Aloe Vera Gel is one of the very best ingredients for burns; it offers immediate relief, shortens recovery times, and hydrates the skin. It can be used alone, but is even more powerful when combined with medicinal calendula, cooling peppermint, and anti-oxidant rich vitamin E oil.
Ingredients:
2 ounces aloe vera gel
1 ounce calendula
2 1/2 ounces distilled water
5 drops chamomile essential oil
2-5 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops vitamin E oil
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add calendula, remove from heat. Allow to steep for 20 minutes before straining out flower petals to be discarded. Allow the hydrosol to cool.
Mix 2 ounces of the hydrosol with the remaining ingredients and pour into a 4 oz spray bottle, and mist onto the skin as often as desired. Store in refrigerator to increase the cooling effect.
Showing posts with label skincare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skincare. Show all posts
10/7/13
6/1/13
Summer Citrus Toner
This is far more refreshing than using the Clinique toner that my mom uses (even if I could afford it).
Ingredients
3 tablespoon fresh mint leaves or lemon balm
peel from 1 orange
peel from 1/2 lemon (Meyer lemons are a little sweet smelling)
peel from 1/3 grapefruit
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon witch hazel extract
Place mint or lemon balm leaves in a bowl and bruise with a spoon in order to release their volatile oils. Add citrus peels. Pour boiling water over leaves and peel and allow to cool completely. Strain to remove solids. Add witch hazel extract. Pour into a clean container
NOTE: This is an 'unpreserved' toner, meaning that it must be kept refrigerated and used up in a week or so.
Ingredients
3 tablespoon fresh mint leaves or lemon balm
peel from 1 orange
peel from 1/2 lemon (Meyer lemons are a little sweet smelling)
peel from 1/3 grapefruit
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon witch hazel extract
Place mint or lemon balm leaves in a bowl and bruise with a spoon in order to release their volatile oils. Add citrus peels. Pour boiling water over leaves and peel and allow to cool completely. Strain to remove solids. Add witch hazel extract. Pour into a clean container
NOTE: This is an 'unpreserved' toner, meaning that it must be kept refrigerated and used up in a week or so.
5/31/13
Yogurt Sunburn Relief
Yogurt contains enzymes and acids that sooth, cool, and reduce irritation. Adding Aloe Vera Gel and Lavender essential oil further increases the healing and soothing properties.
Ingredients
4 oz plain yogurt
1 oz aloe vera gel
15 drops organic lavender essential oil
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Apply directly to sunburned areas and allow to dry. Once finished, rinse off with cool water. This process may be repeated as often as desired.
Ingredients
4 oz plain yogurt
1 oz aloe vera gel
15 drops organic lavender essential oil
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Apply directly to sunburned areas and allow to dry. Once finished, rinse off with cool water. This process may be repeated as often as desired.
Ylang Ylang and Cocoa Massage Oil
Adding Cocoa Butter gives this massage oil a creamy consistency. It is wonderful for massages, but can also be used as a general body lotion for moisturizing the skin. This massage oil has the seductively sweet floral scent of Ylang Ylang flowers with undertones of Cocoa.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons cocoa butter
½ cup sweet almond oil
¼ cup jojoba oil
15 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
In a double boiler, gently warm the oils and cocoa butter until the butter has melted. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes at room temperature. Then, add the essential oil and mix together until thoroughly blended. Pour into a bottle. The mixture will continue to thicken, so allow up to 24 hours for it to reach its final texture.
Note: Use less cocoa Butter if in colder climates, otherwise the massage oil will become almost solid. If it is too firm, simply re-melt and add more carrier oil. If you desire a firmer consistency, re-melt and add additional cocoa Butter.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons cocoa butter
½ cup sweet almond oil
¼ cup jojoba oil
15 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
In a double boiler, gently warm the oils and cocoa butter until the butter has melted. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes at room temperature. Then, add the essential oil and mix together until thoroughly blended. Pour into a bottle. The mixture will continue to thicken, so allow up to 24 hours for it to reach its final texture.
Note: Use less cocoa Butter if in colder climates, otherwise the massage oil will become almost solid. If it is too firm, simply re-melt and add more carrier oil. If you desire a firmer consistency, re-melt and add additional cocoa Butter.
4/20/13
Rose and Lavendar Facial Toner
You can spend a lot of money on facial products that are safe for skin allergies. I all but gave up on everything except simple rose water and oil oil for a long time because I just couldn't afford it. This toner is a light, hydrating forula that will help remove make up and dirt and shrink your pores.
Ingredients:
2 oz. Rose Flower Water (Hydrosol)
1 oz. Witch Hazel Extract
1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
1/2 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
7 drops Lavender Essential Oil
4 drops Chamomile Extract (Tincture)
Place all ingredients into a clean 4 oz. bottle, top with a fingertip mister, and shake to blend. Shake a little before each use as the contents will naturally separate. This toner should keep for at least 6 months without refrigeration.
To use: Wash your face with water and gently dry with a soft washcloth. Then, mist with Rose & Lavender Facial toner and allow to air dry or gently pat dry. Finish by applying a moisturizing lotion, oil, or cream.
Ingredients:
2 oz. Rose Flower Water (Hydrosol)
1 oz. Witch Hazel Extract
1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
1/2 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
7 drops Lavender Essential Oil
4 drops Chamomile Extract (Tincture)
Place all ingredients into a clean 4 oz. bottle, top with a fingertip mister, and shake to blend. Shake a little before each use as the contents will naturally separate. This toner should keep for at least 6 months without refrigeration.
To use: Wash your face with water and gently dry with a soft washcloth. Then, mist with Rose & Lavender Facial toner and allow to air dry or gently pat dry. Finish by applying a moisturizing lotion, oil, or cream.
4/17/13
Healing Tea Tree Oil Foot Balm
I get a lot of dry skin on my feet, not to mention cracks on the heels. It comes with the territory of walking on hot FL pavement on occasion chasing after kids, dogs, cats: what have you. A lot of OTC remedies use urea to soften the skin on your feet. That's a fancy term for urine. I'd rather use this blend than pee on my foot.
Ingredients:
40 grams shea butter
20 grams sunflower oil
20 grams calendula infused oil
15 grams beeswax
10 grams jojoba oil
100 drops tea tree essential oil
Measure out the shea butter into a glass measuring cup and place the measuring cup in a simmering water bath. Slowly bring the shea butter between 170 to 180 degrees F, and hold at that temp. for 20 minutes. The best way to do this is to use a thermometer and turn the heat up or down to maintain the 170 to 180 degrees.
Measure the sunflower oil, calendula infused oil, jojoba oil and beeswax into another heat-safe cup. After the shea butter has been heating for 10 minutes, add the cup with the oils and wax to the simmering water bath. Allow it to melt and warm for the remaining 10 minutes.
After 20 minutes of holding the shea butter at the proper temp. and melting the beeswax and oils together, combine the two.
Add in the tea tree essential oil and stir to combine.
Carefully pour the hot oil into a 4-ounce container. Allow to cool in the fridge until solid.
Ingredients:
40 grams shea butter
20 grams sunflower oil
20 grams calendula infused oil
15 grams beeswax
10 grams jojoba oil
100 drops tea tree essential oil
Measure out the shea butter into a glass measuring cup and place the measuring cup in a simmering water bath. Slowly bring the shea butter between 170 to 180 degrees F, and hold at that temp. for 20 minutes. The best way to do this is to use a thermometer and turn the heat up or down to maintain the 170 to 180 degrees.
Measure the sunflower oil, calendula infused oil, jojoba oil and beeswax into another heat-safe cup. After the shea butter has been heating for 10 minutes, add the cup with the oils and wax to the simmering water bath. Allow it to melt and warm for the remaining 10 minutes.
After 20 minutes of holding the shea butter at the proper temp. and melting the beeswax and oils together, combine the two.
Add in the tea tree essential oil and stir to combine.
Carefully pour the hot oil into a 4-ounce container. Allow to cool in the fridge until solid.
4/15/13
Antimicrobial Body Powder
Rather than using baby powder, this is a good powder for dusting in sweaty, itchy areas.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of baking soda
3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
tea tree oil
Combine ingredients and mix well. Put powder mixture into a shake box or a container with a powder puff. Use daily or as needed ( tea tree oil/ratio is about 10 drops per 1 cup of total powder mix). If you prefer a smoother texture, you can replace the cornstarch with an equal amount of arrowroot.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of baking soda
3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
tea tree oil
Combine ingredients and mix well. Put powder mixture into a shake box or a container with a powder puff. Use daily or as needed ( tea tree oil/ratio is about 10 drops per 1 cup of total powder mix). If you prefer a smoother texture, you can replace the cornstarch with an equal amount of arrowroot.
4/6/13
Personal Insect Repellant
Remember when using any type of essential oil to do a test spot on your skin first to see if you have a reaction. This is an outdoors spray for picnics and such. It is not water repellant and will need to be reapplied if sweating heavily or after 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 cup vodka
2 T. aloe vera juice
2 tsp. favorite conditioning liquid oil (soybean, olive, castor, etc.)
1 1/2 tsp. essential oil blend
Mix well in a spray bottle. Reapply often.
Ants: peppermint oil, tea tree oil
Chiggers: lavender oil, lemongrass oil
Flies:geranium oil, lavender oil, lemongrass oil
Fleas: lavender oil, lemongrass oil, rose geranium oil (not for use on cats), rosemary oil
Gnats: patchouli oil
Lice: cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil
Mosquitoes: catnip oil, citronella oil, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil
Moths: cedarwood oil
Ticks: lavender oil, lemongrass oil, patchouli oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil
***Cheap vodka works well. Since it's used in so many DIY recipes, it's handy to keep a big jug of the swill around. Don't waste the good stuff. If you're leery about using vodka, you can substitute rubbing alchohol, but it needs to be applied more frequently and needs special care taken around the eyes.
Ingredients
1 cup vodka
2 T. aloe vera juice
2 tsp. favorite conditioning liquid oil (soybean, olive, castor, etc.)
1 1/2 tsp. essential oil blend
Mix well in a spray bottle. Reapply often.
Ants: peppermint oil, tea tree oil
Chiggers: lavender oil, lemongrass oil
Flies:geranium oil, lavender oil, lemongrass oil
Fleas: lavender oil, lemongrass oil, rose geranium oil (not for use on cats), rosemary oil
Gnats: patchouli oil
Lice: cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil
Mosquitoes: catnip oil, citronella oil, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil
Moths: cedarwood oil
Ticks: lavender oil, lemongrass oil, patchouli oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil
***Cheap vodka works well. Since it's used in so many DIY recipes, it's handy to keep a big jug of the swill around. Don't waste the good stuff. If you're leery about using vodka, you can substitute rubbing alchohol, but it needs to be applied more frequently and needs special care taken around the eyes.
Sunblock
I have a desperate allergy to most sunblock. Even the so called hypoallergenic stuff breaks me out in hives. This particular mixtures does really well and can be altered to reflect what level of protection that you want. Thank you Frisky of COCW for this recipe.
Ingredients
1 ounce oil blend (use any combination of the oils listed below)
1 ounce beeswax (adds waterproof properties)
1 ounce butter blend (shea butter, mango butter, or cocoa butter)
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
0.36 ounces zinc oxide powder
30 drops essential oils, optional
In a double boiler, over low heat, melt the oils, beeswax, and butters.
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly prior to adding the vitamin E oil, zinc oxide powder, and essential oils. Note: Wear a mask when working with zinc oxide. Although it has not been proven harmful when used topically, inhaling the substance can be dangerous. Stir until zinc oxide is dissolved.
Pour into a push-up or roll-up dispenser. This recipe will produce a product similar to a lotion bar or sunscreen stick. You could easily clean out and re-purpose a used deodorant or lip balm container. But, if you want to buy a new one…I love these containers.
Allow to cool and harden on the counter overnight and then you’re good to go! During times of heavy sun and swim exposure be sure to reapply often for the best coverage.
Oils by SPF Ratings:
30 - 50: raspberry seed oil
30: carrot
20: wheat germ
6-10: shea butter.
4-10: sesame oil, coconut oil, hemp oil, avocado oil, soybean, and peanut oil.
Ingredients
1 ounce oil blend (use any combination of the oils listed below)
1 ounce beeswax (adds waterproof properties)
1 ounce butter blend (shea butter, mango butter, or cocoa butter)
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
0.36 ounces zinc oxide powder
30 drops essential oils, optional
In a double boiler, over low heat, melt the oils, beeswax, and butters.
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly prior to adding the vitamin E oil, zinc oxide powder, and essential oils. Note: Wear a mask when working with zinc oxide. Although it has not been proven harmful when used topically, inhaling the substance can be dangerous. Stir until zinc oxide is dissolved.
Pour into a push-up or roll-up dispenser. This recipe will produce a product similar to a lotion bar or sunscreen stick. You could easily clean out and re-purpose a used deodorant or lip balm container. But, if you want to buy a new one…I love these containers.
Allow to cool and harden on the counter overnight and then you’re good to go! During times of heavy sun and swim exposure be sure to reapply often for the best coverage.
Oils by SPF Ratings:
30 - 50: raspberry seed oil
30: carrot
20: wheat germ
6-10: shea butter.
4-10: sesame oil, coconut oil, hemp oil, avocado oil, soybean, and peanut oil.
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