As discussed previously, there are five steps to having the perfect skin care regimen (see this post if you missed it!). So today I thought I'd offer recipes for the final step in skin care, moisturizing. While you may have many hand lotion recipes, do you have some specific for the face? Well now you will!
Aloe and Rosewater Moisturizer
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons aloe vera gel
3 Tablespoons beeswax (grated or granules)
3 Tablespoons lanolin
4 Tablespoons rosewater *see how to make your own below the recipe instructions.
Blend the olive oil with the aloe vera and leave it in a small bowl while you melt the beeswax and lanolin in a small saucepan. Make sure that you use a low heat and stir constantly or you will burn it. Once it is melted, remove it from the heat and slowly pour in the olive oil and aloe mixture, while continuously stirring. Add the rosewater and mix well, then pour it all into a blender and blend until it is very smooth. When it is at the proper consistency, pour it into a jar or jars and place in the refrigerator. As it cools it will solidify. You may use it and place a lid on any left overs once it is completely cooled. Since this recipe has water and does not have any preservative, it should be stored in the refrigerator and used within two weeks.
Rosewater
Rosewater is a byproduct of rose essential oil, but can also be made by distilling fresh rose petals in water. Many roses are sprayed with chemicals to enhance their colors and increase longevity, so it is extremely important that you make sure that the roses you use are chemical free.
Take one cup of fresh rose petals and place into a bowl. Then cover with one cup of boiling, distilled water. Let this steep for a half hour, then strain the petals from the liquid, reserving the liquid and pouring into a glass jar. refrigerate the glass jar until use. *Again, because this is made with water and without any preservative, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator until use, and should be used within a few weeks time.
Cucumber Cold Cream
2 small cucumbers, peeled and halved
1 cup lanolin
1/4 cup almond or apricot kernel oil
1/2 cup boiling, distilled water
Place the cucumber into a blender and blend until it is completely liquefied, then slowly add in the boiling water and set aside to cool. Melt the lanolin over low heat, in a saucepan. Once melted, remove from the heat and, while stirring constantly, gradually fold in the almond or apricot kernel oil. Then strain the cucumber pulp through a cheesecloth or very fine strainer, reserving the liquid. Gradually add the cucumber liquid into the lanolin and oil mixture, while continuing to stir. Once completely mixed together, place in a small glass or a plastic jar, and store in the refrigerator. Again, since this contains no preservatives, keep it in the fridge and use it with 2-3 weeks.
This really comes out like an old fashioned cold cream, and it is one that is perfect for cleansing sensitive skin, aging skin and damaged skin. It is very refreshing, and the cucumbers provide a mild astringent property, while the lanolin, which is more like a wax than an oil, will absorb water and hold that moisture near the skin. This is really a great, dual purpose product!
No matter what you use, it is important to utilize a moisturizer in your daily skin care routine. It is the final step, the one that all the other steps prepared the way for. This step replenishes and protects the skin, so USE a moisturizer!
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