Table of Contents
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Natural Cold Cream
1/2-cup sweet almond oil
5-tablespoon water or rosewater
2 tablespoon melted beeswax
1/4 tsp borax
Mix the wax and oil in a double boiler until they are melted together evenly. In a separate saucepan on medium setting, heat the water and stir in the borax until completely dissolved, then remove from heat. While beating vigorously (using a mixer), add the borax mixture to the blend of wax and oil a little at a time until all the mixture has been added. Remove from heat and continue to beat on a low setting until it is cool and creamy in texture. Put in containers and allow it to cool completely before covering. It may need to be stirred occasionally while stored.
Shelf life – 6-8 months
Gentle Facial Cleanser
1/2-cup liquid castile soap
1/2 cup distilled water
2-tablespoon total glycerin and rosewater blended in equal amounts.
2-tablespoon aloe vera gel
Combine all ingredients and heat together on the stove on medium heat until they have blended well. Allow to cool and store in a decorative bottle. Shake prior to use.
Shelf life – 4-5 months
Mint Cleansing Cold Crème
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/4-cup aloe-vera gel
1 tsp olive oil or avocado oil
1-2 drops essential oil of peppermint or spearmint (or both)
Warm the vegetable shortening until it melts, remove from heat. Let cool for 2-3 minutes, and then fold into the aloe vera gel. Add the olive oil and keep folding for 1 minute. Add the essential oils and stir for another minute. Store in tins in the refrigerator.
Shelf life – 2 weeks
Toner
Peppermint Herbal Toner
1/2-cup infusion of peppermint
1/2-cup witch hazel
1/2-cup water
Make the infusion by steeping 2 heaping tablespoon of peppermint leaves in 1 cup of hot water for 15 minutes while covered. Strain and measure out 1/2 cup. Mix with other ingredients and pour blend into a bottle. A dried sprig of peppermint may be added to the bottle for effect. Shake before using. Alternates - In place of witch hazel - put 1-tablespoon honey in 1/4-cup hot water and stir well, then add this to 1/4-cup apple cider vinegar. OR add juice from half a lemon mixed together with sufficient water to equal 1/2 cup.
Shelf life – 8-9 months
Rose and Aloe Toner for dry skin
1/2-cup witch hazel
1/2-cup water
4-tablespoon aloe vera gel
4-tablespoon rosewater
4-tablespoon glycerin
Mix together all the ingredients in a bottle and shake occasionally and before use.
Shelf life – 8-10 months
Astringent Toner for oily skin
1-cup witch hazel
1/2 tsp tea tree extract
1/2-cup chamomile infusion
Make the chamomile infusion the same way as the peppermint infusion. Mix in a glass bottle with other ingredients.
Shelf life – 8-9 months
Oregano Toner
1/2-cup witch hazel
6 drops tea-tree extract
3 drops nettle or rosemary essential oil
6 drops oregano oil or extract
Mix together and store in the refrigerator. Shake before using.
Shelf life – 3-6 months
Gentle Toner
6 drops chamomile essential oil
6 drops peppermint essential oil
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4-cup witch hazel
Mix altogether and store in the refrigerator. Shake before using.
Shelf life – 3-6 months
Rose and Lavender Toner
6 drops rose essential oil
6 drops lavender essential oil
1/4-cup water
1/2-cup gin or witch hazel
Mix altogether and store in the refrigerator. Shake before using.
Shelf life – 3-6 months
Scrub
Honey Oatmeal Creamy Scrub
1/4 uncooked oatmeal (not instant)
2 1/2 tsp honey
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp warm water
Combine ingredients and add to face as a mask. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Using your fingers or a soft cloth, apply some warm water and gently scrub the skin in a circular motion as you rinse off.
Shelf life – NONE
Almond Citrus Scrub
1/2 cup finely grated and dried citrus peels (totally dehydrated lemon, orange, or grapefruit)
1/2 cup blanched almonds
1-drop liquid face cleanser
Combine citrus and almonds in a food processor or blender and process until a fine powder. Place a quarter size amount in your hand and add 1 drop of cleanser and enough water to make a paste. Using a gently circular, upward motion, rub into your face for about 30 seconds in each area. Rinse with warm water and follow with a toner and moisturizer.
Shelf life – 2 years if kept dry
Citrus and Baking Soda Scrub
2-tablespoon ground citrus peels
1/4-cup aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp gentle liquid soap (castile soap or unscented baby shampoo)
3 drops spearmint essential oil
Mix together. When applying, use about 1 tsp at a time.
Shelf life – 1-2 months
Almond and Oatmeal Scrub
1/4-cup aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp gentle liquid soap (castile soap or unscented baby shampoo)
2 tsp ground almonds
2 tsp ground oatmeal
Mix together, use about a teaspoon at a time.
Shelf life – 2 weeks
Eye Balm
1 tsp shea butter
1 tsp cocoa butter
1 tsp canola oil
1 tsp olive oil
2 drops calendula extract
1-drop chamomile extract
Melt the shea butter and cocoa butter in low heat. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Continue stirring for 5 minutes, and then pour into a bottle.
Shelf life – 3-5 months
Makeup Remover
3-tablespoon coconut oil
3-tablespoon olive oil
1 tsp avocado oil
Mix together, keep in a bottle, use as need to remove makeup and dirt from skin. Rinse skin with water after use.
Shelf life – 4-5 months
Gentle Face Cleanser
1/4-cup liquid castile soap
1/8 cup distilled water
3-4 drops chamomile essential oil
1-tablespoon orange or lemon juice
Mix together and store in the refrigerator
Shelf life – 1-2 months
Herbal Lip Balm
1 tsp beeswax
3 1/2 tsp sweet almond oil
1/2 tsp aloe vera gel
6 drops herbal flavoring (peppermint, spearmint, lemon, orange, cinnamon, strawberry)
Melt the beeswax and oil together over low heat. Remove from heat and add the aloe vera gel, stirring for 5 minutes. As the mix cools, add the flavoring (extracts). Put in small containers.
Shelf life – 6 months
Lip Gloss
1 tsp beeswax
1 tsp petroleum jelly
1/2 tsp aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp apricot kernel oil
Melt the beeswax, then remove from heat and add the petroleum jelly and aloe vera gel immediately. Stir for 1-2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add the apricot kernel oil and stir another minute. Store in a cool, dry place. VARIANTS – add 3 drops of flavoring of choice. 1/4 tsp shaved non-toxic crayon added to the beeswax works as a colorant.
Facials –
Facials have no shelf life
Honey, Vinegar, and Almond Mask
2-tablespoon honey
1/4 tsp vinegar
1/2 tsp sweet almond oil
Put the honey in a glass cup and warm in the microwave just long enough to make it soft and pliable but not hot. Stir in the other ingredients until blended smoothly and apply to face. Leave it on your skin for 15 minutes before removing with tissues and rinsing with water.
Yogurt Wonder Mud Mask
4-tablespoon fuller’s earth or French clay
2-tablespoon water
2-tablespoon plain yogurt
Mix together to make a smooth paste. Apply to face using gentle, upward strokes and avoiding the area immediately around the eyes. Let sit for 15 minutes until dry, and then rinse off with warm water.
Barley Yogurt Mask
1/4-cup barley
1/4-cup water
1/4-cup plain yogurt.
Warm the barley and water on the stove until about 200F. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand overnight. Strain off the water, and combine the barley with the yogurt. Apply to face and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes, and then wash it off gently.
Farmer’s Mask
2 egg whites, chilled
1/8 tsp cornstarch
Whip the egg whites until they form peaks, and then slowly add the cornstarch. Apply to face immediately, and then leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
Avocado and Coconut Mask
1 med avocado, mashed
1 tsp coconut oil
Stir together until it makes a creamy paste. Apply to skin and let sit for 15-20 minutes before washing off.
Anti-oxidant Facial
3 tsp pectin
1/8-cup hot water
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1/8 tsp vitamin C powder
1/8 tsp glycerin
Dissolve the pectin in the hot water; add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Pat onto your face, cover with a muslin or gauze sheet and wait ten minutes. Rinse off with water.
Soy Mask with Mint
1/4-cup soy powder
1/4-cup plain yogurt
1-2 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix the soy powder and yogurt to make a paste, and then add essential oil. Pat onto face and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse off with water.
Cucumber and Green Clay
1/8-cup French clay
1 medium cucumber, peeled and mashed
1 tsp sweet almond oil
Water
Mix together the ingredients, adding just enough water to make a very moist paste. Put on face and let sit until dry, 10-15 minutes. Wash off.
Rosemary and Creamy Milk
1/4-cup mayonnaise
1/8-cup honey
4 tablespoon powdered milk
2 drops rosemary essential oil
Heat the honey to make it easy to mix, and then blend with the mayonnaise, powdered milk, and essential oil. Let cool, then stir again and apply to face. Let sit for 15 minutes then wash off.