Today, February 28th, is my daughter's birthday. Eden was the inspiration for the company name, EdenSong, because she is a Song in my heart. When I became pregnant with her over 40 years ago, I did a turnabout and became completely immersed in all things natural and organic - be it food, gardening, skin care, clothing, or cleaning products . . . and the journey began.

Happy Birthday, dear Eden . . .

To learn more about us, check out our "about" page here: 
http://www.edensongskincare.com/about-us.html#axzz2uYjfHkTJ

This year's winter is definitely here, and while you're taking care to stay warm, keep in mind the important changes that occur to your skin throughout this season.

Colder weather means that you need to take extra car of your skin to avoid possible breakouts. Here are some steps to follow to soothe winter skin.

• Use an exfoliant moisturizer to remove dead skin cells. Be sure to exfoliate gently with a microfiber cloth or a soft scrubber, especially if your skin is extremely dry and easily irritated.  
• Be sure to turn down the thermostat, because the hot air is drier than cool air and your main objective is to soothe dry skin.
• Avoid hot baths or showers. Yes, they may feel marvelous after a long cold day, but your dry skin become even drier. Use lukewarm water and concentrate on washing the areas that have a tendency to get dirtier, such as the face, underarms and feet. 
  
• No worries about the sun, right? Wrong! You still need to protect against sun rays. The snow reflects 80% of the sun rays, so don't forget to use a hat and scarf for extra protection, along with a natural SPF 15 sunscreen. 
• Don't forget about maintaining a healthy diet. Eat foods rich in healthy fats to help soothe your dry skin. Fatty acids are our skin's natural barrier, preventing dryness and retaining moisture. Consume foods rich in omega-3, like flax seed, walnuts, salmon and sardines. 
• Use heavier creams and butters to inhibit moisture loss.

What do you do differently in the wintertime to care for your skin? Share your tips!

What a great way to end the year . . . and start the New Year off with a bang!!!

We are extremely excited to introduce our new sister line, RawSum Organics, which has been in the works for quite a long time. We are starting off with 3-ingredient vegan, food-grade, organic products, available in a kit or they may be purchased individually in 1 oz and 4 oz, all in glass containers. The reusable organic cotton Eco-Pads come in a natural laundry/soap bag.

At RawSum Organics, all products are made from scratch using only pure, food-grade, highly effective ingredients. More is not always better, so for this product line, less IS more. The RawSum 3Sum Basics work fantastic and are more potent with just the absolute essentials. You won’t find any synthetics or fillers, and never any toxins. That’s why they are safe for even the most troubled or sensitive skin. Our Back to Basics Kit has only 3 ingredients in each product and, of course, they smell awesome from the natural infusions or have no scent at all, which is also awesome! The packaging is eco-friendly, too!

How do you use the products? Oh, that’s simple! Here are the directions for each product that are included in our kit.

Exfoliant: Mix a spoonful with your favorite liquid to make a paste (cream for dry skin, milk for normal skin, water for oily skin, yogurt for all skin types or your favorite oil). Massage into skin and rinse off with warm water, then cool water to close pores. Use this at least a couple times a week to remove dead skin. (Ingredients: Organic Rose Petals, Organic Almond Flour, Organic Sea Salt)

Cleanser: Massage a spoonful onto damp skin and rinse with warm water, removing daily grime. (Ingredients: Organic Carrot-Infused Sunflower Oil, Organic Grapeseed Oil, Organic Castor Oil)

Toner: After cleansing, use our Eco-Pads to apply to your face. This evens skin tone and balances pH. (Ingredients: Organic Rose Hydrosol, Organic Witch Hazel, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar)

Cream: Apply to fingertips to warm up, then to damp skin for better absorption to moisturize and nourish. Works great for face and all over your body! (Ingredients: Organic Kokum Butter, Organic Babassu Oil, Organic Meadowfoam Oil)

ALL DONE! Now, wasn't that easy??

The Mini Kit in our organic cotton canvas bag is a wonderful way to be introduced to our food-grade "back to basics" organic skin care.

You'll find out quickly how awesomely effective the products are with only 3 ingredients in each product! Did we mention that they work marvelously,too? 

Going on a trip? The grab-n-go Mini Kit is the perfect travel companion.

Kit includes 1-oz sizes of our Exfoliant, Cleanser, Toner, Cream, some Eco-Pads, and the eco-friendly organic cotton canvas bag.  (See individual products for more details.)

Makes a perfect gift for your favorite guy or gal, too!

Have you already tried RawSum Organics products? Tell us how you liked them. If you haven't tried them, what are you waiting for?

Do you have trouble with constant breakouts or blackheads? First step is to make dietary changes by limiting your intake of chocolate, chocolate milk, eggs, peanuts, avocados, cashews, cheese, cream powder, mango ripe, all types of milk (full cream, low or non-fat), coconut milk, fried foods, fatty meats and shellfish.

Make up and other products can also aggravate the situation, such as cleansing milk, sunscreen, foundation, pressed powder, as they are often comedgenic (clogging). Blackheads may also occur due to pollution, hormonal disorders, genetic problems, cosmetic and dietary changes.

Let's not forget the importance of diligently cleansing the skin to remove dead skin cell and oil accumulation, or the excess oils will cause blockage, resulting in blackheads. 

Here's a simple recipe to create your very own full face peel-off mask to unclog pores with only two simple ingredients available at any grocery store: unflavored gelatin and milk (fat free works the best).

Just mix one (1) tablespoon of gelatin powder with an equal amount of milk. The more fat in the milk, the thicker the mixture will be. Fat-free milk makes a thinner mask for easier application. Heat the mixture slightly, If you use a microwave, heat for 10 seconds. After it has cooled slightly, apply the mask to clean face, using your fingers. It cools rather quickly as it's spread over your face and neck. Be sure to avoid the eyebrows and the thinner skin around your eyes. Leave mask on for 30-45 minutes, or until it is dry and has pulled tightly over the skin. Simply peel off quickly. It might sting just a tad (like a wax strip or band aid), but it's the best way to ensure unclogging of the pores.

After removing the pore mask, be sure to cleanse your skin to remove the excess dirt and grime that the mask has loosened up. Then apply your moisturizer. Use this peel about once a week.

Do you have a favorite homemade mask to unclog pores? Be sure to share it in our comment section below.

With the fall season and winter around the corner, you may find yourself under the weather with a sore throat. Here's a quick and yummy ginger tea recipe to help ease your discomfort.

Do you have a favorite DIY sore throat remedy? If so, please share!

Do you detest the toxic chemicals of the commercial cleaners on the market? Have you switched to green cleaning products? Or perhaps you're thinking about making the switch, but you're confused and don't know where to start.

Green cleaning DIY to the rescue! It's not complicated either. All you need are a few basic ingredients for all your household cleaning to transform your cleaning supplies.

The basic supplies you need are:
• Baking Soda
• White Vinegar
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Essential oils, like tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, or lemongrass oil
• Castile Soap (like Dr. Bronner's)
• Fresh Herbs, citrus, or citrus peels
• Vegetable Oil
• Salt

These are inexpensive, easy-to-use, and environmentally safe alternatives, which can safely be used in place of commercial household products. They can be used alone or in combination for a wealth of household applications.

Here's what you can do with these products.
Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Hydrogen Peroxide - removes laundry stains, whitens clothes, cleans fruits and veggies, sanitizes, de-germs.
Essential Oils - effective against most household bacteria.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
Fresh Herbs, Citrus, or Citrus Peels - cleans, deodorizes, effective against bacteria.
Vegetable Oil - polishes wood
Salt - abrasive

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc. 

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 2 cups water, 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Store and keep. You can use this cleaner for everything from streak-free mirrors to wiping out the cat litter box.

You'll find a list of simple green cleaning recipes at Earth Easy. 

What's are your favorite natural cleaning alternatives?

A couple days ago while trimming trees and bushes encroaching on the driveway, I inadvertently brushed against some poison oak. Oddly enough, I'm not reactive to poison ivy, but poison oak is a different story.

If I had known the poison oak had touched my skin, I would have immediately washed the area, an effective deterrent within 15 minutes of contact. I wasn't so lucky this time, but fortunately there were only a couple spots.

Initially, I ignored them, but, of course, they itched, so I finally pulled out my simple DIY calamine lotion recipe. It worked like a charm! Instant relief and the spots healed overnight.

Silly me for waiting so long!

I snapped a quick shot of what the mixture looks like - no fancy photo here, but you'll get the idea of the proper consistency.

Now, here's the formula:
1 part sea salt
1 part baking soda
1 part bentonite clay
1 1/2% essential oils (use one or a combination of lavender, geranium, chamomile, yarrow, peppermint, and/or tea tree)
enough distilled water to make a paste

Be sure to add the water a few drops at a time or you may make it too thin and will have to increase the dry ingredients and essential oils to get the right consistency.

If you only need a tiny bit, for each part, use 1/2 teaspoon each for the dry ingredients and about 5 drops of essential oil.

Be sure to use up your calamine lotion within 10 days and keep it refrigerated.

Best advice . . . leaves of 3, leave them be . . . but if you do get a rash, give this recipe a try. You'll be glad you did!

Do you have a favorite calamine lotion recipe? If so, please share!

Medicated protecting powders are popular with all ages. Used for the treatment of diaper rash, to help prevent and heal chafed skin, and to help protect and heal irritated skin.

In this formula we have utilized the natural healing starch, arrowroot. The use of arrowroot powder has a long and storied past. It was used by North American Indians as a traditional medicine to treat wounds from poisoned arrows, hence its name. This natural starch  is used in many culinary products, and is increasingly found in many high end and natural body and after bath powders.

Zinc oxide works as a mild astringent and has some antiseptic properties and is commonly used to prevent or to treat diaper rash by forming a protective barrier between the skin and the diaper.

Combine 2 cups of arrowroot powder with 1/4 cup of zinc oxide. That's it! 

If you wish to add a few optional ingredients suitable for all ages, here are some suggestions: ground chamomile, ground lavender, ground oats, rice powder, and/or kaolin clay. These are all gentle enough for baby, but great for children and adults as well.

Ground chamomile and lavender can be used for their healing and calming properties. They have antiseptic and antibacterial components, as well as anti-inflammatory and sedative capabilities to soothe irritation.

Ground-grain oatmeal contains large amounts of silica, which benefits problem skin when used externally. Its anti-inflammatory properties helps soothe itching, dryness and irritation, such as diaper rash.

Rice powder has been used for centuries by Asian women for its healing and soothing of skin conditions. It contains anti-inflammatory and antipruritic (anti-itch) properties.

Kaolin clay will gently draw impurities from the skin without removing natural oils and helps keep sweat at bay.

Do NOT use cornstarch, as it grows yeast and can make a rash worse.

There are lots of variations that may be used, but these basics should get you started.

Do you have a favorite powder blend? If so, do share!

I've always been a fan of the “hands and knees” floor cleaning method over the dirty, messy mop and bucket. Can’t get into crooks and crannies with the mop; however, I have an 800 square-foot open laminate floor area, since moving out to the country some years ago. Getting on my hands and knees for that amount of space is a bit daunting. Thankfully most of the areas don’t get heavy traffic. Being of the DIY mindset for skin care and cleaning products, I found the perfect solution to my cleaning problem . . . and it’s SO easy! Oh, and be sure to read all the way to the end for a BIG surprise!!

Make Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner

Here’s all you need. Use a measuring cup or jar and add equal parts:
1)       Water
2)       White Vinegar
3)       70% Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol
To this mixture, add:
4)       Few drops of liquid dish detergent * (Make your own dish soap! See instructions below.)

Mix all these ingredients together and pour into a fine mist spray bottle.

To Use:
a)    Sweep or vacuum floors first
b)    Spray floor cleaner in a fine mist over the area to be cleaned
c)    Allow to set for a few minutes. Then use a microfiber mop or towel to wipe it up. (I use a Swiffer with a cloth or reusable cover.) ** (Check out the homemade Swiffer covers below.)

You'll notice immediately that this cleans easily and effectively, quickly dries and is so simple to use. NO BUCKET REQUIRED! The only step I take after this is to hand-wipe the flooring around the baseboards and to get into all the corners. Easy peasy!

When you have finished mopping, just toss the microfiber mop head or towel into the laundry until next time. Don’t use fabric softener or dryer sheets when laundering cleaning towels or else they will lose the ability to absorb liquids effectively. (Just use vinegar as your fabric softener.)

TIPS

* Make Your Own Dish Soap
Instead of using commercial dish soap, make your own.

·         1 cup liquid castile soap
·         3 tablespoons water
·         a few drops essential oil (optional)

Combine in a bottle of your choice, mix well, and use. (Yes, it’s that easy!) I like Dr. Bronner’s baby-mild castile soap, but any castile soap will work.

** Make Your Own Swiffer Covers

 Reversible Swiffer sock instructions.

If you don't want to make your own, you can buy handcrafted readymade reusable Swiffer covers.

What’s the big surprise I promised?  After testing this on my laminate flooring and loving the results, I tried it on my windows . . . whoa, it worked GREAT! Then I tried it on mirrors . . . no more streaks!  It even works on stainless steel appliances, so it has become my SUPER ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER. Really, this cleaner is fantastic!

What great cleaning tips have you discovered?

Above is a video I came across on the Beauty Food Tips site for an easy wine mask. Here are the instructions:

Directions:
Always start by cleaning your face using a cotton pad with your usual cleansing milk.
Mix all the ingredients together well until completely blended. The consistency will be a little jelly-like (the smell and appearance is really yummy, remember you DON’T have to eat it  . Apply a thick layer to your face with your clean makeup brush, avoiding the lips and the eye area. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Finish with a moisturizer.

It’s a luxurious mask for your skin with luxurious results!

The antioxidant properties of wine help in getting the toxins out of the skin and giving an instant wrinkle-free effect. Honey hydrates and tones the skin. Yoghurt, which is rich in zinc, helps clearing the skin and improves the overall skin texture, besides adding a healthy glow to your skin. Least but not last, the cocoa powder is amazing for our skin: fit helps firm and renew skin cells.

And not only: Cocoa is a mood enhancer and it helps stabilize your mood by initiating serotonin release. The lavender essential oil enhances the relaxation, making you feel rejuvenating and at peace.

A true homemade vinotherapy at the cheapest cost possible therefore what are you waiting for to show your skin some love? 

Remember to always make an allergic test on a small angle of your face before applying the mask.

Enjoy! Do you have a favorite homemade mask? If so, please share!