I’m still trying to narrow down a name for my new business. A few months ago, ok several months ago, I was going in a completely different direction than where I am now.

Yesterday, I received this book, in the mail. It’s a newly released book and is written by Benjamin D. Aaron., I follow him and his wife on Facebook. Obviously, they have skin care business and more importantly, they do a lot of outreach in third world countries. So they’re more than talk, they put their thoughts (for helping others) into action.

I believe that this evening, I’ll finally have a chance to start reading the book and while I typically start from the beginning and move to the end, I do believe I’ll jump around a bit. This isn’t a book about the soap making process, this is a book that tells you how to make wise business decisions. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot when I actively had a skin care business and even afterwards, but I’m always willing to learn more. I’ll be sure to write a review (most likely on Amazon) when I’m finished reading the book. Of course, I’ll write about it here, but I’ll be writing most of it on my soapmaking website. I’m hesitant to post the website here, since all signs point to the URL changing, so perhaps I’ll just wait until I narrow down the websites final name?

One area that I do slack on is skin care. Yes, I cleanse and moisturize my face, but that’s all I do. I don’t wear any makeup and outside of using the base carrier oils during the warm months and butters like cocoa and shea during the cooler months, I don’t do too much else.

Since I am getting older. I’m 46, I guess I should change that a bit and so I ordered some more rosehip oil and sea buckthorn seed oil. Both are excellent for ‘mature’ skin. Sea buckthorn oil will also turn your skin a lovely shade of orange (temporary) and so I typically was using this at night, both oils are loaded with lots of nutrients that your skin will appreciate. A few years ago, I used it and it did an excellent job eliminating the hyper-pigmentation that I’d occasionally get with my brown skin. Well, I’m starting to get hyper-pigmentation again and so I ordered the oil and this time, I’ll continue to keep it into my daily routine.

Since my life has been hectic, I definitely have been letting some things slide, but I do realize that I need to make the time to include them, because I do need to include myself into the equation also. I’ll try to remember to post pictures of the hyper-pigmentation and the fading process that occurs when I focus on my simple routine. Checking my website, I specifically wrote about my skin care maintenance back in 2013. I had no idea it had been that long ago.

Towards the end of last year, I wrote that I was going to start selling my natural products once again. Things are continuing to move along quite nicely. In fact, earlier today I ordered these containers.

I really like the black jars, quite refined looking don’t you think?

I ordered tubes also, which will work nicely for some of my natural skin care products that need to be squeezed.

I already have set aside space for these items and soon I’ll be ordering the actual ingredients needed to make my natural skin care products. Some of the suppliers I used before are no longer in business now and so I’m ordering samples from a  few places, to see which one offers the best quality.

I must say, it’s exciting getting back into selling my skin care products again. There’s quite a bit of work involved, I had every intention of selling items by now but I’ve moved the date until late spring. As I busily tie up loose ends,  I can’t help but think about this verse…

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17
New American Standard Bible

It looks like there’s a theme going on with the verses I’ve been posting here, and most have been tied to being thankful! Regardless of what each day may bring, giving thanks in all things, are words that echo in the back of my mind.

In other news..

Bunny bonding is going well. Last evening, Oreo groomed Gracie! Even better she does not try to attack Gracie anymore. She hops over to her and gives her a few sniffs. Yesterday, was the first day she actually groomed her. My daughter and I were thrilled! I must say this is nice to see Oreo returning the favor, since Gracie grooms Oreo every time they hang out! You know something, I think Gracie was surprised by the unexpected grooming also.

About a month ago, I started using a derma roller on my face. I stumbled upon the derma roller by accident when I was looking for additional ways to clear up my few dark spots. The procedure is also called “skin needling” or “micro needling.”

I must say, I thought it was interesting that people were actually using a roller with tiny needles to puncture their skin. Say what? That sounds painful! Still, I was fascinated… I do have a high tolerance for pain but after rolling, I found out that it was not too painful. I don’t have too many problem issues with my skin; a few dark spots and wrinkles on my forehead. But I will say that I have seen improvements since adding it into my routine.

Before trying it on myself, I did a lot of research, watched a lot of videos so I’d know how to use my derma roller effectively.

The Dr. Roller site says…

Skin Needling (or Micro-Needling) is a form of Collagen Induction Therapy which stimulates collagen, significantly improving the appearance of scars, fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks and acne scars.

The process of skin needling is carried out by a small hand-held roller covered with numerous micro-needles. As you roll it on your skin (much like the way you would with a paint roller), these needles penetrate the upper layers of the skin (only as deep as the Needle Length used), causing a very minor trauma to the skin, just enough for it to perceive it as damage, and signal your body to release new collagen and elastin – two of the key building blocks of skin.

Recently, I’ve stepped up my skin care routine by using my electronic skin brush, homemade vitamin C serum and the derma roller. And now my skin is glowing again!

Besides putting more thought into my skin care routine, I know that there are other contributing factors to my healthy skin; such as reducing my candida symptoms and successfully eliminating my  digestive/constipation issues. Also, I’ve upped my daily intake of drinking freshly juiced vegetables and fruit.  All these factors have done wonders for my skin and is gradually returning it back to what I’m used to seeing.

To give you an idea on how the derma roller is used, I’ve posted a few videos that I’d watched on You Tube. The ladies featured in the two videos I’m showing mainly used the derma roller to target their acne. I never had acne issues, but the derma roller does work for other skin care issues such as dark spots, wrinkles, stretch marks, etc.,

Who knows… maybe I’ll have my daughter videotaping me while I use the derma roller on my skin.

I will say, over the past few weeks I have received a lot of compliments. A few people knew instantly what was going on and others had no idea they just knew something about me was different.

In fact, I’m getting ready for another derma rolling session. I just finished making a skin butter for my face. It has cocoa butter, vitamin E and a few essential oils added to the blend. I’ll be applying this after I finish derma rolling.

Resources

1. Dr. Roller: What is Skin Needling?
2. The International Dermal Institute: Skin Needling: Hurting or Helping?
3. DermaNet NZ: Skin Needling: What is Skin Needling and How does it Work?
4. Pub Med: Percutaneous collagen induction therapy: an alternative treatment for scars, wrinkles, and skin laxity.