Commercial skin creams and cleansers often contain synthetic ingredients that may irritate your skin. The Environmental Working Group, a consumer watchdog organization, found that 1/3 of the personal care products it investigated contained at least one possible or known carcinogen. When you make your own skin creams from natural ingredients in your own kitchen, you know exactly what goes into the jar and onto your skin. If you can follow a recipe, you can whip up a jar of moisturizer or cream cleanser in about 1/2 hour.
Step 1
Combine beeswax, vegetable oil and coconut oil in the top of the double boiler or in a glass bowl set into a pan of hot water.
Step 2
Heat the oil mixture just until the wax melts. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in lecithin and vitamin E oil. Set aside to cool until the mixture has a jelly-like consistency.
Step 3
Mix distilled water, grapefruit seed extract and essential oils in a separate container while the oils cool.
Step 4
Scoop the oils into the blender. Turn the blender on high. Drizzle the liquid ingredients into the blender in a slow, steady stream, scraping the sides as necessary.
Step 5
Turn off the blender when the oils and water are completely combined and the mixture has a creamy consistency. Scoop into clean jars. Store covered jars of cream in the refrigerator.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a wire whisk instead of a blender if you don't mind the extra work. Mix jojoba, avocado and olive oils to make a nourishing cream for dry, aged skin. Combine orange, lemon, rosemary and lavender essential oils for gentle exfoliation.
- Do not eliminate grapefruit seed extract or vitamin E oil. They serve as preservatives to keep skin cream fresh.
Things You'll Need
- 2 tsp. yellow beeswax
- 3/4 cup avocado, jojoba, almond, olive or other vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- Double boiler
- 1/2 tsp. liquid lecithin
- 1 tsp. vitamin E
- 20 drops desired essential oils
- 3/4 cup distilled water
- 1/2 tsp. grapefruit seed extract
- Blender
- Covered jar
References
- "Natural Beauty Recipe Book: How to Make Your Own Organic Cosmetics"; Gill Farrer-Halls; 2006
- "Made Right for Your Skin Type: Simple, All Natural, Cosmetic and Body Product Recipes"; Shirley Gillett; 2005
- Skin Deep Cosmetics Database: FAQs
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