Monthly Archives: August 2009

Scent of the Month – Plumeria

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I’ve seen this fragrance oil on the display before many times and have bypassed it each time. Learning from the old adage, “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” – or in this case by its name”, so I finally took the plunge and unscrewed that cap and fell in love – with Plumeria!

For those that are scientifically-inclined it goes by the name of Frangipani but you wouldn’t know that considering that it is used most often by the Pacific Islands to make leis.

Considering that I prefer floral and fruity notes I wasn’t sure how I never gave this bad boy a chance. It’s tropical scent is heaven to my nose. A sniff of this scent and I’m imagining I am laying down in a bed of lilacs and that something else. And it’s sweet scent is not at all like those dessert smelly kinds either that you find in commercially-made products.

You can grab your fragrance on-line or at apothecaries. I bought mine from Bridge Apothecary on Jay St and Front St in the Dumbo area of Brooklyn. They carry a variety of fragrance oils from Wellington Fragrances. So of course, I picked up like 9 different scents!

So whenever you’re sitting down at work and feeling down, grab your Plumeria and indulge in the tropical and heady scent. But remember to come back to earth and attend those emails!

Enjoy!

FDA Issues Press Release

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Consumers Warned Not to Use Clarcon Skin Products

Risk of bacterial contamination has led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to warn consumers to not use any products made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc.

The Roy, Utah, firm voluntarily recalled some skin sanitizers and skin protectants sold under a variety of brand names after a recent FDA inspection found that the products contained high levels of disease-causing bacteria.

What products are consumers being warned not to use?

Consumers should not use any Clarcon products. Examples of these products include

  • Citrushield Lotion
  • Dermasentials DermaBarrier
  • Dermassentials by Clarcon Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer
  • Iron Fist Barrier Hand Treatment
  • Skin Shield Restaurant
  • Skin Shield Industrial
  • Skin Shield Beauty Salon Lotion
  • Total Skin Care Beauty
  • Total Skin Care Work

What should consumers do with these products if the have them?

Stop using them immediately and throw them away in household refuse.

What specific concerns does FDA have about these products?

Analyses of several samples of over-the-counter topical antimicrobial skin sanitizer and hand protectant products revealed high levels of various bacteria, including some associated with unsanitary conditions.

Some of these bacteria can cause opportunistic infections of the skin and underlying tissues. Such infections may need medical or surgical attention, and may result in permanent damage.

FDA finds the inspection results particularly concerning because the products are promoted as antimicrobial agents that claim to treat open wounds, damaged skin, and protect against various infectious diseases.

The inspection uncovered serious deviations from FDA’s requirements.

How can consumers report adverse events resulting from these products?

Health care professionals and consumers may report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of this product to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Date Posted: June 8, 2009

Bath Bombs Away!

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I love fizzy bath bombs. They guarantee me the best “Me” time ever. It means that I can fill up the tub all the way, light up some candles and drop a bath bomb and watch it fizz up the tub. It leaves behind not only a chock-full of great scent either with fragrance or essential oils but also moisturizing oils.

Bath bombs are made with some nourishing ingredients such as baking soda, epsom salt or cornstarch leaving your skin smooth.  Some days I make them with coconut oil and scent it with hyacinth and other days I make them with grapeseed oil and jasmine scent.

Here’s the basic recipe to making a good bath bomb.  Color and scent are optional of course.

Bath Bomb Recipe

  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 1/4 cup epsom salt
  • 1/4 cup citric acid
  • personal choice of color
  • personal choice of fragrance or essential oil
  • witch hazel
  • acrylic ball mold (the christmas ornament kind works)

Sift really well the baking soda and citric acid in bowl.

If using color and scent remember adding a little bit of time is best to the dry mixture.  You can always add more if you desire a stronger scent or brighter color.

Wearing non-latex gloves, work color and scent through dry mixture.

The consistency to aim for is that of barely-wet sand.  Grab a handful of the mixture and clamp in hand.  If the mixture sticks then it’s good to go.  If it doesn’t you may spritz witch hazel to the dry mixture.  Spritz one at a time.  Too many spritzes and your mixture will fizz over -

Stuff your mixture in your mold and press very firmly.  Turn over and gently tap on the mold.  Your bath bomb will release itself.

Dry for at least 3 days on a hard surface.  A great place to find bath bomb recipes can be found on http://www.teachsoap.com

Enjoy!