All Natural, Moisturizing Hand & Bath Soap

So, I recently downloaded the ThinkDirty app and realizing how many of our personal care products were a 9-10 rating on the toxin scale, mainly for carcinogenicity and developmental & reproductive toxicity, I was thoroughly horrified. My baby's soap that I have been using on her for her entire, little, sensitive, rapidly growing, and impressionable two years of life is a 9 on the toxicity scale for developmental & reproductive toxicity and a 4 on the carcinogenicity scale. How? Well, the mysterious label "fragrance" is legally allowed to be used in every personal care product to mask dangerous, toxic chemicals and is rated as a 9. And three other ingredients - Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Peg 150 Distearate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate  - are a 4 on the carcinogenicity scale. Our hand soap was only worse on the toxicity scale - a full on 10 for Carcinogenicity with Dmdm Hydantoin (a chemical like this is pretty common in hand soaps), and a 9 for "fragrance" on the developmental & reproductive toxicity. I'm sure the amounts are small, but when it's in almost all of our personal care and cleaning products that we use on a repetitive, daily basis, we are surely overloading our bodies with toxins whose effects may take years to be completely known.

I know it's easy to feel jaded and complacent with the rationalization that "everything is toxic and causes cancer," but I will no longer let that stop me from trying to make healthier choices for me and my family. With my precious little girl, the stakes are just too high. I wish I could afford to completely eliminate our toxic, chemical products and replace them with far healthier alternatives, but for now I can't. I also can not afford the health consequences of not at least starting to try, little by little, to live healthier. It is possible if you're willing to make your health a priority in your life.

Young Living creates effective, natural and essential oil empowered alternatives to nearly every chemical, toxic product on the market. Unfortunately, I can't always afford them yet, so whenever possible or if something is out of stock, I try to make my own alternative. Plus, it's rather fun to experiment and create a product uniquely designed to meet your own individual and family needs.

This hand & bath soap recipe is still being experimented with and perfected, nor is it my own original creation. I got it from @ashleymartinessentials on Instagram because I was looking for a functional essential oil soap recipe that would be soft on mine and my daughter's sensitive skin. We live in a dry area, and during the winter soaps really dry out our skin. I modified the original recipe a bit to fit our own needs and so far I really like it.

Large glass or stainless steel soap dispenser (for storing essential oils safely)

1/2 cup full fat Coconut Milk (the kind that comes in a can)

3/4 cup Unscented, Baby Mild Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap

2 tbsp. Vitamin E oil (this is perhaps the most expensive part and can be substituted with vitamin e oil diluted with coconut oil or extra aloe vera gel).

1/4 cup Fractionated Coconut Oil (or your favorite carrier oil).

1 tbsp. Vegetable Glycerine (I omitted this in mine since it's really just for texture and extra bubbles).

1-2 tbsp. Aloe Vera Gel

10 drops Lavender essential oil

10 drops Geranium essential oil

10 drops Copaiba essential oil

I chose these specific essential oils because I love their smell and how nourishing they are for the skin. You can always experiment with the amount and type of essential oils for your individual needs. Some other great combinations would be Melaleuca, Lavender, and Frankincense; Thieves, Lavender, and Copaiba; Stress Away and Geranium; Gentle Baby and Copaiba for younger children and pregnant women. The oils I chose and others like Melaleuca, Gentle Baby, and Frankincense are particularly gentle on even sensitive skin types and can always be diluted or eliminated if sensitivity occurs.

Even after learning how toxic our personal care product were, it took me a few weeks to scrape up enough time, energy, and materials to make this soap. It's never too late to start and it is so worth any inconvenience and extra expense to have that extra peace of mind. Why not starting using products that help our bodies do what they were meant to do, rather than potentially damage them in the long run? Worth it.

Email me at rach.dorian@gmail.com if you would like to learn more about how essential oils can benefit you and your family. I would love to hear from you!

*Disclaimer: This post is NOT intended as medical advice of any kind because I am not a doctor. These product(s) and statements have not been tested or evaluated by the FDA and so they are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent disease. Caution should be exercised with first time oil use - skin patch tests prior to use and dilution with carrier oil - especially in children. Children, especially under the age of 6, should never ingest essential oils without advice of a healthcare professional since they are concentrated and potent. If you are under the care of a physician, nursing, taking prescription medication, or pregnant please consult your doctor prior to use. Keep essential oils out of reach of children.

Miracle Grout Cleaner

The townhouse we live in is only a couple of years old, but I don't think the grout had been scrubbed since it was built! Rather than the pale beige it started out as, much of it had become a dark, grimy gray. It was not attractive. You never realize how much of a difference the color of the grout can make in a room until you finally clean it. But the difference is huge!

So, I took my beloved all natural All Purpose Cleaner to it with a scrub brush. I also used a bowl of soapy water, white distilled vinegar, and lemon juice to rinse the brush in. The result was astounding! The grout actually became its original color again and it's SO refreshing.

I love being able to clean effectively without any harsh, toxic, or cancer causing chemicals. Especially when you're cleaning around little kids or pets who inevitably lick everything, it can bring a lot of peace of mind. Plus, my all natural cleaners smell about a million times better. Sure, I felt a bit like Cinderella, down on my hands and knees, scrubbing the grout. But I also felt empowered and excited to be doing it on my own terms without having to depend on bleach or the like.

If you would like to learn more about how essential oils can benefit you and your family email me at rach.dorian@gmail.com! It's such a fun and exciting process leading a healthier, more non-toxic, chemical free lifestyle with essential oils that I love to mentor others in. You'll be surprised just how indispensable they become in your home.

Facial Cleanse & Moisturizer

I have wondered how people get flawless skin. I always assumed that they must just be more diligent or have better skin genetics. The truth is I just do not have the energy to actually wash my face every night and morning. Hey, I count it as a win if I brush my teeth. But my skin could use some extra love sometimes, so I knew I needed to incorporate some cleansing, skin rejuvenating oils into my routine. These oils are excellent for cleansing the skin and supporting its natural appearance. Plus, it smells so nice and refreshing. It's relaxing at night and fresh in the morning. The best part is that since it's a spray all I have to do it spray it onto a wipe and wipe my face down each morning and night, rather than somehow managing to splash the whole bathroom in a face washing routine.

The recipe is as follows and can always be modified to fit your individual needs and skin type:

1 2oz. amber glass spray bottle

5 drops Lavender

5 drops Frankincense

3 drops Melaleuca Alternifolia

2 drops Purification

3 drops Geranium

10 drops Vitamin E oil

1/2 tsp. Young Living V-6 oil OR Grapeseed or Jojoba oil (coconut oil can cause light breakouts on some skin types. So the carrier oil included should be experimented with until you find the right fit for your skin.)

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Fill the rest of the way with Aloe Vera Witch Hazel

NOTE: I never spray this directly on my face because I do not want to risk getting it in the eyes. Essential oils will irritate eyes and must be diluted with a carrier oil, not water. I always spray it on a towel or wipe first to apply.

You can always add more carrier oil and less witch hazel. I just have a skin type that breaks out when a solution is too oily. Witch Hazel is a great toner and cleanser for the skin that has more of a water like consistency so I love to use it in my sprays to help them spray easier.

Frankincense and Lavender are especially gentle oils that in addition to being uplifting, relaxing, and soothing, are excellent for skin care. Melaleuca or Tea Tree helps cleanse the skin of impurities - toxins, makeup, oily residue, etc. Purification is Young Living's proprietary cleansing blend. It contains Melaleuca and Lavandin (similar too but a bit sharper than Lavender) as well as other freshening oils. And Geranium is a gentle skin tonic, cleanser, and moisturizer that is also calming and uplifting. It's similar to both Lavender and Rose, but at a much more affordable price than Rose. If I had Rose, I would certainly add it to this spray, but Geranium is an excellent substitute.

Email me at rach.dorian@gmail.com if you're interested in learning more about how essential oils can benefit you and your family! I love to answer questions and mentor other in their essential oil journeys. There is no better time to take charge of your health and wellness. Plus, four out of five of these oils (all but Geranium) are included in my favorite Premium Starter Kit! It doesn't get better than that.

 *Disclaimer: This post is NOT intended as medical advice of any kind because I am not a doctor. These product(s) have not been tested or evaluated by the FDA and so they are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent disease. They only help your body to do what it was meant to do, like nutritional supplements. Caution should be exercised with first time oil use - skin patch tests prior to use and dilution with carrier oil - especially in children. Children, especially under the age of 6, should never ingest essential oils without advice of a healthcare professional since they are concentrated and potent. If you are under the care of a physician, nursing, taking prescription medication, or pregnant please consult your doctor prior to use. Keep essential oils out of reach of children.

Hair Serum - Anti-Frizz Detangler Spray

So, like most women I have a love/hate relationship with my hair. The truth is I've never really cared enough to learn how to tame it so it's almost always just been allowed to do its own thing. I love it because it's naturally wavy, long, and a pretty auburn color in the right lighting. But it also likes to frizz A LOT. Ever since becoming a mother I've just been throwing it up in ponytails and by the end of the day it's a frizzy mess that only vaguely resembles a ponytail. The frizz has gotten especially bad these past few months to the point where it became an embarrassing nuisance even for a stay at home, too tired to care most of the time mom like me. I suspected it may even be damaged it was so bad. Plus, now that my daughter's hair is getting longer and harder to tame I knew a gentle detangler would be invaluable.

Once again, essential oils to the rescue! Here is the recipe for a quick, easy and incredibly healthy, gentle, and beneficial hair serum:

1 2oz. amber glass spray bottle

5 drops Stress Away

5 drops Lavender

3 drops Geranium

2 drops Cedarwood

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. fractionated coconut oil

10 drops Vitamin E Oil

Fill the rest of the way with Aloe Vera Witch Hazel

It feels and smells wonderful! Of course, Stress Away is the best smelling oil blend known to man. I also used it because it contains both Lavender and Cedarwood, which are excellent for hair health and growth. Thicker, longer hair in a yummy smelling bottle! Geranium, Lavender, and Cedarwood are nourishing for both skin and hair. I use them for anything and everything. Plus, they are all generally regarded as safe for children because they are so gentle. 

Both Lavender and Stress Away are included in Young Living's incredibly valued Premium Starter Kit. If you're interested in learning more about how essential oils can benefit you and your family email me at rach.dorian@gmail.com! I love to answer questions and mentor others in their essential oil journeys! It is the best way to start living a more chemical free, healthier life.

 *Disclaimer: This post is NOT intended as medical advice of any kind because I am not a doctor. These product(s) have not been tested or evaluated by the FDA and so they are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent disease. They only help your body to heal itself, like nutritional supplements. Any conditions mentioned above are things that myself and other people have experienced alleviation of when using essential oils and everyone can react differently. Caution should be exercised with first time oil use - skin patch tests prior to use and dilution with carrier oil - especially in children. Children, especially under the age of 6, should never ingest essential oils without advice of a healthcare professional since they are concentrated and potent. If you are under the care of a physician, nursing, taking prescription medication, or pregnant please consult your doctor prior to use. Keep essential oils out of reach of children.

Thieves: DIY Purifying Spray

As you may imagine by all my going on about it thus far, Thieves is an incredibly useful and indispensable essential oil blend to have around. It was pioneered by Young Living based upon the herbs and oils that four thieves and spice traders allegedly used to cover themselves in before robbing plague victims. They  managed to survive, but they were caught and they bargained their valuable secret for a lesser sentence. Thieves is cleansing, yummy smelling, antioxidant rich and formulated to support the immune system. The All Purpose Cleaner I make with it has been so popular and effective that I realized I needed to create a purse sized purifying spray with it too.

This spray works so well for hands, shopping carts, toys and so much more. No more worrying about strong alcohol or chemicals. I have personally always detested the smell of hand sanitizer and the way it would dry out my hands. This spray smells wonderful and is much gentler on our hands.

The recipe is as follows:

1 2oz. amber glass spray bottle

2 oz. Unscented Witch Hazel

5-25 drops Thieves essential oil

You can also use water with a bit of salt instead of Witch Hazel if you would like to use it for cleaning rather than skin purifying. I just used 5 drops of essential oil in mine to use around a baby, but you can always experiment with the amount. I wouldn't use more than 25 drops for a very concentrated solution. 5 drops is sufficient and 10 drops should be plenty.

Stick this handy spray bottle in your purse and never be without it. You can email me at rach.dorian@gmail.com to learn more about how to get started with essential oils.

*Disclaimer: This post is NOT intended as medical advice of any kind because I am not a doctor. These product(s) have not been tested or evaluated by the FDA and so they are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent disease. They only help your body to do what it was meant to do, like nutritional supplements. Caution should be exercised with first time oil use - skin patch tests prior to use and dilution with carrier oil - especially in children. Children, especially under the age of 6, should never ingest essential oils without advice of a healthcare professional since they are concentrated and potent. If you are under the care of a physician, nursing, taking prescription medication, or pregnant please consult your doctor prior to use. Keep essential oils out of reach of children.

Lemon: All Natural and Multipurpose Windex

This amazing stuff combined with my All Purpose EO Cleaner is really all you need to clean your entire home naturally and effectively. They both work even just as well, if not better, than their chemical counterparts. Plus, they are completely non-toxic and safe to use around children! Even my mother-in-law, who is a bit skeptical about essential oils, has started using them in place of her other cleaners because they work SO well and they smell super yummy.

Recipe:

1 2oz. amber glass spray bottle

1 oz. (60 ml or halfway) white vinegar

1 oz. water

5-10 drops Lemon essential oil

This cleaner can shine and purify windows and mirrors.

I use it to wash our produce.

It can get gum out of hair, remove permanent marker, and stains out of carpet.

It can even purify the air. 

And of course, Lemon essential oil is included in the Young Living Premium Starter kit. So, if you're skeptical about essential oils "working," let me tell you, they work for cleaning. without question. You'll always find a reason to use them. Email me at rach.dorian@gmail.com if you're curious and want to learn more!

*Disclaimer: This post is NOT intended as medical advice of any kind because I am not a doctor. These product(s) have not been tested or evaluated by the FDA and so they are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent disease. Caution should be exercised with first time oil use - skin patch tests and dilution with carrier oil - especially in children.

All Natural & All Purpose Essential Oil Cleaner

I am so excited to share my miracle cleaner with you today! I honestly can not say enough good about this cleaner or these amazing oils. After searching the internet for a recipe for an all purpose essential oil cleaner I picked bits and pieces of what I liked and created my very own. I may modify it or create others in the future, but this one has worked so incredibly well! And it smells so good. Even my mother-in-law has been using it.

The recipe is as follows:

1 16 oz. Glass Spray Bottle (fill it up most of the way with warm water)

10 drops Thieves essential oil

10 drops Lemon essential oil

5 drops Melaleuca (Tea Tree) essential oil

1/3 cup. vinegar (you can always do more vinegar and less water but I didn't want it to smell too much like vinegar)

1/2 cup lemon juice

1-2 tsp. baking soda

The vinegar and soda will react with each other, creating a fizzy action, so do it over a sink. The reaction will neutralize them both since vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base. This combination is excellent for removing hard water stains, and the essential oils will purify and cleanse. To add more cleaning, degreasing, and bleaching power add some extra lemon juice to the solution.

I decided to test the cleaner out first on the bathroom. And let's just say it had been way too long since I had cleaned this particular bathroom. There was staining on the toilet that I just didn't think my cleaner was going to be able to handle. So I used Clorox toilet cleaner first and in spite of my scrubbing it was not coming off. Sprayed it down with my essential oil cleaner and with only a little more effort it was sparkling white and clean. It did the same for the rest of the bathroom. I've honestly never been able to clean an entire bathroom so quickly in my entire life! Instead of chemical smells that make your eyes water, my essential oil cleaner made it smell like heaven - clove, lemon, cinnamon, and just yummy clean. I have since used it to clean counter tops, baby high chair, tile floors, and even the kitchen sink drain, all of which it excelled at and far surpassed any other cleaner.

If you're wondering how it could be so good, let me explain. Thieves is a Young Living proprietary blend with clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils. "Thieves® was created based on research about four thieves in France who covered themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims. This proprietary essential oil blend was university tested for its cleansing abilities. It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health."

Lemon is of course well known for its cleaning and especially whitening capabilities. There is no end to the amount of things it can clean and do.

And Melaleuca, more commonly known as Tea Tree, both supports the immune system and cleans beautifully.

And best of all, two out of three of these incredibly useful oils are included in the Young Living starter kit! Email me at rach.dorian@gmail.com if you want to learn more about how essential oils can benefit you and your family. They are the best towards living a non-toxic, healthier life without compromising on quality and effectiveness.

*Disclaimer: This post is NOT intended as medical advice of any kind because I am not a doctor. These product(s) have not been tested or evaluated by the FDA and so they are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent disease. Caution should be exercised with first time oil use - skin patch tests and dilution with carrier oil - especially in children.