Did you know you need to exfoliate your lips? If you lick your lips and you don't get that velvety feel, it's time to exfoliate. Exfoliate simply means removal of the oldest dead skin of the outermost surface.
Exfoliating your lips will leave them softer, smoother and better able to absorb moisturizing agents and lip balm.
Simply
- Mix a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of olive oil in the palm of your hand, making a paste.
- Gently rub into your lips and leave on 1 minute.
- Gently wipe off with a damp cloth and apply an all natural lip balm
If you want to get fancy and have your lip scrub taste amazing, you can make a larger batch ahead of time using a TBS of olive oil and a TBS of sugar, and add a drop of essential oil. Easy adds would be a drop of Peppermint or Cinnamon.
Once to twice per week of exfoliation is all you need.
These fall inspired recipes below are a few of my faves. The honey or pumpkin gives an extra boost of flavor and moisturization.
1 TBS Coconut Oil
1 TBS Honey
4 TBS Sugar
1 drop Orange essential oil
1 drop Cinnamon
1 drop Clove
1 drop Nutmeg
1 TBS Coconut Oil
1 TBS Pumpkin puree
4 TBS Sugar
2 drops Vanilla Oleoresin
1 drop Cinnamon
1 drop Clove
1 drop Nutmeg
(Due to the pumpkin puree, store this one in the fridge)
This 'Candy Cane' recipe is perfect for gift giving:
Grab some 2 ounce jars on Amazon, then add all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl (stainless steel, glass, or ceramic), mix well, and spoon into your jar. Decorate your jar with some ribbon and apply a label. (Grab my free printable labels HERE-simply download, print out on a regular sheet of paper, then cut out and tape to the jar)
2 TBS Fractionated Coconut Oil
4 TBS Sugar
2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
2 drops Vanilla Oleoresin
Do you love making things? If DIY is your thing, click HERE for an easy DIY recipe from personal care to home care delivered right to your in-box every week.
I was too.... until I discovered you can use essential oils! I'm not much of a chef, really, I don't cook much at all....which is why I needed somethin' simple to make what little I know how to throw together taste good....and it's easier than ya think!
Essential oils add an incredible boost of flavor to dishes. They can really take your dish up a notch with literally no effort!
Another benefit of using essential oils is that (unlike dried herbs) they last for years when stored properly (dark colored glass, upright, out of direct sunlight and heat). It is recommended that every 6 months you change out your dried herbs due to mold and potency loss.
Because they are so potent, (there are 75 lemons in a 15ml bottle of Lemon essential oil) a little gos a long way, making them super cost effective.
I usually end up throwing out much of the fresh herbs I buy since you have to buy so much and then you use so little. It's also convenient to not have to wash and chop fresh herbs.
Some guidelines for use:
Use stainless steel, ceramic, or glass utensils and cookware as essential oils degrade plastic.
Add the essential oils to salts, other seasonings, or liquid ingredients first to make sure they are distributed evenly throughout the dish.
When possible, such as using in a sauce, add the oils after heating. Essential oils add instant flavor so there is no need to let the"flavor develop". Heating decreases the therapeutic benefits, but don't worry, you will still have all of the flavor if you are baking or unable to add after heating.
A super easy way is to infuse salt or olive oil with essential oils and then use in your dishes as you would use normal salt or oil.
Guidelines for amount:
There is definitely some trial and error involved, so In most cases, you will want to start out with a toothpick swirl. Since the oils are so potent, it is much better to try a little at a time, and add more if needed but you can't take it back if you add a drop and its too much.
Simply insert the end of a clean toothpick thru the hole in the orifice reducer and then swirl in your dish. I like to think of this amount as a dash, so I would use this method if the recipe calls for a dash.
1 drop in general is equal to 1 tsp of extract. The more you add oils to your dishes, the more you will get an idea of how much 1 drop flavors the food.
In general 10 drops is the equivalent to the juice or zest of 1 citrus fruit.
Remember, start slow, you can always add more but once you've added too much, there is no turning back.
Also only use high quality essential oils labeled for supplement use or ingestion. (I use Young Living"s Vitality™ Line which includes 47 essential oils and blends specifically for dietary use.)
I've put together a bundle of my favorite Vitality™ essential oils I use for my dishes and you can grab them HERE!. (This is an affiliate link and I earn a small commission from your order at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business! I'm so excited to help you get started, that I'll connect with you once you order and send you something special!)
Ready to spice up your food? Click HERE for my e-book "Boost Your Flavor" , it'll start ya out right with guidelines for adding essential oils, amounts, substitutions, and a few of my favorite simple recipes all in one handy place!
Thieves™ Essential Oil Blend form Young Living™ is one of my go tos at the barn. With the essential oil powerhouses of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary, ya can't go wrong!
Here are 5 of my favorite ways I use it at the barn:
By the way, if you're just getting started using essential oils with your horse.....download my free guide where we go over what you need to know to use essential oils safely and easily with your horse, including safety and dilution, click HERE
#1 Get rid of the gunk hoof spray
Add 30 drops to a 16 oz. spray bottle, add 2 TBS apple cider vinegar, (glass or stainless steel preferred, if you use plastic, use a high quality, chemical resistant plastic such as PET, as essential oils degrade plastic) fill up with water, shake well before each use, spray on bottom of hooves after picking out.
#2 Defunk your brushes
Add 10 drops to a TBS of salt in a 5 gallon bucket, fill with warm water, let the salts dissolve and soak your brushes/combs for an hour or 2.
#3 Immune Boost
Add 1-5 drops of Thieves Vitality™ to your horses grain ration or hay cube once per day. If you do a weekly mash, that's a perfect opportunity as well.
#4 Mouth Wellness
Dilute in coconut oil and rub on gums once per week. I like to add a good size dollop of coconut oil to my palm, add a drop, swirl it around, and then rub on gums.
#5 Cleanse the air by diffusing
If you have electricity, run your ultrasonic diffuser in the tack room or aisles. If not, add a drop or 2 to wooden clothespins and clip in areas, or add to cotton balls and place in strategic areas (out of reach of your horses-tho!) Add a few drops to the cardboard roll in the toilet paper in the bathroom for the freshest smelling restroom around!
If you're ready for a deeper dive using essential oils with your horse...check out my mini course "Oily Horse Intro" where we dive into the what, where, how, and why, of getting started using essential oils with your horse...safely and easily! Check it out HERE!
Here are my top 3 ways for topical application of essential oils with horses....
By the way, if you're new to using essential oils with your horse, grab my free guide to help ya get started. It'll help ya with the key things you need to know about, like safety and dilution. Grab it HERE!
#1
Create a massage rub
Simply pick a dilution you are comfortable with, and add your essential oils to a carrier oil. Then rub on any area you feel its needed...
For muscles and bones-try Idaho Grand Fir, or Copaiba
For calming-try Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, or Valerian
For circulation-try Cypress
For overall health-try Frankincense
#2
After exercise rinse
Simply add 10 drops of essential oil of your choice to 1/2 cup epsom salts in a 5 gallon bucket. Then fill the bucket with water, stir until the epsom salts dissolve, and sponge onto your horse. Then squeegee your horse off.
For cooling- try peppermint
For muscles and bones- try wintergreen
For relaxing- try lavender
#3
Spritzer
Make a spritzer by adding essential oils to water in a spray bottle. Glass or stainless steel is best but you can use a high quality, chemically resistant plastic such as PET or HDPE. Essential oils and water don't mix so you will want to add an emulsifier generally equal to the amount of essential oil you are using. Glycerin, salt, a carrier oil, or vodka all make good emulsifiers. Remember to shake well and avoid misting around the head or eyes.I generally use about 20 drops of essential oil in 2 ounces of water, and then add a teaspoon of emulsifier.
For breathing-try Eucalyptus
For tension-try Cedarwood
For grounding- try Frankincense
For skin help-try Patchouli
If you need more help using essential oils with your horses, check out my mini course "Oily Horse Intro" where we dive into the what, where, how, and why, of getting started using essential oils with your horse...safely and easily! Check it out HERE!
One of the ways we use our essential oils is topically. One frequently asked question is-Should I dilute? In my opinion, the answer, for the most part, is yes.... and here's why:
If you are just starting out with essential oils, my motto is go low and slow, and diluting helps us accomplish that.
Essential oils are highly concentrated. Did you know it takes 75 lemons to make 5 ml of lemon essential oil? Since essential oils are so highly concentrated, diluting them helps to ensure safety, minimizing the risk of skin irritation and potential adverse reactions.
Essential oils are made up of many different molecules, some lighter weight that evaporate quickly leaving the heavier molecules. Dilution in a carrier oil fixes the oil where the lighter molecules hang around longer, and you have the benefit of the entire oil, not just the heavier molecules.
Because essential oils are so concentrated, oftentimes you only need a drop or two, and if you are applying to a large surface area, diluting makes it easy peasy! If you are making DIY recipes such as deodorant, where you need the essential oil to hang out on the surface of your skin for as long as possible, dilution with a carrier oil accomplishes that.
It also stretches your essential oil dollars, why not achieve the desired result with the lowest possible amount?
If you want to use essential oils with your pets, you will want to dilute. Animals have a much higher level of scent that we do because of a high level of olfactory receptors. Did you know dogs have 149-300 million receptors and cats have 45-80 million, compared to 5 million in humans? Dilution keeps you from overwhelming your pet. Less is more when it comes to animals! Some species take longer to metabolize certain oils as well and dilution slows the absorption rate. (For more info on using essential oils with your dog, click here, and for horses, click here.)
Lets talk about the carrier oils:
What is a carrier oil?
A carrier oil is a naturally derived fatty oil from the seeds, kernels, or nuts of plants. They vary in consistency and absorbency. They have a limited shelf life of usually 6 months up to a year. You will want to use a cold pressed and organic version. They can offer their own therapeutic benefits based on the essential fatty acids and nutrients they contain.
My personal fave is fractionated coconut oil. It's inexpensive and stays liquid, making it perfect for roller bottle and massage oil recipes. Due to its low molecular weight, it absorbs easily and deeply into the skin but doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy. It doesn't stain and easily washes out of clothing. It also has antimicrobial properties and a long shelf life.
Olive oil is my close second, purely for the fact that most people, myself included, keep it on hand to cook with. Therefore, it's readily available, no extra effort required. It is a heavier oil and takes longer to penetrate into skin, which makes it useful if you want a longer contact time on the skin and a slower absorption rate. That also means it can leave a greasy feeling. It's high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, so works well for skin problems. You will want to purchase unrefined extra virgin olive oil, so no heat or chemicals were used in the extraction process.
Regular coconut oil is also a good choice. You will want to use unrefined, cold pressed, organic, virgin coconut oil. The amazing aroma can be a nice addition to your blends, recipes, or essential oil that you are using. Since it will remain solid in cooler temps, it's useful for DIY recipes, such as deodorant and salves. It contains saturated fats that can deeply moisturize skin.
I like to use Jojoba oil for diluting for the face or sensitive skin. Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax. It most closely matches the natural oils produced by human skin, so it absorbs well. It's very emollient without being too heavy. It has a light, nutty aroma, and a long shelf life.
Below is a list of my honorable mentions. Fine to use, but I often don't, simply for the fact that I always have the oils above on hand for other things, and no special purchase is required.
Sweet almond oil works well for combination skin as it doesn't clog pores but is moisturizing. Its light and easily absorbed, however it may cause a reaction for those with nut sensitivities. It is high in vitamin E, making it very nourishing and good for skin repair.
Avocado oil, deeply moisturizing and full of vitamins and minerals, can be too heavy for acne prone skin but great for dry skin. It absorbs slowly, providing excellent nourishment for older skin.
Grapeseed oil is moisturizing while having a light, thin consistency, making it Ideal for use on the face or scalp. It is readily absorbed and good for oily or acne prone skin. Commonly used for cooking as well.
Here's one of my favorite roller ball recipes:
Sleepytime
10 ml roller bottle
carrier oil
5 drops Cedarwood
5 drops Lavender
5 drops Frankincense
Add the essential oils to your roller bottle, top with carrier oil, gently invert back and forth to mix. Apply to the bottom of your feet, back of neck, or wrists and temples before bedtime.
So, in conclusion, no matter what carrier oil you dilute your essential oils with, by doing so, you are ensuring that you are using them safely and getting the most benefit from their therapeutic properties.
Have you ever diluted your oils? What has been your experience?
