In Organic Body Care Recipes - 175 Homemade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self, Stephanie Tourles presents a smorgasbord of trade secrets and recipes in a simple format so that just about anyone can create natural body care products from ingredients found at home. Recipes presented differ in many ways from the usual bath and body offering though - one big difference is that these recipes are ones in fact used by high end spas with uber chic names and price tags to match. Another difference is that these products are formulated with organic, oftentimes edible ingredients, sans preservatives making them good for a wide range of skin types.

These are not your typical bath and body recipes but recipes for skin cleansers, toners, brighteners and conditioners that read like a smorgasbord of offerings touted by the creme de la creme of organic cosmetological products. Stephanie Tourles book comes from a place of creativity and extensive experience. Ms. Tourles is a licensed holistic esthetician, a certified aromatherapist and has under her belt several books on natural body care and wellness.

The book packs a lot in its plus 350 pages starting with a brief primer on the largest organ of the body, the skin and its appendages- hair and nails. This includes a discussion of the different skin types and factors that cause skin to age such as sun damage, the incorrect pH, and the buildup of toxins in the system. And discussed are measures to counteract damage such as internal cleansing, nutritive applications to the skin and good nutrition.

Some of my favorites recipes found in this book are ones that restore a healthy pH to skin, such as the simple vinegar pH restorer. The pH of skin is a huge topic in skincare because acne and other skin maladies flourish to a greater degree on skin that is alkaline, rather than acidic. Making skin more acidic is one goal of most skin treaments that counteract such problems. This book is by no means a mere craft book but one that can compete with the most sophisticated skin care available. All one needs to understand is that some of the most costliest of skin care regimens are really not that complicated and that with a well stocked refrigerator/pantry one can create the most fantastic concoctions for pennies.



Below is a recipe for one of the simpliest marvels of skincare found in Ms. Tourles' book:

Manual Microdermobrasion:

1 TBSP baking soda
1 1/2 tsp water
2 drops helichrysum essential oil

In a bowl combine ingredients into a watery paste. To use, dip pads of fingers into paste and massage face, neck and decollete with this mixture, using small circular motions. Do not use much pressure but allow the soda beads to do the exfoliation. Work at this for 10 minutes or so, then rinse.

Follow up with an astringent to restore an acidic Ph, then moisturize.

To understand more about Ph and skincare applications see my article, Why Superfat Soap


For great make it yourself spa and bath and body kits, visit Perfumekits.com . We have delectably scented kits with printed labels.