Is there really a product that erases our wrinkles? If there was, we would all be looking younger and younger everyday, and the "plumping" formulas would make our faces and hands swell from repeated applications and we'd all just be so soft and lovely. The reality of these beautiful little jars of hope is nothing currently on the market erases wrinkles, but there are ways to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Creams that contain tretinoin--the acid form of Vitamin A--can be highly effective. Topical antioxidants and glycolic acid have proven to combat some of the skin-damaging effects of the environment.
To see an immediate effect, a cream introduces water back into the skin creating a plumping effect. This cream could be the most basic brand from your local pharmacy.
So-called superfoods have been identified as anti-aging weapons, such as pomegranate juice, blueberry powder and the allegedly miraculous acai berry. But can you actually eat or drink your way to smoother skin?
There are certainly foods that are good for you, and antioxidant foods, which are rich in vitamins including E and C, can help in the fight for healthy skin and longevity in general. Consumers have been captivated by the promises of powder, pill and juice form of anti-oxident extracts. However, studies still haven't shown how an isolated antioxidant has proven very effective in anti-aging. Eating whole foods, including blueberries, cherries and other fruits and vegetables with antioxidants, is one of the keys to getting the most out of the experience.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Suck the Stress out of your day
A Show, Sell & Socialize evening event at the Ashton Wellness Spa. Wine & Cheese and a chance to check out some interesting vendors in time for Mothers Day Gift Giving. May 7th at 7pm at the Ashton Wellness Spa, 4226 St Jean Blvd, #400, Dollard Des Ormeaux
Mini Shops include:Ashton Wellness, Univeraweb,5th Avenue Jewelry,Epicure Selections, Hint of Eden Soap, eCause Canada and Partylites
Monday, April 20, 2009
27 other uses for handmade soap
By: Patricia Mills, The Soap Guru
All natural handmade soap is not just great for washing your body. Here are 27 other uses for your wonderful bar. I have tried many myself, but not all. Feel free to share other uses you have come across.
1. Prevent soot build-up on your cast iron camping pots/pans. Rub a bar of soap over the bottom before cooking over open fire.
2. Use as a fabric marker when sewing. It will wash right out.
3. Deodorize your car, luggage and drawers. Just put pieces of soap in a mesh bag and store/hang to keep things smelling fresh.
4. Get stuck zippers moving again. Rub a bar of soap over the offending zipper to lubricate it.
5. Detect leaks. Make a spray be melting 1 cup shredded soap into 1 cup of water. Spray the solution onto gas pipes, tires, air beds, etc…if you see bubbles form, you found your leak.
6. Remove a broken light bulb. Shove the corner of your soap into the base and twist.
7. As a plant spray to get rid of or ward off insects: 1 cup shredded soap melted into 2 cups of water. Spray all over and let dry.
8. To remove wall paper and/or it’s glue make a solution soap 1 cup shredded soap in 1 cup water. Sponge over the area.
9. To get old drawers moving, rub over the metal runners.
10. To make metal move through wood easier, lubricate screws by driving them into a bar of soap first, or rub a saw blade with soap.
11. Easy pun cushion. Cover a bar of soap in fabric. The pins will be lubricated by the soap as well, preventing snags.
12. Clean dirty window sills by running the wet edge of a bar along them and wipe with damp cloth.
13. Snap siding into place easier by lubricating the zip tool with soap solution.
14. Repell rabbits and deer from garden. Make sachets with strong smelling soap: like peppermint, place around garden.
15. Pre-treat stains. Wet area and rub soap into it before laundering.
16. Keep your finger nails clean when gardening. Scrape your nails over a bar of soap before digging in the dirt. It will keep the dirt out and make washing up after easier.
17. Relieve the itch of a bug bite. Rub a wet bar of soap over the bite and let dry.
18. Use as a shave lotion. Make a solution of 1 part grated soap melted into 1 part water.
19. Rid your house of fleas. Put a solution of 2 parts shredded soap melted into 1 part water into a dish. Place the dish under a lamp over night. The light will attract the fleas and they will drown in the soap.
20. Make your own foaming sponges. Shove soap slivers into the holes.
21. Use as a hand wash for your delicates.
22. Make a great all natural pet shampoo. Melt 1 cup shredded soap into 1 cup of water.
23. Make your own fruit and veggie wash. Melt 1/4 cup shredded soap into 2 cups water and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Wash and rinse well.
24. For a great window cleaner use the above solution in a spray bottle.
25. Clean your jewelry by soaking in a solution of 1/2 cup shredded soap melted into 1 cup water. Gently scrub with an old tooth brush and rinse.
26. As a mild antiseptic wash: wash scrapes with soap. As an antiseptic paste, make a gel by soaking 1/4 cup shredded soap in 1 tablespoon water until gel-like. Add enough white sugar to make a paste. Put a little on a splinter or boil, cover with gauze.
27. To ward off poison ivy rash make a solution of 1 cup shredded soap in 1/2 cup water. Apply over exposed skin that may come into contact with the plants. It will act as a barrier to the rash causing oils.
Patricia Mills is a natural handmade soapmaker using centuries old techniques, with the finest ingredients available. She uses a unique blend of vegetable oils to create a superior bar with a fluffy, long lasting, rich lather that provides many benefits to your skin. Read more by Patrica Mills on her Blog: The Soap Guru http://thesoapguru.com/
All natural handmade soap is not just great for washing your body. Here are 27 other uses for your wonderful bar. I have tried many myself, but not all. Feel free to share other uses you have come across.
1. Prevent soot build-up on your cast iron camping pots/pans. Rub a bar of soap over the bottom before cooking over open fire.
2. Use as a fabric marker when sewing. It will wash right out.
3. Deodorize your car, luggage and drawers. Just put pieces of soap in a mesh bag and store/hang to keep things smelling fresh.
4. Get stuck zippers moving again. Rub a bar of soap over the offending zipper to lubricate it.
5. Detect leaks. Make a spray be melting 1 cup shredded soap into 1 cup of water. Spray the solution onto gas pipes, tires, air beds, etc…if you see bubbles form, you found your leak.
6. Remove a broken light bulb. Shove the corner of your soap into the base and twist.
7. As a plant spray to get rid of or ward off insects: 1 cup shredded soap melted into 2 cups of water. Spray all over and let dry.
8. To remove wall paper and/or it’s glue make a solution soap 1 cup shredded soap in 1 cup water. Sponge over the area.
9. To get old drawers moving, rub over the metal runners.
10. To make metal move through wood easier, lubricate screws by driving them into a bar of soap first, or rub a saw blade with soap.
11. Easy pun cushion. Cover a bar of soap in fabric. The pins will be lubricated by the soap as well, preventing snags.
12. Clean dirty window sills by running the wet edge of a bar along them and wipe with damp cloth.
13. Snap siding into place easier by lubricating the zip tool with soap solution.
14. Repell rabbits and deer from garden. Make sachets with strong smelling soap: like peppermint, place around garden.
15. Pre-treat stains. Wet area and rub soap into it before laundering.
16. Keep your finger nails clean when gardening. Scrape your nails over a bar of soap before digging in the dirt. It will keep the dirt out and make washing up after easier.
17. Relieve the itch of a bug bite. Rub a wet bar of soap over the bite and let dry.
18. Use as a shave lotion. Make a solution of 1 part grated soap melted into 1 part water.
19. Rid your house of fleas. Put a solution of 2 parts shredded soap melted into 1 part water into a dish. Place the dish under a lamp over night. The light will attract the fleas and they will drown in the soap.
20. Make your own foaming sponges. Shove soap slivers into the holes.
21. Use as a hand wash for your delicates.
22. Make a great all natural pet shampoo. Melt 1 cup shredded soap into 1 cup of water.
23. Make your own fruit and veggie wash. Melt 1/4 cup shredded soap into 2 cups water and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Wash and rinse well.
24. For a great window cleaner use the above solution in a spray bottle.
25. Clean your jewelry by soaking in a solution of 1/2 cup shredded soap melted into 1 cup water. Gently scrub with an old tooth brush and rinse.
26. As a mild antiseptic wash: wash scrapes with soap. As an antiseptic paste, make a gel by soaking 1/4 cup shredded soap in 1 tablespoon water until gel-like. Add enough white sugar to make a paste. Put a little on a splinter or boil, cover with gauze.
27. To ward off poison ivy rash make a solution of 1 cup shredded soap in 1/2 cup water. Apply over exposed skin that may come into contact with the plants. It will act as a barrier to the rash causing oils.
Patricia Mills is a natural handmade soapmaker using centuries old techniques, with the finest ingredients available. She uses a unique blend of vegetable oils to create a superior bar with a fluffy, long lasting, rich lather that provides many benefits to your skin. Read more by Patrica Mills on her Blog: The Soap Guru http://thesoapguru.com/
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Why choose handmade soap?
Soap has gotten a bad rap over the years, as people claim it's harsh or drying. This is true of many mass-produced soaps, but not all soaps are created equally. Manufactured or commercial' soaps chemically remove the glycerin and sell it as a by-product - such as lotions & body butters.
Soap is the product of a chemical reaction between an acid (fat/oil) and a base/alkali (sodium hydroxide, also known as lye). This chemical reaction also produces glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant which draws and absorbs water from the air, and helps the skin retain moisture.
Many soaps use animal fats, which can clog pores, where vegetable oils allow skin to breathe. Commercial soaps can contain synthetic colorants, fragrances and other additives. Even unscented' products contain masking' scents to cover up the other ingredients.
Handcrafted soap, usually made by the "cold process" method, is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. The "cold process" simply means there is no external heat involved in the chemical reaction. This soap retains its naturally-occurring glycerin. This kind of soap is considered true glycerin soap, as opposed to the popular transparent soaps which undergo chemical processes and require alcohol to keep them clear. Many handcrafted soapmakers use better quality oils and nourishing ingredients like shea butter, as well as natural essential oils for fragrance.
So what is the myth about lye soap. All soap is made with lye or an equivalent. You cannot make soap without it. Soap needs time to cure, and in that time the chemical reaction converts the lye and oils into soap and glycerin. The lye is no longer present in the final product - only soap and glycerin.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Find us on Flickr
You can also see our photostream on Flicker. You are welcome to leave your comments about any of our soaps. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hintofeden/
Can we count on seeing you?
Hint of Eden will be at The Mommies Lounge in Pointe-Claire May 3rd.
We'd love to meet you and hear what you have to say. Hint of Eden is a member of TML Sorority
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Silicones and the Environment
Why are silicones in our shampoos?
Silicone is more commonly used in lotions but can be contained in shampoos or conditioners. It helps make hair soft, shiny and smooth. The ingredients you want to look for are dimethicone or compounds ending in -methicone, -siloxane, -silicate or -silane
The Canadian federal government plans to add two silicon-based chemicals, which are found in shampoo, soap, antiperspirant and hundreds of other personal-care products, to its toxic chemicals list after tests showed they pose a danger to wildlife.
The two specific chemicals are: Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) It is used primarily to make other silicone materials. It dries quickly without sensation or residue. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) acts as a carrier agent, allowing products to spread smoothly and easily, providing a silky feel during application.
According to the Environment Canada website, the substances are not harmful to humans when used for their intended purposes. However the substances seep into the environment in large quantities where they pollute marine life.
In effort to reduce environmental exposure of this chemical, it is possible to find hair care and personal care products without it. Silicones are not an essential ingredient: shampoos having no silicone possesses a high degree of style control properties while shampoos containing silicone are conditioning. Herbal shampoos, deodorants and soaps are also available, many of which are vegetable based and do not contain synthetics.
Silicone is more commonly used in lotions but can be contained in shampoos or conditioners. It helps make hair soft, shiny and smooth. The ingredients you want to look for are dimethicone or compounds ending in -methicone, -siloxane, -silicate or -silane
The Canadian federal government plans to add two silicon-based chemicals, which are found in shampoo, soap, antiperspirant and hundreds of other personal-care products, to its toxic chemicals list after tests showed they pose a danger to wildlife.
The two specific chemicals are: Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) It is used primarily to make other silicone materials. It dries quickly without sensation or residue. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) acts as a carrier agent, allowing products to spread smoothly and easily, providing a silky feel during application.
According to the Environment Canada website, the substances are not harmful to humans when used for their intended purposes. However the substances seep into the environment in large quantities where they pollute marine life.
In effort to reduce environmental exposure of this chemical, it is possible to find hair care and personal care products without it. Silicones are not an essential ingredient: shampoos having no silicone possesses a high degree of style control properties while shampoos containing silicone are conditioning. Herbal shampoos, deodorants and soaps are also available, many of which are vegetable based and do not contain synthetics.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
West Island Complimentary Health Alliance meeting
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The West Island Complementary Health Alliance is made of individuals and businesses united in a common goal; and that is to help others find balance and improved health. We believe that you can not separate the health of the planet from the health of the people. Members are complementary health care practitioners and health related and earth friendly businesses, with a holistic philosophy. We understand that each person’s health requirements are individual and changing.
Through awareness and active learning about one another’s businesses and healing modalities, and disseminating information to our communities we can cooperatively reach more people resulting in a greater positive impact on their health and our environment.
Hint of Eden is part of this community as our goal is to create personal care products that are not only good for your skin, but do not contribute to the contamination of the marine environment.
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