Healthier younger skin naturally.

Body scrubs whether in a soap bar, salt/sugar scrub or exfoliating loofah are a necessary aid in the removal of dry/dead skin cells from your body.  One of the most important steps in natural skin care; exfoliating increases blood circulation, unclogs pores, prevents ingrown hairs, removes dry skin and decreases the appearance of aging.

Different types of exfoliants have different benefits.

Exfoliating Soap Bars

• A quick all over body solution for exfoliating “maintenance” and can be used daily. 
• Soap bars use different exfoliators like oatmeal, citrus peels and salt to gently buff the body while washing. 
• Some super exfoliators add ingredients like sand and walnut shell. 
• As certain parts of the body are more sensitive than others, chose your exfoliation level that best fits your skin sensitivity.

Salt Scrubs

• Salt scrubs have large sharp granules and provide a scrubbier exfoliation. Best used on dry rough skin like legs, feet, hands and elbows.
• Sea Salt has anti-bacterial properties to soothe itchy skin and draws out toxins from the body and relieves sore muscles. 
• Salt can also be mixed with other herbs or coffee to improve the appearance of cellulite.
•  Do not use a salt scrub after shaving as it will burn. It works as an amazing pre-shave or wax prep 2 days prior.
• Use Salt Scrubs 1 x Per Week.
• Salt Scrubs do not require the use of a preservative due to the high PH level of salt.

Sugar Scrubs

• Sugar scrubs have round small granules that provide gentle exfoliation for softer skin areas and face. 
• Sugar dissolves quicker and water making it a gentler scrub overall.
• Unlike salt, sugar will not burn newly shaved or waxed skin.
• Unrefined cane sugar also contains the nutrients calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, which feeds and replenishes your skin. Unrefined sugar naturally scratchier than table sugar, so avoid using this on your face.
• If you have any skin abrasions, sugar is definitely what you want – salt will sting.  Use Sugar Scrubs 1x – 2x per week. 
• Sugar scrubs require the use of a preservative due to the low PH level.

Botanical Scrubs

• Dried herbs and essential oils boost the effectiveness and nutritive value of salt and sugar body scrubs.
• The herbs are very nourishing for our skin as are the essential oils. Herbs also add additional exfoliation texture.
•  The aromas from the herbs and essential oils will also have healing and uplifting effects on your system.
• Use Botanical Scrubs 1x – 2x per week.

 
Scrub Bases

• A foaming scrub is a whipped soap base that is very fluffy and creamy in nature and washes away clean once applied.  Best used on oily skin or for those who do not wish to have any oil residue left on skin.
• Oil based scrubs come in two formulas – Oil and emulsified. 
• Oil based scrubs contain nourishing oils blended with the exfoliant ingredient and leaves skin soft and smooth with a slight hint of the oils on the skin surface for added conditioning.
  • Oil based scrubs are usually applied dry and washed off in the shower.  The downside is that often the oil separates from the solid ingredients and may rise to the top of the container.
  •  These blends also tend to make your shower an ice rink if you apply them in the shower, so be very careful.
• Emulsified scrubs are blended with oils and an emulsifier which makes the oils water soluble and fully blended with the scrub.
  •  These scrubs are usually applied inside the shower before or after showering. 
  • Since the scrub is water soluble, it becomes lotion like when applied to wet skin and rinses of cleanly. Leaving only soft supple skin behind.  Emulsified scrum tends to be slightly less “scrubby” as the salt or sugar particles begin to melt when they meet the water on the skin.
  • Emulsified scrubs limit the slip and slide effect in your shower.

Purchase our many body scrub options Here.

Exfoliating Accessories

• Want to keep it simple?  Use exfoliating accessories like loofahs, rami clothes, or bath poofs to exfoliate during your normal bathing routine. 
• Just add your normal soap and wash away.
• These products offer a gentle exfoliation that will take care of normal skin areas. 
• They won’t do a lot for rough dry skin areas however.

Purchase your accessories Here.

Which scrub is the best? It all depends on you.

​Will HB jump on the CBD bandwagon?

Everywhere I look lately, I’m seeing CBD (cannabidiol) being introduced in ALL kinds of products. Many of you have asked me when we would begin developing products with tjis ingredient. Here in California, standards are being developed for testing Cannabis products, but not yet for CBD products. I am researching the testing and quality control standards of various vendors to understand that side of the house. There are also many restrictions on accepting/processing payments for CBD products.

As for the benefits of CBD in bath products, that’s what I would like to find out. CBD is a compound found in the Cannabis plant and is non-psychoactive (it can’t get you high, like its close relative THC). It is I’ve been watching this product over the last few years and researching potential benefits to my customers. Scientific research is showing CBD and exhaustive list of health benefits from its use (i.e. pain, inflammation, psoriasis, epilepsy to name a few). My goal has always been to provide natural healthy alternatives to commercially produced chemical laden products.

​I have heard about the many benefits of CBD oil taken orally, vaping, edibles and topically. Since our business is all about the skin, I’ve focused my research on topical application. CBD is absorbed through skin pores with topical application but will not enter the blood stream through this method.

​So, can loading up a bath bomb (no pun intended) or adding this miracle oil to salves really provide the great benefits I’ve been hearing about? How about blending the benefits of this miracle with other miracle herbs and tinctures?
​
Well, I’m headed off to do more research and will let you all know how that works out. I’ll be working on bath soaks and muscle rubs and I’m expecting it to be a very RELAXING experience (j/k). Hopefully the relaxation carries over into all of the regulatory requirements & payment processing.

What’s Growing in Your Bath Sponge?

Have you ever looked closely at that natural bath sponge, loofah or soap sack hanging in your shower? What about those nylon ones?  When’s the last time you cleaned yours?  If your answer is you don’t know or you clean it every time you bathe…you might want to listen up.  As we moved away from wash clothes and toward all the fancy exfoliating gloves, puffs, sacks and scrubbies, we away from important sanitation steps in keeping our bodies safe.

Moisture
Moisture breeds bacteria. You use your scrubbie tool of choice in the wet shower.  You store your scrubbie tool in a wet shower. Your scrubby never dries out.

Dead Skin
Dead skin particles are sluffed off into you little scrubbie tool of choice when you use it.  Those particles lodge in the nooks and crannies.  Those particles join the bacteria breeding parting already established by the moist environment.
Exfoliating
​
During exfoliation you rub the scrubby tool vigorously across your skin lifting the top dead layer of skin, exposing new skin and opening pores

Bacteria + Open Pores = No Bueno!

​Combat bacteria and keep your favorite scrubby tool of choice by using our tips below:
​
Tips for Caring for Your Scrubby Tool of Choice

• Dry Daily
• Avoid After Shaving
• Never Use on Face or Genital Area
• Clean Weekly – See Tips below
• Replace Regularly –

​

How To Disinfect Your Natural Loofahs

1. Rinse Loofah in cold water to remove soap
2. Soak in a Vinegar and Water Solution (2:1)
3. Shake and let dry (Do Not Rinse)
4. Replace Every 3 Weeks

Purchase one of our replacement Loofah Soap 
​

How to Disinfect your Sea Sponge
(Sea Sponges are naturally bacteria resistant but not bacteria proof)
 

1. Rinse sponge in cold water to remove soap
2. Soak 15 minutes in Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) and Water (1tbsp Baking Soda to 1 cup warm Water)
3. Rinse and let dry
4. Repeat every few weeks

​

How to Disinfect your Ramie or Boucle Wash Clock or Soap Sack

1. Toss in regular wash cycle with laundry
2. Line Dry or tumble dry low
3. Repeat weekly

Purchase one of our replacements ​​Boucle Soap Bags & Ramie Washclothes

How to Disinfect your Nylon Pouf or Soap Saver

1. Rinse in cold water
2. Soak for 5 Minutes in Bleach and Water Solution (3/4 cup bleach : 1 gallon water) 

​             or

1. Toss in regular wash cycle with laundry
2. Let Air Dry DO NOT PLACE IN DRYER

Purchase one of our replacements Mesh Soap Saver

We’d love to hear any additional tips you have for keeping your shower scrubbies in tip top shape.

During this time of year dry chapped lips are a real nuisance.  The peeling skin not only feels terrible but also isn't the best look either. Exfoliate for smoother healthier lips.

Get soft smooth lips with this simple DIY Lip Scrub Recipe in a flash with 3 ingredients.



  INGREDIENTS

2  Tbsp. Brown Sugar (or granulated)
1/4 Tsp. Raw Honey
10 Drops Almond Oil (or any light oil)
 
1.  Mix all ingredients together.
2.  Apply a small amount to lips.
3.  Rub gently into lips for a few seconds or up to two                minutes.
4.  If time allows, let the mixture remain on lips for a minute      or two.
5.  Wipe off gently with a warm, damp cloth (or you can just      lick it all off ;-) )
6.  Store the excess in a closed container.
7.  Wah-Lah Smooth Soft Lips!

​

Contrary to popular belief, the holidays (whatever it may be that you are celebrating) are about more than the gifts that are given or who has the best holiday directions. Holidays are a time to spend with love ones whether blood related or not. Make memories the holiday with handmade gifts and treats that you can make together and enjoy together.

You still have plenty of time...better get started. Below are my top Quick DIY Gift Ideas that you still have time to pull off.


1. LAVENDER MASON JAR CANDLES - via apumpkinandaprincess

3. PEPPERMINT MILK BATH - via thismamaloves

4.  Jack Daniels Soap Dispenser - via curlybirds

By Arvette Hammar

By Arvette Hammar

With summer coming to an end, now is the time to deal with dry cracked feet.  For me in California, dry cracked feet are always an issue because I run around in flip flops or bare feet more than half the year.  This often leads to dry cracked abused feet.  Dry and calloused feet don’t get any better with winter and I hate when my feet snag on socks or tights. Once boot season arrives, cracked feet will be more prone to fungus and can lead to various foot infections.  So, here's how to repair dry cracked feet at home naturally.

1.      SOAK

Soaking in a warm foot bath softens dry skin and feels so good on overworked feet.

Softening Foot Soak                                                   

1 cup    Epsom Salt 
½ tsp.   Avocado Oil or other light oil 
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil 

Use:  Fill tub or container with enough warm water to cover feet and add Epsom Salt and Oils.  For Extra calloused feet:  Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar (* Do not use if you are diabetic or have poor circulation)

Sit back, relax and enjoy.  Soak feet for 30 minutes.

2.      REMOVE 

While feet are still in foot bath; use a Natural Pumice Stone or Foot File to gently slough away rough skin and callouses. 

Periodically rub the bottom of feet with hand to judge softness. Don’t get too gung ho with skin removal because too much can remove the protective layer of skin on the feet and make them sensitive and prone to injury.

3.      SCRUB

Peppermint Sugar & Honey Scrub

1 cup       Organic Cane Sugar (fine) or Brown Sugar
¼ cup      Avocado Oil
1 tbs.       Raw Honey (warmed to liquid)
10 drops  Peppermint Essential Oil – you can use any essential oil you like, however peppermint oil menthol properties provide cooling and anti-fungal properties.

Don't feel like making it? Purchase ours here


Preparation: Mix ingredients together for a thick blend (similar to toothpaste), you may not need all of the oil.    

Use:  Apply exfoliating scrub with fine textured pumice stone, exfoliating glove or hands (give your hands a nice exfoliation in the process) to tops and bottoms of feet in a circular massaging motion. The goal here is to polish the feet to a smooth soft texture. Rinse feet well and wash feet with soap to remove oil. Caution:  Feet may be slippery prior to washing with soap. Dry feet well.

4.      MOISTURIZE

A little about moisturizers.  Water based lotions are good for applying to dry skin however they don’t last long and wear off quickly.  Oil based moisturizers/balms/butters absorption rates vary depending on the oil. I have found that oil moisturizers work best at softening and smoothing dry skin and locking in moisture.

Super Foot Repair Moisturizer

½ cup     Shea Butter (melted)
¼ cup     Almond Oil
1 tsp.      Vitamin E Oil
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil – You can use any essential oils you like, however Lavender and Peppermint essential oils provide skin soothing and anti-fungal properties.

Preparation: Melt butter in a double boiler only until melted not boiling (microwaving will cause Shea Butter to become grainy). Remove from heat.  Combine Almond Oil, Vitamin E Oil and Essential Oils.  Combine oils with Shea Butter and pour into dark colored glass jar with lid and store in a cool place. The dark colored jar will protect the potency of your essential oils. If you don't have a dark jar, store blend in a cool dark place.  Blend will solidify.

Don't feel like making your own? Purchase ours here.


Use: Apply moisturizer immediately after drying feet, focusing on heals and other dry areas.  It is beneficial to immediately place cotton socks on freshly moisturized feet to allow oils to penetrate. 


Follow this process as often as needed.

I will often do this before going to bed and wear socks to bed to wake up to soft happy feet in the morning.

 
 How do you naturally repair dry cracked feet?

DISCLAIMER: Information on Holistic Blends Soap Company™ is not reviewed or endorsed by the FDA and is NOT intended to be substituted for the advice of your health care professional. If you rely solely upon this advice you do so at your own risk. Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure statements here. 

For those of those that love to go bare foot and shed our shoes whenever possible; foot fungus or athlete's foot is not usually an issue because fresh air and sunshine are usually naturally remedies for these conditions.  But for folks that wear a lot of closed toe shoes and boots for work or athletics can suffer greatly from the itching, peeling, redness and burning associated with skin fungus on the foot.  Foot fungus is caused by microscopic fungi and thrives in warm moist environments (i.e. feet with socks and shoes on).  Most of us know of the anti-fungal sprays and powders that are well advertised, but if you want to go the natural route try these easy home remedies.

Remedies

Tea Tree Essential Oil has been used potent antiviral, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal properties. Tea Tree Oil is for EXTERNAL TOPICAL USE ONLY. 

• Tea Tree Oil - Apply a 50/50 mix of Tea Tree Oil and Carrier Oil (i.e. Almond, Olive, Avocado) to feet 2x-3x per day. Oils will soften skin to allow penetration of Tea Tree.
  
  
• Tea Tree Spray - Mix a solution of 1/2 tsp. of Tea Tree Oil, 2 tbsp. Witch Hazel and 1/4 cup distilled water. 
  
  
• Tea Tree and Aloe Vera Rub – Mix 3 parts Tea Tree with 1 part Aloe Vera Gel (Pure Aloe Gel) and apply to affected area twice a day. Aloe Vera is a skin softener and healer.
  
  

Soothe Symptoms

• Yogurt – Apply a small amount of plain yogurt to affected area and allow to dry (acidophilus bacteria fights fungus)
  
  
• Salt Foot Soak – Add 2 tsp. of salt to two cups of warm water and soak feet for 5 - 10 minutes as frequently as needed
  
  
• Apply cornstarch to feet to keep dry
  
  

Prevention

• Dry feet thoroughly after baths or showers.
  
  
• Wear natural fiber socks or moisture wicking synthetic socks.
  
  
• Spray shoes with antifungal powder or spray
  
  
• LET FEET BREATHE WHEN AT HOME
  
  

You can buy tea tree essential oil at many of your local health food stores or Starwest Bontanicals http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/tea-tree-essential-oil/.