There's more than one reason to make your own moisturizer. You save money by using inexpensive ingredients from your kitchen and the grocery store, you avoid the long list of mystery ingredients found on commercial products that can be harmful, and you can alter the recipe according to your own preference and skin type. Making your own moisturizer is also good if you have sensitive skin or allergies, as you control the ingredients.
Step 1
Place 1 cup olive oil and 1 tbsp. vitamin E oil into a saucepan which has been cleaned thoroughly. If you're using the vitamin E capsules, break them open first and drain the oil from the capsules into the pan.
Step 2
Add your chosen flowers and leaves or 12 drops of essential oils to the pan and heat the entire mixture until it's just below the simmering point, stirring occasionally with a clean spoon. This will begin to infuse the oils with the fragrances from the plants. Heat the mixture to at least 170 degrees F for at least 15 minutes to kill any bacteria.
Step 3
Turn off the heat and move the pan to any cooler surface for 30 minutes. This will allow the flowers or leaves time to steep further and for the mixture to fully absorb the plant oils, nutrients and aromas.
Step 4
If you used flowers and leaves, strain the mixture into a clean bowl and discard the strained plant material, leaving the liquid in the bowl. If you used essential oils, you skip this step.
Step 5
Add the beeswax to the mixture, and stir it in until it melts. If the beeswax isn't melting, set the bowl or pan carefully in a larger bowl of very hot or boiling water, being careful not get water in the mixture.
Step 6
Allow the mixture to cool thoroughly before pouring it through a funnel into the clean glass container. You may need to leave the lid off for awhile to make sure it's completely cooled, before covering it. If you do, cover the jar with a sterile cotton or clean cloth before capping to keep moisture from forming under the cap. Store the finished product in a cool, dry place away from direct light.
Tips and Warnings
- You can buy beeswax at health food stores, crafts stores, farmers markets, or for the very freshest, your local beekeeper. Vegans can use soy wax instead of beeswax If you have oily skin, substitute grape seed oil for olive oil. If you have a pH tester, test the pH level of the mixture to make sure it's close to 6 or 6.5, the level in adult skin. If not, add a pinch of citric acid and stir it in during Step 5.
- If you're allergic to bee pollen, you may also be allergic to beeswax. Also avoid using any flowers or leaves that you suspect may cause you or anyone who will be using the product an allergic reaction. This recipe should be gentle enough for children and infants, especially if you don't use the essential oils, but when in doubt, check first with your pediatrician.
Things You'll Need
- 1 cup extra virgin oil
- 1 tbsp. vitamin E oil or 3 vitamin E gel capsules
- 1 cup blossoms or leaves, or essentials oils
- Mixing spoon
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Funnel
- Glass jar with lid
Member Comments