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Cocoa butter is considered a luxury butter that is actually a saturated, very hard fat. It can be used be in very many products. The obvious, chocolate, is just pure delicious. I couldn t help but mention it, what girl doesn t love chocolate! Now that I got my chocolate thoughts out, it can also be used in very many of our products here at Nature s Garden. Cocoa butter can be used in bath and body products such as lip balms, lotions, soaps, scrubs, massage bars, and lip gloss.There are many benefits to your skin when using cocoa butter in your bath and body products. Cocoa butter is very high in antioxidants which helps fight signs of aging and many skin stressers. Come on ladies, who doesn t want to look younger? It helps fight signs of aging, how awesome is that? Many people also use cocoa butter to help reduce their stretch marks, however there are no guarantees that it actually helps. Cocoa butter also helps to keep your skin hydrated and some people also use to help with skin irritations like dermatitis and eczema. See why so many bath and body products contain cocoa butter? It s just amazing!Our cocoa butter at Nature s Garden is consisted of many essential fatty acids: palmitic (28%), stearic (33%), linoleic (3%) and oleic (35%). For all the soap makers, when using cocoa butter in your products, make sure to use the right amount. If too much is used, it can result in a very hard and dry soap. Use it in conjunction with unsaturated oils like castor oil or olive oil or with sticky ingredients like lanolin or shea butter. The easiest way to get to our cocoa butter on our website, is to type cocoa butter into our search bar at the top of our site. It will take you right to a page titled Search Results for Cocoa Butter. That page shows all of the cocoa butter products we offer. You can choose from our Golden Natural Cocoa Butter or our Deoderized Cocoa Butter. Our cocoa butter melt and pour is also available on that page as well.Cocoa butter is awesome to use in your bath and body products! It is a fat actually taken from cocoa beans! Come on ladies, if you don t already use it, I m sure you re dying to now! It actually helps signs of aging and I know you just can t get the thought of that out of your head! This is a great product to try in your next projects, and watch out for more Enlightened by Layla! Please Don t hesitate to contact us with any thoughts, questions, or concerns you may have! Looking for more fun projects? Try one of our free classes or recipes!Note: Natures Garden sells our butters for external use only. We do not sell them as food items. (The information we provide 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 butters out of reach of children and pets. Natures Garden accepts no responsibility (written or implied) for any products you make with our herbs. All testing is the responsibility of the customer.

In order for your candles to achieve the most vibrant colors or pleasing pastels possible, a candle dye or candle colorant must be used. Using other forms of colorant may result in an nonfunctional candle.Can you use crayons to color candles?Although, staring at a beautiful stack of wonderfully vibrant crayons, we can understand why there would be an urge to use crayons as a colorant for candles. I mean, let's look at what a crayon is...a stick of colored wax, right? Logically, they should work. However, this is absolutely not the case.You should never use crayons to color your candles. The reasoning behind this is the actual colorant of the crayon. These colors are achieved with the use of pigments, and pigments unfortunately are not soluble. What this means is that when a crayon is melted, the color of the crayon breaks down into small pigment particles that exist in a dispersed manner among the melted wax. These pigments appear as if they had changed the color of the wax; like candle dyes do because dyes dissolve into the candle wax, but remember the pigments are simply dispersed.Now, due to the way that a wick works in candles, there must be a melt pool apparent to keep a candle flame going. As the wick continues to burn, the melted wax from the wet pool is pulled through the wick. This is how the fragrance (or hot scent throw) of the candle is released into the air. The problem that coloring with crayons in candles presents is that since the pigments and the wax never combine, the pigments are also pulled up through the wick. But, these pigments will not, unlike the melted wax, flow properly through the wick. These pigments will in fact clog your wick.The results of a clogged wick prevent your candles from burning properly, inhibit your candles hot scent throw, and will even cause your candles to smoke.So, in summary no matter how tempting that box of 64 crayons look, never use crayons to color your candles. You will want to stick with dyes specifically formulated for candle making; Natures Garden offers liquid candle dyes and color block dyes in an array of vibrant colors.

This is a list of candle making equipment. Whether you are just making a few candles as gifts for loved ones, or possibly venturing into the candle making industry; this is the equipment you will need to get started. Please note: Once this equipment has been used to make fragranced candles, it cannot be used again for food purposes.Pouring Pots- Coffee cans used to be perfect pouring pots when they were made of metal. By simply bending the lip on one side of the coffee can, you could make a perfect spout to pour candles. Metal coffee cans still exist, they are just harder to come by now. If you do choose to use metal coffee cans as pouring pots, remember to have plenty of heat resistant safety gloves or pot holders available to assist you in holding the hot can. This only works for metal coffee cans; most companies that sell coffee use plastic cans now. Unfortunately, these types of cans cannot handle the heat from the melted wax and they will melt; compromising your candle wax and making a big mess to clean up.Pouring pots, however, are great for candle making. Not only can they hold up to 4 pounds of melted wax, but they also have a plastic handle on them so there is less chance of burning your hand.In an ideal situation, you will have a pouring pot for each fragrance that you use to make candles. For example, if you carry Apple Cinnamon (red), Blueberry Muffin (blue), Fresh Bamboo (green), and Vanilla Silk (no color), that would equate to 4 total pouring pots. This works because you would never have to worry about jeopardizing your color accuracy or fragrance aromas in finished candles. But, this is only ideally. If you are just starting out, one pouring pot will work. You just have to make sure you thoroughly clean your pouring pot after each use. You also want to make sure you clean the outside and underneath portion of the pouring pot. Having debris or wax on the bottom of your pouring pot could result in splatter when the pouring pot is placed in the water to maintain wax temperature. The hot splatter can be painful. This splatter is also a reason why wearing safety glasses while making candles is a very good idea.Candy Thermometer- Wax temperature is everything when making candles. Usually, if there are problems with your finished candles, temperature has something to do with what went wrong. Using a thermometer to monitor your temperature in wax is one way to prevent these problems from occurring. For best results in candle making, pour any single pour waxes at 145-150 degrees Fahrenheit, and any votive or pillar wax at 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit.Votive and Candle Molds- After purchasing multiple votive molds, you will notice when you receive them, they will be stacked together. Make sure when you try to pull them apart you are wearing heavy duty gloves. The edges of stainless steel votives are extremely sharp. Attempting to pull them apart without gloves will cause cuts on your fingers.When working with candle molds or votive molds, you always want to make sure that before you pour the hot candle wax into the mold that they are at room temperature. Completing this one little step will save you the headache of trying to release the candle later.As for the cleaning process for these types of molds, rub a small amount of shortening in the inside and outside of the molds. Then, place the molds on a cookie sheet upside down. Once the cookie sheet has been carefully placed inside the oven, bake at 150 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes. Once the time has elapsed, simply remove the cookie sheet and wipe the individual molds clean. Caution: The molds will be hot when taken out of the oven, so you may want to use pot holders. Please Note: Never use water with your metal molds.Work Environment- Having a favorable work environment for candle making is a must. Once again, it is all about temperature, and having a room that is 70 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for the best candle making situation. Proper ventilation in the room is necessary, but you also have to remember rooms that have drafts will not work for the natural cooling stages of your candles. Candles that cool too quickly will give you problems with your finished candles aesthetic look or functionality.Work Clothes- These items may sound silly, but you never want to risk wearing one of your favorite outfits while making candles. No matter how neat and careful you are, candle dye is permanent, and getting wax, even the smallest amount, on your clothing will ruin them.Floor Protection- When making candles, a small spill can have detrimental affects to your work area. Besides the facts that candle dyes are permanent, wax messes are not the easiest to clean up, and spilled fragrance oil on a floor is super slippery, you do not want to take any chances especially if your work environment is your kitchen. By purchasing floor mats, or simply placing cardboard on the floor in your work area, you can prevent havoc from occurring. For you own personal safety, this is one perfect work environment step you do not want to skip.Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons- When it comes to measurements for colorants, additives, and fragrance oils, you will want to have your very own candle making stainless steel tools for this portion of the job. Fragrance oils will dissolve certain plastics, stainless steel measurers will not dissolve and can be cleaned time and time again without staining or scent memory.

We at Natures Garden would like to share with you some awesome castor oil benefits that could work for your entire body. So, this oil could benefit certain aspects of your body on both the inside and the outside. There are benefits to be had for areas like the skin, hair, and even your well being. You can use castor oil to create luxurious bath and body products or you can simply use this oil on its own. Regardless of how you use this cosmetic oil to help, you are sure to benefit from the amazing qualities of this oil. This oil has moisturizing benefits, hair growth stimulation, and much more!Where Does this Oil Originate?Castor Oil is a type of vegetable oil that comes from a specific species of plant. This plant is often called Castor Bean, but its scientific name is Ricinus Communis. The castor bean plant, which is featured to the left, produces the seeds that are pressed to create this wonderful oil. Many believe that this oil has some properties that our bodies can benefit from.Further, it is thought that this plant originated in tropical Africa and that the Egyptians were among the first to utilize this oil. While we have come a long way from that time, castor oil has become widely used for cosmetics, soap, and other products. So, the beneficial properties of this oil have become more widely sought after and used as the years have progressed. So, check out this oil's benefits in a variety of areas to determine whether you could benefit from this cosmetic oil in some way.Castor Oil Benefits for Homemade ProductsHomemade products are only as good as their ingredients. It is important to know exactly what you are looking for to select the ingredients that will provide you with your desired properties. Each oil is unique, so castor oil's properties may or may not be what you are looking to add to your product. While it is a thicker oil, it is an amazing moisturizer with some beneficial properties for various products. So, here is how this oil will act in certain products that you can make at home.Castor Oil Benefits in Soap MakingThis lovely cosmetic oil is great for creating luscious, handmade soaps. For example, our Blackberry Sage Soap Recipe contains castor oil. Since castor oil naturally contains a variety of fatty acids that are great for the skin, this is a perfect soaping oil. First, adding this oil to soap will create a bar that is more conditioning, so your hands will be left softer after using. Plus, this means your body will be better moisturized and more nourished due to this oil. Also, this oil provides a more bubbly and creamy lather in your finished soaps. However, you do want to be careful not to add too much. Soap recipes can contain 5-7% of this wonderful oil. Some will add as much as 10%. However, adding more than 10% castor oil in soap can produce a sticky soap.Castor Oil Benefits Lotion and Body ButterAlso, you could use this cosmetic oil to create lotions, creams, or body butters like our Natural Facial Night Cream Recipe. This oil has properties that are perfect for skin care products. Castor oil is a very conditioning oil that reaches deep into the skin to nourish your body. So, your skin will be softened all the way through and fully hydrated. Further, this oil helps stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, which are very important for beautiful skin. So, this oil can help maintain a more youthful appearance for your skin.Castor Oil Benefits Natural MakeupAnyone creating natural cosmetics could include Castor Oil in some of these products. First, many have found homemade mascara can be made perfectly with this oil. Plus, some believe that castor oil will lead to growing thicker, darker eyelashes over time. Alternatively, you can use castor oil to create an eye makeup remover.Castor Oil Benefits Lip BalmCastor Oil is a perfect cosmetic oil for creating lip balm. This thick, moisturizing oil is perfect for locking in exactly what your lips need. Plus, this oil is perfect for adding extra power to your lip balm recipe that can help bring cracked, dry lips back to life. While you can apply this oil on its own to your lips, we'd recommend adding this oil to other amazing oils to create a perfect lip balm! Be sure to check out our Silky Vegan Lip Balm Recipe, not only is it amazing, it also contains castor oil.Castor Oil Benefits for External CareCastor oil cosmetic oil is full of nutrients that your skin and hair can benefit from using. This oil is moisturizing and full of nutrients. Plus, this oil has been known to have antiviral, anti-inflammation antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties for the skin. In addition, this oil is great for hair growth and conditioning power. Since this oil is fairly thick, some may find it easier to mix this oil into homemade cosmetics before applying. But, you can use castor oil on it own, as well.Castor Oil Benefits for Skin InflammationYour skin can become inflamed for a variety of reasons. This could be due to a recent sunburn, stubborn acne, dry skin, or many other reasons. Regardless, castor oil is great for relief inflammation based issues. This cosmetic oil is a good choice for soothing these dilemmas because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can be utilized by directly applying the oil to the afflicted area. While you can directly apply this oil, you could incorporate this oil into your handmade skin care products.Castor Oil Benefits for Wrinkle ReductionAlso, castor oil is great for reducing wrinkles! This oil nourishes the deeper layers of your skin to rejuvenate the skin. This will lead to healthier skin and reduced wrinkles for some after a few months of applying this oil. This cosmetic oil would be perfect when added to homemade night cream recipes. This way you can add a few other beneficial ingredients to the cream and create the perfect wrinkle reduction. Plus, you will be able to leave this thick, moisturizing oil on your face overnight, so you will get the full benefits of this oil!Castor Oil Benefits for Brittle NailsNot only is this oil great for the skin, but your nails can benefit from castor oil, too. If you have brittle or cracked nails, then this oil is perfect for you. After about a week or so, you should be able to notice a difference. The oil provides your nails with nourishment, which for some, helps them be stronger and healthier. Furthermore, this oil can be used to nourish your cuticles, too. So, you'll have healthy nails in no time.Castor Oil Benefits for Soften CallusesDue to castor oil's strong moisturizing power and anti-inflammatory properties, it is a perfect oil for home callus treatment. While this alone won't remove these hindrances, it certainly helps. First, the oil moisturizes deep into this rough, callused skin to provide a softer feel. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce the pain and swelling. So, this oil may make a callus a bit more manageable. Simply soak a cotton ball in castor oil and tape it to the affected area for several hours. Personally, I'd recommend wearing this to bed to get all the benefits without being annoyed by this treatment all day. Also, it may help to pull a sock or glove over the cotton ball after it has been taped.Castor Oil Benefits for Hair CareNot only is castor oil good for the skin, but your hair can benefit, too! This conditioning oil is perfect for moisturizing and caring for the scalp. So, this oil is great for helping treat dandruff. Plus, the healthy acids in this oil restore the roots of your hair and increase circulation. This will stimulate hair growth and help reduce hair loss. Further, this natural hair conditioner it perfect for locking in moisture. This hydrates hair and reduces split ends simultaneously. Furthermore, this moisture locking property makes the hair thicker and darker, which would enhance naturally darker hair colors. Thus, this oil would make a great addition to homemade hair products for certain hair types.Castor Oil Benefits for Growing EyebrowsWhen it comes to eyebrow growth some believe castor oil is one of the best. Whether you are wanting to regrow your eyebrows or wanting help with your thin eyebrows, this oil is just what you need. Castor oil benefits your eyebrows with the same amazing hair growth benefits as it does for the hair on your head. So, this oil will nourish the deeper levels of your skin and stimulate the follicles. This will lead to thicker, lashes because Castor Oil provides the nourishment to stimulate healthy hair growth.Castor Oil Benefits for Beard CareDue to Castor Oil's wonderful benefits for healthy beard growth, this oil was specifically chosen to be included in our recipes for beard soap and beard balm. First, this oil's antibacterial properties and antifungal properties are perfect for helping to keep facial hair clean. Also, the nutrients in the oil are perfect for stimulating growth and leading to a thicker, fuller beard. Also, its conditioning strength perfectly reduces split ends and softens hair. This will lead to more luscious, touchable facial hair that everyone is sure to love. So, adding this to your homemade beard soap or beard balm will keep you looking fresh.Castor Oil Benefits Castor Oil PackMany have found Castor Oil to have beneficial properties for the inside of the body. It is thought that allowing castor oil to sit on your skin for long periods of time could sink into your body and begin to work for you. This is thought to detox your liver, reduce inflammation, and improve lymphatic function. While this has not been officially certified, many people swear by this method of detox. They simply create a pack by soaking a cloth in castor oil and allowing it to set on their skin for between thirty minutes and an hour. Also, they use plastic to wrap the cloth and place heat over the plastic. This could be an electric heat pad or even a hot water bottle.Castor Oil Benefits Sore MusclesAlso, this oil has been said to be great for relieving sore muscles. Since Castor Oil is a warm oil, it promotes circulation in the body. So, adding this oil to your aching body may reduce the pain of overworked muscles. All you need to do is apply the oil and it will absorb and work its magic. You can either rub this oil into the target areas or create a massage oil with other beneficial ingredients. Either way, the soreness should be reduced by this oil.Castor Oil Benefits for Internal CareThis naturally derived oil is a perfect addition to any healthy lifestyle. Not only does this oil care for your body externally, but there are many that believe that Castor Oil has some beneficial properties for your insides, too. Some use this oil as a natural way to detox and clean out the body. So, depending on your body's needs this could be a great oil for you to use.Castor Oil Benefits for ConstipationIn the past, this oil has been medically used to treat constipation. Now, there are those that continue to use castor oil as a laxative. This oil can be used as a stimulant laxative for those that need the assistance. This oil will increase the movement of the intestines, which will help reduce constipation. So, Castor Oil is perfect for those who are a bit backed up and need help moving things along. Just make sure to not take too much at one time, as laxatives have the potential to dehydrate you from extreme cases of diarrhea. This oil is safe in regular doses, but overdoing it can be dangerous. So, you will most definitely want to consult a doctor before ingesting this natural laxative.Note: Natures Garden sells castor oil for external use only. We do not sell this cosmetic oil as a food item. The information that we provide about this oil 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.

We at Natures Garden know that there is a lot of candle making terminology and techniques that you need to know to make great homemade candles. So, we are going to answer some common candle making questions and problems to make your experience more fun. So, set aside your candle making equipment and let's figure out how to make gorgeous scented candles!Types of CandlesWhat is a Pillar Candle?Pillar candles are free-standing candles that don't require a container. These often use a harder type of candle wax that is made for creating pillar candles, like Pillar of Bliss Wax or Palm Pillar Wax.What is a Votive Candle?Votive Candles are a smaller kind of candle. The average size is 1.5 ounces and they are about two inches tall and one and a half inches wide. These are often made with a Votive Mold.What is a Tealight Candle?Tea Lights are very small candles that are about an inch and a half wide and a half inch tall. They can be made in Tea Light Cups .Candle FragrancesWhat Does Fragrance Load Mean?In candle making, fragrance load refers to the amount of fragrance oil that you are using in your homemade candle recipe.My Candle Wax Will Hold a 10% Fragrance Load. How Do I Know How Much to Add?All you need to do is some simple math that we will walk you through! First, weigh the amount of candle wax you are using. Then, multiply this amount by 0.10, which is 10% to determine the amount of fragrance oil that you can use. Formula: Candle Wax Weight X Fragrance Percentage = Amount of Fragrance That Can Be Added Example: 20 (ounces of candle wax) X 0.10 = 2 ounces of fragrance oil So, since your candle wax is in ounces, the fragrance amount that can be added to the candle wax will also be in ounces.What Does Scent Throw Mean?The scent throw is the strength of fragrance that the candle releases into the air. Cold throw is the strength of scent when the candle is not lit yet. Hot throw is the strength of the scent throw when the candle is lit and burning.Candle WaxesWhat Kind of Wax Should I Use for Candles?Choosing a candle wax type depends on the type of candle that you want to create. So, the isn't a universal answer to the question, "Which is the best wax for candle making?" For example, pillar candles would require a pillar wax, which includes Pillar of Bliss Candle Wax and Palm Pillar Wax. The Pillar of Bliss Wax is a blend of soy and paraffin that has a great scent throw and a creamy finish. The Palm Pillar Wax has a crystal finish, has a wonderful scent throw, and comes form sustainable sources.However, container candles would be best with a container wax, which includes soy wax, Joy wax, WOW Wax, palm wax, and gel wax. Soy wax would make a great, inexpensive addition to your natural candle making supplies. It has a clean burn and and excellent cold throw, but it can be tricky to get a good hot throw from certain fragrances. Wow wax is mostly paraffin and has an amazing hot throw, but has a less clean burn. Joy wax is a perfect blend of paraffin wax and soy wax, as well as veggie wax and proprietary ingredients, that provides a cleaner burn with an amazing scent throw. Gel wax has a neat translucent look, but is not compatible with all fragrance oils. Our palm wax comes from sustainable sources that aren't harming the rainforest, has a beautiful crystal appearance, and a great scent throw.What is Granulated Wax?Simply, this is wax that is grainy and looks kind of like sand. This wax can be scented and colored without melting, so it is a easy and fun way to create candles with kids. We have made candle recipes like the Bacon Candle Recipe and the Hydrangea Candle Recipe with this type of wax.Crucial TemperaturesDo I Need to Worry About the Temperatures When Making Candles?Yes, this is very important for creating quality homemade candles! There are a few key moments where you will need a thermometer to be aware of the temperature of your wax. First, you need to make sure that your fragrance oil isn't added at a temperature that is too hot. If your fragrance is added at a temperature that is too high, then some of the notes may burn off and leave you with a less satisfying scent. Another issue is pouring your wax into the container too soon. If you pour at a temperature that is too cool, you could have improper adhesion, wet spots, sinking, and other issues. So, be sure to check your wax's description to see the temperature that is should be poured.What does sinkhole mean?Sinkhole is a hole or cavity that appears on your candle as it is setting up. Often, this occurs when the candle wax is poured at too low of a temperature.Can You Cool a Candle in the Fridge?No, candles should cool as slowly as possible on their own. If you place a candle in the fridge to cool, they may not adhere to the glass properly, which can lead to wet spots.Candle WicksChoosing the Right WickThe size of your wick depends on the diameter of your container. You can see the radius for each wick under it's description. However, you will still need to test because there are many variable between wax type and fragrance oil. A fragrance with a high flash point and high specific gravity, like vanilla, requires a hotter burn. But, low flash point scents with low specific gravity, like citrus, need a smaller wick. Also, you may hear the terms "wick up' and "wick down" when talking about find the right wick size. Wick down means that you should use a wick that is smaller than what you have been using and wick up means that you should use a wick that is larger than what you use for candles this size.How Do You Stop a Candle From Tunneling?If you don't know, tunneling is often the answer for the question, "Why isn t my candle wax not burning evenly all of the way down?" Tunneling can happen for a few reasons, which includes issues with wick size. If your wick is too small for the diameter of your candle, then it will not burn all the way to the outside edge. So, you may either need a larger wick, multiple wicks, or a different type of wick that will burn hotter.However, there are a few other issues that could cause tunneling. If you think your wick is the right size, then look into some of these potential issues, First, you may have a clogged wick, which can cause uneven burning. Also, it could be that you didn't do a memory burn for the candle's first use to ensure a proper burn. Finally, you may need to use a wax that has a lower melt point that is easier for you chosen wick to handle.Why Are My Candle Jars Black After I Burn My Candles?Often, this occurs when you wick is too big for your jar or your wick is too long. If your wick is trimmed down to 1/4 inch, then the length is fine. You can check the suggested radius for your wick to see if you need to get a smaller size. Also, using too much fragrance can clog the wick and cause more soot than normal.Do Candle Wicks Contain Lead?No, candle wicks in the Unites States, like ours, do not contain lead. In fact, lead core wicks were banned in the US in 2003.Proper BurningWhat is a Memory Burn?This is the first burn of your candles and is the most important. This burn will set the boundary of your melt pool and will determines whether the edges of your candle will be reached. A guide is to burn an hour for every inch your candle is wide to ensure that it will burn properly as it is used in future burns. Also, you will want to make sure that you wick isn't too low and isn't longer than 1/4 inch high.What Does Melt Pool Mean?Melt Pool is the candle wax that has melted on the top of the candle. Ideally, you will want this to be all the way across the top of your candle to ensure an even burn.What Does Mushrooming Mean in Candle Making?When I notice black clumps on top of my wick, I know that it is mushrooming. While all wick produce this carbon as they burn, some are worse than others. Also, factors that clog the wick can increase the mushrooming effect. The CD wicks produce the least amount of mushrooming, but there isn't a way to completely stop it due to it being a product of burning the wick.Candle ColoringHow Do You Color a Candle?There are a few different candle colorant options for your home made candles. First, you can use our Liquid Candle Dyes, which are extremely concentrated and will last a long time. Also, you can use a color block, which is made with paraffin, vegan, and can color up to 15 pounds of wax. Lastly, you can use a bit of powder dye. Just be careful not to use too much because it can clog your wick.Can You Use Crayons to Make Candles?We do not suggest using crayons to color candles. They don't burn properly and are likely to clog your wick.What is a UV Light Inhibitor?Since UV light from the sun can bleach the color out of candles, the UV light inhibitor is used to protect the color of your candles. This candle ingredient is most useful for preventing fading in burgundy, blue, and violet candle colors due to direct sunlight.How Do I Color My Candles White?While titanium dioxide can be used to create white pillar candles, you don't want to add it straight to your container candles as it can clog your wick.Candle AppearanceHow Do I Get Rid of Wet Spots on My Candles?Wet spots are air pockets that are formed when your candle didn't adhere properly to your candle jar. You can take a few steps to prevent this if you are having problems. First, try warming your candle jars to give you wax more time to cool. Also, you can try pouring your wax at a hotter temperature. Another good tip is to make sure the room your are making your candles in a room that is warm.What Is Frosting In Candle Making?Frosting is the white stuff that appears on waxes that contain soy wax. You can use a heat gun or blow dryer to re-melt the surface and give it a smoother finish. While you can lessen the effect of frosting, you can't eliminate it completely.What Are Jump Lines?These are the line that you can see on the side of either a container candle or a pillar candle.Progression of CandlesAs you can tell, there is a lot that goes into candle making. But, it is a process that has been developed overtime and takes time to master. If you are interested in learning a bit about the evolution of candles, then check out The History of Candles from Prehistoric Times Until Now by Pioneer Thinking.Talk to UsIf you have any more questions about candle making, you can look at our candle making classes or just ask us! We are on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@ngscents).

When it comes to candle making, the wax you use is really up to personal choice. There are quite a few reasons why candle makers select soy wax for their candles. Some like it due to the fact that soy wax is 100% natural (it is a pure vegetable wax) and it is biodegradable. Many prefer soy wax because of the long, even, and clean burn the wax provides with less soot. And, even still, many candle crafters like soy wax because it is an environmentally friendly, renewable resource that American farmers can plant and harvest; also helping the economy too. Some other reasons for why some people prefer using soy wax for their candles are ease of use. Since this wax is in flake form, it is a breeze to weigh out, work with, and clean up. And, soy wax is a single pour wax, requiring no repours.Soy wax is for container candles. Due to the nature of this natural wax, the finished candle will have a mottled (or frosted) appearance on top. However, if you do not like this appearance, you can always apply heat to the finished candle with a hot hair dryer or heat gun.Supplies and Equipment Needed: NG 100% Soy WaxFragrance OilSpectrum Candle Dye or Color BlockPouring PotThermometerGlasswareWicksScale Stainless steel mixing utensil Cookie Sheet Hot Glue Gun Glue Sticks Stove PotA little behind the scenes knowledge: For this candle making process we are going to suggest the double boiler system for melting the wax. Fill a large pot half way full with tap water. Place the filled pot onto the stove top burner. Turn the appropriate burner on medium heat. Once you have the pouring pot filled with the correct amount of soy wax, place the pouring pot into the water filled pot. Once the water starts to boil, you will notice that the soy wax is beginning to melt. As this occurs, you want to occasionally stir the wax to ensure an even temperature.Carefully place your glassware on a cookie sheet. Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature possible. Once the oven is heated, place the cookie sheet with the glassware into the oven. Allow your glassware to warm in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Once the allotted time has passed, carefully remove the cookie sheet using oven mitts. Set these aside. The standard fragrance percent for soy candles is 1-1 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax.For measuring purposes, 20 ounces (weight) of soy wax is equivalent to 16 ounces of fluid volume.Directions for making a soy candle: 1. Weigh out the correct amount of soy wax with your scale.2. Place your soy wax into your pouring pot and using the double boiler system, heat the wax to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Monitor this by using your thermometer. Please Note: Heating soy wax hotter than 200 degrees Fahrenheit will discolor the wax, so proper monitoring of the temperature is advised.3. While you are waiting on the wax, plug in your hot glue gun.4. Once the wax is in a liquid state, add your candle colorant.5. Next, add your Natures Garden s fragrance oil of choice and stir well to incorporate throughout the wax. The information we provide below about flash point and burnoff is information we have learned over the years that will help make the best soy wax candles. When making candles, it is important to understand that ingredients affect the end result. Testing needs to be done by the candle maker for every fragrance that you decide to use. We provide the information as a guide, but you will still need to do the testing yourself. a. For this step you will need to know the flashpoint of the fragrance oil you selected. The right temperature is extremely important to ensure that the fragrance oil binds properly with the soy wax. You also do not want to risk burnoff . Burnoff is the adding of a fragrance oil at too hot of a wax temperature. Because a flashpoint on a fragrance oil is the highest temperature the fragrance can handle before breaking down, burnoff can affect the scent in the finished candle. That is why you want to know the proper temperature to add the fragrance oil. You can find this information right on the label of the Natures Garden fragrance oil. This information is also in the Important Fragrance Specifics area on the website under each fragrance oil listing.b. Fragrance Flashpoints give you the answer as to when you add your fragrance oil to the hot wax. Any flashpoint that is higher than 185 degrees Fahrenheit is added at 185 degrees. For any flashpoints that are below 185 degrees, they should be added at or below the flashpoint degree. The key to remember is try not to add the fragrance oil at a temperature that is hotter than its flashpoint.c. Some fragrance oils have a very low flashpoint. In these cases, testing comes into play. You are balancing flashpoint temperatures with the fact that the wax needs heat in order to bind the scent with the wax.6. Once the soy wax has been scented and colored, you will want to stir your wax thoroughly. Doing this step will help the mixing and binding of the color and scent throughout the wax.7. The next step is allow your soy wax to cool at room temperature. Place your thermometer into the pouring pot and wait until the wax reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Pouring at this temperature will allow for a smoother surface in your finished candle. While you are waiting, prep your containers for the pour.8. Using your hot glue gun, place a little amount of glue to the bottom of the wick tab. Then, carefully center the wick to the bottom of the glassware. Gently, straighten your wick in each glass.9. Once your wax is the appropriate temperature (110 degrees F), you will notice the physical appearance of the wax will be slushy like. At this point, you are now ready to pour your wax. Slowly, fill each glass to the point where the jar changes shape. Filling a jar surpassed the point where the jar changes shape will increase your chance of a sink hole in the finished candle.10. Once all containers have been poured, allow them to set up and undisturbed at room temperature.11. When all candles have completely set up, lid each container to allow for the fragrance to be absorbed by the wax. This is known as the cure time. For best results, allow your candles to cure for 24-48 hours.12. Once the cure time has elapsed, it is now time to trim your wick, and light your homemade soy candle. Enjoy!On a Final Note: Anytime you burn a candle for the first time, you want to establish a memory burn. A memory burn is a complete wet pool of hot, melted wax over the entire top portion of the candle. If the first burn is a memory burn, this ensures that every time you burn your candle, you will not have tunneling around the wick or an excess of unmelted wax adhered to the candle jar. A memory burn also guarantees that the scent throw of your candle will be the best possible since every gram of scented wax is being used.If you are interested in making your very own soy wax candles, Natures Garden offers a Soy Wax Kit with all the ingredients you need to make soy candles.

When creating your own conditioning recipes, knowing the best oils for your hair type is extremely helpful! Today, Nature's Garden reviews the properties of luscious oils and the effects they have on hair. While many oils can be used for a few different types of hair, it's easier to formulate a recipe with an understanding of the properties of the oils. Depending on your hair type, you may need to adjust amounts and mix different oils. But, this basic review of cosmetic oils is a good place to start!Best Oils For Your Hair Type: All Hair TypesJust as each hair type has different qualities, all oils have different properties. While there are oils that work best for specific hair types, some oils work well for everyone. There are other oils have more distinct qualities that only work for a few hair types. However, these more universal oils provide nutrients that every head of hair would need. So, these first few oils are the ones that everyone could include in their hair care easily. They provide deep moisturization, absorb fairly quickly, and any excess oil washes out easily. This means that you can get the perfect amount of moisture without heavy oils weighing down your hair.Coconut OilCoconut Oil is a perfect cosmetic oil for all types of hair. This oil is very similar to our own natural oils, so even greasy hair can benefit from using a bit of this oil. Adding coconut oil to your hair care will help to replenish your strand's essential nutrients and keep your natural oil production at a healthy level. Plus, this cosmetic oil is packed full of essential nutrients that will strengthen strands and promote hair growth.Jojoba OilSince Jojoba Oil is similar in content to your natural hair oils, this is a perfect addition to any conditioning recipe. Due to this oil's similarity, it won't disturb your balance of oils. This means that this oil would make a nice addition to products for any hair type. Plus, this cosmetic oil contains nutrients that will leave your hair feeling soft and shiny. Further, this oil is very soothing to the scalp and could help reduce dandruff.Vitamin E OilA bit of Vitamin E Oil in any hair care product is beneficial. This oil is a thick, rich oil that wonderfully nourishes the hair. This cosmetic oil makes a wonderful addition to hair care products as an added supplement that will nourish and care for your hair.Best Oils For Your Hair Type Oily HairWe all need conditioner, but you may need a little less. This excess of natural oils has you never wanting to add more oils. You don't want to neglect your ends, but your scalp seems to have all of your moisturization covered. Trying to figure out a perfect routine for your greasy hair can become frustrating. Every head of hair is different, so there is experimenting involved to finding your own regime. But, we'd like to share some oils that would work best for those with an oily hair type. This way you can create a conditioner that works for you and keeps your ends moisturized, without becoming too oily at the scalp.Grapeseed OilGrapeseed Oil is a light, moisturizing cosmetic oil that will get your hair shiny without feeling greasy. This oil will absorb fairly quickly to provide your hair with needed proteins and minerals. So, you won't be left with heavy oils weighing down your hair. Sunflower OilAlso, Sunflower Oil is a great choice for those with oily locks. While this oil contains nutrients that are important for healthy hair, this cosmetic oil is light and perfect for this hair type. This oil is light, easily absorbed. This means that the oils won't cling to your hair and add to your natural oils. Plus, Sunflower Oil penetrates deep into each individual strand to ensure that all your hair has been taken care of.Argan OilNext, we have an oil that those with oily hair are going to love. Argan Oil is an ultralight oil that won't leave your hair greasy. However, this doesn't mean that this oil isn't perfect for moisturizing your ends. This oil is perfect for hydrating, as the oil sinks in quickly and easily. This oil is able to penetrate deep into the hair to repair any damage. So, you can get the right level of moisture and shine exactly where you need it.Best Oils For Your Hair Type Frizzy or Dry HairIf you have dry, frizzy, or damaged hair, then you are going to need some powerful moisturizing power. Not only do you want to use nourishing conditioner, but a hair mask from time to time may be necessary. So, you may need some thicker and oils with more a more protective quality in your own hair care products.Macadamia Nut OilDry and frizzy hair can benefit from using Macadamia Nut Oil. This oil is perfect for the most dried out and damaged hair. Nut based oils tend to be more nourishing and this specific nut based oil is one of the richest. Since this oil is very moisturizing, you could potentially overuse this oil. It is best to use as a deep conditioning hair mask every so often. Depending on the level of dryness or heat damage that you experience would determine how much you need. This luxurious oil could work perfectly in hair mask recipes used on a weekly or biweekly basis.Meadowfoam Seed OilThis oil is great for dry or damaged hair. Both shine and moisture are added to your hair due to the oil. Not only does Meadowfoam Seed Oil lock in the moisture, but it is known to have some UV light protection against sun damage. So, this oil will be perfect for protecting your dry, damaged hair.Lanolin OilIf your hair has become unbearably dry, then you may want to try out Lanolin in your homemade conditioner. This ingredient is thick, but it sure does moisturize! This oil will lock in moisture and add extra protection. Also, this oil will likely be better suited for someone with thicker or even curly hair, too. It could be too greasy for some with thinner hair. But, this oil is sure to be perfect for deep, heavy moisturizing that will solve dry hair issues.Best Oils For Your Hair Type Curly HairCurly hair is gorgeous, we just need to know how to care for it! Curly hair is a bit tricky because it is difficult for your natural oils to protect your hair as it grows. This leaves you with hair that is naturally dry. Further, it is nearly impossible to brush your natural oils down to where you need them. So, you are definitely in need some deep conditioning oils that will protect your hair. This means any of your hair care products should contain at least a few oils that will last and protect!Castor OilCastor Oil is a thicker cosmetic oil that is nice for making products for curly hair. While this oil is a bit more difficult to wash out after using, this amazing oil has the nourishment that curly hair craves. First, this oil is exceptional at drawing moisture into your hair and retaining your natural moisture, as well. So, your luscious locks will be left shiny, moisturized, and soft after a few uses! Further, castor oil will coat and protect your hair from the friction damage that comes from brushing or washing your hair. Ultimately, this oil can sometimes help reduce frizz, split ends, and add some shine.Avocado OilAnother great oil for moisturizing your curly hair is Avocado Oil. This lovely oil will nourish and strengthen your hair. Since curly hair needs deep moisturization, this oil is perfect! Avocado Oil will sink in and moisturize from root to tip. Furthermore, this oil can help repair damage and strengthen your strands. Plus, this oil is perfect for taming frizz, detangling, and adding shine!Best Oils For Your Hair Type Thick HairEveryone thinks that thick hair must be a dream come true, but there are a few things you still need to worry about. While full hair is pretty great for creating gorgeous hairdos, it is a lot to manage! It takes forever to blow dry, brush, and fix. Plus, it can be difficult for moisture to get all the way down into thick hair. So, here are some oils that work well specifically for thicker hair.Olive OilOlive oil is a rich ingredient that is packed full of nourishment for your hair. This oil is a deeply moisturizing oil that is full of vitamins and antioxidants. These nutrients help seal in moisture and protect your hair. This oil is not only great for moisturizing, but this oil is perfect for thick hair. As you work Olive Oil into your luscious locks, the oil will begin to nourish your hair. Plus, this hair type is better able to handle this thicker, more moisturizing oil.Avocado OilAlso, Avocado Oil is a great oil that could be helpful for thicker hair. This oil is full of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, fatty acids, and biotin, which are amazing for hair care. This oil will perfectly moisturize without the downfall of leaving stiff residue on the hair. Plus, this oil is a perfect detangler, as it is naturally lubricating without making hair too greasy. So, this a great oil to help better manage all that glorious hair!Best Oils For Your Hair Type Fine HairWhether you have thick or thin hair, you could have fine hair. Fine hair actually refers to the thickness of individual strands. This results in fine hair strands, hair that is fragile and is more susceptible to breakage. Plus, fine hair requires lighter oils for conditioning, as heavy oils will noticeably weigh down the hair. While you don't want that to happen, it is important to still provide your hair with moisture. So, you need to know what oils would work best in your customized shampoo and conditioner recipes.Grapeseed OilWe're back again with the Grapeseed Oil! Not only is this a good hair for oily hair, but this oil will help strengthen your hair! This oil contains essential nutrients that your strands can really benefit from! Adding this cosmetic oil to your hair care products will promote hair growth and strength that is perfect for fine strands as well. After this oil is absorbed by your hair, the oil fortifies and strengthens your strands. This will prevent split ends and breaking, as well as reduce thinning hair and frizz.Safflower OilAnother great oil for fine hair is Safflower Oil. Safflower oil is perfect for hair growth and strengthening hair. This oil supplements the protein in your individual strands to provide extra strength that your hair needs. Since fine hair has thinner strands and is more prone to breakage, this oil is perfect for managing your hair! Also, this oil is especially great if you are trying to grow your hair out longer.Best Oils For Your Hair Type Thin HairWhile everyone seems to want thicker hair, there are some perks to having thinner hair. It's easier to control and takes less time to manage. So, your hair may not require deep, revitalizing conditioning, your hair still needs the care of nourish oils. Whether the oils that you choose are great for adding volume, moisture, or nutrients, these oils are light and perfect for thinner hair types.Sweet Almond OilYour hair is going to need an oil that is light and absorbs easily. So, Sweet Almond Oil is the perfect oil! While this oil is full of moisturizing power, this oil will not leave your hair feeling weighed down. This oil will absorb quickly into the hair so that it gets the nourishment it requires. However, this oil won't leave behind a heavy coating on the surface of your strands. You can strengthen your individual strands without getting too oily.Sesame Seed OilAlso, Sesame Seed Oil Is a perfect oil for thin hair types. This oil is non greasy and perfect for moisturizing. This oil prevents moisture loss as it conditions and leaves a soft shine to your hair. Further, this cosmetic oil is great for adding fullness and volume to both fine or thin hair types. So, this is a perfect way to moisturize and add body to your hair.Best Oils For Your Hair Type Additional Hair Qualities to ConsiderIn addition to the different qualities that hair can have, there are various issues that could need attention. These oils have been shown to be useful for reducing some kind of issue that is common with hair. If you are experiencing hair loss, dandruff, or premature graying, then some of these oils below may be perfect for you!Best Oils For Your Hair Type Dandruff Prone HairA dry scalp is really a pain. Not only do you have to worry about flecks in your hair, but this dry skin can end up on clothes, too. Talk about ruining a nice occasion. But, you aren't trapped and there is a solution! There are many moisturizing oils that are perfect for fighting dandruff. So, here are a couple great choices for your hair care.Safflower OilSafflower Oil is great for improving hair growth. This oil contains rich ingredients, like oleic acid and Vitamin E, that are perfect for the scalp. Applying this oil to your scalp will provide the moisture your skin needs. This will create healthier skin on your scalp and reduce dandruff. Plus, this oil isn't very heavy and will be easy to incorporate into hair products for all hair types.Olive OilOlive Oil is another oil that is great for moisturizing the scalp. This cosmetic oil is full of healthy, fatty acids that will both enrich and protect your hair. Plus, the vitamins that this oil contains help deal with bald patches and banish dandruff. However, realize that this oil is thick and is better suited for thicker hair. Otherwise, this oil may weigh your hair down too much.Best Oils For Your Hair Type Hair LossIt can be easy to get hair pulled out from time to time, especially with longer hair. But sometimes, you may feel like you are just losing too much. On the other hand, you could have an underlying skin issue that could be causing hair loss. So, we have a few different oils that have shown to either reduce hair loss, strengthen hair, or promote faster growth.Pumpkin Seed OilThis oil has been known to be great for reducing hair loss. This oil adds essential nutrients that are important for the production of hair. These nutrients, especially zinc and magnesium, can help to not only thicken your hair but to speed up growth, too.Apricot Kernel OilApricot Kernel Oil is a perfect oil for promoting hair growth. This oil promotes hair growth by moisturizing the scalp, lubricating the hair follicles, and preventing moisture loss. So, this oil controls the moisture level and promotes hair growth.Castor OilAlso, Castor Oil is wonderful for preventing hair loss for a few reasons. First, this oil is beneficial for those with folliculitis and scalp infections, as this oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Plus, this cosmetic oil has properties that increase circulation and replenish natural oils to promote hair growth. Also, this oil will help support and strengthen your hair.Best Oils For Your Hair Type Premature GrayingNobody is excited for their hair to go gray. While this process will naturally happen as a person gets older, you'd definitely like to stop it from happening right now! So, we have found a few oils that have been known to slow or reduce the appearance of graying hair. While this won't alter the natural process of hair as you age, these oils can be used to help reduce premature graying!Rice Bran OilThe antioxidants and high Vitamin E content in Rice Bran Oil are very beneficial to the hair. This cosmetic oil acts as an anti-aging product for your skin. While this oil won't dye previously existing gray hair, this oil will help prevent premature graying of hair before it happens. Thus, this oil replenishes essential nutrients in your hair.Sesame Seed OilAlso, Sesame Seed Oil can be used to help retain your natural color for longer. By massaging this oil into your scalp you will be adding this oil's natural properties to the base of your hair. This will slow graying by darkening your hair and helping it to remain healthy.

As all soap makers know, not every fragrance oil soaps the same. The truth of it is that some scents are better for soap making than others. While you may find a scent that you just adore, you'd have to be pretty lucky to discover that it actually works perfectly. Some make the batch more difficult to work with, while others make it impossible to get the right color for your soaps. Further, you may even find that the scent you loved so much fades after the soap making is all said and done. We recognize the hardship of finding that perfect performing scent. So, we are trying to make this process a bit easier. Since it can be difficult to sort through hundreds of scents to find the ones that work best, we at Nature's Garden have compiled the Best Fragrance Oils For Soap! So, look through our list of the easiest soaping scents with no disappointment of weak scents after cure! This list is a soap makers dream! So, check out the all of the fragrance oils we have compiled and see if you can find any that you'd like to use.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: NG Viva la Juicee Fragrance OilThe Viva la Juicee Fragrance Oil is a tantalizing summer scent that is perfect for making your soaps from scratch. Any of your soap batches that use this fragrance oil will have no issues with separation, acceleration, ricing, nor discoloration, which can be seen in our own soap making video. So, soapers that are using this fragrance in soap is a breeze! Further, this sweet scent that is left in your cured soaps is amazing! This perfect summer scent remains very strong and gorgeous in the finished soaps! Overall, this is a scent that is so worth using in your soap recipe!Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Country Garden Fragrance OilAlso, check out the amazing floral scent, Country Garden Fragrance Oil! This lovely fragrance oil is a romantic blend of fresh green clover, and ivy with middle notes of romantic snapdragon, rose petals, and carnations with base notes of white musk and fig leaves. Plus, this gorgeous scent stays very strong in soaps. Further, you can see in our soap video that this floral bouquet of a scent has absolutely no acceleration during the soaping process! Overall, this lovely fragrance oil is a good scent for soap makers that wish to try out a floral fragrance that isn't too difficult.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Merlot Wine Fragrance OilNext, try out an elegant scent that is an absolute treat for you to use in cold process soaps. Of course, we are talking about the Merlot Wine Fragrance Oil! This delectable fragrance's notes of scrumptious plums, apples, red raspberries and strawberries that blend with the light alcoholic wine scent creates a wonderful aroma that even stays strong and true in soap! Plus, this amazing soap scent doesn't have a single issue in a batch of cold process soap, which you can see in our soaping video.Obviously, we had to take advantage of this perfect soap scent in one of our recipes. So, we created the wonderful Wine Cold Process Soap Recipe! Not only does this soap recipe use the perfect Merlot Wine Fragrance, but this recipe actually includes real wine in the soap! Talk about a true to life scent! Between the fragrance oil and the real wine notes, this recipe is absolutely perfect!Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Lotus Blossom Fragrance OilAre you ready for a floral scent that is absolutely perfect for making cold process soap? Then check out Natures Garden's Lotus Blossom Fragrance Oil! This scent mimics the true water-fresh, clean, and slightly powdery scent that occurs naturally in the beautiful lotus flower. This scent isn't one that is too sweet, but it is very lovely and pure! This pure scent remains very strong in finished soaps. Further, this floral scent is perfect and soaps like a dream. There is no ricing, no acceleration, no separation, and no discoloration. See for yourself by clicking here.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap Cucumber Wasabi Fragrance OilAlso, we have found another fragrance oil that works great in soap and keeps a wonderful scent! The Cucumber Wasabi Fragrance Oil has a refreshing aroma that is clean, energetic, and downright spa-like. So, it is a perfect aroma for soap, as well as performing great! Plus, the scent remains very strong in a cured batch of cp soaps. Not only is the scent perfect, but the performance is as well. There is no ricing, no acceleration, no separation, and no discoloration, which means perfect pour! So, if you are interested in this scent you may want to see how this scent performs click here to see our soaping video.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap Mango Sorbet Fragrance OilAnother great soap making scent is the Mango Sorbet Fragrance Oil! This uplifting aroma is a blend of ripe mango, juicy lemons, and fresh, red raspberries that intermingle to create a decadent fragrance oil. Plus, this energizing fragrance oil is perfect in cold process soap. The scent is very strong and there is no ricing, no acceleration, and no separation. If you would like to see how this scent works, then take a look at how this scent performs in our soaping video.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Bite Me Fragrance OilWe have more scents that are perfect for soap making, such as the Bite Me Fragrance Oil. This playful scent it a luscious blend of berry and cherry with a sweet vanilla base. This intense scent is not only great on its own, but the aroma strong in finished cp soaps. Plus, the fragrance is a perfect pour and has absolutely no ricing, no acceleration, and no separation. If you'd like to see how this scent performs, then you can see our soap video for this scent. So, any soap maker that is interested in this scent will not be disappointed.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Black Raspberry Vanilla Fragrance OilAnother enticing scent that is great for soaping is the Black Raspberry Vanilla Fragrance Oil! This sweet blend of juicy berries, light florals, and sweet vanilla makes a perfectly delicious scent that really lasts in cold process soap. Further, this fragrance works perfectly in a soap recipe. Of course, they are no issues with ricing, acceleration, separation, nor discoloration, which you can see on our own soap testing video of this scent. So, this sweet scent provides all the fragrance oil fun without any soap making hardships.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: White Tea & Ginger Type Fragrance OilNext, we have the White Tea & Ginger Type Fragrance Oil. This scent is a tea blend of white tea and earl grey tea with a variety of other notes used to enhance the scent. Further, this fragrance is perfect for cold process soap making! Not only does this fragrance leave a strong scent in cured soaps, but the batch of soap will have no issues due to the addition of this scent, which you can see in our soap testing video. So, this fragrance oil is one of our best!Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Lavender Flowers Fragrance OilAnother great scent for soap makers to try out is the Lavender Flowers Fragrance Oil. This aroma captures the true aroma of fresh lavender flowers. This relaxing flower scent is already perfect for creating soap from scratch, but on top of this, the Lavender Flowers scent is a perfect floral choice for cold process soap! There is no ricing, no separation and no discoloration. Plus, there is only a slight acceleration, which is pretty great for a floral scent. Additionally, you can see exactly how nice this scent is by watching our soap testing results of this scent.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Hot Pink Lime Fragrance OilWe have even more scents that are perfect for making homemade soap. For example, the Hot Pink Lime Fragrance Oil works like a dream in soap batches. There is no acceleration, no ricing, no separation, and no discoloration caused by this fragrance oil. Plus, this refreshing blend of Kaffir lime, Japanese grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon; middle notes of bergamot and strawberries; sitting on base notes of brown sugar and oak moss creates a scent that is even strong in cured soaps. See how wonderful this scent is for yourself by checking out our cp soap testing video for this scent.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Sweet Orange Chili Pepper Fragrance OilAlso, we have a sassy and saucy fragrance oil that works wonders in cold process soaps. This Sweet Orange Chili Pepper Fragrance Oil is a great scent that stays strong is soaps. It utilizes a combination of Valencia Orange, Sparkling Bergamot, Tangerine Zest, Tart Cassis, Orange Juice, Neroli, Ground Pepper, Fiery Chili Pepper, and Sheer Musk. Further, this fragrance oil soaped at room temperature would be a great choice for soap makers, as according to our soap testing results.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: The Perfect Man Fragrance OilThe Perfect Man Fragrance Oil is a masculine scent that is perfect for making soaps. This daring scent is a blend of Japanese grapefruit, bergamot, and lemon; followed by middle notes of peppercorn, ginger, jasmine, aquatic marine notes, and a hint of peppermint; sitting on expensive base notes of natural patchouli, cedar, vetiver, labdanum, and frankincense that is perfectly strong in soaps. Plus, our soap testing results have shown us that this scent has no acceleration, no ricing, and no separation.Best Fragrance Oils For Soap: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Fragrance OilFurther, check out another great fragrance oil for creating handmade soaps! We have the Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Fragrance Oil, which is an absolute treat to use in soaps. This delicious pie scent takes the aroma of sweet fresh strawberries mixed with sour rhubarb marmalade and mixes it with a base note of flaky pie crust to create a delicious scent that is very strong in soaps. Plus, this bakery fragrance oil is perfect in a soap batch. Our soap testing video revealed that this scent has no acceleration, no separation, no discoloration.

We asked our Facebook Friends what creative ways they use to center their wicks for candle making. The responses were very effective, unique suggestions, many of which involved household items they had at their disposal.Best Ways to Center Candle WicksObviously at this point in your candle making, you have dedicated a lot of time and money learning, testing, and researching everything there is to know about making candles. All this is accomplished by you with one end goal in mind crafting the greatest candle you can!For all the sacrifices made and devotion set forth in crafting candles, one thing is for sure; you do not want one simple little thing as an off centered wick to prevent you from that perfect candle. In a candle, an improperly centered wick directly affects the burn, your melt pool, and your hot scent throw. So, needless to say, ensuring that you have a centered wick should be a top priority.There are many different options you have to center your wick. Sure, you can buy a wick centering tool, wick bar, or self centering wicks, but since Natures Garden has such wonderfully talented customers, we thought we would ask them how they do it. We turned to our Natures Garden Facebook Fans to share any input or suggestions that they had for centering candle wicks. The responses were super creative, and many of their ideas had little to no cost.The first step in centering your wick is to find the center. Tips for finding the center:Since many of the candle jars that are used are transparent, one customer suggests using a printed dart target to get that perfect bulls eye center each time with their wick tabs. You will of course want to tape these bulls eyes to your work space so that they are consistent every time. Then, it is just a matter of placing your jars on top to find the center.Because most crafters have a continuous standard with their jar sizes, one of our customers traces the bottom of the jar onto cardstock. Then, using a tape measure they calculate the exact center and mark it on the cardstock. This cardstock then becomes a template for centering the wick each time that jar size is used. The result is a perfectly centered wick.So, now that you know where the center of your jars is. The next step is securing your wick to the bottom. Here are some of the great methods provided by our Fabulous Facebook Fans for this step:Hot Glue Gun: By placing a dap of hot glue in the center of the candle jar, and then gently pushing the wick tab over the glue before it hardens; you can secure your centered wick tab and pull the wick straight.Glue Dots/ Sticky Wickums/ Sticky Tack: The same concept as a hot glue gun, you simply remove the glue dot from the backing and place it on the bottom of the wick tab. Then, press the wick tab in the center of the bottom of the candle jar and secure. Pull the wick straight.Empty Pen Tube/Drinking Straw: Using an empty pen tube that the wick is threaded through you can press the tab right on the glue dot/hot glue at the bottom of the candle jars. This is a great option for those of you who can't necessarily reach the bottom of your jars to secure the tabs to the bottom.Tips for keeping your wick centered: Pencils: Using a pencil wrap the excess wick around it and lay this across the opening of the candle jar. This will keep the wick straight and tight while the wax is cooling.Cardboard/Cardstock: Using cardboard or cardstock to cut a thick stick that can lay across the top of your candle jar is a perfect solution to keeping your wick straight. By making a small slit in the cardboard stick, you can easily slide your extra wick in place and hold it there. Nicole Streeter even takes it a bit further by adding that she uses the cardstock with the slit in the middle but also writes the scent of each candle on the cardstock. This is the perfect solution when doing multiple fragranced candles.Chopsticks/Coffee Stirrers/ Popsicle sticks (aka craft sticks)/ Kabob Sticks (aka Bamboo Skewers): This is essentially the same idea of the pencil with the excess wick wrapped around it. But, how this differs is you use this method if you do not have a lot of excess wick available for wrapping. By placing 2 of the same items together; secured at each end with rubber bands/strings/hemp, you are now able to simply slide the excess wick through the middle. These items secured together will allow for a nice taunt hold of the wick. With the popsicle sticks you also have the option of drilling a small hole into the center of your craft sticks with a dremel. If there is any extra wick, this can be easily wrapped around the craft stick once it is secured through the hole.

What is cornsilk? The cornsilk is the shiny fibers between the husk and the corn cob. These fibers are long, stringy and hard to miss. If you are shucking the corn yourself, then you can see the silk poking out of the top and all along the inside of the cob. While it's typically taken off the corn cob before it is cooked, it doesn't mean that it is bad for us. Most people just don't like the strings getting stuck in their teeth, but there are better ways of benefiting from this skin loving herb. So, let's get to the really important question of, "What are the benefits of cornsilk powder? There are many unique benefits for adding this herb to your homemade bath and body creations. Plus, there are natural medicinal remedies that incorporate this herb. So, there many great properties of this powdered herb to talk about!What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Growing ConditionsAround here we are no stranger to corn or cornsilk. But, that no surprise as this American staple is perfectly fit for our summer months. Corn stalks love long summer days full of bright sunshine. Also, they need soil slightly acidic and full of nutrients like nitrogen. If the soil is nutrient poor, then you likely will begin to see yellowing leaves. Plus, they need moist soil that is well draining as their roots are close to the surface. Another thing to know about corn is that they use the wind to spread their pollen. So, they should be planted in blocks of at least four rows instead of one long row. This will increase the likelihood of your corn being pollinated and growing correctly.What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Why Do Farmers Leave Corn in the Field?Another interesting aspect of corn farming is the timing of harvesting. There are three phases of the corn. First, is the milk stage where the fluid inside the corn is similar to milk in consistency. Next, is the dough phase where the kernel gets more solid. Finally, you have the driest stage that is referred to as the black layer stage, as the tip of the corn is black. While the corn could be harvested at this point, waiting a bit longer will help cut down on the drying costs.If the corn isn't harvested when it is as dry as possible, then the farmer will need to dry it themselves and that costs money. This drying makes it easier to store the corn for the right time to sell. Also, drying helps make sure the corn stays good through the transportation process. So, transportation can effectively get the corn to where it will be used. So, you will often see what looks like dead corn left drying in the fields before it is time to harvest. However, farmers are actually just about ready to harvest these crops. The only concern is that they are more likely to fall on from the plant before harvesting at this point, especially due to a storm or strong breeze.What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Industry UsesThere are many ways that cornsilk is used in the industries. First, this cosmetic herb can be used to create all kinds of skin-loving bath and body recipes. Plus, there are many different ways that people use this herb for its natural, medicinal properties. While cornsilk isn't necessarily used in food products, the corn that it grows on definitely is! So, both cornsilk and corn are incredibly useful in the industry. Next, we will talk about how cornsilk is used and what the benefits of cornsilk are.What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Bath and Body ProductsThere are many benefits to using an herb like cornsilk in your homemade recipes. First of all, this cosmetic powder can be used to provide a natural brown hue for your products. Not only can this herb be used as a natural colorant, but cornsilk powder has some wonderful skin benefits, too! These skin loving properties are perfect for making all kinds of different bath and body recipes as well as various cosmetic recipes. So, we are going to talk about how this herb can benefit various homemade products.There are many vitamins and nutrients in this cosmetic herb. These nutrients provide cornsilk with properties that are perfect for homemade cosmetic recipes. First, including this herb in formulations to create cornsilk cosmetics will provide you with a silky feel and a nice glide. This is perfect for homemade lip care, eye shadow, body powders, and so much more. Plus, adding this cosmetic powder to your facial mask recipes will provide you with a skin softening recipe. Further, this herb is thought to help reduce inflammation, which is useful for evening skin tone and reducing some break outs.Additionally, adding this herb to lotion recipes provides a soft and silky feeling to the lotion and the skin! Also, this botanical herb can be added to soap recipes to provide gentle exfoliation and other wonderful soaping properties. If you are interested in trying out a corn silk soap recipe, check out our find below!What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Food and BeveragesWhile the cornsilk isn't necessarily used for making food, the corn that it grows on makes up for it! In fact, corn makes up a huge part of what we have on our grocery store shelves. Most often, you probably think of the corn that you eat as some delicious sweet corn. Also, you may even think of scrumptious, homemade corn bread. While these definitely count, that is hardly all corn that is used for our food.First, modified corn sweetener and high fructose corn syrup are both created using corn to create alternative sweeteners. These corn sweeteners are used in things like soda pop and fruit juices as well as ketchup, breads, yogurts and much more. While corn has a lot of nutritional benefits, some people are concerned about this modified sweetener being added so much of our food that it causes weight gain. Second, there is corn that is used to feed livestock, like cows and chickens. Additionally, processed meats, like chicken nuggets and cheap hamburger patties, often use corn filler to stretch the meat as far as it will go. So, much of the meat that we eat relies on corn, too. It can be hard to go a day without eating or eating something that benefited from the use of corn!What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: MedicinalThere are many reasons why cornsilk is used in natural home remedies. In fact, Native Americans have used this herb in natural remedies for centuries. Plus, this botanical herb contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, and natural chemicals that continue to make this herb useful in many herbal recipes. While many of these medicinal benefits haven't been confirmed within the medical community, it is a natural remedy that is sworn to have been helpful for many people.Most people will create an herbal tea using the corn silk to harness the potential benefits. First, many people will ingest cornsilk powder to help with a variety of urinary issues. These issues include; inflammation in the urinary tract, kidney stones, prostate inflammation, or even bed wetting. Many find cornslik useful for these issues. This is because cornsilk contains chemicals that are known to work similarly to diuretics. Plus, cornsilk has been thought to reduce inflammation. Also, there is some that believe that cornsilk is useful for reducing blood pressure along with cholesterol levels.What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Are There Any Side Effects?People generally believed that cornsilk is safe for most of the population. But, anyone with a corn allergy, low potassium levels, or diabetes shouldn't take this herbal supplement. You may want to check out the Interactions section of WebMD's cornsilk page if you are taking any long term medications. For instance, anyone taking a diuretic should be cautious as cornsilk is known to work similarly to the drug. Also, those that are pregnant or breast feeding should use this herb with caution as amounts higher than those normally found in food can lead to potential issues.What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Other UsesNot only does this herb have benefits for humans, but many pet owners use this herb for their animals. Just like with humans, this natural remedy can be useful for reducing issues with the urinary tract. It is suggested that a fourth cup of tea is used for every twenty pounds your animal weighs, which can be done twice a day. You will want to check with your vet to determine whether your pet's particular illness isn't more serious. Also, this remedy isn't recommended for pregnant animals.What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Using Cornsilk in a Cold Process Soap RecipeSince cornsilk is so beneficial for the skin and soap, we wanted to find a great soap recipe to share. The Corn Silk - What Does it Have to Offer? by Neecy's Necessities talks about how to include cornsilk in a typical batch of soap. So, you can use your own favorite recipe for soap making. While this recipe asks you to grind fresh corn silk into a powder, it may be easier to use our cornsilk powder to create this soap. Grinding fresh silk takes much more time, effort, and quite a few fibers.What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Using Corn for Predicting the WeatherSometimes animals and plants pick up on the subtle hints that nature provides before we ever could. In this case, plants and animals seem to notice cues that tell them to get prepared for an especially bad winter. So, these organisms will make special preparations that they wouldn't ordinarily do. While we don't have enhanced senses, we can pay attention to these organisms to determine whether they think a harsh winter is coming.One plant that we can pay attention to for signals is corn. According to folklore, corn becomes harder and the husks tighten around the cob when a bad winter is approaching. Since the corn is used to the warm summer weather, a subtle, cold temperature change would lead the corn to want to help protect itself from a harsh winter. If you are curious about more ways to use nature to predict the kind of winter that is to come, then check out Signs of Winter Weather: 14 Folklore Predictions by Momtastic.What are the Benefits of Cornsilk?: Ask Us Your QuestionsIf you have any further questions about this herb or any of the other herbs that we have available on the Herbs and Spices page, then please reach out to us. We are here to answer any questions that you may have about this herb and any other cosmetic quesitons. Also, feel free to share you favorite ways to use corn silk as we would love to hear about it. If you want to chat, you can find us in the NG store, on the phone, or online. If you want to find us online, then check out our social media pages. We are on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@ngscents). Hope to hear from you soon and good luck with your natural recipes!Note: Natures Garden sells our wholesale cornsilk for external use only. We do not sell these it as a food item. The information that we provide is for educational purposes only. We do not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease with this information. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated any of this information. First, you will need to 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 of the products that you make with this herb. All testing of finished products is the responsibility of the customer.

What are some of the benefits of pomegranate? This botanical is great for improving your body's health both inside and outside. Many people have found health benefits from this pomegranate and there are many that found it to be useful for certain conditions. Plus, this fruit tastes great, too. At Natures Garden we use Pomegranate Fruit Powder to provide some amazing benefits for our natural cosmetic recipes. This powdered herb has benefits for skin and hair. So, let's get into all of the reasons why pomegranates are great for you!What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Growing ConditionsThese trees are ideal in climates that are in zone 7-12, which have short winters and low humidity. Also, they prefer areas of full sun. Your pomegranate trees will need about 20 feet diameter to be able to grow into. However, you can trim your tree to keep it more of a shrub size and you will only need about 10 feet. If the winter is too frigid and your trunk was damaged, it is possible to train new suckers to replace the trunk. Although this plant can survive a drought, this will cause a smaller harvest. On the other side, too much water due to over irrigating, heavy summer rain, or high humidity can result in fruits cracking or other problems. Plus, uneven water can result in issues, too. So, you will want to find a perfect balance for watering.While it is not necessary to prune your tree, it may help increase your harvest. When your pomegranate tree is about a year old, you can prune some of the trunks. You will want to keep somewhere between one and six of these trunks. Since pomegranates naturally grow in bush form, there will be plenty of suckers to choose from. Just be warned with pruning you can reduce your harvest. This is because your harvest will mostly come from new shoots growing off of branches that are older than a year. So, you won't want to prune all of your new growth.What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Industrial UsesThere are all kinds of ways that you can use pomegranate to benefit your products and body. First, you can use this wholesale powder to moisturize and care for your skin. Also, you can use pomegranates to add some flavor to your food and provide you with some nutritional benefits. Further, this fruit can be used medicinally to benefit some ailments and condition. So, there are many different benefits that can be gained from this fruit. Let's get into all the different ways that you can use this wonderful fruit to benefit your body.What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Bath and Body ProductsOne great way to benefit from pomegranates is to add it into your bath and body recipes. This allows you to use the skin-loving pomegranate powder all over. Since this is one of the natural cosmetic ingredients that is perfect for helping to moisturize your skin, it can be used to reduce certain skin conditions. You will be sure to love this cosmetic herb in your homemade bath and body recipes. So, we are going to get into some of the benefits that this cosmetic herb can provide for you.What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Making Your Own Bath and Body ProductsFirst, this lovely herb is rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties. These properties are beneficial for reducing symptoms of certain skin conditions. For example, this herb can be used to combat acne and pimples. Also, many have used it to reduce rashes, eczema, or psoriasis. So, this herb would make a perfect addition to your wholesale facial supplies. Also, including this wholesale herb in your skin care products can help reduce signs of aging, as the herb helps protect your skin from the breakdown of collagen. This breakdown is what causes problems like wrinkles or crows feet. So, reducing this breakdown will reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Additionally, this herb can help to promote healthy cell growth and leave your skin looking radiant and youthful.Plus, this cosmetic powder is perfect for including in your lotion making recipes. This herb will work with all of your moisturizing oils to create an amazing lotion recipe. This herb is able to help hydrate your skin by holding in the moisture. Further, the pomegranate fruit powder will help to protect your skin from pollutants and toxins. Also, this herb will help to restore the pH balance of the skin. Plus, this herb has properties that can be useful for protecting your body from the sun. So, adding this herb to your lotion could provide you with some light sunscreen that can reduce your exposure to harmful sun rays. Additionally, you can use this pomegranate herb powder to benefit your hair and scalp. First, some have found that pomegranate can be used to reduce dandruff by nourishing the scalp. Another benefit that has been noticed is that this herb can be useful for reducing hair loss, as it supports the hair follicles.What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Foods and BeveragesThe fruit seeds of pomegranates are loved by many people. This is no surprise, as these fruits have a great taste that perfectly combines flavors of both sweet and tart. Plus, each individual seed is bursting with a juicy flavor. So, it makes sense that the fruit is eaten in a variety of different ways. Some people that will drink pomegranate juice or just eat the seeds raw. But, there are others that incorporate the food into recipes and other foods. There are those that have recipes for fruit pies using pomegranate and others will include these fruit seeds in salsa or a salad. Also, there are people that will add some of this fruit to yogurt or dip it into chocolate. There are so many different ways to eat pomegranate that there is a way for anyone to get this beneficial food into their system.Not only is pomegranate delicious, but it has some beneficial properties for your body. First, this fruit is found to help reduce heart disease, as it is thought to reduce cholesterol as well as lower blood pressure. Plus, these fruit seeds are known to help improve digestion by adding fiber to your diet. Also, the vitamins and anti-inflammatory properties are found to be useful for boosting immunity and antibody production.Also, there is some evidence that eating pomegranate seeds can promote brain health. First, there are properties in this fruit that are found to improve memory. Further, a study was done that had found that the polyphenols in pomegranates can provide protection from memory retention deficits that can occur due to heart surgery. Another benefit of eating pomegranate fruit is that there is evidence that it may help to improve Alzheimer's disease, as it contains properties that will help to reduce the deposits of amyloid that try to accumulate in the hippocampus of the brain.What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: MedicinalAlthough there are plenty of vitamins and other benefits found in the seeds of pomegranates, the peel has some great properties, too. Many people will simply toss the pomegranate skin without a second thought, but it has lots of great properties! These skins can be blended into smoothies or mixed into other recipes to disguise the bland taste. This way you can gain all the benefits that you possibly can from a single pomegranate. So, don't waste this opportunity to maximize your benefits and check out these potential benefits.The anti-inflammatory properties of this herb are useful for the body in a lot of ways. In fact, many people have found that pomegranate can be used to help reduce joint pain and arthritis. If you'd like to look into more natural ways to help your joints, then check out Dr. Axe's article on 7 Effective All-Natural Treatments for Arthritis. Also, these anti-inflammatory properties can be useful for improving your gut health. So, you may be able to use pomegranate to reduce hemorrhoid swelling, reduce bleeding or inflammation of the intestines, and improve digestion.Also, some people have found that pomegranates are beneficial for oral health. These properties have been found to help reduce bad breath, gingivitis, cavities, and ulcers. So, it would be a good idea to eat this or incorporate it into your oral care. Not only are these peels good for your teeth, but they are beneficial for bone health throughout your body. Studies have found that pomegranate peel can be useful for increasing bone density. In fact, some studies have found that this peel can help reduce the onset of osteoporosis in older women, especially in menopausal women.What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Other UsesAdditionally, some have found that pomegranate is great for weight loss. In fact, a study had found that pomegranate can help reduce your fat retention and improve your sensitivity to insulin. While pomegranate isn't a substitute for healthy eating, it can be useful helping to reducing weight gain. Further, the antioxidants in this fruit have been found to prevent insulin resistance in diabetic patients. Plus, this food is low calorie and is known help to keep you feeling full. So, this is a great food to try to incorporate in your typical diet, whether you are actually dieting or not.What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Recipes and Tips for Eating PomegranateI'm not sure about you, but it always takes me a long time to eat a pomegranate. However, there are actually tips and tricks to easily remove all the seeds. I found that life hacker's article on Deseed a Pomegranate in 10 Seconds Using a Wooden Spoon was especially useful for helping me eat my pomegranates. Plus, there is a helpful video to go along with the instructions!Since there is an abundance of benefits from eating pomegranate seeds, you will definitely want to include it in your typical diet. An easy way to add some pomegranate to your diet is to include it in your food! Whether you are making dinner or dessert, there are always ways to incorporate this juicy fruit. If you are looking for some fun and unique ways to include the pomegranate seeds in your cooking, then check out Healthy Pomegranate Recipes by Eating Well.What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Ask Us Your QuestionsI hope that you enjoyed this natural cosmetics blog on the benefits of pomegranate powder. Let us know if you learned something new or interesting! Also, anyone that has any more questions about this herb or any others on Herbs and Spices can ask us. You can reach out to ask us in the store, on the phone, or online. We always try to available to help you make wonderful quality products! One great way to find us online is through social media. We have a Natures Garden Facebook page that you can talk to us on. Also, you can use the handle @ngscents for Instagram and Twitter. Hope to hear from you soon!What Are Some of the Benefits of Pomegranate?: Reminder About Our HerbsNote: Natures Garden sells herbs, like our Pomegranate Fruit Powder, for external use only. Although some people use this in food, we do not sell our herbs as food items. So, the information that we provide about our herbs is only for educational purposes. We do not intend for you to use this information 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 and attention when handling any of our herbs. Natures Garden accepts no responsibility (written or implied) for any products you make with our herbs. Also, all product testing is the responsibility of the customer.

Naturally found in bitter/sour tasting fruits such as oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits, etc; citric acid is the naturally occurring organic acid that gives such fruits mentioned above their typical sour taste. Although citric acid is found in various fruits and vegetables including raspberries, tomatoes, and some peppers, it is most potent in limes and lemons consisting of up to 8% of the dry fruit s weight. This amount varies based on factors like climate and soil conditions.Besides fruits and vegetables, citric acid can also be produced from cane sugar, molasses, and dextrose as well.For biochemistry means, citric acid occurs in the metabolism of nearly every living creature. This is due to citric acids vital role in the Krebs cycle. Outside the metabolic role of citric acid, it is also a common go to ingredient for cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, and cleaning industries. In fact, citric acid has been deemed safe by all major food regulatory agencies both on the national (FDA) and international end.Sold most commonly in a powdered or crystalline form that is white, citric acid can be used as an antioxidant, preservative, pH adjuster, emulsifier, additive, cleanser, and stabilizer.The industry yielding the most use out of citric acid is food and beverage. This is because citric acid is an additive that can be found in everything from meat to ice cream to candy and especially soda pops. Obviously, citric acid can be ingested and very few people are allergic to this ingredient. Although a typically harmless additive; this natural substance is sour and when consumed in larger quantities, may cause an upset stomach.On the cosmetic end of things, citric acid is starting to gain popularity. More and more, people are starting to realize the benefits of using citric acid in their homemade bath and body products because of its pH adjusting abilities. Items like bath tablets and bath bombs (or bath fizzes) require citric acid as a base ingredient for their formulation. It is solely this ingredient s interaction with baking soda that produces carbon dioxide the characteristically known and sought out fizzy action when introduced to water. Citric acid is also used in masks, peels, creams and lotions because it is an alpha hydroxy acid, giving products great exfoliate and emollient properties.When it comes to antioxidants, citric acid is phenomenal. Not only does this natural substance help to rejuvenate and refresh the skin, but it also helps to stall the aging process in your skin. Citric acid also works as both a tonner and a cleanser. For recipes outside of bath bombs, citric acid can be used up to .5% of the total recipes weight. To add this ingredient to bath and body recipes, simply dissolve the citric acid in a liquid, and heat the mixture to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before blending it into your other ingredients.The cleaning industry also has many uses for citric acid. It is considered an environmentally friendly cleaning agent.This natural substance makes a great water softener, breaking down the small amounts of metal that is commonly found in water. When it comes to treating hard water, citric acid is an optimal choice for an all natural water softener.As for a cleaning agent, citric acid is quickly gaining popularity in kitchen and bathroom cleansers. Not only does citric acid remove hard water stains from glassware, but due to the nature of this natural ingredient, it works great as a deodorizer with its instinctive clean citrus scent.There are some cautions that should be noted with the hands on use of the concentrated (powdered form) citric acid. Always use caution when dealing with citric acid. Skin irritation may occur from interacting with large amounts of citric acid, especially if you have sensitive skin. Always wash your hands after touching citric acid. Never rub your eyes after touching citric acid. Finally, when using products with citric acid for its alpha hydroxy acid benefits; prolonged and aggressive use is not advised. Doing so will cause skin irritation. Most skin treatments that involve alpha hydroxyl acid are followed by applying a facial toner that neutralizes the skin's ph.To store citric acid, it should be placed in an air tight container away from moisture. The container should be kept at room temperature. This will eliminate any chance of humidity from activating its fizzing ability. If housed in this manner, citric acid can have a shelf life of up to multiple years.