to your liking.
Cold cream recipe
Ingredients
4fl oz/120ml almond oil
BEESWAX
1 Put the beeswax beads into a toughened glass bowl and pour in the almond oil.
2 Place the bowl in a pan of water over a gentle heat, and mix until the ingredients are melted together.
3 Warm the rose water in a second bowl or jar, and then add to the wax and oil mixture bit by bit, beating all the time.
4 Finally, stir in the essential oil, transfer the mixture to a pot, and put into the refrigerator to set.
Gels
Water-based gels provide a useful, nonoily medium for the application of essential oils, as an alternative to oils and creams when required. A gel can be used to dilute any essential oils for irritating skin conditions such as eczema or athlete’s foot, particularly if the skin is broken or sensitive. Gels are also suitable as a substitute for base or carrier oils for general skin care, especially if the skin is apt to be greasy. The percentage of essential oil to add to the gel base depends on where it will be used and for what purpose. Healing gels may include up to 2.5 percent of an essential oil when applied to the feet, whereas 0.5 percent is enough for application to the face or for general skin-care purposes. A natural soothing and cooling gel can be made with tapioca and water.
Water-based gels are a good means of applying essential oils to treat skin conditions. This is especially useful for oily skin.
Masks
Face masks or packs have many benefits—they can nourish, rejuvenate, stimulate, cleanse, or soothe the skin, and generally improve its texture and quality. Masks can be made from a wide range of natural ingredients, including fruit pulp, oatmeal (for allergic and irritated skin conditions), egg yolk (for all skin types), yogurt, honey, and clay. Fruits such as avocado (for dry skin) or strawberry (for oily skin) are extremely nutritious. Powdered oatmeal is also very nourishing and gives the skin a smooth, silken appearance, and brewer’s yeast is good for all types of skin. Egg yolks are rich in lecithin, an invaluable skin aid. Natural yogurt contains lactic acid, which is good for large-pored, oily, and blemished skin and to balance combination skin. Honey is moisturizing and slightly antiseptic and can be incorporated into masks to soothe, soften, and nourish the skin—especially dry, sensitive, and mature complexions.
Clay is a useful ingredient for making masks, and is suitable for all but very dry skins. An aromatic clay mask is excellent for the treatment of acne and congested skin conditions, and can nourish dry or mature complexions and help to balance combination skin. However, those with dry, sensitive, or mature complexions should not use a clay-based mask more than once a week because they do have an overall drying effect. Masks are best applied after a bath or shower, when the pores are open and the skin is still warm and slightly damp.
Clay cleanses and draws out toxins. It also aids skin regeneration, stimulates the circulation, and soothes inflammation. There are many different kinds of clay available, but green clay is the most versatile, being rich in minerals and a good antiseptic. Fuller’s earth is also a good neutral clay base, which is more readily available.
Simple clay mask
To make a simple mask just add 2 to 3 drops of an essential oil to 2 tbsp/30ml of wet clay paste, and apply to the skin. Leave in place for 10 to 30 minutes while you relax. Rinse off with warm water.
Alternative clay mask
To make a more elaborate mask first mix 2oz/50g green clay powder with 2 tsp/10ml collodial oatmeal and keep in a jar. To make the mask, mix 1 tbsp/15ml of the basic mixture with 1 tbsp/15ml runny honey or plain live yogurt, one egg yolk, 2 to 3 drops of an essential oil suited to your skin type and enough water to give a smooth consistency. Apply to the skin and leave for 10 to 30 minutes—less for dry skin and longer for greasy/blemished skin. Rinse off with warm water. Finish by patting on a floral water.
FLORAL WATER
IT IS EASY to make flower (or floral) waters at home, and they are beneficial for all types of skin. Simply add 10 to 30 drops of essential oil (or a blend) to a 3½fl oz/100ml bottle of spring or distilled water, leave it to stand for up to a month, and then filter the liquid using a coffee filter paper. (A more basic preparation can be made without filtering, but this must be shaken before each use.) Even a few drops of essential oil will impart their scent to this amount of water, making it very lightly fragranced. These delicately scented waters can be used to freshen and hydrate the skin, either dabbed on with absorbent cotton or sprayed from a small plant spray. This can be helpful during pregnancy, when traveling by air, in hot, dry climates, or simply to help counter the drying effects of central heating.
A few drops of essential oil can be added to spring water for the simplest toilet water.
Toner/cleansers
Using a flower water as the base, add a little witch hazel, which increases the overall astringency for a greater toning action. For additional moisturizing and cleansing properties, add up to 25 percent of natural glycerine to the mixture. Flower waters that contain a proportion of witch hazel and glycerine will remove oily residues from the skin as well as acting as an astringent and antiseptic. If no make-up (or very light make-up) is worn, they can be used for simple one-step cleansing and toning.
Refreshing toilet waters
A variety of essential oils can be diluted in a minute proportion with alcohol, cider vinegar, or witch hazel to make toilet waters, eau-de-Cologne, or after-shave lotions. For example, a traditional toilet water called eau-de-Portugal can be made as follows:
Ingredients
20 drops sweet orange
