Rosy Poetry for Isolation and Quiet Time

Video

Hello natural beauties how are you? I’ve been looking for some fragrant inspiration during isolation and quiet time. I came across some lovely poetry about flowers and picked some special poems about roses, just for you. There is something so special about old fashioned, heavenly scented roses in a garden, and that is exactly what I picture when I read these poems. I hope you enjoy them.

 

Buy my 100% natural and organic botanical perfumes, and paperback book here:

suzannerbanks.com.au

                     Digital downloads and paper backs of my book                              Revelation! Reveal your Destiny with Essentials Oils here:

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

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More beautiful roses from my recent trip to New Zealand

The Rose Family

by Robert Frost

The rose is a rose,
And was always a rose.
But the theory now goes
That the apple’s a rose,
And the pear is, and so’s
The plum, I suppose.
The dear only know
What will next prove a rose.
You, of course, are a rose–
But were always a rose.




The Social Climber is pretty in pink

Nobody knows this little Rose

by Emily Dickinson


It might a pilgrim be
Did I not take it from the ways
And lift it up to thee.
Only a Bee will miss it —
Only a Butterfly,
Hastening from far journey —
On its breast to lie —
Only a Bird will wonder —
Only a Breeze will sigh —
Ah Little Rose — how easy
For such as thee to die!



A different rose, in the same park, about 2 years ago

A Red, Red Rose

by Robert Burns

O my Luve’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve’s like the melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry:

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it ware ten thousand mile.

bliss with roses

One Perfect Rose

by Dorothy Parker

A single flow’r he sent me, since we met.
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet—
One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret;
“My fragile leaves, ” it said, “his heart enclose.”
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it’s always just my luck to get
One perfect rose.

Do you love roses too?

Persian Love cupcakes with rose water from That Vegan Lady

Dry Skin Brushing with Bodecare Natural Bristle Brushes

Video

Hello natural beauties how are you? I’ve written about dry brushing before (dry brushing basics and dry brushing for your face) when I discovered some fabulous natural, vegan brushes from Bodecare – one for my face and one for my body. It took me ages to get into it and then after a couple of house moves they disappeared! I was very excited to run into Rebecca from Bodecare at the Sydney Mind Body Spirit Festival last month (before we all got sent inside by Mother Nature). Read on for some simple healthy techniques to make your skin look amazing!

 

Buy my 100% natural and organic botanical perfumes, and paperback book here:

suzannerbanks.com.au

                     Digital downloads and paper backs of my book                              Revelation! Reveal your Destiny with Essentials Oils here:

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

_____________________________________________________________________________

A selection of brushes at the Mind Body Spirit Festival

About Rebecca and Bodecare

Rebecca Gaspert, the owner of Bodecare, has been in the beauty industry for decades. She is a makeup artist and qualified Beauty Therapist who has owned 2 award-winning salons, and that is how her dry brushing journey commenced. Many of her clients had skin problems from dry skin to acne which started her on a trajectory that is now Bodecare. Rebecca started dry brushing in 2003 and has never looked back.

The beautiful Rebecca


What are the benefits of dry brushing?

According to Rebecca, dry brushing:

can improve venous blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, aid in the release of toxins, exfoliate dead skin and reduce ingrown hairs. It can also:

*  Reduce skin conditions such as Psoriasis, Keratosis Pilaris, Eczema and other dry skin conditions.

*  Reduce cellulite

*  Relief of arthritis

*  Increase circulation of scalp

*  Reduce stress

*  Remove bumpy skin

Use this code at checkout for a 10% discount:  SUZANNE10

My fave Bodcare brush is the one with the detachable handle called the TAMPICO FSC BODY BRUSH

6 Tips from Rebecca to Kick Start Your Body Brushing

1.  Always use a plant bristle skin brush. Try the tampico body brush with a removable handle for flexibility.


I love the detachable handle on the Tampico body brush. Give it a go if you’re in quiet Covid19 mode.

2.  Perform on dry skin only as this will provide the best stimulation and exfoliation.

3.  Generally stroke upward in one motion. Except for fingers and toes, you can brush back-and-forth between them.

4.  Ensure you use the jute brush for gentle face exfoliation.  Don’t ever use your body brush.  When brushing, use upside-down U-shape brush strokes, pressure on the upward stroke and lightly on the way down.

This is the wonderful jute face brush, I encourage you to try it, it’s really wonderful!


5.  Always use a good quality organic body cream and face moisturiser after your shower, to ensure your skin is kept hydrated and supple. 

6.  Always clean your brush after use. If you do not clean or allow your body brush to dry completely, you are susceptible to spreading bacteria back on your skin when dry body brushing. Simply use a tea tree hydrosol on the bristles after every use of your brush.

Hey while you’re immersed in natural bristles why not try the toothbrushes too? They have won an award!



Use this code at checkout for a 10% discount:  SUZANNE10

Let me know how you go with your dry brushing – good luck!

Lavender for Summer AND Winter Skin

Video

Hello natural beauties I hope you’re all faring well after the New Year. I’m so grateful I’ve been having  lots of lovely beach time this summer, which also means I have tan, and have been exposed to lots of UV rays. Lavender is the perfect essential oil to cool summer skin, but even if you’re in the dead of winter, it’s perfect for you too! Read on to find out how this amazing oil of oils can help you now ….

 

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Please check out my book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

SUMMER

  • Lavender has always been used to treat burns as its high linalool and linalyl acetate content helps soothe hot skin.
  • Used as a calming oil you can see how this relates to stress, sleep, healing skin and soothing skin too.
  • Mix a few drops of lavender oil into some natural aloe vera gel for the perfect after-sun treatment (although it can be a bit sticky)
  • Add a few drops of this amazing oil into your favourite body or face moisturiser to help soothe and repair sun damaged skin
  • Have a luke warm bath with some coconut milk and 4 drops of lavender
  • Make a body oil blend with lavender and your favourite cold pressed oil using this ratio:

 

lovely lavender in my neighbour's planter box out the frot

lovely lavender in my neighbour’s planter box out the front

 

Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil. It’s always best to patch test first, before you apply all over.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

 

“After Sun Special”

Lavender        4 drops

Peppermint    2 drops

Vetiver            1 drop

 

I took this pic in Mexico in 2014

I took this pic in Mexico in 2014

 


WINTER

Warm up in winter with essential oils

Warm up in winter with essential oils

 

While lavender is wonderful for soothing and calming summer skin how can it help you in winter?

  • Lavender is an ancient healing herb oil that has strength and tenacity which is what one often needs to brave the winter months
  • Your skin can become very dry due to many reasons – artificial heating, hot showers and baths and by being continually covered up the dead skin cells often don’t have anywhere to escape to, leaving you dry and flaky
  • Lavender is the perfect oil to nurture you in the cold by doing steam inhalations to bring colour and life into your face – even add a few drops to your shower to give you an all over steam inhalation
  • Add a few drops to a hot foot bath to increase circulation
  • And as above: add a few drops of this amazing oil into your favourite body or face moisturiser to help soothe and repair dry skin
  • Make a body oil blend with lavender and your favourite cold pressed oil using the ratio above:

“Warm me up, Give Me Strength”

Lavender         3 drops

Rosemary        2 drops

Ginger             2 drops

 

Lavender in Sydney

Lavender in Sydney

 

“When in doubt, use lavender”

                       Suzanne R Banks

Ah yes there I go quoting myself again, hehe.

Do you use lavender all year round? I’d love to know x

copyright-2017

Aromatherapy Skincare on TVSN and the Powerful Solstice

Video

Hello my natural beauties, I hope you are all well at this auspicious time of the solstice. I forgot a post last week as I was preparing to do another 2 live TV spots on TVSN, as a Brand Ambassador for Springfields Aromatherapy. I’m blaming the powerful blue moon solstice for my forgetfulness, and a little bit of nervous energy too.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

Me in my dressing room

Me in my dressing room

 

It was an early start in hair and makeup with my beautiful friend Jason, then off to the studio to do 2 live shows, each an hour long.

Live TV is a bit nerve-wracking because there’s no saving grace. Anyway suddenly you’re on camera thinking “I hope I remember what to say’.

Then its over and the world keeps turning.

My friend took this screen shot:

 

 

And that was the second show and it was all over, again. I’ve got 2 more days this year – in spring and summer (southern hemisphere).

And speaking about hemispheres, the north just had the summer solstice and the south just experienced the winter solstice – yay! It seems that this was a cosmological blue moon  in Sagittarius, rather than a calendar blue moon, with powerful movements for us all. I’m not an expert so I’ve included a couple of links:

Mystic Mumma

Collective Evolution

My summary is:

  • if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately there may be big breakthroughs coming up
  • a new chapter, or time in your life, may becoming a reality on a very deep level
  • end relationships that are not serving your higher purpose
  • acknowledge your spiritual conscious for this may be the driver of your new paradigm
  • be willing and courageous to forge ahead with a new way of life

I've just planted some basil and it seems to be dong quite well

I’ve just planted some basil and it seems to be dong quite well

 

My body oil blend for this time is:

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil. It’s always best to patch test first, before you apply all over.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“Blue Solstice”

Frankincense       3 drops                      Keywords: meditation, truth, preservation

Basil                    1 drop                        Keywords: clarity; open your mind

Black Pepper       1 drop                       Keywords: go forward and fulfill your destiny

Petitgrain             3 drops                      Keywords: potentiality


Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copyright 2016

 

 

 

Collective Evolution

Mystic Mumma

Roses Are Always the Queens

Video

Hello lovers of beauty and scent! I have recently experienced some beautiful roses – the old fashioned kind you might find in a suburban garden. The shape and colours are as diverse as the magnificent fragrance emanating from the petals. Here are a few of my finds …

*************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

Last week I was in Goulburn, a country town about 2 hours south-west of Sydney. It has beautiful architecture and a gorgeous park right in the centre. There is a lovely rose garden in the park, and I set about smelling all the roses that were blooming. It was a warm autumn day and these apricot roses were divinely fragrant ….

 

A different rose, in the same park, about 2 years ago

A different rose, in the same park, about 2 years ago

 

A beautiful bunch of small roses at my friends house a couple of weeks ago were so beautifully perfumed- often the little roses don’t have a scent.

 

Little roses, big scent

Little roses, big scent

 

When we acknowledge the beauty of a rose, we acknowledge the beauty within us.

The rose is the Queen.

Embrace roses and rose essential oil to enhance your experiences.

You are the Queen of your life – play this audio to remind yourself!

 

 

A bunch of mixed roses in a cafe. The large pink rose had a mild scent but the little white ones didn't

A bunch of mixed roses in a cafe. The large pink rose had a mild scent but the little white ones didn’t

 

And finally, the rose leaves us another gift when she returns to back to where she came from – the rosehip. This fruit grows after the flower has died, and gives us wonderful rosehip oil – the perfect skin moisturiser.

 

Rosehip in a back lane in Sydney

Rosehip in a back lane in Sydney

 

Thank you roses.


copyright 2016

Be The Queen of Your Life

Video

Hello natural beauties! I have just done a couple of live TV shows on TVSN in Sydney, as Brand Ambassador for Springfields Aromatherapy, and their beautiful skincare. This week we featured the Rose Collection, so it was easy to talk about beautiful organic Bulgarian rose oil.

*************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

My dressing room for the day - feeling nervous

My dressing room for the day – feeling nervous

Live TV is nerve-wracking! The presenters are professionals and can turn it on quite quickly. I, on the other hand, found it challenging to be succinct and precise while going with the flow. Anyway it’s over now – phew!

I talked about rose oil as being “the Queen of Oils” due to its complex molecular structure and the fact that it is a “premium” essential oil. It is very expensive because the production of the Attar of Roses, or Rose Otto (meaning steam distilled rose oil), is very labour intensive. It can take 5000 kgs to make 1 kg of essential oil – or more – depending on the harvest, the size of the flowers and other variables. After all this is a natural product and we are subject to the ebb and flow of nature.

Rose is the Queen of oils

Rose is the Queen of oils

 

Using the Queen of Oils sends a positive energetic message to your soul – I am the Queen of my life. When I treat myself as a Queen, I am not the only one who benefits. I have more to share with others when I acknowledge my divinty.

 

My good friend Darryl, The Vitalist, took a sound grab from the TV. Thanks Darryl:

 

In my practice I use rose oil:

  • help the body deal with excess heat
  • help dry, mature, and sun damaged skin
  • help a client deal with grief
  • help a client process difficult emotions
  • allow the heart to open
  • acknowledge a client’s success or fears around a challenge ahead

More beautiful roses from my recent trip to New Zealand

More beautiful roses from my recent trip to New Zealand

As rose oil is expensive it is usually sold in a 3% blend in jojoba which is perfect to use straight on your skin as a perfume. If you are fortunate to have a pure rose oil then even 1 drop can be enough to soothe your soul, uplift your emotions, clarify your mind and help you feel abundant in many ways.

Me and Sarah on set

Me and Sarah on set

After the shows I was met by Springfields owner Rodney, with chocolates and flowers from the new Springfields garden. I hope to follow this story more closely as time goes on as Rodney has started the process of preparing the garden, which will grow the plants that will be hrvested to make botanical extracts for the skincare products. I’m excited about that!

Rodney from Springfields with dahlias and lavender from the new garden

Rodney from Springfields with dahlias and lavender from the new garden

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

 

Have you ever used rose oil? What are your experiences?

 

copyright 2016

 

Must-Have Mid Season Essential Oils!

Time marches on and so do the seasons. I’m getting excited because all around my neighbourhood in Sydney I can see the jasmine blossoms building strength, until one day soon, their beautiful, scented little white flowers will tell me it’s getting warmer. Phew!

***************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

***************************************************************************************************************

Jasmine in Sydney

Jasmine in Sydney

And if you’re in summer it’s probably peaking right now and you’re feeling warm and lovely and happy. There’s nothing like late summer on a beach in Mexico, or in a park in Europe savouring the long lingering summer light. I’m envious of all of you northerners right now.

Remember for us, everything happens in summer. Well there’s summer for starters, Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and finishing of with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Then it’s winter.

Just winter.

So you’ll understand my excitement when I see the jasmine getting read to bloom.


 

I took this pic in Mexico last year

I took this pic in Mexico last year

Mid to Late Summer Essential Oils

Lavender

If you’ve had a bit of sun over the past couple of months lavender will help your skin heal and regenerate. The perfect after sun oil, lavender is also the perfect first aid kit in a bottle. Make sure you dilute it in the right proportions before you coat your body with this grounding, centering and calming oil.

Palmarosa

This mildly rose scented grass (like lemongrass) is great for skin renewal too, and allows you to be flexible and flowing in your attitudes. If you haven’t already warmed up this summer, palmarosa with help your mind unwind and open up to new adventures – there’s still plenty more spontaneity to be had this summer.

Peppermint

Lovely peppermint is a cooling oil, but take care if you are using it on your body as it can be sensitising. The best way to cool down with peppermint is to put a few drops into the shower and let the beautiful aroma surround and cool you. Breathe in deeply and enjoy your scented summer.


 

 

Brrrrrrr

Brrrrrrr

 

Mid to Late Winter Oils

Rosemary

Warm up and get the circulation going! Rosemary can help fatigued muscles feel better, and generally stimulate your mind so you can dream up the best spring and summer possible. It is also an oil of remembering to help us tune into our multi-dimensional existence, and to prepare us for the abundance of summer.

Juniper

Release excess fluid in your body and joints with juniper essential oil. It is a wonderful oil for releasing negativity, so if you tend to get a bit sad during winter because of lack of light, this is your oil. It’s fresh, clean scent can lighten the vibe of any house or space, including your mind.

Sandalwood

Whether you choose Mysore (Indian) sandalwood or Australian sandalwood, this spiritual oil can help you focus within. Take time this winter to meditate – the perfect accompaniment to a cold day or night. Winter is a time of planting ideas that can come to fruition over summer so don’t delay in creating your life.


Essential oils can help support you mentally, physically, emotionally and energetically if you allow them too. You can create a scented paradise for your self and your loved ones, creating life long memories and rituals.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

Dry Brushing for Your Face?

Dry Brushing for Your Face? Is it a Thing? The Soft Supple Skin Series continues with Part 4 …

There are many motorised facial brushes on the market but what about dry brushing for your face? Just as dry brushing for your body is wonderful, dry brushing for your face has the same benefits!

 

***************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

***************************************************************************************************************

Dry brushing for your face - pic via www.skin-brushing.com

Dry brushing for your face – pic via http://www.skin-brushing.com

 

The advantages of dry brushing are exfoliation and lymphatic drainage. See my previous article To Dry Brush or Not? Yep … Another Question!.

As you can see by this diagram, your lymphatic drainage points for your face are behind your ears. Brush towards your ears so the excess fluid can be taken away by your lymphatic system.

It’s pretty simple really and easy to do. The most important thing to note is not to scrub too hard, just use soft gentle strokes, for two reasons:

1. Classic lymphatic drainage ALWAYS uses superficial strokes. Light sweeping strokes are the only way to move fluid to the nodes.

2. The skin on your face is more sensitive and you need to be more gentle while exfoliating.

Motorised brush- pic via www.beautylish.com

Motorised brush – pic via http://www.beautylish.com

 

There are many motorised brushes on the market but they often come as a cleaning system, with facial soaps and washes and various lotions. I’ve always wondered why some people need to clean their faces so rigourously? Surely your face can’t be so dirty you need to scrub it clean, every day? I realise if you wear makeup everyday, that can build up…… but do the same people scrub their bodies with brushes daily too? Maybe. I don’t.

Look this one is cute - from sephora.com

Look this one is cute – from sephora.com

Dry brush your face once or twice a week, just as you would your body, and if that’s too much for you make it once a week. Always moisturise afterwards – and try a light mist of a hydrosol or floral water after brushing and before moisturising.

And for the all natural person here's a cute soft natural jute brush by bodecare.com

And for the all natural person here’s a cute soft natural jute brush by bodecare.com

Now I’m totally psyched into dry brushing my entire body. The little face brush above is easily cleaned with any plain soap as the bristles are synthetic and slightly more gentle than natural bristles. The natural bristle body brushes are a bit harder to clean as it’s best not to get them too wet. You could use a comb with soap and water to pull through the bristles, and shake it out every time you use it.

I wonder if this cute little brush will help reduce the circles under my eyes? I’m going to try, and I’ll get back to you in a while. Stay tuned x

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

 

To Dry Brush or Not? Yep … Another Question!

The Soft, Supple Skin Series Part 3 – Dry Brushing

The series continues with question about how effective dry brushing is.

 

***************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

***************************************************************************************************************

The best dry brushes are made from plant fibres and  have detachable arms -  pic via amazon.com

The best dry brushes are made from plant fibres and have detachable handles – pic via amazon.com

Dry brushing has been a health and beauty regime for many people over the past century. I have to admit I have had a dry skin brush in the past but found it hard to get into a routine with it. In summer I found I didn’t really need it and in winter I found it was too cold to dry brush before the shower. Having admitted my downfalls I am a proponent of the dry brush because of its simplicity and they way it can make you feel truly enlivened.

History

From my research into this topic it seems as though the dry brush (although probably used for hundreds of years if not more), sprang into modern culture via the Nordic countries in combination with the sauna. Dr Paavo Airola extolled the wonders of dry brushing in his book “How to Get Well”. He was born in 1918 and died in 1983, having written 14 books on health and wellness, he was definitely ahead of his time. Dr Airola talked about juicing, taking supplements, a raw diet without meat and many other health regimes we accept today as part of the norm. Looking back, his work on nutrition and biochemistry helped form the naturopathic way of life.


 

Feel fresh and enlivened with body brushing

Feel fresh and enlivened with body brushing

The Benefits of Dry Brushing

From his book, and what we know today, some of the benefits of dry brushing are:

* increase lymphatic drainage which is one of the detoxification systems of the body

* which in turn helps to remove cellulite

* and increase immunity

* remove dead skin cells

* gently massage internal organs and promote healthy digestion

* make you feel fresh and alive by tightening the skin, improving muscle tone and increasing circulation


 

How to Do It

The best way to brush is to be gentle and let the bristles do the work.

Brush toward the lymph nodes and I understand you might not know where they are so here’s an easy guide:

Easy dry brushing guide - pic via www.fengshuidana.com

Easy dry brushing guide – pic via http://www.fengshuidana.com

So basically you work up the legs to the groin.

Up the arms to the arm pits.

Downwards on your neck.

Upwards on your back.

Up and down on your stomach.

This is why its better to have a detachable arm as it easier to do the dry brushing with your hand on top of the brush and just add the arm for your back.

Have a shower after your brushing!

Detach the arm for most of your body as its easier to use - pic via www.athleticaesthetic.co

Detach the arm for most of your body as it’s easier to use – pic via http://www.athleticaesthetic.co

 

Why Can’t You Use the Brush In the Shower?

* the bristles are better when dry

* it doesn’t work as well with water, as the water can make the brush heavy, and you are working against the force of the water flow. This can lead to over scrubbing and very red raw skin – ouch!

* it’s generally less effective for improving skin tone


So yes dry brushing is probably the best way to exfoliate and make your skin feel great because it has many other health benefits that using a scrub does not. It even surpasses the body puff and gloves for this reason.

Do you dry brush?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

 

To Loofah or To Body Puff? That is The Next Question!

The Soft, Supple Skin Series Part 2 – Loofah’s, Body Puffs and Body Gloves

The series continues with question of how hygienic and effective these body scrubbers really are, and should we be using them?

***************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

***************************************************************************************************************

1. Loofah or Luffa

Loofah with soap. The grainy texture of the loofah is why people use it for skin scrubbing

Loofah with soap. The grainy texture of the loofah is why people use it for skin scrubbing

The “loofah” is the fruit of a plant which is part of the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). The botanical genus name is Luffa and the fruit is harvested from either/or Luffa aegyptiaca and the Luffa acutangulaIt species. It is very fibrous and when matured and dried forms the slightly strange looking sponge we call a loofah. I remember having these in the 80’s but can never remember loving it. I seem to recall always throwing it out after a while.

According to some articles on the net from dermatologists and health websites, when you use the loofah to polish or scrub your skin, your dried skin cells stay trapped within the structure. Add a moist shower or bathroom, and the fact that it rarely dries out, and you have a hive of bacterial activity!

And then you keep using it.

And then it gets more unhygienic.

So perhaps it’s better if you wash it and sanitise it with essential oils, for example, every time you use it. This will definitely keep the loofah slightly healthier, but the fact is, you’ll never get all the way into the maze of fibres, to release all the dead skin and to make it a completely santised sponge.

Verdict

Good: It comes from a natural source and works well

Bad: You can never really get it clean and need to discard it after a month (my personal view).

Can start to smell after the first few uses

It starts to breakdown as soon as it gets wet, it is natural after all

Recommendation: Create a skin scrub that can only be used once. See To Scrub or Not To Scrub? That is the Question!


2. Body Puff or Body Exfoliating Gloves

Body exfoliating gloves - pic via aliexpress.com

Body exfoliating gloves – pic via aliexpress.com

Both the puff and the gloves are made from a synthetic mesh. While the same issues exist with santising after each use, like the loofah, it’s so much easier to do. They wash out easily and dry quite quickly.

Verdict

Good: Easy to use

Wash and dry quickly

Cute and colourful

Long lasting

Bad:   Man-made fibre

Recommendation: Wash and sanitise after each use with a few drops of essential oils in the rinse cycle.

These are better to use than the loofah.


 

50 ml bespoke body oil made by me

50 ml bespoke body oil made by me for a treatment

So perhaps reconsider using the loofah and opt for the hardier synthetic puff or gloves, and always moisturise afterwards.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015