Hey Girls, taking this opportunity to shout out that I am finally listed on craftsvilla. It is still a work in progress but so happy to be there. Do check out my page at www.craftsvilla.com/swarnkrita and show some love.
shower
Neem Haldi Tulsi Soap
Hi Ladies,
Last week was really hectic so could not tell you all about this. Recently made this amazing, dark & handsome soap with freshly crushed Neem leaves, Cold Pressed Neem Oil and essential Oil of Basil or Tulsi. Perrrrfect for this humid monsoon season starting up. All these ingredients are considered good for the skin and have anti-bacterial properties.
And to top it all, it has crushed walnut powder to give the skin a mild scrub.
Now these soaps are cut and curing on my soap rack. Since I make only small batches, it happens that by the time the word goes out, the batch is close to finishing. So if you like it, pre-book it now. I will be shipping them starting 24th June.
Enjoy the rains.
Get Monsoon Ready Skin
The monsoons are not far off and very soon the hot dry air will be replaced by …. (drum rolls) hot humid air.
High levels of humidity take a toll on our skin. Because of the heat, Skin works in overdrive to produce more sweat & cool the body but it also attracts more dust and grime. When the skin is wet and sweaty, it is very easy to suffer skin damage when we venture out in the sun. Humidity, dust and oily skin also mean a fertile ground for bacteria to flourish. This can lead to blocked pores, acne or rashes.
Skin care during the rainy season does not mean just sitting in air-conditioners and not stepping out. (I won’t mind it thoughJ) Rather, natural recipes to support the skin can make a world of difference and keep us looking and feeling fresh and glowing.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind during these monsoons.
- Keep the skin hydrated by drinking adequate amount of water. Instead of sugary/fizzy drinks, go for natural traditional drinks like sweet lime or shikanji, honey & lemon, freshly pressed fruit & vegetable juices, sweet lassi or masala chaas.
- Use a mild soap to keep the skin clean without affecting the sebum balance of the skin. Remember that sebum fights off the bacteria build-up on the skin and stripping it away with harsh soaps can be counterproductive.
- Go for minimal makeup. Always remove the makeup as soon as possible to let the skin breath.
- Applying light oil like sesame oil after bathing helps lock the moisture and also keeps the skin free from bacteria. It is an old and beneficial practice but many don’t do it thinking its not fashionable enough for them 😛
Here’s wishing a bountiful monsoon with lots of fun & frolic and glowing, radiant skin to match.
Stay natural, stay beautiful.
Orangy-Tangy-Yummy
Its going to be back…. the Orange Blast Soap has been in slumber for a couple of weeks and needs just a bit more sleep. Its orangy-tangy-sweet smell will wake you up with a bang. You can pre-order by connecting with me on gmail or whatsapp as well.
Exquisite Ingredients give excellent results
The handmade soaps that I make have ingredients which have known benefits for skin and have been used for skin care since a long time. They are so good for the skin that you can directly use them as massage oils.
Coconut Oil keeps the skin nourished and soft. It also has anti-aging properties and protects the skin from harmful effects of the Sun. Have a look at how many ways you can use coconut oil here
Castor oil has been used for centuries for its anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. It is one of the most widely used ingredients in cosmetics, soaps, massage oils etc. Castor oil is an excellent emollient for the facial skin
Olive Oil is loaded with antioxidants and nutrition. Olive oil can also help repair skin damage from sun exposure, cigarette smoke and pollutants. Using it as a massage oil in winters can keep your skin soft and supple.
Commercial soaps contain so many chemicals; I don’t think any manufacturer will ever recommend putting the ingredients directly on skin 😉
Do You Know?
Transparent soaps look so good to hold against the light and see through. A lot many adverts have that image. Do you know how a plain jane bar of soap turns transparent?
Transparent soap is made by adding alcohol to the soap; and that too 80%-90% ABV alcohol. Such high alcohol content is very drying for the skin. It strips the skin of the natural oil. This can leave the skin scratchy and itchy. It can also cause flakiness. Bereft of its natural oil barrier, the skin can become prone to rashes too.
Choose a soap which is good for you, not just good to look at; much like choosing a life partner 😉
Happy Users = Happy Me :-)
It feels so good when people who have used the soaps take the trouble to let everyone around know that they liked it. Makes me feel super happy.
Hifza loved the Frankincense & Cinnamon soap so much, she took the whole batch 🙂
Thank you so much.
You can read her review here.
Basil + Orange + Lime = Awesomeness
With essential oils of Basil , Lime and Orange , this lovely hand made natural soap gives am amazing start to the day. #skincare #naturalskincare #organic #vegan #skin #coldprocesssoap #cosmetics #beautyproducts #indian #natural #dryskin #loveyourskin #shower #soap #handcrafted #makeup #awesome #healthy #swarnkrita #bloggers
Bad Hair Days?
Hi Ladies,
Bad hair days can ruin the best of moments. But why do they occur?
The hair shaft or the outer covering of the hair is made up of lots of tightly packed overlapping scales, much like the way shown in the shampoo ads. Our scalp produces oil called sebum which coats the hair and helps keep these scales aligned as well as protect our hair.
When this oil balance is disturbed, the scales on the hair open and the hair swell, causing frizzy, brittle hair.
This imbalance can occur due to use of shampoos or caused by improper diet or stress. This is also a cause of hair breakage and hair loss.
Apple Cider Vinegar helps restore the natural acidity of the hair in the most natural way.
Apple cider vinegar is also anti-inflammatory, which can counteract the skin inflammation that typically occurs with dandruff and a dry, flaky scalp.
Apples are loaded with potassium, calcium and pectin, and fermentation adds even more beneficial enzymes. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is packed with all of these nutrients, so you can prefer it over filtered apple cider vinegar.
The Rinse:
1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in about 1 cup of water.
After shampoo, rinse your hair with this mix.
Let it sit for 1-2 minutes,
Rinse with water.
Don’t worry, as your hair dry, the vinegar odor goes away too, leaving you with shiny, clean hair.
Tip:
Just leave a plastic mug/cup with the bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar in the washroom. Wash your hair first, followed by the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. Let it sit in the hair for the rest of the bath. Rinse your hair as part of the shower itself.
Let me know what natural things you use to prevent bad hair days.
Frankincense & Cinnamon Soap
Hi Ladies,
Spent time today making a fabulous batch of Frankincense soap. Also added some fresh ground cinnamon to it. The result is this beautiful loaf of soap. Have a look at some pics of the making and cutting. Now the soap is sitting pretty and curing for atleast 3-4 weeks before it is ready to ship. Do let me know if you want to reserve some for yourself!!!
And keep watching this space for more info.
Stay Natural, Stay Beautiful .
Swarn Krita 