Why is the Beesilk hard lotion bar so different, and so effective? It's all about the beeswax.

Some benefits:

• it lasts longer in your skin
• beeswax seals in the coconut oil and shea butter
• no preservatives (parabens and chemicals) and no fragrances means it's better for your skin

Find out how long the lotion bar lasts by listening to the podcast.

Thank you to Stephanie from Keeper of the Home for a great question!

Lotions have scent because the consumer wants it.

But what about those who are sensitive to scent, or have allergies?

I talk about why I leave out the scent in the Beesilk Hard Lotion Bar... except in customized cases.

The Beesilk hard lotion bar works best for this type of skin:

• rough
• cracked
• split
• dry
• itchy
• allergy-prone
• scaly
• psoriasis or eczema

If you're simply looking for a novelty lotion because you already have smooth and moisturized skin, just pass on this.

Shea butter does come from a nut, so if you are prone to nut allergies, check on this!

Exactly how safe is the Beesilk Hard Lotion Bar?

1.) it has a hazard rating of 0 (listen to podcast to find out where it's listed with this)
2.) it's edible

You don't have to treat dry skin with chemicals. It can be as easy as beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter!

I didn't expect the Beesilk hard lotion bar to work so well for eczema sufferers, but I've received fantastic feedback from those who have tried it for their eczema.

To understand this confusing world of eczema, I've asked a lot of questions from those who have it, and there appears to be various triggers of eczema. I believe the Beesilk lotion bar aids in keeping natural oils in the skin without the drying effects of steroid creams and other treatments.

Listen to the podcast where I pass along what I've learned, including a personal anecdote concerning my own son's eczema.

I wasn't looking for an opportunity to run a business.

I didn't even care whether the products I used on my skin were natural, biodegradable, or "green" - I just needed something that would heal the cracks and splits in my fingers that made my daily tasks incredibly painful.

When I figured out the solution, I wanted to help others, and eventually it turned into a business.

It all started with three ingredients: beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil.

Does the hard lotion work on pets?

I haven't tried it, but the ingredients are completely safe and edible (so no need to worry if Fido licks it off).

Since it works for people, the hard lotion bar may work fine for pets. The beeswax seals in the coconut oil and shea butter, leaving no coating of lotion on the outer skin.

In this podcast, I give tips on how to apply the lotion to pets who have extreme dry skin issues.

For the month of August 2010, customers will receive a small block of pure beeswax with their order.

So what do you do with it?

1.) Just enjoy the scent. It's a sweet pick-me-up throughout the day.

2.) Make a tea light candle.  I used a mini cupcake pan as a mold. If you have one, plop the beeswax in yours and place over a heat source. Once it begins to melt, carefully put a wick in place and remove pan from heat. Make sure the wick stays in place as it cools and hardens, and don't touch the melted beeswax! Once at room temperature, place in freezer so that the candle will pop out easily.

3.) Wax wood: heat equal parts beeswax, linseed oil, and turpentine. Use a burlap cloth to apply. This idea was found here, along with these other wonderful uses: unstick a drawer, condition a wood cutting board, and waterproof leather.

4.) Finally, use it as a moisturizer. Here's a recipe I adapted to my liking. It's been great to combat the summer heat, which has really dried out my face.

FACIAL MOISTURIZER
½ ounce beeswax
2 ½  ounces coconut oil (or ½ - ¾ cup, depending on desired softness)
Place ingredients in a small, heat-proof glass jar. Using the double boiler method, melt the ingredients until in liquid form, then remove from heat. Use a wooden skewer or Popsicle stick to stir ingredients well. Let cool and use as a skin moisturizer.  Store in a cool, dry place.

Essential oils are extracted from individual plant sources and often last longer. Many even carry special antibacterial or anti-fungal properties. Essential oils scents are associated with emotions (soothing jasmine), memories (cinnamon at Christmastime), or regions (rosemary in Southern France).

Info from The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch

Vanilla, a very popular product scent, is not listed as an option in my custom scented lotion package. Unfortunately, it's extremely expensive as an essential oil. And sweet pea, another popular choice, is often found in products as a fragrance scent (hazard rating of 8 compared to a sweet pea essential oil's hazard rating of 0).

The choice is yours. I will admit that there are some products in my cabinet that I won't toss even though they might not be the healthiest option. At the same time, I'm enjoying the experience of falling in love with the complexity of a new essential oil (like lemongrass) when I'm in the mood to try something new. The best advantage to switching to essential oils? Your nose begins to recognize the difference between the true plant source and the synthetic imitation.