as much as they dried, and the make-up made my skin itch. I put up with it because all of the commercials said these products worked.

Then I started taking a closer look at the ingredients in these products and realized I was probably doing more damage to my skin than good. And the fact of the matter was, I still had large pores and oily skin. I was throwing money at products that didn't work for me.

So I simplified. A lot.

For an astringent I use witch hazel. I add a few drops of lemon essential oil to 4 ounces of witch hazel. It doesn't burn or dry my skin out like name brand astringents did.

My cleanser is castille soap with peppermint and tea tree oils added to it. I put 8 ounces of castille soap in a flip top container, then add 10 drops of each oil. Peppermint is invigorating and uplifting, while the tea tree oil has antiseptic properties. I shake the bottle well before each use and only use a tiny amount. Castille soap is very foamy and a little goes a long way.

Coconut oil is my favorite moisturizer. It goes on easily and soaks in quickly. As with the cleanser, a little goes a long way. The coconut oil solidifies at temperatures below 76 degrees, but as soon as I dip my fingers into it, my body temperature melts it so it can go on smoothly. If there's any excess left on my hands, I simply massage it into my cuticles for a quick moisturizing treatment.

Since I've simplified my facial care routine, I've noticed an improvement in my skin. It's actually less oily than before, even though I put oil onto it each morning and evening. My pores have been reduced and the number of skin eruptions has decreased.

Oh, speaking of skin eruptions, here's a simple zit treatment....dab on a drop of tea tree oil before bed. It works!

I'm so happy to have found a simple skin care routine that works for me.

For more helpful tips, head over to We are THAT Family's Works for Me Wednesday.

Healing Lip Balm

Chapped lips are in season, I'm afraid. It doesn't help that my kids have the habit of licking their lips, making the chapping worse. So I make lip balm and give them each a container of it to use. And I keep one in the kitchen so I can put it on them when we're heading out the door. There's one in my purse. And another on my vanity table. The one stashed in the van is empty, so I need to refill it soon.

Most commercial lip balm products contain alcohol which has a drying effect on the lips. Burt's Bees is one that I have found does not contain alcohol but it's pricey at $3 a tube. I have a frugal alternative that is very effective and only takes minutes to make.

What you will need: 2 TBSP jojoba or sweet almond oil, 2 teas beeswax pellets and essential oil. I use peppermint oil for its healing properties, but lemon might be more palatable for kids.



Measure the oil and beeswax into a microwave safe measuring cup. Heat for 30 seconds, then carefully remove and stir well. The beeswax will still retain its shape.


Return to the microwave and heat for another 30 seconds. Most of the beeswax should be completely melted.


Stir until all the wax is incorporated. Add 10 drops of the essential oil and stir until combined. Pour into clean containers or tubes. I get three .5 oz containers of lip balm from this recipe.


This balm doubles as an effective cuticle treatment, too. It softens and nourishes that dry area around your nails very nicely. You can't be a two-for-one beauty treatment, lips and nails all soft and pretty!

For more helpful tips, take a peek at Works for Me Wednesday.

Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

I've been trying to avoid using OTC meds for my family as the cold and flu season ramps up. My daughter is allergic to the dyes found in most cold and cough syrups for one thing. And nearly every year, new studies come out showing that these meds don't work that well or have bad side effects for children. So I searched and searched until I found a natural remedy that I could make cheaply and quickly. I found one here.

You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen anyway. Fresh ginger, lemon juice, minced garlic and raw honey. That's it.

Boil a quart of water in a teakettle. Meanwhile, grate fresh ginger into a thermos. I have found it easier to freeze the ginger first. Do you still consider that fresh? Ha! Peel about an inch of ginger, then grate it directly into the thermos. Add a few tablespoons of lemon juice, one tablespoon of minced garlic and a tablespoon of honey. Pour the hot water into the thermos and cover for 15 minutes or so. Strain the tea into a cup and recap the thermos to use throughout the day. You might want to add a bit more honey if you have a sweet tooth or if you want to mask the garlic flavor.

The first batch I made was a little too gingery. My son said it was too spicy for him. So I eased off on the ginger and added a bit more garlic. He liked that a great deal better and didn't complain about having to "take his medicine" at all!

Homemade natural cold and flu remedies definitely Work for Me!