Sensitive? How to handle it...

Women's Health (US) have given advice to readers suffering with sensitive skin, in an article titled "Winterize your skin. Sensitive Skin: What you can do". I am not sure I entirely agree with everything, but below I have summarized the article and added in some other important points that were not mentioned or properly explained.

There is much debate about sensitive skin being a skin TYPE or a skin CONDITION. Women's Health quoted  Marianna Blyumin- Karasik, a dermatologist in Miami as saying,  "Women with sensitive skin have hyperactive immune systems that read certain products or weather conditions as enemies and fight them off as foreign objects.  This reaction often leads to skin redness, itching, stinging, burning, and peeling." By this characterization, sensitive skin is a skin TYPE. Sometimes, with the correct care, one may "grow out of" the sensitivity, or the skin will balance, heal and regulate itself. In that case, sensitive skin would be a skin condition, as it is not forever, it is just temporary. Note that "temporary" may be 3 months, 3 years or 13 years.

Experiencing skin redness, peeling, burning, stinging and/or itching does not necessarily mean that you have sensitive skin. It means you have symptoms of sensitive skin. This may be due to trying/using a new product that contains an ingredient that you are sensitive to. Consulting with a dermatologist or medical professional can't do harm, but if you know what you're sensitive to, or sometimes allergic to, simply avoid products that contain it.

Here are a few tips to help you:

1. Choose fragrance-free products. This may extended into you body care routine as well as household cleaning. Read product labels and select products that say "hypoallergenic", "formaldehyde-free", "dermatologically APPROVED". "dermatologically tested" is no longer good enough, it needs to be dermatologically approved.

2. Many cleansers contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate which is a foaming agent, detergent and surfactant, meaning it breaks down the glue that keeps/binds skin cells together. This glue is mostly necessary, and it prevents dryness and damage. Cleansers may also contain Tetrasodium EDTA and Triclosan which is drying. This isn't necessarily all bad, but most sensitive skins are already dry, and these worsen the condition. Use cleansers only if they are prescribed/recommended by your dermatologist or if they are specifically for sensitive skin. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is milder than Sodium LAURYL Sulfate so you may find that some "sensitive skin" cleansers may contain S.Laureth.Sulfate, but try to use one that contains neither. Note: these ingredients will be second or third from the top of the ingredients list.

3. Makeup irritants:

• Ultramarine blue - common in eyeshadow (especially blue hues)
• Mica - light-reflector, common in mineral makeup and bronzers,  known to cause itching.
• bismuth oxychloride - sheen/shimmer enhancer,  known to cause stinging.

There is probably many more and these ingredients are very commonly used, so it is hard to avoid, but Dr Zoe Draelos, a consulting professor of dermatology at Duke University School of Medicine, suggests using neutral shades such as beige and brown as they contain less irritating chemical pigments. She also said, "Choosing liquid blushes, bronzers, and foundations (which aren't brushed on) will keep your skin placated," in Women's Health's USA March 2012 issue. Brushing on eyeshadow, blush, etc may irritate your skin, especially if you aren't gentle, and if your makeup accessories and brushes are on the hard side.

4. Environmental Factors. I always emphasize the importance of wearing sunscreen all year round. "Ultraviolet light mutates proteins in the skin, which damages skin cells and causes a red, stinging reaction known as photosensitivity." Annet King, director of global education for Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institute, recommends wearing a physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as opposed to irritating chemical UV absorbers such as PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), benzophenones, and cinnamates. If the climate where you live is very dry, it's best to use a moisture-rich humectant moisturizer that contains glycerin, and apply it immediately after cleansing/showering/bathing, and apply throughout the day if necessary.

5. Stop touching your face! Many people, sensitive skin or not, are guilty of this. Stop it. Just go cold turkey and stop it! You type, you text (think of all the surfaces your phone has touched), you touch the elevator buttons, then the office door, then you take someone's hand (who knows where they've been, what they've touched, when last they've washed their hands). No no no no NO! Don't put all that onto your skin.

6. Some makeup removers are not gentle enough for sensitive skin...even if they say they are. The only way to know if something is mild enough for you is to try it, so ask for samples, or buy it. I don't have sensitive skin, but I am still looking for an eye makeup remover that does not sting the skin around my eyes and sometimes burns my eyes. In this case, it is totally okay to use facial wipes instead. Many brands have a sensitive skin option. I love Good Things Total Wipe Out Cleansing Wipes, available at Clicks if you live in SA. It is biodegradable, and contains NO mineral oils, petrochemicals, parabens, sodium laureth (and lauryl) sulfate, and nothing has been derived from or tested on animals.

After removing your makeup with facial wipes, rinse your face and pat dry, before continuing with your skin care routine.

7. Slow down. Yes, you want to prevent/slow down signs of ageing being apparent on YOUR face, but be smart. Many anti-ageing products have skin-sensitizing ingredients in it, and many anti-ageing products are only meant to be used from a certain age. If you are not that age yet, leave it alone. Find something more appropriate for your age, skin type, skin condition, lifestyle. Rather concentrate on skin health as early as possible. Have a look at Environ and what they're about, and when in doubt consult a dermatologist.

Miss B

Beauty Profile: Sureshnie Rider

With a simple routine of cleansing and moisturizing twice daily, Sureshnie’s only learning to take care of her skin now. “Way too late, I know, but I always thought drinking lots of water would help.” The 5FM Top 40 host and 3 Talk with Noeleen production manager exfoliates regularly and tries to use a face mask at night. Sush, and her hubby also enjoy using nose-masks and she never goes to bed unless she’s removed all her makeup. Golden rule, ladies and gents.

When she left Durban for Johannesburg, her skin took a beating and irregular working hours did not encourage her to have a strict skin care regimen. After trying numerous well-known skin care brands, Sureshnie is currently using Nivea. “Nivea seems to be the one I love. It's clean and my skin feels light and less oily.” Also, it is super accessible and doesn’t require detour stops at salons. So she is trying to stick with it for the next 6 months. Sureshnie is also trying out Clarins Cotton Seed Gentle Face Wash and says it feels like silk. She changes products every 6-8 months out of personal preference. “Products are constantly changing on the market, as well as our lifestyles, so I try to go with what my body is saying to me.” She also goes for hydrating facials and a peel once in a while when she finds the time.

“Coming from an Indian upbringing, Ayurvedic medication and treatments have been part of my life. I have used many products that had sandalwood in it, and it really soothed my skin. My family still use Ayurvedic creams to treat skin conditions etc, and where I can, I still use home remedies before turning to store or pharmacy products.”

When asked about taking old school advice, listening to old wives tales or even tips shared with her by her mom/grandmother/aunt, Sureshnie had this to say:
“Tooth paste. Tooth paste. Tooth paste! It does NOT work! I was told that you should put toothpaste on pimples. Errrr... Not to be funny, it smelt really fresh, but it did squat for any pimple. But I tried
it...several times. I also tried the cucumber slice on my eyes. It is still widely practiced in most salons. It did cool my eyelids for a bit, but then I felt like adding an olive and enjoying it while I lay there,” she said while giggling.

Her favourite skin care product? Elizabeth Arden Skin Protectant for lips. “This has been my friend for years, and I have carried that little jar in my bag to get me through late night gigs, bad and sad days and for every moment that I have smiled.”

Sureshnie’s top 5 skin care tips:

1. Keep things natural. Try not to overload your skin with a million products, start with the basics.
2. Drink lots of Water
3. Avoid a product that does three in one, chances are it does nothing for you
4. Make time for a facial
5. Always remove make up before bed

Sureshnie says that this is the most makeup she's ever worn.

Mrs Rider likes very natural makeup and says all a girl needs is a light foundation, a little shimmer on the eyelids, liquid eyeliner, mascara and a soft lip gloss. She’s still discovering her signature makeup look, but insists on keeping it “clean”. Her focus is always on her eyes. “I never wore make up until I was in my late twenties. I grew up loving the natural feel of my skin, and I'm hoping to instill that same belief in my daughter,” said Sureshnie. “Water, healthy foods and sunscreen is all she needs.” Sureshnie’s biggest concern is skin cancer, and makes sure that her family is always stocked up on sunscreen...and more importantly USE the sunscreen on a daily basis.

Like every other girl, Sureshnie battles to answer the question “Which ONE makeup product can you not go a day without?” Her answer: “My bag full of Mac and Bobbi Brown eye-shadows”. I suppose, technically, her bag is ONE object. We’ll give it to you this time, Sush.

Sureshnie on her wedding day. She said that this was her most special day of makeup. Her hair and makeup were done by Mark and Clint. They also draped her sari. 

Miss B: What is important when getting ready to attend an event?

Sureshnie: “Your scent, your body lotion, your accessories and your hair. If you take time to pay a little attention to all it’s amazing how you begin to glow. I always turn up my music and it usually helps me pick out my best dress, and then from there, it all SOMETIMES falls into place.”

If Sush is not on air, running around at the 3 Talk studio, behind the decks at clubs or behind the wheel of a very fast car, you can find her at home (good luck getting that address) cooking up a storm...which is also a very good way of steaming your face. ;-)

Miss B

The Body Shop Colourglide™ Lip Colour #46

This is a peachy, bordering on orange, colour. Depending on your complexion, this may pass as a nude. It is not a moisturizing formulation, so be sure to use a lip balm before applying this lipstick. I'd recommend always applying a lip balm before using lipstick as the lip balm may smooth the surface of your lips. This is especially important if you have dry lips. Lipstick over dry lips looks really terrible. And of course, if you want a glossy look, you may add a clear or nude gloss over it.

I've taken many pictures so that you can get a clearer idea of the colour.

Miss B

Hands On...

I am such a girl. A girly-girl. I love lip stuff, and makeup, and dresses and stilettos. I am also never without hand cream. Hand cream is a MUST. Simple. Signs of ageing are most visible on your hands and neck. I'd say more so than the eye area, especially with great eye products, and botox and all those fancy things these days. Exciting.

I've been using different hand-creams for 6 years now, so I am kind of experienced. I'm the crazy chick at CLICKS reading all the labels, sniffing tubes of hand-cream, laughing my head off in the store because of some of the claims of these cosmetic products, and asking the store assistants why there aren't testers and/or samples. Ha ha ha. I wish I could tell you which hand creams are the best for you, but everyone has different preferences when it comes to moisturizing and anti-ageing mediums, so I'll try my best. Some women hate hand-creams, because it feels oily or "doesn't make a difference". People who suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) hate having to put on hand cream, or anything for that matter.

One thing to note is SPF. You have to find a hand-cream with sun/UV protection. It is worth it. If you're ok to use your regular sunscreen as a hand-cream, that is great, but know that it is solely sun protection. You cannot expect a sunscreen to reduce signs of ageing and/or sun damage. If you prefer something that has a better scent and/or is multi-purpose, give these a try:

Sh'zen Perfecting Cream SPF 30
I'm currently using this little gem. It contains Japanese Rice Bran Oil, Silk Extracts, Hazel Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Grapefruit, Aloe and Green/White Tea extract, which contribute to the lovely aroma. It smells great! It has an SPF of 30, and has anti-ageing properties. I sometimes use it on my feet too. Warning: This isn't a quick-absorbing hand-cream, unless your hands are super dry. Having said that, it is not excessively oily either. I've also noticed a difference in my nails and cuticles. My cuticles are much more flexible, and I don't need to push them back as often as I used to, and my nails are much brighter than before.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment
This is quick-absorbing. I often applied it twice, accidentally because I forgot I just applied it. There is almost no sign of it after you've rubbed it in. It's very light and has a light scent, too. It contains Sweet Almond oil, Algae extract. Licorice extract, Vitamin C and also has an SPF 15.

Nivea Q10 Plus Age Defying Hand Cream
I don't love the Nivea, but I really like it. It's thick, and a bit oily, but it smells lovely, and I noticed the difference in the appearance and texture of the skin on my hands after about 3-4 weeks. Thank goodness I have such patience. I'd also be very interested to try their Pure and Natural (right) hand cream. 95% of the ingredients are of natural origin and is paraben-, silicone-, mineral oil-, and colourant-free. I haven't seen this in stores yet, but will keep an eye out for it. How exciting.

Oh So Heavenly
This is super affordable and there's a variety. Available at Clicks only. My favourites are from the Happy Hands Hand Creams: Sweet Solution and Soft Touch. You can probably try them all. They often come in packs of smaller tubes. Ideal for those who love tiny hand bags and clutches.

Now that you have some options...be more hands on.

Miss B

In the nude...

I absolutely love nude eyeliners and I think that it is an essential for your cosmetic bag. It can be worn on the upper eye lid or the "Water line" of your lower lid (the part that many people get wrong by wearing their dark eyeliner there everyday. Liner applied to the lower lid, especially darker liners, should be applied at the lower lash line i.e. between/on/over the hairs, NOT(!) on your waterline.) Nude liners can make your eyes look bigger and/or brighter, especially when the rest of your eye makeup is dark as in the very popular (and proving to be timeless) smokey-eye. White eyeliners are also often used for this but white liners have lost me...YEARS AGO...when it was still cool to wear it on the upper eyelid and then go to a disco/party/rave/dark room and stand under a UV light and think you're cool. (No, I've never been in a dark room, so if there are no UV lights present, I'm sorry. And no, I didn't do such crap and think I was cool. *rolls eyes*) 

You can see the nude liner on the waterline clearly,. It looks natural compared to the white shadow on her upper lids. This could look good with a white liner instead of a nude, but mostly for such photos, I think. Not for everyday.

The thing about wearing white eyeliner on your water line is that it's obvious, and I hate seeing it. It looks tacky and untidy (even cheap)...most of the time. It can look great and serve a purpose, but you have to find the right white liner that isn't too soft, pasty, and heavy...unless of course that's what you're going for. I realize that some people wear white eyeliner for reasons other than brightening or making one's eyes "pop". 

White Liner (barf)

I maintain that a nude eyeliner can do all of above...but better than a white liner. It's less harsh and more natural. And very few people have snow white eyeballs where this can actually look natural.

It can be used everyday with ANY makeup look, just remember to remove it before bed as you would usually do with makeup. Dip a cue-tip in eye makeup remover, and gently rub the cue-tip over your waterline. Remember, your eye-makeup remover shouldn't burn or sting your eyes, if this happens, use a cue-tip dampened in luke-warm water instead. Repeat, until cue-tip doesn't show any makeup residue after wiping.

It's great with dark/heavy upper lids, and it's often better than not using anything on the lower lid at all.

Also great for a completely nude eye...with a bright lip colour or baby pink. If you go with baby pink, make sure you wear a great blush, so you don't look washed out with all the nude and muted colours.

My favourite nude liner is Essence Kajal Pencil no.19 All I Want. It is very soft, so use with a light hand, which you should be doing anyway, as your eye area is very delicate, and you should never use a lot of pressure when applying eye makeup (or removing it).

If you'd like something more glam for night-time or an event, you could also try an iridescent nude or a gold, but keep it to a light gold, such as a champagne-gold or yellow golds as opposed to your more orangey-golds. For this, I love MAC's Eye Kohl in Powersurge.

One of my favourite liners ever.

How gorgeous?!

Be daring...go nude! :-)

Miss B

CLARINS Bust Beauty Extra-Lift Gel...

This product is super fantastic...according to the Clarins website, Clarins sales assistants and many other beauty websites, but I think it's approximately R500 wasted. I can say this because I feel like I've wasted approximately R500 on 50 ml of "magic" that did absolutely nothing for me. Well, I suppose it wasn't a complete waste, because now that I've experienced it, I know not to do it again.

I don't have any serious "bust issues", but prevention is much better than cure, and who doesn't want an extra bit of lift for the delicate skin that surrounds your boobs? Something a bra can't help with. I've been using this for 4 months, and I neither see nor feel a difference in the skin around my bust, or in the "triangular area" (from the base of your breasts to your chin), where one is meant to use this product.

Why I bought it...
I was sucked in by my frenemy...a glossy magazine. I've been using bust products for 3-4 years now, and I wanted to try something different, and there it was...on a page...in a magazine I happened to be reading. It was one of those moments (in movies) when you hear angels singing "Hallelujah" and there's this bright, halo-like light around a product that just "POPPED" out from the page. Well, not really, but it felt like it was meant to be. *Face palm* My main reason for buying it was because it was a GEL formulation and it was CLARINS. I mean if it's CLARINS, it HAS to work, right? I find that sometimes bust creams can be too heavy and rich and cause a breakout of small, fine pimples. Also, some bust creams are too fragrant, which may be great for some, but not for me, especially when it clashes with my fragrance. Rich, heavy bust creams are also not ideal for day, because it feels uncomfortable on a hot day. You feel sweaty, and oily and gross. Some ingredients are also not ideal for day. Bust creams may contain citrus ingredients which may cause pigmentation when exposed to the sun. So this is why the gel was appealing to me.

What I love...
I love that it's a gel. It's light, easily absorbed, and only slightly fragrant. It doesn't make your chest area look or feel oily, or even shiny.

According to the box it is packaged in, and the information leaflet inside the box, Clarins Bust Beauty Extra-Lift Gel "offers an immediate "lift" effect on application, visibly helping to improve the shape of the bust." Uhm, yeah, this did not happen to me. I felt nothing, and my boobs still look the same, after 4 months of daily application. Now, I feel that I should've just given up and gotten something new after 6 weeks, but being the trooper that I am and believing that sometimes great products work on a deeper level therefore take a while before you can see results, I soldiered on...to my disappointment.

WW Soothing Cleansing Milk for Sensitive Skin

I like trying new things, especially skin care products, and especially if it is affordable and available. When it comes to cleansing mediums, I prefer a cleansing milk. Not a cream, a milk. See Now wash your face! I have a normal-combination skin, so it works for me. I recently bought Woolworths Soothing Cleansing Milk for Sensitive Skin. When I am unsure about a product, I go for the medium I like in the sensitive range, as there should be less fragrance and potential irritants in a "sensitive" product.

A month later, I am not impressed with this cleanser. It is more of a cream than a milk. It is thick and feels heavy (unlike it's tester that I tried before purchasing). I've used other cleansing CREAMS that were lighter than this cleansing MILK. Having said that it was a cleansing milk (less drying than a cleansing gel/foam), after about 2 weeks, my skin felt a bit dry. Definitely dryer than before I was using it, and I hadn't changed anything in my regime, but the cleanser. This was unexpected and equally annoying. Thank goodness I knew how to handle it.

It's not all bad. It's great for quick makeup removal in the shower, but I have a makeup remover/pre-cleanser and it's not something that other cleansing milks/creams can't do. I like the packaging. It has an easy to use "pump cap" that you can turn to "close" once opening. Great for travelling. Other than that, there is honestly nothing, in my opinion, that makes Woolworths Soothing Cleansing Milk for Sensitive Skin stand out from the rest. I definitely would not buy it again (unless of course they reformulate).

Miss B

The 7 Most Flattering makeup colours for Autumn...

The 7 most flattering makeup colours for Autumn according to allure.com:


1. Violet eyeliner: Line upper and lower lids. For a smokey effect, just smudge it outwards. "Violet makes brown eyes richer, greens greener, and blues more intense," says makeup genius, Tom Pecheux. This is something you just have to do, at least once. I'd also recommend trying a shade or two darker and/or lighter if you're not crazy about violet. I love a fuchsia-lilac purple.

Bourjois Khol Pencil

Navy and gold eye shadows: Great for brown-eyed girls. "Brush it (navy) across lids, into the crease, and past the outer corners. Finish by spreading gold beneath the lower lashes." Ok, so it's not blatantly obvious on Katy Perry. You can use more eye shadow than her makeup artist did for that picture. You can also add gold shadow to the inner corners of your eye and blend it into the navy, as you would for a smokey-eye.

Magenta lipstick: Suits everyone. Keep the rest of your makeup, simple. Just add mascara. Wear this like you would a red lipstick. Same rules apply.

Blackened green eye shadow: "It's striking for evening with pale or burgundy lips." I really like this colour. If you have brown eyes, this can accentuate them. 

Russet red blush: Apply light-handedly. It's very easy to overdo red. "...dust the blush onto the apples of cheeks with a circular motion and sweep up along cheekbones." I honestly don't get red blush. I don't like it. If you like it and can pull it off, well done. If you're two-minded, don't bother. I'm sure a natural colour blush for your complexion will do just fine.

Sea-foam green eye shadow: "Either draw a very thin line along your upper lashes or spread the color all over the lids," advises Pecheux. If you're a little more daring, you may extend this to the lower lid, but keep the line very neat, as fine as possible and as close to your lower lashes as you can get it without poking your eye out.

Baby pink gloss: It is super feminine and compliments most makeup styles.

How gross are those nails?!

Remember: Do not do all these trends at once. You can, however, do the baby pink gloss with anything.

Miss B

Cleaning more naturally

Many people are "freaking out" trying to do things the more natural and organic way. It's not always as easy as it seems, but there are few simple things you can do at home. For starters you may clean your home with essential oils instead of chemical detergents. I love essential oils, and I love the scent throughout the house after I've cleaned with them. My favourites are Lavender, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oil. Essential oils are available at most, if not all, pharmacies. You may also get them from natural/organic markets. Some retailers and supermarkets also stock them. If you do not want to trade in your usual household detergents, you may add essential oils to your usual cleaning routine.

Note that many essential oils have different properties, but when it comes to cleaning, you want to use the anti-bacterial and anti-septic ones and add a few drops of other oils you like for scent.

When purchasing Ess. oils, they must be in dark, glass bottles: this filters out UV light. After opening and using it, make sure you close it properly and tightly, and store in a cool, dry place. Citrus ess. oils are most prone to oxidation. Also, ess. oils are flammable, so store them safely away from your oven and candle-light. You may refrigerate essential oils, but I prefer to store them in a box at the back of the bottom shelf either in the bathroom, or a wardrobe/closet.

Here are a few mixtures to try:

Floor Cleaner:

• add ¼ cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
• 10 drops lemon oil, lavender or eucalyptus
• 5 drops oregano oil, pine, spruce, tea tree or lemon, lavender or eucalyptus (whichever one you didn't use above)

Window cleaner:

• Mix 1 cup vinegar and water in spray bottle.
• Add 10-15 drops lemon essential oil.
• Shake and use.

Vinegar leaves windows shining. But nobody said your house needs to smell like vinegar. 

Fly Repelling Window Cleaner:

In summer, wipe down windows with a damp cloth containing fly-repelling essential oils such as lavender or lemongrass.

• For every 50 ml water, add 10 drops of lavender or lemongrass

Sounds much but you don't need much water to WIPE down your windows. 

Laundry:
Essential oils may be used to enhance the cleanliness and fragrance of your laundry. Dust mites live in your bedding and feed from the dead skin cells we constantly shed. I know it's unpleasant, I'm scratching my skin just thinking about it. Research has shown that eucalyptus oil kills dust mites. To achieve effective dust mite control, add 25 drops of eucalyptus to each washing machine load, or approximately 15ml to a bottle of liquid detergent.

You may also add several drops of essential oils to the rinse cycle, such as fir, spruce, juniper, lavender, cedarwood, wintergreen/birch, tea tree or rosewood.

Another thing you may do is make a mixture of 1 cup vodka and 20-30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and put it into a spray bottle. Spray your pillows and bedding a couple times per week. Use the spray on upholstery and carpets as well.

When hanging up bedding after it's been washed, hang it in the sun or tumble dry it. The heat may also kill micro-organisms, and the sun has sterilizing properties.

Stain Removal:

• Use a drop or two of lemon essential oil on stains.
• Let it stand and rub off with a clean cloth or throw into laundry cycle.

In the Dryer:

• Instead of using toxic and irritating softeners in the dryer, toss in a dampened washcloth with 10 drops of lavender, lemon, tea tree, bergamot, or other oils.
• While the oils will not reduce static cling, they will leave a lovely fragrance to the clothes.

Kitchens and bathrooms:

• Mix 2 drops rosemary, 4 drops lemon, 3 drops eucalyptus, and 4 drops lavender oil in warm (not hot) water in a spray bottle
• Shake well
• Shake again before using

Dishwashing Soap:

To add fragrance or to improve the antiseptic action of your liquid soap , add several drops of essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, fir, spruce, pine, lemon, bergamot, and/or orange.

Hot tubs and saunas:

• Use 3 drops (per person) of lavender, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, thyme, lemon, or grapefruit to disinfect and freshen the water.
• For saunas, add several drops rosemary, thyme, pine, or lavender to a spray bottle with water and spray surfaces. This water can also be used to splash onto hot sauna stones.

Deodorizing kitchens and bathrooms, etc.

The kitchen and bathroom are often a source of odors and bacteria. The following mixtures may help to freshen, deodorize, and disinfect the air, work areas, cupboards, bathroom fixtures, sinks, tiles, woodwork, and carpets. These blends are safe for the family and for the environment. They will clean the air instead of masking the odors.

Always shake well and keep on shaking the bottle as you use these mixtures, as oils may separate from water. 

• 4 cups water
• 2 drops rosemary
• 4 drops lemon
• 3 drops Eucalyptus
• 4 drops lavender
• Shake well and put in a spray bottle

OR

• 4 cups water
• 5 drops pine
• 4 drops chamomile
• 4 drops tea tree, 4 drops lemongrass, or 4 drops clove

Basic Disinfectant/ Household cleaner:

Add your favorite antiseptic, anti-bacterial essential oils. Make sure it includes lemon.

• Spray bottle with water
• A squirt of natural soap (or dishwashing liquid)
• 5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and lemongrass
• Shake well

OR

Add a drop or two of eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, pine, juniper, thyme, or rosemary to a damp cloth and wipe down the surfaces.

Note: Use natural cleaning tools (natural sponge, mop) because essential oils can react with plastic.

Happy cleaning!

Miss B