Indonesia, just a bathtub away

Indonesia is full of ancient beauty secrets just now making their way over to us. One ancient hour-long ritual, boreh, is quite easy to achieve in your own home.

Not only is the boreh an amazing, moisturizing skin treatment, it is relatively inexpensive. Although, you might have to go to a specialty grocery store to find some of the ingredients, it is well worth the trip.

For your own Indonesian beauty ritual, try out the following boreh:

What you need:

• Soft music (try some traditional Indonesian to set the mood)
• Incense
• Flower Petals
• Borah spice past (recipe bellow)
• Ginger or coconut massage oil
• Fresh grated ginger root, steeped in hot water

Boreh

• 4 tsp. sandalwood powder
• 2 tsp. whole cloves
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. coriander
• 1-2 tsp. rice powder
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• 1 tsp. ginger spice oil
• 1 tsp. galangal water (place shredded galangal root and water and let soak over night, then strain the water)
• Grind together the first 7 using a motor and pestle. Add the ginger spice and water to make a thick paste. Add more rice powder if the paste is to hot on your skin.

For your beauty ritual:

1. Draw a warm bath with the flower petals.
2. Apply the boreh paste with your hands, using a thin layer across your body.
   
3. Wrap up in a towel and relax for 20 minutes.
4. Slip into the warm bath and stay as long you like and sip on your ginger root tea. (make sure the water stays warm)
5. After the bath, massage oil into your body starting at the feet and moving up.
   

Add some spice to your routine

Cinnamon's essential oil is an antimicrobial food, which gives it the ability to stop the growth of bacteria and fungi. Cinnamon also contains slight astringent properties, making it beneficial for skin care.

However, it might be a little overwhelming for extremely sensitive skin types. Try to always combine cinnamon with other ingredients so it does not cause irritation. Cinnamon oil also has a stimulating, warming effect, making it a popular choice for massage therapy.

In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon is used for its warming qualities and to provide relief when the onset symptoms of a cold begin.

To brighten up oily skin try out the facial below:

Cinnamon and Oatmeal Facial

• Combine 3 tsp. oatmeal, 3 tsp. powdered milk and 2 tsp. ground cinnamon in a bowl.
• Add just enough water to make a thick paste
• Stir in 1 tsp. vitamin E oil
• Apply the mask to your face, massaging in small circles
• Leave on for 2-3 minutes
• Rinse with warm water and apply a light moisturizer
  

Got any cinnamony treatments? Let us know about them!

Dry Skin - 10 Best Quick Fixes

Seems like it's getting colder earlier this year and along with that comes dry itchy skin. Here are 10 Quick Fixes to get rid of the "Fall/Winter" itch:

1.)Keep Water Lukewarm, Not Hot - Hot water robs skin of moisture causing dry skin, so it's best to shower in lukewarm water.

2.) Moisturize After Showers or Handwashing - Moisturizer is the key to soft supple skin. I light my Scandle lotion Candle and hop in the shower, when I get out I have just enough oil to moisturize my skin!

3.) Exfoliate on a Weekly or Semi-weekly Basis - Moisturizer is much more effective on properly exfoliated skin.

4.) Invest in a Humidifier - If you live in a low-humidity climate or you are around furnaces in the winter, invest in a humidifier.

5.) Skip the Drying Soaps - Soaps can be drying. Stick with a creamy moisturizing cleanser that contains glycerin or petrolatum.

6.) Baby Your Hands & Feet - Consider lathering up your feet in thick moisturizer and sleeping in cotton socks at night (Try our Scandle Helping Hand or Sole Survivor Treatment kits)

7.) Stay Hydrated But Don't Go Overboard Many people believe if they drink more water, they'll hydrate skin. This is a myth and you simply cannot moisturize skin from the inside out.

8.) Don't Forget Your Lips - Licking your lips will not moisturize them and instead will help dry them out.

9.) Protect Your Face, Too - Consider avoiding rinsing your face with tap water, which can contain harsh minerals that are especially drying to the skin

10.) Consider Fish Oil Pills New studies show omega-3 fish oil pills may soothe super dry skin.

Let us know of any dry skin solutions you have?

Winter wrap up

As the chilly weather begins to set in, it is important to remember to moisturize your skin. In colder weather skin needs extra moisture. Body wraps can get a little costly at treatment facilities but are a great way to keep skin nurtured. Here is a cost-effective, at-home remedy sure to keep the frost away, from your skin at least.

Depending on how much of your body you want to cover, your amount of each ingredient will change:

2-6 cups plain yogurt
1-3 cups honey
1-3 cups aloe vera liquid
Wrap material (plastic wrap, a small plastic garbage bag cut open, or a small damp, heated towel)
Blanket or large towel

Directions:

• Using an extra-large bowl, mix yogurt, honey and aloe vera in a ratio of 2-to-1-to-1
• Apply the mixture to your body, you do not have to cover your whole body
• Lightly wrap those areas
• Wrap up in the blanket or towel for 20-30 minutes
• Rinse with warm water or enjoy a soak in the bathtub

Tip: For best results, use the mask once a week until you notice results. Also, if you can, slightly exfoliate before applying the wrap. That way the treatment soaks directly into healthy, new skin.

If you have got a great body wrap mixture, please share with us...................

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The Scandle is a candle that burns at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a soothing oil for massage, manicures, pedicures or as a daily moisturizer. Made from 100% natural and vegan ingredients (including soy), The Scandle is the first candle that is healthy for your skin and environment by emitting less soot and toxins into the environment than parrafin candles. The Scandle features refillable/reusable packaging and travel tins made of recycled materials. The Scandle refills have a plantable hang tag that grows wildflowers when planted. Vote for a product that is a truely eco-friendly product both inside and out!:-) Your skin and the environment will thank you.

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Milk, does a skin care routine good!

Milk is great for building strong bones but what about for great skin? When applied topically, milk actually calms skin irritation and gently exfoliates.

That's because milk is a natural anti-inflammatory and it contains lactic acid, which is great for exfoliating sensitive skin. The fat content also increases water retention, thus creating newly moisturized skin.

While skim milk is preferred for the waistline, whole milk is preferred for skin care treatments. It contains more hydrating fat proteins. For some great skin-specific milk treatments, try these out below:

• Irritation and Redness:

Fill a bowl with milk (preferably whole) and ice. Soak a washcloth in the mixture then apply to the skin until your towel is no longer cold. Repeat three times then let your skin naturally dry.

• Dry or Sun-damaged skin:

Freeze buttermilk in an ice cube tray, then rub them gently on your face. Be careful not to set them for a long period of time on one specific spot. One cube rubbed gently in circular motion should do for each treatment.

• Full Body Soak

Grab a box of powdered milk from any grocery store and add to warm water until the water is off-white. Enjoy a nice full-body, milky bath.

Pamper your post-summer paws

Summer affords us the opportunity to bare it all, well at least our feet. Now, as the temperatures dip back down, it is time to fix the damage summer has caused on our feet. Walking around barefoot at the beach, poolside or just inside your house can cause dryness, scaling and calluses on our feet.

To pamper your paws, use products that contain peppermint or menthol, they cool and refresh.

For an at-home pedicure, use an exfoliate first that contains sugar or salt and scrub lightly, making sure to focus on rough spots. Try Scandle's Dead Sea Salt Soak & Scrub.

Next, remove the scrub with a towel soaked in warm water.

Massage in your favorite moisture packed lotion or oil.

Cover with thick socks.

Be sure to check out Scandle's hands or feet treatment packs with new sinimay packaging and give your soles some much need love.

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

It's a cold day here in Northern Texas, which has me feelin' really fall-ish. Here's another receipe to help your skin during the seasonal transition:

Pumpkin & Papaya Facial Mask

2/3 c fresh papaya, mashed

15 oz can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling, even though it sounds yummy!)

1 egg, beaten

Cut papaya in half and scoop out the seeds. Scoop out the fruit and mash it well. Beat the egg until it is frothy. Add egg to papaya. Add pumpkin and whip. (This can be done by hand, in a blender or in a food processor.) Apply mask to face. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with tepid water.

Got any other home beauty remedies using the great pumpkin? Let me know.

Body butter in the pumpkin patch

We have covered the cleansing treatments utilizing pumpkins, now add some heavy moisture before the chilly season sets in.

Body butters are a great way to revamp dry skin because they have sinfully rich ingredients working overtime to soothe your skin.


Pumpkin Body Butter

1/2 c pumpkin puree (cooked)

1/2 c solids from a can of coconut milk (coconut crème at the top of the can)

1/2 t cinnamon

Mix ingredients. Apply to skin, massaging gently. After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Pumpkin Perfect

Pumpkins are high in vitamin C for all-around tissue building and healing.

This month Scandle is highlighting the many beautifying treatments utilizing this fall friend.


Pumpkin Pie Scrub

• 1/2 c cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1/4 t cinnamon

Combine ingredients in a plastic bowl. Apply to body and scrub gently using circular motions. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Don't forget to stock up on your limited-edition 10oz. Scandle Pumpkin Pie Spice, now 35% off online.

Tell us your favorite pumpkin recipe......

The Pumpkin Isn't Just for Halloween Anymore

When you think of pumpkins you have visions of falling leaves, holiday decorating, pie and scary Jack-o'-lanterns but you should also think of them as healthy food and beauty treatments. Here's one of our favorite at-home pumpkin facial recipes. Let us know about any pumpkin related beauty recipies you wanna share.

What you need:

2 teaspoons canned pumpkin

½ teaspoon honey

½ teaspoon milk

¼ teaspoon cinnamon spice

How to make your own pumpkin masque:

Mix together ingredients into a paste, and brush onto freshly cleansed skin. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm spring water. Use a pumpkin-infused moisturizer for an immediate glow.

While we're on the topic of Pumpkins, make sure to try out Scandle's Limited Edition Fall Fragrance - Pumpkin Pie Spice!

In a walnutty world........

Walnuts are one of ten "super foods." Super foods provide multiple disease-fighting nutrients and fill you up so you can enjoy plenty of food without excess calories. Walnuts are great because you can enjoy them in everyday meals.

Not only are walnuts a good addition to any healthy eating plan, the omega-3 essential fatty acids make them a good method for fighting inflammatory skin issues, such as eczema and psoriasis.

Eating walnuts also helps improve skin smoothness because the oil contains lincolic acid, which maintains skin structure. Walnut shells can be ground up for a natural exfoliate ingredient. The leaf extract can also be used in skin care products for its astringent and conditioning properties.

Got any fave recipes or beauty products using this nutty classic?

Beauty in your fridge

Here are the last recipes from your kitchen and today's are good for all skin types.

• Green Tea

The antioxidants in green tea help fight free radical damage. Green tea can be applied directly to the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Some research has linked green tea treatments to the prevention of skin cancer and signs of aging resulting from sun exposure.

For a powerful, antioxidant punch brew one to two tea bags for each cup of water, let it cool then apply to your face after cleansing.

• Salt and Sugar

Maybe not the best for your insides, but applied as a scrub, these two are great natural exfoliates. They help loosen lifeless skin cells that need to be physically removed. The glycolic acid in sugar, paired with its rough texture makes it ideal for exfoliation treatments.

Mix a teaspoon of sugar or salt with any cleanser and apply in small, circular motions. Rinse with warm water.

Beauty in your fridge

We have covered some great all-natural treatments for acne, combination and normal skin. Here are some great finds for the dry skin girls:

• Avocados

They are great for moisturizing and rejuvenating because they are packed with monounsaturated fats and vitamins B and E. Also rich in vitamin C, avocados stimulate collagen and reduce some signs of aging.

For a surge of moisture, mix one tablespoon of ripe avocado, add half a teaspoon of honey and mix. Stir in a small amount of almond meal until creamy. Be sure to apply to a clean, make-up free face and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and finish with a rinse of vinegar pH balancer.

• Bananas

This high in potassium fruit has the same benefits of an avocado. But the banana gives the skin a long lasting healthy glow.

Mash a banana and add two teaspoons of yogurt. Mix until creamy and apply immediately to the skin. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes, then remove it with a spatula and rinse.

Do you have any favorite natural remedies I missed?

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