Holiday Schedule

Our offices will be Closed on Monday, July 4th in observance of the Independence Day holiday. For your convenience, orders may be placed online 24/7/365 or faxed to 330-467-2166.

Just a reminder that our offices are Closed to local pickups on Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Local pickups may be scheduled during business hours Monday - Thursday. Local authorities do ban entrance to our parking lot on Fridays during festival season unless you are a festival vendor.

All phone calls will be returned when we reopen on Tuesday, July 5th. Urgent correspondence should be made to email as we can better serve your requests in this manner.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Historical Uses of Coconut Oil (video)

In this short video from iHealthTube.com, Dr. Bruce Fife, N.D. (of the Coconut Research Center) discusses the historical uses of coconut oil.:

Health Videos - Historical Uses of Coconut Oil

• Coconut Oil is easy to extract. making it a staple in many tropical diets
• Coconut Oil has been used in medicinal treatments as an antimicrobial
• Most notable health benefit with coconut oil is its antimicrobial properties; its ability to fight off bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Limited Edition: Tahitian Coconut Buff

Our NEW! Limited Edition Tahitian Coconut Buff is fortified with natural botanical oils, skin softening shea butter, sugar, organic finely shredded coconut and organic vanilla bean specks.

This soothing scrub has been emulsified for ease of use and to prevent leakage when packaging or shipping. Scented with an exotic, beach-inspired blend of delicate Coconut, exotic Sandalwood and creamy Shea Nut Butter. A perfect addition to your summer spa menu! Additionally, all of our scrubs are preserved with a paraben-free preservation system!

Grab it while you can, this product is available for a limited time through the end of August!

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

The Incredible, Edible, Multi-Purpose Coconut

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconut harvested from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). Coconut oil is very heat stable so is suited to methods of processing at high temperatures. Because of its stability it is slow to oxidize and thus resistant to rancidity.

Coconut oil is a common ingredient in skincare products. Botanically the coconut fruit is a drupe, not a true nut. Like other fruits it has three layers: exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. The exocarp and mesocarp make up the husk of the coconut. An added benefit to coconut is that it contains an antiviral component called lauric acid which also exhibits antifungal properties. In testing, lauric acid has been shown to dissolve the fatty outer membranes of microbes.

Coconut oil softens the skin, protects it against damage, promotes healing and gives it a more youthful, healthy appearance.   By preventing destructive free-radical formation and providing protection against free-radical's, coconut oil can help prevent the skin from developing liver spots and other blemishes caused by aging and overexposure to sunlight.  It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle. Coconut oil is often used as a skin moisturizer, helping with dry skin issues and reducing protein loss when used in hair treatments.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Lime It Up!

I LOVE Limes. Especially when fashioned into a sweetly sour Key Lime Pie or mixed into Jasmine Rice with Cilantro or blended with salt into a tasty margarita! Lime is versatile in that it can be savory, sweet and tart while adding personality to whatever it's blended with. Check out these bright, lime-inspired skincare products!

Drama Whore Body Spray
by Grumpy Girl Candle & Bath Co.

Limoncello Handmade Soap with Coconut Milk, Lemon & Lime
by DeShawnMarie on etsy.com

Sugar Scrub Cubes - Key Lime
by MyBeautyAddiction on etsy.com

Basil Lime Natural Lip Balm
by SymphonyOfEarth on etsy.com

Lime Margarita Buttercream
by BovineBakery on etsy.com

Kaffir Perfume
by Anya's Garden Perfumes

Frozen Margarita Bubbly Body Sorbet
by MilkandCookeez.com

Lemon Lime Bath Bombs
by KBSHIMMER on etsy.com

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Contraindications of Lime - aka Mexican Beer Dermatitis

© Scampix | Dreamstime.com

Lime juice, peel and oil are generally considered safe to consume in food amounts, and few reported side effects, including photosensitivity, headaches, diarrhea and dental effects, have been noted in case reports and clinical studies. Lime has GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status for use in foods in the United States.

Dr. Scott Flugman, of Huntington Hospital in New York, reports in the Archives of Dermatology that a substance in lime juice, if left on the skin in the sun, can cause the skin to become discolored, as if stung by jellyfish or poison ivy. And the marks can last for months. The substance, called psoralen, makes the skin more sensitive to the effects of a wavelength of ultraviolet light known as UV-A. Psoralen is commonly used as treatment for skin issues such as psoriasis and eczema.

Skin discoloration due to psoralen is common in drinkers of Mexican beers, particularly Corona, which are typically served with a lime slice wedged into the top of the bottle. The drinker then shoves the lime into the bottle and holds his or her thumb over the bottle's mouth while turning the bottle over to mix in the juice. If the drinker isn't careful, however, the beer's carbonation can spray lime juice and beer all over his or her skin. Add a sunny environment like a beach or swimming pool and UV-A rays from the sun can quickly cause blistering, rashes and temporary discoloration.

Applicable parts of lime in skin care products are the peel, fruit, and juice. Lime pericarp, or the lime fruit, including skin and pulp, contains an essential oil (7%), whose main components are citral, limonene, β-pinene, and fenchone (up to 15%). Lime oil has also been documented to contain oxypeucedanin, a phototoxic compound. Further aromatic compounds are terpineol, bisabolene and other terpenoids. The fresh juice of acid limes averages approximately 7.7% citric acid and 0.3% invert sugar. The peel, or rind, contains a volatile oil including the terpene limonene and citral. 

Lime is a popular ingredient in summer skin care products. Distilled lime oil may be non-irritating, non-sensitizing and non-phototoxic to human skin, but expressed lime oil and lime peel may cause phototoxic skin reactions. It is important to recognize the limitations of usage, especially in products intended for use in the sunny months of summer. Alternatives such as Distilled Lime Oil, Lime Peel Powder or Fragrance Oils designed to mimic the scent of limes are widely available and help reduce the risk of skin discoloration and photosensitivity. 

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Limited Edition: Lime Margarita Salt Scrub

Our NEW! Limited Edition Lime Margarita Salt Scrub is fortified with natural botanical oils, skin softening shea butter, sea salt and clarifying lime peel powder.

This invigorating scrub has been emulsified for ease of use and to prevent leakage when packaging or shipping. Scented with a summery blend of Lime, Orange and Tequila. A perfect addition to your summer spa menu! Additionally, all of our scrubs are preserved with a paraben-free preservation system!

Grab it while you can, this product is available for a limited time through the end of August!

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Benefits of Lime (Fruit) in Skincare (video)

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Lime juice and its oil are very beneficial for skin when consumed orally or applied externally. It rejuvenates the skin, keeps it shining, protects it from infections and reduces body odor due to large amounts of vitamin C and flavonoids, both of which are antioxidants. When applied externally onto the skin, lime juice acids slough off dead cells.

The antiseptic and infection busting properties of lime, coupled to the astringent effect that this oil has, makes it valuable in assisting with poor or compromised circulation and to clear oily skin and acne.

Lime is also helpful in areas where circulation is a problem, such is the case with cellulite.

The therapeutic properties of lime oil in skincare are antiseptic, antiviral, disinfectant, bactericidal, astringent, restorative and tonic.

Lime is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing and although the oil obtained from cold expression does not have any phototoxic effect on the skin, it is still not advisable to use strong concentrations of it on your skin before sunbathing.

About Lime Juice Acne Treatments -- powered by ehow

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

6 Pieces of Advice From My Dad

Dad & Me, circa 1980

Father's Day is tomorrow and I feel compelled to focus on the fact that my dad has a lot of amazing qualities that he's passed along to my sisters and me. Dad is our own personal Yoda, because whenever we had questions growing up, he always had an answer that made him seem omnipotent. If I take nothing else away from my life, the following 6 pieces of advice are gems that anyone can learn from. (There are a lot more than 6 but I had to narrow it down!)

1. Stand Up For What You Believe In (Even If Everyone Else Thinks It's Silly) - My dad doesn't care what my beliefs are as long as I believe in them with conviction. He taught me to be willing to fight for what I feel is right and encouraged me to vocalize my opinions, even the crazy ones. Although he doesn't always agree, he supports me without judgement when he knows I feel strongly about something.

Dad being silly

2. Question Everything - I got sent home with a note once in the 3rd Grade because Mrs. Huth said I was failing math and that I never asked questions in class. My dad asked why I didn't question anything in class if I didn't understand the subject and I told him I was afraid the other kids would think I was stupid. He taught me I couldn't learn unless I questioned what I didn't understand or agree with. Learning comes from questioning, even when they're hard questions.

My First Communion, circa 1984-85

3. Prioritize/Do The Tough Stuff First - We grew up on a farm and had daily chores that had to be completed before we could do fun stuff like riding our bikes or playing with our friends. I hated watering the livestock because I had to fill a 5 gallon pail with water and lug it to the pigpen and the chicken coop. I would procrastinate to the point that my sisters wouldn't be allowed to play until MY chores were finished. Dad would explain that when he had a list of things that had to be done, he would pick the chores he liked the least and do them first so they were out of the way. Then the rest of the list wouldn't seem so bad. I am a firm believer in this even today!

Dad - Ice Storm - circa 1990

4. Money Doesn't Grow On Trees - We grew up poor, but never truly wanting. Whenever we would go to the store with our parents we would "want" everything...candy, dolls, sparklers, popsicles. Dad would always ask "Did you bring your wallet?". We never did, but we learned that "wanting" and "needing" were not one and the same. Collecting thousands of Japanese Beetles from mom's roses at a penny apiece was a tough and time consuming way to buy a doll, but it taught us restraint.

Frosty Treat gave the BEST milkshake bellyaches!

5. Indulge Yourself, But Don't Overindulge - Dad is a big fan of "treats". Mostly ice cream cones and milkshakes (we are all lactose-intolerant which meant mom wouldn't let us have dairy). But if we worked with dad and we worked hard, we were sure to get a reward from Hall's Ice Cream or Frosty Treat Drive In (which was actually a "walk-up"). The downside to too much ice cream is of course a bellyache. When you're lactose-intolerant, it's way worse! Lesson learned.

Dad & Me, 2010

6. Life Isn't Fair, Deal With It - My dad's favorite quote whenever we declared that something was wrong or not fair was, "And THEN, depression set in." (Bill Murray, Stripes). This was dad's way of saying, life isn't fair. Deal with it. When my sister decapitated my Barbie, "Life isn't fair". When my sister got Walkie Talkies for Christmas and I didn't, "Life isn't fair." We quickly learned that no matter how long we sulked about life being unfair, it didn't change the "injustice" we were facing unless we changed our attitudes about it.

What’s the best piece of advice your dad (or another father figure) gave YOU? 

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Recipe: Cool Mint Balm

© Allison Kontur I Smell No Evil, Ltd.

Guys like lip balm too and this refreshing minty balm can be packaged in tins, pots or tubes for ease of use.

You Will Need:

2 oz Natural Lip Balm Base (For Sticks)
2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) Peppermint Essential Oil 

0.15 ml Sweetener Powder
 

Melt lip balm base in a double boiler over medium-low heat. Once melted, cool slightly and add essential oil and optional sweetener.

Pour into containers and allow to cool before capping.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 19th and I haven't made a gift for my dad yet. My dad likes to receive handmade gifts from his daughters that help make his life a little easier. Dad wears a lot of hats, from mechanic to cow wrangler to grandfather and he's always tinkering. He may be rough and tough on the outside, but he likes to smell good and use practical products.

Does your dad like practical products that save him time? Help him do some speed cleaning with 2 in 1 Body Wash Shampoo!

Recipe: 2 in 1 Bodywash Shampoo

Is your dad a coffee drinker? Help him start the day bright eyed and bushy tailed with a batch of Java Luv Exfoliating Wash!

Recipe: Java Luv Exfoliating Wash

Have a dad who uses aftershave? Whip up a batch of Cool Mint Aftershave without the dyes and alchohol found in commercial brands.

Recipe: Cool Mint Aftershave

Is your dad susceptible to painful razorburn? Surprise him with custom made Pre-Shave Oil to keep his face looking healthy and bump-free.

Recipe: Pre-Shave Oil

Have a marathoner or maybe a weekend-warrior dad? Give him a natural alternative to commercial chafing products with Sport Balm!

Recipe: Sport Balm

Have a dad who works construction or any other job that keeps him on his feet all day? Help him chill out his tired feet with Cooling Pedi-Mist!

Recipe: Cooling Pedi-Mist

Tired of traditional "pine tree" air fresheners in dad's ride? Make him a personalized version in his favorite scent and shape like Football Inspired Air Fresheners!

Recipe: Football Inspired Air Fresheners

Tired of the traditional floral "aerosol" air sprays? Make dad a manly, odor-eating spray with Bonfire Room Spray!

Recipe: Bonfire Room Spray

We hope these helpful tips inspire you to create a one-of-a-kind handcrafted gift for your Dad!

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Recipe: Citrus Garage Soap

© Allison Kontur I Smell No Evil, Ltd.

My dad is a mechanic and I grew up in a garage filled with pumice cleaners that smelled bad and were loaded with chemical solvents. It's simple to make a cleaner, better smelling version of these popular "grit" soaps that will keep dad's hands looking good and smelling clean.

You Will Need:

16 oz Suspension Gel Soap

5 ml (1 tsp) Pumice Powder

5 ml (1 tsp) Bamboo Silk Exfoliator

5 ml (1 tsp) Sweet Orange Essential Oil

5 drops FD&C Yellow #6 - Liquid (optional)

5 drops FD&C Red #40 (optional)

In a sterile glass mixing container, combine all ingredients. Pulse with an immersion blender reserved for formulating until all ingredients are distributed. Pour into plastic bottle of your choice. Pump applicators have a tendency to clog with the exfoliants, so we elected to use a push disc cap.

FYI: Pumice and Bamboo Silk Exfoliator add necessary grit without drying out skin. Orange Essential Oil is an effective degreaser, and has antiseptic as well as bactericidal properties.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

How to achieve the perfect shave (video)

In this short video from The Grooming Lounge, Pirooz Sarshar (cofounder of The Grooming Lounge) discusses some shaving myths and tips for men.

Tips:

• Shaving foam just gets in the way of the razor, you don't need it.
• You can shave with the grain or against the grain depending on your facial hair type. Sensitive skin should shave with the grain. Those with coarser hair types can shave against the grain.
• You can "cocktail" or mix and match different shaving brands. It isn't necessary to use all products from the same company.
• Detergent soaps are too drying for the face. You should never use the same bar that was used on your body for your face.
• Begin shaving AFTER a hot shower which opens pores and softens the beard. When finished, use COOL water to close the pores.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Green Cleaning Tips

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Household cleaners are kind of a dirty little secret. Since they are regulated differently than skincare products and cosmetics, it is rare that you'll find an ingredients listing on your window cleaner or scouring powder. I like knowing what I am subjecting my living environment to. The following household cleansers require less than 4 ingredients and they work!

1. Many window cleaners are ammonia based. For a more natural option, windows in your home can be effectively cleaned with 4 tablespoons lemon juice mixed with a half gallon of water. Other effective cleaners for glass and mirrors are rubbing alcohol, vinegar or witch hazel.

Another tip I hear a lot is that you can wipe windows clean with newspapers. This seems green, since you'd be reusing newspapers and saving on paper towels, but in reality it is messy and big waste of time. Newspaper has always left streaky surfaces for me, doubling my cleaning efforts. Try clean, lint-free rags instead, an old cotton T-shirt or a cloth diaper.­ ­

2. Vinyl items can be cleaned with straight lemon juice on a soft cloth rubbed into stained areas (on vinyl items such as recliners or tile flooring). Test vinyl in an inconspicuous spot first!

3. Furniture polish is usually made of petroleum distillates and solvents, both of which can be hazardous and smelly. One very effective wood polish can be made by mixing 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice and applying it to furniture using a soft cloth. The combination gives your wood furniture a sparkling shine, although it smells a little like salad dressing.

4. Help control the smell of fresh paint by keeping small dishes of vinegar scattered about in the room. The vinegar will absorb the paint odor while you work. Leave the dishes out for a few days after finishing the project to keep the paint smell at bay. Remember to change the vinegar each day.

5. Most metal polishes contain ammonia and usually at least one type of acid. Shine tarnished copper or brass without doing any damage by using salt, vinegar and flour. Make a paste using equal parts of the three ingredients; rub the paste onto the brass or copper item with a soft cloth. Cover the entire surface and let the whole thing dry out completely. Wipe off the dried paste with a clean, soft cloth.

Lemon can also be used for lightly tarnished brass or copper pieces. Slice one lemon and dip it in salt, then rub the item with the salted lemon. Afterward, rinse and dry thoroughly. Be sure to remove all the salt, or the item will turn green. Repeat if necessary.

6. Spruce up the exterior of sooty wood-burning fireplaces by applying a paste of cream of tartar and water. Rub the paste into the stains, let it dry, then scrub it off. To help loosen soot buildup on the inside of your fireplace and chimney, toss an occasional handful of salt into the fire the next time you're enjoying your fireplace. The burning salt will help loosen the soot a little, buying you some time between major cleanings.

7. Freshen laundry by adding 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. For stubborn stains, add 1/2 cup borax to the wash cycle with your regular detergent. This will help whiten your whites, soften hard water, remove soap residue from your clothing, neutralize any laundry odors, disinfect clothing and increase the stain removal ability of your detergent. If you line dry clothing, line drying in the sun is a time honored means of brightening whites without using bleach.

8. A white vinegar and water solution is the perfect choice for cleaning most types of bare floors in your home. Mix up 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon warm water and mop it onto a ceramic tile, linoleum, vinyl, or wood floor. There is no need to rinse afterward -- saving both time and water. If your vinyl or linoleum floor looks dull after cleaning, you can give it a shine by mopping it over again with straight club soda. Do not saturate wood floors with the vinegar and water solution. Use a light touch; the mixture will make your floor shiny and remove any greasy buildup.

What are your favorite "green cleaning" techniques?

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Natural Cleaning With Borax

Twenty mule teams were teams of eighteen mules and
two horses attached to large wagons that ferried borax
out of Death Valley from 1883 to 1889.

Borax, a natural mineral compound has a wide range of uses in the home. Borax (Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate) has a pH of around 9, which is higher than baking soda (which is 8.1; 7 being neutral). It is a good deodorizer and mold inhibitor, as well as a successful way to kill cockroaches, fleas, and other insects. 

Some Popular Household Uses For Borax:

1. Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Pour 8 oz (1 cup) of borax into the toilet bowl at night before you go to sleep. The next morning clean out the toilet bowl with a brush. Borax loosens the grime buildup. This method of toilet cleaning works very well for rust rings.

2. Flea Killer

Sprinkle borax on dog beds, carpets, and other areas where you suspect that fleas are hatching. Borax releases boric acid, which is a poison to insects (note that very high doses would need to be ingested to harm a pet or human). 

3. Mold Inhibitor

This method of inhibiting mold works well on areas where mold and mildew is growing and that you don’t need to worry about paint being damaged. Make a thick borax and water paste. Smear it on the moldy area. Let set until dry (overnight or longer). Sweep up the powder, and rinse off the rest. 

4. Rodent Deterrent

Sprinkle borax on the floor along the walls (mice like to run along the side of walls). They don’t like getting the borax on their feet, so they are less likely to return to that area of the house. 

5. All Purpose Cleaner

Put 2 teaspoons of borax in a spray bottle with 2 cups of very hot water. Shake to blend.

Remember that any ingredient can be toxic if used incorrectly. Don't use borax around food, keep it out of reach of children and pets, and make sure you rinse borax out of clothes and off of surfaces before using them. That being said, Borax is an effective natural cleanser which when used properly can help to effectively clean your household without using lab-created chemical compounds.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Why Use Organic Liquid Soaps?

Organic Body Wash

ORGANIC liquid soap brings many positive attributes to the proverbial "sink".

Regular cleansers may get the job done, but not without side effects. Chemical exposure can be dangerous and even deadly to one's health, especially for those with children or allergic reactions. However, until the organic push emerged there really was no other alternative. Today, we have an array of products that are more environmentally conscious and far better for those who come into contact with them.

ORGANIC liquid soap does not release chemicals into the air, reducing respiratory exposure. When a product is "organic," that means its ingredients are held to strict agricultural standards and safer to have around the house

ORGANIC liquid soap protects your surroundings. Just as YOU are better off for not breathing in harmful chemicals, the planet responds in a healthier manner when those same chemicals are not released into the atmosphere. Becoming more environmentally aware is one thing everyone should be mindful of. After all, there is much scientific proof that certain chemicals are unhealthy for the ozone layer and serve as instigators for global warming. Everyone needs to do their part to lower airborne emissions and use more environmentally responsible products.

Organic Liquid Castile Soap

ORGANIC liquid soap presents less of a hazard to the integrity of your clothing, skin, eyes and other areas close to your body. Over time, traditional soaps, such as those used for laundry, can compromise the color, texture and quality of your wardrobe. Organic products use safer ingredients to help preserve the integrity of clothing while also protecting your skin and allergies.

There are a plethora of reasons to make the switch to an organic cleaning solution. Whether you are washing clothes, your body or cleaning around your house, it is beneficial to use a product that will do its job without harming the user or the environment along the way.

Our Organic Body Wash and Organic Liquid Castile Soap Bases both serve to reduce your household chemical footprint as well as your environmental footprint. Both bases readily accept natural fragrance oils and most essential oils and make an excellent body wash, kitchen or hand cleanser.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

How to Make Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleanser (video)

In this short video from Gorgeously Green, Sophie Uliano (with guest Finola Hughes) teaches us how to make a simple, non-toxic, all-purpose, household cleanser.:

Learn to make an all-purpose cleaner that is non-toxic from ingredients like: warm water, white vinegar, borax, washing soda crystals, Castile soap and tea tree oil. Create a safe, effective cleaning agent for a variety of surfaces.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Guidelines For Marketing "Insect Repellent"

Commercial insect repellents are, by definition, pesticides. If you research this topic online you will be sent to any number of governmental websites including the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Because of the intended use of these class of products, they are highly regulated.

Due to the regulation of this class of product, you are required to register your "natural" bug-fighting concoction with the government and submit the formula for independent testing prior to selling it commercially. Labeling requirements for insect "repellent" products are also very different and require that the approved biopesticide (active) ingredients are listed by percentage of the formula as well as by standard INCI requirements for cosmetic ingredients labeling.

If you advertise (in print, online, by word of mouth or by any other means) that your product "kills", "repels", "protects against" or imply that the intended use of your product is to perform these functions, you are making a claim and thereby need to prove it through independent testing and registration of your product or face intervention by the FDA, FTC and/or EPA.

I've posted the following DIY recipe in the past for "at-home" use only. It cannot be marketed or sold as an insect repellent because it hasn't been subjected to EPA mandated testing or registered with the EPA. This recipe is light and non-greasy.
  
Outdoor Spray Recipe:

4 oz Coconut Oil, Fractionated
4 oz Cyclomethicone
5 ml (1 tsp) Outdoor Essential Oil Blend or your own preferred blend of essential oils

Combine all ingredients in a bottle with a fine mist sprayer application. Shake well to incorporate. I keep a bottle in each car so it is always handy!

FYI: Because this essential oil blend is a proprietary formula, your label will read as follows:

Ingredients: Fractionated Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Cyclomethicone & Fragrance.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Recipe: Bite Zapper

Copyright (c) Smell No Evil, Ltd.

My sisters and I are extremely sensitive to bug bites. It doesn't matter the type, any bite instantly becomes an angry, dime-sized welt whether we scratch or not. Over the years we've collectively used numerous hydrocortisone and steroidal creams in an attempt to soothe the itch of mosquito, horsefly and bee stings.

In yesterday's video from Dr. Neal Shultz, mentholated products are mentioned as a way to help ease itching via a cooling sensation. (Alternately you can use ice to ease the itch of bites and stings.) Since it's messy to carry around ice cubes, we've come up with the following roll-on application containing cooling menthol.

You Will Need:

2 oz Witch Hazel Distillate

2 oz Calendula, Tincture (Organic) 

1 ml (1/5 tsp) Crushed Menthol
1 ml (1/5 tsp) Allantoin Powder, USP

1 ml (1/5 tsp) Peppermint Essential Oil

1 ml (1/5 tsp) Polysorbate 20

Glass Roll-On Bottle (7mL)

Add liquid ingredients to powdered ingredients in a sterile glass mixing container. Buzz with an immersion blender reserved for formulating until thoroughly combined. Use a pipette or a steady hand to transfer the blend to glass roll on bottles.

To Use: Apply with roll on directly to affected area as needed. The use of too much menthol may cause irritation.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

How to Treat Insect Bites (video)

In this short video from DermTV, Dr. Neal Schultz discusses how to treat insect bites.:

Scratching causes 3 different issues:

• Scratching causes a rebound flare of itching causing itch/scratch cycle
• Scratching causes dark staining of the skin
• Scratching can cause infection

Treat insect bites with:

• Oral, non-sedating antihistamine
• Mentholated lotions/creams
• Ice will stop itching
• Do not use topical antihistamines which cause delayed allergic reactions
• Topical hydrocortisone cream or ointments can treat red bumps

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com