Calendula Oil – So many remedies!

There is an incredibly great reason I use calendula oil as the main ingredient in my Shaving Oil & Skin Salve at Ember Cove. The wide variety of healing remedies this little herb has to offer the skin are simply amazing. You may recognize “calendula” as its other name, the common flower, Marigold. When the flowers are infused into an oil base, the healing properties flourish. For many cases, calendula oil can be used as an alternative to Neosporin. Time to list a few big words. Calendula naturally contains anti-oxidants and offers antibacterial, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, anti-fungal, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties. Wow! This makes it useful for disinfecting and treating minor cuts, wounds, and scratches (hence the “Skin Salve” part of my Shaving Oil). Not enough? It is also anti-inflammatory when applied topically. Because of this, you will more than likely find relief and a speedier recovery when applying it to other irritations as well like burns, rashes, bruises, yeast infections, athlete’s’ foot, bee stings, and dry or chapped/cracked skin. In further addition, it will also benefit those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis.

My first experience with calendula oil marked the end of my shaving problems for life. I had won a contest on another blog where the prize was a small sample of calendula. When it arrived in the mail, I set it aside for future use. I had read a few things about the healing remedies it had to offer, but the timing wasn’t right to add it to any of my existing Ember Cove products. Well, a few weeks passed and I was getting sick of the red bumps and irritations that my electric shaver caused me, so I tried to shave with a razor instead. I used regular foaming shaving gel, applied liberally, let it soak in and shaved. It felt great, or so I thought. The next morning, my legs were COVERED with razor burn, ingrown hairs, big splotchy rashes…it was a disaster, I even took pictures because it was so bad. Because I own a bath & beauty company that focuses on healing skin irritations, the first thing that popped in to my mind was to grab some ingredient to slather on my shaving battle wounds. I thought of Shea Butter, but that’s really greasy when applied alone, same with coconut oil. Both of those were great options, but I didn’t want my legs to have that greasy shine. The calendula came to mind and I figured, “why not?”. I applied the oil, completely rubbed it into my skin and waited. The next day, the swelling that the ingrown hairs had caused had gone down, but there were still little scars and a few bumps from the previous irritation. A week went by with daily application, the scars completely healed and the ingrown hairs went away. Since I was due for another shave, I used the calendula and mixed it with sunflower oil to experiment. I used a regular throw-away razor with only three blades. The moment of truth came the next morning. I woke up and looked at my legs, and for the first time in 24 years, my legs had no irritations on them. They were as smooth as a baby’s bottom. I was hooked for life! I immediately started working on a recipe for my business, infused the calendula with olive oil and a few other choice oils, and came up with my Shaving Oil & Skin Salve at Ember Cove.

Speaking of baby bottoms, anyone with a baby in their life will appreciate this. One of the best uses for calendula oil is healing diaper rash. It soothes the area instantly, and helps with a speedy recovery for baby’s little hind end! Bed sores and rug burns can even benefit with an application of calendula oil. For the “older” kids, it contains anti-aging properties and broken or varicose veins will benefit from the healing properties. I have seen it suggested to “apply calendula oil after cosmetic waxing or laser procedures to calm the skin and reduce the inflammation and redness quickly while bringing a sense of relief to the site. As a bonus, it will reduce scarring”.

The process of creating calendula oil involves immersing the flower heads in an oil (I use olive oil at Ember Cove), and letting them slowly infuse with each other over a period of weeks. Because of this, individuals who are allergic to ragweed, goldenrod, or any other plant in the Asteraceae/Compositae family will probably not benefit from a calendula application. If you aren’t one of these unlucky people, then go ahead and enjoy the benefits of this medicinal oil all you want! Just be sure not to go absolutely bonkers and when using calendula topically, follow general guidelines for first aid, (aka don’t apply it to gaping or oozing wounds).

Be sure to check out the Shaving Oil & Skin Salve I make at Ember Cove! My business is how I make my living, so know that any purchase you make helps me personally. In return, my products are guaranteed to help you so it’s a great deal for both of us! :D Link this article to your friends and family, maybe even the guy at Starbucks who is always on his laptop! Educate everyone with the healing properties of calendula. Consider sending me a “like” on Facebook as well so that I can reach more people with my information. :)

A thank you to my sources:  Effortless  Eating, The Mountain Rose Blog, Delighted Momma, Ageless, Livestrong, Score Skincare, Langua Vert, List of Birthstones

Shaving Oil? Never heard of it!

Ember Cove Shaving Oil & Skin Salve

As many of you know, I have launched my newest product which is Ember Cove Shaving Oil & Skin Salve. I have such sensitive skin that even after shaving with an electric shaver I get razor burn. Shaving with an actual razor? It used to be out of the question. I became tired of razor burn, irritations, ingrown hairs and the acne caused by both of these, so I decided to look for an alternative. I was doing research on oils one day and a wonderful idea for a shaving oil came to mind. After doing an extensive search, I discovered myself that there are “pre-shave” oils, but little to no shaving oil, so I decided to make my own!

A couple months ago when I was trying out recipes for it, I asked my significant other if he’d try it. Since he is in the military, he needs to shave every single day and is prone to razor burns and irritations so I thought this would be perfect for him. The only answer I received from him at that point was, “I don’t think that’s going to work”. Perfect. He’s the hardest person to convince! I developed my recipe and gave it to him to try, and after a few days of ignoring the shaving oil on the counter he finally did. Immediately, he said it felt wonderful and a couple weeks later he actually came up to me and said, “you know, I actually like shaving now”.

So why does this “shaving oil” work? And why the “skin salve” part? Well, the shaving oil & skin salve is made up of 6 extremely healthy oils that all have individual benefits for your skin. Each oil works as a different salve and helps heal and soothe skin ailments. Like every product I make, this shaving oil serves multiple purposes and benefits to your skin besides just providing a close shave. The oils it is made with consist of Sunflower Oil, Aloe Vera Oil, Calendula Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Lemon Oil. Sounds great, right? Maybe not yet, but I’ll explain why these are awesome.

• Sunflower Oil has calming and emollient properties. It is nourishing and softening and can help skin that suffers from acne, eczema, rashes and redness. It contains very high levels of vitamin E.

• Aloe Vera has been prized for hundreds of years for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. It can be used to treat various skin ailments like eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, dermatitis, acne and also to stimulate cell regeneration, as it is an excellent softening agent. The various enzymes in aloe vera oil reduce the itching, swelling and inflammation. The oil and gel of aloe vera can also be used to treat wounds, burns, scalds and even sunburn, as the plant extract counters any bacterial infection while increasing the circulation, which speeds up the healing process.

• Calendula Oil has become one of my favorites. Its use is for skin irritations, cracks, slow-healing wounds, razor burns, psoriasis, eczema, sunburns, dry skin, itchiness, and inflammation. Perfect as a shaving oil ingredient!

• Olive Oil has so many great benefits! It has a high vitamin content, antibacterial effects, antioxidant content (which may help prevent premature signs of aging on the skin), promotes wound healing, has anti-inflammatory properties, cleanses skin, increases collagen levels and so much more!

• Sweet Almond Oil is an excellent moisturizer. It also soothes and softens the skin. Safe for all skin types, baby massages, wrinkles, stretch marks, and great for really dry skin.

• Lemon oil deploys antiseptic effects on minor infections of the skin, including acne. When mixed and diluted correctly (which mine is), this oil will leave you feeling refreshed with smooth, soothed, healthier skin.

Okay, that sounds a lot more awesome! But it sounds like an oily mess, why would I want to use this? Quite the contrary! This shaving oil will not make your skin feel oily at all with proper use, and will provide amazing benefits to  your skin that your normal shaving routine never did before! There are a few ways to use shaving oil, but for Ember Cove Shaving Oil & Skin Salve I recommend:

• Wet the area with warm water
• Shake the bottle to ensure the oils are mixed well
• Apply Ember Cove Shaving Oil & Skin Salve, making sure to cover the entire area to be shaved
• Optional: Apply shaving cream. However this product was made to eliminate the need for this.
• Shave!
• Rinse your razor often.
• Rinse lightly and pat dry.
• Rub the remainder of the oil into your skin and enjoy!

I also recommend making sure your razor is sharp, as dull razors are more likely to pull.

I am extremely proud of this product and quite excited about it as well. In fact, I guarantee that after trying it you will be hooked as well! If you’re not, there’s always a full refund waiting so what do you have to lose? I can write about this shaving oil & skin salve all day and night, and many people will be skeptical to even give it a quick try. I am confident that like my other products, this one is an amazing benefit to your skin – both to women and men alike! It comes in a few awesome fragrances that are faint enough to not irritate your nose, but pleasant enough to give off a sort of aftershave scent. This makes an awesome gift for anyone who shaves, and I highly recommend it to those who have to shave every single day.

Tried the oil already? Leave your feedback here! I am always eager to hear comments about any and all of my products.

Coffee, Coffee, Wash That Body!

Ember Cove – Breakfast Soap

Many of us wake up to coffee in the morning, and a lot keep drinking it through the entire day. At Ember Cove, we want you to wake up to it a different way – using it on your body! Yes, you read that correctly. I want you to wash with coffee! Along with waking you up in the morning, coffee can also wake up your skin.

I wanted a soap that provided a bright, beautiful complexion, and after some research, came up with my Breakfast Soap recipe which is exclusive to Ember Cove. (It was also one of my very first recipes that got me started). The soaps contain two primary ingredients to make them special: Oatmeal, which we learned a couple posts back is extremely beneficial for your skin, and coffee. A bit odd, but coffee is actually extremely healthy for your skin, and rich in anti-oxidants. I try make products that compliment each other, and above all – benefit your skin. My Breakfast Soaps definitely will.

Not only can it destroy tough odors like fish, coffee has a number of benefits for your skin. From treating redness and inflammation, to reducing the appearance of under-eye circles, to getting rid of cellulite, caffeine really has all its bases covered. By incorporating caffeine into your skin care routine, you can reveal evenly toned, smooth skin all over your body. Because of its high levels of anti-oxidants, caffeine can help soothe and heal eczema, acne, and other skin diseases. It also contains phytosterols, which promote moisture retention and provide chemical-free sun protection. (To add to that, new studies are showing caffeine on skin may even prevent skin cancer).

Caffeine has potent anti-inflammatory properties that make it perfect for reducing inflammation and redness in your skin. According to Livestrong, In a 1981 study performed at the Seoul National University, researchers found that caffeine is able to reduce inflammation almost as well as aspirin! In a 1978 study performed at the University of Tennessee, researchers found that adding caffeine to anti-inflammatory creams significantly increased their effectiveness. Overall, use of skin care products containing caffeine will reduce and prevent inflammation and redness, leaving you with a beautiful, even skin tone. I just had to incorporate it into my soap, it was perfect!

I know we’ve all been there, waking up looking like a raccoon after a rough night’s sleep. These dark circles or bags under our eyes are caused by a number of things which include dehydration, lack of sleep or even allergies. By applying caffeine under your eyes with my Breakfast Soaps, it will help reduce the puffiness and inflammation which will make your skin have a more alert appearance. Caffeine also reduces the build-up of blood under your eyes which makes them have dark shadows.

For acne, caffeine again works like a charm while making your skin have a smoother, more radiant appearance. While soothing irritation and redness, it will also help heal wounds. It works as a gentle exfoliant, removing dead skin cells while allowing healthy regeneration of new ones. Caffeine is a vasodilator, which means that it constricts blood cells. While this sounds intense, it actually just means that it will reduce inflammation and firm and tighten your skin. This leads to reducing the appearance of cellulite. Quoted from Livestrong, In a 2008 study performed at the University of São Paulo, researchers found that an application of skin cream containing caffeine to cellulite reduced the size of cellulite fat cells by 17 percent. In addition, a 2007 study performed at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro found that caffeine cream applied to cellulite decreased the hip’s diameter in almost 70 percent of participants. While I’m not sure if Ember Cove Breakfast Soaps are that powerful, a nice coffee scrub in a wonderful bar of goat milk soap might just help!

What about you? Do you benefit from drinking coffee in the morning? It has some pretty decent health benefits internally as well, but I like to focus on the ones that apply to skin care. Personally I drink 2-3 cups a day, which has run in my family for decades. It’s more of a relaxing thing, and it really is nice and refreshing to wash my face with in the morning. I’d love to hear about some coffee stories, please feel free to share!

I love this disclaimer: Remember – I am not a doctor and I will never claim to be one. My posts are not here to replace any medical advice given to you by any professional. If you experience any kind of irritation you need to stop use of the product immediately and consult an actual physician or dermatologist. Everyone is unique and only you are responsible to know what is beneficial and healthy for your skin.

A thank you to some other sources: HubPages, Ezine Articles, CoffeeForums.com, Revitalize Your Health, Food Technology, Inside Cosmeceuticals, eHow, MedicineNet, Beyond Jane,

Take a Goat Milk Bath!

Ember Cove soap is made with goat milk. A lot of you may think, “that’s kind of gross” but some of you who have tried goat’s milk soap will be thinking, “that’s wonderful! You must have an amazing product!” which you’ll discover, I do. So what is so special about goat milk that makes it an amazing ingredient to add to my soap? I like to focus on making products that have beneficial results on all types of skin, from perfect to irritated to extremely sensitive skin that breaks out at almost anything. I take pride in making goat’s milk soap because I have helped so many customers already with their skin conditions because of it. My specialty goat milk soap – famous for its healing properties, has helped my customers heal their sunburns, acne, rosacea, dry skin, effects of psoriasis and more.

Goat milk contains these healing properties naturally. Unlike cow milk, goat milk is already homogenized. Its molecules are smaller, making it easier for your skin to absorb the benefits. Since ancient times, goat milk has been used as a cleanser and skin rejuvenating product. Cleopatra herself is rumored to have kept her beauty through taking milk baths! It is considered one of the finest moisturizers and has amazing emollient properties. Goat milk contains Vitamin A which is known to help repair damaged tissue and maintain healthy skin, as well as several beneficial B Vitamins. (Several medical studies have shown that Vitamin A can reduce lines and wrinkles, control acne and provide relief from psoriasis).

The rich butterfat contained in the milk softens and moisturizes, and it is believed that the alpha-hydroxy acids that goat milk contains have rejuvenating effects on skin cells. These hydroxy acids exfoliate gently which stimulates the skin while healthy cells are regenerated. This anti-aging effect creates smoother, softer skin with less discoloration and visibly smoother wrinkles. Washing with goat milk soap greatly benefits acne as well because dead skin cells are exfoliated which opens the pores. Using my hand made soaps also ensures that no harmful chemicals were added, so you know that you’ll just be getting the benefits of goat milk with no negative side effects.

Another common rumor about goat milk being good for washing with is because it has a pH similar to our skin. Even though this is true, the pH similarity or difference has no beneficial or negative effect on the skin as many people think. Human skin has a natural barrier on it called the “acid mantle”. Regardless of how high or low pH is, even simple water will disrupt this acid mantle and the pH of your skin. Your skin naturally replaces the acid mantle quickly over the period of a couple hours, so the pH of any soap you use is a non issue and more of a marketing misconception. Even a low pH cleanser will disrupt your acid mantle as much as a high pH cleanser will. Even though goat milk soap is naturally close to the same pH as skin, this doesn’t offer any extra benefits but it’s still an amazing soap to use and I highly recommend it over any type of soap on the market.

All soap needs a liquid in order to be made into “soap”. Most soaps are created with water, but the liquid I chose for Ember Cove is goat’s milk for a variety of reasons. Goat milk soap will not dry out your skin. This makes it the perfect soap to use year-round, and is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types.  Goat milk allows your skin to easily absorb not only calcium, but the moisturizing effects of the milk and glycerin as well. This is extremely beneficial because it acts like an all natural topical medication for a wide variety of skin conditions. Many of my customers who suffer from serious skin allergies have used Ember Cove goat milk soap to their benefit. It reduces skin inflammation and provides relief to dry, damaged or irritated skin.

Read through my testimonials to get an idea of how well Ember Cove goat milk soaps work!

Sweet, Healthy Honey

Not only is honey considered a delicious treat, this superfood is a wonderful addition to any body or beauty product. Researchers are turning up new medical benefits of honey all the time so you shouldn’t even begin to wonder why I use natural, additive-free farm grown honey in all my products.

Honey has numerous natural benefits including being antimicrobial, antibacterial, a natural antioxidant, antiseptic and has amazing healing and cleansing properties for head to foot situations. It’s strongly recommended for beauty and skin care including keeping your hair healthy, healing eye infections, athlete’s foot and so much more! The powerful healing qualities of honey have been used for centuries around the world to help heal cuts, reduce inflammation and scarring, cure diseases and ailments, and help health disorders. On top of this, honey is also recommended for treating digestive problems such as stomach ulcers, indigestion, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis. These benefits of honey are just a drop in the bucket. I include honey in all my products not only because of these wonderful healing remedies just mentioned, but also because it is a natural skin care option. It helps heal acne, eczema, sunburns, the effects of psoriasis, and it also helps heal yeast infections.

So how does honey work like this? Honey naturally contains enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is formed when bees gather nectar from flowers, regurgitate it, then fan it with their wings until most of the water in the nectar has evaporated. Their saliva is enzyme rich and turns the sucrose into glucose and fructose, while another enzyme turns some of the glucose into an acid and hydrogen peroxide. This makes it impossible for bacteria to survive. It also makes it naturally resist mold, fungi, and other bacteria allowing honey to last for years and still stay fresh. The potency of honey’s healing properties is dependent on the type of flowers from which bees gather their nectar. At Ember Cove I have received nothing but positive feedback on the healing quality of my products!

The honey I use in Ember Cove products is farm grown, completely natural and additive-free. I know the bee-keeper, and the bees couldn’t be happier. By using all natural non-processed honey, the benefits are guaranteed to be free of any negative side effect.

Honey Remedies:

Tips for healing Eye Infections:

Honey, which as mentioned above has antibacterial properties and acts as a humectant (helps retain water), will clear the eye of infection and provide soothing relief. Use raw, unpasteurized honey for additional antibiotic properties. Honey can be used in several ways for eye infection.

For an eye infection that has spread to the eyelid, mix equal parts honey with distilled or boiled water to make a solution. Use a cotton ball and apply on the eye. For more effectiveness, leave the soaked cotton ball on the eye, and do not reuse to prevent spreading of infection. The same solution can be used as eyedrops. Keep the eye open and squeeze two or three drops in the eye. The mixture can also be used to rinse the eye two or three times daily until infection clears.

Honey can also be applied directly to the eye without diluting it. Place one or two drops of honey directly on your eyes. The honey will collect dirt or discharge and be eliminated through natural tearing.

Credit: http://www.ehow.com/way_5410564_honey-eye-infection.html

Tips for healing Athlete’s Foot:

Athlete’s  foot is a skin disorder caused by a by parasitic fungus called dermatophytes with symptoms of ugly dry and flaky skin, red inflammation or blistering, especially between toes. With its natural fungicidal properties, honey will naturally and effectively help.

All you have to do is soak cotton balls in honey and place them between your toes, then apply a thin coat on your foot over the affected areas and cover with a sock overnight. Wash, and thoroughly dry your feet in the morning. This can offer a wonderful alternative to over the counter medications, and leave your feet smelling honey sweet!

Tips for helping clear Acne:

My soaps at Ember Cove are perfect for fighting acne with the combination of goat milk and honey. Not only that, I make sure that the honey I use in my products is free of chemicals, additives, and has never once seen any store. This keeps everything beneficial in it that processed honey might not have to help fight your acne. Keep in mind that everyone’s acne is different and is caused by different reasons. If you experience any kind of negative effect whether small or large, to immediately stop using my soap or any other product that upsets your skin.

For acne scars that have been disturbed or picked at on your face, a dab of honey will help heal it up quickly.

Want more stories on honey and how it helps? Check this page out: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/the-benefits-of-honey.html

Please share your honey stories with me as well! I absolutely adore feedback, especially when it’s something that has helped you!

As a disclaimer, I am not a doctor. My remedies are ideas thought up, not printed at a doctors office. Please remember if you take my advice, know that I am not a professional and do not claim to be one and I hold no responsibility for any negative side effects caused by these remedies. Consult a doctor first before treating anything yourself.