Gaylyn AitkenLast month I wrote about phthalates, the ‘everywhere all the time chemicals’ found in most plastics, cleaning agents, cosmetics, skin and hair care, soaps etc. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors.
This month I’d like to share some simple nature based homemade recipes for the skin that I’ve used over the years and found really helpful and they’re fun to make.
Cleansing the Skin
Herbal steaming. I don’t recommend this for delicate, sensitive skin or broken capillaries.
I make a simple herbal infusion by pouring boiling water over the herbs in a ceramic bowl, use a towel tent over my head and steam for 10 to 15 minutes.
Herbs you can use –
Versatile, cleansing, soothing – chamomile, elderflower, lady’s mantle, lavender.
Removes impurities – fennel, nettle, limeflowers.
Drying, astringent – yarrow.
Circulation boosters – nettle, rosemary, garden mint.
Stimulating & tightening – peppermint, elderflower, tincture of benzoin, balm of gilead, gum tragacanth.
Healing – houseleek, comfrey, fennel.
Face Salt Scrub – this can also be used for your entire body, especially your arms and hands.
To 1 cup natural sea salt add enough almond or apricot kernel oil to cover. A simple effective essential oil blend you can add to the base oil is 1 drop lemon, 1 drop geranium & 1 drop juniper essential oils. Mix well, close your eyes and gently massage into your skin. Place in a glass jar and store in the fridge.
Toning the Skin
Toners are gentle astringents, clear away any residual dirt and heal and brighten the skin by restoring its natural acidity level.
This is my recipe I use on both my skin and scalp after I’ve shampooed my hair.
Fill a 500gm glass jar with fresh rosemary leaves, pack them in. Cover with good quality cider vinegar, screw on the lid and let stand in the sun for two or more weeks. Strain the herbs from the infusion and add 1 cup organic aloe vera juice. Take a regular size spray bottle, ¼ fill with the infusion and top with filtered water. You can spray this infusion over your entire body, including your face and hair. I find it helps take the sting out of sunburn too.
Moisturising the Skin
Facial oils – I use a blend of organic cold pressed oils with added essential oils. You could use a selection of 3 or more base oils like apricot kernel, sweet almond, rosehip, hemp, jojoba or castor oil.
50 ml recipe – 10 ml apricot kernel, 5ml rosehip, 10 ml sweet almond, 10 ml jojoba, 10 ml hemp, 5 ml castor oil.
Add up to 8 drops of any of essential oils or use your own special blend if you have one already. Some oils I recommend for the skin – rose, frankincense, neroli, lavender, patchouli, rose geranium.
Enjoy the adventure of creating your own skin care products.
Barbara Brewster
Davina Herbert
Add comment