beeswax Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Homemade Lotion with Frankincense, Lavender & Peppermint Oils

AHA Publisher — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 07:00:37 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – Did you know that almost anything you put on your skin can seep right through and into your bloodstream? Yes, that includes parabens and other dangerous chemicals in skin products. So while many of you have taken the clean eating movement seriously (and that is fantastic!), many are forgetting about the products that they are slathering on their bodies. Unfortunately, too many of these products are littered with chemicals and preservatives that head right into the bloodstream and travel throughout our bodies, wreaking havoc by causing inflammation and more. But it doesn’t have to be that way with natural skin care, including my homemade lotion for your face and body. Aging is an indication of the time moving forward and while we cannot stop time, we may be able to help reduce the signs of it through our skin. This lotion is easy to make and will soothe the skin while offering a healthy glow soon after the first application. How to Make Homemade Lotion To make this amazing homemade lotion, you can use a double-boiler or a glass heat safe bowl — you can also use a glass measuring cup — that fits inside a pan. Put the benefit-rich olive oil, beeswax and shea butter in the container you have chosen for heating over medium heat and slowly melt while stirring. If you are using a glass container and saucepan, make sure the sauce pan has enough water in it to cover about half the glass bowl. Olive oil has amazing moisturizing characteristics without being too greasy. Olive oil has been used since ancient times and it contains squalene, which is a phenolic compound that is filled with useful anti-aging antioxidants, hydrating qualities and may fight skin cancer. Beeswax is another amazing skin-healing ingredient, and it locks in moisture. Beeswax is filled with softening and emollient rich vitamin A, which can help rebuild damaged skin cells. And being comedogenic, it won’t clog pores — keeping the skin moist and blackhead free. Shea butter adds more richness to this hydrating skin-glowing lotion. With the ability to boost collagen, shea butter is a perfect ingredient to add to this blend. Once these ingredients have melted and are well blended, remove from the heat. After allowing the mixture to cool, add the essential oils. Frankincense is my go-to when it comes to skin. Not only is it an anti-aging and wrinkle-fighting ingredient, it helps heal bacteria-containing blemishes. Lavender partners right up with frankincense to help reduce acne-causing bacteria while providing useful relaxing benefits as well. And let’s not forget about peppermint oil, which travels with me wherever I go. While it can eliminate headaches in seconds by placing a drop on the forehead, it can eliminate aches from sore muscles and rejuvenate the skin. Peppermint essential oil is microbial, providing calming effects to inflamed skin such as a sunburn, eczema and psoriasis. Now you can try it out to see how you want the texture. For a creamier texture, you can use an electric mixer or hand beater for a minute or two. Once all ingredients have been well blended to the desired consistency and has cooled, place in a container. I like to use a glass mason jar, but you can also use a BPA-free plastic bottle with a pump. I like to keep my DIY lotion in the refrigerator during the warmer months to maintain consistency since the coconut oil can melt. You can decide what works best depending on where you live. I hope you enjoy this wonderful chemical-free lotion that is gentle enough to use every day! Homemade Lotion Recipe Here’s a homemade lotion for your hands, body and face. This DIY lotion is easy to make and will soothe the skin while offering a healthy glow soon after the first application. INGREDIENTS ¼ cup olive oil 3 tablespoons coconut oil 1 tablespoons beeswax 1 tablespoon shea butter 10 drops frankincense essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil 5 drops peppermint essential oil INSTRUCTIONS Place the olive oil, shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax in a glass bowl in a pan with warm water (or you can use a double-boiler). Heat the ingredients, while stirring, until they melt. Continue to stir until well blended. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add the essential oil. Stir again until well blended. Check the consistency. For a thinner, creamier consistency, use a hand mixer (or electric mixer) for one or two minutes. Place in your favorite container. Dark glass is best for extending shelf life Apply, as needed, to the hands, face and body, avoiding the eyes. To read the original article click here.

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DIY Cuticle Cream with Lavender & Myrrh

AHA Publisher — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 08:00:45 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – Getting a manicure is a great way to keep your fingernails in shape, but have you thought about your cuticles and why they are important? Cuticles keep dirt and bacteria out of the body. If the cuticle does not exist or has been cut away, it leaves the body vulnerable to infection and nail fungus because dirt and bacteria can get underneath the skin in that area. So the cuticle actually protects you! What is the best way to care for your cuticles? The right combination of vitamins and minerals, in a cuticle cream or cuticle butter, provides nutrients to the cuticle. Cutting the cuticles will only lead to problems such as ridges and white spots on the nails, in addition to a possible entryway for bacteria. The cuticles are intended to protect while being soft. By using essential oils combined with a few other amazing ingredients, you can make your own DIY cuticle butter that moisturizes and softens the cuticles, literally at your fingertips! And this combined with my DIY moisturizer for dry skin can offer amazing results for soft, attractive hands. How to Make Cuticle Cream To make your own cuticle cream, start by filling about one-third of a small saucepan with water. Bring the water to a boil. Now, combine the shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil into a mason jar or heat safe glass container, and place it in the pan. As these ingredients melt, blend them together with a spoon or whisk. Shea butter is a favorite of mine because it is loaded with stearic and oleic acids as well as vitamin E and vitamin A. It boosts collagen, too, which is a major benefit to the skin and its youthful appearance. Beeswax falls right in line with shea butter, adding amazing moisturizing benefits because it’s also rich in vitamin A. As an emollient, it softens and hydrates the skin while maintaining healthy cellular structure. And, of course, coconut oil adds benefits to this easy-to-make cuticle saver by offering antibacterial and moisturizing properties. It also contains lots of antioxidants. Now, remove from heat and allow it to cool. Add the vitamin E, lavender, lemon and myrrh essential oils. We know vitamin E is great for the health of your skin. Even though vitamin E is found in the shea butter and beeswax, adding a little more can provide some added benefits. Vitamin E helps strengthen the cuticles. Plus, it adds moisture and elasticity, which is helpful for keeping them soft. Additionally, it is a natural anti-aging nutrient that reduces inflammation. What’s better is when you combine vitamin E with vitamin C found in lemon essential oil, it gains the ability to fight even more inflammation. Lavender essential oil is not only relaxing, but it is also a very healing ingredient for the skin due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics. And myrrh is favored among essential oils for healthy skin and cuticles because it is great at preventing fungal infection. Tea tree essential oil is another great option to prevent and/or heal nail fungus. Once you have blended all of the ingredients well, transfer to a small container or jar and let the mixture solidify … into a butter or dense cream. To use, make sure to wash your hands well before dipping into the container. Or, use a wooden stick, spoon or knife to scoop out the cream so that you do not contaminate it with bacteria since we do not add preservatives. Place in the palm on your hand to use your natural body heat to begin softening the cuticle balm. Using your finger, massage a small amount onto and around the cuticle area. Allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes. Or simply massage it in, using it as a moisturizer for the entire hand. You can apply the cuticle cream daily. This recipe will last several months, so you can store it in your bathroom cabinet. DIY Cuticle Cream Recipe By using essential oils combined with a few other amazing ingredients, you can make your own DIY cuticle butter that moisturizes and softens the cuticles. INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon organic beeswax 1 ½ tablespoons organic raw shea butter ½ teaspoon organic coconut oil 3 drops vitamin E oil 3 drops lemon essential oil 8 drops lavender essential oil 3 drops of myrrh essential oil 3 drops tea tree essential oil (optional) INSTRUCTIONS Fill about one-third of a small saucepan with water. Bring the water to a boil. Combine the shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil into a mason jar or heat-safe glass container. Place the jar in the pan. Blend ingredients together with a spoon. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add the vitamin E, lavender, lemon and myrrh essential oils. Mix well. Transfer to a small container or jar and let it cool to room temperature. NOTES To use, use a small wooden stick or a spoon and place a small amount on your palm to help soften the balm. Take a finger and massage a small amount of the cream onto and around the cuticle area. Allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes. To read the original article click here.

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Burt’s Bees Presents Clinical Data Demonstrating Proven Efficacy of Natural Skin Care

AHA Publisher — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 07:00:25 +0000

Spectrum Science via EurekAlert – “Backed by proven science, nature-based skincare regimens have the ability to reinforce the skin’s epidermal barrier, improve skin hydration and elasticity, and protect against oxidative stress.” DURHAM, N.C., October 3, 2019 – Burt’s Bees, a pioneer in natural skin care, today announced research supporting the role of efficacy-first natural regimens to defend, restore and improve skin health. The studies will be presented at the second annual Integrative Dermatology Symposium (IDS) in San Diego, California, October 3-5, 2019. These Latest Research Findings from Burt’s Bees Highlight: • Anti-aging properties of bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol and the active ingredient in the brand’s new Renewal anti-aging line. • Important role nature-based skincare products play in protecting skin and decreasing sensitivity, reinforcing nature’s innate ability to protect against skin-damaging elements in the environment. • First-of-its-kind in vivo study examining lip barrier function and clinical data highlighting benefits of a new nature-based lip treatment, underscoring the brand’s heritage in lip care. “At Burt’s Bees, we are committed to harnessing the proven power of nature-based ingredients. Notably, research announced today provides valuable insight into the effectiveness of natural retinol alternative, bakuchiol, which has been shown to be comparable to retinol in its ability to improve signs of photo-aging,” said Hemali Gunt, Ph.D., Head of Clinical and Scientific Affairs at Burt’s Bees. “The powerful anti-aging properties of this ingredient provide patients with a natural option to nurture strong and healthy-looking skin – without the frequent irritation that some patients experience with retinol products.” Burt’s Bees Posters at IDS 2019 Include: Bakuchiol Protects Against Aging by Upregulating Procollagen Type I and Increasing Collagen Type I and Elastin without the Release of Inflammatory Cytokines; Gunt H and Levy S.; Friday, Oct. 4 poster presentation from 1-1:30 p.m. PT. About the Research: The effectiveness of bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, was evaluated in vitro on production of procollagen I in an aged fibroblast model. In addition, protection against UVB induced aging was studied on collagen and elastin in MatTek Full Thickness tissues. Overall, results demonstrated anti-aging properties of bakuchiol and support its use in topical treatments as a natural alternative to retinol in prevention and/or slowing skin aging. These in vitro studies found that cells treated with test material exhibited higher procollagen type I production than untreated cells. Additionally, significant collagen Type 1 and elastin increases were observed in post UVB treated tissues similar to retinoic acid. Nature’s Defense Against Nature; Gunt H, Shi V and Draelos Z; Saturday, Oct. 5 poster presentation from 1-1:30 p.m. PT. About the Research: Clinical results from nature-based skin care regimens demonstrate the protective properties of the products to reduce the negative impact of environment on skin, including redness and sun damage, while strengthening the skin’s barrier and providing hydration for overall healthier skin. In a 4-week clinical study, female subjects with sensitive skin were given a twice-daily skincare regimen: the test group was given a nature-based regimen and the control group continued a current synthetic regimen. Results demonstrated that the nature-based skincare regimen significantly reduced skin reactivity to lactic acid, decreased sensorial symptoms of skin sensitivity, improved skin barrier through decreased TEWL and significantly decreased carbonyl proteins, an indicator of oxidative damage. A second 8-week clinical study measured the ability of nature-based facial oil to decrease oxidative stress. Results indicated the oil protected against UV-induced inflammation and decreased sunburn cell counts on the treated site. “Patients today know that both natural and man-made environmental factors can threaten their skin – but many don’t realize that nature can be equally powerful to protect and nurture the skin,” said Vivian Shi, MD, University of Arizona College of Medicine and study investigator. “Backed by proven science, nature-based skincare regimens have the ability to reinforce the skin’s epidermal barrier, improve skin hydration and elasticity, and protect against oxidative stress.” Assessing Human Lips: The Lip Barrier and Clinical Efficacy of a Nature-based Lip Treatment; Gunt H and Levy S; Thursday, Oct. 3 poster presentation from 1-1:30 p.m. PT. About the Research: Unlike other skin, there has been little research on the biophysical properties and molecular composition of the lips, despite lips serving as a key visible marker of aging. In a first-of-its-kind in vivo study, the structure of healthy female lips was examined to better understand water content and other barrier-relevant components. Water content was lowest on the surface but gradually increased when reaching the stratum granulosum border, continuing to increase at great depths. A second 2-week clinical study assessed the effects of a nature-based lip treatment at Day 3, Week 1 and Week 2. Results showed that all clinical grading parameters studied (roughness/texture, fine/dry lines, fullness/plumpness, contour/definition, and overall lip condition) were significantly improved. To read the original article click here.

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