Parva (‘par.wa: little things) Organic Skincare Workshop

! Hand/Body Balm ¼ cup (60ml) Oil (coconut, olive, rice bran, olive, rapeseed, sunflower) 1 Tbsp (15ml) Beeswax 15 drops essential oils 5 drops Vitamin E oil (natural preservative)

Method: Use a heatproof jug or bowl to create a double boiler (water bath) in a saucepan of water. Melt beeswax, add oil and gently melt together on low heat. When the jug/bowl is cool enough to touch add Vitamin E oil and essential oils. Give it a swirl to gently mix and then pour into jar of choice. Let it set.

Use on damp skin. A little goes a long way.

NB: 1TBSP = 15ml and 1tsp = 5ml

� Coffee, Sugar and Spice Body Scrub 1/4 cup Coffee grounds 1/2 cup Raw Sugar 2 tsp. Spice of your choice (Cinnamon/Ginger/Clove/Nutmeg/Cacao) ¼ cup Oil (Sunflower, Olive, Rice Bran, Rape Seed) 5 drops of Vitamin E oil (natural preservative and great for the skin) 20 drops total essential oil (you can choose up to 3 scents to add but only 20 drops in total)

Method: Add 1/4 oil of your choice into glass jar and add Vitamin E oil and 20 drops of essential oils, swirl gently to combine. Add the dry scrub ingredients to the jar and put on the lid, give the jar a good shake, until all the ingredients are combined. It should resemble wet sand, if its dry add more oil or vice versa if it’s too wet add more coffee grounds.

To use: Scoop out a handful at a time and on damp skin, gently scrub in circular motions from neck to toe. Rinse off and pat dry. It can be used on your face but be even gentler when scrubbing. Use weekly.

NB: Don’t over scrub, you can damage your skin. Don’t leave scrub in the shower it will develop mould if water gets inside.

You can make a simple face scrub from brown sugar and oil, use as a lip scrub too.

ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS

(a good guide for use in your skincare or infusers/oil rollers etc)

ENERGISING BLEND 10 DROPS PEPPERMINT

5 DROPS ROSEMARY

INVIGORATING BLEND 10 DROPS LAVENDER

5 DROPS EUCALYPTUS

DE STRESS BLEND 10 DROPS LAVENDER

5 DROPS FRANKINCENSE

SINUS RELIEF BLEND 10 DROPS EUCALYPTUS 5 DROPS PEPPERMINT

DEODORISE BLEND 5 DROPS TEA TREE

5 DROPS EUCALYPTUS 5 DROPS LEMON

REFRESHING BLEND 10 DROPS LEMONGRASS 5 DROPS FRANKINCENSE

SPICE BLEND 10 DROPS ORANGE

5 DROPS CINNAMON

FRESH BLEND 10 DROPS ORANGE

5 DROPS LEMON

CONCENTRATION BLEND 7 DROPS ROSEMARY

5 DROPS LEMON 3 DROPS PEPPERMINT

WINTER BLUES BLEND 11 DROPS ORANGE

4 DROPS YLANG YLANG

SLEEPY TIME BLEND 10 DROPS CEDARWOOD ATLAS

5 DROPS LAVENDER

WAKE UP BLEND 7 DROPS PEPPERMINT

5 DROPS LEMON 3 DROPS FRANKINCENSE

Pinterest has great blending ideas and charts to further your knowledge of remedies and blending

scents for perfumes.

Essentials and Pregnancy

Oils that may be safe for you to use as long as your pregnancy is going well, it's probably fine for you to use: • citrus oils, such as tangerine and neroli • german (blue) chamomile • lavender • frankincense • black pepper • peppermint • ylang ylang • eucalyptus • bergamot • cypress • tea tree oil (not in labour) • geranium

• spearmint

Oils that are not safe for you to use Don't use the following essential oils while you are pregnant:

Nutmeg, which may have hallucinogenic effects and react with pain-relieving drugs in labour.

Rosemary, which is thought to increase blood pressure, and may cause contractions.

Basil, which is thought to contribute to abnormal cell development.

Jasmine and clary sage, which may trigger contractions.

Sage and rose, which may cause bleeding in your uterus (womb).

Juniper berry, which may affect your kidneys.

Laurel, angelica, thyme, cumin, aniseed, citronella and cinnamon leaf should also be avoided as they could stimulate contractions.

There is a lot of confusion over the safety of lavender essential oil in pregnancy. That's because lavender can be used to regulate periods. Rest assured that this does not mean using it in pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage. However, for ease of mind, you may want to wait until your second trimester before using it.

Clary sage can be a great way to get labour started if used by a trained midwife for a mum who is overdue. However, don't use this oil yourself, as overuse can make your contractions too powerful.

Do more research if you are unsure, there is plenty of information on the internet.

� Always dilute essential oils in carrier oils, do not use neat on your skin!

There are 20 drops to 1 ml of essential oil. Buying small 6ml bottles is a good start to your skincare adventure. Don’t over buy as they have an expiry (however i find its a guideline, if it smells as good as the day you got it 3 years later its still good, if it smells bland or acrid its gone). We are very lucky in Australia, our access to essentials is huge and the quality is excellent. There is no one brand that has higher therapeutic grade or quality, they all come from the same vats sent from the same origins, don’t be fooled! Also buy direct from the suppliers I list at the bottom (i am not affiliated with either i just buy from them), they are the importers, skip the middle men/women who literally buy from these guys and portion it up smaller and pop their labels on it like they made it and charge you for the pleasure! If you can, always bypass and go direct to the importer for your raw ingredients.

Some Essential Oil Guides i found useful https://www.savvyhomemade.com/essential-oil-use-chart/ http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/essential-oil-skin-care-chart.html http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatcarr.asp http://blessedbe.sugarbane.com/oils.htm 

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Vinegar Infusions

(for facial toner sprays/hair rinses and use in household cleaning and deodorising and can be used as salad dressing too) Use Apple cider or White vinegar and put fresh citrus peels, fresh herbs into vinegar and let it steep for 2-3 weeks, shake daily and leave on the shelf. Once ready they can be used in your toning sprays or as part of a non toxic cleaning regime diluted in water (50:50). They don’t spoil.

Homemade Toner Recipes

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Buy ingredients from bulk stores, using your own containers. Village Whole Foods in Marrickville is where I get most items but you can also use The Source, Naked Foods, Alfalfa House, Whole Foods House.

Buy Australian made or grown where possible the shorter the distance travelled the lower your carbon footprint is. I buy bulk oil from the supermarket in metal tins or glass bottles always Australian Grown and made.

Re use your containers, glass is best and readily available, metal is next best but has a very big carbon footprint but can be recycled easily. Avoid plastics, we need to learn to live without them!

Useful Apps - for clean and ethical product checking, finding products without micro beads.

Think Dirty

EWG Skin Deep

Shop Ethical

Beat the Micro bead

Check out this link to understand how to read a skin care label https://www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com/how-to-read-a-cosmetic-label/

My 5 minute kitchen facial https://www.monkeyandmum.com.au/easy-home-pampering-tips-made-in-your-kitchen/

Recycling beauty products and packaging: www.terracycle.com.au

Beeswax - the little block you have is from The Urban Beehive.

Places to get good quality beeswax (blocks and pellets) Buy the best quality you can, it lasts forever so a block sometimes is the best and cheapest option in the long run. IT MUST SMELL LIKE HONEY!

The Urban Beehive Sydney - Online or call to order beeswax

Northern Lights – Online, Northern Rivers region NSW Apiaries - Online (emails and phone no.s of bee keepers in NSW)

SEOC – Online, Melbourne region, no minimum, delivery only $15 Australia wide, also my favourite importer of all my ACO/USDA raw ingredients for making skincare, the quality and prices are very affordable.

Essential oils/glass bottles and serum pumps, jars etc

New Directions – Online, Sydney region, no minimum, can pick up or have delivered. They have a large selection of essential oils in small quantities so you can trial some without over spending. They also import all raw ingredients and are good, some items vary in quality.

Escentials of Australia - Online, Noosa region, packaging, essentials and raw ingredients, these guys are good too but the postage costs are a bit high.

Blogs that inspired me and helped me learn about DIY skincare: Simple Life Mom Scratch Mommy Blog Wellness Mama

EASY DIY SKINCARE SWAPS

First things first, do a little skincare audit and see where you are wasting money (too many lip balms was my issue, i never met one i didn’t want, until i found out what was in them!!) and just stop buying the things you don’t use.

Then do some research, use the Think Dirty app or EWG Skin Deep app to have a look at the products you do like and use, maybe if you knew what was in them it may make it easier to decide on whether to keep buying them.

In terms of impact on your health and the planets health learning to make some of your own products or supporting local small batch makers is the best choice. DIY is fun, you can control the ingredients, save money and get creative using what you have in the kitchen, if it’s good enough to eat it’s good enough to use.

SWAP Face cleansers for Oil (use what you have in the kitchen) Sunflower (oily-acne prone) or Olive (dry-sensitive-mature) Cleansing Oil - cleans all face types including acne prone - is gentle and removes makeup. Use a little oil on fingertips and gently massage into a damp face, use damp washable face wipes or face cloth to gently remove makeup.

SWAP Shampoo and Conditioner in plastic bottles (that are generally not recyclable and are not getting recycled even if they are) for Shampoo Bars (try Lush, the ANSC or Beauty and the Bees or find a small batch maker close to you) and a Vinegar rinse (DIY- 50/50 with water, does not matter what type of vinegar, i use white)

SWAP Scrubs made with micro beads for a bit of brown sugar and oil (use up any coffee grounds, if you drink coffee) You can use this scrub head to toe, just don’t over scrub your skin and try not to eat it!

SWAP ready made Face Masks filled with synthetic preservatives and often sold in plastic jars for powdered clay (lasts forever) or even better, my favourite is to use Honey, raw of course, seriously try it, it’s amazing and you wash it off with a warm face cloth.

SWAP Body oils that promise to reduce your stretch marks, you know the one, its orange, for good old olive oil, if it’s too thick do 50/50 with sunflower oil. It was good enough for Cleopatra, who also bathed in milk and honey, and over the centuries its proven to be good enough for us!

SWAP toners for cold green tea or steep some fresh herbs or citrus peels in white vinegar for a few weeks and use that (40/60 water) Vinegar balances ph levels and kills bacteria (you can use the same flavoured vinegar to rinse you hair and clean your bench tops, so useful!)

These are just a few to consider, and by making things yourself you are reducing the toxic load on yourself and on the planet, reducing your reliance on plastic containers and keeping money in your pocket and out of the hands of companies who don’t actually care about the impact they are having on us or the world, it’s a quiet and fun form of defiance!

BEESWAX WRAP MAKING PROCESS

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Tool Kit baking tray to fit your oven (buy one just for wrap making) paintbrush with a wooden handle a small grater for block wax small tongs for fabric handling a pot for the stove to melt block wax (always on lowest heat) if painting the wax on A quilt cutter (like a pizza cutter) for fabric edging with a scallop, wavy or pinking blade and a cutting mat. I use Olfa brand.

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Oven Made

Turn on oven to 140/50 degrees Place your fabric piece on a baking tray. Cover in beeswax pellets or grated beeswax. Alternatively melt

the wax double boiler style on the oven top and paint the wax on with a paintbrush. Place in the oven. Check often and remove once beeswax has melted.

Use a paint brush to evenly spread beeswax over fabric. Remove from tray as the beeswax hardens very quickly. Mind your fingers, use tongs as it will be very hot.

Waft the fabric gently until dry. It will be dry in a minute.

� Iron Made Set up your iron with an old, clean towel covering it. Tear 2 sheets of baking paper big enough to sandwich your fabric. Lay the fabric on one piece and sprinkle with wax. Cover fabric with the other sheet of baking paper and using the iron on its hottest setting (don’t fill water to activate steam function) iron the paper and watch the wax melt. You can steer the wax where it needs to go using the iron on its edge. Once it is all melted and covered quickly and carefully remove to top sheet of paper and peel of the wrap.

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How To Use the Wraps: Simply use the wraps as you would use cling wrap to store leftovers in the fridge. Wrap the tops of your

bowls or cover your sandwiches, cheese or cut veggies. The warmth of your hands will mould the wraps in to shape, and they can be used over and over again.

To Clean: Wash gently in cold/warm water with a little detergent and a scrub brush and then pat dry.

Will last a long time. Revive every few months with a light iron and re wax your wrap once it loses it stick for another years use, remember to re wax a clean wrap.

Wraps are not easily compostable so re wax indefinitely for a forever supply of wraps and keep them out of landfill.

Fabrics Cotton is best to use and for durable usage I find bed linens, pillowcases, sheets and quilt cover are great! Always purchase 100% cotton. Op shops like Vinnies and Salvos, Smith Family and Lifeline are a great source of cotton linens and remnants. I choose to up cycle or re use cottons as it is cost effective, more unique and definitely low impact. Ask friends/family/neighbours for any cottons they may be willing to get rid of and make them a wrap as a thank you. Linen and hemp are also a great choice if you have any lying about!

Beeswax Suppliers Local is always my first choice - The Urban Beehive (online) or pick up in Matraville, Sydney

Northern Light (online) Certified Organic –blocks or pellets Nsw Apiaries online and contact a bee keeper, they will often sell excess wax and 500g is a good amount

to have on hand Queen B (online)

local honey sellers at farmers markets beeswax candles if you have some lying around

Pouch for small snacks, great for using on the go.

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Thank you for attending the Parva PLASTIC FREE JULY Workshop. I hope you enjoyed it! Find me on instagram @parva.little.things or facebook @parvaskincare :)

Thank you for joining me. Please feel free to drop me any further questions, any time. You can find me @parva.little.things on Instagram or Parva Skincare on Facebook keep an eye out for new workshops.