MUCH ADO ABOUT MOISTURIZER

After a long, therapeutic soak in the tub, or even after a quick daily shower, you need to moisturize the skin. Your skin is constantly exposed to sun, wind, heat, cold, water and, if not cared for, will break down. Apply an appropriate moisturizer to your skin every day after your shower or bath. When finished bathing, never rub your skin dry, rather pat it. This avoids abrasion and allows some moisture to remain on the skin. Since it is better to apply the moisturizer while your skin is still warm and slightly damp, this works out great! Make sure that you use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin. That is to say, one that has ingredients that are suitable for your skin type. You may need to try several before you find one that does not feel greasy to you and will not clog your pores, but experimentation is the only way to know for sure! Rich, heavy oils are best for dry skin. Think olive oil, caster oil, hazel nut oil, and sesame oil. Lighter, finer oils or gels are better for normal to oily skin. Think sunflower oil, jojoba, sweet almond oil, apricot kernal oil, and grapeseed oil. Everyone should stay away from petroleum based and animal fat products (such as baby oil), as these are not easily absorbed by the skin and they tend to form a greasy layer on top of the skin which can cause irritation.

----MAKE YOUR OWN MOISTURIZERS---

*Dry Skin Moisturizer Recipe* 2 Tbs. grated beeswax 2 tsp. distilled water 1/2 cup cocoa butter 3 Tbs. sesame oil 2 Tbs. coconut oil 1 Tbs. olive oil Over a low heat, in a small saucepan, melt the grated bees wax with the water. Once melted, spoon in the cocoa butter and stir. Once the cocoa butter is melted, gradually add in the remaining oils, blending well. Then pour into a glass jar and allow to cool. The lotion will thicken as it cools. Once cooled, apply liberally over your body! Sesame oil is one of the few natural oils that contains sun-screening properties. Olive oil is very nourishing externally, is very lubricating, and relieves the effects of stings or burns. Coconut oil is high in vitamins, minerals, and saturated fats. Both the coconut oil and the cocoa butter coat the skin's surface with a thin layer that locks in the skin's natural moisture, effectively protecting it from nature's damaging elements. All of these ingredients combined make this recipe great for over-exposed, dried skin, even sun or wind burnt skin. *Normal to Oily Skin Body Softener* 2 Tbs. grated beeswax 1/4 cup distilled water 1/2 cup sweet almond oil OR apricot seed oil 1/4 cup rose water (see http://uniquegardenessences.blogspot.com/2008/06/step-two-to-facial-care-is-steam.html for instructions on how to make rose water yourself) 5 drops galbanum essential oil 4 drops rose essential oil Over low heat, in a small saucepan, melt the grated beeswax. After it is melted, pour it into a blender and blend on low speed. While the blender is running, pour in the sweet almond oil (or apricot seed oil if this was your choice), rose water, and essential oils. The mixture should have the consistency of frosting. Pour into a glass jar and allow to cool. This is a very thick and rich lotion, so you will not need to use very much when applying. It should remain good for 3-5 months. Galbanum is a sap from the Ferula plant from Southern Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. When applied to the skin it is a peticularly effective skin regenerator. Rose oil, which is known to heal dry skin, help with circulation, prevent scarring and fight wrinkles and broken capillaries in the skin. Mixing these two main ingredients makes this recipe especially great for face and hands care, but is also good as an all over moisturizer! *Cooling Moisturizer* 2 Tbs. grated beeswax 2 Tbs. distilled water 1/4 cup wheat germ oil 2 Tbs. whitch hazel 2 drops lemon essential oil Over a low heat, in a small saucepan, melt the grated beeswax with the water. Once melted, pour into a blender and blend on low speed. While still blending, pour in the wheat germ oil and the witch hazel. Blend until smooth, then add the essential oils, stir to mix, then pour into a jar fro storage. The recipe will thicken upon cooling. Witch hazel is very cooling and posesses cleansing properties. Wheat germ is very high in vitamin E and is a very effective antioxidant. Lemon oil adds a very cool, refreshing scent. Add these all together and you have a moisturizer perfect any time, but especially in the hot summer months! *Dry Climate (or dry skin) Moisturizer* 1/4 cup aloe vera gel 1/4 cup cocoa butter (may sub 1/8c shea butter and 1/8c cocoa butter if desired) 1 Tbs. olive oil 4 drops essential oil (your choice of lavender, rose, chamomile) Over a low heat, in a small saucepan, melt the butter and the olive together. Once melted, remove from the heat and add the aloe gel and essential oil. Stir to mix well for at least a full minute or two, then pour into a jar for storage. The shelf life on this mixture is 3-6 months.