DIY Sheet Mask Recipe for Dry Skin

Sheet masks are one of my favorite at-home spa skin care recipes to make. For those of you who may not have heard of them before, sheet masks are a skin care treatment that uses a piece of fabric soaked in a solution that is intended to bring a host of benefits to the skin. They can be found in just about any store that sells skin care products, but they come at the price of additional preservatives for shelf stability and single-use packaging. They also range in price, with the inexpensive ones including less than natural ingredients and the expensive ones being well...expensive! This is why I opt to make my own.

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Posted by Jessicka

Guide to Types of Cosmetic Clay & Their Uses

When mineral-rich rocks, natural weathering, and the span of a few hundred years become intertwined, the Earth provides a fine-grained material known as natural clay. For millennia, cosmetic clays have been utilized throughout nearly all ancient and traditional beauty regimens for their beneficial properties and applications for many skin types. The earliest use of cosmetic clay, or “medicinal earth”, dates back to the Stone Age by the oldest known early humans, Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalensis. Experts theorize the concept of using clay was sparked as our ancient ancestors witnessed animals instinctively bathing in mineral-rich mud. These early humans are believed to have mirrored the behavior with a natural clay earth pigment known as ochre to aid in wound healing and soothing irritations. Cosmetic clays have since evolved alongside humans and are a prevalent resource in traditional healing methods throughout Ayurveda, ancient Egyptians, and Indigenous American populations.

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Posted by Hailey

Benefits & History of Castor Oil + Salve Recipe

You may be familiar with castor oil for its long-standing reputation within the beauty industry as the secret weapon for maintaining luscious hair and providing deep moisture and protection for the skin. However, you likely aren’t as familiar with this precious oil’s fascinating history and countless additional applications. Along with being an effective humectant for scalp and hair, castor oil has been utilized throughout history in everything from cosmetics to leather tanning. Interestingly enough, castor oil has in recent years even been considered as a desirable substitute for petroleum resources used in the fuel production industry!

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Posted by Hailey

Bronzing Facial Serum with Sea Buckthorn Oil

This nourishing facial serum is a very special one in my recipe book. Made with four of my favorite skin care oils, this blend is deeply hydrating and yields a lovely bronzing hue that can be tailored to many skin tones. The star of this recipe is sea buckthorn oil, which in my opinion, is an underutilized oil that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. While most skin care oils are pressed from the seeds of a given plant, sea buckthorn oil is pressed from the seeds and berries which yields a vibrant golden hue and contains abundant antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Sea buckthorn oil also contains linoleic acid which has been shown to support the skin’s lipid barrier,  helping to reduce overall moisture loss. For all of these reasons, it remains high on my list of favorite skin care ingredients.

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Posted by Jessicka

Shampoo Powder Recipe with Shikakai




One of the many perks of working at Mountain Rose Herbs is that I am always being introduced to new ingredients. As a person who loves making sustainable and cost-effective DIY recipes, I was intrigued when I began learning about organic soap pod powder. At first glance, I thought this was a powdered form of deseeded soap nuts, from which I make my semi-famous liquid laundry soap. But upon a closer look, I realized it was an entirely different plant!

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Posted by Jessicka

Queen of Hungary Mist: A Natural Skin Toner

Something that I have loved since childhood is “potion” making—mysterious liquids and substances being mixed together to create something new holds a very particular appeal to me. Of course, as a kid it was both the allure of creating something magical and the allure of creating messes that endured the activity. As an adult the draw has become a bit more practical and ever so slightly neater, however the joy of crafting botanically inspired concoctions has remained. So, when I stumbled across the Queen of Hungary Water recipe, I was immediately enchanted. This recipe is rooted in tradition and folklore and spoke to both to the adult crafter in me and my whimsical inner child who is still searching for that magic.

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Posted by Maia

DIY Moisturizing Skin Serum

Skincare is all about balance. This is the basis of each natural skin care class that I teach. We should never be in battle with our skin, but rather, aim to help it maintain the balance it seeks. The cosmetics industry tells us the opposite. It tells us to use this cream for "anti-aging" or that treatment to "fight acne". They also push us into using harsh, drying soaps for our skin, especially oily skin. But did you know that oily skin is most commonly the skin’s natural defense to being too dry skin? In other words, the cleansers used to get rid of oil are actually perpetuating the problem.  
 

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Posted by Jessicka

Floral Lip Balm Recipe

When it comes to lip balm, I’m a girl who likes to have options. Different aromas and hydration levels enhance my self-care in different ways. When I am going camping or will be spending a lot of time in the sun, I reach for a summer lip gloss recipe that gives me light coverage, but won’t melt in the sun. When I’m still feeling the summer vibes but want some more hydration than the gloss can offer, I craft ones that are more hydrating and that have longer staying power.

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Posted by Jessicka

DIY Roll-On Lip Gloss for Summer

When I’m about to embark on a summer adventure, I always do the final check before walking out the door—keys, wallet, water, and lip balm. Being ill-equipped with any of these staples puts a real damper on my ability to take impromptu diversions on the roads less traveled.

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Posted by Jessicka

Homemade Muscle Rub with Cayenne and St. John’s Wort

 

If I’m doing summer correctly—which is to say, getting out into the mountains and down to the river, hiking, swimming, and sucking up some of that vitamin D-boosting sunlight—I inevitably end up with bumps, bruises, and achy muscles from pushing the limits on how much fun I can pack into one season. I learned a long time ago to keep a tin of classic herbal muscle rub at the ready. This easy-to-make old-school salve brings together the muscle-supporting properties of St. John’s wort and the time-tested, warming qualities of capsaicin to ease the occasional aches and discomforts that come from living life to the fullest.

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Posted by Heidi

Deodorizing & Cleansing Armpit Mask Recipe

As the warmer weather hits, many of us rely more heavily on deodorant. It’s one of the personal care products that even those who live an overall healthy lifestyle still can’t give up. Truthfully, I have been one of those people. Commercially purchased deodorants simply work more reliably and for a longer period of time—but at what cost?

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Posted by Jessicka

WELCOME

We offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices, and botanical products and are commited to responsible sourcing.

DIY Sheet Mask Recipe for Dry Skin

Sheet masks are incredibly easy to craft and making your own allows you to customize the ingredients to match your skin type. Try this moisturizing sheet mask recipe for dry skin!
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

September 27, 2024

Guide to Types of Cosmetic Clay & Their Uses

Explore the benefits and differences of 5 common cosmetic clays and learn how to use them in recipes.
WRITTEN BY Hailey

September 11, 2024

Benefits & History of Castor Oil + Salve Recipe

Elevate your skin and hair care routines with castor oil! Learn about the history of this special oil and try your hand at making a castor oil salve recipe.
WRITTEN BY Hailey

September 6, 2024

Bronzing Facial Serum with Sea Buckthorn Oil

"Glow up" with this DIY bronzing facial oil. You can tailor the tone to balance your skin or use it as an evening hydration treatment.
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

September 1, 2024

Shampoo Powder Recipe with Shikakai

Learn how to make a shampoo powder recipe for a sustainable, inexpensive alternative to liquid shampoos.
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

August 14, 2024

Queen of Hungary Mist: A Natural Skin Toner

Queen of Hungary Water is a recipe rooted in herbal folklore and legend. Learn how to craft this ancient skin care formula for your modern-day natural care routine.
WRITTEN BY Maia

August 6, 2024

DIY Moisturizing Skin Serum

Natural skin care is all about balance and hydration. Learn how to make your own moisturizing skin serum for soft and radiant skin.
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

August 1, 2024

Floral Lip Balm Recipe

This softening summer lip balm has a divine aroma and offers long-lasting hydration. It's also simple to craft and makes lovely gifts!
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

July 31, 2024

DIY Roll-On Lip Gloss for Summer

Looking for an easy, inexpensive, DIY lip gloss that is perfect for summer adventure? Hot days mean it's time to make this gloss that thrives when warm.
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

July 22, 2024

Homemade Muscle Rub with Cayenne and St. John’s Wort

Outdoor fun can lead to the occasional bump, bruise, and achy muscle. Keep a homemade St. John’s Cayenne salve on hand for warm and comforting relief.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

July 18, 2024

Deodorizing & Cleansing Armpit Mask Recipe

If you're looking for a helpful way to switch to natural deodorant or want to improve the effectiveness of your natural deodorant, this simple deep cleansing mask may be your answer!
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

July 1, 2024