Making your own skin-care products not only lets you control the ingredients you use so that you can bypass potentially harmful chemicals to make eco-friendly products, but it also gives you the freedom to customize your cosmetics to suit your particular needs. You can make a homemade moisturizer for the face in just one day and store it in your refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Step 1
Place chamomile in a glass bowl. Pour about 1 1/3 cups of boiling water over the blossoms and let sit for about four hours.
Step 2
Combine almond oil and apricot oil with beeswax in a double boiler or over low heat. Stir gently until beeswax is completely melted. Add cocoa butter, and stir gently until cocoa butter has completely melted.
Step 3
Strain your herb mixture through cheesecloth or a colander with small holes. Discard the herbs. Pour the infused liquid into a small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat. Add borax to the infused liquid, stirring until it is completely dissolved. Stir in raw honey, continuing to stir until the honey is completely dissolved in the liquid.
Step 4
Pour the infusion mixture into the oil mixture, stirring constantly, until the two mixtures are thoroughly incorporated.
Step 5
Use a whisk or hand mixer to beat the mixture together until it is thick and creamy.
Step 6
Transfer the mixture to small containers. Use as needed. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Tips and Warnings
- Check your health food store or online resources to find the ingredients called for in this recipe. To make a moisturizer for acne-prone skin, add three drops of tea tree oil to the moisturizer when you put the finished moisturizer into its container. Experiment with different combinations of herbs to see which mix packs the biggest benefit for your skin. Try elderflower, comfrey, lavender or calendula.
- Apply each of the ingredients you plan to use to a small patch of skin and check for 48 hours in case of allergic reaction. If you plan to give the moisturizer as a gift, include a label or card with the ingredients in case of allergies.
Things You'll Need
- Small bunch of fresh chamomile (about 4 oz.)
- 75 milliliters (or about 1/3 scant cup) almond oil
- 75 milliliters (or about 1/3 scant cup) apricot oil
- 2 tbsp. beeswax
- 2 tbsp. cocoa butter
- 2 tbsp. borax (a preservative agent)
- 2 tsp. raw honey
References
- "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living"; Eliza Sarasohan and Sonia Weiss; 2009
- Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: DIY Recipes
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