What is your skin craving?

It's the middle of August, and for me, me skin is craving a respite from the sun, sand, and outdoors in general.

I mentioned earlier that I have really sensitive skin, especially with my autoimmune condition. It's what brought me to create my own products. With that in mind, I always search and re-search for ingredients that will be gentle, though effective.

For the past 8 years, I cared for my horses full time. Feeding twice a day, cleaning stalls, etc. I was and still am outdoors A LOT! And, I love it, but it can do a number on your skin. I always wear a an SPF whenever I am out an about...but I'm taking about exposure to the elements and nature. I am around hay, pollens, dust, glorious horse and hound hair all the time...

Recently a new barn friend spoke about using "Jewelweed" soap, after working at the barn. THAT got my attention!

So I read.

Before I was going to develop my own recipe, here's a little of what I learned:

-Jewelweed- (Impatiens capensis)

First, doesn't it just sound lovely? I thought so. What does this lovely plant do exactly?

I encourage you to look it up and read the many medicinal uses, though, for what my skin was craving--- it was about relief.

This plant has reddish orange trumpet shaped flowers and blue/green leaves that are coarsely toothed. It will grow near a creek bed and found at the edges of the forest.

The liquid inside Jewelweed has been known to neutralize the urushiol oil contained in poison ivy and it's also used as a natural remedy for other skin irritants such as stinging nettles, bug bites, and poison oak. Best used immediately after exposure (or as soon as possible).

I am highly allergic to poison ivy, so I will not be out foraging my own Jewelweed, since it typically flourishes near the poison ivy (toxicodendron radicans) plant that it is said to neutralize! Oh, Mother Nature!

That said, I found a wonderful source that did the work for me, so I could have the best ingredients for a Jewelweed soap.

You don't have to work at a barn, have horses or hounds to get some well needed summertime relief from this nourishing soap. If you love to be outdoors, gardening, at the beach, even around your fur babies that adore rolling in fresh cut grass ;)- you can use this as needed.

Like anything applied to your skin, always test a spot in case you have any reaction. I use as much as needed in a recipe to receive the desired effect, and my soaps are gentle-- but everyone is different.

These soaps will be in the shop this week - www.etsy.com/shop/HorsesNHoundsSoapCo

Wishing you all a peaceful and restorative rest of your summer and remember- take time to care for yourself.

J. xo