How to Help Prevent and SOOTH Sunburns with Essential Oils!

So if you're anything like me, getting rid of chemical laden products has been a bit of a transition.

If you grew up like I did, the ingredient list on a bottle of lotion was nothing of importance.  And when it came to sunscreen,  as long as it was spf30 or more, we were good to go.

It's only been this past year that I've realized some of the effects that these chemicals can have on the health of our children and ourselves.  Not to mention the fact that most lotions sting Noelle's poor TSW skin like crazy.

I recently wrote a post that listed pretty much every toiletry item in our home and how we had switched out traditional toxic products for natural ones.

One of those products was sunscreen in which I linked to Wellness Mama's blog detailing her sunscreen recipe.  I hadn't had a chance to try her recipe yet so I linked to her for the info.

Well, it IS summer now and we chose a different route for sunscreen.   We used Young Living's Carrot Seed Essential Oil mixed with coconut oil.

Carrot seed oil has a natural spf of 35-40!! 

And coconut oil has an spf of 2-8. 

We also added lavender to ours which is great for the skin.

I was pretty skeptical about this, as I have never used a natural form of sunscreen before!  

But let me tell you, I usually burn within 45 minutes because I'm pretty fair skinned, and I was in the sun for a couple hours the other day and had NO burn!  

I have been using it on the kiddos as well and we have seen no sunburns on them either!

I'm pretty excited to be able to share this with you guys and say that we are using it with success.

There are many different recipes out there for sunscreen, but I will share what we used and then a couple other options for you to personalize your own sunscreen and help your heal if you're already burned!

What you'll need for my sunscreen:

• 2/3 Cup of organic unrefined coconut oil
• 25 drops of YL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 10 drops of YL Lavender Essential Oil

Whip these together with an electric mixer until fluffy and store in a glass container.

***If it's too warm, the coconut oil won't "fluff up."  You can put the mixture in the fridge for a few minutes to cool before mixing if necessary.

 

I know, it's a horrible picture...did I mention I'm NOT your average blog photographer?

Apply frequently when in the sun and/or water for a prolonged period of time!

This has worked really well for us so far, but here are some other options as well.

Remember the body butter I made a while back?  You can simply follow those instructions and add Carrot Seed and Lavender to it if you already know you like the texture of that one.

If you want to add some bulk to my first sunscreen recipe, here are two alternative recipes for you to try!

Alternative #1:

• 1/3 Cup organic cold pressed coconut oil
• 1/3 Cup organic unrefined shea butter
• 25 drops of YL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 10 drops of YL Lavender Essential Oil

To get a nice velvety cream, you'll want to first melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a mason jar set in boiling water on the stove.

Once it melts together, pour it into a separate mixing bowl to cool.

Once cooled, add your essential oils and whip with your electric mixer until creamy!

Want your cream to stay set up in the heat instead of liquifying so quickly?

Try this recipe.

Alternative #2:

• 1/3 Cup organic cold pressed coconut oil
• 1/3 Cup organic unrefined shea butter
• 1-5 TBSP beeswax (the more you add the firmer it will be)
• 25 drops of YL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 10 drops of YL Lavender Essential Oil

Follow the same instructions as the previous recipe! 

Other essential oil options that can be helpful if you have a sunburn:

• Helichrysm
• Myrrh
• Roman Chamomile

So, what if you went in the sun and did NOT use any sunscreen?  And stayed out too long?  And now you're burning up and your skin is red and hot to the touch?

Story of my life.

But I have found what helps!

Like I said, I sunburn very easily, and have already burned this year (prior to making my own sunscreen!).

Here's how I have eased my burns and prevented mine from peeling!

What you'll need:

• Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
• YL Lavender Essential Oil
• YL Frankincense Essential Oil (optional)
• YL Peppermint Essential Oil (optional)
• YL LavaDerm Cooling Mist(optional)
• Raw apple cider vinegar (optional)

Here is what I do for my sunburns:

As soon as I notice I'm burned, I apply Lavender UNdiluted directly to the sunburn.

Once it's absorbed some, I follow that with coconut oil to keep the skin moisturized.

I try and do this SEVERAL times a day when I'm burned. 

I alternate the Lavender and coconut oil regimen with YL's LavaDerm cooling mist.  This spray has Lavender and Spiknard oils along with Aloe and trace minerals.  It is cooling and very soothing to the skin!

Once I notice the redness has decreased, I make sure to at LEAST continue with the coconut oil for a week or so.  That way I keep the skin plenty moisturized and I don't peel!

Other options for relief:

• Frankincense is also great for the skin and will "drive" the lavender deeper into the tissue if layered on the skin after the lavender.

• Peppermint will seriously cool the skin!  Applying a small amount after lavender may help relieve the burn.

• Apple cider vinegar is wonderful for the skin as well.  I haven't tried this, but have heard LOTS of great things about soaking the skin in ACV and then letting it dry.  Follow with your essential oils and coconut oil. 

So there ya go!

I hope this helps keep you and your family FREE of sunburns this year!  Remember that natural remedies are very specific to each person's needs.  Make sure to test the recipe you choose and feel free to alter it as necessary!

I'm sure that if you've found this AFTER you've already been burned in the sun, the options I've listed will help you get rid of that sunburn FAST!

Let me know if you use any of my recipes and how they've worked for your family!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional.  I simply make decisions on how to care for and improve the health of my own family.  None of the statements on my blog have been evaluated by the FDA and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This post also contains affiliate links to the company which I have personally used and recommend.  If you purchase through these links, I will receive a commission, however the cost to you remains the same!

  

How we use Purification Essential Oil

So this series that I've been doing will probably take me a YEAR to get through at the rate I'm going!

By the end of the series, I'll have a post on each of the oils that come in Young Living's Premium Starter Kit, which is the Everyday Oils Collection plus our Stress Away Oil.

Today I'm going to talk about our Purification essential oil blend.

I really love this oil and for several different reasons.

Purification is made up of the following oils:

• Citronella
• Lemongrass
• Rosemary
• Melaleuca Alternifolia
• Lavandin
• Myrtle

This oils smells lovely!  It almost has a rosy fragrance to it.  Very fresh and clean.  I always use it when I make my carpet deodorizer.

Here are some ways we use Purification:

Eliminate Odors
Purification is actually formulated to eliminate/neutralize (not mask or cover) odors and the bacteria that causes them.  It's a really great option if you have pet, smoke, or mildew odors in your home!

Diffusing Purification will leave your room smelling divine very quickly.

Another option, if you don't have a diffuser is putting Purification on a cotton ball and putting it in the air vents.

I also put several drops of Purification in a small glass spray bottle with a tiny bit of epsom salts to dissolve it.  Then I fill with water - makes a great air freshener!  Just make sure to shake the bottle before spraying to disperse the oils throughout. 

Ward off BUGS!
The oils in Purification make a great combination to keep bugs away!

Diffuse it anywhere you want to ward off mosquitos, flies, or bees.

You can also simply put several drops in some coconut oil to rub onto skin before going outside.

Another option is using it in a spray bottle like I mentioned above and spraying it all over clothing and skin. 

But if you want more of a heavy duty bug repellant, follow this recipe:

• 5 drops Purification
• 5 drops Thieves
• 5 drops Melaleuca
• 2 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Orange
• 2 drops Peppermint
• 2oz Witch Hazel
• 4oz Distilled Water

Mix all the above in a 6oz glass spray bottle.
Shake well before using.

**If you don't have all these oils, just use what you DO have!  Other options to add to your bug repellant are Clove, Idaho Tansy, and Citronella.

Calm bug bites/stings
If you do get bug bites or stings, Purification can really help calm the itching, burning, and stinging, especially when applied right away.

I have ALWAYS been a mosquito magnet...for as long as I can remember.  And the bites always have swelled up and been extremely itchy for several days.

Well, not anymore!  As SOON as I feel the itch of a mosquito bite, I put a drop of Purification on it.  Within minutes, the itch is gone and so is the swelling.  Anytime it feels like it might be itching again, I reapply and it's relieved!

The same applies for other types of bites and stings.  The earlier you catch it the better!

Support the body's natural defenses with skin irritation and blemishes.
The oils in this blend are also great for supporting healing!  I grab Purification and apply a drop to any scrapes to assist the healing process!

Also swipe a drop over any blemishes/pimples you might have and see how helpful it can be! (don't rub it in too much.  You don't want the oils of your fingers touching the pimple, just the essential oil)

Boost the immune system
Purification is great for the immune system, make sure to have it close when you need to promote's the body's defenses!

Rub a drop on each foot and dilute some on a q-tip and swab right inside your nose when needing extra immune support.

Try it as a deoderant!
There are many oils that can be used as a personal deodorant.  This is my oil of choice.  It smells so fresh and clean and can be helpful when there is bacteria that causes  odor under your arms.

I simply apply one drop each to the underarms each day!  I keep several oils with me wherever I go and this is one of them.  So I always have it if I need to reapply!
   ***This is NOT an anti-perspirant.  There are several health related reasons I choose not to use underarm anti-perspirant anymore! 

Help alleviate ear discomfort
Purification, Melrose, or Melaleuca are the oils I grab when someone has some discomfort in their ear and/or jaaw.

MAKE SURE never to put essential oils directly into the ear.  Take a drop (diluted for kiddos) and gently massage along the front of the ear and down the jawline.  Do the same behind the ear as well.

Additionally, you can put some diluted Purification on a cotton ball and place the cotton ball right over the ear opening.  Hold it there for as long as possible. (some people tape it there!)  This can be super helpful!


There are SO many ways to use Purification, I try to never be without it!

As always, if you want to learn more about Young Living, visit my website here.

Also, check out this post that explains the sign up process!

Make sure to read the other posts in this series if you haven't already:
How we use Thieves essential oil
How we use Peppermint essential oil
How we use Lemon essential oil
How we use PanAway essential oil  

 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional.  I simply make decisions on how to care for and improve the health of my own family.  None of the statements on my blog have been evaluated by the FDA and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This post also contains affiliate links to the company which I have personally used and recommend.  If you purchase through these links, I will receive a commission, however the cost to you remains the same!

How to Rid your Home of TOXIC Cleaning Supplies!

So my last post about getting rid of toxic toiletry items has been the most popular post on my tiny little blog.

I think it's something that is very important to many of us, and we need all the help we can get!!

So now I'll talk about getting rid of the toxins that are in our everyday cleaning supplies.

This is also pretty new to me.

I used to be a couponer...and I still LOVE the idea of it, but just haven't found the time to be as consistent as I need to be since I had my second daughter....3 years ago ;)

But while I was couponing and creating my own mini "stockpile," I stocked up on a few cleaning supplies. 

I had extra bottles of laundry detergent, air fresheners, bleach sprays, 409 sprays, sanitizing and cleaning wipes, and dish soap.

It was so reassuring to walk out to my garage and grab my extra bottle of Lysol when the one in the house ran out.

But my priorities are shifting.

I still VERY MUCH care about cost and saving money. 

But the health of my family is far more important.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I have not done extensive research into all the individual ingredients in our cleaning products.  I DO know and understand that everything we breath in and touch can have a very real affect on our health.

And since I started using Young Living Essential Oils in October (read about how to get them here, we use Young Living exclusively), I have started to look at everything so differently.

I think more about the foods we eat.

I think more about the soaps we use (hence the previous post).

I think more about what I clean my counters and my kids' TOYS with.

I think more about what we DRINK!

I think more about almost everything really.

How does it affect us?

Is this harmful to us?

My conclusion is that much of it is.

To read more about how our everyday TOXIC products can harm our family, read these articles here and here.

So soon after we started using YL's Essential Oils, I purchased their Thieves Household Cleaner!

I love it!

It has all the cleansing power of our Thieves Essential Oil blend which is extremely effective in killing airborne bacteria.

This stuff can clean anything.

• Windows
• Floors
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• CLOTHES
• Sinks!

Really.  You don't need to by any other cleaner.  

Ever.

The cleaner is concentrated, so you just get an empty spray bottle and dilute it with water.

There are dilution suggestions on the bottle...I usually use one capful of Thieves  Household Cleaner and fill my large plastic spray bottle 2/3 full.

If you are needing more degreasing power, then you can use less water, or more Thieves Cleaner.


Thieves is so effective at killing bacteria, virus, infection, and boosting the immune system, that YL has an entire Thieves product line.

There is a Thieves Oral Care line as well as personal care products like hand purifier, spray, and wipes!

Now.

Just in case you're not wanting to buy this super convenient bottle of cleaner (which you can get through me),  I'll list some really simple recipes to make some DIY cleaners.

Here is what you'll need:

• Baking Soda
• Washing Soda (different than baking soda)
• Borax
• Fels Naptha Bar Soap
• Distilled Vinegar
• Castile Soap (Dr. Bronners or made from a bar like I did)
• Young Living Essential Oils 

Let's get started.

Sink/bathtub cleaner (scouring powder replacement)

• 1 Cup Baking Soda
• 5 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Shake this up in a jar.

DONE.


Disinfecting Spray

• 16oz. Water
• 30 drops Essential Oil - Lemon, Thieves, Melaleuca, or Oregano (your house will smell like a pizzeria if you use oregano...but it's a great disinfectant!)
• 2-3TBSP Castile Soap if desired

The essential oils and water will disinfect, but to add some cleaning power, you can include the castile soap.

Just combine it all in a spray bottle!

Multi-purpose Cleaner
When I say multi-pupose...I mean you can pretty much just use this for anything.

• 6oz Water
• 6oz Vinegar
• 30 drops Essential Oils - again, Lemon, Thieves, Melealuca, Oregano, or even Orange!

Mix this in a spray bottle!

DONE!

Window and Mirror Cleaner

• 6oz Water
• 6oz Vinegar
• 15 drops Essential Oils - I'd use a citrus oil for this

This is what my mom used to use on her windows (without the essential oils) and we'd wipe them with newspapers!

I keep forgetting to save my papers for that purpose because they really do work well!!!  No streaks!

Dish Soap
I will be trying this one soon, but haven't personally used it yet!

• 1/2 Cup Castile Soap
• 1/8 Cup Water
• 6 drops Essential Oils - Lemon, Orange, or Thieves would be great

Mix in an old liquid dish soap container!

DONE! 

Can't wait to try it for myself next week!

This is an alternative option that you'll have the ingredients for already if using bars of Castile Soap.


Dishwasher Detergent
I used a homemade powdered dishwasher detergent for a long time that had washing soda, baking soda, borax, and citric acid in it.  It worked temporarily and then stopped.  I tried several different variations and recipes and couldn't get my dishes clean! 

I read that it can clog some dishwashers.  That could be what was happening, I'm not sure.  But I went back to store bought detergent.

Now I have the option of just putting a capful of Thieves Household Cleaner in there!  

Simple!

But I am about to try out this recipe and see if my dishwasher can handle it!

• 1/2 Cup Castile Soap
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1Tbsp Vinegar
• 2 drops Essential Oils - Lemon, Orange, Thieves

Rinse Aid

• Vinegar!

I keep my rinse aid compartment filled with vinegar and usually splash 1/4 Cup extra into the bottom of the dishwasher before running it!

Oven Cleaner

• Baking Soda
• Vinegar

Remove any loose food that has fallen in the oven.

Sprinkle with Baking Soda

Sprinkle vinegar on top.

Close oven and turn it on to 150 for 20 minutes, then allow to cool.

Clean it up!!

Laundry Detergent
I've been making this for years now and love it!

• 1 Bar Fels Naphtha Bar Soap-grated (You can also use Ivory or Zote but I can't stand the smell of Zote!)
• 3 Cups Borax
• 2 Cups Washing Soda
• 1/3 Cup Baking Soda (optional)

**You can also add 1 cup of OxyClean, but I am afraid that will irritate sensitive skin in our household!

Mix these together and store in airtight container.

Use 1-2Tbsp per load!

Scented Laundry Crystals

• 1 Cup Epsom Salts
• 10-20 Drops Essential Oils of your choice

Mix this together and add 3Tbsp to each load with your detergent.

OR...

Mix this entire recipe with your container of homemade laundry detergent!!

Laundry Stain Remover

• Fels Naptha Soap

I keep an extra bar of this in my laundry room for stains.  As I'm loading the laundry, if I notice a stain, I wet it down with the washer's water and rub the bar of soap into it.  Let it sit until you've loaded everything else and then toss it in as normal.

DONE!

If this is a more stubborn stain, try this technique:

Sprinkle Borax or Washing Soda onto the stain.
Then spray the stain with your window cleaner (equal parts water and vinegar).
Rub into the stain (use a toothbrush if necessary) and let it sit before washing as normal.

Fabric Softener
This one is probably the easiest.

• Vinegar.

I store a bottle of plain ol' vinegar above the washer and put 1/4 cup into the fabric softener dispenser with each load.  Fill to the line with water.

It really does soften clothes....and no, they don't smell like vinegar!!!

You can add essential oils if you want it to smell better, but I like how fresh they come out!

Carpet Deoderizer.
Check out my blog post concerning this one here.

All you need is

• Baking Soda

• Essential Oils!

Air Freshener

• 4oz Distilled Water
• 1/2Tsp Epsom Salts
• 10 Drops Essential Oils - SO many to choose from, but my favorite is Purification

Mix the essential oils with the salts.  Allow the salt to absorb the oils and then fill with water.

Store in a glass spray bottle and shake before spraying.

Carpet Stain Remover

• 1Tbsp Vinegar
• 2Tbsp Baking soda
• 2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil

Mix the ingredients to form a paste and apply to the stain.  Work it in with a toothbrush if necessary.

Allow this to dry thoroughly, then vacuum it up!

If the stain is set in, repeat the process.


Phew!  

That's alot!

I did do a little research for this one, because like I said - I only use Thieves Household Cleaner for almost every cleaning job in my home!!

So it's definitely a product I recommend.

Contact me for ordering info at livn4hersavior86@gmail.com!!

See, with very few ingredients, you can arm yourself with the ability to clean your home in a way that is safe, gentle, and NON toxic, yet effective!!!

I can't tell you how empowering it is to clean my counter tops with a cleaner that I know won't harm us if it comes in contact with our food.

And I can mop my floor with a cleaner that won't hurt my son when he crawls on it!

And I can wash my clothes in a detergent that won't irritate their sensitive skin or affect them in the many other ways that traditional detergent can!

You don't need much to start, so get on it!!

Make sure to read my post about getting rid of toxic toiletry products in your home!!



 Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional.  I simply make decisions on how to care for and improve the health of my own family.  None of the statements on my blog have been evaluated by the FDA and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.