GETTING STARTED
CONTENTS: getting started // 3 tips 14 Pantry Ingredients plant oil guide essential oil guide herb guide
getting started You ve taken such a beautiful first step. I want to see you succeed! Let s make sure you have every advantage to make this course an amazing, transformative experience! Here are 3 tips to help you hit the ground running. 1. Get hydrated - Staying hydrated is simply one of the easiest and most effective ways to change the way you look and feel. Here s why you should reach for that extra glass of water: water helps with digestion: When it comes to our skin, it s all connected to your gut. Keep your system clean, flushed and all the bacteria and waste moving along. water improves mood: Studies show even mild dehydration negatively impacts your mood, and when it comes to looking your best, it s about how you feel. water improves mental clarity: Water is essential for your brain to optimally function. Your attention span, memory and focus is effected by dehydration and to create lasting change, you ll need your wits about you. Starting today - commit to drinking half your body weight in ounces. You re going to be flushing out toxins, hydrating your body and feeling better than ever. 2. Get moving - Exercise creates a healthy body - and health is true beauty. If you re already active, keep at it! If you re not doing at least 15-30 minutes of daily exercise, it s time to start! No excuses - make it happen. It can be a daily walk around the block, do a free workout video on Youtube, or do lunges and squats when you brush your teeth, blend your smoothie or watch tv. Any exercise program that works for you - is the right one. The point is to show your body some love and get moving! Commit: 15-30 minutes everyday! 3. Get Organized - Refer to your shopping list and start preparing your materials. There s a link to iherb.com where I buy a lot of my ingredients - you can buy it there - or see my recommendation and then find something similar in a store near you. Tips: 1. Don t buy ingredients in bulk. Start small to avoid clutter, spoilage and to get to know what ingredients your skin loves. 2. If you re allergic to any particular ingredient on the list, or if can t find it where you live - don t use it! I ll be offering advice and suggestions. 3. If you re buying ingredients, but are unsure if it s the right kind - snap a picture of it and put it up on our SIMPLIFY Skin Facebook Group Page - I ll be able to help advise you. 2
SKINCARE PANTRY These natural ingredients can be all your skin needs to thrive! Keep your kitchen pantry stocked with these natural ingredients and you ll have all the quality skincare that you need! Rolled oats Used in lots of baby care products, oats are a natural cleanser and moisturizer for the skin. They re gentle and soothing, helping to calm inflammation, irritations and itchiness. They re packed with antioxidants and when in in contact with water, they release a healing, nutrient-rich gel that coats the skin. It s magical and amazing for all skin types. Super versatile, rolled oats can be used in many ways: Oat powder: Can be used to cleanse your skin, to gently exfoliate or to thicken your fresh food masks (ex: pureed strawberries + ground oats) Oat milk: Can be used as the liquid base of any recipe that calls for water. You simply blend 1/2 cup of oats with 1 cup of water and strain. Oat gel: Can be used directly on the skin or to thicken your fresh food masks. You simply cook 1/2 cup of oats with 1 cup of water until soft. Strain it to collect a silky gel. Sea salt Packed with minerals, it s great for the overall health of your skin. Sea salt is very purifying, it helps to cleanse your skin drawing out toxins from within your pores. You can add sea salt into your bath to soak, or use a fine grain sea salt to gently exfoliate your skin. 3
14 Pantry Ingredients Brown sugar A natural humectant, brown sugar draws moisture and hydration into your skin. Use a fine grain to gently exfoliate your skin. brown sugar is also a natural alpha-hydroxy, leave it on as a mask to brighten your skin and promote cellturnover. Aloe vera Will become your new obsession! Aloe is a pure superfood, is helps to heal your skin at a cellular level. Made of 99% water, it s incredibly hydrating and has an impressive amount of antioxidants that will nourish and protect your skin. Slather it on! Use it directly on your skin or in any recipe that calls for water or a liquid. Buy only 100% pure, made for consumption. Fresh aloe: peel the outer green skin, blend the inner filet into a water consistency. Milk powder Full of lactic acids, which helps to break up dead skin cells. It s a chemical exfoliator that clears the skin of build-up and promotes cell-turner for fresh, youthful skin. Milk powder is full of natural fats which help to soften and moisturize your skin, keeping it well hydrated. Look for: 100% pure milk powder, no added ingredients or flavors. Go for full-fat, you want all the fat to soften and moisturize your skin! Coconut milk powder Very softening for the skin, coconut milk is a natural moisturizer, it soothes your skin and locks in hydration. Coconut milk is a good vegan replacement for milk powder, simply mix 1 part brown sugar to one part coconut milk powder and you ll have the same hydrating, chemical exfoliation benefits. Use coconut milk powder in your powder cleanser, in your masks or add it into your bath. Apple cider vinegar Helps to restore the natural acid mantle of your skin and maintain a healthy ph for balanced skin. It s very antibacterial, great for acne prone skin. You can use it to cleanse your skin, it helps to remove build-up. It s also great for your hair, use it as a rinse once a week. Always dilute vinegar: 2 tablespoons of vinegar for every 1 cup of water (or liquid) 4
14 Pantry Ingredients Rose water Excellent for balancing the skin, regulating oil production and soothing inflammation. Rosewater makes a great toner its own, or can be added into any of your recipes. Rose water is great for all skin types - especially mature, dehydrated skin. It has softening and hydrating properties. Buy 100% pure rosewater. Rosewater is a baking ingredient, found in better food shops or look for pure hydrosols, without any alcohol Plant oils Used to moisturize and soften the skin. Plant oils like Safflower, Grape Seed, Almond, Coconut all have essential fatty acids and nutrients that help to build strong healthy skin and maintain moisture. You can use them on your skin and on your hair. When purchasing your plant oil make sure to look for a cold-pressed, virgin oil. This is the process of extracting the oil from the nut or seed. It uses no heat and no chemicals - so that the oil retains all of its natural benefits. Like all food, each oil offer you slightly different benefits and work best for different skin types. Check your oil guide to find an oil that is best for you. Dried herbs Like drinking herbal tea, dried herbs provide your skin with a host of beneficial properties. You can use dried herbs in many different ways: Herbal infusion: create a tea, full of nutrients by steeping herbs in hot water for 15 minutes. You can use this infusion in any of your recipes, as a hair rinse or in your bath water. Ground herbs: You can grind herbs at home in a small blender. Add them into your powder cleanser or masks. When you add a liquid, the herbs will become activated, allow it to sit for a few minutes before applying it onto your skin for the results. Check your herb guide to find an herb that is best for you. Shea butter An amazing ingredient, used to seal in hydration, soothe irritated skin caused by ezcema and deeply moisturize dry skin. It s used to prevent and heal scars and stretch marks. Shea butter comes from the shea nut, full of essential fatty acids, which are important for the skin to build strong skin cell walls which naturally retain hydration. It s also full of vitamins that nourish and protect your body. Shea butter miracle for dry hair, but a little goes a very long way! Apply it onto your hair a few hours before you shower. 5
14 Pantry Ingredients Clay Made of natural minerals that pull impurities and toxins from your pores. Clay is a skin detoxifier - it gives your skin a good, deep cleanse. You can use clay as a cleanser or leave it on your skin as a purifying clay mask. Essential oils Considered the holy grail of natural skincare - essential oils upgrade your homemade skincare into sophisticated, highly effective products that you could find in the best boutiques. Essential oils have a small molecular size - are shown to penetrate the layers of skin, and can be found in the blood stream. They are highly effective and deliver deep benefits, but because of this, they should also be taken with great precaution. You ll notice that my recipes do not include measurements of essential oils - that s because it s not that easy! Essential oils can be added for fragrance, but if you want the therapeutic benefits, correct dosage is important. If you want to include essential oils - make sure to consult the essential oil guide first. Fresh Foods Create face & body masks with fresh food ingredients. Some of the most effective are: Cucumbers to soothe and hydrate Avocado to soften and moisturize Strawberries to brighten and protect Papaya or pineapple to brighten and soften (alpha-hydroxy treatment) Yogurt to brighten and soften (alpha-hydroxy treatment) Ginger to stimulate circulation Banana to moisturize and soften Coffee to stimulate circulation and tone skin (dry fine grounds for scrub) Lemon or lime juice to cleanse and rejuvenate. Control oil and brighten. Honey to cleanse and hydrate Mash or blend into the product. You can combine different fresh food ingredients. If the mask is too watery to stay on your skin, thicken with oat flour. Fresh food products should be used on the same day. nourish yourself with whole-food skincare 6
PLANT OILS Plant oils sink into your skin and form a protective barrier that locks in hydration. Unlike synthetic lotions and mineral oils - a natural plant oil is whole food. It s a nourishing moisturizer that offers you nutrients, vitamins and essential fatty acids for strong, healthy cells. To get the best beautifying benefits, your oil must be: Cold-pressed, virgin! Make sure it says so on the bottle. The process in which the oil is extracted should not involve chemical solvents or heat that destroy nutrients. That way you get all the yummy nourishment from the oil, onto your skin. When it comes to choosing the right oils for your skin - be open to experimenting. Some oils are heavier than others, making them better suited for different skin types. You may even find that different parts of your body respond differently. Use the Plant Oil Guide as a starting point to choose an oil for your skin, but as always - observe how your skin reacts. You may find that blending an oil suited for dry skin, with an oil suited for oily skin gives you the perfect feel! The best way to simplify your life - is to use the same oils that you eat, on your skin. You don t want to spend a fortune buying different oils that you can t finish before they expire. Most cold-pressed oils have a shelf life of six months. Coconut oil, Jojoba and Argan will last 1 year. Remember, if you have any questions about a particular oil - snap a picture of the bottle and post your questions to the Facebook Group so that we can help offer advise! 7
plant oils guide oil type benefits best for almond oil Full of vitamin E - this is a protective, healing oil. Nourishing and absorbs well. all skin, dry skin, maturing skin argan oil Rich and nourishing, this is amazing for healing and restoring skin. all skin, maturing skin avocado oil coconut oil grape seed oil jojoba oil macadamia oil olive oil safflower oil sesame oil Full of protein and healthy fats, and antioxidants. Great for the skin and hair. Boosts collagen. A cleansing oil, highly antibacterial and great for healing skin conditions. Rich, but absorbs well. Packed with Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant and skin brightening vitamin C. It helps to nourish the skin and balance the skin s oil production. Very lightweight. Closely resembles our own skin s natural sebum - making it easily absorbed. Packed with nourishment. High in fatty acids, helps with cellular regeneration, making it great for anti-aging benefits. Lightweight and absorbs easily Rich and nourishing, it has been used for centuries for its skin loving properties. More of a heavy oil. Used in many natural skincare products, a moisturizing oil that helps protect and maintain the integrity of your skin cells. Very lightweight oil. Has antioxidants that combats free radicals and packed with fatty acids, Vitamin A and E all skin, maturing skin all skin, eczema and skin conditions oily skin all skin, oily skin, acne prone skin all skin dry skin all skin all skin, eczema and skin conditions, acne prone skin, maturing skin
ESSENTIAL OILS Plants produce essential oils, volatile compounds that give flowers, leaves, seeds, bark its aroma. Like when you peel an orange - that scent on your fingers are essential oils. When you eat garlic, the scent on your breath are essential oils. They are complex. Each essential oils contain active compounds that give it therapeutic properties: anti inflammatory, sedative, regeneration, antiseptic effects and more. You ll be able to see results and turn the simplest homemade recipe into a sophisticated, boutique quality product by adding essential oils. They are potent. When it comes to essential oils - less is more! Wether you love the scent, or love the benefits, use your essential oil guide on the next page. It s created by a certified aromatherapist (abundantearth.com) to help you make the best, safest choices for you. If you are making products for children under 2 years old - leave out essential oils completely. Calculating the measurements of essential oils into your product is very important. If you want to achieve therapeutic effects, there are guidelines for you to follow. It all depends on the amount of product that you are making and where you intend on using your product. The skin on your face is thinner than the skin on your body, so you ll use less essential oils The basic rule of thumb is: For the face: 1 drop per teaspoon of product For the body: 1 drop per 1/2 teaspoon of product How many teaspoons in your 50 ml bottle or in 1/4 cup? Refer to your At a Glance Printable Book for a conversion guide of teaspoons to cups, milliliters and ounces
essential oil guide oil type benefits safety notes lavender geranium frankincense carrot seed German chamomile palmarosa tea tree petitgrain anti-inflammatory & antiseptic. Great for calming red, itchy, inflamed skin, eczema, rashes & burns. Suitable for all skin types. balances combination skin. Slightly astringent effect makes it suitable for oily skin & acne. Minimizes spider veins & broken capillaries rejuvenating & toning. great for mature & damaged skin. Helps to tighten skin & lighten scarring (great in combination with Patchouli essential oil for this purpose) & softens wrinkles & fine lines. one of the best rejuvenating oils for skincare. Improves skin elasticity, tone, evens & brightens a dull complexion. use for mature & neglected skin. Great in anti-aging skincare. wonderful for sensitive, reactive skin that reddens easily. Helps cool and calm inflamed skin, such as rashes, acne, eczema & hives. a great oil for dry & normal skin, as it hydrates & softens. Has antifungal properties, which makes it useful for fungal skin infections. antiseptic & anti-fungal. Use for skin prone to breakouts, acne & fungal skin infections. Slightly drying. Calms itchy skin. powerful antibacterial, great for cleansing skin prone to breakouts. Controls oil production ylang ylang keeps skin supple while balancing moisture levels. A great conditioning hair tonic
HERBS Herbs offer an abundance of nutrition. Like the herbal teas that we drink for health, you can use herbs topically to receive beneficial properties There s a whole world of herbs that you can get into, but we ll focus on the most common herbs that you can find in your own pantry or supermarket shelf. Each one offers you a little something different, properties which you can custom blend according to your own personal needs. You can buy dried herbs online or in better food stores. One of the easiest ways to get your herbs is from tea bags! Tear one open, grind it up and add it into your homemade products! Uses: Create an herbal infusion by brewing dry or fresh herbs in hot water for 15 minutes. Use it to activate your powder cleansers and masks. Use an herbal infusion to replace water in any recipe, like lotions. Use an herbal infusion as a face toner Use herbal infusion as a hair rinse, mixed with apple cider vinegar for healthy scalp and hair. Add dry herbs to your powder products - mask and cleansers. Add fresh herbs to a fresh food mask, ex: yogurt, honey + fresh mint, or in a body scrub. Use within 1 or 2 days 11
herb guide herb type benefits Calendula Soothes inflammation & itchy skin. Good for healing dry, cracked skin Chamomile Elderflower Soothing & anti-inflammatory. A strong, chilled infusion will help with puffy eyes & hot, red skin conditions such as dermatitis & sunburns. Soothes, brightens & tightens the skin. Evens skin tone. Its high antioxidant content makes it great for all skin types. Green Tea Lavender Lemon Balm anti-oxidant content makes it great for aging & maturing skin, while astringent effect helps to tone skin & minimize pores. Great for combination to oily skin similar effect to chamomile. These two herbs may be combined for a power-packed treat for skin prone to eczema, rashes and hives. anti-bacterial & antiviral. use for oily, acne-prone skin. Anti-viral property may make it useful for minimizing cold sores. Lemongrass tightening & toning. Drink the tea to improve lymphatic circulation & help eliminate excess water. Peppermint cools hot, inflamed skin. Cooling effect helps minimize itch. Great for heat rash. Rosemary a wonderful anti-oxidant rich herb that benefits all skin types. Improves skin regeneration & clears the complexion. Rose Petals Softens and hydrates the skin. Suitable for all skin types, especially dehydrated & mature skin.
TOOLS Packing your products properly will ensure they don t get contaminated and stay fresh for longer. I always enjoy using a pretty bottle, that I can display. Here are some simple tips to help you get the most out of what you make Tips: 1. Reuse containers from store-bought products. Set up a small space, drawer or box to keep a few of your favorite jars and containers. Make sure it has a close-fitting lid. 2. Think about how you will label your products. You can buy vinyl sticker labels online, they re great because you can write on them with a sharpie marker, which is water proof, but you can rub it off if/when you need to write something new. Or, you can keep it simple and use masking tape and a sharpie marker. You can even try writing directly on the bottle find vinyl sticker labels: amazon.com, aliexpress.com, etsy.com 3. Buy skincare packaging online or at craft stores. Dark glass bottles are best for anything that holds oils or essential oils (light degrades oils) but if you can t find that simply store your products in a cool dark place. Be careful with glass containers the shower! find skincare packaging: amazon.com, aliexpress.com, etsy.com 13
materials, tools & packaging The Simplify philosophy is to create an environment in your home that supports your hands-on life. Think about organizing your skincare materials, tools and packaging - like you would your kitchen pantry. Such that making your own cleanser or toner will be as easy as making a cup of tea. A good idea is to create a bin or shelf that you can dedicate to your skincare making supplies. Remember, you don t need a lot! Don t run out and buy a whole kit. First, observe yourself: When you make a product, what do you need? What would make it easier for you? Where can you store your materials to keep them organized and accessible? material containers labels/labeler bowls funnel treatment dish notes observe how similar products are packaged and how you enjoy using it. For example, you can store your Aloe Spritzer or One True Thing in a pour bottle, or in a spray bottle... depending on wether you want to pour it onto a cotton pad or spritz it directly on your skin. use sticker labels (vinyl are best) masking tape or buy a labeling gun to label all of your products. it s usually easier, and less messy, to make your product in a big bowl and then transfer it into the container. makes life easier and much neater. Use a funnel to pour ingredients into your small bottles keep a small, unbreakable dish in your bathroom for your treatments: to mix your powder cleansers or masks with liquid blender/coffee grinder to grind dried herbs or oats into a powder rubbing alcohol use this to sanitize your bottles before you use them for your products. Simply pour the alcohol in, swirl and pour out. Make sure it fully dries before storing your skincare product. hand-held electric blender for mixing up a batch of cold lotion or whipping your dream cream 14