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In DIY,

DIY: How to Make Your Own Natural Baby Oil

Baby oil is one of the essential products in a mother’s baby care kit. It is often used as a medium for baby massage and for keeping the baby skin soft and supple. Compared to an adult skin, the baby’s skin is thinner and more sensitive to external irritants so it is very important for a mother to choose the right baby oil that is mild and nourishing to the delicate skin of the baby. Unfortunately, most baby oils available in the market are made from mineral oil with synthetic fragrance added to it.

Mineral oil (also known as petrolatum or parafinnum liquidum) is often used as base ingredient in baby oil because of its low cost and long shelf life (it doesn’t go rancid unlike plant-based oils). It is an effective moisturizing ingredient but it is a bit greasy to be used on baby’s skin. It also doesn’t contain skin-loving vitamins and antioxidants as compared with plant-based oils. Depending on the purity and cosmetic grade of the mineral oil used in baby oil, it might also clog the pores of the baby’s skin. Not to mention, mineral oil is a by-product of petroleum so it is definitely not mother earth friendly!

Having said that, let’s start to learn how to formulate a natural version of baby oil. It involves

Replacing mineral oil with plant-based oils (carrier oils)
Replacing synthetic fragrance with essential oils

It is important to note that not all plant-based oils and essential oils are suitable to be used on babies.

For the base oil, select oils that are rich in linoleic acid. Oils high in linoleic acid are lightweight (non-greasy), fast absorbing and has anti-inflammatory properties which are perfect for the sensitive skin of babies.

Examples of Oils Rich in Linoleic Acid

Sunflower oil
Grapeseed oil
Safflower oil
Hemp seed oil

Also, avoid using oils that are derived from nuts as a safety precaution especially if you have family history of nut allergies.

Examples of Nut-based Oils

Sweet almond oil
Macadamia oil
Hazelnut oil
Kukui oil

Aside from linoleic-rich oils, the following oils can also be used on baby’s skin:

Jojoba oil
Fractionated coconut oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)

Now, let’s move on with adding natural scent to baby oil using essential oils. Essential oils must not be used on infants less than 3 months old. Moreover, not all essential oils are safe to be used on babies.

Here is a list of essential oils that are safe for babies as young as 3 months.

Lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Roman chamomile oil (Anthemis nobilis)
German chamomile oil (Matricaria chamomilla)
Mandarin oil (Citrus reticulata)

As a rule of thumb, the total amount of essential oil(s) in a baby oil formulation should be 0.1 – 0.2%. This is where a digital scale (with 0.1 gram accuracy) comes in handy. It’s because measuring essential oil in drops won’t give you an accurate and consistent result. Worst is you might end up putting too much essential oil than the allowed dermal limit recommended for babies.

For example:

In 50 gram baby oil, you want to add 0.2% essential oil(s).

(50 x 0.2) / 100 = 0.1

You need a total of 0.1 gram of essential oil(s) in your baby oil formulation.

Let me now give you an example recipe for a 50 gram Bedtime Baby Oil using a combination of 3 base oils and lavender essential oil for its sedative and calming effects.

INGREDIENT	WEIGHT (%)	WEIGHT (g)
Sunflower Oil	59.8	29.9
Fractionated Coconut Oil	30	15
Jojoba Oil	10	5
Lavender Essential Oil	0.2	0.1
TOTAL:	100	50

NOTE: Before using this baby oil, make sure to do a patch test on your baby’s inner arm. Check for redness or any allergic reaction after 24 hours. “Natural” doesn’t always mean “risk-free”, so this step is very important.

References:

Baby Massage Oils. Retrieved from https://maternityconsultancy.com/2012/12/06/baby-massage-oils/

Your Baby’s Skin: What is the Best and Safest Oil to Use for Baby Massage. Retrieved from https://www.blossomandberry.com/safe-practice-of-infant-massage-what-oils-are-safe-to-use-on-the-skin/

P.S. To always get the latest blog updates, don’t forget to follow me on Facebook.

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, by Hello Green Beauty

In Beauty, Carrier Oil

Carrier Oil Profile: Rosehip Oil

Image Source: Craftology Essentials

INCI Name: Rosa moschata (Rose Hip) Seed Oil OR Rosa canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil

Source: Fruit and seeds

Types: Refined / Unrefined

Color: Pale yellow to reddish-orange

Aroma: Slightly nutty

Viscosity: Thin

Absorption: Fast

Comedogenic Rating: 1

Shelf Life: 6 months (if stored in cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight)

SAP Value (for soap making): 185 - 193 (mg KOH), NaOH = 0.135 (g, oz or lb), KOH = 0.189 (g, oz or lb)

Ideal for which skin type: oily/acne prone

Fatty Acid Profile (in %):

Linoleic Acid	51.2
Oleic Acid	21.3
Alpha Linolenic Acid	18
Palmitic Acid	3.8
Stearic Acid	2.2
Others	3.5

Table Source: https://shop.skinchakra.eu/en/Cosmetic-Lab/Plant-oils-butters-and-waxes/Rosehip-oil.html

If you can only choose 3 oils to include in your beauty arsenal, then rosehip oil must be included in the list. Rosehip oil is the star ingredient in several natural anti-aging skin care products and even popular Hollywood celebrities have nothing but praises for this amazing beauty oil.

Rosehip oil comes from the rose hip (also known as rose haw) which is the fruit of the rose plant that is native in southern Chile. The oil is either extracted from the seeds or from the whole fruit using either cold-pressed or solvent extraction methods. Cold-pressed rosehip oil is the preferred choice of many consumers because it retains most of the oil’s potent nutrients that are good for your skin.

Rosehip oil can also be either refined or unrefined. Refined rosehip oil is pale yellow in color and has very faint odor. This is in contrast to unrefined rosehip oil which is yellow-orange to reddish-orange in color and has earthy scent. Most people thought that pure rosehip oil should smell like rose, but it doesn’t. It is because the oil is extracted from the seeds or fruits, not from the rose petals.

Rosehip oil has so many skin-loving benefits. Based on its fatty acid profile, it contains high amount of essential fatty acids: linoleic (omega-6) and alpha linolenic (omega-3) acids. Oils high in linoleic acid are ideal for people with oily and/or acne-prone skin. These two essential fatty acids help regulate sebum production and reduce skin inflammations (e.g. pimples). Also, rosehip oil is considered as a “dry” oil because it gets absorb so fast and won’t leave any greasy residue, perfect for oily-skin people! It also has a comedogenic rating of 1 which means that it has a very low chance of clogging your pores.

One of the most important components of rosehip oil is beta-carotene where vitamin A (a.k.a retinol) is derived. Aside from protecting our skin from free-radical damages, beta-carotene has the ability to regenerate skin cells. This is the ultimate reason why continuous use of rosehip oil can eventually reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. These properties make rosehip oil an effective anti-aging ingredient for skin care products.

Rosehip oil is quite an expensive oil (just like argan oil) so it’s very important that you only buy good quality cold-pressed, unrefined variant to get the most of its skin-loving properties. If it’s for personal use only, try to buy the smallest size you can find because rosehip oil gets rancid very quickly (shelf life is approximately 6 months). In order to extend its shelf life a little bit, you may add 0.5% vitamin E to your rosehip oil and store it in the refrigerator.

Finally, if you want to formulate a skin care product using unrefined rosehip oil, then make sure that you only use it at 5 – 10% in a formulation. Due to its high beta-carotene content, it has dark yellow to orange color that might stain your skin (e.g. like having a fake tan) when added in large amount in a product formulation.

References:

Saponification Chart. Retrieved from https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/resources/sapon.asp

Rose Hip Oil. Retrieved from https://www.aromaweb.com/vegetableoils/rosehipoil.asp

Why Linoleic Acid and Rosehip Oil Might Fix your Skin. https://labmuffin.com/why-linoleic-acid-and-rosehip-oil-might-fix-your-skin/

P.S. To always get the latest blog updates, don’t forget to follow me on Facebook.

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, by Hello Green Beauty

In Health, Healthy Eating

Superfood Series: Coconut Butter – A Dairy-Free Butter Alternative

Image Credit: CocoWonder

Coconut is often called as the “tree of life” because of the variety of products that can be obtained from it. In my previous posts, I have talked about coconut sugar and coconut flour. This time I’m going to share with you another coconut wonder – the coconut butter.

Coconut butter is made by grinding pure coconut meat until it reaches a creamy, butter-like consistency. It is a dairy-free, nut-free and vegan alternative to the regular milk-based butter. It has a milky and slightly sweet flavor with a strong coconut aroma. Actually, its taste and smell remind me of latik which is a Filipino term for coconut curds that are often used as toppings on sweet rice cakes.

Health Benefits of Coconut Butter

Boost Immune System

Coconut butter (just like coconut oil) contains about 50% lauric acid. Lauric acid is known for its antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It is the same component that is present in a mother’s breast milk which can boost the immune system of babies. So if you feel that you’re about to get a common cold, then it’s the perfect excuse to incorporate coconut butter in your daily diet.

Help Burn Body Fat

A lot of people think that eating coconut butter can make them fat because coconut contains high percentage of saturated fat. Actually, it has the opposite effect – coconut butter can help you lose weight. How is that possible? It’s because 60% of the saturated fats in coconut butter are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Medium-chain triglycerides are known as “healthy” fats because they get burn in our body to provide energy. In other words, they are not being stored as fats rather they aid in burning calories, making coconut butter a metabolism booster.

Pack with Fiber and Minerals

Unlike coconut oil which only contains fat, a tablespoon of coconut butter contains about 2 grams of dietary fiber and a little bit of potassium, magnesium and iron. The fiber in coconut butter helps to regulate bowel movement, cholesterol and blood sugar level.

Different Ways to Use Coconut Butter

Butter Spread

Spread coconut butter on top of freshly toasted breads, crackers or hot pancakes. Take note though that at room temperature (20 – 25 C), coconut butter is very solid. So before using it as a spread, you need to place the jar of coconut butter in a bowl of hot water and wait for it to soften to a spreadable consistency.

Non-Dairy Coffee Creamer

For people with lactose intolerance issue, you can add a teaspoon of coconut butter into your hot cup of coffee as an alternative to dairy-based coffee creamer.

Soup Flavor Enhancer

One way to make a creamy and savory soup is to add a dollop of coconut butter into it. For instance, coconut butter complements well with a curry-based soup (in the same way that Thai uses coconut milk in their curry dishes).

Smoothies

Pack some extra fiber and nutrients to your daily smoothies by adding a tablespoon of coconut butter just like this Banana and Coconut Butter Smoothie by Aggie’s Kitchen.

Oatmeal

Make your morning oatmeal extra creamy and sweet without the addition of milk by stirring a tablespoon of coconut butter while the oatmeal is still hot.

Homemade Dairy-Free Ice Cream

If you’re craving for ice cream but worry about its high calorie and sugar content, then try this simple and healthier Coconut Banana Ice Cream made with just coconut butter and frozen bananas, how simple is that?

Coconut-Coated Frozen Fruits

One of the interesting things about coconut butter is it solidifies as soon as it touches anything cold, so it’s a perfect alternative for chocolates when it comes to making chocolate-coated fruits. This Frozen Raspberries with Coconut Butter by In Sonnet’s Kitchen is a great starter recipe you can try with other frozen fruits.

Where to Buy Coconut Butter in the Philippines

I bought my coconut butter from CocoWonder which is available in 250g and 500g from Shopee and Lazada. Their coconut butter is 100% organic, non-GMO and free from stabilizers and extenders. CocoWonder only uses pure and high-quality matured coconut in making their coconut butter.

Have you tried coconut butter? Share your favorite ways of using coconut butter in the comment section below.

References:

Coconut Butter: The Better, Healthier Butter. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/coconut-butter/

Ask the Diet Doctor: Coconut Oil Vs. Coconut Butter. Retrieved from https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/ask-diet-doctor-coconut-oil-vs-coconut-butter

P.S. To always get the latest blog updates, don’t forget to follow me on Facebook.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and purchase the products, I’ll receive some commission.

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, by Hello Green Beauty

In Health, Herbalism

It’s Tea Time: Genmaicha (Brown Rice Green Tea)

Image Credit: Gothick at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

I was strolling in Makati one day when I saw a small Korean grocery store and I went inside out of curiosity. Oh boy, I’m glad I did go inside otherwise I won’t be able to discover this amazing tea that is now a staple in my tea collection. The tea I’m talking about is called Genmaicha which is the Japanese word for “brown rice green tea”. It is also known as Hyeonmicha in Korean.

Genmaicha is a type of Japanese green tea that is mixed with roasted brown rice kernels. Yes, you might think the combination is unusual but there is actually a little bit of history behind the invention of this tea. During ancient Kyoto days, most people can’t afford to buy pure green tea. One day, a tea farmer had decided to use roasted brown rice as fillers to reduce the price of green tea, therefore making it more affordable to most people at that time.

Unlike the bitter and grassy taste of pure green tea, genmaicha has more pleasant nutty flavor which is attributed to the starch and sugar present in the brown rice. So if you’re not a fan of drinking green tea because of its bitterness, then genmaicha is something you should try for a start. What I like the most about genmaicha is its deep aroma that smells like newly cooked rice, I can’t help but to sniff my tea as I drink it. Moreover, genmaicha (being not a pure green tea) contains less caffeine and is less acidic compared to other teas. As a point of comparison, genmaicha has 4mg of caffeine per cup (250ml) compared to 42mg per cup of black tea, so drinking genmaicha before sleeping won’t be a problem. Contrary to its name, genmaicha is not color brown or green, rather it has a light yellow color.

Health Benefits of Genmaicha

Boost Immune System

Since genmaicha is a type of green tea, it is rich in antioxidants that can help strengthen your immune system. It contains polyphenols and flavonoids which are both known as disease-fighting antioxidants that can protect your body against common diseases.

Reduce Risk of Cancer

Genmaicha contains high amount of catechin compound called epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) that has the ability to suppress cancer cells. In fact, there was a study that shows that women who drink any variant of green tea regularly has reduced risk of getting breast cancer.

Increase Metabolism

The same EGCG catechin in genmaicha also has anti-obesity effect. It reduces the body weight by increasing the rate at which your body burns fat.

Relieve Stress

One of the active ingredients of genmaicha is an amino acid called theanine that is known to promote relaxation. Unlike chamomile tea, genmaicha doesn’t have a sedative effect. It will not help you fall asleep. It will only help you calm down your nerves during a very stressful day.

Brewing Time and Temperature

For tea bags: Steep one tea bag in a cup of hot water (with a temperature of 80 – 85 C / 176-185 F) for 1 – 2 minutes.

For loose leaves: Put a teaspoon of tea leaves in a cup of hot water (with a temperature of 80 – 85 C / 176-185 F). Steep for 1 – 2 minutes, then strain out the leaves using a small strainer.

Where to Buy Genmaicha in the Philippines

Genmaicha can be bought in most Korean or Japanese grocery stores in the country. You can also buy them from Han Mart via Shopee.

P.S. To always get the latest blog updates, don’t forget to follow me on Facebook.

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, by Hello Green Beauty

Pages

DIY: How to Make Your Own Natural Baby Oil

Carrier Oil Profile: Rosehip Oil

Superfood Series: Coconut Butter – A Dairy-Free Butter Alternative

It’s Tea Time: Genmaicha (Brown Rice Green Tea)

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DIY: How to Make Your Own Natural Baby Oil

Carrier Oil Profile: Rosehip Oil

Superfood Series: Coconut Butter – A Dairy-Free Butter Alternative

It’s Tea Time: Genmaicha (Brown Rice Green Tea)

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