When our skin looks good, we feel radiant—and need fewer cosmetics. Skin care products are designed to be applied and left on the skin, so it’s important to use the healthiest products possible. I’m going to give you a three-step regimen that focuses on facial care, but all of the products can be used on the body for great results, too. This regimen can be followed morning, night, or both.
All of the products we’ll discuss should be available at your local grocer and are inexpensive, pleasing alternatives to commercial products. I recommend you begin by making a small investment in some containers, spritz bottles, and cosmetic jars. How we feel about what we’re using is as important as the ingredients themselves. Biblical women knew this—many archeological finds have been elaborate cosmetic containers, carved out of exquisite ivories and stone, and fashioned into fantastical shapes such as ornate lions, with the bowl grasped between the fierce paws, or women swimming with their arms outstretched. Women want to feel good about what we’re using, and the packaging matters.
In the Resource Guide, I’ll show you how to buy wholesale cosmetic packaging—the same packaging that the cosmetic industry uses. Or, you can visit a giant retailer like Wal-Mart and buy small containers in the travel-sized sample area. Either way, you’ll be creating the most exclusive line of beauty products on earth—custom tailored for your unique needs.
In the Bible, one of the most common shapes for body oil containers was a horn. In 1 Samuel 16:13, it is with such a horn that Samuel anoints a young David as king of Israel:
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.
STEP ONE: WASH AND EXFOLIATE
My favorite wash is so exclusive that it’s not available in the cosmetic section. It dates back thousands of years, even to Cleopatra herself, who ruled just before Jesus was born. She was famous for her skin regimen of luxurious milk baths and wrote a “best-selling” book on beauty. Sadly, the book didn’t survive, but her famed insistence on milk for her skin lives on. Like her, women in biblical times loved to wash their faces in milk, and often made this part of their morning routine.
BEAUTY SECRETS OF THE BIBLE (BSB) RICH MILK WASH
1 cup powdered goat’s milk (try Meyenberg milk, listed in the Resource Guide)
1 cup quick-cooking oats
Process the powdered milk and oats in a blender or food processor until the mixture is very fine. Store in an airtight container, in a cool place, for up to four weeks.
To cleanse face, sprinkle a small amount of powder into the palm of your hand and mix into a paste with warm water. Massage onto face and rinse.
In the winter, when your skin is dry from indoor heating and the outside elements, try grinding fresh flaxseed into the oats as well. The essential fatty acids, called omega-3s, add extra emollients and are a rich addition to this wash.
Try this natural cleanser for one week and see the difference! This wash is good for most skin types and also a good choice for African-American women who often need extra help combating the build-up of dry skin, using gentle exfoliation and moisture. You can use the wash anywhere you want to pamper your skin.
The lactic acids in the milk are a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids that help fight the signs of aging, and the oats soothe and manually exfoliate the skin. Together, these ingredients will leave your skin unbelievably soft and supple.
Milk is the first food for new life: Newborns are sustained by it, and the “land of milk and honey” was a reference to the cherished Promised Land, which represented the blessing of God’s abundance and a new life for God’s people. Peter even used milk to symbolize deep, nourishing truth, telling us we are to “desire the pure milk of the word” (1 Pet. 2:2).
Although you can substitute other powdered milks in this recipe, goat’s milk is my favorite because it feels so rich on the skin, is made by companies that do not use growth hormones, and is becoming increasingly chic. (Most powdered cow’s milk is nonfat, which is not the best. We need those milk fats to make our skin feel wonderful.) Plus, goat’s milk was more common in biblical days than cow’s milk.
If you wear heavy makeup, you may need to remove the makeup first with a gentle commercial cleanser.
STEP TWO: NOURISH AND PLUMP
Christopher Watt is the facial care expert to the most famous faces in the world and has been featured in dozens of beauty publications. His work has led him to rediscover one of the most ancient products known to woman—honey. Christopher uses honey on his celebrity clients and graciously agreed to share his tips with us. Every woman I know balks at the idea of honey on the skin. We imagine it being sticky or syrupy. But since the most famous women in the world trust Christopher with their faces, I decided to take a chance with him as well.
HONEY TONIC
Apply 1–2 drops honey to wet fingertips and massage onto wet face. Do not rinse. Pat dry.
Honey was valuable in biblical days. Women applied it to their skin, along with oils, as part of their bathing ritual. Because of its value, it was part of the bribe offered to Joseph for the release of Benjamin back to his father, before Joseph’s true identity was revealed (Gen. 43:11).
Honey is extolled throughout Scripture:
Honey is the promise of abundance in the Promised Land
(Ex. 3:17).
The judgments of the Lord are sweeter than honey (Psa. 19:10).
The Word of the Lord is sweeter than honey (Psa. 119:103).
The beloved bride’s mouth is sweet like honey
(Song of Sol. 5:1).
The words we speak are like honey—sweet and nourishing
(Prov. 16:24).
“Honey is not sticky when used on damp skin,” Christopher reassured me. “Honey works to give the skin a beautiful glow and to plump up fine lines. It’s a natural humectant and exfoliant, and gives the skin better absorption of product.”
Honey helps the skin attract and retain moisture, and helps absorb the moisturizer you apply after cleansing. Packed with nutrients and enzymes, honey helps counteract the pollution and harmful effects of the environment. Using honey as a routine step in your skin care regimen will help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as aid in treating breakouts. Honey helps fight aging by helping the skin rebuild collagen and elastin, and according to Christopher, “nourishes, rejuvenates, and feeds the skin.”
You simply have to try it to believe it. The first time I used the Honey Tonic, my husband walked into the bathroom as I was inspecting my skin, and remarked, “Your skin is glowing.”
I also found that honey works well in treating razor burn. Because I have extremely fair, sensitive skin, I look like a chicken that’s just been deplumed when I shave my legs. Every little hair follicle is red and irritated and stands out against my pale skin. I’ve tried many different remedies, but patting my damp legs down with a fine touch of honey soothes the inflammation and helps them absorb the moisturizer I use next.
BUYING HONEY
Buy raw honey because it has the most enzymes, Christopher says. Some honeys are pasteurized, which can destroy the enzymes. I find raw honey in the health food section of my favorite grocer.
Experiment with your favorite varieties—some are made from bees who feed on flowers, some are made from bees who feed on clover. While scientists are still working to unlock the differences between the honeys, they do know that the darker the honey, the richer it is in mineral content. All of the honeys, however, have key enzymes in common.
Honey’s Sweet Little Secrets
Honey contains:
Honey 24 sugars
11–21 amino acids
18 sugar acids
11 minerals
5 enzymes
At least 4 different proteins1
STEP THREE: MOISTURIZE AND PROTECT
Your skin needs moisture. According to Dr. Julian Omidi, a cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist featured on E! Entertainment Television, dryness is a leading cause of premature aging. I used to think moisturizer was for women with dry skin. I didn’t understand that I was robbing my complexion every time I skipped this step.
In fact, when I asked Dr. Omidi for his top facial skin care tips, his first tip was, “Women should use an emollient after their shower.” (Emollient is simply another name for moisturizer.) Dr. Omidi recommends moisturizing your face as soon as you get out of the shower so that precious moisture isn’t lost from your skin when you step from the humid shower into a dry bathroom. This is the optimum time to replenish your skin. And here’s an optimum moisturizer: olive oil. Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, olive oil nourishes the skin without blocking pores. It’s been used since biblical times and represents the beauty of a people devoted to Him:
The LORD called you a thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form. (Jer. 11:16 NIV)
According to Exodus 30, God even requested that olive oil be used as the base for a sacred anointing oil to be used in the tabernacle and its contents, including the famed ark of the covenant.Olive oil was a staple in biblical times of a woman’s beauty regimen as well, used to keep the skin soft and supple.
OLIVE OIL MOISTURIZER
Place 2–3 drops of extra-virgin, organic olive oil onto your palm. Rub palms together and pat your face gently.
Of course, olive oil is available today at every grocer in America. Interestingly, as science has caught up with God in proving how nourishing olive oil can be for our bodies—both inside and out—cosmetics companies are cashing in. You can buy a one-ounce bottle of olive oil for $35 from a leading beauty company, and you can find olive oil in many pricey commercial products. But save your money: I can buy a bottle of premium organic olive oil at $10 for twelve ounces from my local grocery store and get incredible results. (As with any ingredient in this book, I do recommend buying organic. You’ll find suggestions for places to buy in our Resource Guide. The extra-virgin varieties contain more antioxidant phytonutrients than the other varieties.)
“Won’t my skin feel greasy?” is the most common question I hear when I recommend olive oil. You’re not using enough to sauté yourself in, but rather, 2–3 drops at a time, patted gently onto the skin. You won’t feel greasy, or smell like an entrée at an Italian restaurant. Your skin will be soft, radiant, and nourished. Like me, you may never go back to commercial moisturizers again.
Two notable women of the Bible relied on oil’s benefits to prepare them to woo a man: Esther and Ruth. While we aren’t told in Scripture what kind of oil they used, olive oil is a likely candidate because of its availability in the region and its established cosmetic use.
Before a girl could take her turn with King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments that were ordered for the women. For six months she was treated with oil. . . . (Esther 2:12 NCV)
Ruth was instructed that to catch Boaz’s attention she should:
“Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself [with oil], put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor. . . .” (Ruth 3:3)
And remember, just as your face needs moisture as soon as you step out of the shower, your hands need moisture after every wash as well. Hands are often neglected and can show a woman’s age before her face. Place a small spritzer of olive oil next to your hand soap in the bathroom and kitchen, and nourish your skin every time you wash your hands. Your cuticles will benefit, too.
Using these exclusive, homemade products isn’t just good for your skin: it’s good for your wallet. I calculated the costs of following this regimen for one year versus one year of buying commercial products, and here are the savings:
Commercial exfoliating cleanser: $84 ($21 per 6-ounce bottle, 4 bottles a year)
BSB Rich Milk Wash: $48 (4 jars milk at $10 each, 2 boxes oats at $4 each)
Commercial fine lines plumper: $157 ($39.25 per half-ounce, 4 jars a year)
BSB Honey Tonic: $16 ($8 per 8-ounce jar, two jars per year)
Commercial olive oil moisturizer: $140 ($35 per ounce, 4 bottles per year)
BSB Olive Oil Moisturizer: $20 ($10 per 12 ounces, two bottles a year)
TOTAL SAVINGS: $297 per year!
FEED YOUR SKIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Premature aging can be accelerated when our skin isn’t fed well from the inside, particularly when we’re not eating enough antioxidant-rich foods, which protect us from skin-damaging free radicals. (Free radicals are simply molecules gone bad, attacking your cells to cause cell alteration or death. Free radicals are believed to be responsible for a certain degree of the visible signs of aging by attacking the skin’s structure, including its collagen.) Fortunately, antioxidants play a major role in fighting free radicals, and the foods found in the Bible are some of the richest sources of antioxidants.
These natural foods that supply antioxidants are a great way to increase your energy, fight premature aging, protect yourself against cancer, keep your weight normal, and create gorgeous, glowing skin. (Who else but God can create foods that multitask like this?) Some of the healthiest foods mentioned in the Bible can also help keep your skin beautiful.
ALMONDS
In Chapter Two, we talked about the biblical symbolism of the almond, and how it reminds us to watch for God’s faithful fulfillment of His promises to us. God also used the almond to perform a miracle among the Israelites: He caused the staff of Aaron, Moses’ brother, to burst into blooms with ripe almonds (Num. 17:8). This staff was kept inside the ark of the covenant for remembrance. Scientists haven’t been able to find the famed ark, but they have found some key facts about almonds. Almonds are a good source of vitamin E, a vitamin that is believed to protect against photodamage and wrinkles, and may even improve skin texture.2
APRICOTS
Did you know that apricots are believed to be the “forbidden fruit” of the Garden of Eden? Apple trees were not indigenous to the biblical lands, and the word apple is used in the Bible as a ref erence to the apricot. For example, Proverbs 25:11 compares a beautiful word to a beautiful apricot nestled in a silver serving dish: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Today, we know that apricots are rich sources of carotene, a phytonutrient that helps protect skin against harmful UV rays.3
PISTACHIOS
Pistachios were both eaten and used to make skin preparations in biblical times. They are believed to have been part of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, built by the biblical king Nebuchadnezzar and considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, we know pistachios are rich in carotenoids, the phytonutrient that can help “block sunlight-induced inflammation of the skin, which leads to wrinkles.”4 As an added bonus, “one ounce of pistachios contains more fiber than a half-cup of spinach and the same amount as an orange or apple.”5 More fiber means you’ll stay full longer, which helps with appetite control.
POMEGRANATES
Pomegranates were a luscious food in biblical times and are enjoying a resurgence in popularity today. During the Exodus, the Israelites complained loudly to Moses that he had led them into the wilderness and they didn’t have pomegranates to eat. When Moses sent spies into the Promised Land, they brought back pomegranates. Pomegranates must be a favorite fruit of God’s, too, because He commanded that their design be woven into the priest’s robes and the architecture of the temple.
Today, this once-exotic fruit is available at most groceries every fall. Just split, drink the juice, and eat the seeds. When it’s not available, buy 100 percent pure pomegranate juice, kept in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle.
Shown to contain more antioxidants than red wine or green tea, pomegranate juice is good for you inside and out.6 Pomegranates are loaded with a particularly powerful type of antioxidant, called polyphenols, which fights aging and may also protect against heart disease. Many high-priced skin creams contain pomegranate extract to fight wrinkles, but it’s always more fun to eat delicious fruits than apply a wrinkle cream.
WALNUTS
Although almonds and pistachios are the only nuts mentioned by name in the Bible, we know that walnuts were cultivated and enjoyed. In Mark 6, Jesus walks on water across the lake towards Gennesaret, a region that the ancient historian Josephus said was known for growing walnuts. Experts tell us that walnuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to help prevent dry skin and help the skin retain moisture. Consuming these essential fatty acids is also linked with a reduction in symptoms of psoriasis. Also, as discussed in Chapter Two, omega-3s have an anti-inflammatory effect. Many studies are being done to examine the role between inflammation and aging and you can expect to hear more about the overall benefits of consuming walnuts.
RAISINS
In Jeremiah 2:21, God calls Israel a “noble vine.” The fruit of the vine—grapes and raisins—was much loved as food and drink. In 1 Samuel 25, a very wise, and very beautiful, woman named Abigail, took one hundred clusters of raisins, along with other foods, as a peace offering to David to persuade him to call off a deadly attack on her household. It worked. The Bible references raisins many times, usually as “cakes,” which were simply dried raisins pressed together. Modern women know that raisins are antioxidant powerhouses. (Only the humble prune has more antioxidants than raisins.) And since a new study reports that people who eat antioxidant-rich foods will have fewer wrinkles, it’s smart to add raisins into your daily snack routine.7 I’ve included a recipe to get you started:
BSB TRAIL MIX
Mix equal parts of the following:
Raisins
Dried figs
Raw, whole almonds
Raw walnuts
Darkest chocolate chips
Set out in an attractive bowl and watch it disappear. This snack has synergy! It fights premature aging, excess weight, heart disease, and hunger pangs. (If you are a chronic breakfast-skipper, package this mix, minus the chocolate chips, into individual baggies and keep in the pantry or car. A healthy breakfast—instead of starving— helps return you to your natural weight.)
Dark Chocolate Chips
Okay, so these aren’t mentioned in the Bible, but there is a fun connection between chocolate and God: nuns were the first to discover that it was delicious to mix cocoa with sugar.8
HELP FOR COMMON SKIN COMPLAINTS
Every woman battles skin woes at some point in her life. It’s not uncommon to experience breakouts at the same time you’re also noticing fine lines and wrinkles. If you need help battling a particular issue, the first step is to visit a dermatologist. This may come as a surprise in a book that focuses on natural healing and heavenly treatments, but I interviewed two of the country’s top dermatologists for this book, and I was impressed with how modern medicine is returning to more natural approaches in skin care.Don’t be shy about mixing “medicine and miracles.” Healing and restoration are very often found through skilled practitioners who understand the balance between nature and science.
ACNE
Because acne can occur for a variety of reasons, an accurate diagnosis must come before a successful treatment. Many times, acne in women is related to monthly hormonal changes, and a doctor can assess what steps might be helpful in managing those lovely swings we all deal with. Other times, acne can be confused with other skin conditions.
Skin is designed to allow our pores to get rid of oil and skin cells every day. Sometimes this natural process becomes inhibited and a pore is blocked. Bacteria festers, and a pimple is born. (It’s not unusual to have bacteria on and in our skin—our body houses 40 trillion bacteria!) So for skin to work properly, it’s first important to avoid using products that prevent the pores from breathing—and remember that petroleum-based products may be a culprit.
But if isolated blemishes do appear, honey can come to your rescue again. Celebrities in particular can suffer from breakouts because of the heavy makeup they wear and the hot lights they work under, so Christopher Watt recommends a dab of honey on an impending pimple to help clear it up. (I loved this tip, as it dried up the pimple without drying my skin and without any flaking.)
There is mounting evidence that a healthy lifestyle like the one we’re discussing in this book can help stabilize our hormonal swings and stress, which all contribute to breakouts. In particular, a healthy lifestyle can also prevent high blood sugar, which triggers the oil glands to produce more oil.
WRINKLES
Aging isn’t a disease we need to cure. Most of have heard the admonition in Proverbs 31 that physical beauty quickly disappears.But 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) offers an interesting thought: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.” Our bodies’ strength will falter, lines will appear on our faces, and our breasts will fall down and not get up. But three things will remain with us and refuse to budge: faith, hope, and love, the very essence of profound beauty.
Aging isn’t a disease we need to cure.
Fear of aging is only for those who believe in an absolute end of life; but for us, hope should permeate even our uneasiness about aging. Other women should see a visible difference in our attitude about aging: Women should see our gratitude. Life is fragile and fleeting. Gratitude for each new dawn softens our irritation over aging. We don’t have to rejoice over wrinkles, but a gratitude for life—and most importantly, the expectation of a new life yet to come—can soften the lines we get from worry and grief over losing our youth.
It’s important to know, however, that the natural aging process can be artificially accelerated by poor choices, so we can address those here. In particular, premature aging is accelerated by
Smoking
Obesity
Poor diet
Sun exposure
Stress
Poor skin care
There are proactive steps you can take to reduce or eliminate every artificial accelerant. Stop smoking, improve your diet to incorporate the foods we’ve discussed, and improve your skin care regimen. Two points, however, bear special mention: sun exposure and stress.
When I asked for the top tips for preventing premature aging, Dr. Omidi said, “Wear sunscreen. Most women think they can see sun damage. They think sun damage happens when you get burned and your skin is red. In reality, sun damage is happening even when they can’t see it. You need to wear sunscreen every day, even on overcast days.” I keep sunscreen everywhere: upstairs, downstairs, and even in my car. I use makeup with a built-in sunscreen, and apply sunscreen on top of this, remembering to also protect the other areas so prone to sun damage: hands, arms, and neck.
Stress is the other artificial accelerant. First, it disrupts our sleep, which inhibits our body’s nightly repair work. Next, stress affects circulation to the skin: capillaries shrink, and blood flow to the skin decreases as the body redirects blood to the internal organs.9 Stress naturally deepens the wrinkles we get when we make those unhappy, irritated faces. We don’t call them “frown lines” for nothing.
Stress is best handled through what the Bible calls “a renewing of your mind.” If ever there was a logical connection between spirit and beauty, this is it. Again, there is a synergy in God’s creation and commands that applies here. We are encouraged throughout Scripture to spend quiet time in God’s presence, praying and meditating, and to spend time with believers who will encourage us in our spiritual walk. Modern studies continue to confirm what God told us ages ago: prayer, reflection, and nurturing fellowship improve the quality of our lives and help to insulate us from stress.10
Exercise has also been proven a very effective stress reliever in many respected studies.11 It fights cholesterol, heart disease, stress, obesity, mood swings, hormonal side effects from PMS and menopause, as well as protecting against cancer, boosting the immune system and the libido, and aiding in better sleep.
Finally, obesity is a surprising cause of overall premature aging. A study has correlated obesity to an extra 8.8 years of aging.12 Achieving a natural weight is the result of making more natural choices, and you’re moving in the right direction as you consider the suggestions in this book.
Aging isn’t a disease, but premature aging is related to the processes of stress and disease, and it is worth fighting.
DRY SKIN
Combating dry skin can begin with removing harsh products from our bath routine, using gentler washes such as the Rich Milk Wash, and adding healthy foods into our diet that are rich in essential fatty acids, such as the almonds, flax, and fish that we discussed earlier. You may also wish to add a supplement of these oils into your diet as well, especially if dry skin is a problem for you. Try adding supplements of fish oil, flaxseed oil, black currant oil, or evening primrose oil. You can expect to wait six to eight weeks before you see results, but these oils are good for your whole body, not just your skin, so be patient and give them time to work. (See the Resource Guide for suggestions on supplement manufacturers.)
ECZEMA
My daughter suffers from eczema, and we’ve tried many different creams and lotions to soothe her skin, but nothing has worked as well for us as olive oil. Our pediatrician encouraged us to continue using the olive oil and warned us to stay away from baby oil and petroleum-based products, which, he says, tend to dry out the skin and make eczema worse. I certainly had no trouble following his advice when it was reported that the FDA chose to place a “black box” warning on two prescription eczema treatments because of a risk of cancer associated with their use.
A recent study showed that a homemade mixture of equal parts olive oil with unprocessed honey and beeswax is incredibly beneficial when applied topically to either eczema or psoriasis.13 www.gingergarrett.com (You can check my website at www.gingergarrett.com for directions on mixing this.) Whenever you can use a natural treatment that gives good results, you can lessen your need for commercial products that may have unwanted side effects. Olive oil’s healing properties for our skin are only beginning to be understood.
But don’t just use olive oil on your skin—eat it, too! A new study reveals that the micronutrients in olive oil may improve circulation. 14 Doctors are excited about this find because it means that olive oil, rich in antioxidants, may protect the heart and fight heart disease by improving blood vessel function. This is not just good news for our hearts, but for our skin as well. There are a lot of beauty creams, gadgets, and lotions that promise to boost circulation to the skin and therefore enhance its vitality, but olive oil is an inexpensive, safe, and potentially powerful way to achieve the same goal—while improving your overall health as well.
When choosing an olive oil for beauty or for cooking, search for organic oils that are labeled “extra virgin.” These have the highest amount of the micronutrient called phenols.
BEAUTY BONUSES
What woman hasn’t envied Queen Esther, who spent a year being pampered from head to toe with beauty treatments as she readied herself to meet the King of Persia? Today’s woman has a hard time finding ten minutes for extra beauty treats! So below, I am going to give you a few fast, fabulous treats with wonderful connections to our spiritual heritage.
MUD MASKS
Mud masks are great to do before a special evening out or on a lazy weekend morning before you jump in the shower. (Don’t make my mistake of applying a mud mask when expecting a UPS delivery, or all your future packages will be thrown out from the truck at high speed.)
Try masks made with mud from the Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea in the Bible. The “Dead” Sea is named such because there’s no aquatic life there: it has the highest salinity of any body of water in the world, slightly over 30 percent, with a rich concentration of minerals such as calcium, potassium, bromide, and magnesium. In the Bible the Dead Sea is mentioned several times, once in connection with a miracle. In Joshua 3, waters flowing into the Dead Sea were stopped so that the Israelites could cross the Jordan River safely. The waters stopped at the moment the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped into the water. The Dead Sea also marked the border for the tribe of Judah in the Promised Land.
With the richest mineral content of any body of water, scientists have studied the mud of the Dead Sea for many dermatological conditions. Dead Sea mud has shown to be a promising treatment for psoriasis and dermatitis.
Dead Sea mud is also famous as a cosmetic treatment, particularly in mud masks for the face. In my own experiments with Dead Sea masks versus other clay and mineral masks, I have noticed a substantial difference. The masks that are made exclusively of Dead Sea mud tend to absorb oil without drying or irritating the skin.Other clay masks will produce a stronger flush from irritation.
As with any cosmetic product, you’ll want to read the label. Some products claim to be Dead Sea mud, but in reality contain very little of the precious mud.
BATH TREATS
Have you ever noticed how profoundly refreshed you feel after a soak in the tub? Bathing is not only refreshing, but good for us too. It’s a fantastic way to relieve stress, contemplate the day, and meditate on God’s goodness. Adding scent sweetens the experience. A study reported in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that women who took scented baths were more relaxed than women who took unscented baths.15
You can add ingredients such as the following to the water and treat your skin to added benefits, while you soothe stress and combat premature aging.
BSB Rich Milk Cleanser for dry, irritated skin. Try this after a day at the beach, or when exposed to the elements. It’s especially wonderful on winter nights, so your skin feels soft and supple all night. Itchy, dry skin can wreck a good night’s sleep.
Bath salts for sore muscles. Mineral baths, including Dead Sea salts, are shown to help alleviate skin conditions such as psoriasis and help the body renew tired muscles.
Rosemary. A principal scent in many expensive bath products, fresh rosemary is an antioxidant with a scent that deeply revitalizes you. Gather a group of stems, tie with a ribbon, tie the ribbon to the faucet, and allow water to pour over as the tub fills. There is a wonderful legend about rosemary: the legend says that when Mary and Joseph were fleeing to protect the infant Jesus from the wicked king Herod, they stopped to rest for the night. Mary draped her robe over a nearby bush, and it burst into bloom overnight, taking on the color and fragrance of her robe. It is known forever more as the rose of Mary, or rosemary.
Lavender. Another easy-to-grow herb that is unbelievably delicious to smell is lavender. A few sprigs at the bedside and a few sprigs into the tub water are an indulgent way to soothe stress. If you don’t have fresh lavender, you can buy dried lavender in bulk anywhere soap supplies are sold. Put a handful into some cheesecloth or sheer fabric, and tie under faucet as above.
The ancient Greek name for lavender was nard, and biblical translations vary between using the words nard and spikenard. Because of the similarities of the names, some believe that lavender may be referenced in some stories as the famed nard of the Bible, a perfume costly and indulgent.
Rose petals. Don’t throw out that flower because it has started to wilt! Shake a rose that has wilted slightly into the tub and enjoy the beauty and fragrance of the petals. Long the symbol of complete and eternal love, they make a perfect backdrop for our bath. Roses are mentioned in Scripture, but we can’t assume this “rose” is the same flower as our modern red rose. Many plants we can find at the local nursery with biblical names such as “rose of Jericho” or “rose of Sharon” are the result of medieval monks who loved the biblical stories as much as we do, and created gardens that honored these stories. Since the monks possessed no firsthand knowledge of biblical flora, they identified local plants that seemed appropriate or resembled some biblical person, object, or motif, and linked it explicitly with the Bible by name. Many of these identifications have remained and become part of plant lore.16
Fix yourself a tray of goodies to enjoy while in the tub to get the maximum benefit to your spirit, mind, and body. Have cold, fresh berries or a beautiful, for-bath-time-only goblet filled with chilled pomegranate juice close at hand, or have instrumental music or hymns playing while you relax.
FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH
No other biblical oils are as famous, perhaps, as frankincense and myrrh. The gift of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus, these two precious oils have been used throughout history to soften the skin and prevent wrinkles, and as holy perfumes. Esther was covered in oil of myrrh for six months to perfect her skin: “Before a girl’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh . . .” (Esther 2:12 NIV).
Myrrh and frankincense are still available today. The unusual aroma of each is rich, spicy, and woodsy, and transports us to biblical days and beloved figures from Scripture.
I buy essential oils of myrrh and frankincense at my local Whole Foods Market®. (Essential oils are simply highly concentrated versions of natural oils extracted from plants and plant matter such as fruit, bark, and leaves. Because the oils are concentrated, one tiny bottle will last for a very long time.) I use them to create these beauty treats that you’ll want to try. It’s important to buy these oils at a store where you can test the scent before you buy. Inferior oils of frankincense and myrrh will have a bad “paint thinner” odor. High quality oils will smell rich and warm.
MYRRH FACIAL SPRITZ
In a small spritzer bottle, combine purified water with 1–2 drops of myrrh essential oil. (Each manufacturer will give more specific diluting ratios on the bottle for their brand of oil.) I use this spritz to set my makeup, refresh my skin throughout the day, replenish moisture, and also for a fast stress-relieving break.
FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH BATH SALTS:
THE WISE (WO)MAN’S GIFTS
Make a batch of these and nestle the package in a gold basket for a beautiful presentation that mimics the Wise Men’s gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh. These make great bath-time luxuries for yourself and wonderful holiday gifts.What a sweet way to share the message of Christmas. The recipe below makes enough for ten baths.
6 cups sea salt (Dead Sea salt is preferable;or use coarse sea salt)
3 cups Epsom salt
1 cup baking soda
Combine the sea salt, Epsom salt, and baking soda. Add 5 drops each of frankincense and myrrh essential oil, or until the mixture is richly scented. (You can also add in a sweet scent like lavender or orange to soften the smoky, spicy tones.)
Combine well and scoop one cup each into ten containers.
(You can use cellophane baggies, colored plastic wrap tied with ribbon, ceramic jars—use your imagination!) Nestle the salts inside a gold basket with a Christmas card from you.
Frankincense, valued for thousands of years as a liniment, perfume and biblical gift, may have a new use: cancer treatment.
—FOX NEWS 17
Frankincense made international news when it was revealed that it has shown promise as a treatment for malignant melanomas in early animal studies. Horses with these cancers were treated with both topical and injected frankincense and all showed improvement. Scientists are working to uncover frankincense’s secrets and understand how we can take advantage of its potential in humans suffering from skin cancer.