Less Is More - A Minimalist Approach to Bodycare

I'm a simple person. I'm a paper pad and pencil gal. I take 5 minute showers, cut my own hair, and wear 2 different kind of socks because one side of a pair quit. I have many of these quirks.

I'm a minimalist, meaning I continually ask myself, "Is that really necessary?"

So, here I am asking: Are all these body care products necessary? An average bath routine consists of at least 6 products: Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser, facial moisturizer, body lotion. There's a reason why women spend on average $471/year on body care products (Businesspundit.com) ...because of all this stuff . So, how do we spend less, use less, and save more:

Tips to Minimize your Bodycare Routine:

1 Bar of Cold Process Handmade Soap = Body wash + Facial Cleanser + Body Lotion

Go Handmade! Cold process soap makers create soap from scratch with sodium hydroxide (sorry peeps, no lye = no soap). Recipes are made with mild, cleansing, and moisturizing oils, plus during the soap making process, natural glycerin is created. These soaps are gentle enough to use as a body soap and facial soap. Added bonus: Naturally retained glycerin eliminates the need to moisturize your body with lotion.

1 Shampoo Bar = Shampoo + Conditioner

Go Solid! Shampoo Bars contain all the cleansing agents without stripping your natural oils. No need for conditioner. If you have hard water, the minerals from the water will stay in your hair -- simply use a vinegar rinse (2 teaspoons in 1 tall glass of water). Not up to the task? Just alternate, use the bar until you feel like you need a good rinsing, then go to your regular shampoo.


Jojoba Oil = Facial Moisturizer

Jojoba Oil (it's actually a liquid wax) contains properties similar to our skin's sebum. It makes a great moisturizer (even for sensitive skin), a little goes a long way, AND it's another all-in-one -- facial moisturizer, body lotion, and hair oil.

So...guessing that 1 bar of handmade soaps runs around $6 and lasts a month, $6x12 = $72
A shampoo bar should last you about 2 months, $7 x 6 = $42
1 Bottle of Jojoba Oil should last about 3-6 months, $5 x 2 = $10

Total spent a year = $124

Not bad...

Turmeric, Good for Skin

Too-ma-rik? Ter-mer-ick?

However you prefer to pronounce it, the benefits of turmeric (Curcuma longa) remain the same. Used for centuries in India, this Ayurvedic medicinal plant is famous for it's potent amount of curcumin, an anti-inflammatory ingredient found in the root and it's antiseptic properties.

A relative of the ginger plant and widely grown in Southeast Asia, it looks much like a pudgy ginger root from the outside, but once you cut into it, the shock of vibrant orange differentiates it from your average store bought ginger (Zingiber officinale). If you haven't heard about turmeric, most likely you have unknowingly tasted it. Used as one of the main ingredients in Indian curries, and as a coloring agent in mustard, turmeric probably crossed your lips or at least stained that new white shirt you wore to that picnic. ;-)

Found in body washes, shampoos, soaps, and makeup, turmeric has become increasingly popular in the body care industry. Used in beauty rituals for Indian, and Bengali weddings, brides are covered in turmeric paste to create a glow like no other. Also applied to cuts, skin infections, acne, and scars turmeric has been known as a useful beauty rescue aid.

So, where can you purchase this miraculous root? Try an Asian grocery store. Luckily, I live near quite a few; Pomona Supermarket on Holt, Market World and Ranch 99 in Rancho Cucamonga. For my organic Turmeric soap, I purchase certified organic turmeric powder through Mountain Rose Herbs.

Here is a great Turmeric beauty recipe:

Indian Bridal Glow Mask

1 cup of chickpea flour
3 tablespoons of powdered turmeric
Almond oil (enough to form a paste)

Directions: Mix ingredients into a paste. Apply to the face and body, and let it sit for a few minutes. Remove the mask by rubbing off mixture with your hands. This motion will exfoliate your skin. Cleanse off the rest of the mask. Can be applied once a week.

(provided by Shalina Vadhera, a celebrity makeup artist and writer of Passport to Beauty).

My note: Definitely try out Shalina's recipe, but if you don't have almond oil, you can also use a more common oil you have on hand -- organic olive, sunflower, coconut, or even sesame seed. Always perform a 24 hr. skin patch test to make sure you don't have allergies or skin sensitivities. I also have tried substituting chickpea flour with baking soda, pearl powder, grounded oatmeal, or finely grounded jasmine rice. Chickpea flour helps with inflammation, redness, and makes a great skin exfoliator. It may be drying for some skin types. If you have really light skin, you may want to tone down the amount of turmeric powder because it does give you a slight orange glow -- not a bad -- I stayed in the tanning salon too long - glow, just a tinge.

Remember: What works for one's skin may not work for another AND I am not a medical physician. I merely enjoy the wonders of ingredients used in beauty regimens across the world. It's a journey I continue to seek and love to share with rest of you. Enjoy!

It's Official!

Yup, it finally happened. I started a blog. For many years now I have played with the thought of creating an outlet where I can share information learned from my many late nights of research. And yes, I am a research hog. I love it, I crave it, I live comfortably knowing that I am just a "Power On" button away from the vastness of information on the web. I possibly could suffer from research-itis, which may require a curing dosage of Thai massage, ginger tea, a night out with girlfriends, and some type of fruity dessert. This is all self diagnosed, of course.

So, stay tuned. Most of what I will post will be work related, Asian Inspired Bodycare kind of stuff. Asian herbal remedies, organic vegetable oil properties, interesting soap making stories, and occasional blurbs about fantastic moments in life. Hope you enjoy the journey, and feel free to make comments and share.

Marie