Consumers may assume "natural" products are free of chemical additives and have undergone little or no processing. However, the word "natural" has no legal meaning, and manufacturers use the word to make us feel comfortable about their products, even if there are few natural ingredients in the products, or they have been processed with chemicals. Making your own skin care products is easy. The advantage is that you can use genuinely natural products that have been processed without chemical solvents or additives.
Step 1
Wash and dry all of your utensils. Spread the towel on your work surface and lay out your utensils on the towel. It's important to make sure all your tools and surfaces are clean and sanitary, to avoid contaminating your moisturizer with bacteria, mold or fungi.
Step 2
Measure 1 cup of distilled water in the measuring cup. Bring it to a boil in the stainless steel pan. Place the dried chamomile or calendula blossoms in the measuring cup and pour in the boiling water. Allow the infusion to steep until cool. Strain the infusion and use the kitchen scale to measure out 4 oz. to use in your moisturizer.
Step 3
Combine the almond, sesame and avocado oils in the stainless steel pan with the beeswax. Melt over low heat, stirring occasionally until the beeswax is completely melted and combined with the oils.
Step 4
Beat the oils with the immersion blender while you pour in the chamomile or calendula infusion. Continue beating until cool. Then add the aloe vera juice and essential oils and beat until well combined.
Step 5
Scrape the moisturizer into the 4 oz. jars with the clean spatula and seal with the screw-on lids.
Tips and Warnings
- Use any essential oils that you prefer. Make sure they are pure essential oils and not fragrance oils. Eliminate the sesame and avocado oils if you prefer, and use just almond oil. Some forms of beeswax have been processed with chemicals, and some aloe vera juice contains other ingredients. Read the labels and ask your supplier if you have any questions.
- Label your moisturizer with the date and ingredients. Because this moisturizer has no preservatives, don't scoop it out of the jar with your fingers. Use clean cosmetic spatulas to avoid contaminating your moisturizer. If you are concerned about allergies or sensitivity to any of the ingredients, do a patch test 24 hours before making your moisturizer. Dab a bit of the ingredient on your inner arm and cover with a bandage. After 24 hours, check to see if there is any reaction, such as a rash.
Things You'll Need
- Clean towel
- Glass measuring cup
- Stainless steel saucepan
- 1 tbsp. dried chamomile or calendula flowers
- 1 cup distilled water
- Strainer
- Kitchen scale
- 1 tbsp. cold-pressed sesame oil
- 1 tbsp. cold-pressed avocado oil
- 6 oz. cold-pressed almond oil
- 2 oz. beeswax
- Immersion blender
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera juice
- 6 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops cedar essential oil
- 2 plastic or glass 4-oz. jars with screw on lids
- Spatula
References
- Green Spa Network: Just What Does "Natural" Mean?
- "375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols"; Jeanne Rose; 1999
- "Jeanne Rose's Kitchen Cosmetics: Using Herbs, Fruit and Flowers for Natural Bodycare;" Jeanne Rose, 1993
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