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What are Jump Lines in Candles?
We tried numerous times to recreate jump lines, however because of our flaming awesomeness, every candle was jump-line-less. So, we had to find a stock photo that best represents jump lines.What are Jump Lines in CandlesJump lines are the visible horizontal rings that occur on the sides of your candles. These lines look like ridges and prevent your candle from having a smooth finish. Ideally, to have a perfect candle pour, your candle wax will still be in a complete liquid state once it has been poured into your container/pillar. This is the best shot you can give your candle to completely and uniformly cool naturally, therefore decreasing your chances of getting jump lines. All candle wax has to conform to the sides of the container/pillar mold at the same rate of time. This provides for the smooth finish of a candle.In candle making when you are pouring the hot wax, it will begin to cool as soon as it hits the jar. As this happens, you will visibly be able to see wax layers materialize. If you do not pour quickly enough, the wax will naturally start to harden and stick to the wall of the container/ pillar mold. Since the temperature of the jar stays consistent, there is no heat source to re-melt the wall portion, therefore showing each line of cooled wax aka jump lines. How do you prevent jump lines from occurring?Jump lines can occur for several reasons, the first of which is intentionally. Jump lines can also be created on purpose to give candles a textured look. Since jump lines are an aesthetic thing, they do not have any kind of effect on the candles burn or scent throw. One of the first things as a preventative measure that you can do is pour your wax at the correct temperature. You can do this by using a candy thermometer. You may have to increase your pouring temperature to adjust for jump lines. This is where testing and note taking will come into play. As always, it is of the utmost importance for candle making that your jars and/or pillars are room temperature. The second measure you can take is to heat your jars at the lowest setting on a cookie sheet in the oven for twenty minutes prior to filling them.Another important factor in combating jump lines is your pouring rate. Obviously, you do not want to pour fast, this will result in wax splashing everywhere. And, adversely, you do not want to pour so slowly that you can actually see the jump lines establishing themselves in the candle. Find your pouring medium. If you are seeking a fool proof way to prevent jump lines from the pouring stage, try counting seconds or singing a lyric of a song. These tricks will help you stay uniform with your pour.How to correct jump lines?Although all of the steps mentioned earlier are great ways to prevent jump lines, once they have occurred in your candles you really only have a one option. Using a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the outside of the candle will remelt the outside layer of the wax, this will mask the jump lines from visible view, but once again, jump lines have no direct effect on a candle.

Article
When Does Wick Size Matter
We purposely created a "problem" candle to demonstrate when wick size does matter. In this example, the wick is not centered, and there is a lack of a full melt pool. A smaller melt pool is one sign that the wick size clearly needs to be larger.When does wick size matter?Knowing when to move up to the next size wick for candles is one of the trickiest aspects to candle making. There is a fine line with wicking a candle. You want to find that perfect balance between a sensational hot throw and long burn time. Wicks, are the vessels to ensuring you have made the best possible candle. You want your candle to burn slowly and evenly all the way to the bottom, leaving nothing but the wick tab behind. The right wick has the capability of doing this, but they also have a direct effect on the hot scent throw. And when it comes to scent throw, this is one feature of candles that is extremely significant.There are many different kinds of wicks available; HTP, CD, Hemp, Zinc, or Wooden. Each wick has different qualities associated with them, and that is why testing for your perfect wick size is vital to your candle crafting. Usually, within the wick selection process there are a few factors to consider. First, wick selection will differ depending on which fragrance oil you use in your candle wax. Second, wick size is determined by the diameter of your candle container/mold. Third, wick size is determined by the type of wax you are using to make your candles. Fourth, wick size is determined by how much colorant you use in your candles.Now, it could be possible that your candle will need a double or maybe even a triple wick. This is not unheard of. Sometimes, especially with the larger candles or with candles that are shaped differently (such as star), you need the addition of extra wicks to make sure that your candle has an excellent wet pool touching all sides of your container.Once you know the type and size of the wick that works best for your candle needs, the next step is to familiarize yourself with the term "wick up". Wick up in candle making is when you purposely use a larger wick. This generally comes into play for a few reasons. If you notice in your testing that you have a poor melt pool, you might want to consider a wick up. Wicking up in this situation will allow for a hotter burn, therefore reaching more wax to allow for a fuller melt pool.Another reason to wick up is if you are struggling to smell the hot throw of the candle. In order for scent throw to be possible in melted wax, the fragrance oil needs to be in a volatile state- meaning ready to evaporate quickly. The best way to ensure this is a hot burning wick. As the melted wax pool is pulled throw the wick, the fragrance (or scent) is released into the air.Another aspect to consider is the fragrance oil itself. There are certain fragrance oils such as Vanilla ones that almost always require a wick up. This is because Vanilla fragrance oils are thicker and using a slightly larger wick will prevent your wick from clogging and/or possibly drowning out. Fragrances with heavy base notes, such as patchouli, vetiver, amber, and musk will also likely require a larger wick.The wax that you are using for candle making can also come into play for a wick up situation. Any time you use a vegetable wax, you will want to wick up to the next size wick for your candle. Whenever you use a vegetable wax, which requires a hotter burn, you want to make sure that the wick when lit, will be hot enough to melt the wax properly, and release the fragrance into the air.The other factor that will require a larger wick size in candles is the use of heavy amounts of candle dye in your candles. Candle dye slows down the capillary action of the wicks, and thus reduces the burn of the wick. Increasing your wick size will help you combat this issue.If you are interested in seeing Natures Garden's suggestions for wicks, please check out candle wick chart. However, please note that this information should never replace your testing process.

Article
What is Red Clover Good For?
What is red clover good for? This fantastic wholesale herb has all kinds of benefits for your entire body. You can use the Natures Garden herb to create some fantastic bath and body recipes. This cosmetic ingredient is sure to provide you with some wonderful benefits for both the inside and outside of your body. Also, you can use this herb to create an herbal red clover tea. This tea has some known benefits for the body, as well. So, there are all kinds of benefits for your when used in cosmetic recipes. If you are interested in learning more about the potential benefits, then continue reading this cosmetic blog to learn even more!What is Red Clover Good For?: Growing ConditionsNot only are there herbal benefits provided by these beautiful flowers, but the red clover plants can actually be quite beneficial to farming. There are many farmers that will use this herb as a cover crop, which means that it will protect the soil. Further, this herb can help to replenish the nitrogen in the soil. So, planting red clover will promote better health for the next years crop. Although there are other similar plants that will grow faster, produce more, and provide more nitrogen, this plant can be grown in many more soil types and weather conditions. So, the reason why this plant may be preferred in many regions of the United States is that it can be grown anywhere corn is grown.You will want to be sure to plant your clover by early spring. This will allow you to have approximately three harvests. For the seeds, you will need to make sure that the soil has a pH between 6 and 7. Although you can add limestone to raise the pH, you won't be able to plant if the soil is above 7 and too basic. Also, you will want to plant the seeds a quarter inch deep into soil that is well draining. If you want to enrich the soil, then you can add some phosphorous. Further, these clovers will prefer to have either full sun or partial shade.Once the seedlings are planted, the plant will take about seven days to sprout. Then, the plant will develop into about 40 to 60 days. After, you are ready to harvest these wonderful herbs! You can either use this crop for farming or you can simply grow red clovers for the decoration or as well as herbal purposes, too.What is Red Clover Good For?: Red Clover Benefits for Skin and HairThere are all kinds of reasons to add the red clover herb to your bath and body recipes. This herb can be used whole or used to create an herbal infusion. Of course, this cosmetic herb has benefits for your skin. So, adding this to homemade lotions or soap making recipes will leave your skin soft and youthful. Plus, this flower herb has some beneficial properties for your hair, too. Adding this herb in your shampoo or other hair care recipes will lead to stronger, healthier hair. If you are interested in using this cosmetic herb, then you may want to check out exactly how it can benefit your body.What is Red Clover Good For?: Red Clover UsesFirst, you can use the red clover herb to nourish your skin. So, you can use this cosmetic herb to reduce issues due to eczema or psoriasis. Also, this herb can be useful for burns, minor cuts, or skin sores. In fact, this herb can help your skin heal faster. Further, you can use this cosmetic herb to create fantastic bath and body recipes. So, you can use this herb to reduce signs of aging, as this herb contains nutrients that are beneficial to the skin.These nutrients help maintain the keratin in the skin and leave you with a youthful appearance. Also, there are substances called isoflavones that act very similarly to estrogen. Further, these estrogen-like substances in this cosmetic herb can be useful for reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and increasing elasticity. Plus, you can use the red clove herb to improve dry skin. Also, you can use this herb cosmetically to help with acne and other breakouts.Additionally, you can add this dried herb to you handmade hair care products. If you add this herb to cosmetic products for your scalp, then you are in for some fantastic benefits! For instance, this herb is perfect for reducing dandruff. Also, you can reduce you likelihood of scalp infections. Furthermore, this herb contains nutrients that will promote fast, healthy hair growth. So, this cosmetic herb will leave you hair feeling silky soft and looking absolutely stunning.What is Red Clover Good For?: Medicinal UsesNot only does this cosmetic herb have benefits for the outside of the body, but the red clover herb is thought to have health benefits as well. You can use this herb to help provide you with fantastic nutrients. Further, this cosmetic herb will provide you with health benefits that may be useful for helping with certain conditions. So, you will absolutely want to try out the red clover to promote your health. If you are interested in learning even more about the benefits this herb can have for your health, then check out the potential benefits this herb has for your body.What is Red Clover Good For?: Medicinal BenefitsSome women will use this wholesale herb to help deal with symptoms that come along with menopause. This herb can be useful for reducing hot flashes. Also, the red clover herb can help reduce breast pain or tenderness. Further, this herb can even be useful for dealing with menstruation. Some people have even found that this herb can help deal with PMS, or premenstrual syndrome. Also, you can use this herb to help with other hormonal conditions, as this herb contains estrogen and can be used to help balance your hormones.Further, this cosmetic herb can be used to reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate. So, using this cosmetic herb can help reduce night time urination as well as promoting a good urine flow rate. Plus, adding more red clover to your diet will help promote a positive prostate size. Also, you can use this herb to help boost your immune system with vitamin C. The nutrients in this botanical herb are thought to be useful for stimulating white blood cells. So, this herb can help your body defend its self from all kinds of illnesses. Additionally, this cosmetic herb can be useful for detoxifying the body. This cosmetic herb can be useful as a diuretic, which can help remove toxins.What is Red Clover Good For?: Food and BeveragesOf course, there are all kinds of fantastic reasons that will make you want to add this cosmetic herb to your typical diet. You can gain many of these medicinal benefits just by simply adding this lovely herb to the food you normally eat. Plus, there are all kinds ways that you can incorporate this herb into your diet. If you are interested in learning about some fun and unique recipes, then you will certainly want to check out some of these recipes for scrumptious food and beverages.What is Red Clover Good For?: Types of Food and BeveragesAlso, you can include the red clover herb in some great food and beverage recipes. Many people would describe the taste of this herb as being pleasant. Some people will think that the herb has a common legume taste, which is similar to a bean. So, you can include this herb in all kinds of typical dinner recipes. One way that you can use this cosmetic herb is to create some Red Clover Meatballs from Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. These scrumptious meatballs perfectly incorporate the wonderful health benefits of this herb. Further, this recipe is perfect for creating a nutritious and delicious dinner!Additionally, you can use this wholesale herb to create beverage recipes, too. In fact, the beverage recipes are just as beneficial and even easier to create! First if all,you can create a beneficial tea with the red clover herb. If you are looking for some tips on making an herbal tea, then check out the recipe for making red clover tea below. Also, there are some other beverage recipes that you can create with this lovely herb. One fun beverage recipe that you can include this herb in is the Red Clover Lemonade from Green Child. This simple lemonade recipe uses a few simple ingredients to create a refreshing and herbal drink!What is Red Clover Good For?: Other UsesOne benefit of this cosmetic herb is that it can be useful for promoting female fertility. This cosmetic herb can be made into a tea and used to help promote fertility. This cosmetic herb is thought to be useful as it is full of estrogen. So, this herb may be able to promote you reproductive functions. This home remedy is especially useful for women with low levels of estrogen, as this herb can help make you hormone levels more regular. Also, there are some people that use this cosmetic herb for helping reduce the chance of cancer. It is thought that this herb can be useful for reducing the possibility of uterus and breast cancer. Additionally, some people will use this cosmetic herb to help with weight loss along with their regular diet and exercise.What is Red Clover Good For?: How to Make Red Clover TeaIf you are interested in the medicinal benefits of the red clover herb, then you will definitely want to try out some scrumptious red clover tea. The Red Clover Tea article from The Right Tea has everything you will need to know about this herbal tea. In this recipe, you can learn even more about all the health benefits. Also, you can learn more about the purposes for the tea, which include heart health, blood purifying, and other benefits! Also, you can get a bit more into the potential risks of this herb. Furthermore, this article even has a simple recipe for making refreshing clover tea, which includes other herbs, like burdock, mint or lemon, that pair absolutely perfectly with this fantastic cosmetic herb!What is Red Clover Good For?: Ask Us Your QuestionsIf you have any more questions about this cosmetic herb or any other of the Natures Garden herbs, then please feel free to reach out to us. You can find us in the store, on the phone, and online. Of course you can always reach out to us in the store or on the phone help line, but our social media page is another easy way to reach out. You can reach out to us on our Facebook page. Also, you can use the handle @ngscents to find us on our Instagram and Twitter accounts. Not only can you reach out on our social media for help and advice, but you can share your own creations and share your ideas with like minded craft makers . We hope to hear from you soon and wish you the best with creating your very own unique bath and body creations!What is Red Clover Good For?: A Note About Our HerbsNote: Natures Garden sells the cosmetic herbs, like the Red Clover herb, for external use only. We do not sell our cosmetic herbs as food items. The information that we provide is only for educational purposes. Further, the information that we provide in this blog is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Further, this information on red clover has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Keep all cosmetic herbs out of reach of children and pets. Special care should be taken by pregnant and/or lactating women when handling herbs. Natures Garden accepts no responsibility (written or implied) for any products you make with our herbs. All testing is the responsibility of the customer.

Article
What is Bee Pollen Powder?
If you have been wondering "What is bee pollen powder?", then you may want to stick around for this blog. This Natures Garden herb is made up of ground up bee pollen granules, which makes it easy to add your homemade soaps and cosmetics. Further, the herb powder is a perfect way to naturally color bath and body recipes. Also, the bee powder is full of vitamins and nutrients that a healthy body needs! We utilize these nutrients to create bath and beauty products that are amazing for the skin. But, there are those that use the bee pollen granules to provide benefits to the inside of their body, too. You can learn about all the beneficial properties that bee pollen has for both your homemade products and your whole body in one of our homemaking blogs for bath and body products!What is Bee Pollen Powder?: What is Bee Pollen Made Out Of?While bees collect pollen from plants, like flowers, this pollen alone is not bee pollen. Now, you may be asking "Well then, what is what is bee pollen made from?". This process starts with the plant pollen and nectar that the bees collect for food. The type of pollen differs based on the on the area, as there will be different types of flowers available.Then, the bees mix the collected pollen with nectar from its honey sacks. This creates the bee pollen, which are larger granules that make it easier to transport pollen back to the hive. So, the bees will store the bee pollen in a special pouch in their hind legs to transport it back to their home. Then, the bees will transport this to the hive where they can enzymes to it. The bees will digest the bee pollen to turn it into honey, which has all the nutrients needed to feed young bees and worker bees alike.What is Bee Pollen Powder?: How is Bee Pollen Harvested?Well, how is bee pollen gathered before the bees turn it into honey? Obviously, the bee pollen would need to be collected before the bees take it into their hive. After this point, it will be in the process of becoming honey. So, beekeepers will use a special comb-like device that bees have to pass through before getting into the hive. As a bee passes through the comb some of the pollen will be pushed out of the bee's pouch. This allows a portion of the bee pollen to be collected while leaving some for the bees to turn into honey.What is Bee Pollen Powder?: Industrial UsesWe know that bee pollen is used to make food for the bees, but how is bee pollen good for you? Bee pollen is full of all kinds of nutrients that your body needs, which makes it amazing for giving your body a revitalizing boost. Since bee pollen is full of vitamins and nutrients, there are many industry uses for this lovely product. This means that there are all kinds of ways that people have found to include use this natural wonder. Whether you use bee pollen for cosmetic purposes or include a bee pollen supplement in your diet, there are many beneficial properties for your body.What is Bee Pollen Powder?: Foods and BeveragesMany people enjoy adding bee pollen to their food or smoothies as a nutrition boost. In fact, the abundance of nutrients are useful for combating fatigue and stress by supporting your nutrition levels. Since the vitamins and nutrients in this supplement support healthy body function, you are sure to feel more lively. Plus, bee pollen will help you ward off sickness, as it has been shown to boost the immune system. Also, this natural supplement has been useful in reducing nutritional deficiencies, which would lead to negative consequences. These consequences could include health problems or poor development in children. This is just a few of the reasons why adding bee pollen to healthy food is something that many people enjoy!What is Bee Pollen Powder?: What Does Bee Pollen Taste Like?Of course, anyone considering adding a new food to there diet would be curious about the taste. We have been told that bee pollen is an acquired taste, so some healthy eaters will disguise it in their food. Further, the taste can differ slightly depending on the pollen sources available around the hive. This means that both the color and taste can change slightly based on location and time of year. Some bee pollen has a nut-like flavor that is a little sweet and other times it can be more bitter. While some people will eat the bee pollen on food or like a pill with water, others may hide the flavor in a smoothie. It all depends on your preference and the time of year you get your bee pollen.What is Bee Pollen Powder?: Bath and Body ProductsBee Pollen Powder is a wonderful herb that provides all kinds of benefits to natural bath and body products. First, this herb can be used as a natural colorant. The pretty yellow color is perfect for creating bath and body products that are light, warm, and natural. So, this cosmetic herb is great for adding to your bath and body supplies, as it provides you with perfect hues for wholesale body products using natural bee ingredients.Additionally, bee pollen has all kinds of wonderful properties to benefit your skin. First, using this cosmetic herb for making lotion from scratch is a perfect way to introduce these beneficial properties to your skin. The high levels of antioxidants in this cosmetic herb are able to help reduce aging, as it reduces the effect of free radicals, UV light, and pollutants. Further, bee pollen has an antibiotic effect that will help to reduce acne break outs. Plus, some research has shown that bee pollen can be used on the skin to speed healing and prevent infection due to its antibacterial properties.How to Use Bee Pollen Powder: Natures Garden RecipesAlso, you can incorporate bee pollen power in a wonderful cold process soap recipe! Our Royal Honey Bee Cold Process Soap Recipe combines the beneficial properties of real honey and raw bee pollen to create an amazing recipe for the skin. Since much of the antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties are from the bee pollen, this combination enhances the honey's properties to new levels. This soap can be useful for moisturizing the skin, reducing wrinkles, and even preventing acne break outs. Plus, some cases of eczema have been reduced after regular use, as it reduces inflammation and soothes the skin.What is Bee Pollen Powder?: MedicinalThroughout history, there is evidence of humans incorporating bee in medical practices. There were ancient civilizations, including Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, American Indian, and many more, used bee pollen to create rejuvenating blends. These blends varied from the Greek and Egyptians using it to increase stamina before battle to the medicinal tonics of ancient Chinese civilizations. Further, bee pollen has even been referred to as "Ambrosia" by some civilizations, which means food of the Gods. Today, we still utilize the natural properties of bee pollen to provide our bodies with a nutrient boost and enhance our health. In fact, it is considered a superfood that is often used in smoothie blends.What has continued to make bee pollen popular for improving health is its many natural, beneficial properties for the body. First, it has vitamins that are useful for boosting the immune system, which protect you from diseases or infections. Also, bee pollen has anti-inflammatory properties that can be used for reducing the symptoms of arthritis, gout, or even menstrual cramps. Another benefit is that bee pollen promotes liver health with its high level of antioxidants that are able to help your liver detox the body. Additionally, bee pollen powder has been linked to a reduction in bad cholesterol, which has led to better cardiovascular health and even suggested a decreased risk of blood clots.What is Bee Pollen Powder?: Other UsesAnother benefit of bee pollen is that it can be used to help reduce minor seasonal allergies. Many people will find local beehives to find bee pollen harvested from the area. You can take this region specific bee pollen every day to help build up an immunity to the pollen that you experience in your area. You will want to start with a small amount and work your way up to a slightly larger amount. Also, you will want to begin this process a few weeks before pollen season begins.Eventually, you won't have as bad of a reaction from seasonal allergies caused by the pollen in your area. However, anyone with serious allergic reactions to honey, pollen, or bee stings as well as anyone taking regular medications should all consult a doctor before committing to taking bee pollen. If you would like to learn more about how to take bee pollen, then check out this article called How Bee Pollen Could Cure Your Allergies by Mind Body Green. This article talks about how bee pollen wards your body from your allergies and gives a suggested amount for daily use.What is Bee Pollen Powder?: Get Healthy with Bee PollenIf you want to try adding granules of bee pollen to your diet, then Healthy Smoothie Headquarters is a great place to start. They have an article with a recipe for creating a smoothie that is absolutely scrumptious. Recipes like these are extremely useful for anyone that would love to reap the benefits of bee pollen but hate the taste. Plus, this article even talks about a few more benefits and bonuses of eating bee pollen regularly. So, check out the Blissful Bee Pollen Smoothie and see what all the buzz is about!If you are curious about all the nutrients in bee pollen, then you may want to check out an article by Bee Pollen Buzz. This article, called What is Bee Pollen?, perfectly answers the question of "What nutrients does bee pollen contain?" and shows you exactly what is known to be in bee pollen that is just so good for us. In fact, this article breaks down the good stuff in bee pollen, like all the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Plus, they go into the number of calories, fats, carbs, and protein, too. So, this is a perfect break down for any curious healthy eaters out there.What is Bee Pollen Powder?: Talk to UsWe hope that you've enjoyed learning a bit about this wonderful cosmetic herb. If you want to include even more herbs in your wholesale bath and body supplies, then check out some of our other Herbs and Spices. You can create some skin-loving products with a blend of fantastic herbs. If you have questions about bee pollen powder or any other herbs that we carry, then please ask us! You can always ask us questions in store, on the phone, and on social media. We have a Facebook page that you can use to reach us. Also, we have a Twitter account and an Instagram account (@ngscents) . We hope to hear from you soon!What is Bee Pollen Powder?: Reminder About Our HerbsNote: Natures Garden sells our bee pollen powder for external use only. While you can purchase food grade bee pollen elsewhere, we do not sell them as food items. Also, the information that we provide is for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease and this information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We suggest that you keep all herbs out of reach of children and pets. Also, pregnant and/or lactating women should take special care when handling herbs. Natures Garden accepts no responsibility (written or implied) for any products you make with our herbs. The responsibility of the customer is to test all of their own created products.

Article
What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm
A common question to come up when creating a lip balm recipe is "What can I use to flavor lip balm?" There are so many choices that sometimes it is hard to decide! You can go with scrumptious flavoring oils, essential oils, or certain foods. It all depends on what you are trying to make. Some people prefer to go the simple, natural route with specific food ingredients or essential oils. Other people like to go with the yummy and complex flavorings. No matter what your style is we have some options for you!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Flavor OilsFirst, we have our flavoring oils! These are all of the flavorings that we had formulated specifically for lip balm. So, check out our flavor oils and find your favorite.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Black Cherry BOOM FlavoringIf you like the taste of freshly ripened black cherries, then this is the perfect flavoring for you. Our Black Cherry BOOM Flavoring oil has a bold cherry aroma that will have your mouth watering.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Blue Raspberry Slushie FlavoringNext, we have the scrumptious Blue Raspberry Slushie Flavoring. This flavor oil has an aroma that is exactly like blue raspberry slushies you can get from the theatre!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Bubble Gum FlavoringAlso, we have a flavor oil that is perfect for lovers of bubblegum. Our sweet Bubblegum Flavoring has a delicious aroma of bright, juicy bubblegum that is perfect for lip balm.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Buttercream Cupcake FlavoringAnother yummy flavor to try is the Buttercream Cupcake Flavoring. This one will transport you straight to the bakery with its inviting aroma of delicious buttercream and light fluffy vanilla cupcake.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Chocolate Bon Bons FlavoringThe Chocolate Bon Bons Flavoring is perfect for dessert lovers. This flavor oil has a rich, creamy aroma of chocolate fudge bon bons. Yum! If you want to use this in a recipe, then take a look at our Brown Sugar Lip Scrub Recipe.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Coconut FlavoringAnother great flavoring that you can use in lip balm is the Coconut Flavoring. This aroma is a perfect summer scent with its fresh coconut aroma, which was perfect for our Crazy for Coconuts Lip Balm Recipe.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Cotton Candy FlavoringNext, we have a scent that is delicious and reminiscent of when the fair would come into town. The Cotton Candy Flavoring is true and worked beautifully in our Cotton Candy Lip Balm Recipe.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Creme Brulee FlavoringAlso, you can use the sweet scent of the Creme Brulee Flavoring, which makes a scrumptious addition to your lip balm recipes. This flavor is exactly like a rich and creamy creme brulee!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: French Vanilla FlavoringPlus, we have a wonderful flavor oil for anyone that enjoys vanilla. Our French Vanilla Flavoring has an aroma of a sweet, creamy French vanilla that has rich notes that are hard to pass up.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Frozen Margarita FlavoringAnother great idea for lip balm is a Margarita flavored lip balm! The delicious Frozen Margarita Flavoring tastes like a lime margarita that will have your mouth watering. Great for cute party favors if you are looking for simple bachelorette party ideas!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Green Apple Blast FlavoringOur Green Apple Blast Flavoring is a scrumptious scent that is perfect for lovers of green apples. This flavoring has an aroma of tart green apples, but it has an extra blast of delicious goodness. Such a wonderful flavoring for lip balm!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Guava Flavoring OilIf you prefer something more exotic, then the Guava Flavoring Oil may be for you! This tasty flavoring oil has the scent of a freshly ripened guava fruit.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Horchatta (Cinnamon Rolls) FlavoringThis next flavor oil is perfect if you like cinnamon rolls. The Horchatta Flavoring was originally created to smell like rich, spicy Mexican rice pudding. But, it smells just like cinnamon rolls to us. So, you can use this flavor for a few different dessert themes.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Juicy Orange FlavoringAlso, you may want to try the Juicy Orange Flavoring in your homemade lip balm. This deliriously fresh orange aroma was used in our Super Easy Lip Gloss Recipe. Tastes just like fresh squeezed orange juice!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Juicy Watermelon FlavoringOur Juicy Watermelon Flavoring is a great one to use in diy lip balm, especially if you like the sweet taste of a juicy watermelon. This flavor is just like biting into a piece of a freshly cut watermelon.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Kiss of Death FlavoringPlus, you can create lip balm using the Kiss of Death Flavoring. While this flavoring oil sounds complex and seduction, it's actually sweet and delicious! It tastes almost just like Hawaiian Fruit Punch!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Mango FlavoringAnother great fruit flavor that you can add to your lip balm recipes if the Mango Flavoring. This flavoring is sweet, tropical, and delicious just like a real mango.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Monkey Farts Fragrance OilOur Monkey Farts Flavoring is a blend of fruits and sweet notes that create a delicious combination. The flavor uses notes of fresh bananas, juicy grapefruit, kiwi, juicy bubblegum, and strawberries. Plus, this flavor has a sweet hint of vanilla.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Rootbeer FlavoringA unique and tasty option that you have for your lip balm is the Rootbeer Flavoring. This scrumptious drink scent is perfect for anyone that loves this sweet, foamy beverageWhat Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Strawberry Cheesecake FlavoringIf you are looking for a scrumptious dessert flavor, then try Strawberry Cheesecake Flavoring in your homemade lip balm! This flavor oil has rich, creamy notes of cheesecake with sweet strawberry topping.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Strawberry Sorbet FlavoringAnother great flavoring that you can use in your lip balm is the Strawberry Sorbet Flavoring. This delicious flavoring was perfect for recipes like the Vegan Silky Lip Balm Recipe. Further, we have a complete kit for this recipe that comes with printed instructions, packaging supplies, and all of the ingredients that you will need!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Tropical Paradise FlavoringNext, we have an exotic scent that is perfect for summer. Our Tropical Paradise Flavoring is a paradise of delicious tropical fruits, like coconut, pineapple, goji berries, dragon fruit, star fruit, papaya, mango, and kumquat.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Vanilla Bean FlavoringLastly, we have the aroma of sweet vanilla beans that is perfect for lip balm. The Vanilla Bean Flavoring was perfectly balanced with the raw honey in our Honey Vanilla Lip Balm Recipe to create lip care that was tasty and moisturizing.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Essential OilsWhile some essential oils are fine to put into lip balm, others are not. Just like how some plants in nature are poisonous to eat, some essential oils can't be eaten. You can use the IFRA sheet to determine how much is safely allowed in lip balm, as it is category 1. But, we find that a good rule is that if it allows for less than 1% then you may not want to have it on your lips even if IFRA technically allows it. Also, you may personally have an allergy to the essential oil. So, you may want to do a test patch on a small area of skin to see whether you are sensitive.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Lavender Essential OilFirst, we can use the Lavender Essential Oil. This lovely essential oil has a sweet, fruity aroma that is absolutely scrumptious. Plus, the IFRA sheet says that you can include up to 5% of this ingredient in your lip balm recipes. So, you can use this oil, like we did with out White Chocolate Lavender Lip Balm Recipe, to naturally flavor your lip balm recipe!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Peppermint Essential OilAnother idea for flavoring is the cool and refreshing Peppermint Essential Oil. This delightful oil is perfect for adding some mint freshness to your lip care products. If you are interested in using this flavor oil, then you may want to know that IFRA states that a maximum of 5% can be used for your lip products.If you want to find more essential oils that you can use, then check out the Essential Oils page on our website! You can find out which are body safe and their usage rate there!What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: How to Sweeten Your Lip BalmWhile flavoring oils are amazing, sometimes you just want to add a bit of extra sweetness. Not only can these sweeteners be added to enhance your flavoring oil, but these sweeteners can be used to naturally flavor lip balm all on its own! It's all up to your and what you want from your lip balm.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: SteviaFirst, we have Stevia Powder, which is a natural sweetener extracted from the Stevia plant of the Asteraceae family. This sweetener is often used as a cane sugar substitute because it is thought to have no calories and taste even sweeter than sugar. This added sweetness is especially useful for lip balm because we can get a sweet flavor without adding enough to be considered a lip scrub. While scrubs can be useful, you don't want every lip balm to be gritty. Stevia is used to sweeten the lip balm. This sweetness also enhances the flavor of the lip balm.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: HoneyAlso, you can use a natural sweetener like honey. Not only will adding this ingredient sweeten your lip balm, but it has benefits for your lips as well. Honey is known for helping lock in moisture and protect your skin and lips. Plus, it can be used to help brighten your lips or even make them look bigger and more plump.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Dark Chocolate WafersAnother perfect additive for lip balm is chocolate. What could be better than the rich taste of dark chocolate in your homemade lip balm recipes? Absolutely nothing! Chocolate is delicious and perfect for anyone that wants to naturally flavor lip balm. Adding some Dark Chocolate Wafers to your recipe will provide a fantastic taste and help keep your lips feeling soft.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: History of Lip BalmLip balm is essential for keeping your lips moisturized and healthy, but it wasn't always around. In fact, it was invented in the early 1880s by Dr. C.D. Fleet. But, this lip balm looked more like a wickless candle then what we see today. Further, flavored Chapstick wasn't even an option until 1971! If you want to learn more about the history of lip balm or are curious about the history of Carmex, then check out The History of Chapstick - The History of Carmex by ThoughtCo.What Can I Use to Flavor Lip Balm: Talk to Us at Natures GardenWe hope that you have a better idea of ingredients for you lip balm recipes. Whether you added these flavoring options to your recipes or created one of ours, we're sure you will enjoy the finished product. If you have any questions or want to share your lip balm making experience, then feel free to reach out to us. An easy way to find us is on social media. We have a Facebook page. Also, we have a Twitter account and an Instagram account (@ngscents). Hope to hear from you soon!

Article
What is Trace in Soap Making?
What is trace? Baby, don t blend me; don't stir me, just pour. Trace is when you've reached emulsion- your oils are blended with your lye mixture and are no longer capable of separating. How can you tell when your mixture is at trace? The easiest way is to use your stirring utensil: hold it a few inches above your mixing container and move it back and forth. If the soap batter dripping off the stirring utensil leaves little lines that sit on top of the mixture in the bowl- that s trace. It can be difficult to capture in photographs, but you ll know it when you see it in motion.So I reach trace and that's it? Well, yes and no. There are different degrees of trace, but the important thing to remember is that once a mixture has reached trace- it s only going to continue to solidify from there. Light trace is considered the bare minimum. Light trace is helpful when you're looking to make swirls or other designs that require easily pourable, almost-liquid soap. Moderate trace is in the middle and means you're ready to pour your soap into the mold. Heavy trace is when your soap gets thick. The picture above shows heavy trace. A soap batter at heavy trace is resistant to change shape and almost impossible to pour into a mold. Heavy trace may result in the need to scoop your soap into the mold, seen in the photo on the left. Not a pretty sight. Work quickly to ensure the soap does not set before you are ready.What Causes Different Levels of Trace?Trace can be affected both by your ingredients and your blending method.Ingredients: 'Hard' oils, including palm oil and coconut oil, and butters will reach trace much faster. Using softer oils such as olive oil or canola will decrease the speed of trace, but your end product soap will be much softer. Increasing the amount of oil to superfat your recipe will also slow down trace. (Be careful not to add too much or you'll have an excess of unreacted oils.) In addition, fragrance oils can accelerate trace. (Check out our CP Soap Testing results to see how our fragrance oils perform in the CP soaping process.) Inversely, the more water you use, the slower your soap will reach trace. A water discount (using less water than the recipe called for) will accelerate trace and is recommended for only advanced soapers when they see fit.Blending: The speed at which you blend can accelerate trace. Using a stick blender as opposed to stirring manually with a spatula will increase the speed of the reaction and trace will be reached faster. If you suspect that the mixture will accelerate, stir it manually to slow the rate of trace. Furthermore, the temperature at which you blend your ingredients will affect trace. Higher temperatures accelerate trace. If you wish to slow down trace, let your lye mixture cool down to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit before you add it to your oils. The order also matters. If the fragrance oil you're using is known to have a tendency to accelerate trace, be sure to add it last, after you've made your soap mixture and added any colorant, and be ready to move.False TraceAll this talk about trace and the need to rush your soap process may have you running around like a chicken with its head cut off- but BEWARE FALSE TRACE. False trace usually occurs when oils in your mixture begin to cool down and solidify without going through emulsion or saponification. So, much like Goldilocks, you don't want your mixture to be too hot or too cold, but juuuuust right.Ahhh!I know it seems like a lot- but if you pay attention to the factors listed here- you should be alright. Remember to have all of your ingredients ready before you start soaping (always, but especially) in case of any unexpected trace acceleration. You can do this, I promise. And if something goes wrong, you can always melt down your soap and try again. Thanks for reading and happy soaping!

Article
What is Lemon Verbena Used For?
What is lemon verbena used for? There are many benefits that can be had from using this Natures Garden cosmetic herb. First, this herb has a bold, lemon flavor that is fantastic for creating foods and beverages. Also, this herb has a lemon aroma that is perfect for naturally scenting homemade bath and body recipes. Additionally, there are some benefits that can be gained from this tasty herb from both the herbal teas as well as the lovely skin care products, which provides both health and cosmetic benefits. So, let's learn about all the wonderful reasons for using lemon verbena leaf!What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Growing ConditionsMost people who grow their own lemon verbena at home will say that the plant takes a bit of work. However, it is often said that the reward is well worth the effort put in. Additionally, this plant is likely to drop its leaves at the slightest issue. However, a plant without leaves is not always dead. In fact, many people have assumed their plant to be dead and found it growing vigorously after it was thrown to the side. So, you will find that this herb is a bit temperamental.What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Growing and Harvesting Your HerbsFirst, this refreshing plant requires soil that is loose and well draining. It is very important that the water is about to drain, as the plant will die if the roots constantly stay wet. Additionally, a larger pot can be useful for insulating the roots against changes in soil temperature. Also, you will find that full sun will provide you plant with the best opportunity for growth as well as stronger, flavorful leaves. While the plant can benefit from light shade in dessert-like areas, you will want to make sure that the lemon verbena gets a larger amount of sun compared to shade. Also, you will want to provide frequent fertilization, which would be required throughout the growing season, for your plant.Since this plant will provide a new growth beneath the cut that you make, harvesting your lemon verbena leaves isn't harmful to your plant. Throughout the growing season you can continue to cut what you need. In fact, frequent cutting will prevent your plant from getting too leggy. You will want to harvest the leaves before they turn yellow. After you dry your harvested leaves you can store them in dry, sealed containers. Additionally, you can freeze some of the leaves that you will want to preserve for longer lengths of time. You will want to crumble your leaves before using to increase the flavor.What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Industrial UsesYou can use this cosmetic herb to create all kinds of beneficial products to nourish your body inside and out. First, you can create delightful teas as well as some delicious recipes with this lemon-flavored herb. Plus, adding this cosmetic herb to your diet can provide your body with a plethora of benefits. Also, you can include our cosmetic lemon verbena Leaf to create fantastic bath and body recipes that smell great and are wonderful for your skin. Now, let's get into exactly what this cosmetic herb can do.What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Medicinal UsesWhile lemon verbena leaves are well known for their delicious flavor, there are some beneficial properties available for your health, too. It is thought to help your immune system, reduce inflammation, and more! So, there are plenty of properties to enjoy from this botanical herb. Between the medicinal benefits of this herb and the pleasant flavor, you are sure to enjoy using lemon verbena leaf.What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Medicinal BenefitsAlso, you can use this herb to reduce inflammation in the body. So, the antioxidants in lemon verbena have been known to reduce the symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Further, you may find that this herb can be used to promote a faster recovery for joint injuries. Additionally, some have found that this herb can be useful for kidney or liver problems as well as urinary tract issues, as this herb can help flush out your system.Additionally, it has been found that this herb can be used to help break a fever. Further, it is thought that this herb can be used to help boost your immunity. Since this herb is used to reduce the level of oxidative stress on your body, it is thought to help promote your body's immune system. So, this wonderful herb could be beneficial to use during a bout of sickness, as it may get you to recover quicker. Further, it has been found that you can use this delightful herb to help with congestion. It is thought that Lemon Verbena tea can be used to reduce phlegm and mucus, which is perfect for eliminating congestion in the respiratory tracts.Another benefit of this lovely herb is helping to aid in digestion. This herb has been known to help calm the stomach and reduce minor issues, like cramping and bloating. Also, it has been found that you can use lemon verbena to help reduce anxiety. The antioxidants in this herb are thought to help balance any possible hormonal imbalance and gently reduce stress to help ease the mind and body.What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Bath and Body UsesThere are many benefits that you can gain from this fantastic herb. You can use this herb as a natural scented oil, as it has a fantastic and strong aroma. So, this would be a great pick for anyone looking for herbs for soap making. Further, there are many beneficial properties that you can use to nourish your skin. So, you can use this fantastic herb to create cosmetic recipes that smell delightful and care for the body.First of all, this wonderful herb can be used to provide a wonderful aroma to your bath and body products. The scent of this wonderful cosmetic herb has been described as very strong, too! So, you can use this herb to naturally scent your various bath and body products with the aroma of refreshing lemon. Further, this strong, lemon aroma has been found to have a calming aroma for the entire body. So, this is a fantastic cosmetic herb that you can include in your bath and body recipe, which will allow you to soak in the wonderful aroma and calming properties of the cosmetic recipe.Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of lemon verbena can be useful for reducing certain skin conditions. For example, issues with eczema may be reduced by using this cosmetic herb. Also, this cosmetic herb has been found to be able to fight off staph skin infections. Since this bacteria can range in severity from a minor skin irritation to a life threatening issue, it is wonderful to have an herbal remedy on hand. While doctors should be contacted after an outbreak, this herb may be a useful tool to begin treatment at home along with your doctor's recommendations, which can be useful for preventing growth and keep it from getting worse.What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Food and BeveragesYou can use this lovely herb to create all kinds of delightful recipes. Due to this herb's bold and refreshing flavor you are able to create recipes that are both delicious and natural. Not only is the flavor amazing, but the herb is thought to be useful for improving mood. So, drinking this herbal tea could be useful for dealing with anxiety, depression, or even insomnia. This means that adding this herb to your typical diet could result in some wonderful mood improvements.First, you can use this herb to create a lovely herbal tea. Although you will steep these leaves like you would for any other tea, it may be beneficial for you to crush or break the leaves immediately before steeping. It has been found that the flavor and aroma of these leaves are emboldened after the whole leaves are broken up. Breaking up the leaves allows more of the flavor and nutrients to be released during the steeping process.Furthermore, you can use this flavorful herb to create all kinds of wonderful dishes. For example, you can include this herb in recipes for fish, chicken, or salads to increase the flavor and make your food even more irresistible. Also, you can use this herb to create delicious cooking ingredients, like the Lemon Verbena Butter by Genius Kitchen. This recipe is such an easy way to step up your average butter and create something phenomenal to cook with. Not only can you use this herbal ingredient to step up recipes and enhance your food, but you can create unique recipes centered around this wonderful flavor. For example, the homemade Lemon Verbena Ice Cream recipe is a fantastic choice for anyone with an ice cream maker!What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Other UsesSome people have found that this wonderful herb can be used as a weight loss tool. Creating a tea with this herb will provide only a couple of calories and is known to help reduce your appetite. Not only is it thought that this herb will reduce your hunger, but it may be useful for promoting a faster rate of burning fat. The herb is thought to be able to improve this rate by optimizing some of your body's natural processes.Additionally, it is thought that this herb could be useful for improving healthy muscle building. Drinking lemon verbena tea along with a regular exercise routine is thought to be useful before a workout. The nutritional elements in this herb are thought to decrease the damage done to muscles without inhibiting your body's natural development of muscle mass. So, you can gain even more from the same exercise routine.Additionally, this herb can be used to keep certain pests away, like flies or mosquitoes. Often, this herb would be tossed around a horse stable. This would allow the horses to step on the leaves, release the scent, and repel pests from the stable. Furthermore, this herb can be used to help reduce the levels of candida in your gut. This fungus can be the root cause to oral thrush as well as some chronic intestinal issues.Also, you can use this cosmetic herb to improve your natural cleaning product recipes. The lemon verbena is perfect for providing a fresh, clean lemon scent that is sure to enhance your homemade cleaning recipes.What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Ask Us Your QuestionsWe hope that you have enjoyed learning about this wonderful herb! If you have any more questions about using Lemon Verbana Leaf or any of our other herbs and spices, then feel free to reach out. You can find us in the store, on the phone, or even online. Anyone that wants to find us online can find us on social media. We have a Natures Garden Facebook page. Also, you can use @ngscents to find us on either Twitter and Instagram. Further, you can use these platforms to share your own creations or opinions on this herb. We hope that you enjoy the Lemon Verbena Leaf and that we hear from you soon!What is Lemon Verbena Used For?: Note About Our HerbsNote: Natures Garden sells our herbs, like the lemon verbana leaf cut and sifted, for external use only. We do not sell our herbs as food items. The information we provide is for educational purposes only. We do not intend to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease with this information. Also, the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the information that we provide. You should be sure to keep all herbs out of reach of both your children and pets. Further, pregnant and/or lactating women should take special care when handling herbs. Lastly, Natures Garden accepts no responsibility (written or implied) for any products you make with our herbs and all testing is the responsibility of the customer.

Article
What Are Wet Spots in Candles?
Using a wax like Golden Foods Soy Wax 464, and a few preventative measures can help eliminate wet spots from your candles. What are Wet Spots in Candles?The term wet spots in candle making refers to the spots or patches in container candles that appear to have air, or a wet spot showing through the glass or transparent container and the candle wax. Wet spots are extremely common and are one of the most common complaints among candle makers. However, wet spots will not inhibit the functionality of your candle, just the aesthetic appeal.What causes Wet Spots?1. Pouring hot candle wax into too cold of a container.2. Pouring your melted candle wax at a temperature much cooler than what is suggested.3. Using a pillar/votive wax for container candles instead of a container wax that is formulated for that purpose.4. Cooling your candles too fast; subjecting your candles to an environment which has drafts or is lower than 70-72 degrees.5. Pouring candle wax into dirty containers.How to Avoid Wet Spots?1. Try to eliminate or prevent wet spots by thoroughly washing and drying your containers before using. This will get any dust or debris out that may have fallen into your jars.2. Be sure to use a container wax so that your wax adheres properly to your container. Votive/pillar waxes are not suggested for container candles. Wax like Golden Foods Soy Wax 464, is a great start. This type of soy wax has a wonderful adhesion to glass containers, therefore minimizing the chances of getting wet spots.3. Heat your jars/containers at the lowest setting on a cookie sheet in the oven for twenty minutes prior to filling them. This also allows for the candle wax to cool slowly which allows for better adhesion to the container.4. Another thing that tends to reduce the occurrence of wet spots is pouring your candles inside the box the candle jars came in. This helps to insulate your candles while they cool slowly. Allow your candles to set up at room temperature, in a room that has no drafts.5. If you start to see the wet spots taking place as the candle is cooling, this means you should consider increasing your pour temperature. Testing with a thermometer is key here. Follow the manufacturer's recommended pour temperature.

Article
What Can Paprika Be Used For?
There are many wonderful cosmetic herbs that are available to you from Natures Garden your wholesale herb supplier. In fact, there are so many that it can be hard to figure out what to do with them all. So, don't worry if you have been wondering "What Can Paprika Be Used For?". While this herb may seem common place in the kitchen as a spice, there are many benefits that can be had for the skin. So, adding this cosmetic ingredient to your handcrafted cosmetic recipes would be perfect for helping your bath and body recipes care for the skin.What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Growing ConditionsThis powdered herb can be created from either bell peppers or mild chili peppers. These fresh, crisp peppers will be dried and ground into a flake or powder form. After, it is then considered paprika and can be used in cosmetics as well as food recipes. So, making paprika means that you will be growing a kind of pepper from the Capsicum Annuum family. There are a few plant varieties that you can find, which include the Hungarian or the Spanish varieties of this well known spice.These peppers prefer similar conditions to many other peppers. This means that they enjoy soil that will drain fairly well and is fertile. Plus, this plant enjoys sunny areas and a climate that is on the warmer side. If you live in a warm climate, then you will be able to start your seeds outside. Otherwise, you will want to either start your seeds inside or buy seedlings that are already started. Make sure that any possibility of frost has passed before you decide to transplant your peppers. You will want to have your plants about 12 inches apart from each other in a row and have each row about 3 feet from the others. After the peppers have grown and turned a bright red color they will be ready to use!What Can Paprika Be Used For?: From Garden Fresh Peppers to PaprikaNow that you have grown the peppers, you will need to dry and grind them. You can use an electric dehydrator or try yourself. If you try dehydrating yourself, then you may want to hang them in mesh bags. You should store these bags in a heated container or room thin the formulation of various cosmetic recipes. Also, the paprika spice can be used to add to the flavor of a meal. Plus, you can use this herb medicinally to help with various issues. So, this cosmetic herb is perfect for creating all kinds of wonderful recipes!What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Making Bath and Body ProductsYou can use this cosmetic herb to create various homemade recipes, which includes wonderful soap making recipes. There are many ways that your products can benefit from including the wholesale papriks. Our paprika powder herb can be used to naturally color your products, as it will provide a natural salmon color. Also, you can use this herb to provide some skin nourishing benefits! So, you will absolutely want to try out this herb in your various bath and body recipes!What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Cosmetic BenefitsFirst, you can use this powdered herb to naturally color your bath and body recipes. So, adding this natural soap colorant to your recipes will provide you with a natural salmon color. Not only can you use this herb as a cosmetic colorant, but this ingredient has some other benefits, too. Also, this cosmetic herb can be used to help provide a youthful glow to your skin. The carotenoids in this cosmetic herb are powerful antioxidants that can help protect the skin. So, this allows the herb to help your skin fight free radicals that would further age our skin and helps keep the skin looking youthful. Further, this cosmetic herb has beta carotene, which is an antioxidant and provides anti-inflammatory properties. So, this property can be used to reduce wrinkles and protect the skin from sun damage.Additionally, this lovely herb can be used to help reduce inflammation based skin issues, like eczema or rashes. Also, paprika has been thought to help increase circulation to the skin, which provides you with healthier, glowing skin. Plus, this herb has been known to help fight bacteria, which means this herb is useful for reducing acne and blackheads.Next, you can use this herb to help with hair care recipes. The herb can be useful for providing the hair with vitamin B6, which has shown to prevent hair loss. Further, this beneficial property will help improve circulation and promote better hair growth.What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Natures Garden Cosmetic RecipeOne great way to utilize all of Paprika's skin benefits is our Pineapple Paprika Cold Process Soap Recipe. This cosmetic recipe uses cosmetic oils and butters to create a luscious skin care recipe that will love your body. Further, the cosmetic herb added to this recipe has some skin care properties of its own. These properties will help care for the skin and leave you feeling youthful and glowing. Plus, this soap recipe includes the unique and strong aroma of our Pineapple Paprika Fragrance Oil. So, this is a fantastic soap-making recipe for your skin and senses!What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Food and BeveragesThere are a few different types of paprika that can be used in food recipes. Although the taste can differ, this spice is often best in savory dishes. The Hungarian and Spanish types of paprika are most commonly used as a spice for enhancing the flavor of certain recipes. However, the type that is found in our grocery stores is a different type of paprika that is mold bland. So, this version of the spice is more likely to be used as a garnish to make the food appear more appetizing. But, all these types of the same spice have benefits that enhance the food in some way as well as properties that benefit the body.What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Medicinal UsesSome people have found that taking this cosmetic herb can provide the body with a variety of health benefits. Luckily, this spice is often enjoyed for creating good food and you won't have to disguise the taste. So, adding this wonderful spice to your diet can help boost your health and improve many issues and conditions. Due to these benefits you may want to add some more of this spice to your typical diet. You can easily add this spice to a typical meal to change things up and gain even more benefits from your food!What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Medicinal BenefitsFirst, some people find that using this cosmetic can be useful for lowering cholesterol. It is thought that this herb can be used to help reduce your bad cholesterol in the body. Plus, this cosmetic herb is full of vitamins and minerals that can be used by your body to promote health and well being. First, the vitamin A in this spice is thought to boost the immune system and fight infections. This herb can be useful for fighting off certain bacteria, like E. coli or Salmonella, so this herb can help to keep you feeling great.Additionally, you can use this herb to promote healthy skin. This cosmetic ingredient is full of great antioxidants that will help fight free radicals that have the potential to damage your cells. Further, this vitamin is helpful for reducing wrinkles, sagging, and fine lines. So, this nutrient rich spice will leave your skin healthy and glowing. Also, Vitamin C is useful for those with anemia, as this vitamin will help the body absorb iron and create red blood cells. What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Other UsesThere are so many different ways that you can incorporate paprika powder into your daily life. Not only can you use this herb for cooking, cosmetic recipes, and boosting your health, but there are a few other random uses for this herb that you may enjoy. If weight loss or reducing the time of a cold sound good to you, then you may be interested in using this spice.First, this cosmetic herb may be useful for helping with a cold. This herb has properties that aid in congestion. So, this herb can be useful for clearing mucus from the nose and lungs. So, you may want to increase your paprika intake during your next cold. A second possible benefit of this cosmetic herb is helping you lose weight. An ingredient in paprika, called Capsaicin, has been known to help burn fat and lead to increased weight loss. It has properties that lead to your body burning extra calories after eating for up to 20 minutes. Of course, paprika isn't going to get the job done on its own, but paprika can help you in your efforts. So, regular use of paprika along with a healthy diet and some exercise can lead to some amazing results!What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Background of PaprikaAlthough this spice is very prevalent in Hungarian cuisine, paprika did not originate there. While there is a Hungarian strain of paprika that can be traced back to Turkey, this herb didn't originate there. Rather the spice was first grown in Mexico, like the Spanish variety of paprika. So, these two different types had similar origins. If you are curious and want to learn more about this spice, then check out The History and Origins of Paprika by DESIblitz.While these different types of paprika are similar in many ways, there are some distinct differences between the types that are available. First, you have traditional paprika, which is often found in the grocery store. It is most often used to add color to a dish and has a mild, neutral flavor. Second there is Spanish Paprika that has a rich, smoky flavor from smoked peppers, which can be sweet, mild, or hot. Now, our paprika herb is Hungarian Paprika.What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Ask Us Your QuestionsAnyone that has more questions about our ground paprika or any of our other herbs and spices should feel free to reach out to us to ask! Also, we are able to answer any other cosmetic making questions that you may have. If you want to ask us something related to your homemade cosmetics, then just reach out to us in the store, on the phone, or on social media. We have a Facebook page that you can reach us on. Also, you can use @ngscents to talk to us on Twitter and Instagram. Have fun creating your herbal recipes and we hope to hear from you soon!What Can Paprika Be Used For?: Note About Our HerbsNatures Garden sells our paprika powder for external use only. We do not sell paprika powder or any other herbs as food items. The information that we provide about our Paprika Hungarian Ground is for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Keep all the cosmetic herbs out of reach of children and pets. If you are a pregnant and/or lactating women, then you should take special care when you are handling any herbs. Natures Garden accepts no responsibility, written or implied, for any products you make with our herbs. All of the testing is the sole responsibility of the customer.

Article
What is a Surfactant?
Have you ever tried to wash dirty dishes equipped only with a sponge and water? This can be quite a feat. You will notice that it takes a lot more time and elbow grease to get the job done. Wondering why this is? The answer as you will notice right away is that the dish soap is missing.Did you know that the most eminent surfactant in existence is soap?Surfactants seem to always get the bad rap. Many people associate surfactants as bad ingredients to have in your recipes, but truth be told, this statement is not true! Yes, SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is a surfactant, and it can be more irritating to your skin than other surfactants, but is it as bad as what you read in the media lately? It is an urban myth that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate causes cancer. In fact, many of the surfactants that will be listed in this class are derived from a natural source and they work to improve the integrity and performance of your cosmetic formulations.Surfactants work with various liquids and substances; including oil and water. Much like that of the role of the emulsifiers, surfactants have a hydrophilic (water-loving) head, and a lipophilic (oil-loving) tail. In fact, emulsifiers are surfactants, and surfactants are vital to the industry of bath and body products too. They comprise the largest category of cosmetic chemicals, and seem to have an endless list of cleansing capabilities. So, needless to say, there is quite a variety to select from when seeking the perfect surfactant for your recipes.The main qualifier in deciding which surfactant to use is all based upon the benefit that each surfactant provides. Just like cold process soaping or any homemade bath and body products, the components that you choose to use in your recipes have a direct beneficial affect on the skin when the recipe is transformed into a finished product. Therefore, when selecting which surfactant to use; it is just as equally important as to what you are looking to achieve in your finished product. Each surfactant has key functions in which it will excel and equivocally each will also have other functions where it will be lacking.The term surfactant is actually a combination of its meaning: surface acting agent. Let s look at it again: surfactant = SURFace ACTing AgeNT. But the term surfactant is not always the one that everyone sticks with. It seems that surfactants have several names that all become applicable depending of the role of the surfactant in a specific recipe. For example, in recipes where foam is the finished product, the surfactant used maybe referred to as foaming agents. Surfactants used in body recipes, can even be termed as detergents or soaps. Or, in the example of shaving creams, surfactants are considered lubricants because they protect the skin from irritation and the razor s sharp edge while still allowing the removal of all of the unwanted hairs.Everything that a surfactant does occurs at the surface levels of the liquids. The biggest role that a surfactant has is the capability to lower the surface tension of a liquid. The reaction which then occurs is the conversing of the liquid (with the lower surface tension) and the additional substance. To break this down in simpler terms; a surfactant has the power to change the properties of a substance. This process is known as adsorption. The term adsorption means: the gathering of gas or liquid in a condensed layer on the surface. This condensed layer creates a film which is why the surface tension is lowered. There are four different categories of classification for surfactants based on their interfaces and charges. They are: Anionic, Nonionic, Cationic, and Amphoteric.Education is always a powerful thing, and it is not necessary to completely know the ins and outs of everything surfactants. But, you will want to have a general idea of each group of surfactants and how they play a role in your finished product. This is especially true if you are looking to accomplish a made from scratch recipe. It is also beneficial to know a few other things about surfactants too. This would include information like why the surfactants are grouped or classified together or how/if surfactants work with additional groups of surfactants in a collaborate manner. Spoiler alert: Not all surfactants play nice with one another!Anionic surfactants are considered to be the go to surfactant for many formulations. This group of surfactants is also the most commonly used among foaming product productions, like shampoos or body washes. The reasoning for this is because the anionic surfactant s primary functions are creating high foam, high cleansing, and high washing capabilities in a finished product.Anionic surfactants have a negatively charged water-loving head. Anionic surfactants work very well in recipes which have a reaction between a chemical (like lye) and fatty acids or alcohols (like animal lard or vegetable based oils). Hand processed soap, whether it is CP, CPOP, or HP, are all examples of anionic surfactants. Other examples of anionic surfactants are Sodium sulfates, Ammonium sulfates, sulfosuccinates, sarcosines, sarcosinates, isethionates, and taurates.One of the drawbacks of using an anionic surfactant relates to skin sensitivity. Due the high foaming, cleansing, and washing capabilities, skin irritations can occur. It is for this reason that if you are looking to create a handmade recipe it is best to choose another category of surfactants, or balance the anionic surfactants with amphoteric surfactants.Amphoteric surfactants are the go with the flow surfactants. They have the possibility to either have a positive or negative charge. Their charge is all based on the pH or alkalinity of your finished product. Hence the amphi prefix.When an amphoteric surfactant is used in a recipe where the end result of a finished product has a lower pH, the amphoteric surfactant takes on a more conditioning and nourishing role. On the other hand, when an amphoteric surfactant is used in a recipe where there is a higher pH in the end product, it resembles more of an anionic surfactant with high foaming and cleansing capabilities. Neither option is necessarily bad; they are just on two different planes of the beneficial skin aspects.Amphoteric surfactants are the most docile of the surfactants. They are also the second most used surfactants in the industry. This is because when used alone, they are able to provide a gentle aspect to the nature of your end product. Adversely, when an amphoteric surfactant is coupled with an anionic surfactant, the amphoteric surfactant mellows the harshness of the anionic surfactants. In fact, amphoteric surfactants can be used solo and in conjunction with any other of the surfactant groups. There adaptability is just one of the reasons why they are so widely used.Some examples of well know amphoteric surfactants are Coco Bentaine, Lauryl Bentaine, and Hydroxysultaines.Cationic surfactants are the opposite of anionic surfactants. They have a positively charged water-loving head. It is because of this positive charge that cationic surfactants can offer many skin loving, nourishing benefits to the skin and body. These surfactants are best used in recipes where foaming is not necessarily mandatory such as hair conditioners. Cationic surfactants alone do not allow for ample foaming capabilities.Cationic surfactants work well with 2 of the 3 remaining surfactant groups. Both amphoteric and nonionic surfactants will be compatible with cationic surfactants with no problems. However, because of the opposing charge cationic (positive) and anionic (negative) surfactants will not combine.Some common cationic surfactants used in bath and body recipes are your chlorides (Benzalkonium, Stearalkonium, and Centrimonium), Trimethyl Ammoniums, and Methyl Sulfates.Nonionic surfactants have no foaming capabilities which is why this group of surfactants are rarely used as a recipe s main surfactant. Evident by the prefix non, these surfactants do not have a charge in their water-loving heads. The end result of using a nonionic surfactant will allow for a finished product that has a very gentle cleansing ability. But, just because it doesn t foam, it doesn t mean it does cleanse.Psychologically speaking, there is a direct mental correlation between foaming and cleansing. We as a race have somehow inherently made this connection. Whether it is a physical view of suds equating to cleanliness, or simply urban myths that have taken on a life of their own, the reality is; it could not be further from the truth.Nonionic surfactants, or at least some of them, are ethoxylated. What this means is that the nonionic surfactants have had some reaction to the addition of ethylene oxide. With this reaction comes an even more water-loving head, almost as if it has been supercharged. This then makes nonionic surfactants (like Polysorbate 20) perfect solubilizers.But, don t just disregard this category of surfactants yet. Nonionic surfactants can also be used in formulations to reduce irritants, due to their gentle cleansing ability. They also have the capability to be used as an emollient, softening or soothing skin. Not to mention, these surfactants can be used to stabilize foam in recipes. Hold on to your seats though folks, because it gets a little better! Due to its lack of a charge, nonionic surfactants love every other category of surfactants; you can consider them the peacemakers!Some common nonionic surfactants used in bath and body recipes are your Polysorbates, Emulsifying Wax NF, E-wax, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, ingredients with the prefix PEG, Ceteareths, Oleths, Sorbitans, Lauryl Glucoside, and Polyglycose.In summary, surfactants are amazing little compounds found in many items we use every day like adhesives, bath gels, creams, lotions, frozen foods, chewing gum, inks, and fabric softeners; just to name a few! There are four main applications of surfactants particularly in just bath and body recipes. They include: cleansing, solubility, emulsifying, and conditioning.Some other additional aspects of surfactants to bath and body recipes include: the potential to increase stability of a product; certain surfactants can be used as thickening agents; due to the composition of a surfactant, some maintain anti-microbial elements and therefore can be used as preservatives; there are even some that have the capability to reduce irritation allowing for a milder product on the skin.Interested in adding some surfactants to your recipes? Below is a list of some commonly added surfactants to bath and body recipes:sodium lauryl sulfate (can be derived from coconuts) Produces High Foam; easy to thicken. Strong Anionic Surfactant; can cause irritationammonium laureth sulfate (derived from coconuts) Produces High Foam; easy to thicken. Strong Anionic Surfactant; can cause irritationdisodium lauryl sulfosuccinate (derived from coconuts) Foaming agent, Mild Anionic Surfactant; gentle on the skinCocoamphocarboxyglycinate (derived from coconuts) Mild, Amphoteric Surfactantdecyl Polyglucoside (vegetable derived, used in baby shampoos for its gentleness)cetearyl alcohol stearyl alcohol Cocamidopropyl Betaine (derived from coconut oil) Amphoteric SurfactantDecyl Glucoside (derived from sugar)Glyceryl Cocoate (derived from vegetables)Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (derived from coconuts)Almond Glycerides (derived from vegetables)Sodium Lauryl Sulphoacetate (much milder surfactant than SLS)Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (derived from vegetables and is a natural substitution for SLS) sodium methyl cocoyl taurate (derived from coconut)Sucrose Cocoate (derived from sugar)polysorbate 20 (vegetable derived)polysorbate 80 (vegetable derived)

Article
What is Spinach Powder Used for?
What is Spinach Powder Used for? At Natures Garden we use herbs, like Spinach Leaf Powder, for creating all sorts of lovely cosmetic products. This powered herb is perfect for adding to your homemade soap supplies, lotion making supplies, and supplies for many more wonderful cosmetic recipes. Not only can you use spinach as a natural colorant, but it is full of great properties and nutrients for the entire body. You can eat fresh leaves of spinach and you can use the spinach in a powdered herb to nourish your body inside and out! This is sure to maximize the exposure of these beneficial vitamins and minerals to your entire body. So, let's get into what exactly the properties are that these healthy greens have for our bodies.What is Spinach Powder Used for? Growing ConditionsSpinach plants prefer to grow in cooler temperatures. For common spinach, you will want to plant in midsummer. If you have a mild winter, you could even plant in the fall. However, this depends on your climate. Either way, the soil should not be over 70 degrees Fahrenheit for your seeds. However, your spinach is able to survive all the way down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Once your spinach sprouts are about two inches high, you should thin them to be about three inches apart. After this, all you have to do is water regularly and use mulch to keep them moist. You can harvest the leaves whenever they are big enough, but you should try to cut the outer leaves first. This will ensure that the middle leaves can continue to grow.One wonderful tip for reducing damage due to leaf miners is to plant radishes. The radishes will not only distract the pests from your spinach, but the roots will continue to grow unaffected! While starting sprouts inside and transplanting them will be less appealing to pests like cutworms, there are other preventative measures you can take. For wireworms, can try to plant carrots nearby to trap these pests. Then, every few days after the carrot has reached maturity you can pull up the carrots, remove the worms, and replant the affected carrot. For flea beetles, you can try to lay reflective mulch or aluminum to ward them off. Also, there are baits, traps, and pesticides that you can get for your home garden for many kinds of major infestations.What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Industrial UsesThere are many beneficial ways to use spinach. Firstly, you can use spinach to add some added nutrients to your meals or smoothies. This is useful for getting more vitamins and minerals in your diet. Further, spinach contains properties that are amazing for reducing symptoms of various diseases or illnesses. Plus, these nutrients can be useful for promoting healthy skin and hair. So, let's talk about all these amazing benefits for our products and body!What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Food and BeveragesThere are so many different ways to prepare spinach and enjoy its multitude of vitamins and nutrients. Some people like to saute or steam spinach to add it to a meal. Other people enjoy this leafy green in their salads or health smoothies. While a little bit of the nutritional value is lost during cooking or steaming, it is still a great source of nutrition due to the abundance of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial properties. In fact, spinach has nutrients that are essential for healthy baby development. Without folic acid, which you can find in spinach among other foods, a baby is more likely to develop spina bifida. Although some cases are mild and unnoticeable, bad cases can lead to spinal cord damage and occasionally death. So, this nutrient is important for the fetal development of the spinal cord.What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Bath and Body ProductsSpinach is a healthy food that is amazing for health on the inside, but there are even more wonderful things that this herb can do for your skin and hair. Adding the extra nutrients directly to your hair and skin is a great way to promote vitality! So, it would be a great idea to add this cosmetic herb to your homemade bath and body products First, using this wholesale herb in a lotion recipe or any melt and pour soap recipes would be amazing for your skin! Many have found that spinach contains pigments that can help protect your body from UV light and reduce the potential for cell damage. Also, using spinach in a face wash is thought to be useful for fighting acne, as the herb can help remove the grime and impurities that could clog your pores.Additionally, you can use spinach to prevent signs of aging. Since spinach contains antioxidants that fight free radicals, it is able to fight free radicals and push back the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Further, spinach can be useful for reducing dark under eye circles. While there are many factors that can contribute to these circles, spinach can be useful for reducing their appearance. The vitamin K is useful for strengthening the blood vessels under your eyes and reducing inflammation. Together, these properties will work to fade your circles. Another great way to use is in hair care products, which can be useful for reducing hair loss and promoting healthy growth.What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Natural Colorants for Bath and Body ProductsIf you are curious about how to make natural soap that is colorful, then herbal colorants are perfect for you. Pigmented herbs, like spinach leaf powder, have a natural color that will remain in your homemade products. So, you can use spinach powder as a natural, green colorant to provide your natural bath and body recipes with a natural, green hue.What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Natures Garden RecipesFirst of all, our Watermelon Emulsified Sugar Scrub Recipe is a perfect example of this herb's natural colorant abilities. the green portion of the watermelon scrub was only colored using spinach powder and provided a perfect green hue. Not only is this herb perfect for a natural colorant, but it has some beneficial properties, too. Our Lucky Leprechaun Face Mask Recipe is beneficial for skin tone, reducing acne, and skin repair. So, it is perfect for including with your other wholesale facial supplies, like in this recipe that blends a variety of herbs that are great for skin care.What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Medicinal UsesNot only is spinach amazing for providing your body with a nutrient boost, but it has some properties that can be helpful against diseases. So, this food is a perfect natural remedy to try for some of these ailments. However, anyone that has issues with kidney trouble may want to consult a doctor before consuming high does of Spinach, as it does contain oxalic acid. Although this is a natural chemical that many plants, and even people, can produce, high levels can increase the chance of kidney stones. If you aren't predisposed, then you can enjoy the many benefits without the increased danger of kidney stones.Now, let's look into some of the wonderful benefits that spinach can provide. First, the nutrients in spinach, like Lutein, that promote eye health and sight. It has been shown to slow macular degeneration, which is often attributed to aging. These nutrients can be used by the eye to help protect the eyes from UV light damage. Also, spinach is rich in vitamin K, which a vitamin necessary for blood clotting. So, many people have found that this is useful for treating hemophilia by helping the blood clot faster.Additionally, spinach has been known to reduce inflammation, which can be useful for reducing the symptoms of arthritis, gout, and other diseases that cause inflammation. Further, the nitrate levels found naturally in spinach have been linked to promoting proper function in the intestines. Additionally, the glycoglycerolipids in spinach help promote a healthy digestive tract lining, which can reduce the occurrence of ulcers and inflammation.What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Other UsesAnother fun use for spinach is making homemade paints from plants. This is a perfect idea for anyone with a toddler. Since the paint is created using pigments found naturally in food, they are absolutely safe for your little one. Basically, you allow the color to stain the water, remove the solid pieces, and you are ready to paint! If you want to know exactly how to make your own paint, check out Nature of Art for Kids' article Veggies Can Make Natural Safe Paint for Kids for a quick, easy recipe that your kids are sure to love.What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Tips for Making Your Spinach LastHere are a few tips on how to store your leafy, food grade spinach. First, you will want to pick out yellow and wilted leaves. Plus, you shouldn't store things like, tomatoes, apples, or melons nearby, because the spinach is sensitive to the chemicals that these fruits produce. Also, make sure that you don't wash your spinach before storing and you will want to add a paper towel to your container. These will both help keep the moisture levels down and prevent premature wilting.While this will help you keep your spinach fresh longer, you don't want to have to store spinach long. Studies on folate in spinach have shown that about half of this vitamin's amount was gone after seven days. If you have a lot of spinach grown, then you can try freezing to extend your storage time to about two or three months. Check out How to Store Spinach by Garden Guides to learn more tips on making your spinach last!What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Talk to UsWe hope you enjoyed this herbal cosmetic blog and learned something new about the benefits of spinach! You can find wonderful herbs like this one and many others on our Herbs and Spices page. These herbs can be used with our Spinach Leaf Powder to create an even better product for your body! If you have any other questions about how to create some great wholesale bath and body products, then please reach out to us for help. We are available online, in the Natures Garden store, and on our HUG Line. I would suggest our social media for anyone that wants to find us online. We have a Facebook and our handle is @ngscents for both Twitter and Instagram. Hope to hear from you soon!What is Spinach Powder Used for?: Reminder About Our HerbsNote: Natures Garden sells herbs, like our Spinach Leaf Powder, for external use only. We do not sell our spinach leaf powder as a food item. The information that we provide on our herbs is only for educational purposes. We do not intend for this information to be used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated any of this information. Make sure that you keep all herbs out of reach of children and pets. Also, pregnant and/or lactating women should take special care when handling any of our herbs. Natures Garden accepts no responsibility (written or implied) for any products you make with our herbs. All product testing is the responsibility of the customer.

Article
What Is Melt and Pour Soap?
Some of our newbie customers have been curious and asking, What Is Melt and Pour Soap? So, we are going to talk a little bit about use, ingredients, and some simple recipes that are perfect for beginners. Melt and pour is the simplest way to have some fun with soap and create beautiful bath and body products that are great for your skin. If you have never tried MP soap, then you are really in for a treat. No matter what recipe or soap mold you start out with, you are sure to have a create time creating something unique and great for your skin.What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: How Do You Use Melt and Pour Soap?One of the absolute best parts of Melt and Pour Soap is that it is super easy to use! All you need to do is cut and heat. Since the base is perforated, you can easily cut a few squares, each weighing about an ounce, off the block. Then, you can put these in a microwave safe bowl and heat them in thirty second intervals. Just make sure that you stir your soap in between these intervals. After it has been melted you can add about 0.5 to 1 tablespoon of fragrance oil to your soap depending on the usage. Further, you can color you melted base and use soap molds to create exactly what you want!What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Melt and Pour Soap KitIf you are just getting into the whole thing of making melt and pour soap, then you may want to try out our Melt and Pour Soap Kit. This kit will come with all of the ingredients that you need to create soap melt and pour soaps. You can choose between Goat's Milk and Ultra Clear MP soap base. Also, you relieve all four of the following unique fragrance oils; Sweet Pea Fragrance Oil, Best Friends Fragrance Oil, Oatmeal Milk and Honey Fragrance Oil, and a lovely Lavender Fragrance Oil. Plus, you even receive both red and blue soap dyes, which you can use to make red, blue, or even purple soaps! Finally, you will receive two soap molds to choose between, which are the decorative oval and the angel heart molds.What Is Melt and Pour Soap? What is Melt and Pour Soap Made of?Melt and Pour Soap is made of 50% soap and 50% solvents to create a luxurious bar of soap that is able to be reshaped and crafted. Although MP soap contains soap and has the same properties, some melt and pour soaps are actually classified as "cosmetic products" by the FDA. This classification change is for MP soap that use detergents to enhance the quality, performance, or clarity of the bars. All of the MP soap bases contain a few of the same ingredients, which are Glycerin, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Myristate, Sodium Cocoate, and Coconut oil. The Glycerin is put in to attract moisture to your skin and actually have a higher percentage of glycerin than many store bought soaps that will dry your skin. Also, the Sodium Stearate, Sodium Myristate, and Sodium Cocoate are all cleansing agents in the soap. Then, the coconut oil is added to each soap base to ensure that it has enriching oils that care for the skin. Additionally, all of the white soap bases use some titanium dioxide to maintain the color.What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Cocoa Butter Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsWhile there are some ingredients that remain constant in all MP soap bases, the Cocoa Butter Melt and Pour Soap base has a few ingredients that set it apart from the rest. This soap base contains Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Cocoa Butter, which are all wonderful for skin care and keeping your skin feeling refreshed. Plus, this base doesn't use any detergents, is SLS free, and is gluten free. One fun and simple recipe that you can create using this melt and pour soap base is the Vanilla Sugar Scrub Cubes Recipe. This will exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturize your skin all in one bar!What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Goat's Milk Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsNext, we have the Goat's Milk Melt and Pour Soap with ingredients that will take great care of your skin. This recipe includes both Sunflower Oil and Palm Oil. Also, this soap base doesn't use detergents, is SLS free, and is gluten free. Furthermore, this soap base recipe includes goat's milk, which is known for providing skin with a youthful glow! One simple and effective way to utilize this wonderful soap is our Solid Sugar Scrub Recipe. This recipe is cute, simple, and so much fun to create!What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Diamond Clear Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsAnother option for soap making is the Diamond Clear Melt and Pour Soap base. This MP soap base includes some different ingredients that make the bar that much more effective, which include detergents so be sure to label accordingly. Both the Sodium Laureth Sulfate and the Sodium Laurate are used in soaps to increase the lather, so this bar is sure to suds up! The Triethanolamine in this soap base reduces the surface tension of water, emulsifies the oils and water, and balances the PH of the bar. The Propylene Glycol is in the soap base to retain moisture and emulsify the oils and water. One fun recipe that you can create using this soap base is the Salt Water Taffy Soap Recipe, which uses four vibrant colors to create some adorable salt water taffy soaps!What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Hemp Oil Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsAlso, the lovely Hemp Oil Melt and Pour Soap has some other skin loving ingredients that not every soap base has. These unique ingredients are Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Hemp Oil, which are added to help moisturize and care for your skin. Plus, this MP soap base doesn't use detergents, is SLS free, and is gluten free. You can use this soap base in the Bamboo Hemp Soap Recipe, which uses two layers of soap and some star anise to create a beautifully rustic soap recipe. This is a simple way to make an elegant design for you soaps.What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Mango Butter Melt and Pour Soap Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsAnother fun soap base that you can try in your own homemade cosmetic recipes is the Mango Butter Melt and Pour Soap Melt and Pour Soap. If you are looking for some great melt and pour soap making supplies, then you may want to give this a try. The Mango Butter soap base includes luscious Mango Butter, Palm Oil, and Sunflower Oil along with the typical mp soap ingredients. Further, this soap base doesn't use any detergents, is SLS free, and is gluten free. Also, you can include this skin loving soap in recipes like the Mango Loofah Melt and Pour Soap Recipe. So, you will be able to create a gorgeous bar of soap quickly and simply!What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Oatmeal Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsAlso, you can create some fun soaps with the Oatmeal Melt and Pour Soap base. This soap base contains some additional ingredients, like Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Oat Kernal, which care for and are gentle with your skin. Plus, this soap base doesn't contain any added detergents, no SLS, and is completely gluten free. An easy recipe that you can create with this sensitive soap base is the Pooch Smooch Solid Shampoo Bar Recipe. All you have to do is melt the soap, mix the ingredients, and pour it all into the mold. Then, you will have some soap that is gentle and cleansing enough for your precious pup!What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsAdditionally, you can use the Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap to create some wonderful bath and body products! This soap base uses Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Shea Butter that are perfect for replenishing the skin. Another bonus is that this base doesn't use any detergents, is SLS free, and is gluten free. Plus, you can use this soap base to create simple and effective recipes like the Shaving Soap for Sensitive Skin Recipe!What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: SLS Free Glycerin Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsAnother great option for soap making is the SLS Free Glycerin Melt and Pour Soap. This soap base is perfect for anyone that wants to use diamond clear, but needs something more moisturizing. The Sodium Laurate provides a light lather. The Triethanolamine in this soap base reduces the surface tension of water, emulsifies, and balances the PH. The Propylene Glycol is there to retain moisture and emulsify. Also, the Sorbitol improves clarity of the soap and m moisturizes. Since this recipe uses detergents to enhance the bar, you need to label the ingredients on your finished products. We used this skin loving cosmetic product in our fun and simple crayon soap recipe.What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Yogurt Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsNext, take a look at the Yogurt Melt and Pour Soap base. It includes Palm Oil and Sunflower Oil nourish the skin. Further, this soap base uses real yogurt to pamper your body. Plus, this base doesn't use any detergents, is SLS free, and is gluten free. You can use this soap base in the delightful Perfectly Pampered Shaving Soap Recipe to create products with quality ingredients that are sure to care for your body and leave you feeling fantastic.What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Soya Milk Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsAnother good soap base you can use is the Soya Milk Melt and Pour Soap. This recipe includes Sunflower Oil, Palm Oil, and Soya Milk, which are all great for skin care! Furthermore, this base doesn't use any detergents, is SLS free, and is gluten free. You can include this lovely soap base in the Solid Pink Salt Scrub Recipe.The cleansing power of this soap base combined with the Pink Himalayan Salt and luxurious oils is perfect for a nice soak in the bath. What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Honey Melt and Pour Soap IngredientsThe Honey Melt and Pour Soap is another great soap base that has some skin loving ingredients. This MP soap has Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, and some actual honey added to the typical recipe. You can tell that the ingredient is actual honey because the color of the soap changes. This change is dependent on the types of flowers that are available for the bees, so this can change based on the season and location. Additionally, this soap base has sorbital, which is used to improve the clarity of the base. Another positive is that this base doesn't use any detergents, is SLS free, and is gluten free. Also, you can use this wonderful base to create some wonderful homemade recipes with this Melt and Pour Soap, like the Loofah Honey Melt and Pour Soap Recipe. This recipe is a fun, simple way to create some moisturizing and exfoliating soaps!If you are curious about the color of honey, then check out what the National Honey Board has to say about Honey Color and Flavor.What Is Melt and Pour Soap?: Talk to UsWe hope that all of our new soap makers out there were able to learn something from our MP soap blog. If any of you have questions about things we didn't cover, then feel free to talk to us. We are always happy to answer a question. You can find us on the Natures Garden Facebook page. Also, we are available on both Instagram and Twitter and you can find us with @ngscents.